heystaredatthestars,findingnothiertolookat.Iighemandwhisperedintoherear,andshecoiledherarmaroundmybadundermyshirt,tragciryskinwithhernails.

    "Whatwereyouguystalkingabout?Somethingfunny?"

    "Weweretalkingaboutyou,"Briansaid.Oscarlookeddownthebarrelofhisbottleandgrunted.

    IwalkedTessawayfromthem,aherheadonmyshoulderwithoutglangback.Sheledmeintothewoods,toaspotawayfromthecrowd,andlaydowniallgrassandferns.Voicescarriedi,heavyair,buttheirproximityonlymadethemomentmoreexg.Sheslippedoutofhershortsandunbuckledmybelt.Icouldhearagroupofmenlaughingdownbytheriver.Shekissedmeoomach,roughlypulledoffmyshorts.Someonewassingingtohersweetheartsomewherefaraway,themelodyonthebreeze.Ifeltslightlydrunkandverywarmallofasudden,andthoughtforaninstantIheardsomeoneapproagthroughthetrees.Tessclimbedontopofme,guidingustogether,herlonghairhangingdowntoframeherfadshestaredintomyeyesassherockedbadforth.Thelaughterandvoicestrailedaway,giarted,andpeoplesaidgood-bye,goodnight.Ireachedbehhershirt.Shedidnotaverthergaze.

    "Doyouknowwhereyouare,HenryDay?"

    Iyeyes.

    "Doyouknowwhoyouare,HenryDay?"

    Herhairsweptayfaeoneblewacarhornandracedaway.Shetiltedherpelvisanddrovemedeepinside.

    "Tess."

    AndIsaidhernameagain.Someohrewabottleintheriverandbrokethesurface.Sheloweredherself,restingherarms,aogether,hottothetouch.Ikissedthenapeofherneck.JimmyCummingsshouted,"Solong,Henry"fromthepiicarea.Tessgiggled,rolledof