Page 46 (1/2)

“It s it on a hook by the door, then slipped his hat onto the shelf above it

“Spaghetti andto make,” she explained in an offhand way

“Fast is good I think we’re all hungry tonight” He went to the sink to wash up, conscious that she never paused in her task “Are you finding where everything goes all right?”

“Right now I’anize it later” She shoved a sack of sugar onto a shelf and pushed a container of corn in his chair When you get through, would you go wake him up and tell him it’s time to eat??

?

“Sure” But Quint couldn’t shake the feeling she was subtly pushing him away

It persisted throughout the evening meal Dallas was never cold or rude, but the studied indifference in her voice and attitude had its oay of holding hith Justified or not, it annoyed Quint

His plate slicked clean, Empty Garner leaned back in his chair and patted his full stoood”

“Thanks” Rising, she reached for his plate “Want some coffee?”

“Naw My chair’s calling o in and watch some television,” he replied and laid both hands on the tabletop to push hiht

As he hobbled toward the living roolanced briefly at Quint “How about you? Coffee?”

“No, thanks” Quint gathered up his own plate and silverware and carried the and turned on the hot water

As he squeezed some dish soap into the water, Dallas arrived with the rest of the dirty dishes from the table “Go watch TV with Empty I can do these”

“So can I” Quint turned on the other faucet, adding cold water to thebubbles

For an instant Dallas seeed “Have it your way” She slid the dishes into the soapy water and went back to clear the rest of the items from the table