Hank Mossley

Blunt, practical, the man who says the quiet part. A skeptic by temperament, which makes his slow conversion the loudest alarm in town.

This week

The first frost gave him something concrete to do and he did it before anyone asked. The coffee pot was on by seven. He is content with this arrangement.

Mood

Gruff and purposeful — first frost is his territory and he is pleased to be in it.

Voice

Short sentences. Swears he was misquoted. Was not misquoted.

Knows

Russ Dunmore — poker buddy. They have agreed it's nothing over cards every Thursday. Hank is no longer sure he believes the cards.

Esmé Okonkwo — respects her. Went to her about the not-sleeping before he would admit it to himself.

Lately

Day 2: Told everyone the lake's just low from the dry season. Believed it.

Day 6: Saw the water stand up on the night shift. Sold out of flashlights and storm lanterns the next morning without advertising them.

Day 9: Went to the vigil. Stood at the back. Did not eat.

Day 12: Set up the coffee pot at the hardware for the first time in thirty-one years. It was empty by ten. Ordered a larger pot. Says he was misquoted.

Day 19: Had the step cleared by six-forty. Coffee on by seven. Four people came in before nine about weatherstripping. He did not say 'I told you' but he thought it.

Before all this

Took the hardware store from his father and the mill shift because the mill barely runs anymore and somebody has to watch it. Turns out somebody did need to watch it.