" Yes," she said. And then after a pause, with her head bowed, she said softly, "I think so." It has to be yes or no. Not 'I think so.' You must be su...e. You cannot hesitate. Hesitating is for amateurs. Hesitating is dangerous."Matilda's eyes darted between Leon's face and her shoes."Well?" he asked.Matilda looked up. She still held the yo-yo. Her fingers tightened around it as she remembered the outline of her little brother's dead body. Images of Skip Grafton filled her mind. Her fingers. As we pulled out of the station, a quick glance at the truck driver convinced me that he was on masturbation overload because his eyes were rolling back in his florid stubble-bearded face.The sign at the entrance to the road leading to Split-Tail Beach was like a historical marker. It simply described the beach as being for "limited" public use and that it was named after some rare bird that only nested in this area and another area near Cape Hatteras in North Carolina. Not being familiar with. "Wisht I'd brought the cannon." Oh, yeah," he said. "Food and artillery. Wonderful combo." Alright, Jim. Holler if you need something." Hey, I'm gonna be sendin' Cindy home with an application to take the ACT in a week or so. So don't be surprised." Okay! Thanks for the heads' up! See ya'll soon!" I flipped the phone closed.Cindy handed me a pair of street shoes. I changed." We're gonna have fun with this gumbo, right?" she asked."We are, cutie," I said. She curled her legs up underneath her on. I'm in bed at my Aunt and Uncle's! I think of them finding me there in the family room and feel a wave of embarrassment. Still, I'm out of that dream! I think I must have the flu, a high fever would like explain it all.My stomach convulses and I jump up, desperate to get to the bathroom. My head hurts so bad I almost collapse. I look around. I'm stunned. Everything looks strange. I see a door and a dim bathroom and all but dive for it. There seems to be very little left in me, the heaves are.