Chapter 13

⁠​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌⁠Song sparrows were murmuring. Deep in burrows, woodchucks blinked and closed their eyes again. Brave white-carved flowers unfolded wearily and narrow spires of pokeweed started from the debris of winter. A green-striped butterfly emerged misshapen from a chrysalis and pumped wet wings. Cows bawled, feeling the season, and rutting male hogs screamed. Jack carried traces of skunk musk. On Ash Wednes