Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen

On Labor Day, the Bowden family, with Tommy Kent as the guest of honor, took the Sweet Sioux to the island for the last trip of the year, according to tradition. It was a warm day, with a cool breeze blowing from the lake.They had lunch at noon.At two o'clock, when the children were swimming, Sam sat on a blanket in his trunks, his arms on his knees, a can of beer and a cigarette in his hand.Caro lay on her back beside him, arms across her eyes. With a sleepy grunt, she rolled over, turned her hands back to undo the top half of her two-piece swimsuit, and said, "Put me some sunscreen, old friend."

He put down the beer can, put the cigarette on the beer can, opened the cap of the sunscreen lotion, poured the warm lotion into the palm of his hand, and rubbed it on her slender brown back.What a rare woman, he thought, a woman of grace and spirit, proud and delicate.He thought again of the nightmare that almost happened to her.For those who are less sensitive, it may be possible to bear such a crime without being too emotionally traumatized, but it is absolutely impossible for Kai Luo, which will make her completely collapsed from then on.The thought of such a critical situation made his eyes sting, and the tears blurred her form in his eyes.

"Mm." She sighed contentedly when he capped the bottle of sunscreen. "I think you're too lazy to go into the water." "uh-huh." "I was cheated," he said solemnly, "when I bought you from the slave market in Nairobi, the auctioneer said you would work like a dog, from morning till night. Your flesh looks firm, your eyes are clear, and your teeth are all there." "The price is reasonable," she said dreamily. "But they lied to me." "Do you remember that there is a sign over there that says: 'The goods are out of the house, no return or exchange'."

"I'm thinking of selling you." "It's too late. Being enslaved by you for so many years has turned me into an ugly old woman, sir." He sighed exaggeratedly. "I think I can probably use you for a few more years." "what!" "You can't say 'ha', it's too rude." "Yes, master." This is a game they often play in their married life.They would play along, answering each other, enjoying the making up, as if it were a love game. He threw the empty beer can into the lake and watched it float away, shining in the wind-blown ripples.He watched Nancy twist up the side of the Sweet Sioux.Then plunge into the water cleanly, as cute as a piece of music.

Caro buttoned her bra and sat up. "Maybe I'll go for a swim. You're making me feel guilty, you pig, what are you doing yourself? Drinking beer and saying insulting things." "Go for a swim, I'll wait a little longer." He watched her walk to the water's edge, tucking her hair into a white rubber swimming cap.She went into the water and swam out, her stroke was good and leisurely.He took another can of beer for himself from the icebox, and said to himself: The big moment, at this minute of this day at this hour, I walked out from under the black cloud called Cardi, completely Unexpectedly, I was as complete as before.

Kai Luo came back dripping wet, asked for a can of beer a little panting, and then sat down next to him to drink. She looked at him and tilted her head slightly: "You look preoccupied again." "Instead of being dazed like a normal idiot?" "What are you thinking?" "Cady." The expression on her face changed: "I hope you don't do this again. I've sealed this up and put it to the back of my mind, and you kept breaking in, dragging him out and dangling him in front of me." "That's what you asked. I just wanted to feel that something changed in me. Killing someone should change. I don't know what will change, maybe a little rougher. Of course I won't be like that again." Sentimental, and no longer a gentle ass."

"It's definitely changed," she said. "Can you see it?" "I mean, I've changed, I'm no longer an idiot who just knows me and my little world. Sam, I thought I was living happily ever after, raising my kids and finally kicking them out Nest, to spend a dignified old age with you, etc., these are my absolute rights and unalterable inheritance. I know that I will die someday, and I will also be a little old woman with white hair, Smelling of lavender, surrounded by children and grandchildren, and dying in my own bed. And you'll live a few more years, give you a chance to think of me, and you'll come and join me. All I've ever thought was These, very, very convinced that this world is for me to live happily in.”

"Is not it?" "It's got to be luck, honey, you've got to have the best luck. There's a lot of evil in this world, and Cardi's one of them, and a puddle of water in the bend Ice formed, and bacteria and all." "I know, dear." She took his hand, held it tightly, and frowned at him. "So I just learned this one little thing. People all over the world are dying, or heartbroken, or physically disabled at this very minute. And when it comes to these things, people don't believe it at all. , thinking that this kind of thing can't happen to me, it shouldn't be like this."

"I know." "Maybe I'm stronger and braver than others, and I hope I am, because I know we're all on a fine web of accident and coincidence." She blushed, "It's your turn." He took a sip of his beer and looked across the lake. "It's my turn. Well, in addition to what you said, and a little more. I'm like recovering from a serious illness. The world looks very new and everything looks very special. I feel full of life and I don't want this to fade, I want to hold onto it. I think I was boring, idealized my career, and took it too seriously. Now I know it's just a tool, like any other Like a tool, if you use it wisely, it will help you; when it is not useful to you, you have to take useful actions.”

"My God, such an interesting traveling salesman actually came to visit me and my dad on our farm." He looked at her round, innocent eyes. "Little village girl Beidilu, it's always a pleasure to come here and eat your delicious dishes." "Oh, those old things, you're just flattering me." "Betty Lou, have you ever seriously considered having a baby?" He saw her face suddenly become serious, he saw her pensive expression, and also saw her decision almost immediately. "I'd love to have a baby. But, God, I've been looking under the cabbage leaves almost every morning, and I don't know how, but I never find one."

"Well, that's not the way to get kids, baby." "On a farm like ours, there isn't that much new information." He kissed her on the mouth. "It kind of started like that." "Really? Well, I think I might like it." He laughed at her, and she grinned at him. "Let's go swimming, you lecherous country girl," he said. "You need some cold water, Samuel." They walked into the water hand in hand.The country husband and the country wife, a beautiful, docile and civilized couple, there is no hint of violence at all, and no terrible shadow of fear remains. He swam out with her, stopped halfway, smiled at her lovingly, pushed her into the water unexpectedly, and swam desperately to the side of the boat while the children yelled for She catches him.