Earthquake I.D. (50 page)
“Or think of it this way,” Chris said.
“Oh, here we go,” JJ said. “Alternative theory.”
“Now,
Junior
. Try to think for a minute.”
“See, my brother never learned, he's the alternative theory.”
“Try to think of it
this
way, okay Junior, and then we'll all get down on our hands and knees and look around for your I.Q.”
“You guys,” said Paul.
“Well, think of thisâfive children, five episodes.”
“That's right!” exclaimed Dora. “Sylvia, count. One was Papa, two was that girl, that Romy, and thenâ”
“Five equals five.” Chris poked his glasses at Paul. “Could be, Mistah P.”
“Hey,” Jay said. “Save it for Dr. DiPio.”
The mother liked both theories, actually. Either of them made more sense than most of what she'd had in mind back when she'd come to Naples.
“Whatever,” said her middle child. “It's not going to h-happen again.”
John Junior was nodding. “Five children, five episodes.”
“Good, bro. Good boy. Now for our next act⦔
The girls were looking from brother to brother, spinning, delighted. Barbara had to move the other way, towards the exit, the uncertain lights of the city above.
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