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“You’ll want to talk to this one,” Chase stated and turned to motion Buck forward, but he was already on his way
Bending, he crouched directly in front of the rocker “Hey, Pop, it’s me, Buck”
The old man rocked forward and peered intently at the white-haired man before him “Is that really you, boy?” he demanded ary doubt
“It’s me, Pop White hair and all,” Buck replied with a flash of his old grin “I told you I’d coot out”
A kind of wonder stole through the oldout, he clasped Buck’s face with both hands “It is you,” he breathed the words, then released a sound that fell so in his eyes, he let go of Buck’s face and excitedly fumbled around in his shirt pocket before he finally succeeded in pulling out a slip of folded paper He showed it to Buck “You wrote you would co your letter with me ever since I was afraid to hope” His voice had a quaver to it “I just knew that sunavabitchin’ Calder would find some way to keep you there But—you’re really here”
“I’m really here,” Buck repeated in emphasis “I’ anybody can do to send me back there”
“You’re free” Tears ran down the hollows of Vern’s cheeks “If only your mother could have lived to see this”
“I know” Buck nodded then patted the old man on the knee “Look, Pop, I rented a small little house in town, the old Kromke place Do you remember it?”
“Yeah, I know the place”
“It isn’t h for the two of us I want you to come live with me”
In answer, Vern began to frantically grope around the chair ar first one way then the other “Where the hell did that damned woman hide my cane this time?”
Straightening, Buck retrieved the cane that had been hooked on the sill “Here it is, Pop” He pressed it into the man’s hand
I the cane for leverage and support “Give me a hand, will you?” he said with impatience
As Buck assisted him to his feet, Chase spoke up “You don’t have to live with hiht here”
“And just why the hell would I want to do that?” Vern challenged with vehemence “This ain’t my home, and the Atkinses ain’t any kin of otta eat when they say, and I’m not allowed to sain”