The Cannibal's Prayer

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  -Just let me say again how very sorry I am / I couldn't believe it when I heard.

  -I just don't think I'll be able to give them the attention that they need you understand it's not that I don't want to

  -Don't give it another thought Joanna / my god of course it's no problem you take as much time as you need.

  -Thanks Gary.

  -You just come back as soon as you're ready / we'll have Jill babysit your classes while you're away.

  -I hate to do this so close to the end of the semester is all.

  -Don't give it a thought I'll take care of everything

  -I appreciate that so much Gary / I don't know if there's some way / have Jill pass on my apologies would you? / to the class I mean.

  -No need to apologize Joanna I'm sure they understand / as much as you can anyway / we all loved David felt like he was a part of the school sometimes / you know I think it did them a lot of good seeing him every once in a while you know just to know what's possible.

  -Hm.

  -You know I don't think I ever told you but I've always been a huge fan of his / when I saw your resume all those years ago I remember seeing your name and thinking could that be DC Glaser's wife? / you know I think I own every single one of his books well except the new one

  -Undertime.

  -Yes that's the one never could get into it.

  -You're not the first.

  -Look Joanna I know this must be awful / we'll all miss him he was a great man / a truly great man.

  -He was a great writer.

  -A great man.