News from the World by Paula Fox

Author:Paula Fox
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 2012-05-02T04:00:00+00:00

Outside, the intensity of the light had diminished. As they drove back to the Coyles’ house, Amelia saw far ahead the Organ Mountains, shadowed, mysterious in the twilight.

Mrs. Coyle was waiting for them on the porch. “I’m glad you brought my boy home safe,” she called out amiably. Ben grunted, but whether it was from disgust or the effort of moving, Amelia couldn’t guess. They walked with him to the shed, Mrs. Coyle following like fate. The sky grew plum-colored.

As soon as they went inside, Ben lay down on his bed. Mrs. Coyle covered him with a blanket and left.

“We’ll be on our way,” Harry said.

Ben stared up at them, his eyes empty.

“I’ll keep in touch,” Harry promised.

“Goodbye,” Amelia said and held out her hand. He touched it with one finger. At the door, Amelia turned back. Ben hadn’t moved. There was such desolation in the whole look of him, though there was no expression on his face she could name.

While Harry spoke to Mrs. Coyle, Amelia went to the car. It’s over, she realized.

Harry reached into the car for his jacket, still folded across the back seat, and got in. He felt in his pockets for cigarettes and turned on the ignition at the same time. Mrs. Coyle lifted a fat white arm, the broad hand dipped, and she turned slowly and entered her house. Just as the Tilsons drove onto the road, Amelia looked back once more and saw Mr. Coyle with something between a leap and a run suddenly appear on the driveway. He too waved, then stood still, staring after them.

They drove for a while in silence.

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