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and crazy. And they're wondering where you went off to.' |
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'Thought I'd better stay with Lynn,' he said. Then he called out, 'Honey, I'll wait for you right outside the door.' |
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'OK. I won't be much longer.' |
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To Tina, he said, 'Sorry if I startled you.' |
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He went out the door, noticed that no one was using the pay telephones, and stepped over to one. He dug into his pocket for change. He lifted the receiver off its hook. Its black plastic was slippery with his sweat. He realized he was suddenly trembling. |
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Reaching toward the coin slot, he hesitated. |
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But he knew that he had to make the call. Denise would probably pick it up. He could talk to her, to Kara. If everything was all right, it would lift a terrible weight off his mind. |
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He took a deep, shaky breath, then dropped a quarter into the slot. He punched in his home number. |
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It rang four times. Five. |
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Sweat trickled down John's sides. |
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A soft click and clatter. 'Hello?' |
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