,,?"UBIRD ,,FALLS

            ,C4 ,E4 ,,MURPHY

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

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

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
              ,C>OL ,/UD]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #D
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #CBG-DCF
          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJH
           ,SPECIAL ,SYMBOLS         ;II
           ,US$ ,9 ,? ,VOLUME

@& 7#D1 #ABCDF7 AMP]S&
^C 7#DE1 #AD7 COPY"R




















          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-TWO       #CBG

    ,MON"D1 ,JUNE #BJ1 #F3DE P4M4
  ,0! "T ,I W5T 6! COV5 MEET+ ,I 0 9 Z
BAD A MOOD Z ,I CD REMEMB]1 9CLUD+ ALL !
SULK+ TE5AGE FUNKS ,I'D TRI$ 6WIPE F MY
MEMORY4 ,I'D SP5T MO/ (! AFN TRY+ 6F9D
,COYOTE "? "O 9N] L&SCAPE OR ANO!R1 &
9/1D _H B>ELY BE5 A# 6GET \ ( MY [N BODY
= M ?AN A FEW SECONDS AT A "T4 ,I _HN'T
EV5 MADE X 6MY [N G>D51 & T J SEEM$ L
BAD NEWS ALL >.D4 ,I IMAG9$ ?"U/ORMS GO+
ON "!1 & ?"\ T WD 2 A RELIEF1 -P>$ 6!
"D'S H1T4
  ,I PUT ,PETITE "? H] PACES1 REVV+ !
5G9E & TAK+ CORN]S M* TOO FA/4 ,P HONK$
& %\T$ & SWORE L !Y'D BE5 DO+ ALL "D1 B
N[ !Y 7 %\T+ AT ME4 ,I KNEW ,I 0 2+ AN
ASSHOLE4 ,I J DIDN'T C>E V M*4
  ,I AL _H NO CLUE ": ,I 0 GO+4 ,I F9,Y
SLAMM$ ,PETITE 96A P>K+ PLACE AT ,FAYE'S
A"P;T -PLEX & /OMP$ UP ! /AIRS 6F9D H]4
  ,I F.D A NOTE ON ! DOOR 9/1D1 DIRECT+
ME 6": ! COV5 0 MEET+4 ,APP>5TLY ,I 0
PREDICTA#4 ,T PISS$ ME (F1 TOO4 ,MAYBE
,I CD G F9D ,MORRISON & GET HM TO   #CBH
KICK ME A FEW "TS1 J 6R.D "EY?+ \ A BIT4
,I /OMP$ BACK D[N 6,PETITE & DROVE OV]
6,LAKE ,WA%+TON1 RIPP+ UP ! L;G /RET* (
ROAD ON XS WE/]N SIDE )\T HITT+ R$ LI<TS
OR GETT+ CAU<T 0TICKET-HAPPY COPS4 ,!
%AD[S AM;G ! OV]HANG+ TREES 7 PECULI>LY
B"R1 LETT+ ME SEE ! %APES ( C>S PULL+
D[N SIDE ROADS Z D>K BLOT*ES T 7 EASY TO
AVOID4 ,IF MY 9FURIAT+LY REV]S$ VI.N
KEPT UP1 AT L1/ X'D MAKE NI<T"T & W9T]
DRIV+ EASI]4
  ,I PEEL$ 96! ,MAT!WS ,B1* ,P>K P>K+
LOT AT A DANG]\S B PL1S+ SPE$1 & BRAK$
H>D4 ,DESPITE ! H1T--OR MAYBE 2C ( X--"!
7 SURPRIS+LY FEW C>S "!4 ,I 0 -P>ATIVELY
E>LY TD1 2C MO/ (! COV5 7 GA!R$ TGR AT
"O 5D (! P>K+ LOT 9/1D ( ALR GETT+ R1DY
6D _! ?+4 ,ONLY -P>ATIVELY E>LY1 ?\<1 2C
Z ,I GOT \ (! C> & GL.ED !M OV]1 X 0
CLE> T !Y 7 ONLY MISS+ ME & ,G>?4
  ,S"EAL ( !M 7 / DRESS$ 9 ! SOMB] FUN]-
AL COLORS F T MORN+1 ,M>CIA 9CLUD$4 ,%E
LOOK$ AT MY %ORTS & TANK TOP 4APPROV+LY4
8,I DIDN'T "W TD10 ,I SD1 FEEL+ OBLIG$
6MAKE EXCUSES4 8,X 0 TOO HOT 6WE>   #CBI
R1L CLO!S40 ,M>CIA'S M\? DREW D[N & %E
NO4$4 ,T'S ME1 ,JOANNE ,WALK]1 SOCIAL
FAUX PAS 9 ! FLE%4 ,I MUTT]$ "U MY BR1?
& W5T 6SIT ON A TOO-HOT 3CRETE P>K+
BUMP] ": MY BAD MOOD WDN'T SPR1D4
  ,X LOOK$ L X 0 TOO LATE4 ,"EY"O 0 L;G-
FAC$ & GRUMPY4 ,! GD-NATUR$ LI<T;S T _H
BE5 A "P (! COV5'S MAKEUP1 EV5 ) ,CAS-
SIE'S D1? HANG+ OV] !M1 _H BE5 EAT5
AWAY4 ,!Y 7 /&+ TGR1 CLE>LY ALL "P ( "O
GR\P1 B "! 0 A LOT ( 4T.E 2T %\LD]S1 &
MO/ P _H _! >MS FOLD$ OR H&S /U6$ 9 _!
POCKETS 9 V 4T9CT KEEP-AWAY BODY LAN-
GUAGE4 ,EV5 ,FAYE'S TYPICAL GOLD5 RE-
TRIEV] LOOK 0 DAMP5$ 0! H1T1 AL? %E 0
MOV+ F "O P]SON 6ANO!R1 TRY+ 6/RIKE UP
3V]S,NS4 ,E "T "S"O SC[L$ & LOOK$ AWAY1
%E LOOK$ A LL M MIS]A#4 ,I FELT SORRY =
H]1 EV5 :5 ,I TRI$ 6BE ANNOY$ AB H]
DRIV+ ,PETITE4 8,HEY1 ,FAYE40
  ,%E LIT UP L A PUPPY :O ?"\ X 0 GO+ TO
GET A TR1T & SCAMP]$ OV] Z ,I SD1 8,SOR-
RY ,I YELL$ AT Y ? MORN+40 ,X 0 POSSIBLY
! SURLIE/ APOLOGY 9 ! HI/ORY (! UNIV]SE1
B ! T"O DIDN'T SEEM 6PUT ,FAYE      #CCJ
(F4
  8,X'S OKAY4 ,X 0 A T\< NI<T = ALL ( U4
,?ANKS = -+ 6! FUN]AL ? MORN+4 ,T 0 YR
BOSS1 HUH80
  ,I BIT MY T;GUE UNTIL ,I 0 SURE ! IM-
PULSE 6SN>K AT H] _H PASS$4 ,I _H1 AF
ALL1 TOLD H] ,MORRISON 0 MY BOSS4
8,Y1H10 ,I SD AF A FEW L;G MO;TS1 Z EV5-
LY Z ,I CD4
  8,HE'S K9D ( H&"S1 ISN'T HE80
  8,IS HE8 ,I DON'T "K40 ,I DID "K4 ,A
MAN ,I 0 9CL9$ 6DESCRIBE Z AN AG+ SUP]-
H]O ALM _H 6BE H&"S4 ,B ! PHRASEOLOGY
LET ME "W MY WAY >.D ! ADMIS.N T ,MOR-
RISON 0 A H&"S MAN )\T ACTU,Y HAV+ 6SAY
X \ L\D4 ,OR ?9K X1 = T MATT]4
  8,WELL1 HE'S AW;LLY .OLD10 ,FAYE AL-
L[$4 8,I M1N1 HE'S :AT1 L =TY80
  ,I ALM LAU<$4 ,X _HN'T BE5 T L;G AGO
:5 ,I ?"\ =TY 0 PRETTY OLD1 TOO1 & ,I
WASN'T SURE EXACTLY :5 ! IDEA T X WASN'T
_H SETTL$ 9 MY M9D4 ,OR :5 EI<TE5-YE>-
OLDS />T$ LOOK+ L KIDS1 = T MATT]4
8,LATE ?IRTIES1 ANYWAY40
  8,OLD10 ,FAYE AGRE$1 NO4+4        #CCA
8,TOO BAD40
  8,:Y8 ,IS HE YR TYPE80
  8,EW60 ,%E L1N$ BACK1 /RET*+ H] M\? 9
HORROR4 8,I 0 ?9K+ Y CD DATE HM1 JEEZ40
  8.,ME8 ,HE'S MY BOSS1 ,FAYE40
  8,S8 ,L P DON'T H "W REL,N%IPS80
  8,I DON'T10 ,I SD FIRMLY4 ,!N1 HOP+ TO
SIDETRACK H]1 ,I ASK$1 8,":'S ,G>?80
  8,I DON'T "K ": HE IS40 ,=! F/ "T1 ,I
SAW ,FAYE LOOK A LL UNC]TA94 ,!N X
CLE>$1 REPLAC$ 0! SUNNY LOOK4 8,B HE'LL
2 "H4 ,HE'S N"E LET U D[N4 ,TN WE GIVE !
_SS BODY4 ,HE WON'T WANT 6MISS T40
  8,ALL ^? ?+S WE LET LOOSE LA/ NI<T8
,BODY L R1L PHYSICAL BODY8 ,S "!'LL 2
MON/]S TROMP+ >.D80
  8,MAGIC10 ,FAYE CORRECT$ ME1 HAPPILY4
8,MAGIC1 F9,Y RETURN$ 6! _W40
  8,ONLY ,S1TTLE1 =! MO;T10 ,M>CIA SD
ABV ME4 ,I LOOK$ UP1 WAT*+ H] COLORS IN-
V]SE4 ,I 0 GETT+ US$ 6X4 ,I ALM CDN'T
TELL :AT 0 ! "R COLOR & :AT WASN'T ANY-
MORE1 EXCEPT ,I 0 PRETTY SURE ! FRO/$
5DS ( ,M>CIA'S HAIR _HN'T GL[$ PURPLE :5
,I F/ MET H]4                       #CCB
  8,ONLY ,S1TTLE80
  8,WE / GIVE ! _SS _! /R5G? 9 ROAM+ ?
_W10 ,M>CIA SD4 8,WE'RE / _! L9K1 & S =
N[ !Y C'T TRAVEL F> F U4 ,:5 ,VIRISS;G
HMF HAS CROSS$ BACK 96\R R1LM1 !N !Y'LL
2 FREE &! _W W %>E :AT ,S1TTLE HAS ALR
-E 6"K4 ,T'S TM NI<T1 ! F9AL B9D+ (! _SS
6_! BODIES4 ,T'LL BR+ ,VIRISS;G 6U 9 8
:OLE & -PLETE =M4 ,& X MAY TAKE "S "T10
%E ADMITT$4 8,EV5 :5 WE'VE BR"\ HM ACR1
X'LL TAKE A :ILE = HM 6REGA9 8 FULL
/R5G?4 ,HE'S BE5 AWAY F ? _W A L;G "T40
  8,Y1H40 ,I SU45LY FELT M* BETT]4 ,S1T-
TLE 0 A TANGI# SCALE4 ,"K+ ! LI<T %[ &!
_SS 7 3F9$ 6! IMM >EA 0 SURPRIS+LY REAS-
SUR+4 ,! COV5 HELD 5 P[] 6CL1N UP ANY
MESSES T W5T WR;G1 9 A ,S1TTLE-SIZ$
SCALE4 ,HELL1 .,I HELD 5 P[]1 IF X CAME
D[N 6X1 AL? ,I DIDN'T L ?9K+ T WAY4 ,X
MADE GOOSE BUMPS RUN UP & D[N MY >MS1 &
MADE MY /OMA* QU1SY4 ,/1 ,I ?"\ X 0
TRUE4
  ,& NO MATT] H[ ,I TRI$1 ,I DIDN'T TRU-
LY 2LIEVE ,VIRISS;G 0 UP 6NO GD4 ,HE 0
TREM5D\SLY P[];L1 B ,I'D SPOK5 )    #CCC
HM & %>$ MEMORIES ) HM1 & 8 DESIRE 6HELP
8 P ?REE ?\S& YE>S AGO _H BE5 A G5U9E
"O4 ,TANGL$ ) AMBI;N1 MAYBE1 B "! WASN'T
ANY?+ WR;G )A LL AMBI;N4 ,)\T X1 HE
WDN'T / WANT 6TRY 6SAVE .? _W1 ! "O ,I
LIV$ 9 N[4 ,! "O ,I'D SCREW$ UP4
  ,I /OOD UP1 ABRUPTLY BU2L+ ) 5]GY4 ,!
OPPRESSIVE H1T SEEM$ 6FADE AWAY A LL4
8,ALL "R10 ,I SD4 ,! 5?USIASM 9 MY VOICE
WASN'T =C$1 & X SURPRIS$ N J ME1 B S"EAL
O!RS (! COV51 :O ALL LOOK$ T[>D ME Z IF
,I'D SPR\T$ W+S4 8,LET'S G AH1D & %AKE ?
C;Y >.D A LL4 ,D WE NE$ A FIRE L WE DID
LA/ NI<T8 ,WE C GET T />T$ S X'LL 2 R1DY
:5 ,G>? GETS "H40
  ,MY E>S 2GAN 6BURN & IT* 9 ! SIL;E T
FOLL[$4 ,FAYE & ,M>CIA GL.ED AT EA* O!R1
!N AT "EY"O ELSE1 !N AT ! TREES--"EY":1
9 FACT1 B AT ME4
  8,:AT8 ,:AT'D ,I SAY80
  ,FAYE CLE>$ H] ?ROAT DELICATELY4 8,WE
NE$ A FIRE1 B X ISN'T ! SAME K9D ( RITU-
AL40
  8,WELL1 !N1 :AT IS X8 ,D WE ALL GET
NAK$ & D.E >.D TREES & YODEL 6!     #CCD
MOON ? "T8 ,? IS ALL NEW 6ME1 GUYS4 ,I
DON'T "K WH--0 ,X TOOK T L;G =! SLI<T
SMILES 6REGI/] 9 MY M9D4 ,! SMILES T _H
/>T$ ) 8GET NAK$40 8,UH10 ,I SD1 V L\DLY
9 ! FA9TLY GR9N+ SIL;E4 8,UH4 ,GUYS80
  8,X'S A RITUAL ( BODY40 ,FAYE'S EYES 7
V1 V WIDE4 ,S WIDE1 9 FACT1 T ,I SUS-
PECT$ %E 0 HOLD+ !M T WAY DELIB]ATELY1
6KEEP H]F F LAU<+4 8,X'S A1 UM '''0
  8,SEXUAL RITUAL10 ,M>CIA SD DRYLY4
,FAYE BLU%$4 ,I BACK$ UP S FA/ ,I FELL
OV]4
  8,:AT8 ,A :AT8 ,A .:AT80
  8,P]=M$ SPECIFIC,Y 0! ,"M &! ,"F10
,M>CIA W5T ON4 ,I %OT "O HORRIFI$ LOOK
AT ! ,"F--,I CDN'T EV5 REMEMB] 8 "N--& 0
(F5D$ 6SEE T HE LOOK$ J Z 4MAY$1 IF LESS
SURPRIS$1 Z ,I FELT4 ,!N ,I REMEMB]$ ,I
DIDN'T C>E IF HE DIDN'T WANT 6H SEX )
ME1 2C1 8,I AM N HAV+ SEX ) HM60 ,PAUSE4
8,NO (F5SE40
  ,HE WAV$ 8 H& 9 AN "U/&+ GE/URE1 8 EX-
PRES.N BORD]+ ON /RANGL$4 ,I SCRAM#D 6MY
FEET & PUT MY H&S ON MY HIPS4 8,NO WAY1
NO H[1 NO .WAY--0                   #CCE
  8,B Y M/10 ,M>CIA PROTE/$4 ,I OV]RODE
H]1 MY VOICE GETT+ L\D] & L\D] Z ,I RE-
P1T$1 8,NO WAY1 NO .H[1 NO ,,WAY--60 ,X
WASN'T ! MO/ ELOQU5T >GU;T ,I'D "E MADE1
B X 0 "R UP "! 9 ! RUNN+ = MO/ HE>TFELT4
  ,G>? PULL$ 96! P>K+ LOT 2F WE W5T "?
ANO!R IT],N4 ,WE ALL BROKE (F 6WAT* HM
P>K4 ,HE TUM#D \ (! C> NE>LY 2F ! IGNI;N
0 (F1 TAK+ A DOZ5 L;G /EPS 6ME4
  ,I _H N"E ACTU,Y BE5 SWEPT (F MY FEET
2F4 ,G>?1 :O DIDN'T H ! HEI<T ADVANTAGE1
MANAG$ X4 ,HE LIFT$ ME (F MY FEET & SPUN
ME >.D 9 S* A TREM5D\S HUG T MY BACK
POPP$4 ,I /A7]$ :5 HE PUT ME D[N1 & HE
GRA2$ MY FACE ) BO? H&S & KISS$ ME4 ,I
GAP$ :ILE ! COV5 MEMB]S LAU<$ & BROKE
96APPLAUSE4 8,! "P (! ,"F W 2 PLAY$ BY
,G>? TN10 "S"O SD 9 A DRY1 AMUS$ T"O4
,G>? PICK$ ME UP & SPUN ME >.D AG4
  8,!Y SAY !Y'VE N"E SE5 ANY?+ L X40 ,8
GRIP ON MY %\LD]S HURT1 :5 HE PUT ME D[N
! SECOND "T4 ,HE %OOK ME1 A LL VIBR,N T
FELT L X WANT$ 6EXPLODE 965?USIA/IC VIO-
L;E4 8,X'S L ALL 8 H1L?Y CELLS F9,Y
NOTIC$ ! C.ER & >E ALL L1           #CCF
,8,:AT'S ? BULL%IT GO+ ON80' ,!Y'RE TE>+
X A"P1 ,JOANNE4 ,HE'S GETT+ BETT]60
  ,M APPLAUSE ERUPT$ >.D U4 ,! COV5 MOV$
9 L A SW>M ( BEES1 HU7+ & BACK-PATT+ &
*E]+1 GETT+ CLOSE & MAK+ 3TACT DESPITE !
/ICKY H1T4 ,I /OOD "! />+ AT ,G>?1 FEEL+
A SL[1 CROOK$ SMILE />T 6"W XS WAY ACR
MY FACE4 8,S]I\SLY80 ,I ASK$ 2N ! COV5'S
HAPPY BAB#4 ,G>? NO4$ S H>D ,I ?"\ 8 H1D
MI<T POP (F4
  8,Y %D SEE HM1 ,JOANNE4 ,Y'VE GOT 6-E
SEE HM Z SOON Z WE'RE D"O "H TN4 ,Y
WON'T RECOGNIZE HM40
  8,I W10 ,I PROMIS$4 8,I W1 Z SOON Z--
,I AM .N HAV+ SEX ) HM60
  ,G>?'S JAW DROPP$ 9 HORRIFI$ A/ONI%;T1
EYES GO+ R.D4 8,N .,COL910 ,I SD IMPA-
TI5TLY4 8--! ,"F40 ,CRAP4 ,I / CDN'T RE-
MEMB] 8 "N4
  8,DUANE10 HE (F]$4
  8,DUANE6 ,I AM .N HAV+ SEX ) ,DUANE60
  8,JOANNE1 C'T WE 4CUSS ? R1SONABLY8
,X'S AN ACT ( %>+ &--0 ,M>CIA H"O/LY
S.D$ L %E EXPECT$ 6GET H] [N WAY4 ,I SET
MY JAW & DUG MY HEELS 96! GR.D4     #CCG
  8,NO4 ,NO1 WE C'T4 ,I APPRECIATE T
"!'S P[] 9 SEX1 OKAY8 ,I EV5 APPRECIATE
T WE'RE TRY+ 6SAVE ! _W1 "H4 ,& Y "K
:AT8 ,I C EV5 APPRECIATE T MAYBE ,CAS-
S&RA 0 WILL+ 6G "? ) ?1 B ,I'M GUESS+ %E
.KNEW ,DUANE "H4 ,H[ L;G'D %E BE5 )!
COV580
  ,! CORN]S ( ,M>CIA'S M\? PULL$ D[N4
8,TWO YE>S40
  8,& ,DUANE80
  8,WE ONLY BR"\ ? COV5 TGR A YE> AGO10
,DUANE SD4 8,I US$ 6"W ) AN ALL-MALE
COV54 ,/1 Y'RE "R4 ,WE'D 4CUSS$ ? RITUAL
PRETTY ?OR\<LY & _H "W$ \ \R 4COM=T4
,M>CIA1 Y "K X'S N GO+ 6"W ) UNWILL+ P>-
TICIPANTS ANYWAY4 ,I'M N ANY M -=TA# ) ?
?AN ,JOANNE IS4 ,NO (F5SE10 HE SD BACK
6ME1 & ,I WAV$ X (F J L HE _H4
  8,NO?+ ELSE HAS ! REQUIR$ P[]40 ,M>CIA
KEPT FR[N+4 8,H WE -E ? F> 6TURN BACK
N[80
  8,I AM .N10 ,I SD ADAMANTLY1 8HAV+ SEX
) ,DUANE4 ,I'M SORRY IF ,I'M SCREW+ UP
YR RITUAL1 B "! >E LIMITS4 ,WE'RE GO+ 6H
6F9D ANO!R WAY40                    #CCH
  8,"! IS ANO!R WAY40 ,FAYE'S VOICE 0
DEEP & HOLL[4 ,WE ALL TURN$ 6/>E AT H]1
AL>M$ S.DS ERUPT+ F "EY"O'S ?ROATS4 ,H]
EYES 7 ROLL$ BACK 9 H] H1D1 GL[+ B"R
BLACK 9 MY FRU/RAT+ VI.N4 8,HE GUIDES
ME40 ,%E S.D$ L H] T;GUE _H FALL5 BACK
96H] ?ROAT1 MAK+ H] ^WS ?ICK & GLOTTAL4
8,WE H 6HURRY40
  8,%DN'T WE CALL AN AMBUL.E OR "S?+80
,I ASK$ N]V\SLY4 ,NO "O PD ME ANY HE$4
,M>CIA & ,G>? /EPP$ =W>D 6TAKE ,FAYE'S
ELB[1 L1D+ H] >.D A P>K+ BUMP] & T[>D !
WOODS4 ,! RE/ (! COV5 FL[$ >.D !M1 HUR-
RY+ =W>D UNTIL ,I 0 ! ONLY "O LEFT 9 !
P>K+ LOT4 ,AT ! LA/ MO;T ,DUANE TURN$
BACK1 EXPRES.N CURI\S4 8,>5'T Y -+80
  ,I FLUNG MY H&S UP4 8,Y1H4 ,Y1H1 ,I
GUESS S4 ,WAIT UP40 ,I JO7$ OV] ASPHALT
& CAU<T UP ) HM1 WALK+ 96! WOODS ) "EY"O
ELSE4

  ,X TOOK ABSURDLY LL "T =! FIRE 6BUILD
UP4 ,X 0 Z IF ! BRAN*ES SUCK$ ! H1T "R \
(! AIR & TURN$ X 96FLAME4 ,WELL1 X 0 L T
EXCEPT ! AIR C]TA9LY DIDN'T GET     #CCI
ANY COOL]1 &! FIRE'S DRY CRACKLE DIDN'T
SEEM 6WIPE ANY (! MU7I;S F ! AIR4 ,I
FELT L "SBODY'D WRAPP$ MY H1D 9 A WET
WOOL BLANKET & PUT ME D[N 6ROA/4
  ,FAYE 0 / FUNC;N+ ) H] EYES ROLL$ BACK
9 H] H1D1 B"R BLACK;S TRACK+ L %E CD
SEE4 ,I 0 ! ONLY "O :O SEEM$ 4TURB$ 0X1
: /RUCK ME Z WR;G4 ,H[ DID P GET US$ TO
WEIRD;S 2+ AN ORD9>Y "P ( _! "EY"D
LIVES8
  .,0.A3EPT+4 ,I PU6$ \ MY *EEKS UNTIL
AIR SQU1K$ "? MY LIPS1 & SAT D[N ON A
LOG 6WAIT \ ! PREP>,NS4
  ,FIVE (! COV5 MEMB]S1 9CLUD+ ,G>?1 _H
F9I%$ DRAW+ A TREM5D\SLY L>GE CIRCLE >.D
! FIRE4 ,": TREES 9T]SECT$ ! CIRCLE1
!Y'D /OPP$ & SPOK5 )! TREE 2F DO+ :AT
LOOK$ L DRAW+ A ?R1D "? A NE$LE1 ": !
TREE 0 ! NE$LE &! CIRCLE1 ! ?R1D4 ,X 0
EXTREMELY POLITE4 ,I _H ! PECULI> FEEL+
,I CD FEEL ! TREES' PL1SURE AT 2+ ASK$
6TAKE "P 9 ! RITUAL4 ,I WOND]$ IF ANY-
BODY'D ASK$ ! BRAN*ES 9 ! FIRE IF !Y'D L
6BE BURN$4 ,PROBABLY4
  ,!Y /OOD AT FIVE PO9TS4 ,X        #CDJ
DIDN'T TAKE A G5IUS 6FIGURE \ !Y 7 !
PO9TS (A P5TAGRAM4 ,I WORRI$ MY BOTTOM
LIP1 ?"\ ( HE$+ MY T1*] & A3EPT+ & HON-
OR+1 & TRI$ 6SEE4 ,R3 6,SEE4
  ,I WASN'T V GD AT X4 ,I DIDN'T "K IF X
0 MY [N RELUCT.E1 OR IF X 0 T !Y PRAC-
TIC$ A DI6]5T K9D ( MAGIC1 OR IF X 0 "S-
?+ ELSE 5TIRELY4 ,IF ,I />$ AT ! FIRE &
UNFOCUS$ MY EYES1 ,I CD ALM SEE ! L9ES (
P[] MI/+ UP L GRAY FOG 2T ! FIVE PO9TS (
! P5TAGRAM4 ,!Y CAME UP "O AT A "T1 F
,G>? 6,ROXIE1 2H MY LEFT %\LD]1 !N 6,SAM
! "UWE> MODEL (F 9 FRONT ( MY "R %\LD]4
,FIVE L9ES1 ALL ( !M NE>LY T\*+ ! FIRE1
MAK+ X ! P5TAGRAM'S HE>T4 ,! FIVE CREA-
TORS MURMUR$ A B9D+ SPELL--,I ASSUM$ X 0
A B9D+ SPELL1 & TRI$ N 6WOND] ": T "PIC-
UL> BIT ( K _H SWUM UP F--& !N /EPP$
AWAY F _! PO9TS 9 ! CIRCLE1 ! P5TAGRAM
-PLET$4
  ,! CIRCLE XF %IMM]$ V FA9TLY1 J L !
AIR _H BE5 DO+ ALL "D ) H1T4 ,X _H A
S5SE ( PURPOSE 6X3 ! 9T5T 64GUISE1 AL? N
6HIDE 5TIRELY4 ,6AN \TSID]1 X WD LOOK L
M TREES & GRASS1 Z IF ! CIRCLE 7    #CDA
REFLECT+ ! NATURAL /ATE >.D X4 ,I KNEW
IF ,I LEFT ! CIRCLE N[1 ,I'D 2 A# 6SEE
!M1 2C ,I KNEW !Y 7 "!1 B R&OM PASS]SBY
WDN'T SEE ANY M ?AN ,I _H LA/ NI<T4 ,NO
WOND] ! COV5 PREF]R$ 6MEET \TDOORS4 ,!
ILLU.N WDN'T "W NE>LY Z WELL 9SIDE4
  8,WE'RE R1DY40
  ,I />TL$ \ ( MY 3TEMPL,N (! CIRCLE &
GOT 6MY FEET4 ,! RE/ (! SIX /OOD TGR1
,FAYE PO9T$ 9 SLI<TLY ! WR;G DIREC;N1 H]
ROLL$-BACK EYES WIDE4 ,I F"\ (F A %U4] &
%OV$ MY H&S 9 MY POCKETS4 8,OKAY1 S :AT
D WE D80
  ,M>CIA FR[N$ AT ME4 ,%E 0 GD AT T4 ,V
IMPOS+4 ,I HUN*$ MY %\LD]S & FELT A LL
SMALL]4 8,D Y AGREE 6P>TAKE 9 ? RITUAL
WILL+LY1 ,JOANNE80 ,2S H]1 ! ,ELD] ASK$
,DUANE ! SAME "Q4 ,HE SD YES4 ,I SQU9T$4
  8,"!'S NO SEX1 "R80
  ,"EY"O B ,FAYE LOOK$ EXASP]AT$ AT ME4
,FAYE LOOK$ EXASP]AT$ AT "S?+ OV] MY
LEFT %\LD]4 ,I /UCK MY JAW \1 /U2ORN4 ,I
WANT$ A GU>ANTEE ON ? "O 2F ,I W5T "? )
X4 ,M>CIA SI<$ R DRAMATIC,Y4
  8,"! IS NO SEX40                  #CDB
  8,OKAY4 ,I AGREE1 !N4 ,B NO SEX40
  8,GIVE ME YR H&40
  ,I EY$ ,DUANE1 :O PUT 8 [N H& \ 6!
,ELD] )\T A FUSS4 ,I %RU7$ & PUT MY H&
\1 TOO4 8,OKAY40
  ,M>CIA SLIC$ H] F+]NAILS AG/ MY PALM &
LAID ! FLE% OP5 6! B"O4

















          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-?REE      #CDC

  ,I />$ AT ! BLOOD WELL+ UP ) AN A/.D$
S5SE ( D@EJ@A VU4 ,X WD HURT4 ,PRETTY
SOON X 0 GO+ 6HURT A LOT4 ,! B"O 0 ALR
G"O1 HI45 0POOL+ BLOOD4 ,YEP4 ,ANY SEC-
OND N[1 X 0 GO+ 6HURT A :OLE LOT4 ,B "R
N[1 PURE A/ONI%;T 0 KEEP+ ! PA9 AT BAY4
,X 0 V 9T]E/+4 ,I BL9K$ UP AT ,M>CIA1
WOND]+ IF %E WD SU45LY REV1L H]F 6ACTU,Y
2 MY T1*]4
  ,%E DIDN'T4 ,%E LOOK$ J L H]F4 8,BLOOD
B9DS U 6? E>?10 %E SD SONOR\SLY4 8,PUT
YR H& TGR ) ,DUANE'S40
  8,T SEEMS L A BAD IDEA40 ,"O (! ?+S ,I
GOT 6LE>N AT POLICE ACADEMY 0 H[ 41SES L
HEPATITIS 7 SPR1D4 ,SME>+ BLOODY H&S )
"SBODY ELSE WASN'T ! BE/ WAY 6AVOID T
SORT ( ?+4
  8,= P;Y'S SAKE1 ,JOANNE6 ,M/ "EY?+ 2
DI6ICULT ) Y8 ,GET A B[L10 ,M>CIA SNAPP$
6"S"O ELSE4 ,I CUPP$ MY LEFT H& 2N MY
"R1 CAT*+ BLOOD T 0 N[ FL[+ OV] & 2T MY
F+]S4 ,X / DIDN'T HURT4 ,=! MO;T1 ,I 0
GRATE;L4
  8,I'M N TRY+ 6BE DI6ICULT40 ,I    #CDD
RE,Y WASN'T4 ,IF ,I 0 TRY+1 ,I'D H G"O
TE>+ (F 6AN EM]G5CY ROOM1 AT ! V L1/4
8,J1 Y "K4 ,,AIDS1 HEPATITIS1 ALL T SORT
( ?+4 ,WE DIDN'T EXACTLY EX*ANGE BLOOD
TE/S1 Y "K80 ,I ?"\ ,I 0 2+ V R1SONA#1 =
"SBODY :O 0 DRIPP+ H] [N BLOOD ALL OV] !
PLACE4 ,X PROBABLY HELP$ T X DIDN'T HURT
YET4 ,NEI1 ,I REMEMB]$1 _H ! CUT ON MY
FACE T _H LEFT ! ?9 SC> ON MY *EEK4 ,I
NE>LY LIFT$ MY H& 6T\* ! SC>1 B ,M>CIA
GRA2$ MY WRI/ )A PA9;L GRIP4 8,[60
  .,!N MY PALM />T$ 6HURT4 ,X 0 WORSE1
%OCK+LY1 ?AN HAV+ A SWORD /U6$ 96MY
LUNG4 ,T _H J BE5 GO+ 6KILL ME4 ,? 0
CRIPPL+4 ,I CD 3CEIVABLY 2 UNA# 6USE MY
LEFT H& AG4 ,! L9E ( PA9 BURN$ UP MY >M
& ALL ! WAY D[N 96MY /OMA*1 MAK+ ME
H1VE4 ,IF ,M>CIA _HN'T _H AN IRON GRIP
ON MY WRI/ ,I'D H FALL54 ,I WASN'T "PIC-
UL>LY GRATE;L =! PREV5;N4 ,I WANT$ TO
SCR1M1 B MY TEE? 7 CL5*$ TGR & MY ?ROAT
0 LOCK$ UP1 S ,I J /OOD "! />+ AT MY
BLE$+ H&4 ,! $GES (! W.D PULS$ ) MY
HE>TB1T1 BLOOD POPP+ UP 9 LL BUR/S ) EA*
?UD4 ,MY /OMA* ROLL$ AG1 COLD       #CDE
SW1T /ICK+ MY TANK TOP AL;G MY SP9E4
  ,"S"O PU%$ AN E>!NW>E B[L 2N MY H& &
,M>CIA TURN$ X PALM D[N4 ,MY F+]S CURL$
OV] MY PALM ALL ON _! [N1 : GAVE ME HOPE
T ! T5DONS 7 ALL "R4 ,BLOOD SPLOO%$ 96!
B[L1 !N 2GAN DRIPP+ D[N MY H& L MACABRE
F+]-PA9T4 ,AF A MO;T ,DUANE'S H& JO9$
M9E ABV ! B[L1 8 BLOOD POOL+ D[N 96X Z
WELL4 ,I CD FEEL X :5 X M+L$ ) M9E1 T9Y
ELECTRIC %OCKS SNAPP+ BACK UP 96MY H& L
DROPS ( BLOOD REV]S+ _! FALL4 ,X /UNG
ALL ! WAY UP 96! N]VE 9 MY ELB[1 & MADE
MY /OMA* TWI/ AG4 ,I FELT COOL] =! F/ "T
9 "DS1 L ALL ! SUNBURN$ H1T 0 RUNN+ \ (
MY BODY "? ! CUT 9 MY PALM4
  ,I LOOK$ UP 6SEE ,DUANE'S FACE Z :ITE
Z M9E FELT1 8 NOSE P9*$ & /R;G L9ES /&+
\ >.D 8 M\?4 8,WELL1 CRAP10 ,I :ISP]$4
,MY VOICE S.D$ L X CAME F F> AWAY1 POS-
SIBLY ANO!R PLANET 5TIRELY4 8,NEXT "T1
LET'S G = SEX40
  ,8 LAU< CRACK$ OV] ME L A :IP1 A %>P
S.D ( SURPRISE T MADE U BO? W9CE4 ,!N WE
7 L1N+ ON EA* O!R = SUPPORT1 %RIEK+ )
LAU<T] T 0 MIX$ ) TE>S4 ,M>CIA &!   #CDF
,ELD] KEPT ! B[L 2N \R \T/RET*$ H&S1 B !
RE/ (! COV5 /OOD BACK N]V\SLY1 4MAY$ 0\R
H[LS ( LAU<T]4 ,I CDN'T H EXPLA9$ X 6!M
IF ,I'D TRI$1 B ,DUANE & ,I GOT X4 ,WE
KEPT L1N+ ON EA* O!R1 GI7L+1 UNTIL MY
KNEES W5T \ & ,I HIT ! GR.D 9 A SIL5T
RU%4

  ,:5 ,I WOKE UP MY H& 0 B&AG$4 ,DUANE 0
SITT+ UP A FEW FEET AWAY F ME1 CRADL+ 8
[N H&1 SWA!D 9 B&AGES Z WELL4 ,HE LOOK$
Z SICK Z ,I / FELT1 ALL ! DESP]ATE HUMOR
G"O F 8 EYES4 ,MY PALM ?RO2$ S BADLY ,I
CD FEEL X 9 ! BACK ( MY ?ROAT & 9 MY
/OMA*4 ,IF ,I MADE X "? ! RE/ (! NI<T )-
\T PUK+1 X WD 2 J %Y (A MIRACLE4
  ,I ROLL$ 6H&S & KNEES1 OR M A3URATELY1
H& & KNEES1 MY LEFT H& CURL$ UP AG/ MY
*E/1 & HIT*$ OV] 6,DUANE4 8,GIVE ME YR
H&40
  ,HE LOOK$ W>Y4 8,NO (F5SE1 B LA/ "T
"SBODY SD T '''0
  ,A BUB# ( LAU<T] POPP$ "? ! NAUSEA1
MAK+ ME FEEL BETT] = AB TWO-?IRDS (A
SECOND4 ,I MANAG$ A SMILE4 8,NO M   #CDG
BLE$+4 ,PROMISE40 ,I DIDN'T "K :AT 0 GO+
ON >.D U4 ,M>CIA SD1 8,%E'S AWAKE10 B NO
"O CAME 6*ECK ON U4 ,DUANE1 :O LOOK$ TOO
TIR$ 6>GUE1 GAVE ME 8 H&4 ,I CUPP$ X 9
MY "R1 AFRAID 6EV5 TRY T\*+ ANY?+ )!
LEFT4 8,D Y 2LIEVE 9 MAGIC1 ,DUANE80
,ALL ?+S 3SID]$1 X 0 A RIDICUL\S "Q4
  ,HE HALF SMIL$ & %RU7$4 8,YES1 ,I D40
  8,S'GD4 ,CLOSE YR EYES40 ,I CLOS$ M9E1
"PLY 2C ,I 0 TOO TIR$ 6KEEP !M OP54 ,!
H1T _H -E BACK :ILE ,I WASN'T PAY+ ATT5-
;N4 ,I FELT X BE>+ D[N 96! CUT ON MY H&
Z IF X 7 TRY+ 6GET IN4 ,I DIDN'T H ! 5]-
GY 6KEEP X \4
  ,MY HE>TB1T1 ?ICK & SL[1 MAT*+ ! ?ROB
9 MY H&1 0 5 (A DRUMB1T 6PUT ME "U4 ,!
H1T PROBABLY HELP$1 TOO1 & MAYBE ! BLOOD
LOSS4
  ,I RETA9$ A VAGUE S5SE ( AW>E;S (! _W
>.D ME4 ,DUANE'S H& 9 M9E _H A LL WEI<T
6X2 ! POPP+ FIRE LIT ! 9SIDES ( MY EYE-
LIDS 6/RANGE REV]S$ COLORS4 ,4TRESS+LY1
MY G>D5 DIDN'T APPE> >.D ME4 ,I WASN'T
US$ 6DO+ ? :5 ,I CDN'T FULLY R1* AT L1/
"S LEVEL (! A/RAL R1LM4             #CDH
  ,I WRAPP$ ,DUANE 9 MY IMAGE (A DAMAG$
VEHICLE3 A BLUE M9IVAN1 ) ?9 :ITE RAC+
/RIPES &A BABY RATTLE HANG+ F ! RE>VIEW
MIRROR4 ,I CDN'T TELL IF X 0 MY [N 3COC-
;N OR IF ,DUANE _H A SECRET 9N] M9IVAN1
: DIDN'T SEEM 9APPROPRIATE1 GIV5 8 ROLE
Z ! ,"F4
  ,! LEFT FRONT :EEL WELL _H BE5 KEY$1 A
DEEP SCOR$ M>K T CUT "? PA9T & 96! MET-
AL4 ,I RAN MY ?UMB OV] ,DUANE'S PALM )\T
Q T\*+ ! B&AGES1 &1 2H MY EYELIDS1 RAN
MY H& OV] ! M>K ON 8 C>4 ,! SCOR+ RAN
DEEP1 ALM "? 6! O!R SIDE4 ,X WD TAKE H1T
6FIX X1 A SOLD]+ IRON T WD LET ! METAL
R1* VISCOS;Y AG S FILA;TS CD BLUR BACK
TGR4 ,T 0 H[ X "W$ 9 MY M9D'S EYE2 ,I
"U/OOD ON "S LEVEL T A M PRACTIC$ %AMAN
%D 2 A# 6J SEE ! DAMAGE Z :OLE1 & "? T
/R5G? ( VI.N1 MAKE X HAPP54 ,I WASN'T T
GD4
  ,& ,I DIDN'T WANT 6L1VE ,DUANE ) BURNS
": ,I'D J CL1N$ UP A CUT4 ,I R1*$ \ MY
DAMAG$ H& T[>D ! FIRE4 ,PULL+ H1T F !
IMAGE (! M9IVAN ,I 0 FIX+ :ILE 3T9U+ TO
SOLD] ! 9JURY 0 M DI6ICULT ?AN ,I   #CDI
EXPECT$4 ,I WANT$ ! H1T 6BLE$ (F "? MY
\T/RET*$ F+]S1 B X /AY$ 9 ME1 MY [N
BLOOD H1T+ UP4 ,I WOND]$ J H[ HOT ,I CD
GET 2F ,I CAUS$ "S SORT ( IRREV]SI# DAM-
AGE4 ,I TRI$ 6/OP WORRY+ AB X1 & 3C5-
TRAT$ 9/1D ON ,DUANE'S 9JURY4
  ,GRAY METAL MELT$ & M]G$ BACK TGR1
OV]LAY+ ! IDEA (! CUT ON 8 H&4 ,I CD
FEEL1 IF N Q SEE1 ! FLE% KNITT+ BACK
TGR1 :OLE;S "W+ XS WAY UP F ! BOTTOM (!
SLICE4 ,X %D H BE5 EASY1 B ! CORE ( P[]
9SIDE ME DIDN'T WANT 6RESPOND4 ,X 0 Z IF
X1 TOO1 0 OPPRESS$ 0! W1!R1 UNWILL+ 6D
ANY?+4
  ,DUANE 2LIEV$1 ?\<1 & ,I ?"\ T MI<T 2
! ONLY ?+ GETT+ U "? ! H1L+ PROCESS4 ,I
0 A# 6PUT ! IDEA (! SOLD]+ IRON AWAY AF
A FEW M9UTES1 REPLAC+ X )A NOISY AIR-
BRU%4 ,! H1T )9 ME DIDN'T FADE4 ,0! "T
,I _H ! IMAGE ( SMOO?1 UNBLEMI%$ BLUE
PA9T 9 MY M9D1 ,I FELT P>BOIL$4 ,SW1T
ROLL$ D[N ! BRIDGE ( MY NOSE & "? MY
EYELA%ES4 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6OP5 MY EYES &
FEEL XS /+4 8,"!40 ,MY VOICE 0 CROAKY F
H1T BU2L+ 9SIDE ME4 ,I WIP$ MY >M   #CEJ
ACR MY =EH1D 2F BL9K+ MY EYES OP54 8,Y
%D 2 OKAY N[40
  ,DUANE LIFT$ 8 EYEBR[S A LL & 2GAN UN-
WRAPP+ ! B&AGES F 8 H&4 ,A H&;L (! COV5
SURR.D$ U1 WAT*+ HM CURI\SLY4 8,I'LL 2
DAMN$40 ,HE TURN$ 8 PALM UP1 UNBLEMI%$1
& />$ AT ME 9 PL1S$ A/ONI%;T4
  ,= AN 9/ANT MY VI.N CRA%$ BACK 6NOR-
MAL4 ,8 SK9 LOOK$ H1L?Y & :OLE 9 ! MIX (
FIRELI<T & DAPPL+ SUN4 ,I CD SEE ! UN-
SC>R$ LIFEL9E WR9KL+ ACR 8 PALM4 ,I
SMIL$ & X MADE ME DIZZY4
  ,! IMAGE (A W9D%IELD1 SUN-BAK$ & SPI-
D]WE2$ ) AGE1 SLAMM$ 96MY L9E ( SI<T4 ,I
RECOGNIZ$ X )A CAT* ( MY BR1?1 AL? ,I
_HN'T SE5 X 9 MON?S4 ,COYOTE WD SAY X 0
MY S\L1 & "R N[ ,I WDN'T H 5 9 ME 6>GUE4
,Z ,I WAT*$1 A H&;L (! SPID]WEB L9ES
AL;G ! \T] $GES (! W9D%IELD CRACKL$ &
HISS$1 MELD+ TGR AG4 ,H1L+4
  ,MY VI.N SMA%$ BACK 96REV]SE4 ,! W9D-
%IELD FL$ 6BLACK4 ,SILV]-CLE> SPL9T]S (
SPID]WEBS GL[$ AN UNH1L?Y ?RO2+ :ITE AG/
X4 ,! FRACTURES T _H J H1L$ SPLIT A"P
AG1 R1*+ ALL ! WAY 6! $GES (!       #CEA
W9D%IELD4 ,MY W9D%IELD4 ,! C>1 IF MY VI-
.N DREW BACK F> 5\<1 WD 2 ,PETITE4 ,MY
HE>T & S\L4 ,POOR DAMN$ ,PETITE4 ,MY H1D
HURT4 ,I BL9K$1 &! VI.N (! W9D%IELD 0
G"O4
  ,"S"O T\*$ MY %\LD]4 ,DULL :ITE PA9
CURDL$ "? ME AT ! T\*4 8,JOANNE1 >E Y
ALL "R8 ,Y'RE ALL R$40
  ,I LOOK$ D[N AT MY [N H&S4 ,MY 2L-!-
SK9 SUNBURN _H SURFAC$1 FLU%+ MY SK9 TO
D>K R$DI% P9K 9 ! FAIL+ LI<T4 ,I MI<T
TAN1 F ? BURN4 ,"S"TS ,I DID1 :5 A BAD
SUNBURN PEEL$ AWAY4 ,X 0 ! ONLY "T MY
,*]OKEE H]ITAGE %[$ UP 9 MY COLOR+1 & X
MADE MY GRE5 EYES LOOK WEIRD & B"R 9
3TRA/ ) SU45LY D>K] SK94
  ,N[ T ,I 0 AW>E (! BURN1 MY SK9 A*$ &
IT*$4 ,I 0 / SW1T+1 ! H1T 9SIDE ME PU%+
MOI/URE \4 ,I CLIMB$ 6MY FEET1 TRY+ N TO
T\* MYF4 ,I CDN'T B5D MY >M 5 6CRADLE MY
LEFT H& AG/ MY *E/ L ,I WANT$ TO4 ,I
FELT TE>S BURGEON+1 B !Y WD /+ MY FACE1
S ,I DIDN'T LET !M FALL4
  8,-E ON40 ,MY VOICE S.D$ HOLL[ 9 MY
E>S1 L X 0 E*O+ "? AN EMPTY CAV-    #CEB
]N4 ,I WOND]$ IF MY BRA9 _H BOIL$ AWAY4
,I WOND]$ IF ,I'D NOTICE4 8,LET'S F9I% ?
?+ UP40 ,I CDN'T TAKE MY EYES (F ! FIRE1
BLACK-TIPP$ W+S LICK+ AT ! AIR4 ,MY H&
?RO2$ 9 "T 6! POPS & CRACKLES (! EMB]S4
,I FELT L ,I 0 PUTT+ (F M H1T ?AN ! FIRE
WAS4
  ,"EY"O ELSE APP>5TLY FELT L ,I WAS1
TOO4 ,NO "O /OOD NE> ME4 ,S"EAL ( !M
WDN'T LOOK DIRECTLY AT ME4 ,I WOND]$ IF
,I HURT 6LOOK AT4 ,I ?"\ ,I PROBABLY
DID1 2C X C]TA9LY HURT 6BE ME4
  ,I DIDN'T "K :AT ,M>CIA &! O!RS _H D"O
)! BLOOD4 ,I WASN'T SURE ,I C>$4 ,ALL ,I
CD FEEL 0 ! CUT ON MY H& &! H1T 9 MY
BODY4 ,"EY?+ 0 />T+ 6MAKE S5SE1 9 !
H1DY1 RU%Y WAY T CAME ) H1T EXHAUS;N4
,"! NE$$ 6BE A SACRIFICE 69ITIATE !
*ANGE WE 7 AF4 ,T 0 ! R1L R1SON ,I 0 "!3
6APPLY :AT ,I'D LE>N$ F ,JUDY4 ,I 0
PRETTY SURE ,I KNEW ! SACRIFICE T NE$$
6BE MADE4 ,I J _HN'T Q TALK$ MYF 96DO+ X
YET4
  ,! COV5 TOOK UP _! PLACES >.D ! FIRE4
,M>CIA HESITAT$1 !N LEFT ME ": ,I   #CEC
WAS4 ,I 0 FAC+ ! WR;G DIREC;N1 OR AT
L1/1 ,I 0 FAC+ A DI6]5T DIREC;N ?AN ,I
_H ! NI<T 2F1 B ,I ?"\ X 0 PROBABLY WIS]
6RE>RANGE "EY"O >.D ME4 ,I WASN'T SURE
,I CD WALK1 = "O ?+1 &= ANO!R1 ,I 0 Q
SURE ,I DIDN'T WANT ANY"O T\*+ ME 6GUIDE
ME 96PLACE4 ,X SEEM$ R1SONABLY C]TA9 T
,I 0 GO+ 6SPONTANE\SLY -BU/ AT ANY MO;T4
  ,: ?"\ 4TRACT$ ME :ILE ! COV5 2GAN A
*ANT1 A DI6]5T1 DEEP] S;G ?AN ! NI<T 2F4
,DID P :O SPONTANE\SLY -BU/$ D "S?+ L ,I
_H8 ,DRAW H1T (F "S?+ & !N 2 UNA# 6RE-
L1SE X8 ,MY VI.N SWIRL$ D[N 6P9PO9TS
:ILE ,I /RU7L$ 6FOLL[ T IDEA "?4 ,I 0
MISS+ "S?+ "!4 ,"! 0 "S?+ AB ? H1T T 0
CLE> & OBVI\S & ''' G"O4 ,MY M9D 0 TOO
OV]COOK$ 6HOLD ON 6! ?"\4
  ,I CLOS$ MY EYES1 SWAY+ ON MY FEET4
,MAYBE IF ,I CD DIRECT ALL ! H1T 6MY H1D
,I WD 2 A# 6LIFT (F & FLY AWAY1 L A HOT
AIR BALLOON4 ,I 3C5TRAT$ ON T =A FEW M9-
UTES4 ,I SU3E$$ 9 GIV+ MYF T9Y FITS (
GI7LES T MADE ! O!R COV5 MEMB]S CA/ /]N
LOOKS AT ME4 ,I CD FEEL ! FR[NS EV5 ) MY
EYES CLOS$1 _! IRRIT,N L COOL       #CED
PO9TS ( PRESSURE AG/ MY SK94 ,POSSIBLY
IF ,I ANNOY$ !M 5 !Y WD SC[L H>D 5 T _!
COOL ANG] WD BLE$ (F ALL ! EXTRA H1T 9
ME4 ,I />T$ A HOPE;L LL D.E1 %U6L+ MY
FEET >.D & WA7L+ MY HIPS BACK & =?4 ,I
LIFT$ MY H&S ABV MY H1D1 SQU1K+ 9 PA9 Z
MY TANK TOP %IFT$ AG/ MY SK94 ,M ( !M
SC[L$ AT ME1 B X WASN'T 5 6COOL ME D[N4
,I USU,Y ?"\ ( ANG] Z 2+ HOT4 ,I WOND]$
IF !Y 7 ACTU,Y COOLLY ANNOY$1 OR IF ,I 0
J S HOT T ANG] FELT COLD AG/ MY BURN+
SK94
  ,I GI7L$ AG1 N 2C X 0 FUNNY1 B 2C X 0
A *OICE 2T LAU<T] & PANICK$ TE>S4 ,!
4APPROVAL 0 /R;G] ? "T1 HITT+ MY SK9 9
COOL WAVES4 ,I ?"\ ,I CD HE> ! HISS Z X
HIT ME & TURN$ 6/1M1 B ,I DIDN'T WANT TO
OP5 MY EYES 6SEE IF VAPOR 0 -+ (F MY
SK94 ,X SEEM$ L ! PRECURSOR 6! :OLE COM-
BUS;N ?+1 & ,I 0 PRETTY SURE ,I DIDN'T
WANT 6H MY EYES OP5 :5 T HAPP5$4
  ,I CD FEEL ?+S />T+1 A L[ RUM# F !
BELLY (! E>?4 ,I ?"\ MY SOLES 7 %AK+1
?\< JUDG+ F ! UNBROK5 *ANT+ >.D ME1 X 0
PROBABLY J MY IMAG9,N4 ,NO "O       #CEE
ELSE SEEM$ BO!R$ 0X4 ,/1 ,I ?"\ ! GR.D
MI<T SPLIT OP5 2N MY FEET & SPEW \ !
BODIES WE 7 TRY+ 6CALL =?4 ,I WOND]$ IF
!Y WD ERUPT UPW>D 9 SOLID =M1 LIONS &
TIG]S & BE>S1 OH MY6 & !N -E CRA%+ BACK
D[N ONTO U4 ,X WD 2 AN IGNOM9I\S D1?1
SQUA%$ 0ZOO ANIMALS4 ,I WOND]$ :AT ! EP-
ITAPHS WD SAY4 ,MORRISON WD PROBABLY
WRITE M9E1 & X WD PROBABLY SAY1 8,?ANK
,GOD40
  ,! E>? GROAN$ & /RET*$4 ,I /UM#D 6!
SIDE1 CRA%+ 96,SAM4 ,HE CAU<T ME1 A H&
WRAPP$ >.D MY =E>M4 ,I MADE A HI<-PIT*$
S.D ( PA91 A SQU1L )\T 5 AIR 2H X4 ,HE
LET G Z FA/ Z HE'D CAU<T ME1 />+ AT 8
H&4 ,6MY EYES1 8 PALM TURN$ :ITE1 BLOOD
RU%+ UP ": ,I'D BURN$ HM4 ,ON MY >M1 ":
HE'D CAU<T ME1 "! 0 A BL1*$ BLACK H&-
PR9T AG/ ! SUNBURN4 ,! E>? GRUM#D & ,I
LO/ MY BAL.E AG4 ,? "T ,SAM YANK$ 8 H&S
AWAY1 MAK+ SURE N 6T\* ME4 ,I CDN'T
BLAME HM4 .,I DIDN'T WANT 6T\* ME1 B ,I
CDN'T GET AWAY F MYF4 ,I BROKE \ (! CIR-
CLE1 MOV+ T[>D ! FIRE4
  8,C'T Y FEEL X80 ,I DIDN'T "K     #CEF
IF ANY"O ELSE CD HE> ME4 ,I WASN'T SURE
,I 0 SP1K+ \ L\D1 OR IF MY VOICE 0 MAK+
X "? ! TI<T H1T T CL5*$ 9 MY ?ROAT4
8,C'T Y FEEL X -+80 ,I DIDN'T "K H[ !Y
CD MISS ! PRESSURE BUILD+1 ! IMPATI;E
BURI$ 2N ! L&4
  ,NO "O ANSW]$4 ,I SPUN 9 A RECK.S CIR-
CLE1 -+ TOO CLOSE 6! FIRE4 ,X RIPP$ MY
BR1? AWAY1 L1V+ MY LUNGS EMPTY & BURN+1
TOO4 ,FAYE1 ACR ! CIRCLE1 MET MY EYES4
,H] EYES 7 BACK 6NORMAL1 B H] GAZE 0 %>P
& 9T5SE1 L X CD FLAY ! BURN+ FLE% F MY
B"OS4 8,Y FEEL X10 ,I PANT$ AT H]4 ,%E
T5S$ & LOOK$ AWAY1 GAZE SKITT]+ 6! FIRE4
,I CDN'T TELL IF X 0 D5IAL OR 5C\RAGE;T4
,I SWUNG 6FACE ! FIRE MYF1 & %RU7$4 ,MY
TANK TOP SCRAP$ MY SK9 & ,I F.D MYF SA-
VOR+ ! R\<1 PA9;L FEEL+4 ,X 0 ! LA/ "T
,I'D "E FEEL X4 ,I KNEW :AT ! DEM&+ E>?
2N MY FEET WANT$4 ,I KNEW :AT ! BURN+ 9
MY SK9 WANT$4 ,& RE,Y1 ,I DIDN'T ?9K ,I
CD HURT ANYMORE ?AN ,I DID ALR4 ,X MI<T
EV5 2 P1CE;L4 ,I 0 RIDICUL\SLY GLAD ,I'D
MET ,JUDY & _H LE>N$ 5 9 A FEW %ORT "DS
6"U/& :AT 0 GO+ ON1 & :AT ,I NE$$   #CEG
6D4
  ,I TOOK "O LA/ LOOK >.D AT ! COV5 &
%RU7$ AG4 8,HELL ) X40 ,MY VOICE 0 BR1?Y
& LI<T1 L FLAME XF4
  ,I WALK$ 96! FIRE & LET X BURN4



















                                    #CEH
























          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-F\R       #CEI

  ,EXULT,N BOIL$ "? ME1 PEEL+ ! SK9 F MY
FLE%4 ,! FIRE GOB#D XS WAY 9SIDE ME1
MEET+ UP )! H1T ,I'D TAK5 96MYF4 ,TGR !Y
TANGL$ & TORE ME A"P F ! CELLUL> LEVEL
\1 EXPLOD+ MY B"OS & MY BRA9 & L1V+ ME 9
A FLOAT+ HAZE ( PA9 & DELI<T4 ,BR1?+
DIDN'T SEEM 6HURT ANYMORE4 ,I _H A VAGUE
S5SE ( WR;G;S AB T1 L "! "\ 6BE PA9 9 .N
BR1?+1 B X SWEPT OV] ME L A RUNN]'S HI<4
,! FIRE _H =C$ ME OV] A ?RE%OLD3 PA9 0
GD4 ,AGONY 0 A DECAD5T 5D+ 6! BUILD (
H1T 9SIDE ME4 ,X A*$ "? MY F+]TIPS &
CURL$ MY FEET1 & ,I TRI$ 6BR1! X 9 M
DEEPLY1 GRATE;L = X4
  ,I CDN'T HE> ! COV5 ANYMORE2 EV5 !
POPP+ FIRE _H FAD$ 96A S;G T RANG HI< &
SWEET AG/ MY E>DRUMS4 ,X S.D$ L FREEDOM1
L BELLS CALL+ "EY"O HOME4 ,! /++ PUR;Y
BR"\ TE>S 6MY EYES1 L LIQUID GOOSE
BUMPS1 9VOLUNT>Y &A LL />TL+4 ,!Y H]ALD$
*ANGE & AC"KL$G$ ME Z ! 3DUIT4 ,I TILT$
MY H1D BACK1 LIFT+ MY >MS 6EMBRACE ! OLD
_W &! ANCI5T CR1TURES T _H ROAM$ X4 ,I
9VIT$ !M "? ME1 ! ,"M1 B.D 0BLOOD   #CFJ
& FIRE 6! E>?4
  ,X 0 ! UTT] OPPOSITE (! ?"UBIRD4
,WOLVES & BE>S1 WILD-EY$ ?+S ,I'D N"E
DR1M$ ( 9 MY NI<TM>ES & G5TLE MON/]S )!
LI<T ( HOPE 9 _! S\LS F$ !MVS 6ME A HUN-
DR$ AT A "T4 ,"S 7 MALIGNANT & D>K1 TA/+
( A% & T>4 ,!Y CAME H& 9 W+ ) LI<THE>T$1
2NIGN CR1TURES T LEFT ! SC5T ( CL1N AIR
& ROSES 9 MY ?ROAT4 ,"S 7 TRICKY1 & /UCK
L MOLASSES1 ONLY 6BE WA%$ D[N 0! COOL
WAT] & /RAI<T-=W>D D$IC,N ( _! C.T]"PS4
,I CDN'T "N MO/ ( !M EV5 IF ,I'D WANT$
TO1 B !Y F$ ME & GREW FAT ON ME1 & "? ME
7 BORN \ 96! _W4
  ,I TORE A"P )! BIR? (A ?\S& CR1TURES1
FEEL+ ! E>? TE> ) ME4 ,I DIDN'T ?9K ,I
CRI$ \ L\D1 B ,I DIDN'T NE$ TO3 ! E>? XF
%RIEK$ & RUM#D )! 9FLUX ( ?+S F ! O!R_W4
,I BURN$1 NO L;G] 9SIDE MY SK91 B 9 MY
CORE1 SP9N+ ET]N,Y1 CR1T+ LIFE4 ,"T
/RET*$ & SNAPP$ & TWI/$ UNTIL X 0 M1N+-
.S4 ,I _H NO S5SE ( AGE1 NO S5SE ( PUR-
POSE2 ,I SIMPLY WAS1 & WD 2 UNTIL ,I 5D-
$4 ,NO?+ CD *ANGE ME1 N ! LIFE ,I BR"\
=? NOR ! D1? T 9EVITABLY CYCL$ )    #CFA
X4 ,I DRIFT$ 9 T -PLAC5CY1 W>M$ 0MY CORE
& NO L;G] WORRI$ AB ANY?+4 ,! _W W5T ON4
,X ALW WD4 ,BIR?+ PA9S FAD$ AWAY4 ,I
FELT NO?+1 NO 3SCI\S ?"\ OR FE> 64RUPT
ME4 ,I SPUN1 B.D 6MY [N H1T & NO?+ M4
  ,"S?+ TICKL$ 9SIDE MY E>4
  ,I IGNOR$ X1 !N SWATT$ AT X1 WRI?+ )
IRRIT,N4 ,! TICKLE TURN$ 96A /AB ( PA9 &
,I CLAW$ AT X1 FEEL+ L ,I 0 TRY+ 6SCRAPE
A NE$LE F MY E>DRUM4 ,! PA9 GREW1 WRI7L+
& PRICK+ & POK+1 UNTIL X 2CAME A FI]CE1
FURI\S %RIEK1 L A RAPTOR'S CALL4 ..,RAP-
TORS DON'T HUNT AT .NI<T1 ,I ?"\ PEEVI%-
LY4 ,! IDEA B\NC$ "? ME1 %OCK+ 9 T X 0
MADE ( ^WS & IMAGES4 ,I CLUT*$ MY H1D1
AN A*E P.D+ "? MY TEMPLES & REM9D+ ME (
MYF4 ,REM9D+ ME ( 3SCI\S;S &( *OICE1 R
?AN ! ACT ( SIMPLY 2+4
  ,FAYE'S VOICE CUT "? ! SCREE*+ BIRD-
CALL 9 MY H1D1 :ISP]+ 6ME4 ,I CD FEEL !
P[] (! COV5 2H H]1 L5D+ H] ! /R5G? NEC
6"W "? ! LAY]S ( E>? T HELD ME AWAY F
!M4 8,JOANNE1 DON'T =GET U4 ,REMEMB] \R
PURPOSE4 ,WE C'T LOSE Y4 ,)\T Y WE'LL
FAIL &! _W W DIE ) U40 ,H] VOICE    #CFB
0 DEEP] ?AN USUAL1 OLD] ?AN ,I REMEMB]$
X S.D+1 L X C>RI$ ! WEI<T ( M ?AN "O
SP1K]4 ,X REV]B]AT$ "? ! E>?1 MAK+ MY
SK9 IT* & %U4] Z IF ,I 7 A HORSE TRY+ TO
4LODGE A FLY4
  .,REMEMB]4 ,I /RU7L$ AF ,FAYE'S ^WS1
TRY+ 6MAKE S5SE ( !M4 ,REMEMB] :AT8 ,RE-
MEMB]--
  ,REMEMB] .,G>Y4 ,COL94 .,COYOTE4 ,RE-
MEMB] ! H1T WAVE BURN+ ,S1TTLE1 SPR1D+ \
6! _W4 ,REMEMB] ..:O ,I AM 7,JOANNE
.,WALK]71 A BACK "P ( MY M9D SD4 ,A "P
FUR!R BACK1 NOISILY1 SD1 .,REMEMB] .!
.,ALAMO6 & 2N T :ISP]$ ANO!R "N 6ME1 S
HI45 & S(T T ,I CDN'T LET MYF EV5 ?9K X1
B ,I KNEW :AT X WAS4 ,:O X WAS4 ,:O ,I
WAS4
  ,I UNCURL$ )A GASP1 /RU7L+ BACK 6MY
FEET1 GRASP+ AT AN AW>E;S ( ?+S L UP &
D[N & HOT & COLD4 ,! E>? %\T$1 RIPP+
A"P1 Z IF PROTE/+ MY AC;NS & MY FREE W4
  ,! FIRE FELL AWAY F >.D MY FEET4 ,I
HUNG SUSP5D$ 9 ! AIR1 MY B"OS %AK+ &
TWI/+ & RO>+ 4APPROVAL4 ,! COV5 4APPE>$1
\ ( MY 9V]T$ SI<T & \ ( MY ABIL;Y   #CFC
6S5SE !M1 L1V+ ME AL"O ) NO?+ EXCEPT />S
9 ! NI<T SKY &! TREETOPS ,I 0 SURR.D$
BY4
  ,A TREM5D\S REL1SE ( P[] HIT ME 9 !
GUT )! 9T5S;Y (A WAT]FALL4 ,X KNOCK$ ME
ASS OV] T1KETTLE1 5D.S RO>+ FILL+ MY
E>S4 ,I SLAMM$ UPSIDE-D[N 96"O (! TREES1
CRUN*+ 96BRAN*ES ) 5 =CE 6BR1K !M4 ,I
TUM#D D[N1 CAT*+ MY %\LD] ON ANO!R BRAN*
& FLIPP+ "R-SIDE UP AG 9 "T =A SOLID ;,Y
9 ! TREE 6CAT* ME 9 ! CROT* & HOLD ME4
,4ORI5T,N SMA%$ OV] ME1 L1V+ MY M9D
BLANK ( ANY?+ EXCEPT AN APPRECI,N = EX-
CRUCIAT+ PA94 ,I _HN'T D"O T S9CE ,I 0 A
KID1 & ,I DIDN'T MISS X "O BIT AT ALL4
,POOR M54 ,GETT+ CAU<T 9 ! CROT* MADE ME
:EEZE & WANT 6VOMIT4 ,I CDN'T & DIDN'T
M* WANT 6IMAG9E :AT GETT+ KICK$ 9 ! NUTS
FELT L4
  ,!N A GIANT RIPP$ ! TREE ,I 0 9 \ (!
GR.D & FLUNG X 6! E>? )A RES.D+1 WET
CRA%1 & ,I /OPP$ C>+ AB ANY?+ =A :ILE4


    ,TUES"D1 ,JUNE #BA1 #E3DE       #CFD
    A4M4
  ,I 0 COLD4 ,GOOSE BUMPS 7 ALL OV] MY
SK91 & MY TANK TOP 0 CLAMMY & /ICKY AG/
MY BACK4 ,I KEPT %IV]+4
  ,AF ! LA/ C\PLE ( "DS ( H1T1 &! EPI-
SODE )! FIRE1 ,I 0 SURPRIS$ ,I CD EV5 2
COLD ANYMORE4 ,I LAY "! ?9K+ AB X1 &
WOND]+ IF ,I 0 BROK5 ANY": OR IF ,I 0 J
COLD4 ,"! SEEM$ 6BE A TREE LY+ "PLY ON
TOP ( ME1 : OV]ALL /RUCK ME Z "S:AT PE-
CULI>4 ,I REMEMB]$ 2+ 9 ! TREE1 B )\T
OP5+ MY EYES--: ,I DIDN'T M* WANT 6D--X
FELT L ,I 0 N[ LY+ 9 MUD4
  ,I MOV$ MY "R H& V SLI<TLY1 PRO4+ AT
MY RE/+ PLACE4 ,YES4 ,YES1 X 0 MUD4 ,X
S*LUCK$ & GOO$ & G5],Y 2HAV$ L MUD4 ,: 0
ALL WR;G1 2C LA/ "T ,I 0 3SCI\S X N ONLY
WASN'T MU4Y1 B _HN'T RA9$ 9 S"EAL WEEKS4
,MUD 0 V UNUSUAL4 ,I WOND]$ ": EXACTLY
,I WAS4 ,"! 0 A S.D L ?"U "S": NE>BY1
3FUS+LY ALI5 6! :ISP] ( W9D "? TREES T
,I LA/ REMEMB]$4 ,WELL1 T ,I LA/ REMEM-
B]$ 9 A _W T MADE S5SE4 ,"! 7 D>K PLACES
9 MY MEMORY T ,I 0 RELUCTANT 6PROD AT
YET4 ,! MUD &! ?"U 7 5 =! MO;T4     #CFE
  ,MY H& EXPLOR$ A LL M1 APP>5TLY 3T5T
6D ? )\T ME OP5+ MY EYES4 ,I 0 GRATE;L4
,P]H ,I CD GET MY H& "S?+ NICE LAT] ON1
:5 ,I'D GOTT5 UP AG4 ,A MANICURE1 P]H1
OR A R+4 ,NO1 N A R+4 ,A R+ WD GET ALL
NA/Y ) OIL & GR1SE4 ,DIDN'T MATT] IF ,I
0 A COP )A B1T ^! "DS4 ,I / ?"\ ( MYF Z
A ME*ANIC4 ,I CD />T WE>+ ! COPP] BRACE-
LET MY "F'D GIV5 ME4 ,X WD LOOK NICE ON
MY WRI/1 CLOSE 6MY H&4 ,I ?"\ MY H& WD L
T4 ,X SEEM$ L A GD IDEA1 & ,I 0 SATIS-
FI$4
  ,"! 7 BRAN*ES & TWIGS 9 ! MUD1 & !N A
PU4LE4 ,! PU4LE SURPRIS$ ME 5 T ,I OP5$
MY EYES4
  ,X DIDN'T HELP4 ,N T ,I CDN'T SEE3 ,I
CD4 ,X 0 M T :AT ,I SAW MADE NO S5SE4
,TREE ROOTS /UCK UP 9 ! AIR1 GLOBS ( D>K
E>? HANG+ F !M4 ,BROK5 BRAN*ES 7 /REWN 9
E DIREC;N OV] A %ATT]$ L&SCAPE4 ,"! 7
HUGE HUMPS ( E>? /&+ ) _! SIDES %E]$
AWAY1 LOOK+ PREC>I\S & WO2LY )\T ! SUP-
PORT !Y US$ 6H4 ,"O ( !M _H A TREE / /&+
ON X1 P]FECTLY S]5E & UNBO!R$ 0! *ANG$
_W >.D X4 ,XS ROOTS /UCK \ (!       #CFF
SIDES ( XS E>? PILL>1 R1*+ D[N = GR.D T
_H FALL5 AWAY >.D X4
  ,I LAY 9 A L[ PO9T4 ,I PU%$ UP ON MY
ELB[S1 ! MUD SUCK+ AT MY FACE & *E/ 2F
REL1S+ ME4 ,! PU4LE MY H& _H 4COV]$
WASN'T A PU4LE AT ALL1 B A /R1M T _HN'T
BE5 "! ! LA/ "T ,I'D LOOK$4 ,X 0 MU4Y &
?ICK & Q DET]M9$4 ,IF ,I LI/5$ ,I CD HE>
XS BUR# "U ! S.D ( ?"U4
  ,! ?"U CAME F 2H ME4 ,I PU%$ MYF UP TO
H&S & KNEES 9 SL[ MO;N1 MY 5TIRE BODY
/IFF ) MUD & SORE MUSCLES4 ,I _H 6SCRAPE
MY LEG \ F "U ! TREE ,I'D FALL5 )1 B ,I
DIDN'T SEEM 6H TAK5 M* DAMAGE4 ,Z MY H&
SANK 96! MUD1 SUPPORT+ MY WEI<T1 ,I F.D
T ! TREE 0 / 2N ME1 Z WELL1 J BURI$ 9 !
MUCK4 ,X _H V PROBABLY PREV5T$ ME F
DR[N+4 ,I PATT$ X )A F+]TIP & SD1
8,?ANKS10 ABS5TLY1 !N CRAWL$ >.D 9 A
HALF CIRCLE 6SEE ": ! ?"U 0 -+ F4
  ,EV5 LOOK+ AT X1 X TOOK S"EAL MO;TS TO
WRAP MY M9D >.D ! IDEA T ! WAT]FALL ,I 0
/>+ AT _H =M]LY BE5 ! WE/]N SIDE ( ,LAKE
,WA%+TON4 ,! GR.D _H COLLAPS$ AT L1/
FIFTE5 FEET4 ,I CDN'T 2 SURE IF X   #CFG
0 M1 F ": ,I RE/$ ON MY H&S & KNEES4 ,X
0 A LOT1 ANYWAY3 FIFTE5 FEET IS A LOT :5
Y'RE TALK+ AB ": ! GR.D US$ 6BE & ISN'T
ANYMORE4
  ,! WAT]FALL 0 BROAD & 5?USIA/IC1 TUM-
BL+ D[N NOISILY & CR1T+ ! /R1M MY H& _H
4COV]$4 ,I WOND]$ IF !Y'D LET ME CALL X
,JO'S ,H& ,/R1M4 ,PROBABLY N4 ,T 0 OKAY4
,X 0 A T]RI# "N4 ,I SAT BACK ON MY
HEELS1 CAUTI\SLY1 & />$4 ,! SUN 0 RIS+1
PA9T+ ! FALLS &! LAKE 2H !M A />TL+ GOLD
COLOR4 ,I _H NO S5SE ( H[ L;G ,I'D BE5
\1 OR H[ L;G ! RITUAL ! NI<T 2F _H G"O
ON4
  8,OH1 ,JESUS40 ,I /A7]$ 6MY FEET 2F
3SULT+ MY BODY ON :E!R X 0 A GD IDEA OR
N4 ,X WASN'T AN IMPOSSI# F1T1 B ,I HUNG
ON MY FALL5 TREE =A FEW MO;TS1 TRY+ 6RE-
GA9 MY S5SE ( BAL.E4 ,! COV5 M/ H BE5
CAU<T 9 ! E>?QUAKE J Z ,I'D BE54 ,IF ANY
( !M 7 / ALIVE1 ,I _H 6F9D !M & GET
HELP4
  8,JESUS ,*RI/1 "!'S "SBODY OV] "!4
,HEY4 ,HEY6 ,LADY6 ,>E Y OKAY80
  ,I WOB#D >.D1 TRY+ 6PLACE !       #CFH
SP1K] OV] ! S.D (! WAT]FALL4 ,A MAN A
FEW YE>S OLD] ?AN ,I 0 APPE>$ F >.D "O (
! TALL E>? HUMPS1 L1P+ G+]LY OV] ! /R1M
& APPROA*+ ME4 8,HEY1 >E Y ALL "R80
  8,I'M N D1D10 ,I (F]$4 ,! GUY SPLIT A
GR9 & JUMP$ OV] ANO!R /R1M RIVULET4
  8,WELL1 ?ANK ,GOD4 ,WE DIDN'T EXPECT
6F9D ANYBODY ALIVE D[N "H40
  ,MY /OMA* FELL "? MY FEET4 8,Y'VE F.D
D1D P80
  8,N S F>4 ,X'S A GODDAMN$ MIRACLE4
,USU,Y ? "T ( YE> ! P>KS >E ALL MADH\S-
ES1 B X'S S DAMN$ HOT "EYBODY'S BE5 AT
HOME ) _! AIR-3DI;N+40 ,8 EXPRES.N D>K-
5$4 ,HE _H S&Y HAIR & BLUE EYES &! COM-
PLEXION ( "S"O :O SP5T A LOT ( "T \T-
DOORS4 8,N T T HASN'T CAUS$ XS [N PRO#MS
) ? QUAKE40
  8,:AT "T DID X HIT80
  8',B\T T5 O'C LA/ NI<T4 #F.B ON !
,RI*T]4 ,Y DON'T REMEMB]80
  8,I GOT HIT 0A TREE40 ,MY VOICE SCRAP$
& ,I C\<$1 TRY+ 6SWALL[ ! DRY;S AWAY4
8,I DON'T REMEMB] M* AF T40
  8,WELL1 Y'RE GODDAMN$ LUCKY10     #CFI
HE OP9$4 8,WE'VE GOT 6GET Y 6A HOSPITAL1
GET Y *ECK$ OV]4 ,Y "K YR "N80
  ,I BL9K$ AT HM4 8,Y1H40 ,HE WAIT$1 &
,I BL9K$ "S M 2F />TL+4 8,OH6 ,X'S ,JO-
ANNE4 ,JOANNE ,WALK]40
  ,HE /UCK 8 H& \4 8,MY "N'S ,CR[D]4
,GEOLOGI/40
  8,IS ,8,GEOLOGI/0' YR F/ OR LA/ "N80
,I CRACK$ A LL GR9 Z ,I %OOK 8 H&4 ,HE
LAU<$4
  8,DAVID ,CR[D]1 GEOLOGI/4 ,DAMN1 Y >E
"O LUCKY WOMAN4 ,C'MON4 ,LET'S GET Y \ (
"H4 ,HEY6 ,RICKY6 ,C'MON1 HELP ME GET
,MISS ,WALK] \ ( "H6 ,"SBODY CALL AN AM-
BUL.E60
  8,I DON'T NE$ "O10 ,I PROTE/$4 8,Z L;G
Z MY C>'S / "!4 ,OH ,GOD40 ,PANIC HIT !
PIT ( MY /OMA* AG4 8,IS X8 ,IS ! P>K+
LOT / "!80
  ,CR[D] HESITAT$4 8,K9DA4 ,"! >E ISL&S
( X4 ,:AT D Y DRIVE80
  ,I SWALL[$ & KNOTT$ MY H&S 96FI/S4 ,MY
LEFT H& SU45LY CRAMP$ & SPLIT "? ! MUD1
/>T+ 6BLE$ AG1 & ,I F"\ BACK TE>S ( PA9
& 4MAY4 8,A ,MU/ANG4 ,A PURPLE      #CGJ
#AIFI ,MU/ANG4 ,LIC5SE PLATES SAY ,,PE-
TITE40
  ,4MAY WA%$ OV] ,CR[D]'S FACE & HE TOOK
A /EP BACK L ,I MI<T KILL ! MESS5G]4 8,I
SAW X TAIL-D[N 9 "O (! CREVASSES4 ,LOOK$
L ! BACK 5D GOT PRETTY BADLY CRUN*$4 ,WE
CALL$ X IN4 ,I'M SORRY40
  ,:ITE ROSE UP OV] MY VI.N =A FEW SEC-
ONDS1 /ATIC HISS+ 9 MY E>S4 8,H[ BADLY
CRUN*$80 ,MY VOICE 0 HOLL[1 & ,I DON'T
?9K ,I EXPECT$ ,CR[D] 6GIVE ME A R1L AN-
SW]4 ,! ^WS J CAME \ Z AN EF=T 6N />T
SCR1M+4 8,W]E "! ANY O!R C>S UP "!80 ,MY
H&S 7 COLD & MY /OMA* CRAMP$1 MAK+ "S?+
G WR;G ) MY EYESI<T4 ,M WR;G ?AN USUAL3
X 0 ALL BLURRY & /++1 ! IT* ( UN%$ TE>S4
,I CD H&LE PRETTY M* ANY?+1 B N MY C> 2+
DE/ROY$4 ,2T T & ,G>Y ,I ?"\ ,I MI<T J
?R[ UP4
  ,CR[D] TOOK MY ELB[ & />T$ L1D+ ME \ (
! MESS T US$ 6BE A P>K4 8,I BET Y C GET
X FIX$40 ,8 5C\RAG+ ^WS CD'VE BE5 -+ F
S"EAL LI<T-YE>S AWAY4 ,MY H1D RANG UNTIL
,I 0 DIZZY1 TIPP+ OV] Z ,I TRI$ 6PUT MY
FEET ON SOLID GR.D4 8,MI<T CO/ A    #CGA
BUNDLE1 B X C PROBABLY 2 W9*$ \1 OR MAY-
BE HELICOPT]$1 & !N Y C RE,Y SEE ! DAM-
AGE4 ,B T SOLID /EEL FRAME'LL KEEP X F
2+ SMA%$ UP Z "S (! O!RS UP "!1 "R8
,Y'RE ! F/ P]SON WE'VE F.D D[N "H10 HE
A4$1 CLE>LY HOP+ 6*ANGE ! SUBJECT4 8,W]E
Y D[N "H ) ANYBODY80
  8,"S FRS40 ,MY ANSW] 0 L[ & FUZZY 6MY
[N E>S1 L "SBODY'D SUCK$ ALL ! LIFE \ (
ME4 8,I DON'T "K :AT HAPP5$ 6!M4 ,I'M N
SURE :5 !Y LEFT4 ,IS "! A SE>* & RESCUE
T1M \ "H80
  8,Y1H1 Y1H1 ,I'M "P ( X4 ,Y1 AH1 N
SURE :5 !Y LEFT1 HUH80
  ,OH1 = ,GOD'S SAKE4 ,HE ?"\ WE'D BE5
DO+ DRUGS OR "S?+4 ,I PUT MY TEE? TGR
AG/ A FL>E ( RAGE T _H M 6D ) MY C> ?AN
8 ASSUMP;N4 8,I WASN'T PAY+ A LOT ( AT-
T5;N 6! "T4 ,NO FUNNY BUSI;S GO+ ON4
,I'M A COP40
  8,OH1 NO %IT4 ,Y "W 9 ! ,NOR? ,PRE-
C9CT80
  8,Y1H40
  8,NO WOND]40
  ,I DIDN'T L ! S.D ( T AT ALL4     #CGB
8,NO WOND] :AT80
  8,:5 WE CALL$ 9 YR C> ! 4PAT*] GOT A
LL FR1K$ \4 ,SD %E _H 6V]IFY X & %E'D
GET BACK 6U1 B--0
  8--B !Y RECOGNIZ$ H]4 ,A LOT ( P "K
,PETITE40 ,I GROAN$ & CLOS$ MY EYES1 !N
OP5$ !M AG SWIFTLY1 N TRU/+ ! GR.D OR MY
FEET4 ,MY LEFT H& 0 / CL5*$ 9 A FI/4 ,I
DIDN'T WANT 6DRIP BLOOD ALL OV] "EY?+ &
H ,CR[D] 9SI/ ,I G 6A HOSPITAL4 ,I WANT$
6LOOK AT ! 9JURY F/ & SEE IF ,I CD FIX
MYF1 PREF]ABLY )\T A REP1T ( LA/ NI<T'S
H1T-9T5SE P]=M.E4 ,I WANT$ 6CURL UP 9
,PETITE'S BUCKET S1TS & SOB1 TOO1 B ,I
DIDN'T ?9K ,I 0 GO+ 6GET M* ( :AT ,I
WANT$4 8,I'LL CALL !M :5 WE GET UP "!40
  8,C'MON1 ? WAY40 ,CR[D] L$ ME "? A RA-
V9E ( %>P DROPS & 9CL9ES1 U%]+ ME UP A
HILL T ,I TRI$ CLIMB+ )\T US+ MY LEFT
H&4 ,HE NOTIC$ & /OPP$ ME1 PUTT+ 8 H& \
= M9E4 ,I SI<$ & OP5$ MY PALM4
  ,BLOOD SEEP$ "? CRACKS ( MUD1 DRIPP+
(F ! BACK ( MY H&4 ,X ONLY HURT ON A
DULL1 IGNORA# LEVEL1 B ,CR[D] HISS$ 4MAY
& YANK$ A H&K]*IEF \ (A POCKET4     #CGC
8,X'S CL1N10 HE PROMIS$ Z HE WRAPP$ X
>.D MY H&4 8,T LOOKS DEEP4 ,Y'RE GONNA
NE$ 6GET X LOOK$ AT40
  8,I "K4 ,I W4 ,I J WANT 6GET 6MY C> &
G HOME & CALL MY FRS & MAKE SURE "EY-
BODY'S OKAY F/4 ,H[ ''' IS ! C;Y OKAY8
,I M1N1 >E P ''' D1D80
  8,"S 9JURIES40 ,CR[D] />T$ UP ! HILL
AG4 8,A H&;L ( HE>T ATTACKS1 A C\PLE
DOZ5 WOM5 GO+ 96LABOR1 T K9DA ?+4 ,X
HAPP5S1 :5 "!'S AN E>?QUAKE4 ,LOTTA
PROP]TY DAMAGE1 B X'S PRETTY LOCALIZ$4
,WEIRD 2HAVIOR4 ,T ,CORVALIS WOMAN ON
,*ANNEL ,TWO IS TRY+ L MAD 6TIE X TGR 6!
AURORA ! O!R NI<T4 ,SWE> 6,GOD1 ^? P1
MAK+ NEWS :5 "!'S S M* R1L /UFF 6REPORT4
,"H Y G1 J OV] ! GU>D RAIL "H40 ,HE
BOO/$ ME UP & ,I SWUNG MY LEG OV] !
RAIL+1 TRY+ N 6?9K AB :E!R "! 0 A 3NEC;N
2T ! AURORA &! E>?QUAKE4 ,P DON'T CAUSE
E>?QUAKES4 ,X 0 A LUDICR\S IDEA4 ,(
C\RSE1 P DON'T CAUSE MASSIVE AURORAS 6-E
SWEEP+ D[N1 EI1 & ,I KNEW P]FECTLY WELL
! COV5 & ,I _H BE5 RESPONSI# = T1 EV5 IF
! 9T]PRET,N 0 WR;G4                 #CGD
  ,! P>K+ LOT 0 A 4A/]4 ,PETITE'S NOSE
POK$ UP \ (A DIT* S"EAL Y>DS AWAY4 ,2T
ME & H]1 "! 7 PITS ( E>? T _H OP5$ UP OR
SPLIT A"P4 ,! C> ,G>? _H DRIV5 0 /UCK
HALFWAY 9 "O (! PITS4 ,X'D 2 OKAY IF X
CD 2 W9*$ \4 ,I JUMP$ A CRACK 9 ! E>? &
HURRI$ T[>D ,PETITE1 SWALL[+ AG/ SICK;S
Z ,I LOOK$ D[N 96! CREVASSE AT H] SMA%$
BACK 5D4 ,%E 0 A H1VY VEHICLE1 B ,CR[D]
0 "R AB ! /EEL FRAME4 ,EV5 F ABV ,I CD
TELL T ! DAMAGE 0 PROBABLY M 6! TAIL
LI<TS & BACK F5D] ?AN 6! BODY4 ,I CDN'T1
AT L1/1 .SEE ANY WR9KLES 9 H] BODY1 :
DIDN'T NECESS>ILY M1N !Y W]5'T "!4 ,I 0
GO+ 6H 6F9D A WAY 6GET H] \ ( "! & 96A
G>AGE ": ,I CD RE,Y SURVEY ! DAMAGE4 ,MY
H&S 7 %AK+ & MY ?ROAT 0 TI<T4 ,I DIDN'T
WANT 6BUR/ 96TE>S 9 FRONT (! HELP;L GE-
OLOGI/1 B ,I WASN'T SURE ,I'D 2 A# 6/OP
MYF4 ,I TURN$ MY BACK ON HM DELIB]ATELY
& KNELT 0,PETITE'S FRONT 5D1 PUTT+ MY
=EH1D AG/ ! :EEL / HOOK$ OV] ! BROK5
E>?4 8,I AM S SORRY1 BABY4 ,I'LL GET Y \
( "H & ,I'LL GET Y FIX$ UP1 OKAY8 ,& !N
WE'LL G ON A RE,Y NICE L;G DRIVE    #CGE
\ 6,UTAH ": WE C G SUP] FA/ ON ! SALT
FLATS4 ,T'LL 2 FUN1 "R1 SWEETHE>T8 ,I'M
S SORRY1 BABY4 ,I'M S SORRY40
  8,MISS ,WALK]80 ,CR[D]'S DI6ID5T VOICE
CAME F 2H ME1 A POLITE 9TRU.N4 ,I LOOK$
UP1 SWALL[+ BACK ! TI<T;S 9 MY ?ROAT1
EXPECT+ ! GEOLOGI/ 6BE (F]+ "S K9D (
SYMPA?Y OR SU7ES;N4
  ,:AT ,I F.D 9/1D 0 ,MORRISON VAULT+ !
P>K+ LOT GATES & -+ AT A RUN T[>D ME &
MY C>4













                                    #CGF
























          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-FIVE      #CGG

  ,MORRISON _H ME 0! %\LD]S 2F ,I _H "T
6?9K "? ! IDEA ( HID+4 ,8 GRIP 0 H>D 5
6HURT1 AL? ,I NOTIC$ ! SK9-T5D];S (!
SUNBURN 0 G"O4 ,HE _H ! SLI<T HEI<T AD-
VANTAGE EV5 ?\< HE 0 \ ( UNI=M1 &=A FEW
SECONDS HE />$ D[N AT ME Z IF MAK+ SURE
,I 0 R1L4 ,!N HE %OOK ME1 LET G ( MY
%\LD]S1 & />T$ YELL+4
  ,I DIDN'T LI/54 ,I J LOOK$ UP AT HM1
TRY+ N 6SMILE4 ,HE WD H GOTT5 UP AT FIVE
9 ! MORN+ =A REPORT T ANY ( 8 (FIC]S 0
MISS+4 ,I KNEW T4 ,:AT ,I _HN'T "KN 0
HE'D GET UP IF ! (FIC] 9 "Q 0 ME4 ,I
WRAPP$ MY FIL?Y >MS >.D MY RIBS & WAT*$
HM RANT4 ,CR[D] HOV]$ N]V\SLY ON ! NEXT
ISL& OV]1 TRY+ 6DECIDE IF HE %D 9T]F]E4
,I HOP$ HE DIDN'T4 ,I'D N"E FELT S W>M &
FUZZY AT RCVG A DRESS+-D[N4 ,:5 ,MORRIS-
ON F9,Y PAUS$ = BR1? ,I SD1 8,?ANKS1
,CAPTA940
  ,HE DIDN'T />T UP AG4 ,9/1D HE PULL$ 8
M\? L;G1 SC[L$1 & GAVE ME A CURT NOD4
,!N HE TURN$ AWAY1 JUMP+ 6,CR[D]'S
ASPHALT ISL& ) M GRACE ?AN ,I       #CGH
WD'VE EXPECT$ F HM1 & (F]$ ! GEOLOGI/ 8
H&4 8,?ANKS = F9D+ MY (FIC]4 ,I'M ,CAP-
TA9 ,MI*AEL ,MORRISON1 ,,SPD1 ,NOR?
,PREC9CT40
  8,WELL1 %E 0 UP ON H] FEET ALR :5 ,I
F.D H]4 ,%E WD'VE BE5 J F9E EV5 )\T U40
,CR[D] %OOK ,MORRISON'S H&4 8,DAVID
,CR[D]4 ,PL1SURE 6MEET Y1 SIR4 ,I'M GLAD
6SAY X LOOKS L ,(FIC] ,WALK] 0 ! ONLY
P]SON CAU<T 9 ! P>K LA/ NI<T4 ,LOOKS L
WE MAY H NO CASUALTIES F ! EV5T XF4
,WE'VE BE5 V LUCKY40
  ,I CLOS$ MY EYES & L1N$ ON ,PETITE'S
UP5D$ NOSE4 ,NO "O 9 ! COV5 _H M5;N$
E>?QUAKES A3OMPANY+ ! BODY-TO-E>? RITU-
AL4 ,I WOND]$ IF !Y _HN'T "KN1 OR IF X
_H BE5 AN ]ROR4 ,I 0 HOP+ = AN ]ROR4
,"K+ Y 7 GO+ 6SET (F A #F.B QUAKE & OPT+
6/AY 9 A POPULAT$ >EA 0 CRIM9AL1 N T "!
0 ! SLI<TE/ *.E !Y'D--WE'D--"E 2 PROSE-
CUT$ = X4
  ,& ,I WOND]$ IF X _H "W$4 ,F :AT ,I
"U/OOD1 "! "\ 6BE ALL SORTS ( /RANGE &
MY/ICAL CR1TURES W&]+ ,S1TTLE'S /REETS
N[1 B ,MORRISON _HN'T M5;N$ ANY     #CGI
:ILE HE 0 YELL+ AT ME4 ,I'D H 6F9D ,FAYE
OR "O (! O!RS4
  ,OR1 ,I SUPPOS$1 ,I'D H 6G LOOK = MYF4
,I OP5$ MY EYES AG & /UDI$ ! P>K+ LOT )-
\T SEE+ X1 TRY+ 6FIGURE \ H[ L;G X WD
TAKE 6GET ,PETITE \ ( "!4 ,I DIDN'T WANT
6L1VE H]1 N )! LAKE P\R+ A NEW /R1M 96!
NEI<BORHOOD4 ,I 0 AFRAID ! EXPOS$ E>? WD
2 CUT AWAY & %E'D FALL4
  8,:AT HAPP5$1 ,WALK]80
  ,I JO/L$ MYF \ ( /UDY+ ! P>K+ LOT &
LOOK$ BACK AT ,MORRISON1 :O'D REJO9$ ME
:ILE ,I WASN'T WAT*+4 8,SIR80
  8,:AT HAPP5$ \ "H LA/ NI<T8 ,:AT 7 Y
DO+ "H8 ,& H Y BE5 TANN+80 ,HE 0 GETT+
OV] 8 RELIEF T ,I 0 ALIVE & 0 2COM+ M
9T]E/$ 9 ! B"OS (! MATT]1 : PROBABLY
M1NT 9 RELATIVELY %ORT ORD] HE'D 2 YELL+
AT ME AG4
  ,I LOOK$ D[N AT MYF4 ,MY VI.N 2HAV$ XF
= ONCE & ,I R1LIZ$ ! SUNBURN _H D"O M
?AN -E 6! SURFACE4 ,X'D ALR PEEL$1 OR !
MY/ICAL EQUIVAL5T "!(4 ,I 0 BR[N1 TANN]
?AN ,I CD "E REMEMB] SEE+ MYF4 ,I RESI/$
! URGE 6PE] D[N MY %IRT 6SEE IF     #CHJ
,I 0 TAN ALL OV]4 ,I _HN'T BE5 NAK$ 9 !
DES]T ( MY M9D1 B ,I WASN'T AT ALL SURE
A SUNBURN L ! "O ,I'D GOTT5 "! WD C>E AB
CLO!S4 ,I SUSPECT$ "! 7 NO TAN L9ES4
  8,I 0 MEET+ ,FAYE4 ,! GIRL F ,CASSAN-
DRA'S FUN]AL40 ,X WASN'T EXACTLY A LIE4
,I DIDN'T ?9K ,MORRISON C>$ ALL T M* AB
:E!R ,I'D BE5 TANN+1 S ,I SKIPP$ T "P4
  8,WALK]1 ,I ?"\ ,I TOLD Y 6L1VE X
AL"O40 ,HE DIDN'T S.D EXASP]AT$1 M* LESS
SURPRIS$4 ,M L RESIGN$4
  8,Y1H40 ,I LOOK$ AWAY4 8,MEET+ H] 0
SET UP 2F Y TOLD ME T40
  8,:AT 7 Y SEE+ H] =80
  8''' %E 0 "W+ ON A PROJECT ) ,CASS&RA
2F %E DI$4 ,%E ?"\ ,I MI<T 2 A# 6HELP \
) X40 ,AG1 N EXACTLY A LIE4 ,I 0 PRETTY
SURE ,MORRISON WD 2 HAPPI] IF ,I DIDN'T
TELL HM ,CASSIE 0 "P (A COV5 & ,I 0 TAK+
H] PLACE4 ,MY VI.N SWAM 69V]T$ AG1 GIV+
ME A SU45 H1DA*E Z ! RIS+ SUN TURN$
BLACK4 ,I W9C$ & PUT MY H& AG/ MY TEM-
PLE4 ,MORRISON R1*$ \ & CAU<T MY WRI/1
TURN+ MY PALM UP4
  8,:AT HAPP5$80                    #CHA
  ,I />$ AT ,CR[D]'S BLOODY H&K]*IEF
WRAPP$ >.D MY H& & SA7$4 8,I 0 G\G$4 ,X
0 K9D (A R\< NI<T40
  8,S ,I SEE4 ,Y NE$ 6GET CL1N$ UP & GET
? LOOK$ AT4 ,MY C>'S UP AT ! H1D (!
/REET4 ,Y'RE N GETT+ YRS \ ( "H )\T A
HELICOPT]40
  ,I CL5*$ MY JAW AG/ 4MAY & PATT$ ,PE-
TITE'S NOSE C>E;LLY4 8,X'S OKAY1 BABY4
,I'LL FIGURE \ H[ 6GET Y \ ( "H40 ,I
DIDN'T ?9K ,I'D SPOK5 L\DLY 5 = ,MORRIS-
ON 6HE>1 EV5 ?\< HE 0 B>ELY TWO FEET
AWAY F ME4 ,! LOOK HE GAVE ME SD HE _H4
  8,:AT IS X ) Y & C>S1 ,WALK]80
  8,!Y'RE EASI] ?AN P40 ,I TU7$ MY H& \
( ,MORRISON'S GRIP1 TRY+ 6BE G5TLE 5 AB
X T X WDN'T SEEM RUDE4 ,HE LET ME G )\T
A FUSS4 ,I FELT HM WAT*+ ME Z ,I HOPP$
6ANO!R BROK5 ISL&4 ,AF A FEW SECONDS HE
FOLL[$ ME4
  ,WE WALK$ 9 SIL;E UP 6! H1D (! ROAD1
JUMP+ OV] BROK5 L& ": WE NE$$ TO4 ,I
FELT L ,I %D SAY "S?+ J 6FILL UP ! QUIET
2T U1 B ,I _H NO IDEA H[ 6MAKE SMALL
TALK ) ,MORRISON4 ,HE PULL$ AH1D    #CHB
( ME 0A C\PLE ( /EPS & MY M\? ASK$1 8,H[
OLD >E Y1 ,MORRISON80 )\T 3SULT+ MY BRA9
AB X F/4
  ,MORRISON ?REW A />TL$ LOOK OV] 8 %\L-
D]4 8,:AT8 ,?IRTY-EI<T4 ,:Y80
  8,FAYE WANT$ 6"K40
  8,I DON'T NE$ SETT+ UP )A GIRL HALF MY
AGE1 ,WALK]40 ,MORRISON PULL$ AH1D ( ME
AG1 L1V+ ME BL9K+ AT 8 %\LD]S4 ,"!
WASN'T1 Z F> Z ,I KNEW1 A ,MRS4 ,MORRIS-
ON4 ,HE DIDN'T WE> A W$D+ B&1 & HE SEEM$
! TYPE4 ,I RE5GAG$ MY BRA9 2F X ASK$ HM
ANY M "QS1 & SC[L$ AT MY FEET Z ,I FOL-
L[$ HM4 ,MY H&S WANT$ 6G 96MY POCKETS1 B
MY LEFT H& KEPT SCREE*+ PROTE/4 ,9 ORD]
6GIVE MYF "S?+ 6D1 ,I CAU<T UP ) ,MOR-
RISON1 MAT*+ MY PACE 6HIS4
  8,H[ OLD >E Y80
  8,:AT80 ,I MISS$ A /EP1 CAU<T MY TOES
ON BROK5 E>?1 & REGA9$ MY BAL.E 2F ,MOR-
RISON _H "T 6HELP ME1 : ,I WASN'T SURE
HE WD4
  8,H[ OLD >E Y80 HE REP1T$ )A R1SONA#
DEGREE ( PATI;E4
  8,ISN'T T K9D ( ?+ ON MY (FI-     #CHC
CIAL RECORDS80
  8,Y1H1 B S'S ,8,JOANNE ,WALK]40'0
  ,I PURS$ MY LIPS4 8,A V PALPA# HIT4
,TW5TY-SEV540 ,I HESITAT$4 8,DID Y
LOOK80
  8,AT YR RECORDS8 ,YES4 ,!Y'RE ALL "U
,WALK]4 ,:Y80 ,MORRISON DIDN'T S.D EV5
SLI<TLY APOLOGETIC4 ,I WDN'T H EI1 9 8
POSI;N4
  ,I %RU7$4 8,DEF9+ MYF 0MY [N RULES1 ,I
GUESS40
  8,"!'S NO PAP]"W FIL$ = AN (FICIAL
*ANGE ( "N40
  8,Y DID YR HOME"W1 DIDN'T Y80 ,I %RU7$
AG4 ,MORRISON'S C> 0 AT ! H1D (A CROSS
/REET1 P>K$ J 2F A D>K CRACK 9 ! ROAD4
8,I DIDN'T FEEL L ,I NE$$ TO1 ,I GUESS4
,I BROKE 96MY S*OOL -PUT] 6*ANGE MY LA/
"N 6,WALK] ON ! TRANSCRIPTS & N"E _H A
PRO#M )! UNIV]S;Y SY/EMS1 S :Y BO!R )!
PAP]"W40 ,I 0 PRETTY SURE ! /ATUTE (
LIMIT,NS ON HACK+ MY [N TRANSCRIPTS 0
L;G PA/4 ,I HOP$ S4 ,MORRISON WD PROBA-
BLY >RE/ ME IF X W]5'T4 ,HE LIFT$ AN
EYEBR[ AT ME1 !N NO4$ AT ! C>4 ,I   #CHD
JUMP$ ! CREVASSE--X 0 DEEP] ?AN ,I EX-
PECT$1 PROBABLY SIX FEET--& WAIT$ = HM
6UNLOCK ! DOORS4 ,HE 0 ALR ON ! RADIO1
REPORT+ ME Z ALIVE & WELL1 :5 ,I CRAWL$
IN4 ,"! 7 ACTU,Y *E]S F ! 4PAT* ROOM4 ,I
FELT MY *EEKS /+ ) COLOR1 & />$ \ ! W9-
D[4 ,! SUNLI<T1 / 9V]T$ 9 MY VI.N1 BL$
SILV] & BLACK OV] ! HORIZON Z X CLIMB$4
8,CRAP40
  ,MORRISON GL.ED AT ME Z HE PUT ! C> 9
DRIVE4 8,:AT80
  8,I'M LATE =A MEET+40
  8,X'S SIX 9 ! MORN+40
  8,I "K4 ,C Y J DRIVE ME HOME80
  ,MORRISON'S SIL;E 0 PROF.D 2F CURIOS;Y
GOT ! BETT] ( HM4 8,Y'VE GOT A #F3JJ
A4M4 DATE AT HOME80
  ,I SLUMP$ 9 MY S1T4 8,Y1H4 ,Y "K4 ,T
BOYFR Y DIDN'T 2LIEVE IN40
  ,MORRISON SNORT$4 ,I GUESS$ HE /
DIDN'T 2LIEVE4 8,Y NE$ 6GET T H& LOOK$
AT40
  8,I NE$ A %[]4 ,IF ,I C'T FIX X ,I'LL
G 6! ,,ER40
  8,IF Y C'T FIX X40 ,! SKEPTI-     #CHE
CISM 9 ,MORRISON'S VOICE 0 ?94 ,HE'D
WAT*$ ME RECOV] F IMPOSSI# 9JURIES 5 "TS
6"K ,I CD D X1 EV5 IF HE DIDN'T WANT TO
2LIEVE X4 ,I FELT AN UNEXPECT$ PANG (
SYMPA?Y = HM4
  ,I PU%$ MYF UP 9 ! S1T1 TOES PRESS$
AG/ ! BACK (! FOOTWELL4 8,=GET ,I SD
ANY?+40
  8,WALK]--0
  8,RE,Y1 ,MORRISON1 =GET X4 ,Y'LL 2
HAPPI] T WAY40 ,I GL>$ \ ! W9D[1 WI%+
,I'D KEPT MY M\? %UT & J G"O 6! DAMN$
HOSPITAL ) HM4 ,A T5 PO9T BUCK1 XS ANT-
L]S GL[+ AN UNH1L?Y NEON YELL[1 B.D$ \ (
! GRE5]Y AT ! SIDE (! ROAD & 96! C>4 ,I
YELL$1 FL++ MY >MS UP Z IF ,I CD W>D (F
! ANIMAL'S IMPACT4 ,MORRISON YELL$1 TOO1
SLAMM+ ON ! BRAKES4
  8,:AT ! .HELL 0 T80
  8,! .DE]6 ,X ALM HIT ! C>60
  ,MORRISON />$ AT ME ) FURI\S 3C]N T
ALM MASK$ A -PLETE LACK ( -PREH5.N4
8.,:AT DE]80
  8,!--0 ,X DAWN$ ON ME T "!'D BE5 NO
IMPACT1 NOR ANY SCRAPE ( HOOVES     #CHF
OV] ! C>'S RO(4 ,I FL9*$ =W>D1 LOOK+ 2Y
,MORRISON AT ! /REET4 ,"! 0 NO SIGN (!
ANIMAL ANY":4 ,MY VOICE GOT V SMALL4 8,Y
DIDN'T SEE X80
  8,SEE .:AT1 ,WALK]8 ,JESUS ,*RI/6 ,:AT
! HELL'S ! MATT] ) Y80
  ,I />$ AT ! QUIET /REET4 8,I ?"\ ,I
SAW A DE]4 ,A BUCK4 ,-E \ (! WOODS &
JUMP AT ! C>40
  ,MORRISON FR[N$ & R1*$ = MY H1D1 RUNN+
A H& "? MY DIRTY HAIR4 ,MUD FLAK$ AWAY1
%[]+ D[N ! BACK ( MY TANK TOP & L1V+ 8
F+]S A MU4Y TAN4 ,I PULL$ AWAY1 FR[N+ 9
RETURN4 8,:AT80
  8,SEE+ IF "! >E ANY LUMPS ON YR H1D4
,Y SURE Y DIDN'T HIT YR H1D1 ,WALK]80
  8,NO40
  ,HE KEPT FR[N+ AT ME4 8,WE'RE GO+ 6!
HOSPITAL40
  ,I SI<$ & SLUMP$ D[N 9 MY S1T AG4
8,YES1 SIR40

  ,I _H 5 S5SE--B>ELY--6BITE MY T;GUE :5
,I SAW ! GRIZZLY ROAM+ UNCONC]N$ D[N !
MI4LE (! /REET1 & 6CLOSE MY EYES    #CHG
& C.T 6T5 & HOPE ! EAGLE SITT+ ON ! /OP-
LI<T WD 4APPE> :5 ,I OP5$ MY EYES4 ,X
DIDN'T1 B T GAVE ME 5 "T 6BE ABSOLUTELY
C]TA9 ,MORRISON WASN'T SEE+ X4 ,BALD EA-
GLES D N HANG \ 9 SUBURBAN ,S1TTLE FRE-
QU5TLY 5 6G UNCOM;T$ ON4 ,B AN UTT]LY
GORGE\S ?+ )A BE>'S H1D &A GLITT]+ BODY1
SCAL$ L A FI%1 MADE ME GASP \ L\D & SIT
=W>D1 : 9 TURN MADE ,MORRISON FR[N AT ME
EV5 M DEEPLY4 ,I CDN'T HELP X4 ,X 0 B1U-
TI;L1 COV]$ 9 IRIDESC5T R$S & BLUES1 )
ENORM\S TEE? & TALL DE] HORNS4 ,B1UTI;L
& TOT,Y ALI54 ,X 2L;G$ 9 A PICTURE BOOK
( MY?OLOGY1 N ON A CORN] ) XS TAIL LA%+1
LOOK+ Z IF X 7 IMPATI5T 6CROSS ! /REET4
  ,:AT"E ELSE _H HAPP5$ LA/ NI<T1 WE'D
CLE>LY SU3E$$ 9 GIV+ ! _SS BODY4 ,:AT ,I
DIDN'T "U/& 0 :Y ,MORRISON WASN'T SEE+
!M4 ,I CL5*$ MY EYES %UT & MY TEE? TGR Z
WE DROVE "? A HIPPOGRYPH1 : ,I WDN'T H
BETT$ ON RECOGNIZ+ 2F ,I SAW "O4 ,& T
GAVE ME "S ( MY ANSW]3 "! _H 6BE A ?IRD
/EP 6! RITUAL T WD MAKE !M SOLID4 ,I CD
SEE !M 2C '''
  ,GOD4 ,2C ,I 2LIEV$4 ,! V ?"\     #CHH
MADE MY H1D HURT4 ,I PUT BO? H&S AG/ MY
TEMPLES & GROAN$4 ,MORRISON FR[N$ AT ME
AG4 8,Y OKAY80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,ASK ME AG TM40
  8,I'LL ASK Y AG AF Y'VE SE5 A DOCTOR40
,MORRISON FLICK$ A BL9K] ON & ,I GROAN$
AG1 WAT*+ ,NOR?WE/ ,HOSPITAL -E 96VIEW4
,I 0 SP5D+ WAY TOO M* "T "!4 ,A M9UTE
LAT] HE F.D A P>K+ PLACE1 M1N+ ,I WASN'T
GO+ 6GET AWAY ) WAT*+ HM DRIVE (F & !N
RUNN+ HOME4 8,\10 HE SD4
  ,I GOT \1 ?9K+ T AT L1/ ,JUDY & MY _S
ANIMALS WD 2 PL1S$4 ,I 0 TAK+ _! ADVICE
6HE>T1 & 6ACTIVE E6ECT4 ,I1 ON ! O!R H&1
WASN'T ?RILL$4 ,I 0 HAPPI] )! _W :5 ,I
CDN'T SEE ! MAGICAL ?+S 9 X4 ,EV5 IF ? 0
EXACTLY ! PA? ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE ON4 ,I
MADE A GURGL+ S.D ( FRU/R,N 9 ! BACK (
MY ?ROAT & ,MORRISON %OT ME A 3C]N$
GL>E4 8,WALK]80
  ,I 0 CLE>LY TOO UNUS$ 6HAV+ "SBODY
ELSE >.D4 ,I NE$$ 6LE>N 6/OP VOCALIZ+ MY
9T]NAL ANNOY.ES4 ,EI T OR ,I NE$$ 6OBTA9
A SIGNIFICANT O!R S ,I CD J TELL P L
,MORRISON 6H& ME OV] 6HM & /OP      #CHI
WORRY+ AB ME4 ,AT ? PO9T1 ! =M] SEEM$ M
LIKELY4 8,NO?+4 ,I'M F9E4 ,H"O/4 ,C'T ,I
J G HOME80
  8,NO40
  ,I SLUNK (F 6SEE A DOCTOR4 ,MORRISON
TOLD !M ,I 0 HAV+ HALLUC9,NS1 & !Y TE/$
MY EYES AF !Y'D /IT*$ MY H& UP4 ,! LI<T
%9+ 96MY PUPILS LOOK$ BLACK 6ME1 B MY
RESPONSES 7 ALL "R & !Y TOLD ME ,I CD G
HOME4 ,I V C>E;LLY DIDN'T M5;N ! B"R-EY$
RA2IT _S SITT+ 9 ! CORN]4
  ,MORRISON DROPP$ ME (F AT HOME1 /
SC[L+4 8,GET "S RE/1 ,WALK]4 ,T'S AN OR-
D]40
  ,I GOT \ (! C>1 SMIL+4 8,I'M N ON DU-
TY1 ,CAPTA940
  8,Y W 2 TM1 & IF Y DON'T D :AT ,I TELL
Y N[1 ,I'LL MAKE YR LIFE A LIV+ HELL10
HE SD PL1SANTLY4 ,I LAU<$1 /RAI<T5$1 &
SALUT$ ! RO( ( 8 C>4
  8,YESSIR1 ,CAP'NSIR40 ,I ?UMP$ ! C> &
WAT*$ HM DRIVE (F 2F H1D+ 96! BUILD+4
,AB TW5TY-F\R H\RS ( SLEEP S.D$ RE,Y AP-
P1L+1 TRU? 2 TOLD4 ,( C\RSE1 "! 7 AB
EI<T R1SONS :Y ,I WASN'T GO+ 6GET   #CIJ
T1 S DWELL+ ON X WD PROBABLY ONLY MAKE
ME MIS]A#4 ,I CLIMB$ 96! %[]1 SAT D[N ON
! TUB FLOOR1 & W5T 6SEE IF ,JUDY 0 /
WAIT+ = ME :ILE HOT WAT] B1T ! NI<T'S
GRIME (F MY SK94



















          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-SIX       #CIA

  ,%E WAS1 & %E 0 AGITAT$1 PAC+ MY G>D5
) H] SKIRT A-SWIRL4 ,I SAT ": ,I 0 =A
FEW SECONDS1 WAT*+ H]4 ,UNLIKE ,PHOEBE1
%E 0 F> F AN ECONOMY ( MO;N4 ,E /EP %E
TOOK SEEM$ 6EAT UP TOO M* SPACE1 Z IF "!
0 TOO LL 3TROL 2H X4 ,%E LOOK$ L %E MI<T
FLY A"P AT ANY MO;T4
  ,MOREOV]1 MY G>D5 LOOK$ T]RI#4 ,!
GRASS 0 CURL+ BR[N &! SKY FLAT ) DU/4
,EV5 ! POOL 0 DULL1 L "S"O'D P\R$ *>COAL
OV] XS SURFACE &! "PICLES HUNG "!1 DIS-
TORT+ ! WAT]'S ABIL;Y 6REFLECT4 ,I LOOK$
UP AT ! SKY1 WOND]+ IF ,I CD 3V9CE X TO
RA94 ,X DIDN'T />T TO1 S ,I %RU7$ &
LOOK$ BACK AT ,JUDY4 8,H[ D Y 5D UP "H1
ANYWAY1 :5 ,I'M N "H80
  ,%E FL9*$1 H&S RIS+ UP F H] SIDES A
FEW 9*ES1 L A />TL$ BIRD FLUTT]+ XS W+S4
,I HID A GR91 SU45LY SEE+ H] Z ! BLACK-
EY$ RAV54 ,%E SPUN 6FACE ME1 SKIRT :IRL+
AG4 8.,"! Y >E4 ,WE 7 WORRI$4 ,": H Y
BE580
  8,WE80
  ,H] EYEBR[S CR9KL$ TGR4 8,! _S    #CIB
ANIMALS & ME4 ,Y'RE LATE40
  8,I DIDN'T "K _S ANIMALS GOT WORRI$40
,I GL.ED >.D1 DIDN'T SEE !M1 & %RU7$ X
(F4 8,SORRY ,I'M LATE4 ,X 0 A R\< NI<T4
,ANYWAY1 S H[ C Y 2 9 MY G>D58 ,H[ C Y 2
WAIT+ = ME "H80
  8,Y EXPECT ME 6BE "H10 ,JUDY SD4 8,X
GIVES ME A3ESS40
  ,=A MO;T ,I ?"\ ,I HE>D ,M>CIA'S VOICE
SAY+1 8,X'S A MATT] ( EXPECT,N10 & FR[N$
AT ,JUDY4 ,%E DIDN'T LOOK ANY?+ L ,M>-
CIA1 EV5 AF ! :OLE KNIFE 9CID5T4 ,! TRU?
(! MATT] 0 PROBABLY T EXPECT,N COLOR$ A
LOT ( :AT ,I DID1 OR :AT ,I 0 SUPPOS$ TO
D4 ,I SD1 8,OKAY10 "? A YAWN1 & NO4$4
,AT L1/ ,I'D GOTT5 A NI<T'S SLEEP1 EV5
IF X'D BE5 9 A FALL5 TREE4
  ,JUDY CAME & CR\*$ 9 FRONT ( ME4
8,Y'VE *ANG$ A GRT D1L40
  ,I TRI$ 6SP1K "? ANO!R YAWN & GLEEK$
9/1D1 !N C\<$ Z ,I CLAPP$ MY H& OV] MY
M\?4 ,MY EYES TE>$ )! EF=T (! :OLE ?+ &
X TOOK TWO SWALL[S 2F ,I 0 A# 6SAY1 8,I
H80 ,I GL.ED D[N AT MYF AG4 ,MY NEW
SUNTAN _HN'T FOLL[$ ME 96MY G>D54   #CIC
,TOO M* SELF-P]CEP;N TI$ UP 9 2+ PALE-
SK9N$4 ,! TAN PROBABLY WDN'T LA/ L;G 5 =
T 6*ANGE4 ,/1 X 0 A NICE -PLI;T4 ,X MADE
ME FEEL L MAYBE ,I 0 DO+ "S?+ "R )! :OLE
MY/ICAL LIFE/YLE ?+4
  ,JUDY'S PAUSE /RET*$ ON L;G 5 6BE AU-
DI#4 ,I BL9K$ UP AT H]1 CURI\S1 6F9D H]
M\? PURS$4 8,I M1NT ! _W >.D Y10 %E SD
G5TLY4 8,Y'VE *ANG$ A GRT D1L \ "!40
  8,OH40 ,I FELT FOOLI%1 A BLU% BURN+ MY
E>S4 ,! TAN MI<T'VE BE5 USE;L 6HIDE T4
,& "H ,I ?"\ ,I'D BE5 DO+ S WELL4 ,JUDY
PUT H] H& ON MY %\LD]1 SMIL+4
  8,I'M SORRY4 ,I DIDN'T M1N 6HURT YR
FEEL+S4 ,I ?9K T Y'RE A# 6A6ECT ^! *ANG-
ES M1NS Y'RE F9,Y 2G9N+ 6A3EPT YR [N
GIFTS1 ,JOANNE4 ,! _W >.D Y ISN'T ! ONLY
?+ T'S *ANG$40 ,%E SAT D[N ACR F ME1
FOLD+ H] LEGS "U H]F TIDILY4
  ,A LL SURGE ( HAPPY PRIDE T+L$ "? ME4
,I DUCK$ MY H1D1 FEEL+ RIDICUL\S4 ,I'D
PRACTIC,Y ASK$ =! CL>IFI$ -PLI;T4 ,X
MADE ME HAPPY ANYWAY4 8,S :AT'S ON !
AG5DA = TD1 BO--0 ,I BIT (F ! ^W4 ,I
CALL$ ,MORRISON BOSS4 ,= "S R1SON   #CID
,I DIDN'T WANT 6%>E 8 ^W ) ,JUDY4
  ,I'D N"E PUT X 9 S _M ^WS1 B X O3URR$
6ME T ,I _H "S 9T]E/+ HANG-UPS AB ,MOR-
RISON4
  ,I PUT ! ?"\ FIRMLY \ ( MY M9D4
8,:AT'S ON ! AG5DA80
  ,JUDY L1N$ =W>D1 SU45LY FULL ( 9T5S;Y4
,X LIT H] EYES1 MAK+ !M BLACK] & B"R]1
REM9D+ ME ( ,VIRISS;G Z HE'D TOLD 8 /ORY
6ME4 ,: AL REM9D$ ME T ,I'D WANT$ 6ASK
HM M "QS1 B X 0 GO+ 6H 6WAIT UNTIL AF !
SOL/ICE RITUAL4 ,AT L1/ !N ,I'D 2 A# TO
TALK 6HM FACE-TO-FACE4 8,I WANT 6TALK 6Y
AB TN'S RITUAL40
  ,I SAT UP /RAI<T] & LOOK$ >.D )A N]V\S
LAU<4 8,>E Y R1D+ MY M9D8 ,I 0 J ?9K+ AB
T40
  ,JUDY SMIL$4 8,NO4 ,I C'T R1D YR M9D40
  8,RE,Y8 ,"EYBODY ELSE C40
  ,JUDY'S EYEBR[S ROSE SL[LY4 8,!Y C80
  ,I WAV$ X (F4 8,N"E M9D4 ,:AT'D Y WANT
6TALK AB1 AB TN80
  ,JUDY'S EYEBR[S REMA9$ ELEVAT$ =A FEW
MO;TS1 B %E NO4$4 8,Y'LL 2 ASK$ A GRT
D1L TN1 ,JOANNE4 ,M ?AN HAS BE5     #CIE
ASK$ ( Y 9 ! PA/40
  ..,M ?AN HAV+ A SWORD /U6$ 9 .ME8 ,I
DIDN'T ASK ! "Q \ L\D1 J NO4$ ATT5TIVELY
L A GD /UD5T4 8,VIRISS;G W -PLETE 8 J\R-
NEY TN & RETURN 6! ,MI4LE ,_W4 ,HE MAY
NE$ 6RELY H1VILY ON YR /R5G?40
  8,H[ D Y "K T80
  ,JUDY SMIL$4 8,T1*+ Y ISN'T ! ONLY ?+
,I D4 ,S9CE Y M5;N$ HM & H SPOK5 ) HM1
,I'VE BE5 LOOK+ 96! RITUALS Y &! COV5 >E
PURSU+4 ,X'S Q CLE> T !Y H ! DESIRE1 B Y
H ! P[]1 6HELP ,VIRISS;G BRIDGE ! _WS4
,X'S "P ( :Y ,I'M S PL1S$ AT H[ F> Y'VE
-E 9 A3EPT.E ! PA/ FEW "DS4 ,YR 2LIEF
/R5G!NS U ALL40
  ,I FELT ANO!R W>M LL GL[ ( PRIDE T+LE
>.D ! BACK ( MY NECK4 ,DO+ ?+S "R CD GET
A4ICTIVE1 IF P 7 GO+ 6KEEP -PLI;T+ ME =
!M4 ,MY VI.N W5T 9V]T$ & ,I %OOK MY H1D1
RU2+ MY EYES4 ,JUDY'S VOICE LIFT$ ) CON-
C]N4 8,>E Y ALL "R80
  8,Y1H4 ,J1 MY VI.N'S BE5 ALL FUNKY =A
FEW "DS4 ,"E S9CE--0 ,RETIC;E POPP$ "?
AG4 ,I _HN'T TOLD ,JUDY AB ! TALK ) ,BIG
,COYOTE 9 ! DES]T1 & DIDN'T RE,Y    #CIF
WANT TO4 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6TALK 6ANYBODY
AB T YET4 ,! D@EJ@A VU BR"\ ON 0,CASSAN-
DRA'S FUN]AL AF ! DES]T / MADE ME UNCOM-
=TA#1 SU6ICI5TLY UNCOM=TA# T ,I DIDN'T
WANT 6?9K AB X4 ,MY VI.N N>R[$ D[N AG &
,I PRESS$ ! HEELS ( MY H&S AG/ MY EYES1
MAK+ BLACK SUNBUR/S 2H MY EYELIDS4 8,"E
S9CE ! F/ RITUAL40 ,X 0 CLOSE 5\<4
  8,AH40 ,JUDY DIDN'T S.D SURPRIS$4 ,I
SQU9T$ MY EYES OP5 6F9D H] NO4+ WISELY4
8,X'S ! P[] Y'RE US+1 ALM C]TA9LY4 ,?9K
( X L /RET*+ MUSCLES Y'RE N A3U/OM$ TO4
,Y'LL ADJU/40
  8,2F ,I G BL80 ,I MUTT]$4 ,I /OPP$
RU2+ MY EYES1 B ! AF-IMAGES ( D>K;S /
HUNG >.D ! $GES ( MY VI.N4 ,X 0 L LOOK+
96B9OCUL>S4 8,ANYWAY1 ?ANKS4 ,S ,I'VE
NOTIC$ "S P >5'T SEE+ ! _S ANIMALS \ "!4
,:AT'S UP ) T80
  8,A MATT] ( FAI?40 ,JUDY HESITAT$4 8,&
MAYBE "S?+ M4 ,Y REL1S$ A GRT D1L ( P[]
LA/ NI<T4 ,I'M N 5TIRELY SURE X W5T !
WAY X 0 9T5D$ TO40
  ,I MADE A FACE4 8,Y1H1 ,I K9D ( GOT T
)! :OLE MASSIVE E>?QUAKE ?+4 ,I     #CIG
HOPE T 0 AN A3ID5T40
  ,JUDY %OOK H] H1D4 8,I'M SURE X WAS4
,& TN'S RITUAL %D F9I% "EY?+ & PUT X ALL
BACK 6"RS4 ,Y'LL H 6BE BRAVE TN1 ,JO-
ANNE4 ,X'S GO+ 6BE H>D40
  8,I C H&LE X4 ,I J LIV$ "? 2+ ! EPIC5-
T] ( AN E>?QUAKE1 AF ALL40 ,MY1 WASN'T
,I BRA% & COCKY4 ,JUDY SMIL$ AT ME4
  8,GD4 ,I ?9K WE'LL MOVE ON 6YR NEXT
LESSON 9 ! MORN+4 ,Y %D SAVE YR /R5G? =
TN1 N[4 ,Y'LL 2 R1DY1 9 ! MORN+40
  8,Y SURE ,I WON'T 2 ALL BURN$ \80
  8,POSITIVE4 ,X'S ! NATURE ( SACRIFICE1
AF ALL4 ,! M Y GIVE1 ! M ( Y "! IS TO
GIVE40
  ,T S.D$ V MY/ICAL & REASSUR+4 8,ALL
"R4 ,I'LL SEE Y TM1 !N40
  ,JUDY NO4$4 8,TM4 ,GD LUCK TN40
  8,?ANKS40 ,I OP5$ MY EYES1 / SITT+ "U
HOT %[] WAT]4 ,I FELT CL1N] & ALM R1DY
6FACE ! "D1 EV5 ?\< MY VI.N 0 / TUNNEL$4
,I TRI$ BL9K+ X AWAY & SU3E$$ 9 BL9K+
WAT] 96MY EYES1 NO?+ M4 ,OH WELL1 X'D
FAD$ 2F4
  ,! PH"O RANG & ,I L1P$ \ (!       #CIH
TUB1 ALL ELB[S & KNEES & FLAIL+ Z ,I RAN
= X4 ,I DIDN'T "K :Y ,I 0 9 S* A HURRY2
MY ANSW]+ MA*9E "W$ J F9E4 ,TELEPH"OS
CAUS$ A ,PAVLOVIAN RESPONSE 9 ME4 ,"S"D
,I 0 GO+ 6SP5D A FEW WEEKS TRA9+ MYF \ (
X1 S T :5 A TELEM>KET] CALL$ ,I DIDN'T
-PULSIVELY L1P UP & RACE 6SEE :O X WAS4
,POSSIBLY ! :OLE TRA9+ PROSPECT WD 2 M
SU3ESS;L IF ,I GOT M ?AN "O PH"O CALL A
WEEK4
  ,I KNOCK$ ! PH"O'S BASE (F ! NI<T/& Z
,I SNAT*$ ! RCVR UP1 GASP+1 8,HELLO80
96X4 ,?ANK ,GOD G5U9E VIDEO PH"OS _HN'T
BE5 9V5T$4 ,I _HN'T EV5 GRA2$ A T[EL4
,=D ,PREFECT WD DESPAIR ( ME4
  8,JOANIE8 ,Y OKAY8 ,?IS'S ,BILLY40
  8,OH4 ,HI4 ,Y1H4 ,I 0 9 ! %[]1 T'S
ALL4 ,:AT'S UP80 ,MY HE>T RATE SL[+ D[N1
,I $G$ BACK 96! BA?ROOM 6R1* =A T[EL4 ,!
PH"O CORD WDN'T R1*4 ,I /RET*$ Z F> Z ,I
CD1 AN AWKW>D NAK$ BALLET1 TRY+ 6SNAG !
T[EL ) MY F+]TIPS Z ,BILLY SPOKE4
  8,:AT ! HELL HAPP5$ LA/ NI<T80
  8,Y S.D L ,MORRISON4 ,:AT D Y M1N80
  8,E>?QUAKES & MON/]S ROAM+ !      #CII
/REETS8 ,R+ A BELL80
  ,MY FOOT SLID \ F "U ME4 ,I SEIZ$ !
T[EL ON MY WAY D[N1 B X DIDN'T PROVIDE
ANY K9D ( SUPPORT4 ,I CRA%$ 6! FLOOR1
BANG+ MO/ "PS ( MY BODY ON ! FLOOR1 !
DOORJAMB1 &! FALL+ T[EL RACK1 V>I\SLY4
,I LAY "!1 AFRAID 6EV5 GROAN :ILE ,I
JUDG$ :E!R ANY?+ 0 BADLY 9JUR$1 !N FUM#D
=! PH"O1 ,I'D DROPP$ "S"T DUR+ MY DRA-
MATIC DESC5T4
  8,JOANIE8 ,JOANNE8 ,>E Y ALL "R8
,JOANIE8 ,JESUS ,*RI/6 ,JO--0
  8,I'M OKAY10 ,I ANN\NC$1 HOP+ X WASN'T
AN OV]/ATE;T4
  8,:AT ! HELL HAPP5$80
  8,I FELL40 ,I SAT UP CAUTI\SLY1 TRY+
6EXTRACT MY LEG F >.D ! DOOR FRAME4 8,I
?9K ,I'M OKAY4 ,UM4 ,MON/]S ROAM+ !
/REETS80
  8,DON'T PLAY DUMB ) ME40
  8,I'M N4 ,I J DIDN'T "K ANYBODY ELSE
CD SEE !M40 ,AL? IF ANYBODY CD1 ( C\RSE
X WD 2 ,BILLY4 ,MY FR ! ,TRUE ,2LIEV]4
  8,WELL1 ,I PROMISE Y1 X'S N J ME4 ,!
/,N'S HOPP+ L A MADH\SE4 ,CALLS     #DJJ
-+ 9 F ALL OV] ! C;Y1 "S ( !M F P :O'RE
SEE+ ?+S & LOTS F P :O ?9K _! FRS H LO/
_! M9DS40
  8,Y ! ONLY "O "!80
  ,BILLY "U/OOD :AT ,I M1NT1 EV5 IF ! "Q
_HN'T -E ANY": NE> ASK+ X4 8,NO1 "!'S ME
& ,J5 ,GONZALES 9 ,MISS+ ,P]SONS &A BUN*
( P F YR LL S@E.E BACK 9 ,JANU>Y4 ,I
DONNO :O ELSE40
  8,X WASN'T A S@E.E40
  8,JOANNE60
  ,I'D N"E HE>D ,BILLY S.D S ANNOY$4 ,I
W9C$1 CLUT*+ MY T[EL AG/ MY *E/4 8,Y1H1
SORRY1 N A GD "T = >GU+ DETAILS4 ,LOOK1
,I'LL '''0 ,:AT ! HELL 0 ,I GO+ 6D8
8,I'LL -E D[N 6! /,N4 ,I DON'T "K :AT GD
,I C D1 B "SBODY ELSE ON DUTY C'T HURT1
AT L1/40
  8,=GET -+ 6! /,N1 ,JOANIE4 ,FIGURE \
:AT'S GO+ ON4 ,GIMME A CALL :5 Y "K4
,MAYBE WE C FIGURE \ H[ 6FIX X40
  8,X'LL 2 FIX$ TN10 ,I SD )\T ?9K+4 ,I
CD ALL B HE> ,BILLY %AKE 8 H1D4
  8,TN MI<T N 2 SOON 5\<4 ,GET BUSY1
,JOANIE4 ,? IS IMPORTANT40 ,HE      #DJA
HUNG UP4 ,I GOT DRESS$ & W5T 6F9D ,FAYE4

  ,ACTU,Y1 ,I GOT DRESS$1 W5T \TSIDE1 &
4COV]$ MY C> WASN'T "!4 ,H[ QKLY WE =-
GET4 ,I SWORE & W5T BACK UP/AIRS 6CALL A
CAB4
  ,X TOOK =TY-FIVE M9UTES 6>RIVE4 ,I
DESP]ATELY WI%$ ,G>Y 0 ON DUTY1 & N J 2C
HE ALW MANAG$ 6DUMP 8 CURR5T F>E & -E
SKI4+ 6MY DOOR/OP :5 ,I NE$$ A RIDE4
,HE'D DELIV]$ ME 6A CRIME SC5E BACK 9
,M>*1 & _H BE5 T]RIBLY SULKY T ,MORRISON
WDN'T LET HM HANG >.D & GAWK4 ,I WANT$
HM 6BE "! 6GAWK ) ME4
  ,I MADE TWO LOOPS >.D MY BLOCK :ILE ,I
WAIT$ =! CAB1 *ECK+ \ ! HAVOC CAUS$ 0!
E>?QUAKE &! _SS RUNN+ AMOK4 ,"! 0 (T5 A
DRUNK OR TWO SLEEP+ X (F 9 ! P>K ACR !
/REET F MY A"P;T BUILD+1 B ? MORN+ "EY-
"O1 EV5 ! DRUNKS1 0 AWAKE &A LL WILD-
EY$4 ,APP>5TLY SEE+ _SS ALL OV] W SOB] A
P]SON "R UP4
  ,& "! 7 M & M ( !M1 & !Y 7 2COM+ M
SOLID4 ,I WAT*$ A MOOSE CROSS 9 FRONT (
ME & D5T ! GRASS X /EPP$ ON1 AL?    #DJB
X DIDN'T /AY B5T4 ,I KEPT SIDE-/EPP+ >.D
?+S T W]5'T Q R1L1 (T5 96?+S T W]E1 L A
JO7] :O /OPP$ & YELL$ AT ME = ?REE M9-
UTES /RAI<T4 ,AT L1/ HE 0 KEEP+ 8 HE>T
RATE UP4 ,J AB "EY"O 0 CRA2Y1 EI F SEE+
ANIMALS T CDN'T POSSIBLY 2 "!1 OR F HAV+
6D1L ) P :O 7 HAV+ HALLUC9,NS4 ,I DIDN'T
"K : GR\P ,I FELT SORRI] =4 ,BO?1 MAYBE4
,! COV5 & ,I _H 4TURB$ ! NATURAL ORD] (
?+S4 ,I WOND]$ IF X'D "E RE,Y BE5 L ?1
?\S&S ( YE>S AGO1 ) S _M _SS ROAM+ FREE4
,I WASN'T SURE \R MOD]N _W CD ADAPT 6X4
  ,! CAB RIDE 6! /,N 0 FRU/RAT+4 ,"! 7
N[ CR1TURES SETTL+ !MVS 9 ! MI4LE (!
ROAD1 DELIB]ATELY SPR++ T[>D MOV+ VEHI-
CLES Z IF !Y 7 PREY4 ,"S"TS VEHICLES 5D$
UP ) VISI# IMPACT M>KS F MON/]S SMA%+
96!M2 O!R C>S WD J SU45LY SW]VE & CRA%
96"S?+4 ,E>?QUAKE DEBRIS LITT]+ ! /REETS
MADE M ?AN 5 T>GETS 6BA% AG/1 EV5 IF O!R
VEHICLES W]5'T ON ! ROADS4 ,I CL5*$ MY
F+]S >.D ! CAB'S >MRE/ & ?REW BANI%;T
?"\S AT ! _SS ) ALL MY /R5G?4 ,X DIDN'T
HELP4
  ,I WI%$ AG ,G>Y 0 ! "O DRIV+ MY   #DJC
CAB1 "PLY 2C ,I SUSPECT$ HE'D 2 A# 6SEE
! MON/]S4 ,EV5 IF HE CDN'T1 X DIDN'T
MATT]1 2C HE WDN'T ?9K ,I 0 CRAZY1 : WD
2 GD 5\<4 ,HE AL WDN'T LET ! MET] RUN UP
--PROBABLY--:ILE ,I GOT \ 6TRY 6D1L )
BO? WRECKS & _S ANIMALS4 ,MY TEE? 2GAN
6HURT F PRESS+ !M TGR S H>D4 ,I WI%$
,COYOTE 0 "!--MY COYOTE1 ,LL ,COYOTE--TO
TELL ME :AT 6D1 B ,I CDN'T EV5 3C5TRATE
5 6SLIP 96! O!R_W4 ,I 0 GO+ 6H 6HELP ON
MY [N4
  ,I OV]PD ! CA2Y & W5T 96! PREC9CT ) MY
%\LD]S HUN*$ >.D MY E>S4 ,"! W]5'T T _M
_SS 9FE/+ ! PREC9CT BUILD+1 EXCEPT NE> !
W9D[S4 ,TOO M* 3CRETE & TOO _M /RAI<T
L9ES1 ,I ?"\4 ,C]NUNNOS & 8 LOT _HN'T
BE5 OV]:ELM+LY DELI<T$ ) RIGID MAN-MADE
/RUCTURES EI4 ,MAYBE X 0 "S?+ O!R_WLY
CR1TURES _H 9 -MON4 ,I DIDN'T C>E3 X 0 A
LL RELIEF F ! BIZ>RE;S \TSIDE1 & ,I TOOK
:AT ,I CD GET4
  8,Y BE5 ON VAC,N1 ,JOEY80
  8,:AT80 ,I NE>LY />T$ \ ( MY SK91 !N
WI%$ ,I DIDN'T FEEL L T 0 A G5U9E
POSSIBIL;Y4 ,A FR ( M9E1 ,RAY1      #DJD
L1N$ \ (A DOORWAY ,I'D PASS$4 ,HE WASN'T
WE>+ 8 HAT1 B ,I CD SEE ! R+ ": SW1T _H
MATT$ 8 HAIR AG/ 8 H1D4
  8,Y'RE TAN4 ,BE5 ON VAC,N80 ,RAY 0
%ORT & BULKY & SOLID1 L A HUMAN BUNK]4
,EXPLA9+ 6HM AB MY MY/IC,Y 9DUC$ TAN
WD'VE BE5 L EXPLA9+ QUANTUM PHYSICS 6A
HIPPO4 ,I WASN'T UP 6EI TASK4
  8,GOT TOO M* SUN1 ANYWAY40
  8,LOOKS GD10 ,RAY (F]$1 !N TILT$ 8 H1D
BACK AT ! MA9 DOORS4 8,X'S BALLS-BU/+
NUTS \ "!40 ,HE 4APPE>$ BACK 96! (FICE1
HAV+ DELIV]$ 8 PIECE4 ,I RU2$ MY BR1/-
B"O1 BL9K+1 !N %OOK MY H1D & W5T LOOK+ =
,MORRISON 6SEE IF HE'D LET ME BORR[ A
PATROL C> UNTIL ,I CD RESCUE ,PETITE OR
GET A R5TAL4
  ,I F.D ,BILLY 9/1D4 ,HE CAME >.D A
CORN] L A WRECK+ BALL1 NE>LY B[L+ ME
OV]4 ,I /EPP$ BACK1 FLATT5+ MYF AG/ !
WALL1 & HE LUMB]$ PA/ ME1 !N DREW UP &
TURN$ BACK )A GL>E4 ,SW1T ROLL$ D[N 8
FACE1 TOO P9K ) EX];N &! LACK ( AIR-
3DI;N+4 8,Y'RE N SUPPOS$ 6BE "H40
  8,I DON'T H A C>1 ,BILLY4 ,I      #DJE
NE$ 6SEE IF ,I C BORR[ "O4 ,& ,*RI/1 "S-
BODY NE$S 6BE "H4 ,X'S NUTS \ "!40 ,I
TWIT*$ MY NOSE1 ANNOY$ AT MY M\? = /1L+
,RAY'S ^WS4 ,AT L1/ ,I'D AVOID$ ! BALLS-
BU/+ "P4
  8,Y1H4 ,LOOK40 ,BILLY CURL$ 8 F+]S >.D
MY UPP] >M & DREW ME ASIDE1 N T "! 0 A
GRT D1L ( TRA6IC T REQUIR$ AVOID+4 ,8
VOICE DROPP$ L[ 5 T ,I L1N$ 9 6HE> HM
BETT]4 8,I CDN'T TALK AB ? ON ! PH"O1
,JOANIE4 ,:AT"E'S GO+ ON "H IS UPSETT+
,MEL 9 A BIG WAY40
  ,MY /OMA* TI<T5$ UP Z ,I LOOK$ AT
,BILLY'S EXP&$ PAUN*4 8,H[ BIG80
  8,BAD CRAMPS & N]VES4 ,! DOCTOR TOLD
H] 6/AY ON B$ RE/ =A C\PLE "DS4 ,X'S ALM
IMPOSSI# )! RE/ (! KIDS1 ESPECI,Y ) ME N
2+ "!1 B--0
  8,B %E IS1 ISN'T %E1 ,BILLY80 ,MY
VOICE ROSE TOO HI< & ,BILLY TI<T5$ 8 F9-
G]S >.D MY >M4 ,I KNOTT$ MY "R H& 96A
FI/1 MY LEFT TOO DAMAG$ 6CURL M ?AN A
FEW C5TIMET]S CLOS$4 8,Y WANT ME 6G TAKE
C>E (! KIDS8 ,IS "! ANYBODY ELSE ) H]80
  ,RELIEF PAL$ ,BILLY'S FACE S      #DJF
%>PLY ,I ?"\ HE M/ 2 9 PA94 8,H] ,MOM'S
FLY+ IN1 B %E'S 9 ,>IZONA & C'T GET "H
UNTIL TM4 ,IF Y CD--0
  8,Y1H40 ,I CUT HM (F )A %>P MOVE;T (
MY H&4 8,( C\RSE1 ,BILLY4 ,I'LL TRY 6SEE
IF "!'S ANY?+ ,I C D AB--! RE/ ( X1 B AT
L1/ ,I C TAKE C>E (! KIDS & TAKE A LOAD
(F ,MEL'S M9D4 ,IS "! ANY?+ ,I "\A PICK
UP ON ! WAY OV]80
  8,TRANQUILIZ]S10 HE SD1 ONLY HALF-
KI4+4 ,I PULL$ UP ! BE/ SMILE ,I CD4
  8,=! KIDS1 OR = ,MEL9DA80
  ,BILLY LAU<$1 />TL$4 8,I M1NT ! KIDS1
B X MI<T 2 M E6ECTIVE 6GIVE !M 6,MEL4
,LOOK1 ,I'M SORRY IF ,I 0 %ORT ) Y ON !
PH"O--0
  ,I GRA2$ 8 H&4 8,Y W]5'T4 ,X'S OKAY4
,I'LL G TAKE C>E ( !M1 ,BILLY4 ,ISN'T T
:AT COPS >E SUPPOS$ 6D8 ,DON'T WORRY4
,X'S GO+ 6BE F9E40




          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-SEV5      #DJG

  ,BILLY CALL$ AH1D 6LET ,MEL &! KIDS "K
,I 0 -+4 ,I /OPP$ = LOOT ON ! WAY OV] &
PULL$ UP _! DRIVEWAY 9 ! BORR[$ PATROL
C>4 ,I GOT \ & PU%$ ! GATE--AN ACTUAL
:ITE PICKET F;E--OP5 & W5D$ MY WAY "? !
OV]GR[N H]B G>D5 T MADE UP ! ,HOLLI"D
FRONT Y>D4 ,X 0 ALM COOL "U ! %ADE (A
C\PLE ( ENORM\S BIR* TREES T FILT]$ SUN-
LI<T D[N 6! GR.D4
  ,! TWO OLDE/ KIDS1 ,ROB]T & ,CL>A1 MET
ME AT ! FRONT DOOR ) S]I\S EXPRES.NS4 ,I
PUT MY BAG ( LOOT D[N ON ! POR* & RU6L$
,ROB'S HAIR4 ,AT ELEV51 HE 0 />T+ 6H
4T9CT OP9IONS AB 8 [N DIGN;Y1 S :5 HE
DIDN'T DUCK \ F "U MY H&1 ,I KNEW ?+S 7
DIRE 9DE$4 8,HEY1 GUYS4 ,H['S YR ,MOM80
  8,GRUMPY40 ,CL>A HOOK$ H] >M >.D MY
HIPS & L1N$ ON ME4 8,%E DOESN'T L /AY+ 9
B$40
  8,ME EI4 ,":'S ,JACQUIE & ,]IK80
  8,TAK+ A NAP10 ,ROB]T REPORT$4 8,I
TOLD 'EM !Y _H 6BE EXTRA GD 'CAUSE
,MOM'S SICK4 ,IS %E GONNA 2 OKAY1
,JOANNE80                           #DJH
  8,Y1H40 ,I PULL$ ,ROB]T OV] 6MY O!R
HIP 6HUG HM4 8,& ,I'M "H 6SIT ON Y GUYS
& MAKE SURE "EYBODY'S GD & TAKE C>E ( YR
MOM IF %E NE$S X1 OKAY80
  8,WE'RE .2+ GD10 ,CL>A 9SI/$4 8,X'S
AW;L HOT4 ,C WE G GET "S ICE CR1M80
  8,MAYBE LAT]4 ,H[ AB A DR9K N[8 ,LEM-
ONADE80 ,! KIDS 7 S ASSUR$ X MADE ME
FEEL BETT]4
  8,C'T10 ,ROB]T SD4 8,"!'S A ?+ 9 !
KIT*540
  ,S M* = FEEL+ BETT]4 8,A ?+80
  8,A ,?+10 ,CL>A REP1T$1 IMBU+ ! ^W )A
CAPITAL LR4 8,WE DIDN'T WANT 6TELL
,MOM40
  8,! DOCTOR SD %E _H 6/AY 9 B$10 ,ROB]T
EXPLA9$4 ,I SMIL$ A BIT4
  8,Y1H1 &A ,?+ WD PROBABLY MAKE H] GET
UP4 ,Y GUYS >E GD KIDS40
  8,Y1H10 ,ROB]T AGRE$4 ,I GR9N$ M
BROADLY4
  8,MODE/1 TOO4 ,OKAY4 ,LET ME G SAY HI
6YR MOM1 & !N ,I'LL -E LOOK AT ? ,?+1
OKAY80
  ,ROB]T & ,CL>A EX*ANG$ GL.ES1     #DJI
3SID]+ ! PROPOSAL1 !N NO4$4 8,OKAY10
,ROB]T SD4 8,C WE SET UP ! WAT] SLIDE ON
! LAWN80
  ,I PURS$ MY LIPS4 8,LET ME SEE IF YR
MOM'S UP 6ALL T NOISE1 OKAY8 ,I'LL HELP
Y IF %E IS4 ,O!RWISE X'LL 2 ,P>*EESI OR
"S?+4 ,"S?+ QUIET40 ,I 9EVITABLY LO/ AT
,P>*EESI1 ,MONOPOLY1 & PRETTY M* E O!R
BO>D GAME "E PLAY$4 ,I BLAM$ X ON N"E
LE>N+ ! RULES PROP]LY Z A *4 ,ON ! O!R
H&1 ,I CD ID5TIFY M VEHICLES AT A GL.E
?AN MO/ P CD 9 A LIFE"T1 : 0 5 (A "PY
TRICK = ME4
  ,! KIDS EX*ANG$ GL.ES AG4 8,Y'VE N"E
PLAY$ ,P>*EESI ) U1 H Y80 ,CL>A ASK$4
8,X'S N QUIET40
  ,I GR9N$4 8,WE'LL H 6MAKE D4 ,TIPTOE 9
& *ECK ON YR LL BRO!R & SI/] :ILE ,I
*ECK ON YR MOM40
  8,OKAY60 ,!Y RAN (F1 S.D+ LESS L A H]D
( ELEPHANTS ?AN ,I'D "E HE>D !M 2F4 ,I
KICK$ MY S&ALS (F 2F GO+ 6VISIT ,MEL9DA4
  ,! ,HOLLI"DS' H\SE 0 ! K9D ( PLACE
,I'D ALW WANT$ 6LIVE 9 & N"E _H ! FO7IE/
IDEA :Y ,I %D4 ,X 0 9 A BETT] "P    #DAJ
(! ,NOR? ,PREC9CT1 F> 5 NOR? T :5 ,BIL-
LY'D B"\ X1 X'D BE5 UNFA%IONA# & -P>A-
TIVELY 9EXP5SIVE4 ,X'D />T$ ) F\R B$-
ROOMS & _H EXP&$ 6SIX1 ) H>DWOOD FLOORS
SC>R$ F KIDS & DOGS RUNN+ RAMPANT OV]
!M4 ,! BACKY>D 0 ENORM\S & USU,Y _H A
CROQUET SET &A BADM9TON NET SET UP4 ,X
LOOK$ EXACTLY L ! K9D ( PLACE A P]SON WD
WANT 6RAISE A H]D ( *N4 ,I CDN'T IMAG9E
:AT ,I'D D ) X1 B ,I COVET$ X ANYWAY4
  ,! /AIRS UP 6! B$ROOMS SQU1K$ Z ,I
TOOK !M TWO AT A "T4 ,"SH[ ! KIDS ALW
RAN !M )\T MAK+ !M SQU1K1 AL? X DIDN'T D
A ?+ = SIL5C+ _! APPROA*ES OR DE"PURES4
,MEL9DA HE>D ME -+ & CALL$1 8,JOANNE8
,IS T Y80
  8,Y1H40 ,I APPE>$ 9 H] DOORWAY1 SMIL+4
8,I SQU1K TOO M* 6BE ! KIDS1 HUH80 ,CL>A
0 "R3 ,MOM 0 GRUMPY4 ,H] COLOR 0 (F &=
ONCE %E DIDN'T LOOK P]FECT4 ,H] HAIR 0
UP 9 A TANGL$ PONYTAIL & %E 0 WE>+ AN
ORANGE %IRT T ,I RECOGNIZ$ Z ,BILLY'S1
S(T & -=T+ B A BAD COLOR = H]4 ,H] EYE-
BR[S 7 PULL$ D[N & H] M\? 0 TURN$ 9 A
FR[N4                               #DAA
  8,-E ON IN4 ,?ANKS = -+ OV]40 ,! FR[N
FL$ 96A GRATE;L SMILE4 ,I PA4$ 9 & SAT
ON ! $GE (! B$4
  8,N A PRO#M4 ,>E Y AB 6DIE ( BOREDOM80
  8,YES4 ,& ,I'VE ONLY BE5 "H ?REE
H\RS40
  ,I LAU<$4 8,I'M SURPRIS$ Y'VE /AY$ / T
L;G4 ,I BR"\ Y "S /UFF40
  8,IF X'S KNITT+1 ,I'M GO+ 6POKE YR
EYES \ )! NE$LES10 ,MEL9DA W>N$1 !N %OOK
H] H1D4 8,I CDN'T GET UP IF ,I WANT$ TO4
,ALL ,I H 6D IS REMEMB] H[ SC>$ ,BILL
LOOK$ & ,I DON'T EV5 WANT 6MOVE40 ,%E
PULL$ H] L[] LIP 96H] M\? & FR[N$ \ !
W9D[4 ,I T\*$ H] >M4
  8,HEY4 ,X'S OKAY1 HUH8 ,Y DON'T H 6BE
T\< IF Y DON'T WANT TO4 ,I WON'T TELL
ANYBODY40 ,MY HE>T HURT = H]4 8,X'S GON-
NA 2 F9E1 ,MEL4 ,Y J TAKE X EASY4 ,ANY-
WAY1 ,I BR"\ TRA%Y ROM.E NOVELS1 N KNIT-
T+1 &A P9T ( *OCOLATE FUDGE BR[NIE DE-
LI<T ICE CR1M40
  8,T'S MY FAVORITE60
  ,I GR9N$4 8,Y1H1 ,BILLY TOLD ME4 ,HE
?"\ MAYBE IF Y 7 /UCK 9 B$ =A       #DAB
:ILE HE CD GET Y 6GA9 "S WEI<T 9/1D (
HM40
  ,6MY RELIEF1 %E LAU<$4 8,ISN'T T J L A
MAN4 ,ALW ?9K+ ( HMF40 ,H] EYES B"R5$ &
%E LOOK$ AWAY AG4 ,I BUSI$ MYF HAUL+
/UFF \ ( PLA/IC BAGS UNTIL %E CLE>$ H]
?ROAT & SD1 8,?ANKS40
  8,NO PRO#M40 ,I LOOK$ UP AG )A SMILE4
8,ROB WANT$ 6"K IF !Y CD PUT ! WAT]
SLIDE \ ON ! BACK LAWN4 ,X'S T OR ,P>-
*EESI4 ,:AT'S YR VOTE80
  8,! WAT] SLIDE IS OKAY4 ,I DIDN'T WANT
!M 6GET ! LAWN ALL SOAK$ 2C (! "PY TN1
B--0
  8,OH1 CRAP1 "R40
  ,MEL9DA GAVE ME A DIRTY LOOK4 8,Y'D =-
GOTT51 _HN'T Y40 ,!N %E FR[N$4 8,JOANNE1
H Y BE5 TANN+80
  ,I GROAN$1 HALF-LAU<+4 8,SORT (4 ,X'S
A L;G /ORY40
  8,I MAY 2 /UCK "H A :ILE10 %E SD DRY-
LY4 ,I LIFT$ UP MY H&S & %E GAWK$1 GRA2+
MY LEFT WRI/ S %E CD TURN MY 9JUR$ PALM
UP4 8,:AT HAPP5$80
  8''' "P (! SAME L;G /ORY4 ,I'LL   #DAC
TELL Y AB X10 ,I SD HA/ILY4 8,I PROMISE4
,LET ME GET ! KIDS GO+ )! WAT] SLIDE F/1
OKAY8 ,WE'LL -E PLAY ,P>*EESI 9 "H ? AFN
S Y'RE N TRAPP$ 9 ! TWILI<T Z"O AL"O ALL
"D1 & ,I'LL CALL 6LET P "K ! "PY'S CAN-
CEL$40
  ,%E LET G ( MY WRI/ RELUCTANTLY4 8,I
GUESS S4 ,UN.S Y'VE GOT A ,8GET \ ( B$
FREE0' PASS H&Y80
  ,= AN 9/ANT ,I HOP$ ! P[] 9SIDE ME WD
RISE 6! *ALL5GE1 B X DIDN'T S M* Z /IR4
,I %OOK MY H1D & PA/$ ON A RUE;L GR94
8',FRAID N4 ,J TELL ME ": 6F9D ! GUE/
LI/40
  8,H[ ORGANIZ$ %E ?9KS ,I AM10 ,MEL SD
6! CEIL+4 8,GUE/ LI/1 .DIAS .MIA4
,BILL'S TELL+ ! GUYS AT ! PREC9CT1 & ,I
?9K ,I C GIVE Y ! RE/ (! "NS40
  8,OKAY40 ,I PRODUC$ A PLA/IC SPOON &!
P9T ( ICE CR1M F ! PLA/IC BAG4 8,EAT1
GA91 & 2 M]RY4 ,I % RETURN ANON1 ONCE !
KIDS >E SETTL$ \TSIDE40 ,& ONCE ,I 0 D"O
D1L+ )! ,?+ 9 ! KIT*54 ,I /OOD1 SALUT$
SM>TLY1 & LEFT ,MEL9DA SMIL+ 2H ME4
                                    #DAD
  ,I HELP$ ! TWO OLD] KIDS SET UP !
SLIDE1 : IS 6SAY ,I SET X UP :ILE !Y GOT
_! "Y] SIBL+S & "EY"O1 9CLUD+ ! TWO-YE>-
OLD1 /OOD >.D TELL+ ME :AT ,I 0 DO+
WR;G4 ,DESPITE MY 9COMPET;E1 !Y SEEM$
PL1S$ )! RESULTS1 & ,I LEFT !M AL"O1
%RIEK+ & SLID+ ACR ! PLA/IC MAT 9 FREEZ+
COLD HOSE WAT]4 ,!N ,I W5T 69VE/IGATE !
,?+ 9 ! KIT*54
  ,I FELT X :5 ,I GOT 6! D9+ ROOM4 ,I CD
EV5 SEE X1 A MALEVOL5T SILV] GL[ T BL$
"? ! WALLS4 ,MY /EPS SL[$ UNTIL ,I FELT
L ,C9D]ELLA /UCK 9 ! PIT*4 ,I _H 6LOOK
AT MY FEET 6R1LIZE T ,I 0 N1 9 FACT1
MOV+ =W>D ANYMORE4 ,NO WOND] ! KIDS
_HN'T WANT$ 6G 96! KIT*54 ,I LIFT$ MY *9
& KEPT GO+1 FEEL+ L ,I 0 TRY+ 6WALK "? A
M>%MALL[4 ,! AIR PRESS$ BACK AT ME1 S(T
& /ICKY & ?ICK4 ,I BR1!D "? MY NOSE1 DE-
LIB]ATE DEEP BR1?S1 & PU%$ "? X4 ,:5 ,I
R1*$ ! KIT*5 DOOR1 ! ?ICK;S %ATT]$ L A
SOAP BUB# & ,I 0 A# 6DRAW 9 "O NORMAL
BR1?4
  ,X SEEM$ L A L;G "T 2F ,I TOOK ! NEXT
"O4 ,"! 0 M ?AN A ,?+ 9 ! KIT*52    #DAE
! ,?+ _H FILL$ ! KIT*5 ALM 5TIRELY4
,ENORM\S SILV] COILS PIL$ ON ! C.T]S &
/U6$ ! CORN]S (! ROOM4 ,A %AD[ ( MY [N
REFLEC;N B\NC$ ACR GLITT]+ :ITE SCALES T
W]5'T Q SOLID 5 YET 6MAKE A TRUE REFLEC-
;N4 ,A H1VY H1D LIFT$ \ (! COILS & FLAT
:ITE EYES />$ D[N AT ME4
  ,X 0 SMALL] ?AN X _H BE5 9 ! ,D1D
,Z"O4 ,XS H1D 0 ONLY ! L5G? ( MY BODY4
,:5 X OP5$ XS M\?1 HISS+ SIL5TLY )!
GRAY-:ITE T;GUE FLICK+ \ 6TA/E ! AIR1 XS
FANGS 7 ONLY HALF MY SIZE4 ,Z ,I WAT*$1
?\<1 X ''' POPP$4 ,C>TILAGE & MUSCLE
BULG$ ) AUDI# CRACK+ S.DS1 EXP&+ A FEW
9*ES 9 E DIREC;N4 ,! SPIRES AL;G XS BACK
SNAPP$ & PULS$ 6A L>G] SIZE1 & XS SKULL
J]K$ \1 /RET*+ SK9 T SU45LY DIDN'T FIT X
ANYMORE4 ,! SCALES %ATT]$ & RE=M$1 L>G]
N[ 6A3OMMODATE ! NEW SIZE4 ,! FANGS 7 A
H&'S-L5G? L;G] :5 X HISS$ AG4
  ,X 0 V NE>LY SOLID ALR4 ,:AT"E 0 KEEP+
MO/ (! _SS F R1LIZ+ _! BODIES WASN'T AF-
FECT+ ! S]P5T4 ,MAYBE X _H M /R5G? ( W
OR M 3SCI\S AW>E;S4 ,X SURE Z HELL KNEW
,I 0 "!1 GAP+ UP AT X4 ,X ALL B     #DAF
SMIL$1 L[]+ XS FLAT NOSE 6)9 C5TIMET]S (
MY FACE4 ,!N X OP5$ XS M\? & SNAPP$ XS
JAWS %UT OV] ME4
  ,AGONY CRAMP$ MY HAM/R+S1 DROPP+ ME TO
MY KNEES )A GURGLE T WANT$ 6BE A H[L4 ,I
FELL "? ! N-Q-SOLID S]P5T'S M\?1 FEEL+
XS JAWS SCRAPE UP MY B"OS1 & LAY CURL$ )
MY =EH1D ON ! FLOOR1 %U4]+4 ,! S]P5T
SEEM$ 6*UCKLE ABV ME1 & ,I ?"\ ,I FELT
XS T;GUE LA% AL;G MY BACKB"O4 ,I CURL$
MY H&S 96FI/S & :ISP]$1 8,H\/ON1 WE H A
PRO#M40
  ,I'D ?"\ ,I CD VANQUI% ! ,?+ 9 ! KIT*-
EN4 ,I _HN'T BE5 R1L CLE> ON H[ ! VAN-
QUI%+ WD "W2 ,I'D _H VAGUE ID1S ( PLAY+
MAID5-&-UNICORN & L1D+ ! ,?+ \TSIDE4 ,!
M9OR DETAIL T ,I WASN'T A MAID5 _HN'T
SEEM$ RELEVANT1 S9CE X'D SEEM$ UNLIKELY
T ! ,?+ WD 2 A UNICORN4 ,I DIDN'T ?9K
KIDS WD CALL A UNICORN A ,?+4 ,!N AG1
,I'D N"E MET A UNICORN4 ,!Y CD 2 V ,?+-
L1 = ALL ,I KNEW4
  ,I ADMIR$ H[ MY BRA9 0 TRY+ 6DERAIL
ME4 ,X DIDN'T WANT 6?9K AB ! ,?+ 2+
SEMISOLID4 ,X DIDN'T WANT 6?9K AB   #DAG
! ,?+ GR[+ L>G] EV5 Z ,I WAT*$4 ,X C]-
TA9LY DIDN'T WANT 6?9K AB ! ,?+ 2+ !
,D1D ,Z"O S]P5T )A "PICUL> V5DETTA AG/
ME4 ,WELL4 ,V5DETTA MI<T 2 A LL /R;G4 ,X
WANT$ 6EAT ME4 ,I _H1 9 FACT1 AGRE$ 6LET
X1 TOO4 ,X J WANT$ :AT ,I'D PROMIS$4
  ,I DECID$ T F ! PO9T ( VIEW (! "O :O 0
GO+ 6BE EAT51 T 0 5 L A V5DETTA4 ,!N ,I
BONK$ MY =EH1D ON ! FLOOR & SET MY TEE?
TGR4 .,FOCUS1 .,JOANNE4
  ,I WASN'T GO+ 6BE A# 6GET ! S]P5T \ (
"H 0PLAY+ MAID5-&-UNICORN4 ,I WASN'T AT
ALL SURE ! DAMN$ ?+ WD FIT "? ! DOOR4 ,I
HE>D X POP "? ANO!R GR[? SPURT ABV ME1 &
REVIS$ T UPW>D3 X WDN'T FIT "? ! DOOR4
,!N AG1 9 XS SEMISOLID /ATE1 T MI<T N
MATT]2 DOORS MI<T 2 IRRELEVANT4 ,I 2GAN
6CRAWL BACKW>D1 :ISP]+1 8,HEEE]E1 SNAKEY
SNAKEY SNAKE4 ,C'M]E1 SNAKE40 ,I HE>D X
RU/LE UPW>D1 ! S.D M 9 ! BACKS ( MY E>
B"OS ?AN 9 MY E>S1 & D>$ 6PEEK UP4
  ,ONLY !N DID ,I R1LIZE MY VI.N 0 COM-
PLETELY 9V]T$1 ! SUNLI<T "? ! W9D[
SPILL+ 9 BLACK & MAK+ PAT*ES ( %AD[ AG/
! S]P5T4 ,I'D ADAPT$4 ,FUNNY :AT    #DAH
A BODY C GET US$ TO4 ,I WOND]$ IF ,MEL9-
DA'S %IRT 0 RE,Y ORANGE1 OR IF ,I'D LO/
MY COLOR VI.N 2F T4
  ,! S]P5T1 />+ D[N AT ME1 DIDN'T LOOK
9CL9$ 6MOVE4 ,I :ISP]$1 8,"H1 SNAKEY
SNAKE10 AG & BACK$ UP A FEW M 9*ES4 ,X
FOLL[$ ME ) XS GAZE1 /OPP+ :5 XS H1D
CAME UP AG/ ! DOORJAMB4 ,X WD FIT1 IF
ONLY J4 ,! DAMN$ ?+'S H1D 0 ?REE FEET
WIDE4 ,! SPIRES ON XS BACK MI<T N FIT AT
ALL4 ,I BIT MY LIP & BACK$ UP "S M4
8,C'MON1 MA/] S]P5T4 ,I [E Y "O1 DON'T
,I8 ,:Y DON'T WE G \TSIDE ": Y C EAT
ME40
  ,X FLICK$ XS T;GUE \1 LOOK+ AMUS$1 &
SETTL$ BACK D[N 9 XS COILS4 ,I SWORE &
HIT ! FLOOR ) MY FI/4 8,LOOK1 GODDAMN X1
Y'RE GO+ 6BE /UCK 9 "H ANYWAY1 IF Y
DON'T -E ) ME4 ,? ROOM'S N BIG 5 = Y4 ,J
-E ON ALR40 ,I SAT BACK ON MY HEELS &
GL>$ AT X4 ,X FLICK$ XS T;GUE -PLAC5TLY
& %IV]$ A FEW ( XS SPIRES 2F ! :OLE
CR1TURE CRACK$ & POPP$ & 5L>G$ AG4 ,I
WAT*$ X FILL ANO!R SIX SQU>E 9*ES (!
KIT*51 & "U/OOD4                    #DAI
  ,X DIDN'T NE$ 6FIT 96! ROOM4 ,! ROOM
WD FIT X1 EV5TU,Y4 ,! BI7] & M SOLID X
GOT1 ! LESS ! BUILD+ /RUCTURE WD 2 A# TO
A3OMMODATE X4 ,! S]P5T WD DE/ROY ,BILLY
& ,MEL'S H\SE UN.S ,I CD GET X \ ( "!4
,I GOT 6MY FEET4 8,X'S N GO+ 6BE ?
EASY10 ,I W>N$ X4 ,X BL9K$ LID.S EYES AT
ME & HISS$1 Z CLOSE 6A LAU< Z ,I "E
WANT$ 6HE> F A SNAKE4 ,I %OOK MY H1D &
N]V$ MYF UP 6TURN+ MY BACK ON X4
  ,I _H A PLAN4

  ,MEL LOOK$ M *E];L )A HALF P9T ( ICE
CR1M 9 H]1 B H] EXPRES.N D>K5$ Z ,I CAME
96! B$ROOM4 8,:AT'S WR;G8 ,>E ! KIDS
OKAY80
  8,! KIDS >E F9E40 ,I SAT ON ! $GE (!
B$4 8,:AT "T'S ,BILLY GET (F "W TN80
  8,SEV51 IF "! >5'T ANY CRISES4 ,:Y80
,MEL9DA TI<T5$ H] F+]S >.D H] PLA/IC
SPOON L %E'D USE X Z A W1PON AG/ ME4 ,I
TWI/$ MY M\?1 /UDY+ H] & TRY+ 6JUDGE H[
M* TRU? ,I %D IM"P4 8,DAMMIT1 ,JOANNE10
%E SD1 8/OP LOOK+ AT ME L T4 ,I'M A
COP'S WIFE4 ,I C H&LE X4 ,:AT !     #DBJ
HELL IS WR;G80
  8,"!'S A MON/] 9 YR KIT*540 ,I W9C$ Z
! ^WS CAME \4 ,MEL'S EYEBR[S W5T UP A
FRAC;N ( AN 9*4
  8,Y M1N 2SS MY T]M9,Y HUNGRY ELEV5-
YE>-OLD SON80
  ,I SMIL$ A LL4 8,Y1H1 2SS T4 ,"!'S1 UM
''' ,CRAP4 ,2F Y GOT ASSIGN$ 6B$1 DID Y
SEE1 L1 WEIRD ANIMALS & ?+S >.D80
  ,MEL9DA EXHAL$1 H] %\LD]S DROPP+4 8,(
C\RSE ,I DID4 ,! LA/ TWO "DS1 "EY?+'S
BE5 NA/Y4 ,! W1!R'S TOO HOT & "EY"O'S
CRA2Y1 L !Y'RE WAIT+ =! O!R %OE 6DROP4
,MY GR&MA 0 A .BRUJA1 ,JOANNE4 ,ME &
,BILL MET AT A P>ANORMAL EV5TS 3V5;N
FIFTE5 YE>S AGO4 ,OH1 & DON'T GIVE ME T
TI<T-M\!D LOOK4 ,Y ?9K ,I DON'T "K :AT'S
BE5 GO+ ON ) Y8 ,EV5 IF Y _HN'T G"O TE>+
(F F ! EQUINOX D9N] L YR TAIL 0 ON FIRE1
,BILL TELLS ME "EY?+ ANYWAY40
  8,Y1H80 ,I SMIL$ W1KLY4 8,DID HE CAP]
>.D Y SAY+1 ,8,I TOLD H] S0'80
  8,Y1H1 "S40 ,MEL9DA GR9N$1 B X FELL
AWAY ALM IMMLY4 8,S :AT'S 9 ! KIT*580
  8,A S]P5T4 ,I M1N1 N J A S]P5T1   #DBA
B A SEA-S]P5T4 ,I DON'T "K :AT X'S
CALL$1 B X'S HUGE4 ,I WANT 6CALL 9 "S
BACKUP & SEE IF WE C GET RID ( X4 ,I'D R
H Y &! KIDS \ (! H\SE1 B ,I'M N SURE
WE'VE GOT T M* "T40
  ,MEL9DA />T$ 6SIT UP F>!R4 ,I PUT MY
H& ON H] %\LD]1 %AK+ MY H1D4 8,NO WAY1
NO H[1 SWEETHE>T4 ,Y'RE /AY+ 9 B$4 ,:5
,BILLY -ES HOME HE C PICK Y UP & C>RY Y
\ ( "H1 B Y'RE N WALK+ >.D1 "Y LADY4 ,&
,I H"O/LY DON'T ?9K "!'S ANY IMM DANG]40
  ,MEL EY$ ME SKEPTIC,Y4 8,H"O/10 ,I RE-
P1T$4 8,I'M GONNA C.EL ! SOL/ICE "PY &
GET MY FRS 6-E OV]4 ,) ANY LUCK WE'LL
GET ? ?+ \ ( "H 2F ,BILLY EV5 -ES HOME1
& ,I ?9K T'LL MAKE Y FEEL BETT]4 ,M1N"T
,I'LL KEEP AN EYE ON X &! KIDS & Y4 ,IF
ANY?+ />TS 6LOOK WORSE1 WE'LL FIGURE \ A
PLAN ;,B1 OKAY80
  ,MEL9DA SUCK$ H] *EEKS 9 & GL>$ AT ME4
8,ALL "R10 %E SD4 8,ALL "R1 B Y'VE GOT
6KEEP ME 9 ! LOOP1 ,JOANNE4 ,X'S ! ONLY
WAY 6MAKE X "W40
  ,I GR9N$ LOPSID$LY Z ,I /OOD UP4 8,IS
T POLICE PROC$URE1 OR REL,N%IP      #DBB
ADVICE80
  ,MEL9DA'S EYEBR[S QUIRK$ AG4 8,"S (
BO?40 ,%E NO4$ AT ! DOOR4 8,G ON4 ,GET T
,?+ \ ( MY H\SE40




















          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-EI<T      #DBC

  ,0SIX-?IRTY1 ! S]P5T OV]FL[$ ! KIT*54
,R.D$ /RET*ES ( SCALES & MUSCLE CURV$ "?
! WALLS & SPILL$ ONTO ! BACKY>D LAWN &
96! D9+ ROOM4 ,ROB]T'S B$ROOM 0 DIRECTLY
ABV ! KIT*52 :5 ,I LOOK$ 96X1 ! S]P5T
LIFT$ XS H1D "? ! FLOOR & GAVE ME A
FLAT1 SILV]-EY$ />E4 ,! H\SE 0 / /&+1
EV5 ?\< IF ,I PUT MY H& AG/ "O (! CREA-
TURE'S %9+ SCALES & PU%$ ,I FELT RESI/.E
2F FALL+ "?4 ,I _H A HALF-ASS$ !ORY AT !
BACK ( MY M9D T 2C ,I 0 S5TI5T & A# 6AC-
CEPT ! ?+ Z R1L1 X 0 M R1L = ME ?AN =!
H\SE1 : D1LT SOLELY 9 ?+S : 7 "! OR N
"!4 ,"! 0 NO 9 2T /AGE4 ,I _H A FEW MO-
;TS ( L;G+ =! "DS :5 "!'D BE5 NO 9 2T =
ME1 EI1 B ! WI% DIDN'T LA/ L;G4 ,X 0
EASI] 6A3EPT 9 ! ?ICK ( ?+S ?AN F A RE-
MOVE (A C\PLE MON?S1 OR EV5 J A "D OR
TWO4
  8,JOANNE80
  ,I PULL$ \ ( ,ROB'S DOORWAY & CLOS$ !
DOOR 2H ME4 ,G>? /OOD AT ! H1D (! /AIRS1
SMIL+ S H>D X FELT L HE MI<T LI<T5 !
MOOD 9 ! :OLE H\SE4 ,NO "O 0 EX-    #DBD
ACTLY GRUMPY1 B "EY"O1 EV5 ,]IK1 ! TWO-
YE>-OLD1 0 N]V\S & TWIT*Y4 ,MEL9DA 0
GNA%+ H] TEE? )! FRU/R,N ( 2+ USE.S4
,FAYE'D TAK5 UP A PO/ AT ,MEL'S B$SIDE1
KEEP+ H] O3UPI$ ) /ORIES :ILE "EYBODY
ELSE >RIV$4 8,HEY1 ,G>?4 ,Y MADE X4 ,IS
T "EYBODY80
  8,M>CIA'S N "H YET4 ,B "!'S "SBODY
D[N/AIRS :O WANTS 6SEE Y40
  .,MORRISON4 ,COLD N]VES LAC$ >.D MY
/OMA* & TI<T5$ S H>D ,I BURP$4 ,G>?
BL9K$ & GR9N$4 ,I RU2$ MY H& OV] MY /OM-
A* & MANAG$ A SMILE4 ,I CDN'T ?9K H[ !
HELL ,MORRISON _H F.D \ :AT 0 GO+ ON "H1
OR :Y HE'D C>E4 ,WELL1 ,BILLY WD'VE TOLD
HM1 MAYBE1 B :Y WD HE C>E8 ,I /RAI<T5$
MY %\LD]S & PUT ON MY BE/ BRAVE SOLDI]
FACE4 8,OKAY40 ,I ?UMP$ D[N ! /AIRS 2H
,G>?4
  ,COL91 LOOK+ RIDICUL\SLY H1L?Y1 SAT 9
A :EEL*AIR 9 ! LIV+ ROOM1 B1M+ >.D AT
"EY"O4 ,HE TURN$ ! *AIR Z HE HE>D U -+
D[N ! /AIRS4 ,I CD SEE ! %AD[S ( 8 _S
SNAKE >.D 8 %\LD]S1 B ! WEI<T DIDN'T
SEEM 6A6ECT HM AT ALL4 ,8 GR9 GOT   #DBE
WID]4 8,AMAZON60
  8,COL96 ,MY ,GOD1 !Y LET Y \8 ,Y LOOK
FANTA/IC40 ,HE DID4 ,MY 9V]T$ VI.N
DIDN'T BO!R ME AT ALL ANYMORE4 ,X SEEM$
NORMAL = 8 HAIR 6BE BLACK & /R1M+ BITS (
LI<T :5 HE MOV$ 8 H1D4 ,8 COLOR 0 BETT]
& "! 0 M M1T ON 8 B"OS1 AL? H[ T CD 2
A6ECT$ 9 ! TWO "DS S9CE ,I'D LA/ SE5 HM1
,I WASN'T SURE4 8,MY ,GOD1 Y LOOK .GRT60
,I B5T 6HUG HM & KISS 8 *EEK4 ,8 TEMP]A-
TURE 0 A LL HI<1 B "EY"O'S WAS1 9 ! HOT
W1!R4
  8,I'M J \ ON TEMPOR>Y L1VE10 HE SD4
8,"O ( MOD]N M$IC9E'S MIRACLES1 !Y KEEP
TELL+ ME4 ,N"E SE5 A REV]SAL L ?4 ,I
MADE ! BIG EYES AT !M UNTIL !Y AGRE$ TO
LET ME \ =A C\PLE ( H\RS4 ,I'VE GOT 6GET
BACK 2F N9E40
  8,I HOPE Y DON'T M9D HM -+ AL;G10 ,G>?
SD 2H ME4 ,! SMILE 9 8 VOICE BUOY$ ME
UP4
  8,NAH1 ( C\RSE N4 ,A LL GD NEWS'LL
HELP U ALL GET "? ! RE/ (! NI<T40
  ,G>?'S VOICE L[]$4 8,IS X GO+ 6BE
BAD80                               #DBF
  ,I %RU7$ MY EYEBR[S4 8,LOOK$ 9 ! KIT*5
YET80 ,HE %OOK 8 H1D NO1 & ,I TILT$ MY
H1D 9 ! "R DIREC;N4 8,G SEE = YRF40
  ,HE CAME BACK A FEW MO;TS LAT] PALE &
WIDE-EY$1 J Z "EY"O ELSE _H D"O4 8,H['RE
WE GO+ 6TAKE C>E ( T80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,I WI% ,I KNEW4 ,I
DON'T RE,Y "U/& SPELL CRAFT+1 ,G>?40 ,I
SAT D[N ON A C\*1 RU2+ ! SC> ON MY *EEK4
,! C\* SUCK$ ME IN2 F\R B\NCY KIDS DID 9
EV5 ! BE/ ( SPR+S4 ,I $G$ =W>D1 TRY+ N
64APPE> 5TIRELY 96! CU%IONS4 8,I'VE
WAT*$ X TE> A HOLE 9 ! SKY & ANO!R "O 9
! E>?4 ,C WE MAKE A SPELL 6J MOVE "S?+80
  8,TRANSLOCATE10 ,M>CIA SD F ! DOORWAY4
,I LIFT$ MY H1D1 RELIEV$4 8,? ISN'T EX-
ACTLY ": WE AGRE$ 6MEET10 %E SD Z %E
CAME IN4
  8,I "K4 ,"S?+ CAME UP4 ,:AT'S TRANSLO-
CAT+8 ,I M1N1 H[ D Y D X80
  8,"! HAS 6BE AN EX*ANGE4 ,WE C'T SIM-
PLY MOVE "S?+ F "O PLACE 6ANO!R4 ,WE H
6TAKE "S?+ BACK 9 ORD] 6MAKE UP =! MASS
(! ?+ WE'VE PLAC$ ELSE":4 ,": IS X80
  8,! KIT*540                       #DBG
  ,M>CIA 0 GRIM1 N PALE1 :5 %E CAME BACK
F ! KIT*54 8,I DON'T "K IF A TRANSLOC,N
SPELL W "W ON "S?+ T'S N SOLID4 ,X .MAY1
& !N ALL WE'LL H 6TRANSLOCATE IS AIR1 :
WD 2 ! BE/-CASE SC5>IO =! H\SE40
  8,B10 ,I SD1 HE>+ X HANG+ ON H] ^WS4
  8,B X MAY N 2 POSSI#4 ,! RITUAL 6BR+ !
_SS ACR1 & ,VIRISS;G ) !M1 MAY H 6BE
-PLET$ 2F WE C MAKE ! EX*ANGE40
  8,SOLIDIFY+ T ?+ W DE/ROY ,BILLY &
,MEL'S H\SE1 ,M>CIA4 ,"!'S GOT 6BE ANO!R
WAY40 ,I PUT MY H&S ON MY ?I<S & PU%$
MYF UPW>D4
  8,:AT IS ,8X0'80 ,COL9 ASK$4 ,I LOOK$
AT HM1 !N AT ,G>?4
  8,X'S A '''0 ,I LOOK$ AT ,COL9 AG4
8,OH1 HELL1 ,I'LL J %[ Y4 ,Y'RE "H ANY-
WAY40 ,DESPITE ! KNOT ( WORRY 9 MY
LUNGS1 ,I CDN'T HELP GR9N+ AT ,COL94
8,GOD1 X'S GD 6SEE Y \ ( "!4 ,Y LOOK S
M* BETT]40
  ,HE LIFT$ AN >M & FLEX$ ! BICEPS4
8,I'LL 2 BR1K+ ALL ! GIRLS' HE>TS SOON4
,C'MON1 ,I WANNA SEE ? ?+ T'S GOT Y GUYS
ALL SPOOK$40                        #DBH
  ,I PUT MY H&S ON ! :EEL*AIR H&LES1
WAV+ ,G>? AWAY4 8,I'LL TAKE HM4 ,2+ AN
,AMAZON'S GOTTA 2 GD = "S?+40
  8,WAIT TILL ,I TELL ! GUYS BACK AT !
W>D ,I'VE GOT AN ,AMAZON GIRLFR10 ,COL9
SD *E];LLY4 ,I LAU<$ & :EEL$ HM D[N !
HALL 6! D9+ ROOM & KIT*54
  ,! S]P5T'S SILV] GL[ 0 B"R 5 6HURT MY
EYES4 ,COL9 DIDN'T LIFT A H& 6PROTECT 8
[N EYES AG/ ! BRILLI.E1 & AF A MO;T ,I
REMEMB]$ X 0 PROBABLY BLACK 6HIS EYES1 L
X _H BE5 :5 ,I F/ SAW X 9 ! ,D1D ,Z"O4
,I WOND]$ IF X GL[$ BLACK 6HM1 OR IF !
GL[+ 0 J A SPI6Y SIDE E6ECT ( MY /UPID
9V]T$ VI.N4
  ,X HE>D U -+ & L[]$ XS H1D "? ! DOOR
6FLICK XS T;GUE AT U4 ,X 0 NE>LY FULL-
SIZ$ N[1 XS H1D L;G] ?AN ,I 0 TALL4 ,X 0
GO+ 6DE/ROY ,BILLY'S H\SE1 & ,I CDN'T
FIGURE \ H[ 6/OP X4
  8,JESUS10 ,COL9 :ISP]$4 ,! S]P5T'S
COLD EYES FOCUS$ ON HM & X ?RU/ XS H1D
=W>D A FEW FEET1 UNTIL XS FLAT NOSE 0
ALM T\*+ 8 *E/4 ,I BACK$ UP S"EAL /EPS1
PULL+ ,COL9 ) ME4 ,! S]P5T FLICK$   #DBI
XS T;GUE & FOLL[$1 !N OP5$ XS M\? &
HISS$ A WAVE ( HOT IRRIT,N OV] U4 ,I CD
SEE ! SIDES (! DOOR "? XS TRANSLUC5T
SK91 XS BODY ALR TOO WIDE 6FIT "? ! OP5-
+4 ,=! F/ "T ,I ?"\ ,I HE>D ! H\SE CR1K
PROTE/ AG/ ! ?+'S TREM5D\S WEI<T4
  8,X'S K9D ( GORGE\S1 ISN'T X80 ,COL9
:ISP]$4 ,I GAP$ AT ! TOP ( 8 H1D1 !N AT
! MON/]4
  ,HE 0 "R1 ?\<3 X WAS4 ,N L A SNAKE2 X
0 TOO M* M ?AN A SNAKE 6SIMPLY H A
SNAKE'S D1DLY GRACE4 ,X ROLL$ =W>D ANO!R
FOOT OR TWO1 XS GL1M+ SPIRES SLIC+ "? !
WALL & CEIL+ ABV X4 ,T "T ,I DID SEE !
WALL %U4]1 PLA/] LOOS5+ F ! CEIL+4 ,I
BACK$ UP ANO!R C\PLE ( /EPS1 WAT*+ F/ !
CEIL+1 !N ! S]P5T4 8,X IS10 ,I ADMITT$4
8,X'S GORGE\S 9 A K9D ( ,8,I'M GO+ 6CRU%
Y 6D1? 9 MY GIGANTIC COILS0' WAY4 ,SE5
5\<80
  8,I GUESS10 ,COL9 SD RELUCTANTLY4 ,I
BACK$ \ (! D9+ ROOM1 5TIRELY UNWILL+ TO
TURN MY BACK ON ! S]P5T4 ,X RE>$ UP A
FEW FEET & SPAT4 ,COL9 & ,I BO? FLUNG \R
>MS OV] \R FACES1 YELL+4 ,! V5OM    #DCJ
PASS$ "? U1 H>M.S Z A BREEZE1 & HIT !
FLOOR 2H ME )A WET SPLAT4 ,! H>DWOOD
GAVE AN ACID HISS1 A F\L ODOR /1M+ UP Z
! V>NI% 0 EAT5 AWAY &! WOOD 2N X SC>R$4
,I TWI/$ 6/>E AT X1 !N JUMP$ BACKW>D1
AVOID+ ! DAMP RU9$ FLOOR Z ,I YANK$
,COL9'S :EEL*AIR BACK OV] X4 ,! RU2]
TIRES MELT$ & /RET*$1 /ICK+ HM 9 PLACE =
A FEW SC>Y SECONDS 2F MY DET]M9,N OV]-
CAME ! GOOEY RESIDUE &! *AIR S*LUCK$
LOOSE4
  8,JOANNE10 ,COL9 SD 9 A SMALL VOICE4
,I LOOK$ UP 64COV] ! S]P5T'S H1D PU%+ "?
! D9+ ROOM DOOR WE'D J AB&ON$4
  8,OH10 ,I SD4 8,%IT40 ,I BACK$ UP FA/-
]1 HOP+ "! W]5'T ANY TOYS 6TRIP OV]1 &
L$ ! S]P5T 96! LIV+ ROOM4
  8,\ (! WAY1 \ (! WAY1 PL1SE GET \ (!
WAY40 ,I D>$ GL.E OV] MY %\LD] S ,I CD
NAVIGATE ! LIV+ ROOM )\T KNOCK+ ANY"O OR
ANY?+ OV]4 ,! GA!R$ COV5 MEMB]S L1P$ 6!
SIDES4 8,I DON'T "K :Y10 ,I SD1 / V FA/1
8B X'S FOLL[+ U--0
  8,ME10 ,COL9 SD4 ,I /EPP$ ON MY [N
HEEL & NE>LY FELL OV]1 />+ AT !     #DCA
TOP ( 8 H1D AG4
  8,JESUS4 ,Y'RE "R4 ,X'S FOLL[+ ,COL9 &
,I'M GO+ 6SEE IF ,I C L1D X \ (! H\SE40
,0! "T ,I 0 D"O EXPLA9+ MY CL"E PLAN1 ,I
0 \ (! LIV+ ROOM & NE>LY 6! FRONT DOOR4
,I FUM#D X OP5 & PULL$ ,COL9 ONTO !
POR*4 ,! S]P5T /OPP$ & RE>$ XS H1D UP
AG1 M\? OP5 WIDE ) ANG]4 8,C'MON1 BIG
GUY10 ,I SD 6X4 8,J A LL F>!R40
  ,!N ,I TOOK A /EP BACK & R1LIZ$ ,I _H
NO GD WAY 6GET ,COL9 (F ! POR*4 ,I
WASN'T SURE ,I 0 /R;G 5 6MANEUV] ! :EEL-
*AIR )\T DUMP+ HM ON 8 ASS1 EV5 IF HE 0
/ SLI<T & ,I 0 R1SONABLY /R;G4 8,%IT10
,I :ISP]$ AG4
  ,! S]P5T /RUCK S QKLY ! ONLY ?+ WE _H
"T 6D 0 FALL OV]4 ,XS BLUNT NOSE SLAMM$
"? ! WOOD5 FLOOR ( ,BILLY'S FRONT POR*4
,COL9 & ,I CRA%$ BACKW>D D[N ! /AIRS1
L&+ 9 A PA9;L TANGLE ( :EELS & LEGS &
ELB[S4 ,I KICK$ ! :EEL*AIR AWAY & /RU7L$
6MY KNEES1 GETT+ MY %\LD]S "U ,COL9'S
>M4 ,HE 0 BO? PALE & GR9N+ MANIAC,Y1 :
MADE ME :EEZE LAU<T] DESPITE !
CIRCUM/.ES4 8,HAV+ FUN80            #DCB
  8,? IS A :OLE LOT BETT] ?AN ! C.ER
W>D10 HE SD1 / GR9N+4
  8,Y'RE CRAZY40
  8,Y1H1 B ,I'M CUTE40
  ,WE SURG$ 6\R FEET1 : IS 6SAY MO/LY ,I
SURG$ :ILE ,COL9 L1N$4 ,! S]P5T LIFT$ XS
H1D1 %AK+ X VIOL5TLY1 :ILE ,I />$ 9 4MAY
AT ! RU9 (! POR*4 ,X WASN'T Q RUB#1 B !
LAWS ( PHYSICS 7 />T+ 6APPLY 6! GIANT
MON/]1 & "! 0 A SIZEA#1 NOSE-%AP$ HOLE 9
! WOOD4 ,! H\SE CR1K$ & GROAN$ Z ,COL9 &
,I BACK$ UP1 ! S]P5T FOLL[+ U4 ,WE CRA%$
96"O (! TREES & SCRAM#D >.D X4 ,! S]P5T
SCREE*$ ANG] & /RUCK AG1 S5D+ TATT]$
BRAN*ES & L1VES 6! GR.D4
  8,IF WE C GET X 6D T "O M "T1 ,I ?9K
X'LL 2 \ (! H\SE 5TIRELY40 ,! L>G] "P (!
S]P5T 0 COIL$ 9 ! G>D51 ?\< XS TALL
SPIRES / RIPP$ "? ! FRONT (! H\SE4 ,I CD
SEE BO>DS />T+ 6-E LOOSE Z PA9T FLECK$
6! GR.D 9 A BLUE SN[/ORM4
  8,OH1 SURE10 ,COL9 SD4 8,T'S A GRT
IDEA4 ,LET'S GET ! MON/] SNAKE 6ATTACK U
AG40
  ,I GI7L$1 ONCE M DESPITE MYF4     #DCC
8,Y ACTU,Y S.D L X IS A GD IDEA40
  ,COL9 GAVE ME A SURPRIS+LY RAKI% GR9 &
/A7]$ AWAY F MY SUPPORT1 L1N+ H1VILY ON
! TREE WE'D HI45 2H4 8,OOOH ,MR4
,SNAKE60 HE YELL$4 8,OV] "H60 ,!N HE
TURN$ & RAN PELL-MELL1 ELB[S & HEELS
FLY+ E : WAY1 =! F> SIDE (! FRONT Y>D4
,I YELL$ "S?+ PANICK$ & 9COH]5T & W5T AF
HM4 ,"! 0 A TREM5D\S TE>+ S.D 2H U & WE
BO? TURN$ 6LOOK4
  ,! LA/ (! S]P5T'S SPIRES _H TORN A
FOOT-WIDE SLICE "? ! FRONT ( ,BILLY'S
H\SE4 ,X 2GAN OV] ! FRONT DOOR & R1*$ M
?AN HALFWAY 6! RO(1 N Q SPLITT+ ! BUILD+
5TIRELY4 ,/>+ AT X1 ALL ,I CD ?9K WAS1
..9SUR.E -PANIES DON'T COV] ACTS (
.GODS1 & !N ! S]P5T /RUCK AT U AG4

  ,I DON'T "K IF X MISS$ OR IF XS BRIEF
ACQUA9T.E ) SOLID;Y CAME 6AN 5D4 ,"! 0
CRA%+ & BANG+ & "S"O :O S.D$ SUSPICI\SLY
L ME YELL+1 8,2G"O1 F\L B1/601 AF : "! 0
A B\T ( SEMIHY/]ICAL GI7LES4 ,:5 ,I D>$
OP5 MY EYES1 ! S]P5T LOOM$ OV] U1 BLACK
SUN%9E /R1M+ "? ! SILV] T5TACLES    #DCD
T D.ED >.D XS H1D4
  8,>E WE D1D80 ,COL9 :ISP]$4 ,I %OOK MY
H1D4
  8,NOPE40
  8,>E Y SURE80
  8,Y1H10 ,I :ISP]$4 8,I'VE D"O D1D 2F1
OR AT L1/ MO/LY4 ,X DOESN'T LOOK L ?40
  8,OH40 ,COL9 0 QUIET A FEW SECONDS4
8,WAS T SUPPOS$ 6BE REASSUR+80
  8,Y1H10 ,I SD AG4 ,COL9 NO4$4
  8,X WASN'T40 ,HE LOOK$ UP AT ! ?+4
8,:AT'S X DO+80
  8,I H NO IDEA40
  ,X COIL$ XF TALL] ABV U1 XS H1D PO9T$
UP 96! SKY4 ,XS GILLS FL>$1 MAK+ A WIDE
SILV] HOOD4 ,AIR SCREE*$ "? !M1 A HI<1
L"OLY H[L4 ,COL9 & ,I BO? %IV]$ & HUNG
ON 6"O ANO!R H>D]4 8,T WASN'T A MAT+
CALL1 0 X80 ,COL9 ASK$ N]V\SLY4
  8,*RI/1 ,I HOPE N4 ,OKAY40 ,I CLOS$ MY
EYES1 HOP+ N 2+ A# 6SEE ! ?+ WD HELP ME
?9K4 ,X DIDN'T1 B AT L1/ ,I GOT 6SIT "!
=A MO;T 9 ! BLISS;L D>K;S )\T WORRY+ AB
! _W ON ! O!R SIDE ( MY EYELIDS4 8,OKAY1
X'S N 9 ! H\SE ANYMORE1 : IS A      #DCE
HUGE IMPROVE;T4 ,WE C D ! RITUAL N[ )\T
DE/ROY+ "EY?+40 ,I OP5$ MY EYES & LOOK$
>.D ! G>D54 8,)\T DE/ROY+ ! H\SE1 ANY-
WAY4 ,WANNA RUN = X80
  8,6":80
  8,BACK 9SIDE4 ,": "EYBODY ELSE IS40
  ,COL9 HELD 8 BR1?1 !N NO4$4 ,I GOT 8
>M >.D MY %\LD]S & PU%$ U 6\R FEET4 ,!
S]P5T DIDN'T MOVE1 / FIXAT$ ON ! SKY4
8,OKAY10 ,I :ISP]$4 8,LET'S G40
  ,WE TOOK "O /EP4 ,! S]P5T SNAPP$ XS
GAZE BACK D[N 6U1 GL>+4 ,HYPNOTIZ+1 EV54
,I SU45LY "U/OOD ! -PUL.N "S P _H )
WAT*+ SNAKES4 ,EXCEPT ,I 0 AFRAID ? ?+
CD ACTU,Y HYPNOTIZE U4 8,UM '''0
  ,COL9 /RAI<T5$ UP1 %RU7+ \ F "U MY
%\LD]4 ,! S]P5T'S H1D MOV$ A FRAC;N (A
FOOT1 WAT*+ HM 9/1D ( ME4 8,I ?9K X
WANTS ME10 HE SD1 KEEP+ 8 VOICE L[4 8,I
?9K Y C G40
  8,>E Y NUTS80
  ,HE FLICK$ A SMILE AT ME )\T TURN+ 8
GAZE AWAY F ! HULK+ S]P5T4 8,Y1H1 B ,I'M
CUTE4 ,G ON1 MOVE1 SEE :AT HAPP5S40
  ,I TOOK A RELUCTANT TWO /EPS      #DCF
AWAY4 ,! S]P5T'S SILV] GAZE FOLL[$ MY
MOVE;T1 B X DIDN'T MOVE4 ,I TOOK "O M
/EP4 ,X 0 9T]E/$ 9 ,COL94 8,?10 ,I
HISS$1 8IS N RE,Y 3V9C+ ME ,I %D L1VE4
,:AT IF X EATS Y80
  8,HEY40 ,COL9 %RU7$4 8,X B1TS ! C.ER
W>D1 ,AMAZON4 ,G ON1 G GET "EYBODY4
,MAYBE X WON'T EAT ME40
  8,%IT10 ,I SD1 & W5T4