@@@@@ We were there five minutes laterMy vision 213
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We were there five minutes laterMy vision was as
clear as it had been when I woke up that morning,
if not clearerExcept for the low itch up and
down my right side, I felt fine
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I also felt a strong desire to drawI didn't know
what, but I would know, when I was sitting in
Little Pink with one of my pads propped on my
easel
"Let me clean off the side of your car," Ilse said
"You're going to lie downYou look beat half to
death
She offered a wan smile"That's just the better
halfRemember how Mom used to say that?"
I nodded I
pointed to where the hose was coiled on the north
side of Big Pink"It's all hooked up and ready to
go
"Are you sure you're all right?"
"Good to goI think you ate more of the tuna
salad than I did
She managed another smile"I always was partial
to my own cookingYou were great to get us back
here, DaddyI'd kiss you, but my breathThe skin was cool
and damp"Put your feet up, Miss Cookie - orders
from headquartersI turned on the faucet and hosed off the
side of the Malibu, taking more time than the job
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really needed, wanting to make sure she was down
for the countWhen I peeked in
through the half-open door of the second bedroom,
I saw her lying on her side, sleeping just as she
had as a kid: one hand tucked under her cheek and
one knee drawn up almost to her chestWe think we
change, but we don't really - that's what Wireman
says
Maybe s?, maybe no - that's what Freemantle
