Emancipation Day by Wayne Grady

7/28/2019 Emancipation Day by Wayne Grady

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Wa y n e G r a d y

A Novel

E M A N C I PAT I O ND AY

doub l eday canada


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JACk

T h i o s c m t six i th mo i g. Full kit, b ttlss, look sh p. J ck stu v thi g i to his kitb g,m his cot gg his u f t ombo ow toth p squ lo g with th o t oth m mb s o thn v B , ot k owi g wh t w s up. It w s k w t,

s usu l, s owi g i i g t th s m tim , bitt wicomi g i o th atl tic. G tco ts oilski s ov th iM W sts. Th hu s v t -six c wm th wto ccomp to th i ship ll i b hi th b , w iti gto b p ow P i c o W l s to th St. Joh s ock-

. Bl ck izzl m th i t light l ki g om b hith bl ckout cu t i s i th mi buil i gs su ou i g th


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p squ look lik m k buo s i og, mo w i g

th com o t.His h w s still pou i g om th ight b o . H

smok . H b pl i g c t th K o C, thK ights o Columbus H ll i St. Joh s, w o th gu s omth n v B , him o ums t ombo , F k St li go t ump t co t, ro Joh sto o pi o, K B lo b ss, oth s who c m w t. Th c ll th ms lv sth Ki gs M o l th s i it st, Kingsmen. Th wsuppos to ish t tw t -th hu , but th sto , pl i g o th u ks th i h s. Th i it o

u , mostl , but th w gi ls th , som o th m V-gi ls.V-gi ls lso i it o u . Th w som ic gi ls, likVivi , who b ought him s wich s u i g th b k o

ight , th xt w k, l t him w lk h hom . Sw t ki ,i t h v clu . H sk h out l st w k sh

go , too, o qu stio s sk , but sh w s l t s . Hs t ll m s, s, s, but h k s t ll m o, o, o. Still,

sh might g t him pl c s h coul t go b hims l . H c llh wh h got b ck to b cks. H i t k ow wh t music

i o th oth gu s, m b it h lp with th bo om ocut th ough th , but o him it m t tti g i , b lo g-i g, v gu s s ki g up o th m u cov o sou .a it w s t ll p ck up ou t oubl s, ith , it w s Goo m

Mill th do s s, it w s Moo light S Boogi Woogi Bugl Bo . F k w s whiz o th co t,th w ll goo . all goo tog th .


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ac oss th squ iv his m t w tossi g kitb gs

ho c s s i to cov t uck, w t u i g o th ih lm ts.

Wh ts th l? J ck sk F k.Fuck i I k ow.I smok .I i k, som o ls chim i . Gutt so .I aspi i . F k.I gi l. Joh sto .I got gi l, s i J ck, i K l m zoo. L ught .H lw s b quick with th jok s. H o t th

Ki gs M b c us h coul t ll jok k w th l icsto ll th so gs. Got p opl o th i t. Giv him th stb h si g th whol so g, h lov it, th looks o

th c s o th c s wh th music got to th m. Wh p so is si gi g h looks ou st ight i th , v oticth t? H w s t hims l mo wh h w s o tm , hw s som o ls , lik cto , som o with o p st outsith so g. H s g with his h t, lik h w s p oposi g to hisb st gi l, lik h w s t lki g his w i to b cks t lights-

out. Ho st, Co p, Iv g ow ccustom to ou c . Th tlw s got l ugh. Lik l st ight, wh th ll oll outo th K o C, Rolling home (dead drunk), th i t k owth w goi g to b c ll up t six .m. G t w pi ts ius w ll li k ms sw gg i g ow th si -w lk, hol i g ch oth up, Happy is the day when a sailor gets his pay, as we go rolling rolling home (dead drunk!). Th t


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w s oth so h chos th n v , o th so gs. S so gs

ol th h m s, ol s th s its l . n m o go ma m so g, go h . Th w ai Fo c so gs,Off we go,into the wild blue yonder , but wh t w s wil o blu th ths ? not th sk , ot h i n w ou l , it w s t, it mightb wil but it su w s t blu . B ttl ship g wh it w s tpitch bl ck.

W ll, h w s t olli g hom ow, h w s zi g his b llso o p squ i HMCS Avalon i St. Joh s bloon w ou l with th st o th n v B , th s poo

vils w iti g b hi th m to b m ch ow to th i ship.C w ch g o o o th st o sco ts, h gu ss . Th

i this v , two som tim s th tim s , ot usu llthis l , ot usu ll i th k, but lw s this m . I th

ou mo ths h b h , th b must h v s t t thou-s m o o co vo ut . a lot o th m v c m b ck.H o lo g look t th i c s. Th b pl som thi g

ousi g to li t th m s spi its s th m ch th m owP i c o W l s, p st th w hous s th w f g-w vi gcitiz s who still show up, ov to th n v ocks, s w th m

o to th i ships to th i lik l ths, th tu ou m ch th ms lv s b ck to h qu t s wh th xt co -m c w w s w iti g o th s m t tm t.Wh th Chi ll m ch th m out, it w s clos to

oh s v hu , still too k to s th music o th i l s.Th pl om m mo , Sous s S lv tio a m , whichh b pl i g si c S C ts. r i b o his ho


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oz , coll ct o his c p ow his ck. Th k Go

h coul pl th t ombo with glov s o , th t h co tit with col c m to k p th i o th b ss. a h ul o loc ls m b w lki g to wo k stopp to w v o shout woo cou g m t. School ki s lo g th si w lk b sith m, th owi g p bbl s t th b ss um.

Wh th ch th n v ocks, som thi g b ok ith outi . I st o splitti g th m i to two p ll l li sso th b coul pl s th m co ti u up o to thship, th Chi m ch th b st ight up th g gw

o to th o ck, wh th look bout th m lik bu ch o c ts th t h just b ump out o s ck. HMCS Assiniboine. d st o sco t, lik h thought, but wh t th

uck w th oi g o it? Th b w s o m i to six

li s stoo t s , t tw lv i ch s p t, i st um ts t th i si s.

W goi g to s , som o b hi him s i qui tl .Sou lik S i g .

no w ot, F k s i . Som bigwig just w ts show.W .

W c t b , J ck s i .Wh th uck ot?B c us th ts wh I joi th b , so I woul t h v to

go to s .Th w s igg s mo g th ks, but J ck w s s ious.

Th Chi tu gl . a low umbli g sou , lik k ttlums tu to e, t mo s comi g up om th m t l ck


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th ough th sol s o th i boots. Th ships gi s h st t ;

th ck c w w s g tti g to c st o . J sus, th h tp p him o ctiv ut . a w ills i th a mou i si To o to, l ctu o ch i o comm . I gu ti gt lls ou to g t out o th ucki g w , g t out o th ucki gw . I ki g o c t lls ou to g t out o th ucki g w ,jump ov bo . O c s wo c ps with sc mbl gg o th iviso s: s lut it. Th Chi w s o -commissio o c ,p omot om th ks, o o th bo s. do t s lut him

o t c ll him si . O i s m w othi g, us ulo hol i g hos s cl i g clogg scupp s. Fou w s ou

coul b kill i th n v : i c t om bov , U-bo t omb low, st o om i o t, cow ic om withi . Wh t

bout stupi it ? Stupi it w s cow ic . Ig o c , itto. a

how m w s to m k it out liv ? O : luck. a i ouw b sm st i g o th ck o ship i w tim ith s ow i th k hol i g oz t ombo , ou w ou luck so o bitch.

exc pt it w s t compl t l k mo . J ck coul sc oss th Assiniboines o ck to th h bou , wh oz

oth ships l t cho . Two hug g hulks c wli g withts: t oopships. Som o th m s o th w ships h coulm k out th ough th i . HMCSShawinigan, co v tt . HMCS Esquimalt , HMCS Clayoquot , mi sw p s. H l oz m -ch t v ss ls: M/VBay DEspoir . M/V Connaught . Fucki g

sco t ut , th . M b th b sco ti g th m ch tmto H li x, two s ch w , o possibl to n w yo k, w k.


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Th lost th ships to U-bo ts o th t u l st mo th. you

i t otic th mpt bu ks i th b cks mo , xc ptou i . abov th ships t s th bl ck h l o

C p Sp , thi li o whit oth b l sw lli g t its b s ,shi l th m om th op s . B o th t w s othi g,w t , bl ck col u im gi bl p, with lots o co ps s i u i o m t th bottom o it.

Wh th ship cl th h bou g t s th Chi ismissth m th boso pip th m b low to th m ss ck. Th ikitb gs w l th , tl stow b si th i i st u-m t c s s pil o cu ious-looki g cloth b to s th ttu out to b oll -up h mmocks. Tw lv m to m ss,o m ss o ch o th t s: sig lm , m , gum t s, stok s. J ck, F k som o th oth b sm

ll i with th gu m t s. Th slu g th i micks ovst m pip s, v t housi gs, o hooks, wh v th coul

bill t. B low th m, m t l t bl s lock s w boltto th cks th bulkh s. nothi g w s m o woo .Wh to p o st uck, o o th gu m t s tol th m,woo spli t f w th ough th i , killi g mo ti gs

th comp ssio o ow i g. M t l just buckl m lt .Fucki g sl v ship, F k mutt . J ck l ugh , but hish s w sh ki g th b l l t po t. H look

o po thol but th w s t o , th must b b low thw t li , h l i ch o st l b tw th m oblivio .K owi g h w s u w t m him l s though h w

ow i g. Ov th i t com th w o to b i g th i


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i st um ts to th o w hol , d d ck, to b stow u

op tti g u til . So t, light i th p ss g w s,coul t s ou h i o t o ou c . Bl ck thTob s s ow h , J ck s i . you h to cl w ou wb ck up th g gw to C d ck o chow. B th , th shipw s w ll u w . Th t mo h lt li b c m ull-f g shu s th list slightl i to th op s , th

gi s isi g to m b F-sh p. St i g i li o chow hcoul s th f t, g , o m-f ck oc sm ll sh ith ough op scuttl . H took i hug ughts o it, sthough h b hol i g his b th g i st sm ll. a ozm ch t ships th ough o scuttl , oth oz th oughth xt. a hug co vo .

F k c m b ck om co iss c missio mo g th

gul s ilo s h o th m i li .W ot goi g to H li x, h s i . W o th d

ru , sco t ut c oss th no th atl tic. Fi t ships. Wh th m ch tm ov to th B itish t th MOMP, thMi -Oc M ti g Poi t, som wh o Ic l . Th itsr r, h s i , g i i g.

Oh goo , st l x tio .no, u l tu . Th ucki g w ks t s . M blo g .

J cks stom ch tight his s buzz . Wh us?W ot comb t, w b sm .

Th s us to s v six mo ths to us out.Wh t, o um o bo ?


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I i t p ck , i ou?

Fucki g h ll.

Th c w wo k ou -hou w tch s: th st om oh ighthu to tw lv hu hou s; th mi l w tch, tw lvto sixt hu ; th mo i g w tch, sixt to tw thu , th th st g i . a w s ou hou s o , ighthou s o , th ou o ight o . ev thi g o b b lls.Go m b lls g v h l -hou : o b ll, two b lls, up to

ight b lls, ch g o w tch. J ck pull th tw lv -to-sixt -hu mi ight-to-oh- ou -hu : h lls b lls. H sp this st oo w tch o th bo t ck, m i g Fi St tio H,po tsi bo t ck, with p tt o c s co -cl ss Spoo m

o Spoo so , two oth o i s m , T illi g Si cl i , ith o th m b sm . S lt w t zi g to th

ils. H coul l l th b gi i gs o s sick ss, thslight izzi ss, th w k ss i th k s. H som tim s ltlight-h o th d t oit , but th t t ip l st o l h l

hou , h put it ow mostl to booz . This w s som -

thi g ls . This w t p .Th ou o th m sp t th w tch ith sitti g o th hoslock o st i g i th l o li bo t, smoki g t lli gli s bout th gi ls th l t b hi . Th c ll th womp ti s. J ck thought bout Vivi . H pho h wh hgot b ck, but sh p ob bl h v som o ls b th . Sw tlittl p t lik th t, it w s wo som o c h t got his


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hooks i to h l . Wh t i sh s i gu lik him? H

h l o to th ships il with o h , k pi g th oth i thpock t o his g tco t, st i g out t th oc , u bl to go

o w , i to go b ck.His stom ch b g to l wo s wh th lost sight o l .

H sp t th ight hou s b tw w tch s l i g i his h mmock,t i g ot to th ow up. H thought h b ll ight s lo g sh i t t, but t tw lv hu hou s h w t bov cks,

m gi g om th bloo - light i to th su , sil t st -light, w s sick. It w s lik b i g u k, o l ll th tim .

O l tiv l c lm ight, Spoo so tol th m bout t ki ghis su vivo s l v i I l t thOttawa, sist st o

sco t, w t ow . H b bill t i c stl b si pub h uck b m i m C thl v ight o two

w ks, o so h s i . Wh his l v w s up sh t i to cut hw ists with b ok wi gl ss. J ck l his lbows o tht il w tch th w th moo lit up th spit l t b hib th p ops. This w s ll bullshit, h thought. Who woul b

ool ough to kill h s l ov Spoo so ?Th Ottawaw s b uti ul st o , though, Spoo so

s i t whil . W t ow ight bout wh w ow,thi t -two m ch tm i th i g, xc pt it w s Su ot so ucki g col . Thi t th o S pt mb ,1942. Out o

hu t, wol p ck c ught h . Sixt - v su vivo s om c w o hu s v t - ight. Spoo so l ov th il

sp t i to th p opw sh, t ibut to ll ow s m .Fi st to p o c m th ough th ocsl o th po t si , i to


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th sig lm s m ss wh thi t m w sl pi g. ru

sm sh ll to shit, wh th subs comm s w shcoul t m o uv , h gl o to p o h g i ,this tim hitti g h mi ships o th st bo si , ight i thboil s. Sh w t ow lik sto , c pt i with h . M

w oth s w s pick up b th Arvida, took us ll th w toLo o .

J ck look t Spoo so s ibbo s. H might h v bt lli g th t uth. But th wh w s h still s co -cl ss PO

oi g ut ? no o w s who th s i th w .O his ou th out h w s wo s but thought i h t i tot som thi g h woul g t his s l gs, so just b o oo h

climb up to th m ss o chow. Th s h b com oughi thi g, ot sto m x ctl but moo , s though o

slow bu , bi i g its tim , th clou s o th ho izo wlw s low k. Som o s i th w ov th G

B ks, wh th w t w s sh llow sil uck . as soos h t th m ss, th sm ll o i g s us g s s t himu i g o th si . a t th t, ll h coul thi k o w s th

ships h vi g, th ck slowl isi g u him, just wh

h thought th ship w s bout to fip ov it woul b gi to gob ck ow . a p us , s though th ship w low i g its l ohim to jump i to th s , th th whol thi g woul st t

g i th oth w . J sus, th sw t u i g ow his ib c g ,th o i g i his s.Rolling home. . . H lt hollow llwith sou , lik c v i wi sto m. O m b lik ho .Th k Ch ist h i t h v to blow o ow. H stoo t th


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il o th ti w tch, t sli i g o th slick m t l, wishi g

th ship woul just k p c ti g o o c ump him ovth si . H i t po t to sickb , lthough h k w pl twho i . Sick ss w s cow ic . n xt wo s thi g to s ti g

ou post. F k tol him to t, k p som thi g i his guts,so h w t up to th m ss o mi - ts b o his ight w tch

wh t i h s ? Two pumpki pi s s t out o th t bl .at st h thought th w w l uts o top, th th mov .Cock o ch s. H puk ll ow his u i o m o t, i si histu ic. S m st pp ou him. Ch ist, L wis, g t th uck

ow to sickb .H h to c wl o his h s k s, coul t st up

his stom ch hu t so much, h just w t to li ow i it i , but h m it to th h tch, th ough th bl ckout ch t s

out o to th t il, wh h l o his stom ch cl wi g tth ck m t with his g ils to k p om sli i g ov thst . Coul t mov oth i ch. Fuck it, l t th m put him och g , l t s ip s him. But it w s Si cl i T illi g who

ou him.W ll, look t this so xcus o s m , Si cl i s i .

H stoo w v i g o th ck, s though t i g to k p hisb l c . H o t look hum t ll. H coul t b u k,ow, coul h ?no, s i T illi g. W u k, h looks wo s us.J ck t i to sp k but h h o b th. all his stom ch coul

o w s tight h v . Im ll ight, bo s, h thought, l vm lo , Ill b .


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W A Y N E G R A D Y

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I thi k h is, though. Si cl i l u st il ov J ck

u g him with his boot. d u k, I m .M b w shoul giv him som w t , T illi g s i .

Wh s , J ck, ol bo ? you w col show ? Sobou up bit? Si cl i w s u u li g th th -i ch hos om its

housi g o th t ck. Th ts th tick t! shout T illi g, tog th th tu th w t o him, j t so st o g it took

both o th m to hol it, l ughi g so h th l w sh himov bo . J ck w pp his ms ou st chio s his l gsswu g ov th si , h st ow t th p opw sh glowi gphospho sc t i th glow i g s , still puki g, th ough his

os , ow, om t o . His c p ll with w t th chi -st p st t to chok him, th it b ok . H look up i to thwhit c s o his to m t s sc m . Wh t h h o

to s v this? Wh i th h t him? Wh t i th k ow?Wh th shut th hos o l t him, his g tco t oz

to th ck. H i t k ow i h w s still huggi g th st chioo i his co t w s th o l thi g k pi g him o th ship. Hisl st thought b o p ssi g out w s th t his moth woul looki to h t l v s i th mo i g s fo ti g c p with his

m st cill o it. Sh woul t ll his th h h ow .

Th i ghostl c s w still l i g t him wh h c m to, it took him lo g s co to liz h w s i sickb , l i g o m t l cot. Pip s hiss bov his h . O li s scu i bout,th ship olli g mo th v , but h lt b tt , o, h lt


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umb, th must h v giv him som thi g. H l o lo g

tim i to mov , h i g th k ttl ums puls th ough thsi s o his cot. His h s w w pp i b g s.

a m w i g whit smock c m up to him. H w s ol ,p ob bl o c but th smock cov his pips. H lookmo lik busi ssm to J ck, lik h w s goi g to s ll himi su c o som thi g: h i tl b ush , ils cut sho t

l smooth.O i S m J ck L wis, th m s i , i g his

clipbo .Si .Im Su g o C pt i B s, chi m ic l o c o bo .

you luck m .am I, si ? B s. d . B s. It coul t b . J ck lt his

p lms sw t u th i b g s.you m t s thought ou w u k.I w s t.Iv t mi th t. Wo s c s o s sick ss Iv v

s . Wh ou om, w ? S sk tch w ?no, si . Wi so .

nov Scoti ?no, si . O t io. ac oss om d t oit.Th m look mus . I k ow wh Wi so is, h

s i . Im om th m s l .J sus. Itwasd . B s. Wish I w s th ow, si .Hmm. W ll, oull h v to st wh ou o bit. U til

ou h s imp ov w c t k thos b g s o . Coupl


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o s. Th w p tt b l oz . W shoul b i to th

sto m goo p op b th . Thi k ou c m g ?no, si .Goo m , h s i , l t.J ck st t him. doc B s, P t s ucki g th . Th

o m i th whol go m n v who h so to killhim. H P t w itt to him? H lt his stom ch ch st st tto go h thought bout c lli g o b p . Wh t v th

oc h giv him w s ith t ki g hol o w i g o . H l hou w t b o o c m to his cot. M b B s h poi-so him w s w iti g o him to i . ev tu ll , o lp up pl c bottl o pills o th m t l b st .

Th MO s s ou to t k th s o s sick ss.I l h v s sick ss, h s i .

T k o v ou hou s. ev tim ou h ight b lls,t k pill. Got th t?

H o th o l l t. H look t th bottl . Pill# 2-183, but o m o th l b l. Th pills w p l llow,lik pow piss. How th uck w s h suppos to t k th mwith his h s w pp i b g s? But o cou s h woul t

t k th m w , i c s B s h cog iz him. a chi m ic l o c coul g t w with thi g, v mu .H v m t th oc i Wi so b c us h go o to

w b o J ck h joi th all-Whit s, but h m mbth photog ph i P t s hous , o sm ll t bl u l mpwith i g sh . It w s lw s l v i g wh h visit P t P t s moth , d ll . H P t woul


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st b wi ow i th upst i s p lou , bl ckout cu t i

sk w, looki g ow o to th st t th ough th l v s o gi t ch st ut. Bl ck smok ov d t oit, J cks ow c -f ct i th gl ss, hollows wh his s shoul h v b his p l s sticki g out. H look lik ight ccoo .W his ch kbo s too high? d ll w s b hi th m, k it-ti g. H w tch h f ctio i th wi ow s sh c oss hl gs, swi gi g h oot i tim to th l s, th littl puck o co c t tio m ki g h lips look pois o kiss. H tuhis h o b tt look t his ow p o l i th wi ow. alittl too high? H kiss h i sh v g v him th ch c .

Th th w wom o th B ll Isl B i g .Wh t wom ? Who w th ?

Wh h wok up, F k St li g w s st i g b si his cot.H llo, J ck, h s i . I h th h to chip ou o th ckwith ic sc p s.

J ck h l up his b g h s. I coul h v i , thb st s.

Th b i g iscipli , F k s i h ppil .Fo wh t? att mpt mu ?n w, u utho iz us o ghti g quipm t. a hou s

if ill v mo i g t oh six hu . Iv b ssigto ou st tio , m M i l .

This w s goo ws. H lik F k, lthough h i tt ust him ll th t much. H w s ol , tw t -th o ou ,


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c m om posh tow som wh To o to, th

l w o som thi g, F k w s lw s v gu bout wh t.J ck coul sm ll mo , F k h th sm ll i sp s.H w s built lik p iz ght , buzz cut, h vil b ow bull ck , but h i t h v box s st c . Stoo withhis t p t. doi g his bit o th cou t but ot t ki g ittoo s iousl . Lots w iti g o him wh th w w s ov ,i it o som ki o l k, th l w s bo who coul h vb o c o m b v uck th w ltog th , butjoi th ks i st b i p opl lik J ck. youcoul t t ust som o i ou i t k ow th i motiv s. Butm b h F k w t so i t t ll: th bothw t to s how th oth h l liv .

a ctio t? J ck sk .

no. Qui t s mous . B w th k ps th U-bo ts u ,pp tl . But w ll soo b c ossi g th Pit, s i to b sw m-

i g with th m . I w g t o o thasdic w coul b outo lo g tim .J ck g o . H h o ships th t h st out o

mo ths, th i c ws ot v g tti g sho l v o ov

. H look t th bottl o pills. you g tti g s sick tll, F k?y h, h s i , touchi g his stom ch. B i g th sh

ll mo i g.you shoul t k th s pills, J ck s i . I o t th m

mo .r ll ? F k pick up th bottl th l b l.


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{ 29 }


Th ks, bu , h s i , spilli g w i to his h putti g

th m i th pock t o his u g s. Might whit o ou.J ck look up t th c ili g. do t m tio it.

a t th s th o l cut J cks b g s o with p io scisso s. Th ski b th th m w s s p l s skimmmilk h m v ll t it, th bl ck h i s o th b cks o hish s l i g f t, lik g ss t foo . O th ou th hw s b ck o w tch, this tim with F k M i l , but hstill lt lik th o pl t . M i l w s s goi g novScoti who b bosu s m t o umb o wh li g

s li g ships, cco i g to him, b o joi i g th n v .J ck pick up w c p om ships sto s, but it h HMCS

Assiniboineo it i st o HMCS Avalon, th n v b s i St.Joh s th t w s his posti g, h i t lik it. It lt lik t s , lik h v g t b ck o soli g ou . a th

i t h v his siz : th st p gl comic ll u his chi .Th w th h c lm but th og w s so thick h coul b ls th wi th o th ship, th s v gu m c , som thi g

liv but u s , o gott o lo g st tch s u til su lm mb , lik bt.H w s still gul l sick, but h i t t k th pills; h

woul t h v k pt th m ow lo g ough, w . H wo - how F k w s oi g with th m. H t his s lt co

(which th c ll s w t out), o chipp b o to st (shito shi gl ), th to th si to s it ll ov th il.


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W A Y N E G R A D Y

{ 30 }

Chipp b c m out looki g lik chocol t milksh k .

C m co cut lov l gol c th ough th og. evsm ll s t him o . So p, t sh v , cig tt smok , bu i gco l. But h woul t go b ck to d . B s.

H w s must i g o oo w tch wh th og li t , s thoughsom o h is bl ckout cu t i . J sus, th s w s big.High ov h , lo gulls mut c cut th ough th wiwhistli g th ough th iggi g. Th th l t sou : actiost tio s! U-bo t o th po t bow. Th h both b c uis-i g th ough th og, th Assiniboinet ili g b hi th co vo

th U-bo t w iti g just b low th su c o st ggl s.r pp tl h t pick it up i th g ou clutt . PO

Spoo so stoo t th il u th comp io w , c lmlsmoki g c lli g b ck to J ck F k to m i t th ipost. Sh s th t clos w c t g t ou big gu s ow low

ough, h s i . C ip s, L wis, i h h tch w s op oucoul puk ou lu ch ight ow i to h . Sh s t i g to g t

ough w om us to iv . C t iv this clos o w

b o h i mi ut with th pth ch g s.W chasing h ? J ck ll . H w s st i g b sith PO.

Bloo ight w ch si g h , M i l c ll b ck.Wh t i its t p? Wh t i th U-bo t c pt i s th s m

o who bl w thOttawa to h ll?W goi g to m h , th PO shout .


22/31

{ 31 }


Oh J sus, thought J ck, J sus, M Jos ph. H

F k to th il to h v look. Spoo so tol th m tog t b ck to th hos lock , but h i t push it so th st .J ck h v s U-bo t b o , h t s thi g o th m t ll. H liz th t th w , up to this poi t, hb umou , ws o som thi g h pp i g som wh ls .G m pl s i t f ov St. Joh s. To p o tti g k ptth U-bo ts out o th h bou . Th sub w s lo g th th Assiniboinebut o l h l s wi , with g w t st m-i g lo g h glist i g f ks sh look sl k s gi t sh, wh l o l vi th , som thi g m st ious bl ck -g ous. Som thi g biblic l. H s w th t th sub w s ot f i gbut m o uv i g o positio hknewit! tt mpti g to putsom ist c b tw th v ss ls so sh coul tu l u ch

to p o, th t th Assiniboines c pt i w s t i g to stwith h i c s sh subm g . Th b sitti g ucks.

St cc to gu upt om th Assiniboines o ck:th gu s w i g o th subm i to k p th G m s

om g tti g c w to th i ow ck-mou t till . J ckcoul t s m o th Assiniboines c w, w t th il lik

him F k, th st t th i ctio st tio s o b hi b f s.Wh t must it h v b lik i th U-bo t? J ck liz with st t th t th w m i si th subm i , th t this w s tth m g i st m chi o mo st om th pths, it w sth m g i st oth m . Th i ow ck gu s w i ctiv ,

th sub soo h its h l -i ch swu g ou t i oth Assiniboines b i g .


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W A Y N E G R A D Y

{ 32 }

G t b ck to ou st tio s! Spoo so shout , J ck

F k sc mbl b hi th st tio b f . as soo sh lost sight o th oc , h st t li g sick g i . Hish t i to li t its l om his shoul s. H h sh pbudda-budda, s um b t o its im, lmost si-mult ous cl gou om bov b hi th m, ollowb s i g o . Th G m s h hit st ck o g soli c ssto u t p o th upp ck, u l o th li bo ts

u bout, stupi pl c to put th m. J ck coul l th h tom th f m s o his c . Liqui b g u i g lo g th

bo t ck, th tow s th m ow th g gw i to thscupp s s th ships bow os i to th ch s . H m mbwh t f m s coul o to f sh. H oz . Th M i l shovhim si b g p i g out th th -i ch. T k it! h

shout , J ck g ipp th hos s ozzl with ittow s th v ci g f m s, F k ollowi g. do t botht i g to put it out! M i l c ll t th m. Just w sh itov th si b o it hits th comp io w go s b low.Show l g, ow!

Th hos sti i his h s s M i l op th

h t, h F k g ppl lo g th ck tow s thf m s. C ws o th upp cks w w shi g ow , somo it l i g o th li bo ts som o it o th m. J ck F k hos o th bo t c opi s st, th w sh th m i

i to th scupp s, wh it spill i to th s hiss likmolt m t l. H w s sw ti g spit th sp blowi g b cki to his c . H w t to ip o som p t o his u i o m but


24/31

{ 33 }


i t t k his h s o th hos . F k tu to him

w s bout to sp k wh th ship g v viol t shu listst o gl to po t, th owi g both o th m g i st th ocsl . Thw goi g ow . J ck c i out, opp th hos i p ic, it s k w om him, spitti g w t i ll i ctio s.

Wh th uck i ou o th t? F k ll , spittl s o spilli g ou his h om th upp ck, t th t

mom t J ck h t him, h t th look o i his s mi -o i g his ow . It w s s though J ck h sh som p iv t

p t o hims l h h ot m t to v l. But th w llsi ki g, wh t i it m tt ? H i t b lo g h , h w s Wi so bo ; his th h b ight, this w s t th i w .M i l s w th w ithi g hos , ov st pp o itsb ss h , stilli g it. Th ship ight .

To voi looki g t F k, J ck g bb th hos om uM i l s boot, th l ov th si to s ch o thU-bo t. Sh go ow w s slowl bobbi g b ck to thsu c , lo g, silv g sh showi g o h po tsi .

W mm h ! F k s i .Th Assiniboinecut th ottl c m bout i tight c

whil , o th o ck, th till c w low th o wy-gu i to positio . Fl m bu st om th gu s muzzl J ckw tch th bl ck ots pp lo g th U-bo ts hull. Ths m u c ss , o th U-bo t w s obviousl ish .Still, ou v k w. ai w s bubbli g out o h th oughth sh ll hol s. H os li t om th g w t s thoughsh w s i g th i o th sc t o l , i s co s sh


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W A Y N E G R A D Y

{ 34 }

b g sli i g b ckw s w s go . It w s ov , his st kill.

H liz h b g ippi g th il so h his glov s hoz to it his h s w umb. H h th pip to low

bo ts, th th sou o vits wi ch s. It w s t ov .G t thos bo ts i th w t ! th bosu ll . Look sh p

to it!Wh h look ow t th s g i , h s w th oil slick, lik

th bloo o th su k U-bo t, shimm i g i th p l wi tsu light, sp i g i c lm ci cl bov th v ish sub. Th ,withi th slicks ci cum c , obj cts fo t to th su c .at st J ck thought th w just clothi g bl k ts. Thh liz h w s looki g t m . Som o th m w v th i

ms st t swimmi g th ough th oil tow s th ship, butm w u movi g, chu to th su c b u w t

tu bul c . Th i bl ck bo i s m g mom t il omth k ss, twist oll th v ish b ck i to th

pths. Isl s o f m om th Assiniboinefo t i th w tb tw th ship th livi g m . H w tch s th littl p tch s tt ch g w i to l g isl s, th i to b ightco ti ts, u til th whol slick w s vo t x o bl ck, c i

smok . Th ships cutt s w i th w t ow, th i c wsowi g h tow s th i o. Th w su vivo s, th mh ul who h m g to swim cl o th oil, w h ulup i to th bo ts.

Som o th m l i g o th bottom o th op cutt swo G m u i o ms, but oth s w soot-st i m icivili clothi gpi st ip suits, c m l ov co ts st t


26/31

{ 35 }


sho s. It w s s though th xplo i g sub h to hol i

th oc , suck up bo i s om Wi so d t oit w sow sp wi g th m to th su c . H h s this b o , s

fo ti g o w t , s bo i s bl ck b f m . H t ito tu w , but i st ou his s s chi g th bo ts oth o k c h h com this to o g t.

Withi w k h w s b ck i sickb . H h t k pt oo ov w t ow o s. H st up t th c ili g, im gi -

i g h w s bi f i g ov s ow-cov xp s o soliic , looki g o l . Th o l tol him his v w s102

isi g. O th cot xt to his, cci t c s s t, b ow g u t, p opp g i st pillow, with b g ov his ight

o h .F ll ow th t comp io w , h s i , c i g t

o wi gl ss s up to th o c s m ss. Ill g t m l o it.H g i . His h i stuck out t o gl s om u thb g . Wh t ou got?

Just th doc B s c m i .

H v ou b t ki g th pills? h sk J ck.y s, si , J ck pli . T ki g th m givi g th m toF k.

ev ou hou s?O th b ll, si .Hmm. W ll t uppi g th os g . Th w.

d . P l t th Mo t l n u ologic l I stitut t McGill


27/31

W A Y N E G R A D Y

{ 36 }

v lop th m. n v s t i g th m out o him. M k s ou

ki o gui pig, L wis. Ill giv ou som mo , thistim , t k th m s qui . Wh v ou l us comi go . Got th t?

Ill b ti g th m lik c , si .T to k p t ck. I w c st blish th p op os g o

ou ch o ic c s s itll b big st p o w .J ck ci to isk it. H h t t ct sig s o cog-

itio om th oc, but ot k owi g o su w s ti g him up.you P t s th , t ou, si , h s i , t i g to m khis c look i oc t.

you k ow m so ? th octo s i , ow i g.W w i th S C t b tog th . Th all-Whit s.ah. Sm ll wo l , is t it. H stoo p i g t J ck s though

t i g to pl c him, th pp to giv it up. I c s ,h s i , w ll k p ou h u til ou h t . at th

oo h tu . W h v to g t ou b ck to Wi so i opi c , o t w ?

now wh t th uck i th t m ?Still, it sou s though h i t m to kill him. M b

P t h t s i thi g, t ll. you coul t t ust oto o th obvious. H took two pills lt ll ight o hou , wh th ic l bov his cot b g h vi g b ki g

up g i h took two mo . H l u th sh t i colsw t, u bl to clos his s, m mb i g th w ithi g bo i si th w t , th st g s i th li bo ts. Th must h v hitsom ki o w th s st m, th ship w s bucki g sw lls o


28/31

{ 37 }


t s w ll s olli g om si to si . Th bulkh w s

b i g w ch o w whil th ck u him to qu ioth . Th w h o xt to him w s sl p. J ck took two

mo pills , wh h coul clos his s without g tti gsick, h ll sl p, too.

Wh h wok up, Su g o C pt i B s w s sitti g o ch i t th oot o his cot, w iti g som thi g o his clip-

bo . J ck st t th silv s k o his c p b g . Thship w s so st h thought th must h v ock . ath i sm ll sh. Som o h sluic th scupp s. Wh t

li . Th w s gl ss o w t with st w i it o hisightst , h s t up took sip. H look ov t th

xt cot s w ot th w h o but two g soli pumps withhis th s t uck p k b si th m. Th iv s oo w s

op but th w s o iv i sight. Th ough th op ooh s w wom i th p ss g s t, smoki g cig tt showi g lot o l g.

d ll ? h s i .d . B s him. Wh t w s th t, b sm ?nothi g, si . How much o I ow ou?

Ow m ?Fo th g s, si .J ck h to ist ct th octo . B s must ot look b hi

him s his wi i J cks t uck. J ck h th do g oosl m s w th t som o h climb i to th iv s s t. Itw s his b oth , B . B d ll ? you so o bitch!h ll . Fi ou ow p t ! B st t th t uck, ov


29/31

W A Y N E G R A D Y

{ 38 }

it c oss th st t p k i o t o th amb ss o Mot l.

J ck t i to g t up u but h w s st pp i to his cot.St o , b sm , th octo s i . How m o

thos pills h v ou t k ?B hi th octo s b ck, F k St li g K B l

w s tti g up th i music st s. ro Joh sto c m i c -i g b ss um withW. H. Lewis & Sons, Plasterersp i t

o th h h b g ss mbli g th hi-h t s . J cksth w s st i g t th mic opho F k w v J ck

up to th b st . Ch ist, coul t h s h w s sick? Thocto , still sc ibbli g w , s m u co c th t b hi

th Ki gs M hug hol h op i th ships si G m U-bo t w s osi g its w i to sickb , s i g o th Assiniboine s boil s.

a ou h lluci ti g, b sm ? sk th octo , st -i g up ci g him. a ou s i g thi gs? I his h hh l k ch i i th sh p o th amb ss o B i g .

I o t thi k so, si .How m p opl i this oom?J ck look ou . d ll B h is pp i to

U it Six.Th octo m ot . Who w ou t lki g to just ow?M s l , si . It w s t u .you s m to b i som ist ss.not ll , si . But s i g d ll g i , th li o hlo stocki g slightl sk w, h ski t swi gi g s sh w lk

tow s th mot l with B , who woul t b ist ss ? I


30/31

{ 39 }


th oc coul s wh t h s w, h b i som ist ss hims l .

I th w s oc.Wh t w s i thos ucki g pills? H look t th b . Th

h ch g i to tux os w sm i g th i c s h s with bl ck g s p i t. dow Wh th Sw rivFlows. no, ot al Jolso , h h t al Jolso . a dixi l ,th bu p opl ow i dixi . a h tch op i thU-bo t Hitl b g climbi g ow J cobs l i tosickb . as th Fh st pp o to th ck th op lb c m hos , th oos ou his th s ck, F k th b st uck up dixi l v sio o St. J m sI m . J ck twist g i st th st i ts i his cot, c lli gout i t o , but ot lou ough to ow out d ll s sc mso pl su comi g om th mot l.


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all ights s v . Th us o y p t o this public tio , p o uc , t smitt i y o m oby y m s l ct o ic, m ch ic l, photocopyi g, co i g o oth wis , o sto i t i v lsyst m without th p io w itt co s t o th publish o i th c s o photocopyi g o oth

p og phic copyi g, lic s om th C i Copy ight Lic si g g cyis i i g m t o th copy ight l w.

doubl y C colopho gist t m ks.

Lib y a chiv s C C t logui g i Public tio

G y, W y

em cip tio d y / W y G y.Issu lso i l ct o ic o m t.

ISBn 978-0-385-67766-0

I. Titl .

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This book is wo k o fctio . n m s, ch ct s, pl c s i ci ts p o ucts o th utho sim gi tio o us fctitiously. a y s mbl c to ctu l v ts o loc l s o p so s, livi g o

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