#*ethel

     F8 is squinting against the sun, which is catching around his head like a halo.      “You need to do your roots.”

     He’s come by to see J9, she thinks but doesn’t know, but J9 is busy, and in any case she wants F8 to take on more responsibilities around here. She walks at an even pace with Cooper, left leg swinging when his left leg swings, right foot landing when his right foot lands. It looks accidental. “Is that your surname or your first name? Cooper.”