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Then it floats up, the last question that matters. “Why baths?”

Sam shrugs. Lucy yanks hard at the bandana. It slips, showing skin two shades lighter. So soft. This, out of everything, brings the threat of tears close. “You used to hate baths. Tell me why, Sam.”

“She looks at me. Renata, that’s her name. They don’t look at the men who buy time in their beds. You know that? They don’t kiss them, or really look. But she look at me when she’s bathing me. She sees me. The proper way.”

Lucy closes her eyes and tries to see.

She sees Sam, shining.

Sam at seven, shining in dress and braid.

Sam at eleven, shining through loss and grime.

Sam at sixteen, this conviction, these grown-up bones.

Explanation and Analysis:

When the bald man finally catches up with Sam, it’s clear that Sam and Lucy won’t be able to stick together for much longer. With only a few minutes left together, Lucy asks the only question that matters to her now: why Sam spent so much of th...

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Original

Romeo

(aside) She speaks.
O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art
As glorious to this night, being o’er my head,
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white, upturnèd, wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-puffing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art though Romeo?
Deny they father and refuse they name.
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

Modern

Romeo

(to himself) She speaks. Speak again, bright angel! For tonight you are as glorious, there up above me, as a winged messenger of heaven who makes mortals fall onto their backs to gaze up with awestruck eyes as he strides across the lazy clouds and sails through the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Why must you be Romeo? Deny your father and give up your name. Or, if you won’t change your name, just swear your love to me and I’ll give up being a Capulet.

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