NINETEEN
Just then the doorbell rang.
Thank god, because I didn’t know how to answer Fern. Could I forgive her?
Rain was still pelting the windows. I glanced at Hayword, and then I got up, went to the door, and opened it. Joanie was standing on the other side of the door. She was soaking wet.
I shut the door again.
“Just the wind,” I said as I came back to the living room.
The doorbell rang again.
“Goddamn it,” I said. I went back and opened the door. “What?”
“My electricity is out,” Joanie said. “Marv is haunting me. I keep hearing moaning.”
“It’s called the wind,” I said.
Lightning flashed again and again.
“Please!” Joanie said.
I rolled my eyes, stepped aside, and swept my arm to let her know she could enter. Hayword, the kids, and Eartha gathered round.
“Joanie,” Eartha sa
