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Show 6-4 I did not feel as hesitant as I had before. I knew where I was going and who I wanted to see. But I was not sure how he would greet me. Then I saw him, sitting on the same bench, looking out over the same grassy field. I stood in the path a moment and looked at him. From the side, I could see him, his head tipped back against the high back, but I could not see his face for he had a hat* pulled low over his eyes, shading most of his face from the hot sun. His hands and arms lay on his knees, his hands turned upwards, as if he was warming whatever lay beneath the bandages. I was afraid he was asleep and didn't want to wake him. The warm day, the silence of the men behind me, all was peaceful. I rested in it a moment. Then he lifted his head and looked down at his hands. I walked up to him, quietly, ready to run back up to the path. The grass was dry and scorched on the slope and my feet crunched as I slid down from the path. He turned. "Hello," he said. "I've been waiting for you." I let out a huge breath and smiled at him. "Hi, Andrew. I was afraid you were asleep." "Nope, just resting in the sun." He moved over on the bench, making room for me and my bookbag. "You always lug that thing around?" But he reached out for it as he had before. He seemed to always forget how useless his hands were. "Not always. But I brought some books you might like to see. Mother calls me a bookrat. I always carry one with me. In case, you know, I have a chance to read." "You're a funny kid. Let's see what you have." I opened the bookbag and pulled out the books. I slid the cookies and apples down into the pack. |