a mountain of hate and love

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    A MOUNTAIN OF LOVE AND HATE

    By George Rolph

    July 2014.

    There were no phone lines over Fallbeck Mounain in 1!4". The only way o co##unicae o $olkson he oher si%e was by ra%io& leer& or in person. Ra%io worke% 'uicker i$ here were no

    hun%ersor#s aroun% o ruin he signal& bu only hen i$ (elese Mo)on was ho#e an% willing o

    relay your conversaions o $olks on he oher si%e o$ he big rock.

    *er house a he op o$ he #ounain was per$ecly siuae% $or he +ob o$ being a ra%io repeaer. ,he

    ha% a big& $our ban%& ra%io insalle% ha she lisene% oo. -ach ban%& labelle% /&F& an% (. on he

    ban% swich serve% a %i$$eren %epar#en $or he co##uniy. These were $or he police& he $ire

    crews& %ocors an% $or civilian use. -ach ban% ha% heir own separae $re'uency an% he ra%io ha% a

    general calling channel on channel 14. was his channel ha (elese ha% o #onior. 3hen a call

    ca#e hrough she an% he caller woul% hen swich o he ban% assigne% an% he conversaion coul%begin.

    Mosly he callers were civilians calling o le heir husban%s or wives know hey woul% be ho#e

    $ro# he oher si%e o$ he #ounain soon& or ha hey coul% no ge wha was wane% $ro# he sore

    an% %i% he or she wan he# o ge so#ehing else insea% 5ou know he kin% o$ hing.

    The 6*F ra%ios were wha is calle%& 7line8o$8sigh9 ra%ios. Tha is& he signal woul% go ou $ro#

    he anenna an% as long as i %i%n: hi anyhing big enough o %e$lec i an% sen% i o$$ in a %i$$eren

    %irecion ;ike one pool ball hiing anoher on he /ool able& he receiving saion woul% ge i

    lou% an% clear. The #ounain isel$ was one such big obsrucion bu i coul% also be a house& oreven& a big enough ree.

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    ha% learne% which voice was one o$ he hree %ocors in he area& which was he $ire saion ra%io

    operaor& which was he sheri$$ or his %epuy& an% so on. ,he knew in an insan which ban% o ell

    he caller o selec an% i$ he call was going o be urgen or no.

    Billy Mo)on was in love wih ,arah ,an$iel% an% having o alk hrough (elese Mo)on was

    $rusraing an% %arne% e#barrassing.

    The ki%s ha% co%es o$ course. >ll ki%s ha% co%es hey use% when hey %i% no wan a%uls o $igure

    ou wha hey were saying. ;ile phrases ha only hey knew he #eaning o$. The proble# was ha

    (elese was an -nglish uor a her ho#e an% in ouch wih ki%s an% heir co%es. 3hen Billy ol%

    ,arah ha he& 7caugh an% kille% a snake las nigh9 he suspece% ha ,arah was no he only person

    who knew ha #ean he ha% a #asurbaory $anasy abou #aking love o her.

    The only i#e ,arah an% Billy go o see each oher in he $lesh was a he annual couny $air in

    Blacksone every July ?h or& a he wice yearly carnival in Fenne#ore. @nless& as %i% so#ei#es

    happen& so#e oher social even croppe% up %uring he year. -ven hen here were always los o$

    $a#ily aroun% so being able o snach a kiss an% a $u#ble was har%. > he couny $air& he wo ki%s

    woul% spen% an e)raor%inary a#oun o$ i#e ri%ing he ghos rain ogeher an% $or one #inue an%

    weny secon%s a rip& hey coul% have a breahless goo% i#e in he %ark unnels& unseen by prying

    $a#ily eyes.

    (elese glance% a he clock an% s#ile%. n abou hiry secon%s& a A1A p# precisely& channel 14woul% co#e o li$e. ,he was knea%ing %ough on he kichen able an% soppe% o wipe he $lour

    $ro# her han%s be$ore she sa %own in $ron o$ he ra%io on is low shel$. ,he %rank a all glass o$

    Moonshine as she wache% he secon% han% on he clock. >s i hi he welve channel14 burs ino

    li$e. Billy was nohing i$ no puncual.

    7TarCan calling Fallbeck relay wih a #essage $or Jane. TarCan calling Fallbeck relay wih a

    #essage $or Jane. Dver9

    ,he swiche% on he #icrophone an% leane% over i.

    7This is Fallbeck relay& his is Fallbeck Relay& please swich o ban% (. Fre'uency 14A.?2A Repea.

    Ban% (& $re'uency 14A.?2A. Dver.9

    @n%ersoo% Fallbeck Relay. Ban% (& $re'uency 14A.?2A. Dver.

    ,he waie% hree secon%s o be sure he caller ha% swiche% ban%s an% $re'uencies an% hen&

    7This is Fallbeck Relay. Go ahea%& TarCan. Dver.9

    >s she waie% $or Billy o rea% his #essage $or her o repea o ,arah& she $el he $a#iliar kno o$bier $ury in her so#ach. ,he hae% his ki%& Billy wih he kin% o$ hare% ha sis in he belly like

    kin% o$ #alignan puss ooCing $ro# a cancer o$ he spiri. ,he hae% hi# an% his /a. -very i#e she

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    hear% his voice& or saw eiher Billy or his /a in he $lesh& ha hare% woul% ea a lile %eeper ino

    her #in%. @nil now she ha% always been able o %isguise i behin% her neural ra%io voice or& i$ she

    saw eiher o$ he# on he sree& a 'uick bu $ake s#ile.

    ,he #a%e no ae#p o ge a grip o$ her hae an% he $ury ha $e% i. ,he like% i. ,he like%

    encouraging i o growE o le i buil% up in her unil she ha% o ge %runk o en+oy i a is $ull $loo%

    as i surge% up $ro# her belly o her hear& shooing is lile bols o$ a%renalin $ille% rage ino her

    #in%. -ach bol acco#panie% by a clear an% %eaile% vision o$ so#e kin% o$ pain being in$lice% onBilly or Benrigh Mo)on. ,he woul% wach hese #ovies in her #in% wih sick %eligh. *er wise%

    i#aginaion $urnishing he visions wih creaive ways o in$lic su$$ering& lasing har# an% pain on

    he wo #ales she hae% above all ohers.

    The booCe woul% heighen he e)perience. allowe% her o %ich he inhibiions o$ conscience an%

    +us en+oy he unresrice%& guilless $low o$ her growing hae. ,he knew she was obsesse% by

    revenge bu she %i% no care. #aere% lile o her ha ohers woul% +u%ge her sick an% in nee% o$

    help i$ hey coul% see wha u#ble%& ooCe% an% crep hrough her being when her hae was in $ull

    $low. Though she was care$ul never o le he# see i. They woul% no un%ersan%.

    To her& hese hings were %elicious. 6isceral reas $or her #in%. > (hocolae ,un%ae o$ rage& hae

    an% vengeance oppe% wih sprinklings o$ paranoia& a wa$er o$ persecuion co#ple) an% serve% in a

    %eligh$ully col% %ish o$ > psychopahic& narcissisic longing $or acion on her par. n #any ways

    she was a $e#inis& weny years ahea% o$ her i#e. ,he ha% +us never %eci%e% o #ake her personal

    neuroses poliical& link he# o Mar)is# an% bore everyone else o %eah wih he#& while %oing as

    #uch %a#age o $a#ily li$e as possible an% luring supi% #en ino he poliical web wih lying

    slogans such as 7-'ualiy.9 73o#en:s Righs.9 7/ariarchy.9 7Dppression&9 an% on an% on.

    : a# wo#an. *ear #e roar:

    (elese swallowe% anoher #ouh$ul o$ Moonshine. ,he knew she was playing a %angerous ga#e

    by #i)ing $ury an% hare% wih booCe& bu she like% i. The alcohol loosene% her conrol like a

    $raying rope hol%ing up a swinging #ounain cli#ber. ,he en+oye% leing he booCe ea away a

    ha conrol unil she was sure he rope woul% par an% plunge he cli#ber ino he rocky %ephs

    below. ,he won%ere% wha i woul% $eel like as she $ell ino oal& ra#paging #a%ness. There was a

    hrill aache% o allowing hersel$ o ge closer an% closer o ha #enal an% spiriual abyss. To +us

    le her sel$ conrol snap an% hen lose hersel$ in he #ur%erous whirlpool o$ evil wihin her. To spin

    wil%ly ino a place where here were no social niceiesE where i was D o +us hae an% no be

    bohere% by social convenions an% resrainsE o beco#e& willingly& ani#alE wihou a conscience o$

    any kin% an% rea%y o e#brace evil as a $rien% o be love% an% no $eare%.

    @nil now she ha% always chickene% ou. ,o#ehing $ro# her every%ay li$e = so#e pleasan#e#ory or $uure ask ha nee%e% %oing = woul% always +erk her back o a #easure o$ saniy.

    To%ay hough& she ha% $oun% he courage o le he booCe sever he $raying rope o$ saniy. To%ay&

    she was going o le hersel$ go ino he %ark si%e. The place where her #oher live% an% who always

    urge% her o co#e an% +oin her& wihou acually saying so.

    Benrigh Mo)on was (elese:s e) husban% an% Billy was her son. ,he ha% le$ he# boh $or a goo%

    looking ravelling sales#an she ha% se%uce% when he ca#e o her %oor o ry an% sell her he laes

    $reeCer.

    7>ll #en an% wo#en harbour pervere% se)ual nee%s&9 her #oher ha% ol% her once a$er her $aher

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    ha% kille% hi#sel$. 7They hi%e he# un%er heir $ake social graces& bu hey all have he#. $ you

    can %iscover he# an% $ee% heir $anasies& hey will le you %o anyhing you wan o he#& o o

    keep he pleasure co#ing.9

    *er #oher has augh her wha o look $or. The suble signs& as well as he blaan ones. Men

    en%e% o be less suble abou he# han wo#en& her #oher ha% sai%.

    7Ge he# o alk abou se). Make he# $eel co#$orable wih you. /ush he# a lile %eeper every$ew #inues bu le he# know you ain: gonna +u%ge he# $or wha hey say. The #ore ourageous

    hey ge& he #ore ourageous you have o be. 5ou %on: have o like wha hey wan o %o or say o

    you& bu le he# %o i or say i anyway. :s worh i. Dnce hey have sai% or %one i& hey beco#e

    erri$ie% you #igh ell ohers abou he#. Tha:s he power you nee% over he#. @se heir personal

    guil agains he# an% i will ge you anyhing you wan.9

    (elese ha% use% ha %iabolical a%vice on her sales#an. ,he ha% lure% hi# insi%e by preen%ing o

    be inerese% in his wares. ,he sa hi# in he living roo# wih a col% %rink an% hen spille% her own

    by 7acci%en9 on her pans an% ha% rippe% o$$ o he be%roo# o change. 3hen she e#erge% she

    was wearing a $lare% Ra Ra skir ha was so shor i was in%ecen. *er un%erwear %iscar%e% on herbe%.

    ,he gave hi# lile gli#pses o$ her se) as she crosse% an% uncrosse% her long s#ooh legs while

    siing opposie hi# on he so$a. ,he saw his eyes $ollow he conours o$ her whie highs& up her

    skir an% hen wi%en as hey saw wha was hi%%en here. ,he saw hi# swallowing& har%. ,he

    observe% he conspicuous& swelling lu#p ening his rousers. ,he wache% hi# slowly lick his lips&

    no even aware he was %oing i. was as i$ she coul% see he houghs crossing his #in%E ra#pan&

    %esire $ille% houghs ha he %are no uer because o$ social #oors.

    *e was hooke%. *e was hungry an% $ull o$ hope ha she #igh sais$y ha hunger. ,he s#ile% a

    hi# an% $e% his hope. ;owering her one o$ voice a noch or wo. Dpening her legs& causally& $or

    longer an% longer each i#e. was an e)per se%ucion ha she seale% as she le her legs $all wi%eapar as she lean $orwar%s o place her e#py glass on he co$$ee able beween he#. *e looke%.

    ,he caugh his eye. ,he s#ile%. *e s#ile% back. *e gave he slighes o$ no%sE un%ersan%ing& a

    las& ha he show was no acci%en.

    *e ha% o$$ere% her a caalogue o look a. *is voice was shaky an% his han%s oo. *is eyes roa#ing

    her bo%y as she soo% up. *is #in% %rinking in her shape he way a %runk will gulp %own he $irs

    beer o$ he #orning. ,he crosse% he s#all gap beween he# an%& as she ook he vibraing

    caalogue $ro# his han%s& he ha% grabbe% her. *is han%s pushing up her skir an% over her bare

    backsi%e. *is #ouh burie% beween her legs. *is ongue licking a her like a %og a a srea#. ,he

    %roppe% he caalogue o he $loor an% i lan%e% wih a hu#p. *is eyes& $ille% wih graiu%e& looke%

    up a her. ,he s#ile% %own a hi#. *ow easy his ha% been. Then she opene% her legs wi%e an%pulle% his hea% an% $ace agains her bo%y in a surge o$ her own $ranic lus.

    The se) was urgen. ;us$ul. ,he srippe% hi# o$ all his clohes an% hen re#ove% her blouse an%

    bra. Then& sill wearing he shor skir wih is wo rows o$ pink $rills ha ha% so e)cie% Benrigh

    when she ha% $irs worn i $or hi#& she le% hi# o he #arriage be% an% coa)e% $ro# hi# every

    pervere% $anasy he ha% ever ha%. The %iry alk working like a char#.

    *is weakness was pain. *e love% o be hur %uring se) an% she was willing an% rea%y o oblige. ,he

    bi hi#. ,he slappe% hi#. ,he kicke% an% punche% hi#. ,he sabbe% hi# wih a ha pin she ha%

    grabbe% $ro# her %ressing able ne) o he be%. ,he in$lice% savage pinches& s'ueeCes an% yanks

    on his #os sensiive areas an% he love% i. *e was wrihing in pervere% agony beneah her blows

    in a #asochisic $renCy o$ passion an% %eligh.*e was like we clay in her han%s. Rea%y o %o anyhing $or her& inclu%ing& aking her away $ro#

    his place an% he husban% an% son she hae% so #uch.

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    espie her callous #anipulaion& she ha% en+oye% wha he %i% o her in reurn. Things she woul%

    never have le any oher #an %o. 3ihou #eaning oo she ha% reveale% her own pervere% %esires

    in he #i%s o$ he breahless e)change o$ $anasies& wih hi# Then& in he hea o$ her own passion

    she ha% %iscar%e% her $ears an% le hi# go wil% on her bo%y. was $ilhy. /ornographic. isgusing

    an% i##ensely e)ciing.

    ,he %eci%e% o keep hi# a while& like an obe%ien an% %eligh$ul pe. *e ha% #oney enough o

    suppor he# boh& was single an% he #a%e her $eel goo%. *e woul% %o& $or now.

    3hen he le$ he house he gave her his nu#ber a a Moel an% ol% her o call hi# he $ollowing %ay.

    ,he ha% soo% here on he porch& her nake%& hi# $ully clohe%. *er han% lingering beween his legs.

    *er #ouh wil% an% we on his. *e s#el srongly o$ her. The +uice $ro# her bo%y was all over his.

    *er $arewell& lasing en #inues& was inen%e% o keep his lus $or her high enough o re#e#ber her

    when he go back o his roo#. ,he knew i woul% work& as she wave% hi# goo%bye as he %rove

    away. *e was well an% ruly on her hook.

    ,he hu##e% o hersel$ as she srippe% he shees $ro# he be% o wash an% hi%e $ro# Benrigh he

    evi%ence o$ her a$ernoon o$ in$i%eliy.

    :Thank you& Moher: she hough o hersel$ as %roppe% he soile% shees ino he wash ub an% $ille%i wih ho waer.

    Benrigh an% Billy ha% racke% he# %own o he Fallborough Gran% Moel& $i$y #iles away uproue ?01& an% beaen he sales#an o wihin an% inch o$ his li$e $or breaking up he $a#ily. Billy

    was +us en years ol% back hen bu he coul% use a baseball ba like a pro. *e ha% helpe% bea her

    new #an ino unconsciousness. ,he ha% $le% he #oel an% hiche% o her #ohers place. n i#e&

    her #oher %ie% an% le$ her he #oney an% she bough his house on he opposie si%e o$ he

    #ounain o where she once live% wih Billy an% his /a. an% go a +ob uoring ki%s $alling behin% in

    -nglish classes a school.

    This ra%io was he only conac she ever ha% wih Billy or his %a%. -ven ha was oo #uch $or her.

    They never calle% each oher Ma& son& wi$e or husban%& There was no nee%& even hough she was

    sill o$$icially #arrie% o BenrighE he hae was #uual.

    Billy began rea%ing his love #essage an% she began +oing i %own on he pa% in $ron o$ her. *is

    voice was $alering. -#barrasse%.

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    My hear sighs :ill see your $ace again.

    Dver.9

    (elese ben $orwar%s again an% clicke% he buon on he Mic.

    7Message receive%& un%ersoo% an% $orwar%ing. ,an%by.9

    (elese change% $re'uency on he ra%io an% leane% back in her chair as she swallowe% a %eep

    %raugh o$ he corn #ash Moonshine. ,he close% her eyes an% picure% her ki% Billy& siing on his

    be% in he roo# she helpe% %ecorae. *er #enal vision o$ he ki%s wise% an% wrong an% $loo%ing

    $ro# her bier %elusions. ,he picure% he #icrophone cluche% in hose big han%s o$ his. *e was

    probably rying har% o picure his girl$rien% nake%. *or#ones running rio in his hea% an% sen%ing

    pornographic #essages o his eenage loins. *e woul% be saring a he ra%io speaker waiing $or i

    o ell hi# he #essage ha% been receive% an% he shoul% san% by $or he reply. ,he grinne% o

    hersel$. was i#e o each Billy boy a lesson. was ar#a %ay. Ti#e o pay $or pas sins.

    (elese raise% he #icrophone o her lips wihou opening her eyes. burs o$ su%%en saic an% hen he $ain voice o$ he young girl.

    7This is Jane calling Fallbeck relay. Receiving you lou% an% clear. /lease procee% wih your

    #essage. >re you receiving #e Dver9

    (elese clicke% again. 7Fallbeck relay calling Jane. Fallbeck relay calling Jane. a# receiving you.

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    /lease san%by o ake %own your #essage. Dver.9

    The $ain voice calle% again. 7*ello Fallbeck relay. *ello Fallbeck relay. Rea%y o ake %own

    #essage an% san%ing by. Dver.9

    (elese re$ille% her glass wih he clear& $iery li'uor hen %raine% i again in $our huge gulps be$ore

    $illing he all glass once #ore.

    : is a wo#an:s privilege o bare a gru%ge&: she hough o hersel$. : re#e#ber every sab o$ pain

    $el as you an% your /a bea up #y #an in he hoel roo#. re#e#ber every nigh crie% alone in

    his house a$erwar%s. a#n i re#e#ber every ear. >ll wane% was so#eone o ake #e away

    $ro# his shiy #ounain an% hese shiy& s#all& backwoo%s owns. wane% o ravel. To see

    >#erica. 3ho knows& #aybe even see he worl%. wane% o be so#eone. wane% o be #ore han

    +us anoher %a#ne% housewi$e an% #oher. wane% o be $ree. wane% o be wil%. wane%.....:

    ,he %rank anoher large swallow.

    :H...o be #e. To be $ree o$ $ee%ing chickens. ,crubbing clohes. (uing woo% $or he sove.

    (ooking #eals. *aving se) wih a #an hae%. Bringing up a %a#n ki% hae%& in a house hae%.

    >ll he i#e was suppose% o be grae$ul ha #y husban% worke% har% o $ee% an% clohe us.:

    ,he %rank so#e #ore an% sare% a he ra%ios be$ore her.

    :3ell& was no grae$ul. hae% every %a#n #inue o$ i. $el srangle% by i. $ Benrigh ha% +us

    gone o war an% go kille% like so #any oher husban%s i woul% have been $ine& bu he ha% a

    ga##y leg an% hey woul%n: ake hi#. Basar%s live% $or everyone bu #e. ,o change% i an%

    you scu# bags spoil i. 5ou ruine% #y new li$e. 5ou %esroye% #y escape. 3ell& Billy8boy an%

    Benrigh& o%ay is my%ay. To%ay you pay& like pai%.:

    (elese $orce% hersel$ o breah evenly unil her racing #in% cal#e% %own an% he surging $ury in

    her belly subsi%e%. ,he paine% a s#ile ono her voice he way hose wo#en in he Movie >%:s %o

    an% she spoke so$ly as she relaye% Billy:s poe# o his love& weny $our #iles away& %own he oher

    si%e o$ he #ounain an% $ar along he $erile valley $loor. ,he was co#pleely unaware o$ he

    slurring in her voice as she %i% so. ,he was always unaware o$ her own $auls. -veryhing ba% wasalways so#eone else:s $aul. Mosly& he $aul o$ #en.

    Billy sa on his be% wih his eyes $i)e% on he lou% speaker connece% o he ra%io. :s glea#ing&

    brown Bakelie case = lovingly polishe% every %ay = re$lece% he yellow glow o$ he ra%io valves.

    The black speaker grill& hol%ing boh pro#ise an% %rea% when i ne) ca#e o li$e& sare% back a

    hi# in silence.

    *e love% ,arah. *e knew he %i%. ,he consu#e% his waking an% sleeping houghs like nohing else

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    ha% ever %one be$ore. *e ha% been in love wih her since he was welve an% hey ha% #e a he

    couny $air when hey share% a sea on he Ferris 3heel. ,he ha% been $righene% by he heigh an%

    he ha% cluche% her hea% o his ches ighly an% whispere% reassuring wor%s in her ears unil he

    ri%e was over an% hey coul% sep back ono soli% groun% again.

    ,he ha% re#ble% all hrough ha ri%e like a +uvenile bir% $allen $ro# a nes& an% she $el $ragile inhis young& srong ar#s. >s hey walke% away $ro# he ri%e ogeher& hey were hol%ing han%s. They

    spen he whole o$ he res o$ ha long ,u##er %ay in each ohers co#pany. ;aughing& playing&

    easing& chasing. >s he %ay ha% urne% ino %arkness hey ha% sneake% heir $irs kiss an% she ha%

    locke% hersel$ ino his hear wih hose so$ an% yiel%ing young lips.

    Billy ha% rie% o ell ,arah ha he love% her #any i#es. *e +us coul% never $in% he righ wor%s&

    or his courage %esere% hi# in a $i o$ nerves a he wrong #o#en. was no ha he was a$rai% o

    say he wor%s. *e was a$rai% o$ wha i#pac he wor%s #igh have on ,arah. 3ha i$ she re+ece%

    hi# ;ove is a serious business. ,arah was no goo% a serious. ,he ha% a weak #in% ha coul% no

    hol% ono co#ple) hings. Billy knew ha. *e ha% always ha% o %o he hinking $or boh o$ he#when hey were ogeher. 3ha i$ he very i%ea o$ his love scare% her away

    Billy chewe% his boo# lip an% screwe% up his eyes as he sare% a he speaker grill. *e was

    scraching a an i#aginary ich on his righ ar# as his le$ leg bounce% up an% %own on he ball o$

    his le$ $oo wih no conscious e$$or o$ his own an% co#pleely unnoice%. Billy wane% he speaker

    o speak. 3illing i o say ha she love% hi# oo. *e hae% ha she woul% say i hough his e)

    #oher& bu ha was beer han no hearing i a all. D$ course& i$ she sai% no& she %i% no wan his

    love& he suspece% his e) #oher = up here in her vultures nest& as he an% his %a% calle% her ho#e =

    woul% be very happy o know he was so #iserable. *e coul% no bare he hough o$ her saying no.

    ,arah was his li$e. *is $uure. *e wane% o see her s#ile an% hear ha so$ voice every %ay&$orever.

    *is nervousness was increase% by he knowle%ge ha anyone wih a ra%io wihin $i$y #iles woul%

    also be able o hear his $alering #essage o$ love. *e i#agine% he# laughing hi# o scorn in heir

    houses& rucks an% cars. They #igh also hear her re+ecion o$ hi# i$ ha happene%. an% ha woul%

    be har% o bare oo. -specially when he was back a school a$er he ,u##er recess. Mario Falconi

    woul% be he wors o$ he bunch& he always was& bu ha was D& Billy %eci%e%. The las i#e hey

    ha% $ough a school Billy ha% al#os won he $igh. Mario was bigger an% heavier bu he was also

    slow an% Billy coul% %ance aroun% hi# an% pick hi# o$$. Mario only won he $igh las i#e

    because Billy go careless an% wen oo close. Dnce Mario:s ar#s were aroun% his ches i was allover $or Billy.

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    o prepare he able $or he sew he an% his /a woul% be having $or heir evening #eal an% $ill he

    washing bowl on is san% in he corner o$ he kichen wih $resh& clean waer& pu#pe% $ro# he well

    ou back.

    Billy s#ile% as he re#e#bere% a conversaion $ro# he las i#e he an% ,arah spen he %ay

    ogeher.

    7Billy ,he ha% aske%& as hey sa by he (onning Brook Far# srea# on he e%ge o$ own an%

    wache% he #innows %aring in he curren. 7Billy& #y %a%%y sai% las nigh ha he loves ;a#b

    sew. o hey #ake la#b sew ou o$ real la#bs or ari$icial la#bs ,ee& #y #u##y #akes la#b

    sew $ro# a can an% he can is oo s#all o $i a la#b in i. can: see how i coul% be real la#bs.9

    *er re#ark ha% aken hi# o$$ guar%.

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    7There has never been a hu#an wrier ha coul% ouch Go%&9 his /a woul% say. 7 have rea% #any

    o$ he so8calle% grea wriers. $er ha i was nohing bu re%& grey& yellow& black an%

    whie un%ulaing an% +agge% rock. > $ew shrubs #anage% o grow here an% here bu nohing

    serious. :s $la op was o$en obscure% by clou%& even in he ,u##er. n 3iner& i was always

    snow covere%. *is e) #oher:s house was hree housan% $ee %own he oher si%e an% buil on a

    huge& wi%e le%ge& bu shelere% un%er a #assive overhang. Dn he very su##i was a one hun%re%

    $ee all anenna ower his /a ha% buil an% which house% he anennas ha his e) #ohers ra%ios

    were aache% oo. *is /a ha% buil hose ra%ios also bu he couny ha% insalle% he# in her house.

    *is /a ha% $la ou re$use% o so %o.

    ,o#ei#es& when he sun was righ in he sky an% he air was clear an% a souh win% was blowing

    righ& a rising her#al woul% carry waer %roples high ino he air an% a rainbow woul% $or#

    hal$way up he #ounain an% si) #iles %own he valley. was cause% by he high $alls ha %roppe%

    over heir waer8cu le%ge nearly $our hun%re% $ee o Becks /ool below. To a sranger& he sigh

    woul% be breah aking. The local people rie% har% o pay i no #in%. was +us anoher sain on

    heir #e#ories an% on he prisine #ounain. > sain cause% by his e) #oher:s $a#ily.

    ,o#e hough ha his e) #oher:s $aher& (olber avison& ha% $allen %own he $alls by acci%en.

    Many #ore hough he ha% +u#pe% o his %eah on purpose. *is wi$e& an% Billy:s #aernal gran%

    #oher& was a nasy bich. Free wih her punches an% no a%verse o using whaever weapon wascloses o han% on her husban%& i$ he %isplease% her in any way. ispleasing her was he easies

    hing o %o in he worl%. ,he ha% a ongue like a rale snake bie an% a #in% o #ach.

    3hen her %augher ha% run away o be wih Billy:s %a%& she ha% co#e a$er her an% punche% Billy:s

    %a% in he $ace as he rie% o proec his e) #oher. was a big #isake. Billy:s /a ha% no been

    groun% %own he way Billy:s Gran%pa ha% been. *e ha% hi her wih le$ righ co#binaion punches

    ha were so $as she never saw he# happen. ,he wen %own like a cheap whore in a parking lo.

    Tha was he las i#e she ever spoke o any o$ Billy:s $a#ily. Dne year laer& an% on a %ay when he

    rainbow ha% co#e& Billy:s Gran%pa& (olber& ha% gone o$$ he $alls. The coroner sai% he ha% wo

    black eyes an% a broken nose ha were no cause% by his $all bu ha% been in$lice% be$ore his%eah. -veryone coul% guess where hey ha% co#e $ro#& hough his wi$e& as ever& swore she %i% no

    know. Many hough ha was he reason he ha% +u#pe% = i$ he ha% = $ro# he $allsE i was a sha#e

    oo $ar an% #uch oo har% o bare.

    Growing up& Billy:s %a% woul% ell hi#& 7,on. n%

    never le a wo#an %rive your hea% o he $alls.9

    The valley Billy live% in ha% an al#os per$ec cli#ae in ,u##er. -ven on he hoes %ays when

    he res o$ he counry was swelering in he hea& cool air $alling %own he #ounain slope woul%keep he e#peraure o bearable levels. Dnly he house woul% ge really ho an% on hose %ays Billy

    an% his /a woul% sleep ou on he porch. The house go ho because his /a kep he roo$ paine%

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    black.

    7The snow haes black9 *is /a woul% ell hi#. Tha was he reason hey ha% paine% he bri%ge over

    he river in black pain. see#e% o work. The black absorbe% he hea $ro# he sun an% air an% he

    snow $oun% i har% o sele on any black sur$ace. 3hen oher people in he valley ha% o shovel

    snow o$$ heir roo$ in 3iner o sop heir houses $alling %own un%er he weigh o$ i& Billy an% his/a never %i% because he snow never suck. The bri%ge over he river was al#os never blocke% by

    %ri$s an% was he $irs o clear i$ i was. Dn he %own si%e& he house coul% ge unbearable in he

    ,u##er& bu sleeping on he porch was a nice hing o %o.

    7Fallbeck Relay calling TarCan. Fallbeck Relay calling TarCan. ,chan% by $or your re...& replysh

    $ro# Jane. Dver.9

    Billy sho up $ro# he swing sea an% ran o he be%roo#. *is hear poun%ing as i$ he ha% +us run a

    #arahon. Too e)cie% o regiser he %runkenness in he voice calling hi#& he snache% up he#icrophone an% urne% he volu#e swich back %own o a nor#al level.

    *e spoke rapi%ly& an)iously& al#os shouing& ino he #icrophone.

    7TarCan calling Fallbeck Relay. TarCan calling Fallbeck Relay. Go ahea% Fallbeck Relay. Dver.9

    ,arah McenCie was seae% a he able wih her #oher by her si%e an% wearing he black& spi%ery

    paerne%& Bakelie hea%phones ha were plugge% ino he ra%io. ,arlingly prey& wih hair ha

    $ell o her shoul%ers an% u#ble% %own he back o$ her Royal Blue %ress& like a corn coloure%

    waer$all. *er $ine& s#all nose cenre% beween clear& big& innocen looking viole coloure% eyes& se

    above high cheekbones ha were a legacy $ro# her Gran%#oher:s >pache bloo% line. ,he ha% a

    'uick s#ile an% an easy laugh ha reveale% per$ecly even an% whie eeh. ,he was a swee naure%

    as a $iel% #ouse. ,he looke% over o her #oher an% s#ile%. *er #oher& s'ueeCing her han% in

    response an% s#iling back a her.

    For ,arah an% her #oher Molly& his was a %aily rouine. *er #oher was no here o spy or

    iner$ere. ,he never aske% he #eanings o$ he co%es her %augher an% Billy e)change%& $or

    e)a#ple. ,he knew young people nee%e% o be privae so#ei#es an% she ruse% her %augher an%

    like% Billy. ,he knew $ull well ha #any o$ he co%es Billy an% ,arah were e)changing were se)ual

    in naure bu ha %i% no boher her eiher. ,he ha% alrea%y ha% 7he alk9 wih her %augher an%

    ,arah knew all abou prophylacics an% cycles. ,he ha% e)plaine% o her %augher ha se) was

    won%er$ul an% nohing o be asha#e% o$& bu ha one ha% o be %iscree an% very care$ul.

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    Molly ha% rie% sen%ing ,arah up he #ounain o ge e)ra privae uoring by (elese bu i ha% no

    worke% ou. ,arah ha% co#plaine% ha (elese was always %runk an% ba% e#pere% an% ha she

    %i% no $eel sa$e or co#$orable wih her. >s a resul& Molly ha% aken on he ask o$ helping her

    wih her rea%ing an% wriing an% ha% seen enough o$ an i#prove#en in her %augher o keep i up

    $ull i#e an% ho#e school her.

    *o#e schooling ,arah ha% so#e %isa%vanages. was very har% work $or boh o$ he#. *owever&

    i also ha% an une)pece% an%& $ro# Molly:s poin o$ view& a %elicious a%vanage.

    *er husban%& Roy& ha% sare% a $urniure business +us be$ore ,arah was born& an% i was %oing very

    well. Molly use% o work wih hi# as his personal secreary unil she ha% #a%e he %ecision o

    school ,arah a ho#e a$er she was #ercilessly bullie% a school $or $alling so $ar behin% in her

    classes. This siuaion o$ course& #ean ha Roy was $orce% o hire anoher personal secreary.

    > week a$er leaving her +ob& Molly reurne% o her ol% o$$ice one a$ernoon o pick up one or wohings she nee%e% a ho#e an% as she walke% ino he o$$ice she was greee% by he sigh o$ her

    husban%:s new& young an% beaui$ul secreary& laying nake%& ar#s an% legs aki#bo& leaking sper#

    an% looking like a crashe% helicoper on he o$$ice carpe. *er husban%& e'ually nake%& ha% his back

    o her an% was san%ing a his %esk %oing a business %eal on he elephone. %esire #ore power$ul han anyhing she ha% ever $el

    be$ore. The orgas# ha $ollowe% was so inense& an% so lou%& ha i brough her = now soberly%resse% = husban%& bursing ino he la%ies res roo#& hal$ convince% ha so#eone was #ur%ering

    his wi$e. By he i#e he le$ ha sall again& he ha% e)perience% he secon% #os a#aCing se) in his

    li$e& an% he bigges ever con$usion in his #in%& all in one %ay.

    ranspire%& hrough subse'uen $rank an% open %iscussions wih Roy over he ne) wo %ays& ha

    'uie& %ui$ul& har% working an% %e%icae% Molly& harboure% a previously unrealise% voyeurisic

    sreak as wi%e as he Mississippi river an% +us as power$ul. The resul was& ha Roy& #uch o his

    a#aCe% %eligh& go o have o se) wih los o$ %i$$eren wo#en while Molly wache%& unil she

    coul% san% i no longer an% ha% o +oin in.

    The people o$ Fenne#ore noice% o$ course& ha Roy was losing weigh rapi%ly an% ha% a

    per#anen grin on his $ace. They also noice% ha lile& sli#& %e#ure Molly McenCie see#e% o

    have los en years in ageE was %ressing #ore se)ily ha she ever ha% be$ore an% ha she ha% a

    %rea#y air o$ new con$i%ence abou her ha no one coul% e)plain. The people o$ Fenne#ore coul%

    no have guesse% why.

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    knowle%ge o$ se) was as grea as her own& hanks o he #agaCines. was a knowle%ge she longe%

    o pu ino pracice wih Billy. ,he also ha% a new a %eep respec $or her #oher. ,he ha% always

    love% her& bu his %iscovery ha% opene% a new an% hi%%en knowle%ge abou her #oher ha ,arah

    co#pleely approve% o$.

    > lou% an% inny voice in her hea%phones caugh ,arah:s wan%ering aenion an% she presse% he#closer o her ears. was (elese& calling ou a relay $ro# her #ounain perch as she %i% #os every

    %ay a his i#e.

    7Messhage $or Jane $ro# TarCan. Jane& %o you copy Fallbeck relay Dver9

    7This is Jane calling Fallbeck relay. Receiving you lou% an% clear. /lease procee% wih your

    #essage. >re you receiving #e Dver9

    (elese spoke again. *er voice soun%ing o%%ly slurre% bu so$ an% happy. ,arah knew insanly ha

    (elese was %runk.

    7Fallbeck calling Jane. Fallbeck calling Jane. a# resheiving you. /lease san%by o ake %own

    your #esshage. Dver.9

    ,arah replie%. 7*ello Fallbeck relay. *ello Fallbeck relay. Rea%y o ake %own #essage an%

    san%ing by. Dver.9

    7This is Fallbeck relay& #esshage $ro# TarCan o Jane rea%s as $ollows

    7 love you like a shegull loves he ocean.

    love you like a sor# clou% loves he rain.

    love you wih a hear $ull o$ %evoshun.

    My hear shighs :ill she your $ashe again.

    /lease acknowle%ge reshee o$ he #esshage. Dver.9

    >s was ,arah:s habi& she ha% repeae% ou lou%& wor% $or wor%& as he #essage was relaye% o her.

    *er #oher wriing he wor%s %own on he pa% on he able.

    ,arah& Molly& young girls an% wo#en o$ all ages up an% %own he valley on ,arah:s si%e o$ he

    #ounain& $el ears spring o heir eyes as hey hear% he #essage $ro# TarCan o Jane co#e

    hrough heir ra%ios. Men sa wih waer covere% eyes in rucks& cars an% ho#es. ,o#e kisse% heir

    crying& happy wives. ,o#e +us sare% ino he %isance& perhaps re#e#bering #o#ens $ro# heiryouh when love ha% also grippe% heir hears an% le% he# o poery. 5oung #en sniggere%

    #ockingly wih a %isgus hey knew was $alse an% was invene% o hi%e he e#oions rising like Dl%

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    Faih$ul in heir own chess.

    Dnly an)ious Billy was sill ignoran o$ he e$$ecs o$ his wor%s on he wo co##uniies.

    ,arah was gripping he #icrophone as i$ her li$e %epen%e% on no leing i go. *er $ace was ear

    saine% an% her voice hick wih e#oion as she replie%.

    7*ello Fallbeck relay. *ello Fallbeck relay. Message o TarCan $ro# Jane. love you oo TarCan.

    love you wih all #y hear.9

    ,he ha% o sop. ll along ,arah:s valley people whoope% an% cheere%. ,o#e raise% glasses o$ whiskey or boles o$

    beer in salue o he young lovers. ,o#e poun%e% on seering wheels an% blew he horns in %eligh

    a Jane:s answer o TarCan. ,o#e people +us crie%. Dhers s#ile%& an% one couple %ance% ou o$

    heir house& laughing ogeher& an% walCe% along he si%e walk un%er he be#use% gaCes o$ hose

    no in he know. These were hose who ha% $ollowe% TarCan an% Jane:s burgeoning ra%io love li$e

    $or years& as i$ i were a real li$e soap opera. Many o$ he# ha% beco#e e)per co%e breakers.

    /rising ou o$ heir own ki%s he #eanings o$ he secre phrases TarCan an% Jane use%& an% swearing

    hose ki%s o uer secrecy upon pain o$ he worl%s longes be%roo# lock8in i$ hey reveale% o

    anyone ha heir parens ha% broken he co%e. Boh ,arah an% Billy were oblivious o all o$ his& o$

    course.

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    hose ra%ios ino o #ake a relay saion. was also har%er o ge a. Drville ha% buil i where i

    was becausei was har% o ge a.

    Drville was a #an who like% #os people& he +us like% he# a a %isance. *e en+oye% his soliu%e

    bu his ra%ios kep hi# in ouch wih wha was going on an% allowe% hi# o choose who o alk o

    an% when. n owns& ha was no possible. n owns you ha% o be polie o everyone. -ven hosecriers you can: san%. Drville ha% no ruck wih he wo $ace% naure o$ i all. n his way o$

    hinking& i$ you hae% a crier you shoul% say soE hen eiher shoo i& spi a i& or ignore i. 5ou

    shoul%n: have o shake is %a#n paws an% s#ile an% say goo% #ornin: o i.

    Drville:s ra%io was a $ine rig. *e ha% bough i $ro# an ar#y Ma+or he ha% aken on a bear hun

    long ago& an% he ha% goen i $or a seal. The %arne% anenna on his roo$ cos #ore han he pai% $or

    he ra%io $ro# he grae$ul Ma+or& bu i was a power$ul se. cranke% ou wo hun%re% 3as o$

    power a $ull blas& an% +us one 3a in is lowes power seing. was a big& heavy ra%io& ha he

    ar#y ha% use% $ro# is co##an% *I on various bale$iel%s %uring he war. ,o big& he ha% o

    ranspor i up he #ounain on his #ule a lile bi a a i#e an% hen pu i all back ogeher once heha% i up here. was worh i hough& apar $ro# blowing an occasional valve& i ha% never given a

    #o#ens rouble. >n%& i was a %ual ban% se& +us as (elese:s ra%ios were. Tha was how he was

    able o hear TarCan an% Jane calling Fallbeck Relay. *e +us ha% o se he $re'uencies on each ban%

    an% hen $lip ha ol% ban% swich beween he wo.

    3hen Drville hear% Jane:s reply o TarCan he se abou whoopin: an% hollerin: +us like #os

    everybo%y else ha hear% i. ;ike #os oher $olks& Drville ha% %one his celebraing in his own

    peculiar way. Though i is $air o say i %i$$ere% $ro# oher $olks in a leas one respec. Firs he

    kisse% his ol% %og& ,huup = so na#e% because as a pup i barke% non sop a every lile noise. Then

    he playe% a counry song on his ban+o as he %ance% his own invene% seps across his cabin $loor.>ll he while yelling& 5eee *aaa:s a he op o$ his ol% lungs. Then he rushe% ousi%e an% soo% on

    he $la rock behin% he cabin an% ai#e% a +e o$ piss %own he $ive housan% $oo %rop o he ouris

    rail below. /issing on ouriss $ro# a grea heigh %uring high ,u##er& being so#ewha o$ a hobby

    o$ his.

    The ouriss gui%es all knew he %i% i an% woul% hang back on he rail unil i was over o avoi%

    being splashe% he#selves. They woul% ell ine)perience% an% gullible ouriss no o worry& i was

    +us& 7-agles pissing on he# o scare he# o$$.9 Drville %i% no like ouriss liering he place up on

    :his: #ounain. *e woul% san% here on he $la rock& pecker in one han% an% binoculars in he oher&

    sen%ing yellow spurs o$ piss hrough he air a his arges below. *is bes vici#s being he onesha were %u#b enough o keep looking up& hoping o spo he -agle. *e woul% ry an% give he#

    %u##ies a $ree $ace wash. n en years he ha% only been spoe% once an% ha was by an ol% $ar

    who happene% o have a pair o$ binoculars o$ her own. ,he ha% aken cover un%er a ree an% hen

    $allen o he $loor in a heap o$ blue Gingha# %ress an% howls o$ laugher as Drville:s naural organic

    shower peppere% he oher #e#bers o$ her group.

    7 shoul%a propose% o ha ol% bi%%y&9 he ol% -%%y& one o$ he our gui%es& when he saw hi# in

    own a #onh laer. 7,he was #y kin%a people. ,he knew how o ake a +oke an% keep her #ouh

    shu abou i.9

    7Tha:s goo% a%vice o give #y ouriss.9 -%%y ha% sai%.

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    73ha is9 Drville sai%.

    7$ you are goin: a look up $or he -agles& keep your #ouh shu.9

    @p on he #ounain in her nes& (elese Mo)on was anyhing bu oblivious. ,he knew hu#an naure

    very well an% she knew ha he people in he valleys wih ra%ios were aware o$ hese ki%s an%

    woul% be $ollowing heir sory closely. ,he knew he ki%s coul% beco#e insan sars a$er swearing

    heir love $or each oher an% she inen%e% o seal heir li#eligh an% keep i $orever.

    ,he looke% %runkly %own a ,arah:s reurn #essage on her pa% an% reache% $or he #icrophone

    again. The #oonshine was alking a $ir# hol% o$ her now.

    77Message re...& resheeve%& un%er = un%ershoul% an% $orwar%ing. Dver an: ou.9

    ,arah noice% he increasing slurring in he voice in her earphones an% worrie% ha her reurn

    #essage #igh never be relaye% o Billy. ,he was righ o be worrie%. Billy never %i% ge he

    #essage.

    Benrigh Mo)on was over he wors par o$ his rip %own he #ounain& an% hrough he gaps in he

    rees here an% here& he coul% see he whie walls an% black roo$ o$ he single sory house he ha%

    buil in he #i%%le o$ he green #ea%ow& sill $ar below. > hin wisp o$ s#oke curling $ro# he

    chi#ney. *e knew Billy was $i)ing o cook his %inner an% a sha$ o$ love $or his boy $lashe%

    hrough his hear.

    >par $ro# he $oun%aions an% he $ireplace ha were #a%e o$ sone& everyhing else abou ha

    ho#e was #a%e o$ #ounain /ine& inclu%ing he $urniure. was a goo% house an% a nice bighouse. *e ha% buil i o raise a $a#ily in.

    (elese ha% kille% ha %rea# an% Benrigh curse% he ba% choice he ha% #a%e when he $ell in love

    wih her. ,he ha% hi%%en her rue sel$ well an% i ha%n: e#erge% $ro# is nice girl ca#ou$lage unil

    a $ew #onhs a$er heir we%%ing on he nigh she ol% hi# ha he only reason she ha% #arrie%

    hi#& was o ge away $ro# her #oher.

    Benrigh shu%%ere% a he #e#ories as he always %i% when hey ca#e back o haun hi#. *e coul%

    see her clearly in his #in%& as i$ i ha% happene% yeser%ay& ben%ing over hi# an% screa#ing ino his

    $ace. *er spile peppering his skin. *er voice har%& vicious& an% her eyes %ea%. *er $ace wise% up

    ino a sickening #ask o$ pure hae. was on he sa#e #orning he ha% opene% he leer $ro# he

    >r#y elling hi# hey %i% no wan hi#& back in >pril :44.

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    7 hae you Benrigh Mo)on. hae his ki% in #y belly. hae his house. 5ou won: keep #e here.

    use% you& you $ool. use% you o ge away $ro# #y #oher& ha is all& an% you were %u#b enough

    o help #e %o i.9

    The wor%s ha% hi his hear like a ha##er an% his love $or her ha% shaere% un%er he#. There wasnohing le$ in her o keep i alive. *is wi$e ha% beco#e a scorpion.

    75ou %i%n: #ake i.9 *e ol% her.

    7Make wha9

    75our escape $ro# your #oher.9

    ,he ha% sneere% ino his $ace. 7 a# here ain: 9

    Benrigh ha% risen $ro# he %ining able an% walke% ou ono he porch. >s he passe% hrough he

    screen %oor he soppe% an% urne% his hea% o look a her over his shoul%er.

    75ou brough ha ol% wich wih you. ,he:s in your hear an% you will never escape her an% where

    you go& she will go. 5our #oher has possesse% you (elese an% in i#e& she will kill you& bu will

    #ake %a#n sure she %oesn: kill any o$ us. pro#ise you his hough (elese& i$ you ever %oanyhing o har# #y chil%& he worl% will no be big enough $or you o hi%e in an% will kill you

    wih #y own wo han%s& even i$ swing $or i.9

    was a pro#ise he was o $in% he coul% no keep& bu he prophecy was rue.

    7:s our chil% Benrigh. Durs on: you ever $orge ha.9 (elese ha% screa#e% back a hi#.

    Benrigh:s eyes ha% blaCe% like har% $ire bu his voice was so$.

    7

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    wih Billy an% killing he raging hunger in his belly wih one o$ Billy:s $ine sews. >noher %ays

    goo% work %one. >noher %ays pay earne%.

    *is le$ high was sen%ing +agge% bols o$ pain o his brain bu Benrigh ignore% he#. 3hen he

    pain go oo #uch he woul% res. @nil hen he woul% carry on as he always carrie% on. :s wha

    #en %o& hey carry on.

    3hen ha %arn li#b ha% snappe% $ro# he $alling ree he ha% cu %own an% s#ashe% ino his high

    bone& breaking i in $ive places& i ha% also rippe% an% orn he #uscles in his high o shre%s. The

    hospial ha% $i)e% he bone. They ha% sewn he #uscles an% en%ons back ino place bu hey coul%

    no $i) he orn nerves.

    Benrigh hough he acci%en o his leg was Go%:s punish#en $or haing his wi$e. The Bible sai% o

    love your ene#ies& bu Benrigh +us coul% no %o ha. *e ha% rie%. *e really ha%. *e even alke%

    o /asor Bur a he :Jesus ;ives Bapis (hurch&: in >n%erson. *e aske% hi# howo $orgive. *ow iworks an% wha you have odo o #ake i work.

    Benrigh ha% calle% in o see ol% /asor Bur on his way o pay (elese:s ho#e wrecker a visi a he

    #oel. was no har% o rack her %own& -llen Blake worke% he own swichboar%. %i% no ake

    #uch persuasion o ge her o ell hi# ha she ha% connece% (elese:s call $ro# he local %rug sore

    o her #an a he Moel. -llen ha% lisene% in as he new #an in (elese:s li$e ha% ol% her he was

    saying a he #oel $or he ne) hree %ays on a business rip bu ha a$erwar%s& he woul% ake her

    o (ali$ornia wih hi#.

    7Benrigh& he ol% /asor ha% sai%& clasping one o$ Benrigh:s shoul%ers in his big han% an% looking

    hi# sraigh in he eye& you have o wanto $orgive her. Tha:s he $irs sep. 3ha reco##en%

    people o %o is his when she co#es o #in% an% you $eel your gus churning wih bierness an%

    hae& pray $or her. Righ hen an% here boy = %on: leave i unil laer so i has i#e o grow = %o i

    righ hen an% here. >sk Go% o $orgive her an% hen ell *i# ha& %espie wha you $eel in your

    gus& you $orgive her oo. works boy& bu you have o work ati. n i#e you will$orgive her an%

    she will sop co#ing o #in% all wrappe% up in your $ury. :s no no $ree ri%e. Jesus says ha i$ you

    %o no $orgive you canno be $orgiven. 5ou have o have a willing hear. o you have a willing

    hear Benrigh Tha:s he 'uesion. :s a willing hear ha Go% loves.9

    Benrigh ha% no answere% he /asors 'uesion. *e knew he answer an% he knew he /asor knew

    i oo. Benrigh %i% notwan o $orgive (elese. *e wane% Go% o punish her. To bea her %own. To

    sen% her ino hell $or %esroying his li$e an% he $a#ily he always wane%. For ruining Billy:s li$e

    oo. :,he :s a wich *e ha% hough& >n evil& sel$ish wichE +us like her #oher ha% been. ,he

    %eserves o burn in hell.:

    >s Benrigh ha% urne% away $ro# he /asor he hear% hi# call ou in his %eep an% boo#ing&

    preaching voice.

    7Beware o$ pri%e an% bierness& Benrigh. They will conspire ogeher o kill everyhing you love.

    They are he %evils brew. on: %rink $ro# hose cups or you will rue he %ay you %i%.9

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    Benrigh swung his a)e an% burie% is bla%e ino an ol% su#p ne) o he rail& hen he sa %own

    heavy wih weariness besi%e i. >uo#aically& his le$ han% rubbe% his pain$ul high. Trying o

    #assage he pain ou o$ i. > new ol% #e#ory assaule% his #in%.

    *e saw hi#sel$ siing on he en% o$ he long har% bench in he green an% crea# paine% hospialcorri%or ousi%e he %elivery roo#s on he nigh Billy was born. There were hree oher e)pecan

    $ahers here wih hi#. They kep saring a hi# an% his $ace was burning wih sha#e as his gus

    boile% wih a rage he was sruggling o conrol. They coul% all hear her. a##i -veryone in he

    couny coul% hear her.

    7Ge i ou o$ #e. Ge his roen ki% ou o$ #e. hae i9

    Benrigh ha% pu his ha on an% pulle% i low over his $ace. *e was rying o hi%e his sha#e an%

    anger $ro# he oher $ahers. *is han%s ha% beraye% hi# hough. They ha% balle% he#selves inorock igh $iss in his lap.

    (elese was shouing again. The #e#ory sabbing a his hear like a ho kni$e.

    7 hope i:s %ea%. hope i:s born cripple%. o you hear #e Benrigh hope i:s %ea%9

    Then she screa#e% in pain an% Benrigh hear% a baby howling shorly a$er.

    The $aher siing ne) o hi# on he bench reache% over an% ouche% his ar# in sy#pahy.

    7:s no #y place o alk ba% abou anoher #an:s wi$e an% or%inarily woul%n:& bu you have go

    an evil bich here an% you bes ge ri% o$ her.9

    For a #o#en Benrigh ha% $el a surge o$ hae so power$ul rise up wihin hi# ha he wane% o

    poun% he speaker ino he $loor. *e al#os %i%& bu he sill ha% enough reason in his #in% o ell

    hi# ha his sranger was si#ply speaking he ruh. Benrigh was no a person o hi a #an $orspeaking he ruh. ,o he sa here& saying nohing. ,ilenly en%uring he sha#e an% he rage unil a

    nurse appeare% an% ook hi# ino an o$$ice %own he corri%or.

    75ou have a healhy baby son. ,even poun%s si) ounces. (ongraulaions&9 she sai%. ,he was

    s#iling up a hi#. > %u#py lile re% hea% nurse +us %oing her +ob bu happy ha he ha% beco#e a

    $aher.

    Then she %roppe% her voice o a %iscree whisper. 7 a# sorry abou his #oher. 3ill he baby be

    D wih her :s +us ha....9

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    Benrigh cu her o$$.

    7:s D nurse& hank you. My siser Mary is going o ake care o$ hi#. ,he #ove% ino he house

    o%ay an% will pick he baby up in he #orning. >s you hear%& his #oher is no a $i an% proper

    person o raise #y son.9

    The nurse ook one o$ his han%s in boh o$ hers. 7Maybe i:s +us %epression. > lo o$ new #ohers

    su$$er %epression when hey have a chil%.9

    Benrigh ha% shaken his hea%. 7 lile presen $ro# her #oher. There ain: no curing ha because she %on: wanna be cure%. ,he

    likes he co#pany.9

    The nurse no%%e% sa%ly. 7 will pray $or you boh&9 she sai%. Then she a%%e%& 73ha are you callinghe boy

    7Billy.9 Benrigh sai%. 7>$er #y /a. *e was a goo% #an.9

    The nurse s#ile% an% wroe he na#e %own on her pocke pa%. 7Billy i is hen.9

    >s hey urne% o leave he o$$ice Benrigh ook a hol% o$ her ar#.

    7/ro#ise #e so#ehing. /ro#ise #e you will no give he baby o her. There is no elling wha she

    #igh %o o hi#.9

    7 won:.9 The nurse sai%& 7 will leave a #essage wih he nurse who akes over $ro# #e when #y

    shi$ is over& also. on: worry.9

    7/ro#ise #e.9 Benrigh insise%.

    7,he s#ile% a hi#. 7 pro#ise. 5ou have #y wor%.9

    ,ais$ie%& Benrigh ha% release% her ar# an% hen walke% ou o$ he o$$ice an% he hospial $or he

    hour long %rive ho#e. *e #a%e no e$$or o see his wi$e. *e %i% no care how she was %oing.

    Mary saye% looking a$er Billy unil a week a$er (elese ha% aken o$$ wih her $ancy #an. ha%

    been a har% en years $or her a Billy:s house. (elese los no opporuniy o ell her how #uch she

    hae% all o$ he#& bu Benrigh re$use% o pu his wi$e ou.

    7 bough he package& have o look a$er i.9 *e woul% say. *e ook his #arriage vows very

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    seriously.

    Mary:s own husban% was kille% in a %og$igh over France a$er voluneering o $ly wih he R>F

    early in he war. *e was a (ana%ian an% he $el he ha% o be %oing so#ehing. Dher (ana%ians

    were going overseas o he war& he coul% no bare o say behin%& no #aer how #uch Mary begge%

    hi#.

    Mary was grae$ul when Benrigh aske% her o look a$er he new baby. gave her so#ehing else

    o $ocus on& oher han he pain o$ her Frank:s %eah& bu she was relieve% when Benrigh ca#e back

    $ro# he #oel wihou (elese.

    7,he %one le$ us. par $ro# he bir%s calling an% he soun% o$ an unseen %eer

    chewing is $oo%& all was 'uie.

    pai% o ry an% say aler on he #ounain. There were cougars an% bears ha roa#e% aroun% on i.

    ,nakes oo. Mosly& hey kep away $ro# $olks& bu you never coul% ell when ha #igh change.Dnly las $all& >lber ,choon%is& a ,we%ish woo% cuer working $urher

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    Billy:s call ha% been #e wih a long silence so he rie% again.

    7TarCan calling Fallbeck Relay. TarCan calling Fallbeck Relay. Go ahea% Fallbeck Relay. Dver.9

    *is ra%io crackle% ino li$e.

    7Thish ish Fall... Thish ish Fallbeck Relay& schsan% by o ake %own your #eshage& over.9

    Billy snache% up a pencil an% pulle% he wriing pa% closer.

    7Fallbeck Relay& Go ahea%& over.9

    There was anoher long silence $ro# he ra%io. crack in his hear slowly sprea%ing across i as he #eaning o$ he wor%s on

    his pa% crysallise% in his #in% wih increasing clariy. *e grabbe% a he Microphone an% clicke%

    he rans#i buon.

    7Fallbeck Relay& Fallbeck Relay. This is TarCan. /lease con$ir# las #essage over.9

    ,ilence.

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    7Fallbeck Relay& Fallbeck Relay. This is TarCan. /lease con$ir# las #essage over.9

    ,ilence.

    7Fallbeck Relay. (o#e in Fallbeck Relay. This is TarCan.Please con$ir# las #essage over.9

    The silence coninue%. Fallbeck was no going o answer& ha #uch was cerain. Maybe (elese

    was %ealing wih anoher call an% ha% swiche% $re'uencies. Billy urne% he $re'uency knob on his

    ra%io bu apar $ro# *a#s calling %isan saions& he airwaves were silen. Fallbeck Relay was o$$

    he air. *is co##unicaion wih (elese was %ea% an% she was no going o answer his %esperae

    calls. *e swiche% he ra%io o$$.

    Billy sare% %own a his pa% again. *e was hoping& irraionally& ha so#ehow he wor%s woul%

    vanish $ro# his pa%. Tha wha he ha% hear% an% wrien %own was %i$$eren o wha he ha% houghwas here an% which were now crowbarring he crack in his hear wi%e open. The pain when i ca#e

    an% his hear broke in wo& was overwhel#ing.

    n his cabin on ,nake Ri%ge& Drville Mowberry soo% saring a his ra%io in %isbelie$. *e swiche% i

    o$$ an% urne% an% walke% ou ono he ri%ge wih ,huup %ui$ully $ollowing hi#. *e sa %own

    heavily on a rock an% sare% %own owar%s he valley on he wes si%e o$ he #ounain. *e coul%

    see Billy Mo)on:s house $ro# here. looke%& as i always %i% in ,u##er& like a black an% whie#achbo) on a piece o$ green $el casing a long sha%ow o he souh wes in he early evening.

    Benrigh:s ol% blue pick8up ruck parke% besi%e i. Dn he easern si%e o$ he #ounain& he sha%ow

    cas by he big rock an% he $alling an% re%%ening sun was alrea%y ushering in an early nigh. *ere

    an% here Drville coul% see cars #oving wih heir si%elighs on. Dn he wesern si%e& he valley was

    sill bahe% in glorious sunshine an% woul% sill be ligh $or wo #ore hours.

    *e pulle% an ol% $ob wach on a chain $ro# his waiscoa pocke% an% glance% a i. Benrigh woul%

    no be ho#e ye. (lose o ho#e bu no 'uie here. The boy woul% be alone.

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    hu#an was aroun%& ,huup woul% sing ou a warning an% aack on co##an%. Tha& an% he

    co#pany& was all Drville ever wane% $ro# a %og.

    73ell& ,huup& wha shoul% %o %on: hol% wih iner$erin: in hings beween $olks& bu i see#s

    wrong o ignore his. (elese has %one wrong. Tha bich has hur her own son an% a lile gal ha

    never %i% her no har#. > lo o$ $olks are goin: o be #ighy #a% a her. 5es sir. (an: say bla#e:e# neiher.7

    *e ai#e% a +e o$ spi a a s#all rock& #isse% i by a #ile& $rowne% an% rubbe% his ol% eyes.

    7There is %ogs an% biches in his worl% ya +us can: a#e. Too #uch evil in :e#. ;ike ha *iler

    characer. >in: no alkin: a :e#. lways %o. >lways will.9

    ,huup cocke% up an ear& lisene% $or a while an% hen wen back o snooCing. 3haever his %u#b

    ol% #aser was saying o hi#& here was no chore or rea involve% in i $or hi#.

    Drville was no %one alking ye. *e ha% o ge hings sraigh an% he bes way he knew o %o i was

    o alk ou lou% an% lisen o hi#sel$. *e knew i was no likely ,huup woul% su%%enly si up an%

    ell hi# wha he hough shoul% be %one& bu he #a%e a goo% soun%ing boar% anyhow& an% isee#e% less craCy o alk o hi# han o alk o a rock.

    7 ain: Go% a go a8pokin: abou in oher peoples lives. *e knows wha *e is a8%oin: when *e %oes

    i. woul% +us #ake a bigger an% bigger #ess an% prob:ly se $olks ag:in each oher. 5es siree. Dl%

    Drville shoul% no be poking abou where he ain: suppose% a be. $ coul% rescue every crier

    $ro# he (ougars +aws& why& woul% en% up wih a lo o$ sick criers a nurse back a healh an% a

    lo o$ (ougars sarvin: a %eah. # #y brohers keeper9

    Drville #us have %eci%e% he washis brohers keeper because he soo% up 'uickly an% #arche%

    back ino his cabin. ,huup gave a poine% sigh& go up an% $ollowe% hi#. Drville swiche% his ra%ioback on a he very insan ha Billy& $ar below in he valley& swiche% his o$$. Drville was +us a

    spli secon% lae when he keye% up his #icrophone an% calle% Billy o ell hi# he rue #essage his

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    sweehear ha% sen hi#.

    (elese was roaring wih hyserical laugher when she go up $ro# her sea. ,he saggere% $orwar%sowar%s he able where her lu#p o$ brea% %ough s'uae%& surroun%e% by scaere% $lour. ,he soo%

    swaying back an% $orh in $ron o$ he able unil she spoe% her cigaree pack an% %eci%e% o have

    a s#oke. ,he pae% her apron pockes& $oun% her #aches an% li her cigaree an% proppe% hersel$

    on he e%ge o$ he able o s#oke i.

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    Benrigh rushe% back ino he house an% hrew open Billy:s be%roo# %oor. *is son:s bo%y& genly

    swinging $ro# a rope ie% aroun% he roo$ ra$ers& slowly urne% o $ace hi#. The open eyes bulging&

    he ongue poking ou an% skin o$ his $ace a purple8black colour. The noose aroun% his neck cuing

    cruelly ino his hroa. Dn he $loor was a noe ha ha% $allen $ro# his %ea% han%s.

    Benrigh was sobbing like a chil% as he ha% cu his boy %own an% lai% hi# on his be%. Then he%esperaely calle% $or he police an% a %ocor on he ra%io bu he owns wo police#en& Ber& he

    ,heri$$ an% on& his young %epuy& ha% boh been calle% o assis wih a $ire$igh on he oher si%e o$

    he #ounain. ;ouise& he police ra%io operaor& sai% he oc ha% gone wih he# bu as soon as

    hey go back& she woul% sen% so#eone over. wasn: likely o be $or aroun% hree or $our hours

    hough. Maybe even longer.

    was a lile over an hour be$ore Benrigh reace% o his loss an% he wor%s ha Billy ha% wrien in

    his noe ha ol% Billy:s si%e o$ he sory. Benrigh knew insanly ha he #essage Billy ha% goen

    was no he one ha ,arah woul% have sen. *er hear was oo swee o sen% wor%s like ha. *e

    rie% o call (elese on he ra%io bu she was no answering. n his #in% he coul% picure herlaughing wih sick %eligh.

    3hen he %i% reac& i was wih a surge o$ $ury he like o$ which he ha% never $el be$ore. was

    beyon% reason. was a bubbling& whie ho lava o$ burning hare% ha ore an% rippe% hrough his

    hear an% #in% like a orna%o. *e su%%enly soppe% his crying an% soo% up. *is $ace conore% ino

    a #ask o$ unnaural rage. *e ha% #a%e up his #in% wha he was going o %o an% $orgiveness ha%

    nohing o %o wih i.

    Benrigh burs ino his be%roo#& pulle% he pu#p acion sho gun $ro# is rack an% $ille% his

    pockes wih shells.. Then he wen back ino his sons roo# an% hoise% his bo%y over one shoul%er

    be$ore hea%ing ou he %oor. *e care$ully unloa%e% Billy:s bo%y ino he passenger sea o$ his ruck&

    an% hen cli#be% ino he oher si%e. ,wiching on he #oor he gunne% he engine an% ook o$$ in a

    clou% o$ %us an% ire s#oke. *e was hea%ing o he highway aroun% he #ounain. ,o#eone else

    was going o %ie o%ay. *e ha% a pro#ise o keep. *a% he glance% o his le$ he woul% have seen he

    s#oke curling up above he #ounain op an% realise% he was wasing his i#e. *e %i%n: see i. n

    his hea% he coul% see nohing bu (elese. ,he was %ancing. *er bo%y shaking an% wising an%

    +erking as he pu#pe% i $ull o$ 12 gauge shells.

    @p on he #ounain& ol% Drville was busy on he ra%io. *e was broa%casing o boh si%es o$ he

    #ounain all he knew abou abou wha (elese ha% %one an% elling people he coul% no raise Billy

    o le hi# know.

    Dn he eas si%e o$ he #ounain& ,arah McenCie was inconsolable. ,he %i% no hear Drville:s

    broa%cas bu a neighbour ha% an% co#e running wih he sory. ,arah ha% lisene% wih #ouning

    shock an% horror an% was now siing& screa#ing an% pulling hair $ro# her hea%& on he bahroo#

    $loor. *er back presse% agains he locke% %oor as her #oher rie% o cal# her %own by calling oher $ro# ousi%e. *er $aher Roy was swearing a ho revenge on (elese Mo)on $or wha she ha%

    %one o his %augher an% Billy.

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    was a hour an% a hal$ be$ore Benrigh = who ha% broken every spee% li#i in he couny = swung

    his ruck har% le$ an% began cli#bing he roa% o (elese:s house. was %ark an% he was en

    #inues ino he cli#b when his hea%lighs evenually picke% up s#oke %ri$ing across he roa% an%

    hanging in he rees on eiher si%e o$ i. was anoher en #inues be$ore he saw he $lashing re%lighs o$ he $ire en%er ahea% in he hickening s#oke ha now rese#ble% a hick an% choking $og.

    *e soppe% he ruck an% pulle% Billy:s bo%y $ro# his sea an% $lung i over his shoul%er. Then he

    grabbe% his shogun $ro# he rack behin% he %rivers sea an% shune% i in his han%& loa%ing up a

    shell.

    Benrigh Mo)on looke% like a vision sraigh $ro# hell as he e#erge% hrough he s#oke o san% in

    $ron o$ he burning house. The inense hea ha% $orce% he $ire crew back an% hey were ai#ing

    heir waer +es a a buil%ing oo $ar gone o hope o save. $ea ha he asse#ble% $ire crew& sheri$$& %epuy an% %ocor all agree% was al#os

    supernaural.

    The $ire crew ha% worke% all nigh an% #os o$ he $ollowing %ay o sop he $ire seing he whole

    #ounain ablaCe. The chie$ $ire invesigaion o$$icer $ro# Blacksone ha% %riven over an% inspece%

    he re#ains o$ he house an% hree bo%ies re%uce% o black lu#ps o$ carbon. *is repor woul% be

    crucial o he in'ues laer. Dne acci%enal %eah an% wo suici%es while he balance o$ he #in% was

    %isurbe% woul% be he ver%ic reurne%.

    The $uneral was on July ?h& he %ay o$ he couny $air. -ven so& hree hun%re% people urne% up $or

    i. The enire $a#ily were inerre% ogeher. Mary Mo)on& now Mary Richar%s& soo% a he grave

    wih her new husban% an% wep an% cluche% his ar# ighly as he co$$ins were lowere% in he

    $a#ily graves a he norhern en% o$ he green #ea%ow. The house an% lan% were hers now bu she

    inen%e% o sell i all o he lu#ber co#pany on con%iion ha hey kep he graves en%e% inperpeuiy. ,he coul% no bare o live here hersel$.

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    The $uneral service was given by ol% /asor Bur $ro# he Jesus ;ives Bapis (hurch in >n%erson.

    *e use% his rage%y o warn he congregaion o$ he %angers o$ hae& bierness& un$orgiveness an%

    revenge. *e ol% he# o$ his conversaion wih Benrigh long ago when he ha% co#e o see hi# an%

    aske% how o $orgive. *e knew he was o$$en%ing so#e in his hearing bu he %i% no care. :Beer o

    o$$en% all& ha one person #ay hear an% be save%.: Tha was his #oo when he preache% he Gospel

    #essage. *e ol% he#& as he ha% ol% Benrigh& how o go abou $orgiving ohers ha have %one

    you grea wrongs. *e en%e% he ser#on wih he sa#e propheic wor%s he ha% calle% ou oBenrigh as he ha% le$ hi# on ha %ay wih his hear sill $ull o$ anger. *is voice hun%ering aroun%

    he en in he green #ea%ow where he service was hel%.

    7Beware o$ pri%e an% bierness.. They will conspire ogeher o kill everyhing you love. They are

    he %evils brew. on: %rink $ro# hose cups or you will rue he %ay you %i%.9

    Dl% Drville Mowberry %i%n: aen% he $uneral. *e ol% -ric Brackenri%ge& he own barber& on he

    ra%io& ha he wane% o re#e#ber Billy an% Benrigh as hey ha% been in li$e an% he ha% no %esire

    o re#e#ber he wich.

    7 hae $unerals -ric. never go o :e#. 3hy& i$ can avoi% i& #igh no go o #ine neiher&9 he

    ol% his ol% $rien%.

    -ric sai% he coul% no aen% because he ha% o wai a ho#e $or news $ro# he hospial abou his

    sick wi$e.

    >s hey alke% ogeher Drville woul% occasionally glance %own a he #ea%ow $ar below& $ro# his

    wesern win%ow. *e coul% see he house& he big en an% he hree& sill open graves& clear enough.

    $ he use% his binoculars& he coul% recognise he people oo.

    The view $ro# he easern win%ow was o$ $ire scarre% rees below he cabin. was a view ha

    #a%e Drville shu%%er every i#e he looke% a i. *a% he $ire crew no soppe% he $ire sprea%ing

    hrough he rees ha nigh& his cabin #ay have gone up oo. /ine rees burn har% when hey burn.

    Drville clicke% he #icrophone swich.

    5a know -ric& people a8sar %yin: when he #a% ones ge power. >lways %o. >lways will. The

    couny shoul% never have given (elese ha +ob. ,he was ba% o he bone an% #os $olks knowe% i.

    ,ill& you know wha poliicians is like& ya can: ell :e# anyhing hey %on: know beer :n you.9

    *e pause% an% li a cigaree& scrache% a a %og $lee biing his ches un%er his shir an% hen he

    spoke so$ly ino he #icrophone.

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    7There is no nee% $or us o burn no wiches& -ric. ll ha was le$ o $ill her e#piness was he pain o$ herloss

    7 sill love you Billy Mo)on& she sai%& hen a%%e%& always %i% an% always will.9

    THE END