Nothing_PN1 Like_II an_AT1 Ocean_NN1 When_CS two_MC tickets_NN2 to_II the_AT over-forty_MC singles_NN2 mixer_NN1 at_II Spivey_NP1 Independent_NP1 Christian_JJ Church_NN1 arrived_VVD in_II the_AT mail_NN1 ,_, Alton_NP1 Wood_NP1 thought_VVD they_PPHS2 were_VBDR a_AT1 mistake_NN1 ._. 
Still_RR he_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX help_VVI wondering_VVG ._. 
He_PPHS1 found_VVD the_AT discarded_JJ envelope_NN1 arid_JJ examined_VVD it_PPH1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ hand_NN1 addressed_VVD his_APPGE name_NN1 and_CC street_NN1 in_II slanted_JJ turquoise_JJ script_NN1 ,_, the_AT letters_NN2 neat_JJ and_CC wide-looped_NN1 ._. 
None_PN of_IO his_APPGE high_JJ school_NN1 science_NN1 students_NN2 used_JJ ink_NN1 like_II that_DD1 ,_, none_PN he_PPHS1 had_VHD now_RT ,_, none_PN he_PPHS1 remembered_VVD from_II recent_JJ years_NNT2 ._. 
And_CC none_PN wrote_VVD so_RG legibly_RR ._. 
Perforations_NN2 along_II one_MC1 end_NN1 revealed_VVD where_RRQ stubs_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN removed_VVN from_II each_DD1 ticket_NN1 ._. 
"_" There_EX 's_VBZ no_AT return_NN1 address_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 told_VVD his_APPGE sister_NN1 Fran_NP1 when_RRQ she_PPHS1 phoned_VVD that_DD1 evening_NNT1 to_TO ask_VVI if_CSW he_PPHS1 needed_VVD laundry_NN1 done_VDN ._. 
"_" The_AT postmark_NN1 is_VBZ local_JJ ,_, the_AT stamp_NN1 a_AT1 World_NN1 War_NN1 II_MC airplane_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ flying_VVG upside_RL21 down_RL22 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 hope_VV0 you_PPY saved_VVD it_PPH1 ,_, "_" Fran_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Misprint_VV0 stamps_NN2 are_VBR valuable_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 normal_JJ stamp_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" just_RR stuck_VVN on_II upside_RL21 down_RL22 ._. 
Whoever_PNQV sent_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ careless_JJ ._. "_" 
His_APPGE voice_NN1 caught_VVN on_II the_AT last_MD word_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 stupid_JJ choice_NN1 on_II his_APPGE part_NN1 ._. 
Ill-considered_NN1 ._. 
Still_RR ,_, not_XX really_RR a_AT1 choice_NN1 ,_, just_RR a_AT1 word_NN1 after_II all_DB ._. 
For_IF Fran_NP1 ,_, though_CS ,_, now_RT silent_JJ on_II the_AT line_NN1 ,_, what_DDQ a_AT1 wounding_JJ word_NN1 it_PPH1 must_VM be_VBI ._. 
"_" Save_VV0 it_PPH1 for_IF me_PPIO1 anyway_RR ,_, "_" his_APPGE sister_NN1 said_VVD finally_RR ._. 
He_PPHS1 imagined_VVD her_PPHO1 fidgeting_VVG hands_NN2 ,_, the_AT pained_JJ look_NN1 in_II her_APPGE eyes_NN2 ._. 
"_" So_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX you_PPY ?_? "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 stretched_VVD the_AT coiled_JJ phone_NN1 cord_NN1 ,_, wiggled_VVD it_PPH1 into_II a_AT1 damped_JJ sine_NN1 wave_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY did_VDD n't_XX send_VVI the_AT tickets_NN2 ?_? "_" 
"_" You_PPY should_VM go_VVI ._. 
Meet_VV0 someone_PN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ time_NNT1 ,_, "_" Fran_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" But_CCB no_UH ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX me_PPIO1 sent_VVD you_PPY those_DD2 tickets_NN2 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX thought_VVN she_PPHS1 had_VHD ,_, not_XX really_RR ._. 
For_IF one_MC1 thing_NN1 ,_, Wood_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX attend_VVI church_NN1 ,_, had_VHD n't_XX for_IF years_NNT2 ,_, not_XX that_CST one_PN1 or_CC any_DD other_JJ ._. 
And_CC technically_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX a_AT1 single_JJ ._. 
This_DD1 she_PPHS1 also_RR well_RR knew_VVD ._. 
And_CC to_TO top_VVI it_PPH1 off_RP ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ only_RR thirty-eight_MC ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ the_AT one_PN1 who_PNQS 'd_VHD recently_RR turned_VVN forty_MC ._. 
Under_II the_AT loosest_JJT of_IO interpretations_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 would_VM n't_XX qualify_VVI for_IF an_AT1 over-forty_MC mixer_NN1 for_IF another_DD1 two_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
Not_XX for_IF three_MC years_NNT2 ,_, if_CS one_MC1 gave_VVD "_" over-forty_MC "_" its_APPGE strictest_JJT interpretation_NN1 ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, local_JJ Independent_JJ Christians_NN2 were_VBDR n't_XX known_VVN for_IF strict_JJ interpretations_NN2 ._. 
In_II fact_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 could_VM be_VBI quite_RG flexible_JJ in_II their_APPGE beliefs_NN2 ,_, dangerously_RR unstructured_JJ ,_, wishy-washy_JJ in_II a_AT1 way_NN1 Wood_NP1 had_VHD come_VVN to_TO believe_VVI religions_NN2 should_VM never_RR be_VBI ._. 
Maybe_RR some_DD people_NN liked_VVD their_APPGE religion_NN1 that_DD1 way_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX Wood_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 preferred_VVD commandments_NN2 to_II vague_JJ guidelines_NN2 any_DD day_NNT1 ._. 
People_NN baffled_VVD Alton_NP1 Wood_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 took_VVD great_JJ pride_NN1 in_II mastering_VVG the_AT basics_NN2 of_IO complex_JJ processes_NN2 in_II nature_NN1 ,_, of_IO subatomic_JJ phenomena_NN2 and_CC interstellar_JJ dark_JJ matter_NN1 ,_, of_IO the_AT relativistic_JJ implications_NN2 of_IO post-_JJ Newtonian_JJ time-space_JJ ._. 
But_CCB the_AT seeming_JJ randomness_NN1 of_IO human_JJ behavior_NN1 perplexed_VVN him_PPHO1 ._. 
Lori_NN2 ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, the_AT inscrutable_JJ woman_NN1 who_PNQS was_VBDZ his_APPGE wife_NN1 until_CS one_MC1 day_NNT1 she_PPHS1 decided_VVD not_XX to_TO be_VBI that_RG anymore_RR ._. 
After_II what_DDQ they_PPHS2 'd_VHD weathered_VVN together_RL ,_, the_AT pain_NN1 of_IO losing_VVG Logan_NP1 ,_, the_AT son_NN1 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD both_DB2 loved_VVN ,_, after_II surviving_VVG that_CST ,_, when_CS the_AT worst_JJT was_VBDZ past_RL ,_, then_RT the_AT woman_NN1 decides_VVZ to_TO leave_VVI ._. 
Truly_RR baffling_JJ ._. 
Until_CS that_DD1 day_NNT1 ,_, he_PPHS1 'd_VHD thought_VVN Lori_NP1 was_VBDZ steady_JJ ._. 
How_RGQ often_RR he_PPHS1 'd_VHD said_VVN it_PPH1 --_JJ "_" Lori_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 's_VBZ the_AT steady_JJ one_PN1 ._. "_" 
Yet_RR there_RL she_PPHS1 stood_VVD ,_, teary_NN1 in_II the_AT doorway_NN1 ,_, suitcase_NN1 in_II hand_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 volatile_JJ being_NN1 ,_, turning_VVG away_RL and_CC careening_VVG away_II21 from_II22 him_PPHO1 ._. 
The_AT last_MD he_PPHS1 'd_VHD heard_VVN ,_, she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ waitressing_VVG in_II Charlottesville_NP1 ,_, living_VVG there_RL with_IW the_AT auto_NN1 mechanic_NN1 who_PNQS 'd_VHD rebuilt_VVN the_AT transmission_NN1 on_II her_APPGE Volvo_NP1 ._. 
Wood_NP1 often_RR imagined_VVD her_PPHO1 with_IW him_PPHO1 ,_, this_DD1 slender_JJ man_NN1 with_IW greasy_JJ cuffs_NN2 ,_, the_AT smell_NN1 of_IO gasoline_NN1 on_II his_APPGE lanky_JJ hands_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 ropy_JJ man_NN1 with_IW hair_NN1 poking_VVG over_RP his_APPGE T-shirt_NN1 neck_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 dozen_NNO rusty_JJ lug_NN1 nuts_NN2 weighting_VVG his_APPGE pants_NN2 pockets_NN2 ,_, rattling_VVG as_CSA he_PPHS1 walked_VVD ._. 
It_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI a_AT1 year_NNT1 next_MD month_NNT1 since_CS Lori_NP1 boarded_VVD a_AT1 Greyhound_NN1 bus_NN1 with_IW that_DD1 man_NN1 ._. 
Kimbro_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ his_APPGE name_NN1 ._. 
Some_DD days_NNT2 Wood_NP1 wondered_VVD if_CS she_PPHS1 'd_VM ever_RR come_VVI to_II her_APPGE senses_NN2 ,_, if_CS she_PPHS1 'd_VM ever_RR board_VVI that_DD1 bus_NN1 again_RT and_CC come_VVI back_RP ._. 
"_" Maybe_RR Teresa_NP1 Click_NN1 sent_VVD those_DD2 tickets_NN2 ,_, "_" Fran_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 're_VBR probably_RR just_RR someone_PN1 's_GE stupid_JJ mistake_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, ready_JJ now_RT to_TO hang_VVI up_RP ,_, to_TO forget_VVI everything_PN1 those_DD2 damn_JJ tickets_NN2 had_VHD dredged_VVN up_RP ._. 
But_CCB Wood_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX tear_VVI them_PPHO2 up_RP ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX throw_VVI them_PPHO2 away_RL ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 lay_VVD awake_JJ that_DD1 night_NNT1 wondering_VVG who_PNQS sent_VVD them_PPHO2 ._. 
The_AT next_MD morning_NNT1 ,_, when_CS he_PPHS1 saw_VVD Fran_NP1 's_GE overloaded_JJ Buick_NN1 angle-parked_NN1 in_II31 front_II32 of_II33 Fat_JJ Momma_NN1 's_GE Dairy_NN1 Deluxe_NP1 ,_, he_PPHS1 parked_VVD nearby_RL and_CC waited_VVD ._. 
She_PPHS1 came_VVD out_RP carrying_VVG a_AT1 Star_NN1 Wars_NN2 IV_MC commemorative_JJ Super_JJ Quencher_NN1 cup_NN1 of_IO Coke_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 small_JJ pastry_NN1 sack_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 copy_NN1 of_IO the_AT Louisville_NP1 Courier-Journal_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 hurried_VVD across_II the_AT street_NN1 ._. 
"_" Go_VV0 with_IW me_PPIO1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" to_II that_DD1 mixer_NN1 thing_NN1 ?_? "_" 
She_PPHS1 slid_VVD into_II the_AT front_JJ seat_NN1 and_CC added_VVD the_AT newspaper_NN1 to_II a_AT1 pile_NN1 on_II the_AT passenger_NN1 seat_NN1 ._. 
The_AT pile_NN1 ,_, tall_JJ as_CSA her_APPGE shoulders_NN2 ,_, tilted_VVN against_II the_AT passenger_NN1 door_NN1 like_II a_AT1 drunk_JJ ._. 
In_II the_AT back_NN1 seat_NN1 ,_, more_DAR mounds_NN2 of_IO magazines_NN2 and_CC newspapers_NN2 ,_, burger_NN1 and_CC coffee_NN1 Styrofoam_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 plastic_NN1 bin_NN1 overflowing_VVG with_IW saved_JJ junk_NN1 mail_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 tall_JJ stack_NN1 of_IO nested_JJ Quencher_NN1 cups_NN2 lay_VVD across_II everything_PN1 ._. 
Thumb-sized_JJ plastic_NN1 gnomes_NN2 with_IW neon_NN1 hair_NN1 ,_, bright_JJ blue_JJ Smurfs_NN2 ,_, and_CC farm_NN1 and_CC jungle_NN1 animals_NN2 were_VBDR scattered_VVN about_II the_AT car_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 faded_JJ plastic_NN1 cowboy_NN1 straddled_VVD the_AT rear-_JJ view_NN1 mirror_NN1 support_NN1 ,_, riding_VVG it_PPH1 like_II a_AT1 bronco_NN1 ._. 
Cardboard_JJ pine_NN1 trees_NN2 dangled_VVN below_RL ,_, drab_JJ red_NN1 and_CC green_JJ ,_, their_APPGE scents_NN2 spent_VVD long_RR ago_RA ._. 
Fran_NP1 had_VHD always_RR been_VBN a_AT1 collector_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 gatherer_NN1 of_IO things_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VHD had_VHN limits_NN2 though_RR ._. 
Since_CS the_AT whole_JJ sad_JJ business_NN1 with_IW Logan_NP1 ,_, the_AT quirk_NN1 had_VHD morphed_VVN into_II a_AT1 kind_NN1 of_IO manic_JJ hoarding_NN1 ._. 
Even_RR Wood_NP1 acknowledged_VVD that_CST now_RT ._. 
Still_RR ,_, this_DD1 was_VBDZ not_XX something_PN1 he_PPHS1 could_VM broach_VVI with_IW his_APPGE sister_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX yet_RR ._. 
"_" You_PPY want_VV0 me_PPIO1 to_TO go_VVI ?_? "_" 
She_PPHS1 opened_VVD the_AT sack_NN1 ,_, took_VVD out_RP a_AT1 jelly_NN1 doughnut_NN1 for_IF herself_PPX1 ,_, and_CC extended_VVD the_AT gaping_JJ sack_NN1 toward_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" Friday_NPD1 night_NNT1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, refusing_VVG with_IW a_AT1 gesture_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM curious_JJ ._. 
Are_VBR n't_XX you_PPY ?_? "_" 
"_" Just_RR curious_JJ ,_, Alton_NP1 ?_? "_" 
She_PPHS1 stowed_VVD the_AT sack_NN1 beside_II her_APPGE seat_NN1 ._. 
Okay_RR ,_, maybe_RR Lori_NP1 was_VBDZ gone_VVN for_RR21 good_RR22 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VM concede_VVI that_CST it_PPH1 was_VBDZ possible_JJ ._. 
Maybe_RR this_DD1 was_VBDZ how_RRQ his_APPGE life_NN1 would_VM be_VBI ,_, how_RRQ his_APPGE future_NN1 would_VM be_VBI ,_, whatever_DDQV he_PPHS1 could_VM make_VVI of_IO it_PPH1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY 're_VBR not_XX curious_JJ ?_? "_" he_PPHS1 asked_VVD Fran_NP1 again_RT ._. 
She_PPHS1 shrugged_VVD and_CC turned_VVD the_AT key_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY drive_VV0 ,_, "_" Fran_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
She_PPHS1 lifted_VVD off_II21 of_II22 her_APPGE wood-bead_JJ seat_NN1 cover_NN1 and_CC twisted_VVD her_APPGE thick_JJ torso_NN1 ._. 
Peering_VVG over_RP piles_NN2 ,_, she_PPHS1 backed_VVD out_RP ._. 
As_CSA she_PPHS1 parked_VVD behind_II Click_NN1 's_GE Hallmark_NN1 Store_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 occurred_VVD to_II Fran_NP1 that_CST she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ curious_JJ about_II who_PNQS 'd_VHD sent_VVN her_APPGE brother_NN1 tickets_NN2 ,_, and_CC that_DD1 curiosity_NN1 made_VVD her_PPHO1 feel_VV0 uneasy_JJ ._. 
Nervous_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 could_VM bear_VVI her_APPGE life_NN1 ,_, the_AT one_PN1 she_PPHS1 lived_VVD now_RT ,_, if_CS she_PPHS1 crusted_VVD her_APPGE days_NNT2 in_II certainty_NN1 ,_, confined_VVD herself_PPX1 to_II trivial_JJ matters_NN2 ,_, to_II acts_NN2 of_IO little_JJ consequence_NN1 ._. 
Curiosity_NN1 felt_VVD like_II a_AT1 frivolous_JJ ,_, yet_RR vaguely_RR dangerous_JJ ,_, thing_NN1 ._. 
Fran_NP1 had_VHD n't_XX always_RR been_VBN this_DD1 way_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN playful_JJ as_II a_AT1 child_NN1 ,_, even_RR wild_JJ at_II times_NNT2 ,_, frighteningly_RR so_RR ,_, thinking_VVG back_RP now_RT ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VHD broken_VVN an_AT1 arm_NN1 and_CC dislocated_VVN a_AT1 shoulder_NN1 falling_VVG from_II the_AT garage_NN1 roof_NN1 ._. 
Just_RR that_DD1 ,_, thankfully_RR not_XX her_APPGE skull_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 pale_JJ scar_NN1 still_RR snaked_VVD from_II the_AT hollow_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE throat_NN1 to_II the_AT middle_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE chest_NN1 ,_, the_AT vestige_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 furrow_NN1 dug_VVD by_II a_AT1 spear_NN1 point_NN1 young_JJ Franny_NN1 had_VHD whittled_VVN on_II a_AT1 catalpa_NN1 sprout_NN1 ._. 
In_II high_JJ school_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VHD often_RR hitchhiked_VVN to_II Somerset_NP1 ,_, dancing_VVG there_RL ,_, sometimes_RT hitchhiking_VVG home_RL again_RT ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VM slide_VVI into_II strangers_NN2 '_GE cars_NN2 armed_VVN only_RR with_IW her_APPGE faith_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 ready_JJ smile_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 shuddered_VVD now_RT ,_, remembering_VVG ._. 
The_AT Hallmark_NN1 store_NN1 manager_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 redheaded_JJ widow_NN1 named_VVD Teresa_NP1 Click_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ busy_JJ up_RL21 front_RL22 with_IW a_AT1 customer_NN1 ._. 
Fran_NP1 helped_VVD Teresa_NP1 during_II busy_JJ times_NNT2 ,_, selling_VVG scented_JJ candles_NN2 ,_, luminaries_NN2 ,_, angel_NN1 figurines_NN2 ,_, and_CC bright_JJ holiday_NN1 ornaments_NN2 behind_II the_AT smaller_JJR counter_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ the_AT kind_NN1 of_IO work_NN1 Fran_NP1 had_VHD sought_VVN --_JJ reasonable_JJ hours_NNT2 ,_, little_JJ chance_NN1 of_IO screwing_VVG up_RP ,_, minimal_JJ consequences_NN2 if_CS she_PPHS1 did_VDD ._. 
"_" Teresa_NP1 ,_, "_" Fran_NP1 called_VVD when_RRQ the_AT customer_NN1 left_VVD ._. 
"_" You_PPY did_VDD n't_XX send_VVI my_APPGE brother_NN1 tickets_NN2 to_II the_AT over-forty_MC mixer_NN1 ,_, did_VDD you_PPY ?_? "_" 
Teresa_NP1 stopped_VVD straightening_VVG cards_NN2 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 puzzled_JJ expression_NN1 settled_VVN on_II her_APPGE face_NN1 ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 I_PPIS1 know_VVI your_APPGE brother_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Alton_NP1 Wood_NP1 ._. "_" 
"_" That_DD1 's_VBZ right_JJ ,_, "_" Teresa_NP1 Click_NN1 said_VVD ._. 
She_PPHS1 snapped_VVD her_APPGE fingers_NN2 and_CC made_VVD a_AT1 check_NN1 mark_NN1 in_II the_AT air_NN1 ._. 
"_" That_DD1 's_VBZ who_PNQS you_PPY are_VBR ._. "_" 
A_AT1 damp_JJ chill_NN1 ran_VVD through_II Fran_NP1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 drew_VVD a_AT1 deep_JJ breath_NN1 ,_, held_VVD it_PPH1 as_CS21 though_CS22 swimming_VVG underwater_RL ._. 
You_PPY 're_VBR next_MD ,_, Mr._NNB Wood_NP1 ,_, "_" Candice_NP1 Knott_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
She_PPHS1 dipped_VVD her_APPGE scissors_NN2 in_II clear_JJ blue_JJ fluid_NN1 and_CC dried_VVD them_PPHO2 on_II a_AT1 towel_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 shook_VVD snippings_NN2 of_IO Chester_NP1 Ford_NP1 's_GE hair_NN1 from_II her_APPGE barber_NN1 cloth_NN1 ._. 
Warm_JJ ,_, fresh_JJ smells_NN2 filled_VVD the_AT place_NN1 ,_, all_DB aftershave_VV0 ,_, hair_NN1 cream_NN1 ,_, and_CC talcum_NN1 powder_NN1 ._. 
Lori_NP1 Wood_NP1 had_VHD always_RR cut_VVN Alton_NP1 's_GE hair_NN1 ,_, ever_RR since_CS they_PPHS2 first_MD married_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VM clip_VVI it_PPH1 in_II the_AT kitchen_NN1 on_II the_AT first_MD Friday_NPD1 of_IO each_DD1 month_NNT1 ._. 
After_CS she_PPHS1 left_VVD ,_, he_PPHS1 'd_VM let_VVI it_PPH1 grow_VVI ._. 
Before_II long_RR ,_, people_NN started_VVD remarking_VVG about_II his_APPGE hair_NN1 ._. 
Was_VBDZ this_DD1 ,_, they_PPHS2 asked_VVD ,_, his_APPGE new_JJ look_NN1 ?_? 
Such_DA notice_NN1 made_VVD Wood_NP1 uncomfortable_JJ ._. 
So_RR he_PPHS1 'd_VHD started_VVN coming_VVG to_II Quick_JJ Clips_NN2 on_II first_MD Fridays_NPD2 ._. 
Then_RT he_PPHS1 switched_VVD to_II every_AT1 second_MD Friday_NPD1 ._. 
Haircut_NN1 days_NNT2 were_VBDR marked_VVN on_II his_APPGE kitchen_NN1 calendar_NN1 now_RT ,_, scheduled_VVN through_II December_NPM1 ._. 
Candice_NP1 Knott_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN his_APPGE student_NN1 five_MC short_JJ years_NNT2 ago_RA ,_, pregnant_JJ during_II the_AT spring_NN1 term_NN1 ,_, by_II graduation_NN1 obviously_RR so_RR ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD always_RR felt_VVN sorry_JJ for_IF her_PPHO1 ,_, in_II a_AT1 paternal_JJ sort_NN1 of_IO way_NN1 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ something_PN1 about_II how_RRQ her_APPGE mouth_NN1 was_VBDZ made_VVN ,_, how_RRQ her_APPGE full_JJ lips_NN2 never_RR closed_VVN over_II her_APPGE prominent_JJ teeth_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ perky_JJ and_CC chatty_NN1 all_RR31 the_RR32 same_RR33 ,_, her_APPGE interest_NN1 in_II science_NN1 as_CSA fleeting_VVG as_II the_AT snap_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE bubble_NN1 gum_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 does_VDZ not_XX apply_VVI herself_PPX1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD written_VVN this_DD1 on_II Candice_NP1 's_GE report_NN1 card_NN1 ,_, as_CSA he_PPHS1 had_VHD on_II many_DA2 others_NN2 ._. 
Still_RR ,_, an_AT1 active_JJ brain_NN1 was_VBDZ at_II work_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 'd_VHD felt_VVN certain_JJ ,_, beneath_II her_APPGE bright_JJ explosion_NN1 of_IO hair_NN1 ,_, behind_II her_PPHO1 sadly_RR malformed_JJ mouth_NN1 ._. 
Some_DD days_NNT2 she_PPHS1 'd_VM bring_VVI her_APPGE son_NN1 to_II the_AT shop_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VM play_VVI at_II the_AT back_NN1 of_IO the_AT room_NN1 ,_, where_CS she_PPHS1 'd_VHD strung_VVN a_AT1 bright_JJ yellow_JJ plastic_NN1 play-_NN1 fence_NN1 ._. 
The_AT boy_NN1 built_VVD towers_NN2 with_IW blocks_NN2 and_CC knocked_VVD them_PPHO2 down_RP with_IW violent_JJ delight_NN1 ._. 
Blocks_NN2 scattered_VVN everywhere_RL ._. 
Each_DD1 time_NNT1 he_PPHS1 'd_VM survey_VVI the_AT destruction_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD wrought_VVN ,_, studying_VVG the_AT scattered_JJ blocks_NN2 like_II a_AT1 riddle_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT he_PPHS1 'd_VM rebuild_VVI and_CC do_VDI it_PPH1 again_RT ._. 
This_DD1 unvarying_JJ routine_NN1 seemed_VVD bizarre_JJ to_II Wood_NP1 and_CC quite_RG immature_JJ for_IF the_AT boy_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS must_VM now_RT be_VBI almost_RR five_MC ._. 
"_" Wash_VV0 and_CC clip_NN1 ,_, Mr._NNB Wood_NP1 ?_? "_" 
Candice_NP1 asked_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 nodded_VVD ,_, and_CC as_CSA he_PPHS1 sat_VVD ,_, he_PPHS1 saw_VVD a_AT1 small_JJ pocketknife_NN1 wedged_VVN in_II the_AT crease_NN1 of_IO the_AT chair_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 draped_VVD the_AT cutting_NN1 cloth_NN1 over_II him_PPHO1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 thought_VVD to_TO say_VVI something_PN1 about_II the_AT knife_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ he_PPHS1 now_RT clasped_VVN in_II his_APPGE hand_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 wrapped_VVD his_APPGE neck_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 crisp_JJ paper_NN1 strip_NN1 ,_, all_DB the_AT while_NNT1 telling_VVG him_PPHO1 of_IO the_AT rain_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ predicted_VVN ,_, how_RRQ needed_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ ._. 
The_AT knife_NN1 felt_VVD solid_JJ in_II his_APPGE hand_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 felt_VVD right_RR ,_, this_DD1 small_JJ knife_NN1 nestled_VVD there_RL ,_, this_DD1 small_JJ and_CC precious_JJ thing_NN1 the_AT world_NN1 somehow_RR wanted_VVN to_TO be_VBI his_PPGE ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ the_AT kind_NN1 he_PPHS1 might_VM have_VHI bought_VVN Logan_NP1 one_MC1 day_NNT1 ,_, if_CS his_APPGE son_NN1 had_VHD lived_VVN ._. 
Just_RR for_IF the_AT moment_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VM hold_VVI on_RP to_II it_PPH1 ,_, hold_VV0 it_PPH1 and_CC say_VV0 nothing_PN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT mirror_NN1 he_PPHS1 watched_VVD as_CSA Candice_NP1 ran_VVD a_AT1 comb_NN1 through_II his_APPGE hair_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ looked_VVD thin_JJ in_II the_AT shop_NN1 's_GE harsh_JJ light_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX fast-_JJ growing_JJ or_CC especially_RR thick_JJ ._. 
Sometimes_RT the_AT girl_NN1 's_GE scissors_NN2 snipped_VVD more_DAR air_NN1 than_CSN hair_NN1 ._. 
Wood_NP1 enjoyed_VVD these_DD2 visits_NN2 though_RR ._. 
He_PPHS1 liked_VVD the_AT feel_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE hands_NN2 lathering_VVG his_APPGE scalp_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VM guide_VVI his_APPGE head_NN1 ,_, tilt_VV0 him_PPHO1 back_RP to_II the_AT sink_NN1 ,_, and_CC spray_VV0 his_APPGE hair_NN1 ,_, the_AT tepid_JJ water_NN1 rinsing_VVG the_AT suds_NN2 away_RL ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VHD towel_NN1 his_APPGE head_NN1 ,_, towel_NN1 it_PPH1 like_II a_AT1 wet_JJ dog_NN1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 'd_VM feel_VVI her_APPGE strong_JJ fingers_NN2 through_II the_AT towel_NN1 ,_, feel_VV0 in_II his_APPGE scalp_NN1 a_AT1 rising_NN1 of_IO blood_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 warmth_NN1 like_II desire_NN1 ._. 
As_CSA she_PPHS1 cut_VVD his_APPGE hair_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 'd_VM sit_VVI as_CS21 if_CS22 meditating_VVG ,_, his_APPGE gaze_NN1 fixed_VVN ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VM watch_VVI Candice_NP1 separate_JJ plaits_NN2 of_IO hair_NN1 ,_, clamp_VV0 them_PPHO2 between_II fingers_NN2 ,_, snip_VV0 the_AT ends_NN2 ._. 
On_II his_APPGE neck_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VM feel_VVI her_APPGE bubble-_JJ gum_NN1 breath_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VM hear_VVI its_APPGE seashell_NN1 sound_NN1 ,_, her_APPGE exhalations_NN2 like_II a_AT1 lover_NN1 's_VBZ in_II his_APPGE ear_NN1 ._. 
Had_VHD one_MC1 other_JJ person_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 wondered_VVD ,_, in_II the_AT last_MD two_MC weeks_NNT2 touched_VVD him_PPHO1 ?_? 
Or_CC had_VHD he_PPHS1 been_VBN ,_, however_RGQV inadvertently_RR ,_, faithful_JJ again_RT to_II the_AT carefree_JJ girl_NN1 he_PPHS1 paid_VVD to_TO cut_VVI his_APPGE hair_NN1 ?_? 
All_DB this_DD1 was_VBDZ pathetic_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 knew_VVD that_DD1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ pathetic_JJ ._. 
But_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX his_APPGE fault_NN1 ._. 
The_AT fault_NN1 of_IO the_AT matter_NN1 resided_VVD in_II Lori_NP1 ._. 
In_II Lori_NP1 and_CC the_AT scraggy_JJ mechanic_NN1 who_PNQS 'd_VHD lured_VVN her_PPHO1 away_RL ._. 
