A Crying Shame (143 page)

Then tell me. Have me understand.”

Ralph Hunter and Booger Brady stood off to one side ... with their natural parents. They watched without expression.

You're stupid!” Joe shouted at the elder.
You can't understand because you're ignorant. You can't understand God because you're godless.... You won't accept His way.”

Try to explain through my ignorance.” The Link's words were sarcastic.

My God created all living things,” Joe said.

Ah.” The Link nodded his head.
I see. But I am a living thing, am I not? So ... did your God create me?”

The strange blue eyes touched Joe, and Joe shook his head, refusing at first to reply. He looked around him at other Links. Eyes touched. Some eyes were brown, others were hazel, some were green.

Joe said,
God created all things, both good and bad; your people are bad. Like the poisonous snakes and the harmful spiders.”

You are one of us, too,” he reminded Joe.
Only in human shape.”

But I accepted God's ways!”

All right.” The big Link smiled.
Then I accept your God as my own. Does that make everything all right?”