绿里奇迹(英文版)-第43章

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〃Fine；　boss；〃　John　said　listlessly。　〃I's　fine。〃　
Brutal　patted　his　knee。　〃We'll　be　back　soon。　And　when　we　get　squared　away；　you　know　what？　I'm　going　to　see　you　get　a　great　big　cup　of　hot　coffee。　Sugar　and　cream；　too。〃　
You　bet；　I　thought；　going　around　to　the　passenger　side　of　the　cab　and　climbing　in。　If　we　don't　get　arrested　and　thrown　in　jail　ourselves　first。　
But　I'd　been　living　with　that　idea　ever　since　we'd　thrown　Percy　into　the　restraint　room；　and　it　didn't　worry　me　enough　to　keep　me　awake。　I　dozed　off　and　dreamed　of　Calvary　Hill。　Thunder　in　the　west　and　a　smell　that　might　have　been　juniper　berries。　Brutal　and　Harry　and　Dean　and　I　were　standing　around　in　robes　and　tin　hats　like　in　a　Cecil　B。　DeMille　movie。　We　were　Centurions；　I　guess。　There　were　three　crosses；　Percy　Wetmore　and　Eduard　Delacroix　flanking　John　Coffey。　I　looked　down　at　my　hand　and　saw　I　was　holding　a　bloody　hammer。　
We　got　to　get　him　down　from　there；　Paul！　Brutal　screamed。　We　got　to　get　him　down！　
Except　we　couldn't；　they'd　taken　away　the　stepladder。　I　started　to　tell　Brutal　this；　and　then　an　extra…hard　bounce　of　the　truck　woke　me　up。　We　were　backing　into　the　place　where　Harry　had　hidden　the　truck　earlier　on　a　day　that　already　seemed　to　stretch　back　to　the　beginning　of　time。　
The　two　of　us　got　out　and　went　around　to　the　back。　Brutal　hopped　down　all　right；　but　John　Coffey's　knees　buckled　and　he　almost　fell。　It　took　all　three　of　us　to　catch　him；　and　he　was　no　more　than　set　solid　on　his　feet　again　before　he　went　off　into　another　of　those　coughing　fits；　this　one　the　worst　yet。　He　bent　over；　the　coughing　sounds　muffled　by　the　heels　of　his　palms；　which　he　held　pressed　against　his　mouth。　
When　his　coughing　eased；　we　covered　the　front　of　the　Farmall　with　the　pine　boughs　again　and　walked　back　the　way　we　had　e。　The　worst　part　of　that　whole　surreal　furlough　was　…　for　me；　at　least　…　the　last　two　hundred　yards；　with　us　scurrying　back　south　along　the　shoulder　of　the　highway。　I　could　see　（or　thought　I　could）　the　first　faint　lightening　of　the　sky　in　the　east；　and　felt　sure　some　early　farmer；　out　to　harvest　his　pumpkins　or　dig　his　last　few　rows　of　yams；　would　e　along　and　see　us。　And　even　if　that　didn't　happen；　we　would　hear　someone　（in　my　imagination　it　sounded　like　Curtis　Anderson）　shout　〃Holdit　right　there！〃　as　I　used　the　Aladdin　key　to　unlock　the　enclosure　around　the　bulkhead　leading　to　the　tunnel。　Then　two　dozen　carbine…toting　guards　would　step　out　of　the　woods　and　our　little　adventure　would　be　over。　
By　the　time　we　actually　got　to　the　enclosure；　my　heart　was　whamming　so　hard　that　I　could　see　little　white　dots　exploding　in　front　of　my　eyes　with　each　pulse　it　made。　My　hands　felt　cold　and　numb　and　faraway；　and　for　the　longest　time　I　couldn't　get　the　key　to　go　into　the　lock。　
〃Oh　Christ；　headlights！〃　Harry　moaned。　
I　looked　up　and　saw　brightening　fans　of　light　on　the　road。　My　keyring　almost　fell　out　of　my　hand；　I　managed　to　clutch　it　at　the　last　second。　
〃Give　them　to　me；〃　Brutal　said。　〃I'll　do　it。〃　
〃No；　I've　got　it；〃　I　said。　The　key　at　last　slipped　into　its　slot　and　turned。　A　moment　later　we　were　in。　We　crouched　behind　the　bulkhead　and　watched　as　a　Sunshine　Bread　truck　went　pottering　past　the　prison。　Beside　me　I　could　hear　John　Coffey's　tortured　breathing。　He　sounded　like　an　engine　which　has　almost　run　out　of　oil。　He　had　held　the　bulkhead　door　up　effortlessly　for　us　on　our　way　out；　but　we　didn't　even　ask　him　to　help　this　time；　it　would　have　been　out　of　the　question。　Brutal　and　I　got　the　door　up；　and　Harry　led　john　down　the　steps。　The　big　man　tottered　as　he　went；　but　he　got　down。　Brutal　and　I　followed　him　as　fast　as　we　could；　then　lowered　the　bulkhead　behind　us　and　locked　it　again。　
〃Christ；　I　think　we're　gonna　…　〃　Brutal　began；　but　I　cut　him　off　with　a　sharp　elbow　to　the　ribs。　
〃Don't　say　it；〃　I　said。　〃Don't　even　think　it；　until　he's　safe　back　in　his　cell。〃　
〃And　there's　Percy　to　think　about；〃　Harry　said。　Our　voices　had　a　flat；　echoey　quality　in　the　brick　tunnel。　〃The　evening　ain't　over　as　long　as　we　got　him　to　contend　with。…〃　
As　it　turned　out；　our　evening　was　far　from　over。　


Part　Six：
Coffey　on　the　Mile　
1。　
I　sat　in　the　Georgia　Pines　sunroom；　my　father's　fountain　pen　in　my　hand；　and　time　was　lost　to　me　as　I　recalled　the　night　Harry　and　Brutal　and　I　took　John　Coffey　off　the　Mile　and　to　Melinda　Moores；　in　an　effort　to　save　her　life。　I　wrote　about　the　drugging　of　William　Wharton；　who　fancied　himself　the　second　ing　of　Billy　the　Kid；　I　wrote　of　how　we　stuck　Percy　in　the　straitjacket　and　jugged　him　in　the　restraint　room　at　the　end　of　the　Green　Mile；　I　wrote　about　our　strange　night　journey　…　both　terrifying　and　exhilarating　…　and　the　miracle　that　befell　at　the　end　of　it。　We　saw　John　Coffey　drag　a　woman　back；　not　just　from　the　edge　of　her　grave；　but　from　what　seemed　to　us　to　be　the　very　bottom　of　it。　
I　wrote　and　was　very　faintly　aware　of　the　Georgia　Pines　version　of　life　going　on　around　me。　Old　folks　went　down　to　supper；　then　trooped　off　to　the　Resource　Center　（yes；　you　are　permitted　a　chuckle）　for　their　evening　dose　of　work　sits。　I　seem　to　remember　my　friend　Elaine　bringing　me　a　sandwich；　and　thanking　her；　and　eating　it；　but　I　couldn't　tell　you　what　time　of　the　evening　she　brought　it；　or　what　was　in　it。　Most　of　me　was　back　in　1932；　when　our　sandwiches　were　usually　bought　off　old　Toot…Toot's　rolling　gospel　snack…wagon；　cold　pork　a　nickel；　corned　beef　a　dime。　
I　remember　the　place　quieting　down　as　the　relics　who　live　here　made　ready　for　another　night　of　thin　and　troubled　sleep；　I　heard　Mickey　…　maybe　not　the　best　orderly　in　the　place；　but　certainly　the　kindest　…　singing　〃Red　River　Valley〃　in　his　good　tenor　as　he　went　around　dispensing　the　evening　meds：　〃From　this　valley　they　say　you　are　going　。。。　We　will　miss　your　bright　eyes　and　sweet　smile　。。。〃　The　song　made　me　think　of　Melinda　again；　and　what　she　had　said　to　John　after　the　miracle　had　happened。　I　dreamed　of　you。　I　dreamed　you　were　wandering　in　the　dark；　and　so　was　I。　We　found　each　other。　
Georgia　Pines　gree　and　passed；　and　still　I　wrote。　I　got　to　Harry　reminding　us　that；　even　though　we　had　gotten　John　back　to　the　prison　without　being　discovered；　we　still　had　Percy　waiting　for　us。　〃The　evening　ain't　over　as　long　as　we　got　him　to　contend　with〃　is　more　or　less　what　Harry　said。　
That's　where　my　long　day　of　driving　my　father's　pen　at　last　caught　up　with　me。　I　put　it　down　…　just　for　a　few　seconds；　I　thought；　so　I　could　flex　some　life　back　into　the　fingers　…　and　then　I　put　my　forehead　down　on　my　arm　and　closed　my　eyes　to　rest　them。　When　I　opened　them　again　and　raised　my　head；　morning　sun　glared　in　at　me　through　the　windows。　I　looked　at　my　watch　and　saw　it　was　past　eight。　I　had　slept；　head　on　arms　like　an　old　drunk；　for　what　must　have　been　six　hours。　I　got　up；　wincing；　trying　to　stretch　some　life　into　my　back。　I　thought　about　going　down　to　the　kitchen；　getting　some　toast；　and　going　for　my　morning　walk；　then　looked　down　at　the　sheafs　of　scribbled　pages　scattered　across　the　desk。　All　at　once　I　decided　to　put　off　the　walk　for　awhile。　I　had　a　chore；　yes；　but　it　could　keep；　and　I　didn't　feel　like　playing　hide…and…seek　with　Brad　Dolan　that　morning。　
Instead　of　walking；　I'd　finish　my　story。　Sometimes　it's　better　to　push　on　through；　no　matter　how　much　your　mind　and　body　may　protest。　Sometimes　it's　the　only　way　to　get　through。　And　what　I　remember　most　about　that　morning　is　how　desperately　I　wanted　to　get　free　of　John　Coffey's　persistent　ghost。　
〃Okay；〃　I　said。　〃One　more　mile。　But　first。。。〃　
I　walked　down　to　the　toilet　at　the　end　of　the　second　floor　hall。　As　I　stood　inside　there；　urinating；　I　happened　to　glance　up　at　the　smoke　detector　on　the　ceiling。　That　made　me　think　of　Elaine；　and　how　she　had　distracted　Dolan　so　I　could　go　for　my　walk　and　do　my　little　chore　the　day　before。　I　finished　peeing　with　a　grin　on　my　face。　
I　walked　back　to　the　sunroom；　feeling　better　（and　a　lot　fier　in　my　her　regions）。　Someone　…　Elaine；　I　have　no　doubt　…　had　set　down　a　pot　of　tea　beside　my　pages。　I　drank　greedily；　first　one　cup；　then　another；　before　I　even　sat　down。　Then　I　resumed　my　place；　uncapped　the　fountain　pen；　and　once　more　began　to　write。　
I　was　just　slipping　fully　into　my　story　when　a　shadow　fell　on　me。　I　looked　up　and　felt　a　sinking　in　MY　stomach。　It　was　Dolan　standing　between　me　and　the　windows。　He　was　grinning。　
〃Missed　you　going　on　your　morning　walk；　Paulie；　he　said；　〃so　I　thought　I'd　e　and　see　what　you　were　up　to。　Make　sure　you　weren't；　you　know；　sick。〃　
〃You're　all　heart　and　a　mile　wide；〃　I　said。　My　voice　sounded　all　right　…　so　far；　anyway　…　but　my　heart　was　pounding　hard。　I　was　afraid　of　him；　and　I　don't　think　that　realization　was　entirely　new。　He　reminded　me　of　Percy　Wetmore；　and　I'd　never　been　afraid　of　him　。。。　but　when　I　knew　Percy；　I　had　been　young。　
Brad's　smile　widened；　but　became　no　less　pleasant。　
〃Folks　tellin　me　you　been　in　here　all　night；　Paulie；　just　writing　your　little　report。　Now；　that's　just　no　good。　Old　farts　like　you　need　their　beauty　rest。〃　
〃Percy　…　〃　I　began；　then　saw　a　frown　crease　his　grin　and　realized　my　mistake。　I　took　a　deep　breath　and　began　again。　〃Brad；　what　have　you　got　against　me？〃　
He　looked　puzzled　for　a　moment；　maybe　a　bit　unsettled。　Then　the　grin　returned。　〃Old…timer；〃　he　said；　〃could　be　I　just　don't　like　your　face。　What　you　writin；　anyway？　Last　will　n　testicles？〃　
He　came　forward；　craning。　I　slapped　my　hand　over　the　page　I'd　been　working　on。　The　rest　of　them　I　began　to　rake　together　with　my　free　hand；　crumpling　some　in　my　hurry　to　get　them　under　my　arm　and　under　cover。　
〃Now；〃　he　said；　as　if　speaking　to　a　baby；　〃that　ain't　going　to　work；　you　old　sweetheart。　If　Brad　wants　to　look；　Brad　is　going　to　look。　And　you　can　take　that　to　the　everfucking　bank。〃　
His　hand；　young　and　hideously　strong；　closed　over　my　wrist；　and　squeezed。　Pain　sank　into　my　hand　like　teeth；　and　I　groaned。　
〃Let　go；〃　I　managed。　
〃When　you　let　me　see；〃　he　replied；　and　he　was　no　longer　smiling。　His　face　was　cheerful；　though；　the　kind　of　good　cheer　you　only　see　on　the　faces　of　folks　who　enjoy　being　mean。　〃Let　me　see；　Paulie。　I　want　to　know　what　you're　writing。〃　My　hand　began　to　move　away　from　the　top　page。　From　our　trip　with　John　back　through　the　tunnel　under　the　road。　〃I　want　to　see　if　it　has　anything　to　do　with　where　you…''　
〃Let　that　man　alone。〃　
The　voice　was　like　a　harsh　whipcrack　on　a　dry；　hot　day　。。。　and　the　way　Brad　Dolan　jumped；　you　would　have　thought　his　ass　had　been　the　target。　He　let　go　of　my　hand；　which　thumped　back　down　on　my　paperwork；　and　we　both　looked　toward　the　door。　
Elaine　Connelly　was　standing　there；　looking　fresh　and　stronger　than　she　had　in　days。　She　wore　jeans　that　showed　off　her　slim　hips　and　long　legs；　there　was　a　blue　ribbon　in　her　hair。　She　had　a　tray　in　her　arthritic　hands　…　juice；　a　scrambled　egg；　toast；　more　tea。　And　her　eyes　were　blazing。　
〃What　do　you　think　you're　doing？〃　Brad　asked。　〃He　can't　eat　up　here。〃　
〃He　can；　and　he's　going　to；〃　she　said　in　that　same　dry　tone　of　mand。　I　had　never　heard　it　before；　but　I　weled　it　now。　I　looked　for　fear　in　her　eyes　and　saw　not　a　speck　…　only　rage。　〃And　what　you're　going　to　do　is　get　out　of　here　before　you　go　beyond　the　cockroach　level　of　nuisance　to　that　of　slightly　larger　vermin　…　Rattus　Americanus；　let　us　say！〃　
He　took　a　step　toward　her；　looking　both　unsure　of　himself　and　absolutely　furious。　I　thought　it　a　dangerous　bination；　but　Elaine　didn't　flinch　as　he　approached。　〃I　bet　I　know　who　set　off　that　goddam　smoke　alarm；〃　Dolan　said。　〃Might　could　have　been　a　certain　old　bitch　with　claws　for　hands。　Now　get　out　of　here。　Me　and　Paulie　haven't　finished　our　little　talk；　yet！〃　
〃His　name　is　Mr。　Edgebe；〃　she　said；　〃and　if　I　ever　hear　you　call　him　Paulie　again；　I　think　I　can　promise　you　that　your　days　of　employment　here　at　Georgia　Pines　will　end；　Mr。　Dolan。〃　
〃Just　who　do　you　think　you　are？〃　he　asked　her。　He　was　hulking　over　her；　now；　trying　to　laugh　and　not　quite　making　it。　
〃I　think；〃　she　said　calmly；　〃that　I　am　the　grandmother　of　the　man　who　is　currently　Speaker　of　the　Georgia　House　of　Representatives。　A　man　who　loves　his　relatives；　Mr。　Dolan。　Especially　his　older　relatives。〃　
The　effortful　smile　dropped　off　his　face　the　way　that　writing　es　off　a　blackboard　swiped　with　a　wet　sponge。　I　saw　uncertainty；　the　possibility　that　he　was　being　bluffed；　the　fear　that　he　was　not；　and　a　certain　dawning　logical　assumption：　it　would　be　easy　enough　to　check；　she　must　know　that；　ergo　she　was　telling　the　truth。　
Suddenly　I　began　to　laugh；　and　although　the　sound　was　rusty；　it　was　right。　I　was　remembering　how　many　times　Percy　Wetmore　had　threatened　us　with　his　connections；　back　in　the　bad　old　days。　Now；　for　the　first　time　in　my　long；　long　life；　such　a　threat　was　being　made　again　。。。　but　this　time　it　was　being　made　on　my　behalf。　
Brad　Dolan　looked　at　me；　glaring；　then　looked　back　at　her。　
〃I　mean　it；〃　Elaine　said。　〃At　first　I　thought　I'd　just　let　you　be　…　I'm　old；　and　that　seemed　easiest。　But　when　my　friends　are　threatened　and　abused；　I　do　not　just　let　be。　Now　get　out　of　here。　And　without　one　more　word。〃　
His　lips　moved　like　those　of　a　fish　…　oh；　how　badly　he　wanted　to　say　that　one　more　word　（perhaps　the　one　that　rhymes　with　witch）。　He　didn't；　though。　He　gave　me　a　final　look；　and　then　strode　past　her　and　out　into　the