Re: [misha & jude: the capital]
[Misha, he reckoned he would never be equipped, and he knew he should quit trying to understand, and he should quit trying to make Jude understand. Jude, he couldn't help but see things Jude's way. Oliver saw things his own way too, and Misha was working real hard at getting them to meet in the middle. But, like every other thing Misha saw real clear and from a level above humanity, he was finding it wasn't possible to help. Oliver, he listened some. Jude, maybe he just didn't feel comfortable 'nough to listen. And Misha was just left feeling awful for trying, and he'd felt real bad since this thing with Oliver fell apart in that guest room at Wainright Manor. Fixing on pianos, it was easier.] There are uprights, and they don't take a whole lot of space. All you need's a wall and some inches.
[Misha, he felt like failure, but he listened while Jude talked 'bout how Oliver played folks.] He played you on account of thinking he was losing you. [For Misha, that was real plain, and he reckoned intent should make a difference. But, in the end, Jude talked 'bout trust and learning and working through other folks, and Misha knew that was an accusation of getting himself involved too much.] I don't mean to try to help when I ain't needed. I just see it different is all, and Oliver talks to me 'bout it often, and it's hard not to try to make it better.
[It was real hard for Misha, but he nodded his head acknowledging, and then he went to play some. When he came back, it was with head bowed and a sigh for strength.] I won't bring Oliver up again any. [Misha, he was good at promise keeping, and he motioned toward the door.] If you come on, I'll show you a real friendly cafe down the way. It ain't as formal as this, but I like the open mic there real well. On Thursday nights, they do readings there, and some of the college students sound real passionate 'bout every single word coming out of their mouth. Sometimes, there's someone so good the air changes and folks 'round the room, the hairs on their arms stand on end.
[If Jude followed, Misha walked out into the remaining sliver of dusk-sunlight. For the boy, it was like sun brought clean feelings, and he felt better some as it shined down on his pale features.] When I was small, I would run outside first thing in the morning, and the sun always made it feel like things were new and clean, and like life was starting over on that morning. Like just the sunlight could make things gone.