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HOWARD: I held Lawanda for a few minutes, all the time thinking how fake it was, feeling I could keep Lawanda safe. Whatever had gone on had already happened and I hadn't known about it; whatever was up ahead—well, she'd be on her own soon. I could no more protect Lawanda than I could stop the earth from turning. When the kids was little, it was June worrying all the time. What if Noonie's rash got infected? What if Lawanda's cough settled in her lungs? It was June who sat up through the night, not able to let go even if they slept like babies. Now it's me. Noonie's clean gone and I've had to accept that. He's nineteen—practically a man, though what kind, I can't tell. Lawanda's an egg that thinks she's a rock—that's what Lawanda is. She can't just go hurling herself into the creek like Noonie and expect to make a right pretty splash. No sir, I can't protect her from what's happened, but I can sure make Garland pay. If Lawanda won't talk, that notebook will. Let Garland's words speak against him. Then, by God, we can hang him from his own rope. 86 ...

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