,,H& ,,( ,,EVIL

             ,J4 ,A4 ,,J.E

            ,A ,T\*/"O ,BOOK
      ,PUBLI%$ 0,SIMON @& ,S*U/]1
         ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK
     ,COPY"R ^C #BJJG 0,J4 ,A4 ,J.E
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,BE? ,MC,GU691 ,NAD9E ,BU/ON1
      ,C>OLE ,MOORE1 & ,LAURA ,COX
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #F ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;VI & #A-IH

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJI
             ,TRANSCRIP;N (          ;II
      ,,ISBN-#AC3 #IGH-DAFE-CGEC-C
       ,,ISBN #AJ3 #A-DAFE-CGEC-H






















       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$    ;III
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

@& ,AMP]S&
^C ,COPY"R SYMBOL
@ 7#D7 ,A35T SIGN
,' 7#F1 #C7 ,T]M9,N SIGN

    ,-PUT] ,BRL ,CODE
_> ,CAPS LOCK 9DICATOR
. 7#DF7 ,DOT
_: ,5D ,-PUT] ,BRL ,CODE 9DICATOR













                                     ;IV
























                                      ;V











               ,= ,,TLG4












                                     ;VI
























            ,,H& ,,( ,,EVIL           #A

               ,,PREFACE

  ,:5 ! C> DOOR SLAMM$ %UT ON 8 H&1 !
UNIV]SE CAME 6A /OP & NO?+ ELSE MATT]$4
,NO?+4 ,HE DROPP$ 6HIS KNEES1 H[L+ 9 AG-
ONY :ILE A NE>BY COYOTE1 />TL$ 0! S.D1
RESPOND$ )A H[L ( XS [N4 ,RIGID ) PA91
AT F/ HE CDN'T EV5 R1* =! DOOR H&LE4 ,0!
"T HE DID1 X 0 TOO LATE4 ,! DOOR LOCK
9SIDE ! VEHICLE _H ALR CLICK$ HOME4
  8,PL1SE10 HE BE7$4 8,= ,GOD'S SAKE1
OP5 ! DOOR40
  ,B ! ANSW] 6T 0 NO--AN UNEQUIVOCAL NO4
,! 5G9E TURN$ OV] &! C> 2GAN 6MOVE4
  8,Y C'T D ?10 HE SCR1M$4 8,Y C'T60
  ,0!N ! PAVE;T 0 MOV+ 2N HM1 SL[LY AT
F/1 !N FA/] & FA/]4 ,HE HELD \ 8 O!R H&1
TRY+ 6BRACE HMF OR "SH[ PULL HMF BACK TO
8 FEET4 ,=A MO;T T ALM "W$ & HE 0 CLOSE
6UP"R1 B !N ! SPE$ (! C> \TDIST.ED 8
SCRAMBL+ FEET & HE FELL AG1 FACED[N ?
"T1 )! FULL WEI<T ( 8 BODY PULL+ ON !
EXPLOD+ PA9 9 8 F+]S4
  ,Z ! SPE$ (! VEHICLE 9CR1S$1 S      #B
DID 8 AGONIZ$ SCR1MS4 ,! P>K+ LOT'S LAY]
( LOOSE GRAVEL SCRAP$ & TORE AT HM1 %R$-
D+ 8 BLUE-&-:ITE JO7+ SUIT2 %R$D+ 8 SK94
,0! "T ! HURTL+ C> B\NC$ OV] ! F/ SPE$
BUMP1 HE 0 NO L;G] SCR1M+4 ,PL[+ FACE-F/
96! SECOND "O MO;T>ILY KNOCK$ HM UNCON-
SCI\S4
  ,HE CAME 6:5 ! C> DOOR OP5$4 ,ONCE 8
TRAPP$ H& 0 REL1S$ F ! DOOR FRAME1 HE
FELL 6! GR.D4 ,HE CDN'T ACTU,Y SEE ! C>
OR EV5 ! GR.D = T MATT]4 ,HE SEEM$ 6H
BE5 /RUCK BL4 ,NOR CD HE DI6]5TIATE !
PA9 9 8 CRIPPL$ H& F ! AGONY 9 ! RE/ ( 8
TORTUR$ BODY1 B 8 E>S / "W$4 ,HE HE>D !
C> DOOR SLAM %UT AG & FELT ! SPRAY (
GRAVEL F ! TIRES Z X DROVE AWAY 96!
NI<T1 L1V+ HM 9 ABSOLUTE D>K;S4
  ,HE LAY "! =A L;G "T1 "K+ HE 0 B>ELY
ALIVE & FEEL+ 8 LIFE'S BLOOD SEEP+ \ "?
LAY]S ( DAMAG$ SK94 ,HE TRI$ CRAWL+1 B
HE CDN'T MAKE T "W4
  8,HELP10 HE CALL$ W1KLY4 8,"SBODY1
PL1SE HELP ME40
  ,9 ! WILDS ( ,PHOENIX'S ,S\? ,M.TA9
,PRES]VE1 ONLY A S+LE PR[L+ COYOTE    #C
HE>D ! DY+ MAN'S F9AL :ISP]$ PLEA =
HELP4 ,! COYOTE 0 ON ! TRAIL ( 8 D9N]--
AN ELUSIVE BUNNY--& HE PD NO ATT5;N4
  ,NO "O ELSE DID1 EI4

  ,SYBIL ,H>RIMAN /RODE "? ! E>LY MORN+
*ILL & REVEL$ 9 ! SUNLI<T &! CLE> CRISP
AIR4 ,ACR ! VALLEY1 %E CD SEE ! LAY] (
SMOG SETTL+ 9 OV] ! RE/ (! C;Y1 B "H X 0
COLD & CLE>--COLD 5 6SEE H] BR1? & MAKE
H] NOSE RUN & H] EYES WAT]1 B N COLD 5
6SC>E H] AWAY F WALK+ ! FULL C\RSE (!
P>K'S ,ALTA ,TRAIL & BACK 6! P>K+ LOT
AL;G ! ,BAJADA4
  ,%E _H BE5 W>N$ T ,ALTA 0 8TOO DI6I-
CULT0 = "S"O H] AGE1 & T %E C]TA9LY
%DN'T WALK X AL"O4 ,S %E DID S1 AT L1/
TWICE A WEEK4 ,2C %E CD4 ,& Z %E WALK$
AL;G1 HU6+ & PU6+ A LL1 TRU? 2 "KN1 %E 0
AL DR9K+ 9 ! VIEW &! CACTUS &! BIRDS--
BIRDS S DI6]5T F ! "OS %E'D GR[N UP )
BACK 9 ,*ICAGO--& %E 0 AL ?9K+ AB H[
WR;G %E'D BE5 & WI%+ ?+S _H BE5 DI6]5T4
  ,H]MAN _H WANT$ 6MOVE "H ! MO;T HE
RETIR$ F "W+ = ,M]CK4 ,%E 0 ! "O :O   #D
_H F"\ X1 SAY+ !Y %D /AY ": !Y 7 9 ORD]
6BE CLOS] 6! KIDS & GR&KIDS1 AL? A LOT (
GD T _H D"O4 ,F9,Y1 :5 ,H]M'S >?RITIS _H
GOTT5 S BAD T HE CD B>ELY WALK1 %E _H
REL5T$4 ,N[ %E 0 SORRY !Y _HN'T -E SOON-
]1 :ILE ,H]MAN WD H BE5 A# 6R1P "S (!
B5EFITS ( DES]T LIV+4
  ,8 >?RITIS _H IMPROV$ S M* ONCE !Y 7 9
,>IZONA X 0 UNBELIEVA#1 B !N ! RE/ ( X
_H HAPP5$4 ,! DRY CLIMATE CD D NO?+ AT
ALL 6/AVE (F ! RAVAGES & GRADUAL DECL9E
T 0 ,ALZHEIM]'S4 ,Z =! KIDS8 ,ONCE ,H]M
DI$1 X _H BE5 PLA9 5 T :AT !Y WANT$ M
?AN ANY?+ 0 6GET _! GRE$Y LL H&S ON _!
"F'S M"OY4 ,WELL1 ?ANKS 6! TRU/ ,H]M _H
WISELY 9SI/$ ON SETT+ UP1 !Y W]5'T GETT+
ANY ( T1 N UNTIL ,SYBIL 0 DAMN$ GD &
R1DY4 ,& T 0 ANO!R R1SON %E WALK$ E S+LE
"D4 ,%E 0 DET]M9$ 6LIVE Z L;G & Z WELL Z
%E CD4
  .,LET .'EM .WAIT1 %E TOLD H]F FI]CELY
Z %E M>*$ AL;G4 ..,!Y C WAIT UNTIL HELL
FREEZES .OV]4
  ,:5 %E RETURN$ 6,*ICAGO = ,H]M'S
FUN]AL1 H] FRS "! H>DLY RECOGNIZ$     #E
H]4 ,!Y ?"\ %E _H DROPP$ ! EXCESS WEI<T
%E _H C>RI$ ALL ^? YE>S 9 A FIT ( SU45
GRIEF4 ,9 ACTUAL FACT1 ! PROCESS _H BE5
M* LESS ABRUPT ?AN T--& M* M P]MAN5T4
,%E _H />T$ 0WALK+ F\R MILES EA* "D ON !
FLAT B CIRCUL> /REETS 9 _! ,AWATUKEE
NEI<BORHOOD4 ,LAT] %E _H =C$ H]F UP &
D[N ! /EEP] GRADES & GRADU,Y M & M DI6I-
CULT TRAILS "?\T ,S\? ,M.TA9 ,PRES]VE4
  ,SYBIL 0 "O (! E>LY BIRDS ? CRISP
,JANU>Y MORN+4 ,%E _H SE5 N A S\L ON H]
MORN+ WALK--AT L1/ NO O!R HUMANS--IN !
C\RSE ( H] ALM ?REE SOLIT>Y H\RS4 ,"! _H
BE5 PL5TY ( BUNNIES1 H["E1 & SCADS ( O!R
E>LY BIRDS--DOVES1 QUAIL1 SKITTI% ROAD-
RUNN]S1 BR1KFA/+ CACTUS WR5S1 F9*ES1
COLOR;L HUMM+BIRDS1 HAWKS1 & EV5 AN
EBONY-F1!R$1 R$-EY$ PHA9OPEPLA4 ,N[1 Z
%E APPROA*$ ! SPOT ": ! TRAIL CROSS$
,SAN ,JUAN ,ROAD1 X 0 CLOSE 6MIDMORN+ &
! SUN 0 HI<4
  ,SAN ,JUAN ,ROAD _H BE5 CLOS$ 9DEFI-
NITELY = "S /RANGE R1SON1 S "! %DN'T H
BE5 ANY TRA6IC4 ,/1 ,SYBIL 0 TOO M* (A
C;Y GIRL 6CROSS A ROAD OR A /REET     #F
)\T LOOK+ BO? WAYS4 ,& T'S :5 %E SAW X--
:AT APPE>$ 6BE A PILE ( RAGS OR TRA% LY+
9 ! MI4LE (! ROADWAY "S ?IRTY OR =TY
Y>DS NOR?EA/ (! N[ AB&ON$ ,SAN ,JUAN
P>K+ LOT4
  ,(F5D$ T "S"O WD TOSS \ A LOAD ( G>-
BAGE & L1VE X "! 9 ! ROAD1 ,SYBIL H1D$ 9
T DIREC;N4 ,%E 0 DET]M9$ 6CL1N UP ! MESS
& HAUL X (F 6! NE>E/ G>BAGE 3TA9]S4 ,T5
Y>DS OR S AWAY F ! DEBRIS FIELD1 H["E1
%E SAW ! BLOOD4
  ,)A TREMBL+ H&1 %E PULL$ \ H] CELL
PH"O & DIAL$ #IAA4 8,EM]G5CY OP]ATOR4
,:AT >E Y REPORT+80
  ,SYBIL 0 CLOS] 6! MESS N[--M* TOO
CLOSE--& WI%$ %E WASN'T4 ,"! 0 BLOOD
"EY":4 ,X 0 H>D 6TELL T ! FLAY$ & BLOODY
PULP 9SIDE ! PILE ( %R$D$ CLO?+ 0 EV5
HUMAN1 B %E KNEW X WAS4
  8,A BODY10 %E MANAG$ AT LA/4 8,I'VE J
F.D A HUMAN BODY LY+ "H 9 ! MI4LE (!
ROAD40
  ,%E DIDN'T HE> ! PANIC 9 H] VOICE1 B !
OP]ATOR EVID5TLY DID4 8,CALM D[N10 !
OP]ATOR ADVIS$ H]4 8,:AT IS YR "N &   #G
YR LOC,N80
  ,SYBIL TOOK A DEEP BR1? & =C$ H]F 6GET
A GRIP4 8,SYBIL ,H>RIMAN10 %E REPLI$4
8,I'M 9 ! P>K--,S\? ,M.TA9 ,PRES]VE4 ,!
BODY IS J 6! EA/ (! AB&ON$ P>K+ LOT ON
,SAN ,JUAN ,ROAD40
  8,UNITS >E ON ! WAY10 ! OP]ATOR TOLD
H] BRISKLY4 8,>E Y SURE ! P]SON IS D1D8
,DID Y *ECK =A PULSE80
  ,SYBIL LOOK$ AT ! M.D ( BLOODY FLE%1
SE>*+ = WRI/S4 ,"O H&1 VIRTU,Y SK9.S1 0
LL M ?AN A BLOODY /UMP4 ,! O!R H& 3TA9$
A RELATIVELY RECOGNIZA# ?UMB1 B ! F\R
F+]S SEEM$ 6H BE5 MA%$ FLAT4 ,SYBIL KNEW
AT ONCE "! WD 2 NO PULSE 9 EI "O ( ^?
TWO MANGL$ WRI/S NOR WD "! 2 ANY POSSI-
BIL;Y ( BR++ ! BLOODI$ VICTIM BACK TO
LIFE4
  8,HE'S D1D10 %E :ISP]$ 6! OP]ATOR4
8,SORRY4 ,I'VE GOT 6HANG UP N[40
  ,SYBIL SNAPP$ ! PH"O %UT4 ,!N1 GA7+1
%E /A7]$ OV] 6! $GE (! ROAD & PROMPTLY
LO/ ! S+LE BANANA %E _H EAT5 = BR1KFA/4
  ,Z %E /RAI<T5$ UP & WAIT$1 LI/5+ =
APPROA*+ SIR5S1 ,SYBIL ,H>RIMAN       #H
KNEW X 0 ! LA/ BANANA %E WD EAT =A V L;G
"T4






















               ,,*APT] #A             #I

  ,) H] LAPTOP ASLEEP & P]*$ VIRTU,Y UN-
T\*$ ON H] CROSS$ LEGS1 ,ALI ,REYNOLDS
/>$ 96! FLAMES (! BURN+ GAS LOG FIRE-
PLACE4 ,%E 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE "W+ ON H] BLOG1
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U>Y MORN+ %E WASN'T4 ,OR MAYBE %E WAS4
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H] -PUT] SCRE54
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SU45 & ALM SIMULTANE\S 5DS ( BO? H] TEL-
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!N1 FUEL$ 0ANG]1 CUTLOOSE _H BE5 A TOOL
= D1L+ )! UNEXPECT$ BUMPS 9 H] [N LIFE4
,6H] SURPRISE1 :AT _H HAPP5$ 6H] 0 F> M
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WRITT5 9 CUTLOOSE _H T\*$ *ORDS 9 !
LIVES ( C.T.S O!R WOM54
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N Q1 B NE>LY EX-HUSB&1 CUTLOOSE _H
MORPH$ 96"S?+ ELSE 5TIRELY4 ,= WEEKS N[
X _H FOCUS$ ON GRIEF & GRIEV+--ON ! PIT-
FALLS & SETBACKS T LIE 9 WAIT = ^?
ATTEMPT+ 6RECOV] F ! LOSS (A LOV$    #AJ
"O OR EV5 A N-S-LOV$ "O4 ,ALI _H LE>N$ 5
F H] R1D]S T %E CD ALM H DCLD H]F AN EX-
P]T ON ! SUBJECT IF X _HN'T BE5 =! 9CON-
V5I5T R1L;Y T %E _H Z]O P]SPECTIVE ON !
TOPIC4 ,%E 0 / TOO DEEP 9 GRIEF H]F4 ,Z
H] "M1 ,$IE ,L>SON1 WD H SD1 DRAW+ ON H]
5D.S SUPPLY ( PLATITUDES3 ,%E CDN'T SEE
! =E/ =! TREES4
  ,2C ,ALI 0 BACK 9 H] HOMET[N ( ,S$ONA1
,>IZONA1 GRIEV+4 ,%E GRIEV$ =A PHANTOM (
A M>RIAGE T _H EVID5TLY N"E BE5 :AT %E
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TY4
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Y'LL 2 OV] X0 OR 8X DOESN'T MATT] H[ L;G
X TAKES0 WASN'T HELP+ ,ALI ,REYNOLDS4
,%E CDN'T YET TELL :AT %E 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE
OV]4 ,0 %E SUPPOS$ 6BE OV] ,PAUL'S D1?
OR OV] 8 _M 2TRAYALS8 ,H[ L;G WD X TAKE
H] 6MOVE 2Y ! %OCK ( LE>N+ (! *--A LL
GIRL--H] HUSB& _H "F$ \ ( W$LOCK :ILE HE
0 / M>RI$ 6,ALI8 ,ALI _HN'T EV5 "KN (
,ANGEL9A ,ROJA'S EXI/;E UNTIL AF ,PAUL'S
D1?1 & LOOK+ \ =! F9ANCIAL WELF>E    #AA
(! * & H] "M _H MADE TY+ UP ,PAUL'S ES-
TATE T M* M -PLICAT$4
  ,"! 7 "TS ,ALI FELT D[N"R RES5T;L :5
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8,HEY1 Y1 DON'T Y "K H[ LUCKY Y W]E8 ,AT
L1/ YR D1D HUSB&'S N DRIV+ Y NUTS F 2Y !
GRAVE40
  ,SAM1 ,ALI'S "O-EY$1 "O-E>$ SIXTE5-P.D
TA2Y CAT1 %IFT$ UNEASILY ON ! BACK (!
C\* 2H H] & LET "O PAW FALL ON ,ALI'S
%\LD]4 ,SAM'S PRES;E 9 ,ALI'S LIFE 0
SUPPOS$ 6H BE5 TEMPOR>Y4 ,SAM _H 2L;G$
6,MATT & ,JULIE ,B]N>D1 *N ( ,ALI'S MUR-
D]$ FR1 ,RE5IE ,B]N>D4 ,:5 ! *N _H G"O
6LIVE ) _! GR&P>5TS1 ,SAM _H BE5 UNA# TO
JO9 !M & ,ALI _H TAK5 ,SAM IN4 ,ALI _H
N"E LIK$ OR "PICUL>LY 4LIK$ CATS4 ,%E _H
N"E ?"\ AB !M M* "O WAY OR ! O!R--& ,SAM
0 ANY?+ B \TGO+ OR SOCIA#4 ,B N[1 ALM A
YE> S9CE ,SAM'S UNEXPECT$ >RIVAL1 ,ALI
_H />T$ ?9K+ (! ANIMAL 9 T]MS ( 8MY CAT0
R ?AN 8_! CAT40                      #AB
  ,ALI TURN$ & SCRAT*$ ! SEEM+LY P]MAN5T
FR[N L9ES ON ,SAM'S UGLY =EH1D4 8,H[ AB
IF Y D ! BLOG ? MORN+80 %E ASK$4
  ,SAM SIMPLY YAWN$1 CLOS$ H] "O GD EYE1
& W5T BACK 6SLEEP4 ,:5 ! DOORBELL RANG1
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K9D1 ! CAT SCRAM#D (F ! C\* & 4APPE>$ F
VIEW4 ,ALI KNEW F PA/ EXP]I;E T X WD
PROBABLY 2 S"EAL H\RS 2F %E'D 2 A# 6COAX
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  ,PUTT+ ! LAPTOP ON ! C(FEE TA#1 ,ALI
HURRI$ 6! DOOR4 ,%E 0 EXPECT+ ,KIP ,HO-
GAN1 H] P>5TS' H&YMAN1 6DROP (F H] REF9-
I%$ BIRD'S-EYE MAPLE CR$5ZA4 ,T &! -FY
L1!R S(A 7 ! TWO PIECES ( FURNITURE %E
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H] =M] HOME DIGS 9 ,L4,A4 ,! TOP (! CRE-
D5ZA _H BE5 DAMAG$ :5 "S"O _H C>E.SLY
DEPOSIT$ A WET VASE ON X4 ,N[1 AF C>E;L
S&+ & V>NI%+1 ,ALI'S "F ASSUR$ H] T !
WOOD _H BE5 RE/OR$ 6XS =M] GLORY4
  ,EXCEPT1 :5 ,ALI LOOK$ \ ! PEEPHOLE1
,KIP ,HOGAN 0 NO": 9 SI<T4 ,! MAN ON
,ALI'S FRONT POR*1 A WIZ5$ B DAPP]-LOOK+
ELD]LY G5TLEMAN 9 A SUIT & TIE1 0    #AC
HOLD+ A SMALL 5VELOPE4 ,HE LOOK$ "S:AT
FAMILI>1 B %E CDN'T Q PLACE HM4 ,9 ! OLD
"DS1 GR[+ UP 9 SMALL-T[N ,>IZONA1 ,ALI
WDN'T H HESITAT$ AT OP5+ ! DOOR 6A
/RANG]1 B "TS _H *ANG$ 9 ,S$ONA4 ,M IM-
PORTANT1 ,ALI _H *ANG$4 ,%E CAUTI\SLY
CRACK$ ! DOOR OP5 B ONLY Z F> Z ! L5G? (
! SECUR;Y *A94
  8,MAY ,I HELP Y80 %E ASK$4
  8,MS4 ,REYNOLDS80 ! MAN ASK$4 ,HE WORE
A BRIMM$ L1!R CAP1 : HE TIPP$ RESPECT;L-
LY 9 ,ALI'S DIREC;N4
  8,YES40
  8,A MESSAGE = Y1 MADAM10 HE SD POLITE-
LY4 ,REMOV+ A S(T L1!R DRIV+ GLOVE1 HE
PR(F]$ ! 5VELOPE "? ! N>R[ OP5+4 8,F
,MISS ,>ABELLA ,A%CR(T40
  ,ALI RECOGNIZ$ ! "N AT ONCE4 8,?ANK
Y40 ,%E TOOK ! 5VELOPE & />T$ 6CLOSE !
DOOR1 B ! MAN /OPP$ H]4
  8,IF Y'LL =GIVE ME1 MADAM1 ,I 0 DI-
RECT$ 6WAIT = AN ANSW]40
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:ITE 5VELOPE4 ,X 0 MADE F EXP5SIVE PAP]
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%E F.D 9SIDE4 ,WRITT5 ACR X1 9 SPID]Y1
OLD-FA%ION$ SCRIPT 0 ! FOLL[+3 ,DE> ,AL-
ISON1 ,PL1SE JO9 ME = TEA ? AFN IF AT
ALL POSSI#4 #B3CJ4 #AAC ,MANZANITA
,HILLS ,ROAD4 ,MISS ,>ABELLA ,A%CR(T4
  ,A SUMMONS F ,MISS ,>ABELLA1 "O ( ,SE-
DONA'S M =MIDA# D[AG]S1 0 N 6BE TAK5
LI<TLY OR IGNOR$4
  8,( C\RSE10 ,ALI SD AT ONCE4 8,TELL H]
,I'LL 2 "!40
  8,WD Y L ME 6-E FET* Y80 ! MESS5G]
ASK$1 GE/UR+ OV] 8 %\LD] AT ! V5]A# B"R
YELL[ ,ROLLS-,ROYCE ,SILV] ,CL\D IDL+ 9
,ALI'S DRIVEWAY4
  8,OH1 NO10 ,ALI TOLD HM4 8,I C GET "!
ON MY [N4 ,I "K ! WAY40
  ,& %E DID1 TOO1 DESPITE ! FACT X _H
BE5 TW5TY-FIVE YE>S E>LI] :5 %E _H LA/
_H AFN TEA ) ,>ABELLA ,A%CR(T & H] EQU,Y
DAUNT+ "M1 ,ANNA ,LEE1 AT ! IMPOS+ ,A%-
CR(T HOME ON ,MANZANITA ,HILLS ,ROAD4
  ,ALI'S VISITOR B[$ SLI<TLY F ! WAI/ &
BACK$ AWAY F ! DOOR4 8,V WELL10 HE SD4
8,I'LL TELL ,MISS ,>ABELLA %E C EXPECT
Y40 ,HE TIPP$ 8 CAP ONCE AG1 TURN$   #AE
ON 8 HEEL1 & M>*$ AWAY4 ,ONCE HE DROVE \
( SI<T1 ,ALI CLOS$ ! DOOR4 ,!N1 ) BO? !
NOTE C>D & 5VELOPE 9 H&1 %E RETURN$ 6!
C\* LO/ 9 A HAZE ( MEMORIES4
  ,ON A ,FRI"D AFN TWO WEEKS 2F ,ALI _H
BE5 S*$UL$ 6GRADUATE F ,COTTONWOOD'S
,M+US ,M.TA9 ,HI< ,S*OOL1 %E _H B.D$ 9TO
H] P>5TS' D9]1 ,S$ONA'S ,SUG>LOAF ,CA-
F@E1 = H] AF-S*OOL %IFT4 ,ALL "? HI<
S*OOL %E _H HELP$ \ 0WAIT+ TA#S AF S*OOL
& DUR+ ,*RI/MAS & SUMM] VAC,NS4 ,Z %E
TI$ ON H] APRON %E SPOTT$ AN 5VELOPE )
H] "N ON X PROPP$ UP NEXT 6! CA% REGI/]4
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  8,:AT'S ?80 %E _H ASK$ ,AUNT ,EVIE1 H]
"M'S TW9 SI/] & H] P>5TS' FULL "PN] 9 !
RE/AURANT V5TURE4
  8,X'S / S1L$1 ISN'T X80 ,AUNT ,EVIE _H
ASK$4 8,H[ AB IF Y OP5 X & F9D \80
  ,ALI _H OP5$ ! 5VELOPE ON ! SPOT4 ,IN-
SIDE %E _H F.D A NOTE C>D V SIMIL> 6! "O
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Y & YR "M = :AT Y DID = ME :5 Y AW>D$ ME
T WOND];L S*OL>%IP4 ,I WANT Y 6"K T YR
S+LE ACT ( K9D;S MADE A HUGE DI6];E 9 MY
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  8,NO1 ?ANKS10 ,ALI SD1 8,X'S A LL E>LY
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9 ,LAGUNA0 %E USU,Y S5T CORRESPOND;E 6!
-;T SEC;N ( _+CUTLOOSEBLOG.COM_:4 ,X 0
ODD = H] 6WRITE 6,ALI DIRECTLY4

,DE> ,BABE1
  ,Y'RE ! ONLY P]SON ,I C ?9K ( 6WRITE
6TN4 ,Y SEE1 TD ,I W5T 6! DOCTOR 6GET !
RESULTS BACK F ! BIOPSY =! LUMP ON MY
LEFT BR1/4 ,X TOOK ALM TWO WEEKS 6GET !
RESULTS BACK4 ,I DON'T "K :Y X TAKES S
L;G1 B TD 0 ! "D4
  ,I _H PRETTY WELL PREP>$ MYF =! FACT T
X 0 GO+ 6BE BAD NEWS1 & X WAS4       #IC
,S9CE ,I H A -PUT]1 ,I _H G"O 6! V>I\S
,WEB SITES & LOOK$ UP :AT ,I CD EXPECT 9
T]MS ( TR1T;T OP;NS--SURG]Y1 RADI,N1 *E-
MO4 ,:AT ,I WASN'T PREP>$ = 0 6BE TOLD N
6BO!R4
  8,AT YR AGE10 ? LL :IPP]SNAPP] DOCTOR
TOLD ME1 8"!'S RE,Y N M* PO9T40 ,HE'S
PROBABLY ALL ( =TY-FIVE & HE %D C.T HMF
LUCKY ,I DIDN'T :ACK HM OV] 8 H1D ) MY
WALK]4 ,! PRO#M IS1 ,I C'T GET 9 6SEE AN
ONCOLOGI/ )\T A REF]RAL F MY PRIM>Y PHY-
SICIAN4 ,& IF HE DOES GIVE ME A REF]RAL1
:AT'S HE GO+ 6SAY8 8,"H'S ,VELMA1 B
DON'T BO!R DO+ ANY?+ 6FIX H] 2C %E'S A
USE.S EI<TY-"S?+ & CUR+ H] C.ER ISN'T
GO+ 6BE CO/ E6ECTIVE40
  ,:AT ,I WANT 6"K IS ?3 ,DID ? HAPP5 2C
,M$IC>E REIMBURSE;TS >E S L[ T ! DOCTOR
C'T 2 BO!R$8 ,MAYBE HE'D R TR1T FULL-F>E
PATI5TS4 ,OR DOES HE J HATE OLD P 9 G5]-
AL8 7,SURPRISE1 HE'S GO+ 6BE "O "S"D
HMF4 ,I WOND] H[ HE'LL L X87 ,OR DOES HE
J HATE ME8 ,P]SON,Y4
  ,%D ,I G 6! TR\# ( TRY+ 6SEE ANO!R
DOCTOR--N EASY :5 Y H 6G 0CAB OR     #ID
BUS 2C Y C'T DRIVE ANYMORE 7ANO!R BAD ?+
AB GETT+ OLD7 OR %D ,I J TAKE HM AT 8
^W1 DECIDE HE'S "R1 ,I'M A HOPE.S CASE1
& T ! SOON] ,I TURN TOES UP ! BETT] (F
WE'LL ALL BE8
  ,Y'RE PROBABLY WOND]+ :Y ,I'M ASK+ Y
^! "QS4 ,I C'T V WELL ASK MY SON1 2C HE
WD DEF9ITELY 2 9 ! TOES-UP CORN]4 ,UN=-
TUNATELY MY DOCTOR & MY SON >E FRS4 ,!Y
2L;G 6! SAME CLUB & PLAY GOLF TGR4 ,T'S
H[ ,I 5D$ UP ) HM =A DOCTOR--MY SON REC-
OMM5D$ HM4 ,I EV5 SIGN$ A =M SAY+ X 0
OKAY = HM 6LET MY SON H A3ESS 6MY M$ICAL
9=M,N4 ,T 0 2F ALL ? HAPP5$1 ( C\RSE4
  ,PL1SE WRITE BACK & LET ME "K :AT Y
?9K4 ,I RE,Y VALUE YR OP9ION4
    ,S9C]ELY1
    ..,VELMA ;,T ,9 .,LAGUNA

  ,ALI 0 ABSOLUTELY \TRAG$4 ,:5 %E _H
BE5 9 ,CALI=NIA D1L+ )! AVALAN*E ( CRI-
SES T _H A3OMPANI$ ,PAUL ,GRAYSON'S D1?1
%E _H BE5 OV]:ELM$ 0"EY?+ T _H BE5 -+ AT
H]4 ,ON ! NI<T :5 %E _H BE5 AT H] V L[E/
EBB1 A S+LE B"R SPOT _H APPE>$4      #IE
,VELMA ;,T _H MANAG$ 6TRACK ,ALI D[N AT
H] HOTEL4 ,SPORT+ A WALK] DECORAT$ ) PA-
TRIOTIC ITEMS--9CLUD+ R$1 :ITE1 & BLUE
T5NIS BALLS--! WOMAN _H CAU<T A CAB & -E
ALL ! WAY ACR ,L4,A4 6(F] H] SUPPORT &
6LET ,ALI ,REYNOLDS "K "! 0 "S"O 9 H]
CORN]4
  ,? 0 A SP"RLY1 \TGO+ WOMAN4 ,& ? OB-
NOXI\S DOCTOR 0 WRIT+ H] (F 2C %E 0
EI<TY-EI<T8
  ,ALI'S F/ HUSB&1 ,D1N1 _H DI$ ( GLIO-
BLA/OMA :5 HE 0 9 8 TW5TIES & :ILE ,ALI
0 PREGNANT ) ,*RI/OPH]4 ,DUR+ H] HI<-
PROFILE YE>S Z AN ,L4,A4 >EA NEWSCA/]1
,ALI _H D"O LOTS ( "W )! C.ER -MUN;Y--
HELP+ ) FUND-RAIS+ & DO+ GUE/ APPE>.ES4
,"O (! SIDE B5EFITS ( T _H LEFT ,ALI )A
GD D1L ( K &)A :OLE LI/ ( C.ER TR1T;T
3TACTS %E CD CALL ON = HELP & 9=M,N4
  ,! IDEA ( ,VELMA1 A MO/ LIKELY IMPOV]-
I%$ OLD WOMAN TRY+ 6FI<T H] WAY "? !
C.ER TR1T;T MORASS ON H] [N1 LEFT ,ALI
FEEL+ PHYSIC,Y ILL4 ,& SUSPECT+ T ,VELMA
0 SP5D+ ? WORRI"S1 SLEEP.S NI<T 9 FRONT
( H] -PUT] SCRE51 ,ALI WROTE BACK    #IF
AT ONCE4

,DE> ,VELMA
  ,I'M S SORRY4 ,RCVG A C.ER DIAGNOSIS
IS ALW DEVA/AT+ NO MATT] H[ OLD Y >E OR
H[ "Y OR H[ "Y AT HE>T4
  ,AL? ,I'VE D1LT ) MY %>E ( M$ICAL PRO-
FES.NALS1 ,I H NO IDEA :Y YR PRIM>Y C>E
PHYSICIAN ?9KS TR1T;T OP;NS >E (F ! TA#
AT ? "T4 ,X MAY 2 T Y 7 9 S* A /ATE (
4TRESS T Y SIMPLY DIDN'T "U/& EXACTLY
:AT HE 0 SAY+4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 "! MAY 2
O!R PHYSICAL & M$ICAL 3DI;NS 9VOLV$ T
MAKE X RISKY = Y 6"UGO TR1T;T ( ANY K9D4
,"!'S ALW A *.E T1 Z Y SU7E/$1 YR DOCTOR
IS SIMPLY AN UNC>+ J]K4 ,ANO!R POSSIBIL-
;Y T T5DS M 6ALUM9UM-FOIL-HAT 3SPIRACY
!ORIES WD H 6D ) YR DOCTOR HAV+ A 3FLICT
( 9T]E/ 9 TR1T+ Y DUE 6HIS *UMMY REL,N-
%IP ) YR SON4
  ,AL? ,I NO L;G] LIVE 9 S\!RN ,CALI=-
NIA1 ,I / H _M 3TACTS 9 ! LOCAL C.ER C>E
M$ICAL -MUN;Y4 ,I'LL 2 9 T\* ) "S ( !M
F/ ?+ 9 ! MORN+ & SEE :AT1 IF ANY?+1 ,I
C D4                                 #IG
  ,9 ! M1N"T1 G AH1D & WORRY4 ,Y >E "R
6BE UPSET & SC>$1 B TRY 6TAKE ?+S "O /EP
AT A "T & LET ME & O!RS D :AT WE C TO
HELP4
  ,MY ?"\S & PRAY]S >E ) Y4
      ,ALI


















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