Amateur_JJ Barbarians_NN2 '_GE Teddy_NP1 Hastings_NP1 hopped_VVD down_RP from_II his_APPGE treadmill_NN1 after_II burning_VVG off_II the_AT usual_JJ impressive_JJ quotas_NN2 of_IO time_NNT1 ,_, mass_NN1 ,_, and_CC distance_NN1 ,_, and_CC reached_VVN for_IF his_APPGE bottle_NN1 of_IO purified_JJ water_NN1 ._. 
If_CS there_EX was_VBDZ one_MC1 thing_NN1 he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ good_JJ at_II it_PPH1 was_VBDZ running_VVG in_II place_NN1 ._. 
Outside_RL ,_, the_AT woods_NN2 were_VBDR dark_JJ along_II Montcalm_NP1 Road_NNL1 ._. 
Sleet_NN1 ,_, like_II an_AT1 animal_NN1 scrabbling_NN1 for_IF entry_NN1 ,_, tapped_VVN against_II the_AT panes_NN2 ._. 
The_AT water_NN1 he_PPHS1 drained_VVD in_II one_MC1 gulp_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 did_VDD not_XX appease_VVI his_APPGE thirst_NN1 ._. 
To_TO stretch_VVI out_RP his_APPGE tendons_NN2 he_PPHS1 leaned_VVD hard_RR against_II the_AT wall_NN1 with_IW both_DB2 hands_NN2 splayed_VVN before_II him_PPHO1 ,_, like_II a_AT1 man_NN1 holding_VVG back_RP --_JJ or_CC welcoming_JJ --_NN1 a_AT1 flood_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE biceps_NN2 bulged_VVD ,_, his_APPGE triceps_NN2 trembled_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 big_JJ ,_, keg-chested_JJ man_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 long_JJ list_NN1 of_IO aggrievements_NN2 ;_; even_RR on_II a_AT1 good_JJ day_NNT1 it_PPH1 took_VVD forever_RT to_TO get_VVI loose_JJ ._. 
And_CC this_DD1 was_VBDZ not_XX a_AT1 good_JJ day_NNT1 ._. 
His_APPGE torso_NN1 felt_VVD dense_JJ ,_, congested_JJ ;_; his_APPGE hamstrings_NN2 were_VBDR knotted_VVN tight_RR ._. 
Somewhere_RL in_II the_AT meat_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE abdomen_NN1 ,_, beneath_II the_AT pale_JJ ,_, softening_JJ bulge_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 cramp_NN1 had_VHD clenched_VVN up_RP like_II a_AT1 fist_NN1 ._. 
Older_JJR people_NN ,_, Teddy_NP1 knew_VVD ,_, were_VBDR susceptible_JJ to_II such_DA things_NN2 ,_, to_II intermittent_JJ attacks_NN2 of_IO localized_JJ pain_NN1 ,_, and_CC though_CS he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX like_VVI to_TO think_VVI of_IO himself_PPX1 as_II an_AT1 older_JJR person_NN1 ,_, maybe_RR now_CS21 that_CS22 time_NNT1 had_VHD come_VVN ._. 
Fortunately_RR he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX mind_VVI a_AT1 little_JJ pain_NN1 now_RT and_CC then_RT ._. 
In_II fact_NN1 he_PPHS1 welcomed_VVD it_PPH1 ,_, as_CSA an_AT1 employee_NN1 welcomes_VVZ a_AT1 performance_NN1 review_NN1 ,_, or_CC a_AT1 home_NN1 team_NN1 welcomes_VVZ a_AT1 formidable_JJ adversary_NN1 :_: because_CS without_IW it_PPH1 nothing_PN1 would_VM be_VBI tested_VVN or_CC advanced_VVD ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ why_RRQ he_PPHS1 'd_VHD converted_VVN the_AT basement_NN1 that_DD1 summer_NNT1 ,_, after_CS his_APPGE dreary_JJ little_JJ tussle_NN1 with_IW the_AT authorities_NN2 ._. 
Why_RRQ he_PPHS1 'd_VHD taken_VVN up_RP the_AT hammer_NN1 and_CC power_NN1 saw_VVD ,_, plastered_VVD and_CC sanded_VVD and_CC paneled_VVD the_AT walls_NN2 ,_, tacked_VVD down_RP the_AT carpet_NN1 ,_, plexiglassed_VVD the_AT windows_NN2 and_CC bolstered_VVD the_AT frames_NN2 ._. 
At_II his_APPGE age_NN1 you_PPY required_VVN some_DD insulation_NN1 in_II your_APPGE life_NN1 ;_; you_PPY could_VM n't_XX just_RR lie_VVI down_RP in_II the_AT basement_NN1 and_CC freeze_NN1 ._. 
Above_II him_PPHO1 the_AT house_NN1 lay_VVD quiet_JJ ,_, submissive_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM feel_VVI its_APPGE weight_NN1 poised_VVN atop_II his_APPGE shoulders_NN2 ._. 
Yet_RR another_DD1 dumbbell_NN1 to_TO lift_VVI ._. 
Dutifully_RR ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 in_II obeisance_NN1 to_II some_DD cranky_JJ ,_, intemperate_JJ god_NN1 who_PNQS oversaw_VV0 his_APPGE labors_NN2 ,_, Teddy_NP1 sank_VVD to_II his_APPGE knees_NN2 and_CC began_VVD to_TO push_VVI himself_PPX1 up_RP by_II the_AT fingertips_NN2 ,_, thirty-five_MC times_NNT2 ._. 
Then_RT onto_II his_APPGE back_NN1 for_IF thirty-five_MC crunches_NN2 ._. 
Then_RT thirty_MC of_IO each_DD1 ,_, then_RT twenty-five_MC ,_, then_RT twenty_MC ,_, and_RR31 so_RR32 on_RR33 ,_, descending_VVG by_II increments_NN2 of_IO five_MC toward_II zero_MC 's_GE rest_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 simple_JJ ,_, satisfying_JJ routine_NN1 ,_, one_PN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD brought_VVN home_RL from_II his_APPGE brief_JJ incarceration_NN1 in_II the_AT Carthage_NP1 County_NN1 lockup_VV0 that_DD1 summer_NNT1 (_( along_II21 with_II22 an_AT1 orphaned_JJ Koran_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 whopping_JJ case_NN1 of_IO shingles_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT cell_NN1 phone_NN1 numbers_NN2 of_IO various_JJ felons_NN2 ,_, minor_JJ miscreants_NN2 ,_, and_CC illegal_JJ aliens_NN2 )_) and_CC now_RT practiced_VVD daily_RR on_II the_AT floor_NN1 like_II a_AT1 penitent_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ how_RRQ you_PPY toned_VVD the_AT self_NN1 ,_, Teddy_NP1 thought_VVD :_: through_II torment_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY set_VV0 goals_NN2 and_CC standards_NN2 you_PPY failed_VVD to_TO meet_VVI ,_, and_CC you_PPY refused_VVD to_TO forgive_VVI yourself_PPX1 for_IF failing_VVG ;_; that_DD1 was_VBDZ one_MC1 way_NN1 you_PPY knew_VVD you_PPY were_VBDR alive_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 imagined_VVD there_EX must_VM be_VBI other_JJ ,_, less_RGR arduous_JJ ways_NN2 to_TO know_VVI you_PPY were_VBDR alive_JJ ,_, ways_NN2 forgotten_VVN or_CC as_RR21 yet_RR22 unrevealed_JJ ._. 
But_CCB in_II the_AT absence_NN1 of_IO those_DD2 he_PPHS1 'd_VM keep_VVI crunching_VVG ._. 
A_AT1 few_DA2 weeks_NNT2 before_RT ,_, in_II an_AT1 effort_NN1 to_TO enliven_VVI the_AT dismal_JJ ambience_NN1 of_IO the_AT basement_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 'd_VHD taped_VVN an_AT1 enormous_JJ nine-color_JJ world_NN1 map_NN1 ,_, property_NN1 of_IO the_AT Carthage_NP1 Union_NP1 School_NN1 District_NN1 ,_, across_II the_AT corrugated_JJ grid_NN1 of_IO the_AT ceiling_NN1 ._. 
Now_RT with_IW every_AT1 sit-up_NN1 he_PPHS1 watched_VVD the_AT map_NN1 approach_VVI ,_, fall_VV0 away_RL ,_, then_RT approach_VV0 again_RT ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 the_AT world_NN1 from_II which_DDQ he_PPHS1 'd_VHD retreated_VVN were_VBDR exacting_JJ revenge_NN1 ,_, teasing_VVG him_PPHO1 with_IW immanence_NN1 ,_, looming_VVG into_II view_NN1 ,_, then_RT fading_VVG ,_, like_II a_AT1 pop-up_NN1 ad_NN1 on_II a_AT1 computer_NN1 screen_NN1 ._. 
The_AT map_NN1 itself_PPX1 had_VHD seen_VVN better_JJR days_NNT2 ._. 
Its_APPGE glossy_JJ sheen_NN1 was_VBDZ fading_VVG ,_, its_APPGE arctic_JJ circle_NN1 receding_VVG ;_; the_AT blue_JJ line_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE equator_NN1 quaked_VVD and_CC bulged_VVD ._. 
Still_RR ,_, it_PPH1 gave_VVD him_PPHO1 pleasure_NN1 just_RR to_TO look_VVI at_II the_AT thing_NN1 ,_, to_TO scan_VVI the_AT hot_JJ zones_NN2 ,_, the_AT tropical_JJ canopy_NN1 ,_, the_AT jumbled_JJ geometries_NN2 of_IO the_AT borders_NN2 ,_, the_AT progression_NN1 of_IO rolling_JJ ,_, mellifluous_JJ names_NN2 ._. 
Guyana_NP1 ,_, Nigeria_NP1 ,_, Ethiopia_NP1 ,_, Malaysia_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 lay_VVD on_II his_APPGE back_NN1 ,_, crunching_VVG his_APPGE way_NN1 toward_II them_PPHO2 like_II a_AT1 galley_NN1 slave_NN1 ._. 
Somehow_RR he_PPHS1 never_RR managed_VVD to_TO arrive_VVI ._. 
His_APPGE capillaries_NN2 were_VBDR popping_VVG ,_, his_APPGE lungs_NN2 wheezed_VVD like_II an_AT1 accordion_NN1 ._. 
With_IW two_MC shaking_VVG fingers_NN2 he_PPHS1 took_VVD his_APPGE pulse_NN1 ._. 
The_AT skin_NN1 over_II his_APPGE wrist_NN1 ,_, thick_JJ as_CSA it_PPH1 was_VBDZ ,_, failed_VVD to_TO muffle_VVI that_DD1 monotonous_JJ riot_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 thunder_NN1 inside_RL ._. 
The_AT windows_NN2 were_VBDR slick_JJ with_IW night_NNT1 's_GE black_JJ glaze_NN1 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ no_RR looking_VVG out_RP ._. 
But_CCB say_VV0 you_PPY looked_VVD in_RP ,_, Teddy_NP1 thought_VVD ._. 
Say_VV0 you_PPY happened_VVD by_RP ,_, an_AT1 exile_NN1 from_II sleep_NN1 ,_, walking_VVG your_APPGE dog_NN1 in_II the_AT predawn_NN1 gloom_NN1 ,_, and_CC stopped_VVD to_TO peer_VVI in_RP through_II the_AT lighted_JJ window_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ would_VM you_PPY see_VVI ?_? 
A_AT1 red-faced_JJ ,_, wild-haired_JJ person_NN1 heaving_VVG for_IF breath_NN1 on_II an_AT1 all-weather_JJ carpet_NN1 ,_, holding_VVG his_APPGE own_DA hand_NN1 ._. 
Fortunately_RR Teddy_NP1 Hastings_NP1 was_VBDZ not_XX outside_RL ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ inside_RL ,_, generating_JJ steam_NN1 and_CC heat_NN1 ,_, stoking_VVG the_AT engines_NN2 ._. 
At_II his_APPGE age_NN1 a_AT1 man_NN1 shifts_VVZ his_APPGE focus_NN1 ,_, from_II the_AT romance_NN1 of_IO building_NN1 to_II the_AT hard_JJ facts_NN2 of_IO maintaining_VVG ._. 
The_AT building_NN1 has_VHZ all_RR been_VBN done_VDN ._. 
Even_CS21 if_CS22 the_AT nails_NN2 are_VBR bent_VVN or_CC mutilated_JJ and_CC nothing_PN1 is_VBZ quite_RG level_JJ or_CC plumb_JJ or_CC square_NN1 ._. 
The_AT building_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN done_VDN ;_; no_AT room_NN1 for_IF more_DAR unless_CS you_PPY tear_VV0 something_PN1 down_RP ._. 
And_CC he_PPHS1 had_VHD no_AT desire_NN1 to_TO tear_VVI things_NN2 down_RP ._. 
The_AT hard_JJ thing_NN1 was_VBDZ to_TO keep_VVI them_PPHO2 aloft_RL ._. 
The_AT tearing_VVG down_RP came_VVD anyway_RR ;_; no_AT need_NN1 to_TO contribute_VVI to_II that_DD1 ._. 
Yet_RR in_II the_AT end_NN1 one_PN1 always_RR did_VDD ,_, it_PPH1 seemed_VVD ._. 
Outside_II an_AT1 engine_NN1 was_VBDZ idling_VVG ,_, some_DD night_NNT1 taxi_NN1 bound_VVN for_IF the_AT airport_NN1 ,_, waiting_VVG for_IF a_AT1 passenger_NN1 to_TO emerge_VVI from_II his_APPGE big_JJ house_NN1 on_II Montcalm_NP1 Road_NNL1 ._. 
But_CCB no_RR :_: it_PPH1 was_VBDZ only_RR the_AT high_JJ school_NN1 kid_NN1 who_PNQS delivered_VVD the_AT paper_NN1 ._. 
Teddy_NP1 listened_VVD for_IF the_AT dolorous_JJ thunk_NN1 it_PPH1 made_VVD ,_, then_RT the_AT tumbling_JJ fall_NN1 down_II the_AT steps_NN2 ._. 
Six_MC fifteen_MC ._. 
And_CC so_RR the_AT day_NNT1 arrives_VVZ ,_, swollen_VVN with_IW ads_NN2 ,_, coiled_VVD in_II its_APPGE plastic_NN1 bag_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD nowhere_RL to_TO go_VVI ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ officially_RR on_II leave_NN1 from_II the_AT middle_JJ school_NN1 this_DD1 year_NNT1 ,_, half-pay_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD never_RR taken_VVN a_AT1 leave_NN1 before_RT ,_, had_VHD never_RR wanted_VVN one_PN1 particularly_RR ,_, and_CC now_RT he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ beginning_VVG to_TO understand_VVI why_RRQ ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX good_JJ at_II it_PPH1 ._. 
Because_CS a_AT1 man_NN1 ca_VM n't_XX live_VVI in_II an_AT1 open_JJ field_NN1 :_: he_PPHS1 needs_VVZ landmarks_NN2 ,_, contours_NN2 ,_, walls_NN2 and_CC roofs_NN2 and_CC floors_NN2 ._. 
Once_CS he_PPHS1 'd_VHD stopped_VVN working_VVG ,_, the_AT days_NNT2 had_VHD become_VVN wayward_JJ and_CC saggy_JJ ,_, out_II21 of_II22 sync_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 chain_NN1 slipped_VVD free_JJ of_IO its_APPGE gears_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 rift_NN1 yawned_VVD open_JJ between_II theory_NN1 and_CC practice_NN1 ,_, between_II the_AT capacity_NN1 for_IF action_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE execution_NN1 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR people_NN who_PNQS prefer_VV0 not_XX to_TO be_VBI left_VVN to_II their_APPGE own_DA devices_NN2 ,_, people_NN whose_DDQGE own_DA devices_NN2 have_VH0 grown_VVN rusty_JJ and_CC unserviceable_JJ from_II lack_NN1 of_IO use_NN1 ,_, and_CC Teddy_NP1 supposed_VVD that_DD1 was_VBDZ the_AT lesson_NN1 plan_VV0 this_DD1 year_NNT1 :_: he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ one_MC1 of_IO these_DD2 people_NN and_CC not_XX the_AT other_JJ kind_NN1 ._. 
The_AT knowledge_NN1 was_VBDZ painful_JJ but_CCB intriguing_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 gave_VVD his_APPGE days_NNT2 the_AT character_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 search_NN1 ._. 
Restless_JJ ,_, he_PPHS1 wandered_VVD the_AT empty_JJ house_NN1 ,_, drifting_VVG from_II room_NN1 to_II room_NN1 like_II a_AT1 detective_NN1 making_VVG notes_NN2 for_IF an_AT1 unsolicited_JJ investigation_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT mornings_NNT2 he_PPHS1 drank_VVD his_APPGE black_JJ ,_, bitter_JJ coffee_NN1 --_NN1 Danielle_NP1 had_VHD sent_VVN the_AT beans_NN2 all_DB the_AT way_NN1 from_II Africa_NP1 -listened_NN1 to_II the_AT radio_NN1 ,_, swept_VVD the_AT wood_NN1 floors_NN2 like_II a_AT1 charwoman_NN1 even_CS21 if_CS22 no_AT dirt_NN1 was_VBDZ visible_JJ ._. 
His_APPGE lunch_NN1 he_PPHS1 ate_VVD at_II the_AT computer_NN1 ,_, playing_VVG solitaire_NN1 ,_, smearing_VVG the_AT keyboard_NN1 with_IW oily_JJ fingers_NN2 ,_, splattering_VVG the_AT screen_NN1 with_IW soup_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD never_RR been_VBN much_DA1 of_IO a_AT1 computer_NN1 person_NN1 before_RT but_CCB he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ becoming_VVG one_PN1 now_RT ._. 
He_PPHS1 enjoyed_VVD solitaire_NN1 but_CCB lacked_VVD the_AT patience_NN1 ,_, and_CC also_RR the_AT motive_NN1 ,_, to_TO win_VVI ._. 
Winning_VVG ended_VVD the_AT game_NN1 ,_, sent_VVD the_AT kings_NN2 bounding_VVG merrily_RR away_RL ,_, and_CC sealed_VVD up_RP the_AT window_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ losing_VVG that_CST kept_VVD you_PPY going_VVG ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ losing_VVG that_CST made_VVD you_PPY focus_VVI ,_, that_CST lured_VVD you_PPY back_VV0 in_RP with_IW the_AT promise_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 new_JJ deal_NN1 ,_, an_AT1 unplayed_JJ hand_NN1 ..._... 
And_CC so_RR the_AT hours_NNT2 passed_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM not_XX remember_VVI feeling_VVG like_II this_DD1 before_RT ,_, so_RG indolent_JJ ,_, so_RG jittery_JJ ,_, all_RR bottled_VVN up_RP like_II a_AT1 soda_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT afternoons_NNT2 he_PPHS1 'd_VM sit_VVI at_II the_AT old_JJ attention-starved_NN1 Baldwin_NP1 upright_RL they_PPHS2 'd_VHD bought_VVN years_NNT2 ago_RA ,_, when_CS the_AT girls_NN2 could_VM still_RR be_VBI bullied_VVN into_II lessons_NN2 ,_, playing_VVG the_AT same_DA pieces_NN2 at_II approximately_RR the_AT same_DA tempo_NN1 and_CC level_NN1 of_IO competence_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN playing_VVG since_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ twelve_MC ._. 
His_APPGE Satie_NP1 meandered_VVD ,_, his_APPGE Bach_NP1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 hash_NN1 ;_; his_APPGE Chopin_NP1 lurched_VVD and_CC stuttered_VVD like_II a_AT1 neurotic_JJ schoolboy_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE heart_NN1 it_PPH1 so_RR happened_VVD was_VBDZ full_JJ of_IO musical_JJ feelings_NN2 ;_; there_EX was_VBDZ barely_RR room_NN1 in_II that_DD1 clenched_JJ ,_, spasmodic_JJ organ_NN1 for_IF the_AT music_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE feelings_NN2 both_DB2 ._. 
But_CCB his_APPGE ear_NN1 was_VBDZ bad_JJ ,_, his_APPGE dynamics_NN were_VBDR stiff_JJ ,_, he_PPHS1 lacked_VVD control_NN1 and_CC modulation_NN1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 'd_VHD never_RR learned_VVN to_TO improvise_VVI ._. 
And_CC now_RT it_PPH1 was_VBDZ too_RG late_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ fifty-two_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ ._. 
Fifty-three_MC ._. 
How_RGQ much_DA1 change_NN1 was_VBDZ still_RR possible_JJ ?_? 
At_II this_DD1 point_NN1 he_PPHS1 felt_VVD condemned_JJ to_TO go_VVI on_RP repeating_VVG the_AT old_JJ mistakes_NN2 ,_, the_AT unlearned_JJ lessons_NN2 ,_, forever_RT ,_, like_II a_AT1 player_NN1 piano_NN1 scrolling_VVG methodically_RR through_II its_APPGE uninspired_JJ repertoire_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 jet_NN1 rumbled_VVD overhead_RL ,_, going_VVG somewhere_RL else_RR ._. 
Above_II him_PPHO1 the_AT house_NN1 slept_VVD on_RP ,_, making_VVG its_APPGE night_NNT1 noises_NN2 :_: its_APPGE ticking_NN1 clocks_NN2 and_CC groaning_VVG shutters_NN2 ,_, its_APPGE whistling_NN1 pipes_NN2 ,_, its_APPGE four_MC dormant_JJ stories_NN2 ._. 
Sometimes_RT ,_, coming_VVG home_RL late_RR from_II a_AT1 meeting_NN1 ,_, Teddy_NP1 would_VM marvel_VVI at_II the_AT sight_NN1 of_IO it_PPH1 ,_, vast_JJ and_CC chambered_JJ ,_, lit_VVD up_RP in_II the_AT darkness_NN1 like_II a_AT1 ship_NN1 ._. 
Whether_CSW he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ captain_NN1 or_CC passenger_NN1 of_IO that_DD1 ship_NN1 he_PPHS1 no_RR21 longer_RR22 knew_VVD ._. 
More_RRR and_CC more_RRR he_PPHS1 felt_VVD like_II a_AT1 stowaway_NN1 ._. 
No_AT man_NN1 becomes_VVZ a_AT1 prophet_NN1 who_PNQS was_VBDZ not_XX first_MD a_AT1 shepherd_NN1 ._. 
The_AT words_NN2 were_VBDR in_II his_APPGE head_NN1 when_CS he_PPHS1 'd_VHD awoken_VVN that_DD1 morning_NNT1 ,_, marooned_JJ in_II darkness_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE body_NN1 furled_VVD up_RP like_II a_AT1 flag_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ something_PN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VM read_VVI in_II jail_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 line_NN1 of_IO graffiti_NN scratched_VVN into_II the_AT wall_NN1 over_II his_APPGE cot_NN1 ._. 
Jail_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN told_VVN ,_, made_VVD poets_NN2 of_IO some_DD men_NN2 and_CC criminals_NN2 of_IO others_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 wondered_VVD what_DDQ it_PPH1 had_VHD made_VVN him_PPHO1 ._. 
Beside_II him_PPHO1 Gail_NP1 stirred_VVD and_CC sighed_VVD ,_, her_APPGE features_NN2 wistful_JJ in_II dreams_NN2 ._. 
Her_APPGE body_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 safe_JJ harbor_NN1 just_RR out_II21 of_II22 reach_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VM have_VHI liked_VVN to_TO steer_VVI into_II it_PPH1 ,_, take_VV0 refuge_NN1 there_RL in_II her_PPHO1 long_RR ,_, sleep-softened_JJ neck_NN1 ,_, the_AT musky_JJ warmth_NN1 ,_, like_II risen_JJ bread_NN1 ,_, that_CST emanated_VVD from_II her_APPGE hair_NN1 ..._... but_CCB no_RR :_: at_II the_AT last_MD moment_NN1 she_PPHS1 shifted_VVD her_APPGE weight_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT mattress_NN1 sank_VVD under_II her_APPGE hip_NN1 ,_, leaving_VVG Teddy_NP1 stranded_JJ alone_JJ on_II the_AT far_JJ side_NN1 of_IO the_AT bed_NN1 ._. 
The_AT cold_JJ side_NN1 ._. 
How_RGQ long_RR he_PPHS1 'd_VHD lain_VVN there_RL unmoving_JJ ,_, wrapped_VVN in_II the_AT straitjacket_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE own_DA arms_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD refused_VVN to_TO look_VVI at_II the_AT clock_NN1 ._. 
The_AT red_JJ glow_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE digits_NN2 was_VBDZ an_AT1 annoyance_NN1 ._. 
So_RR was_VBDZ the_AT rank_NN1 ,_, fitful_JJ snoring_NN1 of_IO Bruno_NP1 at_II the_AT foot_NN1 of_IO the_AT bed_NN1 ._. 
Soon_RR the_AT old_JJ dog_NN1 would_VM be_VBI sleeping_VVG for_RR21 good_RR22 ,_, he_PPHS1 thought_VVD ._. 
Was_VBDZ n't_XX that_DD1 a_AT1 terrible_JJ thing_NN1 ?_? 
Hot_JJ mist_NN1 rose_VVD in_II Teddy_NP1 's_GE eyes_NN2 ._. 
His_APPGE nerves_NN2 felt_VVD nibbled_VVD down_RP to_II the_AT cobs_NN2 ._. 
His_APPGE feet_NN2 dangled_VVN over_II the_AT edge_NN1 of_IO the_AT bed_NN1 ,_, seeking_VVG purchase_NN1 in_II the_AT invisible_JJ ._. 
(_( Older_JJR people_NN ,_, he_PPHS1 'd_VM read_VVI ,_, had_VHD trouble_NN1 sleeping_VVG too_RR ._. )_) 
The_AT stubbled_JJ topography_NN1 of_IO the_AT ceiling_NN1 was_VBDZ like_II a_AT1 tote_NN1 board_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE discontents_NN2 ._. 
His_APPGE job_NN1 was_VBDZ no_RR21 longer_RR22 his_APPGE job_NN1 exactly_RR ._. 
His_APPGE friends_NN2 were_VBDR no_RR21 longer_RR22 his_APPGE friends_NN2 exactly_RR ._. 
His_APPGE wife_NN1 had_VHD retreated_VVN into_II her_APPGE own_DA busy_JJ sphere_NN1 of_IO influence_NN1 and_CC seemed_VVD no_RR21 longer_RR22 quite_RG his_APPGE wife_NN1 exactly_RR ._. 
His_APPGE daughters_NN2 ,_, Mimi_NP1 and_CC Danielle_NP1 ,_, had_VHD abandoned_VVN the_AT father-ship_NN1 altogether_RR --_JJ Danny_NP1 adrift_JJ in_II the_AT third_MD world_NN1 ;_; Mimi_NP1 at_II sea_NN1 in_II her_APPGE own_DA house_NN1 ,_, eddying_VVG listlessly_RR in_II circles_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 groaned_VVD ._. 
The_AT night_NNT1 seemed_VVD boundless_JJ ,_, vast_JJ ,_, a_AT1 wilderness_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VM never_RR be_VBI permitted_VVN to_TO leave_VVI ._. 
For_IF him_PPHO1 ,_, as_II21 for_II22 Bruno_NP1 ,_, life_NN1 had_VHD narrowed_VVN to_II a_AT1 waiting_JJ game_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ was_VBDZ left_VVN to_TO happen_VVI ?_? 
Only_RR the_AT one_MC1 great_JJ thing_NN1 ..._... 
He_PPHS1 thought_VVD of_IO Philip_NP1 ,_, in_II his_APPGE own_DA hard_JJ bed_NN1 underground_RL ._. 
His_APPGE brother_NN1 's_GE death_NN1 from_II melanoma_NN1 the_AT year_NNT1 before_RT was_VBDZ like_II an_AT1 explosion_NN1 in_II space_NN1 :_: stunning_JJ ,_, weightless_JJ ,_, invisible_JJ ._. 
Poor_JJ Philly_NP1 ,_, he_PPHS1 thought_VVD ,_, I_PPIS1 'll_VM never_RR see_VVI him_PPHO1 again_RT ._. 
And_CC yet_RR in_II truth_NN1 he_PPHS1 saw_VVD Philip_NP1 all_DB the_AT time_NNT1 ._. 
Whenever_RRQV he_PPHS1 closed_VVD his_APPGE eyes_NN2 ,_, there_EX was_VBDZ Philip_NP1 's_GE face_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 pale_JJ bubble_NN1 ,_, floating_VVG untethered_JJ across_II the_AT insides_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE lids_NN2 ._. 
Every_AT1 night_NNT1 he_PPHS1 loomed_VVD a_RR21 little_RR22 closer_RRR ._. 
Yes_UH ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ almost_RR oppressive_JJ at_II this_DD1 point_NN1 ,_, almost_RR tedious_JJ ,_, how_RGQ often_RR he_PPHS1 saw_VVD Philip_NP1 ._. 
Time_NNT1 to_TO close_VVI the_AT door_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 thought_VVD ,_, on_II the_AT whole_JJ death-of-Philip_NP1 business_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 year_NNT1 in_II any_DD culture_NN1 was_VBDZ long_RR enough_RR for_IF mourning_NN1 ._. 
And_CC yet_RR the_AT door_NN1 was_VBDZ such_DA a_AT1 warped_JJ ,_, flimsy_JJ thing_NN1 ;_; it_PPH1 opened_VVD and_CC opened_VVN but_CCB never_RR closed_VVN ._. 
What_DDQ kind_NN1 of_IO door_NN1 was_VBDZ that_DD1 ?_? 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ only_JJ October_NPM1 but_CCB the_AT leaves_NN2 were_VBDR down_RP ,_, the_AT brook_NN1 behind_II the_AT house_NN1 had_VHD grown_VVN its_APPGE first_MD skin_NN1 of_IO ice_NN1 ._. 
