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check it out with her. But I needed the money for a dress for the end-of-the-year school dance, so I said yes.
    That night it rained and blew. The wind was fierce and building all the time. I was chilled and soaked by the time I got to the house on the Upper Road.
    There was only the light on in the kitchen at the back. If I hadn’t known the place so well I would have had trouble finding my way. The dog was tied up to the veranda rail, and he barked and snapped at me when I approached.
    The back door opened. It was Robert.
    â€œCome on in.” Taking my jacket, he hung it behind the oil stove. “Sit down at the table and I’ll get you some coffee. Get you warmed up.”
    The table was set with two cups and two plates and a cake in its baking pan. There was no sign of anyone else.
    â€œGo ahead, have some cake. I baked it especially for you.” And he poured coffee for both of us.
    The light from the coal-oil lamp pooled around the table, leaving the area beyond in darkness. I was no longer sure where the door was. There was a heaviness in the air,maybe from the smell of diesel oil on Robert’s clothing or from the heat of the stove.
    â€œWhere’s your wife?” I asked him.
    â€œOh, she isn’t quite ready yet,” he answered easily, and I felt the perspiration break out on my back.
    â€œCould you show me where the kids are, so I can check on them? When you’re gone.” I started to get up from the table. I had to keep my legs stiff to stop their trembling.
    â€œWell, now, just a minute. They aren’t here at the moment. The wife and kiddies are visiting the McDougals up the road. They’ll be back soon. Relax. Sit down. Tell me about school.”
    He passed the cake to me. I saw that he had only the last two fingers on that hand. He saw me staring.
    â€œIt was an accident at Port Mellon,” he said, watching my eyes.
    I took a piece of cake and began to eat it slowly. Outside I could hear the fury of the wind as it slammed itself toward the open sea.
    â€œI always wanted a chance to talk to you,” he said. “It’s good we have this chance alone.”
    The cake stuck at the back of my throat, and I got up to get a drink of water at the sink. I ran the tap and reached for my jacket.
    Instantly he was at my side, his hand with the missing fingers on my arm. “Where are you going? I told you they would be back soon.”
    â€œI know.” I located the kitchen door in my mind. “Ithink I’ll go up to the McDougals. Remind them of the time. Maybe they—”
    The vacuousness left his face, and he became heavy-lidded, full-lipped. His voice was very soft and wrapped itself around me.
    â€œThey’re not there,” he said. “They went into the city on the same boat as your mother. Stay and talk to me. We’ve never had a chance to talk, you and I. There are things I want to tell you.”
    I had my hand on the doorknob by this time.
    â€œNo!” I cried out when he lunged for me, and I pulled open the door and hurled myself into the blackness outside.
    I was off the veranda and onto the path by the time he got out the door. I heard him shouting, swearing. Then he went back into the house, reappearing almost immediately with a powerful flashlight. The beams came down the path after me, and I veered sharply off the road and into the tangle of the garden. Blackberry vines caught at my clothing and ripped my face.
    Tearing my way through them, I cut across the property toward the road. The light played up and down the path.
    I reached the road and started to run. The wind was a wall coming at me. Trees creaked all around. All I cared about was running, running until I was sure he was far behind me.
    By the time I was near home, I had a stitch in my side and was limping.
    Everyone was in bed, even Paul. He looked up at me through the open door.
    â€œYou’re back early. Did they change their minds?”
    I