Rhona said, "Did you notice Carl Braken and his wife at—"
Hank said, "No, Phil, why is it the most popular place on earth?"
Phil said, "Because people are—" And then he caught himself and waved his hand and muttered, "I forgot the punch line."
"Because people are dying to get in," Hank said, and looked through the window, past the iron fence, into the large cemetery at the fleeting tombstones.
The car was filled with horrified silence when there should have been nothing but laughter, or irritation at a too-old joke. "Maybe you should let me out right here," Hank said. "I'm home—or that's what everyone seems to think. Maybe I should lie down in an open grave. Maybe that would satisfy people. Maybe that's the only way to act, like Dracula or another monster from the movies."
Edith said, "Oh, Hank, don't, don't!"
The car raced along the road, crossed a macadam highway, went four blocks and pulled to a stop. He didn't bother saying good night. He didn't wait for Edith. He just got out and walked up the flagstone path and entered the house.
"Hank," Edith whispered from the guest room doorway, "I'm so sorry—"
"There's nothing to be sorry about. It's just a matter of time. It'll all work out in time."