Page 56 - Where the Dream Ends ebook
P. 56
Marc Erdrich
“You can probably afford the six hundred more easily than
my parents could afford sixty,” Harry said.
“I have so many memories here,” the woman said. “On
Thanksgiving…it was so crowded here you had to climb over
the sofa to get to your seat.”
“You had Thanksgiving Dinner in the living room, too?”
Harry asked.
“Yes, the whole family, here. Until my mother got sick. “
Thanksgiving Dinner. And Christmas as well.”
“Christmas, we had a tree over in that corner of the living
room,” he said, pointing to a far wall near the window.
“So did we,” she said.
Suddenly, Harry felt a need to escape. This whole business
was turning topsy-turvy on him and he didn’t want any more
of it. He buttoned his shirt and put on his jacket. It was cov-
ered with tomato stains. He wiped a stain near the breast pock-
et and felt the paper that was stuffed inside.
“I’m going now,” he said. “I don’t know what to say except
that I’m sorry…and I’m not sorry. I hope you’ll forgive this…
all of it.”
“Yes.” She paused. “It’s all right.” A silence passed between
them.
“Well, I guess I’ll be going,” Harry said. Thank you,” he
added, foolishly.
He started backing away toward the door, bowing ever so
slightly as he went.
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