,,?"UBIRD ,,FALLS

            ,C4 ,E4 ,,MURPHY

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            ,,*APT] ,,FIFTE5        #BAA

  ,! F/ ?+ ,I NOTIC$ 0 MY H1D HURT S
BADLY X FELT L ! TOP 0 -+ (F4 ,BLOOD
P.D$ 9 MY TEMPLES H>D 5 6MAKE ME PUT
/ACK$ O4S ON 2+ UPSIDE-D[N1 B ,I 0
AFRAID 6OP5 MY EYES & F9D \4 ,LI<T SE>$
96ME F ALL SIDES4 ,I 0 PRETTY SURE IF ,I
OP5$ MY EYES1 ,I'D 4COV] T MY B"OS WD 2
D>K %APES 9 MY LIT-UP FLE%4 ,! AIR ,I
BR1!D 0 HOT1 M* HOTT] ?AN ! ,L[] ,_W
AIR1 & TA/$ ( DRY;S4 ,S&1 ,I ?"\1 & MY
EYES OP5$ )\T 3SULT+ ME ON ! MATT]4
  ,AT F/ "! 0 NO?+ 6SEE1 J :ITE;S S IN-
T5SE X MADE MY EYES TRY 6TURN >.D &
CRAWL 96MY H1D4 ,TE>S /R1M$ D[N MY =EH1D
& 96MY HAIR4 ,I 0 ALM C]TA9 ,I HE>D SIZ-
ZL+ Z !Y B1D$ & HIT ! GR.D "S": 2L ME4
,CRU%+ MY EYES CLOS$ DIDN'T HELP ANY3 !
LI<T SMA%$ "R "? MY EYELIDS Z IF !Y
W]5'T EV5 "!1 PRY+ \ ALL ! IMAG9$ PLACES
( %AD[ ": MY VI.N 0 TRY+ 6HIDE4 ,I PEEL$
MY LA%ES OP5 9 ! T9IE/ SQU9T ,I CD MAN-
AGE4
  ,! LI<T DIDN'T REC$E1 B AF A DOZ5 H1D-
P.D+ HE>TB1TS MY VI.N ADJU/$ V      #BAB
SLI<TLY4 ,X TOOK A L;G "T 6GET MY EYES
ALL ! WAY OP54 ,0! "T ,I _H1 ,I CD FEEL
SUNBURN SETT+ 96MY SK91 S DEEP X FELT L
MY B"OS 7 BURN+4
  ,! SKY 0 :ITE ) H1T1 CL\D.S & /RET*+
6APPROXIMATELY ="E1 ": X RAN 96A HORIZON
Z BL9D+LY :ITE Z ! GR.D 2L ME4 ,! SUN 0
TOO CLOSE & M* TOO HOT4 ,IF X _HN'T BE5
=! FACT MY H&S 7 TI$ 2H MY BACK1 ,I'D H
?"\ ,I CD T\* X4
  ,I 0 TRUSS$ UP L A *ICK5 = ,SUN"D D9-
N]4 ,MY ANKLES 7 B.D TGR & ,I HUNG
UPSIDE-D[N F :AT APPE>$ 6BE ! ONLY TREE
9 ,CRE,N4 ,X 0 AB TWELVE FEET TALL & S
EXTREMELY D1D T ,I 0 A/.D$ XS BL1*$
BRAN*ES CD HOLD MY WEI<T4 ,! GR.D1 CRYS-
TALS ( S& TOO TIR$ F ! WEI<T (! SUN 6EV5
GLI/51 LAY AB SIX 9*ES ABV MY H1D4 ,"! 7
T9Y 9D5T,NS DIRECTLY 2L ME ": MY TE>S _H
HIT & EVAPORAT$4
  8,HELP80 ,MY ?ROAT 0 ALR DRY & P>*$4
,I SWALL[$ N]V\SLY1 SQU9T+ 6EYE ! SUN &!
HORIZON4 ,IF X 0 ANY?+ L AT HOME1 ! 4T.E
2T ! TWO SU7E/$ ,I'D 2 D1D L;G 2F NI<T
CAME4 ,I WRI7L$ >.D 9 MY ROPES1     #BAC
E>N+ MYF BURNS ON MY ANKLES & WRI/S1 &A
SLI<T SW+ 6*ANGE ! MONOTONY ( J HANG+
"!4
  ..,S1TTLE ,COP ,F.D ,D1D ,9 ,A"P;T--
,SU6]$ ,F ,SUN1 ,ROPE .,BURNS4 ,I CD SEE
! H1DL9E4 ,I WOND]$ :AT ,MORRISON WD
?9K4 ,I WOND]$ ": ! HELL ,I WAS4 ,I WON-
D]$ IF ,I CD POSSIBLY GET MYF \ ( X4 ,I
WASN'T PANICK$2 ! H1T _H SMA%$ PANIC "R
\ ( ME & PU%$ ME WELL 96NUMB4 ,B "! _H
6BE "S?+ ,I CD D 2F ! SUN COOK$ MY BRA9
= GD4 ,X'D 2 EMB>RASS+ 6DIE "H 9 ! :ITE
DES]T )\T EV5 TRY+ 6GET \ ( X4
  ,/>T ) :AT ,I KNEW4 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES1
N T X DID ANY GD AG/ ! LI<T1 6HELP MYF
FOCUS4
  ,I KNEW ,I 0 HANG+ UPSIDE-D[N ON !
V]GE ( HORRI# D1? 0DEHYDR,N1 AC 6! BACKS
( MY EYELIDS4 8,GODDAMN X10 ,I CROAK$1 &
OP5$ MY EYES AG 6/>E AT ! EXPANSES (
:ITE4 ,"O BAK$ CRY/AL GL1M$ AT ME4 ,I
WOND]$ BRIEFLY IF X 0 SALT1 N S&4 ,2C T
MADE X ALL BETT] "SH[4 ..,%UT UP & 3C5-
TRATE1 .,JOANNE4
  ,MY VI.N />T$ DO+ 9T]E/+ ?+S1     #BAD
SWIMM+ 9 & \ Z X TRI$ 6MAKE DEP? \ (
F1TURE.S GRA9S ( S&4 ,I LI/5$ = MY HE>T-
B1T2 LA/ "T ,I'D BE5 9 A DES]T (! M9D1
,I'D BE5 DY+ & MY HE>TB1T 0 A PA9;LLY
SL[ DRUM4 ,B NO3 X 0 BUMP+ AL;G /1DILY1
P.D+ 9 MY E>S & N[ MAK+ ME NOTICE ! H1D-
A*E ALL OV] AG4 ,T 0 PROBABLY A GD SIGN4
  .,*OICE4 ,! ^W :ISP]$ XF 6ME4 ,I _H A
WORRI$ MO;T ( WOND]+ :E!R ,I 0 HE>+
VOICES OR IF MY [N T9Y M9D _H -E UP ) T
DIREC;N ALL 0XF4 ,AF ANO!R MO;T ,I DE-
CID$ X DIDN'T MATT]1 Z L;G Z ,I GOT \ (
"H4 ,IF ,I 3T9U$ 6HE> VOICES1 ,I'D ?ANK
!M NICELY = PO9T+ ME 9 ! "R DIREC;N1 &
!N GET M$IC,N4
  ,"O (! FUNDA;TAL 3CEPTS ( %AMANISM 0
*OICE3 *OOS+ 62LIEVE1 *OOS+ 6H1L1 *OOS+
6A3EPT4 ,ONCE1 *OOS+ 6A3EPT "S?+ T "S"O
ELSE _H =C$ ON ME _H ALL[$ ME ! P[] TO
*ANGE X & ESCAPE4 ,I LET MY EYES CLOSE
AG & 2GAN ! TASK ( A3EPT.E4
  ,X TURN$ \ HANG+ UPSIDE-D[N F A BL1*$
TREE 9 ! DES]T WASN'T ! BE/ PLACE 6/>T
ON ! :OLE A3EPT.E ?+4 ,"T WORE ON &! SUN
KEPT BURN+ ME4 ,I SWALL[$ ON A      #BAE
DRY ?ROAT M "TS ?AN ,I CD C.T1 TRY+ 6"W
UP A LL MOI/URE4 ,:E!R ,I MANAG$ 6A3EPT
MY POSI;N OR IF ! "P ( ME T HELD ON TO
4BELIEF SIMPLY DRI$ UP & BLEW AWAY1 EV5-
TU,Y ,I />T$ 6FEEL Z IF ,I 2L;G$ "!1 !
,HANG$ ,JOANNE 9 ! DES]T4 ,"! 0 A ,T>OT
C>D L T4 ,! ,HANG$ ,MAN1 N ! ,HANG$ ,JO-
ANNE4 ,I REMEMB]$ ,BILLY 5?USIA/IC,Y
TELL+ ME AB ,T>OT 9 G5]AL A C\PLE YE>S
E>LI]1 :ILE ,I ROLL$ MY EYES & G5],Y BE-
HAV$ L A J]K4 ,I REM9D$ MYF 6APOLOGIZE
6HM--AG--IF ,I GOT \ ( ?4 ,!N ,I SP5T A
:ILE WOND]+ :AT X 0 T ! ,HANG$ ,MAN SIG-
NIFI$1 ANYWAY4
  ,ONCE 9 A :ILE ,I TRI$ 6W ! TREE 6FALL
OV]1 OR ! ROPE 6/RET* & PUT ME ON !
GR.D4 ,I 0 />T+ 6FEEL V AT HOME "!1 L A
N9ETE5?-C5TURY \TLAW WAIT+ =! COYOTES TO
-E NIB# 8 EYEBALLS \4
  .,COYOTES6
  ,MY EYES POPP$ OP54 8,COYOTE6 ,HELLO8
,HELP8 ,LOOK1 ,I "K ,I N"E CALL1 ,I N"E
WRITE1 B ,I'VE BE5 K9D ( BUSY ! LA/ FEW
"DS40 ,I WASN'T 9 DAILY 3TACT ) MY _S
GUIDE ANYWAY1 B S9CE LA/ "T ,I'D    #BAF
5D$ UP 9 A DES]T--"O -PLETELY UNLIKE ?
"O--HE'D BE5 ! "O 6GET ME \1 ,I FIGUR$ X
0 PROBABLY MY BE/ %OT4 8,I GOT A T1*]60
,I YELL$4 8,T'S A GD SIGN1 "R80 ,! DES]T
SWALL[$ ! %\TS UP )\T EF=T4 8,HELLO8
,COYOTE80
  ,"! 0 NO ANSW] :ATSO"E1 & ,I />T$ TO
WOND] IF DO+ A _S QUE/ WD WAKE MY _S
GUIDE UP 6MY PREDICA;T4 ,:ILE ,I WASN'T
EXACTLY 9 A SW1T LODGE1 ! \-(-BODY SUR-
R1L;Y SURR.D$ ME 9 SPADES1 : SEEM$ L A
GD PLACE 6/>T4 ,=A FEW SECONDS ,I GOT
4TRACT$ 0H[ _M LEVELS REMOV$ F MY BODY
,I ACTU,Y WAS1 !N DECID$ D[N T PA? LAY
MAD;S4 ,ASSUM+ ,I WASN'T ALR TOT,Y NUTS4
,EI WAY1 ,I C]TA9LY WASN'T GO+ 6GET BACK
6MYF 0HANG+ >.D 9 A DES]T WOND]+ :5 !
H]O 0 GO+ 6%[ UP & RESCUE ME4
  ,AF ANO!R T5 SECONDS1 ,I R1LIZ$ ,I 0
HOLD+ MY BR1? & WAIT+ = ,MORRISON 69T]-
RUPT MY TR.E1 Z IF MY ?"\S CD 3JURE HM4
  ,ANO!R T5 SECONDS AF T ,I CDN'T DECIDE
IF ,I 0 RELIEV$ OR HORRIBLY 4APPO9T$ T
!Y _HN'T4 ,I SI<$ & CLOS$ MY EYES1 TRY+
\ A CROOK$ HALF SMILE AT MYF4 ,I    #BAG
CD AF=D T "H1 "S": S DEEP & PRIVATE T
NOBODY B ME 0 "E GO+ 6SEE X4 ,MY %\LD]S
RELAX$ & ,I SI<$1 DRIFT+ PA/ C>+ :E!R OR
N MY SK9 0 BURN$ 6! B"O OR MY WRI/S 7
NUMB F ! ROPES >.D !M4 ,MY M\? 0 TOO DRY
6MAKE ANY SALIVA AT ALL4 ,:5 ,I SWALL[$
X FELT L D\#-SID$ TAPE CLOS+ TGR & TRY+
6PULL A"P AG4 ,MY %\LD]S RELAX$ AG1
FALL+ ANO!R C5TIMET] T[>D MY E>S4 ,IF ,I
CD J TAKE A LL NAP1 X'D TURN \ ALL "R1
:E!R ,MORRISON RODE 9 6SAVE ! "D OR N4
  ,IF MY 9N] SELF _H ANY S5SE ( DIGN;Y
AT ALL1 X WD ALL[ MY BRA9 6COOK 6A CRISP
R ?AN LET ME WAKE UP1 G 6"W1 & FACE
,MORRISON )! K T HE'D F1TUR$ H1VILY Z !
,:ITE ,HAT 9 MY DAMSEL-IN-4TRESS FANTA-
SIES4
  ,"S"O SUCK$ ALL ! AIR \ (! DES]T4 ,I
9HAL$ & 2GAN C\<+1 ! AIR SU45LY S M*
HOTT] T X 0 L /ICK+ MY H1D 9 A FURNACE4
,TE>S ROLL$ D[N MY =EH1D AG Z ,I PRI$ MY
EYES OP54 ,! :ITE;S (! SUN & E>? 0 NO
L;G] :AT ,I _H 6/RU7LE AG/4 ,N[ ! H1T XF
/UCK MY EYELIDS TGR & PRESS$ MY EYEBALLS
F>!R BACK 96MY H1D4 ,I :IMP]$1 A    #BAH
G5U9ELY PA!TIC S.D1 &! H1T A4$ ?"U4
  ,X 0 A PHYSICAL PRES;E1 PU%+ 96MY BODY
)A RUM# ,I CDN'T EV5 HE>1 ONLY FEEL4 ,I
CDN'T BR1!4 ,SPOTS SWAM "? MY VI.N1
BLACK & R$ BOXES ) %>P $GES L PA94 ,!
AIR XF _H MALICI\S 9T5T1 SQUEEZ+ D[N ON
ME4 ,LI<TN+ SPLIT ! EMPTY :ITE SKY1 A
BOLT ( B"R;S AG/ ! ALR IMPOSSIBLY B"R
_W4 ,MY EYES A*$1 B ! H1T _H SE>$ AWAY !
LA/ ( MY TE>S4 ,I TRI$ 6?9K ( LA/ ^WS1
SURE T ! ?"U & AIR & LI<TN+ WD CRU% ME
96LA/+ OBLIVION4
  8,WELL1 FUCK ?10 ,I CROAK$4 ,A F9AL %[
( DEFI.E WD H 6D4 ,G1 ,JOANNE4
  ,A COYOTE TROTT$ \ (! DES]T4

  ,X WASN'T MY COYOTE4
  ,? "O TOOK UP M SPACE ?AN MY COYOTE1
AL? HE WASN'T1 AT AN UPSIDE-D[N GL.E1
ANY BI7]4 ,:5 HE BR1!D1 ! AIR SEEM$ 6EX-
P& >.D HM1 %IMM]+ L A H1T MIRAGE4 ,E
PIECE ( FUR ON 8 BODY GL1M$ & BRI/L$1 L
!Y'D EA* BE5 9DIVIDU,Y DIPP$ 9 GOLD &
BRONZE & COPP]4 ,! PLAY ( MUSCLE "U !
GOLD-DIPP$ FUR 0 9CR$IBLY PRE-      #BAI
CISE1 Z IF E BUN* & REL1SE 0 CALCULAT$ &
?"\-\ AH1D ( "T4 ,COYOTES1 ) _! L;G LEGS
& SK9NY BODIES1 W]5'T ANIMALS ,I ?"\ ( Z
B1UTI;L4
  ,? "O WAS4
  ,! AIR HE BR"\ ) HM 0 COOL]1 J )9 !
UPP] RANGES ( TOL]A#4 ,HE SAT D[N SIX
9*ES F MY H1D & ,I GASP$ 9 A GRATE;L
BR1?1 N"E ONCE ?9K+ HE 0 "! 6RESCUE ME4
,X 0 PROBABLY A LL LATE 6JUDGE "SBODY
:O'S ALR BE5 HANG$1 B ! COYOTE 0 JURY1
JUDGE & EXECU;N]4 ,8 EYES 7 GOLD-FLECK$1
/>S 9 BLACK;S4 ,HE FELT A LL L ,C]NUN-
NOS1 & M L ! ?"UBIRD4 ,I CD ONLY SEE !
SURFACE1 B IF ,I RELI$ ON ! KNOTS 9 MY
BELLY 9/1D ( MY EYES1 ,I CD FEEL T HE
TAPP$ 96"S?+ M* L>G]1 "P (! RAW PRIMAL
=CE T MADE UP ! UNIV]SE4
  8,OH1 = SWEET P;Y'S SAKE10 ,I SD 9 A
NORMAL 5 VOICE T ! %OCK ( X S5T RACK+
C\<S "? MY BODY4 ,:5 ,I F9,Y UND\#D--&
D\BL+ UP 6C\< :ILE SUSP5D$ 0YR FEET IS N
"S?+ 6BE RECOMM5D$--! COYOTE 0 WAT*+ ME
) 8 H1D COCK$ V SLI<TLY 6! SIDE4
,EXACTLY L MY COYOTE1 ONLY M*1 M*   #BBJ
BI7]1 METAPHYSIC,Y SP1K+4 8,I HONOR Y10
,I GRAT$4 ,MY ?ROAT TA/$ L ,I'D SWALL[$
A CUP FULL ( IRON FILA;TS4 ,X 0 A FLAVOR
,I ASSOCIAT$ ) RUNN+1 & X MADE BILE
SPLA% 9 MY /OMA*4
  ,COYOTE TILT$ 8 H1D ! O!R WAY1 LOOK+
AMUS$4 ,I WR9KL$ MY EYES %UT1 TRY+ 6?9K
( :AT ,I'D SD1 & IF X _H BE5 WR;G4 8,Y
HONOR ME80 ,I TRI$4 8,H[ C ,I HONOR Y80
,I OP5$ "O EYE4 ,COYOTE / LOOK$ AMUS$4
8,OH1 = ,*RI/'S SAKE1 :AT D Y WANT8 ,NO-
BODY "E GAVE ME LESSONS 9 TALK+ 6>*E-
TYPES1 B H"O/LY1 ,I RESPECT ! %IT \ ( Y
& ,I'D RE,Y L 6G HOME N[1 PL1SE40
  ,COYOTE B>K$ & SNAPP$ 8 TEE?1 : LOOK$
V L>GE & V :ITE & V M* L ,LL ,R$ ,RID+
,JO %D /AY F> AWAY F !M4 ,I SWORE ,I CD
HE> ! DRI$ E>? CRACKL+ & BR1K+ A"P :5 HE
SNAPP$ 8 TEE? TGR4 8,I'VE ALR BE5 EAT5
ONCE REC5TLY4 ,Y DON'T H 6D X AG4 ,R1L-
LY40 ,I CRANK$ MY H1D UP1 WOND]+ IF !
?"UBIRD MI<T FALL \ (! SKY & RESCUE ME4
  ,X DIDN'T4 ,I LET MY H1D DROP BACK D[N
& SI<$4 ,AT L1/ ) ,COYOTE = -PANY ,I'D
REGA9$ "S EQUILIBRIUM4 8,:AT D Y    #BBA
WANT F ME80 ,I ASK$ AG1 M SUBDU$4
  ,COYOTE--,I 0 GO+ 6H 6F9D "S?+ ELSE TO
CALL .MY COYOTE2 AF ?1 CALL+ HM ,COYOTE
WD 2 L CALL+ A M.TA9 LION 8KITTY0--,COY-
OTE L1N$ =W>D UNTIL MY EYES CROSS$1 &
PUT ! SLOPE ( 8 =EH1D AG/ M9E4
  ,FRAG;TS ( MEMORY %OT "? MY BRA91 %>P
Z %RAPNEL4
  ,S>A ,BU*ANAN'S ANGRY EYES1 BLAM+ ME =
A DECI.N T ALR T]RIFI$ ME4
  ,A DESOLATE G>D5 -+ 6LIFE4
  ,A D>K-HAIR$ WOMAN )A SILV] *OK] &A
R1DY LAU<4
  ,DU/Y HI<WAY ROADS /RET*+ 9 FRONT & 9
BACK ( U Z F> Z ,I CD SEE4 ,MY "F1
SL5D]-%\LD]$1 QUIET & ?"\;L1 TAPP+ \ A
TUNE AG/ ! /E]+ :EEL4 ,I DIDN'T "K ": WE
7 GO+1 DIDN'T RECOGNIZE ": WE MI<T'VE
BE54 ,! /ORY ( MY *ILDHOOD1 N"E 2L;G+1 9
A M LIT]AL S5SE ?AN MO/ L"OLY KIDS FEEL4
,A BITT];S OLD 5 6FEEL TIR$ FILL$ MY
?ROAT4 ,I TURN$ MY H1D AWAY F ,COYOTE1
DRY SPITT+ ! TA/E ( RES5T;T F MY M\?4
  ,! IMAGES BLA/$ ON1 UNDET]R$ 0BR1K+
3TACT ) ,COYOTE4                    #BBB
  ,A BABY BOY1 8 SI/] TOO SMALL 6LIVE4
  ,GETT+ (F A PLANE 9 ,DUBL91 SE>*+ =
F1TURES T MI<T 2 AT ALL L M9E4 ,N F9D+
!M1 EV5 :5 ! "M ,I DIDN'T "K T\*$ MY >M
& ASK$1 8,SIOBH@AN80
  .,,SIOBH@AN
  ,I FL9*$ S H>D MY :OLE BODY CRAMP$ UP4
,MY "N ?"U$ "? ! RECESSES ( MY M9D AG1
E*O+ & SLAMM+ AG/ ! 9SIDE ( MY H1D4 ,I
D\#D AG1 TRY+ 6TWI/ MY >MS >.D "SH[ TO
PROTECT MYF F ! HUGE S.D4 ,MY [N ."N
TORE AT ME1 PULL+ IMAGES F 2N MY SK91
FA/]1 L T5T]HOOKS ) NO REG>D = PA94
  --A TUNNEL ( D>K;S L1D+ 96"S": ,I 0
AFRAID (1 A/RAL LI<TS BLU+ ! PA?--
  --A B1UTI;L MAN1 HI<-*EEKBON$ & GRIM-
M\!D /&+ )A GUN 6MY H1D--
  --A HORN$ GOD /&+ OV] ME1 SWORD LIFT$
=A KILL+ BL[--
  --,MORRISON1 :ITE ) PA91 %\T+ AT ME--
  --,G>Y GR9N+ OV] 8 %\LD] AT ME1 PULL+
AWAY F ! AIRPORT 9 8 CAB1 APP>5TLY DRIV+
0USE (! ,=CE--
  --A ?9 SC> ON MY "R *EEK1 RUNN+ F MY
EYE 6J 2L ! CORN] ( MY M\?--        #BBC
  --TE>+ ACR FLAT E>? 9 ,PETITE1 ! SPE$-
OMET] CLOCK+ OV] A HUNDR$ & =TY--
  --A BAN%EE'S H1D HELD 9 MY H&1 DANGL+
F XS HAIR--
  --B"O-WE>Y+ EXHAUS;N1 L SLEEP _H -E TO
WEI< ON ME ) ALL XS /R5G?--
  --..A BABY BOY1 8 SI/] TOO SMALL TO
.LIVE--
  --A DIPLOMA1 ! "N ,I'D AB&ON$ WRITT5
ON X3 ,JOANNE ,WALK+/ICK--
  .,,WALK+/ICK4
  ,I 2GAN 6SCR1M4
  --A RACE AG/ ! ,WILD ,HUNT--..A
SNAKE'S B"R BLACK EYES1 />+ AT .ME--A
KISS ,I'D WAIT$ YE>S 6TA/E--..A GRAVEY>D
)A NEW M>K]1 & ME ON MY KNEES 2S .X--AN-
O!R GRAVE--.ANO!R--A 2WILD]$ * WAIL$ &
FLUNG H]F AT C(F9-BE>+ M5--..ME1 SQUALL+
& WAV+ ANGRY R$ FI/S 9 ! AIR1 A MAN'S
BROGUE SAY+1 8,& "! %E IS1 \R WEE ,SIO-
BH@AN1 .WELCOME1 ALANNA1 ..WELCOME10 Z
HE LIFT$ ME 96! .AIR--& ANO!R VOICE1 "O
,I KNEW "S": 9 MY B"OS1 SAY+1 8,ALR80 2F
MY [N VOICE1 CRACK$ ) AGE OR PA91
REPLI$1 8,X _H 6HAPP5 "S"T10 &      #BBD
COLD;S SETTL$ OV] ME--..A D>K-HAIR$ TE5-
AGE BOY1 EXPRES.N NEUTRAL & .CALM--A
CAULDRON BU2L+ )! /5* ( D1?--..A RAV5 )A
WOMAN'S .EYES--A MANTIS1 PREY+--
  ..A BABY BOY1 8 SI/] TOO SMALL 6.LIVE6
  8,,/OP ,,X60 ,MY EYES FLEW OP5 & ,I
?RU/ ,COYOTE AWAY ) "EY?+ ,I _H1 ALL MY
HE>T PUT 96! REJEC;N4 ,HE EXPLOD$ 9 A
BUR/ ( :ITE T SE>$ MY EYEBALLS1 PA9 S
9T5SE ,I ?"\ ,I CD FEEL ! N]VES SIZZL+ &
SPITT+ 96DECAY4 ,I FLEW BACKW>D F ! =CE
(! BLA/1 DRIV5 F>!R 0! /R5G? ( MY [N PA9
& FURY1 & SLAMM$ BACK 96! ,L[] ,_W S H>D
,I JOLT$ OV] BACKW>D4 ,! SNAKE T 5CIRCL$
ME LIFT$ XS H1D & SPAT ) ANNOY.E1 !N
SLI!R$ \ F "U ME 6COIL XF TALL 2S ,JUDY4
,MY EYES BURN$ Z ,I SAT UP AG1 HOLD+ MY
H1D & SQU9T+ AT !M4 ,! LI<T / DAZZL$ MY
EYES1 &! TWO ( !M 7 9V]S$1 _! BLACK EYES
GL[+ :ITE4 ,JUDY'S SK9 0 BLACK & ALM
F1TURE.S1 L %AD[S _H -E 6LIVE ON X1 &!
SNAKE'S SCAL$ HIDE SPUN 2T PURPLES & D>K
GRE5S4 ,I SWALL[$ D[N NAUSEA & TURN$ MY
H1D AWAY1 LOOK+ = "S?+ T 0 A NORMAL
COLOR4                              #BBE
  ,! SKY PROVID$2 X 0 DEEP C]UL1N1 ALM
TOO D>K = NATURE1 B LESS 4TURB+ ?AN ,JU-
DY'S %AD[Y SK94 ,ONLY :5 MY GAZE W5T 6!
SUN DID ,I R1LIZE T X 0 BLACK1 TOO1 & T
9 ! ,L[] ,_W ! SKY %D 2 CRIMSON1 N BLUE4
,I PRESS$ ! HEELS ( MY H&S OV] MY EYES &
%U4]$4 8,I H 6G BACK40 ,MY VOICE / S.D$
P>*$ 6MY [N E>S1 & ,I DIDN'T WANT 6LOOK
AT ,JUDY 6SEE IF H] EXPRES.N SD ,I S.D$
ODD 6H]1 TOO4 8''' SNAKE1 W Y -E ) ME80
,I DIDN'T "K H[ 6A4RESS X1 & ,I DIDN'T
WANT 6LOOK AT XS SWIMM+ PATT]NS1 EI4 ,X
HISS$ ) ILL-3C1L$ ANNOY.E1 B SLI!R$ =W>D
& CLIMB$ UP MY BODY 6WRAP >.D MY %\LD]S4
8,?ANK Y10 ,I :ISP]$1 GRATE;L 6N H 6LOOK
AT X4 ,MY H&S PRESS$ AG/ MY EYES 7 MAK+
SP>KS T REM9D$ ME3 8,":'S--0
  ,I DIDN'T F9I% ! "Q 2F ,I FELT ! PRES-
;E ,I 0 LOOK+ =4 ,! TORTOISE APPE>$ 2H
MY EYELIDS AG1 XS COLORS B"R & PROP]1
UNLIKE "EY?+ >.D ME4 8,"! Y >E10 ,I :IS-
P]$4 8,?ANK Y40
  ,X BO2$ XS H1D AGREEABLY & ,I SWALL[$
AG/ SICK;S AG4 ,! SNAKE WANT$ ME 6C>RY X
ON MY %\LD]S1 B ! TORTOISE SEEM$    #BBF
SATISFI$ 6-E AL;G =! RIDE 2H MY EYELIDS4
8,TM10 ,I GRAT$ AT ,JUDY4 8,I'LL -E BACK
TM40
  ,I CDN'T CLOSE MY EYES ANY H>D]1 B ,I
TRI$1 & FELL UPW>D "? MY BELLYBUTTON
BACK HOME4


















            ,,*APT] ,,SIXTE5        #BBG

  ,! SNAKE WASN'T ACTU,Y COIL$ >.D MY
%\LD]S :5 ,I OP5$ MY EYES 9 MY D>K LIV+
ROOM4 ,I CD FEEL XS WEI<T1 B MY F+]S
BRU%$ MY >MS Z ,I FOLD$ !M >.D MYF1 N
MEET+ ANY SCALY RESI/.E4 ,MY H1D HURT4
,MY .SK9 HURT2 ,I TE/$ X ) MY F+]TIPS1
TRY+ 6FEEL H1T4 ,"! WASN'T ANY1 B ! PA-
P]Y DRY;S ( SUNBURN 0 "!4 ,I GOT UP &
WALK$ "? D>K;S 6TURN ! %[] ON1 N BO!R+ )
! LI<TS4 ,! S+LE W9D[ 9 ! BA?ROOM 0 CUR-
TA9$1 B 5 MORN+ LI<T L1K$ "? ! %ADE TO
KEEP ME F KILL+ MYF Z ,I /EPP$ 96! TUB4
  ,! HOT WAT] 0 TOO HOT4 ,I TURN$ X D[N
AG1 !N AG1 UNTIL X 0 LUKEW>M & COOL$ MY
SK94 ,I FELT VAGUELY SICK 6MY /OMA*1 M
EXHAUS;N ?AN G5U9E ILL;S1 & WOND]$ :AT
"T X WAS4 ,MAYBE ,I CD NAP 2F "W4
  ,NO1 ,I CDN'T4 ,I GROAN$ & PUT MY FACE
AG/ ! %[] WALL4 ,! TILE 0 COLD1 %OCK+ MY
*EEKB"O4 ,I GROAN$ AG1 9 APPRECI,N1 &
TURN$ >.D 6L1N AG/ ! TILE1 LETT+ COOL
WAT] RUN D[N MY FRONT4 ,I .FELT SUN-
BURN$1 ALL OV]1 MY SK9 TOO ?9 & TOO HOT4
,I WOND]$ IF ,I _H ANY ALOE V]A1    #BBH
& !N ,I SLEPT =A :ILE1 /&+ "! ) MY FEET
LODG$ AG/ ! F> $GE (! TUB S ,I WDN'T
FALL D[N4
  ,I WOKE UP :5 ! LUKEW>M WAT] TURN$
COLD1 ) NO S5SE ( H[ M* "T _H PASS$4
,LA/ "T ,I'D D"O T--&! FRAC;N ( MY BRA9
/ CAPA# ( ?"\ DECID$ X 0 A BAD SIGN T "!
0 A LA/ "T = FALL+ ASLEEP 9 ! %[]--,COY-
OTE _H VISIT$ ME4 ,MY COYOTE4 ,N ? "T4
,A SU45 SURGE ( 5]GY HIT ME & ,I JOLT$ \
(! TUB1 GRA2+ A T[EL 9 ! SEMID>K &
SCRU2+ X OV] MY FACE4
  ,!N ,I SAT ON ! TOILET & :IMP]$ =A
:ILE UNTIL MY SUNBURN$ SK9 /OPP$ PROTE/+
! R\< ABUSE F ! T[EL4 ,GETT+ DRESS$ 0
GO+ 6HURT4 ,B ,I _H TO4 ,EV5 IF ,I CALL$
9 SICK 6"W1 : ,MORRISON WDN'T 2LIEVE 2C
X 0 GO+ 6BE ANO!R B1UTI;L "D1 ,I / _H TO
DELIV] ! _S GUIDES 6,COL9 & ,G>Y4 ,& IF
,I 0 GO+ 6GET DRESS$ AT ALL1 ,I MI<T Z
WELL G 6"W 9/1D ( CALL+ 9 )! ,BLUE ,SKY
,FLU4
  ,! R$ NUMB]S ON MY CLOCK FL>$ AN 9V]S$
BLUE :5 ,I WOB#D 96MY B$ROOM3 #I3CG4 ,I
FLIPP$ ! LI<T ON & X W5T BLACK 9    #BBI
MY EYES 2F REASS]T+ XF 9 ! M NORMAL
YELL[-:ITE BULB LI<T4 ,I RU2$ MY EYES
G+]LY & W5T 6F9D MY UNI=M4 ,COYOTE'S LL
EXPLO.N TRICK 0 L1V+ A M>K4
  ,HALFWAY "? GETT+ DRESS$ ,I NOTIC$ MY
SK9 WASN'T VISIBLY SUNBURN$4 ,X / .FELT
BURN$3 ,I KEPT 9VOLUNT>ILY FL9*+ AWAY F
CLO? BRU%+ MY SK91 &! IDEA ( PUTT+ ON A
VE/ MADE MY H1D P.D EV5 H>D]4 ,I GL.ED
AT ! CLOCK AG2 A QU>T] 6T54 ,I _H =TY-
FIVE M9UTES 6GET 6"W4 ,I MI<T 2 A# 6TE>
0& VISIT ,COL91 :O 0 ! SICK] (! TWO4
,MAYBE ,I CD SEE ,G>Y AT LUN*4 ,EI WAY1
,I WASN'T GO+ 6BE LEFT ) 5 "T 6PLOP D[N
ON MY B$ & SEE IF ,I CD GET RID (! A*E (
SUNBURN )! IDEA (A NEW PA9T JOB1 OR !
FUNKY VI.N )A LL W9D%IELD WIP] FLUID4 ,X
CD WAIT TILL TN4 ,I CD SU6] UNTIL !N4 ,I
W5T BACK 96! BA?ROOM1 DRANK ?REE GLASSES
( WAT]1 PUT MY 3TACTS IN1 & DET]M9$ T MY
REFLEC;N 0 HA7>D1 HORRI#1 & N 9 ! L1/
SUNBURN$4 ,X DIDN'T SEEM FAIR "SH[4
  ,! PH"O RANG ON MY WAY \ ! DOOR4 ,MY
/OMA* SEIZ$ UP & ,I RAN BACK1 SNAT*+ X \
(! CRADLE4 ,A WOMAN DEM&$1 8,>E Y   #BCJ
ALIVE80
  8,:AT80 ,GOD1 MY VOICE S.D$ Z DR1D;L Z
X _H 9 ! DES]T4 ,I CLE>$ X & TRI$ AG4
8,I M1N1 YES40
  8,? IS ,PHOEBE4 ,Y 7 SUPPOS$ 6BE "H
FIFTY M9UTES AGO4 ,F5C+ LESSON80
  8,OH4 ,OH1 ,GOD4 ,I'M SORRY4 ,LA/ NI<T
GOT K9D ( WEIRD40 ,I FELT ! SNAKE'S
WEI<T SLI!R >.D MY %\LD]S1 SETTL+ M -=T-
ABLY4 ,T 0 J S TOT,Y N COOL ,I CDN'T EV5
2G9 6EXPRESS X4 ,! TORTOISE 0 M* M CIR-
CUMSPECT4 ,I KNEW HE 0 "! "S":1 WAIT+ =
ME 6NE$ HM4 ,I LIK$ T A LOT M ?AN !
SLI!RY SNAKE4 8,I J GOT HOME4 ,I'M ON MY
WAY 6"W4 ,I -PLETELY SPAC$ X40
  8,"EY?+ OKAY80 ,I CD HE> ! FR[N 9 H]
VOICE4
  8,Y1H4 ,M OR LESS4 ,LOOK1 ,I'VE RE,Y
GOT 6G1 S ,I'LL CALL Y BACK & RES*$ULE
LAT]1 OKAY80
  8,Y1H1 OKAY4 ,I J WANT$ 6BE SURE Y 7
OKAY40
  ,I WOND]$ :AT %E'D SAY IF ,I SD1
8,SURE1 F9E1 EXCEPT ! SUNBURN T ISN'T
"!1 ! LACK ( SLEEP1 ! ?IRTY-P.D     #BCA
SNAKE ON MY %\LD]S1 &! WAY ! LI<TS KEEP
IMPLOD+ _! COLOR40 ,=TUNATELY = BO? ( U1
,I DIDN'T RE,Y WANT 6SAY X1 & 9/1D SD1
8,?ANKS = *ECK+ UP ON ME4 ,I'LL CALL4
,BYE40 ,I HUNG UP & MADE A BR1K =! GRT
\TDOORS & ,PETITE4

  ,! SKY W5T YELL[ &! SUN W5T BLACK :5
,I /EPP$ \TSIDE4 ,I FLUNG MY EQUIP;T BAG
96,PETITE'S PASS5G] S1T1 DROPP$ 96!
DRIV] S1T1 & FUM#D = MY SUNGLASSES1 WON-
D]+ IF ! TRA6IC LI<TS 7 GO+ 6FR1K \ !
WAY ! RE/ (! LI<TS W]E4 ,T WD 2 A R1L
PA9 9 ! ASS4 ,I TRI$ 6REMEMB] IF ! ORD]
0 R$-YELL[-GRE5 OR R$-GRE5-YELL[ Z ,I
DROVE D[N ! /REET4
  ,X 0 R$-YELL[-GRE51 B WAT*+ ! YELL[
BUR/ 969C&ESC5T BLUE 0 S 9T]E/+ ,I RAN !
LI<T & NE>LY ;,T-BON$ A ,CAM]O4 ,I
DIDN'T BLAME ! GUY = L1N+ ON 8 HORN4 ,AF
T ,I BIT MY T;GUE & PD SIGNIFICANT ATT5-
;N 6:AT ,I 0 DO+4
  ,0! "T ,I R1*$ ! HOSPITAL ,I'D FIGUR$
X \4 ,! COLOR 9V].N WASN'T A 3/ANT3 X J
HAPP5$ :5 LI<T *ANG$1 & !N FAD$     #BCB
BACK 6NORMAL4 ,I'D 2 OKAY =! "D Z L;G Z
,I 0 CAUTI\S1 ?\< ,I'D H 6HOPE ,I WDN'T
NE$ 6ID5TIFY ANY RUNAWAY VEHICLES1 2C MY
F/ GL.E AT ANY?+ SEEM$ 6-E UP ) 5TIRELY
! WR;G COLORS4
  ,COL9'S PALE HAIR LOOK$ BLACK & SILKY
Z D1?1 = EXAMPLE4 ,X FAD$ BACK 96BLOND Z
,I SAT D[N 0HIS B$1 GR9N+ CROOK$LY AT
HM4 ,HE OP5$ "O EYE & LIFT$ AN EYEBR[4
8,CDN'T GET 5 ( ME1 HUH80
  8,GUESS N40 ,MY VOICE FELL 96T IRRI-
TAT+LY QUIET HOSPITAL VOICE T P USE4
8,H[ Y DO+80
  8,BETT]1 ) AN ,AMAZON VISIT+ ME4 ,!Y
KILL$ (F _! SICK & W1K1 Y "K3 ,=! GD (!
TRIBE40
  ,MY EYEBR[S W5T UP TOO4 8,I DIDN'T "K4
,I DON'T ?9K !Y M5;N$ T 9 ! -IC BOOKS40
  8,DI6]5T K9D ( ,AMAZON4 ,Y CD 2 "O ( T
K9D10 HE SD1 LOOK+ ME OV] CRITIC,Y4
8,EXCEPT1 NO (F5SE1 Y'VE GOT NO?+ ON
,LYNDA ,C>T]40
  ,I LAU<$ \ L\D1 %AK+ ! HOSPITAL VOICE
(F4 8,Y'RE N OLD 5 6"K :O ,LYNDA ,C>T]
IS40                                #BCC
  8,DUDE10 HE SD1 S9C]ELY1 8,I'M N
.D1D40
  ,I LAU<$ AG4 8,& ,8N D1D0' IS ALL X
TAKES80
  8,DAMN /RAI<T10 ,COL9 SD )A NOD1 !N
SANK BACK 96! COV]S1 LOOK+ WE>Y4
  8,HEY10 ,I SD1 QUIET AG4 8,I C ONLY
/AY =A M9UTE1 OKAY8 ,B ,I WANT$ 6-E 0&
SAY HI4 ,SAY A C\PLE ^WS ( ,AMAZON H1L+
OV] Y1 T SORT ( ?+1 HUH80
  ,COL9 SMIL$ )\T OP5+ 8 EYES AG4 8,E LL
BIT HELPS4 ,?ANKS1 ,JOANNE40
  ,I PUT MY H& ON 8 %\LD]4 ,! SNAKE
DIDN'T NE$ TELL+2 X J COIL$ XS WAY D[N F
MY %\LD]S 6WRAP XF >.D ,COL9'S4
  ,MY VI.N SMA%$ 969V].N1 ! WALLS & B$1
,COL9'S :ITE SK9 & BLOND HAIR1 ALL GO+
BLACK ) H>D %IMM]+ BLUE $GES4 ,! LI<TS
OV]H1D SEEM$ 6POP \1 EMITT+ BLACK;S1 &=A
MO;T ,I CD SEE ! _S-SNAKE1 8 PALE TANS &
BR[NS ALL G"O 6BLUE & GRE5S L !Y _H 9 !
,L[] ,_W4 ,I J]K$ MY H& (F ,COL9'S %\LD]
& PUT X 6MY H1D4 ,HE OP5$ 8 EYES1 FR[N+4
8,JOANNE80
  8,X'S ''' ,I'VE GOT "S?+ WEIRD    #BCD
GO+ ON ) MY VI.N ? MORN+4 ,X'S OKAY4 ,X
J W5T ALL FR1KY40 ,! E6ECT 0 FAD+ N[1
AL? ! $GES ( ?+S SEEM$ A LL DIMM]1 /
HANG+ ON 6_! REV]S$ COLORS4
  8,Y'VE PROBABLY GOT A BRA9 TUMOR10
,COL9 SD *E];LLY4 ,I GAP$ AT HM1 !N
LAU<$ SIL5TLY1 %\LD]S %AK+4
  8,?ANK Y4 ,?ANKS1 ,COL91 T MAKES ME
FEEL A LOT BETT]40 .,PL1SE1 ,I ASK$ !
SNAKE4 ..,GIVE HM ! /R5G? & PROTEC;N HE
NE$S4 ,?ANK Y4 ,I'LL D MY BE/ 6HONOR .Y4
,I SMIL$1 "PLY =! SNAKE & "PLY = ,COL94
..,I'LL HE$ MY .T1*]4
  ,MY VI.N POPP$ BLACK AG1 & ,I FUM#D MY
WAY \ (! HOSPITAL1 HOP+ ,I'D MAKE X 6"W
ON "T4

  ,I CLOCK$ 9 NO M ?AN TWO M9UTES LATE4
,! PREC9CT BUILD+ LI<TS SNAPP$ 69V]SE
COLORS E "T ,I OP5$ A DOOR1 & ,I TRIPP$
OV] BACKW>DLY %AD[$ /AIRS & MY [N FEET
?REE "TS TRY+ 6GET 6! FRONT DOOR4 ,GETT+
\TSIDE 96! H1T & MORN+ SUNLI<T 0 ALM A
RELIEF4 ,AT L1/ X 0 3SI/5T1 EV5 IF E
BR1? ,I DRA7$ 9 TA/$ ( OV]H1T$      #BCE
/REET T> & DU/4
  ,AT LUN* ,I RADIO$ ,BRUCE AT ! FRONT
DESK & ASK$ HM 6PUN* ME \ S ,I'D H M "T
6G VISIT ,G>Y4 ,HE TOLD ME T 0 ILLEGAL &
DID X ANYWAY4
  ,I FELT A LL SILLY PULL+ 96! HOSPITAL
P>K+ LOT 9 ! PATROL C>1 Z IF "! "\ 6BE A
DIRE EM]G5CY T JU/IFI$ ! BLACK & :ITE4
,A C\PLE ( VISITORS GAVE ME CURI\S LOOKS
Z ,I /RODE "? ! P>K+ LOT1 SU45LY 9 A
HURRY 6SEE ! OLD MAN4
  ,HE 0 9 ,,PT :5 ,I GOT "!4 ,A CRITICAL
NURSE EXAM9$ ME F H1D 6TOE 2F ASK+1 8,>E
Y 8 DAU<T]80
  ,\ (! V>I\S "QS ,I'D EXPECT$ ^U %[+ UP
9 UNI=M1 T WASN'T "O ( !M4 ,I TRI$ C.T+
ON MY F+]S H[ OLD ,G>Y'D H BE5 :5 HE "F$
ME IF ,I 7 8 DAU<T] & CAME UP )A R1SONA#
NUMB] Z AN ANSW]4 8,YES4 ,I'M AL ON LUN*
BR1K1 S D Y ?9K ,I CD MAYBE SEE HM1
PL1SE80
  8,WELL40 ,! NURSE TAPP$ LACQU]$ NAILS
AG/ ! DESK1 EXAM9+ ME AG4 8,I SUPPOSE4
,B IF ! !RAPI/ SAYS NO1 Y'LL H 6G IMMLY1
MISS40                              #BCF
  ,=! F/ "T 9 MY LIFE ,I _H 6SWALL[ !
URGE 6CORRECT H] ) 8,(FIC]40 ,X TOOK A
C\PLE ( SECONDS1 & !N ,I PUT ON A *E]Y
SMILE & SD1 8,SURE1 ( C\RSE40
  ,H] EXPRES.N SD ,I WASN'T FOOL+ ANY"O4
8,SECOND FLOOR40
  8,?ANK Y40 ,I GOT \ ( "! AT A BRISK
PACE1 UNC]TA9 H[ L;G MY B\T ( TRANSP>5T
POLITE;S 0 GO+ 6LA/4
  ,! ,,PT ROOM _H HALF A DOZ5 PATI5TS 9
X4 ,N"O ( !M LOOK$ "PICUL>LY PATI5T1 L1/
( ALL ,G>Y1 :O BORE ! EXPRES.N (A 3/I-
PAT$ RH9O Z HE TROD A TR1DMILL4 ,A CUTE
BLOND WOMAN SAT 9 A *AIR 2S ! TR1DMILL1
SAY+1 8,TWO M9UTES10 9 A VOICE T WASN'T
S M* 5C\RAG+ Z X 0 UNCOMPROMIS+4 ,%E
GAVE ME A GIMLET />E & ,I PO9T$ 6A *AIR
NE> H]S1 EYES WIDE 9 A "Q4 ,%E PURS$ H]
LIPS1 EY$ H] WAT*1 & NO4$ ONCE1 %>PLY4
,I SCURRI$ PA/ ,G>Y 6! *AIR1 GIV+ HM A
BROAD W9K T ,I 0 PRETTY SURE ! ,,PT
CDN'T SEE4 ,HE CRACK$ A SL[ GR9 T B"R5$
HM UP ALL OV]1 & PICK$ UP 8 PACE A BIT4
  ,HE LOOK$ BETT]4 ,M* BETT]1 L !
VITAL;Y ,I 0 US$ 6SEE+ 9 HM _H      #BCG
BE5 REPL5I%$ :OLESALE &! ONLY R1SON HE 0
"! 0 2C !Y WDN'T LET HM G HOME YET4 ,A
LL BUB# ( JOY LIT UP 9SIDE ME4 ,I _HN'T
BE5 A# 6PROP]LY FIX 8 HE>T1 B MAYBE !
5]GY ,I'D L5T HM _H D"O "S GD4 ,EV5 ) MY
VI.N FLIPP+ 9SIDE-\1 HE LOOK$ BETT]4 ,I
SAT "! GR9N+ /UPIDLY UNTIL ! !RAPI/ SD1
8,COOL D[N10 & SL[$ ! TR1DMILL4 ,AF AN-
O!R M9UTE1 %E GL.ED F H] WAT* 6ME 6,G>Y4
8,FIVE M9UTES4 ,DR9K WAT]40 ,!N %E GOT
UP & LEFT1 L1V+ ME GR9N+ AF H]4
  8,DOES %E "E USE S5T;ES ( M ?AN TWO
^WS80 ,I GOT UP 6GET ,G>Y A CUP ( WAT]
:ILE HE PLUNK$ D[N 9 ! *AIR NEXT 6! "O
,I AB&ON$4
  8,PRETTY M* NO10 HE SD4 ,I CAME BACK )
! WAT] & HE 5VELOP$ ME 9 A BE> HUG4 ,I
HUNG ON & TRI$ N 6SPILL WAT]1 EI F ! CUP
OR F MY EYES4 ,I 0 GETT+ 6BE A R1L S(T
T\* 9 MY OLD AGE4
  8,Y LOOK BETT]10 ,I MUM#D AG/ 8 %\LD]4
,HE %OV$ ME BACK 96MY *AIR1 SORT ( L ,I
0 A BIG DOG1 & RU6L$ MY HAIR1 UNDO+ !
-PLETE LACK ( /YL+ ,I'D SP5T S M* "T AT
? MORN+4                            #BCH
  8,FEEL9' BETT]10 HE ANN\NC$4 8',CEPT !
FOOD'S T]RI#1 & NOBODY'LL SN1K ME 9 A
,BIG ,MAC40 ,HE EY$ ME HOPE;LLY4 ,I
GR9N$ "? EMB>RASS+LY B"R EYES4
  8,L HELL4 ,"H1 H "S WAT] 9/1D40
  ,G>Y SNORT$ B TOOK ! CUP & DRANK GRE$-
ILY4 8,S :AT'M ,I MISS9'1 ,JO8 ,DIDJA
BR+ ME BACK A BE>8 ,? PLACE IS WORSE ?AN
A CRYPT = GETT9' NEWS IN40
  ,WE BO? LOOK$ >.D1 & AF A C\PLE ( SEC-
ONDS1 HE SD1 8,ME2E N T BAD4 ,S1 A BE>80
,HE LOOK$ Z 5?USIA/IC Z A KID AT ,*RI/-
MAS1 GRAY EYES B"R & EYEBR[S BU%+ EAG]-
LY4 ,I ?"\ (! TORTOISE1 TUCK$ "S": SAFE
2H MY EYES1 & LAU<$4
  8,NO1 B X WASN'T = LACK ( TRY+ ON !
BE>'S "P40 ,I R1LIZ$1 ONCE M 6MY EMB>-
RASS;T1 T ,I _H NO IDEA H[ 6TRANSF] ! M
SUBTLE TORTOISE 6,G>Y4 ,COL9'S SNAKE _H
J CRAWL$ (F ME1 B ? 0 5TIRELY DI6]5T4
8,?9K YR ,,PT WD OBJECT 6A C\PLE M9UTES'
M$IT,N80
  8,NO10 %E SD F 2H ME4 ,I JOLT$ & TWI/$
>.D1 TRY+ 6>RANGE MY FACE 96A 8SURE1 ,I
KNEW Y 7 "!0 EXPRES.N4 8,I'D AP-    #BCI
PROVE10 %E SD4 8,M$IT,N'S H1L+4 ,REL1SES
/RESS4 ,G AH1D40 ,X 0 L LI/5+ 6A V DET]-
M9$ & V PRECISE WOODPECK]4 ,I 0 S BUSY
C.T+ ! NUMB] ( ^WS X TOOK ME S"EAL SEC-
ONDS 6R1LIZE %E'D GIV5 P]MIS.N4 ,!N ,I
/RAI<T5$ UP1 B1M+ AT H]4
  8,?ANKS6 ,EXCEPT ,I DON'T H A DRUM10
,I SD4
  8,Y CD S+ = ME10 ,G>Y SU7E/$1 GR9N+4
8,?9K Y SD Y DON'T SC>E ! NEI<BORS40 ,I
LAU<$4
  8,J CLOSE YR EYES & /OP 2+ A PA940
,ACTU,Y1 ,I WANT$ HM 63T9UE 2+ A PA9 =
ANO!R FIFTE5 OR TW5TY YE>S4 ,HE CLOS$ 8
EYES1 / GR9N+4 ,I FOLD$ "O LEG "U ME &
TOOK 8 H&S1 LETT+ MY [N EYES CLOSE4
  8,3C5TRATE ON YR BR1?+10 ! ,,PT SD1 H]
VOICE S(T & SOO?+ & -PLETELY UNEXPECT$4
,MY EYES FLEW OP51 VI.N FLATT5+1 GO+
NEGATIVE1 & REV]S+ XF BACK 6NORMAL4
,GOD1 ,I 0 GETT+ 6HATE T4 ,G>Y'D OP5$ 8
EYES1 TOO1 & WE BO? BL9K$ AT ! ,,PT1 ^:
EYEBR[S ROSE SLI<TLY4 8,NO DRUM10 %E SD
)A %RUG4 8,LI/5 6ME 9/1D40
  8,"R40 ,I SMIL$ AT H]1 TRY+ N     #BDJ
6LOOK Z />TL$ Z ,I FELT1 & ,G>Y CLE>$ 8
?ROAT 9 ! BE/ GRUFF MANN] AVAILA#4 ,WE
CLOS$ \R EYES AG1 & 3C5TRAT$ ON \R BR1?-
+4 8,I'M GO+ 6GUIDE Y10 ,I SD1 B>ELY AU-
DI# 2N ! ,,PT,''S CALM VOICE4 8,I WANT
6BR+ Y 6A PLACE ( H1L+1 ": ! TRANSF] W D
! MO/ GD40 ,I 0 "W+ ON 9/9CT1 MY BODY
FEEL+ H1VI] & H1VI] ) E BR1?4 8,IMAG9E
S9K+ "?--0
  ,I PLUNG$ "? MY TAILB"O & W5T ON A
GR1S$ SLIDE "? AB A ZILLION LAY]S ( E>?4
,! GR.D CAME UP & CAU<T ME )A MU6L$
CRA%1 & ,I F.D MYF />+ UPW>D1 LOOK+ =!
HOLE 9 ! SKY ,I FELT L ,I'D FALL5 "?4
  ,"! 0 NO SKY1 ONLY ?ICK1 H1L?Y TANGL$
TREES >*+ OV] MY H1D4 ,I CLOS$ MY F+]S
ON ! E>?1 PRICKLES TICKL+ MY PALMS1 &
LOOK$ >.D 64COV] ,I 0 SITT+ 9 A CU%ION+
H1P ( MOSS4 ,I 0 /UCK A GD EI<T 9*ES 9TO
X1 MY KNEES PO9T$ AWKW>DLY AT ! TREES
ABV4 ,I PU%$ UP =A FRUIT.S MO;T1 TRY+ TO
GET UN/UCK4 ,"S": 9 ! WRI7L+1 ,I TOOK A
DEEP BR1?1 & =GOT ALL AB TRY+ 6GET FREE4
  ,? PLACE SMELL$ ALIVE & RI*4 ,CL1N AIR
&A LL BIT ( W9D1 C>RY+ ! SC5T (     #BDA
GRE5 ALL ! WAY 96MY B"OS4 ,X _H RA9$
NE>BY1 CLOSE 5 = COOL;S 6/ 2 9 ! AIR1
AL? MY MOSS HUMP 0 DRY4 ,! SLI<T *ILL
SETTL$ 96MY SK91 MAK+ ME REMEMB] ! A*E (
B"O-DEEP SUNBURN4 ,T A*E 0 G"O =! MO;T1
& HAIRS ON MY >MS /OOD UP 9 APPRECI,N (!
MILD TEMP]ATURE4
  ,) MY EYES CLOS$ ,I CD HE> ! BUSY HUM
( BUGS & BIRDS GO+ AB _! BUSI;S1 & WAT]
BURBL+ "S": RELATIVELY NE>BY4 ,A BRAN*
CRACK$ A FEW /EPS AWAY F ME1 A BUR/ (
W+S S.D$1 & ,I OP5$ MY EYES AG 6F9D AN
AMUS$1 BROAD-%\LD]$ MAN /&+ ABV ME4 ,HE
WORE AN OLIVE GRE5 >MY UNI=M1 A BLACK
TAG ) B"R YELL[ LRS ON X ABV 8 LEFT BR1/
POCKET4 ,HE LOOK$ AT EASE & 3FID5T1 H&S
9 8 POCKETS Z HE SL\*$ OV] ME4
  ,HE 0 ON ! GD SIDE ( AGE.S1 LAU< L9ES
/>T+ 6CR9KLE >.D GRAY EYES4 ,8 HAIR 0
D>K1 CUT MILIT>Y %ORT 6G )! UNI=M1 B 8
EYEBR[S 7 ALR />T+ 6GET AWAY F HM4 ,8
NOSE _H BE5 BROK5 AT L1/ ONCE1 TAK+ AWAY
ANY *.E AT B1UTY B L1V+ 2H A SORT ( *E]-
;L RU7$;S T MADE ME =GET H[ 6BR1!4 ,HE
/UCK A BIG H& \1 5COMPASS+ M9E      #BDB
5TIRELY Z ,I PUT X 9 HIS4 ,MY H&S W]5'T
SMALL1 B 8 MADE ME FEEL DELICATE Z HE
PULL$ ME 6MY FEET ) AN EASY SURGE4
  8,DON'T LOOK S SURPRIS$1 ,JO4 ,H[ _M
"TS D ,I GOTTA TELL Y1 OLD DOGS LE>N A
TRICK OR TWO AL;G ! WAY80 ,8 VOICE 0 A
DELICI\S RUM#1 N Q :AT ,I 0 US$ 6HE>+1 B
!N1 ,I'D N"E HE>D "S"O'S VOICE F 9SIDE 8
[N H1D 2F4
  8.,G>Y80
  ,HE GL.ED D[N AT HMF1 !N SPR1D 8 H&S 9
A WIDE-%\LD]$ %RUG4 8,GUESS H[ WE SEE
\RVS N"E RE,Y *ANGES4 ,:AT1 X'S T BAD80
,8 GR9 0 FAMILI>1 SELF-DEPRECAT+ &
CROOK$4
  8.,BAD8 ,NO1 JEEZ1 BAD8 ,Y'RE .GOR-
GE\S40 ,HE WASN'T EXACTLY GORGE\S1 N 9 A
MOVIE-/> S5SE1 B HE 0 A :OLE LOT BETT]
?AN 8N BAD40 ,! ,HEM+WAY LOOK _HN'T SET-
TL$ 9 YET2 T 0 M AN E6ECT ( AGE ?AN 8 [N
B"O /RUCTURE4 ,I GAZ$ UP AT HM1 -PLETELY
2SOTT$4
  8,& Y'RE TALL10 ,I A4$ FA9TLY4 ,HE 0
TALL] ?AN ME BACK 9 ! R1L _W1 TOO1 B !
9T]NAL ,G>Y 0 / "Y1 & AGE _HN'T     #BDC
TAK5 ANY HEI<T F HM YET4 ,& MAYBE1 J
MAYBE1 HE 0 A LL BIT BETT] ?AN ! R1L;Y
_H "E BE54 ,I GR9N$ AT HM DIPPILY4 ,HE
GR9N$ BACK1 PL1S$ Z ! CAT :O /OLE !
CR1M4 ,I 0 SU45LY T]RIBLY1 T]RIBLY 5VI\S
( 8 WIFE1 ,ANNIE1 :O WD'VE "KN HM :5 HE
0 ! H&"S COCK (! WALK ,I SAW N[4 ,X 0
EASY 6SEE !M DANC+ TGR1 HM 9 UNI=M & H]
9 "O (! FULL-SKIRT$ "PY DRESSES WORN
DUR+ ! W>4 ,=A MO;T ,I TRI$ PUTT+ MYF 9
H] PLACE1 !N LET X G 9 ANO!R LL WA% (
5VY4
  8,Y SAY9' ,I WASN'T ALW80 HE T1S$4
  ,I ACTU,Y BLU%$4 8,:1 GORGE\S1 OR
TALL80 ,T DIDN'T HELP ANY4 ,G>Y LAU<$ \
L\D1 & ,I BLU%$ H>D]4 8,? IS YR G>D580
,I BLURT$1 GE/UR+ >.D 2F /EPP+ AWAY TO
TAKE A LOOK4 ,I HOP$ 9VE/IGAT+ WD KEEP
ME F FLUTT]+ AT ! OLD MAN4
  ,X WASN'T A M1SLY G>D54 ,X 0 AN 5TIRE
9N] L&SCAPE1 =E/S T W5T ON F>!R ?AN ,I'D
"E 2 A# 6EXPLORE4 ,X 0 LU% & />TL+LY
H1L?Y1 GIV5 T ! MAN _H J _H A HE>T AT-
TACK4 ,X 0 L ! ATTACK _H -E \ ( NO":3 "!
0 NO?+ H9T+ AT X 9 8 G>D54 ,NO      #BDD
D1D TREES ?9N$ ! =E/1 & "EY": ,I LOOK$ !
E>? 0 S(T & RI* & MOSSY4 ,I CD HE> WAT]
RUNN+1 & ,I FELT 5VY ALL OV] AG4
  8,I ?"\ ,I 0 GO+ 6BR+ Y 6MY G>D540 ,I
FOLD$ MY >MS >.D MYF1 LOOK+ "? ! TREES
UNTIL ! 4T.E 2CAME A GRE5 BLUR4 8,? IS
''' A BETT] PLACE40
  8,JO40 ,G>Y PUT 8 H&S ON MY %\LD]S1
/&+ J A FEW 9*ES 2H ME4 ,8 H&S 7 W>M &
BIG 5 6MAKE ME FEEL SMALL4 8,DI6]5T
DON'T M1N BETT]4 ,I'M AN OLD MAN1 & ?
PLACE HAS TAK5 A LOTTA YE>S ( LIV+ TO
BUILD4 ,Y GOTTA LET ! SUN%9E IN1 SWEET-
HE>T4 ,NO?+ C GR[ 9 ! FOG40
  8,I ?"\ ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE "H 6HELP Y40
,MY VOICE 0 TI<T1 ?\< ,I TRI$ 6PUT A
SMILE 9 X4 ,X M/'VE "W$3 ,G>Y *UCKL$ &
/EPP$ A LL CLOS]1 PUTT+ 8 >MS >.D MY
WAI/4 ,I HELD MY BR1? UNTIL HE POK$ ME 9
! RIBS & ,I LET \ A LAU< T V]G$ ON TE>S4
  8,MAYBE X'S ALL "O &! SAME1 D>L9'4 ,WE
GOT "S "T40
  ,I TURN$ >.D 9 8 >MS 6HUG HM1 & MAYBE
6HIDE ! T5D5CY = TE>S AG/ 8 *E/4 8,PL5TY
( "T10 ,I PROMIS$ 9 A HO>SE         #BDE
VOICE4 ,MY TORTOISE PASS5G] _H ALR LEFT
ME1 MAK+ XS [N SL[ WAY "? ! MOSSY =E/
T[>D ! RIV]4 8,LOTS ( "T10 ,I REP1T$1 &
,G>Y TI<T5$ 8 >MS >.D MY %\LD]S L A
PROMISE 9 RETURN4



















                                    #BDF
























           ,,*APT] ,,SEV5TE5        #BDG

  ,I LEFT ! HOSPITAL FEEL+ A BIT LI<T] (
HE>T1 ,G>Y'S SEMI-\TRAG$ PROTE/ AT 2+
PROTECT$ 0A TORTOISE / R++ 9 MY E>S4
,I'D PO9T$ \ TORTOISES LIV$ A HUNDR$ &
FIFTY YE>S1 : _H SIL;ED HM 96A SL[ GR9 T
REM9D$ ME (! G>D5 ,G>Y4 ,X 0 ALM Z IF ,I
0 A -PET5T HUMAN 2+4
  ,( C\RSE1 A -PET5T HUMAN 2+ WD H ALR
TOLD ,MORRISON T ,CASS&RA ,TUCK] _H AP-
P>5TLY DI$ (A HE>T DEFECT A7RAVAT$ 0!
USE ( MAGIC1 B ,I _HN'T F.D X 9 MYF TO
TRY4 ,I DIDN'T "K : 0 WORSE3 HM 2LIEV+
ME1 OR N4 ,EI WAY1 ,I CD PUT X (F A LL
L;G]1 2C ,I / _H AN AFN B1T 6WALK4
  ,! H1T 0 MAK+ P EI CRA2Y OR LI/.S4 ,I
BU/$ UP M ?AN "O BURGEON+ FI<T ON !
,AVE1 GLAD ,I WASN'T "W+ "SPLACE M DAN-
G]\S4 ,MY VI.N 2HAV$ XF ALL AFN1 & 2T T
& ,G>Y1 ,I G5U9ELY FELT UP 6ATT5D+ !
COV5 EV5T T EV5+4 ,I W5T BACK 6! PREC9CT
BUILD+ 6CLOCK \ & 6%[]1 TOO 4GU/+ ) SW1T
6WAIT UNTIL ,I W5T HOME4 ,MY EQUIP;T BAG
_H %ORTS &A TANK TOP1 F> M SUIT$ 6! W1!R
?AN WOOL PANTS &A COTTON %IRT4 ,I   #BDH
JO7$ \ (! BUILD+ ) MY DU6EL SLUNG OV] MY
%\LD]1 ?9K+ AB RUNN+ HOME 6/>T LAUNDRY
2F ,I MET UP )! COV54
  8,WALK]60
  ,I TURN$ W>ILY4 ,MORRISON %\T+ = ME
WASN'T USU,Y A GD SIGN4 ,ESPECI,Y S9CE
HE %D'VE G"O HOME 0N[4 .,ESPECI,Y S9CE
,I'D BE5 AVOID+ HM ALL "D1 &! S.D ( 8
VOICE 0 A %>P REM9D] ,I'D BE5 EXPECT+ HM
6%[ UP & RESCUE ME F ! DES]T4
  ,HE LOOK$ TIR$1 N M* L A DES]T-SE>*+
H]O1 & N M* L HE WANT$ 6TALK 6ME4 ,NEI (
^? 0 UNUSUAL1 B ,I 0 O4LY 4APPO9T$4 ,AF
ALL1 IF HE 0 GO+ 6F1TURE H1VILY 9 MY
SUBCONSCI\S FANTASIES1 ! L1/ HE CD D 0 2
PL1S$ AB SEE+ ME4 ,N T ,I _H ! SLI<TE/
9T5;N ( TELL+ HM HE 0 APP>5TLY MY [N P]-
SONAL *AMPION4 ,& N T HE'D >RIV$ ON !
SC5E 6RESCUE ME1 : SORT ( ANNOY$ ME :5
,I ?"\ AB X4
  ,I SLUNG MY DU6EL OV] MY BACK1 HOLD+
ON 6! /RAP ) TWO F+]S1 Z IF ! OV]SIZ$
AC;N WD =CE MY 9T]NAL NATT]+ \ ( M9D4
,MORRISON RE,Y DID LOOK TIR$1 OR MAYBE
ANGRY1 8 M\? A ?9 L9E & BLUE EYES   #BDI
SQU9T$ AG/ ! SUN4 ,I %D'VE BE5 US$ 6HM
LOOK+ IRRITAT$1 B ! "ULY+ WE>I;S S5T A
PANG ( -PAS.N "? ME4 8,"EY?+ OKAY1 ,CAP-
TA980
  ,HE CUT (F :AT"E HE 0 AB 6SAY & EY$ ME
SUSPICI\SLY =A FEW SECONDS4 ,I TRI$ TO
KEEP MY EXPRES.N NEUTRAL3 ..NO1 BOSS1 ,I
RE,Y M1N X4 ,IS "EY?+ .OKAY8 ,HE'D N"E
2LIEVE X4
  8,Y1H10 HE SD AF 5 "T T ,I WOND]$ IF
HE 0 GO+ 6ANSW] AT ALL4 8,TM--0
  ,I GOT R1DY 6BL[ UP4 ,TM 0 MY "D (F4
8--IS ,CASS&RA ,TUCK]'S FUN]AL10 HE SD4
,I *OK$ ON MY [N 9DIGN,N & />$ AT HM Z
HE 3CLUD$1 8,I ?"\ Y MI<T WANT 6G40
  ,I WET MY LIPS & LOOK$ >.D1 ANY": B AT
MY CAPTA91 S T ,I CD "W (F 2+ EMB>RASS$
OV] MY NE> BL[UP4 8,?ANK Y10 ,I F9,Y SD1
AWKW>DLY4 8,I RE,Y APPRECIATE T4 ,LOOK1
DOES T M1N !Y "K :AT HAPP5$ 6H]8 ,2C--0
  8,3G5ITAL HE>T DEFECT10 HE SD %ORTLY4
8,NO MURD] 9VE/IG,N4 ,I ASSUME Y DIDN'T
GET ANY?+ F YR ''' S\RCES40
  ,= "S R1SON1 X DIDN'T MAKE ME AT ALL
HAPPY 6H ,VIRISS;G'S EXPLAN,N V]-   #BEJ
IFI$ 0A CORON]4 ,I />$ AT ,MORRISON =A
L;G "T )\T RE,Y SEE+ HM1 !N WET MY LIPS4
8,NO?+ SUB/ANTI,Y DI6]5T40
  8,SUB/ANTI,Y80
  ,I %D H "KN BETT] ?AN 6PUT AN ADV]B
96MY RESPONSE4 ,I WET MY LIPS AG & %OOK
MY H1D4 8,"S"O ?"\ X 0 BR"\ ON 0AN OV]-
LOAD ( '''0 ,I FELT L ,MI*AEL ,K1TON
TRY+ 6TELL ,KIM ,BAS+] 8 SECRET4 ,IF
,MORRISON WD ONLY TURN >.D S ,I CDN'T
SEE 8 FACE1 ,I 0 SURE ,I CD F9I% SAY+1
8,DO+ MAGIC40 ,:AT ,I SD 9/1D WAS1 8,X
DOESN'T RE,Y MATT]1 DOES X8 ,! COPS &!
FR1KS >E 9 AGREE;T ON ? "O40
  ,MORRISON'S EXPRES.N _H G"O S\R Z ,I
APPROA*$ ! 5D ( MY F/ EXPLAN,N1 Z IF HE
KNEW P]FECTLY WELL :AT ,I WASN'T SAY+4
,!N X *ANG$ F S\R 6G5U9ELY 4APPROV+1 &
,I _H 6/OP MYF F BACK+ UP A /EP4 8,DON'T
D T10 HE SD4
  ,I _HN'T MOV$4 8,DON'T D :AT80
  8,2LL YRF4 ,OR ANY"O ELSE1 = T MATT]40
  ,I GAP$ AT HM4 8,I'M SORRY1 ,CAP1 B :5
DID Y GET ON ! X'S-OKAY-=-,JOANNE-TO-BE-
A-SUP]-%AMANIC-WEIRDO B&WAGON80     #BEA
  8,I DIDN'T10 HE SD V EV5LY4 8,I DON'T
L :AT Y C D AT ALL4 ,B ,I L Y SETT+ YRF
UP =! SUCK] PUN* EV5 LESS4 ,X'S DEGRAD+1
& Y'RE BETT] ?AN T4 ,I WON'T TOL]ATE X40
  ,I FELT L MY _W _H TAK5 A %>P SW]VE &
DIP 6! LEFT4 8,MORRISON1 Y RAG ON ME ALL
! "T40 ,HE DID4 ,HE SD ,I 0 A PA9 9 !
ASS1 : 0 TRUE1 & 6N D>K5 8 DOOR/EP AG1 :
,I ALW DID1 &A V>IETY ( O!R BLU/]Y .Y
.BO!R .ME SORTS ( -;TS4
  ,B ,I CDN'T ?9K ( "O S+LE "T ": HE'D
\T"R 9SULT$ ME1 OR ANY"O ELSE1 = T MAT-
T]4 ,I />$ AT HM "S M1 TRY+ 6FIT T PIECE
( 9=M,N 96! ,MORRISON-%AP$ PREJUDICES ,I
C>RI$ >.D1 & !N LOOK$ AT A WALL & R1*$ =
SAF] GR.D4 8,D Y "K :5 & ": ,CASS&RA'S
FUN]AL IS80
  8,I D10 HE SD1 / V EV5LY1 Z IF ! LA/
BIT ( 3V]S,N _HN'T HAPP5$4 8,I'M GO+4
,%D ,I PICK Y UP80
  ,MY GAZE SNAPP$ BACK 6HM4 8.,Y'RE GO-
+80
  8,WE 7 ! F/ TWO (FIC]S ON ! SC5E1
,WALK]4 ,I VISIT$ H] "M40 ,MORRISON'S
VOICE 0 /RA9$4 ,I F.D MYF />+ AT    #BEB
HM AG4
  8,JESUS1 ,CAP4 ,%DN'T ! ,,UW POLICE H
D"O T8 ,I M1N1 N YR JURIS--0
  8,I 0 ! RANK+ (FIC]10 HE SD4 8,X 0 MY
DUTY40
  ,MY VI.N DIDN'T G ALL 9V]T$ AG1 B R1 =
AN 9/ANT1 ,I SAW ) EXTREME CL>;Y4 ,!
WOR/ JOB ANYBODY CD H IS TELL+ A P>5T T
H] * IS D1D4
  ,MORRISON'D D"O X 6SP>E "SBODY ELSE
HAV+ TO4
  ,COLOR BURN$ AL;G MY JAW & UP 96MY
*EEKB"OS & E>S1 A 2WILD]+ RU% ( PRIDE TO
2 "W+ = ? "PICUL> POLICE CAPTA94 ,I
SWALL[$ & /RAI<T5$ MY %\LD]S4 8,:AT "T
%D ,I 2 R1DY80
  ,MAYBE X 0 MY IMAG9,N1 B ,I ?"\ ,MOR-
RISON RELAX$ ALM IMP]CEPTIBLY4 8,N9E-
?IRTY4 ,FUN]AL'S AT T540
  8,I'LL 2 R1DY4 ,MORRISON80
  ,MORRISON1 ALR TURN+ AWAY1 W5T /1 &
LOOK$ AT ME L HE EXPECT$ ! O!R %OE TO
DROP4
  8,?ANKS40
  ,=A FEW SECONDS HE LOOK$ Z IF     #BEC
HE 0 WAIT+ =! FOLL[-UP SM>T-ASS REM>K4
,!N HE NO4$1 A %ORT1 %>P MO;N1 & WALK$
AWAY4

    ,SUN"D1 ,JUNE #AI1 #G3AD P4M4
  ,"! 0 NO "T 6GET LAUNDRY />T$4 ,I DA%$
6CAMPUS1 /OPP+ AT ! PIZZ]IA 6BUY TWO
SLICES ( PEPP]ONI & OLIVE PIZZA4 ,!Y (-
F]$ ME A SODA L>GE 5 6SWIM 9 =A M]E SIX-
TY C5TS M4 ,2+ A R$-BLOOD$ ,AM]ICAN1 ,I
B"\ X & _H VAGUE GUILTY ?"\S AB EX]CISE4
  ,I 0 / LICK+ PIZZA GR1SE (F MY F+]S :5
,I DUCK$ 96! ROOM ! COV5 _H BE5 HELD 9
TWO NI<TS E>LI]4 ,3TR>Y 6! SMOKY GLOOM (
T NI<T1 X 0 B"R & WELL LIT & 4T9CTLY
EMPTY ( BO? TOR*ES & WIT*ES4 ,I SD1
8,UM10 \ L\D 6! EMPTY ROOM1 & /OOD "! )
MY SODA FEEL+ A LL FOOLI%4 ,T 0 ME1 ,JO-
ANNE ,WALK]1 ! _W'S SN1KIE/ "UCOV] COP4
,N T ,I 0 "UCOV]1 2C ,MORRISON _H GIV5
ME P]MIS.N 6CASE ^! P1 AL? ,I SUSPECT$
,I MI<T 2 GO+ FUR!R ?AN HE M1NT ME TO4
,X DIDN'T MATT]4 ,? 0 ALL ON MY [N "T4
  ,J L ,CASS&RA ,TUCK]'S FUN]AL WD BE4
  8,I ?"\ Y'D 2 "H10 ,FAYE SD F     #BED
2H ME4 ,I FL9*$ TWO 9*ES 6! LEFT & :IPP$
>.D1 WI%+ ,I _H "S?+ DANG]\S & SEXY 9 MY
H& 9/1D (A SIXTY-F\R \NCE SODA CUP4 ,MY
VI.N BLURR$ AG =! F/ "T S9CE ,I'D SE5
,G>Y1 FLUORESC5T LI<TS ABV ME TWI/+ 9TO
PURPLE /R1KS1 & ,I PRESS$ ! HEEL ( "O H&
AG/ MY LEFT EYE4 ,I CD FEEL ! "U-!-SK9
SUNBURN AG1 Z IF -+ \ (! "DLI<T _H MADE
X M 9T5SE4
  8,SORRY10 ,FAYE SD4 8,I DIDN'T M1N TO
SC>E Y40
  8,>E Y SURE80 ,I ASK$ PETULANTLY4 ,%E
SMIL$ Z ,I PEEL$ "O EYE OP5 6LOOK AT H]4
,! LI<T /ABILIZ$ & ,I CAUTI\SLY REMOV$
MY H& F MY O!R EYE4
  8,( C\RSE4 ,I DIDN'T H YR NUMB] 6CALL1
& Y W]5'T ) U LA/ NI<T S Y CDN'T "K T WE
DON'T USU,Y MEET 9 ! SAME PLACE TWICE 9
A R[4 ,I ?"\ ,I'D DROP 0& GET Y40
  8,I'M 9 ! PH"O BOOK40 ,I / S.D$ TET*Y4
,FAYE LOOK$ SURPRIS$4
  8,I DIDN'T ?9K ( X40
  ,I MUTT]$1 8,( C\RSE N10 & CAME BACK
6! DOOR1 SLURP+ MY SODA4 8,":'RE WE
GO+80                               #BEE
  8,RAV5NA ,P>K40
  ,I BL9K$4 8,N ON CAMPUS80 ,AH1 YES4 ,A
BRILLIANT DEDUC;N4 8,WON'T ! P>K 2
BUSY80
  ,FAYE H]D$ ME \ (! ROOM4 8,D'Y\ H A
C>8 ,I DON'T4 ,X'LL 2 BUSY1 B NO "O W
NOTICE U40
  8,Y1H1 9 ! S\? LOT4 ,!Y WON'T80
  ,FAYE %RU7$4 8,P LOOK >.D MAGIC A LOT4
,I DON'T "K :Y4 ,X'S L A BIG BL SPOT 9
HUMAN;Y40 ,%E B1M$ SU45LY4 8,B WE'RE GO+
6*ANGE T1 ,JOANNE4 ,WE'RE GO+ 6MAKE A
R1L DI6];E 9 ! _W4 ,/>T+ TN40

  ,"! >E C]TA9 PHRASES P L 6HE>4 ,ME*AN-
ICS1 = EXAMPLE1 >E FOND (1 8,! TRANSMIS-
.N'S OKAY1 S ! 9SUR.E -PANY SAYS FIX X
9/1D ( TOTAL+ X \40 ,AT L1/1 !Y >E IF !Y
DON'T "W =A COP %OP T PAYS ! SAME AM.T
NO MATT] H[ M* "W Y D OR DON'T D1 :
WASN'T ! PO9T4 8,ELISE W MAKE TAMALES IF
Y -E OV] & LOOK AT ! ,EAGLE10 0 ANO!R
NICE "O1 AL? POSSIBLY T ONLY GOT MILEAGE
F ME*ANICS :O KNEW MY FR ,BRUCE4 ,& E
ME*ANIC ,I KNEW LIK$1 8,%E'S A      #BEF
B1UTY4 ,DID Y D ! "W YRF80
  ,T 0 N :AT ,FAYE SD :5 %E SAW ,PETITE4
,FAYE SQU1L$1 8,OOOH1 PURPLE60 & L1N$
OV] ! HOOD 6SEE IF %E CD SEE H] REFLEC;N
9 ! GILT-FLECK$ F9I%4 ,%E CD1 9 FACT3
,I'D SP5T A LOT ( H\RS "W+ DEP? 96! RI*
PA9T1 B ! USUAL RU% ( SMUG PRIDE WASN'T
AVAILA# ) ? G->.D ( APPRECI,N4
  ,I 0 TOO BUSY ?9K+ AB PHRASES T COPS
DIDN'T L4
  8,/>T+ TN0 0 WAY UP "!1 "PICUL>LY :5 !
COP 9 "Q ?"\ %E _H ANO!R ?REE "DS 2F !
BIG BANG4 ,I DROVE D[N 6,RAV5NA ,P>K )\T
LI/5+ 6,FAYE'S *IPP] 3V]S,N1 CRANKY AT !
9V]T$ LI<T & H[ M* ATT5;N ,I _H 6PAY TO
DRIV+4 ,X 0 PROBABLY A BAD SIGN ,I
DIDN'T NORM,Y PAY T M* ATT5;N 6DRIV+1 B
,I 0 9 NO MOOD 6?9K AB T4
  .,TN 0 A LOT SOON] ?AN ,I WANT$ 6"PIC-
IPATE 9 ANY?+4 ,I 0 "W+ MYF UP 6DO+ X1 B
,I'D ?"\ ,I _H A FEW M "DS4 ,"P ( ME
WANT$ 6J N %[ UP4 ,F :AT ,FAYE &! O!RS
_H SD1 )\T ME !Y MI<T N H 5 P[] 6PULL _!
/UNT (F4
  ,B E "T ,I ?"\ AB DO+ T1 AN IM-   #BEG
AGE ( ,COL91 ^: C.ER ,I DIDN'T "K H[ TO
H1L1 FLA%$ 2H MY EYES4 ,VIRISS;G MI<T 2
A# 6PULL (F :AT ,I CDN'T1 & ,I WASN'T
SURE ,I _H ! "R 6/& 9 ! WAY ( T HAPP5+4
,N J = ,COL91 B =! :OLE OV]H1T$ ,S1TTLE
METROPOLITAN >EA1 & MAYBE ! _W4
  ,I PULL$ 96! LOT AT ! NOR? 5D (! P>K1
/ UNCOM=TA#1 & R1*$ OV] 6LOCK ,FAYE'S
DOOR 2F GETT+ \ (! C>4 8,L1D ON1 ,MAC-
DUFF40
  ,FAYE GAVE ME A LOOK ( -PLETE 9COMPRE-
H5.N4 ,I ROLL$ MY EYES4 8,N"E M9D4
,LET'S J G40
  ,A /R1M L>GE 5 6BE 3SID]$ A RIV] 9 "S
"PS (! C.TRY RAN "? ,RAV5NA ,P>K4 ,P 7
/REWN AL;G ! BANKS1 KIDS %RIEK+ HAPPILY
Z !Y PLAY$ 9 ! WAT]4 ,I _H NO IDEA H[ A
COV5 MEET+ 0 GO+ 6PROCE$ UNDISTURB$4 ,I
5VI.N$ SMALL *N DA%+ "? ! SACR$ CIRCLE1
!N WOND]$ IF !Y'D 2 A# TO1 OR IF "!'D 2
"S SORT ( MY/ICAL =CE FIELD T !Y'D B\NCE
(F4 ,! ?"\ *E]$ ME & ,I /U6$ MY H&S 9 MY
POCKETS1 :I/L+ JAUNTILY Z ,I /RODE AL;G
2H ,FAYE4
  8,PL1SE DON'T10 %E SD4            #BEH
  8,MMM80
  8,:I/LE4 ,PL1SE DON'T :I/LE4 ,:I/L+
BR+S D[N ! WALLS 2T ? _W &! NEXT40
  ,I /OPP$ MID:I/LE1 MY M\? PURS$4
8,Y'RE KI4+40
  ,%E GL.ED OV] H] %\LD] AT ME4 8,NO4 ,!
TONAL QUALITIES & PIT* >E A BRIDGE 2T
_WS40
  8,FASC9AT+4 ,ISN'T T :AT WE'RE TRY+ TO
D80
  ,FAYE SI<$1 DEVELOP+ ! V PATI5T T"O T
ISN'T4 8,YES1 ( C\RSE4 ,B WE WANT X 6BE
3TROLL$1 ,JOANNE4 ,BRIDG+ _WS ISN'T "S?+
T %D 2 D"O LI<TLY1 & Y'VE FELT ! K9D (
P[] WE'RE D1L+ )40
  ,T M*1 AT L1/1 0 TRUE4 ,I /OPP$ >GU+ &
:I/L+ BO?1 & SLUNK AL;G L A PROP]LY *AS-
TIS$ NEW COV5 MEMB]4
  ,WELL1 ,I WD'VE IF ,I CD'VE KEPT MY
M\? %UT = M ?AN ?REE /EPS4 8,:AT D'Y\
M1N1 WE'RE />T+ 6*ANGE ! _W TN80
  ,FAYE LOOK$ OV] H] %\LD] AG1 DIMPL$1 &
FELL 96/RIDE ) ME4 8,! _W HAS 6BE PREP>$
= ,VIRISS;G'S >RIVAL10 %E EXPLA9$4 8,TN
WE'LL 2G9 6?9 ! WALLS1 & OV] !      #BEI
NEXT FEW "DS HUMAN;Y W 2COME A3U/OM$ 6!
O!R_W MIX+ ) ? "O AG40
  8,X W80 ,MY EYEBR[S CLIMB$4 8,HUMAN;Y
TAKES L;G] ?AN A FEW "DS 6GET US$ 6MO/
?+S1 ,FAYE40
  8,"!'S A CORE ( 2LIEF 9 ALL ( U10 %E
SD AIRILY4 8,ALL WE'RE GO+ 6D IS LET !
_W />T LOOK+ L T CORE EXPECTS X TO40
  ,S"EAL ?+S1 ! NICE/ ( : WAS1 8,ISN'T T
A LL NAIVE80 W5T "? MY M9D4 ,I DIDN'T "K
,I'D SD X \ L\D UNTIL ,FAYE GAVE ME A
DIRTY LOOK4
  8,MAYBE1 B HAV5'T Y ALW WANT$ 6LIVE 9
A _W ": MAGIC 0 R1L80
  ,I 0 S />TL$ ,I LAU<$ \ L\D1 A %>P DE-
RISIVE B>K4 ,FAYE'S EXPRES.N SKI4$ 96IN-
SULT$ ANG] & %E TOSS$ H] HAIR1 FL\NC+
AH1D ( ME4 8,CRAP4 ,FAYE1 WAIT UP40 ,I
JO7$ A FEW /EPS 6CAT* UP ) H]1 !N _H TO
L5G!N MY /RIDE 6/AY 9 /EP4 ,GIV5 ! HEI<T
ADVANTAGE ,I _H1 T 0 A LL EMB>RASS+1 B
,I DID X ANYWAY4
  8,LOOK1 ,I'M SORRY1 ,I DIDN'T M1N 6BE
RUDE4 ,! TRU? IS1 NO1 ,I'VE N"E WANT$ TO
LIVE 9 A _W ) MAGIC4 ,I L MY _W     #BFJ
6MAKE S5SE4 ,I HATE ? MUCK+ ) MAGIC ?+40
  ,FAYE :IRL$ ON ME1 EYES B"R ) EMO;N4
8,B Y'RE RE,Y P[];L1 ,JOANNE6 ,H[ C Y
SAY T8 ,WE ALL FELT X1 ! P[] Y -M&4 ,Y
CD *ANGE ! _W40
  8,I "K40 ,I LOOK$ D[N AT H]1 SE>*+ =
^WS4 8,LOOK1 Y "E NOTICE H[ 9 MOVIES OR
,,TV ! "O GUY :O GETS ! PH5OM5AL COSMIC
P[] IS ! "O GUY :O DOESN'T WANT X8 ,MAY-
BE ! UNIV]SE SETS XF UP T WAY Z A FAIL-
SAFE4 ,MAYBE T'S :Y ,I 5D$ UP ) ALL ?
P[]1 9/1D ( "SBODY :O'D BE5 PURSU+ X H]
:OLE LIFE40
  ,FAYE'S M\? TI<T5$ 96A ?9 L9E4 ,GRT1
,I'D D"O X AG4 8,FAYE1 ,I WASN'T TRY+ TO
2 9SULT+--0
  8,X DOESN'T MATT]10 %E SD FLATLY4
8,Y'RE A "P (! COV5 N[4 ,WE'LL HELP
GUIDE Y 96YR P[]S1 & :5 ,VIRISS;G HAS
RETURN$ 6? _W Y'LL SEE T X'S BETT] ! WAY
T WE'RE TRY+ 6MAKE X4 ,-E ON4 ,WE'RE GO+
6BE LATE40 ,%E TURN$ & /ALK$ (F AG1 L1V+
ME ) NO?+ 6D B WALK AWAY OR FOLL[4
  ,I FOLL[$1 FEEL+ O4LY AB&ON$4 ,TROMP+
>.D P>KS PREP>+ = COV5 MEET+S       #BFA
WASN'T MY USUAL EV5+ R\T9E1 & AF ! PA/
FEW "DS ,I FELT 4T.ED F :AT ,I 3SID]$ MY
R1L LIFE4 ,I WANT$ 6HANG \ ) ,G>Y & MAY-
BE G SEE A MOVIE1 OR G DR9K BE] ) "S (!
GUYS F ! %OP4 ,NORMAL ?+S1 : ,I DIDN'T
SEEM 6H "T =4 ,FAIL+ T1 X WD 2 NICE 6FIT
9 )! COV5 9 "S FA%ION1 B "H ,I WAS1
/UDY+ ! ANGRY SW+ ( ,FAYE'S HAIR Z %E
M>*$ AH1D ( ME4 ,I CDN'T IMAG9E ASK+ =A
%AMAN'S GIFTS1 OR WANT+ ! RESPONSIBIL;Y
( TRY+ 6SAVE ! _W1 ":AS ! COV5 SEEM$ V
96T IDEA4 ,C>S4 ,I 0 HAPPY 2+ RESPONSI#
=! /ATE ( "S"O'S VEHICLE4 ,_! _SS OR
S\LS--T 0 A CALL+ ,I WASN'T AT ALL HAPPY
)4
  ,!N AG1 MY P[] ANIMALS _HN'T *>G$ ME )
2+ -=TA# ) :AT ,I 0 & :AT ,I CD D1 ONLY
6A3EPT1 HONOR1 & /UDY4 ,CURI\SLY1 T MADE
ME FEEL BETT]4
  8,JOANNE1 ,FAYE4 ,"! Y >E40 ,M>CIA'S
VOICE 9T]RUPT$ MY TRA9 ( ?"\ & ,I BL9K$4
,WE /OOD 9 A COPSE ( TREES1 BLOCKS (
SUNLI<T SLID+ "? ! TRUNKS 9 GOLD51 DU/-
LITT]$ *UNKS4 ,! COV51 LOOK+ MO2I% &
HAPPY1 SURR.D$ ME1 & ,I _HN'T EV5   #BFB
NOTIC$ APPROA*+ !M4 ,G>? & ,SAM 7 BUILD+
AN 5TIRELY ILLEGAL FIRE4
  8,NICE TRICK10 ,I SD4 8,H[ D Y D T1 !
HID+ 9 PLA9 SI<T ?+80
  8,X'S A MATT] ( EXPECT,N4 ,I'M SUR-
PRIS$ Y DIDN'T SEE U40 ,M>CIA S.D$ "E S
SLI<TLY A3US+4 ,I %RU7$4
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  ,ANO!R MATT] ( EXPECT,N1 ,I PRESUM$4
,MY [N P]SONAL EXPECT,N 0 T "SBODY \ (
H] SPH]E ( 9FLU;E WD SEE SMOKE RIS+ F !
P>K GR.DS & CALL ! COPS1 B ,I DIDN'T SAY
T \ L\D4 ,I SAT D[N A FEW FEET AWAY1
WAT*+ ! FIRE BUILD4 8,S ,I ?"\ ? 0 ALL
GO+ D[N ON ,TUES"D40
  8,TUES"D'S ! GR& F9ALE40 ,G>? /RAI<T5$
\ ( 8 CR\*1 DU/+ 8 PALMS AG/ 8 J1N
%ORTS4
  8,OKAY4 ,TN'S _S1 ,TUES"D'S ! GR& FI-
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PREP>$ ONCE4
  8,TM WE GIVE ! _SS BODY40
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Z !Y DID :5 ! _W 0 "Y40
  8,WE C D T )\T A FULL COV580 ,I ASK$
CAUTI\SLY4 ,>.D ME1 GU>D$ LOOKS 7 EX-
*ANG$4
  8,WE ?9K S10 ,M>CIA F9,Y SD4 8,X WD 2
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TRY10 ,I SD4 ,I FELT L ,I _H TO4 ,I
WANT$ 6D :AT ,I CD 65D ! H1T WAVE4
,SMILES MET MY ^WS1 & ,I DUCK$ MY H1D TO
HIDE A GRIMACE4 ,I _HN'T M1NT 6SIGN ON =
*ANG+ ! FACE (! E>?1 _SU,Y OR O!RWISE4
8,DID X10 ,I />T$1 !N CUT MYF (F Z CURI-
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  8,DID X :AT80 ,ROXIE1 IF T 0 H] "N1 _H
A H1D;L ( TI<T CURLS &A CANT 6H] /.E T
9VIT$ OP5;S4
  8,DID X "E O3UR 6ANY ( Y T "! MI<T 2 A
R1SON ! _SS DON'T WALK ! E>? ANYMORE80
,I SI<$4 8,MAYBE A GD R1SON80
  ,BLANK EXPRES.NS MET MY ^WS4 ,I NO4$4
8,T'S :AT ,I ?"\4 ,J ?"\ ,I'D BR+ X UP4
,N"E M9D4 ,C>RY ON40                #BFD
  8,WE TURN$ \R BACK ON ! _SS A L;G "T
AGO10 ,M>CIA SD4 8,!Y MOV$ AWAY1 6WAIT =
U 6RECOGNIZE \R NE$ = !M4 ,N[ T WE H1
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RE/OR$40 ,%E S.D$ UTT]LY 3FID5T4
  8,& Y DON'T ?9K ELEV5 P MAK+ A DECI.N
= SIX BILLION O!RS MI<T 2 A LL ''' >RO-
GANT80 ,MAN4 ,MY M\? J WDN'T %UT UP4
  8,( C\RSE X IS40 ,M>CIA SMIL$1 &
,FAYE'S EYEBR[S DREW D[N 96A SC[L4 8,IF
WE'RE TRULY >ROGANT & ? IS TRULY N !
CORRECT PA?1 ,I 2LIEVE T ! ,GO4ESS W N
ALL[ U 6SU3E$40
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Z 3FID5T 9 8 BE>+ Z ,M>CIA 0 9 H] ^WS4
8,I ADMIRE YR CAU;N1 ,JOANNE4 ,X %[S
WISDOM40
  ,I GR9N$ A BIT4 8,A TRAIT N NORM,Y SE5
9 ! "Y80
  ,HE FLA%$ ME A SMILE 9 RETURN1 )\T
NO4+4 ,= AN UNEXPECT$ MO;T1 MY VI.N
DEEP5$1 SETT+ ASIDE ! MUNDANE _W =! _S
_W ! COV5 0 S EAG] 6CALL UP4 ,! ,ELD]
BLAZ$ ) P[]1 A ;,V-#H 5G9E /U6$     #BFE
96A BODY DESIGN$ =A ;,V-#F AT BE/4 ,HE 0
3NECT$ 6! E>? 9 AN ALM LIT]AL FA%ION1
GL[+ L9ES ( /R5G? FL[+ F 8 SP9E1 F 8 H&S
& FEET1 & BURY+ !MVS 9 ! GR.D4 ,:5 HE
/EPP$ AWAY F ,M>CIA1 X 0 )A PROF.D S5SE
( C5T]$;S1 Z IF NO?+ CD KNOCK HM F 8
FEET UN.S HE P]MITT$ X TO4 ,! E>? XF
HELD HM 9 XS GRASP1 SURE Z ! E>? 0 9 !
SUN'S ?RALL4 ,SE5 ? WAY1 HE 0 GORGE\S1
S]5E COLORS ( 3FID;E 3NECT+ HM 6! _W4
  ,AT L1/1 ,I HOP$ !Y 7 S]5E COLORS (
3FID;E4 ,MY VI.N CLUNG 6! 9V]T$1 & 8 P[]
L9ES 7 WEIRDLY SPIK$1 BLACK C5T]S ) GL[+
\TSIDES T FILT]$ F "O %ADE 6ANO!R4 ,HE
.FELT H"O/ & TRUE1 B MY EYES CDN'T PROVE
X4
  ,FAYE _H R1L P[] Z WELL1 GL[+ A HORRI#
LIME-GRE5 AG/ ! BLACK CIRCLE (! SETT+
SUN4 ,I ?"\ X MI<T 2 SUNLI<T YELL[ AG/ !
G5U9E GOLD (! SUNSET1 IF MY VI.N'D BE5
2HAV+4 ,G>?1 6MY SURPRISE1 SPIK$ ) P[]1
TOO1 8 A MURKY BR[N T ,I ?"\ MI<T RE,Y 2
GRE54 ,MY H1D 0 2G9N+ 6P.D1 B ,I DIDN'T
D>E BL9K Z ,I LOOK$ F "O COV5 MEMB] TO
ANO!R4                              #BFF
  ,! O!RS 7 DULL]1 EV5 ! ,"F1 _! MAGIC
BUOY$ 0_! FAI? 9 ! ,GO4ESS M ?AN _! [N
ABIL;Y 6-M& P[]4 ,!Y W]E1 ,I ?"\1 :AT !
/R5G? (! COV5 NE$$3 SUPPORT4 ,I BL9K$
AWAY F !M T[>D ,M>CIA1 WANT+ A R1D ON !
F9AL LIV+ MEMB] (! SIX "ND POSI;NS 9 !
COV54 ,%E /EPP$ 96A %AFT ( SUNLI<T Z ,I
LOOK$ H] WAY1 & 9V]T$ COLOR 9V]T$ AG1
FL>+ F BLACK 96GOLD4 ,TE>S SPRANG 6MY
EYES F ! BRILLI.E4 ,0! "T ,I'D BL9K$ !M
AWAY AG1 ,I'D LO/ ! SI<T1 & ,M>CIA 0
SMIL+ D[N AT ME4 8,D Y ?9K Y'RE R1DY1
,JOANNE80
  ,I WASN'T R1DY AT ALL1 B ,I CLIMB$ 6MY
FEET4 8,Y1H4 ,Y1H1 ALL "R1 LET'S D ?
?+40








            ,,*APT] ,,EI<TE5        #BFG

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ON U L A LOAD ( BRICKS4 ,! FLAMES1 PU%$
6A BONFIRE1 S5T H1T P\R+ OV] U4 ,"EY"O B
ME SANG 9 A LANGUAGE ,I DIDN'T "K4 ,I
WASN'T SURE X 0 A R1L LANGUAGE1 B AF A
FEW M9UTES ( LI/5+ 6! HI<1 SWEET T"OS1 X
DIDN'T MATT]4 ,X 0 L ,GREGORIAN *ANTS
WRAPP$ >.D W9D *IMES4 ,_! VOICES GOT "U
MY SK91 LIFT+ GOOSE BUMPS4 ,FAYE'S SO-
PRANO SKIRL$ UP1 PURE 5 6TANGLE ) ?9
BLUE WOOD SMOKE1 & DROPP$ AWAY AG1 L1V+
! AIR %>P] & H>D] 6BR1!1 L "S"O _H BR"\
A W9T] *ILL 96! SMOKY SUMM] AIR4 ,G>?'S
T5OR MAT*$ H] =A FEW NOTES1 !N 0 OV]RUN
0! ,ELD]'S DEEP B>IT"O4
  ,:I/L+1 ,I ?"\1 _H NO?+ ON ? P]=M.E4
,I CD FEEL :AT !Y 7 DO+1 ALL ! WAY 96MY
B"OS4 ,_! S++ _H ! SAME P[] Z ! DRUM1
BR1K+ D[N ?"\ 96! PURE JOY ( S.D4 ,&1 L
! DRUM1 X 0 M1NT 6DILUTE ! WALLS 2T !
_WS1 ALL[+ ! M]ELY MORTAL 6PASS 96! ,UP-
P] & ,L[] ,_WS4 ,X MADE ME GASP = AIR &
GR9 AT ! FIRE :ILE ,I /RU7L$ N 6D.E =!
%E] DELI<T ( 2+ ALIVE4 ,I L1N$      #BFH
96! MUSIC1 CAT*+ V[EL S.DS & C>RY+ !M UP
96! SMOKE1 DRIV5 6"PICIPATE )\T WANT+ TO
4RUPT4
  ,! SIX ( U 2GAN 0HOLD+ H&S4 ,WE WOM5
_H ! SYMBOLS (! MOON PA9T$ ON \R PALMS )
/ICKY R$ T FL>$ BLACK 9 MY WRET*$ VI.N4
,! M5 /OOD 2T U1 _! [N SYMBOLS--SWORD1
SCY!1 SKULL--PA9T$ ON _! PALMS4 ,:5 WE
JO9$ H&S1 P[] SPASM$ "? U1 AN ELECTRICAL
3NEC;N T L+]$ EV5 AF WE /EPP$ BACK F !
FIRE4 ,! O!R COV5 MEMB]S JO9$ U "O AT A
"T1 TAK+ UP ! EMPTY SPACES 2T \R %\LD]S4
,EA* NEW A4I;N *ANG$ ! P[] FL[1 A BRISK
%OCK T W5T "? MY BODY & POOL$ 9 UNEX-
PECT$ PLACES4 ,I'D N"E ?"\ AB MAGIC MAK+
A GIRL HORNY4 ,SU45LY ! REPUT$ ,WI3AN
PRACTICE ( P]=M+ WIT*CRAFT 8SKYCLAD0
S.D$ PRETTY 5T]TA9+4
  .,TOO .BAD1 ! IRR"E5T & SANE "P ( MY
M9D SD1 ..T ! G>D5 ,G>Y ISN'T .>.D4
  ,X 0 TOO BAD ,G>Y WASN'T "H1 P]IOD4
,HE WD'VE LOV$ ! PAG1NTRY4 ,I GR9N$1
BUMP+ MY %\LD]S AG/ ! P NEXT 6ME4 ,I'D H
65JOY X = HM1 & TELL HM AB X 9 ! MORN+4
  ,WE MADE A TI<T CIRCLE >.D !      #BFI
FIRE4 ..,R+ >.D ! .ROSY1 ,I SANG 6MYF1 N
WANT+ 69T]RUPT ! MUSIC ! O!RS / MADE4
,MY FEET _H 2GUN A B"R1 EXCIT$ D.E EN-
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CIRCL$ ! FIRE1 CRU%+ HALF /EPS CLOS] 6!
FLAME4
  ,P[] BUILT 9 XS HE>T1 A CORE ( :ITE
EXP&+4 ,I WANT$ 6KNEEL D[N & T\* X1 B !
"U-!-SK9 A*E ( SUNBURN /OPP$ ME4 ,MY [N
P[]S1 M1NT = H1L+ OR N1 WDN'T /OP ME F
DEVELOP+ "S LOVELY ?IRD-DEGREE BURNS IF
,I /UCK MY H& 96A BONFIRE4
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S++ ! FEW B"R S.DS ,I CD ANTICIPATE4 ,I
CLOS$ MY EYES1 TILT+ MY H1D BACK1 &
LIFT$ MY H&S UP T[>D ! SKY4 ,! MUSIC
MADE ME FEEL L MY FEET 7 ONLY B.D 6!
GR.D 0HABIT4 ,I WOND]$ IF T 0 H[ ,VIRIS-
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6IN HOPES ( SAV+ 8 [N4 ,X 0 TOO LATE N[2
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  ,SIL;E ?"U$ 9 MY E>S1 S L\D MY EYES
FLEW OP54                           #BGJ
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TURN+ :ITE ) FLICK]+ GRAY CORES4 ,BLACK-
5$ BRAN*ES GL[$ CRIMSON & :ITE1 ! FIRE'S
C5T] BU2L+ A MALICI\S1 MURKY PURPLE4 ,I
%OOK MY H1D1 TRY+ 6CLE> AWAY ! REV]SAL (
COLORS Z ,I R1LIZ$ ! S;G _H BE5 M ?AN J
MUSIC4 ,X 0 A SPELL4
  ,P[] EXPLOD$ UPW>D4
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ATMOSPH]E S H>D X CRACK$ ! SKY4 ,D>K;S
BOIL$ D[N F ! />S1 %R$D+ ! EV5+ SKY4
,"SBODY SCR1M$4
  .,?+S P\R$ \ (! D>K;S4 ,!Y 7 PALE1
WRAI?LIKE1 BLUES & GRAYS & :ITES AG/ A
BLACK;S S 5COMPASS+ ,I CDN'T BR1!4 ,!
FIRE 0 A S+LE PO9T ( ILLUM9,N1 B EV5 XS
COLORS 7 WR;G1 /RU7L+ "? MY REV]S$ VI.N4
,%EETS ( FLAT COLOR RIPP$ "? ! SKY1 L ,I
IMAG9$ ! AURORA 6LOOK1 ONLY 9 GRAYSCALE
OR %ADES ( PURPLES & BLUES T SEEM$ TOO
DEEP4 ,_SS L1P$ F ! COLOR$ %EETS1 9
%APES & =MS ,I _H NO FRAME ( REF];E =4
,!Y 7 HORRI#1 4TORT$ & CRUEL1 _! FACES
PULL$ L;G 6A3OMMODATE TEE? M1NT = TE>+ &
R5D+4 ,!Y 7 NEI HUMAN NOR ANIMAL1   #BGA
& "S"TS N EV5 "S?+ 9 2T4 ,!Y TALON$ _!
H&S1 CLUT*+ AT ME1 AT ! COV51 !N :ISK$
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LEG5DS3 "NS = "S ( !M SETTL$ 2H MY E>
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FRONT ( MY M9D4 ,/"O GIANTS CALL$ .A-
SENEE-KI-WAKW2 FL9T-W+$ MON/]S F ! />S2
.MISTAI :O HAUNT$ ! D>K & SAD PLACES4
  ,!Y HAT$4 ,TRAPP$ = M "T ?AN ,I CD
-PREH5D1 !Y ONLY WANT$ 6BE FREE & 6WR1K
DE/RUC;N ON A _W T _H REJECT$ !M4 ,PANIC
SURG$ UP 9 MY /OMA*1 MAK+ ME COLD Z ,I
SCRAB#D =A FOOTHOLD AG/ !M1 ANY?+ T CD
HELP ME BUILD A WALL & /OP ,HELL F 2+
UNL1%$ ON ,E>?4 ,I _H NO SUPPORT F !
COV53 !Y HELD FA/1 PULL+ ! $GES ( D>K;S
F>!R OP54 ,I SP>$ "O GL.E >.D ! FIRE1
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FACE4
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D[N1 OR 9JECT+1 P[]4 ,%E LOOK$ L    #BGB
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JOY1 N FE>4
  ,AT ! ?IRD PO9T (! TRIANGLE1 ,M>CIA
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"O FACE 6ANO!R1 ,I SAW ! SAME ?+S4 ,EV5
,G>?1 ^: E>NE/;S ,I _H TRU/$1 CRI$ \ 9
SIL5T1 JOY;L AB&ON1 TE>S SPILL+ D[N 8
*EEKS4
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6! CORE ( MY 2+1 & CALL UP ! P[] 6/OP ?4
,"! 0 A GUT-LEVEL C]TA9TY 9 ME3 EV5 IF !
E>? XF 7 WILL+ 6%>E P[] ) ME1 ! EF=T WD
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GDBYE 6,G>Y4
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MY E>S1 ! SKY / BOIL$ BLACK4 ,B ! .9T5T
(! SPECT]S P\R+ \ (! BLACK HOLE WE'D
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SUNBURN SWEPT UP F MY B"OS1 MAK+ ME %IV-
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SWAY$1 &! BOY NEXT 6ME1 M AW>E ?AN ,I
EXPECT$1 PUT 8 H& "U MY ELB[1       #BGC
SUPPORT+ ME4 ,I GL.ED AT HM2 8 EYES %"O
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  ,_SS L ! "OS :O'D TUM#D & MOCK-F"\ OV]
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LION ) TUFTS MISS+ F 8 MANE1 & ,I WOND]$
IF ! BADG] 0 NE>BY1 C>RY+ A TAWNY VIC-
TORY PRIZE4 ,M FANTA/ICAL CR1TURES1
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_H NO VISI# =M1 B 7 LIFE-=CE P]SONIFI$2
O!R 2+S1 "S NE>LY HUMAN & "S F PURE LEG-
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C.T]"PS & 4APPE>+ 96! SKY4 ,I LOOK$ =!
?"UBIRD1 &= ,COYOTE1 B SAW NEI ( !M 9 !
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:ELM$ ME4
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SWALL[+ ! SP>KS X _H ?R[N AT ! />S J "O
BR1? E>LI]4 ,! COLUMN ( P[] CUT (F1 &
ALL >.D ME ! COV5 MEMB]S COLLAPS$ 6_!
KNEES1 Z IF !Y'D BE5 SUPPORT$ 0NO?+ M
?AN ! SKY-R5D+ LI<T4 ,! RIP ( BLACK;S
S1L$ %UT1 L1V+ TWILI<T SKIES AG1 & SU45-
LY ,I CD HE> 4TANT VOICES4
  ,!Y W]5'T LAU<+ ANYMORE4 ,!Y 7    #BGD
RAIS$ 9 AL>M & 3FU.N3 ! OV]H1D ACTIV;Y
_HN'T G"O UNNOTIC$1 EV5 IF \R BONFIRE
_H4 ,I />$ UP AT ! SKY1 TRY+ 6GRASP !
IMPLIC,NS ( :AT WE'D D"O1 :5 ,G>? GRA2$
MY >M4
  8,X'S "T 6G10 HE SD 9 A L[1 URG5T
VOICE4 ,I />TL$ & %OOK HM (F1 />+ F/ AT
HM & !N AT ! O!R COV5 MEMB]S1 :O 7
SCRAMBL+ 6_! FEET & HURRY+ AWAY4
  8,:AT8 ,:Y80
  8,2C T 0 WAY TOO M* MAGIC 6HIDE4 ,C'T
Y HE> P -+8 ,WE'LL GET 9 TR\# IF WE'RE
F.D >.D ! SMOK+ RU9S (A BONFIRE 9 ! MID-
DLE (! P>K40 ,G>? 0 SMIL+ B"RLY AT ME1 8
COLORS FAD+ F 9V]S$4 8,DID Y SEE X1 ,JO-
ANNE8 ,DID Y SEE :AT WE DID80
  ,I LOOK$ BACK UP AT ! H1L$ SKY4 8,WE
LET MON/]S 96! _W40
  8,LI<T & D>K10 HE SD E>NE/LY4 8,WE C'T
H ! GD )\T ! BAD4 ,Y FELT ALL ! GD;S1
TOO1 DIDN'T Y80
  ,I NO4$ SL[LY4 ,! /R5G? (! _S ANIMALS
& 2NEVOL5T <O/S / L+]$ 2N MY SK94 ,I RE-
MEMB]$ ,COL9'S SNAKE1 & ,G>Y'S TORTOISE1
& SMIL$ SU45LY4 ,!Y'D H A LOT (     #BGE
-PANY N[4
  ,MY VI.N W5T -PLETELY BLACK1 & ,I FELL
OV]4

    ,MON"D1 ,JUNE #BJ1 #E3JD A4M4
  ,I WOKE UP >.D DAWN1 M FEEL+ ! "T 9 MY
SUNBURN$ B"OS ?AN ACTU,Y "K+ X4 ,! CEIL+
ABV ME 0 UNFAMILI>1 GOLD SP>KLES MIX$ 9
)! RIDGES ( PLA/]4 ,! CORN]S (! ROOM
SEEM$ DIM1 :1 AF A FEW MO;TS' 3SID],N1
,I R1LIZ$ 0 DUE 6! LI<TS 2+ (F4 ,I ?"\
AB MY :OLE BODY1 F TOES 6! TOP ( MY H1D1
& DECID$ T :ILE ,I NE$$ AB EI<TE5 WEEKS
( SLEEP1 ,I DIDN'T HURT1 S PROBABLY ALL
0 WELL4 ,I PU%$ UP ON AN ELB[4
  ,L A SL$GEHAMM] CRA%+ 96! SIDE ( MY
SKULL1 A H1DA*E ANN\NC$ XS 4APPROVAL (
MY MOV+4 ,I GROAN$ & PUT A H& OV] MY
EYE1 TRY+ )\T M* FOCUS 6W ! H1DA*E AWAY4
,:AT QUALIFI$ Z A H1DA*E =A C>8 ,2+ TOO
COLD 6/>T 9 ! MORN+8 ,! BODY RU/+ \8 ,I
SETTL$ ON ! TOO-COLD ANALOGY & TRI$ 6?9K
MY C> W>M AG4 ,ABSOLUTELY NO?+ HAPP5$4
  ,FAYE APPE>$ 9 A FLURRY ( WORRY1 SITT+
D[N ON ! $GE (! C\* ,I LAY ON &     #BGF
FEEL+ MY =EH1D4 ,I GROAN$ AG1 EV5 ?\< H]
H&S 7 COLD & FELT GD4 8,": AM ,I80
  8,MY A"P;T4 ,Y PASS$ \ LA/ NI<T4 ,WE 7
WORRI$4 ,I ?"\ Y MI<T N WANT 6G 6,G>?'S1
& NOBODY KNEW ": Y LIV$40
  8,:AT "T IS X80 ,I DIDN'T TRU/ ! 9T]-
NAL *RONOMET]4
  8,I DON'T "K1 L FIVE 9 ! MORN+4 ,!
SUN'S RIS+40
  ,GUESS ,I %D'VE TRU/$ X4 8,H Y BE5 UP
ALL NI<T80
  8,MO/LY4 ,I NAPP$ A LL1 B ,I 0 WORRI$
AB Y4 ,WE ALL W]E4 ,>E Y ALL "R1 ,JO-
ANNE80 ,H] EYEBR[S DREW D[N OV] H] PUPPY
DOG BR[N EYES4 ,I TRI$ 6"W UP A SMILE1
GOT Z F> Z A GRIMACE1 & GAVE X UP Z A
BAD JOB4
  8,I--0 ,I />T$1 !N YAWN$ S BIG X FELT
L MY H1D 0 GO+ 6SPLIT OP54 ,I GROAN$ AG4
8,D Y H ANY ASPIR980
  8,SURE40 ,%E L1P$ 6H] FEET & SCURRI$
6GET "S4 ,I SAT UP G+]LY1 SURPRIS$ 6DIS-
COV] T MY H1D DIDN'T HURT Z M* :5 ,I 0 9
A SITT+ POSI;N4 ,MAYBE ! B>OMETRIC
PRESSURE 0 DI6]5T TWO FEET F>!R     #BGG
(F ! GR.D4 ,FAYE HURRI$ BACK ) ASPIR9 &A
HUGE GLASS ( WAT]4 ,I TOOK BO? GRATE;L-
LY4
  8,I DIDN'T SLEEP LA/ NI<T10 ,I SD :5
,I'D DRA9$ ! GLASS4 8,OR ! NI<T 2F1 :AT-
"E4 ,& X 0 K9D (A L;G "D4 ,I GUESS LA/
NI<T'S LL P[W[ 0 TOO M*40
  8,Y PUT AN AW;L LOT ( P[] \10 %E SD
SYMPA!TIC,Y4 8,X EXHAU/$ ALL ( U4 ,B ?9K
( :AT WE'RE DO+1 ,JOANNE6 ,?9K H[ DI6]5T
?+S W BE4 ,MAYBE "!'LL 2 NO M W>1 ONCE
WE "U/& BETT] H[ 3NECT$ WE ALL >E40
  ,I GR9N$ TIR$LY AT H]4 8,FAYE'S A GD
"N = Y4 ,Y'VE GOT A LOT ( FAI?40 ,%E
SMIL$1 & ,I RESI/$ ! URGE 6PAT H] ON TOP
(! H1D4 8,I HOPE Y'RE "R40
  8,I AM10 %E SD ) 3FID;E4 8,Y FELT :AT
FOLL[$ ! NI<TM>ES LA/ NI<T4 ,ALL ! HOPE
& GD;S40
  8,Y1H40 ,I NO4$ A BIT1 !N DID X "S M1
NOTIC+ T MY H1D DIDN'T HURT NE>LY Z M*4
,EI X 0 WOND]-ASPIR91 OR ,I'D BE5 V BAD-
LY DEHYDRAT$4 8,LOOK1 ": >E WE MEET+ TN8
,I'VE GOT A MILLION ?+S 6D TD1 S ,I %D
GET HOME40 ,WELL1 ,I _H AT L1/      #BGH
F\R ?+S 6D TD4 ,T 0 SORT ( L A MILLION4
,I ADMIR$ H[ M* BETT] MY H1D FELT AF J A
GLASS ( WAT]4 8,Y DIDN'T PUT ANY?+ 9 T
WAT]1 DID Y80 ,I ASK$4 ,FAYE'S EYES WID-
5$4
  8,NO60
  ,I HELD UP A H&1 GR9N+4 8,I DIDN'T ?9K
S4 ,X J HELP$ A LOT4 ,?ANKS4 ,LOOK1 H[
F> >E WE F ! P>K8 ,I'D L 6G PICK ,PETITE
UP40
  8,PETITE8 ,YR C>80
  ,I NO4$4
  8,OH10 ,FAYE SD BLI!LY1 8,I DROVE X
HOME LA/ NI<T40
  ,MY VI.N W5T ALL TUNNELLY & R$ 9 A WAY
T _H NO?+ 6D )! ANNOY+ 9V].NS T _H BE5
BO!R+ ME =! LA/ "D4 8,Y DROVE4 ,MY C>4
,"H80
  8,SURE10 ,FAYE *IRP$4 8,I ?"\ Y'D L X
6BE "H40
  8,Y DON'T EV5 H A DRIV]'S LIC5SE6 ,Y
DROVE .MY .C>10 MY B1UTI;L1 WOND];L1
DELICATE ,PETITE1 8)\T MY .P]MIS.N1 &
..)\T A DRIV]'S .LIC5SE860
  ,X 2GAN 6DAWN ON ,FAYE T %E _H    #BGI
P]H MADE A TACTICAL ]ROR4 8,WELL1 ,I--X
WASN'T S H>D--0
  8,Y DROVE MY .#AIFI .,MU/ANG ,,)\T
,,P]MIS.N ,,& ,,)\T ,A ,,DRIV]'S ,,LI-
C5SE80
  ,FAYE %RANK 9 ON H]F & SQU1K$1 8,I'M
SORRY40 ,!N H] EYEBR[S WR9KL$ D[N & %E
/RAI<T5$ UP A LL4 8,H['D Y "K ,I DIDN'T
H A DRIV]'S LIC5SE80
  8,,2C ,,I'M ,A ,,COP60 ,I ?"U$4 8,N[
,,GIVE ,,ME ,,MY ,,KEYS60
  ,%E H&$ !M OV] & ,I /OMP$ \TSIDE L !
WRA? ( ,GOD4 ,FAYE FOLL[$ ME AT :AT %E
JUDG$ 6BE A SAFE 4T.E1 N "K+ T IF "! 0 S
M* Z A SCRAT* OR A D5T1 OR A :ISP] (
TIM+ 2+ (F1 T ! NEXT C.TY WDN'T 2 A SAFE
4T.E4 ,! NEXT .C.TRY MI<T N 2 A SAFE
4T.E4
  ,P]H ,I 0 A LL UNR1SONA# ON ! SUBJECT
( ,PETITE1 B ,I 0 LIT],Y ! ONLY "O :O'D
DRIV5 H] S9CE ,I GOT H] :5 ,I 0 SIXTE54
,%E 0 A JUNK] ,I'D RESCU$ F "SBODY'S
B>N1 & ,I'D PUT M "T1 5]GY1 & LOVE 96T
C> ?AN ANY?+ ELSE 9 MY 5TIRE LIFE4 ,I'D
REBUILT H] F ! BOTTOM UP4 ,H] EN-   #BHJ
G9E _H BE5 9 REM>KABLY GD %APE1 ) FEW]
?AN FIFTY ?\S& MILES ON X4 ,X 0 CREEP+
T[>D A HUNDR$ N[ & ,I _H A /ORAGE LOCK]
FULL ( "PS & PLANS 6REBUILD X F SCRAT*4
,H] BUCKET S1TS 7 BLACK & ,I'D H&-SEWN !
L1!R1 REPLAC+ 5TIRE PANELS :5 !Y 7 DAM-
AG$4 ,! PA9T JOB 0 CU/OM & 5TIRELY MY [N
"W4 ,! DRIV]'S S1T 0 SET 6MY SPECIFIC,NS
& NOBODY _H "E MOV$ X EXCEPT ME4 ,PETITE
0 MY .BABY4 ,%E'D GOTT5 WRACK$ UP BADLY
BACK 9 ,JANU>Y & X'D TAK5 MO/ (! 9T]V5+
FIVE MON?S &A LOT ( M"OY 6GET H] BACK
96%APE4 ,I WDN'T H LET ,GOD HMF DRIVE
,PETITE1 M* LESS "S TW5TY-YE>-OLD *ICKA-
DEE ) NO DRIV]'S LIC5SE4
  ,:O M/ H _H A HELL (A "T DRIV+ X1 2C
%E _HN'T1 9 FACT1 MOV$ ! DRIV]'S S1T1 &
MY LEGS 7 A GD SIX 9*ES L;G] ?AN H]S4 ,I
/>T$ ,PETITE UP & %E RUM#D 6LIFE )\T
-PLA9T OR SUSPICI\S S.DS4 ,I GL[]$ AT
,FAYE4 8,Y GET A /AY ( EXECU;N4 ,DON'T
"E1 ."E DRIVE MY C> AG )\T P]MIS.N40
,POOR ,PETITE _H ALR _H A V BAD YE>1 &
,I 0 M P>ANOID ?AN USUAL AB H]4 ,FAYE
LOOK$ ON ! V]GE ( TE>S4 ,I 0 TOO    #BHA
B5T \ ( %APE 6APOLOGIZE4
  8,I'M SORRY10 ,FAYE W>#D4 8,I J ?"\
Y'D WANT X "H4 ,I ?"\ X'D 2 SAF] ?AN !
P>K40
  ,I GR.D MY TEE? TGR4 ,%E _H A PO9T4
8,Y H A PO9T40 ,GRR4 8,J ''' DON'T D T
AG1 OKAY80
  8,I WON'T40 ,%E SNI6L$4 ,I SU45LY FELT
L ! ,BIG ,BAD ,WOLF1 S ,I PUT ,PETITE 9
,DRIVE & RO>$ \ ( ,FAYE'S P>K+ LOT ) UN-
NEC B SATISFACTORY NOISE4













                                    #BHB
























            ,,*APT] ,,N9ETE5        #BHC

  ,I W5T 96MY G>D5 / PISS+ V9EG>4 ,9 !
GRT] S*EME ( ?+S1 ,FAYE'D D"O ! "R ?+1
MOV+ ,PETITE AWAY F ,UNIV]S;Y ,R[ &! \-
(-3TROL FRAT H\SES 9 ! >EA4 ,T1 H["E1 0
R1SON1 & ,I 0 9 NO MOOD 6LI/5 6X4
  ,MY G>D5 REFLECT$ T1 W9D H[L+ "? X &
:IPP+ UP L[1 H1VY CL\DS 96A BOIL4 ,I
/OMP$ >.D1 KICK+ AT ! $GE ( MY POND &
SWE>+ :5 W9D-9DUC$ WAVES SPLA%$ OV] MY
FEET4 ,9 RESPONSE1 ! SKIES OP5$ UP &
DELUG$ ME ) COLD1 PELT+ RA9 T /UNG MY
SK94
  8,X'S SUMM]"T60 ,I BELL[$ AT ! CL\DS4
8,X'S N SUPPOS$ 6RA9 9 ,S1TTLE 9 ! SUM-
M]60
  ,! RA9 9T5SIFI$4 ,?"U RUM#D 2N !
CL\DS1 OM9\S & L[4 ,I TILT$ MY FACE UP1
EYES CLOS$ AG/ ! /++ DROPS1 & WAT*$ !
G>D5 FLA% B"R )! CRACK ( LI<TN+4 ,MY
CLO!S 7 DR5*$ "?1 /UCK 6MY BODY4 ,! W9D
*ANG$ 96L"OLY FRU/RAT$ SOBS T /RU7L$ TO
RIP ! T9Y L1VES F ! BRAN*ES ( MY TREES4
,I FELT !M CL++ /U2ORNLY1 REFUS+ AG/ ALL
GD S5SE 6GIVE UP PUR*ASE4 ,! GR.D   #BHD
2N ME S(T5$ & 2GAN 6DR9K D[N ! WAT] T
P.D$ AG/ X4 ,! GRASS NE$$ X4 ,MAYBE !
3CRETE G>D5 WALLS NE$$ X1 TOO1 A H>D
/RIKE ( RA9 6"W AWAY ! MORT> T HELD !M 9
PLACE4 ,I REMEMB]$ ,G>Y'S UNTAM$ G>D51
WOND]+ IF X _H WALLS AT ALL4
  ,I /OOD "! 9 ! RA91 PRET5D+ X 0 T1 & N
TE>S1 RUNN+ D[N MY FACE4

  ,0! "T ,JUDY %[$ UP X'D /OPP$ RA9+4 ,I
SAT ON A B5* ) MY H1D ON MY KNEES1 >MS
WRAPP$ >.D MY %9S4 ,! AIR SMELL$ FRE% &
CL1N1 &) MY EYES CLOS$ ,I CD FEEL !
GRASS GR[+1 ?ANK;L =! RA9FALL4
  ,=! F/ "T1 ,I FELT H] >RIVAL4 ,X 0
SUBTLE1 L SLIPP+ 2T %AD[S4 ,I ?"\ (!
SNAKE & SD1 8,HELLO10 )\T LIFT+ MY H1D4
8,I DON'T ?9K ,I'VE SD ?ANKS = PUTT+ UP
) ME1 S ?ANKS40
  ,A LL SIL;E ANSW]$ ME 2F ,JUDY SD1
8,Y'RE WELCOME10 9 A MILD VOICE M1NT TO
4GUISE />TLE;T4 8,H[ IS YR FR ,COL980
  ,I %OOK MY H1D AG/ MY KNEES4 8,I
HAV5'T _H "T 6G SEE HM YET40
  ,I FELT1 R ?AN SAW1 ,JUDY'S       #BHE
NOD4 8,Y TOOK "P 9 A GRT MAGIC LA/
NI<T40
  8,AH YES4 ,ALW AN EXCUSE40 ,I LIFT$ MY
H1D & RU2$ MY EYES4 ,MY VI.N 0 BIZ>RE
AG1 EV5 9SIDE MY [N G>D54 ,! $GES ( "EY-
?+ 7 FAD$ J BADLY 5 6BE A 4TRAC;N4 ,I
SP5T A FEW SECONDS TRY+ 6/RAI<T5 X \1 L
,I 0 CLE>+ DU/ AWAY F A W9D%IELD1 B NO?+
HAPP5$ & ,I GAVE UP4 ,IF MY [N MA9T5.E 0
? POOR1 H[ DID ANYBODY EXPECT ME 6MAKE !
_W A BETT] PLACE8 8,A3EPT10 ,I SD 6MYF4
  8,HMM80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,NO?+4 ,J REM9D+ MYF
( "S?+40 ,JUDY /UDI$ ME =A MO;T1 H] EYES
B"R & BLACK Z ! RAV5'S4 ,!N %E NO4$1
/RIK+ H] H&S TGR %>PLY4
  8,>E Y R1DY80
  8,I D\BT X1 B LET'S G ANYWAY4 ,:AT'S !
D1L TD8 ,C ,I TALK 6,VIRISS;G AG80
  ,%E W5T /4 8,NO4 ,HE'S 2GUN 8 J\RNEY
2T _WS4 ,3TACT+ HM WD REQUIRE M 5]GY ?AN
Y H AVAILA#40
  8,Y M1N X'D KILL ME40
  8,YES40
  ,MY EYEBR[S W5T UP & ,I PURS$     #BHF
MY LIPS4 8,"R4 ,DIDN'T WANT 6TALK 6HM
ANYWAY40 ,JUDY W5T 96MO;N AG1 SMIL+1 &
,I GAVE H] A HALF SMILE 9 RETURN4 ,I
DIDN'T "K :AT ,I'D SAY EV5 IF ,I CD TALK
6HM4 ,X WASN'T Z IF HE'D SAY NO IF ,I
ASK$1 ..,IS ? ALL RE,Y A GD .IDEA8
  ,JUDY CAME 6SIT D[N ON MY B5*1 TOOK 9
MY EXPRES.N1 & *OSE ! "O OPPOSITE ME IN-
/1D4 ,I RELAX$ A LL4 8,TD10 %E SD1 8,I
WANT 6EXPLORE ! NATURE ( SACRIFICE40
  8,SACRIFICE80 ,T DIDN'T S.D GD4
,AMUSE;T CURV$ ,JUDY'S M\?4
  8,I'VE N"E BE5 A# 6?9K (A BETT] WAY TO
DESCRIBE X4 ,?9K AB X1 ,JOANNE4 ,:AT IS
*ANGE B SACRIFIC+ ! OLD WAY 6! NEW8
,ISN'T T ! NATURE ( :AT Y >E80
  ,I ROLL$ BACK ON MY SIT-B"OS1 ABSORB+
! "QS &! 3CEPT ) G5U9E SURPRISE4 8,I
GUESS S10 ,I SD AF A M9UTE ( H"O/ 3SID]-
,N4 8,I'M 9CR$IBLY .BAD AT X1 B Y1H1 ,I
GUESS S40 ,W[4 ,:AT AN IDEA4 ,"SH[ X
GAVE ME A LL M (A GRASP ON :AT ,I'D BE-
-E4
  ,:Y SACRIFICE 0 AN EASI] 3CEPT 6-E TO
T]MS ) ?AN H1L+1 ,I NEI KNEW NOR    #BHG
M* WANT$ 6"K4 ,I 0 / TAK+ BABY /EPS Z F>
Z GUT-LEVEL A3EPT.E 0 3C]N$1 EV5 :5 ! _W
0 PU%+ ME 6TAKE GIANT L1PS =! GD ( MAN-
K9D4 ,H1L+ 0 H>D4 .,LET'S .G .%OPP+6 ,I
?"\ IRR"E5TLY1 !N SNORT$ LAU<T]4 ,JUDY'S
EYEBR[S LIFT$ CURI\SLY & ,I WAV$ MY H&1
4MISS+ MY HUMOR Z ,I SETTL$ 9 6H A ?9K
AB SACRIFICE4
  ,H1L+ .0 H>D4 ,X FELL \TSIDE ! R1LM (
LOGIC & S5SE T ,I PREF]R$ 6D1L )4 ,N EN-
TIRELY3 ,I DID EXPECT PAP] CUTS & BROK5
B"OS 6H1L UP1 GIV5 "T1 &= WORSE AIL;TS
6AT L1/ H A *.E AT 2+ B1T5 BACK4 ,B !
:OLESALE V].N ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6EMBRACE--!
5TIRE PRECEPT ( .*ANGE ^U : %AMANISM 0
BUILT--WAS PRETTY M* 2Y MY K51 & 0 EN-
TIRELY 2Y :AT ,I 0 -=TA# )4 ,P & ?+S
DIDN'T H1L 2C !Y WANT$ TO4 ,!Y H1L$ 2C
NATURE DICTAT$ X1 & 9 M DRA/IC CASES1 2C
(! "R USE ( M$IC,N & C>E4 ,I ?"\ ( *EMO-
!RAPY PATI5TS1 & CD AC"KL$GE )\T FL9*+ T
V (T51 P MADE DRAMATIC SACRIFICES 9 ORD]
6A*IEVE ! 5D RESULT ( H1L?4
  ,"S": V DEEP 9SIDE ME1 ": ,I DIDN'T
?9K ,JUDY CD CAT* X1 ,I ?"\ (A      #BHH
T9Y BABY GIRL SACRIFIC+ H]F = H] BRO!R'S
/R5G?1 &A SC>$ TE5AG] SACRIFIC+ H] [N
3FUS$ LOVE =! BOY'S FUTURE4
  8,Y1H10 ,I SD \ L\D1 MY VOICE R\< 9 MY
[N E>S4 8,I GET SACRIFICE4 ,Y'RE ON 6"S-
?+4 ,I N"E ?"\ ( X T WAY40
  ,JUDY CURV$ A SMILE T D>K5$ H] EYES1
TAK+ ! LI<T \ ( !M UNTIL !Y 7 L !
SNAKE'S4 ,I RU2$ MY [N EYES1 !N MY /]-
NUM1 WI%+ MY VI.N WD /OP MISBEHAV+4 8,>E
Y ALL "R80 ,JUDY ASK$ SOLICIT\SLY4
  8,Y1H40 ,I SAT ON MY H&S 6MAKE !M /OP
RU2+4 ,MAYBE "! 0 "S?+ ,I CD SACRIFICE
6FIX MY VI.N4 ,I'D ?9K AB X :5 MY LESSON
0 OV]4 8,S D ,I GET A LESSON1 OR :AT8
,OR IS ? J A ,8MAKE ,JOANNE ?9K0' "D80
  8,YR 5]GY IS L[10 ,JUDY SD4 8,>E Y UP
= M ?AN ?9K+80
  ,MY 5]GY 0 L[] ?AN A SNAKE'S BELLY4 ,I
*UCKL$1 M (A %\LD] ROLL ?AN A S.D4 8,I
DON'T "K4 ,I CD USE AB A WEEK'S WOR? (
SLEEP40
  8,N ) ,VIRISS;G -+ 9 TWO "DS "T40 ,JU-
DY'S VOICE DEEP5$1 2COM+ /]N4 ,I PUT MY
H1D AG/ MY KNEES & MADE AN .MMPH    #BHI
S.D4
  8,I H O!R ?+S 6D1 TOO4 ,2SS HELP A
GODL+ BACK 96! _W4 ,HE .IS "O (! GD
GUYS1 "R80 ,I LOOK$ OV] ! >* ( MY KNEES4
,JUDY LIFT$ H] EYEBR[S4
  8,:AT DOES YR HE>T TELL Y80
  ,MY HE>T1 ^U 3SULT,N1 TOLD ME .?UD-
?UD1 .?UD-?UD1 : 0 REASSUR+ IF N "PICU-
L>LY HELP;L4 ,MY M9D1 : ,I TRU/$ M Z A
VEHICLE = TELL+ ME ?+S1 0 / 3FLICT$4
  8,/OP ?9K+ S M*10 ,JUDY SD %>PLY4 8,Y
M/ LE>N 6TRU/ YR FEEL+S1 ,JOANNE ,WALK-
]40
  ,I EXHAL$ NOISILY "? MY NOSE1 PRESS$
MY EYES %UT1 & TRI$ 6/OP ?9K+4
  ,ALL K9DS ( ?"\S IMMLY FILL$ MY M9D4
,:E!R OR N MY BLACK %OES1 ! "OS T W5T
BE/ ) MY DRESS UNI=M1 7 POLI%$1 & IF ,I
0 GO+ 6H "T 6POLI% !M 2F ! FUN]AL4 ,:Y
EXACTLY X 0 CALL$ A P>KWAY :5 Y DROVE ON
X &A DRIVEWAY :5 Y P>K$ ON X4 ,:E!R ALL
( ? 0 R1L OR A MANIFE/,N ( MY OV]ACTIVE
IMAG9,N1 9 : CASE1 CDN'T ,I AT L1/ H
,K1NU ,REEVES OR ,C>RIE ,ANNE ,MOSS Z
-PANY8                              #BIJ
  ,GRADU,Y ALL T NOISE FAD$ AWAY1 AL? ,I
KEPT AN EYE \ = ,K1NU %[+ UP4 ,LESS
LIKELY ?+S _H HAPP5$4
  ,A QUIET "P ( ME AC"KL$G$ T ! BASIC
PRO#M 0 ,I ?"\ ! MEMB]S (! COV5 W]E1 9
G5]AL1 NUTS4 ,VIRISS;G1 ) 8 SEMI-GODLIKE
P[]S & 8 AMBI;N 6MAKE ! _W A BETT]
PLACE1 DIDN'T S.D HALF-BAD4 ,IF HE 7 A
LL M 3CRETE--L1 OH1 SAY1 ,T$ ,TURN]1 ) 8
BILLION-DOLL> GIFT 6! ,UNIT$ ,N,NS--,I'D
2 "R "! WAV+ A LL 8,G ,VIRI60 FLAG4 ,X
WASN'T T H>D 6SEE ! _W NE$$ "S HELP4 ,9
MY GD MO;TS1 ,I EV5 ?"\ ,I CD /EP UP 6!
PLATE & (F] A LL MYF4
  ,AN EV5 QUIET] "P ( ME ADMITT$ ! RE,Y
BASIC PRO#M WASN'T ! COV5 AT ALL4 ,X 0
MY [N SKEPTICISM4 ,! COV51 AT L1/1 BE-
LIEV$4 ,!Y 7 WILL+ 6TAKE AC;N & RISKS TO
MAKE ! _W A BETT] PLACE4
  ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE D$ICAT$ 6T SORT ( ?+
MYF4 ,9/1D ,I 0 SITT+ ON ! B5*ES1 PISS$
AT ! COA* = MAK+ ME TURN \ =! T1M4
  ,MAYBE X 0 BETT] IF ,I /UCK 6C> ANALO-
GIES4 ,! PO9T WAS1 ,I DIDN'T WANT TO
2LIEVE1 & MY RECALCITR.E KEPT ME    #BIA
/YMI$4 ,& T 0 EXACTLY :AT MY _S ANIMALS
_H TOLD ME WD 2 MY H>DE/ BATTLE4 ,A3EPT-
+4
  8,Y1H10 ,I F9,Y SD \ L\D4 8,OKAY4 ,I
GET X4 ,I DONNO H[ L;G X'LL LA/1 B ,I
GET X40 ,X N"E LA/$ L;G1 9 MY EXP]I;E4
  8,:Y D Y FI<T S H>D80 ,JUDY ASK$4
,HAIRS /OOD UP ON MY >MS & ,I %IV]$1 EN-
VI.N+ %IELDS ROLL+ UP >.D ME L C> W9D[S4
,I DIDN'T WANT 6ANSW] H] "Q1 N \ L\D & N
6MYF4 ,ALL ,I WANT$ 6D 0 SIT & /RU7LE )
A3EPT.E4 ,I DIDN'T NE$ AN AUDI;E = T4
  8,FADE 6BLACK10 ,I SD1 & "EY?+ DID4

  ,! FADE /AY$ ) ME EV5 AF ,I OP5$ MY
EYES1 BACK 9 MY [N BODY4 ,I WASN'T EV5
SURE ,I ._H OP5$ MY EYES1 UNTIL ,I LIFT$
A H& & POK$ MYF 9 ! PUPIL4 ,SP>KS FLEW
"? MY VI.N & MY EYES WAT]$1 D>K;S FAD+
BACK 96LI<T4 ,I TURN$ 6LOOK AT ! ,,VCR
CLOCK1 ": BL9K+ GRE5 NUMB]S TOLD ME X 0
SIX-?IRTY4
  ,SIX-?IRTY M1NT ,I CD GET A TWO-H\R
NAP 9 2F GETT+ R1DY 6MEET ,MORRISON =
,CASS&RA'S FUN]AL4 ,X AL M1NT ,I    #BIB
CD GRAB A %[] & DA% OV] 6SEE H[ ,COL9 0
DO+4 ,I 0 / ?9K+ T S.D$ L A GD IDEA :5 !
AL>M WOKE ME UP AG4

  ,MORRISON 0 E>LY4 ,I DON'T "K :O 0 M
SURPRIS$ ,I 0 R1DY1 HM OR ME4 ,HE KNOCK$
ON ! DOOR AT N9E-TW5TY1 & ,I W5T 6OP5 X1
HOLD+ MY %OES 9 MY H&4
  ,I SAW ! SAME CURI\S EXPRES.N CROSS 8
FACE T ,I FELT CROSS M9E4 ,) ME B>EFOOT
& HM %OD1 HE _H A GD TWO 9*ES HEI<T ON
ME4 ,X FELT EXTREMELY PECULI> 6BE LOOK+
.UP AT MY CAPTA91 & JUDG+ F 8 DRAWN-D[N
EYEBR[S1 X FELT J Z PECULI> 6BE LOOK+
D[N AT ME4 ,HE LOOK$ D[N AT MY FEET4 ,I
DROPP$ MY %OES & /EPP$ 96!M1 PUTT+ MYF
AT A HALF-9* ADVANTAGE4 8,BETT]80
  ,HE ROLL$ 8 %\LD]S BACK1 FILL+ MY
DOORWAY 3SID]ABLY M ?AN HE _H A MO;T 2F4
8,Y1H40 ,HE S.D$ GR[LY4 ,I DIDN'T BLAME
HM4 ,F9D+ MYF ON UNEQUAL FOOT+--LIT],Y--
) HM MADE ME UNCOM=TA#1 TOO1 ESPECI,Y
S9CE :5 X NORM,Y HAPP5$1 X 0 2C ,I 0 DE-
LIB]ATELY WE>+ HEELS S ,I'D 2 TALL]4
  ,I /EPP$ BACKW>D S ,I CD SEE HM   #BIC
BETT]1 MY WRET*$ VI.N NOT)/&+4 ,9 DRESS
UNI=M HE DIDN'T LOOK L A SUP]H]O GO+ TO
SE$4 ,HE J LOOK$ H]OIC1 BROAD-%\LD]$ &
/R;G-JAW$ & CAPA#4 ,HE _H 8 CAP TUCK$ "U
8 >M ) MILIT>Y PRECI.N4 ,I WOND]$ IF
HE'D "E BE5 9 ! MILIT>Y1 OR IF HE J _H
CLE> ID1S AB H[ A POLICE CAPTA9 %D PRE-
S5T HMF4
  8,Y LOOK GD1 ,CAPTA940 ,CD ,I GET SU$
= SAY+ "S?+ L T8 ,WE 7 BO? (F-DUTY4
,WELL1 ,I 0 (F-DUTY4 ,I ?"\ ,MORRISON
WAS1 B "S"TS ME & ?9K+ DIDN'T GET ON S
GD4 ,AT ANY RATE1 :E!R HE CD SUE ME OR
N1 X 0 TRUE4 ,9 ! HALL LI<T1 MY 9V]T$
VI.N WASN'T S BAD1 & 8 %\LD]S _H SORT (A
SILV] GL[ ": 8 %AD[ %D'VE BE54 ,X DIDN'T
Q MAKE HM LOOK L AN ANGEL--T WD'VE BE5
TOO M* = ME 6/AY POLITE AB--B X GAVE HM
AN AURA ( 3FID;E & /R5G? T MADE ME S5TI-
;TAL AG AB "W+ = HM4
  8,?ANK Y10 HE SD GRU6LY4 8,Y R1DY80
  8,Y1H40 ,I CROOK$ A SMILE AT MY FEET &
%OO$ ,MORRISON \ (! WAY S ,I CD /EP \ &
LOCK MY DOOR4 ,"! WASN'T ANY R1L R1SON =
! LL /+ ( 4APPO9T;T T ! -PLI;T      #BID
_HN'T BE5 RETURN$1 O!R ?AN ME 2+ A FICK-
LE1 FICKLE B1/4
  ,! RIDE 6! CEMET]Y 0 A QUIET "O4 ,I _H
5 S5SE 6N SU7E/ WE TAKE ,PETITE4 ,MOR-
RISON DROVE AN UNM>K$ POLICE-ISSUE ,=D1
! SORT T ISN'T FOOL+ ANYBODY AB 2+ A COP
C>1 & ,I RODE %OTGUN1 SIL5TLY WAT*+ !
/REETS SLIDE BY4 ,WE DROVE 96,CR[N ,HILL
,CEMET]Y & P>K$1 WALK+ OV] TIR$ GRE5
GRASS T[>D A GA!R+ CR[D4 ,WE CDN'T H BE5
M 9 SYNC IF WE'D TRI$1 \R PACES MAT*+
EXACTLY4 ,MORRISON PRET5D$ N 6NOTICE4
  ,N]VES & GUILT BUB#D 9 MY /OMA* & ,I
TRI$ 6*ASE !M AWAY )A QUIET "Q4 8,NO S]-
VICE80
  ,MORRISON SD 8,ONLY ! GRAVESIDE S]-
VICE10 & VOLUNTE]$ NO?+ ELSE1 L1V+ ME TO
MY *URN+ /OMA*4 ,I'D N"E G"O 6"O ( ^!1 N
=A VICTIM1 N 9 AN (FICIAL CAPAC;Y4 ,I
FELT L ,I %D'VE D"O M1 L ,I %D'VE BE5 "!
9 "T 6SAVE ,CASS&RA ,TUCK]4 ,I WOND]$ IF
HE FELT ! SAME WAY1 Z IF HE'D FAIL$ !
GIRL ^: FUN]AL WE 7 AB 6ATT5D4 ,I WOND]$
IF ANY POLICE (FIC] CD .N FEEL T WAY1
DO+ ?4                              #BIE
  ,I _HN'T ANTICIPAT$ SEE+ ANY"O ,I
KNEW1 B ! COV5 MEMB]S 7 ALL "!1 PALE )
GRIEF4 ,FAYE /OOD ) H] >M >.D ! WAI/ (
AN OLD] BLACK WOMAN ^: FACE 0 VEIL$ "U !
BLACK HAT %E WORE4 ,%E 0 L1N+ H1VILY ON
! GIRL4 ,MORRISON TURN$ 8 H1D & MURMUR$1
8,RUBY ,TUCK]1 ,CASS&RA'S "M4 ,! GIRL )
H] IS ,FAYE ,KIRKL&1 ,CASS&RA'S BE/ FR40
  8,Y1H4 ,%E'S ! "O :O A3O/$ ME40 ,T
S.D$ BETT] ?AN .DR1M$ .AB .ME1 "SH[4 ,I
GL.ED OV] ! LL GR\P SURR.D+ ,RUBY ,TUCK-
]1 !N ASK$1 Z QUIETLY1 8,H] "F80
  ,MORRISON %OOK 8 H1D4 8,HE DI$ A FEW
YE>S AGO4 ,MRS4 ,TUCK]'S _H A H>D "T (
X40 ,HE KEPT 8 VOICE S NEUTRAL ,I CD HE>
! A*E HE 0 HID+4 ,I R1*$ \ & T\*$ ! BACK
( 8 H& ) MY F+]TIPS4 ,HE LOOK$ D[N1 !N
AT ME ) 8 EYEBR[S LIFT$1 & ,I LET MY H&
FALL )\T SAY+ ANY?+4
  ,MY 9V]T$ SI<T SEEM$ 6H SETTL$ D[N4 ,!
$GES ( ?+S 7 / DIM1 B X 0 A VA/ IMPROVE-
;T1 ALL[+ ME 6WAT* P Z !Y >RIV$ & PAUS$
6(F] _! 3DOL;ES 6,MRS4 ,TUCK]4 ,%E /OPP$
LETT+ ,FAYE SUPPORT H] & /OOD /RAI<T &
TALL1 TALL] ?AN ,I EXPECT$4 ,"? !   #BIF
%AD[S ( H] VEIL ,I CD SEE TRACES ( ,CAS-
S&RA'S Y\?;L PRETTI;S1 & H] DET]M9,N TO
3DUCT H]F ) DIGN;Y4 ,%E DID N LOOK AT ME
OR ,MORRISON1 AL? O!R P DID1 "S ) SYMPA-
?Y &A FEW ) ANG]4 ,X WASN'T T WE 7 :ITE
9 A PREDOM9ANTLY BLACK CR[D4 ,:AT MADE
!M ANGRY 0 ! SAME ?+ T MADE ME GUILTY3
WE 7 COPS1 & WE _HN'T BE5 "! 6SAVE ,CAS-
S&RA ,TUCK]4 ,:AT GD 7 WE1 IF WE CDN'T
SAVE "O "Y WOMAN'S LIFE8 ,_! ANG] &
FRU/R,N 0 Z MISPLAC$ Z MY [N1 B ,I CDN'T
BLAME !M = X4 ,I HELD MY H&S /1 FI<T+
AG/ ! URGE 6MAKE UNHAPPY SUPPLIC,N 6! M5
& WOM5 :O _H BE5 ,CASS&RA'S FRS4
  ,A *UR* BELL RANG1 C.T+ (F ! H\R AT T5
O'C1 &! CR[D FELL BACK1 MAK+ AN OP5 PA?
6! GRAVE4 ,PLANES DRON$ OV]H1D1 & ,I CD
HE> ! 4TANT S.DS ( TRA6IC1 5G9ES REVV+ &
HORNS HONK+4 ,CLOS] 6ME1 P SNI6L$ &
CLE>$ _! ?ROATS & LIFT$ _! *9S1 B ! SI-
L;E1 =A C;Y MORN+1 0 NE>LY -PLETE4 ,ALM
Z "O1 H1DS TURN$ 6WAT* ! SIX M5 :O C>RI$
,CASS&RA'S C(F9 APPROA* H] GRAVE4 ,! "Y
MAN AT ! "R FRONT HELD 8 JAW S TI<TLY
SET T M9E A*$ 9 SYMPA?Y4            #BIG
  ,A 2WILD]$ LL GIRL WAIL$ & FLUNG H]F
AT ! M5 :O WALK$ BY1 SOLEMNLY C>RY+ A
C(F9 ON _! %\LD]S4
  ,D@EJ@A VU HIT ME S H>D ,I CLUT*$ AT
,MORRISON'S SLEEVE 6KEEP MYF UP"R4 ,I'D
BE5 "H 2F1 N ALL T L;G AGO4 ,ONLY !N X'D
BE5 9 ! DES]T ( MY M9D1 )! BIG COYOTE1 N
R1L4
  ,! GIRL'S CRY CUT "? ! SIL;E1 %>P Z
KNIVES4 ,! "Y MAN 9 ! L1D FL9*$1 EYES
D>T+ D[N 6! LL GIRL 2F HE YANK$ 8 GAZE
=W>D AG4 ,MORRISON MURMUR$1 8,SIOBH@AN40
  8,:AT80 ,MY F+]S REFUS$ 6UNWRAP F
,MORRISON'S SLEEVE Z ,I />$ UP AT HM1 !
FUN]AL =GOTT54 ,X 0 ALL ,I CD D 6KEEP MY
VOICE D[N4 8.,:AT8 ,H[ D Y "K T "N80 ,X
WASN'T ANY": ON MY PAP]"W1 &! ONLY P]SON
:O'D "E US$ X 0 D1D4
  ,MORRISON FR[N$ AT ME4 8,! LL GIRL4
,CASS&RA'S DAU<T]4 ,%EVAUN ,TUCK]40
  ,FAYE D>T$ =W>D 6SCOOP ! GIRL UP4 ,%E-
VAUN BURI$ H] FACE AG/ ,FAYE'S %\LD]1
SO2+ ) MIS]Y & 3FU.N4
  ,I />$ ACR ! GRAVE AT ! LL GIRL :O %>$
MY "N1 & WOND]$ IF ! UNIV]SE CD     #BIH
GET ANY LESS SUBTLE4























            ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY         #BII

  ,%EVAUN ,TUCK] 0 TIR$ & BOR$ )! C]EMO-
NY L;G 2F X 0 OV]4 ,%E SQUIRM$ UNHAPPILY
9 ,FAYE'S >MS1 TO4L+ OV] 6HIDE 2H H]
GR&"M'S SKIRT :5 ,FAYE PUT H] D[N4 ,%E
WAT*$ ALL ! SOLEMN1 SAD FACES ) WIDE D>K
EYES1 & PUT H] ?UMB 9 H] M\? 9 ! FA%ION
(A * :O ?"\ %E 0 TOO OLD = T1 B CDN'T
F9D ANY O!R S\RCE ( -=T4 ,%E CAU<T ME
LOOK+ AT H]1 &=A FEW MO;TS WE HELD EA*
O!R'S GAZES4 ,! GUILT CAME BACK1 /R;G]
?AN 2F1 & ,I LOOK$ AWAY4 ,I HE>D H]
SNU6LE A PROTE/1 & :5 ,I LOOK$ BACK1 ,I
CDN'T SEE H] ANYMORE4 ,RU? ,TUCK]'S
SKIRT SWUNG1 ?\<1 Z IF A LL GIRL MI<T 2
HANG+ ON 6XS F> SIDE4
  ,X 0 OV] />TL+LY QKLY1 !N4 ,"S"O LAID
A WR1? ( DAISIES ON ,CASS&RA'S C(F91 &
H] "M1 GRIM-FAC$1 PUT A H&;L ( PANSIES 9
! MI4LE ( T4 ,%E /EPP$ BACK1 &! C(F9-
BE>]S L[]$ ! C(F9 96! GR.D ON TAUT
ROPES4 ,RU? ?REW A H&;L ( DIRT ONTO X1
!N TURN$ AWAY1 %\LD]S KNOTT$1 UNA# 6WAT*
ANY M4 ,I CD SEE ,%EVAUN AG1 TRAIL+ AF
H] GR&"M )A FI/;L (! WOMAN'S        #CJJ
SKIRT 9 H] H&4 ,! CR[D 2GAN 6BR1K UP A
LL4 ,MORRISON T\*$ MY ELB[4 8,-E ON40 ,8
VOICE 0 L[ & /RA9$4 8,WE %D (F] \R 3DO-
L;ES40
  8,DIDN'T "K COPS KNEW BIG ^WS L 3DO-
L;ES10 ,I SD ALM Z QUIETLY1 HOP+ 6GET A
SMILE \ ( HM4 ,! CORN] ( 8 M\? TURN$ UP
A LL4 ,X WD D4 ,WE MADE \R WAY 6! BACK
$GE (! CR[D & "W$ \R WAY >.D X1 T[>D ":
,MRS4 ,TUCK] /OOD )! "Y MAN :O'D L$ !
C(F9-BE>]S4 ,%EVAUN 0 HANG+ ON 8 PANTS
LEG N[4
  8,H] BRO!R80 ,I ASK$ ,MORRISON 9 Z
4CREET A VOICE Z ,I CD MANAGE4 ,HE %OOK
8 H1D4
  8,%EVAUN'S "F4 ,CASS&RA 0 AN ONLY *40
  ,GOD4 ,H] POOR "M4 ,I DRA7$ 9 A DEEP
BR1?1 TRY+ 6BR1K A"P ! B&S ( A*+ SYMPA?Y
>.D MY HE>T4 ,!N WE 7 %AK+ H&S ) ,MRS4
,TUCK]1 ^: WE>Y EXPRES.N HELD N"O (!
BLAME OR ANG] T ,I'D EXPECT$4 ,%E A3EPT$
\R 3DOL;ES GRACI\SLY1 9VIT+ U1 ) M QUIET
DIGN;Y ?AN ,I IMAG9$ ,I'D 2 A# 6SUMMON1
6-E BACK 6H] HOME ) "EY"O ELSE1 = FUN]AL
M1TS4 ,MORRISON %OOK 8 H1D 9        #CJA
APOLOGY2 HE _H 6GET BACK 6"W4 ,MRS4
,TUCK] NO4$ H] H1D )\T SURPRISE1 & WE
BROKE AWAY1 H1D+ =! C>4
  8,JOANNE6 ,(FIC] ,WALK]60
  ,I SCREW$ UP ! SIDE ( MY FACE T WASN'T
FAC+ ,MORRISON4 ,FAYE'S VOICE WASN'T "O
,I'D WANT$ 6HE> CALL+ AF ME4 ,MORRISON
LIFT$ "O EYEBR[ & WE BO? TURN$ BACK 6!
BLOND GIRL1 :O _H "SH[ COLLECT$ LL ,%E-
VAUN Z %E APPROA*$ U4 8,I DIDN'T "K Y 7
GO+ 6BE "H10 ,FAYE SD Z %E CAME UP 6U4
,%EVAUN />$ AT U BO?1 R.D-EY$ & SUSPI-
CI\S Z %E SUCK$ ON H] ?UMB4 ,NO1 ,I R1L-
IZ$ AF A MO;T3 %E 0 GNAW+ ON X4 ,POOR
KID4
  8,I WANT$ 6-E4 ,FAYE1 ? IS MY BOSS1
,CAPTA9 ,MI*AEL ,MORRISON4 ,CAPTA91 ? IS
,FAYE ,KIRKL&4 ,WE MET ! "D AF ,CASS&RA
DI$40
  8,DID Y10 ,MORRISON SD1 A P]FECT EXAM-
PLE ( NEUTRAL;Y Z HE (F]$ ,FAYE 8 H&4
,%E TRI$ RE>RANG+ ,%EVAUN S %E CD TAKE
X1 &! LL GIRL ABRUPTLY PUT H] >MS \ 6ME4
,TAK5 ABACK1 ,I LIFT$ H] \ ( ,FAYE'S
>MS1 & %E GAZ$ >.D1 APP>5TLY        #CJB
PL1S$ )! NEW HEI<T %E CD VIEW ! _W F4
  8,?ANKS40 ,FAYE %OOK ,MORRISON'S H&1
!N PUT H] >MS \ = ,%EVAUN AG4 8,C'MON1
,%EVAUN1 H"OY4 ,X'S ALM "T 6G1 & Y'VE
BE5 AW;L GD4 ,I'VE GOT COOKIES = Y BACK
AT ! H\SE40
  ,%EVAUN /UDI$ H] ) M* ! SAME SUSPICION
%E'D EXAM9$ ,MORRISON & ME )A MO;T E>LI-
]4 ,!N %E SWUNG H] H1D >.D & *ECK$ MY
EXPRES.N4 ,I SMIL$ AT H]4 8,%EVAUN'S A V
PRETTY "N10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,:Y DON'T Y G )
,FAYE & GET "S COOKIES N[80
  ,EVID5TLY X 0 A 3V9C+ >GU;T4 ,%EVAUN
PUT H] >MS \ AG & L1N$ T[>D ,FAYE4 ,I
MANAG$ 6N Q DUMP H] 96,FAYE'S >MS1 B X 0
A NE> MISS4 ,I WASN'T US$ 6H&L+ *N4
,MORRISON & ,I WAT*$ !M WALK AWAY1 & ,I
WAIT$ =! /ORM4
  8,I DIDN'T "K Y 7 GD ) KIDS10 HE SD1
TAK+ ME -PLETELY (F GU>D4 ,HE TURN$ )\T
WAIT+ = ME1 WALK+ ACR ! GR.DS 6! C>4 ,I
%OOK MYF & CAU<T UP AF A C\PLE ( /EPS4
  8,I'M N1 RE,Y4 ,I L ,BILLY'S KIDS1 B
,I DON'T RE,Y "K ANY?+ AB !M40
  8,%E DIDN'T SCR1M :5 Y HELD H]4   #CJC
,T'S "S?+40
  ,I LET \ A BR1? ( LAU<T]4 8,WE ,%E-
VAUNS H 6/I--0 ,MY M\? 0 ALW SURPRIS+ ME
)! ?+S X SD4 ,I SWALL[$ ! ^WS TOO LATE4
,MORRISON'S EYEBR[S %OT UP4
  8,Y :AT80
  ,I WOND]$ IF X 0 "S K9D ( FELONY 6BE
HIR$ Z A POLICE (FIC] "U A "N T WASN'T
YR [N4 8,NO?+10 ,I SD1 & BIT MY T;GUE
UNTIL WE GOT BACK 6! C>4 ,N UNTIL ,I 0
9SIDE )! DOORS CLOS$ &! W9D[S ROLL$ UP1
9 EXACTLY ! SAME K9D ( PHYSICAL %IELD+ T
,I US$ M5T,Y1 DID ,I D>E SP1K AG4 ,EV5
!N ,I _H 6PUT BO? H&S ON ! DA%BO>D & L1N
96X1 L ,I 0 DRAW+ /R5G? F ! C>1 2F ,I CD
MANAGE ! ^WS4 8,MY "N IS ACTU,Y ,SIO-
BH@AN4 ,H]S IS PROBABLY SPELL$ DI6]5TLY1
B X'S ! SAME "N40
  ,MORRISON />$ AT ME L ,I'D GR[N ANO!R
H1D4 ,I SUCK$ ON MY UPP] TEE?1 L1N$ BACK
9 ! S1T S ,I CD FOLD MY >MS >.D MY RIBS1
& />$ J Z 9T5TLY \ ! W9D[4 ,! C> 0 HOT1
F> TOO HOT = -=T1 EV5 IF ,I WASN'T MAK+
MYF UNCOM=TA# ALR4 ,! B"O-DEEP SUNBURN
MADE XF NOTICEA# AG4 ,EV5TU,Y X     #CJD
2CAME CLE> ,MORRISON WASN'T GO+ 6S M* Z
/>T ! C> UNTIL ,I F9I%$ :AT ,I'D />T$4
,I PRESS$ MY LIPS TGR UNTIL X HURT &
KEPT MY FOCUS \ ! W9D[4
  8,I'VE BE5 CALL$ ,JOANNE MY :OLE LIFE4
,MY "M SPELL$ ,SIOBH@AN ! ,GAELIC WAY1
.,S-,I-,O-,B-,H-,A-,N1 : IS J IMPOSSI# =
AN ,AM]ICAN 6SAY40 ,EV5 ,I'D SP5T MO/ (
MY LIFE HALF-3V9C$ X 0 PRON\NC$ .,SEE-
OH-BAWN1 DESPITE HAV+ LOOK$ X UP DOZ5S (
"TS 6CORRECT MYF4 8,MY DAD TOOK "O LOOK
AT X & />T$ CALL+ ME ,JOANNE40 ,MY TOE
TAPP$ AG/ ! FLOOR1 RAPID TATTOO 4PLAY+
MY 4COM=T EV5 IF ,I DIDN'T WANT X TO4 ,)
3SCI\S EF=T1 ,I /OPP$ X F TAPP+4
  ,MY F+] />T$ TAPP+ AG/ MY ?I<4 ,I GAVE
X UP Z A BAD JOB & LET MY TOE G BACK 6X4
  8,SIOBH@AN10 ,MORRISON SD C>E;LLY4 ,HE
_HN'T _H A PRO#M )! "N E>LI]1 :5 X 2L;G$
6! LL GIRL1 B ATTA*+ X 6ME APPE>$ 6TAKE
"S S]I\S ?"\ & 3SID],N4 8,SIOBH@AN
,WALK]80
  ,I TILT$ MY H1D BACK1 LOOK+ AT ! CEIL+
(! C>4 ,BLACK FUZZY MAT1 NONDESCRIPT &
A# 6HOLD 9 ! SUMM] H1T4 ..,9 =A     #CJE
.LAMB1 ,I ?"\1 & SD1 DELIB]ATELY1 8,SIO-
BH@AN ,GRANIA ,MAC,NAM>RA ,WALK+/ICK40
,T 0 ! FULL "N WRITT5 \ ON MY ,IRI% BIR?
C]TIFICATE4 ,I H"O/LY _H NO RECOLLEC;N (
"E SAY+ X AL\D 2F4 ,"P ( ME WOND]$ :Y
,MORRISON GOT 6BE ! ,"F ,3FESSOR4 ,! RE/
( ME DIDN'T WANT 6"K4
  ,MORRISON DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ ELSE4 ,HE
TURN$ ! KEY 9 ! IGNI;N1 PUT ! C> 9
,DRIVE1 & DROVE ME HOME 9 SIL;E4

    ,MON"D1 ,JUNE #BJ1 ,NOON
  ,I FELT Z IF ,I DES]V$ ! BAWL+ \ ,MOR-
RISON _H FAIL$ 6GIVE ME ON ! WAY HOME4
,T1 P]V]SELY1 0 MY EXCUSE = GO+ D[N 6!
/,N AF *ANG+ \ ( MY DRESS UNI=M4 ,I 0
(F-DUTY1 S ,I WORE %ORTS &A TANK TOP1 &
WI%$ MY SK9 DIDN'T A*E L X 0 SUNBURN$4
  ,! PREC9CT BUILD+'S AIR-3DI;N+ 0 \4 ,X
SEEM$ L ! :OLE C;Y'S AIR-3DI;N+ 0 \4 ,!
H1T 0 OPPRESSIVE1 Z IF X 0 DELIB]ATELY
TRY+ 6CRU% ! LIFE \ ( ANY?+ T BR1!D4 ,I
WASN'T SURE IF X 0 -P.D$ 0! COV5'S AC-
TIVITIES ! NI<T 2F1 OR IF X 0 J MY V [N
P]SONAL SCREW$ UP P[] LOOP4 ,I 0    #CJF
AFRAID X 0 ME4
  ,MORRISON'S DOOR 0 OP5 & HE /OOD 0!
W9D[S 9 %IRTSLEEVES1 TALK+ ON ! PH"O4 ,I
TAPP$ ON ! DOOR & HE SC[L$1 B GE/UR$ ME
IN4 ,I SAT & TOOK SL[ DEEP BR1?S (! /
AIR1 TRY+ 6%AKE (F ! FEEL+ ( SU6OC,N4
  8,:AT D Y WANT1 ,WALK]8 ,X'S YR "D
(F40 ,MORRISON CAME BACK 6HIS DESK &
DROPP$ ! PH"O 9 XS CRADLE4
  8,I "K40 ,I L1N$ =W>D1 PUTT+ MY =E>MS
ON MY ?I<S1 & !N WI%$ ,I _HN'T4 ,I
WASN'T SURE ,I 0 GO+ 6BE A# 6UN/ICK F !
POSI;N4 8,I J WANT$ 6TALK AB ,CASS&RA
,TUCK]1 ,CAP40
  ,MORRISON FOLD$ 8 >MS OV] 8 *E/1 L1N+
AG/ 8 DESK Z HE LOOK$ D[N AT ME4 8,:AT
IS ? ,8,CAP0' ?+1 ,WALK]80
  ,MY TRA9 ( ?"\ DERAIL$ & ,I FR[N$ AT
HM4 8,SIR80
  8,SIR IS F9E10 HE AGRE$4 8,CAPTA9 IS
F9E4 ,Y US$ 6CALL ME ,MORRISON1 OR BOSS1
:5 Y RE,Y WANT$ 6RUB X IN4 ,N[ X'S ,CAP4
,:AT IS T80
  8,X'S AN A2REVI,N = ,CAPTA910 ,I
MUTT]$1 B T WASN'T :AT HE WANT$     #CJG
6"K1 & ALL ?+S 3SID]$1 ,I FELT L ,I %D
TELL ! TRU?4 ,! PRO#M 0 ,I _HN'T NOTIC$
ME CALL+ HM ,CAP UNTIL HE PO9T$ X \4 ,I
MOV$ MY GAZE 6HIS KNEECAPS1 & TALK$ 6!M4
8,PRETTY M* ,I FEEL L ,I'M KISS+ YR ASS
IF ,I CALL Y ,CAPTA9 OR SIR40
  8,!Y'RE MY JOB TITLE & AN HONORIFIC
WOR?Y (! POSI;N10 ,MORRISON PO9T$ \ DRY-
LY4 ,I LOOK$ UP F 8 KNEECAPS4
  8,Y1H1 B ? IS ME '''0 ,I CDN'T HELP X4
,A LL GR9 SLID 96PLACE1 & ,I F9I%$ ! S5-
T;E )1 8,CAP40 ,HE DIDN'T SMILE BACK &
,I LOOK$ AWAY AG4 8,Y ALW LOOK L Y'RE
WAIT+ =! O!R %OE 6DROP :5 ,I USE ,CAPTA9
OR SIR10 ,I SD )A %RUG4 8,I GUESS ,I 0 J
TRY+ 6F9D A WAY >.D T4 ,LOOK1 ,MORRISON1
AB ,CASS&RA ,TUCK] '''0
  8,! CASE IS CLOS$1 ,WALK]4 ,X'S CLOS$1
& %E'S BURI$4 ,L1VE H] AL"O40
  8,X'S J T ,I FEEL L "!'S M 6X40 ,MY
T;GUE & ?ROAT /RU7L$ OV] :AT 6CALL HM AT
! 5D ( T /ATE;T1 & CDN'T AGREE ON AN AN-
SW]1 L1V+ ME FEEL+ L ,I'D CUT X (F TOO
ABRUPTLY4 ,*RI/4 ,I 0 GO+ 6H 6/>T CALL+
HM ,MI*AEL1 N[ T HE'D MADE ME       #CJH
SELF-3SCI\S AB ALL ! O!R "NS ,I US$ =
HM4
  ,I CD N =! LIFE ( ME IMAG9E CALL+ HM
,MI*AEL4
  8,"! ISN'T40 ,"! 0 A FLAT;S 6,MORRIS-
ON'S T"O1 A LACK ( CURIOS;Y &A :OLE LOT
( B>ELY 3TROLL$ IMPATI;E4 8,! CASE IS
CLOS$4 ,LET H] RE/1 & GET \ ( MY (FICE4
,X'S YR "D (F1 & ,GOD "KS ,I NE$ X40

  ,I LEFT FEEL+ \ ( SORTS1 /ICKY1 &A LL
3FUS$4 ,X 0 M>G9,Y COOL] \TDOORS ?AN IN-
SIDE1 AL? ,I CD FEEL H1T RADIAT+ (F !
SIDES ( BUILD+S Z ,I WALK$ BY4 ,A BUS
RAM#D UP 9 FRONT ( ME & :ILE ,I DIDN'T
WANT 6GET ON X1 X MADE ME NOTICE ! WAIT+
B5* X /OPP$ AT4 ,I SAT D[N1 WAV+ ! VEHI-
CLE ON1 & RU2$ MY EYES4 ,MY 3TACTS 7 Z
/ICKY Z ,I FELT4 ,I CDN'T REMEMB] ! LA/
"T ,I'D TAK5 !M \4 ,I WORE ! EXTRAP]MEA#
EXT5D$ WE> TYPES J = T R1SON1 B MO/ "DS
,I REMEMB]$ 6TAKE !M \ 9 ! EV5+S4 ,I 0
PRETTY SURE ,I'D _H !M 9 = ?REE "DS
/RAI<T N[4 ,I WOND]$ IF ,I CD MANAGE TO
H1L MY [N NE>-SI<T$;S1 !N F.D MYF   #CJI
RU2+ ! ?9 SC> ON MY *EEK4 8,>"R1 Y1H10
,I MUTT]$ 6MYF4 8,"S ?+S DON'T NE$ H1L-
+40
  ,A :ITE-HAIR$ OLD WOMAN ON ! F> 5D (!
B5* LOOK$ AT ME N]V\SLY & SCOOT$ ANO!R
SCANT 9* OR TWO AWAY4 8,SORRY10 ,I SD TO
H]4 8,I'M N CRAZY4 ,( C\RSE1 T'S :AT A
CRAZY P]SON WD SAY1 ISN'T X80
  ,%E GOT UP & LEFT4
  ,MAYBE ,I 0 CRAZY4 ,X 0 POSSI#4 ,X 0
AL POSSI# ,CASS&RA ,TUCK] _H _H A HE>T
ATTACK BR"\ ON 0TOO M* USE ( MAGIC1 B !
IDEA J MADE ME IT*4 ,I'D BE5 6! ,D1D
,Z"O 2F4 ,! BIT )! SNAKES &! GOD-AW;L
S]P5T MON/] 0 ALL NEW1 & ,I DIDN'T BE-
LIEVE ,CASSIE'D DI$ ( "S?+ Z ORD9>Y Z A
HE>T ATTACK4 ,N ) T K9D ( WELCOM+ -MIT-
TEE ON ! O!R SIDE4 ,EV5 ?\< ,COYOTE TOLD
ME MY ME?OD ( 9VE/IGAT+ ! ,D1D ,Z"O PO-
T5TI,Y OP5$ ME UP 6ANYBODY :O WANT$ 6H A
G AT ME1 ,I / DIDN'T 2LIEVE ,CASS&RA'S
D1? 0 NATURAL4
  ,I ACTU,Y LAU<$ \ L\D1 LOOK+ UP AT !
SKY4 8,SATISFI$80 ,I ASK$ MY 9VISI# _S
ANIMALS4 ,I CDN'T FEEL !M ) ME1 B   #CAJ
,I ASSUM$ !Y _H 6BE >.D "S":4 8,= ONCE1
,I'M ! 2LIEV]4 ,I'M ! "O :O ?9KS "S?+
KOOKY'S GO+ ON :5 ! P]FECTLY MUNDANE EX-
PLAN,N MAKES "EYBODY ELSE HAPPY4 ,I'M
GETT+ GD AT ? A3EPT.E ?+1 HUH80
  ,I 0 AL GETT+ WORRY+LY GD AT TALK+ TO
MYF4 ,\ L\D1 NO LESS4 ,A SURLY FAC$ PAIR
WE>+ BLACK L1!R--: _H 6BE RE,Y UNCOM=TA#
9 ? W1!R--TOOK ! L;G WAY >.D ME1 TRY+ N
6MEET MY EYES4 ,I %RU7$ AN APOLOGY & UN-
/UCK MYF F ! B5*1 H1D+ BACK 6,PETITE4 ,I
_H TWO "DS (F4 ,I MI<T Z WELL SEE IF ,I
CD PROVE MYF "R4











           ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-"O       #CAA

  8,HEY1 LEGS60
  ,I RECOGNIZ$ ,BILLY'S VOICE 2H ME1 B X
DIDN'T O3UR 6ME 6TURN >.D4 ,HE SPR9T$--=
"S VALUE ( 8SPR9T20 ! EXTRA T5 P.DS MADE
8 SOLID FOOTFALLS S.D H1VY 5 6%AKE !
SIDEWALK--! FEW Y>DS 6CAT* UP ) ME &
DROPP$ A H& ON MY %\LD]4 8,HEY1 LEGS4
,:AT1 Y'RE N TALK+ 6ME ANYMORE80 ,HE LET
\ A PUFF ( AIR & FELL 96/EP 2S ME Z ,I
WR9KL$ MY =EH1D AT HM4
  8,Y 7 TALK+ 6ME80
  8,Y SEE ANYBODY ELSE ) ,JULIA-,ROB]TS-
9S1M LEGS WALK+ >.D "H80 HE DEM&$4 ,I
GL.ED D[N AT MY PALE KNEES & MY PAIR (
RE,Y -=TA# M5'S S&ALS4 ,!N ,I LOOK$ >.D
AT ! PASS]SBY4 ,PL5TY ( !M 7 9 %ORTS4
,MO/ ( !M W]5'T WOM5 A SMIDG5 "U SIX
FEET TALL4
  8,I GUESS N4 ,Y N"E SD ANY?+ AB MY
LEGS 2F40
  8,TWO R1SONS40 ,BILLY /E]$ ME 96!
,MISS+ ;,O1 ": ,I _HN'T BE5 PLANN+ 6G4
8,"O40 ,HE LIFT$ A F+]4 8,MEL9DA'D KILL
ME4 ,TWO40 ,ANO!R F+]4 8,X'S SEX-   #CAB
UAL H>ASS;T4 ,?REE40
  8,Y SD TWO40 ,I GOT 9 L9E =A DR9K1
,BILLY / DIRECT+ ME4 ,X 0 B.S$LY COOL] 9
! ;,O1 &! PLACE 0 PACK$1 "EYBODY TAK+
ADVANTAGE (! FUNC;NAL AIR-3DI;N+4
  8,%U% YR M\?4 ,?REE4 ,I N"E SAW YR
LEGS 2F40
  8,N[ T10 ,I SD1 (F5D$1 8IS N TRUE4 ,I
WORE A DRESS AT "O (! ,POLICEMAN'S
,BALLS40 ,I 0 ALM C]TA9 ,I _H4 ,PRACTI-
C,Y POSITIVE4 ,AT L1/ ONCE4
  8,Y WORE YR UNI=M10 ,BILLY CORRECT$4
8,! MIDCALF D>K BLUE SKIRT4 ,SIX 9*ES (
%9 DOESN'T C.T40
  8,Y H AN AMAZ+ EYE = DETAIL1 ,BILLY40
,I'D WORN ! SAME SKIRT 6! FUN]AL4
  8,T'S :Y !Y PAY ME ! BIG BUCKS10 HE SD
)A *E];L SNORT4 8,FRAPPUC9O &A BOTTLE (
WAT]10 HE SD Z WE /EPP$ UP 6! C.T]4
8,:AT'S YR POISON1 ,JOANIE80
  ,JOANIE4 ,! "N MADE ME SMILE A LL4 ,X
0 S M* FRLI] ?AN ,JUDY'S RIGID ,JOANNE
OR ,MORRISON'S T]M9,Y EXASP]AT$ ,WALK]4
,A ?UMP ( L"OLI;S *ILL$ MY BLOOD4 ,I
_HN'T SE5 M* ( MY FRS ! PA/ FEW     #CAC
"DS1 & X 0 MAK+ ME FEEL ISOLAT$4 ,ESPE-
CI,Y 9 ! FACE ( ,FAYE'S ADAMANT -;TS AB
ME 2+ "O (! COV5 N[4 ,X 0 L %E 0 TRY+ TO
SURGIC,Y REMOVE ME F ! LIFE ,I ALR _H1
AL? ,I 0 PRETTY SURE T 0 GIV+ H] GOLD5
RETRIEV] SELF WAY TOO M* CR$IT4
  8,ITALIAN SODA10 ,I SD 6! B>RI/A1 SUD-
D5LY M *E]Y4 8,ORANGE1 VANILLA1 CR1M1 NO
:IP40 ,T 0 MY SUMM]"T DR9K1 J L HOT *OC-
OLATE ) M9T 0 MY W9T] DR9K4 ,X 0 NORMAL1
X 0 ME1 & X WASN'T -PLICAT$ 0ANYBODY'S
MAGICAL RITUAL OR _! EXPECT,NS ( ME4
8,BILLY1 ,I'M N SUPPOS$ 6BE "W+40 ,I DUG
*ANGE F MY POCKET1 C.T+ \ NICKELS &
DIMES 6PAY = MY SODA4 ,BILLY EY$ ME4
  8,GO+ BROKE80
  8,GETT+ LOPSID$ F C>RY+ TOO _M P5NIES
9 MY POCKET4 ,DID Y NE$ "S?+80 ,MY VI.N
0 / PLAY+ HAVOC1 &! $GES (! CO9S KEPT
FAD+ 96%AD[1 MAK+ !M H>D 6PICK UP4
  8,BACKUP10 HE SD4 ,I TOOK A /EP BACK4
,HE EY$ ME AG1 M MALICI\SLY ? "T4
  8,OH10 ,I SD1 & /EPP$ =W>D4 8,SORRY4
,I ?"\ Y 7 ''' N"E M9D40
  8,I'M MEET+ ,MEL = C(FEE10 HE     #CAD
EXPLA9$4
  8,MEL4 ,MEL1 ,MEL9DA1 YR WIFE80
  ,BILLY NO4$ FURTIVELY4
  8,& Y NE$ POLICE PROTEC;N = ?80
  8,SEE1 ,I A3ID5T,Y LET SLIP T Y FIGUR$
\ %E WAS1 Y "K40 ,BILLY ROLL$ 8 EYES EX-
PRESSIVELY & ,I GR9N$4
  8,CRAZY = M>RY+ Y80
  ,BILLY LAU<$4 8,Y1H1 "S?+ L T4 ,S %E'S
ON ! W>PA?1 FIGUR+ ,I %OT (F MY M\? 6!
:OLE DE"P;T40
  8,:AT1 Y8 ,! PICTURE ( 4CRE;N8 ,YR
NAIL POLI% IS *IPP$1 0! WAY40
  ,BILLY L[]$ 8 H1D & />$ AT ME4 ,I F"\
(F ANO!R GR9 & PICK$ UP MY SODA1 SWIRL+
ICE )! /RAW4 8,S ,I NE$ Y 6G ! :OLE FEM-
99E 9TUI;N R\TE10 HE GR[L$4 8,6GET ME (F
! HOOK40
  8,Y "K ,I DON'T 2LIEVE 9 T /UFF1 ,BIL-
LY40 ,GR9N+ AG1 ,I /AK$ \ A TA# :ILE
,BILLY /OPP$ 6%AKE "S COCOA OV] ! FRAP-
PUC9O4 ,I 0 LOOK+ =W>D 6SEE+ ,MEL9DA ON
! W>PA?4 ,9 ! ALM F\R YE>S ,I'D "KN H] &
,BILLY1 ,I'D N"E SE5 H] S M* Z ANNOY$1 N
EV5 :ILE H]D+ _! "E-9CR1S+ TRIBE    #CAE
( *N4
  ,%E MADE H] 5TR.E Z ,I SAT4 ,MEL9DA
ALW MANAG$ 6MAKE AN 5TR.E1 :E!R %E 0
WE>+ AN APPLE-YELL[ SUNDRESS--: IS :AT
%E WORE N[--OR SW1TS &A ;,T-%IRT4 ,!
DOOR BREEZ$ OP51 *IM+ .D+-A-L+1 & %E
PAUS$1 SURVEY+ ! C(FEE %OP4 ,9 RESPONSE1
! C(FEE %OP PAUS$ & SURVEY$ H] 9 TURN3
PATRONS GL.ED H] WAY1 SMIL+1 & %E WI7L$
H] F+]S AT A C\PLE (! COPS %E KNEW4
  ,! DOOR *IM$ %UT 2H H]1 &! %OP'S USUAL
HU2UB REASS]T$ XF4 ,MEL9DA SKIRT$ H] WAY
>.D ! TA#S1 SMIL+1 & CAU<T UP ) ,BILLY A
/EP OR TWO F ! TA# ,I'D SCOR$1 /&+ ON H]
TOES--Z IF ! GE/URE MADE A DI6];E 9 !
HEELS %E WORE--6/1L A KISS4
  8,IF ? IS ! W>PA?1 ,BILLY1 :AT'S %E L
9 A GD MOOD80 ,I /OOD UP 6GIVE ,MEL9DA A
HUG4
  8,A MON/]10 ,BILLY MOAN$4 8,IMPOSSI#
6LIVE )4 ,A BE>40 ,HE HELD ,MEL9DA'S
*AIR = H]1 !N SETTL$ ! FRAPPUC9O 9 FRONT
( H]4 ,I SAT BACK D[N1 SMIL+ BROADLY4
  8,AH-HUH4 ,X'S R\< 6BE Y1 ISN'T X8
,X'S GD 6SEE Y1 ,MEL4 ,Y LOOK       #CAF
GRT40
  8,I LOOK L A C[10 ,MEL9DA PRON\NC$
GLEE;LLY4
  8,Y D N40 ,X 0 ! ONLY APPROPRIATE RE-
SPONSE 6GIVE A PREGNANT WOMAN1 & 2SS1 X
0 TRUE4 8,B ,BILLY'S />T+ 6LOOK L A
PRIZE BULL40
  ,BILLY SAT BACK4 8,I ?9K ,I'M (F5D$40
  8,WELL1 LET U "K :5 Y'RE SURE40 ,I
B1M$ AT HM4 ,HE SNORT$4 8,SEE8 ,N[ Y'RE
S.D+ L "O1 TOO40
  8,HEY10 HE SD1 9JUR$1 & LIFT$ 8 WAT]
BOTTLE4 8,SEE1 ,I'M 2+ GD4 ,NO CALO-
RIES40
  8,S'S H['S X "W80 ,I ASK$ ,MEL9DA4
8,IF HE GOES ON A DIET1 DOES T M1N Y />T
GA9+ ! WEI<T80
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,MEL9DA SD4 8,HE'S N"E
BE5 A# 6/AY ON A DIET = M ?AN TWO "DS40
  ,I GR9N$4 8,3GRATUL,NS 6Y BO?40
  8,= 2+ UNA# 6/ICK 6A DIET80 ,BILLY
ASK$4 ,I KICK$ AT HM "U ! TA# & HE GR9N$
BACK AT ME4
  8,?ANK Y10 ,MEL SD S]5ELY4 8,Y %D -E
OV] = D9N]40                        #CAG
  8,ANY EXCUSE 6N EAT MY [N COOK+10 ,I
AGRE$ )\T HESIT,N4 8,:580
  8,WE'RE HAV+ A B>BECUE ON ! SOL/ICE10
%E (F]$4 8,MY D>L+ ,WILLIAM IS SUPPOS$
6H 9VIT$ "EY"O40
  8,RE,Y8 ,! :OLE C;Y80
  ,MEL GAVE ME A LOOK ,I'D SE5 H] GIVE
H] *N4 ,X MADE ME GI7LE1 : PROBABLY
WASN'T ! DESIR$ E6ECT4 8,J \R LL NECK (
X1 ,JOANNE4 ,DON'T 2 DI6ICULT40
  8,YES'M4 ,I'D LOVE TO4 ,I'LL 2 "!--0
,OH Y1H4 ,MAJOR BIG JUJU GO+ D[N ON !
SOL/ICE4 8--IF ,I C BE40
  ,MEL9DA'S EYEBR[S ROSE AN EXPRESSIVE
FRAC;N ( AN 9*4 8,HOT DATE80 %E 9QUIR$1
"S": 2T 4BELIEV+ & HOPE;L1 )A GD DOSE (
CURIOS;Y ?R[N IN4
  8,N EXACTLY40 ,I WR9KL$ MY NOSE4 8,I'D
TELL Y M--0
  8,B !N Y'D H 6KILL ME1 YES1 ( C\RSE4
,WELL1 ,I'M GO+ 6TELL ! KIDS Y'RE -+1 &
Y WON'T D>E 4APPO9T !M1 S Y'LL -E40
  8,T'S N FAIR40 ,I LIK$ ,BILLY & ,MEL9-
DA'S KIDS4 ,!Y RAN R\<%OD OV] ME1 B ,I
LIK$ !M ANYWAY4                     #CAH
  8,W]E Y MASQU]AD+ "U ! IMPRES.N T ,I
%D 2 PLAY+ FAIR80 ,MEL9DA SMIL$4 8,Y %D
-E1 ,JOANNE40
  8,I'LL TRY10 ,I PROMIS$4 8,LOOK1 ,BIL-
LY--0
  8,:AT80 ,HE %OOK HMF DRAMATIC,Y4
8,SORRY1 M/'VE FALL5 ASLEEP4 ,I WASN'T
NE$$ =! 3V]S,N1 0 ,I80
  ,I LAU<$4 8,BE GLAD WE W]5'T TALK+ AB
Y4 ,LOOK1 Y DON'T RE,Y NE$ BACKUP1 S
,I'M GO+ 6H1D \4 ,I'VE GOT "S P 6VISIT40
  8,H['S ,G>Y DO+80 HE ASK$1 SU45LY M* M
S]I\S4
  ,MEL'S EYEBR[S WR9KL$ ) 3C]N & %E L1N$
=W>D4 8,TELL HM WE'RE ?9K+ ( HM1 ALL
"R80
  8,HE'S BETT]10 ,I SD 6,BILLY1 & GR9N$
A BIT AT ,MEL4 8,I W4 ,PRETTY ,HISPANIC
LADIES ?9K+ ( HM W MAKE HM T M* BETT]
AG4 ,?ANKS1 ,MEL40
  8,ANY "T4 ,WE'LL SEE Y ,TUES"D40 ,%E
WAV$ ME (F4

  ,! H1T HIT ME L A PILE DRIV]4 ,I
ACTU,Y /A7]$1 TRY+ 6CAT* MY BR1?1   #CAI
& L1N$ AG/ ! ;,O'S \T] WALL =A FEW SEC-
ONDS4 ,X DIDN'T HELP3 H1T SLUIC$ (F !
BUILD+1 TOO1 MAK+ MY TANK TOP /ICK 6MY
SP9E )9 TWO BR1?S4 ,I TOOK A TOO-L>GE
GULP ( MY SODA & C\<$1 B X 0 BETT] ?AN N
GETT+ "S?+ COOL D[N MY ?ROAT4 ,X WASN'T
Z HOT Z ! COYOTE DES]T1 B ! MU7I;S
MI<T'VE BE5 WORSE4 ,I TOOK A DEEP BR1? &
FELT L ,I 0 9HAL+ ANO!R SIP ( MY DR9K4
  8,HOT 5 = YA80 "SBODY ASK$ Z HE /RODE
BY4 ,I CDN'T EV5 "W UP ! 5]GY 6GIVE HM !
GL>E HE DES]V$1 X 0 T HOT4 ,MY BRA9
FUNC;NS SL[$ D[N AG & ,I SQU9T$ AT !
SIDEWALK1 TRY+ 6REMEMB] :AT ,I 0 DO+4
,PETITE4 ,HOSPITALS4 ,VISIT+ ,G>Y &
,COL94 ,T 0 X4 ,& !N MAYBE ,I'D G HOME1
SP5D ! AFN 9 A COLD %[]1 & TRY 6TALK )
MY COYOTE4 ,ON ! "O H&1 IF HE 0 MY _S
GUIDE & WASN'T TURN+ UP 6GUIDE ME1 ,I 0
PROBABLY DO+ OKAY4 ,ON ! O!R1 ,I / WANT$
6APOLOGIZE = 2+ A J]K 9 ! ,D1D ,Z"O1 &
6ASK IF HE _H ANY ID1S ON H[ ,I MI<T
FUR!R 9VE/IGATE ,CASSIE'S HE>T ATTACK4
  ,A PLAN 9 PLACE1 ,I TRI$ 6S*LUCK UP
ANO!R SIP ( MY ,ITALIAN SODA1 B X   #CBJ
0 ALR EMPTY4 ,I LOOK$ 9 4MAY AT ! CUP 9
MY H&1 H"O/LY N REMEMB]+ HAV+ DRUNK X4
,I 0 PRETTY SURE1 ?\<1 T ,I'D REMEMB]
"S"O .ELSE DR9K+ X1 S ,I'D PROBABLY D"O
X4
  ,! H1T PRESS$ ON ME ALL ! WAY BACK TO
,PETITE4 ,I CD HE> X A6ECT+ O!R P3 >GU-
;TS B>K+ UP "? ! ?ICK AIR & LL KIDS :9+
T !Y WANT$ 6G HOME4 ,I FIGUR$ NOBODY 0
GO+ 6GET 9 A R1L FI<T4 ,X WD TAKE TOO M*
5]GY4 ,I C]TA9LY DIDN'T H 5 5]GY 6/OP
!M1 ANYWAY4 ,2SS1 ,I 0 (F DUTY4 ,MORRIS-
ON DIDN'T WANT 6SEE ME >.D4 ,I %D ?ANK
,GOD = SMALL FAVORS1 & GET \ ( "! :ILE !
GETT+ 0 GD4
  ,CLIMB+ 96AN OV5 WD'VE BE5 J AB Z -=T-
A# Z GETT+ 96,PETITE1 AL? %E _H M LEG
ROOM4 ,I WIP$ SW1T AWAY & DROVE 6,NOR?-
WE/ ,HOSPITAL4
  ,! HOSPITAL 0 MILES M -=TA# ?AN \T-
DOORS1 B ,I CD ALL B HE> ! AIR-3DI;N]S
GR9D+ & *U7+ Z !Y ATTEMPT$ 6B1T BACK !
H1T4 ,I B"\ A BOTTLE ( WAT] F A MA*9E J
9SIDE ! FRONT DOOR4 ,X 0 G"O 0! "T ,I
MET A NURSE \TSIDE ,G>Y'S DOOR4     #CBA
,%E SMIL$ WE>ILY Z ,I ASK$ H[ HE 0 DO+4
  8,HE'S LO/ 8 M9D10 %E SD4 ,MY EYEBR[S
%OT UP & %E LAU<$1 ! S.D SURPRIS+ 9 !
HUMID HALLS4 8,HE KEEPS CACKL+ AB TOR-
TOISES W9N+ ! RACE4 ,! DOCTOR IS PL1S$4
,HE'S 9 ! %[] =! ?IRD "T TD40
  8,! DOCTOR IS80 ,I DIDN'T M1N 6BE A
SM>T-ASS4 ,I 0 J DRAWN T WAY4 8,:AT'S HE
DO+1 COOL+ (F8 ,D Y ?9K ,I CD JO9 HM80
,I LAU<$4 8,Y "K :AT ,I M1N40
  8,Y'RE TOO "Y = HM10 ! NURSE SD1 GR9-
N+4
  8,N IF WE 7 9 ,HOLLYWOOD10 ,I >GU$4
8,Y "K4 ,MI*AEL ,D\GLAS GETS ! GIRL1 EV5
?\< %E'S ,GWYNE? ,PALTR[ & HE'S OLD 5 TO
2 H] GR&"F40 ,"O ( MY SECRET VICES 0 EN-
T]TA9;T MAGAZ9ES4 ,^?1 & ROM.E NOVELS4
,I CDN'T LET X GET \1 2C X WD -PLETELY
RU9 MY T\< GIRL-ME*ANIC IMAGE4
  8,MI*AEL ,D\GLAS GOT ,CA!R9E ,ZETA-
,J"OS10 ! NURSE >GU$4
  ,I LAU<$ :ILE ,I SC\T$ ! HALL = ANO!R
V5D+ MA*9E4 ,I ?"\ ,I'D ALR SW1T$ \ !
5TIRE BOTTLE ( WAT] ,I'D J DRUNK4 8,GD
PO9T1 & HE'S ONLY OLD 5 6BE H]      #CBB
"F4 ,ANYWAY1 ,I'D R H ,GREGORY ,PECK4 ,I
L HM BETT]40
  8,BETT] ?AN :O80 ,G>Y DEM&$4 ,I SPUN
>.D4 ,UNLIKE EI ME OR ! NURSE1 ,G>Y 0
FRE% & CL1N-LOOK+1 ?\< HE SWEPT ME 96A
HUG T ASSUR$ HE WDN'T /AY T WAY = L;G4
,HE LOOK$ S M* M L HMF T ,I BIT MY L[]
LIP Z ,I RETURN$ ! HUG1 TRY+ N 6GET ALL
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,SIX MON?S E>LI]1 J A "D OR TWO AF MEET+
ME1 ,G>Y NE>LY DI$ 9 M* ! SAME WAY ,I'D
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CD AVOID X 9 ANY WAY4 8,I'LL TELL Y AB X
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SMIL$ AT HM Z B"RLY & 3FID5TLY Z ,I CD4
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WANT Y 63C5TRATE ON GETT+ WELL1 N ON ME
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  8,ALW10 ,I PROMIS$4 ,I /AY$ A :ILE
L;G]1 & LET MYF \ FEEL+ GUILTY4











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