TheyweregoingtoFortLauderdale—threeboysandthreegirls—andwhentheyboardedthebustheywerecarryingsandwichesandwineinpaperbagsdreamingofgoldenbeachesandseatidesasthegraycoldspringofNewYorkwentbehindthem.

AsthebuspassedthroughNewJerseytheybegantonoticeVingo.Hesatinfrontofthemcompletelyinsilence.

DeepintothenightoutsideWashingtonthebuspulledintoHowardJohnson’sandeverybodygotoffexceptVingo.Theyoungpeoplebegantowonderabouthim.Whentheywentbacktothebusoneofthegirlssatbesidehimandintroducedherself.

“Wantsomewine?”shesaid.Hesmiledandtookaswigfromthebottle.Hethankedherandbecamesilentagain.AfterawhileshewentbacktotheothersandVingonoddedinsleep.

InthemorningtheyawokeoutsideanotherHowardJohnson’sandthistimeVingowentin.Thegirlinsistedthathejointhem.Heorderedblackcoffeeandsomecookiesastheyoungpeopletalkedaboutsleepingonbeaches.WhentheyreturnedtothebusthegirlsatwithVingoagainandafterawhileslowlyandpainfullyhebegantotellhisstory.HehadbeeninprisoninNewYorkforthepastfouryearsandnowhewasgoinghome.

“Areyoumarried?”

“Idon’tknow.”

“Youdon’tknow?”shesaid.

“WellwhenIwasinprisonIwrotetomywife”hesaid“ItoldherthatIwasgoingtobeawayforalongtimeandthatifshecouldn’tstanditifthekidskeptaskingquestionsandifithurthertoomuchwellshecouldjustforgetme.I’dunderstand.GetanewmanIsaid—she’sawonderfulwoman.Itoldhershedidn’thavetowriteme.Andshedidn’t.Notforthreeandahalfyears.”

“Andyou’regoinghomenownotknowing?”

“Yeah.WelllastweekwhenIwassuretheparole(假释)wascomingthroughIwroteheragain.WeusedtoliveinBrunswickjustbeforeJacksonvilleandthere’sabigoak(橡树)justasyoucomeintotown.Itoldherthatifshedidn’thaveanewmanandifshe’dtakemebacksheshouldputayellowhandkerchiefonthetreeandI’dgetoffandcomehome.Ifshedidn’twantmeforgetit—nohandkerchiefandI’dgoonthrough.”

“Wow”thegirlexclaimed“Wow.”

ShetoldtheothersandsoonallofthemwereinitlookingatthepicturesVingoshowedthemofhiswifeandthreechildren.

Nowtheywere20milesfrom