CLAUDE IS BANISHED to the orchard, to say hello to his father.
I'm home! the boy cries.
So you are, observes his father, arms high above his head, hands lost in the mottled ceiling of the leaves.
When his hands emerge, holding apples, he offers one to Claude.
And your trip, Father asks, it was pleasant?
Claude nods, mouth occupied.
And the horse did not complain?
Claude shrugs his shoulders.
Tell me, Father says, where is it that you went?
As Claude struggles to swallow, Father apologizes.
Your mother—she has a business, she's thinking all the time—and with her mind so full, she sometimes forgets to tell me.
Claude takes another bite, so he doesn't have to answer.