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The boy took the blind ot a mark on ya"

"Old cut from back when I used to work the cotton Them bristles reach out and GET YA!" Bill spooked Isaiah, who shrieked, then laughed He liked Bill, liked being teased by the oldIsaiah up by both of his arms when they walked down the street, and his , "Now, Marvin, you’re going to stretch his ar about his mama and daddy made him sad

They’d reached the small alley Bill had told him to be on the lookout for "Shortcut," he said to the old man

"Thank you" Bill’s walk slowed "You all right there, littleabout my mama She died"

"Well That is sad" Bill slowed just a hair more The alley, he kneould dead-end at a brick wall He’d slept there a few tiht out of your head if you want"

"How you gonna do that?"

"Come on over here and I’ll show you"

Isaiah was dubious It wasn’t just that his auntie had told hiers; Blind Bill wasn’t a stranger, exactly There was just adeep down that made him wary, but he followed Bill anyway

"Not much of a shortcut, Mr Johnson Got a brick wall at the other end"

"Myof another street Hard for a blind man, you kno come on over here Come on, now"

Isaiah looked back down the alley at the empty street

"You not scared, are you? Special fella like you?"

"No I ain’t scared," Isaiah said Not scared, Memphis would say Well, Memphis wasn’t there Isaiah went to the old man

"I just have to put my hand on your head, like so That tickle?"

It did just a bit, and Isaiah laughed