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cions. He rolled back the sheets. The bed was clean. Matty's black Nikes were under the bed side by side. His pants in their usual ball by the hamper. A dirty sock on top. He inspected the clothes. A missing sock, but no tears, no blotches of dried blood. A couple of books on the floor near the bookcase. Nothing out of the ordinary. Even Freddy looked half-benign. It was a clean, well-lighted place. Calvin looked out the window and wondered what was real. |
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Matty's shower water made a soft hush through the pipes in the wall. Was it possible that none of it took place? Just a slice-and-dice dream? |
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Through the window sunlight poured in. The backyard was fresh after the midnight rain. The only thing moving was the pool's surface in the breeze. And the crows. Three big ones strutting across the asphalt like the Fates. One of them found something in the grass and began picking on it. The others joined it. |
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Back down in the kitchen, Terry asked, "Why's he taking a shower? He took one last night." |
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"He did?" He took morning or evening showers, not both. But that meant nothing. He had a doctor's appointment coming up. |
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Terry put Matty's plate of pancakes in the micro. |
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"What did you do last night?" |
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"Went to an early movie. Read a little when I got back. Must have dozed off about ten." |
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Calvin didn't say anything. He heard the shower turn off and Matty go into his room. |
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"You two eat," Terry said, and went up to get dressed. |
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Matty came down dressed in clean jeans and a long-sleeve pullover. He sat down and began to eat the pancakes. From the other side of the table, Calvin sipped his coffee and fixed his eyes on his son. "I saved you some time." |
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Without breaking the rhythm of his chewing, without the slightest betrayal of expression, Matty said, "Thanks." |
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"I let her out." Calvin added. |
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Matty nodded and put a wedge of pancake into his mouth. "We going to the hospital today?" |
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"Yes. Does that bother you?" |
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