When the elevator reached the next floor, it opened and a woman came in. She held her son’s hand and they stood in the center of the elevator. Julie held Thompson’s hand and felt his fingers stiffen. Then she noticed that Thompson was looking at the thin little boy.
The child was stunted and carried his head low as if he was ashamed that he was alive. It obviously didn’t make it easier for him when people stared and it made Julie angry to see Thompson staring at him.
Perhaps this child evoked some childhood memory of Thompson’s, but it didn’t matter to Julie. “She nudged him and hissed in his ear, “Stop staring. It’s rude!”
Thompson took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Dora saw his reaction to the boy and the smile in her eyes quickly disappeared. She hunkered down and spoke to the
