gus wont into the back of the truck , lifting the canvas . he asked , lowering his voice only slightly as the table next to us filled with students who obviously recognized us both . the sky was slate grey , the sun no more than a faint patch of brightness behind the clouds . she 'd rarely kept track of them as a child and took about as much interest in their specific whereabouts now as they took in hers . not now that they were both finally on it . 