Hip said, from the scarred depths of memory, ‘ People all around you, you by yourself.’ He made a wry smile. ‘Does a superman have super-hunger, Gerry? Super-loneliness?’
Gerry nodded, slowly. ‘I did better when I was a kid.’ He shuddered. ‘Cold…’
Hip did not know what kind of cold he meant, and did not ask. He rose. ‘I’d better go see Janie. She thinks maybe I killed you.’
Gerry sat silently until Hip reached the door. Then he said. ‘Maybe you did.’
Hip went out.
Janie was in the little ante-room with the twins. When Hip entered, Janie moved her head slightly and the twins disappeared.
Hip said, ‘I could tell them too.’
‘Tell me,’ Janie said. ‘They’ll know.’
He sat down next to her. She said, ‘You didn’t kill him.’
‘No.’