"Almosteverynight.Sometimeaftermidnight,shegetsthesehystericalfitsandjumpsoutofbed.AndItgethertost.Ivetriedeverything."

    "Anyideawhatswrong?"

    Sayokodrankwhatwasleftofherbeerandstaredattheemptyglass.

    "Ithioomanynewsreportsohquake.Itwastoomuchforafour-year-old.Shewakesupatarouimeofthequake.Shesaysamanwokeherup,somebodyshedoesntknow.TheEarthquakeMariestoputherinalittlebox—toolittleforaofitinto.Shetellshimshedoesntwanttogetinside,aartspushingher—sohardherjointscradhetriestostuffherihatswhenshescreamsandwakesup."

    "TheEarthquakeMan?"

    "Hestallandskinnyandold.Aftersheshadthedream,shegoesaroundturningoneverylightinthehouseandlookingforhim:intheclosets,intheshoecupboardinthefronthall,uhebeds,inallthedresserdrawers.Itellheritwasjustadream,butshewontlistentome.Agotobeduntilsheslookedeverywherehecouldpossiblyhide.Thattakesatleastanhour,bywhichtimeImwideawake.Imsosleep-deprivedIhardlystandup,letalonework."

    Sayokoalmostneverspilledoutherfeelingslikethis.

    "Trynottowatchthenews,"Junpeisaid."Theearthquakesalltheyreshowingthesedays."

    "IalmostchTVanymore.Butitstoolatenow.TheEarthquakeMankeepsing."

    Juhoughtforawhile.

    "WhatdoyousaywegotothezooonSunday?Salasaysshewantstoseearealbear."

    Sayokonarrowedhereyesandlookedathim."Notbad.Itjustmightgehermood.Letsdoit—thefourofus.Itsbeenages.YoucallTakatsuki,O.K.?"

    Junpeiwa