thebeginning.Peoplearenoingtomoveoutofthecities;theyregoingtobemovingasfarawayasthey.Mypanyissittingonagoldmihisty."

    Mymothersidleduptohim,ahisarmaroundherwaistaedhishandonherhip.

    "WhenIfirstheardaboutthetroubleupinthewoodsandsendingiionalGuard,well,myfirstthoughtwasthatwhenthegoverwasthrough,landwouldbedirtcheap."

    ShelaughedsowillinglyathispunthatIfliesssqueezedmyarmtopreventmefromsayingwhatIwasthinking.

    "tryliving.Moderatelypriced,safeandsecure,perfectforyoungcoupleslookingtostartafamily."Asifoncue,heandmymotherstaredrightatTesssbelly.Alreadytheywerefullofhope.

    Feigninginnoce,Elizabethasked,"Howaboutyoutwo,UncleCharlie?"

    Tesssqueezedmybottom,aatinywhoopjustasJimmyCummingssteppeduptospeak."Iwouldntwanttoliveupthere,man."

    "Ofcoursenot,Jimmy,"Marysaid."Afterallyouwentthroughinthosewoods."

    "Theressomethingupthere,"hetoldtheparty."Didyouheartherumoraboutthosewildlittlegirlstheyfouhernight?"

    Theguestsbegantodriftoffinpairsandstartnewversations.SincehisrescueofyoungOscarLove,Jimmyhadacquiredareputationfortiresomerepetitionsofthestory,exaggeratiailsuntilitbecameatalltale.Whenhelauoanotheryarn,hewasboundtobedismissedasmerelyaoryteller,desperateforattention."Noreally,"hesaidtothefewofusremaining."Iheardthelocalfuzzfouwogirls,boutsixorseven,Ihear,whohadbrokenintothedrugstoreinthedeadofnightandsmashedeverythinginsight.Thecops