EpilogueSeveral days later, Bass and Lucille met up for drinks after work. The sidewalk was lined with bars and patio tables shaded with umbrellas, but after ordering, the two walked across the street, through the parking lot, and stood near the river embankment. The area was nice, the painted green railings glistened, and the weather was pleasant. Bass had his beer in hand, and Lucille had her cigarettes. They leaned against the railing and looked out across the slow-moving river.
Lucille puffed, letting the smoke sail with the evening breeze. “What kind of a name is Toat?” she asked.
Bass could smell her perfume when the breeze turned in his direction; it came with her cigarette smoke. “I think it’s short for Theodore,” Bass replied. “It was what his parents called him. Nicknames hang
