Outireetagaihatthecloudshadturnedadeep,angrypurple.Iagnantairtherewasastormsmell.

    Thevividgreenofthetreesalongthesidewalkseemedtostealintotheatmospheresothattherewasastrangegreenishglowoverthestreet.AllwassohushedandstillthatJakepausedforamomenttosnifftheairandlookaroundhim.Thenhegraspedhissuitcaseunderhisarmaoruntowardtheawningsofthemai.Buthewasnotquiough.

    Therewasoalliccrashofthunderandtheairchilledsuddenly.Largesilverdropsofrainhissedonthepavement.

    Anavalancheofwaterblindedhim.WhenhereachedtheNew

    YorkCafehisclothesgwetandshriveledtohisbodyandhisshoessqueakedwithwater.

    Brannonpushedasidehisneerandleanedhiselbowsontheter.Now,thisisreallycurious.Ihadthisintuitionyouwouldeherejustaftertherainbroke.Iknewinmybonesyouwereingandthatyouwouldmakeitjusttoolate.Hemashedhishthisthumbuntilitwaswhiteandflat.Andasuitcase?’

    Itlookslikeasuitcase,Jakesaid.Anditfeelslikeasuitcase.

    SoifyoubelieveiualityofsuitcasesIrethisisone,allright.’

    Yououghtnottostandaroundlikethis.Goonupstairsandthrowmedownyourclothes.Louiswillruhemwithahotiron.’

    Jakesatatohebackboothtablesaedhisheadinhishands.No,thanks.Ijustwanttoresthereamywindagain.’

    Butyourlipsareturningblue.Youlookallknockedup.’

    Imallright.WhatIwantissomesupper.’

    Supperwontbereadyforhalfanhour,Brannonsaidpatiently.

    Anyoldleftoverswilldo.Justputthemonaplate.Youdonteveobothertoheatthem.’

    Theemptinessinhimhurt.Hewaolookherbackwardnorforward.Hewalkedtwoo