The woman’s hands dropped from her hips. For a moment her eyes questioned Ma, and then she turned and walked quickly away, and she went into a tent and pulled the flaps down behind her. Ma stared after her, and then she dropped to her knees again beside the stack of tin dishes.
Al hurried near. “Tom,” he called. “Ma, is Tom inside?”
Tom stuck his head out. “What you want?”
“Come on with me,” Al said excitedly.
They walked away together. “What’s a matter with you?” Tom asked.
“You’ll find out. Jus’ wait.” He led Tom to the torn-down car, “This here’s Floyd Knowles,” he said.
“Yeah, I talked to him. How ya?”
“Jus’ gettin’ her in shape,” Floyd said.
Tom ran his finger over the top of the block. “What kinda bugs is crawlin’ on you, Al?”
“Floyd jus’ tol’ me. Tell ’em, Floyd.”