-32-
--
It was funny, but Ralph didn't even ask any more about why I was going, or where, or how long I would be away. All he would say was, "We had a lot of fun, didn't we?" and let it go at that, as if he didn't dare say any more.
It was Friday night, after a concert at the amphitheater in the center of our public circle, and Priory and Jhene and I came home, laughing, ready to go to bed. I hadn't packed anything. Priory noted this briefly, and let it go.
All of my personal supplies for the next eight years would be supplied by someone else. No need for packing. My semantics teacher called on the audio, smiling and saying a very brief, pleasant good-bye.
Then, we went to bed, and I kept thinking in the hour before I lolled off, about how this was the last night with Jhene and Ralph. The very last night. Only a kid of fifteen me. And then, in the darkness, just before I went to sleep, Priory twisted softly on his cushion, turned his solemn face to me, and whispered
"Chris?"
A pause.
"Chris. You still awake?"
It was like a faint echo.
"Yes" I said.
"Thinking?"
A pause.
"Yes" He said, "You're You're not waiting any more, are you, Chris?"
I knew what he meant. I couldn't answer. I said, "I'm awfully tired, Ralph".
He twisted back and settled down and said
"That's what I thought. You're not waiting any more. Gosh, but that's good,
Chris. That's good".
He reached out and punched me in the arm-muscle, lightly.
Then we both went to sleep.