第19部分 (第3/8页)

walkway　had　a　faded　green　awning　that　covered　it；　and　flower　beds　alongside　with　freshly

planted　pansies　that　looked　muddied　and　slightly　askew。

The　grass　was　patchy；　with　three　deep　holes　dug　near　the　building。

“The　residents　tend　the　grounds；”　my　father　said。　“It's　part　of　their　occupational　training

program；　and　it's　therapeutic。　Those　holes　are　the　future

homes　of　Peach；　Plum；　and　Pear。”

“Fruit　trees？”

“Yes。　The　vote　caused　quite　a　motion。”

“Among　the　…　residents？”

“That's　right。”　He　swung　open　one　of　the　glass　double　doors　and　said；　“e　on　in。”

It　was　cool　inside。　And　it　smelled　of　pine　cleaner　and　bleach；　with　something　vaguely

pungent　underneath。

There　wasn't　a　reception　desk　or　waiting　area；　just　a　large　intersection　with　white　walls　and

narrow　wooden　benches。　To　the　left　was　a　big　room

with　a　television　and　several　rows　of　plastic　chairs；　to　the　right　were　open　office　doors；　and

beside　us　were　two　pine　armoires。　One　was　open；　with

half　a　dozen　gray　sweaters　hung　neatly　in　a　row。

“Good　morning；　Robert！”　a　woman　called　through　one　of　the　office　doors。

“Good　morning；　Josie；”　my　father　replied。

She　came　out　to　meet　us；　saying；　“David's　up　and　about。　Has　been　since　around　six。　Mabel

tells　me　it's　his　birthday　today。”

“Mabel　is　right　again。”　He　turned　to　me　and　smiled。　“Josie；　it's　my　pleasure　to　introduce　my

daughter；　Jul