"I think I'd like for it to happen," Credence says, but it's only after a while and it's only after both of them have calmed down. He feels foolish, hugging and crying. All of these things back home were more than allowed, they were forbidden. They'd make Mary Lou angry in that cold way of hers--and here, it just seems silly.

"I want to say I'm sorry to her, too. And maybe--maybe she'll see. I'm better at.." He trails off, trying to find the right words. His shoulders are stooped, and when he speaks again, he drops his voice even lower.

"It hasn't happened again. Four months, and--" A small, tiny shrug. "--nothing, ma'am. Not even when I was struck by lightning."