Somewhere Between Longview & Miami

8/13/2019 Somewhere Between Longview & Miami

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SOMEWHEREBETWEEN

LONGVIEW&

MIAMI

Jennifer L. Armstrong

The !thor retins "o#$right

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CHAPTER ONE

I get etter from him 'o!t e(er$ si) months.

M$ s!'"ons"io!s #re#res me for the e(ent '$ "!sing me to h(e m*or !rges to"he"+ the mi'o) t,i"e -$ sometimes e(en three times. I so thin+ ot 'o!t himfor the month e-ing !# to the etter. J!st the !s! st!ff // fntsies 'o!t "hn"een"o!nters ,ith him e(en tho!gh he0s 'o!t 122 mies ,$.

The etter ,hen it rri(es is s(ore-. I -on0t te Wison 'o!t it tho!gh he,$s "omments tht I seem -istnt.

I !s!$ smie n- s$ 3It0s moon or's. Right no, the moon is igne- ,ith J!#itern- it "retes n !r of #e"e in m$ ife.3 I h(e no i-e ,hether it is e(en #ossi'e for

the moon to ign ,ith J!#iter '!t of "o!rse neither -oes Wison. He *!st oo+s t me

i+e I0m "r4$ n- s+s me if I ,nt to go to the Beer 5nteen 'efore or fter the mo(ie.3After3 I s$. I fee -r!n+ re-$ n- 'eer ,o!- sen- me into nother sor

s$stem.

B!t Wison hs to h(e his 'eer so ,e #! into the #r+ing ot of the Beer 5nteen,hi"h mens ,e0 miss the se(en o0"o"+ sho, so ,e0 h(e to hng o!t here ti the nineo0"o"+ one n- '$ tht time Wison ,i h(e #!t ,$ three 'eers I ,i inger o(er onen- the ,hoe e)#erien"e ,i h(e "ost !s fo!r -ors. The mo(ie ,i then set Wison

'"+ nother t,o -ors. We"ome to Est Te)s. The n- of -or 'eer n- -orthetres.

6i- I mention tht I thin+ Wison n- I re going to get mrrie-7 E(er$one esethin+s so so I g!ess $o! might s ,e too.

The Beer 5nteen is ,$s "ro,-e- on St!r-$ night. It0s one of those #"estht "n0t -e"i-e ,hether it ,nts to 'e "o!ntr$/n-/,estern 'r or to#/82 hngo!t so it

"om'ines -r+ ,oo-en 'ooths ,ith "hrome/trimme- "hirs n- t'es9 #osters of 6,ight:o+m ,ith #osters of ;%. The m!si" is so mi) // o(e '-s -n"e hits 'it off!n+ ots of hert n- so!. B!t the men ,er "o,'o$ 'oots n- the ,omen h(ehir n- f"e tht h(e t+en t est n ho!r n- hf to "hie(e.

3Ho- the t'e Jessie3 s$s Wison. 3An- or-er !s some 'eers. I gott go.3 He

he-s in the -ire"tion of the men0s room.We 'oth *!st t!rne- t,ent$/one. Before tht 'eer ,s "ons!me- in the '"+ ofWison0s #i"+/!# #r+e- on some si-e ro-. It ,s #in tho!gh 'e"!se ,e ,$s h-

to 'ring t,ent$/one $er o- ong to '!$ the 'eer so I ne(er h- Wison to m$sef.Sin"e it ,s !s!$ Wison0s o-er 'rother Johnn$ R$ the$ *!st t+e- 'o!t s#orts n-the tr!"+ n- ,h$ their fther "o!-n0t get off their "se. B!t no, Johnn$ R$0s mo(e- to


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6s or ese I thin+ he ,o!- sti "ome o!t ,ith !s e(en tho!gh ,e "n get o!r o,n'eer.

Before Wison ret!rns I #! the etter o!t of m$ #!rse *!st to oo+ t it // *!st to see

tht s"r,e- ret!rn --ress tht --ress tht ,$s seems to 'e "hnging tho!gh onething remins "onstnt. The "it$ is ,$s Mimi.

Wison is s,ggering -o,n the ise 'et,een the t'es to ret!rn to o!r 'ooth. I,$s insist ,e sit in 'ooth 'e"!se I fee sfer // ess e)#ose- in "se fight 're+s

o!t. Of "o!rse I "n0t te Wison this 'e"!se then he ,o!- thin+ tht if I "o!- thin+ ofthis then other #eo#e "o!- n- no, the$0re oo+ing t him n- thin+ing ,ht "hi"+enfor sitting in 'ooth. Tht0s m$ Wison.

3He$ $0=3 Wison grins greeting to gro!# of #eo#e tht ,e !se- to go to high

s"hoo ,ith.Wison si-es into the 'ooth n- f"es me.36i-0* or-er the 'eer733She -i-n0t "ome $et3 I s$ gn"ing "ross the room t the o(er/,or+e- ,itress.

3Oh for "r$ing o!t o!-3 s$s Wison s if it0s m$ f!t.I oo+ t m$ ,t"h. 3We h(e t,o ,hoe ho!rs 'efore the mo(ie. It0s not i+e ,e0re

on s"he-!e.33I *!st ,nt -rin+ tht0s 3 s$s Wison tr$ing to m+e e$e "ont"t ,ith the

,itress.As g!$s go Wison isn0t '-. He0s goo-/oo+ing // -r+ 'ro,n hir tht fs

sens!o!s$ in his f"e f"e tht0s ni"e/oo+ing 'e"!se it hs no f,s n- ,e/#ro#ortione- 'o-$ from ,or+ing o!t. As fr s I +no, Wison hs ne(er "hete- on mehe -ri(es his o,n #i"+/!# n- he #ns to t+e o(er his --0s "ontr"ting "om#n$ some

-$.Brenn!s ,s goo-/oo+ing 'e"!se his fet!res ,ere so -efine- n- his grin ,s

irresisti'e. His hir ,s ight 'ro,n 'on- in the s!mmer. He ,s shorter thn Wison,ho0s 'o!t he- ter thn me. Brenn!s h- no "er "reer m'itions '!t he h- nenerg$ tht m-e $o! fee tht if $o! ,ere the ,omn ,ho stoo- 'ehin- him some-$

$o!0- en- !# sh+ing hn-s ,ith the >resi-ent. The on$ thing is Brenn!s isn0t heren$more n- Wison is.

3So I0(e 'een thin+ing3 Wison is s$ing. 3It ,o!-n0t "ost m!"h n- I ,nt to -osomething now. I -on0t +no, if I "o!- stn- ,or+ing ,ith m$ ---$ !nti I "n t+e

o(er.3I resist the !rge to s$ 3Wht73 'e"!se I +no, I0 #i"+ !# on the thre- of this

"on(erstion if I *!st hng in there.3Ho, ?'o!t s"hoo73 I s$. At o!r ge it0s stn-r- @!estion.

Wison snorts s the ,itress rri(es t the e-ge of o!r t'e.3T,o 5oors3 s$s Wison 're$ oo+ing t her. 3S"hoo Jessie= I0m so si"+ of

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s"hoo= Besi-es it0s not gonn -o me n$ goo-. M$ --0s t!ght me I nee- to +no,'o!t the '!siness.3

3So $o!0re thin+ing of -oing some *o's $o!rsef73

3E)"t$. H(ent $o! 'een istening to me7 Smer *o's so I0- nee- esse@!i#ment. I0(e re-$ got the tr!"+. At the most I0- nee- "o!#e of tho!sn- to get

strte-.33M$'e $o! "n go to 'n+3 I s$. 3The tr!"+ "o!- 'e $o!r "oter.3

3I0(e tho!ght 'o!t tht. I0(e so tho!ght it might *!st 'e esier to get m$ ---$ toen- me the mone$ e)"e#t I -!nno if he0- go for the i-e of me strting !# m$ o,n"ontr"ting '!siness...3

3Wh$ -on0t $o! *!st s+ him if $o! "n t+e o(er some of the smer *o's...73

3I -!nno.3 Wison thin+s 'o!t this. 3I g!ess I "o!-. Tht0s not '- i-e. Imen e(ent!$ I gott t+e o(er the ,hoe "om#n$ so he sho!- et me h(e 'it of itno,.3

3He0s gott gi(e $o! "hn"e...3

The 5oors rri(e n- Wison t+es g!#. So mn$ of the g!$s ro!n- here h(enmes i+e Bi$ R$ n- Bo''$ Lee. Wison ,s Wison0s mother0s mi-en nme //

i'erte- ,omn of her time ,ho -i-n0t ,nt her nme to -ie o!t sin"e she ,s n on$"hi-. >ro''$ one of the 'iggest resons Brenn!s ne(er fit in t Long(ie, High ,s hisnme. Brenn!s ,s some n"ient 5eti" ,rrior ,ho ,on some 'tte I -!nno the -etis.Brenn!s -i- of "o!rse.

3I0m gonn t+ to him3 Wison hs -e"i-e-. 3He can't s$ no. I0m his son for"r$ing o!t o!-.3

3Ho,0s Johnn$ R$73 I s+.

3I -!nno3 s$s Wison. His min- is on his f!t!re '!siness #ro#os s he s,igs his'eer. 3We gott #hone " st ,ee+.3

3Is he seein0 n$one733Wh$ -o $o! "re733J!st m+ing "on(erstion.3 One of the #ro'ems ,ith Wison is he *!st s$s ,ht

he thin+s. I 'eie(e it is "!stomr$ in some #rts of this "o!ntr$ to thin+ one thing n- s$nother or t est to trnste $o!r tho!ghts into more t"tf! ,or-s. A "o!#e oftho!sn- -ors is it ,o!- t+e to tem#t me to go n- fin- one of those #"es '!t I0m "o,r-.

Wison ,(es for nother 'eer.3I re$ thin+ this is gonn ,or+3 s$s Wison. 3It ,o!- "ost me nothing n- it

,o!- get me ,$ from m$ ---$. I i+e him t home '!t he0s 'str- to ,or+ for. If It+e #iss for more thn t,o min!tes he0s s"reming t me to sto# s"+ing off.3

How ironic I thin+. I go to the 'throom for more thn t,o min!tes n- ,hen I get'"+ Wison s+s me if I fe in.


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I strighten m$ -enim shirt n- e)mine the thin "hin of go- on m$ right ,rist.3Wh""h oo+in0 t73 s+s Wison.3The 'r"eet $o! g(e me.3 I gn"e !# t him n- grin.

3Tht0s nothing ''$.3 Wison !ghs. 3When I get m$ '!siness going $o!0regonn get tons of ni"e things. Wer tht ne"+"e I 'o!ght $o! to "h!r"h tomorro,. I i+e

the ,$ it oo+s on $o!.3


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CHAPTER TWO

One of Brenn!s0s regrets is tht he "nt fin- ,omn to #$ Bonn$ to his 5$-e.

A #rtner in "rime. The tho!ght of ife of ro''er$ "!minting in fin ft shoot/o!tis ,i-$ romnti" to him.

Jessie Bn+s // gir he h- met the $er he h- st$e- ,ith his !nt in Long(ie,Te)s // h- h- ot of the @!ifi"tions. She h- n e-ge to her #otenti e-ge

n$ho,. B!t if she h- ro''e- n$ 'n+s it ,o!- h(e 'een for the o(e of him not forthe o(e of the -nger so he h- ne(er #ro#ose- the i-e to her.

Brenn!s -oesnt +no, ,h$ he +ee#s ,riting to her. Theres sense of !nreso(e,hen he thin+s 'o!t his $er in Long(ie, // something tht sti nee-s to 'e sette- '!t

he hs no i-e ,ht it ,s. He "ontin!es to ,rite her ,ith the sense tht m$'e hes

s(ing her from some gret -nger. He n$thing "o!- h##en to someone in tht #rtof the "o!ntr$ ,here #r"ti"$ e(er$ g!$ hs g!n r"+ in the '"+ of his tr!"+ n- therere more sh-$ forests n- em#t$ fie-s thn he h- "re- to e)#ore in his 'rief so*o!rn in

est Te)s. B!t tht isnt it re$. Jessie "n t+e "re of hersef. M$'e its g!it tht he"o!- h(e s(e- her from ife of me-io"rit$ '!t h- "hosen inste- to e(e her 'ehin-.

Brenn!s oo+s ro!n- his sm one/room '"heor #rtment // one , "o(ere-entire$ ,ith 'oo+s mn$ on 5eti" histor$. A#rt from his 'oo+s his f!rnishings "onsist

of sim#e B!h!s "hir tee(ision on s@!re ,hite t'e sm ,hite refrigertor "offee/m+er on the fri-ge n- f!ton mttress ,ith ,hite "omforter. Most of his

mone$ goes to,r-s rent for the #rtment tht he h- "hosen for its Art 6e"o e)terior.Not ,nting to s#en- nother S!n-$ fternoon insi-e Brenn!s -e"i-es to go o!t

n- s#!rge on Mimi ,ee+en- ##er n- "offee.

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CHAPTER THREE

The etters I get from Brenn!s re errti" // s"r,e- tho!ghts frnti" i-es // ne(er

one of those etters ,here the #erson tes $o! ,ht he -i- sin"e he st ,rote. B!tBrenn!s ,s ne(er one for t+ing 'o!t ,ht he -i-. He i+e- to t+ 'o!t ,ht he0-tho!ght // the so!tion to the Mi-/Est "risis tht h- str!"+ him -!ring 5"!!s thefesi'iit$ of E(is sti 'eing i(e tht h- "ome to him in Ameri"n Lit the ne"essit$ of

not engging in n!"er -isrmment tht h- o""!rre- to him ,hie r!nning #s in >.E.After Brenn!s eft it too+ me ,hie to get '"+ into the e(er$-$ t+ of most

#eo#e // ,ht mo(ies $o!0- seen ho, the -$0s going ,ho0s seeing so/n-/so n- ,ho0s'ro+en !# ,ith ,hoe(er. E(en ,ith "oho most #eo#e -on0t seem to h(e n$ ideas.

Oh e(er$'o-$ hs o#inions '!t e(en if the$ h(e s!'stnti f"ts to '"+ them !# their

o#inions re #rosi". Brenn!s ,s the t$#e of g!$ to te 5hristin tht he 'eie(e-M!hmm- ,s the tr!e #ro#het n- M!sim tht he 'eie(e- 5hrist ,s the tr!e

#ro#het *!st to get things going. He ,s t his 'est ,hen #eo#e ,ere on the -efensi(e.

Tht0s ho, ,e met. Brenn!s ,s in the "feteri gi(ing m$ frien- Jennie hr-time 'e"!se she h- si- in n Engish Lit "ss -is"!ssion 'o!t Sh+es#ere thtSh+es#ere m!st h(e "ons"io!s$ 'een tr$ing to re"or- the h!mn "on-ition.

3:o! -on0t re$ 'eie(e tht -o $o!73 he s+e- *!st s I "me to *oin her for !n"h.

He h- t+en set "ross from her ,ith no tho!ght tht someone ese might 'e meetingher.

3We $eh3 she si-.3:o! m+e him so!n- i+e some gret rtist3 si- Brenn!s.

As I st -o,n 'esi-e Brenn!s ,ho I0- ne(er t+e- to 'efore Jennie g(e me #ine- oo+. It ,sn0t "ommon in o!r s"hoo to "henge #eo#e on their "omments in

"ss n- iterr$ -is"!ssions ,ere !nher- of.3Sh+es#ere ,s n rtist3 si- Jennie so!n-ing s if she ,ere @!oting te"her.3Sh+es#ere ,s n entertiner3 si- Brenn!s. 3There0s -ifferen"e.3Jennie *!st stre- t him. I ,on-ere- if I sho!- #! o!t m$ t!n fish sn-,i"h

n- strt eting it or ,it !nti the "on"!sion of this -iog!e.

Brenn!s gn"e- t me n- "ontin!e- t+ing.3Sh+es#ere -i-n0t ,rite to re"or- the h!mn "on-ition he ,rote to entertin. He,rote 'o!t o(e n- hte n- ,r 'e"!se tht0s ,ht #eo#e ,nt to see. Sometimes he

h-n0t e(en finishe- ,riting his st "t ,hen his first "t ,s "t!$ 'eing #erforme- soit ,sn0t s if he ,s 'oring o(er e(er$ ,or-.3

3I -i-n0t +no, tht3 I si- sin"e Jennie -i-n0t seem to 'e res#on-ing. I -e"i-e- it

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,o!-n0t 'e in##ro#rite to strt m$ !n"h so I too+ 'ite of m$ sn-,i"h.Brenn!s fo"!se- on me.3:eh3 he si-. 36on0t get me ,rong. The g!$ ,s geni!s. B!t I *!st -on0t thin+

,e sho!- go ro!n- thin+ing tht geni!ses sit -$ in tin$ -r+ room #on-ering 'o!t,ht ,or-s to !se to -es"ri'e the h!mn "on-ition. The$ go o!t. The$ i(e. The$ ,rite

'o!t it.3I smie- n- no--e-. I0- seen this g!$ ro!n- n- ,$s tho!ght he ,s "!te '!t

I0- ne(er m-e n$ #ns to "t!$ meet him.3M$ nme0s Jessie3 I si-.3Brenn!s3 he si- ho-ing o!t his hn-. I h- to #!t -o,n m$ sn-,i"h to sh+e

it. I thin+ tht moment "onstit!te- the first offi"i hn-sh+e insi-e the ,s of

Long(ie, High.3Brenn!s3 I re#ete-.3He ,s 5eti" ,rrior3 si- Brenn!s stn-ing !# n- grinning -o,n t me. 3I0

te $o! 'o!t him sometime.3

3O3 I si- s I oo+e- !# t him. Tht ,s the moment I fe in o(e ,ith him. I,s "#t!re- in tht grin. Tht ,s the moment I rei4e- there ,s h!ge ,or- o!tsi-e

of Long(ie, Te)s n- tht Brenn!s ,o!- 'e the one to gi(e me m$ first tste of it.Wison ,s ,$s ro!n-. We0- strte- o!t in +in-ergrten together n- then for

the ne)t ee(en $ers I thin+ there ,ere on$ three $ers ,here ,e -i-n0t h(e the smehomeroom. Sin"e Wison ,s one of the first g!$s to get #i"+/!# tr!"+ he ,s !s!$

"rting ro!n- tr!"+o- of !s to the foot' gmes. Brenn!s ne(er ,ent to singefoot' gme his entire $er in Long(ie, so e(en ,hen I ,s in o(e ,ith Brenn!s I ,sgetting #i"+e- !# '$ Wison in the tr!"+ for the #re/gme #e# ries.

3So ,ho0s tht g!$ $o! n- Jennie ,ere t+ing to73 he s+e- me tht night ,hen,e ,ere he-ing o!t to the gme. Sin"e he h- #i"+e- me !# first I h- the #ri(iege-set !# in the "'.

3Wht g!$73 I s+e- e(en tho!gh Jennie n- I h- on$ t+e- to one g!$ tht -$.3The one t !n"h3 si- Wison.

3Oh him3 I si-. 3His nme0s Brenn!s.33Brennus?33:eh it0s 5eti" ,rrior nme.33Wht the he is 5eti" ,rrior73

I sighe-.3It0s in the histor$ 'oo+s3 I si-. 3The$ ,ere ,rriors.3

Wison t!rne- to stre t me ignoring the ro- for soi- fi(e se"on-s ,hi"h issomething $o! "n -o in the Est Te)s '"+ ro-s sin"e $o! "n -ri(e for mies n-

ne(er see nother (ehi"e.3:eh...3 he si-. 3Go on.3

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3The$ ,ere nom-i"3 I si-. 3I thin+ the$ en-e- !# in Engn-. No Iren-.3 I 'itm$ i# s I tho!ght 'o!t this. 3Engn- is the Ango/S)ons.3

3Whte(er3 si- Wison no, tire- of this to#i". 3:o! ,nn #i"+ !# Ste,ie first

or Bo''$ Joe73 He s+e- me sin"e I0m the one ,ho0s going to h(e m$ thigh s@!ishe- !#ginst ,hoe(er it is on"e he gets into the "'.

3Ste,ie3 I si-. Ste,ie0s thinner.Wison t+es eft t the for+ in the ro-.

3Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by3 I si-. Weh- -is"!sse- the #oem in Engish.

3This one isn0t the one ess tr(ee- '$3 si- Wison. 3The$0re 'o!t the sme.33Tht0s it e)"t$3 I si- e)"ite-$. 3Tht0s ,ht the #oem0s 'o!t= Though as for

that the passing there had worn them really about the same...33:o! get e)"ite- o(er the ,eir-est things3 si- Wison s ,e t!rne- off the -irt

ro- onto Ste,ie0s gr(e -ri(e,$.

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CHAPTER FOUR

I g!ess there re ,orse #"es to gro, !# thn Est Te)s. Bng-esh "omes to

min-. I men t est ,e h(e #(e- high,$s n- ots of forests n- 'ig gro"er$ stores'!t s fr s "om#ring Long(ie, C2%12 to Be(er$ His F2%12 ,e $o! get the i-e.It0s too r!r to fee i+e n$thing signifi"nt is h##ening. The g# 'et,een the ife of the(erge Long(ie, "iti4en n- ife on tee(ision is i+e "om#ring ,ter '!ffos toSimese +ittens.

The most #o#!r teenge "ti(it$ is getting -r!n+ !s!$ some,here in the ,oo-sor in the mi--e of some'o-$0s fie-.

When Brenn!s got -r!n+ his e$es ,o!- gitter i+e "r4e- #oet. He n- I ,o!-go o!t ,ith si)/#"+ stoen from his !nt0s 'sement n- t+e it to fie- ,here ,e0-

-rin+ ti ,e ,ere '!44e- n- then oo+ !# t the strs n- he ,o!- #oint o!t the"onstetions. He "o!- h(e 'een m+ing them !#. no,ing Brenn!s he #ro''$ ,s.Brenn!s h- more f!n m+ing !# stor$ n- seeing if he "o!- get ,$ ,ith it thn-44ing #eo#e ,ith his (st +no,e-ge of itert!re n- histor$. It for"e- me to s#en-

ot of time in the Long(ie, High i'rr$ "he"+ing !# on the "onstetions n- the histor$of the 5ets n- the ife of Sh+es#ere so tht if I e(er ,nte- to re#et n$thing I,o!-n0t oo+ i+e n i-iot if it t!rne- o!t to 'e nother one of his in(entions.

or Wison Long(ie, "ontins e(er$thing he nee-s to m+e h##$ ife n- if

things e(er get 'oring he m+es ,ee+en- tri# to 6s to (isit Johnn$ R$. BeforeBrenn!s I tho!ght I ,s h##$ in Est Te)s.

3He$ Jessie.3 Brenn!s too+ the set 'esi-e me in the "f.He remembered my name,s m$ first tho!ght.3So...3 he si- "on(erstion$.Jennie ,s te n- I ,s ho#ing she0- st$ te.

3So...3 I si-.3So ho, "ome ,e -on0t h(e n$ "sses together73 he s+e- s he #!e- +iser

ro sn-,i"h ,r##e- in #sti" ,r# o!t of his +n#s"+ n- strte- to o#en it.M$ min- ,ent 'n+. Ho, ,s I to +no,7 We too+ more or ess the sme

"sses sin"e no one re$ s#e"ii4es in n$thing in high s"hoo.3B- !"+ I g!ess3 I si-.3It0s those -mn "om#!ters3 si- Brenn!s t+ing h!ge 'ite o!t of his sn-,i"h

n- sti mnging to t+ ,ith his mo!th f!. 3H(e $o! noti"e- tht there0s some #eo#e

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$o! ne(er see n- others $o!0re in the sme "sses ,ith for $ers in ro,733:eh3 I si- thin+ing of Wison.3The$ -on0t gi(e fi# 'o!t ,hether or not ,e meet ne, #eo#e n- h(e ,i-e/

'se of frien-s. Inste- ,e meet the sme #eo#e o(er n- o(er gin en- !# ,ith on$ fe, frien-s n- ne(er +no, tht ,e misse- o!t on.3

3Isn0t 'etter to h(e one or t,o "ose frien-s thn to h(e ,hoe gro!# of"@!intn"es73 I s+e-. I "o!- see Jennie getting into ine to '!$ hm'!rger. The

ine ,s ong.3Shee$ si- tht he ,s ne(er #rt of tht gret se"t tht 'eie(e- $o! sho!- h(e

*!st one frien- or mistress n- "ommen- the rest of the #eo#e in the ,or- tho!gh the$'e ,ise n- fir into "o- o'i(ion.3

It too+ me moment to rei4e he ,s t+ing 'o!t the #oet.3Wh$ not73 I s+e- to st for time in or-er to #! m$ tho!ghts on the s!'*e"t

together if I h- n$.3Be"!se the ,or- is 'ro- high,$ n- the #erson ,ith on$ one frien- hs the

-reriest n- the ongest *o!rne$.3Brenn!s -i-n0t oo+ t me s he s#o+e. He ,s s"nning the room i+e gener

s!r(e$ing the mess h.3E.M. orster ,rote his no(e The !ongest "ourney 'se- on tht #oem3 Brenn!s

"ontin!e-. 3His "hr"ter Ri"+ie 'eie(e- in Shee$0s #hioso#h$ !nti he fe in o(en- tho!ght tht his mistress ,s s!ffi"ient for h##iness. He t!rne- o!t to 'e ,rong.3

3Tht0s too '-3 I si-. M$ he- ,s s#inning. I ,sn0t !# to this. If he h- "omeo(er st -o,n n- s+e- me if I0- seen n$ goo- mo(ies te$ I ,o!- h(e 'een 'e tohn-e it.

Brenn!s ,s oo+ing t me. I @!i"+$ gn"e- t Jennie ,ho ,s sti ,iting forher hm'!rger. I thin+ he ,nte- me to s$ something.

3I thin+ it0s hr- to meet #eo#e3 I si-.Brenn!s !ghe- n- t!rne- '"+ to the ,i-e room '!sting ,ith #eo#e.3It might not 'e s hr- s $o! thin+. An- I -on0t thin+ Shee$ ,nts !s to go o!t

n- meet everyone. He *!st -oesn0t ,nt !s to imit o!rse(es to fe, #eo#e. Loo+ tthem.3 He #ointe- to the "ro,-s tht fie- the "feteri. irst #erio- !n"h ,s ,$sthe most "ro,-e- ,ith e(er$ t'e fie- "hirs s"r##ing g!$s $eing girs !ghing.3Most #eo#e sit t the sme t'e ,ith the sme #eo#e e(er$ !n"h #erio-. One tho!sn-

#eo#e go to this s"hoo n- o(er their high s"hoo "reer the$ ,i hng/o!t ,ith t,o"ose frien-s n- m$'e meet 'o!t se(en more #eo#e.3

They'd be doing well I tho!ght. I h- Jennie n- #rt from tht Wison ,s m$on$ ""ess to so"i ife.

3An- then ,ht0s e(en more m4ing is if the$ go onto !ni(ersit$ there0 'e t,ent$tho!sn- #eo#e there n- the$0 #ro''$ mintin the sme n!m'ers. T,o frien-s.

1%


13/94

Se(en "@!intn"es. Then the$0 gr-!te into ,or- of three 'iion #eo#e n--es#ite the f"t tht there re more #eo#e thn the$ "o!- e(er meet in ifetime the$0sti"+ ,ith their ,ife their -rin+ing '!--$ n- the se(en or so g!$s the$ +no, t ,or+.3

36o $o! thin+ #eo#e sho!- meet more #eo#e73 I s+e-. Jennie ,s t the "sh#$ing for her '!rger.

Brenn!s sighe-.3I0m not s$ing n$thing. I0m *!st t+ing.3

Then it hit me. It ,sn0t so m!"h tht he ,nte- to r!n on 'o!t ho, st!#i-e(er$'o-$ ,s for not meeting #eo#e he ,nte- to h(e -is"!ssion. A -is"!ssion'o!t ,hether it0s 'etter to h(e one "ose frien- or ,hether $o! sho!- +no, ot of

#eo#e. M$'e it "o!- h(e e- to -is"!ssion 'o!t o(e ,hether it0s 'etter to o(e n-

tr!st *!st one #erson n- #!t $o!r ho#e on him or her... Jennie ,s "oming n-Brenn!s ,s three/@!rters of the ,$ thro!gh his sn-,i"h n- oo+e- i+e he -i-n0tinten- to inger on"e he finishe-.

3B!t o(e "hnges $o! -oesn0t it73 I si- s!--en$.

3Wht73 si- Brenn!s. He h-n0t 'een e)#e"ting foo,/!#.I too+ -ee# 'reth.

3Lo(e m+es $o! ,nt to 'eie(e tht one #erson is eno!gh. Tht one #erson"ontins the !ni(erse insi-e of them.3

3Tht0s it3 si- Brenn!s oo+ing t me. 3Tht0s it e)"t$.3Jennie st -o,n "ross from me n- g(e me grin // one of those +no,ing grins

tht if Brenn!s h- 'een ,t"hing her he ,o!- h(e imme-ite$ !n-erstoo-. or moment I resente- Jennie. I ,ishe- I -i-n0t h(e n$ frien-s or tht I ,s i+e Brenn!s,here I -i-n0t h(e set ro!tine of meeting someone for !n"h e(er$-$.

Brenn!s no--e- t Jennie '!t '$ not "hnging his #osition or the e)#ression on hisf"e m-e it "er ,e ,ere h(ing -is"!ssion n- it ,o!- not "hnge 'e"!se of herrri(. I0(e ne(er 'een more im#resse- ,ith someone in m$ ife.

3So o(e is n i!sion73 I si-.3:o! men tr#73 he s+e-. 3Lo(e is ,ht !res $o! onto the 'ro- high,$

'eie(ing tht one #erson is s!ffi"ient73He -i-n0t h(e the ns,ers= He re$ ,nte- to -is"!ss this=3Then ,ht is it73 I s+e-. 3Lo(e I men. I men I ,nt to 'eie(e in o(e. Tht

it0s g!i-e of some sort. Tht it meanssomething.3

3B!t ,ht re the en- res!ts73 s+e- Brenn!s. He ,s sti o""sion$ gn"ingro!n- the room #!t he h- #!t -o,n his sn-,i"h n- ,s string -o,n t m$ tr$ s if

he ,ere thin+ing more serio!s$ 'o!t the to#i". 3:o! f in o(e $o! i(e in trier theg!$ gets -r!n+ n- 'ets !# his ,ife. The ,ife on$ hs one or t,o frien-s n- sm

ife so she -oesn0t ,nt to e(e him...33:eh tht h##ens.3 I sighe-. 3The si"+ #rt is e(er$'o-$ gets into retionshi#

1


14/94

,ith high ho#es.33:eh it0s i+e $o! si- the$ thin+ the ,hoe !ni(erse is insi-e tht one #erson.3Brenn!s oo+e- !# from the t'e n- grinne- t me.

3B!t there re$ isn0t !ni(erse insi-e of n$'o-$3 I si-. 3The ,or- is o!tsi-e ofe(er$ singe one of !s.3

3B!t ,e sti +ee# on 'eie(ing tht ,e0re going to fin- someone ,ith e(er$thing,e0(e e(er ,nte- -on0t ,e73

I sighe- gin.3:eh.3 An- I ,s oo+ing t him. I ,s oo+ing t e(er$thing I0(e e(er ,nte- s

he #i"+e- !# ,ht ,s eft of his sn-,i"h n- stoo- !#.3Ni"e t+ing to $o!3 he si- 'efore t!rning n- *oining the "ro,-s #!shing

thro!gh the ises to,r-s the e)its.3He0s too -ee#3 si- Jennie. 3I men tht g!$ is on nother #net.33I thin+ e(er$thing he si- m-e sense.3 I #!she- m$ sn-,i"h ,$. I "o!-n0t et

n$more.

I h- Engish Lit tht fternoon.

We -is"!sse- or re$ the te"her -is"!sse- the "on"e#t of *!sti"e in The#erchant of $enice. I istene-. or the first time I istene- ,ith -esire to "t!$!n-erstn-. If the to#i" of *!sti"e e(er "me !# ,ith Brenn!s I ,nte- to 'e 'e to"ontri'!te something. The pound of flesh which I demand of him is dearly bought, %tismine, and I will have it. I "o!- her m$sef -rmti"$ @!oting tht tho!gh I ,sn0te)"t$ s!re ,ht #oint I0- 'e m+ing. I g!ess I0- rg!e in f(or of mer"$. The &uality of

mercy is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath

it is twice blessed( it blesseth him that gives and him that takes. M$'e ,e0- get into -is"!ssion 'o!t the ,or- in gener n- ho, ,f! it is n-

then I "o!- s$How far that little candle throws his beams )o shines a good deed in a

naughty world.

Of "o!rse e(er$thing ,o!- 'e o!t of "onte)t 'e"!se I h- #rett$ m!"h fen

see# ,hen ,e h- re- the #$ o!t o!- -!ring "ss so I on$ h- (g!e i-e ,htthe #ot ,ht ,s 'o!t.

E. M. orster Brenn!s h- si-. I0- h(e to oo+ him !#.

3No one "res 'o!t i-es n$more3 si- Brenn!s to his !nt tht night. The$ ,erein sm +it"hen finishing !# -inner of (e #rmigin n- #st. 3Inste-

e(er$'o-$0s got stor$ to te.33:o!0re not +i--ing3 si- his !nt si##ing her fter -inner "offee. Brenn!s0s !nt

,s the most interesting ,omn he h- met. 3If $o! s+ #eo#e ,h$ the$ thin+ r"ism stie)ists in the so!th the$ -on0t gi(e $o! n n$sis of the sit!tion the$ te $o! stor$ of

18


15/94

ho, their "o!sin Bi$ Bo' ,s 'eten !# '$ '"+ g!$.33The min!te $o! get 'str"t #eo#e get ner(o!s. It0s i+e the , of gr(it$ hs

s!--en$ hte- n- the$0re r#i-$ rising in -nger of h!rting to,r-s the !n+no,n of

o!ter s#"e so the$ te itte -o,n/to/erth stor$ to get '"+ to fmiir gro!n-.33It0s fer3 gree- his !nt. 3er of 'eing ,rong. Of 'eing "!ght not +no,ing

something.3or Brenn!s +no,e-ge ,s #o,er. I-es ,ere re. I-es "ontroe- the ,or-.

Not tr-e em'rgoes not g!ns not n!"er ,e#ons. I-es. Be"!se 'ehin- e(er$ mntht he- g!n there ,s n i-e tht h- 'ro!ght him to the #oint ,here he ,o!- 'e,iing to shoot nother mn.

Brenn!s ,s so se(enteen $ers o- ,ith no i@!i- ssets n- so i-es ,ere he

h-. His #rents ,ho i(e- in Mi"hign h- *!st fie- for 'n+r!#t"$ n- sent their on$son -o,n to the mother0s o-er sister ,ho h- n e)tr 'e-room in her sm '!ngo,.

3I met gir to-$ ,ho "t!$ might h(e #otenti3 si- Brenn!s getting !# to#o!r himsef nother m!g of "offee. 3I strte- t+ing n- she -i-n0t fre+ o!t. She

"t!$ m-e goo- #oint 'o!t ho, ,e e)#e"t the #erson ,e o(e to "ontin the entire!ni(erse.3

3:o! t+e- 'o!t o(e eh73 si- his !nt. His !nt n- his mother h- 'een 'ornin Regin Ss+t"he,n. Brenn!s0s mother h- mrrie- n Ameri"n. Brenn!s0s !nt h-ne(er mrrie- n- h- 'een !re- to Te)s fe, $ers erier '$ the ho#e of r!gge- ifemong the "o,'o$s n- rn"hers. ;nfort!nte$ no one h- to- her tht the rnges

,ere in ,est Te)s not est Te)s. She ,s "onsi-ering mo(e to As+ ,here the men##rent$ o!tn!m'ere- the ,omn ten to one. 3Tht0s hr- one 'e"!se someone,$s ,nts to te the stor$ of their retionshi#.3

3She +e#t it stri"t$ to theor$3 si- Brenn!s sitting -o,n gin. 3Whi"h is the on$,$ to -is"!ss o(e. Lo(e is the !timte "on"e#t 'e"!se it0s so e!si(e.3

3Lo(e s ,e +no, it is either "ose$ in+e- ,ith !st or hte. We ,nt someonere$ '-$ n- ,hen ,e "n0t h(e them ,e hte them.3

3I thin+ re o(e "t!$ -oes h##en '!t it !s!$ on$ sts for "o!#e of

min!tes n- then it *!st 'e"omes gorifie- memor$3 si- Brenn!s t+ing si# of "offee.He h- o(e- in his short ifetime n- he h- fet its *o$s n- gonies. His fe,e)#erien"es h- "on(in"e- him tht it ,s fr more stisf$ing to 'e in "ontro of hisemotions.

Brenn!s0s !nt ,t"he- him. He ,s o'(io!s$ sti thin+ing n- she -i-n0tinterr!#t his tho!ght #ro"ess ,ith n$ "omment. She n- her #re"o"io!s ne#he, ne(er

t+e- *!st for the s+e of m+ing s!re their *,s sti ,or+e-. The$ e)"hnge- i-es. It,s the t$#e of retionshi# she h- -reme- 'o!t in her !ni(ersit$ -$s ,hen she h-

,nte- to -is"!ss the ,eightier mtters of ife. Inste- -es#ite the so"i !#he(s of thesi)ties her feo, Ss+t"h,nites h- 'een "ontent to -is"!ss their "reer #ns

1


16/94

mortgge rtes n- f!t!re n!m'er of "hi-ren. Their #ns h- #i- off. Most of herfeo, !ni(ersit$/gr-!tes h- ste-$ *o's homes tht ,ere #i- for n- the o'igtor$%.8 "hi-ren. An- she sti h- her i-es. An- *o' s hostess t theHot Biscuitto #$

the rent.3>eo#e "t i+e feeings mtter3 si- Brenn!s s!--en$. 3>eo#e "t i+e if the$

fee something for nother h!mn 'eing it m!st 'e re. Wht the$ -on0t rei4e is themost im#ortnt thing is to know someone. If $o! re$ +no, the #erson then $o!r

feeings for him or her mtter. >ositi(e or negti(e the$ mtter.3Brenn!s0s !nt stoo- !# n- #o!re- hersef nother "!# of "offee.3An- to thin+ tht #eo#e h(e "t!$ gone into mrriges #e-ging to s#en- the

rest of their i(es together 'se- on *!st their feeings3 she si-. ;ni+e mn$ of her

feo, !ni(ersit$ gr-!tes she h- ne(er gone thro!gh mess$ -i(or"e.3Tht is not going to h##en to me3 si- Brenn!s.

The$ -i-n0t h(e The !ongest "ourneyin o!r i'rr$ so I #i"+e- o!t one of the other

'oo+s '$ E. M. orster *here +ngels ear to Tread. I i+e- the so!n- of tht.I ,s stn-ing there in one of the ises #er!sing the se"tion n- thin+ing ho, it0s

-ifferent ,or- in the i'rr$. So mn$ 'oo+s= I0- ne(er tho!ght 'o!t "oming to getone for f!n I men not for "ss. The #eo#e ,ho s#ent ot of time in o!r i'rr$ ,erethe t$#es ,ho en-e- !# 'e"oming -o"tors n- ,$ers in 6s '!t ,ere "om#ete ner-sfor their fo!r $ers in high s"hoo.

Tht0s ,hen I s, Brenn!s "ome in thro!gh the gss -oors.It ,s *!st i+e the mo(ies. I "o!- see him "er$ thro!gh the 'oo+s on the shef

n- m$ first im#!se ,s to r!n. R!n ,here I -i- not +no,. To him7 A,$ from him7

As it ,s I *!st stoo- there n- ,t"he- s he -!m#e- his +n#s"+ -o,n on t'e n-strte- ,+ing to,r-s the mg4ines in the o##osite -ire"tion of the 'oo+she(es.

I h- no i-e ,ht I sho!- -o. He h- gr''e- some mg4ines n- ,s ret!rningto his t'e re-$ fi##ing thro!gh them. Thn+f!$ he h-n0t e(en gn"e- t the 'oo+she(es sin"e if I "o!- see him he "o!- #ro''$ see me.

I oo+e- -o,n t the 'oo+ in m$ hn- n- +ne, I "o!-n0t et him see me "he"+ingit o!t. The "onne"tion 'et,een the 'oo+ n- o!r !n"htime "on(erstion ,o!- *!st 'etoo o'(io!s. I st!"+ it in m$ #!rse thn+f! tht o!r i'rr$ hs ne(er gotten ro!n- toinsting se"!rit$ s$stem. I fig!re o!r #rin"i#e fet fe, missing 'oo+s ,sn0t ,orth

the #ri"e of se"!rit$ s$stem. Besi-es the thri of steing 'oo+ might en"o!rge#eo#e to re-.

Before I et m$sef thin+ 'o!t it I ,+e- @!i"+$ -o,n the ise n- to,r-sBrenn!s0s t'e.

3He$=3 I si-.He oo+e- !#.

1


17/94

3Oh hi Jessie.3 He smie-.I *!st stoo- there i+e n i-iot.3Sit -o,n3 he si- ,(ing to the "hir "ross from him.

I st.3Wh""h re-in073 I s+e-.

He he- !# the mg4ine. Time.3I i+e to +ee# 'rest3 he si- grinning.

3We it0s ,$s ni"e to 'e 'rest3 I si- smiing '"+.3Soooo3 he si-. 3:o! here to "he"+ o!t 'oo+733;h $eh3 I si-. 3:o! +no, *!st oo+in0 ro!n-.3Brenn!s no--e-.

3It0s n O i'rr$3 he si-. 3Of "o!rse the 5eti" se"tion is some,htin-e@!te...3

3Oh $eh3 I si- remem'ering something. 3So te me 'o!t this 5eti" ,rriorBrenn!s...3

3Oh right.3 Brenn!s #!t -o,n his Time. He on$ sight$ shifte- his #osition in hisset '!t it ,s if he h- sette- '"+ n- ,s going to s#in me $rn.

3We he ,s the e-er '"+ ,hen Rome i(e- in terror of the 5ets. The stor$ ofBrenn!s goes '"+ to time ,hen the 5ets -e"i-e- to mo(e from the A-riti" Se -o,nto,r-s It$ sin"e the ,ether ,s getting too hot. ;nfort!nte$ the n- the$ ,nte-,s inh'ite- '$ the 5!sins ,ho ,eren0t ,iing to gi(e it !#. Inste- of *!st 'tting it

o!t the 5!sins "e- on Rome for he# ,ho then sent -eegtion of m'ss-ors oneof ,hom +ie- 5eti" e-er. The 5ets ,ere f!rio!s sin"e ""or-ing to the interntion, of the time tht t$#e of interferen"e ,sn0t #ermitte-. When Rome ref!se- to t+e the

5et0s "om#int serio!s$ it ,s -e"i-e- tht the$ ,o!- mr"h on Rome n- t+e the"it$.3

Brenn!s #!se- -rmti"$.3The Romns "me !# ,ith 'tte #n. The$ ,o!- e(e reser(e of troo#s ner

hi to tt"+ them from 'ehin- -!ring the height of the 'tte. B!t Brenn!s the 5eti"

e-er g!essing this might h##en *!st ,ent stright for the hi ignoring the rest of thetroo#s ,ho ,ere so t+en '$ s!r#rise tht "hos 'ro+e o!t n- the$ fe- '"+ to Rome sos"re- tht the$ forgot to "ose the "it$ gtes.3

I smie- t the (is! #i"t!re. Brenn!s grinne- '"+.

3The 5ets tho!ght it ,s tr# t first n- ##ro"he- the "it$ "!tio!s$e)#e"ting some sort of "o!nter/tt"+. B!t the streets ,ere -eserte-. E(er$one h- fe-

to the 5#ito n- ,ere hi-ing e(er$one e)"e#t the senior #tri"ins the o- men of the"it$ ,ho ,ere o!t sitting in their togs ,iting for -eth. At first the 5ets tho!ght the$

,ere go-s. One of the ,rriors re"he- o!t n- #!e- t one of the o- men0s 'er-s *!stto see if the$ ,ere h!mn. The o- mn res#on-e- '$ ,h"+ing the ,rrior on the he-.

1C


18/94

The 5eti" ,e of the men ,s -estro$e- n- the ,rriors ,ent "r4$ +iing the men n-s"+ing the "it$ of Rome.3

3Re$73 I si-. This ,s m4ing. We0- ne(er erne- this in o!r Western

5i(ii4tion "ss.Brenn!s no--e-.

3The 5#ito ,here e(er$one ,s hi-ing ,sn0t s es$ to t+e sin"e it ,s on stee# hi. Mn$ 5ets ,ere +ie- tr$ing to storm it '!t the Romns "o!-n0t ,it in there

fore(er. The$ gree- to #$ the 5ets tho!sn- #o!n-s of go- to m+e them go ,$.5tte n- go- ,ere the t,o things the 5ets (!e- sin"e the$ ,ere es$ to trns#ort.An$ho, ,hen it "me time to ,eigh the go- the Romns "t!$ ""!se- the 5ets of

'n"ing the s"es in their f(or. Brenn!s then "s!$ thre, his s,or- -o,n on the

s"e tht ,s -etermining ho, m!"h go- the Romns ,o!- #$ n- -e"re- $ae victisWoe to the -efete-=3

Brenn!s smie- to "on"!-e his stor$.3Wo,. I ,on-er ho, m!"h his s,or- ,eighe-73 I si-. It ,s the on$ semi/

inteigent thing I "o!- thin+ to s$.3>ro''$ @!ite 'it.3 Brenn!s shifte- in his set. 3There ,s se"on- Brenn!s

ter on '!t !nfort!nte$ he ost 'tte ,ith the Romns in sno,storm n- +ie-himsef.3

I ,s te for "ss '!t I -i-n0t "re. I h- *!st h- the most interesting histor$esson of m$ ife.

1D


19/94

CHAPTER FIVE

I ,s tem#te- to te Jennie ho, I fet 'o!t Brenn!s // 'o!t ho, e"h en"o!nter

so fr h- m-e me fee so i(e. I "o!- h(e t+e- 'o!t him e(er$ moment of the -$from the min!te I fe in o(e ,ith him. B!t I +ne, the on$ reson girs -o tht is to"on(in"e themse(es tht the$ h(e something soi-. It0s i+e if the$ -on0t t+ 'o!t theretionshi# it m$ not e)ist // it m$ t!rn o!t to 'e -rem m-e of ,hi#/"rem. I +ne,

Brenn!s ,sn0t the t$#e of g!$ ,ho0- ,nt to 'e t+e- 'o!t // -id you see the way he

lookedat me? So inste- I t+e- 'o!t *here +ngels ear to Tread.

3It0s m4ing Jennie3 I si-. 3It0s 'o!t this Engish ,i-o, ,ho goes to It$ n-mrries n Itin g!$ nme- Gino ,ho0s ten $ers $o!nger thn her.3

3So i+e -oes she s#e+ Itin73 s+e- Jennie 'iting into her hm'!rger.

3No3 I si- gn"ing ro!n- the "ro,-e- !n"hroom. I "o!-n0t see Brenn!s.3So ho, -o the$ t+733We he s#e+s 'it of Engish n- she s#e+s 'it of Itin '!t most$ I thin+

she0s *!st in it for his oo+s n- he0s in it for the mone$. So n$,$ her in/,s get m-.3

36o the$ s#e+ Engish73 s+e- Jennie -i##ing fren"h fr$ in +et"h!#.3I men her in/,s '"+ in Engn-. The fmi$ of her h!s'n- ,ho0s -e-.33So ,h-- the$ "re733We this is E-,r-in Engn-. :o! +no, these things ,ere im#ortnt then. :o!

"o!-n0t *!st 'e n Engish ,omn n- then go mrr$ some Itin ,ho ,s *!st the son of -entist.3

3dwardianEngn-7 :o! men this is one of those o-/fshione- no(es733:eh '!t it0s re$ interesting. The "hr"ters seem re$ re.3

Jennie oo+e- 'ore-.3Tht g!$ is so "!te o(er there.3Sin"e Jennie ne(er #oints I t!rne- to f"e "ro,- of 'o!t fi(e h!n-re-

#otenti$ "!te g!$s.

3Whi"h one73

3Boots tight *ens #i- shirt.3She h- *!st nrro,e- it -o,n to fo!r h!n-re- n- fift$.3Re- n- '!e #i-733Oh "0mon Jessie. :o! +no, the one I men. The Lo!isin g!$.33Oh= The!ouisianag!$.3 I sette- '"+ in m$ hr- #sti" "hir. Jennie n- I h-

h- this -is"!ssion 'efore. It +is me ho, Jennie n- I "n h(e the sme -is"!ssions

1F


20/94

o(er n- o(er gin // ,or- for ,or-. I ,on-er if she noti"es. I ,ish she0- t est#ref"e the ,hoe thing ,ithI know we've had this conversation about fifty times before,but...

3I met him3 she si-.We this ,s ne, eement to the "on(erstion.

3No ,$3 I si-. 3Ho,7336rin+ing fo!ntin. He ,s 'ehin- me n- I -i-n0t +no, it. I t!rne- ro!n-

'!m#e- into him n- si- sorr$. His nme is Bi$.33He to- $o! his nme is Bi$733No Lin- to- me his nme ,s Bi$. He si- that's /0 in his re$ -ee# (oi"e.

He0s got tht se)$ -r,. I ner$ -ie-.3

I -i-n0t #oint o!t tht '!m#ing into g!$ #oogi4ing n- h(ing the #oog$""e#te- -i-n0t re$ "onstit!te meeting someone.

3Ho, mn$ #eo#e -o $o! thin+ i+e him73 s+e- Jennie ,ho h-n0t t+en here$es off him. 3He ,$s sits ,ith g!$s so I -on0t thin+ he0s seein0 n$one. I +no, Lin-

thin+s he0s "!te '!t she0s got 'o$frien-.33It0s ,$s the ones ,ho $o! thin+ no one i+es tht t!rn o!t to h(e 'o!t fift$

,omen ,ho thin+ the$0re the on$ ones ,ho i+e him.33Thn+s Jessie. Oh there0s $o!r mn.33Who73 I si- t,isting ro!n-.3Tht Brenn!s g!$. He0s ,eir-.3

3Where73 M$ (oi"e h- s!--en$ 'e"ome frnti".35m -o,n= O(er there '$ the 5o+e m"hine.3There he ,s. 6ro##ing his @!rters into the m"hine n- #ressing -o,n on the

5o+e ogo.3:o! i+e him or somethin0733Oh no3 I si- @!i"+$. 3I ,s *!st strte-...3 I et m$ (oi"e -rift off n- #i"+e- !#

m$ ,ter 'otte.3He0s "oming o(er here=3 si- Jennie.

3He is=3 I most "ho+e- on m$ ,ter.Jennie oo+e- i+e she ,s 'o!t to #ss o!t s her f"e -ro##e- onto the t'e.3He0s ,+ing right 'ehin- $o!3 she ,his#ere- "ross the t'e. 3He0s gone right

'$=3

Ver$ "ref!$ I t,iste- m$ he- *!st in time to see Bi$ the Lo!isin g!$ #ssingo!r t'e.

I sighe- n- trie- not to fee si"+.3Goo- fternoon -ies.3 Brenn!s0s (oi"e "me from the set 'esi-e me.

I *!m#e-. He grinne-.35n I *oin $o!73 he s+e- "ref!$ #"ing his 5o+e in front of him n- #!ing

%2


21/94

o!t sn-,i"h from his +n#s"+.3I thin+ $o! re-$ h(e3 I si- s he st -o,n 'esi-e me +no,ing tht m$

#es!re ,s #ro''$ r-iting from m$ f"e i+e ser 'em.

3So $o! g!$s h(e i(e- here $o!r ife733;h $eh3 I si-. No, tht her -rem mn h- #sse- right '$ her Jennie0s

,hoe !r ,s one of f!tiit$ n- ho#eessness. She stre- t her hm'!rger s if it ,sthe most -isg!sting thing she0- e(er seen.

3Are $o! O73 s+e- Brenn!s. I ,s *eo!s tht he0- noti"e- her.3No3 she si-. 3Life s!"+s.3 He ,s strnger to her. She ,sn0t going to "onfi-e

in him her resons for hting ife '!t she ,sn0t going to #reten- e(er$thing ,s O.3Life -oes s!"+3 gree- Brenn!s. 3We0- 'e i-iots not to see tht ,e i(e in n

's!r- ,or-. 5m!s si- tht the most f!n-ment @!estion mn "n s+ himsef issho!- I +i m$sef73

3:eh3 si- Jennie sho,ing s m!"h interest in the #hioso#h$ of 5m!s s sheh- in E-,r-in Engn-.

36es#ite the f"t tht h##iness is e!si(e n- the ,or- is f! of miser$ n--es#ir 5m!s fet tht the ns,er ,s no ,e sho!- not +i o!rse(es. The on$ ,$

,e "n fight ginst the 's!r-it$ n- trge-$ of ife is to f"e it. Tht0s ,ht "n gi(e ifemening n- (!e.3

3Re$73 I si- #!tting -o,n m$ sn-,i"h.Brenn!s no--e- n- 'egn to !n,r# his sn-,i"h.

3A""or-ing to 5m!s ,e h(e t,o 'si" nee-s. ;n-erstn-ing n- so"i "ont"t.Ho,e(er the ,or- ,e i(e in -oesn0t ,$s #ro(i-e these nee-s. A ot of #eo#e !seho#e s '!ffer 4one to #re(ent themse(es from "t!$ seeing this tho!gh.3

3Tht is 'so!te$ terrif$ing3 I si-. I h- sto##e- eting together.3:eh ,e it0s one ,$ of oo+ing t the ,or-3 si- Brenn!s t+ing 'ite o!t of

his sn-,i"h. 3So $o! havei(e- here $o!r ife733;h $eh.33So ,ht -o $o! +no, 'o!t the O'ser(tor$73 he s+e-.

3The /bservatory73 I si-. He h-n0t sh(e- this morning. There ,s sightgro,th on his "hin n- !##er i#.

3:eh $o! +no, $mn Te)s...33:eh I +no, the O'ser(tor$. I men e(er$one +no,s 'o!t the O'ser(tor$.3

How often did he shave?I ,on-ere-.3O so ,ht -o $o! +no, 'o!t it73

3We I0(e on$ seen it on"e.3 I #!se- in m$ e)mintion of his f"e to gi(e thismtter some tho!ght. 3It0s right on the e-ge of $mn. It0s mssi(e. White. It #e+s in

the "entre.3I gest!re- ,ith m$ hn-s to in-i"te the gener sh#e of the '!i-ing !n-er

%1


22/94

-is"!ssion.3A "the-r to s"ien"e73 s+e- Brenn!s.3:eh3 I si-. 3Tht +in- of -es"ri'es it.3

3E)"!se me3 si- Jennie #i"+ing !# her tr$.3S!re3 I si- tr$ing to smie t her. After I -on0t ,nt to ose her. Who ,o!- I

hng o!t ,ith7Jennie he-e- for one of the mn$ #sti" gr'ge "ontiners to -!m# the remins

of her tr$ n- I +ne, tht she ,o!- then #ro"ee- to the 'throom to s#en- the remin-erof !n"h ##$ing more m+e/!# in n effort to 'e 'e!tif! for her ne)t en"o!nter ,ithBi$.

3;mm I thin+ there0s s!##ose- to 'e ot more 'ehin- it3 I "ontin!e- t+ing

'e"!se I ,nte- to m+e the most of this time one. 3B!t $o! "n0t see n$thing.33It0s !n-ergro!n-3 interr!#te- Brenn!s. 3An DC +iometer ong t!nne. It0s one

+iometer onger thn the S!#er"on-!"ting S!#er 5oi-er ,s going to 'e.33Oh3 I si- +in- of -is##ointe-. 3:o! +no, 'o!t it.3

3No3 he si- #!tting -o,n his sn-,i"h. 3I -on0t. I -on0t +no, ho, to get insi-e.33We I -on0t thin+ n$one "n get insi-e3 I !ghe-. 3It0s *!st for s"ientists. It0s

not i+e m!se!m or something.336o $o! +no, ,ht the$0re -oing in there73 si- Brenn!s t!rning to,r-s me s if

he ,s 'o!t to im#rt gret ,is-om. 3The$ re ,or+ing on grn- !nifie- theor$. A12T. The$ re tr$ing to -is"o(er the theor$ of everything.3

3No ,$3 I si- *!st string t him.3The$0re oo+ing for n !n-er$ing #rin"i#e of #h$si"s3 he "ontin!e-. 3:o! +no,

ho, ee"tri"it$ n- mgnetism !se- to 'e se#rte fie-s of st!-$73

I no--e-. I h- no "!e.3We then Mi"he r-$ "me ong n- #ro(e- tht the !n-er$ing for"e for

'oth fie-s is the sme. Hen"e no, $o! h(e ee"tromgnetism. So some #h$si"ists feetht the se#rte fie-s "n 'e in+e- together if $o! *!st fin- tht one !n-er$ing

#rin"i#e. Not tht the S!#er"on-!"ting S!#er 5oi-er or this #ro*e"t h(e the 'iit$ to

#ro(e s!"h theor$ sin"e $o! ,o!- nee- n ""eertor ,ith the energ$ to tr"e "ir"eone triion +iometers...3 His (oi"e -rifte-. 3B!t n$ho, the gretest -(n"es tht ,e,i m+e in this ifetime ,i 'e -one t the O'ser(tor$.3 He s#o+e s if he ,s #rt ofthe tem of s"ientists ssigne- to this #ro*e"t. 3Some of the gretest min-s of s"ien"e re

,or+ing in tht '!i-ing. So $o! "n see ,h$ ,e h(e to get in there.3I -i-n0t see '!t I ,s too thrie- ,ith the !se of the ,or- weto "re ,hether or not

the i-e m-e n$ sense.3We3 I si-. 3I -o +no, tht the O'ser(tor$ is not its offi"i nme. It0s re$

the!ancet 3enter of )tudies in 4hysics or something i+e tht.33The O'ser(tor$ m+es it so!n- i+es f+0s "ste3 si- Brenn!s #i"+ing !# his

%%


23/94

sn-,i"h gin n- t!rning '"+ to s!r(e$ the "feteri. 3Tht0s e)"t$ ,ht it is. Anin""essi'e #"e tht gi(es most #eo#e the "ree#s.3

3Ho, -i- $o! +no,73 I s+e-. I -i-n0t +no, 'o!t f+0s "ste '!t I +ne, tht

most #eo#e in $mn trete- the #eo#e ,ho ,or+e- t the O'ser(tor$ s if the$mn!f"t!re- to)i" n!"er ,ste n- soit to sm ne!roti" "o!ntries ,ho ,nte- to

-estro$ the ;nite- Sttes ,ith germ ,rfre.3M$ !nt. So te me more. Who0s Ln"et73

3;mm. I thin+ he0s the g!$ ,ho f!n-e- it.33A'o!t 1% 'iion I her-.33:eh something in the 'iions.33The SS5 ,o!- h(e "ost 11 'iion3 si- Brenn!s. 3So ,ho is this g!$

Ln"et73I smie-.3I0(e her- he oo+s i+e J"+ Ni"hoson. M$ mother ,nts to meet him. She loves

J"+ Ni"hoson.3

3I0- i+e to meet him too3 si- Brenn!s. He ,s string intent$ t me. 3ListenJessie. We0re going to meet him O73

3O3 I si- gree'$.3An- most im#ortnt$ ,e0re going to get insi-e tht O'ser(tor$3 he si-. He

t!rne- '"+ to 'sent/min-e-$ stre t the "ro,-s. He ,s -ee# in tho!ght.3S!re3 I si-.

3It goes ,itho!t s$ing tht this is *!st 'et,een the t,o of !s3 he si- t+ing thest 'ite of his sn-,i"h n- fin g!# of his 5o+e.

3Oh $eh3 I si-. 36efinite$.3

%


24/94


25/94

3This st!ff "osts eighteen -ors t!'e m3 I si-. 3It0s Ln"me.3M$ mother oo+s sho"+e-.3Then ,h$ -on0t $o! *!st gi(e me some 5h#sti"+73

She gn"es t her ,t"h.3I0m going to 'e te3 she si- thro,ing some fies into her I )upport #y !ocal

!ibrary'oo+ 'g. M$ mother ,s n ""o!ntnt ,ho ,or+e- ,ith sm firm in T$er'o!t n ho!r0s -ri(e from here. She !se- the time in the "r to ern foreign ng!ges.

She0- mstere- Itin n- S#nish. No, she ,s onto ren"h. The ironi" thing ,s m$mother h- no #ns to tr(e o!tsi-e of the ;.S.A. A of o!r ("tions h- in(o(e--ri(ing some,here to oo+ t something // the Grn- 5n$on Nigr s Mo!ntR!shmore the ge$sers in :eo,stone >r+ the Amo. Strnge$ ,e h- (oi-e-

5iforni.3Ho, mn$ more S!n-$ fternoons re $o! going to h(e to ,or+73 I s+e-.3>ro''$ fo!r3 she si- s she he-e- -o,n the sm h,$ of o!r trier.

Another month of t) seson. The st ,ee+ ,o!- 'e the ,orst. She0- 'e in the offi"e

eighteen ho!rs -$.Wison ,$s too+ me to "h!r"h S!n-$ mornings. When he ,s ten he g(e his

hert to Jes!s n- he n- I got '#ti4e- ,hen ,e ,ere thirteen. Theres n "ti(e $o!thgro!# t the "h!r"h ,e go to '!t Wison s$s the$re '!n"h of ,im#s ,ho *!st "themse(es 5hristins 'e"!se the$ thin+ the$re 'etter thn e(er$one ese.

I ,s tem#te- to s+ m$ mother if she "o!- -ro# me off t the m e)"e#t tht I

-i-n0t ,nt to s#en- eight ho!rs in m tht too+ fort$/fi(e min!tes to -o !# "om#ete$.Norm$ I- 'e t Wisons ho!se for S!n-$ -inner '!t to-$ he h- to finish !# nEngish Lit ##er -!e on Mon-$.

3Be goo-3 she si- +issing me on the "hee+ 'efore -is##ering o!t the -oor.I ,+e- so,$ '"+ to o!r mo-est i(ing room ,hi"h ,s in the (er$ "enter of the

trier. The -oor of trier is !s!$ in the i(ing room '!t for some reson o!rs ,s onthe en- in the +it"hen. I h- finishe- *here +ngels ear to Treadn- I -i-n0t h(e n$home,or+. W+ing to the (i-eo store -i-n0t ##e to me. I $ -o,n on the "o!"h s the

#hone rng. Stret"hing o!t m$ rm I "o!- *!st 're$ re"h it.3Heo733Hi.3 It ,s one/s$'e ,or- '!t it ,s s#o+en ,ith the ss!rn"e of mn

,ho is ,e re"ei(e- in "ir"es. Imme-ite$ I fet the nee- to "er m$ throt.

3Oh heo3 I si- tr$ing to so!n- "s! s if it ,ere no 'ig -e tht Brenn!ssho!- 'e "ing me on S!n-$ fternoon.

3I ho#e I -i-n0t ,+e $o!.33Oh no m$ mom *!st eft to go to ,or+3 I si-.

3No ,$3 si- Brenn!s so!n-ing mi-$ s!r#rise-. 3So -i- m$ !nt. Ho, mn$#eo#e -o $o! +no, ,ho h(e #rents or g!r-ins ,ho h(e to ,or+ on S!n-$73

%


26/94

3;mmmm3 I tho!ght 'o!t this. 3No one I g!ess. M$ mom0s *!st ,or+ing 'e"!seit0s t) seson. She0s n ""o!ntnt.3

3Re$73 Brenn!s so!n-e- (g!e$ im#resse-. 3So ,ht -oes $o!r -- -o73

There ,s #!se.3I -on0t +no,3 I si-.

3Wht he eft $o! g!$s73 Brenn!s0s "s! tone m-e it so es$ to t+. If ,e0-'een t+ing 'o!t mo(ies ,e0- h(e 'een more intense.

3No I ne(er +ne, him. He ,s n Itin "onstr!"tion ,or+er.33Those Itins3 si- Brenn!s so!n-ing s if he ,ere re-$ f! informe- on the

h'its of trnsient "onstr!"tion ,or+ers.3:eh re$3 I si-.

3Goes '"+ to the Romn Em#ire3 si- Brenn!s. 3Virie so-iers "on@!ering the,or-.3

3Tht0s f!nn$3 I si-. 3M$ mother ,$s refers to him s Romn.33We0re ffe"te- '$ o!r roots3 he si-. 3:o!r fther ,s #ro''$ the s#irit! if

not iter n"estor of one of those Romn so-iers tht ,s sent o!t to s!'-!e the 5etsof Lon-ini!m. He$=3 Brenn!s h- *!st tho!ght of something. 3I ,on-er if o!r

n"estors +ne, e"h other7 M$'e one of the 5eti" ,rriors in m$ tri'e 'tte- it o!t,ith one of $o!r Romn so-iers.3

3Or3 I s!ggeste- 3m$'e one of the 5eti" mi-ens "!ght the e$e of the Romnso-ier n- he (o,e- to ne(er fight her #eo#e.3

3Tht ,o!- 'e i+e 7orma the o#er. B$ Beini. It0s the stor$ of 6r!i-0s-!ghter ,ho fs in o(e ,ith Romn so-ier.3

3No ,$3 I si-.

3We0(e got to get together n- t+ 'o!t getting into the O'ser(tor$3 si-Brenn!s so!n-ing s if he ,ere getting -o,n to '!siness. 3I0m going to go to the i'rr$to-$ n- -o some reser"h on it. 6o $o! ,nt to get together tonight73

3S!re3 I si-.3O I0 #i"+ $o! !# ro!n- se(en. 6oes $o!r mother "re if $o! st$ o!t te73

3Oh no3 I si-. A"t!$ m$ mother fre+e- o!t if I st$e- o!t fter ten on 3s"hoo night3 i+e ,e ,ere in some sort of 20s mo(ie ,here the +i-s h- "!rfe,s.B!t m$ mom ,o!- 'e ,or+ing.

Brenn!s got the -ire"tions for m$ ho!se n- then h!ng !#. I gn"e- t m$ ,t"h.

i(e ho!rs to ,it. I most in-!ge- in s#e"!ting tht he m!st re$ i+e me if he,nte- to 'e s!re I "o!- go o!t ,ith him tht e(ening 'efore he got on ,ith his -$. B!t

it0s 'een m$ e)#erien"e tht s#e"!tion m$ 'e entertining '!t it0s !s!$ !seess.Jennie h- i+e- g!$ nme- e(in o!r so#homore $er n- h- s#ent the $er m+ing

!# theories s to ,h$ he "o!-n0t "ommit to 'eing her 'o$frien-. She ,o!- e)#in themo(er !n"h.

%


27/94

3He0s ,orrie- 'o!t his ge'r "ss. He0s ,$s -oing home,or+ for it. He+no,s he -oesn0t h(e the time to see n$one.3

3He hs hr- time -mitting his feeings. He "n0t e)#ress himsef. He fees it

'!t sometimes he -oesn0t e(en +no, it.33e$ thin+s he0s fri- of "ommitment $o! +no, he t+es retionshi#s serio!s$

so he hs to gi(e it ot of tho!ght 'efore "ommitting.3I fo!n- o!t hf,$ thro!gh the $er it ,s 'e"!se he i+e- gir nme- Mrie. I

ne(er to- her n- to this -$ Jennie referre- to o!r so#homore $er s 3the $er e(ini+e- me.3 It terrifie- me ho, frgie the h!mn #s$"he is tht it nee-s to 'e "onstnt$ress!re- e(en t the e)#ense of tr!th. O!r histor$ te"her h- t+e- 'o!t re(isionisthistor$ ,here #eo#e re,rite histor$ to s!it the #resent. >eo#e ,ho h- 'een -efete- in

,r re,rote it to seem i+e the$ h- #nne- it ong.It so terrifie- me tht o!r memories ,eren0t s"re-. We "o!-n0t e(en tr!st o!r

o,n 'rin. I h- mentione- this to m$ mother ,ho h- re#ie- 3:o! "n h(e mgi" or$o! "n h(e honest$. If there0s mgi" n- m$ster$ he0s #ro''$ seeing someone ese.3

3I -on0t !n-erstn- retionshi#s3 I h- si- 'r!#t$.3:o! h(e to get o!tsi-e the r!es of retionshi#s to !n-erstn- o(e3 she h- si-.

3If there0s o(e there0s no nee- to -efine it.33So *!st 'eing 'e to " g!$ $o!r 'o$frien- isn0t eno!gh73 I h- s+e-. This

,s -estro$ing of m$ #re(io!s$/he- 'eiefs 'o!t o(e.3There re no r!es3 m$ mother h- si-. 3When it "omes to o(e there0s no "o!rt

of ##e tht $o! "n go to n- s$ that's not fairn- e)#e"t n$thing to 'e -one 'o!t it.:o!0 get s$m#th$ from $o!r frien-s '!t tht0s 'o!t it.3

Tht0s ,hen I +ne, she h- no -isi!sionments 'o!t her retionshi# ,ith m$

fther.

%C


28/94


29/94

3I -on0t +no, tht one3 I si- roing o(er onto m$ stom"h to oo+ t him. There,s no #oint in "ting i+e I0- ,$s 'een -e(ote- fn of The Hitchhiker's 1uide to the1ala8y. Brenn!s ,o!- h(e ost res#e"t for me if he e(er "!ght me f+ing it.

3It0s 'o!t this Engish g!$ Arth!r 6ent ,hose ho!se is going to 'e '!-o4e- tom+e ,$ for '$#ss so he ies in front of the '!-o4er. Then his frien- or- >refe"t

"omes ong n- tes him tht he0s not re$ from Isington '!t from #net "e-Betge!se n- tht the ,or- is 'o!t to 'e -emoishe- in t,e(e min!tes to m+e ,$

for n interg"ti" free,$.33So then ,ht h##ens733Oh the$ hit"h ri-e ,ith the Vogon -estr!"tion feet n- Arth!r 6ent en-s !#

tr(eing ro!n- the g)$ in his 'thro'e. It0s hirio!s.3

3Wh$ -o $o! reso m!"h73It ,o!- h(e 'een -!m' @!estion e)"e#t tht I sin"ere$ ,nte- to +no,.

Brenn!s -i-n0t hesitte.3Be"!se I0(e fo!n- the S#irit of Life in 'oo+s. Li+e Anse in The !ongest

"ourney. Some #eo#e fin- it in #eo#e or their *o' or ,hte(er. 6i- $o! e(er see)hadowlands73

3No.33M$ !nt o,ns it. An$ho, there0s this ine. *e read to know we're not alone.

Mn.3 He stoo- !#. 3I gott t+e ,hi4.3I ,t"he- him -is##er into the sh-o,s he-ing into the tot -r+ness of the

ner'$ trees.He ret!rne- min!te ter. In the m!r+$ sh-o,s I thin+ I "t!$ s, him -oing

!# his f$. Most g!$s in Te)s t+e #iss in the ,oo-s n- "ome '"+ -oing !# their f$

n- it -oesn0t men thing. B!t ,ith Brenn!s it seeme- intimte n- '!nt t the smetime.

3I *!st h- tho!ght3 he si- ,hie he ,s sti fe, feet ,$. 3The !ongest

"ourney. Ri"+ie h- ife fig!re- o!t in theor$ '!t "o!-n0t "onne"t ,ith the "ommon mn.The #ro'em ,sn0t ,ith Ri"+ie0s theor$ of ife the #ro'em ,s most #eo#e -on0t h(e

ife fig!re- o!t n- so the$ i(e it the ,$ the$ ,nt it to 'e. Not the ,$ it is. The ,$the$ ,nt it to 'e.3

Brenn!s h- "o#se- onto the gro!n- n- ,s $ing on his '"+.I intern$ (o,e- to someho, re- The !ongest "ourneyif I h- to -ri(e to 6s

to get ho- of it. I- h(e to "he"+ o!t one of those onine 'oo+stores.Brenn!s ,s ost in tho!ght for fe, se"on-s. I ,on-ere- if he e(er ,rote his

i-es -o,n.3B!t ,e0(e got to t+ 'o!t the O'ser(tor$.3 It ,s his '!siness (oi"e. 3I0(e 'een

re-ing 'o!t it -$.3 He roe- o(er onto his si-e to f"e me. 3High se"!rit$. Aem#o$ees re "ref!$ s"reene-. Ver$ fe, (isitors. Ln"et hs ne(er "t!$ 'een seen

%F


30/94

his nme *!st ##ere- on the initi "he"+ to '!i- the thing n- it0s o#erte- '$ one5hres 6. N$or ,ho '$ the ,$ has 'een seen. 5hres 6. N$or is #rominents"ientist ,ho0s t!ght t se(er !ni(ersities n- is ,e +no,n in the fie- of #h$si"s. He

#!'ishe- 'oo+ 'o!t G;T...33G!t73 I s+e-.

3The grn- !nifie- theor$3 re#ie- Brenn!s. 3:o! +no, sim#e !n-er$ing#rin"i#e of #h$si"s...3

3Right right.3 It ,s "oming '"+ to me.36r. N$or is not the t$#e of mn to 'eie(e in -rmti" 're+thro!ghs n- s$s so

in his e"t!res. He -oes #!'i" e"t!res '$ the ,$. He 'eie(es tht "om#iing -t is so, #ro"ess n- tht the G;T theor$ ,i on$ 'e #ro(en '$ ste-$ "onsistent ,or+. I

thin+ he0s hi-ing something.33Wh$73 I s+e-.3Be"!se s"ientists !s!$ t+ 'ig.3 Brenn!s s#o+e s if he fre@!ent$ h!ng o!t

,ith s"ientists. 3When the$ !n-erstte ,ht the$0re -oing $o! +no, the$0(e fo!n-

something n- -on0t ,nt n$one ese mo(ing in on their territor$.33Wht s#e"ifi"$ re the$ -oing73 I s+e- so,$.

3Vrio!s e)#eriments re going on3 si- Brenn!s. 3One thing the$0re ,or+ing onis in+ing ee"tro/,e+ for"es ,ith strong n!"er for"es. A"t!$ tht0s I re$ +no,.I ,s in the s"ien"e se"tion n- en-e- !# s#en-ing most of the fternoon re-ing 'oo+"e-Basic )cientific acts very 3iti:en of 4lanet arth )hould 0now. 6i- $o! +no,

tht the erth is D222 mies in -imeter733No3 I si-.3Wht -oes tmos#here "ontin73 s+e- Brenn!s s if @!i44ing me for test. In

the sh-o,$ fie- ,ith on$ hf moon to i!minte !s Brenn!s ,s gorgeo!s. Hisfet!res ,ere -efine- his e$es intense s he stre- !# t the strs his hir fing sight$for,r- in his f"e.

3I -on0t +no,3 I si- g!#ing.3O)$gen "r'on -io)i-e n- ,ter.3

No, it ,s m$ t!rn to f onto m$ '"+ n- stre t the strs. Strs // gittering-imon-s t,in+ing ights 'right r$s of ho#e to ,ish $o!r -rems on.

3Wht re strs73 I s+e-.Brenn!s gn"e- !#.

3Sef/!mino!s o'*e"ts tht r-ite -!e to n intern energ$ so!r"e.336o $o! thin+ the$0re ,orth ,ishing on73

3We the one $o!0re ,ishing on might h(e 'een -e- for tho!sn- $ers n- it0s*!st t+en this ong for the ight to get to erth.3

3Not m!"h to hng -rem on. Ho, 'o!t -imon-s7 Wht re the$ m-e of7335r'on.3


31/94

3The '"+ soot$ st!ff7335hr"o7 :eh tht0s one form of "r'on.33If the ,or- ,ere going to 'e n$4e- n- e)#ine- to $o! ,o!- $o! rther

h(e it -one '$ #oets or #h$si"ists73 I s+e- s!--en$.3Tht0s goo- one3 si- Brenn!s. 3I -on0t +no,. "ts. Or...theories or i-es or

-rems or ho#es... I -!nno.3 Sti $ing on his '"+ he "rosse- one eg o(er onto the +neeof his other eg. 3I re- s#ee"h '$ 6r. N$or to-$ ,here he s$s nothing is more

im#ortnt in the ser"h for tr!th thn f"ts. I men I *!st et ife h##en n$4ing it ftere(ents h(e #sse- n- "oming to the "on"!sion tht ,hen e(er$thing0s o(er $o! "nre$ s$ is this is ,ht h##ene-. B!t 6r. N$or on the other hn- -rems of theor$of everything. I thin+ m$'e he0s more of Romnti" thn n$ of !s.3

3Mi"hign. Is tht stte or "it$73 s+e- Jennie t !n"h the ne)t -$. I h- tote her I ,ent o!t ,ith him '!t to "o(er !# o!r "on(erstion I *!st g(e her fe, f"ts'o!t him tht he h- re(ee- on the -ri(e home.

3Oh for "r$ing o!t o!-. Mi"hign )tate3 I si-. 3Thin+ 'o!t the !ni(ersit$.3Jennie shr!gge-.

3I -on0t #n to go there. Where in Mi"hign then733I -!nno. I -i-n0t s+.33Mr. H!nt m-e him re- his "riti" ess$ in front of the "ss to-$.33No ,$=3

3:eh.33Wht ,s it 'o!t733So"i "ommentr$ inBatman.3

3*hat?33:o! +no,Batman the mo(ie. The first t,o mo(ies. He t+e- 'o!t the Jo+er

'eing re#resse- n- something 'o!t 5t,omn n- #o,er feminism. I -i-n0t "t"h it.3

3I0(e gott s+ him 'o!t tht.3

3He t+e- 'o!t the -r+ si-e of Btmn too. :o! +no, the g!$ -resses in '"+n- #r"ti"$ i(es in "(e. Oh I remem'er something ese. Wht h##ene- to Vi"+iVe73

3I -!nno7 Wht73

3Tht0s ,ht he s+e-.33I0 -efinite$ s+ him 'o!t it.3

Then I tho!ght if I s+ 'o!t his ess$ he0- +no, I ,s t+ing to Jennie n- tht,e t+e- 'o!t him. I -e"i-e- not to s+. I0- *!st ,or+Batmaninto the "on(erstion.

Then I -e"i-e- I ,s 'eing st!#i-.3He0s so "!te.3


32/94

3I +no,3 I si- thin+ing 'o!t the ,$ he smie-. M$ mother ,o!- s$ Brenn!sh- J"+ Ni"hoson smie // the +in- tht m+es $o! f in o(e ,ith g!$ e(en if $o!h(e nothing in "ommon. I fig!re- I ,s #ro''$ "on"ei(e- 'e"!se of smie.

B!t Jennie ,s string t Bi$ so I +ne, ,e ,ere off the to#i" of Brenn!s.


33/94

CHAPTER EIGHT

;ou look fine.

I didn't ask.The ,or-s re r!nning thro!gh his he-. He n- 5rrie h- seenBatman'o!t si)

times '"+ in Mi"hign n- fter tht their f(orite ro!tine ,s she0- s$ 3:o! oo+ fine3to ,hi"h he0- re#$ 3I -i-n0t s+.3

In the mo(ie J"+ Ni"hoson h- !se- the ine to #!t Jerr$ H in her #"e '!t the

,$ Brenn!s n- 5rrie -i- it it 'ro!ght o!t the mo)ie in 'oth of them. Brenn!s ,o!-h(e i+e- to h(e seen the Jo+er !# ginst 5rrie. She h- ,$ of m+ing g!$ feei+e "r# '!t h##$ "r# h##$ *!st to 'e ,ith her.

A -$ -oesnt go '$ ,hen he -oesn0t thin+ 'o!t her. He ,on-ers if this is going to

"ontin!e his ife.Gro,ing o- -oesn0t seem re to Brenn!s n$more.5rrie h- m-e him fee i+e gro,ing o- together ,o!- 'e the most f!n thing in

the ,or- // the$0- '!$ ho!se on some -erei"t 'e"h fi it ,ith 'oo+s '$ nt n-

Hege 'e"ome geni!ses together m$'e h(e ''$ '$ ""i-ent t+e !# "r-/#$ingh(e #eo#e o(er for -inner gro, o- n- !g$ retire n- get go(ernment #ensions n-then t+e #"+ge- to!rs o(er the ;.S.

No, Brenn!s *!st ,nts to #! Jmes 6en n- 'o, !# in "r t t,ent$/fo!r.

If she h- -ie- he "o!- h(e "ime- her s his o,n. He "o!- h(e i(e- his ifein her memor$ ne(er o(e- gin n- 'een fine.

B!t to fin- so!/mte n- then ose her *!st 'e"!se she -oesn0t thin+ the"onne"tion is im#ortnt... Li+e so!/mtes re e)#en-'e or something.

3On$ "onne"t3 he h- si- to her. 3E.M. orster. Tht0s ,ht it0s 'o!t.3He sho!- h(e +no,n 'etter thn to @!ote her f(orite !thor to her.

3E)"t$3 she h- si-. 3B!t to *!st "onne"t ,ith one #erson is to t+e the ongest*o!rne$.3

An- in tht moment he h- rei4e- his mist+e n- +ne, he h- 'een s#re- the-isi!sionment tht foo,s o(e. Ne(er gin. Tht ,s the st time he0- m+e tht

mist+e. He on$ ,ishe- tht he0- 'een the one to te her he -i-n0t ,nt to t+e the

ongest *o!rne$.So he thn+e- her n- eft. B!t he0- eft ,hen he sti o(e- her n- so there h-

'een no "hn"e for "os!re.

He "ontin!es to stre o!t of the 'e-room ,in-o, t the Mimi street.J!st ,hen $o! tho!ght $o!r 'o-$ hs 'e"ome im#er(io!s to emotions $o!r ner(es

e)#o-e into tinging terror ,orse thn -$ of g!44ing es#ressos ,orse thn *!st


34/94

'o!t 'eing hit '$ "r. A h!ge mess of emotions is im#ossi'e to reso(e. Brenn!s"n0t -e"i-e ,hi"h is ,orse // to 'e o!t of to!"h ,ith $o!r feeings or to 'e "ons!me- '$them.

;ou look fine.

I didn't ask.


35/94

CHAPTER NINE

Jennie0s fmi$ h- t est %2 "ere 'o)es in their "!#'or-. It0s not tht the$,ere -ifferent it0s *!st tht the$ ,o!- et 'o!t se(en eighths of the 'o) then e(e the"r!m'$ remins of the st eighth for #osterit$.

M$ mother n- I h- one 'o) of 5orn +es n- ner$ f! 'o) of M!esi) thtm$ mother h- 'o!ght on ,him 'o!t $er go.

Jennie si- o#en the "!#'or- -oor n- s!r(e$e- the #ies of "ere 'o)es. She"ose- the "!#'or-.

3:o! ,nn h(e some tost73 she s+e-. 3I -on0t thin+ n$one0s gone gro"er$sho##ing.3

3S!re3 I si-.

3I0(e got n i-e3 si- Jennie #i"+ing !# the of of Won-er're- on the "o!nter.3A -o!'e/-te.3 She st!"+ t,o #ie"es of ,hite 're- into the toster n- o#ene- thefri-ge -oor to tr$ to fin- some *m.

3With ,ho73 I s+e-. M$ min- ,s f!44$. I h-n0t seen Brenn!s -$ n- I ,s,on-ering if m$'e I sho!- 'e t home ,iting for his ". I "o!-n0t e(en #hone himsin"e he h-n0t gi(en me his !nt0s n!m'er n- I -on0t +no, her st nme to oo+ it !#. I

*!st rei4e- I -i-n0t e(en +no, his st nme.

3With who? Bi$ tht0s ,ho.33:o! n- Bi$ n- ,ho ese73 I s+e-. Ho, ,o!- I s+ him ,ht his st nme

,s7 6i- he +no, mine7 He m!st sin"e he0- #hone- me.3Tht g!$ Brenn!s3 si- Jennie. The tost #o##e- !# n- she st!"+ t,o more

si"es in.I *!st stre- t her.350mon. :o! "o!- s+ him o!t.3 Jennie s#re- some '!tter on the tost foo,e-

'$ $er of '!m'e'err$ *m. Jennie0s mother i+e- to e)#eriment ,ith *m f(o!rs.

The$0re the on$ fmi$ I +ne, ,ho -i-n0t h(e str,'err$ *m in their fri-ge.3B!t ,h$7 Wh$ re ,e going on -o!'e/-te733So I "n "s!$ s+ Bi$ o!t3 Jennie #tient$ e)#ine- s she 'ro!ght the

#te of tost o(er so ,e "o!- get strte- on the first 't"h. 3I "n0t *!st s+ him o!t himn- me. I0(e gott 'e 'e to go He$ Bi$= Me n- m$ frien-s re going to see mo(ieSt!r-$ night. :o! ,nn "ome73

3So ,e0- go see mo(ie.3 I tho!ght 'o!t this. I ,s strting to fee ting$ n-terrifie-.

3Whte(er3 si- Jennie. 3We "o!- go -n"ing. :o! +no, ,hte(er.3


36/94

3When733This St!r-$ night.3It ,s Th!rs-$. Wo!- I e(en see Brenn!s tomorro, t s"hoo7

36o $o! +no, Brenn!s0s st nme73 I s+e- 'r!#t$.3:eh. I thin+ it0s O0Leer$ or something i+e tht.3

35n I see $o!r #hone 'oo+7 No forget it.3 I ,s string t the , ,ith #ie"eof tost in m$ hn-. I h- *!st remem'ere- tht Brenn!s h- si- tht his !nt ,s hismother'ssister so there0s no ,$ the$0- h(e the sme st nme.

3We -o $o! ,nn -o it73 s+e- Jennie s the tost #o##e- !#. She stoo- n-,ent o(er to the toster to m+e the se"on- 't"h.

3:eh if I see Brenn!s tomorro, I0 s+ him3 I si-. 3B!t I0(e got to s+ him

'efore $o! s+ Bi$ 'e"!se I "n0t #hone him sin"e I -on0t h(e his n!m'er.33O.3 Jennie seeme- h##$ ,ith this.I ho,e(er ,s too ner(o!s to et m!"h of m$ tost.

3It0s not eno!gh to *!st t+ $o! h(e to t+e "tion3 Brenn!s ,s s$ing to his!nt.

31entleman's +greement3 si- his !nt.3Wht733A 1F8C mo(ie tht ,on se(er Os"r0s. Gregor$ >e"+ #reten-s to 'e Je, in

or-er to e)#erien"e nti/Semitism first/hn- n- -is"o(ers ho, it0s the ni"e #eo#e ,ho

s$ the$0re not nti/Semiti" '!t ,ho ne(er t+e "tion ,ho "t!$ o, it to "ontin!e.33B!t S"hin-er ne(er si- he ,s not nti/Semiti"3 si- Brenn!s. 3An- his "tion

,s sef/ser(ing. B!t he ,s hero nonetheess. There0s tree #nte- in Isre for him.3

The$ ,ere -is"!ssing )chindler's !ist.3So i-eoog$ -oesn0t mtter73 s+e- Brenn!s0s !nt. 3It ,sn0t ,ht moti(te- him

tht mttere-73 Her (oi"e ,s "henging.3He mnifeste- n i-eoog$3 si- Brenn!s. 3He livedn i-eoog$.33B!t he stoo- for '!siness n- his #hioso#h$ ,s ,r is goo- for '!siness. It h-

nothing to -o ,ith 'eing ginst the "on"entrtion "m#s or the tretment of Je,s. It ,s"on(enient to em#o$ Je,s sin"e their ,ges ,ere o,er.3

3He i(e- his i-eoog$ first n- then 'sor'e- it3 insiste- Brenn!s. 3B$ the en- ofthe mo(ie he ,s ginst nti/Semitism 'e"!se of his e)#erien"es. His feeings n-

tho!ghts foo,e- his "tions inste- of the other ,$ ro!n-. If he h- 'een #ro/Je,ishn- h- strte- !# '!siness s sfe h(en for Je,s he ,o!-n0t h(e 'een s s!""essf!

s he ,s. He ,s '!sinessmn ,ho 'e"me #ro/Je,ish inste- of #ro/Je, ,ho'e"me '!sinessmn.3

When the$ h- first rente- the mo(ie the$ h- h- simir -is"!ssion n- Brenn!sh- t+en the o##osite si-e. He h- rg!e- tht S"hin-er0s moti(tions ,ere ,rong n-


37/94

so the res!t ,s in"onse@!enti. Brenn!s0s !nt h- t+en the M"hi(ein ##ro"htht the en- *!stifies the mens n- tht the on$ signifi"nt f"t ,s tht S"hin-er h-s(e- o(er 1122 Je,s.

Norm$ she too+ #es!re in in-o"trinting #eo#e ,ith her o,n o#inions n-then fe, ,ee+s ter ,hen the$ 'ro!ght them into the "on(erstion s their o,n rg!ing

them to the gro!n-. B!t Brenn!s h- ten-en"$ to s,it"h his o,n rg!ment hf/,$thro!gh the -is"!ssion th!s ren-ering her strteg$ im#otent. She h- re- some,here

tht N#oeon so i+e- s,it"hing his #ns in the mi--e of 'tte.3So ,hi"h is 'etter3 she s+e- 3n i-eoog$ ,itho!t "tion or "tion ,itho!t n

i-eoog$733Let0s oo+ t this hoisti"$3 si- Brenn!s. His tone of (oi"e ightene-.

3S"hin-er s(e- ner$ 1%22 Je,s. S"hin-er ,s '!sinessmn ,ho +ne, he "o!-#rofit '$ the ,r. The t,o m!st 'e in+e- together someho,. The Je,s ,o!- h(e si-tht Go- !se- S"hin-er for their 'enefit. In tht "se S"hin-er0s i-eoog$ isin"onse@!enti '!t his "tions ren0t. 3apisce73

33apisce.3 si- his !nt stn-ing !#. 3I i+e the hoisti" ##ro"h to things.3

Regr-ess of m$ -(i"e Jennie h- gone he- n- s+e- Bi$ o!t for St!r-$night. It ,s !n"htime n- Brenn!s ,sn0t in the room. I too+ #es!re in tht no,Jennie ,s oo+ing ner(o!s.

3We $o! "o!- ,$s s+ Wison3 she si-.

Tht0s #ro''$ ,ht ,o!- h##en I tho!ght s I oo+e- ro!n- the "ro,-e-"feteri for gim#se of Brenn!s0s to!se- -!st$ 'ro,n hir. It ,s too '- 'e"!se I,s #s$"he- !# to s+ him.

3There0s Wison3 si- Jennie *!m#ing !#. 3I0 s+ him for $o!.3She h!rrie- to,r-s the gro!# of g!$s ,ering #i- shirts tight/"!t *ens n-

"o,'o$ 'oots tht h- *!st entere- the -oors. As she ,s t+ing Wison si-e Brenn!s##ere- right 'ehin- them. Jennie "on"!-e- her e)"hnge ,ith Wison n- grinning tme 'egn to m+e her ,$ '"+ to me ,ith Brenn!s in her ,+e. She h- no i-e he ,s

right 'ehin- her. I sighe- n- trie- not to "r$.3He "n "ome=3 she nno!n"e- o!-$ s she st '"+ -o,n.3Goo- fternoon -ies3 si- Brenn!s #reten-ing to -off ht. He +e#t on going.Jennie0s e$es ,i-ene-.

3Where -i- he "ome from73 she s+e-.3He ,s right 'ehin- $o!3 I si- @!iet$.

3Oh3 she si-. There ,s #!se. 3We Wison ,i 'e ot of f!n. I thin+ he0get ong 'etter ,ith Bi$. :o! +no,...3

3:e#3 I si- n- tht ,s tht.


38/94

Bi$ n- Wison ,ere t+ing engines. I -on0t e(en ,nt to tr$ to re#ro-!"e their"on(erstion e)"e#t to s$ tht Bi$0s si-e of it too+ n e)tr "hrm ,ith his e)treme$se)$ Lo!isin ""ent. Te)ns -r, too '!t Bi$0s -r, ,s smooth n- -ee#. In

--ition to the se-!"ti(e (oi"e he ,s "!te. Wison ,s goo-/oo+ing in shr# ,$ '!tBi$ ,s *!st #in ni"e/oo+ing. Bro,n hir 'ro,n e$es 'ro-/sho!-ers. I "o!- te

Jennie ,s 'o!t re-$ to '!i- n tr n- strt m+ing s"rifi"es to her ne, go-. E(enthe f"t tht the$ h- e)"!-e- !s from their "on(erstion for the #st 8 min!tes -i-n0t

'other her.I si##e- m$ 'eer n- tho!ght 'o!t Brenn!s. Jennie ,s right. He n- Bi$

,o!- h(e mi)e- i+e... I trie- to thin+ of goo- simie. Oi n- ,ter ,s too "ommon.Li+e :n+ies n- So!therners7 We the$ ,ere :n+ee n- So!therner so tht

,o!-n0t 'e simie. Grits n- m!str-7 Tht ,o!- 'e -isg!sting "om'intion '!t itwouldmi).

If Brenn!s ,ere here ho,e(er he ,o!- h(e t+e- to me n- Jennie ,o!- h(et+e- to Bi$. Wo!-n0t Jennie h(e #referre- tht7 I gn"e- "ross t Jennie ,ho

seeme- thrie- *!st to 'e 'e to isten to her mn s#e+.After 8 min!tes I ,s -$ing to m+e "ontri'!tion e(en if I h- no i-e ,ht the$

,ere t+ing 'o!t.I gn"e- t m$ ,t"h.3We0re gonn 'e te for the mo(ie3 I si-.

Brenn!s "e- me the ne)t -$. Wison n- I h- re-$ got '"+ from "h!r"h '!tthis ,ee+ he n- his 6- h- *o' to finish !# in the fternoon. B!t he ,s going to #i"+me !# ter for his Moms S!n-$ -inner.

3Jessie7 I *!st her- on the r-io there0s e"t!re '$ 6r. N$or o#en to the #!'i"in T$er tomorro,3 he si- ,itho!t 'othering ,ith the #reiminr$Hi, this is..... How are

you doing?

3Oh goo-3 I si- r!nning m$ fingers thro!gh m$ hir. 3;h...33We0 h(e to go3 "ontin!e- Brenn!s. 3He0 'e -is"!ssing some of the test

s"ientifi" 're+thro!ghs. He -i-n0t s$ s#e"ifi"$ ,hether or not the$0re the tests"ientifi" 're+thro!ghs t the O'ser(tor$ n- I ,o!-n0t e)#e"t him to gi(e ,$ oftheir se"rets in #!'i" e"t!re '!t I sti thin+ ,e sho!- go. I fig!re the 'est thing to -ois tr$ to meet him fter,r-s n- then *!st t+e it from there.3

3O3 I si-.3Ti"+ets re ten '!"+s. I0 get them. We0 t+e m$ !nt0s "r. We "n meet t

s"hoo n- *!st t+e the fternoon off.33O3 I si-.

3I0m going to " 'o!t the ti"+ets no,3 si- Brenn!s. 3If $o! -on0t her from mess!me I got them n- ,e0 meet t !n"h tomorro,.3


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3O3 I si-.3Gret3 si- Brenn!s n- h!ng !#.Sti ho-ing onto the #hone I st n- stre- t the , fe, min!tes fter hnging

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"o!- sho, off his intee"t n- I ,s n ##re"iti(e !-ien"e. I -i-n0t "ontr-i"t n- I-i-n0t ,+ ,$. He -i-n0t "re ,hether I !n-erstoo- or not n- he "ertin$ -i-n0t "reto !n-erstn- me.

B!t here I ,s -ri(ing in "r to T$er ,ith g!$ ,ho ,s e)"iting n- goo-/oo+ing n- e(er$thing tht I tho!ght I ,nte-. I tho!ght I ,s in o(e ,ith him '!t if I

h- *!st gone to the e"t!re n- "ome home n- not et m$sef thin+ 'o!t him n$more I,o!- h(e soon forgotten him n- he ,o!-n0t h(e 'e"ome #rt of m$ so!.

The moment #sse-.3O!r #rimr$ gen- is to meet 6r. N$or.3 Brenn!s ""eerte- n- #sse- the

"r in front of !s. 3I0(e re- eno!gh to 'e 'e to #ss for >h$si"s m*or. I0 *!st s$ I goto ;. of T. :o!0 'e m$ girfrien-.3

I oo+e- -o,n t m$ #.3Wht -o $o! ,nt to m*or in73 He gn"e- t me.3;h *o!rnism.3 It ,s the first thing tht "me into m$ he-.3Goo- i-e. M$'e ,e "n e(en s$ $o!0re -oing stor$ 'o!t him or the

O'ser(tor$ or ,hte(er.3 He too+ -ee# 'reth. 3I thin+ tht 'o!t "o(ers it.3 Here"he- for,r- n- s,it"he- on the r-io. After -oing some sttion s!rfing he

"on"!-e- ,ith tr$ing to 'ring in some hr- ro"+ from 6s.3There0s nothing more irritting thn r-io sttion tht -oesn0t "ome in "er.3

Brenn!s sighe- n- s,it"he- off the r-io. 3One thing I re$ miss re the r-io sttionsin Mi"hign. I -on0t thin+ ,e h(e "o!ntr$ sttion in the ,hoe stte. There might 'e

some 56s in the go(e -e#rtment.3I o#ene- the go(e -e#rtment see"te- 'ttere-4et )hop Boys56 n- st!"+ it

in the #$er.

3...Wht is es#e"i$ -rmti" 'o!t s!#ers$mmetr$ is tht if it is -(n"e- intof!rther -imensions its #o,er "n 'e in"rese-...3

We ,ere t the T$er Women0s B!i-ing n- 6r. N$or ,s -is"!ssing the

rmifi"tions of s!#ers$mmetr$. I h-n0t e(en #i"+e- !# ,ht s!#ers$mmetr$ ,s.M$'e this ,s something e(er$'o-$ ,s s!##ose- to +no,.

I oo+e- ro!n- the room. Most of the #eo#e ,ere o-er men n- ,omn in s!itsn- e)#ensi(e -resses 'oth se)es -is#$ing some serio!s$ e)#ensi(e *e,er$ on their

#ersonges. 6r. N$or0s theme seeme- to 'e tht ot of e)"iting things ,ere h##eningt the O'ser(tor$ Ktho!gh he -i-n0t s#e"ifi"$ s$ ,ht n- tht in or-er for e)"iting

things to "ontin!e to h##en the$ nee-e- s!##ort. inn"i s!##ort I ss!me- Ktho!ghhe -i-n0t s#e"ifi"$ s$ ,ht +in-. He ,s o'(io!s$ t+ing to the right #eo#e.

!rthermore the$ "t!$ seeme- to 'e foo,ing ,ht he ,s s$ing. 5er$ the$ ,eres ,e re- s Brenn!s.

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I "ons!te- the #ie"e of (ni ,hite ##er I h- 'een hn-e- ,hen ,e "me in.After the e"t!re '$ 6r. N$or there ,o!- 'e 're+ n- refreshments ,o!- 'e ser(e-.Then ,e ,o!- ret!rn for @!estion/n-/ns,er session.

I ,on-ere- ,ht the refreshments ,o!- 'e. 5offee n- te for s!re. 5oo+iesm$'e. Or m$'e "heese n- "r"+ers. No #ro''$ not. 5heese n- "r"+ers ,ent ,ith

,ine. M$'e "+e. 5heese"+e. A si"e of "heese"+e e"h. Tht0- 'e ni"e. Ho#ef!$not fr!it. r!it ,s O '!t I ,nte- something more...I "o!-n0t thin+ of ,or-.3ivili:ed? Afternoon te. I ,nte- fternoon te. This roomf! of ,e/-resse- o-er

#eo#e m-e me ,nt to h(e n fternoon te of sn-,i"hes n- "+es n- 'is"!its...3Tr$ to thin+ of some goo- @!estions3 Brenn!s ,his#ere- to me.3Wht73 I ,s strte- o!t of m$ fnts$ of si(er ser(ing #tters n- -ei"te

"hin "!#s.3or this.3 Brenn!s st''e- t his ##er.He ,nte- me to thin+ of @!estion for the @!estion/n-/ ns,er session7= I -i-n0t

e(en +no, ,ht the e"t!re ,s 'o!t=

3We h(e to m+e n im#ression on him3 ,his#ere- Brenn!s 'efore ret!rning histtention to the s#e+er.

:eh I0- m+e n im#ression on him right. -r. 7aylor, what e8actly issupersymmetry? It ,o!- #ro''$ 'e i+e s+ing geogr#h$ te"her ,here 5hin ,s.

I trie- to thin+ of @!estion. -r. 7aylor, what are your hopes for the/bservatory...? ;mmm. -r. 7aylor, you said in your lecture that supersymmetry couldbe e8tended into other dimensions. *hat dimensions e8actly would those be? I sighe-.*hat's it like inside the /bservatory, -r. 7aylor? -oes #r. !ancet really look like "ack

7icholson? We if ,orse "me to ,orse it ,o!- m+e n im#ression. B!t the @!estion

is ,ht ,o!- Brenn!s thin+7This ,s o(er,heming. No mtter ho, goo- the te n- "oo+ies n- "+e ,ere

going to 'e the$0- 'e r!ine- '$ the stress of tr$ing to thin+ of goo- @!estion. I trie-to thin+ '"+ to m$ freshmn $er s"ien"e "ss. A I "o!- remem'er ,s "!tting o#en frog. I s@!irme- in m$ "hir t the memor$.

3Thn+ $o! for $o!r ttention3 si- 6r. N$or. 3I ho#e to meet s mn$ of $o! sI "n -!ring the 're+ n- oo+ for,r- to $o!r @!estions.3

As the room ##!-e- he ,s e- o!t of the room '$ ,e/-resse- ,e m-e/!#mtron ,ho h- "er$ orgni4e- the fternoon.

We foo,e- the "ro,- -o,n some stirs to ,here the te n- "offee ,s set !# inthe o,er room. There ,ere so t,o 'ig #tes of "ho"ote "hi# "oo+ies.

3A ,e nee- is some *!i"e n- ,e0re '"+ in +in-ergrten3 si- Brenn!s t+ingthree "oo+ies n- ##er "!# of "offee.

3:o! h- "oo+ies in +in-ergrten73 I si- ste##ing for,r- to et rge -$ intent/i+e si+ -ress #ss 'ehin- me. 3:o!0re !"+$. We ,$s h- fr!it. We !se- to fight

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m$'e the$ *!st -i-n0t "re ,here the$ st. 6es#ite m$ string stright he- I "o!- seetht the o-er -$ 'esi-e me g(e !s strnge oo+ '!t then -e"i-e- to ignore !s. On"egin 6r. N$or ##ere- t the front of the room.

3O3 he si- "on(erstion$. 3I0(e en*o$e- meeting mn$ of $o! -!ring the're+ n- $o!0(e s+e- me some (er$ interesting @!estions so I0m going to strt ,ith

those.3Besi-e me I "o!- fee Brenn!s0s irrittion.

or the ne)t hf n ho!r 6r. N$or -is"!sse- some "!rrent theories of #h$si"s,ht other "o!ntries h- 'een -oing ,ith regr-s to G;T n- f!rther tho!ghts ons!#ers$mmetr$. I ,s reie(e-. I "o!- ,$s te Brenn!s tht m$ @!estion h- 'eenns,ere-.

Brenn!s0s hn- ,s one of the first ones !# ,hen 6r. N$or s+e- 3An$ more@!estions73 6r. N$or ho,e(er "hose gre$/hire- gentemn in the '"+ ro,. Themn s+e- @!estion 'o!t '"+ hoes. 6r. N$or g(e fifteen min!te ns,er. Whenhe "on"!-e- se(er hn-s ,ent !#. 6r. N$or "e- on ,omn ,ith string of

#ers -o,n to her n(e. She s+e- ,hether time tr(e ,o!- fit into the Grn- ;nifie-Theor$.

I "o!- h(e s+e- tht @!estion I tho!ght. B!t it ,s o'(io!s '$ no, tht 6r.N$or ,s on$ t+ing @!estions from the ri"h #eo#e. Brenn!s -i-n0t h(e "hn"ee(en if he s+e- the most inteigent @!estion of the -$.

6r. N$or e)#ine- tht -es#ite the #hioso#hi" im#i"tions of time tr(e the

"!sit$ f"tor of for e)m#e meeting $o!r grn-fther getting into -!e ,ith him+iing him n- of "o!rse then o'iterting $o!r o,n 'irth tht $es time tr(e ,s

#ossi'e. One #ossi'iit$ ,s tr(eing thro!gh ,ormhoes ter in s#"e/time ,hi"h

,o!- "rete 'ri-ge tht ,o!- "onne"t -ifferent #oints in time.3Of "o!rse tht0s stri"t$ h$#otheti"3 he "on"!-e-.Brenn!s0s hn- ,ent !#. 6r. N$or gn"e- t him then s!r(e$e- the room. No

other hn-s ,ere !#. Then n o-er -$ in the mi--e ,ering ,ht oo+e- i+e 5hnes!it #!t !# her hn-.

3:es m0m73Brenn!s m-e noise of irrittion ,hi"h 6r. N$or ignore-.The ,omn s+e- ,ht the Grn- ;nifie- Theor$ ,o!- oo+ i+e. Wo!- it 'e

singe ine sttement e)#ining e(er$thing7

3It ,o!- 'e r!es n- e@!tions m0m3 si- 6r. N$or. 3R!es n- e@!tions toe)#in everything.3

6r. N$or -e"i-e- tht tht ,o!- 'e goo- note to en- on.3I ,nt to thn+ $o! fo+s for "oming o!t. I0(e ##re"ite- h(ing the "hn"e to

t+ to $o! n- to ns,er $o!r fine @!estions. If $o! ,nt n$more informtion 'o!t,ht ,e0re -oing t the!ancet 3entre of )tudies in 4hysics I0 'e right !# here t the

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front.3I ss!me- Brenn!s ,o!- 'e one of the first !# there sin"e ,e ,ere on$ in the

se"on- ro,. When ,e re"he- the ise ho,e(er he m-e shr# eft t!rn n- he-e-

for the -oor.He -i-n0t s#e+ !nti ,e ,ere in the "r '"+ing o!t of o!r #r+ing s#"e.

3Wht n i-iot=3 he si-. 3Wht fre+ing i-iot= -id you seethe ,$ he s!"+e- !#to those ri"h...3 Brenn!s h- to s!--en$ sm hr- on the 'r+es not to rer en-

Mer"e-es tht h- *!st ro!n-e- the "orner he-ing to,r-s the e)it of the #r+ing ot. Heg(e it the finger s it "ontin!e- on its ,$ '!t thn+f!$ the "o!#e in it -i-n0t oo+

'"+.3An- those@!estions= The$ ,ere so me= The$ ,ere 'o!t s stim!ting s some

"ons"ien"e/rising e"t!re on some ong/-is"!sse- ,orn/o!t to#i" i+e se)ism or r"ism...Time tr(e= There re h!n-re-s of 'oo+s on time tr(e=3

It ,s mi-$ interesting to me tht Brenn!s "onsi-ere- se)ism n- r"ism to 'eo!t-te- to#i"s. Tht ,s :n+ee for $o!.

I tho!ght it0- 'e "oo if ,e h!ng o!t in T$er for ,hie. The m ,s #rett$ -e"entn- there ,s itte -ei "ross from it tht $o! "o!- most #reten- $o! ,ere in Ne,

:or+. B!t Brenn!s h- re-$ hit the oo# n- ,s on the stright ro- tht ,o!- t+e!s home. The on$ thing ,e0- #ss ,o!- 'e "o!#e of nti@!e stores n- 6ir$!een.

I +e#t @!iet ,iting for Brenn!s0s nger to -rin o!t 'it. Soon the ir strte- to

seem more 'reth'e.3Wnn sto# off some,here73 I s+e-.3Where73 he s+e- fter #!se s if he h- h- to trnste m$ @!estion into his

o,n nti(e ng!ge.3I -!nno. 6ir$ !een73Another sm #!se.3O.33I men if $o!0re in h!rr$ or something ,e -on0t h(e to...3

3It0s *!st I h(e some home,or+ '!t ,e "n sto# off for -rin+.3He0- s+i# n fternoon of s"hoo '!t h!rr$ home to -o some home,or+.The ,$ I remem'er it tht sto# t 6ir$ !een ,s nothing to r!sh home n-

,rite 'o!t in m$ -ir$. I -on0t thin+ ,e ,ere "om#ete$ sient. I men ,e m!st h(e

t+e- 'o!t something. >ro''$ the !niforms of the 6 em#o$ees the "rs in the#r+ing ot the gro!# of #eo#e sitting in the "orner I -!nno. An$ho, it ,s t tht #oint

tht I reso(e- tht I0- re- more thin+ more t+ more n- -o n$thing to m+e s!re thtBrenn!s ,o!- ,$s i+e 'eing ,ith me.

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

3T,o *o's for no,3 Wison is s$ing. 3Three if I -o goo- ,ith these t,o ""o!nts.The$0re reg!r "!stomers not *!st one/time *o' so I0 'e m+ing reg!r mone$.3

Wison0s fther s it t!rne- o!t -i-n0t min- t!rning o(er some of his "!stomers to

Wison. At fift$/fi(e he i+es the tho!ght of esing into semi/retirement n- I thin+ tht'$ the time he0s si)t$ Wison0 'e r!nning the entire "om#n$.

We0re t the 6i@!iri 6ri(e/Thr! -ri(e/in 'r ,here $o! sit in $o!r "r n- the,itresses 'ring $o! $o!r -rin+s. Tht this s$stem so 'tnt$ en"o!rges -rin+ing n-

-ri(ing hsn0t seeme- to o""!r to n$one tho!gh the #oi"e o(e "r!ising '$ the 6i@!iri6ri(e/Thr! foo,ing n- sto##ing "rs tht re o'(io!s$ 'eing -ri(en '$ "rs tht -i-n0t

h(e -esignte- -ri(er.

36o $o! +no, ,ht tht mens73 s$s Wison. His rm goes ro!n- m$ sho!-er.3It mens ,e "n get together offi"i$. I men $o! +no,...3

I sit n- thin+ 'o!t this. He mens engge-. I h(e to s$ something.

3:eh3 I s$.Wison seems "ontent ,ith this res#onse n- ens '"+ in the -ri(er0s set. J!st

then o!r -rin+s "ome. Remo(ing his rm from m$ sho!-er Wison re"hes into his tight'"+ #o"+et for his ,et n- #$s the ,itress.

I -on0t +no, ho, to te him tht I might ,nt to go to s"hoo tht m$'e I "o!-st!-$ S"ien"e n- Histor$ n- Litert!re I ,nt to +no, everything. I ,nt to

!n-erstn- the ,s of #h$si"s. I ,nt to 'e 'e to @!ote 6nte. I ,nt to ern 'o!t theEg$#tins n- their #$rmi-s. One $er ,ith Brenn!s ,sn0t eno!gh. I nee- ifetime

i+e tht.

3B!t it -oesn0t m+e sense3 I si- o(er mi+sh+e. It ,s o!r se"ontri# to 6ir$!een n- m!"h more s!""essf! thn o!r first. 3If #erson tr(es '"+ in time the$"o!- meet their mother or fther. An- ,ht if the$ s$ #re(ent their fther from meeting

their mother '$ oh I -on0t +no, t$ing him !# n- #!tting him in "oset the -$ he0ss!##ose- to meet her. So then $o!0- ne(er 'e 'orn e)"e#t there $o! re...3

3B!t tht0s #hioso#hi" rg!ment3 si- Brenn!s t+ing s#oonf! of his hotf!-ge s!n-e n- inserting it into his o#en mo!th. He sto##e- s#e+ing for moment.

3B!t the ,s of #h$si"s s$ time tr(e is #ossi'e.33B!t ,e "o!- go '"+ n- "hnge histor$3 I #roteste-.

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3B!t tht0s ss!ming ,e0re !tonomo!s in-i(i-!s n- tht histor$ is "hnge'e3si- Brenn!s ,(ing his s#oon t me. 3A "ssi" #h$si"ist ,o!- s$ tht no mtter ho,hr- $o! tr$ $o! ,o!-n0t 'e 'e to "hnge histor$ $o!0- *!st 'e 'sor'e- into it. Li+e

if $o! o"+e- $o!r fther in the "oset he0- es"#e meet $o!r mother te her this stor$'o!t 'eing tie- !# n- she0- thin+ he ,s hero for es"#ing. So $o!0- *!st 'e"ome #rt

of their stor$ of the -$ the$ met.33B!t tht0s *!st one theor$ right73

3Oh $eh.3 Brenn!s too+ nother h!ge s#oonf! of i"e/"rem. 3An- ,e0- #ro''$ne(er +no, ti someone "t!$ -i- go tht fr '"+ in time. I thin+ so fr the$0(e on$gone '"+ '$ "o!#e of se"on-s.3

We ,ere s!##ose- to 'e together to t+ 'o!t getting into the O'ser(tor$ '!t s

!s! it ,s t+ing !s ,hie to get ro!n- to it.3I ,t"he-Howards ndst night3 I si- fter #!se. In ie! of re-ing the

'oo+s I h- -e"i-e- to ,t"h the mo(ies tht ,ere 'se- on E.M. orster0s no(es. It,s @!i"+er for one thing.

3Re$73 si- Brenn!s oo+ing intereste-. 3I thin+ tht0s the gretest 'oo+ of times.3

3I thin+ ,ht ,s re$ interesting...3 I ,s (ent!ring forth ,ith iterr$ o#inion.3...,s the st!-$ 'et,een the t,o sisters. Heen ,s #ssionte n- -e-i"te- '!t it ,sMrgret ,ho ,s the 'ri-ge 'et,een the S"heges n- the Wi"o)es.3

3:o!0re so right=3 Brenn!s "t!$ oo+e- im#resse- tho!gh it ,s more i+e

te"her 'eing e)"ite- '$ n st!te st!-ent thn mn 'eing "hrme- '$ ,omn.3Mrgret +ne, tht Engn- h- 'een '!it '$ men i+e Mr. Wi"o) n- tht her rtisti""ir"e o,e- them res#e"t for tht.3

3An- Heen "o!-n0t see it tht ,$ n- "o!- on$ fight ginst it...33I thin+ it0s 'e"!se she ,s s#inster3 interr!#te- Brenn!s. 3E. M. orster0s

no(es ,$s h(e these s#insters. Li+e+ 4assage to India...3I no--e-. Tht h- 'een the night 'efore st.3A-e !este- is reser(e- on the s!rf"e '!t !n-erneth she0s #ssionte n-

eroti"...33J!st i+e Heen...=3 It ,s m$ t!rn to interr!#t. 3Heen0s the one ,ith the o(er=33An- Heen0s "hi- is the one to inherit Ho,r-s En-...33S#insters3 I si- thin+ing o!t o!-. 3Ho, ?'o!t *here +ngels ear to Tread73

3Ohyeah3 si- Brenn!s. He h- sto##e- eting his s!n-e. 3Hrriet n- her ini-'o). The$ ,ere in It$ for "r$ing o!t o!- n- she ,s "on"erne- 'o!t ,s getting

her ini- 'o) '"+ the one she h- lent not borrowed, lent.33B!t 5roine A''ot ,s s#inster too3 I si- h##$ to 'e -is"!ssing the one

'oo+ I hadre-. 3An- she ,s nother one of the #ssionte ones. :o! +no, she ,o!-h(e gi(en hersef 'o-$ n- so! s she si- to Gino...3

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3It ,s something 'o!t the "!t!re3 si- Brenn!s ening for,r-. 3With A-e!este- the$ ,ere in n eroti" "!t!re. In-i. Then ,ith 5roine A''ott the$ ,ere inIt$. The "!t!re 'ro!ght o!t tht eroti" si-e of them tht the$ h- s!##resse- in Engn-.

Tht ,s so 'ro!ght o!t in+ 5oom *ith + $iew the eroti"ness of It$ I men.33:eh3 I si- thin+ing of ho, the stor$ h- en-e- ,ith hone$moon s"ene in

It$. Brenn!s shoo+ his he-.

3The g!$ ,s m4ing.3 No, he ,s t+ing 'o!t E.M. orster. 3He tot$!n-erstoo- #eo#e n- retionshi#s. An- life. He understoodife for of its tri(imoments n- of its s!'ime moments.3

Brenn!s the Engish te"her.

Another #!se. I fig!re- on"e I got the hng of this intee"t! -is"!ssion thing I0-'e 'e to he# !s ,ith o!r trnsitions from one to#i" to the ne)t. B!t for no, I *!st si-3So 're+ing into the O'ser(tor$ is sti on73

Brenn!s0s he- *er+e- ro!n- to see if n$one h- her-. Li+e I0- 'e tht st!#i-.

We ,ere sitting in "orner n- the 'ooth 'ehin- !s ,s em#t$.33Shhh3 he si-. 3:eh. I0(e got #n.3

I ,s ho#ing for some 'n+ ro''er$/t$#e strteg$ ,here ,e0- #! !# in the mi--eof the night in n !nmr+e- (n -resse- he-/to/toe in '"+ n- !se ro#e to "im' ontothe roof.

B!t Brenn!s0s i-e ,s to m+e frien-s ,ith the g!$ ,ho ,or+e- for the (en-ing

m"hine "om#n$ tht s!##ie- the O'ser(tor$ n- then "on(in"e him to et !s *oin himon -ei(er$.

3I s#ent $ester-$ #r+e- o!tsi-e of the O'ser(tor$3 si- Brenn!s. 3The g!$

"me t 'o!t fo!r n- too+ three tri#s into the #"e. The$ m!st go thro!gh ot of foo-in there. An$ho, fter tht I foo,e- him. The nme of the "om#n$ is Bi$ 6ee0sSn"+s. Of "o!rse tht ,s ,ritten on the (n. I -i-n0t nee- to foo, him to fin- thto!t. An$ho, ,hen he ,ent '"+ to T$er to the he-@!rters or ,hte(er $o! ,nt to" it I foo,e- him insi-e n- s+e- him if he h- -ro##e- #ir of s!ngsses in the

#r+ing ot n- he- o!t m$ #ir. He h- si- no '!t thn+s for s+ing. I intro-!"e-m$sef.3

This is something on$ Brenn!s "o!- get ,$ ,ith I tho!ght. Intro-!"inghimsef s if tht ,ere norm #ro"e-!re ,hen g!$ m$ h(e -ro##e- #ir of

s!ngsses.3Ho, o- is he73 I s+e-.

3A'o!t t,ent$/fi(e. He0s got tht hi"+ oo+ 'o!t him. No offense to $o!r #eo#e.33None t+en3 I si-.

3An$ho, I si- it ,s ni"e meeting him see $ ro!n-. So no, it0s $o!r t!rn.:o!0(e got to m+e "ont"t ,ith him.3

8D


49/94

3#e?3 I si-. 3Wh$ me7 Wh$ "n0t $o! *!st go '"+733I -on0t see tht ,or+ing3 si- Brenn!s. 3I thin+ $o! sho!- meet him n- then

someho, I0 '!m# into $o! g!$s n- it0 seem i+e mssi(e "oin"i-en"e tht ,e

+no, e"h other. It0 bond!s n- he0 'e o!r frien- for ife.3I sighe-.

3Wht0s his nme73 I s+e-.35n0t te $o!3 si- Brenn!s grinning. 3:o!0(e got to fin- o!t for $o!rsef

other,ise $o! might si# n- gi(e it ,$ tht $o! re-$ +no, him.33Then ho, m I going to meet him73 I s+e-.3We0 foo, him on his ro!te sometime3 si- Brenn!s. 3I fig!re he strts t 'o!t

nine. He "o!-nt 'e n$ erier sin"e ot of those offi"es tht h(e (en-ing m"hines

-ont re$ get going !nti nine. Ho#ef!$ he0 m+e some sto# ,here it0 'e "on(enientfor $o! to "s!$ meet him.3

It ,s ,eir- #n '!t #resente- '$ Brenn!s there ,ere no other ternti(es.3Oh '$ the ,$3 I si- "s!$. 3A "o!#e of m$ frien-s re going to 6s this

,ee+en-. :o! ,nn "ome ong73This h- 'een Jennie0s i-e. Another gret ,$ for getting hersef together ,ith

Bi$ tho!gh of "o!rse she h- s!ggeste- it s if it ,ere for the soe #!r#ose of 'etteringm$ retionshi# ,ith Brenn!s. The i-e ,s ,e0- go -n"ing St!r-$ night n- te o!r

#rent0s ,e ,ere st$ing t someone0s #"e so ,e -i-n0t h(e to 'e home !nti S!n-$.The on$ @!estion ,s ,hose #"e. So fr Jennie0s 'est i-e h- 'een o!r gr-e eight

mi$ St!-ies te"her sin"e ,e +ne, she0- mo(e- to 6s. Of "o!rse ,e h- nointention of "t!$ st$ing there. We "o!- see# in fie- if ,e se#t for Jennie"re-.

I e)#ine- this to Brenn!s e)"e#t for the #rt of Jennie ,nting to 'e ,ithBi$ n- me ,nting to 'e ,it

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Somewhere Between Longview & Miami