t arrived, proved botimely and apt. Not only in o offer, but I  all—tice, toire, ty-eigime I turned sixteen, I began looking for an excuse to quit, a  t  break my mot. trut  even, I  in our remote , no doubt our corner of tate, maybe t from border to border, but beyond t, no. I lacked to be a . Looking forernative o end up like old Mr. Martin eacer a second-rate career? I her play in a bordello.

    Over breakfast one morning, I opened : quot;Mom, I dont to get any better.quot;

    quot;Better t?quot; she asked, whipping eggs.

    quot;At t music. I ts as far as I can go.quot;

    So a skillet, t butter and  iron, and said notirred. Se of eggs and toast, and I ate t across table from me. quot;; sly, ing my attention. quot;Do you remember ttle boy and ran away from ;

    I did not, but I nodded in tive betes.

    quot;It er ted a bato cool off. ts one t get used to. And I asked you to mind Mary and Elizabeto t. Do you remember t?quot;

    t I nodded my  slug of orange juice.

    quot;I put to bed and came back do you ; ed t;e looked over  couldnt find you. As to come elep your name into t.quot; S me, as if reliving the experience in her minds eye.

    quot;Any more eggs, Mom?quot;

    Soove, and I ; gre in t forest? I kneo pick blackberries and left  on a brig, poor t a trace. All t remained  on t;

    I peppered my eggs and dug in.

    quot;I t of you lost and ing your mot get to you, and I prayed to God t youd come  ing . Its a blessin