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“Won’t be the sa out for a cigarette”

Octavio ret to tell you of the passing of our great friend, Colonel” and tapes it to the cash register Rolly shakes his head sadly, Bob Castellano gives me a whiskery kiss Apparently Jonah or Christy calls my parents, because they come in around ten with Christy, who still looks pale and a bit shaky She and

“Thanks for co,” I whisper My own eyes are dry for the moment

Dad blows his nose, then hugs htly “I’m so sorry, honey,” he whispers

“He was the best,” Christy says, her

“I know Thank you”

“Well, Maggie,” my mother says, and I brace myself for what comes next “I’m sorry”

I blink in surprise She never tried to hide her disapproval, not being a dog lover herself She barely tolerated Dicky, another of my father’s saves

Judy takes care of the two relances and pretending not to listen

“At least you won’t have to vacuum up its fur every day,” Mom says idly “And the diner here will certainly be more sanitary without it”

Ah, here she is, my real mother My swollen eyes narrow

“Mom!” Christy squeaks “Jeezum!”

“What?” she says innocently “It’s true And look at you, Maggie, you’re a wreck You look awful All over a dog”

“Moly calm “Get the hell out of my diner”

“Excuse me?” she asks Dad steps back in alarm, and Christy puts her hand on his arm protectively

“Get out, Moh so ofme to Christy and her perfect life Get out Come back when you can act like a mother who loves all her children”

Myopen, and it’s odd, because at that h is enough

“Dad,” I say, “you really should stick up for me more”

“I know,” he whispers

“Christy, sorry Love you” I give her a stiff hug “Hope you feel better I’one when I come out”

Octavio, diplo as I come in I open the supply closet and sit down on the floor aed, and ives me five minutes, then opens the door

“You okay, boss?” he asks

“Peachy,” I say

“About tiap-toothed smile

I give a grih “Thanks”

I SEND JUDY HOME EARLY, preferring to stay as busy as possible Word has spread, apparently Chantal cos me with uncharacteristic sweetness and hands me a bunch of tulips

“Sorry, pal,” she says, sliding into a booth

“Thanks What can I get you?”

“Oh, I don’t know Maybe just soreat”

“Right There’s a sto around,” I tell her “Christy and the baby both have it”

“Yuck Well, if I don’t have it, I’d be happy to coht, okay? If you want some company?”

“That’s okay I think I just want to be alone”

Chantal nods “Hey, has Father Ti her lipstick in the chrome of the little jukebox

“Actually, no I have to drop by and tell hi Father Ti a cup of tea in the rectory living roo That’s where I’ll finally be able to find some comfort

I call Beth Seyht When she hears about Colonel, she offers to tell

“Thanks, Beth That would be nice,” I say My eyes feel grainy and hard

When I leave the diner, I auto before it occurs tome There’s no one to look out for, no one to talk to…shit Moht I’m pathetic

Mrs Plutarski glares at me when I ask if Father Ti up her glasses on her razor-sharp nose “This ht not be the time for a…social visit”

“I’ve just had a death in the fa she hates it when I call her by her first naive her one “Is he in or not?” I demand

“Maggie? I thought I heard your voice”

There he is “Hi, Father Tim Do you have a minute? In private?”

“For you, Maggie, always Edith,this over to the mother ship? It needs to be there today” He hands her a piece of paper, which she accepts as if it were an engageie Official diocese business Thanks, Edith”

“Don’t forget you have thatin Machias at six,” she says, her eyes on

“What can I do for you today, Maggie?” Father Ti me into the parlor

I sit in the chair, ready to be coht”

At first, the news doesn’t register I suddenly reht and didn’t “Oh, dear,” he says, his expectant s to sorrow

I wait for more It doesn’t come