mthatmomenttotheinstantourplaoucheddownathome,allIcouldthinkaboutwasthatlostgirl,andwhatbotheredmeaboutherwasnotsomuchhermysteriousappearanddisappearaherfamiliarity.

    Wheledinathome,Ibegahegelingseverywhere.

    IntownonaSaturdaymforahaircutwithEdward,Igrewflusteredbyatowheadedboywhosatwaitinghisturn,quietlysugalollipopashestared,unblinking,atmyson.Whenschoolresumedinthefall,apairoftwinsihgradespookedmewiththeirunyresemblaoeachotherandtheirabilitytofinisheachotherssentences.Drivinghomefromabandperformanadarknight,Isawthreechildreninthecemeteryandwondered,foramoment,whattheymightbeplottingatsuchalatehour.Atpartiesortheoddeveningoutwithothercouples,Itriedtoworkinveiledreferehelegendofthetwirlsandthebaby-foodjars,hopingtofindsomeoneelsewhobelieveditorcouldfirmtherumors,buteveryonescoffedwheiohestory.Allchildren,exceptmyownboy,becameslightlysuspect.Theybedeviouscreatures.Behindeverychildsbrighteyesexistsahiddenuniverse.

    Thequartetsalbum,TalesofWonder,arrivedbyChristmas,andwenearlyworeoutthegrooveplayingitoverandoverforourfriendsandfamily.Edwardlovedtohearthedissonanceofviolinsagainstthesteadycellolihecrashingarrivaloftheaicipatingitsarrival,themovementwasashoatterhowmanytimesoehealbum.OnNewYearsEve,wellaftermidnight,thehousequietasaprayer,asuddenblastofmysongstartledmeawake.Expegtheworst,Icamedownstairsinmypajamas,wieldingabaseballbat,onlytofindmysonbug-eyedinfrontofthespeakers,hypnotizedbythemusic.WhenIturneddownthevolume,hebegantoblinkrapidlyandshakehisheadasifa