"Darn rights, darn rights" I murmured.
"I will, I promise I will ... " I caught my voice.
"Jhene how how will we tell Ralph? What about him?"
"You're going away, that's all, Chris. Tell him that. Very simply. Tell him no more.
He'll understand."
"But, Jhene, you".
She smiled softly.
"Yes, I'll be lonely, Chris. But I'll have my work and I'll have Ralph".
"You mean ... ".
"I'm taking him from the ortho-station. He'll live here, when you're gone. That's
what you wanted me to say, isn't it, Chris?"
I nodded, all paralyzed and strange inside.
"That's exactly what I wanted you to say".
"He'll be a good son, Chris. Almost as good as you".
"He'll be fine!"
-30-
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