And suddenly she was crying.

"I didn't want him to die," she said.

"I know you didn't."

Tears streaming down her face. "But I wanted his guitar." "That's all right, honey." Sobbing bitterly.

"Am I a terrible person?"

"No, darling, you're a wonderful person." "I love him to death, Dad."

"We all do."

"He's my very best brother."

"In fact, he's your only brother," Carella said. April burst out laughing, almost choking on her own tears. He held her close, and said into her hair, "Why don't you go say hello to him?"

"I will," she said, "thanks, Dad," and rushed out of his arms and out of the room, yelling, "Mark! Wake up! I'm home I"

The old house was still again.

He went into the living room, and turned on the imitation Tiffany lamp, and sat in the comfortable easy chair under it, thinking about Mark's guitar and Svetlana's cat and the dead hooker with the plastic bag over her head.

When Teddy came home some five minutes later, he watched her as she eased the door shut with her hip, and then put two shopping bags brimming with groceries on the chair near the mirror. Watched her silently in her silent world as she took off her coat and hung it in the closet, thinking that here in this violent city where he plied his daily trade... Here in a universe that seemed to grow darker and darker each day until every day threatened to become eternal night ...

Here there was Teddy to come home to.

He almost called her name out loud.

But she hadn't yet seen him, would not have heard him in any event. He kept watching her. She turned toward the living room, seeing him at last, surprised, .... her eyes widening, a smile blossoming on her face.

He rose and went to her.

The publishers hope that this large prim book has brought you pleasurable reading. Each title is designed to make the text as easy to read as possible.

For further information on backlist or future titles please write or telephone:

In Australia, and New Zealand customers should contact:

Australian Large Prim Audio & Video Pty. Ltd. 17 Mohr Street

Tullamarine Victoria 3043

Australia

Telephone: (03) 9338 0666 Fax: (03) 9335 1903 Toll Free Telephone: 1800 335 364.

Toll Free Fax: 1800 671 411

In New Zealand:

Toll Free Telephone: 0800 44 5788 Toll Free Fax: 0800 44 5789

In the British Isles and its territories, customers should contact:

ISIS Publishing Ltd

7 Centremead

Osney Mead

Oxford OX2 0ES

England

Telephone: (01865)250 333 Fax: (01865) 790 358