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193 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1988
He goes down the unlit alleyways behind the castle, then follows the short dark street leading to the cemetery. He stops in front of the grave of Grandfather and Grandmother.
Grandmother died last year of her second stroke. Grandfather died a long time ago. The townspeople used to say he was poisoned by his wife.
Lucas鈥檚 father died today trying to cross the border, and Lucas will never see his grave.
He doesn鈥檛 forget market days, he doesn鈥檛 let the milk go sour. He takes care of the animals, the garden, the house. He goes back into the forest to collect mushrooms and firewood. He takes up fishing again.
After they have eaten, Lucas says, 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry, Father, I have to go home. I鈥檓 expected.鈥�
The priest says, 鈥淚 know, my son. To be honest, I鈥檓 surprised you came this evening. I know that you live in sin with a sinful woman, and with the fruit of her immoral love. That child isn鈥檛 even baptized, although he bears the name of one of our saints.鈥�
Lucas looks out the window. In the main square stands a foreign army tank.
Lucas goes out to buy a pack of cigarettes. All the shops are closed. He has to go to the railway station. He passes other tanks along the way. The gun barrels turn in his direction, track him. The streets are deserted, the windows are shut, the shutters closed.