,,! ,,TIE ,,T ,,B9DS

              ,,K5T ,,H>UF

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         ,,ISBN #J-CGE-GBDCH-I


      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,]IC ,SORLI5 & ,NANCY ,S*LOSS]
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               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #AJI-BJF

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                   #E               #AJI

  ,:AT'S #CFE "TS #BJ8 ,"S?+ OV] #G1JJJ1
ISN'T X8 ,WELL1 T'S H[ L;G X WAS4 ,T'S
H[ _M "DS4
  ,= OV] #G1JJJ "DS1 = ALM #BJ YE>S1
NO?+ HAPP5$ 6! ,GOODN\<S4 ,AF ,ROY *OPP$
8 LA/ F+] (F )! AX1 NO?+ HAPP5$ 6!
,GOODN\<S--OR .= !M EI--UNTIL ALM TWO
DECADES ( SL[ "DS _H PASS$4 ,"DS T M/ H
SEEM$ Z CRUEL Z /ILLBIR?2 ! PO9T.S;S (
!M1 ! SAME;S1 "O SL[ "D GR9D+ SL[ 96!
NEXT1 ) NO LETUP & NO RELIEF1 NO?+ 6LOOK
=W>D 6& EV5 LESS 6LOOK BACK ON4 ,N EV5
^? SMALL ?+S ! RE/ ( U USE 6M>K ! PASS+
( "T--:AT WE M1N :5 WE SAY 8,B Y REMEM-
B]1 DON'T Y80--2C ,$I? & ,LYMAN DIDN'T H
EV5 T M* T 0 WOR? RECALL+ AB LA/ ,*RI/-
MAS1 N"E M9D ! "D 2F YE/]"D4 ,I 2LIEVE
EV5 ! ,GRT ,DEPRES.N1 :5 X CAME 9 ! ?IR-
TIES1 M/ H SEEM$ L J M (! SAME 6!M1 OR
IF X 0 DI6]5T !N X 0 ONLY SLI<TLY WORSE1
2C !N !Y /OPP$ GO+ 96T[N ONCE A WEEK TO
SELL E7S & S\R CR1M DUR+ ! DEPRES.N1 TO
MAKE A LL M"OY4
  ,S X ONLY SURPRISES ME T ,ROY     #AAJ
DIDN'T />T 9 ON 8 TOES ! SAME WAY1 *OP 8
T5 TOES (F1 N9E ALL AT ONCE 9 ! H1D] OR
HAY M[] OR CORN PICK] & !N ! LA/ "O 0XF
9 ! B>N ) AN AX--J =A LL V>IETY1 ,I M1N4
,6KEEP ! KNACK ( X FRE%4 ,HELL1 ! OLD
BA/>D CD H YELL$ ,LYMAN 9 F ! HAYFIELD &
MADE ,LYMAN TAKE ! DAMN ?+S 96! H\SE &
DUMP !M 96! B1N B[L OR ! KIT*5 S9K4
,*OPP$ 8 [N E>S (F1 TOO1 = ALL ,I "K OR
C>E4 ,EXCEPT ,I GUESS EV5 ,ROY KNEW HE
_H D"O 5 T "O AFN4
  ,2C ,$I? N"E W5T \ RID+ ) MY "F AG4
,%E & ,LYMAN W5T ON "W+ L !Y _H 2F4 ,(
C\RSE1 :5 ^? SIX OR SEV5 WEEKS ( T SUMM]
5D$ = ,$I?1 %E WASN'T ! SAME4 ,X 0 Z IF
! R1SON = H] 6H FEMALE HIPS & S(T BR1/S
0 G"O4 ,%E GOT S %E 0 M :AT Y RE,Y M1N
IS ?9 :5 Y SAY A WOMAN HAS A GD BODY1 T
%E'S SLIM4 ,%E DIDN'T LAU< Z EASY4 ,"S?+
B"R W5T \ ( H] BR[N EYES4 ,H] QK GE/URES
2CAME DELIB]ATE MOVE;TS1 L "! 0 NO?+ N[
6HURRY AB1 & X 0 AT T "T T %E & ,ROY
/OPP$ TALK+ 6"O ANO!R ANY M ?AN !Y _H
TO4 ,OH1 %E TOOK C>E ( HM--,I DON'T M1N
T4 ,%E BUTTON$ 8 %IRT = HM N[ T     #AAA
HE NO L;G] _H EV5 "O F+] 6USE 6POKE A
BUTTON "? A HOLE1 & %E MA%$ 8 POTATOES &
CUT 8 M1T 96BITES S HE CD / EAT 8 FOOD
0LIFT+ A =K 6HIS M\? 2T 8 CL5*$ /UMPS1 &
%E TI$ 8 %OES4 ,B %E DIDN'T H M* 6SAY TO
HM & %E PD LESS ATT5;N 6:AT"E HE SD4 ,S
"! M/ H BE5 A LOT ( QUIET >.D T KIT*5
TA# = ALL ^? YE>S1 ) AB ALL ! TALK 2+ J
,ROY'S ORD]S & F>M "QS & ,LYMAN'S MUM#D
GRUNTS ( OB$I;E & %ORT ANSW]S & PASS !
PEPP] & A9'T "! ANY M GRAVY2 & !N 9 ,DE-
CEMB] ( #AIDA X M/ H GOT 6BE ALM D1D SI-
L;E4

  ,B ,I'M GETT+ AH1D ( MYF4 ,OR IF Y
WANT X =A JOKE1 ,I'M =GETT+ MYF4
  ,2C 9 FACT "! 7 A FEW ?+S HAPP5+ 9 !
H\SE D[N ! ROAD A HALF MILE WE/1 9 ?
H\SE "H ": Y & ,I >E SITT+ AWAY A ,SUN"D
AFN4
  ,= "O ?+ MY DAD J AB QUIT4 ,HE DAMN
NE> QUIT ON HMF1 QUIT GIV+ A GD GODDAMN
AB ANY?+4 ,:5 HE & ,$I? RAN 96EA* O!R ON
,MA9 ,/REET--X 0 A C\PLE ( "DS LAT]1 ON
,SATUR"D AFN--:5 ,$I? TOLD HM :AT   #AAB
_H HAPP5$ T O!R AFN & T %E WDN'T L1VE !
H\SE "E1 MY DAD WANT$ 6KILL ,ROY ,GOOD-
N\<4
  ,9 FRONT ( ,NEXEY'S ,LUMB]Y>D1 ACR !
/REET F ,BI%OP'S ,CR1M]Y1 MY DAD SD1
8,I'LL KILL HM40
  8,X'LL 2 ALL "R10 ,$I? SD4 8,X HAS
TO40
  8,I'LL *OP 8 H1D (F40
  ,"! 7 P ON ! SIDEWALK1 M5 9 OV]ALLS &
CAPS1 WOM5 9 SILK /OCK+S1 KIDS SUCK+
HOREH.D C&Y & B\NC+ /ICKS ON SIDEWALK
CRACKS1 ALL WALK+ PA/ & !N /OPP+ T5 Y>DS
AWAY 6WAT* ) _! M\?S HELD %UT & _! EYES
WIDE OP54 ,!Y DIDN'T WANT 6MISS ANY?+2
!Y WD WANT 6TALK AB X LAT]4
  ,& MY DAD 0 SAY+1 8,I'LL KILL HM40
  ,& ,$I? 0 / SAY+ H[ X WD 2 ALL "R4
  ,WELL1 X WASN'T ALL "R1 & ,I 2LIEVE HE
CD H TOO--CD H KILL$ HM4 ,IF "SH[ HE CD
H GOTT5 AWAY ) X1 X MI<T H BE5 ! BE/ ?+4
,DOES T SURPRISE Y8 ,6?9K T MURD]+ AN
OLD /UMP-H&$ MAN MI<T 2 AN ANSW]8 ,B (
C\RSE X WASN'T1 & HE DIDN'T4 ,T SORT (
?+ ONLY HAPP5S ON ,,TV4 ,NOBODY     #AAC
,I "K HAS KILL$ ANYBODY1 & Y C N"E M9D
:AT !Y SAY ? APPROA*+ TRIAL IS AB4 ,:AT-
"E ! LAWY]S 9 _! IGNOR.E SAY AB X1 ,I "K
X ISN'T MURD]4
  ,S 9/1D ( ANY?+ SIMIL> 6T1 MY DAD1
,JOHN ,ROSCOE1 :O'S BE5 D1D N[ = NE>LY
TW5TY-SEV5 YE>S1 & ,I / C'T /OP ?9K+ AB
HM AT L1/ ONCE E "D :ILE DEHORN+ A CALF
OR MA%+ MY ?UMB PURPLE )A CLAW HAMM] 7/
X'S 8 VOICE SAY+1 8,SM>TS PRETTY GD1
DON'T X80--X'S / 8 VOICE ,I HE> 9 MY
H1D1 M1SUR+ ?+S1 SETT+ /&>DS1 8 VOICE &
WAY ( LOOK+ AT ?+S3 8,B LIFE .A9'T FAIR1
,S&]S10 HE TOLD ME ONCE7--MY DAD1 = AB
?REE YE>S AF HE & ,$I? /OPP$ GO+ \ TGR1
W5T A LL CRAZY4
  ,HE 2GAN 6"W L AN IMMIGRANT DUR+ ! "D
& 6DR9K AT NI<T L "! 0 NO TM4 ,HE 0 GO+
ON ANG] & 4BELIEF & AB F\R H\RS ( SLEEP4
,HE B"\ M CATTLE4 ,HE W5T 9 DEBT = ANO!R
SEC;N ( GRASS4 ,HE HIR$ "O ( 8 CRONIES
6HELP HM4 ,! CRONY 0 A %ORT1 SQUAT1
BLOCKY "* "ND ,ELLIS ,BURNS1 :O LOOK$ L
A FIREPLUG )A TWO-"D-OLD BE>D1 OR1 :5 !Y
7 "W+ CATTLE 9 ! PA/URE1 L A FAT    #AAD
MONKEY ON A CIRCUS HORSE4 ,HE MOV$ ,EL-
LIS 96! H\SE ) HM & DID NO?+ FANCY4 ,!Y
FRI$ M1T & OP5$ CANS1 MIX$ X TGR 9 A
BLACK FRY+ PAN1 & BOIL$ C(FEE4 ,!Y R9S$
LA/ NI<T'S SUPP] (F ! TWO PLATES &! TWO
=KS & SAT D[N 6EAT4 ,& ,ELLIS ,BURNS N"E
DID LOSE WEI<T4
  8,DAMN$ IF ,I "K :Y10 MY DAD SD4 8,I
"W$ 8 ASS (F TOO4 ,MAYBE X 0 ! BE]40
  ,!Y W5T \ DR9K+ F\R OR FIVE "TS E
WEEK4 ,!Y CDN'T G 6T[N 6! D>K SALOON ON
! CORN] ( ,MA9 & ,F/ /REETS1 S9CE ? 0 9
! "T ( ,PROHIBI;N3 ! SALOON 0 BO>D$ UP =
A :ILE & !N "SBODY OP5$ X AG Z A CAF@E4
,!Y _H 6DRIVE 9/1D 6,LEON ,%IELDS'S
PLACE1 A RUN-D[N F>MH\SE EA/ ( T[N1 SET
BACK A MILE (F ! HI<WAY AM;G/ "S TREES4
,"S R\< "*S %[$ UP "!1 S ,I'VE BE5 TOLD1
B Z F> Z ,I "K X N"E GOT BU/$4 ,APP>5TLY
,LEON ,%IELDS _H ! %]IFF1 "O ( ,BUD
,S1LY'S PR$ECESSORS1 GRIPP$ H>D 0! %ORT
& CURLIES1 OR AT L1/ ,LEON _H HM TUCK$
DEEP 96HIS BACK POCKET4 ,I 2LIEVE ,LEON
KNEW "S?+ AB ! %]IFF & ANO!R MAN'S WIFE
T WASN'T PUBLIC K & T ! WIFE'S      #AAE
HUSB& DIDN'T EV5 "K AB4 ,2SS1 ,I SUPPOSE
"! M/ H BE5 ! USUAL EX*ANGE ( QUIET-
M"OY1 6SWEET5 X ALL4 ,ANYWAY1 X 0 T UN-
PA9T$ F>MH\SE SURR.D$ 0TREES T MY DAD &
,ELLIS ,BURNS WD DRIVE TO1 DUR+ ^? ?REE
YE>S4 ,!Y /AY$ "! DR9K+ HOMEMADE BE] &
PLAY+ C>DS ALL ^? NI<TS1 UNTIL F9,Y AL;G
AB TWO O'C ,LEON WD SAY1 8,T'S ALL1 BOYS
--,MAMA'S WAIT+ ON ME10 & !N />T TURN+ !
LI<TS (F S T AT ! C>D TA# 9 ! BACK ,EL-
LIS ,BURNS CDN'T TELL N[ :E!R X 0 A JACK
( CLUBS OR A T5 ( SPADES T HE / _H HOPES
( DRAW+4 ,ELLIS WD SAY1 8,N[ DAMN X ALL1
,LEON4 ,I 0 J AB 6W9 A H&40
  8,NO1 Y WASN'T10 ,LEON WD SAY4 8,I'M
SAV+ Y M"OY40
  8,HELL1 TOO4 ,TURN !M LI<TS BACK ON40
  8,NOPE4 ,I'M GO+ UP/AIRS 6PLAY )!
KIDS' ,MAMA40
  8,TURN !M LI<TS ON4 ,I'M AB 6FILL A
/RAI<T40
  8,LI/51 Y SAW$-(F LL PECK] %IT10 ,LEON
WD SAY4 8,Y N"E SE5 A /RAI<T 9 YR LIFE4
,N[ GET \ ( "H '=E ,I KNOCK YR NOSE (F40
  8,0,GOD10 ,ELLIS WD SAY1 & HE'D   #AAF
2 /&+ UP N[ 9 A WO2LY CR\*4 8,0,GOD1 Y
BETT] PACK A LUN*4 ,X A9'T GO+ 6BE NO
FIVE-M9UTE JOB40
  ,B ,LEON WD J LAU< !N1 & MY DAD WD
SAY1 8,GIVE U ANO!R BE]1 ,LEON1 & WE'LL
G HOME40
  8,ALL "R1 ,JOHN4 ,SEE Y TM40
  8,NO D\BT40
  ,S !Y WD G HOME !N1 WE/ & !N S\? ON !
HI<WAY4 ,2F !Y GOT M ?AN A MILE D[N !
ROAD ,ELLIS WD 2 ASLEEP1 J L ,LYMAN _H
D"O ^? FEW "TS1 ONLY ,ELLIS 0 SLEEP+ 9 !
FRONT S1T N[ ":1 2F1 ,$I? _H SAT 2S MY
DAD4 ,! ALM-FULL BE] BOTTLE WD 2 /&+ UP
2T ,ELLIS'S LEGS AT 8 CROT*1 SLO%+ BE]
ONTO 8 PANTS ZIPP]4 ,X DIDN'T WAKE HM4
,HE SLEPT ON ) 8 SLACK /UB#D *9 ROCK+ ON
8 *E/ B"O4
  ,B MY DAD WDN'T 2 ASLEEP4 ,EV5 AF ^?
H>D NI<TS AT ,LEON ,%IELDS'S & ALL !
BE]1 HE WDN'T 2 A# 6SLEEP V L;G ONCE HE
0 HOME AG & 9 B$4 ,HE 0 UP E MORN+ 2F
"DBR1K1 KICK+ ,ELLIS AWAKE1 FRY+ E7S 9 !
J-R9S$ FRY+ PAN1 R1DY 62G9 BR&+ CATTLE
OR /ACK+ HAY OR %OE+ HORSES4        #AAG
,ANY?+ Z L;G Z X KEPT HM F ?9K+4 ,HE
DIDN'T WANT 6?9K4
  ,!N1 T[>DS ! 5D ( T ?REE-YE> P]IOD (
FI]CE "W & H>D DR9K+1 MY DAD 2GAN 6GET
96FI<TS4 ,"! WDN'T 2 ANY R1SON =! FI<TS2
HE WD J 2 AT ,LEON'S1 DR9K+ & / TOO SO-
B]1 & HE WD />T A FI<T4 ,X WDN'T 2 AB
ANY?+4 ,HE WD HIT "SBODY & WAIT 6GET HIT
BACK1 H>DLY BO!R+ 6F5D (F :AT"E BL[S 7
?R[N AT HM4 ,HE _H A BAD SC> F "O ( ^?
FI<TS1 A :ITE BR1K 9 ! BLACK L9E ( 8
LEFT EYEBR[1 : ,I US$ 6ADMIRE :5 ,I 0 /
( AN AGE ": FI/ FI<TS SEEM$ 6PROVE "S?+4
,MY DAD /RAI<T5$ ME \ AB T TOO4
  8,ALL ? DOES IS10 HE TOLD ME1 RUNN+ 8
?ICK F+] OV] ! WIDE JA7$ SPOT ABV 8 EYE1
8X REM9DS ME H[ ,I 0 A DAMN FOOL4 ,X
DON'T M1N A ?+ ELSE4 ,& DON'T Y ?9K X
DOES40
  8,:AT 0 X AB1 ?\<80 ,I SD4 8,! FI<T40
  8,NO?+4 ,X WASN'T AB NO?+4 ,I HIT
,FRANK ,LUTZ 2C HE HAPP5$ 6BE "! & 2C ,I
WASN'T DRUNK & 2C ,I KNEW ,FRANK WD HIT
ME BACK4 ,& HE DID40
  8,DID Y HURT HM80                 #AAH
  8,YES4 ,& ,I W5T OV] 6APOLOGIZE 6HM !
NEXT "D4 ,I LIK$ ,FRANK4 ,_H NO?+ AG/
HM40
  8,DID HE HURT Y80
  8,N M*4 ,N 5\<40
  8,2C Y 7 T\<]10 ,I SD4 8,2C Y B1T HM40
  8,NO10 HE SD4 8,& ,I TOLD Y ,I DON'T
WANT Y ?9K+ L T1 ,S&]S4 ,I SD1 N 5\<1 2C
A MON? LAT] ,I HIT ,FRANK AG4 ,=! SAME
NO R1SON4 ,& HE HIT ME AG4 ,T'S :Y ,I
GOT ? SC>1 6REM9D ME 6/OP 2+ S* A DAMN
FOOL--AT L1/ T =M (A FOOL ANYWAY4 ,N[ D
Y "U/&80
  8,NO40
  8,Y W40
  ,B ,I DIDN'T "U/&1 N !N1 N =A FEW YE>S
M4 ,I ONLY RE,Y "U/OOD X :5 LAT] ,I F.D
\ :AT HE _HN'T TOLD ME AB T P]IOD ( 8
LIFE--T HE & ,ELLIS ,BURNS /OPP$ GO+ \
DR9K+4 ,I 0 AL A# 6PUT ANO!R SET ( TWO &
TWO TGR & !N ,I "U/OOD T 9/1D ( DR9K+
BE] 6KEEP HMF F ?9K+1 MY DAD M>RI$ MY
"M4 ,& ,I WANT 6?9K T 2+ M>RI$ 6,LEONA
,TURN] ,NEWCOMB 0 AT L1/ "S:AT BETT] ?AN
2+ HIT 9 ! FACE 0,FRANK ,LUTZ4 ,I   #AAI
WANT 62LIEVE T M* AB X IF = NO O!R R1SON
?AN ! FACT T PRETTY SOON ,I CAME AL;G1
,I CAME \ ( T M>RIAGE1 & T'S :AT ,I M1NT
A :ILE AGO :5 ,I SD ,I 0 =GETT+ MYF1
TAKE X =A JOKE4

  ,WELL1 ,I 0 A SURPRISE 6!M4 ,N A %OT-
GUN SURPRISE1 B A SURPRISE J ! SAME1 2C
,LEONA ,TURN] ,NEWCOMB WASN'T SUPPOS$ TO
2 A# 6H BABIES4 ,%E _H BE5 M>RI$ = T5
YE>S--F #AIAJ UNTIL #AIBJ--6,JASON ,NEW-
-B1 :O "W$ 9 ! ,HOLT ,BANK1 ) R$ G>T]S
ON 8 SLEEVES & :O SPORT$ A CL1N LL M\S-
TA*E "U 8 F9E NOSE4 ,TGR !Y _HN'T _H ANY
*N 9 A DECADE4 ,B ,I DON'T "K T *N WD H
MADE ANY DI6];E 6!M4 ,*N WD J H MADE ?+S
/ICKI]1 ,I SUPPOSE1 2C "O MORN+ 9 ,AUGU/
( #AIBJ ,JASON ,NEWCOMB PUT ON A BLACK
B[TIE & -B$ 8 HAIR WET & !N W5T D[N 6!
CELL> & HANG$ HMF )A COTTON ROPE4 ,MY "M
?"\ HE _H G"O 6"W1 &! BANK ?"\ HE 0 TAK+
A SICK "D4 ,S HE WASN'T 4COV]$ UNTIL
LATE T AFN :5 MY "M W5T D[N 6! CELL> TO
GET "S POTATOES 6PEEL = SUPP]4 ,I GUESS
0!N T 8 FACE _H /OPP$ 2+ BLUE B T   #ABJ
HE _H 2GUN 6BE PRETTY M* BO!R$ 0SPID]S4
,MY "M1 ,JASON ,NEWCOMB'S WIFE1 DIDN'T L
TALK+ AB X4 ,%E 0 TW5TY-SEV5 AT ! "T4
  ,S %E 0 ! "Y ,WID[ ,NEWCOMB !N1 = AB
FIVE YE>S4 ,%E 0 GD-LOOK+ 5\<1 TOO1 9 A
*UR*Y WOM5'S SOCIETY SORT ( WAY1 ) P9S
TUCK$ N1T 96H] D>K BLOND HAIR 6KEEP X
TRIM1 & %E WORE HI<-NECK$ COLL>S ) LACE
& KEPT H] %OES POLI%$4 ,%E / KEEPS H]F
UP1 EV5 TD \ "! 9 T NEW BRICK H\SE AT !
$GE ( T[N ": %E LIVES ) T FA9T R$ ON H]
*EEKS1 : %E EXPECTS ME 6KISS1 & T BLUE
ON H] EYES1 & MAYBE T'S 2C %E FE>S T %E
W \TLIVE ,WILBUR ,COX TOO & W NE$ 6BE
R1DY 6D X ALL OV] AG1 EV5 9 H] EI<TIES4
,I DON'T "K :Y %E BO!RS2 %E'S 9 TWO OR
?REE DI6]5T WILLS 0N[1 B ,I "K %E DIDN'T
H ,MR4 ,COX !N & %E DIDN'T H MY "F YET
EI4 ,DUR+ ^? FIVE YE>S T %E 0 / ! ,WID[
,NEWCOMB 7& HE APP>5TLY DIDN'T L1VE H]
ANY?+ B A LL GIMCRACK H\SE 9 T[N71 MY "M
KEPT H] NOSE CL1N1 BRU%$ H] BLOND HAIR !
REQUIR$ "O HUNDR$ /ROKES1 APPLI$ CR1M TO
H] FACE1 W5T 6! ,ME?ODI/ ,EPISCOPAL
,*UR*1 SMIL$1 & DUR+ "W+ H\RS %E    #ABA
SOLD HATS 6! ,HOLT LADIES 9 ,MRS4 ,K]/'S
,MILL9]Y ,%OP ON ,MA9 ,/REET1 NEXT DOOR
6! ,GEM ,!AT]1 OPPOSITE ,DOC ,PACK]'S
/OREFRONT (FICE4 ,%E 0 PROBABLY GD AT T
TOO--SELL+ HATS1 ,I M1N4 ,%E C]TA9LY
KNEW H[ 6SAY :AT %E ?"\ Y WANT$ 6HE>4
,%E CD EV5 MAKE X S.D L "S?+ Y YRF _H
?"\ (4 ,MY "M1 AT T "T1 M/ H BE5 "O ( ^?
WOM5 T O!R WOM5 CALL POOR BRAVE DE>S &
!N SI< & SAY ,MY GD;S4
  ,WELL1 %E %D H BE5 A GAM#R4 ,%E _H !
N]VES = X &! FACE TOO4 ,MY "M %D H BE5 A
POK] PLAY]--OR A POLITICIAN4 ,%E MI<T H
D"O EV5 BETT] = H]F AT ! C>D TA#S 9 ,LAS
,VEGAS OR 9 ! SMOKE-FILL$ P>LORS ( ,D5-
V]4 ,A T[N ! SIZE ( ,HOLT1 ) NO M ?AN A
M]E ?\S& RURAL TYPES LIV+ "H 9 #AIBE1 _H
6BE A WA/E ( H] "PICUL> TAL5TS1 2C MY "M
AL KNEW H[ 6GET :AT %E WANT$4 ,2H T POL-
I%$1 P]FUM$ SURFACE1 %E 0 ALL ICE & FRO-
Z5 /UFF1 : %E WD ALL[ 6MELT A LL BIT IF
& :5 %E SAW "S?+ %E WANT$4 ,T 0 TRUE EV5
IF X M1NT %E _H 6ALL[ "S"O L MY DAD1
,JOHN ,ROSCOE1 ) 8 REC5T REPUT,N = DR9K+
& FI<T+ & 8 ?ICK RAN*]'S H&S1 TO    #ABB
MUSS H] TRIM HAIR & 6LIFT H] WID['S
SKIRTS4 ,%E KNEW HE _H ALL ^? CATTLE &
%E SUSPECT$ T HE 0 N ! SORT ( MAN 6HANG
HMF ) ANY COTTON ROPE 9 ANY CELL> T _H
SPID]S4 ,S ,I DON'T 2LIEVE %E EV5 CRI$
AFWS OR :IMP]$ ANY?+ AB RESPECT4 ,NO1 %E
WD H J ALL[$ ! ICE 6MELT 9 H] A LL BIT1
5 S T %E CD AT L1/ PRET5D T X 0 WOND];L
& !N MAKE HM PROMISE "! WD 2 A FALL W$D+
--)! IMPLIC,N ( C\RSE T "! WD 2 A LOT M
(! SAME ": T CAME F4 ,MY "M 0 N /UPID4
  ,AB MY DAD ,I C ONLY GUESS--& HE 0 N
/UPID EI2 Y C'T A*IEVE :AT HE DID & !N
HOLD ON 6X TOO1 EV5 DUR+ ! DEPRES.N1 :5
J AB "EY?+ ELSE >.D HM 0 TURN+ 6DU/ &
=ECLOS$ MORTGAGES1 Y C'T D T & N H "S?+
M ?AN J GAS & SAWDU/ SEP>AT+ YR E>S--,I
GUESS MY DAD M/ H BE5 AT ! PO9T ": MELT$
ICE SEEM$ PREF]A# 6W>M BE] &A FI/ 9 !
FACE4 ,ANYWAY1 !Y GOT M>RI$ 9 ! FALL (
#AIBE1 : WD MAKE ,WID[ ,NEWCOMB ?IRTY-
TWO & MY DAD ?IRTY-FIVE1 & !N ?REE YE>S
LAT]1 ON ,M>* #I1 #AIBH1 ,I CAME AL;G4
  ,& L ,I SAY1 ,I 0 A SURPRISE 6!M4 ,S X
M/ H BE5 ,JASON ,NEWCOMB :O CDN'T   #ABC
H BABIES T O!R "T4 ,OR AT L1/ TGR ) MY
"M1 HE _HN'T BE5 A# 6MAKE ANY4 ,& ,I
DON'T 2LIEVE T 0 ! R1SON :Y HE HANG$
HMF1 EI4 ,"K+ MY "M1 ,I 2LIEVE "! M/ H
BE5 A FEW O!R R1SONS4

  ,S ALM TW5TY YE>S PASS$4
  ,PROHIBI;N CAME & W5T4 ,! ,GRT ,DE-
PRES.N CAME--& !N LA/$ S L;G T P 2GAN TO
?9K ( X Z A NORMAL 3DI;N4 ,"! 0 A CIVIL
W> 9 ,SPA91 A ,ROOSEVELT 9 ! ,:ITE
,H\SE1 A MADMAN LOOSE 9 ,G]_M1 & NO?+
HAPP5$ 6! ,GOODN\<S D[N ! ROAD F U4 ,X 0
ALL ! SAME SL[ GRAY "!4 ,$I? & ,LYMAN
W5T ON DO+ ALL !Y _H 6D1 & ,ROY 3T9U$
WAV+ 8 GRIM /UMPS4
  ,MY DAD & ,$I? DIDN'T SEE EA* O!R V M*
DUR+ ^? YE>S1 ?\< ,I 2LIEVE !Y / ?"\ AB
"O ANO!R A GRT D1L4 ,MY DAD _H /OPP$
HELP+ )! H>VE/2 ,ROY WDN'T H HM ON !
PLACE2 ,ROY _H 2GUN 6TRADE ,LYMAN'S SW1T
= "S"O ELSE'S HELP :5 X CAME "T 6CUT
:1T4 ,S1 :5"E X HAPP5$ T BO? MY DAD &
,$I? 7 9 T[N & !N 0*.E RAN 96"O ANO!R ON
,MA9 ,/REET--& T 0 R>E--!Y WD /OP   #ABD
& TALK =A M9UTE AB NO?+ IMPORTANT4 ,ONLY
ONCE OR TWICE MY DAD ASK$ H]1 8,>E Y ALL
"R80
  ,& %E SD1 8,YES4 ,>E Y80
  ,& MY DAD SD YES1 HE GUESS$ HE WAS4
  ,OR--& ? HAPP5$ M (T5--IF HE 0 "W+ )9
SI<T (! ROAD & HE>D A C> -+1 HE WD
/RAI<T5 UP1 & IF X 0 ! ,GOODN\<S HE WD
WAT* ! C> PASS & NOTICE ,$I? LOOK+ \ !
W9D[1 2F ! C> &! ?REE P 9 X GOT %UT (F F
VIEW 0! BOIL+ DU/4 ,!N MY DAD WD G BACK
6"W & N SAY ANY?+1 B Y CD SEE T HE _H 8
M\? SET H>D L A HORSE W D )A CURB BIT4
  ,( C\RSE MY "M DIDN'T NOTICE ! ,GOOD-
N\<S AT ALL4 ,%E N"E VISIT$ !M NOR 5C\R-
AG$ !M 6VISIT U4 ,MY "M _H H] [N C> & %E
ALW _H ! ,ME?ODI/ ,*UR*4 ,S ,I 0 ! ONLY
"O ( U :O SAW V M* (! ,GOODN\<S !N4 ,:5
,I 0 SIX OR SEV5 ,I />T$ WALK+ T HALF
MILE D[N 6! ,GOODN\<S' H\SE AB ONCE A
WEEK4 ,I WD HELP ,$I? HOE ! G>D5 OR GA!R
E7S OR WIPE DI%ES--?+S ,I HAT$ 6D AT
HOME & F"\ MY "M AB & WDN'T D UNTIL MY
DAD MADE X PLA9 6ME ON ! S1T ( MY PANTS4
,B ,$I? & ,I WD TALK A LL BIT4      #ABE
  8,H['S YR "M1 ,S&Y80 ,$I? WD SAY4
  8,%E'S BUY+ ANO!R DRESS40
  8,YR "M LOOKS LOVELY 9 DRESSES40
  8,B %E MAKES ME G 6*UR* ) H]40
  8,DON'T Y L *UR*80
  8,NO40
  8,:Y N80
  8,!Y MAKE Y PUT YR GUM 9 A NAPK940
  8,WELL10 ,$I? WD SAY1 8Y C *EW GUM "H4
,WE'RE N 9 *UR* N[40
  8,B ,I DON'T H ANY GUM40
  8,DON'T Y1 ,S&Y80
  8,I *EW$ X ALL ALR4 ,T'S :Y40
  8,WELL1 ,I GUESS WE'LL H 6SEE AB T40
  ,S ! NEXT "T ,I WD WALK D[N 6SEE ,$I?1
%E WD H A PACK ( *EW+ GUM 9 H] APRON
POCKET1 & %E WD (F] ME A /ICK & TAKE "O
H]F4 ,:ILE WE GA!R$ E7S 9 ! *ICK5 COOP1
)! FI]CE-LOOK+ R$ *ICK5S J]K+ _! H1DS AB
& PECK+ ANO!R SMALL] *ICK5 2H XS H1D UN-
TIL "! 0 A B>E RAW SPOT & ALL ( !M
SQUIRT+ T %9Y GRE5 *ICK5 SQUIRT N1T 9 A
DOLLOP ONTO ! DIRT1 ,$I? & ,I WD BO? *EW
\R GUM & SEE IF WE CD MAKE BUB#S4 ,$I?
WD 2 GA!R+ E7S & ,I WD TRY 6HELP    #ABF
H]1 B ,I CDN'T TRU/ "S ( ^? R$ *ICK5S
UNTIL ,I _H _! H1DS P9N$ AG/ ! BACK (!
ROO/ BOX )A CORNCOB4 ,MO/ (! "T1 ,I WD J
HOLD ! BUCKET = ,$I?4
  8,B LOOK AT ? BIG BR[N EGG10 %E WD
SAY4
  8,IS X H1VY80
  8,YES1 B NOTICE ^! D>K SPECKS AL;G "H4
,!Y'RE ALM ! COLOR ( LAV5D]40
  8,!Y LOOK L A FACE10 ,I'D SAY4
  8,YES4 ,& Y'RE A FUNNY OLD ,S&]S ,ROS-
COE4 ,>5'T Y80
  ,A LL LAT]1 :ILE WE 7 9 ! KIT*51 CL1N+
! BITS ( /RAW &! *ICK5 SQUIRT (F ! E7S1
,I'D SAY1 8,"!4 ,I DID X40
  8,DID :AT80
  8,BLEW A BUB#4 ,LOOK40 ,& ,I'D H A GUM
BUB# AB ! SIZE (A )]$ PEA1 P]*$ ON MY
M\?4
  8,GD = Y10 ,$I? WD SAY !N4 8,H['S YR
DA4Y80
  ,S ,I SAW Q A LOT ( ,$I? ,GOODN\< DUR+
T "T1 & %E ALW TR1T$ ME 9 A WAY T MADE
ME WANT 6KEEP GO+ BACK "!4 ,MY "M DIDN'T
?9K M* ( X1 ?\<4 ,MY "M WANT$ 6"K   #ABG
:AT ,I DID D[N "! ALL T "T1 :AT WE TALK$
AB4 ,%E SD !Y W]5'T \R K9D ( P4 ,B MY
DAD TOLD H] T Z L;G Z ,I DID MY *ORES AT
HOME 6LET ME BE4 ,HE SD ,I MI<T LE>N "S-
?+ AT ! ,GOODN\<S'4
  ,S AB ONCE A WEEK ,I WALK$ OV] 6SEE
,$I?4 ,I DIDN'T SEE ,LYMAN V (T51 ?\<4
,HE 0 ALW \ 9 ! FIELD1 DISK+ OR /ACK+
HAY4 ,& ,I TRI$ 6AVOID SEE+ ,ROY AT ALL4
,I _H 8 H&S 9 "S ( MY DR1MS DUR+ ^?
YE>S1 & ,I WD WAKE UP 9 ! D>K 9 MY ROOM
) ^? RAW /UMPS / "!1 J 2H MY EYES4 ,I CD
SEE !M :5"E ,I CLOS$ MY EYES1 S "S"TS ,I
DIDN'T G BACK 6SLEEP "R AWAY4 ,8 H&S 7
ALL MIX$ UP 9 T "T = ME4 ,I DIDN'T 5JOY
! SI<T ( !M4

  ,B \TSIDE EV5TS F9,Y CAU<T UP )!
,GOODN\<S TOO4 ,0! CLOSE (! #AICJ;S !
MADMAN LOOSE 9 ,G]_M _H 9FECT$ 5 MIL-
LIONS ( O!R P ) 8 MAD;S T ?+S OV] "! _H
G"O ABSOLUTELY FLAT 9SANE4 ,:5 ! BUT*]Y
& 2TRAYAL C>RI$ OV] 96! />T (! #AIDJ;S P
"H 9 ? C.TRY 2GAN 6WOND] :AT _! "P 9 X 0
GO+ 6H 6BE4 ,"! GOT 6BE A LOT (     #ABH
TALK AB GO+ 6W>1 TALK AB TAK+ AC;N1 & ,I
SUPPOSE ALL T TALK AB DO+ "S?+ IS :AT
MADE X POSSI# = ,LYMAN4
  ,! B>N DOOR T ,LYMAN 0 WAIT+ ALL T "T
6H LEFT OP5 = HM1 S HE CD SQUEEZE "? &
TAKE (F RUNN+ & N"E LOOK BACK1 DID OP5
!N--N M*2 X 0 J A CRACK AT F/1 B 5 J !
SAME = HM 6DRIVE 96T[N 0HMF "O ,SATUR"D
NI<T1 LATE 9 ! SUMM] ( #AIDJ1 6DR9K BE]
9 ! ,HOLT ,TAV]N4 ,HE _H 8 BLACK SUIT ON
&A :ITE %IRT4 ,HE _H A YELL[ TIE KNOTT$
"U 8 J-%AV$ *94 ,HE OP5$ ! H1VY DOOR &
/OOD "! LOOK+ AT ALL ! P 5JOY+ !MVS 9 !
SMOKY NE>-D>K;S4
  8,X 0 L HE'D TOOK ! WR;G TURN "S":S10
,W5ZEL ,G]DTS SD4 8,L HE'D -E UP UNEX-
PECT$ 9SIDE ! WOM5'S \TH\SE4 ,I M1N HE
LOOK$ SC>$ & 9T]E/$ AT ! SAME "T40
  ,W5ZEL ,G]DTS 0 TELL+ ? /ORY 6MY DAD !
FOLL[+ ,SATUR"D AFN4 ,I 0 "! TOO ) MY
DAD1 /&+ ON ,MA9 ,/REET 9 FRONT ( ,WAN-
DORF'S ,H>DW>E ,/ORE :ILE MY "M W5T ACR
! /REET 6%OP =A HAT4 ,"! 7 O!R GR\PS (
M5 /&+ ALL AL;G ! F\R BLOCKS ( /ORES ON
EI SIDE (! /REET4 ,! M5 /OOD ) "O   #ABI
FOOT COCK$ UP 2H !M AG/ ! BRICK /ORE-
FRONTS OR SAT ON ! F5D]S (! C>S P>K$ AT
! CURB1 ALL ( !M TALK+ 9 GR\PS ( ?REE OR
F\R AB ! W1!R & CORN & ,ROOSEVELT & W>4
,_! WIVES 7 9SIDE ! /ORES1 BUY+ BITS (
ELA/IC & BR[N CLO? &A WEEK'S WOR? ( GRO-
C]IES4 ,!Y 7 TALK+ TOO1 ( C\RSE1 ABV !
CANN$ B1NS &! MAC>ONI1 2S ! Y>D GDS &!
CA% REGI/]1 :ILE "H & "! A LL GIRL TU7$
AT A SKIRT &A LL BOY PEEK$ \ L A %Y C\N-
TRY RA2IT4 ,! WOM5 W5T ON TALK+ 9 !
/ORES & !Y 7 N 9 ANY HURRY1 2C !Y 7 9
T[N N[ & X 0 A ,SATUR"D AFN 9 ,HOLT 9
#AIDJ4
  ,B MY DAD & ,I 7 \TSIDE ON ! SIDEWALK
LI/5+ 6,W5ZEL ,G]DTS TALK AB ,LYMAN
,GOODN\<4 ,W5ZEL 0 A TALL1 /R+Y F>M]
DRESS$ =! TRIP 6T[N 9 CL1N OV]ALLS & HE
_H A FRE% *EEK;L ( ,R$ ,MAN *EW+ TOBA3O
AT "W 9 8 JAW4 ,Z A KID ( TWELVE ,I 0
ALM Z FASC9AT$ )! WAY ,W5ZEL "W$ TOBA3O
Z ,I 0 ) :AT HE 0 SAY+ AB ,LYMAN4 ,X 0
AN >T ! WAY ,W5ZEL CD %OOT T L;G BR[N
SPURT ( 8 F ": HE /OOD L1N+ UP AG/
,W&ORF'S /OREFRONT1 %OOT X CL1N     #ACJ
TOO1 OV] ACR ! SIDEWALK D[N TIDY 96!
GUTT]1 & %OOT X E "T 96! SAME BR[N PUD-
DLE1 L HE 0 N J %[+ (F 7L IF ,I 0 DO+ X1
L EV5 IF ,I CD D X7 B 0 ACTU,Y TRY+ 6BE
K9D 6! FOLKS :O MI<T H R1SON 6/EP "!4
,HE WD *EW A:ILE & TALK & !N QK1 %OOT A
N1T BR[N SPURT 96! GUTT]1 & AFWS LICK A
DROP (F 8 BOTTOM LIP1 & !N G ON TALK+ &
*EW+ & N MISS A B1T4
  ,& ,W5ZEL 0 SAY+1 8,:Y SURE1 ! POOR
DUMB GEEZ] LOOK$ SC>$ & 9T]E/$ AT ! SAME
"T4 ,& DON'T Y "K ,I FELT K9D ( SORRY =
HM8 ,"H'S ,LYMAN ,GOODN\< T'S BE5 \ "!
ON T F>M ALL !M YE>S )! HOT SW1T RUNN+
D[N 96HIS PANTS1 & N[ HE'S "SH[ TURN$ UP
9SIDE ! ,HOLT ,TAV]N ON A ,SATUR"D NI<T
& HE DON'T "K :AT 6D ) HISSELF40
  ,S ,W5ZEL SD HE WAV$ ,LYMAN OV] 6!
BOO? ": HE 0 SITT+ ) ,H>RY ,B>NES &A C\-
PLE ( O!R M51 PLAY+ POK] & DR9K+ TAP BE]
F A PIT*]4 ,!Y P\R$ ,LYMAN A BE] & HE
TA/$ X1 B HE APP>5TLY DIDN'T L ! TA/E (
X M*1 2C HE SET ! GLASS D[N & LOOK$ >.D
AT ! FACES WAT*+ HM Z IF HE 0 A KID AT
S*OOL & !Y 7 WAIT+ 6SEE :E!R HE     #ACA
CD DETECT ! DOG MANURE !Y _H PUT 9 8
BUTT]MILK4
  8,HE PROBABLY _HN'T N"E TA/$ BE] 2F10
MY DAD SD4
  8,MO/ LIKELY10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,X A9'T L
DR9K+ ORANGE SODA POP40
  ,B ,LYMAN DRANK 8 GLASS ( BE] F9,Y1 )-
\T TA/+ X ANY M ?AN NEC1 J ?R[+ X D[N QK
L HE 0 TAK+ COD LIV] OIL OR PRUNE JUICE4
,W5ZEL ,G]DTS P\R$ HM ANO!R GLASS;L1 &
,LYMAN DRANK X ! SAME WAY1 ) BO? H&S ON
! GLASS4
  8,B HE A9'T NO KID10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,& ,I
A9'T NO NURSEMAID1 NEI40
  ,S ,W5ZEL P\R$ HM "O M4 ,HE ?REW T "O
D[N TOO1 ) 8 ,ADAM'S APPLE SNAPP+ H>D
ABV ! YELL[ TIE4 ,S 0? "T ,LYMAN _H
DRUNK ?REE ( _! BE]S1 & AB ALL ! PR(IT
!Y _H 6%[ = X 0 T ,LYMAN'S EYES _H 2GUN
6LOOK L !Y 7 GLASS M>#S4
  ,B GLASS M>#S M/ H BE5 5 = ,H>RY
,B>NES1 A BALD-H1D$ MAN ( FIFTY-"S &!
BE/ POK] PLAY] 9 ,HOLT ,C.TY4 ,H>RY /UD-
I$ ,LYMAN'S EYES =A M9UTE1 & !N SD1
8,BOYS1 ,I 2LIEVE ,LYMAN'S R1DY4    #ACB
,D1L HM IN40
  8,B HE DIDN'T "K H[ 6PLAY POK]1 DID
HE80 MY DAD SD4
  8,NO10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,I _H 6%[ HM40
  8,!N HE GOT A GD TA/E ( T TOO10 ,MY
DAD SD4 8,H[ M* M"OY DID Y & ,H>RY
,B>NES TAKE (F HM80
  8,N[ WAIT A M9UTE10 ,W5ZEL SD4 ,HE %OT
T QK N1T SPURT ( 8 OV] 96! GUTT] & LICK$
! DROP (F4 8,X WASN'T L T10 HE SD4
8,SURE WE 0 PLAY+ = M"OY--A NICKEL ANTE
)A DIME BUMP--2C ,H>RY ,B>NES A9'T GO+
6PLAY = MAT*/ICKS1 IS HE80
  8,N UN.S !Y'RE GOLD MAT*/ICKS10 MY DAD
SD4
  8,SURE10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,B X WASN'T L Y
?9K X WAS4 ,I TRI$ 6EXPLA9 X 6HM--:AT A
ACE IS & AB PAIRS & FULL H\SES & /RAI<T
FLU%ES4 ,B GODDAMN X1 HE J DON'T GET X40
  8,S :AT Y'RE SAY+ IS10 MY DAD SD1 & ,I
CD SEE HE 0 SMIL+ 9 8 EYES4 8,Y'RE SAY+
Y A9'T GO+ 6TELL U H[ M* M"OY Y TOOK (F
HM40
  8,N[1 DAMN X10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,T A9'T EI
:AT ,I'M SAY+4 ,I'M SAY+ ,I TRI$    #ACC
6EXPLA9 X 6HM B HE J DON'T GET X4 ,HE
KEEPS ASK+ ME ?+S L H[ -E A FLU%'LL TAKE
A /RAI<T1 OR H[ -E ?REE DEUCES IS BETT]
?AN F\R C>DS EV5 :5 !M F\R C>DS IS TWO
ACES & TWO K+S4 ,:AT 9 HELL 0 ,I SUPPOS$
6TELL HM !N8 ,IF ,I />T$ TALK+ P]C5TAG-
ES1 WE 0 GO+ 6BE "! ALL NI<T & N"E GET
NO C>DS PLAY$4 ,LET AL"O GET ANY M"OY TO
*ANGE H&S40
  8,OKAY10 MY DAD SD4 8,S :AT'D Y D8 ,2C
Y ALR SD H[ HE PLAY$ POK]40
  8,T'S "R10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,LYMAN PLAY$
POK]4 ,HE PLAY$ POK] ALL "R4 ,& T'S J !
DAMN HELL ( X4 ,CALL X J A MI4LE-AG$ F>M
BOY'S DUMB LUCK T N"E _H "T 6PLAY C>DS
2F1 OR SAY X'S 2C ,H>RY ,B>NES F9,Y
WROTE X D[N = HM ON "O ( !M B>ROOM NAP-
K9S4 ,2C T'S :AT ,H>RY D"O3 HE WROTE X
ALL D[N = HM1 ALL T POK] K D[N "! 9
BLACK 9K ON A PAP] NAPK94 ,:Y HELL1 EV5
"SBODY T N"E PLAY$ POK] 2F 9 8 LIFE1 LET
AL"O A H& ( :I/ OR OLD MAIDS1 EV5 "SBODY
Z GRE5 Z ,LYMAN IS IS B.D 6W9 IF HE C J
MANAGE 6GET ,H>RY ,B>NES 6WRITE X ALL
D[N = HM ON A ,HOLT ,TAV]N NAPK94   #ACD
,&! ONLY ?+ T SEEM$ 6BO!R HM 0 HE _HN'T
DRAW$ NO ROYAL FLU% YET40
  8,Y M1N HE WON "S M"OY !N10 MY DAD SD4
  8,WON HELL10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,WON HELL--HE
WON ! F/ FIVE H&S HE PLAY$ & HE 0 /
DR9K+ \R BE]40
  8,WELL SIR10 MY DAD SD4 8,I GUESS OLD
,ROY ,GOODN\< DID Y & ,H>RY ,B>NES A FA-
VOR KEEP+ ,LYMAN BURI$ \ "! ALL ^! YE>S4
,Y MI<T H 6/AY HOME AT NI<TS40
  8,X MI<T 2 LESS TAX+10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,X
SURELY MI<T40 ,!N HE LAU<$ & SPAT 96!
GUTT] AG B DIDN'T SNAP X (F CL1N 5\<1 S
T A BR[N SPIT /R+ HUNG F 8 BOTTOM LIP4
,HE WIP$ X (F ) 8 H& & SME>$ X ONTO 8
PANTS CUFF4
  8,B H[ L;G'D ,LYMAN /AY "!80 MY DAD
SD4 8,H[ L;G DID Y & ,H>RY ,B>NES LET HM
POCKET YR NICKLES80
  8,AB FIVE DOLL>S' WOR?10 ,W5ZEL SD4
8,& T WASN'T NE> L;G 5\<40
  ,2C1 AC 6,W5ZEL1 AF ,LYMAN _H WON ! F/
FIVE H&S ( POK] HE PLAY$1 X 2GAN 6APPE>
T HE 0 GETT+ BOR$4 ,X 0 Z IF HE 0 SAY+
6HMF1 ,S ? "H IS ! GAME ( POK] T    #ACE
,I BE5 HE>+ S M* AB ALL ^! YE>S4 ,WELL1
%OOT N[1 X A9'T S M*4 ,X A9'T A TALL :AT
X'S CRACK$ UP 6BE4 ,S ,I RECKON ,I'LL J
SEE :AT ELSE "! IS 6D ON A ,SATUR"D
NI<T4 ,& :AT ,LYMAN DID WAS1 HE /OOD UP
9 ! MI4LE (A H& T _H ALR BE5 D1LT & HE
W5T OV] 6"O (! WAITRESSES4 ,X DIDN'T
SEEM 6MAKE ANY DI6];E 6HM T ! M5 9 !
BOO? 7 TRY+ 6PLAY C>DS & T ,H>RY ,B>NES
_H F9,Y MANAG$ 6D1L HMF ?REE ACES &A K+
( SPADES4 ,2C :5 ,H>RY CALL$ HM BACK1
ASK$ HM ": 9 ! HELL HE ?"\ HE 0 GO+1 ALL
,LYMAN SD WAS1 8,OH4 ,Y WANT YR M"OY
BACK4 ,"H1 Y C H X4 ,I DON'T WANT X
N"O40
  8,S HE GIVE X ALL BACK10 MY DAD SD4
  8,E DIME10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,DUMP$ X ALL \
ON ! TA#40
  8,WELL1 X A9'T L PLANT+ CORN OR /ACK+
HAY10 MY DAD SD4 8,HE _HN'T SW1T 5 = X40
  8,SURE10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,ONLY Y A9'T
PLAY$ POK] ) ,H>RY ,B>NES40
  8,J ONCE10 MY DAD SD4 8,I CD SEE X
WASN'T GAMBL+4 ,B !N Y 0 SAY+ H[ ,LYMAN
W5T OV] 6"S WAITRESS40              #ACF
  8,AGNES ,WILSON10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,HE W5T
OV] 6,AGNES ,WILSON1 T BIG HEFTY GAL )
P9K HAIR & !M BIG LEGS T "S BOYS CLAIM
IS S(T Z PILL[S4 ,ANYWAY1 %E A9'T BE5
"W+ AT ! TAV]N L;G--COME OV] "H F ,NORKA
:5 H] HUSB& RUN (F 6,D5V] ) "S TELEPH"O
OP]ATOR4 ,%E'S GOT T KID T GOT HISSELF
KICK$ \ ( S*OOL = PLAY+ ) LADIES' COR-
SETS40
  ,!N =! F/ "T T AFN ,I SD "S?+4 ,I _H
BE5 LI/5+ 6!M TALK & WAT*+ ,W5ZEL SPIT
TOBA3O1 B N[ !Y 7 TALK+ AB "S?+ ,I KNEW
AB4 ,I SD1 8,NO1 ,MR4 ,G]DTS1 ,I 2LIEVE
X 0 G>T] BELTS40
  ,W5ZEL ,G]DTS LOOK$ AT ME Z IF HE 0
%OCK$1 Z IF "S"O _H -E UP 2H HM & BUZZ$
HM )A C[ PRO4]4 ,HE SEEM$ 6H =GOTT5 T
ALL T "T ,I _H BE5 /&+ "! ) !M 9 FRONT (
,W&ORF'S ,H>DW>E ,/ORE4 ,X 0 Z IF ,I 0 A
/RAY CALF T _H SU45LY DECID$ 6SP1K1 EV5
IF ALL ,I _H 6SAY WAS3 8,G>T] BELTS40
  8,WAS X80 ,W5ZEL SD1 LOOK+ AT ME4 8,I
HE>D X 0 CORSETS40
  8,NO1 ,I 2LIEVE X 0 G>T] BELTS ALL
"R10 ,I SD4 8,HE 0 MAK+ SL+%OTS )   #ACG
!M & SELL+ !M 6KIDS =A NICKEL1 ?REE =A
DIME40
  8,DID Y BUY "O80 MY DAD SD4
  8,NO1 SIR10 ,I SD4 8,! ELA/IC 0 ALL
POOP$ \4 ,X 0 TOO /RET*$40
  ,MY DAD />T$ LAU<+ !N1 & ,W5ZEL ,G]DTS
*OK$ A LL ON 8 ,R$ ,MAN *EW+ TOBA3O4 ,I
DIDN'T "K :AT ,I _H SD T 0 FUNNY1 B ,I
GR9N$ & FELT PL1S$ T ,I _H BE5 A# 6MAKE
MY DAD LAU<4 ,HE DIDN'T LAU< M*1 N OP5LY
OR L\DLY4 ,! AMUSE;T WD %[ 9 8 EYES1 B
,I DON'T REMEMB] HM LAU<+ V (T54 ,HE
LAU<$ T "T1 ?\<1 & MAYBE 2C ,I 0 ! CAUSE
( X IS ! R1SON :Y ,I REMEMB] T AFN S
WELL4
  ,ANYWAY1 :5 ,W5ZEL /OPP$ *OK+1 HE TOOK
A SILV] HALF-DOLL> \ ( 8 OV]ALL POCKET &
GAVE X 6ME4 ,MY DAD SD ,I CD KEEP X1 &
,W5ZEL SD1 8,N[ Y C BUY Y A SL+%OT T
A9'T ALR _H ! /RET* POOP$ \ ( X40
  8,YES1 SIR10 ,I SD4 8,B N "R N[4 ,I
WANT 6/AY "H40
  8,T'S "R1 SON10 MY DAD SD4 8,I 2LIEVE
,W5ZEL'S AB D"O /ORYTELL+ ANYWAY40
  8,SURE10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,"! A9'T     #ACH
M* M 6TELL40
  ,B 2F ,W5ZEL ,G]DTS W5T ON1 HE /OOD "!
& *EW$ A :ILE4 ,ALL AL;G ,MA9 ,/REET M5
7 / TALK+ 9 GR\PS1 & "H & "! A WOMAN 0
C>RY+ A BOX ( GROC]IES \ 6A C> P>K$ DI-
AGON,Y AT ! CURB4 ,:ILE WE WAIT$ = ,W5-
ZEL 63T9UE1 A YELL[ DOG CAME SNI6+ AL;G
! C>S1 WETT+ HUBCAPS & TIRES1 UNTIL A
MAN 9 A /RAW HAT YELL$ AT X1 !N ! DOG
LOOK$ UP & TROTT$ ACR ! /REET & 2GAN 6"W
XS WAY BACK UP ! BLOCK T[>DS ! RAILROAD
TRACKS1 WETT+ :EELS Z X W5T4
  ,ANYWAY1 AF A M9UTE OR TWO ,W5ZEL
SEEM$ 6H "W$ 8 WAD 6! "R PIT* & HE W5T
ON4 ,HE TOLD U T :5 ,LYMAN /OOD UP F !
BOO? ": HE _H BE5 DR9K+ _! BE] & TAK+ _!
M"OY1 HE WALK$ OV] & /OOD DIRECTLY 9
FRONT ( ,AGNES ,WILSON4 ,HE DIDN'T SAY
ANY?+ 6H]1 ?\<4 ,HE J /OOD "! HANG FAC$
& BA%;L4 ,( C\RSE HE / _H T YELL[ TIE ON
& T BLACK ,SUN"D SUIT1 S ! ONLY *ANGE 9
HM F :5 HE F/ PUT FOOT 9SIDE ! TAV]N
DOOR 0 T 8 EYES _H TURN$ 6GLASS M>#S1 OR
M L BLOODY EGG YOLKS N[1 2C 0? "T HE _H
DRUNK M ?AN J ?REE BE]S4 ,B AG1 X   #ACI
0 Z IF HE 0 />T+ OV]2 HE DIDN'T "K :AT
6D ) HMF AF HE _H "SH[ MADE ! F/ EF=T4
,B T DIDN'T SEEM 6MATT] ? "T EI3 ,AGNES
,WILSON FIGUR$ X \ = BO? ( !M4 ,%E SD
"S?+ 6HM & HE NO4$1 !N %E SET H] B> TRAY
D[N & TOOK 8 H&S & %[$ HM ": 6PUT !M1 "O
ON H] S(T WAI/ &! O!R 9 H] :ITE H&1 & !Y
2GAN 6D.E4
  8,T IS10 ,W5ZEL SD1 8IF Y C CALL :AT
,LYMAN 0 DO+ ) H] DANC+40
  8,:Y80 MY DAD SD4 8,CDN'T ,H>RY ,B>NES
WRITE T D[N = HM TOO8 ,H[ 6D.E1 ,I M1N40
  8,I SUPPOSE ,H>RY CD10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,B
,H>RY DIDN'T NE$ TO4 ,AGNES 0 DO+ "EY?+
ANYBODY NE$$ 6D4 ,%E _H HM SUCK$ UP AG/
H] L HE 0 A FIFTY-DOLL> BILL40
  ,S ,LYMAN M/ H FELT T HE _H >RIV$ 9
H1V54 ,HE 0 ON ! D.E FLOOR AT ! ,HOLT
,TAV]N ) 8 FACE HI45 9 ,AGNES ,WILSON'S
P9K HAIR4 ,H] FULL1 RIPE BODY 0 PRESS+
HM ALL AL;G 8 [N1 & HE _H 4P5S$ ) HOLD+
H] H&4 ,BO? ( 8 MI4LE-AG$ BA*ELOR >MS 7
WRAPP$ >.D H] S T 8 :ITE ,SUN"D %IRT
CU6S %[$ B"R AG/ ! BLACK ( H] WAITRESS
DRESS ": 8 H&S RODE SNUG ABV H]     #ADJ
H1VY BUTTOCKS4 ,:5 ! D.E B& />T$ UP AN-
O!R S;G ,AGNES WD %U6LE ,LYMAN >.D A LL
BIT ON ! D.E FLOOR1 B 2T S;GS !Y J /OOD
"!1 WAIT+1 N MOV+ AT ALL1 :ILE ,LYMAN
MA9TA9$ ! SAME CL5*+ HOLD ON H]1 L HE
DIDN'T D>E LET G4
  8,L !Y 0 TWO DOGS T 0 LOCK$10 ,W5ZEL
SD4 8,Y %D ( SAW X40
  8,H[ L;G DID X G ON80 MY DAD SD4
  8,I WASN'T C.T+ ! D.ES10 ,W5ZEL SD4
8,& ,I DON'T GUESS ,LYMAN 0 NEI4 ,HE 0
TOO SATISFI$ 6D "S?+ L C.T40
  ,B X M/ H G"O ON L;G 5 T AN H\R OR TWO
PASS$4 ,AGNES ,WILSON DIDN'T SEEM 6M9D
X1 ?\<4 ,O3A.N,Y %E PATT$ HM ON ! H1D OR
TICKL$ A F+] 9 8 E>1 & N[ & !N %E W9K$
AT ! O!R P 9 ! TAV]N1 :O DIDN'T SEEM TO
M9D X EI2 !Y 7 ALL GO+ UP 6! B> 6GET _!
[N DR9KS4 ,!Y 7 SLAPP+ "O ANO!R ON !
BACK & 3GRATULAT+ !MVS Z IF !Y 7 ALL 9
ATT5D.E AT "S SIGNIFICANT EV5T4 ,I SUP-
POSE X 0 AN EV5T TOO3 ,LYMAN ,GOODN\< 0
5JOY+ HMF4
  8,UNTIL1 BANG10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,ALL 9 A
SU451 HE'S G"O4 ,HE'S TOOK (F40     #ADA
  8,WAIT A M9UTE10 MY DAD SD4 8,Y M1N HE
GOT BOR$ ) T TOO8 ,T DON'T L1VE HM M* TO
GRAZE ON4 ,HE'S ALR US$ UP BE] & POK] &
WOM540
  8,NO10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,NO1 ,I DON'T GUESS
Y CD SAY BOR$ EXACTLY4 ,HE J /OPP$
SQUEEZ+ ,AGNES & LEFT40
  8,H[ -E80
  8,T'S :AT WE WANT$ 6"K10 ,W5ZEL SD4
  ,S AF ,LYMAN TOOK (F1 ,W5ZEL TOLD U T
,H>RY ,B>NES CALL$ ,AGNES OV] 6_! BOO?
":1 2T POK] H&S1 !Y _H BE5 WAT*+ X ALL4
,AGNES CAME OV] & L1N$ AG/ ! TA#4 ,%E
HELD ! B> TRAY 2H H] & PU%$ H] AMPLE
FRONT \ T[>DS ! M5 9 ! BOO?4
  8,:AT 2COME ( YR BOYFR80 ,H>RY SD4
  8,A9'T HE CUTE80 ,AGNES SD4
  8,Y1H10 ,H>RY SD4 8,HE'S CUTE4 ,B :AT
HAPP5$ 6HM80
  8,D>N$ IF ,I "K10 ,AGNES SD4 8,ALL ,I
"K IS1 AF T LA/ S;G HE ASKS ME :AT ! "T
IS1 & ,I TELL HM1 ,8,H"OY1 X'S E>LY YET4
,ONLY A QU>T] ( ELEV540' ,& !N HE SAYS
6ME1 ,8,:AT "T D Y LOCK UP80' ,& ,I SAY1
,8,N TILL MIDNI<T1 H"OY4 ,WE GOT    #ADB
LOTS ( "T LEFT40' ,& !N HE SAYS "S?+
/RANGE1 HE SAYS1 ,8,NO1 WE DON'T4 ,I C'T
WAIT NO L;G]40'0
  8,& T'S :5 HE TOOK (F80 ,H>RY SD4
  8,T'S X10 ,AGNES SD4 8,"R !N HE LEFT1
)\T S M* Z GD-BYE OR ?ANK Y1 K9DLY40
  8,WELL10 ,H>RY SD4 8,I WDN'T TAKE X
TOO P]SONAL4 ,Y 0 DO+ "EY?+ Y CD40
  8,I "K X10 ,AGNES SD4 8,B WASN'T HE
CUTE80
  ,!N ,W5ZEL ,G]DTS /OPP$ TALK+4 ,HE RE-
MOV$ ! TOBA3O F 8 *EEK & EXAM9$ X Z IF
"! 0 "S?+ "! T MI<T EXPLA9 ,LYMAN'S L1V-
+4 ,! WAD ( ,R$ ,MAN 0 :ITE & /R+Y LOOK-
+1 US$ UP4 ,HE TOSS$ X 96! GUTT]1 ": X
SOPP$ UP ! BR[N PU4LE L A SP;GE4 ,ACR !
/REET ,I CD SEE MY "M -E \ (A /ORE )A
HATBOX "U H] >M4
  8,S Y DON'T "K :Y HE LEFT S SU4510 MY
DAD SD4
  8,NO1 SIR10 ,W5ZEL SD4 8,WE N"E F.D \4
,I GUESS HE J _H 6TAKE HMF A PEE & HE
CDN'T HOLD X NO L;G]40

                                    #ADC
  ,WELL1 ,I DON'T "K T ,LYMAN ,GOODN\< 0
"E 9 8 LIFE :AT Y MI<T CALL CUTE4 ,AT
L1/ 0#AIDJ HE 0 N4 ,0!N1 HE 0 A GAUNT
MI4LE-AG$ F>M]1 A LL /OOP$ OV]1 & 8 HAIR
0 GO+4 ,B ( C\RSE X WASN'T 8 PHYSICAL
APPE>.E T ,AGNES ,WILSON 0 TALK+ AB1 & Z
= ,W5ZEL ,G]DTS'S EXPLAN,N ( 8 SU45 EXIT
F ! TAV]N T NI<T1 ,I DON'T 2LIEVE EI T X
0 J A MATT] ( ,LYMAN'S HAV+ 6RELIEVE A
FULL BLA4]4 ,I ?9K X 0 M T ,LYMAN KNEW--
& 0 A# 6REMEMB] DESPITE ! BE] 7HE _H C]-
TA9LY LIV$ 5 YE>S 9 T H\SE ) 8 "F 6"K V
WELL & 6REMEMB] TOO7--T :5 HE GOT HOME
"! 0 GO+ 6BE HELL 6PAY1 &! L;G] HE /AY$
\ ! M ( X "! 0 GO+ 6BE4
  ,S HE M/ H PD = X4 ,MAYBE N T NI<T :5
HE DROVE _! OLD C> 96! Y>D & P>K$ X 9
FRONT (! PICKET F;E1 B AT L1/ ! NEXT
MORN+ DUR+ BR1KFA/1 S9CE EV5 ,ROY M/ H
FELT DI6]5TLY AB WAIT+ =A =TY-"O-YE>-OLD
BOY 6-E HOME F ! TAV]N ?AN HE DID AB
WAIT+ =A TW5TY-FIVE-YE>-OLD GIRL 6RETURN
F A NI<T AT ! MOVIES4 ,X WASN'T Q S UR-
G5T2 HE CD WAIT TILL MORN+ 6GIVE ,LYMAN
HELL4 ,B 9 ! MORN+1 !N1 ,LYMAN M/   #ADD
H _H 6SIT "! ) 8 H1D P.D+ & 8 M\? TA/+
"S?+ T RESEM#D PIG SLOP1 :ILE ! OLD MAN1
8 "F1 DRANK & 9 2T DR9KS SD "S?+ M1N &
CRAZY L1 8,S Y A9'T LE>N$ YET40
  8,LE>N$ :AT80
  8,T IF Y'RE "E GO+ 6M.T 6A GODDAMN1 Y
C'T /AY \ ALL ,SATUR"D NI<T DI4L+40

















                   #F               #ADE

  ,B AT L1/ ,LYMAN _H A3OMPLI%$ T F/
TRIAL RUN4 ,HE _H SAMPL$ BE] & WOM5 & HE
_H _H 8 F/ R1L TA/E ( ESCAPE4 ,X M/ H
BE5 H1DY /UFF 6HM4 ,9 ! TAV]N T NI<T HE
_H ACTU,Y D"O ^? ?+S HMF T 2F HE _H ONLY
HE>D AB O!R M5 DO+4 ,EV5 8 "F'S RIDICU-
L\S BR1KFA/ S]MON ! NEXT MORN+ M/ H BE5
SATISFY+ 6HM3 X TI$ ! KNOT2 X CLOS$ !
CIRCLE2 X MADE "EY?+ SEEM BI7] & BETT]4
,6H 65DURE A LECTURE AB DI4L+ AWAY A
,SATUR"D NI<T AT A "T :5 8 H1D 0 / P.D+
F ! BE] HE _H DRUNK ! NI<T 2F & :ILE !
FRI$ E7S HE _H J MANAG$ 6GET D[N 7 ?R1T-
5+ 6-E BACK UP AG--X MADE X ALL WOR? X2
X 0 H[ Y PD = HAV+ A GD "T4 ,AT =TY-"O
,LYMAN 0 L A MI4LE-AG$ TE5AG] SAVOR+ 8
F/ HANGOV]4 ,B HE DIDN'T MAKE ANO!R AT-
TEMPT 6ESCAPE "R AWAY4 ,9/1D HE W5T = M
?AN A YE> ON ! MEMORY ( T F/ "T4 ,HE W5T
ON "W+4
  ,!N 9 ! FOLL[+ YE> ON A ,SUN"D MORN+ 9
,DECEMB] ANO!R \TSIDE EV5T O3URR$ T MADE
X POSSI# = ,LYMAN 6TAKE (F & N -E BACK
AT ALL4 ,?\S&S ( MILES AWAY "S?+    #ADF
HAPP5$ T 0 S EXPLOSIVE T X N ONLY SANK
%IPS & KILL$ M5 9 ! ,PACIFIC1 X BLEW !
DOOR (F ! H+ES (! ,GOODN\< B>N 9 ,HOLT
,C.TY1 ,COLORADO4 ,I'M TALK+ ( C\RSE AB
,PE>L ,H>BOR4
  ,PE>L ,H>BOR 0 HELL & TRAG$Y = MO/
,AM]ICANS1 B X 0 :AT ,LYMAN ,GOODN\< 0
WAIT+ =4 ,N[ ,I DON'T M1N T HE WD "E H
HOP$ = "S?+ T MURD]\S--HE 0 DESP]ATE1
DAMN$ DESP]ATE1 B HE WASN'T BLOOD?IR/Y--
& ,I'M N SAY+ T HE _H ANY IDEA 9 ! _W T
! ?+ HE 0 WAIT+ =1 ! ?+ HE HOP$ WD HAP-
P51 WD "E TAKE ! =M X DID1 2C HE SURE Z
HELL WASN'T ANY PROPHET EI4 ,/ X IS TRUE
T HE SEEM$ 6RECOGNIZE ALM IMMLY T ,PE>L
,H>BOR 0 8 TICKET \1 8 OP5 B>N DOOR4 ,X
0 L ! EXPLO.N 9 ! WAT]S ( ,HAWAII 0 !
POP (A />T]'S GUN 9 A TRACK MEET4 ,LYMAN
HE>D X1 HE 0 R1DY1 & HE TOOK (F RUNN+4
,HE 2GAN A RACE T HE WDN'T /OP RUNN+ UN-
TIL ALM TW5TY YE>S _H PASS$ & UNTIL HE
_H SE5 HALF ! CITIES 9 ? C.TRY4 ,MY DAD
HELP$ HM4
  ,9 ! MI4LE (! NI<T MY DAD PUT HM ON A
TRA9 T 0 H1D$ WE/4 ,B T 0 LAT]4     #ADG
,T ,DECEMB] ,SUN"D 9 #AIDA1 AF MORN+
*ORES1 MY DAD & ,I SAT AT ? SAME KIT*5
TA# & LI/5$ 6! RADIO4 ,X 0 EXCIT+ & X 0
AW;L4 ,MY DAD SD X 0 HELL4 ,B MY "M W5T
6*UR* Z USUAL4 ,%E PUT ON A NAVY-BLUE
DRESS & DROVE (F 9 H] NEW C> 6S+ HYMNS &
,*RI/MAS C>OLS & 6PUT H] FOLD$ (F]+ 96!
FELT-MUT$ PLATE T A GRAY U%] PASS$ AM;G
! PEWS4 ,%E PRAY$ & AFWS %E RETURN$ HOME
6COOK U A ,SUN"D D9N] ( FRI$ *ICK5 &
MA%$ POTATOES Z IF NO?+ 0 WR;G4 ,I BE-
LIEVE %E SP5T ! AFN R1D+ 9 ! LIV+ ROOM 9
A /U6$ *AIR4
  ,ALL ! "T1 ?\<1 MY DAD & ,I LI/5$ 6!
RADIO4 ,2T NEWS BULLET9S WE GOT \ ! _W
ATLAS & 4COV]$ ! DOTS 9 ! ,PACIFIC ,OC1N
T M1NT ,HAWAII &)A RUL] TRI$ 6FIGURE !
MILES 2T ,HONOLULU & ,TOKYO & 2T ,TOKYO
& ,CALI=NIA4 ,! NEWS KEPT -+ 9 ON ! RA-
DIO1 & X SEEM$ 6ME T X 0 ALL HAPP5+ "R
!N1 S9CE ,I 0 ONLY J HE>+ AB X4 ,I CDN'T
"U/& :Y ANY"O WD WANT 6BOMB S* A SMALL
SPECK ON ! OC1N 9 \R ATLAS--2F T ,SUN"D
,PE>L ,H>BOR & NAVAL 9/ALL,NS _HN'T
EXI/$ = ME3 "! W]5'T A LOT (        #ADH
SAILORS 9 ,HOLT ,C.TY--B ,I CD TELL F MY
DAD'S FACE T "S?+ IMPORTANT 0 HAPP5+ &
:AT 0 HAPP5+ 0 BAD4 ,MY DAD'S FACE1 M
?AN ! PIT* (! BROADCA/]'S VOICE1 MADE X
SEEM S4 ,8 FACE 0 H>D SET ALL "D4 ,X
LOOK$ EV5 WORSE ?AN X DID ^? "TS :5 HE
LOOK$ UP & WAT*$ ! ,GOODN\<S' C> PASS \R
H\SE1 PASS+ ON D[N ! ROAD 96DU/4 ,HE SD
T :AT WE 7 HE>+ ON ! RADIO 0 ! />T (A
W>1 A _W W> T N[ WE 9 ? C.TRY 7 GO+ 6H
6BE A "P (4 ,HE HAT$ X ALL4 ,HE ONLY
HOP$ T X WD 2 OV] 2F ,I 0 OLD 5 6BE
CALL$ 6X4
  ,( C\RSE P 9 T[N 7 TALK+ AB X1 TOO4
,ALL AL;G ,MA9 ,/REET 9 ! POOLHALLS &!
GROC]Y /ORES !Y 7 TALK+ AB X1 & M* (!
TALK 0 CRAZY1 WILD1 FRANTIC NONS5SE1 & X
WASN'T L;G 2F ANY?+ SEEM$ POSSI# 6BE-
LIEVE4 ,! M5 9 ! BANK &! BE] DR9K]S 9 !
TAV]N 7 EV5 SPECULAT+ T ,HIROHITO WD "S-
H[ DROP D[N 96,LOS ,ANGELES & />T M>*+
UP ,SUNSET ,B\LEV>D 63QU] ,BETTY ,GRA#3
"! 0 T K9D ( FE> & EXCITE;T LOOSE "EY":4
,S1 ) ALL T GO+ ON1 ,I DON'T REMEMB] T
WE 7 V M* SURPRIS$ A C\PLE NI<TS    #ADI
LAT] :5 L;G AF WE _H G"O UP 6B$ & 7 S.D
ASLEEP ,LYMAN CAME & />T$ KNOCK+ ! HOLY
2JESUS \ ( \R FRONT DOOR4 ,MY DAD J GOT
UP & PUT 8 PANTS ON & W5T D[N/AIRS 6LET
,LYMAN 9 2F HE BROKE ! DOOR D[N4
  ,I GOT UP TOO & /OOD 9 ! DIM LI<T AT !
TOP (! /AIRS 6WAT*4 ,I CD SEE ,LYMAN 2L
9 ! FRONT HALLWAY2 HE _H 8 H1VY OV]COAT
ON & HE 0 WE>+ 8 W9T] CAP )! CORDUROY
E>FLAPS4 ,2S HM ON ! FLOOR 0 A METAL
SUITCASE )A BELT /RAPP$ >.D X4 ,MY DAD &
HE 7 TALK+1 & ?\< ,I CDN'T HE> :AT !Y 7
SAY+1 ,I CD TELL T ,LYMAN 0 M ?AN A LL
EXCIT$4 ,HE 2GAN 6TIE & UNTIE ! /R+S ON
! E>FLAPS ( 8 CAP1 & HE 0 %IFT+ F "O
FOOT 6! O!R L HE _H 6USE ! TOILET4 ,9 MY
GO(Y SLEEPI;S ,I WOND]$ :E!R T 0 ! R1SON
:Y HE _H -E OV]--6PISS 9 \R POT--EXCEPT
T WDN'T H EXPLA9$ :Y HE _H BR"\ A SUIT-
CASE4 ,!N MY "M 0 "!1 TOO1 2S ME AT !
TOP (! /AIRS4
  8,S&]S10 %E SD4 8,G BACK 6B$40
  8,X'S ,LYMAN ,GOODN\<40
  8,I DON'T C>E :O X IS4 ,I WANT Y 6GET
DRESS$ OR 6G BACK 6B$40             #AEJ
  ,MY "M _H A M>OON ROBE ON ) MAT*+ OP5-
TO$ SLIPP]S4 ,H] BLOND HAIR1 TR1T$ S T X
/AY$ BLOND1 LOOK$ FRE%LY -B$4
  8,LYMAN'S SE5 /RIP$ PAJAMAS 2F10 ,I
SD4
  8,T IS N ! PO9T40
  8,"H -ES DAD40
  ,MY DAD CAME UP ! /AIRS & MET U AT !
TOP L&+4 ,8 FACE & NECK & H&S 7 D>K
TANN$ 6! %IRT L9E2 AG/ ! RE/ ( HM !Y
LOOK$ PURPLE 9 ! DIM LI<T4 ,HE _H BLACK
HAIR ON 8 B>E *E/ & HE 0 SMIL+4
  8,S ! VIGILANTES >E UP TOO10 HE SD4
  8,? IS N ! "T = YR JOKES10 MY "M SD4
8,:AT DOES T MAN WANT80
  8,Y M1N ,LYMAN ,GOODN\<40
  8,I "K :O X IS4 ,:AT'S WR;G ) HM80
  8,NO?+ "PICUL>4 ,HE'S J 4COV]$ HE HAS
"S?+ L A BACKB"O40
  8,& :AT'S T SUPPOS$ 6M1N80
  8,HE WANTS A LIFT 96T[N40
  ,MY "M LOOK$ AT MY DAD Z IF HE 0 TALK+
UTT] NONS5SE1 Z IF %E / ?"\ HE 0 TRY+ TO
2 FUNNY4 8,N[80 %E SD4 8,AT ? H\R8
,:AT"E =80                          #AEA
  8,HE WANTS 6CAT* ! TRA94 ,HE'S L1V+40
  8,B T'S RIDICUL\S4 ,HE C'T D ANY?+4
,": C HE G80
  8,HE C G WE/1 ,I SUPPOSE10 MY DAD SD4
8,T'S ! DIREC;N ! TRA9 IS H1D$ IN40
  8,WE/10 %E SD4 ,X S.D$ FOOLI% & OBSC5E
9 H] M\?4 8,WELL1 ,I HOPE Y _H ! S5SE TO
TELL HM NO40
  8,NO1 ,I TOLD HM ,I WD4 ,I -E UP/AIRS
6GET MY %IRT & BOOTS ON40
  8,>E Y 9SANE80
  8,PROBABLY10 MY DAD SD4 8,& ,I'M GETT+
COLD /&+ "H TALK+ AB X40 ,HE TURN$ 6G
BACK 6_! B$ROOM4
  8,DAD10 ,I SD4 8,I WANT 6G40
  8,GET DRESS$ !N40
  8,HE'S N GO+4 ,Y'RE N GO+10 MY "M SD4
  ,B %E WASN'T EV5 LOOK+ AT ME4 ,%E FOL-
L[$ MY DAD 96! B$ROOM1 & ,I FOLL[$ H]
D[N ! HALLWAY & /OOD 9 ! DOOR4 ,MY DAD
W5T OV] 6! CLOSET & TOOK A FLANNEL %IRT
(F A HANG]4 ,%E WAT*$ HM Z IF X 0 A CON-
SPIRACY AG/ H]1 Z IF HE & ,LYMAN ,GOOD-
N\< _H DECID$ 6GET UP A PLOT4 ,) "O H&
FI/$ AT ! NECK ( H] M>OON ROBE1     #AEB
%E WAT*$ HM UNBUTTON 8 PANTS & 2G9 6TUCK
8 %IRT IN4
  8,W Y TELL ME10 %E SD1 8:Y T MAN C'T
AT L1/ DRIVE HMF 6T[N80
  8,YES1 B Y >5'T GO+ 6L X40
  8,( C\RSE N4 ,I DON'T L ANY ( ?4 ,B ,I
ASSUME Y M1N X'S "S?+ M ?AN J ! FACT T
HE C'T GET 8 [N C> />T$40
  8,HE N"E TRI$ X10 MY DAD SD4 8,HE'S
AFRAID IF HE />TS ! C> X'LL WAKE ! OLD
MAN40
  8,OH10 %E SD4 8,WELL1 T DOES MAKE
S5SE1 DOESN'T X4 ,HE C'T WAKE 8 [N "F B
X'S P]FECTLY ALL "R 6WAKE U40
  8,I SD Y W]5'T GO+ 6L X40
  8,YES1 Y DID SAY S & Y >E "R AB T4 ,B
:AT AB H]8 ,:AT AB 8 SI/]8 ,I SUPPOSE
%E'S AFRAID 64TURB ! POOR OLD MAN TOO40
  ,MY DAD /OPP$ DRESS+ !N & LOOK$ AT MY
"M4 ,HE WASN'T HAPPY4 8,L1VE H] \ ( ?10
HE SD4
  8,OR HASN'T %E LE>N$ H[ 6DRIVE A C> AT
NI<T YET8 ,I'VE N"E SE5 H] DRIV+ A C> AT
NI<T40
  8,KEEP YR M\? (F H]10 HE SD4      #AEC
8,Y DON'T "K :AT Y'RE TALK+ AB40
  8,YES1 ,I D10 %E SD4 8,I "K M ?AN Y
?9K ,I D40
  8,NO1 Y DON'T10 HE SD4 8,Y DON'T "K !
HALF ( X40
  8,ALL "R10 MY "M SD1 LOOK+ AT ME 9 !
DOORWAY4 8,I'VE _H 5 = "O NI<T4 ,I'M GO+
6B$40
  8,T'S "R10 MY DAD SD4 8,I ?9K T'S A GD
IDEA40
  8,& Y >E TOO10 %E SD 6ME4
  8,NO1 ,I'M N10 ,I SD4 8,I'M GO+ AL;G4
,DAD1 Y SD--0
  8,I TOLD Y 6GET DRESS$10 HE SD4
  8,NO4 ,T'S DEF9ITELY \4 ,HE'S N GO+40
  8,X WON'T HURT HM40
  8,HE'S N GO+10 %E SD4 8,HE HAS S*OOL
TM4 ,HE'S NO ,$ISON1 OR HAV5'T Y NO-
TIC$80
  8,X WON'T HURT HM4 ,& HE C / MAKE
S*OOL40
  8,I DON'T WANT HM 6G ) Y4 ,I =BID HM
6G40
  8,I 2LIEVE HE'S GO+1 ?\<40
  8,ALL "R10 %E SD4 8,ALL "R1 G     #AED
!N40
  ,B %E WASN'T LOOK+ AT ME4 ,%E 0 WAT*+
MY DAD4 ,X DIDN'T H ANY?+ 6D ) ME ANY-
MORE--IF X "E DID4
  8,G10 %E SD4 8,Y MAY Z WELL GET YRF
9VOLV$ 9 ? TOO4 ,Y'RE J L HM4 ,Y DON'T
C>E :AT ,I ?9K4 ,:Y D Y BO!R 6ASK80
  ,B %E DIDN'T G BACK 6B$ YET & %E
WASN'T F9I%$ TALK+4 ,%E _H M 6SAY 6MY
DAD4 ,F _! B$ROOM D[N ! HALL ,I CD HE>
H] TALK+ 6HM :ILE ,I GOT \ ( MY PAJAMAS4
,H] VOICE 0 GO+ ON & ON ) /EEL 9 X1 L %E
0 "S LAWY] SUMM+ UP ! DEF5SE 9 A BAD
CASE1 & EV5 ?\< 0#AIDA X M/ H BE5 AN OLD
DEF5SE & AN OLD CASE1 %E DID N S.D TIR$
( X4 ,"! 0 ALL T /EEL & ICE MIX$ UP 9 X4
,B MY DAD WASN'T SAY+ ANY?+4 ,I CD HE> J
! S.D ( HM SITT+ D[N ON ! $GE (! B$ 6PUT
8 BOOTS ON &! NOISE ON ! WOOD FLOOR Z HE
/AMP$ 96!M4 ,!N ,I 0 DRESS$ & \ 9 !
HALLWAY AG R1DY 6G D[N/AIRS1 & ,I HE>D
HM SAY "S?+ 6H]4 ,X S.D$ L TWO ^WS1 & !Y
M/ H BE5 5\<1 OR TOO M* MAYBE1 2C AF HE
SD !M X 0 ONLY SIL;E -+ \ ( _! B$ROOM4
,I W5T D[N/AIRS4                    #AEE
  ,LYMAN 0 / /&+ 9 ! FRONT HALLWAY4 ,!
/R+S ( 8 E>FLAPS 7 TI$ TI<T 9 A D\# KNOT
"U 8 *9 PULL+ ! BILL ( 8 CAP D[N L[ ON 8
=EH1D L HE 0 EXPECT+ H1VY W1!R1 & HE 0
/&+ "! HOLD+ 8 SUITCASE4
  8,Y -+ AL;G TOO80 HE SD4 8,=! S5D-(F80
  8,YES1 SIR40
  ,I PUT MY COAT & /OCK+ CAP ON1 & WE
/OOD FAC+ "O ANO!R1 WAIT+ = MY DAD4 ,WE
EXAM9$ ! RUG & EA* O!R'S FEET4
  8,AT L1/10 ,LYMAN SD AF A :ILE1 8AT
L1/ X DON'T LOOK L X WANTS 6SN[40
  8,NO1 SIR40
  8,I HOPE X DON'T10 HE SD4 8,N ANYH[40
  ,! RUG 0 AN OVAL BRAID$ "O MADE ( B"R
RAGS1 & ,LYMAN'S %OES 7 8 BE/1 ^? BLACK
POLI%$ %OES HE M/ H WORN 6! ,HOLT ,TAV]N
A YE> E>LI]4 ,!Y _H S& ON !M N[ F 8
WALK+ ! HALF MILE 6\R H\SE4 ,! S& 0 GET-
T+ ON MY "M'S RUG4
  8,WELL10 ,LYMAN SD4 8,H['S ! SIX?
GRADE80
  8,:AT80
  8,! SIX? GRADE4 ,AT YR S*OOL 9 T[N40
  8,I'M 9 ! EI<? GRADE10 ,I SD4     #AEF
  8,EI<?10 HE SD4 8,WELL1 DON'T N"E
QUIT40
  8,NO1 SIR40
  8,TAKE ME10 HE SD4 8,Y N"E "K :5 Y
MI<T NE$ ALL YR $UC,N40
  8,YES1 SIR40
  8,T'S "R10 HE SD4 ,!N L HE'D BE5 PON-
D]+ ? "Q =A GD L;G "T1 HE SD1 8,:AT'S !
CAPITAL ( ,CALI=NIA80
  8,SAN ,FRANCISCO40
  8,T'S "R10 HE SD4 8,Y SEE8--T'S :AT
,I'M TALK+ AB40
  ,MY DAD CAME D[N ! /AIRS !N & PUT 8
COAT ON1 & WE W5T \TSIDE 6! PICKUP4 ,X 0
CL\DY & J FLAT D>K1 B X WASN'T GO+ 6SN[2
X 0 TOO COLD 6SN[1 & "! WASN'T T H1VI;S
9 ! AIR T -ES 2F SN[FALL4 ,I SAT 2T MY
DAD & ,LYMAN 9 ! PICKUP )! GE>%IFT 2T MY
KNEES &! LI<T F ! SPE$OMET] %[+ YELL[ ON
MY DAD'S FACE4 ,NOBODY SD ANY?+ =A :ILE4
,! GRAVEL ON ! DIRT ROAD KICK$ UP "UN1?
! F5D]S1 & !N WE 7 ON ! HI<WAY1 ": "! 0
! S.D (! SN[ TIRES ON ! BLACKTOP4 ,\T-
SIDE ! W9D[ ! H1DLI<TS PICK$ UP ! BRU% &
TUM#WE$S CAU<T AL;G ! F;E L9E 2S    #AEG
! HI<WAY1 & 2Y ! F;E L9E ! C.TRY 0 ALL
D>K1 )! FEW TREES /&+ UP L1F.S & %[+ EV5
D>K] AG/ ,[5S'S :ITE H\SE ON ! "R :5 WE
PASS$ X & AG TWO MILES LAT] AG/ ,:EEL-
]S'S YELL[ H\SE ON ! LEFT Z WE PASS$ X
TOO1 DRIV+ NOR? T[>DS T[N4 ,"! 7 NO Y>D
LI<TS ON ANY": 9 ! C.TRY4
  ,!N1 2F WE MADE T[N1 MY DAD SD 6,LY-
MAN1 8,I DON'T SUPPOSE Y ?"\ 6TELL ,$I?
Y'RE L1V+40
  8,:Y SURE10 ,LYMAN SD4 8,%E "KS40 ,HE
PATT$ 8 COAT POCKET4 8,%E PACK$ ME "S
S&WI*ES4 ,I GOT !M "R "H ) ME40
  8,:AT DOES %E SAY AB X80
  8,WELL1 ,I'LL TELL Y10 ,LYMAN SD4 ,HE
L1N$ =W>D 6LOOK PA/ ME AT MY DAD4 8,%E
SAYS = AT L1/ "O ( U 6GET AWAY4 ,T'S :AT
%E TOLD ME LA/ NI<T40
  8,JESUS ,*RI/10 MY DAD SD4 8,:5'S %E
GO+ 6QUIT80
  8,& ,I'M GO+ 6WRITE H] AB X10 ,LYMAN
SD4 8,$I? SAYS = ME 6SEE ALL ! SI<TS ,I
C & TA/E PL1SURE40
  8,WELL1 SEE T Y D X40
  8,I W4 ,Y C BET ON T40            #AEH
  8,I'M TALK+ AB WRIT+ H]10 MY DAD SD4
  8,OH10 HE SD1 & SAT BACK AG 6LOOK AH1D
D[N ! ROAD4 ,HE BR"\ "O ( 8 BIG R$ W9T]-
*AF$ H&S UP 6PLAY )! BELT /RAPP$ >.D !
METAL SUITCASE ON 8 LAP4
  ,:5 WE DROVE 96,HOLT ALL ! H\SES 7 D>K
&! BIG GLOBES SUSP5D$ ABV ! CORN]S ON
,MA9 ,/REET 7 (F4 ,I DIDN'T SEE ANY?+
MOV+4 ,NO "O 0 AT ! DEPOT EI2 ,LYMAN 0
GO+ 6H 6BUY 8 TICKET ONCE HE GOT ON !
TRA94 ,MY DAD /OPP$ ! PICKUP 2S ! COB#-
/"O PLAT=M1 & ?\< WE 7 ALM AN H\R E>LY1
,LYMAN GOT \ ) 8 SUITCASE "U 8 >M & /OOD
6FACE EA/ UP ! TRACKS4 ,MY DAD & ,I /AY$
9 ! PICKUP )! MOTOR & H1T] RUNN+ & WAT*$
HM WAIT4 ,ONCE :ILE WE WAT*$ HM1 MY DAD
SD1 8,WELL1 ? IS A PIECE ( HI/ORY T
WON'T APPE> 9 NO HI/ORY BOOKS40 ,B HE 0
TALK+ M 6HMF ?AN HE 0 6ME4
  ,F9,Y :5 ! TRA9 GOT "!1 WAV+ XS B1M
LI<T BACK & =? ABV ! TRACKS & MAK+ !
GR.D VIBRATE1 WE GOT \ 6SAY GD-BYE4 ,9 !
LI<T (! 3DUCTOR'S LANT]N ,I CD SEE T
,LYMAN'S EYES 7 BLE>Y F ! COLD & T "! 0
A DRIP ( WAT]Y MUCUS AT ! TIP ( 8   #AEI
NOSE4 ,LYMAN LOOK$ COLD & SC>$4 ,MY DAD
%OOK 8 H&1 & ,LYMAN PATT$ ME ON ! %\LD]1
& !N 9 8 L;G OV]COAT & 8 BE/ %OES &) 8
CORDUROY E>FLAPS TI$ TI<T "U 8 *91 HE
M.T$ ! /EPS 6! TRA91 & T 0 ! LA/ WE SAW
( HM4 ,T 0 ! LA/ ANY"O 9 ,HOLT ,C.TY SAW
( HM = ALM TW5TY YE>S4 ,9CLUD+ ,$I?4

  ,LYMAN 0 =TY-TWO :5 HE LEFT ON T WE/-
B.D TRA91 & Z ,I RECALL 8 PLAN 9VOLV$
JO9+ ! ,U4,S4 ,>MY4 ,! TRA9 /OPP$ 9 ,D5-
V]1 B HE DIDN'T GET (F "! & HE DIDN'T
GET (F 9 ,*EY5NE EI1 NOR 9 ,SALT ,LAKE1
NOR 9 ANY O!R PLACE1 UNTIL ! TRA9 _H FI-
N,Y /OPP$ = GD 9 ,LOS ,ANGELES 6TURN >.D
& -E BACK EA/4 ,I SUPPOSE HE WANT$ 6BE
SURE "! 7 5 M.TA9 RANGES & 5 ,MORMONS &
MESQUITE 2T HM & T OLD /UMP->M$ MAN TO
PREV5T HMF F 2+ DRA7$ BACK & PUT 6"W AG4
,2C ONCE HE _H ACTU,Y MANAG$ 6ESCAPE HE
SURE Z HELL WASN'T GO+ 6TAKE ANY *.ES2
HE WASN'T "E GO+ 6SW1T 8 OV]ALLS PL[+ S&
AG1 N IF HE CD HELP X1 N IF X 0 J A MAT-
T] ( PUTT+ 5 MILES 2T HMF & T S&4 ,& 9 !
3FU.N ( ,DECEMB] #AIDA1 HE _H T     #AFJ
R1DY EXCUSE3 HE 0 GO+ 6JO9 ! >MY 6FI<T !
,NIPS &! ,HUNS--N"E M9D T HE _H N"E F"\
A ?+ 2F 9 8 LIFE4
  ,I GA!R1 ?\<1 T X DIDN'T TAKE HM L;G
64COV] T1 Z M* Z "EYBODY 0 WAT*+ ! SKY =
,HIROHITO 6-E DRIFT+ D[N \ ( "S IMP]IAL
ORANGE-&-R$ CL\D1 /1 ! >MY RECRUIT]S 7 N
AB R1DY 6SIGN ON ANY MI4LE-AG$ F>M BOY F
,HOLT1 ,COLORADO1 EV5 IF HE 0 Z EAG] Z A
M;GREL BIT* 9 H1T4 ,! >MY RECRUIT]S
W]5'T T DESP]ATE YET4 ,S ,I GUESS HE
TRI$ ! NAVY NEXT1 & 2+ A LL SM>T] N[ HE
NO D\BT LI$ AB 8 AGE1 B HE WASN'T !
FUZZY-*EEK$ PIECE ( D\< ! NAVY 0 LOOK+
=1 EI2 N T HE WASN'T US$ 62+ TR1T$ L A
DOG1 Y "U/&1 !Y J CDN'T 2 SURE HE CD
LE>N _! NEW TRICKS4 ,S AF ! NAVY ,I
DON'T GUESS HE EV5 TRI$ ! M>9ES1 2C ,I
"K = C]TA9 T HE HIR$ ON 9/1D 6"W 9 A
,LOS ,ANGELES AIRPLANE FACTORY4 ,& HE
/AY$ "! 9 ! FACTORY UNTIL ! W> 0 OV]1
"W+ 8 DAILY %IFT1 PULL+ L"ES OR GR9D+
GE>S OR RUNN+ RIVETS & N TALK+ 6ANYBODY
M* B J DO+ ! "W !Y GAVE HM 6D4 ,DUR+
LUN* BR1K HE SAT (F AT ! $GES (!    #AFA
ME*ANICS & WELD]S ": HE CD WAT* !M &
LI/5 6_! TALK1 B HE N"E -PLA9$1 L !Y
DID1 2C HE FIGUR$ HE KNEW ( AT L1/ "O ?+
T 0 WORSE ?AN ?4 ,ALL ! "T1 ANYWAY1 HE 0
SAV+ 8 M"OY S T :5 ,MAC,>?UR RETURN$ TO
TAKE T COB PIPE \ ( 8 M\? & 6SIGN ^?
SURR5D] PAP]S ON BO>D T BOAT 9 ! ,PACIF-
IC1 ,LYMAN ALR _H M ?AN 5 M"OY SAV$ UP
6BUY 8 F/ NEW ,PONTIAC AUTOMOBILE4
  ,!N HE TOOK (F AG4 ,8 NEW ,PONTIAC _H
A FULL TANK ( GAS2 HE _H SE5 6! AIR 9 !
SP>E TIRE1 & HE SP5T ! NEXT SIXTE5 YE>S
DO+ :AT HE SD 8 SI/] _H TOLD HM 6D3 HE
SAW ! SI<TS & TA/$ PL1SURE4 ,=A HALF A
YE> 6Z M* Z A YE> &A HALF HE /AY$ 9 "O
C;Y AF ANO!R4 ,HE PD 8 R5T ON "T =A SUC-
CES.N ( *1P ROOMS UP/AIRS OV] "S PAWN%OP
OR D5TI/'S (FICE4 ,HE "W$ AT A M9IMUM
WAGE PU%+ CE;T UP 3/RUC;N RAMPS OR PUMP$
GAS OR %OVEL$ BALLA/ "U RAILROAD TIES4
,AFWS 9 ! EV5+S HE DRANK BE] 9 D>K B>S T
_H BOO?S AL;G "O WALL & RANKS ( BOTTLES
9 FRONT ( *IPP$ MIRRORS ON ! O!R4 ,& AB
TWICE A MON? HE WD FOLL[ ! BIG HIPS ( AN
AG+ B>MAID UP ! /AIRS 6HIS [N       #AFB
R5T$ ROOM1 ": HE WD REL1SE H] F H] GIR-
DLE & !N SW1T ON H] :ILE %E WAT*$ PA/ 8
MOV+ %\LD] 6SEE H[ SOON ! CRACK$ PLA/]
ON ! CEIL+ 0 GO+ 6FALL & S"M !M4 ,M1N-
:ILE1 ( C\RSE1 HE B"\ M ,PONTIACS & HE
KEPT MOV+4 ,:5"E ! COLOR ( 8 LA/ C>
DIDN'T J SUIT HM ANYMORE1 HE WD BUY AN-
O!R NEW "O1 & :5"E X SEEM$ T HE _H SE5
:AT "! 0 ( ,BOISE OR ,OMAHA WOR? SEE+1
HE WD TAKE (F & DRIVE 6,DUBUQUE OR
,OKLAHOMA ,C;Y OR ,MEMPHIS4 ,B HE N"E
CAME HOME AG4
  ,NOBODY \ "H1 N EV5 ,$I?1 SAW HM ALL T
"T4 ,I "K T =A FACT4 ,B ,I AL "K1 S9CE
,I'VE SE5 E DAMN$ "O ( !M1 T HE DID S5D
,$I? AT L1/ "O PICTURE PO/C>D EA* YE> )A
COLOR LIKE;S ON X (! BI7E/ SKYSCRAP] "!
0 9 :AT"E C;Y HE HAPP5$ 6BE /OPP$ 9 "R
!N4 ,I AL "K1 2C ,I'VE SE5 !M TOO--GD
,*RI/1 YES--T E YE> -E ,*RI/MAS HE S5T
H] A PACKAGE ( TW5TY-DOLL> BILLS TI$ UP
)A R$ B[4 ,B1 L ,I SAY1 HE N"E S5T HMF
HOME4
  ,HE DIDN'T EV5 -E HOME :5 ,ROY F9,Y
DI$ & /OPP$ F\L+ GD AIR 9 #AIEB4    #AFC
,MAYBE ,LYMAN DIDN'T "K ! OLD MAN 0 D1D1
N 9 "T ANYWAY 6-E BACK =! FUN]AL1 EV5
ASSUM+ HE _H WANT$ TO4 ,HE WDN'T H BE5
EASY 6LOCATE4 ,$I? WD H _H 6S5D ^W 6!
LA/ A4RESS SCRIB#D ON ! LA/ PICTURE PO/-
C>D & HOPE HE 0 / "!1 S9CE APP>5TLY HE
N"E LEFT ANY =W>D+ A4RESS :5 HE MOV$ ON1
& 2SS1 ! ONLY RETURN A4RESS HE "E US$ AT
ANY "T 0 J G5]AL DELIV]Y1 & T )\T BO!R+
6PICK UP 8 MAIL V (T51 2C :Y %D HE8
  ,OR 3SID] ?3 MAYBE ,LYMAN 0 AFRAID 6-E
BACK EV5 !N4 ,MAYBE HE ?"\ UNTIL ! OLD
MAN 0 A GD N9E YE>S D1D )! GR.D H1VY
SUNK & FILL$ OV] HM &! GRASS GR[+ ?ICK
ON X1 T X / WASN'T SAFE1 T "SH[ ! OLD
BA/>D'S <O/ OR _S OR VOICE1 :AT"E1 MI<T
/ 2 ACTIVE 5 6CALL HM BACK1 LECTURE HM
AB ,SATUR"D-NI<T DI4L+1 & !N MAKE HM /AY
"! 6RAKE HAY & PL[ S&4 ,& IF T 0 !
R1SON1 !N Y CD SAY ,LYMAN 0 "R 6/AY AWAY
EV5 !N1 2C Y CDN'T 2 R1L SURE ! OLD SON
(A BIT* 0 D1D EV5 :5 Y 7 ACTU,Y /&+ "! 9
FRONT ( 8 C(F9 & SAW HM LY+ "! L A SLAB
( M1N YELL[ GRANITE4 ,) 8 H1D ON A SAT9
PILL[ HE / DIDN'T LOOK ANY ?9N]     #AFD
OR /I6] OR ANY LESS L A RAMROD ?AN HE
DID :5 HE 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE ALIVE4 ,8 EYES 7
CLOS$2 T 0 ALL4 ,T &! FACT T ^? R$ /UMPS
( 8 /ICK+ \ 2N 8 :ITE %IRT CU6S _H F9,Y
QUIT TWIT*+ & WAV+4
  ,ANYWAY1 :AT"E ! R1SON1 ,LYMAN /AY$
AWAY = N9E YE>S M AF ! OLD MAN 0 D1D &
BURI$ DEEP 9SIDE T LL CEMET]Y1 MAK+ X
TWO ,GOODN\< H1D/"OS S F> "! 2S ,OTIS
,MURRAY'S CORNFIELD TWO MILES EA/ (
,HOLT1 & !N HE DID -E BACK4 ,HE 0 A LL
BIT TIR$2 8 EYES 7 A LL DAZ$ F ! SI<TS
HE _H SE51 & ,I SUPPOSE "! 7 O!R "PS (
HM T 7 A LL JAD$ TOO F ! PL1SURE HE _H
TA/$1 B HE 0 / ALL "R1 M OR LESS4 ,HE 0
/ ( "S USE 6HIS SI/]4 ,=A :ILE4

  ,ONLY1 M1N:ILE1 "! 7 ^? TW5TY YE>S =
H] 6WAIT "? & 65DURE4 ,& H[ DID %E MAN-
AGE T8 ,:AT 0 %E DO+ ALL T "T ,LYMAN
/AY$ AWAY & B"\ ,PONTIACS & S5T H] PIC-
TURE PO/C>DS8 ,NO?+4
  ,WELL1 NO1 N NO?+ EXACTLY4 ,%E DIDN'T
J D NO?+ ALL T "T4 ,B %E SURE ,GOD
DIDN'T G TRAVEL+ (F ACR ! ,NOR?     #AFE
,AM]ICAN 3T95T1 EI4 ,%E DIDN'T EV5 G ^?
SEV5 MILES 96,HOLT V (T54 ,%E /AY$ HOME4
,JESUS1 T'S AB ALL Y C SAY3 ,$I? ,GOOD-
N\< /AY$ HOME4 ,& IF Y FIGURE X UP1 IF Y
D YR >I?METIC F ^? *ISEL$ DATES 9 ! CEM-
ET]Y1 !N Y "K ,$I? 0 SEV5TE5 :5 H] "M
DI$ 9 #AIAD2 %E 0 FIFTY-FIVE :5 ! OLD
MAN DI$ 9 #AIEB2 & %E 0 SIXTY-F\R :5
,LYMAN F9,Y RETURN$ 9 #AIFA4 ,X AM.TS 6A
LIFE"T ( /AY+ HOME4
  ,:5 ,LYMAN LEFT = ,L4,A4 &= :AT HE ?"\
0 GO+ 6BE AT L1/ A GD HIT* 9 ! >MY1 X
GOT WORSE ALM IMMLY4 ,$I? 0 / DO+ ALL !
"W AT HOME %E ALW DID3 %E 0 / MILK+ C[S1
SEP>AT+ MILK1 COOK+ M1LS1 WA%+ DI%ES1 &
--E "D1 DON'T =GET--/ CUTT+ ,ROY'S M1T
96BITES & FILL+ ! BUTTONHOLES ( 8 %IRT )
BUTTONS ONCE HE _H PU%$ 8 /UMPS "? !
SLEEVES4 ,B 9 ! FOLL[+ SPR+1 AT A "T :5
,LYMAN 0 ALR 2G9N+ 6SAVE T AIRPLANE-
FACTORY M"OY ( 8 & 63TEMPLATE ,PONTIACS1
,$I? GOT M 6D4
  ,MY DAD & ,I F/ SAW X "O MORN+ F !
GRAVEL ROAD 2S ! ,GOODN\< CORNFIELD ON
\R WAY 6*ECK CATTLE4 ,I 0 DRIV+1    #AFF
,I REMEMB]1 & FEEL+ FULL ( MYF 2C ,I 0
ACTU,Y 2H ! :EEL & \ ON ! ROAD XF1 N J
TURN+ CIRCLES 9 ! B>NY>D OR CUTT+ EI<TS
9 ! HORSE PA/URE4 ,S ,I SUPPOSE ,I _H
ALR GR.D "? F/ & SECOND GE> & 0 ABUS+
HI<--YES1 ,I 0 FLAT P.D+ AL;G ! C.TRY
ROAD1 IMAG9+ MYF 6BE ,HOLT ,C.TY'S SPE-
CIAL GIFT 6,=D TRANSMIS.NS--:5 MY DAD
SD3
  8,GODDAMN X1 SL[ D[N4 ,/OP ? SON (A
BIT*40
  ,I ?"\1 ,N[ :AT H ,I D"O8 ,H ,I BU/$
"S?+8 ,I /OPP$ ! PICKUP B X WASN'T ME4
,MY DAD 0 LOOK+ \ ! W9D[ AT ! ,GOODN\<S'
CORNFIELD4
  8,N[ :AT D Y CALL T80 HE SD4 8,:AT 9 !
GODDAMN HELL'S HE ?9K HE'S DO+80
  ,2C "! 0 A TRACTOR \ "! 9 ! FIELD )A
"O-WAY DISK 2H X4 ,! TRACTOR 0 -+ T[>D U
F ACR ! CORN /UB#1 & Z X GOT CLOS] ,I CD
SEE :AT MY DAD M1NT4 ,"! 7 TWO H1DS
/ICK+ UP 2H ! BODY (! TRACTOR1 "O J VIS-
I# ABV X &! O!R Q A LOT HI<]4
  8,GODDAMN HM10 MY DAD SD4 8,N[ MAYBE
HE'LL MANAGE 6FALL (F & GET M ?AN   #AFG
J 8 F+]S MANGL$4 ,: ,I DON'T C>E1 B ,I
SUPPOSE %E / DOES4 ,JESUS ,*RI/40
  ,! TRACTOR CAME ON T[>D U1 GREW L>G]1
L\D]1 & !N X 0 OBVI\S T X 0 ,$I? DRIV+
X4 ,%E _H H] /RAW G>D5+ HAT ON & %E 0
SITT+ "! ON ! TRACTOR S1T 2H ! EXHAU/
/ACK LOOK+ NO BI7] ?AN A T5-YE>-OLD
GIRL4 ,%E _H BO? H&S CL5*$ TI<T ON !
/E]+ :EEL1 &! DISK FURR[S 2H H] 7 Z
/RAI<T Z %E CD MAKE !M4 ,&( C\RSE X 0 !
OLD MAN /&+ UP 2S H]4 ,WE CD SEE HM WAV+
8 >MS1 PO9T+ ^? DAMN BLUNT /UMPS PA/ H]
H1D L HE 0 "S K9D ( LIVE ,HALL[E5 SC>E-
CR[ & H] /RAW HAT 0 J "S YELL[ CORN
%OCK4 ,X MADE Y SICK4
  ,:5 !Y CLOS$ ON ! 5D (! FIELD NE> U1
WE CD HE> HM YELL+ AT H] TOO3 8,BRAKE X4
,BRAKE X4 ,N[ TURN X4 ,C'T Y TURN ? ?+80
  ,MY DAD OP5$ ! PICKUP DOOR4 ,I ?"\ HE
0 GO+ 6GET \4 8,I "\ 6KILL$ HM :5 ,I _H
! *.E10 HE SD4 8,0,GOD1 ,I W YET4 ,!
DIRTY SON (A BIT*40
  ,B "SH[ ,$I? GOT ! TRACTOR TURN$ & GOT
! DISK H1D$ BACK \ ACR ! FIELD4 ,Z %E 0
MAK+ ! TURN %E _H LOOK$ UP ONCE1    #AFH
QK1 T[>D MY DAD 9 ! PICKUP1 N = HELP1 ,I
DON'T ?9K1 B L %E 0 / SAY+1 ..,YES1 ,I
"K4 ,B X'S OKAY2 X'S ALL ."R1 & !N %E 0
PA/ U1 GO+ AWAY F U1 )! DISK ROLL+ UP
DIRT & DU/ 2H H] &! NOISE (! TRACTOR DE-
CR1S+ 9 ! WID5+ 4T.E 2T H] & U4
  ,WE WAT*$ !M \ 96! MI4LE (! FIELD4 ,!N
MY DAD F9,Y SPOKE AG4 8,DID Y SEE !
BELT80 HE SD4
  8,:AT BELT80
  8,T BELT 3TRAP;N HE _H BUCKL$ ACR 2H
HM4 ,2T ! F5D]S40
  8,:AT =80
  8,S HE WDN'T FALL (F4 ,S HE CD /& "! &
"W 8 >MS4 ,S HE CD AT L1/ PROTECT HIS-
SELF EV5 IF HE DIDN'T GIVE A GD PISS 9
HELL AB H]40
  8,I DIDN'T SEE X10 ,I SD4
  8,N"E M9D4 ,Y SAW 5\<4 ,/>T ? PICKUP40
  ,S ,I J]K$ ! PICKUP 96GE> AG & DROVE
AWAY T[>D ! C[ PA/URE4 ,MY DAD WASN'T
PAY+ ANY ATT5;N 6H[ ,I 0 DRIV+ ANYMORE2
HE DIDN'T WAT* ! SPE$OMET]4 ,HE 0 WAT*+
\ ! W9D[1 & E ONCE 9 A :ILE ,I NOTIC$ HM
SORT ( %AKE 8 H1D Z IF HE 0 -+ \    #AFI
(A H>D SLEEP1 Z IF HE 0 TRY+ 6*ANGE :AT
HE _H SE54
  ,B X DIDN'T *ANGE4 ,X W5T ON L T ALL
SPR+4 ,$I? &! OLD MAN F9I%$ ! DISK+1 &
!N ! DRILL+ TOO4 ,AT \R PLACE MY DAD GOT
M & M SIL5T2 AT ! D9N] TA# MY "M WD TELL
HM :AT 0 HAPP5+ 9 T[N1 S]VE HM ! LATE/
,HOLT ,C.TY GOSSIP ) \R NEW G>D5 P1S1 OR
%E WD DETAIL = HM H] -PLA9TS AB ! SC&AL-
\S MANN] 9 : ,MRS4 ,V9CE ,HI7IMS 0 L1D+
,REBE3A ,CIRCLE AT ! ,ME?ODI/ ,*UR*1 B
HE WDN'T RESPOND4 ,HE WDN'T EV5 MAKE 8
FAMILI> JOKE AB :AT HE CALL$ H] *UR*
GANG1 H] HEIF] H]D = ,JESUS4 ,I D\BT T
HE 0 LI/5+ 6H] AT ALL2 "! 0 "S?+ ELSE1
"S?+ M IMPORTANT1 & X 0 PLAY+ NON/OP 9 8
H1D1 & HE 0 3C5TRAT$ ON T4
  ,!N 9 ! L;G "DS ( ,JULY1 9 T DRY H1T1
HE WOKE UP4 ,HE 4COV]$ T N[ ,ROY _H 2GUN
6H ,$I? CUT HAY TOO4 ,! SUN ROSE AT FIVE
& SET AT N9E1 & MO/ ( T "T %E _H BE5 \
"! "U X :ILE HE /OOD OV] H] ON ! TRACTOR
& TOLD H] ": 6TURN "O M9UTE & :5 6TURN !
NEXT & 9 2T "TS TOLD H] H[ FA/4 ,T EV5+
MY DAD CALL$ ME OV] 6HM1 HELD ME    #AGJ
H>D 0! FRONT ( MY OV]ALLS4
  8,LI/5 6ME10 HE SD4 8,>E Y LI/5+8 ,I
WANT T /OPP$40
  8,YES1 SIR40
  8,I WANT Y 6G OV] "! 9 ! MORN+ & DRIVE
T TRACTOR YRF4 ,C Y D T80
  8,YES1 B--0
  8,J A M9UTE2 ,I N"E SD X 0 GO+ 6BE
EASY4 ,B Y D X4 ,I'D D X MYF1 ONLY ,I'D
H 6KILL HM F/4 ,"U/&80
  8,ALL "R10 ,I SD4 8,YES40
  ,8 EYES 7 LOOK+ H>D AT ME2 ,I CDN'T
SEE ANY?+ ELSE4 ,"! 0 "S?+ AW;L 9 8
EYES1 HURT & ANG]1 ,I SUPPOSE1 B "S?+ M
TOO1 "S?+ FUR!R BACK4
  8,&1 SON1 IF HE SAYS "O ^W 6Y ''' IF T
MIS]A# COCK SAYS J "O ^W--0
  8,I "K10 ,I SD4
  8,OKAY10 HE SD4 8,I'LL TELL YR MOM TO
PACK Y A GD LUN*40
  ,HE LET G ( MY OV]ALLS & ,I W5T 9 6B$4
  ,E>LY ! NEXT MORN+ ,I 0 WAIT+ 2S !
,GOODN\<S' TRACTOR :5 ,$I? & ,ROY CAME \
6/>T "W4 ,$I? SMIL$ AT ME4 8,:Y1 "H'S
,S&Y10 %E SD4                       #AGA
  ,B ! OLD MAN WASN'T SMIL+4 ,HE 0 LOOK+
AT ME L ,I 0 A =M ( CUTWORM OR A NEW
/RA9 ( CORN BLI<T4 8,:AT D Y WANT80 HE
SD4
  8,NO?+4 ,I CAME OV] 6HELP \40
  8,OH8 ,& :O ASK$ Y 6HELP \80
  8,NOBODY40
  8,T'S "R3 NOBODY4 ,S Y BETT] J HI<TAIL
X BACK 6HOME40
  8,I C DRIVE ! TRACTOR10 ,I SD4
  8,Y C TALK MANURE TOO10 HE SD4
  8,I C1 ?\<4 ,I D AT HOME40
  8,HAH10 HE SD4 8,/RA4L$ ON "SBODY'S
PANTS LEG4 ,OR DI4L+ ! :EEL \ 9 ! MA*9E
%$40
  8,NO4 ,9 ! FIELD4 ,0MYF40
  8,S&Y DOESN'T M1N ANY H>M10 ,$I? SD4
8,L1VE HM AL"O40
  8,HE'S A RUNT10 ! OLD MAN SD4 8,HIS
E>S IS / WET40
  8,AT L1/ LET HM TRY4 ,HE WALK$ ALL !
WAY OV] "H40
  8,X WD SPE$ ?+S UP10 ,I SD4 8,MAYBE X
WD FREE ,$I? 6D "S?+ ELSE4 ,MISS
,GOODN\<40                          #AGB
  ,I GAVE H] A LOOK & %E W9K$ AT ME4 8,I
.AM WAY 2H ON ! CANN+10 %E SD4
  ,! OLD MAN LOOK$ AT H] & !N LOOK$ OV]
AT ! G>D5 2H ! WIRE F;E4 ,! B1NS & P1S 7
2G9N+ 6WR9KLE ON ! V9ES2 ! RADI%ES _H
G"O 6SE$1 &! :OLE G>D5 NE$$ HOE+4
  8,G AH1D1 ,S&Y10 ,$I? SD4 8,CLIMB UP40
  8,N S DAMN FA/4 ,I A9'T SD S YET40 ,HE
/UDI$ ME =A M9UTE :ILE HE RU2$ A /UMP
AL;G ! BRI/LE ON 8 JAW4 8,H[ D ,I "K Y C
CUT HAY80 HE SD4 8,I N"E SE5 Y40
  8,I CUT "S ( \RS LA/ YE>40
  8,DON'T LIE 6ME40
  8,I'M N4 ,ASK ANYBODY40
  8,HAH40
  ,B HE /UDI$ ME "S M1 EXAM9+ ME N[ Z IF
,I 0 MAYBE A LL LESS DANG]\S ?AN CORN
BLI<T2 M L ,I 0 A PISS+ YELL[ DOG OR A
TALK+ JACKRA2IT4 ,HE SPAT 2T 8 FEET &
COV]$ X ) "O ( 8 %OES4 8,DRIVE >.D ? Y>D
ONCE10 HE SD4
  ,I GOT UP ON ! TRACTOR1 AN OLD ,JOHN
,DE]E1 />T$ X1 & MADE A SL[ CIRCLE 9 !
Y>D 9 FRONT (! H\SE & !N /OPP$ AG 2S !M4
  8,S10 HE SD1 8LET'S SEE IF Y C    #AGC
F9D REV]SE40
  ,S ,I BACK$ UP & CAME =W>D 6! SAME
SPOT4
  8,X / DON'T MAKE 5 (A %[10 HE SD4
8,SEE !M *1T WE$S OV] "! EA/ (! B>N80
  8,YES40
  8,SEE C Y CUT !M WE$S )\T *OPP+ NO
HOLE 9 MY B>N40
  ,S ,I DROVE OV] 6! B>N1 L[]$ ! SICKLE
B>1 & M[$ ! WE$S 2S ! F.D,N1 ! SEC;N
BLADES CUTT+ !M (F L[ 6! GR.D4 ,"! 0 A
SN>L ( RU/Y F;E WIRE 9 ! WE$S1 B ,I MAN-
AG$ 6SEE X 9 "T4 ,!N ,I CAME BACK 6,$I?
& ,ROY4
  8,F.D ! WIRE1 DID Y80
  8,YES1 B ,I MISS$ X10 ,I SD4
  ,HE LOOK$ AT ! SICKLE B> = TANGL$ WIRE
OR NEW NICKS4 8,WELL1 A9'T Y ! BIG
BRIT*ES10 HE SD4
  8,/OP X10 ,$I? SD4 8,HE'S ALR PROV$ T
HE C DRIVE A TRACTOR BETT] ?AN ,I "E W4
,& PROBABLY Z GD Z Y CD :5 Y 7 8 AGE40
  8,I DROVE HORSES10 ,ROY SD1 & MADE A
C\<+ S.D T 0 8 IDEA (A LAU<4 8,T'S :AT Y
"K AB X40                           #AGD
  8,/10 %E SD1 8Y "K :AT ,I M1N4 ,I'M
GO+ 6/>T PICK+ P1S40
  ,%E TURN$ & WALK$ AWAY F HM4 ,%E CD 2
FIRM ) HM1 EV5 H>% ) HM O3A.N,Y1 :5 %E
_H TO--OV] ! LL ?+S4 ,B %E WDN'T "E L1VE
HM2 %E J WD N ALL[ H]F T M* FREEDOM4 ,HE
WAT*$ H] WALK AWAY1 A SMALL F9E WOMAN 9
A CL1N "W DRESS T 0 / FILL$ \ 9 ! "R
PLACES1 EV5 IF ^? PLACES 7 N"E GO+ 6RCV
! FULL ATT5;N OR ! APPRECI,N !Y DES]V$4
,AT ! PICKET GATE %E TURN$ & CALL$ 6ME3
8,S&Y1 Y C EAT LUN* ) ME40
  ,!N %E CLOS$ ! GATE & W5T UP ! /EPS
96! H\SE4 ,! OLD MAN /OOD />+ AT ! BACK
DOOR4 ,HE DIDN'T SEEM 6BE A# 6GRASP T %E
_H G"O1 4APPE>$1 REFUS$ HM4 ,! DOOR 0
%UT4 ,F9,Y1 Z IF HE EXPECT$ "S SU45 HELP
6DESC5D \ (! CLE> BLUE1 HE LOOK$ AT !
SKY1 !N HE LOOK$ AT ! TRACTOR ": ,I WAS1
!N AT 8 H&S1 ": "! SURE Z HELL 0 N ANY
HELP4 8,WOM510 HE SD4 8,T'S :AT ,I GOT
LEFT 6ME--A WOMAN &A SM>T-ASS NEI<BOR
KID40 ,HE SPAT 96! GRAVEL AG4 8,HOT
DAMN40
  ,B ! OLD BUZZ>D _H NO O!R RE-     #AGE
C\RSE4 ,HE CLIMB$ ONTO ! TRACTOR ) ME &
,I BUCKL$ ! BELT 2H HM4 8,BOY10 HE SD1
8:AT ! HELL Y WAIT+ ON8 ,DRIVE ME 6!
FIELD40
  ,WE DROVE \ (! Y>D D[N ! WAGON TRACK
6! HAYFIELD4 ,! OLD MAN /OOD SPR1D LE7$
& SWAY+ 2H ME1 L1N+ AG/ ! BELT :5 !
TRACTOR JOLT$ 9 ! RUT4 ,:5 WE CAME 6!
GATE 96! FIELD HE SD1 8,TURN 9 "H40
  8,I "K10 ,I SD4
  8,SURE10 HE SD4 8,J A GODDAMN BIG
BRIT*ES40
  ,T 0 MY "N ALL T "D & MO/ (! SUMM]4 ,I
2GAN CUTT+ 8 HAY T MORN+1 CIRCL+ 9 !
FIELD1 MAK+ MY R.DS T[>D ! C5T] :ILE !
SICKLE B> RODE WET & %9+ 2S ! TRACTOR &
LAID ! GRE5 GRASS D[N 9 R+S4 ,ALL ! "T
TOO ! OLD MAN RODE 2H ME1 WAV+ 8 /UMPS
PA/ MY E>S 6GIVE ME DIREC;NS ,I DIDN'T
WANT OR NE$ & YELL+ AT ME ABV ! FIRE &
CRA% (! TRACTOR 5G9E 6TURN1 ,BRIT*ES1
TURN1 GODDAMN1 EV5 ?\< ,I 0 ALR TURN+ !
DAMN ?+4 ,S ,I M/ H DET]M9$ AT L1/ A
HUNDR$ "TS T IF HE %OV$ ^? RAW NUBS PA/
MY FACE AG OR CALL$ ME ,BRIT*ES J   #AGF
ONCE M ,I 0 GO+ 6BUCK ! FRONT (! TRACTOR
UP1 S HELP ME ,JESUS1 & PIT* ! OLD BA/>D
(F1 SAIL HM OV] 8 L\SY BELT 3TRAP;N &1 )
ANY LUCK1 IF "! 0 ANY JU/ICE "U T SUN1
SNAP ! /R+S 9 8 SCRAWNY NECK4 ,( C\RSE J
Z (T5 ,I DECID$ N TO4 ,9/1D ,I TRI$ 6G
BL 6HIS H&S & D1F 6HIS FOOL YELL+4 ,B X
0 A R1L TE/1 &! ONLY "T ,I RECALL 8 2+
SATISFI$ ) ANY?+ ,I DID 0 :5 ! M[] *.ED
6CUT "? ! BACK (A FIVE-FOOT RATTLESNAKE4
8,SLIC$ HM1 0DAMN10 HE %\T$4 8,HAH40
  ,AT NOON WE RODE ! TRACTOR BACK 6!
H\SE 6EAT4 ,I DIDN'T "K IF ,I CD TAKE
ANY M2 ,I 0 HOT1 TIR$1 IT*Y1 MAD4 ,! OLD
MAN SEEM$ NO DI6]5T1 ?\<4 ,HE SEEM$ 6H
ONLY "O GE> 9 8 MAKEUP--A K9D ( FULL-
SPE$-AH1D CRAZY4 ,:5 WE GOT UP 6! H\SE
,$I? 0 WAIT+ = U4 8,YR PLATE IS ON ! TA-
#10 %E SD4 8,S&Y & ,I >E GO+ 6EAT 9 !
SIDE Y>D40
  ,%E L$ ME >.D 6! EA/ SIDE (! H\SE4 ,X
0 %ADY "! "U AN ELM TREE 9 ! GRASS4
  8,I'LL GET HM />T$1 !N ,I'LL BR+ YRS40
  8,B ,I BR"\ MY [N LUN*40
  8,I "K T1 ,S&Y10 %E SD4           #AGG
  ,S ,I SAT D[N 9 ! ELM %ADE :ILE %E RE-
TURN$ 6! H\SE 6/>T ! OLD MAN1 BUTT] 8
BR1D1 TUCK 8 NAPK9 IN4 ,I L1N$ BACK AG/
! TRUNK (! TREE4 ,N[ :AT AM ,I GO+ 6D8
,I ?"\4 ,I'VE GOT 6EAT TWO WOM5'S LUN*ES
& ,I'M N EV5 HUNGRY4 ,I'M TOO DAMN HOT
6BE HUNGRY4 ,! %ADE FRECKL$ ACR ! GRASS
UP ! SIDE (! H\SE4 ,I TOOK MY CAP (F TO
LET ! BREEZE BL[ MY HAIR4
  ,!N %E CAME BACK )A F1/ ON A
PLATT]--ICE TEA1 FRI$ *ICK51 POTATOES1
P1S 9 BUTT]1 FRE% BR1D1 HOMEMADE ICE
CR1M4 ,I WANT$ 6:9E & KICK MY FEET1 B ,I
ATE ALL %E GAVE ME & HE>D "S"O ) MY
VOICE ASK = SECONDS4 ,I SUPPOSE X 0 A
CAUSE WOR? DY+ ( BLOAT =4
  8,Y DON'T H 6D ?10 %E SD1 WAT*+ ME4
8,ANY ( ?1 Y "K40
  8,Y DON'T EI40
  8,I WANT TO10 %E SD4
  8,S D ,I10 ,I SD4 ,I 0 HALF 9 LOVE )
H] MYF4
  8,I "K1 B J ! SAME1 ,S&Y4 ,& Y ?ANK YR
DA4Y = ME1 TOO4 ,W Y80
  ,%E KNEW ALL "R4 ,%E KNEW4 ,I 0   #AGH
"! DRIV+ ! TRACTOR S %E WDN'T H 6& ,I 0
/U6+ MYF /UPID :ILE %E WAT*$ ME ) ^?
BR[N GR[NUP-WOMAN'S EYES--2C MY DAD _H
S5T ME4 ,I GUESS X 0 5 TOO1 2C ,I DID
ALL ! TRACTOR DRIV+ "! 0 6D AT ! ,GOOD-
N\<S' T SUMM]1 RAK$ HAY1 CULTIVAT$ CORN1
ALL ( X1 & ATE MY "M'S LUN* ON ! HALF-
MILE WALK 6& F _! H\SE1 HID+ ! BUCKET 9
! SOAPWE$S 2T "TS1 2C H[ 0 ,I SUPPOS$ TO
TELL MY "M ,I DIDN'T WANT OR NE$ H] LUN*
EI8 ,%E WASN'T WILD AB MY 2+ OV] "! 9 !
F/ PLACE4 ,%E _H H] SUSPICIONS4
  ,ANYWAY1 ,I ?9K ,I GREW ?REE 9*ES T
SUMM] & 2GAN 6GET HAIR 9 PLACES ,I
DIDN'T H HAIR 2F & 6GA9 WEI<T4 ,I 0 TOO
BUSY 6NOTICE X M*1 ?\<1 & TOO 3FUS$ TO
C>E4

  ,:5 ! SUMM] 5D$ ,I W5T BACK 6S*OOL ":
?+S 7 A LOT LESS -PLICAT$4 ,I 2GAN HI<
S*OOL T YE> & PLAY$ A CLUMSY HALFBACK ON
! FRE%MAN FOOTBALL T1M & HELD SW1TY H&S
AT A D.E OR TWO )A PLUMP LL GIRL "ND
,DORIS ,SWEET]4 ,DORIS IS M>RI$ &
DIVORC$ N[ 9 ,D5V]1 ,I HE>1 &!      #AGI
BE/ \R FOOTBALL T1M CD MANAGE 0 A NO?+-
TO-NO?+ W9 OV] ,NORKA1 B N"O ( T MATT]S
ANYMORE--DIDN'T MATT] M* !N EI--2C AT
L1/ 9 S*OOL ,I DIDN'T H 6/& / :ILE "S-
BODY HELD ME H>D 0! OV]ALLS & ASK$ ME 6D
"S?+ HE CDN'T D HMF )\T F/ KILL+ "S"O 9
ORD] 6D X4 ,& NOBODY 0 FANN+ MY FACE )
RU9$ H&S OR SCR1M+ 9SAN;Y AT ME1 & NO-
BODY 0 WAT*+ ME EAT :ILE %E WI%$ MAYBE
,I 0 "SBODY ELSE OR AT L1/ H] [N BOY1 &
IF ?+S _H BE5 DI6]5T ,I MI<T H BE51 TOO4
,NO1 S*OOL SEEM$ L A POSITIVE RELIEF AF
! SUMM]4
  ,B X DIDN'T LA/ L;G 5\<4 ,SPR+ CAME4
,S X />T$ ALL OV] AG4 ,ONLY ? "T MY DAD
WDN'T H X1 N ANY ( X2 HE MADE X ALL /OP4
,B AT F/ X 0 J ! SAME3 ,I 0 DRIV+ !
PICKUP & WE 7 GO+ 6*ECK CATTLE OR FIX
F;E1 "S?+ (! SORT1 & X 0 ,SATUR"D MORN+1
E>LY1 B"R1 ) N 5 W9D 6BL[ ! S& (F ! TOPS
(! HILLS1 & "!1 \ "! 9 ! FIELD1 "! 0 T
DAMN ,JOHN ,DE]E TRACTOR AG4 ,TWO H1DS 7
/ICK+ UP 2Y ! EXHAU/ /ACK1 "O "S:AT HI<]
?AN ! O!R1 &! TRACTOR 0 -+ T[>D U F ACR
! CORN /UB# PULL+ A DISK4 ,MY DAD   #AHJ
DIDN'T H 6TELL ME 6/OP4 ,I BRAK$ ! PICK-
UP 6! SIDE (! ROAD1 & ? "T HE N ONLY
OP5$ ! DOOR1 HE GOT \4
  8,Y /AY "H10 HE SD4
  ,HE WALK$ D[N "? ! WE$S 9 ! DIT*1
/EPP$ UP OV] ! F;E1 & /OOD WAIT+ 9 !
/UB# ON ! EXACT GR.D ! TRACTOR WD H 6USE
IF X 0 6MAKE ANO!R TURN & G BACK \ ACR !
FIELD4 ,B NO MATT] :AT ! TRACTOR DID1 MY
DAD WASN'T GO+ 6MOVE2 HE 0 PLANT$ "!4 ,!
TRACTOR CAME ON4 ,! TWO H1DS ABV X TOOK
%APE1 2CAME ,$I?'S /RAW HAT &! OLD MAN'S
H>D FACE4 ,"! 7 /UMP->MS RU9+ ! AIR ABV
H] HAT4 ,! TRACTOR / CAME ON4 ,XS 4*>GE
& EXPLO.N 9CR1S$ /1DILY Z IF "S"O _H
LOAD$ X ) FIRECRACK]S1 LADYF+]S :5 X 0
F> ACR ! FIELD1 & N[ *]RY BOMBS Z X GOT
NE>]4 ,MY DAD /OOD /1 WAIT+4
  ,H Y "E SE5 "O ( ^? DOCU;T>Y MOVIES1
OR A ,,TV NEWS CLIP1 SAY1 %[+ A LL :ITE
F>MH\SE ) "S \TBUILD+S SPR1D >.D X1 & (F
9 ! 4T.E B N TOO F> (F1 N F> 5\<1 SURE
N1 "! IS A TORNADO -+8 ,X'S ALL D>K;S &
HUGE1 MASSIVE1 ! TORNADO -+ BLACK ALL !
"T &! :ITE H\SE /&+ "! WAIT+ =!     #AHA
DAMAGE4 ,& Y "K X'S ALL 9EVITA#2 Y "K
X'S GO+ 6GET X3 ! W9D[S >E GO+ 6BUR/1
FLY \ 9 SPACE1 SCATT] L ?R[N WAT]1 &!
RO('S GO+ 6CRA%1 & Y WI% ! DAMN FOOL
RUNN+ ! PROJECTOR WD H ! S5SE 6REV]SE !
GODDAMN FILM S T AFWS Y WDN'T H 6NOTE !
/RAW /ICK+ \ ( ANY TREE TRUNK OR WAT*
:ILE AN OLD WOMAN LIFTS ! *IMNEY BRICKS
&! TWO-BY-F\RS &! W9D[ %ADE (F ! LL GIRL
9 H] P9K DRESS4 ,IF Y H SE5 T !N Y "K H[
MY DAD LOOK$ WAIT+ 9 FRONT ( T TRACTOR4
,I WON'T =GET X4 ,I WON'T =GET H[ 8 BACK
LOOK$4
  ,B ! TRACTOR CAME ON & ,I ?"\3 ..,JE-
SUS1 AT L1/ H] FEET C R1* ! BRAKE P$ALS4
,AT L1/ %E W REMEMB] 6KILL ! ?ROTTLE4
,AT L1/ 0N[ %E "KS H[ 6TURN ! GODDAMN
/E]+ :EEL4 ,DOESN'T .%E8
  ,2C MY DAD WASN'T GO+ 6MOVE4 ,& HE
DIDN'T MOVE4 ,HE DIDN'T H TO4 ,$I? GOT !
TRACTOR /OPP$ A FOOT 9 FRONT ( HM2 X
/AY$ "! RAC+ 9 IDLE L A L1%$ DOG GR[L+1
WANT+ 6GOB# 8 PANTS ZIPP]4 ,! OLD MAN 0
WILD4
  8,/& BACK1 ,ROSCOE10 HE YELL$4    #AHB
8,GET AWAY4 ,I A9'T GOT "T = NO JAW40
  ,MY DAD DIDN'T SAY ANY?+4
  8,WELL1 0,GOD10 ! OLD MAN SCR1M$4
8,RUN HM D[N !N4 ,IF HE DON'T MOVE1 RUN
HM OV]40
  ,B ( C\RSE ,$I? WDN'T D T1 DIDN'T D X4
,2SS1 N[ MY DAD 0 DO+ ALL T NE$$ 6BE
D"O4 ,HE /EPP$ UP 6! TRACTOR & J]K$ !
MAGNETO WIRE \1 RIPP$ X (F & ?REW X AWAY
F HM 96! WE$S (! B>R[ DIT*4 ,! TRACTOR
C\<$ & DI$4
  ,S !N ,I ?"\ ! OLD MAN _H F9,Y G"O
-PLETELY CRAZY4 ,I _H N"E SE5 ANY"O G
FULL-\ WACKO 2F1 FLAT RAGE & SPIT1 SCR1M
MURD]1 B HE 0 DO+ ALL ( T4 ,& ALL ! "T
TOO HE 0 HITT+ AT "S?+ ) 8 >MS1 FLAIL+
!M W9DMILL FA%ION1 HITT+ AG & AG1 H>D1
UNTIL ! BLOOD %[$ R$ ON 8 WRI/S & BAD
/UBS4 ,WAT*+ HM F ! PICKUP ,I ?"\ AT F/
HE 0 TRY+ 6HIT ,$I?1 PUNI% H]1 B T HE 0
S MAD1 S F> G"O1 T HE CDN'T EV5 D T1 2C
9 FACT HE WASN'T HITT+ H]4 ,!N ,I SAW T
X 0 ! BELT HE 0 HITT+1 T L1!R 3TRAP;N
BUCKL$ 2H HM 2T ! TRACTOR F5D]S1 : KEPT
HM 9 PLACE1 & HE 0 TRY+ 6BR1K X )   #AHC
8 /UMPS & WRI/S 2C HE _H NO F+]S LEFT TO
"W ! BUCKLE4 ,HE 0 FURI\S4 ,HE KEPT HIT-
T+ AT X2 ,*RI/1 !N HE 0 KICK+ AT X4 ,X 0
RAG+ LUNACY4
  ,B ,I DON'T SUPPOSE X LA/$ ALL T L;G1
N Z L;G ANYWAY Z X TAKES ME N[ 6TELL X1
2C :5 %E "U/OOD :AT HE 0 DO+ & ACTU,Y
MANAG$ 62LIEVE X1 ,$I? DUCK$ H] H1D1
R1*$ PA/ HM1 & UNBUCKL$ ! DAMN ?+4 ,HE
/UM#D (F ! TRACTOR1 FELL 6HIS KNEES1
/OOD UP1 & CAME RUNN+ >.D ! TRACTOR 6MY
DAD4
  ,MY DAD /OOD WAIT+ = HM L A BULLDOG
MI<T /& & WAIT 6SEE :AT 9JURY A GOPH] )
RABIES MI<T D HM4 ,! OLD MAN HIT HM 9 !
?ROAT4 ,MY DAD /EPP$ BACK4 ,BLOOD F
,GOODN\<'S /UMP 0 SME>$ ACR 8 NECK4 ,!
OLD MAN SWUNG AG & MISS$4
  8,DA4Y10 ,$I? YELL$4 8,Y OLD FOOL40
  ,HE HIT MY DAD AG1 9 ! FACE ? "T1 "U !
EYE1 L1V+ "S M ( 8 [N BLOOD4 ,MY DAD
CAU<T HM 0! FRONT (! %IRT1 HELD HM EYE
LEVEL1 !N FLUNG HM H>D ONTO ! GR.D4 ,!
OLD MAN FALT]$1 SEEM$ 6CAT* 8 BR1?2 HE
PU%$ HMF UP F ! PL[$ S& ) 8 R$      #AHD
/UMPS & CAME AG1 FLAIL+ 8 >MS4 ,MY DAD
BLOCK$ MO/ ( T WILD;S B CAU<T "O 9 ! E>4
,S HE _H ! OLD MAN'S BLOOD ALL OV] 8
FACE1 & T 0 5\<4 ,HE HIT ! OLD MAN ) ALL
8 WEI<T ON ! PO9T (! *91 ROCK+ 8 H1D
BACK4 ,! OLD MAN W5T D[N4 ,I ?"\ HE 0
D1D4 ,MY DAD M/ H ?"\ S TOO2 HE KNELT 2S
HM & LIFT$ 8 EYELIDS4 ,$I? SCRAM#D (F !
TRACTOR4 ,TGR !Y C>RI$ HM OV] 6! PICKUP1
LET D[N ! TAILGATE1 & LAID HM FLAT 9 !
BACK4 ,HE 0 "O HELL (A MESS3 8 H&S 7
CAK$ ) S&2 "! 0 A RAW BLUE SWELL+ 2G9N+
6%[ ON 8 *92 HE _H S&BURS /UCK ALL OV] 8
CLO!S4 ,HE WASN'T D1D1 ?\<4 ,HE 0 /
ALIVE & M1N 9 8 EYES4
  ,!Y /AY$ 9 ! BACK ) HM :ILE ,I DROVE !
PICKUP OV] 6! ,GOODN\< H\SE4 ,AT ! H\SE
MY DAD C>RI$ HM L HE 0 FOLD$ CLO!S UP !
/EPS & ON UP 6! B$ROOM1 ": HE LAID ! OLD
MAN D[N ON A B$4
  8,WA% 8 FACE (F & GET "S ICE4 ,HE'LL
LIVE40
  ,$I? W5T BACK D[N/AIRS4 ,! OLD MAN />$
AT MY DAD \ ( YELL[ WAT]Y EYES4 ,HE
DIDN'T MOVE ANY B J LAY "!1 MAK+    #AHE
A BAD MESS (! B$ & WAT*+ MY DAD4 ,!N 8
EYES FILL$ & RAN D[N 8 *EEKS4 ,I SUPPOSE
,I FELT SORRY = HM !N1 TOO1 ! OLD BA/>D4
,HE WASN'T ANY GD2 HE 0 LESS ?AN NO GD4
,8 FACE 0 ALL P9*$ UP1 & "! 0 T WAT]
GRIZZL+ D[N 8 *EEKS 96HIS %IRT COLL>4 ,B
=! F/ "T ,I DID FEEL SORRY = HM4
  ,$I? CAME BACK )A WET CLO? &A B[L (
ICE CUBES4 ,%E CL1N$ 8 FACE & H&S & AP-
PLI$ ! ICE 6HIS *91 PICK$ ! S&BURS F 8
CLO!S4 ,! OLD MAN PD NO ATT5;N4 ,%E TOOK
8 %OES (F4
  8,I WANT HM \ ( MY H\SE40
  8,BE QUIET10 ,$I? SD4 8,HAV5'T Y D"O
5\<80
  8,? IS MY H\SE40
  8,X DOESN'T MATT] ^: H\SE X IS4 ,2
QUIET40
  8,I WANT HM \40
  8,=GET X10 MY DAD SD4 8,I'M GO+40 ,HE
L1N$ OV] ! OLD MAN4 8,B DON'T Y "E PUT
H] ON T TRACTOR AG4 ,Y HE> ME80
  8,GET HM \ ( "H40
  8,NEXT "T ,I'LL KILL Y40
  8,GET \40                         #AHF
  8,I M1N T4 ,I'LL KILL Y F/40
  ,! OLD MAN'S EYES 7 FULL ( WAT] AG &
HE 2GAN 6%IV] 9 8 B$ L HE 0 COLD4 ,WE
LEFT !N4 ,AT ! B$ROOM DOOR ,I LOOK$
BACK1 & ,$I? 0 COV]+ HM )A BLANKET4 ,%E
0 CRY+ N[ TOO4
  ,WE W5T D[N/AIRS & \TSIDE 6! HORSE
TANK4 ,MY DAD WA%$ ! BLOOD & GRIT (F 8
FACE1 !N WE WALK$ OV] 6! PICKUP4 ,MY DAD
GOT 9 2H ! :EEL4 ,HE DROVE U 9 6T[N1 TO
,HOLT1 6! ,PAY"D ,LIQUOR ,/ORE1 ": HE
B"\ A FIF? ( :ISKEY & "S BE]4 ,HE BR"\ X
\ 9 A PAP] SACK4 ,!N HE DROVE U BACK \
"H 6! C.TRY & /OPP$ ! PICKUP ON TOP (A
S& HILL 9 A C[ PA/URE4
  8,SON1 Y "E DRANK BE] 2F80 HE SD4
  8,NO1 SIR40
  8,X'S "T Y />T$40
  ,S 9 ! MI4LE (A ,SATUR"D MORN+ 9 #AIDC
,I SIPP$ ! BE] MY DAD B"\ ME UNTIL ,I 0
DRUNK1 :ILE HE DRANK :ISKEY & TALK$4 ,HE
TALK$ = H\RS1 TALK$1 SD M 6ME T MORN+
?AN HE _H 9 ALL ! PREVI\S FIFTE5 YE>S WE
_H LIV$ TGR4 ,HE TOLD ME AB 8 "M1 8 "F
TOO1 :AT LL HE CD REMEMB] ( HM1     #AHG
TOLD ME AB ! ,GOODN\<S1 H[ X />T$ ) ,ADA
&! TWO WAT] BUCKETS1 H[ X 0 :5 ,ROY LO/
8 H&S1 TOLD ME H[ HE & ,$I? & ,LYMAN _H
DRIV5 6! MOVIES TGR 9 T[N = SIX WEEKS "O
SUMM]4 ,& ONCE HE _H />T$ TELL+ X HE
CDN'T SEEM 6/OP2 HE CDN'T SEEM 6EXPLA9
?+S 5\<4 ,"! 0 TOO M* ( X4
  ,I DIDN'T 9T]RUPT HM4 ,I SIPP$ MY BE]1
TOOK A PISS N[ & !N 9 ! SAGEBRU% & SOAP-
WE$S1 & LI/5$ 6HM Z WELL Z ,I CD4 ,B
T[>DS ! 5D ( X ,I REMEMB] SAY+ "S?+ 9NO-
C5T & FOOLI% L1 8,B X'S N FAIR40
  ,& HE SD1 8',C\RSE X'S N FAIR4 ,"!
A9'T N"O ( X T'S FAIR4 ,LIFE A9'T4 ,&
ALL \R ?9K+ X %D 2 DON'T SEEM 6MAKE "O
S+LE DAMN4 ,Y MI<T Z WELL "K T N[ Z LAT-
]40







                                    #AHH
























                   #G               #AHI

  ,ONLY 9 FACT MY DAD CDN'T A3EPT 8 [N
ADVICE4 ,AG/ ! O4S & AG/ ALL K9DS ( CRA-
ZI;S HE KEPT TRY+ 6*ANGE ?+S1 6EASE !M1
EV5 IF HE CDN'T F9,Y MAKE !M FAIR4 ,I
SUPPOSE "S ( T HAS RU2$ (F ON ME4 ,X'S !
R1SON ,I'M TELL+ Y ?4 ,X'S :Y ,I C'T AC-
CEPT ! IDEA ( ANYBODY WANT+ 6PUT A WOMAN
L ,$I? ,GOODN\< ON TRIAL =A ?+ 9 ! _W1
LET AL"O MURD]4
  ,B AT ANY RATE T ,SATUR"D MORN+ 0 !
LA/ "T %E _H 6DRIVE A TRACTOR4 ,T SAME
WEEK MY DAD >RANG$ X S T ,*>LIE ,BE/1 :O
NEI<BOR$ U 6! S\?1 WD "W ! OLD MAN'S
GR.D ON %>ES4 ,I DON'T "K ! DETAILS1 B
,I REMEMB] T ,*>LIE _H A HIR$ MAN1 A
GAP-TOO!D OLD PLO4] "ND ,RALPH ,JOHNSON1
& X 0 ,RALPH ,JOHNSON :O DID ! F>M+ &
ALL ! TRACTOR DRIV+ AT ! ,GOODN\< PLACE
=! NEXT N9E YE>S OR S--UNTIL ! OLD MAN
DI$1 T IS1 2C AF H] "F 0 D1D ,$I? L1S$ !
GR.D 6ME4 ,B :ILE HE / LIV$1 BR1!D AIR &
DRANK BLACK C(FEE1 NOBODY "ND ,ROSCOE
T\*$ 8 L&4 ,X WD H BE5 TOO M*4 ,X WD H
BE5 L KICK+ A MAN :5 HE 0 D[N1 L    #AIJ
RU2+ 8 NOSE 9 8 [N %IT4 ,MY DAD "U/OOD
T2 HE A3EPT$ AT L1/ T "P ( X4 ,S1 )\T
ALL[+ ! OLD MAN 6SEE 8 H& 9 X1 MY DAD >-
RANG$ = ,*>LIE ,BE/ 6L1SE ! L& & !N
HELP$ ,*>LIE KEEP ?+S UP AT ! ,BE/
PLACE4
  ,AF T WE ALL SETTL$ 96\R RUTS AG4 ,&
"S"TS1 LOOK+ AT ? /ORY1 X SEEMS 6ME L
T'S AB ALL X IS3 A S]IES ( 9DEP5D5T
RUTS4 ,"S ( !M LA/$ = F\R OR FIVE YE>S &
"S LA/$ = TW5TY1 B !Y 7 RUTS J ! SAME1 A
BUN* ( WORN-\ C[ PA?S W9D+ D[N O3A.N,Y
6WAT] &A BIT ( RE/ & MAYBE A GD BL[ =A
:ILE OV] A BLOCK ( SALT1 B !N BACK AG
ONCE M 96ALL ? ,HOLT ,C.TY S&4 ,HELL1 Y
C SEE X ANY "T 9 ANY C[ PA/URE4
  ,B AT L1/ ,$I? ,GOODN\<'S "PICUL> RUT
0 SLI<TLY *ANG$ N[4 ,%E DIDN'T H 6DISK
/UB# OR CUT HAY :ILE ! OLD MAN RODE IN-
SANE 2H H]4 ,NO1 ALL %E _H LEFT 6D N[ 0
TAKE C>E ( HM1 KEEP UP ! H\SE &! G>D51 &
/ MILK C[S2 & !N ! C[S GRADU,Y TOOK C>E
( !MVS3 !Y DI$4 ,"O 0"O !Y GOT TOO OLD
6MILK2 !Y 7 TRUCK$ 6,BRU% 6! SLAU<T]H\SE
& 7 N REPLAC$4                      #AIA
  ,& Z =! OLD MAN1 HE 0 *ANG$ "S1 TOO1
N[4 ,= "O ?+ HE /OPP$ TALK+4 ,AF HE OR-
D]$ MY DAD \ (! H\SE T MORN+1 ! OLD BAS-
T>D WDN'T SAY A PI4L+ ^W1 N A DAMN ?+4
,& 9 "S WAYS T 0 ALL "R TOO2 AT L1/ HE
WASN'T WA/+ AIR DAMN+ Y ANYMORE4 ,B 9
O!R WAYS X MADE X H>D]4 ,N[ ,$I? _H 6TRY
& GUESS :AT 9 ! HELL X 0 HE WANT$1 & IF
%E DIDN'T ALW GUESS "R !N HE WD /UMP-
%OVE 8 B[L ( MU% (F ! KIT*5 TA# OR HE WD
PISS 8 PANTS :ILE %E WAT*$ HM--ALL \ (
M1N;S & T BITT] OLD MAN'S SIL;E T HE RE-
FUS$ 6BR1K4 ,S MO/ (! "T F F/ SPR+ UNTIL
LATE FALL %E F$ HM QK & !N TOOK HM \T-
SIDE 6SIT 9 ! C> AL"O ": HE CD WAT* :ILE
,RALPH ,JOHNSON MADE SL[ PROGRESS /1DILY
9 ! ,GOODN\< CORN- & HAYFIELDS4 ,9 ! W9-
T] MON?S %E SAT HM ON A /RAI<T *AIR 9
FRONT (A S\? W9D[4
  ,AL1 %E W5T ON COLLECT+ ,LYMAN'S PO/-
C>DS--HE 0 9 ,MOBILE N[1 N[ 9 ,MONTGOM-
]Y1 !N 9 ,BALTIMORE--& %E 3T9U$ 6COLLECT
! B[-TI$ TW5TY-DOLL> BILLS HE S5T H] AT
,*RI/MAS4 ,! C>DS & M"OY 7 KEPT 9
SEP>ATE BOXES 9 A DRESS] DRAW] 9    #AIB
H] B$ROOM4 ,LAT] %E WD P9 ! PO/C>DS1
PICTURE-SIDE \1 ON ! WALLS (! LIV+ ROOM1
B %E DIDN'T />T T UNTIL ! OLD MAN _H
DI$4 ,! OLD MAN DIDN'T SEEM 6REMEMB] :O
! BLAZES ,LYMAN 0 :5 %E %[$ HM A PICTURE
(A GLASS BUILD+ OR "S PHOTOGRAPH ( ,ROB-
]T ,E4 ,LEE WAV+ A SAB] F ATOP A M>#
HORSE4 ,HE SEEM$ 63FUSE ,LEE ) ,LYMAN4
,OR1 O3A.N,Y1 IF HE DID SEEM 6RECALL J
:O ,LYMAN WAS1 !N X ONLY MADE HM MA4]4
,HE WD SPIT ON ! FLOOR OR WET ! FRONT
S1T (! C>4 ,S ,$I? /OPP$ %[+ HM ! PO/-
C>DS & KEPT !M 6H]F4 ,%E 0 SAV+ !M4

  ,OV] "H WE _H \R RUTS TOO4 ,MY DAD &
"M W5T ON TOL]AT+ "O ANO!R =! DUR,N4 ,!
SEP>ATE & 9DEP5D5T LIVES !Y LIV$ DIDN'T
*ANGE M* EV5 ?\< !Y / ATE AT ! SAME TA#
& SLEPT 9 ! SAME B$4 ,MY "M _H H] *UR*
"W1 H] CIRCLE1 & %E 0 ON ! S*OOL BO>D =A
T]M OR TWO4 ,B ! W> YE>S 7 H>D ON H]3 %E
CDN'T KEEP FA%IONA#4 ,! %ELVES & RACKS 9
! ,HOLT DRESS %OP 7 EMPTY ALM ALW1 & Y
CDN'T PUR*ASE A BOLT ( CLO? 6MAKE "S?+
YRF4 ,! >MY GOT ALL ! GD COTTON &   #AIC
WOOL = UNI=MS4
  8,!Y TAKE "EY?+10 MY "M SD4 8,& ALL T
MAT]IAL IS J GO+ 6GET SOIL$4 ,OR P]=AT-
$40
  ,S1 ONCE DUR+ ^? YE>S1 %E & ,MRS4
,S*MIDT1 :O 0 ! WIFE ( ,HOLT'S "O DOCTOR
AF ,M>CELLUS ,PACK] DI$ (A /ROKE 9 !
TAV]N1 DROVE 9 MY "M'S C> 6%OP 9 ! BIG
/ORES 9 ,D5V]1 & !Y MANAG$ 6F9D A PAIR (
/OCK+S APIECE &A FEW DRESSES4 ,B ! TRIP
6,D5V] TURN$ \ 6BE A "O-"T A6AIR1 A S+LE
*>GE4 ,:5 ,DOC ,S*MIDT F.D \ ": 8 GAS
C\PONS _H G"O HE 0 N EXACTLY EC/ATIC4
,IF NO?+ ELSE HE /OPP$ L1V+ 8 C\PONS \ 9
! OP5 ON 8 DRESS] TOP4 ,S :AT ,I REMEMB]
(! HURRI$-UP VICTORY CELEBR,N ON ! FOOT-
BALL FIELD 9 #AIDE--! B& PLAY$ M>*ES1 ,I
REMEMB]2 ! MAYOR SPOKE & "! 7 PR1*]S ON
! WOOD PLAT=M--ALL T IS MIX$ UP )! MEMO-
RY ( MY "M'S ANTICIP,N ( /OCK$ %ELVES
AG1 DRESSES & HATS4 8,?ANK ,GOD10 %E SD1
:5 WE HE>D AB ! >MI/ICE ON ! RADIO4 ,&
,I DON'T GUESS ! ONLY ?+ %E _H 9 M9D 0 !
5D ( KILL+4 ,B !N ,I DON'T SUPPOSE %E 0
! ONLY "O :O FELT T WAY1 EI4        #AID
,MAYBE %E 0 A LL M H"O/1 T'S ALL4 ,2C 6D
H] JU/ICE1 X 0 :AT %E _H 6LIVE ON4
  ,9 DI6]5T WAYS MY DAD SU6]$ OV] ! W>1
TOO4 ,"! 0 T BAD BUSI;S ) ,$I? &! TRAC-
TOR 2C (! W>--,I M1N ,LYMAN WD N"E H
MANAG$ 6JUMP UP & RUN (F IF "! _HN'T BE5
A W>--B "! 0 AL ! FACT T MY DAD _H SP5T
5 NI<TS DR9K+ & FI<T+ 6H A PRETTY GD
IDEA ( :AT M5 CD D 6"O ANO!R = NO R1SON2
& N[ )! W> !Y _H A R1SON1 & !Y 7 ACTU,Y
2+ TRA9$ & 5C\RAG$ 6D M ?AN J HIT "O AN-
O!R 9 ! FACE4 ,S1 :ILE ,I C'T SAY M* ( T
T\*$ ME H>D1 ,I 2LIEVE X MADE MY DAD
SICK4 ,HE HAT$ X4 ,& "S"T BACK ,I ?9K ,I
SD HE WASN'T A MAN :O LAU<$ A LOT--WELL1
N[ HE DIDN'T SEEM 6LAU< AT ALL4 ,ON !
O!R H&1 6D HM JU/ICE TOO1 HE M/ H MADE
"S M"OY DUR+ ^? YE>S4 ,! CATTLE M>KET
/AY$ /1DY )! 9CR1S$ NE$ = M1T1 & HE W5T
ON CA/RAT+ CALVES & EXP]I;T+ ) SE$ BULLS
& HAUL+ FAT CATTLE 6! SALE B>N4 ,I SUP-
POSE HE LE>N$ 6LIVE )! 3NEC;N 2T 8 RAIS+
BEEF & ALL T BLOOD 2+ SPILL$ 9 ,EUROPE4

                                    #AIE
  ,T L1VES ME4 ,& L X OR N ,I C SEE Y'RE
GO+ 6H 6HE> "S M AB ,S&]S ,ROSCOE4 ,X'S
! PRICE Y PAY = ASK+ "QS AB ,$I? ,GOOD-
N\<4
  ,S4 ,I TOLD Y ,I 0 9 HI< S*OOL4 ,WELL1
,I F9I%$ HI< S*OOL4 ,I GRADUAT$ F ,HOLT
,C.TY ,HI< 9 #AIDF--HELL1 ,I EV5 W5T TO
COLLEGE4 ,B DUR+ ? P]IOD ,I'VE BE5 TALK+
AB ,I 0 / 9 HI< S*OOL1 / TRY+ 6PLAY "S
K9D ( HALFBACK :ILE 2S ME "! 0 ? BIG
FULLBACK :O 0 S GD T HE 0 GO+ 6MAKE
UNANIM\S ALL-3F];E & SECOND T1M ALL-
/ATE4 ,T 0 ,BUD ,S1LY1 ( C\RSE1 & HE 0
ALL "R !N4 ,HE _HN'T 2GUN 6%[ ANY SIGNS
( 2COM+ A %]IFF OR A SON (A BIT* YET4
,NO1 HE 0 J A BIG T\< KID )A FA/ C>4
,ONLY1 LOOK+ BACK ON X N[1 ,I SUPPOSE X
MI<T H BE5 !N T HE 2GAN 6DEVELOP A HABIT
= 2+ H>D 9 ! MI4LE ( ?+S1 DEVELOP A
KNACK = TAK+ ADVANTAGE ( ANY OP5+1 N"E
M9D :E!R T OP5+ 0 ON ! FOOTBALL FIELD OR
2T ! LEGS ( "S GIRL1 OR1 L LAT]1 "R ON !
FRONT PAGE ( "S DAMN BIG C;Y NEWSPAP]4
,B ,I MI<T 2 PU%+ ?+S 0SAY+ T4 ,T'S J
H9DSI<T4 ,I MI<T 2 TRY+ 6=CE        #AIF
SQU>E PEGS 96R.D HOLES1 2C IF :AT ,I'VE
J SU7E/$ IS TRUE1 N"O ( U SAW X4 ,I SURE
Z HELL DIDN'T SEE X4 ,AT ! "T ,I 0 A LOT
M 9T]E/$ 9 TRY+ 6GET ,DORIS ,SWEET] 6AL-
L[ ME 6SEE M ( H]1 6LET ME HOLD "S?+ M (
H]S ?AN J H] SW1TY H&4
  ,!N1 L ,LYMAN1 ,I LEFT4 ,I W5T 6COL-
LEGE AT ,A4@&,M4 9 ,=T ,COLL9S =A :ILE4
,X 0 MY "M'S IDEA Z M* Z ANY?+1 ?\< ,I
WASN'T OPPOS$4 ,%E WANT$ A SON )A COL-
LEGE DIPLOMA1 & :AT ,I WANT$ 0 6GET AWAY
F HOME4 ,MY DAD AGRE$ 6X TOO2 HE ?"\ ,I
MI<T 2 CAPA# ( LE>N+ "S?+4 ,WELL1 ,I
DON'T "K T ,I LE>N$ A DAMN ?+ T MATT]S1
AT L1/ N (! SORT HE _H 9 M9D--?\< ,I C'T
2 SURE ( T N[ EI4 ,HE PROBABLY KNEW ALL
AL;G4
  ,ANYWAY1 ,=T ,COLL9S 0 A HELL ( NICE
LL T[N !N2 X'S DEVELOP$ MI4LE-AGE SPR1D
S9CE--L ! RE/ ( U1 X HAS "S HE>T TR\#4
,B 9 ! F\R YE>S ,I 0 "! X 0 / ! SORT (
T[N T EV5 A GRE5 KID F ,HOLT ,C.TY CD
SURVIVE IN4 ,I M1N X PROVID$ ME )! K9D (
TR\# T1 ONCE ,I GOT \ ( X1 LEFT ME ONLY
A LL BRUIS$ & SCRAT*$ UP B N A      #AIG
LOT SM>T] ?AN ,I 0 :5 ,I F/ GOT "!4 ,X
WASN'T ! K9D ( TR\# OR SIDEWALK %[1 SAY1
T ANY SEV5-YE>-OLD KID F ANY SLUM SEES E
"D & SURVIVES IF HE'S LUCKY B 5DS UP
*ANG$ ="E AFWS EV5 IF HE DOES4 ,NO1 ,I J
_H "S SORE PLACES 6%[ = MY TR\#4 ,X
DIDN'T *ANGE ! WAY ,I SEE ?+S4 ,X TOOK
,HOLT ,C.TY 6A3OMPLI% T4
  ,B AT L1/ ,I GOT AWAY F HOME4 ,=A :ILE
,I MANAG$ 6GET %UT ( ,HOLT ,C.TY4 ,X
DIDN'T M1N ANY?+1 ?\<2 N"O ( X DID4 ,X 0
J COLLEGE4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 GRADUATE4 ,"! 0
? LL MATT] ( *EMI/RY3 !Y REQUIR$ P /UDY+
ANIMAL HUSB&RY 6PASS *EMI/RY1 & ,I N"E
DID4 ,I TRI$ X TWICE TOO4 ,B "SH[ ! !ORY
( *EMICAL =MULAS1 EV5 ! LOGIC ( *EMICAL
ELE;TS1 ESCAP$ ME4 ,H[ CD ANYBODY 2 S
DAMN SURE T IF Y A4$ TWO "PS ( HYDROG5
6"O "P ( OXYG5 X ALW CAME \ WAT]8 ,!
-B9,N ( ?+S N"E SEEM$ T C]TA9 6ME2 ?+S
W]5'T T SIMPLE1 N EV5 ) ELE;TS Z BASIC Z
WAT]4 ,S ,I N"E PASS$ *EMI/RY1 & AF F\R
YE>S ,I / FAIL$ 6D ! "O ?+ T MI<T H SAT-
ISFI$ AT L1/ MY "M4 ,H] SON DIDN'T RCV A
COLLEGE DIPLOMA4                    #AIH
  ,Y "U/&1 ?\<1 T ,I 0 / AB HALF WILL+
6RETURN =A FIF? YE> &A ?IRD TRY AT *EM-
I/RY2 ,I _HN'T Q F9I%$ PLAY+ ! JACKASS 9
,=T ,COLL9S2 & !N :ILE ,I 0 MAK+ MY M9D
UP 6X ! BOTTOM FELL \4 ,MATT]S CAU<T UP
) ME 9 ! SUMM] ( #AIEJ4 ,I 2GAN 6LE>N ^?
?+S T MY YE>S ( COLLEGE CDN'T T1* ME1
_HN'T 9 FACT EV5 T\*$4 ,I 0 HOME AG4
  ,I GOT MY F/ SOLID LESSON ON ,JUNE
ELEV5?1 ,I REMEMB] EXACTLY4 ,MY DAD & ,I
7 ON HORSEBACK 9 NATIVE S&HILL GRASS1
DRIV+ CATTLE--MAYBE Y NOTIC$ ! TOPS (!
HILLS 9 T PA/URE S\?EA/ :5 Y DROVE 9 "H4
,AT ANY RATE X'S A BIG PA/URE1 AN 5TIRE
SEC;N1 ALL GRASS & SAGEBRU% & SOAPWE$ )
TWO W9DMILLS PUMP+ COLD WAT] 96FIFTY-
FOOT /OCK TANKS4 ,T SEC;N'S N"E BE5 "W$
OR TURN$ "U 0ANY PL[4 ,X 0 "P (! L& MY
DAD A3UMULAT$ DUR+ ^? ?REE YE>S HE 0
DR9K+ H>D & "W+ H>D] 9 ! MI4LE #AIBJ;S1
AF ,$I? ,GOODN\< DECID$ %E CDN'T L1VE
HOME1 T %E WASN'T FREE 5 6MOVE EV5 A
HALF MILE WE/4 ,Y "\ 6RIDE \ 96T GRASS
2F Y L1VE2 X MI<T GIVE Y "S IDEA ( :AT ?
C.TRY LOOK$ L 2F X 0 *OPP$ UP &     #AII
F;ED 96TITL$ LOTS4 ,ON ! O!R H& Y MAY
FEEL ! WAY ,$I?'S "M FELT AB X4 ,I ?9K
,I TOLD Y ,ADA DI$ )\T "E APPRECIAT+ X4
,%E DIDN'T L X2 %E / WANT$ ,I[A4 ,WELL1
%E DIDN'T "U/& :AT %E SAW \ "H4
  ,2C X'S DAMN$ F9E IF Y "K H[ 6LOOK AT
X4 ,& NO M S ?AN 9 ,JUNE AF A WET SPR+4
,! SPR+ ( #AIEJ 0 WET1 TOO4 ,! GRASS MY
DAD & ,I 7 RID+ "? T "D 0 ?ICK1 GRE51
TALL1 SPOTT$ ) WILDFL[]S1 RI*4 ,! CATTLE
7 />T+ 6SLICK UP ) X1 6SMOO? & FILL \ AG
AF ! W9T] MON?S & AF DROPP+ _! CALVES 9
,M>*1 &! CALVES1 ^? DAMN LL :ITE-FAC$
BALLIES1 KICK+ & GALLOP+ AL;G 2S _! MA-
MAS1 _! TAILS RID+ /RAI<T UP 96! AIR L
:ITE FLAGS1 7 FULL ( FRISK1 = ALL ! _W
9NOC5T YET ( :AT 0 WAIT+ = !M4 ,WE 7
DRIV+ !M D[N 6A HOLD+ P5 &A "W CORRAL 2S
"O (! WAT] TANKS4 ,"! 0 A GD SQUEEZE
*UTE AT "O 5D (! CORRAL1 & WE 7 GO+ 6RUN
!M 96! *UTE1 SQUEEZE !M IMMOBILE1 & !N
VA39ATE & BR& EA* "O & CA/RATE ! BULL
CALVES4
  ,S ,I 0 RID+ "O "P (! PA/URE & ,DAD 0
RID+ ANO!R1 BO? ( U DRIV+ C[S &     #BJJ
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BULLS TAIL+ ! C[S SL[ & H>DH1D$ ! WAY !Y
D1 ?ICK NECK$1 _! BALLS SW++1 D[N T[>D !
HOLD+ P54 ,X FELT GD 6BE 9 ! SUN1 6SW1T
9 ! OP5 ON HORSEBACK AF N9E MON?S (
S*OOL1 & ,HAMM] 0 "W+ ! CATTLE ALL "R
N[4 ,HE _HN'T 2LIEV$ AT F/ T X 0 8 "D TO
"W1 UNTIL ,I _H 6BOOT HM >.D "S1 RIDE !
MORN+'S GRE5 \ ( HM 6SET 8 M9D "R4 ,S X
0 ALL GO+ SMOO? 5\<1 & ,I 0 TRAIL+ CAT-
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TURN+ ! CALVES BACK :5 !Y TRI$ 6RUN (F1
POPP+ ! BUTTS (! BULLS )! KNOT AT ! 5D (
MY ROPE4 ,AT ! WAT] TANK ,I GOT !M %UT
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H1VY DU/1 BAWL+ & PLOPP+ %IT1 UNTIL WE 7
R1DY 6"W !M4 ,B ,DAD WASN'T 9 YET1 S ,I
RODE BACK \ 6HELP HM4
  ,MY DAD 0 2Y HELP4
  ,I F.D 8 HORSE \ "! 9 ! PA/URE /AMP+
FLIES AWAY & *EW+ BLUE/EM GRASS4 ,HE
TROTT$ (F :5 ,I RODE UP 6HM4 ,DAD 0 FIF-
TY FEET AWAY4 ,HE 0 LY+ ON 8 FACE 9 ! S&
2S A CLUMP ( SOAPWE$4 ,I GOT D[N & TURN$
HM OV] & SAW 8 FACE4 ,X WASN'T A    #BJA
PRETTY ?+ 6SEE4 ,X 0 ALL BLUI%1 MAD1
%OCK$1 8 EYES 7 WIDE OP54 ,I DIDN'T "K
:AT 6D4 ,HE 0 ALR D1D1 ?\<1 & ,I CD SEE
X _HN'T BE5 EASY4 ,8 H&S 7 GN>L$ H>D AT
8 *E/2 CLUT*+ AT 8 %IRT1 HE _H TORN "S
BUTTONS (F2 & "! 7 DEEP WET RUTS 9 ! S&
": X LOOK$ Z IF HE _H BE5 TRY+ 6KICK "S-
?+ AWAY F HM ) 8 BOOTS1 L X 0 A SNAKE OR
A RABID DOG4 ,"O ( 8 LEGS 0 / COCK$ TO
KICK AG4
  ,S :AT 0 ,I GO+ 6D N[8 ,:AT 9 HELL 0
,I SUPPOS$ 6D8 ,WE 7 \ "! 9 T NATIVE
PA/URE1 & X 0 ALL F9I%$ 0! "T ,I F.D HM4
,F9,Y ,I PUT 8 >MS D[N AT 8 SIDES &
/RAI<T5$ 8 LEG & BRU%$ ! S& F T :ITE SC>
T ,FRANK ,LUTZ _H GIV5 HM4 ,"! 0 GRIT 9
8 EYES TOO F LY+ ON 8 FACE ) 8 EYES OP54
,I WIP$ ! S& \ ( ^? BR[N />+ EYES & !N
CLOS$ 8 EYELIDS4 ,"! WASN'T ANY?+ 6D AF
T2 ,I WANT$ "! 6BE "S?+ M B "! WASN'T4
,S ,I SAT 2S ! L5G? ( 8 BODY & J CRI$4
,I DIDN'T EV5 "K H[ 6CRY = HM2 MY *E/ &
?ROAT FELT L "SBODY 0 KICK+ ME4 ,!N !
FLIES F.D HM "U T ,JUNE SUN & ,I 0 ALM
GLAD !Y DID4 ,X GAVE ME "S?+ M      #BJB
6D3 ,I CD FAN 8 QUIET FACE ) MY HAT4 ,&
,I DID T =A L;G "T1 SAT "! & FANN$ HM1
WAIT+ =! MO;T :5 ,I KNEW ,I WD H 5 =CE
6MOVE AG1 6GA!R HM UP & RIDE HM HOME4 ,I
SUPPOSE X TOOK A C\PLE ( H\RS 2F ,I FELT
R1DY4
  ,:5 ,I GOT HM HOME ,DOC ,S*MIDT 3FIRM$
= ME :AT ,I KNEW ,I _H SE5 :5 ,I TURN$
HM OV]4 ,MY DAD DI$ (A HE>T ATTACK4
  ,X AL TURN$ \ T ,I 0 "R 6H DELAY$ TAK+
HM HOME1 2C 9 ! NEXT =TY-EI<T H\RS MY "M
& ,I _H "S BAD FI<TS4 ,! FI<TS CLOS$
"EY?+ D[N1 %UT X ALL (F4 ,%E 0 GO+ 6BURY
MY DAD 9 ! T[N CEMET]Y4
  8,NO1 Y'RE N10 ,I SD4
  8,I'VE ALR PUR*AS$ TWO PLOTS F ! C;Y4
,Y %D H TOLD ME SOON]40
  8,I'M TELL+ Y N[4 ,Y USE !M4 ,DAD'S N
GO+ TO40
  8,HE IS1 ?\<40
  8,NO1 HE'S N4 ,Y DON'T H ! "R 6D T40
  8,I'M 8 WIFE4 ,T GIVES ME ! "R4 ,I PUT
UP ) HM = TW5TY-FIVE YE>S1 ,S&]S40
  8,%UT UP10 ,I SD4 8,C'T Y %UT UP AB
T80                                 #BJC
  ,H] EYES W5T FLAT !N4 ,H] H&S 7 %AK+4
8,Y ?9K T 0 EASY80 %E SD4 8,Y D1 DON'T
Y8 ,Y ?9K X 0 ALL MY FAULT T ,I WASN'T 5
= HM4 ,WELL1 Y DON'T H EV5 ! F/ IDEA :AT
X 0 L4 ,Y'VE ALW TAK5 8 SIDE AG/ ME1 EV5
F ! V 2G9N+ Y DID4 ,X 0 ALW Y & YR "F
TGR1 & "S":--DON'T ASK ME H[--B "S": ,I
0 SUPPOS$ 6FIT IN40
  8,Y _H YR DRESSES10 ,I SD4 8,YR GO4AMN
*UR* MEET+S40
  8,*UR*80 %E SD4 8,MY ,GOD1 Y'RE /UPID4
,Y ?9K ,I WD H C>$ AB ! *UR* IF "! 0
ANY?+ ELSE80
  8,WELL1 X'S TOO LATE N[4 ,DAD'S /AY+
"H40
  8,WE'LL SEE AB T40
  8,NO1 WE WON'T4 ,X'S ALR DECID$40
  ,S ,I PLAY$ ! BA/>D ) H]4 ,I ADMIT ,I
0 A R1L SON (A BIT* AB X4 ,B ,I 0 N GO+
6LET H] TAKE HM 96T[N 6T DAMN$ CRAMP$ LL
CEMET]Y S T "O (! BOYS :O "W$ SUMM]S =!
C;Y CD WAT] & M[ ! GRASS OV] HM & S !Y
CD M.T PLA/IC TULIPS 2S 8 GRAVE ON ,ME-
MORIAL ,"D4 ,& 9 ! 5D ,I _H MY WAY AB X4
,I TOLD ,JOHN ,BAK]1 ! MORTICIAN1   #BJD
6PREP>E MY DAD =A FUN]AL \ "H 9 ! C.TRY4
,HE CD %AVE HM & DRESS HM UP 9 A SUIT IF
T WD PL1SE MY "M1 B ,I DIDN'T WANT ANY
P[D] OR R\GE SME>$ ON 8 FACE 6MAKE HM
LOOK ALIVE4 ,HE 0 D1D4 ,LET HM 2 D1D4
,HE WASN'T 6G \ LOOK+ L "S WAX MANIK94
  ,! FUN]AL 0 ON ,JUNE F\RTE5?1 9 ! H1T
(A CLE> MORN+4 ,! :OLE C.TRY %[$ UP--P L
,*>LIE ,BE/ & ,FRANK ,LUTZ & ,AGNES
,WILSON & ,W5ZEL ,G]DTS & ,ELLIS ,BURNS
& ,LEON ,%IELDS & EV5 OLD ,LUDI ,PFEI/]
F ,KANSAS ) 8 CANES1 :O 7 ALL MY DAD'S
FRS1 & O!RS TOO1 MY "M'S FRS F *UR*4
,$I? ,GOODN\< 0 AL "!4 ,WE WALK$ UP 6T
RISE1 PA/ ! CORRALS & 2Y ! HORSE B>N1 6!
J-DUG HOLE 2S ! OLD GRAVE T 0 SUNK PA/
GR.D LEVEL1 MY GR&"M'S GRAVE4 ,:5 WE 7
ASSEM#D ! M9I/] SPOKE 6U1 TOLD U AB A
MAN HE HMF DIDN'T "K M* AB1 :ILE MY
DAD'S FRS :O DID "K HM /OOD UNHATT$ 9 !
SUN & WIP$ AWAY ! SW1T T TRICKL$ D[N _!
:ITE =EH1DS4 ,UP CLOSE 6! GRAVE WE 7 9 !
%ADE ( T BIG COTTONWOOD & X 0 COOL]4
  ,AF ! S]VICE S"EAL P %OOK MY H& & "O
OR TWO TRI$ 6TELL ME T AT L1/ HE    #BJE
_H DI$ DO+ "S?+ HE 5JOY$4 ,B ,I DIDN'T
LI/5 6T4 ,MY DAD %D H LIV$ = ANO!R TW5TY
YE>S4 ,!N MY "M TOOK H] FRS D[N 6! H\SE
6DR9K ICE TEA & 6VISIT & -MIS]ATE :ILE !
BOX 0 2+ L[]$ 96! HOLE1 & ,I TOLD ,JOHN
,BAK] 6G ON1 T ,I WD FILL X 9 MYF4 ,T
LEFT ONLY ,$I? "! ) ME4
  ,X DIDN'T TAKE L;G 6FILL 9 ! GRAVE4 ,!
S& 0 LOOSE & MOI/1 MAK+ X EASY 6%OVEL4
,:5 ,I _H F9I%$ PACK+ X 96A L;G M.D 2H !
PLA9 /"O T R1DS ..,JOHN ,ROSCOE ,FEB4
#BD1 #AHIJ--,JUNE #AA1 .#AIEJ1 ,I /OOD
BACK ) ,$I? 6LOOK AT X4
  ,$I? _H BE5 CRY+4 ,%E 0 WE>+ A NEW
DRESS & %E _H D"O "S?+ 6H] HAIR1 B %E
_HN'T BE5 A# 6D ANY?+ AB H] FACE4 ,H]
FACE _H G"O 6PIECES4 ,I PUT MY >M >.D
H]4
  8,HE ASK$ ME 6M>RY HM10 ,$I? SD4 8,DID
Y "K T80
  8,YES4 ,HE TOLD ME40
  8,B ,I CDN'T4 ,Y "U/&1 DON'T Y1 ,S&Y80
  ,"! 0 A LL BIT ( W9D 9 ! COTTONWOOD
OV] U4 ,! L1VES 7 TURN+ & WA%+ 9 ! W9D4
,2L U ON ! ROAD1 C>S 7 />T+ BACK    #BJF
T[>D T[N4
  8,YES10 ,I SD4 8,B "U/&+ X & LIK+ X
>5'T ! SAME ?+S40
  8,NO10 %E SD4 8,NO1 !Y >E N ! SAME
?+S40
  ,!N %E 0 CRY+ AG1 =! LA/ "T T ,I H "KN
H] 6CRY4 ,"! WASN'T M* S.D 6X4 ,I HELD
H] H& & FELT L HELL4