Chapter 3-010

When I went in to see him, those big handsof his were woven together, resting on thenewspaper in his lap. I said, “Granddad? You wanted to see me?” “Have a seat, son.” Son? Half the time he didn't seem to know who Iwas, and now suddenly I was “son”? I sat in the chair opposite him and waited. “Tell me about your friend Juli Baker.” “Juli?She's not exactly my friend … !” “Why is that?” heasked. Calmly. Like he had prior knowledge. I started to justify it, thenstopped myself and asked, “Why do you want to know?” He opened the paper andpressed down the crease, and that's when Irealized that Juli Baker had made the front page of the Mayfield Times. Therewas a huge picture of her in the tree, surrounded by a fire brigade and policemen, and then some smaller photos Icouldn't make out very well.