"SorryIwassolonginansweringthedoor,"shesaidabovethesizzle."IwasonthephohCharlie.HesoffinPhiladelphia,tyinguplooseends.Iseverythingallrightwithyou?"

    Iwastemptedtotellhereverything,beginningwiththenightwetookawayherson,goingbackfurthertoalittleGermanboysnatchedawaybygelings,andendingwiththetaleofthestolenscore.Butshelookedtoocarewornforsufessions.Tessmightbeabletoha,butthestorywouldbreakmymothersheart.heless,Iellsomeoleastprovisionally,ofmypasterrorsandthesinsIwasabouttoit.

    "Ivebeenunderalotofpressurelately.Seeingthings,nottrulymyself.LikeImbeingfollowedbyabaddream."

    "Followedbytroublesisthesignofaguiltysce."

    "Haunted.Aosortitout."

    "Whenyouwereababy,youweretheaomyprayers.Andwhenyouwerealittleboy,remember,Iusedtosingyoutosleepeverynight.Youwerethesweetestthing,tryingtosingalongwithme,butyoucouldnevercarryatuhatcertainlyged.Andsodidyou.Asifsomethinghappeoyouthatnightyouranaway."

    "Itislikethedevilsarewatgme."

    "Dontbelieveinfairytales.Thetroubleisinside,Henry,withyou.Livinginyourownhead."Shepattedmyhand."Amotherknowsherownson."

    "HaveIbeenagoodson,Mom?"

    "Henry."Sherestedherpalmagainstmycheek,agesturefrommychildhooddays,andthegriefoverlosingmyscoreabated."Youarewhoyouare,foodorill,anduringyourselfwithyourowions.Littledevils."Shesmiledasifafreshthoughthadenteredhermind."Haveyoueverthoughtwhethery