The_AT Last_MD Child_NN1 Johnny_NP1 learned_VVD early_RR ._. 
If_CS somebody_PN1 asked_VVD him_PPHO1 why_RRQ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ so_RG different_JJ ,_, why_RRQ he_PPHS1 held_VVD himself_PPX1 so_RG still_RR and_CC why_RRQ his_APPGE eyes_NN2 seemed_VVD to_TO swallow_VVI light_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 's_VBZ what_DDQ he_PPHS1 'd_VM tell_VVI them_PPHO2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 learned_VVD early_RR that_CST there_EX was_VBDZ no_AT safe_JJ place_NN1 ,_, not_XX the_AT backyard_NN1 or_CC the_AT playground_NN1 ,_, not_XX the_AT front_JJ porch_NN1 or_CC the_AT quiet_JJ road_NN1 that_CST grazed_VVD the_AT edge_NN1 of_IO town_NN1 ._. 
No_AT safe_JJ place_NN1 ,_, and_CC no_PN121 one_PN122 to_TO protect_VVI you_PPY ._. 
Childhood_NN1 was_VBDZ illusion_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN up_RP for_IF an_AT1 hour_NNT1 ,_, waiting_VVG for_IF the_AT night_NNT1 sounds_VVZ to_TO fade_VVI ,_, for_IF the_AT sun_NN1 to_TO slide_VVI close_JJ enough_RR to_TO call_VVI it_PPH1 morning_NNT1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ Monday_NPD1 ,_, still_RR dark_JJ ,_, but_CCB Johnny_NP1 rarely_RR slept_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 woke_VVD to_TO patrol_VVI dark_JJ windows_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 rattled_VVD the_AT locks_NN2 twice_RR a_AT1 night_NNT1 ,_, watched_VVD the_AT empty_JJ road_NN1 and_CC the_AT dirt_NN1 drive_VV0 that_CST looked_VVD like_II chalk_NN1 when_CS the_AT moon_NN1 rose_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 checked_VVD on_II his_APPGE mom_NN1 ,_, except_CS when_CS Ken_NP1 was_VBDZ at_II the_AT house_NN1 ._. 
Ken_NP1 had_VHD a_AT1 temper_NN1 and_CC wore_VVD a_AT1 large_JJ gold_NN1 ring_NN1 that_CST made_VVD perfect_JJ oval_JJ bruises_NN2 ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ another_DD1 lesson_NN1 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 pulled_VVD on_II a_AT1 T-shirt_NN1 and_CC frayed_JJ jeans_NN2 ,_, then_RT walked_VVD to_II the_AT bedroom_NN1 door_NN1 and_CC cracked_VVD it_PPH1 ._. 
Light_NN1 spilled_VVD down_RP the_AT narrow_JJ hall_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT air_NN1 felt_VVD used_VVN up_RP ._. 
He_PPHS1 smelled_VVD cigarettes_NN2 and_CC spilled_JJ liquor_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ probably_RR bourbon_NN1 ._. 
For_IF an_AT1 instant_NNT1 ,_, Johnny_NP1 recalled_VVD the_AT way_NN1 mornings_NNT2 used_VVN to_TO smell_VVI ,_, eggs_NN2 and_CC coffee_NN1 and_CC the_AT sharp_JJ tang_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE aftershave_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 good_JJ memory_NN1 ,_, so_CS he_PPHS1 drove_VVD it_PPH1 down_RP ,_, crushed_VVD it_PPH1 ._. 
It_PPH1 only_RR made_VVD things_NN2 harder_RRR ._. 
In_II the_AT hall_NN1 ,_, shag_VV0 carpet_NN1 rose_VVD stiff_JJ under_II his_APPGE toes_NN2 ._. 
The_AT door_NN1 to_II his_APPGE mother_NN1 's_GE room_NN1 hung_VVD loose_JJ in_II its_APPGE frame_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ hollow_JJ core_NN1 and_CC unpainted_JJ ,_, a_AT1 mismatch_NN1 ._. 
The_AT original_JJ door_NN1 lay_VVD splintered_VVN in_II the_AT backyard_NN1 ,_, kicked_VVD off_RP its_APPGE hinges_NN2 a_AT1 month_NNT1 back_RP when_CS Ken_NP1 and_CC Johnny_NP1 's_GE mother_NN1 got_VVN into_II it_PPH1 after_II hours_NNT2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 never_RR said_VVD what_DDQ the_AT argument_NN1 was_VBDZ about_RP ,_, but_CCB Johnny_NP1 guessed_VVD it_PPH1 had_VHD something_PN1 to_TO do_VDI with_IW him_PPHO1 ._. 
A_AT1 year_NNT1 ago_RA ,_, Ken_NP1 could_VM never_RR have_VHI gotten_VVN close_RR to_II a_AT1 woman_NN1 like_II her_PPHO1 ,_, and_CC Johnny_NP1 never_RR let_VV0 him_PPHO1 forget_VVI it_PPH1 ;_; but_CCB that_DD1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 year_NNT1 ago_RA ._. 
A_AT1 lifetime_NNT1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 'd_VHD known_VVN Ken_NP1 for_IF years_NNT2 ,_, or_CC thought_VVD they_PPHS2 had_VHD ._. 
Johnny_NP1 's_GE dad_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 contractor_NN1 ,_, and_CC Ken_NP1 built_VVD whole_JJ neighborhoods_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 worked_VVD well_RR together_RL because_CS Johnny_NP1 's_GE dad_NN1 was_VBDZ fast_JJ and_CC competent_JJ ,_, and_CC because_CS Ken_NP1 was_VBDZ smart_JJ enough_RR to_TO respect_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
Because_II21 of_II22 that_DD1 ,_, Ken_NP1 had_VHD always_RR been_VBN pleasant_JJ and_CC mindful_JJ ,_, even_RR after_II the_AT kidnapping_NN1 ,_, right_RR up_II21 until_II22 Johnny_NP1 's_GE dad_NN1 decided_VVD that_DD1 grief_NN1 and_CC guilt_NN1 were_VBDR too_RG much_DA1 to_TO bear_VVI ._. 
But_CCB after_CS his_APPGE dad_NN1 left_VVD ,_, the_AT respect_NN1 disappeared_VVD ,_, and_CC Ken_NP1 started_VVD coming_VVG around_RP a_AT1 lot_NN1 ._. 
Now_RT he_PPHS1 ran_VVD things_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 kept_VVD Johnny_NP1 's_GE mother_NN1 dependent_NN1 and_CC alone_RR ,_, kept_VVD her_PPHO1 medicated_VVD or_CC drunk_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 told_VVD her_PPHO1 what_DDQ to_TO do_VDI and_CC she_PPHS1 did_VDD it_PPH1 ._. 
Cook_VV0 a_AT1 steak_NN1 ._. 
Go_VV0 to_II the_AT bedroom_NN1 ._. 
Lock_VV0 the_AT door_NN1 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 took_VVD it_PPH1 in_RP with_IW those_DD2 black_JJ eyes_NN2 ,_, and_CC often_RR found_VVD himself_PPX1 in_II the_AT kitchen_NN1 ,_, at_II night_NNT1 ,_, three_MC fingers_NN2 on_II the_AT big_JJ knife_NN1 in_II its_APPGE wooden_JJ block_NN1 ,_, picturing_VVG the_AT soft_JJ place_NN1 above_II Ken_NP1 's_GE chest_NN1 ,_, thinking_VVG about_II it_PPH1 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 predator_NN1 ,_, pure_JJ and_CC simple_JJ ;_; and_CC Johnny_NP1 's_GE mother_NN1 had_VHD faded_VVN down_RP to_II nothing_PN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 weighed_VVD less_DAR than_CSN a_AT1 hundred_NNO pounds_NN2 and_CC was_VBDZ as_CSA drawn_VVN as_II a_AT1 shut-in_NN1 ,_, but_CCB Johnny_NP1 saw_VVD the_AT way_NN1 men_NN2 looked_VVN at_II her_PPHO1 ,_, the_AT way_NN1 Ken_NP1 got_VVD possessive_JJ when_CS she_PPHS1 made_VVD it_PPH1 out_II21 of_II22 the_AT house_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE skin_NN1 ,_, though_CS pale_JJ ,_, was_VBDZ flawless_JJ ,_, her_APPGE eyes_NN2 large_JJ and_CC deep_JJ and_CC wounded_VVD ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ thirty-three_MC ,_, and_CC looked_VVN like_II an_AT1 angel_NN1 would_VM look_VVI if_CSW there_EX was_VBDZ such_DA a_AT1 thing_NN1 ,_, dark-haired_JJ and_CC fragile_JJ and_CC unearthly_JJ ._. 
Men_NN2 stopped_VVD what_DDQ they_PPHS2 were_VBDR doing_VDG when_RRQ she_PPHS1 walked_VVD into_II a_AT1 room_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 stared_VVD as_CS21 if_CS22 a_AT1 glow_NN1 came_VVD off_RP her_APPGE skin_NN1 ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 she_PPHS1 might_VM rise_VVI from_II the_AT ground_NN1 at_II any_DD moment_NN1 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 opened_VVD the_AT garage_NN1 door_NN1 and_CC started_VVD the_AT truck_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 ran_VVD rough_JJ and_CC spilled_JJ blue_JJ smoke_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ drivable_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 stuck_VVD to_II side_NN1 streets_NN2 until_CS he_PPHS1 hit_VVD the_AT four-lane_NN1 ,_, then_RT he_PPHS1 stepped_VVD on_II the_AT gas_NN1 and_CC the_AT truck_NN1 jolted_VVD beneath_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 slowed_VVD as_CSA he_PPHS1 approached_VVD Main_NP1 Street_NNL1 ,_, then_RT cut_VV0 right_RR down_RP a_AT1 one-way_JJ to_TO avoid_VVI traffic_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 drove_VVD slowly_RR ._. 
Neighborhoods_NN2 decayed_VVD the_AT closer_RRR he_PPHS1 got_VVD to_II the_AT tracks_NN2 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 heard_VVD music_NN1 and_CC raised_JJ voices_NN2 ,_, the_AT crump_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 misaligned_JJ door_NN1 slamming_VVG shut_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 found_VVD Huron_NP1 Street_NNL1 and_CC turned_VVD left_RL ._. 
Parked_JJ cars_NN2 cluttered_VVD the_AT narrow_JJ street_NN1 and_CC glass_NN1 winked_VVD in_II the_AT gutter_NN1 ._. 
Weeds_NN2 grew_VVD tall_JJ from_II cracks_NN2 in_II the_AT curb_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 dog_NN1 exploded_VVD at_II him_PPHO1 from_II the_AT darkness_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 patch_NN1 of_IO brown_JJ on_II black_JJ ,_, a_AT1 jagged_JJ outline_NN1 that_CST jerked_VVD to_II a_AT1 halt_NN1 at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE chain_NN1 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 drove_VVD on_RP ,_, but_CCB there_EX were_VBDR other_JJ dogs_NN2 in_II other_JJ yards_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 imagined_VVD fingers_NN2 on_II thin_JJ curtains_NN2 ,_, people_NN stained_JJ television_NN1 blue_JJ as_CSA they_PPHS2 bent_VVD to_TO peer_VVI through_II filthy_JJ windows_NN2 ._. 
And_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ not_XX just_RR imagination_NN1 ._. 
To_II the_AT left_JJ ,_, a_AT1 man_NN1 stepped_VVN through_II his_APPGE front_JJ door_NN1 and_CC onto_II the_AT porch_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD pale_JJ feet_NN2 ,_, wore_VVD jeans_NN2 with_IW no_AT shirt_NN1 ,_, and_CC sucked_VVD on_II the_AT cigarette_NN1 that_CST hung_VVD between_II his_APPGE lips_NN2 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 ignored_VVD him_PPHO1 and_CC drove_VVD on_RP ._. 
Freemantle_NP1 's_GE house_NN1 solidified_VVD ahead_RL and_CC to_II the_AT right_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 lightless_JJ hulk_NN1 pinned_VVN on_II a_AT1 dark_JJ lot_NN1 ._. 
Behind_II it_PPH1 ,_, pale_JJ gravel_NN1 spilled_VVD down_RP the_AT bank_NN1 that_CST led_VVD to_II the_AT tracks_NN2 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 smelled_VVD creosote_NN1 ,_, rock_NN1 dust_NN1 ,_, and_CC oil_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 pulled_VVD to_II the_AT curb_NN1 and_CC killed_VVD the_AT engine_NN1 ._. 
Behind_II him_PPHO1 ,_, in_II a_AT1 house_NN1 the_AT color_NN1 of_IO mustard_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 baby_NN1 cried_VVD ._. 
Johnny_NP1 stepped_VVD onto_II the_AT street_NN1 and_CC the_AT baby_NN1 fell_VVD quiet_JJ ._. 
The_AT dogs_NN2 settled_VVD down_RP ._. 
Stepping_VVG into_II Freemantle_NP1 's_GE yard_NN1 ,_, Johnny_NP1 saw_VVD yellow_JJ tape_NN1 strung_VVN between_II the_AT posts_NN2 that_CST held_VVD up_RP the_AT porch_NN1 roof_NN1 ._. 
Ducking_VVG beneath_II the_AT tape_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 cupped_VVD his_APPGE hands_NN2 around_II his_APPGE face_NN1 and_CC tried_VVD to_TO see_VVI inside_RL ._. 
Nothing_PN1 ._. 
More_RGR dark_JJ ._. 
Johnny_NP1 pulled_VVD down_RP more_DAR yellow_JJ tape_NN1 ._. 
The_AT door_NN1 swung_VVD open_JJ at_II his_APPGE touch_NN1 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 stepped_VVD inside_RL ,_, but_CCB there_EX was_VBDZ no_PN121 one_PN122 ._. 
The_AT house_NN1 was_VBDZ empty_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 flipped_VVD on_II lights_NN2 and_CC saw_VVD blood_NN1 on_II the_AT wall_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 scared_VVD him_PPHO1 ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ real_JJ ._. 
The_AT blood_NN1 was_VBDZ streaked_VVN and_CC black_JJ ._. 
Gray_JJ powder_NN1 stained_JJ light_NN1 switches_NN2 and_CC doorknobs_NN2 ._. 
In_II the_AT back_NN1 room_NN1 ,_, the_AT blood_NN1 was_VBDZ worse_JJR ._. 
So_RR was_VBDZ the_AT smell_NN1 ._. 
Oily_JJ and_CC thick_JJ ,_, it_PPH1 stuck_VVD in_II his_APPGE throat_NN1 ._. 
Dried_JJ blood_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 desert_NN1 on_II the_AT floor_NN1 ._. 
Tape_NN1 marked_VVN where_CS the_AT bodies_NN2 had_VHD fallen_VVN ._. 
Two_MC bodies_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 desert_NN1 of_IO blood_NN1 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 turned_VVD and_CC ran_VVD for_IF the_AT front_JJ door_NN1 ._. 
The_AT hall_NN1 constricted_VVN and_CC his_APPGE shadow_NN1 twisted_VVN as_CSA he_PPHS1 ran_VVD ._. 
The_AT door_NN1 stood_VVD open_JJ ,_, a_AT1 hard_JJ ,_, black_JJ empty_JJ with_IW yellow_JJ tape_NN1 that_CST slapped_VVD at_II his_APPGE arms_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 leapt_VVD off_II the_AT porch_NN1 ,_, landed_VVD badly_RR ,_, and_CC tore_VVD skin_NN1 from_II his_APPGE palms_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 stumbled_VVD once_RR21 more_RR22 ,_, then_RT cranked_VVD up_RP the_AT truck_NN1 and_CC got_VVD the_AT hell_NN1 out_RP ._. 
The_AT dogs_NN2 rose_VVD to_TO send_VVI him_PPHO1 on_II his_APPGE way_NN1 ._. 
Hunt_NP1 bulled_VVD his_APPGE way_NN1 through_II town_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 crested_VVD the_AT last_MD hill_NN1 doing_VDG eighty_MC and_CC felt_VVD the_AT car_NN1 rise_VVI on_II its_APPGE shocks_NN2 ;_; then_RT he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ in_II the_AT trough_NN1 ,_, foot_NN1 pressing_VVG down_RP as_II the_AT needle_NN1 swung_VVN to_II ninety_MC ._. 
He_PPHS1 braked_VVD hard_RR at_II Katherine_NP1 's_GE drive_NN1 ,_, hung_VVD a_AT1 right_NN1 ,_, and_CC slid_VVD to_II a_AT1 halt_NN1 ._. 
Lights_NN2 burned_VVN in_II the_AT house_NN1 ._. 
Darkness_NN1 gathered_VVN in_II the_AT trees_NN2 ._. 
No_AT squad_NN1 car_NN1 ._. 
Hunt_NP1 spilled_VVD out_RP ,_, lights_NN2 thumping_VVG blue_JJ behind_II the_AT grille_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE car_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 scanned_VVD the_AT tree_NN1 line_NN1 and_CC the_AT yard_NN1 ,_, one_MC1 hand_NN1 on_II his_APPGE holstered_JJ weapon_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ quiet_JJ and_CC still_RR ;_; the_AT porch_NN1 felt_VVD hollow_NN1 beneath_II his_APPGE feet_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 hammered_VVD on_II the_AT door_NN1 ,_, sensed_VVD movement_NN1 inside_RL and_CC stepped_VVD back_RP ,_, checking_VVG the_AT yard_NN1 behind_II him_PPHO1 once_RR21 again_RR22 ._. 
The_AT lock_NN1 disengaged_VVN and_CC the_AT door_NN1 opened_VVD a_AT1 crack_NN1 ,_, then_RT swung_VVD wide_JJ ._. 
Katherine_NP1 Merrimon_NP1 stood_VVD in_II the_AT light_NN1 ,_, tear-stained_JJ and_CC small_JJ ,_, an_AT1 eight-inch_NNU1 butcher_NN1 's_GE knife_NN1 gripped_VVN between_II fingers_NN2 squeezed_VVN to_II bone_NN1 ._. 
The_AT court_NN1 ordered_VVD Johnny_NP1 to_TO see_VVI a_AT1 psychologist_NN1 ,_, and_CC so_RR he_PPHS1 did_VDD ,_, but_CCB the_AT guy_NN1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 idiot_NN1 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 told_VVD him_PPHO1 what_DDQ he_PPHS1 needed_VVD to_TO hear_VVI ._. 
He_PPHS1 described_VVD made-up_JJ dreams_NN2 of_IO domestic_JJ boredom_NN1 and_CC claimed_VVD to_TO sleep_VVI through_II the_AT night_NNT1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 swore_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 no_RR21 longer_RR22 believed_VVN in_II the_AT power_NN1 of_IO things_NN2 unseen_JJ ,_, not_XX totems_NN2 or_CC magic_JJ or_CC dark_JJ birds_NN2 that_CST steal_VV0 the_AT souls_NN2 of_IO the_AT dead_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD no_AT desire_NN1 to_TO shoot_VVI anyone_PN1 ,_, no_AT desire_NN1 to_TO harm_VVI himself_PPX1 or_CC others_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 expressed_VVD honest_JJ emotion_NN1 about_II the_AT deaths_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE father_NN1 and_CC sister_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ grief_NN1 ,_, pure_JJ gut-wrenching_JJ loss_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 loved_VVD his_APPGE mother_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 ,_, too_RR ,_, was_VBDZ truth_NN1 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 watched_VVD the_AT shrink_NN1 nod_VVI and_CC make_VVI notes_NN2 ._. 
Then_RT he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX have_VHI to_TO go_VVI anymore_RR ._. 
Just_RR like_II that_DD1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 let_VV0 Johnny_NP1 see_VVI his_APPGE mother_NN1 once_RR a_AT1 week_NNT1 for_IF supervised_JJ visitation_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 'd_VM go_VVI to_II the_AT park_NN1 ,_, sit_VV0 in_II the_AT shade_NN1 ._. 
Each_DD1 week_NNT1 ,_, she_PPHS1 brought_VVD Jack_NP1 's_GE letters_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 wrote_VVD at_RR21 least_RR22 one_MC1 a_AT1 day_NNT1 ,_, sometimes_RT more_RRR ._. 
He_PPHS1 never_RR discussed_VVD how_RGQ bad_JJ it_PPH1 was_VBDZ in_II the_AT place_NN1 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD sent_VVN him_PPHO1 ._. 
Never_RR about_II his_APPGE hours_NNT2 ,_, his_APPGE days_NNT2 ._. 
Jack_NP1 talked_VVD most_DAT of_IO regret_NN1 and_CC shame_NN1 and_CC of_IO how_RRQ Johnny_NP1 was_VBDZ the_AT only_JJ good_JJ thing_NN1 in_II his_APPGE life_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 talked_VVD of_IO things_NN2 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD done_VDN together_RL ,_, plans_VVZ they_PPHS2 'd_VHD made_VVN for_IF the_AT future_NN1 ._. 
And_CC he_PPHS1 begged_VVD to_TO be_VBI forgiven_VVN ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ how_RRQ he_PPHS1 ended_VVD all_DB of_IO his_APPGE letters_NN2 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 ,_, please_RR ._. 
Tell_VV0 me_PPIO1 we_PPIS2 're_VBR friends_NN2 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 read_VVD every_AT1 letter_NN1 ,_, but_CCB never_RR responded_VVN ._. 
They_PPHS2 filled_VVD a_AT1 shoe_NN1 box_NN1 under_II the_AT bed_NN1 at_II his_APPGE foster_JJ house_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY should_VM write_VVI him_PPHO1 back_RP ,_, "_" his_APPGE mother_NN1 told_VVD him_PPHO1 once_RR ._. 
"_" After_II what_DDQ happened_VVD ?_? 
After_II what_DDQ he_PPHS1 did_VDD ?_? "_" 
"_" He_PPHS1 's_VBZ your_APPGE best_JJT friend_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE father_NN1 broke_VVD his_APPGE arm_NN1 ._. 
Think_VV0 about_II that_DD1 ._. "_" 
Johnny_NP1 shook_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
"_" There_EX were_VBDR a_AT1 million_NNO times_NNT2 he_PPHS1 could_VM have_VHI told_VVN me_PPIO1 ._. 
A_AT1 million_NNO ways_NN2 ._. "_" 
"_" He_PPHS1 's_VBZ young_JJ ,_, Johnny_NP1 ._. 
You_PPY 're_VBR both_RR so_RG very_RG young_JJ ._. "_" 
Johnny_NP1 stared_VVD at_II the_AT court-appointed_JJ monitor_NN1 while_CS the_AT idea_NN1 rolled_VVN in_II his_APPGE mind_NN1 ._. 
"_" Did_VDD you_PPY forgive_VVI Detective_NN1 Hunt_NP1 's_GE son_NN1 ?_? "_" 
She_PPHS1 followed_VVD Johnny_NP1 's_GE gaze_NN1 ._. 
The_AT monitor_NN1 sat_VVD at_II a_AT1 nearby_JJ picnic_NN1 table_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ hot_JJ in_II a_AT1 blue_JJ suit_NN1 too_RG heavy_JJ for_IF the_AT season_NNT1 ._. 
"_" Hunt_NP1 's_GE son_NN1 ?_? "_" she_PPHS1 asked_VVD ,_, voice_VV0 distant_JJ ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 seems_VVZ very_RG young_JJ ,_, too_RR ._. "_" 
"_" Are_VBR you_PPY seeing_VVG Detective_NN1 Hunt_NP1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Your_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE funeral_NN1 is_VBZ tomorrow_RT ,_, Johnny_NP1 ._. 
How_RRQ could_VM I_PPIS1 be_VBI seeing_VVG anyone_PN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" It_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI okay_JJ ,_, I_PPIS1 think_VV0 ._. "_" 
His_APPGE mother_NN1 squeezed_VVD his_APPGE arm_NN1 and_CC stood_VVD ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ time_NNT1 ._. "_" 
The_AT court_NN1 monitor_NN1 was_VBDZ approaching_VVG ._. 
"_" You_PPY have_VH0 the_AT suit_NN1 ?_? "_" she_PPHS1 asked_VVD ._. 
"_" The_AT tie_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Yes_UH ._. "_" 
"_" Do_VD0 you_PPY like_VVI them_PPHO2 ?_? "_" 
"_" Yes_UH ._. "_" 
They_PPHS2 had_VHD a_AT1 few_DA2 seconds_NNT2 left_VVN ._. 
The_AT next_MD time_NNT1 they_PPHS2 were_VBDR together_RL ,_, it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI to_TO bury_VVI the_AT ones_NN2 they_PPHS2 loved_VVD most_RRT ._. 
The_AT monitor_NN1 stopped_VVD a_AT1 few_DA2 feet_NN2 away_RL ._. 
She_PPHS1 gestured_VVD at_II her_APPGE watch_NN1 ,_, and_CC her_APPGE face_NN1 reflected_VVD something_PN1 like_II regret_NN1 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 's_GE mother_NN1 turned_VVD away_RL ,_, eyes_NN2 bright_JJ ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM pick_VVI you_PPY up_RP early_RR ._. "_" 
Johnny_NP1 took_VVD her_APPGE hand_NN1 and_CC squeezed_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM be_VBI ready_JJ ._. "_" 
The_AT funeral_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 double_JJ service_NN1 ._. 
Father_NN1 and_CC daughter_NN1 ,_, side_NN1 by_II side_NN1 ._. 
Hunt_NP1 called_VVD in_II favors_NN2 and_CC had_VHD the_AT cemetery_NN1 cordoned_VVN off_RP to_TO protect_VVI the_AT family_NN1 from_II the_AT idle_JJ curious_JJ ,_, the_AT press_NN1 ._. 
The_AT priest_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX the_AT same_DA fat_NN1 ,_, red-faced_JJ priest_NN1 that_CST Johnny_NP1 remembered_VVD in_II such_DA poor_JJ light_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 young_JJ man_NN1 ,_, thin_JJ and_CC serious_JJ ,_, a_AT1 blade_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 priest_NN1 in_II white_JJ ,_, flashing_VVG robes_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 spoke_VVD of_IO choice_NN1 and_CC the_AT power_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 's_GE love_NN1 ._. 
Power_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 made_VVD the_AT word_NN1 sing_VV0 ,_, so_CS21 that_CS22 Johnny_NP1 nodded_VVD when_RRQ he_PPHS1 said_VVD it_PPH1 ._. 
The_AT power_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 's_GE love_NN1 ._. 
Johnny_NP1 nodded_VVD but_CCB kept_VVD his_APPGE eyes_NN2 on_II the_AT coffins_NN2 and_CC on_II the_AT high_JJ blue_JJ sky_NN1 ._. 
The_AT high_JJ ,_, empty_JJ sky_NN1 ._. 
Three_MC weeks_NNT2 after_II the_AT funeral_NN1 ,_, Katherine_NP1 stood_VVD in_II the_AT yard_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 well-maintained_JJ two-bedroom_JJ house_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 had_VHD a_AT1 covered_JJ front_JJ porch_NN1 ,_, two_MC bathrooms_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT largest_JJT ,_, greenest_JJT yard_NN1 she_PPHS1 could_VM find_VVI ._. 
The_AT kitchen_NN1 was_VBDZ newly_RR remodeled_VVN ._. 
Down_II the_AT street_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT house_NN1 that_CST Johnny_NP1 had_VHD lived_VVN in_II all_DB of_IO his_APPGE life_NN1 ,_, minus_II the_AT last_MD year_NNT1 or_CC so_RR ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VHD hoped_VVN to_TO buy_VVI that_DD1 one_PN1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT life_NN1 insurance_NN1 from_II her_APPGE late_JJ husband_NN1 had_VHD to_TO last_VVI until_CS she_PPHS1 figured_VVD what_DDQ to_TO do_VDI with_IW her_APPGE life_NN1 ._. 
How_RRQ to_TO make_VVI a_AT1 living_NN1 for_IF her_PPHO1 and_CC her_APPGE son_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 stared_VVD down_II the_AT street_NN1 ,_, then_RT let_VV0 it_PPH1 go_VVI ._. 
This_DD1 place_NN1 had_VHD a_AT1 tree_NN1 house_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 creek_NN1 that_CST ran_VVD through_II the_AT backyard_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI enough_RR ._. 
When_CS Hunt_NP1 came_VVD out_II21 of_II22 the_AT house_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE shirt_NN1 was_VBDZ wet_VVN with_IW sweat_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 tuft_NN1 of_IO fiberglass_NN1 insulation_NN1 sprouted_VVD from_II the_AT back_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 turned_VVD and_CC looked_VVD back_RP at_II the_AT house_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ solid_JJ ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ nice_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY think_VV0 Johnny_NP1 will_VM like_VVI it_PPH1 ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 think_VV0 so_RR ._. 
Yes_UH ._. "_" 
