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Mary Daheim
“That’s the weird thing. He didn’t look like most of the
homeless types.”
Judith nodded. “I’m not surprised.”
“Huh?” Mike looked puzzled. “What do you
mean?”
Maybe, Judith thought, it was only fair to enlighten
her son. But before she could say anything, Bill Jones
came through the door, panting mightily.
“Bill!” Renie cried. “You’re alive!”
Bill leaned one thermal-gloved hand against the
door frame and panted some more. “Huhuhuhuhuhu,”
he uttered.
“Did you bring me some snacks?” Renie asked,
smiling widely.
Bill, his tongue hanging out, shook his head.
“Uhuhuh.”
Renie’s face fell. “Oooh . . .”
“Why don’t you smack her, Uncle Bill?” Mike
asked, half serious.
Bill finally caught his breath. “The crowns in heaven
that await me . . . ,” he murmured, coming all the way
into the room and kissing his wife.
Renie appeared contrite. “Are you all right? Are you
cold? Are you tired?”
Bill nodded emphatically at each question, then
slumped into Renie’s visitor’s chair and removed his
snap-brim cap. “I came to find out how Joe was doing,
but the elevator’s broken. I couldn’t make it all the way
to the fourth floor on the stairs. What’s happening?”
“Joe’s much better,” Judith said happily. “Mike’s
seen him, but I haven’t yet. Because of the elevator.”
Bill nodded again. “You two seem to be doing okay.”
“We are,” Renie replied, patting Bill’s arm. “Are you
sure you don’t have frostbite?”
SUTURE SELF
305
This time, Bill shook his head. “It’s actually beautiful out there, with the sun shining and all the snow
that’s still left. I didn’t mind the walk at all.”
“Good,” Renie said, then turned serious. “Tell me,
what on earth are you doing with those blasted Chihuahuas? I was beginning to think you’d gone over the
edge.”
“Oh.” Bill chuckled. “This may sound whimsical,
but an occasional nonscientific experiment can prove
interesting, if not entirely valid. This was one I’d had
in mind for a long time. I became curious about animal
versus human behavior several years ago and—”
“Bill,” Renie interrupted, “spare us the background,
okay?”
