“Oh, you’re from Montana,” he said. “Arkansas. My mistake . . .
“Yes, from Texas . . .
“Hot yes, but the space here is more than what you need. Of course, we should always take advantage . . .
“No, I never saw one but you could hear them at night in the desert; they sound just like screaming children, babies. We used to come home late and hear them on the side of the mountain . . .
“Disconcerting . . .
“Did I ever go out to see? No, it was just a thing we heard. What about you, at night, what did you hear?”
“Like birds, frogs . . .
“Across the entire country? That’s an adventure, hitchhiking. I thought you were still in Arkansas . . .
“That must have been interesting. So, when you got to San Francisco you stayed there. That was after the attack . . .
“I can understand the need to search. But no, not related, at least not that I know of . . .
“Same last name, yes. Of course. But I wish you luck . . .
“Yes, there are many of us. Good luck. And I’m sorry for the loss . . .
“No, I wouldn’t mind another call. Sure, when the mood strikes. I wouldn’t mind at all . . .
“We make a long list for sure and I hope you find them. Good luck.”
