Few do.
They came then to a large gap in the earth surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of people holding black umbrellas. Rain. The men laying down the cable.
Thomas looked at Julie.
Will it hurt?
And these, he asked, indicating the mourners, are they hired or volunteers?
Get in to the hole?
Im in the hole now, said the Dead Father.
Thank you, said the Dead Father. Thank you very much.
Yes, she said, but Ill come and hold your hand.
Julie lifted her skirt.
The bulldozers are just over the hill, Thomas said, waiting.
Just once to place my hand on it? asked the Dead Father. Last request?
And then youll cover me up?
Rain falling on all of the bystanders. Emma with kerchief to eyes. Julie standing with hands hiking up skirt.
Did I do it well? asked the Dead Father.
All there is, Julie said. Unfortunately. But this much. This where life lives. A pretty problem. As mine as yours. Im sorry.
I wasnt really fooled, said the Dead Father. Not fora moment. I knew all along.
They straggled up the edge of the excavation.
The Dead Father looked again at the hole.
You are to get into the hole, said Thomas.
No Fleece? asked the Dead Father.
Oh, he said, I see.
Who has dug this great hole in the ground? asked the Dead Father. What is to be builded here?
Intolerable, Thomas said. Grand. I wonder how he does it.
Quite golden, said the Dead Father. Quite ample. Thats it?
This.
She knelt and clasped a hand.
Quite golden, said the Dead Father. Quite ample.
Yes it will, she said, but Ill come and hold your hand.
It islovely, said the Dead Father. I am covered with admiration.
Oh to be alive, the Dead Father said, for one moment more.
Thats the best you can do?
Yes, she said, I never do less than the best I can do, Ill come and hold your hand.
Julie holding a hand.
No, said Thomas.
Im in it now, said the Dead Father, resonantly.
The Dead Father stretched his great length in the hole. Skittering of black earth upon the great carcass, from the edges.
How long it is, the Dead Father observed.
Thats all? said the Dead Father. Thats the end?
That we can arrange, said Thomas. Two, if you wish.
Wished to pay their respects, said Thomas.
Im not even to touch it?
Of course I had hopes, said the Dead Father. Pale hopes.
Bulldozers.
No more after this?
Julie looking away.
Dont believe so, said Thomas, can I help you off with the loop?
What is it? asked the Dead Father.
Long enough, said Thomas, I think.
Youre not alive, Thomas said, remember?
Together they maneuvered the loop from the Dead Fathers torso.
Youll bury me alive?
This is it, said Thomas.
My dear, she said, my dearest, lie down in the hole. Ill come and hold your hand.
Nothing, Thomas said.
No.
Lie down in the hole.
Yes.
Great wreaths of every kind of flower standing about on stands.
He moved to touch it.
Julie moved to the Dead Father, restoring her clothes.
What a voice, said Julie, I wonder how he does it.
After all this long and arduous and if I may say so rather ill-managed journey? Not to touch it? What am I to do?
One moment more! said the Dead Father.
We knew that too.
Marvelously well, said Julie. Superbly. I will never see it done better.
Denied, said Thomas. Unseemly.
And soon, with good black earth, said Julie. Sad necessary --
Thomas placed his hand on the Fleece, outside the skirt.
This large excavation? asked the Dead Father.
No, said Julie.
We knew you knew, said Thomas.
Its a hard thing to remember, said the Dead Father. I dont want to lie down in the hole.
She has it?
