I stared at him, and a cold wind blew through me. I remembered the time Mom hugged herself and shivered, saying: "Someone just walked across my grave."
"Whatcha starin' at?" asked Jum.
"Nothin'."
"Bet you're scared."
"Am not."
"Are too!"
"You guys stop it! Where's Mom? I want Mom!"
"Now lookit you made her do!"
"Did not!"
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A candle fell over. We gaped at each other.
"Someone's knocking!"
"Davie?" whispered Jum. "You answer it, you're the oldest."
"Come with me?"
Jum shook his head.
"Sue? Suzie?"
Sue bit her lip and looked away.
"Who is it?" I shouted. Jum and Sue jumped.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Who is it?" Jum and I yelled, standing up together. Sue grabbed Paul and disappeared into the dark.
I was numb. I thought of running out the front door and away forever, leaving them all to the monster outside. I thought of grabbing the shotgun, the axe, the butcher knife, and shooting and chopping and slashing and . . . . I shone the flashlight through the screen door.
It was a man. A big man. A big wet man, shielding his eyes from the sudden light. "It's only me," he rumbled, waving his hands.
Jum and I looked at each other. "Only who?" My voice quavered.
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