Page 60 of Feared

“No. I like the sun.” William grinned, still blinking against the brightness.

“So how have you been?”

“Good.” William smiled, and a soft breeze ruffled the curls in his hair. Now that they were outside where it was quieter, Mary could hear hip-hop music playing through the headphones resting around his neck.

Judy rolled him past yellow crocuses blooming beside the asphalt path. “William, look, flowers. Everything is blooming, and spring is here. No more winter.”

“I don’t like winter. It’scold!” William smiled, still blinking. He leaned forward in the wheelchair, his excitement plain.

“I don’t like it either. I like spring.”

Mary fell into step beside William’s wheelchair. “I like summer.”

“Me too!” William looked up at Mary, delighted. “I can go fast! Judy, make me go fast!”

The path led gently downhill, and Judy leaned over to William. “Here we go down the hill! Hold on tight, William!”

“Whee!” William cheered, though he was in no danger, strapped into the wheelchair by belts at his waist and chest.

“Don’t fall out!”

“I won’t!” William laughed, thrilled, as Judy wheeled himdownhill. The path led behind the back of Poplar House, and ahead lay a grove of tall evergreens and underneath a verdant blanket of kelly-green ferns and hosta. Beyond was a large pond dotted with grayish-brown mallards and ringed at regular intervals with weathered cedar benches. The sight would have been idyllic, but for the fact that Mary knew Judy was going to tell William the worst news of his life there.

William grinned up at Mary, breathless. “Are you Judy’s friend?”

“Yes.” Mary found herself wishing that they could walk slower, just to prolong William’s last moments of happiness. “I’ve known her for a long time.”

“How long?”

“I have to think about that a minute.” Mary caught Judy’s eye, and they both smiled. “I don’t even remember. A long,longtime.”

Judy chuckled. “I don’t remember, either. William, can you believe that? I’ve known Mary for so long I don’t even remember how long? Isn’t that silly?”

“Ha!” William laughed. “I have friends. Tom and Jason and Big Bill.”

“You have a lot of friends.” Judy smiled. “You’re a friendly guy.”

“I know them a long time.”

“You’ve lived here a long time. Everybody likes you.” Judy leaned down to William as they walked. “Remember what I told you about the name of your house?”

“What?” William raised his head, squinting.

“It’s called Poplar House but I said you should call it…?”

“PopularHouse! Ha!” William laughed again.

“And do you remember why?”

“Because I’mpopular!”

“That’s right! You’reverypopular.”

“John ismybest friend.” William smiled, looking happily around as they traveled down the gentle hill.

Judy swallowed hard, and Mary felt her chest tighten. They reached level ground, heading toward the duck pond, and Mary could see grayish-brown mallards floating around on the glassy surface.

“Ducks!” William shouted happily.

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