,,?"UBIRD ,,FALLS

            ,C4 ,E4 ,,MURPHY

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
         ,H>LEQU9 ,BOOKS ,S4,A4
            ,ONT>IO1 ,CANADA
   ,COPY"R ^C #BJJF 0,C4 ,E4 ,MURPHY
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

  ,TRANSCRIP;N ( ,,ISBN #J-CGC-HJBCE-H

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             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #AAA-BAJ
          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
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           ,SPECIAL ,SYMBOLS         ;II
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@& 7#D1 #ABCDF7 AMP]S&
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             ,,*APT] ,,EI<T         #AAA

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             ,,*APT] ,,N9E          #ABC

    ,FRI"D1 ,JUNE #AG1 #E-AE P4M4
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8,APPROA*$ Y10 HE REP1T$4
  ,I SANK D[N 96! *AIR & PRESS$ MY F+]-
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  ,! GRADUATE LIBR>Y'S R1D+ ROOM 0 DIM &
D>K1 : WASN'T UNUSUAL4 ,:AT 0 UN-   #ABG
USUAL 0 T ! DIM;S CAME N F CL\DS OV]H1D1
B F SMOKY TOR*ES T CDN'T POSSIBLY MEET
FIRE CODE4 ,I HUNG 9 ! DOORWAY1 SQU9T+
96SMOKE & TRY+ 6GET ! LAY (! L& 2F ANY"O
NOTIC$ ME1 B ,FAYE CLAPP$ H] H&S1 LETT+
\ A SQU1L ( DELI<T4 8,Y CAME6 ,I KNEW
Y'D -E6 ,? IS ,JOANNE ,WALK]1 "EY"O4
,%E'S ! "O ,I DR1M$ AB40 ,H] VOICE L[]$
PORT5T\SLY )! LA/ S"EAL ^WS1 B ,I 0 !
ONLY "O :O SEEM$ 6NOTICE4
  ,! RE/ (! GR\P TOOK ,FAYE'S L1D1
CLIMB+ 6_! FEET & 5CIRCL+ ME4 ,"! 7
ELEV5 OR TWELVE ( !M1 ALL ( !M SMIL+ PO-
LITELY & (F]+ ME _! H&S 6%AKE4 ,)! EX-
CEP;N (A MAN &A WOMAN BO? 9 _! FIFTIES1
& ANO!R MAN 9 8 ?IRTIES1 ! M$IAN AGE (!
GA!R$ GR\P APPE>$ "S": 2L ! LEGAL DR9K+
AGE4
  ,I SD1 8,UM1 ?ANK Y10 ) E H&%AKE & IN-
TRODUC;N & WELCOME1 A LL TAK5 ABACK4 ,I
WI%$ ,I'D BR"\ AL;G A TAPE RECORD] S ,I
CD 2 SURE ( "EY"O'S "NS4 ,FAYE _HN'T
TURN$ UP A POLICE RECORD--N EV5 S M* Z A
DRIV]'S LIC5SE--B ,I WASN'T ABV DO+ A QK
9VE/IG,N ON ALL H] FRS1 TOO4 ,:5    #ABH
"EY"O 0 D"O GREET+ ME & ,I'D =GOTT5 MO/
(! "NS ALR1 ,I ASK$1 8,FAYE TOLD Y :Y ,I
0 -+ "H TN1 "R80
  ,!Y ALL EX*ANG$ GL.ES1 AMUSE;T SU45LY
COLOR+ ! AIR4 8,( C\RSE10 "O (! "Y M5
SD4 ,HE 0 ,G>?2 ,I REMEMB]$ T 2C HE
DIDN'T LOOK AT ALL L ,G>? ,BROOKS4 ,MAY-
BE X WASN'T ! GRTE/ MNEMONIC DEVICE "E1
B X "W$ = ME4 ,G>?-N-,BROOKS W5T ON1
8,%E DR1M$ T Y WD -E 6L5D U YR P[]4 ,)
,CASSIE'S D1?--0 ,A RIPPLE ( PA91 TANGI-
#1 W5T "? ! LL GA!R$ CR[D4 ,I DREW 9 A
%>P BR1?1 PU%+ _! LOSS AWAY L;G 5 6GET
"? ! 3V]S,N1 AT L1/4 ,X 0 POSSI# ,I CD D
"S?+ LAT] 6EASE ! %>P;S ( GRIEF1 B ,I
?"\ X 0 A BAD IDEA4 ,ONLY A "D AF ,CAS-
S&RA ,TUCK]'S D1?1 N"O ( !M WD H _H ! "T
6"W "? X NATUR,Y4 ,MUCK+ AB ) X AT ?
/AGE /RUCK ME Z PREMATURE4
  ,MAYBE ,I 0 LE>N+ "S?+ AF ALL4
  ,:ILE ,I 0 ?9K+ ALL T1 ,G>? 3T9U$1
8--WE DON'T H A ,"M ANYMORE4 ,Y M/ 2 H]
--,FAYE DR1M$ Y40
  8,A "M8 ,I DON'T "K :AT Y'RE TAL--0
  ,"! >E PHRASES T ,I N"E ?9K DE-   #ABI
SCRIBE A R1L FEEL+ UNTIL ,I EXP]I;E !M
MYF4 8,! ^WS TURN$ 6DU/ 9 MY M\?10 0 A
NEW "O ON ME1 B X HAPP5$4 ,MY SALIVA
%RIVEL$ UP1 L1V+ MY T;GUE FEEL+ ?ICK &
DRY4 ,MY ?ROAT 3/RICT$1 &! TA/E ( A%ES1
FLAT & /ICKY1 FILL$ MY M\?4 ,I *OK$ &
C\<$1 & "O (! "Y M5 L1P$ UP & GOT ME A
CUP ( WAT]4 ,FAYE HOV]$ AT MY SIDE1 PAT-
T+ MY BACK 9 3C]N Z ,I DRANK4 ,X / TOOK
A FEW L;G MO;TS 2F ,I 0 A# 6CROAK1 8,"M4
,MAID54 ,CR"O40 ,! OLD] WOMAN'S M\?
TWI/$ WRYLY Z ,I SD ! ?IRD ^W4
  8,Y'RE A COV540

  ,IF ,I EXPECT$ ? 6-E ACR Z AN E>?-
%ATT]+ REVEL,N1 ,I 0 BADLY 4APPO9T$4
,"EY"O EX*ANG$ GL.ES AG1 & ,FAYE LAU<$1
A B"R MUSICAL S.D 9 ! GLOOMY HALL4
8,WELL1 YES4 ,:AT DID Y ?9K80
  ,MY VOICE ROSE & CRACK$4 8,I ?"\ Y 7
GO+ 6GIVE ME ANY 9=M,N Y MI<T H AB YR FR
,CASSIE'S D1?4 ,T'S :AT WE 4CUSS$ ?
MORN+40
  ,FAYE W5T F LAU<T] 6KICK$ PUPPY DOG1
H] BR[N EYES M\RN;L4 8,& ,I TOLD    #ACJ
Y ,I DIDN'T ?9K WE'D 2 A# 6HELP Y V M*1
B Y PROMIS$ 6-E ANYWAY4 ,I TOLD Y10 %E
SD1 EAG] AG1 8WE NE$ Y4 ,Y M/ 2 ! ,"M4
,I DR1M$ Y & Y 7 "!1 & Y H P[]1 & WE
DON'T H ANYBODY ELSE =! "P4 ,"! >E ALR
ELEV5 ( U1 & Y'RE ! TWELF?4 ,Y .M/ 2 !
,"M40
  8,I ?"\ A FULL COV5 _H ?IRTE540 ,I LET
! ^WS -E Z A B>RI] 6?"\1 B X DIDN'T "W4
  ,TWO *N4 ..,F MY WOMB UN"TLY .RIP'D4
,I CLOS$ MY EYES4 ,!Y'D -E E>LY1 B TW9S
(T5 D4 ,NEI 0 /R;G Z !Y LAY TGR1 FRAGILE
& T9Y4 ,! GIRL'S LA/ BR1? SEEM$ 6/R5G!N
H] BRO!R4
  ,"S": 9 ! 4T.E1 ,I HE>D ,FAYE EXPLA9+
T .HE1 :O"E .HE WAS1 0 ! ?IRTE5?4 ,HE L$
& -PLET$ ! COV51 & "! 7 TWELVE ( U1 S ,I
M/ 2 ! ,"M4
  ,ADOP;N PAP]S SIGN$ &! BOY--,AIDAN1
?\< ,I EXPECT$ 8 ADOPTIVE P>5TS WD *ANGE
8 "N--TAK5 AWAY4 ,I KNEW :O 8 NEW P>5TS
W]E2 ! ,EA/]N ,*]OKEE ,N,N SIMPLY WASN'T
T BIG4 ,B ,I 0 ONLY FIFTE51 & ,I N"E SAW
HM AG4 ,I />$ 96MY WAT] GLASS1 %IV]+ &
UNWILL+ 6MEET ANY"O'S EYES4         #ACA
  8,%E'S ! ,"M10 ! ,CR"O SD4 ,I FELT !
OLD] WOMAN'S H& BRU% MY HAIR4 8,L1VE H]
AL"O4 ,%E'LL 2 ALL "R4 ,-E40 ,%E URG$ ME
6MY FEET4 8,-E & RE/ A :ILE40

  8,FAYE DOESN'T M1N 6BE 9S5SITIVE10 %E
SD A MO;T LAT]1 :5 ,I 0 SAFELY TUCK$ 96A
NOOK 9 ! WALL1 9VISI# F ! RE/ (! COV54
8,%E'S J V "Y4 ,I'M ,M>CIA4 ,I "K "! 7 A
LOT ( "NS 6REMEMB]40
  8,"! W]E4 ,?ANKS40 ,I GL.ED UP AT H]1
TRY+ 6GET A FEEL = H]4
  ,%E 0 R1SONABLY TALL & ATTRACTIVE1
?R1DS ( GRAY "? BR[N HAIR & WR9KLES SET-
TL+ 9 >.D H] EYES4 ,%E CD /& 6LOSE FIF-
TE5 OR TW5TY P.DS1 B C>RI$ ! WEI<T -=TA-
BLY1 LETT+ X R.D H] *EEKS ": AGE _H 2GUN
6TAKE ! FLE% AWAY4 ,"! 0 A S5SE ( /R5G?1
( 3NECT$;S1 AB H]4 8,>E Y A WIT*80
  ,%E SMIL$1 ?9 & ONLY A LL AMUS$4 8,>E
Y80
  8,I DON'T ?9K S40 ,I _H NO IDEA1 RE,Y4
,I J ASSUM$ ,COYOTE WD'VE CALL$ ME A
WIT* IF T'S :AT HE'D WOK5 UP 9 ME4 8,IF
,I'M N A WIT*1 ,I C'T D Y ANY GD1   #ACB
C ,I80
  ,M>CIA'S SMILE GREW1 SPR1D+ "? H]
VOICE4 8,Y MI<T 2 A# TO4 ,WIT*CRAFT IS
SPELLCRAFT+4 ,WE USE "O K9D ( SPELL TO
CALL UP P[] T ,GAIA1 ! GO4ESS ,E>?1 L5DS
U1 & ANO!R K9D 6FOCUS T P[] & CR1TE ) X4
,SPELLS & WIT*CRAFT C 2 LE>N$40
  8,:AT K9D ( SPELLS8 ,I DON'T ?9K ,I D
SPELLS40 ,I KNEW ,I CD BORR[ P[] F P &
OBJECTS IF MY [N WASN'T 5\<1 & DRUMM+ 0
A SORT ( RITUAL 6GET MYF 96! M9DSET1 B
,M>CIA S.D$ L %E 0 TALK+ AB "S?+ ELSE
5TIRELY4
  8,! BASIC T5E;T ( WIT*CRAFT IS ..D :AT
?\ WILT1 AN' X H>M .N"O10 ,M>CIA SD4
8,WE TRY 6USE SPELLS 6CR1TE1 6H1L1 & TO
NURTURE40
  ,I CD GET )! H1L+4 ,I KNEW "S?+ AB T4
8,CR1TE & H1L & NURTURE :AT80
  ,M>CIA SMIL$1 ALM IMPI%LY4 8,! _W40
  ,A />TL$ LAU< BUR/ F MY ?ROAT4 8,T'S A
TALL ORD]1 ,M>CIA40 ,MY LAU<T] FAD$ Z ,I
REMEMB]$ T SIX MON?S AGO ,I'D ?"\ X 0 A
TALL ORD] .,I MI<T 2 UP 6A3OMPLI%+4 ,IF
N ! _W1 ,S1TTLE1 AT L1/4 8,Y ?9K    #ACC
Y C D T80 ,I ASK$1 M SUBDU$4
  8,WE D4 ,2G9N+ ) ? H1T WAVE4 ,X'S N
NATURAL1 NO M ?AN ! L;G W9T] WAS4 ,MAYBE
Y'VE S5S$ T1 TOO40
  ,A *ILL T _H NO?+ 6D )! AIR-3DI;N+
SETTL$ OV] ME & SANK 96MY /OMA*1 MAK+ !
P[] C5T]$ "! FLUTT] & DIP4 8,Y1H10 ,I SD
9 A L[ VOICE4 8,I'VE GOTT5 T IDEA4 ,Y
?9K YR SPELLCRAFT+ C HELP FIX X80 ,I 0
2G9N+ 6?9K ,I LIV$ 9 A _W 9 : "! 7 NO
CO9CID;ES4 ,! UNIV]SE APPE>$ 6BE L9+ UP
! SUPPORT ,I NE$$ 6D1L )! H1T WAVE4 ,UN-
.S ,I WANT$ 6TURN MY BACK ON X ALL1 ! _S
HORSE 0 PROBABLY "R & ,I'D BETT] A3EPT
:AT 0 2+ (F]$4
  ,NOBODY SD ANY?+ AB .LIK+ X1 ?\<4 ,!
BIT*Y LL ?"\ HUNG >.D ! $GES ( MY M9D &
,I GRITT$ MY TEE? AG/ X4 ,AT "S PO9T ,I
0 GO+ 6H 6-E 6T]MS ) ALL ?1 & :9+ 9CES-
SANTLY WASN'T GO+ 6W9 ME ANY FRS4 ,M 6!
PO9T1 X 0 />T+ 6ANNOY .ME1 & ,I _H 6LIVE
) ME ALL ! "T4 ,I PREF]R$ X :5 ,I GOT
AL;G ) MYF4
  8,X C10 ,M>CIA SD ) UTMO/ 3FID;E1 B !N
%E FALT]$4 8,X CD H10 %E CORRECT-   #ACD
$1 8B WE D DESP]ATELY NE$ A ,"M FIGURE1
,JOANNE4 ,CASS&RA TOOK T ROLE1 B N[ '''0
  ,I REMEMB]$ ! PICTURE (! LL GIRL 9
,CASSIE'S WALLET1 & NO4$1 !N LOOK$ UP1 A
SICK FEEL+ GURGL+ 9 MY GUT4 8,:5 DID
,FAYE DR1M AB ME80
  ,M>CIA'S EYEBR[S DREW D[N4 8,%E ONLY
TOLD U AB ! DR1M ? EV5+1 2F Y >RIV$4
,:Y80
  ,MY %\LD]S RELAX$4 8,NO?+4 ,J AN UGLY
?"\40
  ,X M/ H %[N 9 MY FACE1 2C ,M>CIA'S
EYES WID5$ ) SURPRISE ,I ?"\ G5U9E4 ,H]
PUPILS DILAT$1 COLOR G"O F H] *EEKS1 &
%E %OOK H] H1D1 ! AC;N V]G+ ON VIOL;E4
8,WE WD H SU3E$$ ) ,CASSIE 9 PLACE1 ,JO-
ANNE4 ,NO "O WD D "S?+ L ? 9 ORD] 6RE-
PLACE H] ) Y4 ,X CDN'T 2 HI45 F ! COV54
,\R P[] WD 2 ="E TA9T$1 & ANY?+ WE TRI$
WD G T]RIBLY WR;G1 OR FAIL 5TIRELY40
  ,I GOT 6MY FEET1 %AK+ MY H1D4 8,I HOPE
Y'RE "R40
  8,JO9 U 9 TN'S C]EMONY10 ,M>CIA SU7E/-
$1 VOICE CAU<T "S": 2T RIGID;Y & HOPE4
8,X'LL PROVE \R 9NOC;E 6Y40         #ACE
  ,I SI<$ & NO4$4 8,Y1H4 ,ALL "R4 ,I'M /
GO+ 6H 6TALK 6"EY"O AB :E!R ,CASS&RA _H
ANY 5EMIES1 EV5 IF Y'RE ALL PURE Z !
DRIV5 SN[40 ,TELL+ ,MORRISON ,I'D ELIMI-
NAT$ P Z POSSI# MURD]]S VIA PSY*IC 9VES-
TIG,N 0 N GO+ 6G OV] WELL4
  8,! POLICE H ALR D"O T10 ,M>CIA SD4
  8,OH40 ,I WANT$ 6SAY ..,I AM ! .PO-
LICE1 B ,I 0 ONLY "H ON ,MORRISON'S =-
BE>.E1 &! ELEPHANT WE'D BE5 IGNOR+ 0 !
FACT T PSY*IC,Y 0 EXACTLY H[ ,I 0 MO/
USE;L 9 ? 9VE/IG,N4 ,T MADE ME FEEL A LL
BIT BETT]1 S ,I LIFT$ MY *91 PUT ON A
/IFF UPP] LIP1 & W5T 6"PICIPATE 9 MY V
F/ WIT*CRAFT SES.N4
  ,I 0 M>K$ ) R$ W9E1 A CIRCLE WRITT5 ON
MY %\LD] 0,FAYE'S DET]M9$ F+]4 ,! W9E
SYMBOLIZ$ A WOMAN'S F/ BLOOD &! BLOOD (
*ILDBIR?1 !Y TOLD ME1 &! CIRCLE REPRE-
S5T$ ! FULL MOON1 ! SIGN (! ,"M4 ,M>CIA
WROTE A CRESC5T MOON1 WAX+1 ONTO ,FAYE'S
%\LD]1 & RELUCTANTLY1 ,I -PLET$ ! RITUAL
0WRIT+ A CRESC5T MOON WAN+ ONTO ,M>-
CIA'S4
  ,WE /EPP$ TGR 9 ! C5T] (A CIR-    #ACF
CLE ( COV5 MEMB]S1 /&+ BACK 6BACK & %\L-
D] 6%\LD]4 ,MY "R %\LD]1 9SCRIB$ )! FULL
MOON1 PRESS$ AG/ ,M>CIA'S LEFT1 ,FAYE'S
"R %\LD] ) H] CRESC5T MOON AG/ MY LEFT
%\LD]4 ,M>CIA TOOK "O M SMALL /EP BACK-
W>D1 PRESS+ H] "R %\LD] AG/ ,FAYE'S
LEFT1 & P[]1 L AN ELECTRIC CURR5T1
SLAMM$ "? ME4
  ,WE MADE A T9Y TRIANGLE ) \R BACKS 6"O
ANO!R1 A SMALL EMPTY SPACE 2T U4 ,9 T
SPACE1 LI<T %OT UP1 CRA%+ 96! CEIL+ L X
WD BUR/ "? & ILLUM9ATE ! _W4 ,I HE>D
,M>CIA & ,FAYE'S 9DRAWN BR1?1 %>P Z MY
[N1 & F ! COV5 CAME :ISP]S ( AWE4
  ,I T+L$4 ,F MY TOES 6! TOP ( MY H1D1
,I T+L$1 LI<T C\RS+ "? ME UNTIL ,I ?"\ X
WD P\R \ MY F+]S & EYES4 ,MY HAIR FELT Z
IF X 0 /&+ ON 5D1 WAV+ 9 ! AIR ( XS [N
A3ORD4 ,I CRANK$ MY H1D UP 0DEGREES1
LOOK+ UP 96! LI<T4
  ,X SPILL$ ACR ! CEIL+1 POOL+ \TW>D L
WAT] MEET+ RESI/.E4 ,X RIPPL$ T[>D !
WALLS1 PURE & :ITE1 !N SLI!R$ D[N !M1
COAT+ ! ROOM 9 BRILLI.E4 ,X MADE ! AIR
CL1N]1 S FRE% & COLD T X HURT TO    #ACG
BR1! IN4 ..,L KNIVES 9 MY .LUNGS1 ,I
?"\1 !N LAU<$ )\T HUMOR4 ,I KNEW :AT A
KNIFE 9 ! LUNG FELT L1 & X 0 NO?+ L ?4
  ,! LAU< REV]B]AT$ "? ! LI<T1 B\NC+ &
WAV+4 ,A FEW (! COV5 GL.ED AT ME &! :ITE
LI<T FLEX$ \TW>D1 TE/+ XS LIMITS4 ,T
BR"\ ! COV5'S ATT5;N BACK 6X1 &! 3TA9;T
FIELD T L9$ ! ROOM /R5G!N$ AG4 ,AT L1/1
T'S :AT ,I ?"\ 0 HAPP5+4 ,I CDN'T SEE !
COV5'S P[] ! WAY ,I CD USU,Y SEE MY [N1
B ! LI<T WA%$ F>!R D[N ! WALLS & CREPT
ACR ! MAGIC,Y RE9=C$ FLOOR1 MOV+ 9 T[>D
U4 ,I WAT*$ X1 MESM]IZ$1 Z X SWEPT OV] !
\T] R+ ( WIT*ES1 GLAZ+ !M 9 %IMM]+
WAVES4
  ,X R1*$ MY FEET1 & 2GAN 6CLIMB UP MY
BODY4 ,CL>;Y RIPP$ "? ME1 PULL+ ME A"P
ON ! CELLUL> LEVEL1 EXPOS+ "EY?+ ,I'D "E
HI45 AWAY4 ,X SNU7L$ 96MY CORE1 W>M &
REASSUR+1 & DUG "? ME L A RAT SCRA2L+ =
FOOD1 TE>+ AWAY LAY]S ( OLD PA9 & JOY
9DISCRIM9ATELY4 ,MY BODY FELT LI<T] ?AN
AIR1 L A DEEP BR1? WD LAUN* ME 96! SKY1
& MY H1D FELL BACK1 EXPOS+ MY ?ROAT 6!
:ITE LI<T4                          #ACH
  ,A S5SE ( EXULT,N & GLEE SWEPT "? ME1
SETTL+ 9 MY B"OS4 ,X CR[$1 SMUG & P[];L1
!N HISS$1 8.,YESSS60 9 S* DEEP-VOIC$
SATISFAC;N T X RUM#D "? MY /OMA*1 MAK+
ME SICK4
  ,I J]K$ 3VULSIVELY1 BR1K+ 3TACT )
,FAYE & ,M>CIA4 ,! LI<T 4APPE>$ )A SIL;E
T 0 L\D] ?AN S.D1 & ,I FELL 6MY KNEES1
B>ELY LOCK+ MY >MS 9 "T 6KEEP F MEET+ !
FLOOR ) MY FACE4














              ,,*APT] ,,T5          #ACI

  8,DID Y SEE HM80 ,! "Q 0 DELIV]$ Z1L-
\SLY1 2F ,I EV5 PU%$ BACK 6MY HEELS4
  8,DID Y SEE HM80 ,G>? ASK$ AG1 AVIDLY4
,I HE>D A 8,%H60 &! 4T9CT S.D ( "S"O EL-
B[+ 8 RIBS4 ,I _HN'T "KN1 UNTIL T MO;T1
T RIB-ELB[+ _H A SPECIFIC S.D4
  8,L1VE H] AL"O10 FOLL[$ ! %U%+4 ,FAYE4
8,>E Y OKAY80
  8,I'M F9E40 ,I %OOK MY H1D1 TRY+ 6CLE>
X1 !N SAT BACK ON MY HEELS1 LOOK+ UP4
  ,ELEV5 WORRI$ FACES PE]$ D[N AT ME4 ,I
CDN'T HELP X3 ,I GI7L$4 ,HALF ! FACES
EX*ANG$ WORRI$ = (F5D$1 &! O!R HALF =
RELIEV$4 8,I'M F9E10 ,I REP1T$4
  8,:AT HAPP5$80 "S"O *IRRUP$1 FULL (
HOPE & CURIOS;Y4 ,I ?"\ 8 "N 0 ,SAM4 ,HE
LOOK$ L AN "UWE> MODEL1 ) FULL P\TY LIPS
& L;G EYELA%ES4
  8,Y GUYS DIDN'T HE> HM80
  ,!Y ALL LOOK$ BACK & =? AT "O ANO!R1
ABV ME4 ,I'D N"E SE5 S _M *9S 9 MY LIFE4
8,NO40 ,M>CIA SPOKE = ALL ( !M1 & !Y ALL
LOOK$ BACK D[N AT ME4
  8,HE GUIDES U10 ,FAYE GU%$1 8B    #ADJ
WE R>ELY HE> 8 VOICE4 ,Y >E B.S$ AM;G U1
,JOANNE60
  ,HOO BOY4
  8,ALL HE SD 0 YES10 ,I SD4 8,I DON'T
?9K X'S T BIG A D1L4 ,:O IS HE80
  8,\R MA/]4 ,\R GUIDE10 ,G>? SD R"E5T-
LY4 ,I GROAN$ & SAT UP1 PUTT+ MY H& OV]
MY NOSE4
  8,HIS "N IS ,VIRISS;G10 ,M>CIA (F]$4
8,HE'S \R ?IRTE5?40
  8,DOESN'T T M1N HE %D 2 "H80
  ,M>CIA SAT D[N 2S ME4 ,! O!RS TOOK _!
CUE F H] & SETTL$ D[N ALL >.D ME4 ,I
FELT L ! MA9 ATTRAC;N AT ,P4 ,T4 ,B>NUM4
8,HE'S CAU<T 2T _WS10 %E EXPLA9$4
8,WE'RE "W+ ON A SPELL 6FREE HM40
  8,UH-HUH4 ,:Y80
  8,Z A 2G9N+ 6RE/OR+ BAL.E 6? _W10 ,M>-
CIA SD ) UTMO/ 3FID;E4 8,HIS P[] W HELP
GUIDE U40
  ,I SORT ( ?"\ T K9D ( P[] MI<T J B[L
!M OV]4 8,DOES T HAPP5 E "T Y GET ALL
%\LD] 6%\LD]80
  ,FAYE & ,M>CIA LOCK$ GAZES =A MO;T 2F
,M>CIA LOOK$ BACK AT ME4 8,I'VE     #ADA
N"E JO9$ )A ,MAID5 & ,"M ) T 9T5S;Y4 ,I
2LIEVE ,VIRISS;G *OSE V WELL :5 HE GUID$
,FAYE 6Y40
  ,T 0 ALL WELL & GD = _! ,VIRISS;G1 B X
WASN'T ANY USE AT ALL 6! POLICE DE"P;T4
,I 0 AFRAID ! :OLE VISIT )! COV51 :ILE
LIT],Y 5LI<T5+1 _H BE5 A -PLETE WA/E (
"T4 ,EI !Y 7 ALL V GD LI>S BO? V]B,Y &
MAGIC,Y1 OR "! WASN'T ANY?+ "H4 ,I _HN'T
FELT ANY?+ WR;G 9 ! P[] T _H 3TA9$ !
:ITE LI<T1 & ,I ?"\ ,I CD RECOGNIZE A
TA9T IF X 0 "!4 ,M 6! PO9T1 ,I 0 PRETTY
SURE ,M>CIA CD1 & ,I DIDN'T ?9K %E'D
PROTECT "SBODY :O'D MURD]$ ,CASSIE4
  ,I SI<$1 & LET MYF GET DRAWN 96MY [N
CURIOS;Y AB ! SURGE ( LI<T & P[] WE'D
FELT4 ,M>CIA'D BE5 V SPECIFIC1 S ,I
ASK$1 8,:AT HAPP5S :5 ! MALE ASPECT
CALLS ! MAGIC80 ,MALE ASPECT4 ,I 0 S
PR\D ( MYF4 ,I CD S.D ,NEW ,AGEY )! BE/
( !M4
  8,\R P[]'S DI6]5T10 ! ,ELD] SD4 8,Y
WOM5 H ! P[] ( CRE,N40
  8,LEMME GUESS4 ,Y GUYS H ! P[] (
DE/RUC;N & YR LI<T IS BLACK & :AT   #ADB
WE RE,Y WANT 6D IS BL5D X S X'S ALL
GRAY40
  8,M L A Y9-YANG10 ,G>? CORRECT$4 8,IN
BAL.E1 BLACK & :ITE1 9/1D ( LOS+ !M BO?
6GRAY;S40
  8,B X'S NO?+ L ! K9D ( P[] 4PLAY$ "H
TN10 ! ,ELD] W5T ON4
  8,S ,I :AT1 KICK$ X UP A NOT*80 ,I
ASK$1 !N -PULSIVELY A4$1 8,BAM60 ,G>?
LAU<$ \ L\D4 ,"EYBODY ELSE />$ AT ME4
8,N"E M9D10 ,I SD1 GR9N+ AT ,G>?4
  8,I'D L 6TRY AG10 ,M>CIA SD1 & ,I SD1
8,L HELL B HELL NO10 : GOT ! />ES AG4
8,A S+LE HUGE BUR/ ( UNEXPLA9$ FLA%Y P[]
IS ALL ! FUN ,I C H&LE 9 "O EV5+40
  8,OH40 ,M>CIA LOOK$ L ,I'D TAK5 H] FA-
VORITE TOY AWAY4 8,ALL "R4 ,P]H TM
NI<T40
  8,D Y MEET E S+LE NI<T80
  ,A *ORUS ( .NO,'S MET ME4 8,B ! SOL-
/ICE IS -+10 ,FAYE 3CLUD$1 Z IF X EX-
PLA9$ "EY?+4 ,I GAVE H] MY BE/ LOOK (
9COMPREH5.N1 & %E PATT$ MY %\LD]4 ,I
FELT L B>K+4 8,VIRISS;G 2LIEVES HE C
BR1K "? 6? _W ON ! SOL/ICE4 ,E "D   #ADC
UNTIL !N WE'LL MEET 6GUIDE HM ) \R P[]4
,X'S A B1CON ( LI<T10 %E SD )\T ! SLI<T-
E/ H9T ( IRONY4 8,X %[S HM 8 PA?40
  8,:OA1 :OA1 WAIT A M9UTE4 ,BR1K "? 6?
_W8 ,Y DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ AB P -+ "? F O!R
_WS4 ,Y SD Y WANT$ 6/OP ! H1T WAVE40 ,I
/>$ AT ,M>CIA1 FULL ( A3US,N4
  8,WE >5'T /R;G 5 0\RVS4 ,WE NE$ ,VI-
RISS;G'S /R5G? 6D X10 %E SD PATI5TLY4
  8,I DON'T L ?+S BR1K+ "? 6? _W40 ,I _H
A SMALL AM.T ( FAMILI>;Y ) ? K9D ( ?+4
,9 MY EXP]I;E1 X M1NT ,I WANT$ 6BE >M$ )
A %>P PO9TY OBJECT4 ,I B.S$ ! IMPULSE T
L$ ME 6TAK+ CLASSES F ,PHOEBE1 & L1N$
T[>D ,M>CIA4 8,>E WE TALK+ AB A GOD "H1
,M>CIA80
  8,OH1 NO4 ,VIRISS;G IS P[];L1 B N A
GOD40
  8,MY?OLOGIC,Y IMPORTANT8 ,L A ,COYOTE
OR ,GR&"F ,SKY FIGURE80 ,I ASK$4 ,I DID
N WANT 6BE MESS+ ) P[] ON T MAGNITUDE IF
,I CD AVOID X4
  8,NO1 NO4 ,!Y'RE >*ETYPES1 L ,GAIA
H]F4 ,VIRISS;G 0 HUMAN ONCE1 A H]O AM;G
8 P1 B HE LO/ AN EPIC BATTLE & 0    #ADD
BANI%$ 6! ,%AD[L&S40
  ,I LET \ A SL[ BR1?4 8,& HE'S YR L1D-
]40
  ,"EY"O B1M$ AT ME4 ,I FELT L A KID
:O'D BE5 SU3ESS;LLY POTTY-TRA9$ "U !
WAT*;L GAZE ( AN 5TIRE -MUN;Y4 8,EXACT-
LY10 ! ,ELD] SD4
  8,S HE'S A WIT*10 ,I SD4 ,SIL;E MET MY
/ATE;T1 B ,I DIDN'T M>K X4 ,I 0 BUSY
?9K+4 ,I DIDN'T "K B1NS AB WIT*ES 9 ,NA-
TIVE ,AM]ICAN CULTURE1 B ,I DID "K "O
?+3 IF ,VIRISS;G 0 9 ,M>CIA'S 8,%AD[-
L&S10 ,I CD PROBABLY R1* HM4 ,MAYBE HE
CD L1D ME T[>D "S K9D ( 9=M,N AB ,CAS-
SIE'S D1?4 ,X WASN'T EXACTLY :AT ,I
WANT$ 6BR+ BACK 6,MORRISON1 B X MI<T D4
,I PU6$ \ MY *EEKS & GL.ED >.D4 8,C ,I
SU7E/ "S?+80
  ,!Y ALL LOOK$ AT ME EXPECTANTLY4 ,I 0
2G9N+ 6FEEL L ,I 0 9SIDE A GOLDFI% B[L4
8,G G5TLY4 ,WE CALL$ UP AN AW;L LOT (
P[] "!4 ,I'M N RE,Y SURE ,I "U/& :AT'S
GO+ ON40 ,I KNEW P]FECTLY WELL ,I DIDN'T
"K :AT 0 GO+ ON4 ,I J HOP$ PUTT+ X ON
MYF MI<T MAKE !M M OP5 6! IDEA T    #ADE
.!Y DIDN'T "K :AT 0 GO+ ON4
  8,Y'LL LE>N10 ,FAYE PROMIS$4 8,Y'LL -E
6"U/&4 ,WE ALL H40
  ,GUESS T APPROA* WASN'T GO+ 6"W4 8,BE
C>E;L ANYWAY10 ,I MUTT]$1 CLIMB+ 6MY
FEET4 8,LOOK1 Y'VE TOLD ME AN AW;L LOT &
,I NE$ 6TAKE "S "T 6ABSORB X1 OKAY80 ,I
AL NE$$ 6TALK 6,JUDY1 6SEE IF %E CD TELL
ME ANY?+ AB ,VIRISS;G4 ,I _H A T1*] N[1
& ,I 0 0,GOD GO+ 6TAKE ADVANTAGE ( T4
,I'D _H 5 ( FUMBL+ 9 ! D>K4
  8,Y'LL -E BACK1 WON'T Y80 ,FAYE ASK$4
8,WE NE$ Y4 ,VIRISS;G GUID$ ME 6Y ) MY
DR1M4 ,I "K Y'RE ! "O WE NE$ 6-PLETE !
COV540
  ,MY NO/RILS FL>$4 8,I'LL ?9K AB X10 ,I
SD4 8,T'S ALL ,I C PROMISE "R N[40
  ,! COV5 "P$1 RELUCTANT Z ,ROMEO & ,JU-
LIET1 & LET ME G4

  ,WISDOM DICTAT$ T ,I G HOME & G 6B$1
S9CE ,I _H 6BE UP AT :AT ,I 3SID]$ AN
OBSC5ELY E>LY H\R4 ,9/1D1 ,PETITE DROVE
H]F OV] 6,G>Y'S H\SE )\T BO!R+ 6NOTIFY
ME AB ! *ANGE ( PLANS4 ,I SAT "!    #ADF
9 8 DRIVEWAY1 TRY+ 6EXPLA9 6MY C> T X 0
ELEV5 AT NI<T & ,G>Y'S JOB Z A CA2IE GOT
HM UP AT F\R 9 ! MORN+4 ,"! 0 NO WAY
HE'D 2 AWAKE4 ,!N ! LIV+ ROOM LI<T
FLIPP$ ON & HE PE]$ AT ME "? ! PICTURE
W9D[S 2F -+ \ 6! POR* 6/& "! 9 %ORTS &A
;,T-%IRT1 >MS AKIMBO4
  ,I'D ALW BE5 A LEG GIRL4 ,:5 ! ,OLYM-
PICS 7 ON ,,TV1 ,I'D 2 ! "O WAT*+ !
SPE$SKAT]S & SAY+1 LU/;LLY1 8,LOOK AT ^?
.?I<S40 ,G>Y1 /&+ "! 9 BOX]S1 CD'VE GIV5
^? SKAT]S A RUN = _! M"OY1 EV5 IF HE 0
SEV5TY-?REE YE>S OLD4 ,HM /&+ UP "! 0 L
HAV+ ,PAUL ,BUNYAN WAIT+ ON ME EXPEC-
TANTLY4
  ,I DIDN'T R1LIZE ,I 0 L1N+ ON ! /E]+
:EEL1 GAZ+ DR1MILY AT 8 ?I<S1 UNTIL HE
/OMP$ D[N (F ! POR* & CAME 6LIFT 8 BU%Y
EYEBR[S AT ME "? ! DRIV] SIDE W9D[4
8,JO8 ,Y >"R80
  ,I SD1 8,Y H GRT LEGS10 : 9 NO WAY AN-
SW]$ ! "Q1 B MADE HM *ORTLE ) DELI<T &
OP5 ,PETITE'S DOOR = ME4
  8,Y -E 0IN ! MI4LE (! NI<T 6TELL ME
T80                                 #ADG
  ,I LAU<$ Z ,I CLIMB$ \ (! C>4 8,N RE-
,Y4 ,I DIDN'T M1N 6-E OV] AT ALL4 ,PE-
TITE WANT$ 6VISIT40
  ,G>Y GAVE ! C> A SLY SMILE &A PAT ON !
RO(4 8,I'M FLATT]$1 D>L9'4 ,X A9'T E "D
A PRETTY GIRL HALF MY AGE WANTS 6DROP BY
LATE AT NI<T 6SEE ME40
  ,N[ "! 0 A MAN :O KNEW H[ 6TR1T A
GIRL4 ,I B1M$ AT ,G>Y4 8,LOVE ME1 LOVE
MY C>40 ,OR MAYBE X 0 ! O!R WAY >.D1 B
HE TR1T$ H] L A LADY1 & T 0 :AT MATT]$4
8,%E IS HALF YR AGE1 TOO1 ISN'T %E80
  8,YEP40 ,G>Y U%]$ ME T[>D ! H\SE4
8,GUESS ? OLD DOG HASN'T Q LO/ X YET40
  8,G>Y1 Y'RE / GO+ 6H X :5 ,I'M A )]$
OLD WISP40
  8,FLATT]Y10 HE PRON\NC$1 8W GET Y "EY-
":4 ,:AT'S GO9' ON1 ,JO8 ,^! A9'T YR
USUAL VISIT+ H\RS40
  ,I SCREW$ UP MY FACE & KICK$ MY %OES
(F Z ,I W5T 96! LIV+ ROOM4 8,I "K4 ,SOR-
RY IF ,I WOKE Y4 ,X'S J T ,I J GOT BACK
F A--0 ,MY ?ROAT SEIZ$ UP4 ,"! 7 ?+S ,I
J HAT$ 6SAY1 & X 4CONC]T$ ME :5 !Y />T$
P\R+ \ F MY M\? L X 0 NATURAL4 ,I   #ADH
SI<$1 TOOK A DEEP BR1?1 & TRI$ AG3 8,A
COV5 MEET+40
  ,G>Y'S EYEBR[S %OT UP ) SURPRISE1 MOV+
8 :ITE HAIRL9E BACK HALF AN 9*4 ,I
DIDN'T ?9K HE LOOK$ ANY?+ L ,S1N ,3N]Y1
B =A MO;T HE REM9D$ ME (! SEXY OLD
,SCOTSMAN4 8',SCUZE ME8 ,COV58 ,) WIT*-
ES80
  8,) WIT*ES40 ,I DROPP$ 96! C\* & PULL$
A QUILT OV] MYF4
  8,:AT'D !Y WANT8 ,H[ -E Y DIDN'T 9VITE
ME80
  8,!Y WANT$ 6OP5 UP A PASSAGE 2T _WS &
9VITE AN ANCI5T ,AM]ICAN ,9DIAN _S 96?
"O 6HELP 5D ! H1T WAVE Z A PRECURSOR TO
SAV+ ! _W40 ,I ?"\ T SUMM$ X UP PRETTY
NICELY4 8,OH1 & ,I DIDN'T 9VITE Y 2C
,I'M AN 9GRATE40
  8,I LOVE YA ANYWAY40 ,G>Y L1N$ =W>D1
SITT+ ON ! FRONT $GE ( 8 -FY *AIR1 BIG
H&S LAC$ TGR4 ,HE WASN'T EXACTLY ,ROD9'S
.,! .,?9K]1 B HE LOOK$ SOLID & PRACTICAL
& MADE ME FEEL BETT]4 8,:AT'S ! CAT*80
  ,I DRA7$ ! QUILT OV] MY H1D4 8,!Y NE$
MY HELP40                           #ADI
  ,G>Y *UCKL$4 8,HID+ A9'T GONNA MAKE X
G AWAY1 DOLL4 ,WASN'T X J YE/]"D Y 7
SAY9' ? H1T WAVE MI<T 2 YR FAULT8 ,S.DS
L Y GOT YR "W CUT \ = Y40
  ,I PULL$ ! QUILT D[N AG & LOOK$ AT HM
UNHAPPILY4 8,I DON'T L ?1 ,G>Y40
  8,C'M]E1 D>L9'40
  ,I GOT UP1 TRAIL+ ! QUILT AF ME L ,LI-
NUS1 & SAT D[N ON ! >M ( 8 *AIR4 ,G>Y
PUT AN >M >.D MY HIPS & GAVE !M A H>D
HUG4 8,"S"D ALL !M WALLS Y GOT BUILT UP
>E GONNA H 6-E TUMBL9' D[N1 ,JO1 & :5
!Y'RE R1DY "!'S GONNA 2 NO?+ Y C D AB X4
,MI<T 2 EASI] ON Y IF Y />T PRY9' "S (!
BRICKS \ N[40
  8,MI<T BE10 ,I SD V CAUTI\SLY4 ,? 0
BORD]+ ON ! T]RITORY ( ,?+S ,JOANNE
,DIDN'T ,TALK ,AB4 8,B ,I WDN'T C.T ON
X40 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6BE NA/Y4 ,I J DIDN'T
WANT 6OP5 UP T 3V]S,NAL PA? "R N[4 ,G>Y
GAVE MY HIPS ANO!R HUG4
  8,I RECKON Y'RE GONNA D :AT Y H 6D1
SWEETHE>T4 ,9 ! M1N"T1 :A4AYA ?9K Y'RE
DO9'1 %[9' UP AT ? H\R & 9T]RUPT9' AN
OLD MAN'S B1UTY SLEEP8 ,GET GO9'4   #AEJ
,I'LL SEE Y TM40
  ,I DIDN'T PO9T \ HE'D BE5 AWAKE :5 ,I
>RIV$1 & GOT GO+1 FEEL+ L ,I'D DODG$ A
BULLET4 ,G>Y'D N"E MADE M5;N ( 2+ AC-
TIVELY AW>E "! 7 ?+S ,I DIDN'T WANT TO
TALK AB1 & ,I DIDN'T "K :AT ,I WD'VE D"O
IF HE'D PRESS$ X4 ,"EY"O ELSE :O'D PU%$
ME AB !M _H BE5 ON A PSY*IC PLANE1 & ,I
CDN'T J 4APPE> F ,G>Y'S LIV+ ROOM ! WAY
,I CD F MY G>D5 OR ! ,D1D ,Z"O4 ,I
WASN'T R1DY 6D1L ) MY P]SONAL DEMONS
YET4 ,X 0 K9D ( NICE 6"K1 ?\<1 T ,G>Y WD
2 "! :5 ,I WAS4
  ,PETITE DEIGN$ 6DRIVE ME HOME1 & ,I
W5T 6B$ TRY+ H>D N 6?9K AB ! ?+S ,I
DIDN'T WANT 6?9K AB4

    ,SATUR"D1 ,JUNE #AH1 #E3EJ A4M4
  ,=! SECOND MORN+ 9 A R[1 ,I 0 E>LY4 ,I
0 V IMPRESS$ ) MYF1 ESPECI,Y S9CE ? MADE
?REE :OLE "DS ,I'D BE5 UP E>LY1 & ,I
DIDN'T YET SEEM 6BE SU6]+ F ! M9D-NUMB+
TIR$;S T _H A3OMPANI$ MY PREVI\S %AMANIC
EXP]I;ES4 ,MAYBE ,I 0 GETT+ BETT] AT ?4
  8,I ?9K T'S ! IDEA10 ,JUDY SD     #AEA
GD-NATUR$LY4 ,I NE>LY FL9*$ \ ( MY SK91
: 0 AN UN=TUNATELY R1LI/IC POSSIBIL;Y ON
? LEVEL ( EXI/;E4 ,I GOT MY PSY*E "U
3TROL & SETTL$ BACK 96MY SK9 2F GETT+ TO
MY FEET4
  8,JUDY4 ,I'M GLAD Y'RE "H4 ,I NE$ "S
ANSW]S40
  8,AG10 %E SD1 8,I ?9K T'S ! IDEA40 ,H]
EYES 7 B"R ) AMUSE;T1 DESPITE _! BLACK-
;S4
  8,Y1H1 B DON'T 2 DI6ICULT1 OKAY8 ,I'M
GD ) ALL (! OP5;S &! A3EPT+ &! LE>N+40
,OKAY1 ,I WASN'T RE,Y1 B T WASN'T !
PO9T4 ,! SKIES OV] MY G>D5 D>K5$ P]CEP-
TIBLY & ,I SC[L$ AT !M4 8,I'M TRY+ 6BE1
OKAY8 ,LOOK40 ,T 0 BACK 6,JUDY1 :O SAT
D[N ON A B5* & FOLD$ H] FEET UP "U H]F
COZILY4 ,%E LOOK$ M AT P1CE 9 MY G>D5
?AN ,I DID4 ,X 0 ANNOY+4 ,?"U RUM#D1 &
,I SET MY TEE? TGR1 TRY+ 6F9D ! R1SONA#
VOICE T ,I KNEW _H 6BE BURI$ "S": 9SIDE
ME4 8,I NE$ 6"K AB "S"O "ND ,VIRISS;G40
  ,JUDY'S 5TIRE BODY LANGUAGE *ANG$1 H]
H1D TIPP+ 6! SIDE1 BIRDLIKE1 ANTICIP,N &
CURIOS;Y 9 ! SET ( H] %\LD]S &!     #AEB
WAY %E L1N$ =W>D4 8,": DID Y -E ACR .8
"N80
  ,I LET \ AN EXPLOSIVE BR1?4 8,S Y'VE
HE>D ( HM80
  8,C]TA9LY4 ,ANY"O :O TRAVELS ! A/RAL
R1LMS 5 EV5TU,Y MEETS OR HE>S ( HM4 ,I
DIDN'T ?9K Y _H ! EXP]I;E1 ?\<40
  8,I'M FULL ( SURPRISES4 ,:AT C Y TELL
ME AB HM80
  ,JUDY SMIL$4 8,I ?9K ,I C 9TRODUCE Y
6HM4 ,X'LL M1N ANO!R J\RNEY 6! ,L[] ,_W4
,>E Y R1DY80
  ,I GL.ED SKYW>D 9ADV]T5TLY1 WOND]+ IF
,I'D GET ANO!R GL.E (! ?"UBIRD IF ,I
TRI$ ANO!R ,L[] ,_W J\RNEY4 8,Y1H1 ,I
?9K S40
  8,HE ISN'T ALW EASY 63TACT10 ,JUDY
W>N$4 8,? MAY TAKE ALL ( YR LESSON "T
TD1 & X'S N RE,Y :AT Y NE$ 6BE LE>N+ "R
N[40
  8,TM10 ,I PROMIS$4 8,TM WE C D :AT"E
-ES AF P[] ANIMALS40
  8,M P[] ANIMALS10 %E SD ) ANO!R SMILE4
8,B ? "T WE'LL D X Z A H1L+ J\RNEY4
,Y'LL 2 SE>*+ = AN ANIMAL 6HELP     #AEC
"S"O ELSE40
  8,:O80
  ,JUDY %OOK H] H1D4 8,T REMA9S 6BE SE54
,>E Y R1DY 62G9 ? J\RNEY80
  ,I /RAI<T5$ MY %\LD]S & NO4$4 8,LET'S
D X40

  ,"! 0 NO SIDE TRIP 6! ,UPP] ,_W1 NO
?"UBIRD VISIT,N4 ,! DRUMB1T CAU<T ME1 &
,I FELL1 *AS+ AF ,JUDY1 96! ,L[] ,_W4
,:5 ,I HIT ! E>?--RI* & LOAMY1 FULL (
NI<TCRAWL]S & CLICK+ BUGS--A JOLT W5T "?
ME1 "O "P 3NEC;N 6! ,L[] ,_W & "O "P
4APPO9T;T T ,I _HN'T BE5 MOV$ 6SN1K AWAY
AG4
  8,"!'S M RITUAL10 ,JUDY 0 TELL+ ME1
86ASK+ "S"O L ,VIRISS;G 6-E 6Y ?AN "! IS
9 CALL+ P[] ANIMALS4 ,2G9 )A P[] CIRCLE4
,/>T 9 ! NOR?40
  ,I BIT MY T;GUE ON ASK+ : WAY 0 NOR?1
& TRI$ 6FIGURE X \ ON MY [N4 ,! ,L[] ,_W
FELT FLATT] ?AN ! R1L _W1 Z IF ,I MI<T 2
/&+ ON ! FACE (A -PASS4 ,I CLOS$ MY
EYES1 TRY+ 6FEEL ! _W >.D ME "? ! D>K;S4
,AF A MO;T ,I FELT LI<T & H1T 6MY   #AED
"R1 & TURN$ T WAY4
  ,! SUN BROKE OV] ! HORIZON1 V FA/ & V
L>GE1 COLOR+ ! SKY 9 A FL>E ( :ITE T
FAD$ 6R$4 ,I B[$ T[>D X1 L X _H RIS5 J
6HELP ME F9D MY DIREC;NS4
  ,I'D N"E DRAWN A P[] CIRCLE 2F1 & _H
NO IDEA :AT 0 9VOLV$4 ,NO1 N NO IDEA4 ,I
_H 5 S5SE 6?ANK ! _SS (! NOR? & 9VOKE _!
PROTEC;N4 ,I DID X AG =! O!R ?REE DIREC-
;NS1 MAK+ A CIRCLE >.D ,JUDY1 :O LOOK$
PL1S$1 & MYF1 :O FELT ABSURD4
  ,"! 0 A LL BUR/ ( P[] Z ,I ?ANK$ ! LA/
_SS1 6! WE/1 L A =CEFIELD -+ ONL9E >.D
ME4 ,I PRESS$ MY PALM AG/ ! AIR1 !N
YANK$ X AWAY AG Z ,I 5C.T]$ RESI/.E4 ,2H
ME1 ,JUDY LAU<$4 8,Y H S LL FAI?40 ,%E
S.D$ IMPRESS$4 8,DON'T WORRY4 ,I'LL HELP
Y -E 62LIEVE40
  ,J :AT ,I ALW WANT$4 ,MY [N P]SONAL
SAVIOR4 8,N[ :AT80
  8,N[ ! (F]+40 ,JUDY LOOK$ EXPECTANT4
,I LOOK$ >.D4
  8,( :AT80 ,I ASK$ AF A :ILE1 :5 NO?+
SEEM$ 6BE HAPP5+4
  8,DIDN'T Y BR+ A GIFT80           #AEE
  8,GO%1 NO4 ,FRE% \ ( GIFTS4 ,NOBODY
LEFT ME A MEMO40
  8,NO CORNM1L8 ,NO WAT] OR TOBA3O80
  ,I %IFT$ UNCOM=TABLY4 ,JUDY TWI/$ H]
M\? 9 4APPROVAL4 8,I ?"\ Y WANT$ 6MEET
,VIRISS;G40
  8,I D10 ,I PROTE/$4
  8,B Y CAME )\T GIFTS80
  8,I DIDN'T "K ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6BR+ ANY60
  ,JUDY SI<$4 8,I'M SURPRIS$ Y'VE LIV$ ?
L;G4 ,ALL "R4 ,WE'LL H 6MAKE D4 ,GIVE ME
YR H&40
  ,*AGR9$1 ,I GAVE H] MY H&4 8,! PO9T (!
GIFT IS 6MAKE AN (F]+ 3NECT$ )! E>?1 S
,VIRISS;G "KS WE RESPECT HM & W LI/5 6\R
CALL10 %E SD4 8,D Y "U/& T80
  8,Y1H40 ,GRUMPY ,JO4 ,I S.D$ L A SULL5
TE5AG]4 8,YES1 ,I D10 ,I SD M POLITELY4
  8,"!'S "O ?+ Y C>RY )9 Y AT ALL "TS
T'S 3NECT$ 6! E>? & HOLDS GRT P[]40
  8,"! IS80 ,I ASK$1 B 9/1D ( ANSW]+1
,JUDY TOOK A KNIFE F ! SMALL ( H] BACK &
LAID MY PALM OP5 6! B"O4

                                    #AEF
























            ,,*APT] ,,ELEV5         #AEG

  8,JESUS "MFUCK+ ,*RI/60 ,I YANK$ MY H&
BACK1 B ,JUDY HELD X )A PA9;LLY SOLID
GRIP1 TWI/+ MY WRI/ S ! BLOOD POOL+ 2T
MY F+]S DRIPP$ 6! E>?4
  8,C>E;L60 %E SNAPP$4 8,IF X SPLA%ES
ONTO ! P[] CIRCLE1 ! %IELDS W -E D[N4
,BLOOD IS P[]1 ,JOANNE ,WALK]4 ,BLOOD IS
! MO/ PRECI\S GIFT T C 2 GIV54 ,N[ ?9K (
,VIRISS;G1 & ASK = HM 6VISIT U60
  8,JESUS .,*RI/10 ,I SD AG4 ,JUDY LET
MY H& G & ,I TURN$ X UP1 CURL+ MY F+]S
>.D ! W.D4 ,X HURT1 B N Z BADLY Z ,I ?"\
X %D4 ,X 0 A DULL1 ?ICK PA91 L MY JO9TS
7 TIR$ 9/1D (! CLE> %>P;S ,I ASSOCIAT$ )
A BLADE CUT4 ,I WRAPP$ MY O!R H& >.D X1
TRY+ 6CUT (F ! BLOOD FL[1 B EV5 Z ,I
WAT*$1 X 2GAN 6H1L1 ! BLOOD 3G1L+ 2T MY
F+]S4 8,JESUS ,*RI/40 ,I ?RU/ MY JAW \ &
TURN$ AWAY F ,JUDY1 ANG] HUN*+ MY %\LD]S
Z ,I TRI$ 6CLE> MY M9D & ?9K ( ,5GL&4
,OR ,VIRISS;G4
  ,AN UNEXPECT$ FEEL+ ( WELL-2+ SWEPT
OV] ME4 ,! A*E FAD$ F MY H& &! AIR >.D
ME CLE>$1 B"R5+ 9 A WAY T _H NO?+   #AEH
6D )! RIS+ SUN4 8,VIRISS;G10 ,JUDY SD 9
A W>M VOICE4 8,WE WELCOME & GREET Y40
  ,MY ANG] CDN'T /& UP "U ! ONSLAU<T (
W>M FUZZIES4 ,I TURN$1 / CLUT*+ MY 9JUR$
H&1 6FACE--
  ,WELL1 X WASN'T A GOD4 ,T M* ,I KNEW4
,X 0 P[];L1 M* M P[];L ?AN ANY P]SON
,I'D MET1 B X DIDN'T C>RY ) X ! RAW1
PRIMAL =CES ( *AOS T ,C]NUNNOS _H4
  ,_H ,I N MET ,C]NUNNOS1 ?\<1 ,I'D ?9K
,I 0 FAC+ A GOD4 ,HE 0 SMALL & SL5D] &!
V AIR HE EXHAL$ 0 *>G$ ) 5]GY4 ,P[]
CRAWL$ OV] 8 SK91 GLITT]+ :ITE 9 ! CLOSE
MORN+ SUNLI<T4 ,HE 0 HUMAN1 B ONLY J4 ,!
HAIRS ON MY >MS /OOD UP1 & ,I HELD MY
GR.D "? 3SCI\S EF=T4 8,?ANK Y = ANSW]+
\R CALL10 ,I SD4 ,HE TURN$ 6SMILE AT ME4
  ,0 "! A RULE T O!R_WLY 2+S _H 6BE GOR-
GE\S8 ,HE 0 D>K-SK9N$ & BLACK-EY$1 8
BROAD F1TURES FULL ( PAS.N4 8,JOANNE
,WALK]40 ,8 VOICE WA%$ OV] ME1 A W>M T5-
OR T "\ 6H BE5 FILL+ 3C]T HALLS4 ,X
RAIS$ ! HAIRS ON MY >MS J L ,C>USO'S
VOICE MI<T'VE1 MAK+ ME FEEL Z IF ,I MI<T
TAKE W+ & 2 TRANSPORT$ "S": ELSE    #AEI
5TIRELY 0_! LIFT4
  8,X IS A V GRT PL1SURE 6"K Y40 ,8
VOICE DROPP$ ON ! 8"K10 & ,I FELT MYF
BLU% Z ,I GOT ALL ,BIBLICAL AB X4 ,I
CLE>LY NE$$ A R1L-_W REL,N%IP4
  8,X'S NICE 6MEET Y1 TOO4 ,I1 UM '''0
  8,_H "QS = ME10 ,VIRISS;G PUT IN4 ,I
SMIL$ CROOK$LY1 RELIEV$ ,I DIDN'T ACTU,Y
H 6SAY T MYF4 ,X SEEM$ PRESUMPTU\S4 8,W
Y WALK ) ME80 HE ASK$4 ,I GL.ED AT ,JU-
DY1 :O SPR1D H] H&S SLI<TLY4
  8,I ?9K ,I %D /AY 9SIDE ! P[] CIRCLE10
,I SD APOLOGETIC,Y4 ,8 EYEBR[S LIFT$
FRAC;N,Y & HE PUT 8 H& AG/ ! 9VISI# WALL
2T U4 ,X B[$ SLI<TLY "U ! PRESSURE1 B X
HELD4
  8,>E Y ALW S CAUTI\S80 HE ASK$1 N BO?-
]+ 6HIDE A SMILE4 ,GRT4 ,I 0 2+ T1S$ BY
?REE-?\S&-YE>-OLD ,9DIAN WIT*ES4 ,I WR9-
KL$ MY NOSE4
  8,NO1 B X'S N"E TOO LATE 6LE>N40 ,I'D
BE5 HANG+ \ ) ,G>Y TOO M*4 ,ANY M9UTE N[
,I 0 GO+ 6/>T CALL+ MYF AN OLD DOG4
  ,HE *UCKL$1 LIQUID MUSICAL S.D4 ,MY >M
HAIRS GAVE UP TRY+ 6ESCAPE & LAY    #AFJ
D[N FLAT1 L A CAT'S E>S1 & ,I RU2$ MY
H&S OV] !M4 ,MY "R H& DIDN'T HURT ANY-
MORE4 ,I TURN$ X UP 6F9D ! B"O-DEEP
SLICE ACR MY PALM _H H1L$ OV] 5TIRELY4
8,V WELL10 ,VIRISS;G SD4 8,I'LL /AY4
,ASK YR "QS1 ,JOANNE ,WALK]40
  8,I NE$ 6"K YR PURPOSE40 ,EV5 Z ,I SD
X1 ! %E] >ROG.E ( X CAME BACK & HIT ME 9
! TEE?4
  ,VIRISS;G'S EYEBR[S %OT UP & HE LOOK$
2Y ME AT ,JUDY4 ,%E SD NO?+1 ?\< ,I SAW
H] %RUG F ! CORN] ( MY EYE4 ,VIRISS;G
LOOK$ BACK AT ME4
  8,I DON'T ?9K ANY"O'S "E BE5 Q T BALD-
FAC$ AB X10 HE SD4 8,MY PURPOSE1 Y SAY40
  ,I TWI/$ MY %\LD]S UNCOM=TABLY & LET
!M FALL AG4 8,I'VE MET "S P :O 2LIEVE !Y
C BR+ Y BACK 96\R _W1 & T 6D S W HELP
RE/ORE A BAL.E ( LIFE4 ,!Y ?9K !Y NE$ MY
HELP 6D X1 & ,I NE$ 6"K :AT ,I'M GETT+
962F ,I -MIT 6X40
  8,WISE ( Y40 ,I GOT ! IMPRES.N HE 0
T1S+ ME AG1 B T "! 0 AL "S SMALL DEGREE
( RESPECT 9 X4
  8,I'VE _H A LL EXP]I;E ) ? SORT   #AFA
( ?+40
  8,YESSSS40 ,HE DREW ! ^W \1 & SU45LY
,I RECOGNIZ$ 8 VOICE Z ! SAME "O T _H -E
\ (! LI<T ! NI<T 2F4 ,I RELAX$ & T5S$
ALL AT ONCE4 ,X 0 GD 6"K ,I 0 D1L+ )! "R
DEMI-DE;Y1 B ! EXULT,N ( P[] T _H HIT ME
! NI<T 2F MADE ME CAUTI\S4 8,YES10 HE
REP1T$4 8,WE H "S K ( T40
  8,WE80 ,I LOOK$ >.D4 8,ROYAL WE80
  8,UNIV]SAL 3SCI\S;S WE10 HE SD1
/RAI<T-FAC$4 8,A /EP ABV ROYAL40
  ,HE 0 L ,COYOTE1 ONLY M S4 ,I ?"\ "O 0
5\<4 8,I'M AL TRY+ 6F9D \ AB A GIRL :O
DI$ SU45LY4 ,"O (! GR\P T'S TRY+ 6BR+ Y
ACR40
  ,VIRISS;G'S BLACK EYES D>K5$ FUR!R4
8,CASS&RA ,TUCK]4 ,H] POOR DAU<T]1 LEFT
)\T A "M S "Y40
  ,X TOOK ACTIVE EF=T 6KEEP MY JAW F
DROPP+ OP54 8,Y "K AB H]80
  ,HE LIFT$ 8 EYEBR[S4 8,! COV5 HAS BE5
"W+ T[>D BR++ ME BACK 96! ,MI4LE ,_W =
MON?S1 ,JOANNE4 ,I'VE TRI$ 6"PICIPATE 9
X Z M* Z POSSI#40 ,HE MADE A M\E1 !N
%RU7$4 8,MY ABIL;Y 6D S IS LIMIT-   #AFB
$1 B ,I C]TA9LY "K :O'S 9VOLV$4 ,I _H
ALW S5S$ ,CASS&RA _H A W1K HE>T4 ,I 0
3C]N$ 2+ ! ,"M MI<T WORS5 ! DAMAGE1 B %E
LAU<$ (F MY W>N+S4 ,I LACK$ ! P[] TO
/R5G!N H] :ILE / TRAPP$ 9 ! ,L[] ,_W4
,X'S A LOSS ,I'LL REGRET =A L;G "T40
  8,%E _H A HE>T ATTACK80 ,I LO/ ! BAT-
TLE & MY JAW FELL "S": >.D MY RIBS4 8,&!
COV5 N"E NOTIC$ ANY?+ 0 WR;G80 ,6BE
FAIR1 ,I WASN'T SURE H[ ,I WD TELL IF
"S"O'S HE>T 0 DEFECTIVE1 S MAYBE ,I
CDN'T BLAME ! COV54 8,:Y DIDN'T Y TELL
!M8 ,MAGIC C D T 6"SBODY80
  8,MAGIC10 ,VIRISS;G SD1 R /]NLY1 8HAS
XS PRICE1 J Z "EY?+ ELSE DOES4 ,X C BE-
-E Z M* A BURD5 Z PHYSICAL LABOR1 )!
SAME RESULTS40
  ,HAV+ BE5 PL1S$ ONLY M9UTES E>LI] AB
MY LACK ( SLEEP DEPRIV,N1 ,I FELT A LL
*A/IS$4 ,I %D'VE "KN T1 OR AT L1/ PUT X
TGR ON MY [N4 ,VIRISS;G GAVE ME A BRIEF
"U/&+ SMILE1 !N A4$1 8,I DID TRY 6W>N
,FAYE4 ,I GA!R$ !Y 7 CLOSE4 ,B Z M* Z ,I
WANT TO1 MY ABIL;Y 6-MUNICATE ) ^? 9 !
,MI4LE ,_W IS LIMIT$4 ,%E MAY N"E   #AFC
H HE>D MY W>N+40
  ,I ?"\ ( ,FAYE'S QUIV]+ SORR[ & ANG]
OV] ,CASSIE'S D1?1 & NO4$4 8,GUESS N40
  8,Z 6! O!R1 ?\<4 ,Z 6MY PURPOSE40 ,VI-
RISS;G FOLD$ HMF D[N SU45LY1 ) M* ! SAME
GRACE ,JUDY _H 4PLAY$ :5 %E >RIV$ 9 MY
G>D51 & GE/UR$ = ME 6D ! SAME4 ,MY %\LD]
BRU%$ ! %IELD Z ,I SAT1 GLIMM]S WAV]+
>.D ! CIRCLE4 ,JUDY SAT 2H ME1 HALF-
VISI# F ! CORN] ( MY EYE4 ,! SUN CREPT
HI<] 9 ! SKY1 & NO "O SD ANY?+4 ,J 2F MY
PATI;E GAVE \1 ,VIRISS;G LIFT$ 8 H1D &
2GAN 6SP1K1 M 6! TOO-CLOSE HORIZON ?AN
6ME4
  8,I 0 BORN1 Z M5 RECKON X1 "S ?REE ?\-
S& YE>S AGO1 S\? ( :AT Y N[ CALL ,S1T-
TLE40
  ,I REFRA9$ F -;T ON 8 GRASP ( COLLO-
QUIAL ,5GLI% 9 FAVOR ( LI/5+1 & HE GAVE
ME A LOOK L HE'D HE>D :AT ,I 0 ?9K+4
  8,?+S 7 DI6]5T !N4 ,N P]FECT1 Z "S P (
YR AGE WANT 62LIEVE1 B DI6]5T40 ,HE SAW
! WRY;S ( MY SMILE & GAVE ME A QK GR9 9
RETURN4 8,MY P 7 G5],Y AT P1CE1 BO? )
EA* O!R &)! _W4 ,B "! CAME A "T (   #AFD
GRT D>K;S & GRT COLD;S4 ,WE />V$ & GREW
COLD & DI$1 & NO?+ WE DID SEEM$ 6APP1SE
\R GODS & ANCE/ORS4 ,WE 2CAME DESP]ATE4
,WE MADE (F]+S ( "EY?+--:AT LL WE _H1 &
/ \R P DI$ & FROZE & />V$4 ,I 0 V "Y !N1
A Y\? ( LESS ?AN TW5TY SUMM]S40
  ,HE HESITAT$1 !N PUT \ 8 H& T[>D ME4
8,>E Y SURE Y W N CROSS ! P[] CIRCLE1
,JOANNE ,WALK]8 ,IF ,I CD TAKE YR H& ,I
CD %[ Y ^! ?+S1 R ?AN ONLY TELL !M40
  ,I LOOK$ AT ,JUDY4 ,H] =EH1D WR9KL$ )
UNC]TA9TY & %E %OOK H] H1D4 8,! DECI.N
ISN'T "O ,I C MAKE = Y1 ,JOANNE4 ,I C'T
=BID Y 6TAKE RISKS40
  8,D Y ?9K X WD HELP80 ,I ASK$4 8,6BE
A# 6SEE X80
  8,X MI<T10 %E SD RELUCTANTLY4 8,X'S
ALW EASI] 62LIEVE1 :5 Y'VE SE540
  ,I ?"\ (! BLACK-EY$ ,HORSE _S1 ORD]+
ME 6TRY1 & CURL$ MY F+]NAILS AG/ MY
PALM4 ,! H1L$ SK9 OP5$ AG1 EASILY4 ,I
PUT MY H& AG/ ! B>RI]1 BR++ ! %IELD D[N
)A %U4]4 ,VIRISS;G'S EYES GLITT]$4
8,?ANK Y10 HE SD4 8,YR TRU/ W N G
UN=GOTT540                          #AFE
  8,I HOPE X GOES UNREGRETT$1 TOO10 ,I
SD1 & PUT MY BLOODY H& 9 HIS4

  ,HUNG] BIT "? MY BELLY L A KNIFE1 EM-
B>RASS+LY %>P4 ,"P ( ME KNEW ,I _H 6H
EAT5 REC5TLY3 O!RWISE ! NE$ = FOOD WD H
BE5 REDUC$ 6A DULL A*E1 IGNORA#4 ,X 0
ONLY AF A F1/ T ! FAM9E /RUCK S H>D4
,ANO!R "P ( ME KNEW MY TW5TY-F/ C5TURY
SELF _H N"E "KN ! R1L M1N+ (! ^W 8/>V+10
& T 0 ": ! EMB>RASS;T CAME F4 ,I KNEW1
BACK HOME & SAFE 9 MY [N "T & BODY1 T
,I'D / CLAIM 6BE />V+ F "T 6"T4
  ,! COLD CUT 9 !N1 DA7]S SLIC+ "? !
T\<1 W>M L1!RS ,I WORE1 IGNOR+ ! FLE% &
SETT+ UP %OP 9 MY B"OS4 ,I LOOK$ 6MY
LEFT1 *ILL /I65+ MY NECK4 ,VIRISS;G SAT
2S ME1 "Y & H&"S &) 8 JAW ?RU/ \ L A
PETULANT *'S4
  8,!Y >E WR;G1 ,NAKAYTAH10 HE SD4 ,!
BODY ,I 0 9 R1*$ XS H& \ & PUT X ON 8
>M4 ,APP>5TLY ,I 0 ,NAKAYTAH4 ,GD 6"K4
  8,!Y'RE ! ELD]S1 2LOV$10 ,I REPLI$4
8,Y M/ TRU/ !M40
  8,NO6 ,X ISN'T "R T WE />VE &     #AFF
FREEZE & D NO?+4 ,I'VE F.D A WAY10 HE
SD1 SU45LY EAG]1 & TURN$ 6ME4 ,HE
WASN'T1 ,I R1LIZ$1 ALL T H&"S AF ALL4 ,8
F1TURES 7 LI<T$ 0A FI]CE Z1LOTRY1 & T
GAVE ! WIDE B"OS ( 8 FACE &! D>K;S ( 8
EYES A -PUL.N T 0 EASILY MISTAK5 = GD
LOOKS4 8,I C MAKE ! _SS -E 6ME40
  ,HORROR DRA9$ D[N MY ?ROAT 9 AN ICY
SLUICE1 COLD] ?AN ! W9D1 & POOL$ 9 MY
BELLY4 8,B Y'RE N A %AMAN4 ,N CALL$1 N
TRA9$--0
  8,B ,I .AM CALL$10 HE PROTE/$4 8,H[
ELSE CD ,I MAKE ! _SS -E8 ,I .AM CALL$1
,NAKAYTAH4 ,X IS ONLY T MY FAMILY IS N A
FAVORITE1 N BORN 6! %AMAN L9E--0
  ,RELUCTANT AGREE;T ?AW$ ! HORROR 9SIDE
ME4 ,VIRISS;G'S "F & GR&"F _H BO? PL1D$
6/UDY )! %AMANS1 3V9C$ T !Y1 TOO1 C>RI$
)9 !M ! P[] 6VISIT ! _S _W4 ,_! PL1S _H
BE5 D5I$2 NO TRUE %AMAN1 ! ELD]S SD1 WD
H 6/RU7LE S H>D 6PROVE 8 POSI;N4 ,A _S
J\RNEY WD %[ _! TRUE PA?S1 &! J\RNEYS
_HN'T L$ ,VIRISS;G'S FAMILY 6! P[];L %A-
MAN _SS4 ,N[ !Y 7 %UNN$ &A LL RIDICUL$1
= _! DELU.NS ( GR&EUR4 ,MY H&       #AFG
CREPT \ & WRAPP$ XF >.D ,VIRISS;G'S4
8,:AT D ! _SS TELL Y80
  ,VIRISS;G SAT BACK1 RELIEF SA7+ 8 %\L-
D]S4 ,HE TI<T5$ 8 F+]S >.D M9E1 !N )DREW
!M4 ,I TUCK$ M9E BACK 9SIDE MY L1!RS2 X
0 TOO COLD 6HOLD H&S 9 ! FROZ5 W9D4 8,!Y
SAY "! IS A GRT & T]RI# BATTLE RAG+ 9 !
_S _W4 ,!Y SAY T ! MON/]S ! _SS FI<T >E
S /R;G ! BATTLE SPILLS 96! ,MI4LE ,_W1 &
? IS :Y X'S S COLD1 & :Y GAME IS S
SC>CE4 ,ONLY WE >E /U2ORN--0 ,VIRISS;G
BROKE (F )A CROOK$ LL GR91 A4+1 8--OR
FOOLI% 5 6/AY40
  ,4BELIEF BUB#D UP 9 MY /OMA*4 8,Y C'T
M1N ! _SS WANT U 6L1VE "H60
  ,-IC 4MAY POPP$ ,VIRISS;G'S EYES WIDE4
,HE %OOK 8 H1D1 R1*+ 6CAT* MY H& AG4
8,NO1 NO4 ,! _SS ADMIRE \R /U2ORN;S A
LL1 ,I ?9K4 ,NO4 ,!Y SAY T 65D ! COLD &
BR+ ! GAME BACK1 WE M/ 5D ! BATTLE T'S
2+ F"\ 9 ! _S _W40
  ,MY *9 DROPP$ 6MY *E/1 COLD L1!R TUCK+
AG/ ! W>M? ( MY NECK Z ,I />$ AT ,VIRIS-
S;G4 8,WE H 6BR+ ! MON/]S 6? _W10 HE SD
5?USIA/IC,Y4 8,"H1 M5 C HUNT &      #AFH
SLAY _! BODIES1 W1K5+ !M S T 9 ! _S _W
!Y C 2 DEF1T$40
  ,SL[ ADMIR,N 2GAN 6C\RSE "? MY VE9S1
W>M+ ME DESPITE ! FREEZ+ AIR4 8,L 9 !
/ORIES (! ,F/ ,P10 ,I SD WOND]+LY4 ,VI-
RISS;G DID 8 BE/ 6LOOK MODE/1 B EXCITE;T
BURN$ 9 8 EYES4 8,Y'LL 2 REMEMB]$ ="E Z
A GRT H]O60
  ,VIRISS;G DUCK$ 8 H1D1 SMIL+4 8,T
ISN'T :Y ,I D ?10 HE SD4 ,N EV5 MY HO/
5TIRELY 2LIEV$ HM1 S :5 HE LIFT$ 8 H1D1
EXPRES.N B"R & HOPE;L1 6SAY1 8,P]H A LL
( :Y10 X MADE U BO? LAU<4 8,I WANT TO
PROVE MYF10 HE W5T ON 9 A L[ VOICE1 :5 !
LAU<T] _H FAD$4 8,I WANT 6%[ !M T EV5 IF
! FAMILY IS N A L;G L9E ( %AMANS1 \R P[]
%D N 2 D5I$4 ,B ,I AL WANT 6HELP \R P1
,NAKAYTAH4 ,WE FREEZE & />VE & DIE1 & ,I
D N WANT ? 6BE ! 5D ( U40
  8,!N WE W40 ,I PUT MY H& 9 8 AG1 /
W>M$ F LAU<T] & ADMIR,N4 8,EV5 ! ELD]S W
SEE T !Y 7 WR;G1 & W>M? & FOOD W -E BACK
6U4 ,I'LL HELP Y1 IF ,I C40

                                    #AFI
  ,9 ! ,L[] ,_W1 ,VIRISS;G TOOK 8 H& F
M9E4 ,I />TL$ AWAKE1 BLOOD /ICKY 9 MY
PALM1 6F9D HM LOOK+ AWAY1 TI<T;S >.D 8
M\?4 8,IF Y M/ SEE ! RE/ ,I W %[ Y10 HE
SD 9 A L[ VOICE4 ,HE'D LO/ ! FAMILI>
COLLOQUIAL SPEE* PATT]NS & 0 M CAUTI\S
N[1 =MAL;Y MASK+ 4TRESS4 8,X IS ''' PA9-
;L4 ,NAKAYTAH DI$1 HELP+ ME40
  8,OH MY ,GOD4 ,:AT HAPP5$80
  8,"S?+ ,I DIDN'T ANTICIPATE4 ,! MON/]S
7 M CUNN+ ?AN ,I ?"\4 ,WE BUILT A P[]
CIRCLE10 HE SD1 IDLY DRAW+ "O 9 ! E>? 9
FRONT ( HM4 8,WE CALL$ ! _SS 6PROTECT U1
& WE DRUMM$ 6CAT* ! MON/]S' ATT5;N4 ,WE
WANT$ 6DRAW !M 96! CIRCLE1 ": WE CD SLAY
!M & FREE \R P40
  ,I NO4$1 CLUT*+ MY H& CLOS$ OV] ! W.D
9 X4 8,:AT W5T WR;G80
  8,! MON/]S TRI$ 62COME U10 ,VIRISS;G
SD4 8,!Y TRI$ 6TAKE ! PLACES ( \R [N
S\LS4 ,MY _S PROTECTORS 7 /R;G1 & RE-
JECT$ ! MON/] T TRI$ 6TAKE ME4 ,B ,NA-
KAYTAH '''0
  8,%E WASN'T /R;G 5\<40 ,I FELT DIZZY1
Z IF ,I'D LO/ F> M BLOOD F ! CUT    #AGJ
?AN ,I ?"\ ,I _H4 8,:AT HAPP5$80
  8,%E L1P$ AT ME ) TOO? & NAIL10 ,VI-
RISS;G SD4 8,%E TOOK MY KNIFE F MY BELT
Z WE /RU7L$1 CUTT+ ME "H1 & "H40 ,HE
PU%$ UP A SLEEVE1 %[+ A /R;G :ITE SC>
ACR 8 =E>M1 & !N ANO!R ACR 8 BELLY Z HE
PULL$ 8 %IRT \ (! WAY4 8,I C>RY ^! SC>S
="E1 6REMEMB] H] BY40
  ,MY F+]S F.D _! WAY 6MY *EEK1 BRU%+
OV] A ?9 SC> T RAN F MY EYE SOCKET 6!
CORN] ( MY M\?4 8,I "U/&10 ,I SD4 ,VI-
RISS;G NO4$1 LETT+ 8 CLO!S FALL BACK 9TO
PLACE4
  8,I TOOK ! KNIFE F H]10 HE W5T ON AF A
FEW SECONDS4 8,I 0 /R;G] & L>G] & TRA9$
9 HUNT+1 IF N W>4 ,%E ''' RAN =W>D4 ,ON-
TO ! KNIFE4 ,I PULL$ X AWAY1 B X 0 ALR
9SIDE H]4 ,BLOOD W5T "EY":4 ,X BR"\ D[N
! P[] CIRCLE1 Z Y DID A LL :ILE AGO40
,HE NO4$ AT ME1 AN AC"KL$G;T ( REP1T+
PATT]NS4 8,I SAW ! MON/] T _H 9FECT$ H]
FLY FREE1 2Y ! P[] CIRCLE & 96! _W4 ,I
V[$ T "D ,I WD N"E RE/ UNTIL ,I _H BR"\
X 6XS D1?40
  8,& ?REE ?\S& YE>S LAT] Y'RE /    #AGA
TRY+40 ,MY VOICE 0 TI<T & *OK$4 ,VIRIS-
S;G 9CL9$ 8 H1D4
  8,I *OSE 6SP5D _M LIFE"TS 9 ! ,L[]
,_W1 WAIT+ =A "T :5 ,I _H A *.E AG/ !
MON/] AG4 ,I ?9K ! TIDE (! ,MI4LE ,_W IS
*ANG+1 N[4 ,I ?9K "! >E _M :O LOOK 6EM-
BRACE A BETT] WAY ( LIFE4 ,I ?9K N[ IS !
"T ,I M/ MAKE MY F9AL *ALL5GE4 ,B ,I'VE
GR[N W1K1 2+ AWAY F ! ,MI4LE ,_W = S
L;G4 ,X'S :Y ,I NE$ YR HELP1 &! COV5'S
HELP4 ,)! P[] Y L5D ME1 ,I C 2COME :OLE
AG1 JO9+ _S & BODY TGR Z !Y >E M1NT TO
BE40
  8,&! MON/]80
  8,TGR WE'LL TRACK X D[N & DE/ROY X10
,VIRISS;G SD1 VOICE FLAT ) ANCI5T EMO;N4
8,& F T1 ,I HOPE A NEW _W W 2 BORN4 ,A
BETT] "O40
  ,I NO4$ SL[LY4 8,:AT HAPP5$ 6YR P1
,VIRISS;G8 ,DID ! COLD 5D80
  8,X DID4 ,! _SS 7 "R4 ,)! BATTLE NO
L;G] %AK+ ! ,L[] & ,UPP] ,_WS1 ! ,MI4LE
,_W 2CAME SAFE & NORMAL AG40
  8,T'S GD4 ,B--0 ,"S?+ NA7$ AT ME1 A
PRICKLE AT ! BASE ( MY NECK4 ,I     #AGB
FR[N$ VAGUELY AT ,VIRISS;G1 !N AT ,JUDY1
:O SAT QUIETLY 2S ME4
  ,VIRISS;G'S EYEBR[S ROSE4 8,B80
  8,B :AT--0 ,ANO!R TICKLE RAN D[N MY
SP9E1 L AN ELE;T>Y S*OOL FIRE AL>M BUZZ+
9 ! 4T.E4 ,I FR[N$ LESS VAGUELY & RU2$ !
BACK ( MY NECK4 8,:AT HAPP--0
  ,! TICKLE TURN$ 96A %RILL T BROKE "?
MY TR.E1 F9,Y RECOGNIZA# Z ! PH"O R++4
,I /UM#D 6MY FEET & PICK$ UP ! RCVR1 MY
VOICE GRO7Y ) 4USE4 8,HELLO80
  8,JOANNE ,WALK]80 ,! VOICE 0 UNFAMIL-
I>1 EV5 IF ,I WASN'T HALF-ASLEEP4
  8,Y1H80
  8,D Y "K A ,G>Y ,MULDOON80
  ,I WOKE ALL ! WAY UP 9SIDE ( AN 9/ANT1
COLD MAK+ AN UGLY BURP ( N]V\S;S 9 MY
/OMA*4 8,Y1H4 ,:AT'S WR;G80
  8,? IS ,DR4 ,WOOD AT ,NOR?WE/ ,HOSPI-
TAL4 ,WE'D L Y 6-E D[N "R AWAY4 ,MR4
,MULDOON HAS _H A HE>T ATTACK40



            ,,*APT] ,,TWELVE        #AGC

    ,SATUR"D1 ,JUNE #AH1 #F3CC A4M4
  ,I DIDN'T "K H[ ,I GOT 6! HOSPITAL4 ,I
DIDN'T "K IF ,I EV5 HUNG UP ! PH"O4 ,ALL
,I CD HE> 0 MY HE>TB1T &! MEMORY (! "D
,I'D MET ,G>Y1 :5 A HUMAN BAN%EE CALL$
,M>IE TOLD U BO? T ,G>Y WASN'T GO+ 6DIE
ANY "T SOON4 ,SOON4 ,:AT 0 SOON8 ,0 SIX
MON?S SOON8 ,X SEEM$ SOON 6ME4 ,H[ F> 9
ADV.E _H H] ABIL;Y 6SEE D1? -+ "W$8 ,%E
_HN'T SD1 & X 0 M* TOO LATE 6ASK H]4 ,I
REMEMB]$ H] BODY1 LY+ ACR H] LIV+ ROOM
FLOOR1 ! HE>T TORN \1 & ,I WOND]$ IF SIX
MON?S 0 SOON4
  ,! DOCTOR ,I'D SPOK5 6ON ! PH"O MET ME
9 ! WAIT+ ROOM4 ,%E 0 %ORT1 ) D>K SYMPA-
!TIC EYES &A QK REASSUR+ SMILE T ,I
DIDN'T BUY =A M9UTE4
  ,I FELT L ,I 0 WAT*+ MYF F A SAFE 4T.E
( S"EAL FEET4 ,F \ "!1 ! PA9 & FE> CDN'T
RE,Y GET 6ME4 ,ALL ,I CD RE,Y FEEL F \
"! 0 ! IT* 9 MY NOSE T MADE ME WANT TO
SNEEZE1 "S?+ T HAPP5$ E "T ,I W5T 96A
HOSPITAL4
  ,9 "!1 9SIDE MY BODY1 "EY?+ 0     #AGD
TUNNEL-VI.N$ & ,I KEPT ASK+1 8,A HE>T
ATTACK8 ,N A /ROKE8 ,A HE>T ATTACK80 Z
IF X 7 IMPORTANT1 B ,I CDN'T FIGURE \ :Y
X WD BE4 ,9 "!1 "! WASN'T 5 ROOM 6BR1!1
L "S"O'D SAT ON MY LUNGS4 ,I WANT$ 6/AY
\ "H1 4TANT1 ": X 0 EASI] 6BR1!4 ,! DOC-
TOR--,I _H 6LOOK AT H] "N TAG 6REMEMB] X
0 ,WOOD--SAT ME D[N & PUT H] H&S ON MY
%\LD]S4
  8,A HE>T ATTACK4 ,HE'S V W1K "R N[10
%E TOLD ME4 8,HE'S W1K1 B HE'S AWAKE10
%E SD4 8,HE WANT$ 6SEE Y1 ,MS4 ,WALK]4
,C Y D T80
  ,I SNAPP$ BACK 96MY BODY S H>D X MADE
ME CRY \ L\D1 A %>P HI< :IMP]4 ,BLOOD
FL[ T+L$ "? MY F+]TIPS1 PA9;LLY1 B ! PA9
GAVE ME "S?+ 6FOCUS ON4 8,Y1H40 ,MY
VOICE 0 ALL R\< AG4 8,Y1H1 ( C\RSE4 ,IS
HE GONNA 2 OKAY1 DOCTOR80
  ,%E NO4$ & GAVE ME ANO!R REASSUR+
SMILE4 8,HE R1LIZ$ V QKLY :AT ! ATTACK 0
& GOT 6! HOSPITAL 2F SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE
_H BE5 D"O4 ,T 0 A FEW H\RS AGO4 ,I
CALL$ Z SOON Z HE 0 /ABILIZ$40
  8,I'M SORRY40 ,I _H NO IDEA :Y    #AGE
,I 0 APOLOGIZ+4
  8,X'S OKAY40 ,! DOCTOR SMIL$ AT ME4
8,Y ALL "R80
  8,NO40 ,MY VOICE CRACK$1 & ,I PUT ON
MY BE/ BRAVE SMILE 9 RETURN4 8,B ,I C
PRET5D40
  ,%E PATT$ MY %\LD]4 8,-E ON1 !N40

  8,"!'S MY GIRL40 ,G>Y'S VOICE 0 TOO
?91 8 GRAY EYES DULL$1 B HE SMIL$ Z ,I
PUT MY H& 96HIS4 ,P[] FLUTT]$ V G5TLY
9SIDE ME Z WE T\*$1 & ,I NE>LY BUR/ 9TO
TE>S AT ! R1LIZ,N T "! MI<T ACTU,Y 2 "S-
?+ ,I CD D4 ,I HELD (F =A M9UTE1 ?\<1
HANG+ ON 6,G>Y'S H&4
  8,YR GIRL1 HUH80 ,I SAT D[N ON A /OOL
2S 8 B$1 TRY+ N 6SNI6LE4 8,:5'D ,I GRAD-
UATE F 2+ A CRAZY DAME 62+ YR GIRL80
  8,"R AB ! "T MY >M />T$ T+L+ & A*+10
,G>Y SD4 ,HE LOOK$ L HE'D LO/ ?IRTY P.DS
9 ! EI<T H\RS S9CE ,I'D SE5 HM4 ,8 SK9 0
A%Y1 ! ,HEM+WAY WR9KLES T ,I F.D S REAS-
SUR+ N[ DEEP & HA7>D >.D 8 M\? & EYES4
8,Y LOOK L HELL1 ,JO40
  ,I GAVE A %AKY LAU<4 8.,I LOOK    #AGF
L HELL8 ,ANYBODY %[N Y A MIRROR1 ,G>Y80
  8,!Y DON'T NE$ TO4 ,I'M FEEL9' L ! OLD
GRAY <O/40
  8,Y1H1 WELL40 ,I TI<T5$ MY F+]S >.D
HIS4 8,NO GIV+ UP T <O/1 OKAY8 ,N =A
:ILE YET40
  ,G>Y SNORT$4 8,Y KI4+8 ,Y'VE ONLY J
GOTT5 />T$4 ,I'M N PLANN9' ON *ECK+ \ =A
:ILE YET4 ,I WANT GR&KIDS10 HE SD )A W9K
&A SU45 GR94 ,MY HE>T LUR*$4
  8,T'S :Y Y'RE HANG+ >.D1 HUH8 ,NICE TO
F9,Y F9D \ "!'S A R1SON40 ,MY ATTEMPT AT
LEV;Y FELL FLAT1 B ,G>Y SMIL$ ANYWAY1 !N
LET 8 EYES CLOSE1 : TOLD ME Z M* Z ANY?+
H[ TIR$ HE WAS4 ,I'D N"E MET A M OP5-EY$
K9D ( GUY ?AN ,G>Y4 ,WE /AY$ L T =A FEW
M9UTES1 ME TRY+ 6MEMORIZE HM :ILE HE
BR1!D1 !N ,I CLOS$ MY [N EYES1 HOP+ ,I
WDN'T CRY4
  8,LISS51 ,JO40
  ,MY EYES POPP$ OP5 AG4 ,G>Y 0 WE>+ 8
S]I\S FACE4 ,8 RE,Y S]I\S FACE1 S S]I\S
,I'D N"E SE5 X 2F4 ,N]VES TWI/$ 9 MY
/OMA*4 8,Y1H80
  8,! GR&KIDS1 Y'"K ,I'M JOK+4      #AGG
,B--0
  8,GOD1 ,G>Y1 DON'T4 ,OKAY8 ,DON'T GET
ALL MAUDL9 ON ME40 ,I MANAG$ A FEE#
SMILE4 8,AT L1/ WAIT UNTIL Y'RE SITT+ UP
AG1 OKAY80 ,I MADE ! SMILE B"R]1 EV5 ?\<
TE>S /UNG MY EYES1 & ,I B5T OV] 8 H&4
8,ANYWAY1 ,I "K1 OKAY80 ,MY VOICE
SQU1K$4 8,I "K4 ,ME1 TOO1 HUH8 ,OKAY8
,ME1 TOO40 ,I BL9K$ BACK TE>S1 KEEP+ MY
H1D L[]$ OV] 8 H&4 ,G>Y R1*$ OV] HMF ) 8
LEFT H&1 CLONK+ MY H1D )! OXYG5 S5SOR ON
8 MI4LE F+] Z HE RU6L$ MY HAIR4 8,[40
  ,HE *UCKL$4 8,SORRY4 ,OKAY4 ,>"R1 ,JO4
,N[ Y GOTTA KEEP ME UP 6DATE ON :AT'S
GO9' ON \ "!1 ALL "R8 ,I HATE MISS9'
?+S40
  ,I SAT UP LAU<+ & BRU%$ MY H& OV] MY
EYES4 8,I "K4 ,I W1 ,I PROMISE4 ,L1 "H1
Y'LL L ?4 ,I 0 TALK+ 6,VIRISS;G1 ! _S
GUY ! COV5 WANTS 6BR+ ACR1 :5 ! HOSPITAL
CALL$40
  ,G>Y'S EYEBR[S RETA9$ _! BU%I;S EV5 :5
! RE/ ( HM LOOK$ SMALL]4 8,:AT'S HE L80
  8,HE SEEMS OKAY4 ,I GUESS ,I'M GO+ 6D
?40                                 #AGH
  8,MAN10 ,G>Y SD1 8,I GOTTA GET \ ( "H4
,I'M GONNA MISS ALL ! GD /UFF40
  8,ONLY Y ?9K X'S ! GD /UFF40 ,I GAVE
HM A WAT]Y SMILE4 8,:5'RE !Y LETT+ Y \80
  8,I DONNO4 ,A CUTE BLOND NURSE SAYS ,I
GOTTA G 6PHYSICAL !RAPY4 ,ME1 PHYSICAL
!RAPY4 ,I'M SEV5TY-?REE YE>S OLD4 ,:AT
K9DA CRAP IS T80
  8,! K9D T'S GO+ 6MAKE SURE Y LIVE 6SEE
SEV5TY-F\R10 ,I SD /]NLY4 ,G>Y'S EYES
B"R5$1 Z IF *A/ISE;T 0 BETT] = HM ?AN
SYMPA?Y4 ,X PROBABLY WAS4
  8,Y'RE GONNA KEEP ME 9 L9E1 >5'T Y10
HE GRUM#D1 )\T 4GUIS+ ! NOTE ( PL1SURE 9
8 VOICE4
  8,DAMN /RAI<T40 ,I TOOK A DEEP BR1?4
8,& ,I'M GO+ 6D A LL LAY+ ON ( H&S1 & !N
,I'M GO+ 6ASK A P[] ANIMAL 6KEEP AN EYE
ON Y40
  ,IF "SBODY'D SD T 6ME1 X WD'VE MADE ME
EV5 CRA2I]4 ,G>Y LIT UP AG4 8,Y1H8 ,:AT
ANIMAL80
  8,I'LL "K :5 X -ES4 ,TM MORN+40 ,! "P
( ME T KNEW ,I WDN'T RE,Y TURN MY BACK
ON %AMANISM /UNG ME ) COLD GUILT4   #AGI
,IF ,I'D /UDI$ MAYBE ,I CD'VE SE5 ? -+ &
D"O "S?+ 6PREV5T X4 ,PREEMPTIVE H1L+4
  8,/OP X10 ,G>Y SD4 ,I TWIT*$ & BL9K$
AT HM4 8,Y'RE LOOK9' ALL GUILTY10 HE SD4
8,KNOCK X (F4 ,I'M AN OLD MAN1 ,JO4 ,I
A9'T GONNA LA/ ="E1 & "!'S NO?+ Y OR
ANYBODY ELSE C D AB T4 ,B ,I'M N *ECK9'
\ J YET1 S J /OP X1 Y HE>8 ,Y WANT 6F9D
? OLD DOG A LL _SUAL SUPPORT 6%ORE HM
UP1 ,I'LL APPRECIATE X1 B DON'T G ?9K9'
Y C /OP NATURE 9 XS TRACKS4 ,Y HE> ME80
  8,I HE> Y40 ,I SMIL$ A LL4 8,I'M J N
SURE ,I'M R1DY 6LI/540
  ,HE SQUEEZ$ MY H&4 8,FAIR 'NUFF4 ,WOM5
ALW TAKE _! [N SWEET "T MAK9' UP _! M9DS
6SEE S5SE40
  ,I NO4$1 !N /RAI<T5$ MY SP9E4 8,HEY60
  ,G>Y CACKL$1 BR1?I] ?AN USUAL1 B / 8
[N LAU<4 8,"!'S MY GIRL10 HE SD AG1 &
LET HMF SLIP BACK 96RE/+4 ,I WAIT$ UNTIL
HE SLEPT1 !N DUG D[N 9SIDE ME =! P[] T
LAY 2H MY BR1/B"O4
  ,X FLICK]$ & MURMUR$1 RESPOND+ SLU7I%-
LY4 ,I WASN'T TOO SURE H[ 6G AB REPAIR+
A BROK5 HE>T4 ,COSMETIC *ANGES1 L   #AHJ
VISUALIZ+ A NEW PA9T JOB1 SEEM$ 9ADE-
QUATE1 &! PAT* REPLACE;T T ,I'D US$ 6FIX
! HOLE 9 MY [N LUNG /RUCK ME Z "SH[ DAN-
G]\S4 ,I'D BE5 DY+ AT ! "T4 ,SCREW+ UP
WD H ONLY F9I%$ ! JOB4 ,IF ,I MESS$ UP
N[1 ,G>Y1 :O WASN'T DY+1 MI<T4 ,MY C>
ANALOGY 0 TURN+ \ 6H LIMIT,NS ,I DIDN'T
L4
  ,9 ! 5D ! BE/ ,I CD D 0 6%>E MY [N ES-
S;E1 ! WAY ,BILLY _H D"O ) ME BACK 9
,M>*4 ,I ?"\ X WD HELP1 J 0GIV+ HM M ?AN
8 [N DEPLET$ 5]GY 6DRAW F Z HE H1L$4 ,X
TOOK A :ILE 6=MULATE1 B ,I SLIPP$ A
SMALL1 DELICATE BALL ( SILV] RA9B[S IN-
SIDE ,G>Y'S *E/1 & WI%$ X ,GODSPE$ & GD
LUCK4
  ,!N ,I /AY$ UNTIL A NURSE CAME 6U%] ME
\1 & W5T BACK 6MY A"P;T 6SOB 9 ! %[]4

  ,R\T9E BR"\ GRATIFY+ NUMB;S4 ,I WROTE
TICKETS & WALK$ MY B1T1 NO4+ AT LOCALS &
/OPP+ 6GIVE DIREC;NS 6T\RI/S4 ,I DIDN'T
H 6?9K1 : 0 A GODS5D4 ,?9K+ PUT ME BACK
96T PLACE ": X 0 TOO H>D 6BR1!4 ,G>Y
MI<T'VE 2LIEV$ "! WASN'T ANY?+ ,I   #AHA
CD'VE D"O1 B ,I WASN'T S SURE4
  ,AT LUN* ,I W5T BACK 6! /,N 9/1D (
/OPP+ ON MY B1T 6GET A BITE 6EAT4 ,I
WASN'T HUNGRY1 & ,I NE$$ -=T SMELLS1
GR1SE & OIL & GASOL9E4 ,I W5T D[N 6! GA-
RAGE1 EV5 ?\< ,I DIDN'T ?9K ,I 0 UP TO
WAT*+ ,NICK C>E;LLY N LOOK AT ME4
  ,X 0 ALM A RELIEF T ,?OR 0 ! ONLY "O
>.D1 LY+ ON 8 BACK 2N A VEHICLE4 ,I /OOD
"! 0HIS FEET UNTIL HE SLID \ 6GET A WR5*
F ! TOOLBOX 0! C>4 ,8 EYEBR[S1 GR1SE-
SME>$1 ROSE A LL Z HE SAW ME4 ,I LOOK$
>.D1 UNA# 6MEET 8 EYES Z ,I MUM#D1
8,WOND]$ IF "! 0 ANY?+ ,I CD HELP \ )=A
:ILE40
  ,HE FR[N$ AT ME4 ,I LOOK$ "S": ELSE
AG4 8,PL1SE40
  8,Y1H40 ,8 ANSW] 0 S GRUFF & S L;G 9
-+ T ,I FL9*$1 />TL$ \ ( TRY+ 6?9K ( ":
,I 0 GO+ 6G :5 HE SD NO4 8,RODRIGUEZ GOT
8 :EELS \ ( :ACK AG4 ,GET "S COV]ALLS &
TAKE A LOOK40 ,HE GAVE ME ! FA9TE/ SMILE
POSSI# & SLID "U 8 "W-IN-PROGRESS AG4 ,I
0 LEFT />+ AT 8 LEGS1 /UNN$4 ,I'D W>N$
HM AB ,RODRIGUEZ'S AXLE ALIGN;T     #AHB
PRO#MS SIX MON?S E>LI]4 ,MAYBE GD OL'
,?OR WASN'T S BAD AF ALL4
  ,RODRIGUEZ DIDN'T RE,Y SP5D H\RS B1T+
8 VEHICLE'S AXLE \ ( ALIGN;T1 EV5 IF
,I'D A3US$ HM ( DO+ S 9 ! PA/4 ,I'D N"E
YET *ECK$ 8 VEHICLE & F.D ! ALIGN;T \T-
SIDE ( FACTORY TOL].ES1 : DIDN'T M1N HE
0 WR;G4 ,"S DRIV]S >E M S5SITIVE 6! V>I-
,NS 9 ALIGN;T1 & ,RODRIGUEZ 0 L ! PR9-
CESS )! PEA4 ,! CAMB] & CA/+ R1D+S ON 8
VEHICLE 7 A FULL DEGREE SIDE 6SIDE (F1 5
6CAUSE A PULL4
  ,& T 0 "S?+ ,I CD D1L )4 ,ME?ODICAL1
/RAI<T-=W>D "W CD FIX AN ALIGN;T PRO#M4
,X TOOK MY M9D (F "EY?+1 & ,I F9I%$ !
JOB ) RELUCT.E1 N WANT+ 6L1VE ! G>AGE &
FACE ! _W AG4
  ,?OR1 / ON 8 BACK1 ROLL$ \ F "U ! C>
HE 0 "W+ ON & PU%$ UP ON AN ELB[1 WAT*+
ME4 ,I WIP$ MY H&S D[N ON ! CL1NE/ T[EL
,I CD F9D & /RIPP$ ! COV]ALLS (F4 ,I'D
D"O X A ?\S& "TS--J AB LIT],Y--)! GUYS 9
! %OP "!4 ,I'D N"E FELT SELF-3SCI\S 2F1
TOO AW>E ( ,?OR WAT*+ ME4 ,BIG & ?ICK &
CLUMSY3 T 0 ! ,JOANNE F HI<         #AHC
S*OOL1 TOO TALL & TOO POORLY SOCIALIZ$4
,I FUM#D ! COV]ALLS Z ,I TRI$ 6PUT !M
BACK ON _! HOOK & CAU<T A NEW H&;L (
GR1SE4 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES1 SI<$1 & %OV$ MY
H& BACK "? MY HAIR 2F MY BRA9 CAU<T UP )
MY AC;NS4
  ,?OR'S LAU<T]1 DEEP & \ L\D1 MADE
HAIRS /& UP ON ! BACK ( MY NECK4 ,I
LOOK$ OV] MY %\LD]1 M\? TWI/$4 ,PROPP$
UP ON AN ELB[1 / ON ! CREEP]1 HE LOOK$ L
A BEEFCAKE CAL5D> PICTURE1 EXCEPT 9 A
P9UP HE'D 2 9 J1NS1 /RIPP$ 6! WAI/1 &
GLI/5+ ) BABY OIL 9/1D ( WE>+ T>-SME>$
COV]ALLS4 8,Y "K ": ! %AMPOO IS40
  ,MY M\? 2TRAY$ ME &! CORN]S TURN$ UP 9
A T9Y SMILE4 8,T BAD80 ,I H1D$ =! WA%-
ROOM1 N EXPECT+ AN ANSW]4 ,?OR'S VOICE
FOLL[$ ME ANYWAY4
  8,WELL1 !Y SD Y'RE ,NATIVE ,AM]ICAN1 B
,I ?9K W> PA9T'S SUPPOS$ 6BE DI6]5T COL-
ORS40
  ,I /OPP$4 8,W> PA9T C 2 BLACK4 ,!Y80
  ,HE %RU7$ ! %\LD] 8 WEI<T WASN'T ON4
8,P TALK40
  8,AB ME80 ,I WASN'T SURE IF ,I    #AHD
0 PL1S$ OR AL>M$4
  ,HE GAVE A %>P SNORT4 8,DON'T S.D S
SURPRIS$4 ,REPLAC+ Y\'S L TRY+ 6REPLACE
,DAVID ,LEE ,RO?40
  8,HAG> 0 BETT]40 ,=A MO;T WE />$ AT "O
ANO!R1 CAU<T 9 AN UNEXPECT$ CAM>AD]IE4
8,I GOTTA WA% UP10 ,I SD ABRUPTLY4 ,?OR
SLID BACK "U 8 C>4 ,HE DIDN'T -E BACK \
:5 ,I JO7$ "? ! G>AGE A FEW M9UTES LAT]1
MY HAIR / DAMP4 ,! SUMM] "D 0 ALR H1VI]
?AN ! AIR-3DI;N+ CD DEF1T1 & ,I FIGUR$
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-;T4
  ,MORRISON CAU<T ME TWO HALLS AWAY F !
FRONT DOOR & GAVE ME A SCA?+ LOOK4 8,Y
SMELL L A GR1SE PIT1 ,WALK]4 ,I ?"\ Y 7
ON B1T40
  ,! FRAGILE S5SE ( WELL-2+ G>N]$ 9 !
G>AGE EVAPORAT$ & ,I CL5*$ MY FI/S1 FIX+
MY GAZE ON ! FLOOR4 ,H1T PRICKL$ AT !
BACK ( MY EYES1 &! FLUTT] 9 MY /OMA*
DIDN'T H ANY?+ 6D ) MAGIC1 = ONCE4 ,X 0
J PLA9 OLD-FA%ION$ NAUSEA1 ALL KNOTT$ UP
9 A BALL ( MIS]Y4 8,LUN*4 ,ON MY WAY
BACK \ N[40 ,I KNEW ,I S.D$ SUL-    #AHE
L51 B T 0 BETT] ?AN BUR/+ 96TE>S4
  ,MORRISON /EPP$ ASIDE1 SURPRIS+ ME4 ,=
A SECOND ,I DIDN'T "K :AT 6D1 /+S PRICK-
L+ ! 9SIDE ( MY NOSE1 ANO!R PRECURSOR TO
EMB>RASS+ TE>S4 ,I HUN*$ MY %\LD]S &
FL>$ MY NO/RILS1 TRY+ 6PRESS ! T+LE AWAY
)\T 2+ S OBVI\S Z 6USE MY H&S1 & BULL$
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  8,Y ALL "R1 ,WALK]80 ,"! 0 A NOTE (
:AT S.D$ L G5U9E 3C]N 9 ,MORRISON'S
VOICE1 & X PU%$ ME EV5 F>!R (F-BAL.E4
  8,NO40 ,I _HN'T GIV5 MY M\? P]MIS.N TO
TELL ! TRU?1 & BIT MY L[] LIP H>D 9 AD-
MONI%;T4 8,I'M F9E40
  8,: IS X80 ,HE CAME BACK >.D ME1 FR[N-
+1 &=A FEW SECONDS ,CAPTA9 ,MI*AEL ,MOR-
RISON CLE>LY DIDN'T "K :AT 6D ) 8 H&S4
,EV5 ) MY GAZE LOCK$ ON ! FLOOR ,I CD
SEE HM R1* = MY *91 L HE'D TILT X UP S
,I _H 6MEET 8 EYES4 ,!N ! %E] 9APPROPRI-
ATE;S ( T GE/URE HIT HM1 EV5 Z X MADE ME
LOOK UP1 ! KNOT 9 MY /OMA* GIV+ A SICK
?UMP4
  ,8 F+]S BRU%$ MY JAW 2C ,I MOV$1 !
3TACT MAK+ 8 H& DROP L A D1D        #AHF
WEI<T4 ,! BR1? 9 MY LUNGS W5T ) X1 MY
*E/ 2G9N+ 6A*E 2C ,I DIDN'T SEEM 6BE A#
6REMEMB] H[ 69HALE AG4
  8,WALK]40 ,MORRISON 0 N A MAN ,I ?"\ (
Z UNC]TA9 OR UNPREP>$1 B 8 VOICE 0 TI<T
& HE HELD HMF 9 S* A WAY T ,I ?"\ MAYBE
HE'D =GOTT5 H[ 6BR1!1 TOO4 ,T 2GAN 63C]N
ME4 ,SURELY WE CDN'T J /& "!1 N BR1?+ AT
"O ANO!R1 ALL AFN4 ,MY HE>T 0 P.D+ M*
TOO L\DLY 9 MY E>S1 L X 0 DET]M9$ 6DR[N
\ :AT"E ,MORRISON MI<T SAY NEXT4 ,B HE
DIDN'T SAY ANY?+1 ONLY KEPT WAT*+ ME Z
IF HE WASN'T 5TIRELY SURE :AT 6D ) ME4
,MY PALMS 2GAN 6A*E )! NE$ 6D "S?+1 B !
OBVI\S ?+ 6D )A MAN 9 MY P]SONAL SPACE4
  8,JOANIE60
  ,I DREW 9 A %>P BR1?1 AIR />TL+LY COOL
9 MY LUNGS Z GUILTY COLOR BURN$ MY
*EEKS4 ,MORRISON /EPP$ BACK Z IF HE'D
BE5 REL1S$ F 3F9E;T1 & ,BILLY CAME LUM-
B]+ >.D ! CORN] )A /ICKY NOTE 9 H&1 8
VOICE RAIS$4 8,! R1SON ! DE"P;T GIVES Y
A CELL PH"O IS S Y C 2 CALL$ ON X4 ,!
HOSPITAL'S BE5 TRY+ 6GET "? 6Y4 ,!Y'VE
GOT "S PAP]"W Y NE$ 6SIGN4 ,EX-     #AHG
CUSE ME1 ,CAPTA910 HE A4$1 P]FUNCTORILY4
  ,MORRISON GRUNT$4 8,HOSPITAL80
  8,T'S :AT ,I 0 J TRY+ 6TELL Y10 ,I
SNAPP$1 N AT ALL FAIRLY4 ,REFUGE 9 ANG]4
,GD1 ,JO4 ,I WAT*$ ! 9DECIPH]A# ?+ G \ (
,MORRISON'S EXPRES.N1 6BE REPLAC$ 0F> M
FAMILI> IRRIT,N4 ,UNEXPECT$ REGRET L.ED
"? ! G5]AL NAUSEA 9 MY /OMA*1 TURN+ MY
VOICE EV5 M ACID4 8,MY FR ,G>Y _H A HE>T
ATTACK LA/ NI<T4 ,:AT D !Y WANT 6TALK TO
.ME =80 ,I A4RESS$ ! LA/ 6,BILLY1 :O
?RU/ ! /ICKY NOTE AT ME4
  8,Y'RE D[N Z NEXT ( K91 ,I GUESS4 ,IN-
SUR.E WANTS Y 6SIGN (F ON 8 PHYSICAL !R-
APY /UFF40
  ,I R1*$ =! NOTE )A H& G"O S NUMB ,I
CDN'T FEEL ! PAP]4 ,X /UCK 6,BILLY'S F9-
G]S Z HE TRI$ 6LET G1 &! $GE SLIC$ A ?9
GA% 9 MY 9DEX F+]4 ,I />$ AT ! BLOOD
WELL+ UP1 WAIT+ =! /+ ( PA94 8,NEXT (
K980
  8,T'S :AT ! LADY SD4 ,Y &! OLD MAN
DIDN'T GET HIT*$1 DID Y80
  ,I DIDN'T TRU/ MYF 6LOOK AT EI ( !M1
ESPECI,Y ,MORRISON4 8,NO40 ,\ (!    #AHH
CORN] ( MY EYE1 ,I SAW ,BILLY W9CE Z 8
JOKE FELL FLAT4 8,?ANKS = TAK+ ! MES-
SAGE40 ,MY VOICE 0 TOO HO>SE4 8,I'LL
CALL ! HOSPITAL & SEE IF ,I C GET OV] "!
TN40
  8,TAKE HALF AN H\R IF !Y NE$ X "R N[10
,MORRISON SD1 M GRACE;LLY ?AN ,I DES]V$
AF SN>L+ AT HM4 8,O!RWISE1 GET BACK TO
"W40 ,T1 TOO1 S.D$ M L SYMPA?Y ?AN AN
ORD]1 ?\< HE TURN$ A SC[L ON ,BILLY4
8,Y1 TOO1 ,HOLLI"D4 ,I'M N RUNN+ A MES-
S5G] S]VICE "H40
  ,BILLY SD1 8,YESSIR10 Z WE BO? WAT*$
,MORRISON /OMP D[N ! HALLWAY4 ,!N ,BILLY
TURN$ 6ME1 SQU9T+4 8,DID ,I 9T]RUPT "S?+
"!80
  ,"S"TS X 0 NICE 6H FRS :O DEMON/RAT$ M
S5SITIV;Y ?AN ! AV]AGE MALE 0 REPUT$ TO4
,O!R "TS1 N S M*4 ,I SD1 8,NO10 2C "! 0
NO O!R ANSW] ,I CD R1SONABLY GIVE1 &
,BILLY DIDN'T LOOK L HE 2LIEV$ X =A M9-
UTE4 8,?ANKS =! MESSAGE40
  ,I W5T \ 96! ,JUNE SUN%9E 6GET MY PH"O
& CALL ! HOSPITAL4
            ,,*APT] ,,?IRTE5        #AHI

    ,SATUR"D1 ,JUNE #AH1 #AJ3AH P4M4
  8,(FIC] ,WALK]80 ,A "Y MAN'S SURPRIS$
VOICE S.D$ 9 MY E>1 WELCOME 4TRAC;N F !
EYE-CROSS+ 9SUR.E PAP]"W ,I 0 TRY+ 6FILL
\4 ,I LOOK$ UP1 CAT*+ A GLIMPSE ( MYF 9
A W9D[ REFLEC;N4 ,MY HAIR _H WILT$ F !
CUTE SPIKES X'D DRI$ 9 AF MY %[]4 ,A BOY
:O LOOK$ VAGUELY FAMILI> 0 AL DIMLY RE-
FLECT$ 9 ! W9D[1 /&+ 2H MY *AIR4 ,I
TWI/$ >.D 6FR[N UP AT HM4
  8,G>?10 HE SD4 8,G>? ,JOHANNS54 ,F !
COV580
  8,OH60 ,I BL9K$ AT HM1 MY FR[N GETT+
DEEP]4 8,HI1 ,G>?4 ,:AT'RE Y DO+ "H80 ,I
_HN'T EV5 *ANG$ \ ( UNI=M 2F -+ 6! HOS-
PITAL4 ,! NURSE ,I'D TALK$ 6SD ,I DIDN'T
NE$ 6-E DUR+ "W1 B IF ,I CD -E IMMLY AF
T WD 2 GRT4 ,I'D PICK$ UP ! PAP]"W &
VISIT$ ) ,G>Y UNTIL HE />T$ DOZ+ (F1 !N
RETR1T$ 6! LO2Y 6G "? X4 ,X 0 AF T5 N[ &
,I 0 /ICKY & UNCOM=TA#4
  8,Y W]5'T AT ! MEET+ TN40 ,HE CAME >.D
6SIT "O *AIR OV] F ME1 L1V+ AN EMPTY
SPACE 2T U4 ,I 0 GRATE;L ON A VA-   #AIJ
RIETY ( LEVELS1 ! MO/ BASIC ( : 2+ T ,I
0 TOO DAMN$ HOT 6WANT 6D1L ) "S"O'S BODY
NEXT 6M9E4 8,WE 7 WORRI$10 HE A4$4
  8,& S Y :AT10 ,I SD1 8HUNT$ ME D[N AT
! HOSPITAL8 ,H['D Y D T1 MAGIC80 ,I SET
MY TEE? TGR & FLOPP$ MY H1D AG/ ! PA4$
PLA/IC *AIR BACK4 ,! KID 0 E>NE/ & PO-
LITE & DIDN'T DES]VE 6BE ! VICTIM ( MY
S>CASM4 8,SORRY10 ,I MUTT]$1 !N /RAI<T5$
UP1 3V9C+ MYF T ,I WD 2 M GRACI\S F "H
ON \4 8,I =GOT AB ! MEET+40
  8,Y =GOT80 ,ALL ! 9JURY & 4MAY 9 !
:OLE _W 7 3VEY$ 9 ^? TWO ^WS4 8,B ? IS
.V .IMPORTANT40
  8,G>?10 ,I SD 9 :AT ,I FELT 0 A R1SON-
A# T"O1 8A V CLOSE FR ( M9E _H A HE>T
ATTACK LA/ NI<T :ILE ,I 0 *AS+ D[N YR
GODDAMN ,VIRISS;G4 ,=GIVE ME IF YR PRI-
ORITIES >E N MY PRIORITIES40 ,S M* =
C\RTESY4
  8,OH40 ,G>?'S VOICE W5T ALL HOLL[4
8,OH1 ,I'M SORRY4 ,I DIDN'T M1N 6BE A
J]K40
  ,I ._H M1NT 6BE A J]K1 & N[ ,I FELT L
EV5 M ( "O4 ,V5T+ AT ,G>? /RUCK     #AIA
ME Z 2+ ON AB ! SAME LEVEL Z KICK+ PUP-
PIES4 ,I 0 GO+ 6H 63SID] ! POSSIBIL;Y T
X'D 2 BETT] IF ,I N"E SPOKE 6ANY"O AG Z
L;G Z ,I LIV$4 8,X'S N YR FAULT4 ,SORRY
,I SN>L$40
  8,Y DIDN'T10 HE ASSUR$ ME HA/ILY1 : 0
NICE1 IF BLATANTLY UNTRUE4 8,IS YR FR
GO+ 6BE OKAY80
  ,I SI<$ & LOOK$ D[N AT ! PAP]"W4
8,Y1H1 IF ,I C GET ALL ? /UFF FILL$ \ S
!Y'LL PUT HM 9 ,,PT40 ,I %U6L$ ! /ACK1
!N %OOK MY H1D4 8,DID Y RE,Y MAGIC UP MY
LOC,N80
  ,G>? LOOK$ GUILTY4 8,NO40
  ,I FR[N$ UP AT HM4 8,!N :AT'RE Y DO+
"H80
  ,G>? B"R5$ A LL4 8,VISIT+ "SBODY4 ,-E
ON40
  ,I EY$ MY PAP]"W1 !N GROAN$ & /OOD UP4
8,ANY?+ =A BR1K40

  ,! SORDID TRU? 0 ,I EXPECT$ ,G>? 6L1D
ME "? ! HOSPITAL 6MEET "S H&"S1 />RY-EY$
"Y 9T]N :O HE WD EUPHEMI/IC,Y 9TRODUCE Z
8MY FR40 ,9/1D HE TOOK MY H& &      #AIB
TU7$ ME UP 6! C.ER W>D1 ": WE /OPP$ AT !
RECEP;N >EA & ,G>? L1N$ ON ! DESK )\T
LETT+ G ( MY H&4 8,WE'RE "H 6SEE ,COL940
  ,! MAN 2H ! DESK WAV$ U ON )\T LOOK+
UP1 !N FOLL[$ U )1 8,HE'LL 2 GLAD 6SEE
Y1 ,G>?40
  8,Y -E "H A LOT80 ,I ASK$4 ,G>? NO4$1
KNOCK$ ON A ROOM DOOR1 !N PU%$ X OP54
,DESPITE ! H\R1 ! "Y MAN 9 ! B$ SAT UP &
SMIL$ WE>ILY Z WE /EPP$ 9SIDE4
  8,G>?1 MAN1 :O'S ?8 ,Y DIDN'T TELL ME
Y 7 DAT+ AN ,AMAZON40 ,8 VOICE 0 ?91
RIS+ & FALL+ ON %ALL[ BR1?S4 ,HE 0 GD-
LOOK+1 EV5 "? ! BLOAT ( WEI<T T C.ER
TR1T;TS _H PUT ON HM4 ,8 EYES 7 HAZEL &
*E];L1 &! H&%AKE HE (F]$ 0 FULL ( 3C5-
TRAT$ /R5G?4 8,I'M ,COL910 HE SD4
8,G>?'S MY BIG BRO!R40

  ,X WASN'T Q FULL LI<T :5 ,I LEFT !
C.ER W>D ) ,G>?4 ,! SKY 0 HAZY & LI<T
GRAY1 A PROMISE ( ANO!R B1UTI;L "D 6-E4
,! AIR 0 COOL =! F/ "T 9 ="E1 AL? ,I
PRIVATELY ADMITT$ ,I WASN'T USU,Y UP AT
FIVE-?IRTY1 ! PA/ FEW "DS NOT)/&-   #AIC
+4 ,POSSIBLY X 0 ALW P]FECT AT ? H\R ON
A SUMM] MORN+4 ,G>? WALK$ \ ONTO ! M$I-
CAL C5T] /EPS ) ME1 H&S JAMM$ 9 8 POCK-
ETS & H1D L[]$4 ,NEI ( U _H SPOK5 S9CE
WE LEFT ,COL9'S ROOM4
  8,S :AT'S ! D1L80 ,I F9,Y ASK$4 ,WE'D
/AY$ 9 ,COL9'S ROOM MO/ (! NI<T1 BO? (
!M (F]+ UP ABSURD ANSW]S 6"QS ON ! 9SUR-
.E =MS1 ,G>? WAT*+ 8 BRO!R :5 HE SLEPT4
,2T NAPS & PAP]"W1 ,I TRI$ 63V9CE ,COL9
T ,I 0 NEI AN ,AMAZON NOR ,G>?'S GIRLFR4
,HE *E];LLY REFUS$ 62LIEVE EI4
  ,G>? SAT ON ! /EPS1 N LOOK+ AT ME Z HE
ANSW]$4 8,HE'S _H LEUKEMIA 8 :OLE LIFE1
PRETTY M*4 ,S9CE HE 0 EI<T4 ,WE ?"\ HE
_H X B1T1 B !N A FEW MON?S AGO X CAME
BACK1 & HE'S BE5 PRETTY SICK S9CE40
  8,H[ OLD IS HE80
  8,SEV5TE540
  ,I BL9K$4 8,H[ OLD >E Y80
  8,TW5TY-TWO40
  ,I DIDN'T SAY HE SEEM$ "Y]4 8,I J WANT
HM 6BE OKAY10 ,G>? SD1 )\T NOTIC+ MY
LACK ( 9PUT4 8,I TRI$ PRAY+ =A L;G "T1 &
:5 ,COL9 0 GETT+ BETT] ,I ?"\ X 0   #AID
"W+1 B !N HE GOT SICK AG & ,GOD DOESN'T
SEEM 6C>E40
  8,S Y LOOK$ = "S?+ ELSE80 ,I V5TUR$4
,G>? NO4$1 DANGL+ 8 H&S 2T 8 KNEES4
  8,MOM CDN'T H&LE ,COL9 2+ SICK AG4 ,%E
SPLIT A :ILE AGO1 S EV5 TRY+ 6HANG TGR )
FAMILY DIDN'T "W4 ,DAD & ME LIVE AB FIVE
M9UTES F "H4 ,S Y1H1 X'S H[ -E ,I GOT
9VOLV$ 9 ! ,CRAFT40 ,HE /UDI$ 8 H&S1
:ILE ,I BIT MY T;GUE F ASK+1 ..Y GOT IN-
VOLV$ 9 ! ,CRAFT 2C Y LIVE FIVE M9UTES F
."H8 8,I ?"\ MAYBE ''' WELL1 ! ,GO4ESS
IS SUPPOS$ 6D MAGIC1 "R80 ,G>? W5T ON4
8,WIT*ES & "EY?+4 ,I ?"\ MAYBE '''0
  8,MAYBE MAGIC CD HELP40 ,I PUT MY F+]-
TIPS OV] MY EYES & RU2$4 8,X'S N RE,Y T
SIMPLE1 ,G>?40
  8,I F.D T \4 ,I 0 GONNA GIVE UP1 B !N
,I HE>D ,VIRISS;G1 SEE8 ,9 ! COV51 ,I
HE>D HM TALK+ 6ME4 ,HE SD T :5 HE CAME
BACK & 0 /R;G AG1 HE CD H1L ! E>?1 & H1L
MY BRO!R1 TOO40
  8,VIRISS;G ISN'T A GOD1 ,G>?40
  8,I ?9K HE'S AN ASPECT (! GOD40
  8,! ,GOD80 ,I PO9T$ UPW>D4        #AIE
  8,T ,GOD &! GOD &! GO4ESS >E ALL "O &!
SAME4 ,X'S J K9D ( H>D 6SEE X ) MOD]N
RELIGI\S TRAPP+S40 ,HE S.D$ L HE'D LE>N$
X 0ROTE & 2LIEV$ X 6! CORE ( 8 2+4 8,B
,COL9'S GETT+ WORSE4 ,I "K ! SOL/ICE IS
SOON & ,VIRISS;G W -E !N1 B--0 ,HE BROKE
(F1 TOOK A DEEP BR1?1 & SPOKE V QKLY3
8,B Y H R1L P[]4 ,WE ALL FELT X4 ,I HOP$
MAYBE Y CD HELP ,COL9 HANG ON J A LL
L;G]40 ,! BR1? :OO%$ \ ( HM & 8 %\LD]S
DEFLAT$ Z HE CURV$ 9 ON HMF4
  8,JESUS1 ,G>?40 ,I L1N$ OV]1 PUTT+ MY
H1D ON MY KNEES4
  ,IF ,I LET MYF--& ,I _H BE5 C>E;L1 ON
"S LEVEL1 N TO--,I CD FEEL ! HOSPITAL 2H
ME4 ,N J ! HOSPITAL1 B EA* 9DIVIDUAL1
PATI5TS & DOCTORS ALIKE1 9T]NS & NURSES1
NEWBORNS &! DY+4 ,"S"TS !Y 7 "O &! SAME4
,I CD FEEL PLACES 9 !M T NE$$ H1L+1 "S-
"TS PHYSICAL1 V (T5 PSY*OLOGICAL4 ,"! 0
TOO M* = ME 6H1L AT ONCE1 EV5 IF ^? :O 7
9 NE$ WD ALL[ ME 6TRY1 & N ALL ( !M WD4
,"Y DOCTORS1 DET]M9$ 6PROVE T !Y CD HACK
! H>% R1LITIES (! M$ICAL _W1 WDN'T LET
"S"O L ME NE> !M1 =A MULTITUDE (    #AIF
R1SONS4 ,SKEPTICISM 0 ONLY ! EASIE/2 A
FE> ( %[+ W1K;S 0 ! WOR/4
  ,I WOND]$ =! F/ "T IF ,I'D ALW AVOID$
HOSPITALS 2C ,I CAU<T "S S5SE (! METEOR-
IC EMO;NAL HI<S & L[S1 EV5 2F ,I 0 RUDE-
LY AWAK5$ 6A _W T WASN'T Q L ! PHYSICAL
"O ,I 0 -=TA# )4 ,TUN+ 96T S5S,N DIDN'T
EV5 REQUIRE ANY "PICUL> SUP]NATURAL
SKILL OR 2LIEF4 ,HOSPITALS C>RI$ A LOT (
PSY*IC :AMMY4
  8,I'LL TRY 6HELP HM1 ,G>?10 ,I SD 6MY
KNEES4 ,"! WASN'T RE,Y ANY "Q AB X F !
MO;T ,I /EPP$ 96,COL9'S ROOM4 ,I CD %RUG
(F RESPONSIBIL;Y 6! FACE.S MASSES =
MON?S AT A "T1 Z ,I'D LESS-?AN-ADMIRABLY
PROV5 ALR4 ,9DIVIDUALS1 ?\<1 9 NE$ (
HELP1 A*+ = X ) E BR1?1 EV5 IF !Y CDN'T
ASK = X \ L\D--,I WASN'T A MON/]1 & ,I 0
A L;G WAY F 2+ T H>D4 8,I C'T PROMISE
ANY?+10 ,I SD1 LIFT+ MY H1D4 8,OKAY8 ,I
C'T PROMISE ANY?+4 ,B ,I C TRY40
  8,?ANK Y40 ,G>?'S VOICE CRACK$ & HE
CRA%$ 8 %\LD] AG/ M9E Z HE L1N$ OV] 6HUG
ME4 8,?ANK Y4 ,I "K Y C HELP HM4 ,I ?9K
T'S "P ( :Y ,VIRISS;G CALL$ Y 6!    #AIG
COV54 ,HE KNEW Y CD HELP ,COL9 HANG ON J
A LL :ILE L;G]4 ,UNTIL HE -ES 6HELP "EY-
"O40
  ,I FELT V OLD Z ,I HU7$ ,G>? BACK4 ,I
KNEW ,VIRISS;G WASN'T A GOD ANY M ?AN ,I
WAS1 B HE DIDN'T SEEM 6WANT 6HE> X4
,MAYBE "S ?+S J _H 6BE TAK5 ON FAI?4
  8,G ON10 ,I SD1 GIV+ ,G>? A LL %OVE4
8,I'LL SEE Y AT ! MEET+ TN4 ,I'VE GOT TO
?9K AB H[ ,I'M GO+ 6D ?40 ,MY 9ABIL;Y TO
"K H[ 6H1L ,G>Y ONLY SEEM$ ENORM\SLY
-P.D$ :5 FAC+ "S?+ Z 9VASIVE Z A C.ER4
,"! _H 6BE A WAY 6D X4 ,IF ,I'D SP5T !
PA/ S"EAL MON?S /UDY+1 ,I'D PROBABLY "K
:AT X WAS4
  8,OKAY40 ,G>? CLIMB$ 6HIS FEET1 NO4+1
& WOB#D D[N ! /EPS1 L1V+ ME AL"O 6MY
PLANN+4
  ,I DIDN'T RE,Y NE$ 6PLAN4 ,I _H ,G>Y'S
_S QUE/ 6D 9 A MATT] ( M9UTES2 MAK+ X
HOME 9 "T WD 2 A CRUN*4 ,A BIT ( MEMORY
FLOAT$ "? MY M9D1 "S?+ AB TRADI;NAL %A-
MANS US+ SLEEP DEPRIV,N Z A TOOL 65T] _!
TR.ES4 ,T 0 GD3 9 MY CURR5T /ATE1 "O OR
TWO DEEP BR1?S "\ 6PUT ME "U4 ,I    #AIH
WAT*$ ,G>? WALK AWAY1 !N PU%$ 6MY FEET4
,= ONCE ,I _H A CLE> PA? 6FOLL[ & NO
QUALMS AB FOLL[+ X4 ,I W5T 6F9D ,PETITE4





















            ,,*APT] ,,F\RTE5        #AII

    ,SUN"D1 ,JUNE #AI1 #F3JJ A4M4
  ,I WASN'T E>LY4 ,I WASN'T LATE1 EI1 B
,I WASN'T E>LY4 ,MY G>D5 0 Z HAZY Z ,I
WAS1 FOG ROLL+ "? X4 ,! TREES 7 ALL BU4$
) BR&-NEW L1VES1 VISI# IF ,I LOOK$
/RAI<T AT !M &A GRE51 UNFOCUS$ BLUR IF
,I LOOK$ AWAY EV5 A FRAC;N ( AN 9*4 ,ON
! "O H&1 ! :OLE NEW LIFE SYMBOLISM (!
BU4+ BRAN*ES SEEM$ L A GD "O4 ,ON ! O!R1
X SEEM$ LIKELY T ! BLOOM+ TREES 7 M GO+
=! FUZZY GRE5;S ?AN MAK+ A /ATE;T AB MY
PSY*IC PREP>$;S =A NEW "D4 ,I YAWN$ S
H>D MY EYES TE>$ UP & ,I TOPPL$ OV] ON
MY SIDE4 ,JUDY SNI6$ 9 4APPROVAL ? "T4
8,! WE>I;S (! BODY %D 2 LEFT 2H1 ,JO-
ANNE40
  8,Y'LL H 6T1* ME H[ 6D T40 ,I PU%$ MYF
UP"R AG1 / YAWN+ UNTIL MY VI.N SP>KL$ &
BLURR$4 8,& :AT IS ? ) ,JOANNE1 ,JOANNE1
,JOANNE ALL ! "T4 ,"EYBODY'S ALL =MAL40
,I'D GOTT5 US$ 6,G>Y CALL+ ME ,JO1 A "N
,I N"E ?"\ ,I'D L4 ,=A FEW SECONDS AN
IMAGE ( MY "F GLITT]$ 9 MY TE>S3 WAT*;L
ALMOND EYES ) NEI PATI;E NOR HU-    #BJJ
MOR 9 !M4 ,HE CALL$ ME ,JO1 L HE WANT$ A
BOY IF HE WANT$ A * AT ALL4
  ,I BL9K$ AWAY TE>S & VI.NS ALIKE4 ,JU-
DY'S EYEBR[S 7 LIFT$4 8,IS "! "S?+ ELSE
Y'D R 2 CALL$80
  ,I /UDI$ H] =A FEW SECONDS1 GAUG+ MY
RESPONSE 6T & 6H]4 8,NO4 ,JOANNE'S F9E40
,EV5 ,JOANIE1 : MO/ P CALL$ ME1 SEEM$ A
LL M P]SONAL ?AN ,I WANT$ 6GET ) ,JUDY J
YET4 8,LET'S GET />T$4 ,"!'S A LOT 6D ?
MORN+40
  ,JUDY SMIL$4 8,S "! IS4 ,IS "! "S"O
SPECIFIC Y'D L 6D A _S QUE/ =80
  8,A C\PLE P4 ,D ,I H 6TELL Y :O80 ,MY
RECALCITR.E SURPRIS$ ME1 B X SURPRIS$
,JUDY M4 ,H] EYEBR[S D>T$ UP AG4
  8,N IF Y DON'T WANT TO4 ,X'LL MAKE X
H>D] = ME 6HELP GUIDE Y40
  ,I HELD MY BR1?1 />+ AT H] =A :ILE4
8,ALL "R4 ,"O ( !M'S A KID "ND ,COL94
,HE'S A C.ER PATI5T1 A FR ( M9E'S BRO?-
]40 ,FR4 ,I'D "KN ,G>? TWO "DS & D\BT$
,I'D "E SEE HM AG AF ! SOL/ICE4 ,IF T
3/ITUT$ A FR1 ,I NE$$ A LOT ( "W ON MY
9T]P]SONAL REL,N%IPS4               #BJA
  ,N T T 0 RE,Y M* (A SURPRISE4
  8,&! O!R80
  ,I F.D MYF HOLD+ MY BR1? AG4 8,LET'S
/>T ) ,COL94 ,HE'S PRETTY SICK40 ,G>Y .0
MY FR1 & ,I FELT A GUT-DEEP RELUCT.E TO
9VITE ,JUDY AL;G 6GUIDE ME 6F9D+ A _S
ANIMAL = HM4 ,I'D SCREW$ UP ALL ON MY [N
) ,G>Y1 Z F> Z ,I 0 3C]N$4 ,I 0 GO+ 6F9D
A WAY 6HELP HM ON MY [N1 TOO4 ,X WASN'T
! "R %AMANI/IC _S1 B DESPITE T1 X FELT
"R4 ,MY HE>T HURT1 T9Y %>P B1TS T MADE
BR1?+ H>D4 ,I %OOK MY H1D1 AN ATTEMPT AT
LIT],Y %AK+ ! FEEL+ (F4 8,COL9 F/40
  ,I 0 GETT+ GD AT PLUNG+ 96! ,L[] ,_W4
,? "T ,I W5T "? MY LL G>D5 POND1 TOO IM-
PATI5T 6TAKE A SL[ BURR[ "? ! E>?4 ,COLD
GRAY WAT] SURR.D$ ME1 MY LUNGS BURN+ AL?
,I KNEW IF ,I NE$$ 6,I CD DRAW A BR1? &
N DR[N4 ,DO+ S SEEM$ L *1T+ "SH[4 ,I ?"\
! PRICE ( GASP+ 6! SURFACE 0 ONLY ! F/
/EP ,I %D TAKE T[>D F9D+ A H1L+ PLACE4
  ,I BUR/ UP "? ! E>?1 RI* LOAM SPLATT]+
E : WAY1 Z IF X 7 WAT]4 ,I PLANT$ MY H&S
9 ! DIRT1 TR1T+ X L A LAKE%ORE1 & PULL$
MYF \ (! GR.D1 NEI WET NOR MUD-     #BJB
5CRU/$4 ,MAYBE1 J MAYBE1 ,I 0 GETT+ A LL
BETT] AT ?4 ,JUDY APPE>$ AT MY SIDE1
HAV+ TAK5 A DI6]5T PA? 6! ,L[] ,_W1 &
NO4$ ) :AT ,I ?"\ MI<T 2 FA9T APPROVAL4
  ,? "T ,I DIDN'T NE$ 6BE TOLD 6DRAW A
P[] CIRCLE4 ,! SUN 0 ALR HI<1 BURN+ V
CLOSE 6U 9 ! R$ SKY4 ,I GREET$ X )\T EV5
FEEL+ RIDICUL\S1 & B[$ 9 EA* DIREC;N1
ASK+ = GUID.E & PROTEC;N 9 MY QUE/4 ,JU-
DY SETTL$ D[N 2S ME 9 ! CIRCLE1 LOOK+
PL1S$4
  8,X'S N UNLIKE DO+ A SE>* = YRF10 %E
SD Z ,I SAT D[N4 8,B R ?AN ASK+ =! _SS
6-E & GUIDE Y1 ?9K ( YR FR ,COL94 ,ASK =
! HELP ( ANY :O W -E4 ,FOCUS ON HM40 ,%E
LIFT$ A DRUM ,I _HN'T SE5 H] C>RY+ & BE-
GAN 6B1T A RHY?MIC TANG4 ,I TOOK A DEEP
BR1? & LET MY EYES CLOSE1 WOND]+ IF "! 0
A DI6];E 2T SLEEP+ & TR.ES 9 ! ,L[] ,_W4
  ,! TOO-CLOSE SUN BORE A B"R SPOT "? MY
CLOS$ EYES1 MAK+ MY EYELIDS BURN A B"R]
CRIMSON ?AN ! SKY4 ,I BUILT AN IMAGE (
,COL9 >.D T BRILLI.E1 TURN+ ! :ITE;S 9TO
8 FAIR HAIR & REMEMB]+ ! HOLL[;S ( 8
EYES 2N X4 ,! D>K;S >.D ! IMAGE     #BJC
FELT CLOY+ & /ICKY1 Z IF 8 SICK;S A6ECT$
! PICTURE ,I _H 9 MY M9D4 ,X 0 UNCOM=TA-
#1 L PICK+ MY FEET UP & SLO7+ "? T>1 B
,I'D MADE A PROMISE4 ,M1 ,I WANT$ 6HELP
HM4 ,MAYBE NE$$ TO4
  .,PL1SE4 ,MAK+ A ^W (! NE$ />TL$ ME4
..,HE'S J A KID1 & 8 /R5G? IS ALM G"O4
,IF "!'S ANY"O :O'S WILL+ 6L5D HM YR
/R5G?1 ,I'LL GUIDE Y 6HM4 ,HE'S A GD
.KID4 ,I FELT ! H1T ( TE>S PRESS "? MY
EYELA%ES & SWALL[$ AG/ !M4 .,PL1SE1 ,I
SD AG1 !N DREW A %>P BR1?1 TRY+ 6SETTLE
MY ?"\S 96SIL;E4
  ,N ?9K+ 0 H>D] ?AN X S.D$4 ,JUDY'S
DRUM HELP$1 ! B1T MIX+ ) MY HE>TB1T &
FILL+ MY BLOOD ) HOPE4 ,! SUNSPOT 9 MY
EYELIDS DRIFT$ UP1 !N AWAY1 TELL+ ME T
"T PASS$4 ,-=T+ BLACK;S WRAPP$ >.D ME1 !
DRUM Z XS PULSE4 ,! ?ICK;S (! D>K /AY$ )
ME1 UNTIL ,I CDN'T FEEL MYF BR1?+ ANY-
MORE4 ,I TOOK A DEEP] BR1?1 TRY+ 6MAKE
MY LUNGS & RIBS EXP& S M* T ,I CDN'T
HELP B FEEL !M1 & 9/1D ,I LO/ ,COL9'S
IMAGE F MY M9D4 ,RETRIEV+ X 0 SL[ "W1
PULL+ X F ! /ICKY D>K;S PIECE BY    #BJD
PIECE4
  ,I DIDN'T "K :Y ,I OP5$ MY EYES3 NO?+
T ,I CD S5SE ON ANY PHYSICAL LEVEL _H
*ANG$4 ,B ,I DID1 & F.D A MASSIVE S]P5T
COIL$ 9SIDE ! P[] CIRCLE1 XS BLUNT NOSE
M]E 9*ES F MY HOOK$ "O4 ,X _H ! SAME B"R
BLACK EYES Z XS PR$ECESSOR1 WAT*+ ME )
D1DLY CALM4 ,MY HE>T LUR*$1 MAK+ A PIT (
SICK;S 9 MY /OMA*4
  8,Y SSSEEK10 X MURMUR$4 8,I ANSSSW]40
  ,DID X H 6BE A SNAKE8 ,I TRI$ 6KEEP !
?"\ /U6$ DEEP 9 MY BRA9 ": NO "O1 "PICU-
L>LY ! SNAKE1 CD HE> X4 ,XS FLAT EXPRES-
.N DIDN'T *ANGE & ,I LET \ A RELIEV$
BR1?4 8,?ANK Y40 ..,SNAKES >E A SYMBOL (
.H1L+1 ,I REM9D$ MYF4 .,? .IS .A GD
.SIGN4 ,I KEPT T ?"\ /U6$ DEEP 9 MY
BRA91 TOO4 8,JUDY80 ,MY VOICE _H ONLY !
SLI<TE/ QUAV] 6X4 ,I 0 PR\D ( MYF4 8,H[
-E X'S .9SIDE ! CIRCLE80
  8,6BR+ XS P[] BACK 6YR FR1 X HAS 6BE-
-E A "P ( Y10 ,JUDY SD )A TRACE ( IMPA-
TI;E4 8,Y'RE A 3DUIT1 ,JOANNE4 ,H[ ON
E>? DID Y MANAGE 6MAKE X ? F> ) S LL
$UC,N80                             #BJE
  ,H1T CREPT UP MY *EEKS4 ,I .KNEW %A-
MANS 7 3DUITS4 ,I'D 9VIT$ ! SNAKE 9 6!
P[] CIRCLE ) MY ?"\S4 ,H[ ELSE DID ,I
EXPECT 6GUIDE X 6,COL98 8,SORRY10 ,I
MUTT]$1 / SC>LET4 8,I KNEW T40
  ,6! SNAKE1 ,I SD1 8,I'M N )! "O :O
NE$S YR HELP4 ,W Y LET ME C>RY Y 6HM80
,I PUT \ AN >M1 TRY+ N 6NOTICE ! GOOSE
BUMPS T %IV]$ UP MY SK9 Z ,I MADE ! (F]4
,! SNAKE DUCK$ XS H1D1 FLICK+ XS T;GUE
OV] ! F9E HAIRS ON MY >M4 ,!N X %OT =-
W>D1 PUTT+ XS H1D OV] MY %\LD]4 ,I GA!R$
X UP Z C>E;LLY Z ,I CD1 SETTL+ XS WEI<T
OV] BO? MY %\LD]S4 ,X SLI!R$ D[N MY "R
>M1 COIL+ >.D X1 & Z ,I LIFT$ XS TAIL1 T
COIL$ >.D ME1 TOO4 ,! ?+ 0 AT L1/ Z TALL
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