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                   #H               #BJG

  ,S ,I 0 HOME AG = GD N[4 ,AT TW5TY-TWO
,I TOOK UP ! RESPONSIBIL;Y ( MANAG+ !
RAN* MY DAD _H MADE1 ! BIG CATTLE OP],N
&! QU>T]S ( F>ML&4 ,X 0 ALM 5TIRELY CLE>
( ANY DEBT :5 ,I TOOK X OV]4 ,"! 0 PL5TY
6D1 ?\<1 & 9 %ORT "T ,I 2GAN 64COV] :AT
X M1NT 6BE MY DAD 9 ,HOLT ,C.TY1 6MAKE
DECI.NS : AFWS Y _H 6LIVE )4 ,M1N:ILE MY
"M & ,I /RUCK AN $GY QUIET K9D ( TRUCE4
,WE TALK$ 6"O ANO!R :5 X 0 NEC4 ,I TOOK
H] \ 6EAT AB TWICE A MON? & "S"TS 6AN
A3EPTA# MOVIE 9 T[N :5 "! 0 "O1 KEPT H]
C> 9 TUNE & *ANG$ ! SN[ TIRES1 & ON H]
"P %E HELD H] T;GUE :5 ,I DIDN'T -E HOME
ON ,SATUR"D NI<TS4 ,WE AVOID$ ANY TOPIC
T WD TAKE U BACK 6T O!R ,JUNE4 ,T LA/$
AB TWO YE>S4
  ,!N 9 ! SPR+ ( #AIEB WE _H ANO!R FI<T4
,X 0 "O EV5+ DUR+ SUPP]1 AF /1K & POTA-
TOES B 2F ! DESS]T1 T MY "M DROPP$ "S
NEWS ON ME1 AN ANN\NCE;T %E WANT$ 6MAKE4
,%E SD %E PREF]R$ T ,I HE> X F H] 2F "S-
"O ELSE _H ! *.E 6TELL ME & GET X ALL
WR;G4                               #BJH
  8,I'M ?9K+ ( M>RY+ AG10 %E SD4
  ,I TOOK A DR9K ( C(FEE & LIT A CIGA-
RETTE4 8,OKAY10 ,I SD4 8,D :AT"E Y
WANT40
  8,I 9T5D TO4 ,B ,I WANT$ 64CUSS X ) Y
F/4 ,X W M1N "S *ANGES 9 BO? \R LIVES40
  8,N 9 M9E10 ,I SD4 8,I'M N M>RY+ HM40
  8,N[ T'S PRECISELY :AT ,I 0 AFRAID (4
,M/ Y ALW 2 S PIGH1D$8 ,Y MAKE ME TIR$40
  8,I SD = Y 6D :AT Y WANT$4 ,ISN'T T
5\<80
  ,%E GOT UP & CUT TWO W$GES ( HOT APPLE
PIE & SCOOP$ ICE CR1M ONTO !M & BR"\ !M
6! TA#4 ,I />T$ 6EAT M9E4
  8,Y HAV5'T ASK$ ME :O HE IS4 ,DON'T Y
C>E :O ,I M>RY80
  8,I FIGUR$ Y WD TELL ME40
  8,ALL "R10 %E SD4 8,X'S ,WILBUR ,COX40
,%E 0 GD & ANGRY N[1 %OV+ ,WILBUR'S "N
ACR ! TA# AT ME L X 0 A C\RT SUMMONS1 A
%>P SLAP 9 ! FACE4
  8,3GRATUL,NS10 ,I SD4 8,I HOPE Y'LL 2
HAPPY ) HM40
  8,Z IF Y C>$40
  8,SURE1 ,I D4 ,B Y C'T LIVE \     #BJI
"H ) HM4 ,I DON'T WANT ,WILBUR ,COX
MESS+ AB40
  8,DON'T 3C]N YRF4 ,WE 9T5D 6BUILD A
NEW HOME 9 T[N40
  8,YR ICE CR1M'S MELT+10 ,I SD4
  ,I GOT UP !N F ! TA# & PUT MY HAT &
COAT ON4 ,! ICE CR1M 0 MELT+ ON H] PIE1
RUNN+ D[N ! SIDES & PU4L+ 9 ! DI%4
  8,I'M N F9I%$ TALK+ 6Y10 %E SD4
  8,I'LL 2 AT ! TAV]N40
  8,B X'S N ,SATUR"D NI<T40
  8,NO1 X'S ,W$NES"D4 ,& DON'T WAIT UP3
! TAV]N DOESN'T CLOSE TILL MIDNI<T40
  ,I SUPPOSE ,I %D EXPLA94 ,I DON'T EX-
PECT Y 6L MY RESPONSE 6H] LL NEWS--%E
C]TA9LY DIDN'T L X--B Y MI<T TRY 6"U/&
MY SIDE ( X "S4 ,X 0 LESS ?AN TWO YE>S
AF MY DAD _H DI$--T'S :AT BIT*$ X ALL =
ME4 ,A MON? LESS ?AN TWO YE>S4 ,HELL1 %E
_H WAIT$ L;G] ?AN T AF H] F/ HUSB& DI$1
,JASON ,NEWCOMB1 T MIS]A# BANK TELL] :O
HANG$ HMF 9 ! POTATO CELL>4 ,= ME1 MY
DAD 0 / Z CLE> & PRES5T "EY": AB ! PLACE
Z IF HE _H G"O J ! "D 2F4 ,HE 0 / "! =
ME :]"E ,I WAS1 :AT"E ,I 0 DO+1     #BAJ
"W+ CATTLE OR FIX+ F;E1 & X SEEM$ 6ME T
HE %D H BE5 5 MAN = ANY WOMAN 6LA/ A
LIFE"T4
  ,N[ ,I SUPPOSE T'S AN ILLOGICAL1 AN
UNS.D WAY 6?9K1 B T'S H[ ,I FELT AB X4
,& ,I DIDN'T H ! SLI<TE/ NO;N T %E EV5
KNEW ,WILBUR ,COX 6M>RY HM4 ,( C\RSE ,I
"U/OOD T %E KNEW HM--"EYBODY KNEW ,WIL-
BUR ,COX4 ,HE SOLD LIFE 9SUR.E4 ,HE _H T
TIDY LL BRICK (FICE ON ,MA9 ,/REET 9
,HOLT & DRANK C(FEE "EY"D )! BOYS 9 !
CAF@E4 ,HE 0 TALL1 /R+Y Z A GRE5 B1N2 HE
OIL$ 8 HAIR4 ,MAYBE Y W "U/& :AT ,I M1N
AB HM IF ,I TELL Y T HE IS "O ( ^? GUYS
:O LIKES 6%AKE H&S A LOT1 %AK+ YR H& )
BO? ( HIS4 ,B L ,I'VE SD 2F1 MY "M 0 N
/UPID4 ,%E NO D\BT ALR _H ,WILBUR ,COX
PICK$ \4 ,%E M/ H SE5 V CLE>LY 9 ADV.E T
,WILBUR 0 GO+ 6BE ! =M ( HUSB& %E CD MA-
NIPULATE1 RULE & RUN1 MAKE HM /AY HOME &
ATT5D 6BUSI;S1 & %E DID ALL T4 ,HE FIT
96H] S*EME L AN OB$I5T POODLE4 ,WELL1 "!
0 ALW "S?+ GRASP+ AB H]1 / IS = T MATT]4
,%E C'T LET G4 ,%E HAS 6G ON /RIV+ AT
?+S1 REFUS+ 6LET !M 2 Z !Y >E4      #BAA
,%E C'T ABIDE !M UNTIL %E HAS *ANG$ !M
6MEET H] [N MOLD4 ,I DON'T 2LIEVE X
MAKES H] HAPPY1 ?\<4
  ,ANYWAY1 ,I REL5T$ A LL 9 ,DECEMB]4
,:5 ! SOLID BRICK H\SE AT ! $GE ( T[N 0
-PLETE ) C>PET & PA9T1 ,I /OOD UP = H]
AT ! W$D+4 ,I GAVE H] AWAY4 ,I EV5 AGRE$
6SELL A DRYL& QU>T] 6PAY =! H\SE4

  ,"! 0 AT L1/ "O O!R ?+ 6HAPP5 9 #AIEB
T HAS "S BE>+ ON ? /ORY4 ,X M/ H BE5
,OCTOB]1 B Y C *ECK 8 GRAVE/"O IF X
MAKES A LOT ( DI6];E 6Y3 OLD ,ROY ,GOOD-
N\< DI$ D[N ! ROAD F U4 ,HE W5T 9 8
SLEEP4 ,$I? W5T 9 6HIS B$ROOM T MORN+ TO
DRESS HM =! "D 9 8 OV]ALLS1 & %E F.D T
%E WASN'T "E GO+ 6H 6D T AG4 ,HE 0 Z
RIGID Z /"O2 8 M\? 0 LOCK$ OP51 L A
PIECE ( BOX IRON4 ,S %E DREW ! %EET UP
OV] 8 FACE & W5T D[N/AIRS 6CALL ME4
  8,X'S OV]10 %E SD4
  8,I DON'T "K :AT Y M1N40
  8,HE DI$ LA/ NI<T4 ,W Y HELP ME MAKE !
>RANGE;TS80
  ,I WASN'T SURPRIS$ %E CALL$ ME4   #BAB
,S9CE ! D1? ( MY [N DAD ,I _H BE5 *ECK+
ON H] ONCE A WEEK1 /OPP+ 0! ,GOODN\<
H\SE 9 ! E>LY EV5+ 2F ,I W5T HOME 6SUP-
P]4 ,! OLD MAN WD ALR 2 F$ & PUT 6SLEEP1
& ,$I? & ,I WD SIT 9 ! POR* SW+1 VISIT+1
PASS+ T BE/ H\R ( ANY "D TGR :ILE ! B>N
SWALL[S HUNT$ BUGS &! LOCU/S SANG F !
ELM TREES4 ,%E 2GAN 6KEEP BE] ON H& 9 !
REFRIG]ATOR1 TOO1 2C %E KNEW ,I LIK$ X 9
! EV5+ AF "W1 & ,I WD DR9K BE] :ILE WE
TALK$ & PU%$ ! SW+ A LL4 ,O3A.N,Y ON ^?
EV5+S %E WD RECALL ! ?+S %E KNEW AB MY
DAD1 & X SEEM$ 6HELP U BO? GET OV] HM4
  ,S N[ ! OLD MAN 0 D1D4 ,T M* 0 OV]4
,HE 0 BURI$ 9 T[N1 9 ! PLOT WE/ (
,ADA'S4 ,X 0 H[ ,$I? WANT$ X >RANG$4 ,%E
SD ! OLD MAN _H BLOCK$ H] "M'S VIEW (!
EA/ :ILE %E LIV$1 HE WASN'T GO+ 6D T 9
D1?4 ,"! 0 / ! PRO#M ( 8 M\?1 ?\<4 ,I
DON'T "K H[ ,JOHN ,BAK] GOT ! OLD MAN'S
M\? 6/AY CLOS$ =! FUN]AL1 B ,I SUPPOSE
HE _H 6BR1K ! JAWS & WIRE !M %UT4 ,& T 0
FUNNY1 T ! OLD MAN DI$ ) 8 M\? LOCK$ OP5
AF HE _H SP5T ! LA/ N9E YE>S ( 8 LIFE
REFUS+ 6OP5 X1 DECL9+ :AT"E 6SAY    #BAC
YES OR NO 6ANY?+1 B J SITT+ H>D 9 8 *AIR
2F T S\? W9D[ 9 ! W9T] OR WAT*+ F ! C>
DUR+ ! SUMM] :ILE ,RALPH ,JOHNSON MADE
^? SL[ CIRCLES 9 ! FIELD4 ,WELL1 HE SURE
Z HELL WD N H LIK$ :AT HE SAW ! NEXT
YE>4 ,X MI<T EV5 H MADE HM MAD 5 6SP1K
AG4 ,2C1 L ,I SAY1 AF HE DI$ ,$I? 9SI/$
T ,I 2G9 6L1SE ! L& MYF1 & ,I DID T4
,I'VE BE5 L1S+ X "E S9CE4

  ,"! FOLL[$ AB A T5-YE> P]IOD 9 MY LIFE
T ,I AM N "PICUL>LY PR\D (4 ,= MO/ ( T
"T ,I 0 DRIFT+1 FALL+ H1DL;G & HE$.S Z 9
"O ( ^? OLD GRADE-S*OOL FIRE ESCAPES T 7
3/RUCT$ L COV]$ SLIDES 9 : Y 5T]$ AT !
TOP & %OT D[N "? S"EAL LOOPS & TWI/S &
!N SCOOT$ \ AT ! BOTTOM 96A MUDHOLE4 ,X
0 A L;G WILD RIDE ,I 0 ON1 &= Q A :ILE X
SEEM$ L ! ?+ 6D4
  ,CLEVIS ,/\6] 0 A GD "P ( T HE$.S
DRIFT+1 ?\< HE 0 N ! CAUSE ( X4 ,I _H MY
[N MOTIV,N1 MY [N 9SPIR,N4 ,CLEVIS 0
M]ELY R1DY ON H& & M ?AN WILL+ 6DRIFT )
ME1 3T5T 6RIDE AL;G & 63TRIBUTE 8 %>E4
,I _H TAK5 HM ON Z HIR$ MAN 6HELP   #BAD
ME "W ! ,GOODN\< PLACE1 AF L1S+ X F
,$I?1 2C HE 0 A GD H&1 A GD F>M]4 ,HE
KNEW !N1 & ,I 2LIEVE HE / "KS1 Z M* AB
,CASE TRACTORS & ,GL1N] -B9ES Z ANY TWO
M5 9 ! C.TRY1 )! K9D ( CURIOS;Y AB MA-
*9ES T C'T RE/ UNTIL X "U/&S FULLY J :Y
T LOAD$ SPR+ & T SET ( COG:EELS H 69T]-
LOCK ! WAY !Y D 9 ORD] =! ?+ 6"W & PRO-
PEL WEI<T4
  ,HE 0 A HELL (A GUY1 ,CLEVIS WAS--BIG1
SLOPPY1 AB SIX FEET ?REE &A GD #BCJ
P.DS1 )A H1VY /OMA* ABV 8 BELT T KEPT 8
%IRTTAILS FREE & FLAPP+1 & HE 0 SM>T4
,"! 7 P :O ?"\ HE 0 /UPID 2C HE TALK$
SL[1 B !Y DIDN'T "K HM4 ,!Y _HN'T SE5 HM
TUNE A C> OR HE>D HM RECITE AN H\R'S
WOR? ( DIRTY LIM]ICKS 9 ! ,HOLT ,TAV]N4
,I _H "KN HM S9CE HI< S*OOL2 HE 0 USU,Y
ON ! \TSIDE FR+E ( ?+S 9 S*OOL 2C HE 0 S
BIG & S SL[ & AL 2C HE _H 6"W ALL ! "T1
B "S"T DUR+ \R FRE%MAN YE> HE DECID$ T
,I 0 "O ( 8 FRS1 & T 0 ALL "R ) ME4 ,Z =
8 FAMILY1 ,OLD ,MAN ,/\6] 0 A G&Y D.ER =
! RAILROAD4 ,T IS1 ON ^? "DS T[>D ! 5D (
! WEEK :5 ! OLD MAN 0 SOB] 5 6"W    #BAE
ANY":1 & 8 "M1 A FAT LL ,G]MAN IMMI-
GRANT1 DID WA% = P 9 T[N & BORE A /R+ (
BABIES4 ,CLEVIS 0 ! OLDE/ ( ELEV5 KIDS4
,!Y ALL CAME 6S*OOL 9 A FLATB$ TRUCK4
  ,:5 ,CLEVIS />T$ 6"W = ME ,I MOV$ HM
96! H\SE 9 M* ! SAME WAY T MY DAD _H D"O
) 8 CRONY ,ELLIS ,BURNS 9 ! #AIBJ;S4 ,WE
_H ! PLACE 6\RVS3 MY "M 0T "T _H ALR
SPR1D H]F 96T NEW BRICK HOME 9 T[N )!
ROSE C>PETS &! FL[]$ COA*4 ,AF A TWO-
WEEKS' H"OYMOON AT ! ,BR[N ,PALACE ,HO-
TEL 9 ,D5V] %E _H -E BACK 6,HOLT & _H
2GUN H] 3T9U+ T5URE Z ,MRS4 ,COX1 ALL[+
,WILBUR 6G ON %AK+ H&S ) FOLKS AT 8
LIFE-9SUR.E (FICE & 6DR9K C(FEE )! BOYS
:5 HE FELT ?IR/Y1 B HE DAMN WELL BETT] 2
HOME 0SIX O'C E EV5+ & SQUIRE H] 6*UR* E
,SUN"D4 ,T APP>5TLY 0 SATISFACTORY )
,WILBUR1 & ?+S 7 N UNSATISFACTORY =
,CLEVIS & ME4 ,WE "W$ PRETTY /1DY AT
KEEP+ ! RAN* GO+ & AT MAK+ A PR(IT =
,$I?4 ,0! 5D (! F/ YE>1 ?\<1 WE _H "S?+
(A PRO#M3 ! H\SE LOOK$ & SMELL$ L A BUF-
FALO WALL[1 & "! 7 5 EMPTY BE] CANS
A3UMULAT$ AT ! BACK DOOR 6T9 AT     #BAF
L1/ ?REE SIDES (A BIG B>N4
  8,0,GOD10 ,CLEVIS SD "O MORN+4 ,HE 0
/&+ 9 ! KIT*5 DOORWAY HOLD+ 8 BOOTS 9 "O
H&1 LOOK+ L A GRT BIG SLEEPY KID :O _H J
WAK5$ F A DR1M T MADE HM MAD4 8,LI/510
HE SD4 8,N[ ? "H IS GETT+ S]I\S40
  8,:AT IS80 ,I SD4
  8,?40 ,HE HELD 8 BOOTS UP4 8,I C'T EV5
F9D MY GODDAMN DIRTY SOCKS T ,I TOOK (F
LA/ NI<T4 ,>E Y WE>+ !M80
  8,HELL1 NO4 ,!Y WDN'T FIT ME40
  8,WELL1 0,GOD1 "S?+'S GOT 6BE D"O AB
?4 ,I C'T "W )\T NO SOCKS40
  8,GOT ANY ID1S80
  8,Y1H10 HE SD4 8,"O40
  ,CLEVIS'S "O IDEA 0 ,TWYLA ,?OMPSON4
,TWYLA 0 A LOCAL GIRL )A HAPPY R$ FACE4
,%E "W$ S1SONS AT ! GRA9 ELEVATOR 2S !
RAILROAD TRACKS1 &! M5 DRIV+ TRUCKS
LOAD$ ) :1T OR CORN TOOK _! "T :5 !Y >-
RIV$ AT ! ELEVATOR 6DUMP ! TRUCKS1 2C
,TWYLA _H FULL BR1/S & SK9 L CR1M & %E 0
ALW *E];L4 ,%E 0 BUILT 6LA/ TOO1 2+ Z
BROAD & MUSCUL> ACR ! HIPS & %\LD]S Z
,CLEVIS HMF WAS1 ?\< %E /OOD A GD   #BAG
H1D %ORT]4 ,! IDEA = ,TWYLA 0 = H] 6MOVE
9 ) U1 & ,I DON'T "K H[ ,CLEVIS DID X1 B
"SH[ 0/RIK+ ! "R *ORDS OR 0PULL+ ! PROP]
/R+S HE MANAG$ 6P]SUADE H] 6D T1 6-E \
"H & 2 A LIVE-IN MAID1 & X 0 L H] T :5
%E SAW ! ADV.ED /ATE ( ?+S 9 ! H\SE %E
GAVE U ONLY A M$IUM LECTURE & CALL$ U
BIG FIL?Y PIGS4 ,! MA7OTS 9 ! KIT*5 S9K
&! S\R PILES ( CLO!S 9 ! CORN]S DIDN'T
SEEM 6PHASE H]4 ,9 TWO "DS' "T %E _H !
PLACE 9 ORD] AG3 "! 7 :ITE %EETS ON !
B$S1 GRE5 VEGETA#S ON ! TA# =! F/ "T 9
N9E MON?S1 &! BE] CANS 7 SMA%$ FLAT &
HAUL$ 6! DUMP4 ,%E 0 N A GIRL :O 0
AFRAID ( "W4 ,2T ! TWO ( U WE TOOK TURNS
PAY+ H] MON?LY SAL>Y4 ,%E SLEPT 9 ! GUE/
ROOM ) ,CLEVIS1 ?\<1 S HE 0 ! ONLY "O :O
0 EX]CIS+ T O!R K9D ( OP;N T W5T ) H]
LIV+ "H S+LY ) TWO M54 ,N T ,I WD H M9D$
X MYF1 Y "U/&--B ,CLEVIS _H MADE ! >-
RANGE;T1 &=A L;G "T ,I TRI$ 6RESPECT T4
  ,!N ,I /OPP$ RESPECT+ X4 ,WE _H G"O
AL;G WELL 5 = F\R OR FIVE YE>S4 ,"! 7 A
FEW ROCKY SPOTS1 ( C\RSE1 B =! MO/ "P WE
_H SETTL$ 96AN ORD9>Y R\T9E ( "W+   #BAH
H>D ALL WEEK & !N "PY+ ALL NI<T ON !
WEEK5D1 ! ?REE ( U ALW TGR 9 ! H\SE & AB
! PLACE & !N / TGR ^? ,SATUR"D NI<TS1 )
(T5 ANO!R GIRL AL;G 6DR9K ) U & 6KEEP X
BAL.ED & O3A.N,Y 6-E HOME ) ME & N 6G
BACK UNTIL ,SUN"D AFN4 ,B AT F/ ! "W _H
BE5 ! PRIM>Y ?+4 ,WE MANAG$ 9 ! 2G9N+ TO
MA9TA9 ! LEVEL MY DAD _H A*IEV$4 ,T'S
TRUE--WE "W$ ! RAN* &! QU>T]S ( :1T & AL
! EXTRAS AT ,$I?'S1 ALL ( T--B GRADU,Y X
GOT 6BE M IMPORTANT & DAMN SURE M FUN TO
/AY \ AT NI<T1 N J ON ,SATUR"DS :5 "EY"O
DRANK & D.ED & PLAY$ C>DS & %OT POOL1 B
DUR+ ! WEEK TOO1 EV5 IF WE _H 6G \ ( T[N
6LOCATE P 6"PY )1 & !N WE W]5'T GETT+ UP
9 ! MORN+ AT FIVE O'C ANYMORE1 NOR AT
SIX OR SEV5 EI1 & ?+S 7 N GETT+ D"O4 ,X
0 ALL SLID+2 WE 7 DRIFT+4 ,9/1D ( MAK+
F\R OR FIVE PASSES )! DISK OV] ! FALL[
GR.D1 ! SUMM] FALL[1 N[ MAYBE TWO PASSES
7 5 & PRETTY SOON "O SEEM$ L A GD PL5TY4
,SURE1 & X GOT S X 0 A GD IDEA 6BUY A
NEW R$ PICKUP S WE CD T\R ,D5V] ON
,TUES"D4 ,T'S "R1 & X 2CAME ! ?+ 6D 6BUY
A B>ROOM FULL ( P ALL ! DR9KS !Y    #BAI
WANT$1 N"E M9D IF Y N"E SAW !M 2F & WD
N"E SEE !M AG4 ,WE 7 ALL FRS1 W]5'T WE8
,( C\RSE1 & MA9LY--:Y :AT H>M CD "! BE8
--X GOT S X 0 P]FECTLY ALL "R 6G 6B$ )
,TWYLA4 ,BO? ( U1 ,I M1N4 ,L WE 7 / J
TAK+ TURNS PAY+ H] SAL>Y4
  ,ONLY %E WASN'T ANY :ORE4 ,F> F X4 ,%E
0 ,TWYLA ,?OMPSON1 BORN & RAIS$ 9 ,HOLT1
,COLORADO4 ,%E 0 "O ( U1 DON'T Y SEE8--A
LOCAL GIRL )A F9E R$ FACE :O 2F %E 0 P]-
SUAD$ 6-E \ "H 6? RAN* _H "W$ *E];LLY AT
! GRA9 ELEVATOR AM;G/ ! CL\DS ( :1T &
CORN DU/4 ,%E 0 N ! SORT ( WOMAN 6"SH[
%UT (F H] EMO;NS1 H] W>M FULL FEEL+S1
:ILE / L1V+ H] LEGS OP54 ,S X 2GAN 6TAKE
A TOLL ON H]4 ,*RI/ YES1 X _H 6D "S H>M4
,I REMEMB] T %E LE>N$ F9,Y 6KEEP H] [N
L>GE SUPPLY ( G9 9 ! KIT*5 CUPBO>D1 T
T[>D ! 5D %E 0 ALW AT L1/ HALF DRUNK BY
SUPP]"T4 ,WE WD SIT D[N AT ! TA# 6EAT1 !
?REE ( U1 & H] EYES WD 2 TOO B"R1 L
GLASS4 ,!N %E MI<T SPILL "S C(FEE1 KNOCK
OV] ! SALT %AK]4 ,ONCE ,I REMEMB] %E
SLOPP$ "S HOT S\P ONTO ,CLEVIS'S H& & %E
TOOK 8 R$ H& UP & KISS$ X & HELD    #BBJ
X ) TE>S 9 H] EYES4
  ,& T 0 ! WOR/ GODDAMN HELL ( X3 ALL T
"T %E 0 9 LOVE ) HM4 ,D Y "U/& :AT ,I'M
SAY+8 ,I KNEW %E LOV$ HM4 ,%E 0 GD 6HM1
GD = HM1 T BIG SLOPPY OP5-FAC$ ,CLEVIS
,/\6]1 ) 8 FL\R-BAG /OMA* & 8 FLAPP+
%IRTTAILS & 8 DIRTY SOCKS4 ,HE 0 :AT %E
WANT$1 NE$$4 ,!Y MADE A PAIR1 ! TWO ( !M
TGR1 L A C\PLE ( PLA9 SOLID BLOCKS ( M9-
]AL SALT4 ,& ON 8 "P1 ?\< HE N"E SD S OR
EV5 %[$ X M*1 ,I 2LIEVE HE 0 AT L1/ HALF
9 LOVE ) H]4 ,HE C]TA9LY DES]V$ "S?+ GD
9 8 LIFE1 & ,TWYLA 0 T ALL "R2 %E 0 GD4
  ,ONLY "H ,I WAS--T'S :AT ,I M1N--,I 0
"H1 TOO4 ,?+S MI<T H BE5 ALL "R IF X _H
BE5 ONLY TWO ( U1 OR IF ,CLEVIS & ,TWYLA
_H LIV$ 9 T[N1 OR EV5 IF !Y _H R5T$ "S
NE>BY VACANT F>MH\SE OR J B"\ A TRAIL] &
PUT 9 ELECTRIC;Y4 ,B N"O ( T HAPP5$2 T
WASN'T ! WAY X WAS4 ,X 0 ALW ?REE ( U1
"H1 9 ? H\SE4 ,WE _H \R R\T9E1 \R LL
FAMILY >RANGE;T1 & :AT MADE X POSSI#1 !
?+ T ALL[$ X 63T9UE1 6G ON & ON REG>D.S1
0 T 9 "S WAYS !Y 7 BO? DEP5D5T ON ME3 ,I
[N$ ! RAN*1 DIDN'T ,I8 ,I 0 !       #BBA
HOT%OT1 ! ROTT5 D[EL P94 ,! BANK A3.T 0
9 MY "N4 ,& ,I PLAY$ ON ALL ( T 6PREV5T
?+S F *ANG+4 ,I KNEW WE 7 ON A DANG]\S
RIDE1 B ,I / DIDN'T WANT 65D X EV5 IF ,I
_H "KN H[4 ,X 0 TOO M* (A GD ?+1 A HE$-
.S1 3T9U\S1 ROMP+ JIG & "PY--:5 ,I CD
KEEP F ?9K+4 ,N ?9K+1 REFUS+ 6?9K1 GOT
6BE A /1DY HABIT = ME4
  ,I REMEMB] S5D+ ,CLEVIS \ =! AFN 6SWA!
HAY1 = EXAMPLE1 OR 6BUY BAL] "PS 9 ,/]L+
SIXTY MILES NOR?WE/ ( ,HOLT1 :ILE ,I
/AY$ HOME4 ,& HE'D />E AT ME & SAY1
8,:AT >E Y GO+ 6D :ILE ,I'M G"O80
  8,OH1 ,I'VE GOT ^? HEIF]S 6MOVE40
  8,Y1H10 HE'D SAY4 8,:Y C\RSE Y D40
  ,S HE "U/OOD X ALL "R2 HE RECOGNIZ$ !
DRIFT1 B HE WD G ON ANYWAY1 & !N AF HE 0
\ (! WAY ,I'D SP5D AN H\R SIPP+ IC$ G9 F
A %>$ GLASS ) ,TWYLA 9 ! MI4LE (! AFN1 &
9 "T ,I'D 2 BR1?+ ! GD P]FUME ( H] ?ICK
ORANGE HAIR & TA/+ ! SALT ( H] R.D :ITE
%\LD]S4 ,2C AF ! F/ "T ) ,TWYLA 9 MY
ROOM 9 ! AFN :ILE ! SUN SPECKL$ ON ! B$
&! CURTA9S BILL[$ 9 ! OP5 W9D[1 ! SECOND
"T 0 EASI]4 ,"! 0 A LOT LESS FUM-   #BBB
BL+ AFWS & "S:AT LESS ! NE$ 6AVOID !
LOOK 9 ANY"O'S EYES1 ( PLAY+ X SECRET1 (
PRET5D+ "! 0 NO?+ "! 2T U 6PRET5D AB4
,!N AF ! ?IRD "T X 0 EASI] YET4 ,I /OPP$
TRY+ 6JU/IFY ANY?+ B J A3EPT$ X Z Y MI<T
A3EPT ! %IPP+ FEV] T CAME )A TRUCKLOAD (
DELIV]$ SALE-B>N CALVES3 "! 0 ALW GO+ TO
2 "S BAD MIX$ UP )! GD4 ,T'S H[ ,I 0
?9K+--OR N ?9K+4 ,MATT]S WD TAKE _! [N
IRRESI/I# C\RSE1 ,I ?"\1 & M1N:ILE M ?AN
ANY?+ X FELT J F9E 6BE 9 B$ ) ,TWYLA4
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BR1/S L FRE% BR1D1 & %E 0 S(T ALL OV] )
S M* W>M WOMAN'S FLE% 6FEEL AG/ YR [N4
,"! 0 NO?+ PROFES.NAL AB H]1 ?\<4 ,%E
WASN'T PRACTIC$ OR S*OOL$ AT B$4 ,NO1 X
0 M T LY+ ) H]--:ILE Y SMOO!D H] /OMA*
OR /ROK$ H] RI* ?I<S--= AN H\R "! 7 LL
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J TWO KIDS 9 CLOV]1 SAY1 & T :AT Y 7 DO+
9 B$ ON CL1N %EETS 0 N A ?+ T 0 DANG]\S
OR H>M;L 6ANY"O B M]ELY ! SIMPLE PLAY (
*N4 ,2SS1 2+ ! W>M-*EEK$ GIRL %E WAS1 %E
WASN'T US$ 6REFUS+ ! FEEL+S ( ANY"O4
  ,X W5T ON T WAY =A YE>4 ,MAYBE    #BBC
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,! 3SEQU;ES ,I C RECALL 9 DETAIL4 ,WE 7
DRIV+ HOME "O NI<T1 ! ?REE ( U Z USUAL1
DRUNK 9 ! CAB (! R$ PICKUP AF CLOS+ !
,HOLT ,TAV]N ON A ,W$NES"D4 ,! RADIO 0
BL>+ ,HANK ,WILLIAMS ABV ! RATTLE ( W9D
-+ "? ! ROLL$-D[N W9D[S1 & WE 7 S++ )!
MUSIC & %\T+ JOKES AT "O ANO!R Z WE
WAT*$ AH1D D[N ! ROAD "? ! W9D%IELD
SMATT]$ R$ & YELL[ ) D1D GRASSHOPP] BOD-
IES1 SQUI7L+ LEGS & VE9$ W+S4 ,!N WE 7
HOME AG1 "H 9 ? H\SE1 ? KIT*54 ,WE EA*
_H ANO!R DR9K1 & ,TWYLA SD %E KNEW ( "O
M JOKE %E CD TELL U4
  8,Y GOT \R 5TIRE ATT5;N10 ,I SD4
  8,N M9E10 ,CLEVIS SD4 8,I GOT 6BLE$ MY
LIZ>D40 ,HE /OOD UP & W5T 6! BA?ROOM4
,!N HE CAME BACK & OP5$ ANO!R BE]4 8,S
:AT'S YR JOKE80 HE SD4
  8,PROMISE Y'LL LAU<80
  8,SURE10 HE SD4
  8,2C ,I ?9K X'S FUNNY ANYWAY40 ,%E
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FOLL[ A SCRAT* 9 ! TA#TOP1 Z IF T 9T]E/$
H]4 8,X'S J T "O ( Y GETS 6BE A     #BBD
DA4Y PRETTY SOON1 & ,I DON'T "K ^: "N TO
PICK40 ,!N %E DID LOOK AT U4 8,DON'T Y
?9K T'S FUNNY80
  8,HELL10 ,CLEVIS SD4 8,Y N"E CD TELL
JOKES40
  8,J A M9UTE10 ,I SD4 8,Y'RE TELL+ U
Y'RE PREGNANT80
  ,%E NO4$4 ,!N %E K9D ( LAU<$1 H] EYES
%9+ AT U ) G9 & :AT M/ H AL BE5 FE>4 8,I
M1N ,I DON'T "K : "O ( Y GOT ME L ?40
  8,WE CD ALW DRAW /RAWS10 ,CLEVIS SD4
  8,& ,I'M SORRY10 %E SD4 8,I'M SORRY4
,I'M SORRY40 ,%E 0 / SMIL+ AT U1 B "! 7
TE>S FL[+ D[N H] *EEKS N[ 96H] M\?1 & %E
CDN'T WIPE !M AWAY FA/ 5 6KEEP UP ) !M4
  8,:AT >E Y CRY+ AB80 ,CLEVIS SD4
8,HELL1 GIRL1 Y J B"\ ! F>M40
  8,DON'T40
  8,:Y N8 ,I C'T AF=D NO KID4 ,Y & HM
HA% X \40
  8,B Y PROMIS$ ME40
  8,I N"E PROMIS$ Y NO?+40
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PROMIS$ ME Y WD LAU<40
  8,OH10 HE SD4 8,WELL3 HA HA40     #BBE
  8,L1VE H] AL"O10 ,I SD4
  8,H['S T80
  8,I SD L1VE H] AL"O40
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FUNNY40
  8,Y "K :AT ,I M1N40
  8,SURE4 ,Y S5D ME OV] 6,/]L+ OR "S
GODDAMN PLACE ELSE S Y & H] C JUMP 9 B$
Z SOON Z ,I'M G"O1 & N[ Y TELL ME 6L1VE
H] AL"O40
  8,X WASN'T L T40
  8,WASN'T X8 ,WELL1 DON'T TELL ME AB X4
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  ,HE GOT UP !N & />T$ 6WALK BACK 6! B$-
ROOM4
  8,CLEVE10 ,TWYLA SD4 8,H"OY1 WAIT40
  8,:AT =80
  8,DON'T Y WANT ME 6-E ) Y80
  8,NAH10 HE SD4 8,Y C SLEEP ) LOV] BOY
TN4 ,T %DN'T 2 NO SURPRISE 6ANYBODY40
  ,!N HE LEFT ! KIT*54 ,WE CD HE> HM 9 !
BACK B$ROOM /OMP+ ON ! FLOOR & AF T !
RATTLE (! B$ :5 HE LAY D[N H1VY 6SLEEP4
,I SAT ) ,TWYLA =A :ILE1 N TALK+2 X 0
TOO LATE = TALK2 ,I WDN'T H "KN !   #BBF
"R ^WS ANYWAY4 ,F9,Y ,I W5T 6B$ MYF1
L1V+ H] SITT+ "! ) H] R$ *EEKS1 L ^? (A
H1L?Y *1 %9+ WET "U ! LI<T4 ,%E _H BE5
AN UNSELFI%1 UNCOMPLICAT$ GIRL1 B N[1
SIX OR SEV5 YE>S LAT]1 ) MY 9T]F];E %E
_H 2COME "S?+ DI6]5T4 ,X 0 N ONLY T %E 0
PREGNANT )\T "K+ = SURE ^: BABY X 0 OR T
%E DIDN'T "K H[ 6ASK "O ( U 6CLAIM X--X
0 M T %E _H 2COME A WOMAN />+ UNFOCUS$
AT A GR1SE SPOT ABV A KIT*5 S9K \ "H 9 !
C.TRY 9 ! SMALL H\RS (A ,W$NES"D NI<T4
  ,%E 0 / "H ! NEXT MORN+ :5 ,I GOT UP4
,%E 0 ASLEEP ) H] H1D TWI/$ UNCOM=TABLY
ON ! KIT*5 TA#1 H] %\LD]S SLUMP$ =W>D4
,I />T$ "S BLACK C(FEE ON ! /OVE & W5T
\TSIDE 6SEE H[ ! "D LOOK$4 ,CL1N1 ) HI<
CL\DS GA!R+ 9 ! WE/1 ! "D APPE>$ A3EPTA-
#4 ,B ! PICKUP 0 G"O4 ,I W5T BACK 96!
H\SE4 ,TWYLA 0 AWAKE4 ,%E LOOK$ Z IF
DUR+ ! NI<T %E _H BE5 4ASSEM#D & PUT
BACK TGR ) FL\R GLUE4 ,H] FACE 0 ALL
PA/Y4
  8,DID ,CLEVIS TAKE ! PICKUP80 ,I SD4
  8,:AT80
  8,": DID ,CLEVIS G80              #BBG
  8,PORTL&1 ,OREGON40
  8,:AT D Y M1N ,PORTL&1 ,OREGON8 ,"H1
DR9K "S C(FEE40 ,I P\R$ C(FEE 96A CUP =
H]4 8,DR9K X HOT10 ,I SD4
  8,HE SD 2C X 0 A L;G WAYS (F10 ,TWYLA
SD4 8,HE SD HE WANT$ 6SEE ! WAT]40
  8,WAT]8 ,JESUS ,*RI/4 ,:AT ELSE DID HE
SAY80
  8,NO?+4 ,ONLY = ME 6SAY HE WD S5D BACK
M"OY =! PICKUP :5 HE F.D A MA*9E JOB40
  8,B ,I DON'T C>E AB ! PICKUP4 ,HE C H
! GODDAMN PICKUP4 ,I WANT 6"K :Y Y
DIDN'T G ) HM40
  8,2C10 %E SD4 8,HE N"E ASK$ ME40 ,%E 0
TALK+ V WOOD5LY2 %E MI<T Z WELL H BE5
REP1T+ A T5-YE>-OLD M>KET REPORT OR RE-
CIT+ ,DICK & ,JANE1 "S?+ Z 9DI6]5T Z T4
8,I 0 WAIT+ = HM TO10 %E SD1 8B HE N"E
SD S40
  8,LI/5 6ME10 ,I SD4 8,I DON'T "K :AT Y
?9K ( ME4 ,MAYBE Y / L ME "S--,I DON'T
"K2 WE'VE _H "S GD "TS--B :AT"E X IS1 Y
LOVE HM1 DON'T Y8 ,Y WANT ? BABY Y'RE
HAV+ 6BE HIS1 ISN'T T "R80
  8,I DON'T WANT NO BABY4 ,N NO     #BBH
M40
  8,YES1 Y D4 ,Y W4 ,"H1 LI/5 N[3 ,I
WANT Y 6G 6,D5V] =A WEEK OR TWO4 ,I WANT
Y 6TAKE YRF A MOTEL ROOM4 ,RE/ UP1 SEE
"S MOVIES1 BUY "S CLO!S1 :AT"E Y'RE GO+
6NE$4 ,!N ,I'LL -E "! & SEE Y H 5 M"OY S
Y C G 6,OREGON4 ,W Y D T80
  8,X WON'T MAKE NO DI6];E40
  8,YES1 X W4 ,X'S ! ONLY WAY1 ,TWYLA40
  8,I'M J SORRY10 %E SD4
  ,B LAT] T "D ,TWYLA ALL[$ ME 6TAKE H]
6,D5V] & 69/ALL H] 9 A ,HOLI"D ,9N NE> !
,/APLETON ,AIRPORT4 ,!N ,I CAME HOME &
W5T AB SELL+ ! REMA9+ QU>T]S ( F>ML& MY
DAD _H A3UMULAT$4 ,I TAKE NO PRIDE 9 T4
,I _H 6SELL "S L& ANYWAY 6PAY (F ! BAD
DEBTS ,I _H RUN UP "? 3/ANT "PY+ & BUY+
R$ PICKUPS & 0ACT+ Z IF ,I 0 S RI* & S
SM>T T ANY =M ( /1DY 4CIPL9E CD G 6HELL4
,ANYWAY1 9 "P 2C ( MY DEBTS1 ,I DECID$
6MAKE A CL1N SWEEP ( X1 S ,I SOLD ^? LA/
QU>T]S & KEPT ONLY ! PA/UREL&1 ! NATIVE
GRASS &! HAYFIELDS1 S ,I CD / RUN CAT-
TLE1 & !N ,I RETURN$ 6,D5V] & PUT ,TWYLA
,?OMPSON ON ! PLANE ) FIFTE5 ?\S&   #BBI
DOLL>S 9 H] PURSE4
  ,ALL ( T TOOK L;G] ?AN ,I EXPECT$4 ,X
0 M L A MON? ?AN TWO WEEKS4 ,B 0! "T ,I
*ECK$ H] \ (! MOTEL ,TWYLA LOOK$ Q A LOT
BETT]4 ,%E SEEM$ ALM *E];L AG1 L A BIG
WOND];L F>M GIRL1 & H] /OMA* 0 />T+ 6%[4
8,S&Y10 %E SD4
  8,I "K10 ,I SD4 8,TAKE C>E ( YRF4 ,&
TELL ,CLEVIS ''' ,J TELL HM HELLO = ME40
  ,!N ,TWYLA1 9 A GD BLUE DRESS ) :ITE
TRIM1 WALK$ UP ! RAMP ONTO ! PLANE4 ,AB
A YE> LAT] ,I GOT A PO/C>D F H] SAY+ !
BABY 0 A BOY4 ,%E DIDN'T SAY :AT HE
LOOK$ L4 ,B %E DID SIGN ! C>D ,TWYLA ,T4
,/\6]1 S ,I _H 6ASSUME %E F.D ,CLEVIS &
T !Y 7 TGR AG ! WAY !Y 2L;G$4 ,%E FAIL$
69CLUDE A RETURN A4RESS ?\<1 & ,I'VE N"E
SE5 NOR HE>D F EI "O ( !M S9CE4 ,/1 ,I
P]MIT MYF 62LIEVE !Y REMA9 TGR1 GR[+ FAT
9 ! SAME H\SE "S": 9 ,PORTL&1 ,OREGON1
": !Y RAISE A BIG BROOD ( FAT R$-*EEK$
BABIES4 ,!Y WD H GD BABIES4

  ,DUR+ ALL T P]IOD ( BRA9.S PELL-MELL
DRIFT1 ! ONLY SOLID BASE ,I _H 0    #BCJ
,$I? ,GOODN\<4 ,%E 0 / "! 9 T H\SE D[N !
ROAD4 ,DESPITE "EY?+--& %E CD SEE :AT 0
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N"E ANY LACY VEIL OR DONKEY'S BL COV]+
H] BR[N EYES--%E 0 N"E!.S WILL+ 6TALK &
VISIT ) ME 9 ! EV5+1 ?\< :AT WE TALK$ AB
N[ :ILE ROCK+ 9 ! POR* SW+ 0 NO?+1 N EV5
RECOLLEC;NS ( MY DAD4 ,I J /OPP$ 06BE "!
= AN H\R1 & T HAPP5$ USU,Y :5"E = "S
R1SON ,I _H N BE5 A# 6/OP ?9K+1 :5"E EV5
=A M9UTE ,I _H RECOGNIZ$ ! TRUE CRUX (!
MATT] "H AT HOME4 ,!N "S"T SOON AFWS1 T
SAME EV5+ OR ! NEXT "D1 ,I WD DRIVE D[N
6SEE ,$I?4 ,I WDN'T TELL H] ANY?+ AB X4
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L9K \R >MS &=A :ILE WE WD ROCK & LI/5 6!
LOCU/S 9 ! TREES 9 ! NE>BY D>K4 ,B IF ,I
AT L1/ _H H]1 %E _H NO?+ = H]F4 ,AT T "T
%E 0 TRY+ 6LIVE SOLELY ON ,LYMAN'S PO/-
C>DS & 8 PACKAGES ( TW5TY-DOLL> BILLS
MAIL$ EA* ,*RI/MAS 9 BR[N WRAPP+ PAP] &A
CLUMSY R$ B[4
  ,%E 0 -PLETELY AL"O4 ,MY DAD _H DI$2
H] "F 0 F9,Y D1D1 & ,LYMAN 0 / BACK EA/
"S":1 SEE+ CITIES4 ,S X 0 N J =     #BCA
AN AFN OR A MON? T %E 0 AL"O1 B = "O YE>
AF ANO!R1 ON & ON1 ) NO "PICUL> R1SON =
2LIEV+ X WD "E 2 "O JOT DI6]5T4 ,IF Y H
_H T HAPP5 6Y1 !N Y "K T LIV+ L T--AL"O1
MAK+ YRF COOK ?REE M1LS E "D = "O P]SON1
PLAY+ ! RADIO ALL ! "T S "! W 2 "S HUMAN
NOISE 9 ! H\SE EV5 IF X'S J ! T9NY C.T]-
FEIT S.D ( "S ACTOR WETT+ 8 PANTS OV]
,PEPTO-,BISMOL1 2C IF X'S N T !N X'S
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C'T RECALL ! TRUE WEI<T ( ^WS4 ,X'S Z IF
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L9ES HAPP5$ 6,$I? ,GOODN\<4
  ,= "O ?+1 "! GOT 6BE /ORIES AB H]4 ,P
9 T[N & HI< S*OOL KIDS 2GAN 6$IFY "O AN-
O!R ) TALES ( ,$I?3 H[ %E 0 TURN+ CRAZY
ALL AL"O = NO?+2 H[ %E 0 />V+ 6D1? ON
TEA & TOA/2 H[ X 0 SKUNK CA2AGE & WAT]
%E 0 />V+ ON2 H[ %E SLEPT 9 ! B>N4 ,%E 0
"PIAL 6,ELVIS ,PRESLEY1 !Y SD1 &    #BCB
LIKELY 64APPE>4 ,! ONLY /ORY1 ?\<1 T
MI<T H ANY TRU? 6X 0 ! "O ,BILL ,KWASIK
TOLD ME "O NI<T 9 ! TAV]N4
  ,X 0 9 T LA/ YE> T ,CLEVIS & ,TWYLA 7
/ "H4 ,!Y 7 DANC+ 6JUKEBOX MUSIC1 & ,I 0
DR9K+ BE] AT ! B>1 WAT*+ !M 9 ! MIRROR4
,!N ,BILL ,KWASIK1 :O LIVES ) 8 WIFE &
KIDS F\R MILES EA/ (! ,GOODN\< PLACE1
CAME UP 6ME & SD3
  8,WELL1 ,I SEE \R NEI<BOR IS TAK5 )!
/>S N[40
  8,: NEI<BOR IS T80 ,I SD4
  8,T ,GOODN\< WOMAN4 ,:AT'S H] "N--
,$I?40
  8,OH8 ,:AT MAKES Y SAY T80
  8',CAUSE10 HE SD4 8,I -E HOME ! O!R
NI<T F ,LIONS & ,I TOP T RISE WE/ ( \R
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DAMN NE> HIT H]40
  8,:AT 0 %E DO+80
  8,NO?+4 ,/>GAZ+4 ,HELL1 ,I ?"\ %E 0
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M1N1 :AT 9 HELL >E Y DO+ \ "H8 ,X'S WAY
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SAYS4 ,%E DON'T EV5 H A COAT ON40
  8,LET H] BE10 ,I SD4 8,=GET X40
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  8,WELL1 %E'S GO+ 6GET H]F RUN OV] IF
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LIV+ ROOM S T IF Y C>$ TO--& ,I DIDN'T--
Y CD TRACE ,LYMAN'S PROGRESS YE>LY = ALM
TW5TY YE>S ACR ! C.TRY1 />T+ 9 ! ,WE/1
!N ! ,MI4LE ,WE/ &! ,DEEP ,S\?1 & F9,Y !
,EA/1 L HE _H "S FEE# NO;N ( REV]S+ !
TIDE ( PIONE] MIGR,N S Z 65D UP AT ! BE-
G9N+1 ":1 = HM1 ! F/ WR;G /EP _H BE5
TAK51 ": 8 OLD MAN'S OLD MAN _H BE5
C>RI$ 9 8 GRT-GRT-GR&"M'S >MS D[N   #BCD
! PLANK (F "S BOAT 9 %IT-FILL$ DIAP]S4
,! PICTURES ON ! C>DS1 >RANG$ L T1 DIS-
PLAY$ 9 N1T L;G R[S L BA?ROOM TILES1 7
B"R CIRCUSY ?+S3 GLASS SKYSCRAP]S1 BLUE
F.TA9S1 /ATUES1 C;Y P>KS ) PRUN$ TREES &
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NIVAL NOTICES1 ( CIRCUS PO/]S CUT UP 9
PIECES4 ,& ALW1 ON ! BACKS (! C>DS1 0 T
BRIEF1 *ILDI%1 9FURIAT+ SCRIB# ( HIS1 :
TOLD Y NEXT 6NO?+4

,DE> ,SIS1
  ,H[ >E Y8 ,I AM 9 ,CLEVEL&4 ,BOY1 X'S
HOT4
    ,LOVE1 YR BRO!R1
    ,LYMAN

  ,T'S ! SORT ( NONS5SE HE WROTE 6H]1 &
H[ %E MANAG$ 6LIVE ON J T M*1 ,I H NO
IDEA4 ,IF X _H BE5 ME ,I'D H TORN ! DAMN
?+S UP & ?R[N !M \ )! *ICK5 SCRAPS &!
HOG SLOP--& !N GODDAMN$ HM AG = N -+
HOME YET1 ! SL[ SON (A BIT*4 ,B ,$I?
DIDN'T FEEL T WAY AT ALL4 ,I ?9K %E 0
3V9C$ T HE AT L1/ 0 HAV+ HMF A GD   #BCE
"T SEE+ ? C.TRY'S SI<TS1 TRAVEL+1 BROAD-
5+ HMF1 S T :5 HE EV5TU,Y DID -E HOME--&
%E N"E D\BT$ T HE WD RETURN F9,Y--?+S WD
2 BETT] AG = H] TOO1 T "S ( 8 REC5T EX-
P]I;E (! _W WD RUB (F ON H] & ADD "S?+
B"R 6H] LIFE4 ,X 0 ALL A VAGUE DR1M 6H]4
,I DON'T "U/& X -PLETELY1 B ,I SUPPOSE
H] L"OLI;S F$ X1 MADE DR1M+ POSSI# :ILE
! YE>S PASS$ & %E W5T ON A4+ 6H] PO/C>D
COLLEC;N & TAK+ WALKS AT NI<T "U ^! HI<
:ITE />S4
  ,( C\RSE ! RE/ ( U ?"\ HE WD N"E -E
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X MAKE ANYWAY8 ,2SS1 :AT WE REMEMB]$ (
HM _HN'T BE5 "S?+ Y WD P9 M* HOPE ON--A
TALL1 LANK BA*ELOR ) ?9N+ HAIR & LOOSE
R$ H&S T PLAY$ VACANTLY ) JACKKNIVES &
/RAPS ON METAL SUITCASES4 ,NO1 ,I FIGUR$
! ONLY WAY HE'D "E RETURN WD 2 9 A WOOD
BOX %OV$ 9 AM;G/ PILES ( CRAT$ FRUIT ON
A RAILROAD REFRIG]ATOR C>4 ,"S"D1 ,I
FIGUR$1 ! MANAG] ( "S *1P BO>D+H\SE 9
,BU6ALO1 ,NEW ,YORK1 OR ,TR5TON1 ,NEW
,J]SEY1 WD HAPP5 6REMEMB] T HE _HN'T SE5
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OR T "! SEEM$ 6BE "S RANK1 F\L /5* OOZ+
\ ( T ROOM UP/AIRS2 S HE WD M.T ^? D>K
/AIRS1 KNOCK1 GET NO ANSW]1 !N TRY 8
MA/] KEY & 4COV] ,LYMAN D1D Z FI% ON !
SA7+ B$1 & !N AF LOOK+ 9 8 WALLET & RE-
MOV+ R5T M"OY &A LL EXTRA =! TR\#1 HE WD
%IP 8 COLD /IFF BODY HOME 6A RURAL AD-
DRESS 9 ,HOLT ,C.TY1 ,COLORADO4 ,B ,$I?
KNEW BETT] ?AN ! RE/ ( U4
  ,%E 0 C]TA9 T HE WD -E BACK4 ,I REMEM-
B] SP5D+ A L;G EV5+ SITT+ NEXT 6H] ON !
C\*1 )! PO/C>DS P9N$ N1T ON ! WALLS >.D
U1 DUR+ T F/ W9T] AF ,CLEVIS & ,TWYLA _H
G"O4 ,X M/ H BE5 SOON AF ,*RI/MAS 2C %E
_H A NEW PACKAGE ( TW5TY-DOLL> BILLS4
  8,DID ,I TELL Y ,LYMAN'S 9 ,PITTS-
BUR<80
  8,IS HE80 ,I SD4
  8,YES4 ,HE S5T ME ANO!R C>D & ? PACKET
( M"OY40
  ,%E H&$ ME ! M"OY 6ADMIRE4 ,I TURN$ X
OV] A C\PLE ( "TS & GAVE X BACK4 8,:AT'S
HE DO+ 9 ,PITTSBUR<80
  8,I 2LIEVE HE'S DO+ V WELL40
  ,!N %E /OOD UP F ! C\* & BR"\ A   #BCG
%OE BOX F ! BUR1U & SET X ON MY LAP4
8,OP5 X10 %E SD4
  8,N[1 ,$I?10 ,I SD4
  8,X'S ALL "R4 ,"!'S NO SECRET 2T U1
,S&Y40
  ,S ,I OP5$ X4 ,N T X 0 ANY SURPRISE TO
ME2 ,I KNEW :AT ,I'D F9D 9SIDE--ALL ^?
PACKETS ( UNUS$1 UNSP5T DOLL> BILLS1 ALL
( !M TW5TIES1 ALL / WRAPP$ L A SEV5-YE>-
OLD KID MI<T WRAP !M 9 R$ B[S4 ,X 0 OB-
VI\S : PACKETS _H BE5 S5T F/1 TOO4 ,!
B[S TI$ >.D ! E>LIE/ BILLS LOOK$ FRAY$ &
RA7$1 Z IF !Y _H BE5 H&L$ TOO (T5 9 !
L;G SIL;E ( EV5+1 Z IF !Y _H BE5 FUSS$
OV]--N = !MVS1 ?\<1 2C ,I DON'T ?9K =A
M9UTE T ! ACTUAL FACT OR WOR? (! M"OY
M1NT A PI4L+ ?+ 6H]4 ,I D\BT T %E EV5
C.T$ X4 ,X WASN'T M"OY %E NE$$2 %E _H
ALL ! F>M PR(ITS4 ,9/1D1 ^? DAMN BUNGL$
PACKETS ( GRE5 /UFF SEEM$ 6REPRES5T "S?+
ELSE 6H]1 "S?+ M1 & J 2C !Y _H BE5 TI$1
/AMP$1 & MAIL$ 0,LYMAN'S H&4 ,I SUPPOSE
%E ?"\ !Y 7 PRO( ( "S?+4
  8,B :Y DON'T Y SP5D "S ( ?80 ,I SD4
8,BUY "S?+4 ,Y CD TAKE A TRIP       #BCH
YRF4 ,GET AWAY =A :ILE40
  8,OH1 ,I W10 %E SD4 8,:5 HE -ES BACK40
  8,B T MI<T N HAPP51 ,$I?40
  8,( C\RSE X W40 ,%E LOOK$ AT ME L ,I 0
A LL SL[] ?AN USUAL4 8,( C\RSE HE'LL -E
BACK40
  8,OKAY10 ,I SD4 8,HE W !N40
  ,%E TOOK ! %OE BOX F ME & PUT ! LID ON
X4 8,"! WDN'T 2 ANY PO9T IF HE DOESN'T10
%E SD4 8,WD "!80
  ,S X 0 !N T ,I PUT MY >M >.D H]4 ,I
FELT S DAMN SORRY = H]4 ,X SEEM$ 6ME %E
_H LO/ S M* ( H] LIFE 6WAIT+1 & %E 0 /
WAIT+ EV5 N[4 ,&= :AT8 ,= NO?+1 ,I ?"\4
,=A W&]+ BUM1 A DAMN MU%-M9D$ P]MAN5T
ESCAPEE1 H] BRO!R4 ,S ,I PULL$ H] CLOSE2
%E RE/$ H] H1D AG/ MY %\LD]4 ,%E 0 ?9 &
SMALL4 ,"U ! COTTON ( H] DRESS ,I CD
FEEL ! PO9TS ( H] %\LD]S &! CL1N $GES (
H] %\LD] BLADES4 ,H] HAIR _H GR[N A LL
GRAY AT ! TEMPLES B X 0 / CURLY & / PRI-
M>ILY D>K1 & H] EYES 7 / CLE> BR[N1 ?\<
2H !M "! 0 A K9D ( PA9$1 4TANT LOOK4 ,!
SK9 ( H] *EEKS1 ) ?R1D+ WR9KLES 2S H]
EYES1 0 SMOO?4 ,S WE SAT TGR =A     #BCI
MO;T ON ! C\*1 & ,I RAN MY H& OV] H]
HAIR1 CUPP+ H] H1D1 & \ ( A6EC;NATE 3C]N
= H] ,I KISS$ ! TOP ( H] H1D1 & !N--
SMELL+ H] HAIR--,I 2GAN 6KISS ! SIDE (
H] FACE1 H] SMOO? S(T *EEK1 & !N X 0 N J
3C]N T ,I 0 FEEL+1 & SU45LY ,I 0 PRESS+
AG/ H] M\? & %E 0 N RESI/+ OR /OPP+ ME B
ALL[+ X 63T9UE & MAYBE EV5 RETURN+ "S (
X4 ,I SLIPP$ MY H& 96! BACK ( H] DRESS &
FELT ! SILK "!1 ! PO9TS ( B"O AL;G H]
SP9E & H] BRA /RAP1 & !N X /OPP$4 ,I
/OOD UP4
  ,I WALK$ OV] 6! DOORWAY & /OOD ) MY
BACK 6H]4 8,I DIDN'T 9T5D = ?--0
  8,S&Y10 %E SD4 8,LOOK AT ME40
  ,I TURN$ 6FACE H]4 ,%E 0 / S1T$ ON !
C\* )! %OE BOX ( ,LYMAN'S M"OY 2S H]4
,H] DRESS 0 L[ ON "O %\LD]4
  8,Y DIDN'T M1N ANY H>M10 %E SD4
  8,MAYBE N10 ,I SD4 8,B ,I'D BETT] G40
  8,YES1 B ONLY IF Y PROMISE Y'LL -E
BACK4 ,WE'VE BE5 M ?AN FRS =A L;G "T2 ,I
CDN'T /& X IF T 5D$ TOO40
  8,I'LL /OP 0TM4 ,OR ! NEXT "D40
  8,DON'T MAKE X TOO L;G10 %E SD4   #BDJ
  ,!N ,I LEFT & W5T \TSIDE & DAMN$ MYF =
A FOOL1 :ILE ! />S W9K$ OV]H1D L S _M
CL[NS' EYES4 ,:AT 9 ,*RI/'S "N DID ,I
?9K ,I 0 DO+8 ,SURE %E 0 GD-LOOK+4 ,(
C\RSE %E 0 A F9E WOMAN1 A P]SON Y J NAT-
UR,Y FELT GD 2+ NE> & WANT$ 6HELP IF Y
CD4 ,B :AT HELP 0 ANY ( :AT ,I'D BE5 DO+
ON ! C\*8 ,T 0 A LOT ( HELP1 WASN'T X8
,%E 0 ?IRTY-"O YE>S OLD] ?AN ,I WAS1 AF
ALL1 & M 6! PO9T1 %E MI<T H BE5 CLOS] TO
ME ?AN J A GD NEI<BOR WOMAN D[N ! ROAD
IF 9 #AIBB MY DAD _H BE5 A# 6P]SUADE H]
6GIVE UP H] IRON S5SE ( DUTY4 ,"S"TS1
HELL1 X SEEMS 6ME T ,I'LL ALW H M (
BALLS ?AN ,I "E W ( BRA9S4 ,"S"TS ,I'M
FLAT A GODDAMN FOOL4
  ,ANYWAY1 AF T NI<T ,I DIDN'T G BACK !
NEXT "D1 OR ! NEXT4 ,X 0 ALM TWO WEEKS
2F ,I RETURN$ 6SEE ,$I?1 & !N :5 ,I 5T]$
T PO/C>D LIV+ ROOM AG ,I MADE A PO9T (
SITT+ ON A /RAI<T *AIR4 ,I /AY$ AWAY F !
C\*4 ,$I?1 ?\<1 0 NO DI6]5T ?AN %E _H
BE5 2F4 ,%E 0 / PL1SANT1 A LL VACANT
MAYBE1 L %E 0 / CAU<T 9SIDE T FOG DR1M (
H]S1 B PL1SANT N"O!.S1 Z IF NO?+    #BDA
NEW _H HAPP5$ 2T U4 ,S X 0 -=TA# ) H]
AG1 & ,I W5T ON /OPP+ 0! H\SE 9 ! EV5+
6SEE H]1 6VISIT & PASS ! "T 2T OLD FRS4
,I DID T AT L1/ ONCE A WEEK Z ! W9T]
TURN$ SPR+ &! PATT]N RETURN$4

  ,!N T[>D ! 5D ( ,JULY--? WD / 2 #AIFA
--%E CALL$ ME "O EV5+ E>LY4 8,GD1 Y'RE
HOME10 %E SD4
  8,I J CAME IN40
  8,I H A SURPRISE = Y4 ,W Y -E = SUP-
P]80
  ,S ,I CL1N$ UP1 -B$ MY HAIR & %AV$1 &
DROVE D[N 6! ,GOODN\< PLACE4 ,& "!1 P>K$
9 FRONT (! H\SE AT ! PICKET GATE1 0 A
NEW GRE5 ,PONTIAC ) \-(-/ATE PLATES1 &
9SIDE ! H\SE1 SITT+ ) 8 ELB[S ON ! KIT*5
TA# & T FOOLI% LAP-DOG'S GR9 ON 8 FACE1
0 ,LYMAN ,GOODN\<4
  8,WELL10 ,I SD4 8,I'LL 2 G 6HELL40
  ,HE /OOD UP 6%AKE MY H&4 8,L;G "T NO
SEE40
  ,HE SAT D[N AG & GR9N$ "S M1 Z IF HE
EXPECT$ ME 6MAKE "S APPROPRIATE =MAL
REM>KS ^U 8 SAFE RETURN 6! H\SE4    #BDB
,$I? /OOD 2S HM )A H& ON 8 %\LD]4 ,%E 0
B1M+2 H] FACE %"O L A FRE% P9K POPPY4 ,I
ADMIT !Y MADE A PICTURE1 ! TWO ( !M
SMIL+ AT ME F ACR ! KIT*5 TA#1 B ,I
WASN'T UP 6X4 ,I WASN'T S =GIV+ Z ,$I?
WAS4
  ,9 ! ALM TW5TY YE>S T HE _H BE5 G"O1
R5T+ ROOMS 9 ? C.TRY'S CITIES & S5D+ P5-
NY PO/C>DS HOME 6PROVE HE _H1 ,LYMAN _H
G"O BALD1 TURN$ %9Y Z GLASS ON TOP2 HE 0
/ TALL & SP>E Z A RAIL1 ONLY N[ 9/1D (
WE>+ F>M-BOY OV]ALLS & S&-CAK$ %OES HE 0
DRAP$ FANCY 9 A NEW H.DSTOO? SUIT T 0
TOO HOT & TOO H1VY = ,JULY2 ON 8 FEET HE
SPORT$ BLACK-&-:ITE W+ TIPS T ANY ,LAS
,VEGAS GAM#R OR ,EA/ ,COLFAX PIMP 9 ,D5-
V] WD H ?"\ TWICE AB WE>+ 9 PUBLIC4 ,HE
0 A SI<T4
  ,$I? H]F 0 DRESS$ Z =A "PY4 ,%E _H
GOTT5 \ A SILKY SUMM] DRESS T M/ H BE5
FA%IONA# 9 ! #AIBJ;S & _H -B$ H] HAIR
BACK F H] FACE 9 A WAY ,I'D N"E SE5 2F4
,X 0 OBVI\S T %E 0 P9K ) PL1SURE AT HAV+
HM HOME4 ,DUR+ D9N]1 ,I REMEMB]1 "!
DIDN'T SEEM 6BE 5 T %E CD D = HM2   #BDC
%E KEPT POPP+ UP & D[N L A GIRL :O 0
HAV+ A BOYFR OV] = D9N] & FAMILY APPROV-
AL4 ,%E 0 POSITIVELY SOLICIT\S & FE/IVE
AT ! SAME "T1 WORRY+ *E];LLY :E!R ,LYMAN
_H 5 ROA/ BEEF & SWEET POTATOES 6EAT &
3C]N+ H]F HAPPILY Z 6! HOT;S ( 8 C(FEE4
,M1N:ILE1 ,LYMAN MA/ICAT$ & TALK$ ) 8
M\? FULL2 HE SAT "! PICK+ 8 TEE? L A L&-
"L & REGAL$ U ) NEWS ( 8 WIDE TRAVELS4
,LOS ,ANGELES1 ,CALI=NIA1 0 BI7] ?AN WE
CD 2LIEVE4 ,MOBILE1 ,ALABAMA1 ON ! O!R
H&1 WASN'T S BIG1 B X 0 HOT4 ,OV] DES-
S]T1 HE ALL[$ T WE CD KEEP ,NEW ,YORK
,C;Y4 ,HE'D _H ALL HE WANT$ ( ,NEW ,YORK
,C;Y1 ,NEW ,YORK4
  ,T'S ! WAY D9N] W5T T EV5+3 ,LYMAN
GAVE U TRAVELOGUE :ILE ,$I? F$ U ROA/
BEEF & *]RY PIE4 ,AFWS1 AF WE _H F9I%$
EAT+ & ,LYMAN _H TALK$ HMF FULL CIRCLE
HOME AG1 ,$I? PUT ON AN APRON & 2GAN 6S+
6H]F OV] ! DI%ES 9 ! S9K4 ,!N H] BRO!R
COAX$ ME \TSIDE 6GET ! B5EFIT ( 8 ,PON-
TIAC4 ,X /OOD PURPLE-GRE5 "U ! Y>D LI<T1
"O ( ^? L;G H1VY BOATS !Y MADE 9 ! E>LY
SIXTIES1 ) *ROME4 ,HE OP5$ !        #BDD
DRIV]'S DOOR4 8,TRY H] \10 HE SD4
  8,I DON'T ?9K S10 ,I SD4
  8,J SIT 9 H] !N40
  8,NO ?ANKS40
  8,WELL1 %E DRIVES L A WET DR1M4 ,ALR
PUT ELEV5 ?\S& MILES ON H]40
  8,SURE10 ,I SD4 8,ALL "R4 ,B :AT 9
GODDAMN HELL TOOK Y S L;G8 ,X'S BE5 ALM
TW5TY YE>S4 ,DIDN'T Y "K %E 0 WAIT+ ALL
? "T80
  8,:O80
  8,$I?4 ,= *RI/SAKE4 ,YR SI/]40
  8,OH4 ,WELL10 HE SD4 ,HE %UT ! C>
DOOR4 8,"! IS A LOT ( CITIES1 ,S&Y4 ,Y J
DON'T H A IDEA TILL Y />T LOOK+40
  8,& Y _H 6SEE E DAMN "O ( !M1 IS T X80
  8,NO1 SIR10 HE SD4 8,NOPE1 ,I SKIPP$ A
FEW4 ,I F.D \ !Y 0 M* ALIKE40
  ,S T 0 ,LYMAN ,GOODN\<4 ,:AT 9 HELL 7
Y GO+ 6D ) HM8 ,WELL1 ( C\RSE ,$I? KNEW
V WELL :AT 6D ) HM4 ,%E TOOK HM 9 & F$
HM SUPP]--2C AF ALL1 DESPITE "EY?+1 DE-
SPITE ALM TWO DECADES ( WAIT+1 HE 0 HOME
AG N[ L ONLY %E KNEW HE WD BE4 ,& %E 0
GLAD T HE WAS4                      #BDE
  ,\TSIDE "U ! Y>D LI<T ,LYMAN /OOD 9
FRONT ( 8 C> FLICK+ D1D GRASSHOPP]S &
D1D MILL]S (F ! *ROME (! GRILL4 8,Y SUP-
POSE %E HAS "S M *]RY PIE80 HE SD4 8,T'S
"O ?+ ,I MISS$40
  8,DON'T TELL ME10 ,I SD4 8,TELL H]40


















                                    #BDF
























                   #I               #BDG

  ,N[ ,I DON'T PRET5D 6?9K T A M]E /RET*
( SIX YE>S IS ANY": NE> 5 "T4 ,B ,I SUP-
POSE IF T'S ALL Y'RE GIV5 & NO M1 !N SIX
YE>S W H 6D4 ,9 ! 5D T'S :AT ,$I? ,GOOD-
N\< _H3 %E _H SIX YE>S ( :AT Y MAY CALL
FUN4 ,OR GD "TS4 ,OR BETT]1 J ! "D-IN1
"D-\ M1N RI* GD;S ( 2+ ALIVE1 :5 AT NI<T
Y LIE D[N 9 ! W>M D>K PL1S$ ) YR CORN] (
! _W1 & !N Y WAKE ! NEXT MORN+ / PL1S$ )
X1 & Y "K T1 TOO1 :ILE Y LIE "! =A "T
LI/5+ 9 P1CE 6! M\RN+ DOVES CALL+ F !
ELM TREES & TELEPH"O L9ES1 UNTIL F9,Y !
?"\ ( BLACK C(FEE MOVES Y UP \ ( B$ &
D[N ! /AIRS 6! KIT*5 /OVE1 S T ONCE AG Y
C 2G9 X ALL AFRE%1 ) PL1SURE1 ) EAG];S
EV54 ,2C YES1 ,$I? _H T =A :ILE4 ,DUR+ T
P]IOD X 0 WRITT5 ALL OV] H] FACE4 ,H]
BR[N EYES %"O & SNAPP$ = SIX YE>S4
  ,( C\RSE Y MI<T ALW WI% T X _H BE5
L;G]1 OR T X _H -E E>LI]1 :5 %E 0 / "Y1
:5 %E / MI<T H BORNE *N1 :5 MY DAD 0 /
ALIVE1 B WI%+ = S* ?+S IS A WA/E ( "T2 X
DOESN'T MAKE !M HAPP54 ,MY DAD TAU<T ME
T1 TOLD ME Z M* T "D 9 #AIDC :5     #BDH
HE KNOCK$ S5SE OR AT L1/ FE> 96,OLD ,MAN
,GOODN\< & !N AFWS TALK$ 6ME :ILE ,I
DRANK BE] =! F/ "T & GOT DRUNK4 ,S ,I
TRY 6REMEMB] X1 & EV5 TD1 "K+ :AT ,I D
AB ! 5D1 ,I / TAKE SATISFAC;N 9 REMEMB]+
T ?\< ,$I? 0 SIXTY-F\R :5 H] BRO!R F9,Y
RETURN$ 9 8 WOOL SUIT & ,PONTIAC1 & DE-
SPITE ! FACT T ,LYMAN HMF 0 SIXTY-TWO1
/1 TGR1 ALM Z IF !Y 7 H"OYMOON]S1 !Y _H
^? SIX GD YE>S F #AIFA UNTIL #AIFG 2F
?+S SU45LY W5T BAD AG4 ,X DOESN'T *ANGE
^? YE>S 6"K T AF #AIFG ?+S TURN$ S M*
WORSE F9,Y T "S?+ DESP]ATE _H 6BE D"O TO
5D !M4 ,REG>D.S1 !Y 7 / GD YE>S1 GD "TS4
,I 2LIEVE T4

  ,! GD "TS 2GAN T SAME EV5+1 ! NI<T
,LYMAN 0 HOME AG = SUPP] & ,I 0 ASK$ OV]
65JOY ! SURPRISE ( HM4 ,I TOLD Y T AF
WE'D EAT5 HE WANT$ ME 6SEE 8 C> & T ,I
REFUS$ 6SIT 9 X4 ,AT ! "T ,I 0 / 4GU/$4
,"H HE 0 BACK 9 ! H\SE AG AF ALL T LAPS$
"T2 HE 0 EAT+ 8 SI/]'S *]RY PIE & SPORT+
^? DAMN TWO-T"O W+-TIP %OES "U H] KIT*5
TA#--)\T "O ^W ( APOLOGY OR R1L     #BDI
EXPLAN,N = HAV+ TAK5 S L;G4 ,B ,I GOT
OV] X2 ,I DECID$ T IF X MADE ,$I? HAPPY
--& ,I CD SEE T X DID--!N X WASN'T MY
BUSI;S 6BE 4GU/$ OR ANGRY OR ANY M AS99E
?AN ,I'D ALR BE54 ,S ,I TRI$ 6P>TAKE (
_! 5JOY;T4 ,I HELP$ ,LYMAN C>RY 8 MIS]A#
B1T-UP METAL-&-C>DBO>D SUITCASES 96!
H\SE4
  ,HE SPR1D !M \ ON ! LIV+-ROOM FLOOR4
,X 0 L HE 0 ,SA9T ,NICK 9 ,JULY4 ,L HE 0
"S F>-FLUNG SAILOR RETURN$ HOME SAFE F !
SEV5 S1S4 ,HELL1 ,I DON'T "K--X 0 L HE
IMAG9$ HMF 6BE "S MOD]N =M ( ,M>CO ,POLO
-E BACK F ! F>!/ R1*ES ( ,\T] ,M;GOLIA )
SPOILS 6PROVE X4 ,HE _H TR1SURE = U1 =!
F>M-/UCK COCKLEBUR HOME FOLKS4 ,8 SUIT-
CASES 7 LOAD$ )! /UFF4 ,HE SPR1D X >.D4
,HE GAVE EA* ( U "S?+4 ,$I? PRIZ$ :AT HE
GAVE H] AB FIFTY-SEV5 "TS M ?AN X 0
WOR?1 Z IF :AT HE'D GIV5 H] ACTU,Y AM.T$
6"S?+4 ,%E D.ED BACK & =? 6! MIRROR TO
WOND] AT ! LATE/ DOODAD HE HUNG ON H]4
,B1 9 TRU?1 X 0 ALL J JUNK1 AN OLD BA*E-
LOR'S COLLEC;N ( T\RI/ TR9KETS4 ,Y C BUY
BETT] ?+S ON ,SIDEWALK ,SALE ,"D    #BEJ
9 FRONT ( ,DUCKWALL'S 9 D[NT[N ,HOLT4 ,B
T DIDN'T MATT] 6,$I?3 X 0 F H] BRO!R4
,HE GAVE H] A SC>F F ,BOISE1 ,IDAHO2 A
H1VY BRACELET F ! ,OMAHA /OCKY>DS2 A
SILV] NECKLACE A6AIR T DANGL$ A ?9 P5-
DANT 9 ! %APE (A ,GEORGIA P1*4 ,& ME1 :Y
ME HE GAVE A %OEHORN F ,PITTSBUR<1 ,P5N-
SYLVANIA4 ,X _H ! "N ( "S %OE/ORE
SCRAT*$ ON ! T9 H&LE4 ,I TOOK X & DIDN'T
LAU<4 ,B :AT ! HELL DID ,I NE$ )A %OE-
HORN1 EV5 IF X 0 F ,PITTSBUR<8 ,I WE>
BOOTS4
  ,ANYWAY1 ,I SD1 8,?ANK Y1 ,LYMAN4 ,I
APPRECIATE ?40
  ,HE W5T ON 4P5S+ & 4PLAY+ 8 JUNK1 8
PRO( ( TRAVEL4 ,0! "T HE _H F9I%$ ,$I?
LOOK$ L A CIRCUS GYPSY4 ,%E 0 WEI<T$ )
*1P NECKLACES1 PURPLE SC>VES1 E>R+S &
DANGL+ BRACELETS--ALL ) C;Y "NS ON !M4
,%E GAVE HM 9 RETURN A HUG &A KISS2 !Y 7
HAV+ A F9E "T ( X4 ,!N %E TOOK HM 0! H&
& L$ HM >.D ! WALLS (! LIV+ ROOM 6EXAM9E
& EXPLA9 EA* PO/C>D HE _H S5T H]1 & EA*
"O REM9D$ HM ( "S?+1 RECALL$ = HM 9
DRON+ DETAIL ! "DS & MON?S HE'D     #BEA
SP5T 9 EA* PLACE4 ,$I? 0 Z ATT5TIVE Z A
LOV]4 ,%E KEPT SAY+ ?+S L1 8,& ? "O Y
S5T F ,CLEVEL&1 DIDN'T Y8 ,:AT HAPP5$
"!80 ,& HE WD TELL H] ( C\RSE2 ,LYMAN
DIDN'T REQUIRE M* PROMPT+4 ,HE 0 FULL (
/ORIES4 ,I WAT*$ !M F ! ROCK+ *AIR1
FEEL+ Z \ ( PLACE Z AN OLD MAID AUNT
*AP]ON+ AT A KIDS' "PY--!Y 7 HAV+ S* A
"T4
  ,:5 !Y _H MADE ! -PLETE CIRCUIT (!
PO/C>DS1 ,$I? SAT HM D[N AG ON ! C\* 2H
8 OP5$1 EMPTI$ SUITCASES4 8,N[ "!'S "S?+
M ,I WANT 6%[ Y10 %E SD4
  8,C'T WE H "S M PIE F/80
  8,NO1 Y C'T4 ,N YET4 ,I'VE GOT A SUR-
PRISE = Y40
  ,%E W5T OV] 6! BUR1U & BR"\ BACK T %OE
BOX ( H]S1 ! "O ) ^? DAMN$ UNSP5T1 UN-
US$1 N"E-EV5-C.T$ TW5TY-DOLL> BILLS
WRAPP$ 9 B[S4
  8,:AT'S ?80 HE SD4
  8,YRS4 ,\RS N[40
  8,H[ -E '''0
  ,HE LOOK$ UP AT H] F ! C\*1 & %E 0 />+
D[N AT HM \ ( ALL ^? YE>S4 ,HE      #BEB
DIDN'T "K :AT 6SAY4 ,HE RIFL$ "? !
FUSS$-OV] BILLS1 /ACK$ !M 9 PILES1 C.T$
!M \ ON ! C\*4
  8,T MAKES TW5TY-SEV5 HUNDR$ DOLL>S10
HE SD4 8,H[ -E Y N"E US$ X80
  8,2C40
  8,Y N"E SP5T A "O80
  8,NO40
  8,LOOK "H1 ,S&Y10 HE SD4 8,%E N"E SP5T
MY M"OY40
  8,I "K X10 ,I SD4 8,I'VE SE5 T BOX
2F40
  ,I /OOD UP 6L1VE !N4 ,$I? TRI$ 6KEEP
ME "! = M DESS]T1 B ,I 0 FULL4 ,I 0 TOO
FULL1 =! MO;T1 ( "EY?+4
  ,!Y WALK$ ) ME 6! BACK POR* DOOR4 ,F
MY PICKUP ,I LOOK$ BACK AT !M2 !Y /OOD
WAV+ AT ME F ! LI<T$ DOORWAY--A TALL
GAUNT BALD-H1D$ MAN 9 A W9T] SUIT 2S A
TRIM LL LADY ) %9+ BR[N EYES--TWO KIDS 9
_! SIXTIES ) >MS L9K$4
  ,I W5T HOME4 ,9 ! KIT*5 ,I P\R$ MYF A
L;G %OT ( ,JACK ,DANIEL'S )\T WAT] OR
ICE1 ?REW X D[N1 P\R$ ANO!R & S1T$ MYF 9
! EASY *AIR 9 FRONT (! TELEVI.N     #BEC
6WAT* ! T5-O'C NEWS & W1!R4 ,LYMAN 0
HOME & ,$I? 0 PL1S$4 ,BLE>Y EY$1 ,I
WAT*$ ,RU/Y ,?OMPSON1 ! ,D5V] W1!R MAN1
PREDICT SUN = TM4

  ,S ,$I? & ,LYMAN ,GOODN\< GOT 6BE KIDS
=A :ILE4 ,X 0 L !Y 7 J-BLOOM$ TE5AG]S1
FULL ( OV]DUE SAP & P5T-UP V9EG>4 ,! "T
0 RIPE = X1 TOO4 ,! C.TRY1 REMEMB]1 &
EV5 ,HOLT ,C.TY1 0 UP = GRABS DUR+ T PE-
RIOD4 ,I'M TALK+ "H AB ! #AIFJ;S1 :5
KIDS "EY": 7 GR[+ HAIR & WE>+ CO/UMES1
%[+ _! BR1/S & G5],Y REFUS+ 6D :AT"E X 0
_! FOLKS KNEW DAMN WELL !Y %D D1 _H BY
,GOD BETT] D IF !Y KNEW :AT 0 GD = !M1
UNTIL "S ( !M 2GAN 6GET P]MAN5T GREET+S
& IMM M>*+ ORD]S F A ,TEXAS PRESID5T1 &
!N X TURN$ \ T X WASN'T S GD = !M AF
ALL1 2C S _M N"E CAME BACK ALIVE4 ,X 0 A
/UPID W>4 ,WE LO/ TWO BOYS F ,HOLT ,C.TY
6X4 ,!Y 7 \R 9SANE ANTE 9 T MURD]\S POK]
GAME4 ,B ,I'M N GO+ 6TALK AB T3 TOO M*
HAS ALR BE5 SD AB X & N"O ( X HELPS4
,NO1 ,I'M TALK+ AB MY NEI<BORS1 !
,GOODN\<S1 :O 7 AL KIDS 9 ! SIX-    #BED
TIES4
  ,I SUPPOSE Y CD SAY T :AT HAPP5$ 6!M 0
L !Y 7 HAV+ A SECOND *ILDHOOD--ONLY T
WDN'T 2 A3URATE4 ,Y C'T H SECONDS ( "S?+
UNTIL Y'VE _H F/S (! ?+4 ,&( C\RSE !Y
N"E _H F/S4 ,ADA ,TWAMLEY1 _! "M1 _H BE5
TOO W1K *9N$1 TOO 3SUM$ ) DR1M+ BACK-
W>DS1 6SEE 6X T ,$I? & ,LYMAN 7 ALL[$ TO
2 KIDS :ILE %E H]F / LIV$2 !N %E DI$ &
LEFT !M AL"O 9 TOTAL *>GE & 3TROL (! OLD
MAN4 ,& T OLD SON (A BIT* DIDN'T 2LIEVE
9 ANY S* LUXURIES2 KIDS 7 LABOR]S 6HM1
CU/OM-MADE1 SELF-SIR$ F>MH&S 6BE ORD]$
>.D H["E1 :5"E1 HE DEEM$ FIT4 ,2SS1 "! 7
ALW ^? /UMPS ( 8 & T R\T9E M1N;S1 Z IF
HE FIGUR$ X 0 N ONLY 8 ,GOD-GIV5 "R B 8
"PICUL> DUTY TOO 6BE ="E M1N & H>%4 ,B
,I ALR TOLD Y "S ( T1 TOLD Y TOO T HE
REL1S$ !M F9,Y 0DY+ 9 T UP/AIRS B$ROOM )
8 M\? LOCK$ OP54 ,( C\RSE X TOOK ,LYMAN
N9E YE>S 6R1LIZE X4 ,B1 ANYWAY1 N[ HE
_H2 HE 0 HOME AG4 ,=! F/ "T 9 _! LIVES1
,$I? & H] BRO!R 7 ABSOLUTELY AL"O ON T
F>M 9 T H\SE D[N ! ROAD F ME4
  ,!Y DIDN'T Q "K :AT 6MAKE ( X     #BEE
AT F/4 ,:AT 9 ! _W 7 !Y GO+ 6D ) ALL T
VAC,N "T1 T FREEDOM F DUTY & DIREC;N8
,WELL1 !Y DIDN'T D ANY?+ RA%1 EXACTLY4
,ON H] "P ,$I? LE>N$ 6SIP GIMLETS F A
B>ROOM GO#T1 6G A LL GI7LY & P9K *EEK$ 9
A NICE SORT ( GIRLI% WAY4 ,& Z = ,LYMAN1
ONCE HE 0 HOME & R1LIZ$ "! WASN'T ANY"O
"! 6TELL HM :AT 6D1 ,LYMAN REFUS$ 6*ANGE
CLO!S4 ,:AT ,I M1N IS1 HE WDN'T WE> "W
%OES OR OV]ALLS AG4 ,HE W5T ON DRESS+ UP
E "D L HE 2LIEV$ HE 0 A BANK]1 A RETIR$
MORTICIAN4 ,E "D HE PUT ON 8 W+ TIPS1 8
DRESS PANTS1 %IRT1 & TIE4 ,HE 0 DEF9ITE-
LY F9I%$ ) F>M+2 HE WASN'T GO+ 6PL[ S&
ANYMORE4 ,Z F> Z HE 0 3C]N$1 ,I CD G ON
F>M+ _! PLACE J Z ,I _H D"O =! PA/ T5
YE>S4 ,!Y GOT _! %>E (! PR(ITS REGUL>LY2
!Y _H T TW5TY-SEV5 HUNDR$ DOLL>S ,$I? _H
SAV$2 X 0 F9E ) ,LYMAN4 ,S N[ !Y _H BO?
M"OY & FREEDOM1 &A NEW GRE5 ,PONTIAC
WAIT+ \TSIDE AT ! PICKET GATE4
  ,!Y PUT MILES ON X4 ,IF ! SLI<TE/ URGE
TOOK !M--& X TOOK !M AB ?REE "TS A WEEK
--!Y W5T 6T[N4 ,6SEE A %[1 WAT* A
S(TBALL GAME1 BUY "S BLUE GRAPES1   #BEF
GET A SACK ( ,B+ *]RIES1 :AT"E4 ,:Y
HELL1 !Y EV5 />T$ 6DRIVE \ ,SATUR"D NI<T
6D.E AT ! ,HOLT ,LEGION4 ,"! !Y'D BE1
,$I? SIPP+ GIMLETS & ,LYMAN NURS+ ,COORS
BE] 9 A CORN] BOO?1 UNTIL ,%ORTY ,/OVALL
&! BOYS /RUCK UP _! R5DI;N (! 8,T5;SEE
,WALTZ10 & !N !Y WD RISE & SLIDE SL[ >.D
! FLOOR 9 A K9D ( FUN]AL TWO-/EP1 H] H&
ON ! PA4$ %\LD] ( 8 H.DSTOO? SUIT COAT4
,AL !Y DROVE 6,D5V]1 W5T 6,ELIT*'S
,AMUSE;T ,P>K1 VIEW$ ! SUMM] %[ AT ,C5-
TRAL ,C;Y1 T\R$ ,E/ES ,P>K1 ATE ! TR\T
D9N] AT ! ,BROADMOOR ,HOTEL 9 ,COLORADO
,SPR+S1 WAT*$ ! BU6ALO H]DS TROT ACR !
HI<WAY 9 ! ,BLACK ,HILLS4 ,0,GOD1 ":
DIDN'T !Y G8 ,X GOT S !Y 7 A REGUL>
TRAVEL+ 3C]N4
  ,& Y "U/&1 2F ? "T ,$I? _H N"E ONCE
SE5 A ?+ ( LIFE 2Y ! ,HOLT ,C.TY BORD]8
,N A ?+1 N ONCE4 ,N[ ! :OLE ( ? ,ROCKY
,M.TA9 REGION 0 H]S4 ,%E ONLY _H 6M5;N
AN 9T]E/1 H9T T %E WANT$ 6SEE "S?+--
8,LYMAN1 H[ F> D[N D Y SUPPOSE X IS F !
,ROYAL ,GORGE ,BRIDGE80--& !Y WD TAKE (F
6F9D \4 ,LYMAN HMF 0 R1DY 6G2 9 !   #BEG
PREVI\S TW5TY YE>S HE _H GR[N US$ 6TRAV-
EL+ ON ANY IMPULSE4 ,GASOL9E 0 *1P1 8
,PONTIAC 0 NEW4 ,ON AN URGE1 !N1 USU,Y
,$I?'S1 !Y WD %UT ! BACK POR* DOOR &
L1VE1 SEE !MVS "S NEW SI<T1 & !N -E BACK
TIR$ B SATISFI$1 &! NEXT "D ,LYMAN WD H&
WAX 8 GRE5 C> :ILE ,$I? F9I%$ UNPACK+ &
F$ ! *ICK5S & 2GAN 6LI/5 =! NEXT URGE TO
TAKE H]1 TELL H] :AT X WANT$ H] 6SEE4
,DUR+ T SIX-YE> P]IOD !Y M/ H PASS$ ?
H\SE AT L1/ A ?\S& "TS--GO+ PLACES4 ,I'D
SEE !M AT ANY "T (! "D OR NI<T1 DRIV+1 !
W9D[S ROLL$ D[N1 ! DU/ ROLL+ UP 2H !M4
,LYMAN WD ALW 2 AT ! :EEL 9 8 DRESS %IRT
& TIE1 Z SOLEMN Z IF HE 0 GO+ 6TRIAL4
,2S HM WD 2 8 SI/]1 ,$I? ,GOODN\< 9 A
PALE LAV5D] OR BLUE DRESS1 WAV+ AT ME L
A GIRL Z %E PASS$ MY H\SE ON ! WAY \4
  ,B ,I DON'T SUPPOSE !Y 7 (F TRAVEL+
ALL T "T1 2C !Y AL 2GAN 6FIX UP T OLD
FRAME H\SE1 : _! "F _H 3/RUCT$ 0HMF )
WAGON-HAUL$ LUMB] F T[N 2F EI "O ( !M 0
BORN4 ,HE _H KEPT ! H\SE UP ALL AL;G B
_H N"E SE5 ANY R1SON 6D M* EXTRA2 X 0
TI<T & KEPT \ ! W9D1 : 0 :AT HE     #BEH
REQUIR$4 ,6D M WD H BE5 TOO M*4 ,S "S"T
9 "! ,$I? & ,LYMAN PA9T$ X A B"R CAN>Y
YELL[ & _H ! ,WILKY BRO!RS F WE/ ( T[N
GIVE X A NEW %+LE RO(4 ,9SIDE1 !Y B"\ "S
NEW C>PET =! D[N/AIRS LIV+-ROOM & P>LOR
FLOORS4 ,!Y _H ME OV] 6SEE ! C>PET4
  ,I ADMIR$ X1 !N ,LYMAN BR"\ ME BACK 6!
KIT*54 8,LOOK "!10 HE SD4 8,:AT D Y MAKE
( T ?+80
  8,LOOKS L A ,KELV9ATOR DI%WA%] 6ME10
,I SD4 8,B :AT D ,I "K8 ,MAYBE X'S A NEW
=M ( ,,TV40
  8,WAT* ?40
  8,OH1 N[1 ,LYMAN10 ,$I? SD4 8,S&Y
DOESN'T H "T = ? TOO40 ,%E SWATT$ AT HM4
  8,C\RSE HE DOES10 ,LYMAN SD4
  8,C\RSE ,I D10 ,I SD4
  ,& ,I DID4 ,WE SAT D[N AT ! KIT*5 TA#
& DRANK SODA POP :ILE _! NEW DI%WA%] "W$
"? ! 5TIRE SOAP & R9SE CYCLES4
  8,"!4 ,T CLICK M1NS X'S D"O10 ,LYMAN
SD4 8,N[ WON'T %E GET LAZY ) T ?+ 9 !
H\SE80
  8,LAZY Z A HOG10 ,I SD4
  8,N"E Y M9D10 ,$I? SD4 8,EI "O    #BEI
( Y4 ,:O "KS--,I MI<T TAKE A NO;N 6GET
FAT TOO4 ,!N :AT W Y SAY80
  8,NO?+4 ,GD10 ,I SD4
  ,TGR !Y 7 HAV+ S* A HELL (A F9E "T (
X4 ,X 0 FUN 6WAT* !M4

  ,S 9 ! SUMM] ( #AIFC ,I GOT M>RI$4
,OR1 6BE M A3URATE1 ,I %D SAY ,MAVIS
,PICKETT DECID$ %E 0 N GO+ 6WAIT ANY
L;G]4
  8,>5'T WE "E GO+ 6BE M>RI$80 %E SD4
  8,SURE10 ,I SD4 8,I 0 J WAIT+ = Y 6POP
! "Q40
  8,T'S N FUNNY40
  8,ISN'T X80
  8,NO1 X IS N40
  ,X 0 AB TWO O'C 9 ! MORN+ & WE 7 DRIV+
NOR? \ ( T[N T[>DS H] FOLKS' PLACE AF !
ANNUAL ,FIREMAN'S ,BALL AT ! ,HOLT ,LE-
GION4 ,I 0 AB HALF DRUNK1 FEEL+ PRETTY
GD1 B ,MAVIS ,PICKETT WASN'T EI ( ^?
?+S4 ,%E 0 /"O-COLD S]I\S4 ,WE _H BE5
GO+ \ TGR = AT L1/ TWO YE>S1 (F & ON1 &
9 H] VIEW ( ?+S \R GO+ \ 6D.ES & 6MOVIES
& LOCAL "PIES _H N L$ U ANY":4      #BFJ
,%E 0 TW5TY-N9E YE>S OLD4 ,%E WANT$ 6BE
M>RI$4
  ,: IS ALL "R1 ( C\RSE4 ,ONLY ,I'M / N
SURE :Y X 0 ME %E *OSE 6BE ! B5EFICI>Y (
T4 ,X'S 5 6GIVE ME PAUSE EV5 N[4 ,I
WASN'T :AT Y MI<T CALL A GRT CAT*4 ,I 0
?IRTY-FIVE4 ,? GUT Y SEE "H 0 ALR 2G9N+
6POLI% MY BELT BUCKLE4 ,I _H KNOCK$ >.D1
DRUNK TOO M*1 "W$ TOO LL1 DEVELOP$ BA*E-
LOR HABITS4 ,I 0 N"E GO+ 6BE "O ( YR S&-
HILL MILLIONAIRE SU3ESSES3 ,I DIDN'T H !
AMBI;N = X4 ,NO1 IF ,I 0 "E GO+ 6AM.T 6A
DEC5T HILL ( B1NS OR J A LOAD ( DUNG \ (
! ORD9>Y1 !N ,I %D H 2GUN 6%[ "S SIGN (
X 0!N4 ,& ,I _HN'T4 ,S ,I DON'T "K :AT
%E SAW 9 ME4 ,MAYBE X 0 ! *ALL5GE4 ,AT !
"T ,MAVIS 0 "W+ Z AN ,L4,P4,N4 AT ! HOS-
PITAL1 & %E 0 US$ 6D1L+ ) COLD FEET &
LO/ CAUSES4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ,I _H GD R1SON
62LIEVE %E LOV$ ME4 ,I'M PRETTY SURE %E
/ DOES4 ,PROBABLY T CL\D$ H] VIEW4
  ,B :5 A WOMAN L ,MAVIS ,PICKETT LOVES
Y1 SAYS 9 S _M ^WS T Y'RE H] =M ( ,X1 :O
>E Y 6>GUE8 ,Y'RE A DAMN FOOL IF Y D4 ,I
WASN'T T M* (A FOOL4 ,%E 0 LEVEL-   #BFA
H1D$ & GD-LOOK+ AT ! SAME "T4 ,T'S AN
UNUSUAL -B9,N4 ,%E _H ?ICK BLOND HAIR &
GRE5 EYES1 & :5 %E 0 CROSS$ %E CD RUN !
/R;G /UFF \ ( YR BACKB"O L X 0 S M* WA-
T]2 %E DIDN'T APPRECIATE NONS5SE4 ,WE'VE
_H PL5TY ( GD "TS 9 ?IRTE5 YE>S TGR4
,WE'VE MANAG$ 6SURVIVE ! BAD "TS4 ,IF %E
WASN'T 9 T[N "R N[ WAIT+ = ME 6-E 9 A
C\PLE ( H\RS 6PICK H] UP S WE C VISIT !
HOSPITAL AG1 %E WD NO D\BT TELL Y T ,I'M
TOO BULLH1D$1 T "S"TS ,I LOCK GATES T %D
2 LEFT OP54 ,I DON'T ?9K LOGIC,Y1 %E WD
SAY4 ,ON MY SIDE1 ,I MI<T WI% O3A.N,Y T
%E _H A S5SE ( HUMOR--B X'S "W$ \4 ,=
BO? ( U4
  ,AT ANY RATE1 ,MAVIS GOT U M>RI$ T[>D
! 5D ( ,JULY #AIFC4 ,I DIDN'T PUT UP M*
OPPOSI;N4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 >GUE A LOT :5 %E
9SI/$ T ,I _H 6D ! PROP] ?+1 T ,I -E TO
,SUN"D D9N] & ASK H] "F1 OLD ,RAYMOND
,PICKETT1 :E!R HE _H ANY OBJEC;NS4 ,ALL
,I SD WAS3
  8,H[ AB IF ,I WROTE HM A PO/C>D80
  8,Y'RE -+ 6D9N]10 %E SD4
  8,:AT IF ,I CALL$ HM ON !         #BFB
PH"O80
  8,NO4 ,Y W 2 "! AT "O O'C4 ,AF WE GET
HOME F *UR*40
  8,I'M N GO+ 6*UR*4 ,I DON'T 2LIEVE 9
X40
  8,ALL "R4 ,B Y W 2 "! = D9N]4 ,& Y W
ASK HM FACE-TO-FACE L Y'RE SUPPOS$ TO40
  8,:AT IF HE WANTS 6"K :AT MY 9T5;NS
>E80
  8,MAKE "S?+ UP4 ,Y'RE GD AT T40
  8,WELL1 ,JESUS10 ,I SD4 8,Y'RE A H>D
WOMAN40
  8,YES1 & Y C /OP CUSS+4 ,X'LL 2 ALL
"R4 ,X'LL 2 J F9E40
  8,L HELL10 ,I SD4
  8,Y'LL SEE10 %E SD4
  ,MAVIS 0 A LL OLD-FA%ION$ T WAY4 ,%E /
IS4 ,%E HAS A FIRM IDEA ( H[ ?+S >E M1NT
6BE & %E USU,Y SEES 6X T !Y TURN \ ! WAY
!Y'RE M1NT TO4 ,!Y C]TA9LY DID T ,SUN"D
AFN1 COOK$ *ICK5 & ALL4 ,I PUT ON A :ITE
%IRT AT TWELVE O'C & KNOTT$ A TIE "U MY
*91 !N ,I DROVE NOR? "? ,HOLT'S *UR*
TRA6IC & ON ANO!R EI<T MILES 6! ,PICKETT
PLACE1 ": AT A H1VY OAK TA# SUP-    #BFC
PORT$ 0A MASSIVE P$E/AL ,I ATE FRI$
*ICK5 & REFRA9$ F SUCK+ ! GR1SE (F MY
F+]S4 ,X 0 "O ( ^? L;G QUIET AWKW>D D9-
N]S4 ,MAVIS & H] "M TALK$ ABV ! PLATT]S
( FOOD & F9E *9A :ILE H] "F & ,I ALL[$ T
X 0 AB NORMAL W1!R =! "T ( YE>4 ,AFWS1
AC 6PLAN1 ! WOM5FOLKS CLE>$ ! TA# &
,RAYMOND ,PICKETT & ,I REMOV$ \RVS 6!
P>LOR4 ,WE SAT D[N OPPOSITE "O ANO!R4
  ,AF A "T ,I SD 6HM1 8,I SUPPOSE Y "K
:AT ,I'M DO+ "H40
  8,I SEE Y GOT YR TIE ON10 HE SD4 8,I
FIGUR$ "! 0 "S R1SON = X40
  8,"! IS40
  8,M ?AN J 6EAT ,MAVIS'S *ICK5 D9N]1 Y
M1N40
  ,Y "U/& ! OLD SON (A GUN1 T OLD :1T
F>M]1 WASN'T GO+ 6HELP ME ANY4 ,HE 0 EN-
JOY+ HMF2 X 0 BETT] ?AN A ,SUN"D AFN
NAP4 ,USU,Y HE 0 ! SOB] TYPE1 /1DY & HU-
MOR.S Z A CORN] F;E PO/1 B N[ )A /RAI<T
FACE HE 0 PLAY+ ME L A CALF4
  8,T10 ,I SD4 8,& AL 6SEE :AT Y ?"\ (
,MAVIS & ME GETT+ M>RI$40
  8,TELL ! TRU?10 HE SD1 8,I        #BFD
HAV5'T GIV5 X M* ?"\40
  8,MAVIS HAS10 ,I SD4
  8,HAS %E N[80
  8,YES4 ,3SID]A#40
  8,& :AT DOES %E ?9K AB X80
  8,%E'S 9 FAVOR ( X40
  8,B Y A9'T SD NO?+ AB YRF YET4 ,MO/
"TS ,I 2LIEVE X TAKES TWO 6GET M>RI$40
  8,OH1 ,I DON'T M9D10 ,I SD4
  8,WELL1 N[10 HE SD1 LOOK+ AT ME4
8,WELL1 N[4 ,%E'S 9 FAVOR & Y SAY Y
DON'T M9D4 ,I GUESS T'LL H 6D1 WON'T X80
  ,HE KEPT LOOK+ AT ME4 ,HE _H ! USUAL
:ITE =EH1D & BURNT *EEKS & NECK T ALL
F>M]S H1 B ,I CD SEE ": ,MAVIS GOT H]
EYES4 ,F9,Y HE B5T D[N OV] 8 KNEES & BE-
GAN 6UNTIE ! LACES 9 8 T[N %OES4
  8,I DON'T L ^! TIE-UP %OES10 HE SD4
8,ALW MAKE MY FEET HURT4 ,! MISSUS SAYS
T'S S ,I'LL KEEP AWAKE 9 *UR*4 ,MO/ "TS
%E'S "R TOO40
  ,HE DIDN'T TAKE 8 %OES (F--,I 0 / -PA-
NY Z YET--B M]ELY LOOS5$ ! LACES GD1 !N
HE SAT UP /RAI<T AG & 9 8 [N "T BLEW 8
NOSE ?OR\<LY1 "O NO/RIL !N ! O!R1   #BFE
L\D1 & PUT ! H&K]*IEF BACK 9 8 HIP POCK-
ET4
  8,I DON'T "K :E!R Y "K X1 ,S&]S10 HE
SD1 8B ,I 0 WELL ACQUA9T$ ) YR "F4 ,I
US$ 6SEE HM AT F>M SALES4 ,HE 0 A GD
MAN1 YR "F WAS4 ,I DON'T "K YR "M40
  8,NO10 ,I SD4 8,%E DOESN'T G 6F>M
SALES40
  8,I SUPPOSE N10 HE SD4 8,WELL1 N[4 ,AB
? M>RIAGE BUSI;S--X S.DS L ,MAVIS HAS H]
M9D ALL MADE UP40
  ,I NO4$4
  8,%E'S L T4 ,S ,I DON'T SEE ": X WD D
ME M* GD 6OBJECT EV5 IF ,I WANT$ TO4 ,C
Y80
  8,NO40
  8,I ?"\ Z M*4 ,WELL1 X'S NICE HAV+
GIRLS 9 ! H\SE4 ,I 2LIEVE ,I'LL MISS T40
  ,T 0 ALL HE SD4 ,WE TALK$ AB :1T PRIC-
ES & F>M FUTURES AFWS4 ,!N ! WOM5 CAME
96! P>LOR ) U1 & AF A :ILE ,MAVIS & ,I
EXCUS$ \RVS & W5T \TSIDE 6WALK AL;G !
W9DBR1K PLANT$ WE/]LY T[>DS A SLI<T
HILL4
  8,WELL80 %E SD4                   #BFF
  8,WELL :AT80 ,I SD4
  8,:AT'D HE SAY80
  8,W]5'T Y LI/5+ F ! KIT*580
  8,YES1 B ,I WANT Y 6TELL ME40
  8,WELL4 ,HE SD ,I 0 A DAMN FOOL 6WANT
6M>RY ANY DAU<T] ( HIS4 ,Y'RE TOO H>D-
HE>T$1 HE SD4 ,!N HE ASK$ ME IF ,I _H
ANY 9T5;NS 6SP1K (40
  8,HE DID N40
  8,SURE HE DID4 ,8,:AT >E YR 9T5;NS80'
HE SD4 ,G & ASK HM40
  8,ALL "R !N1 :AT DID Y SAY80
  8,NO?+4 ,I DIDN'T SAY A ^W4 ,I TOLD HM
,I DIDN'T H ANY 9T5;NS4 ,O!R ?AN ?R[+ Y
D[N 9 B$ E *.E ,I GET40
  8,Y'VE ALR D"O T40
  8,I PLAN 6D X AG4 ,"R N[40
  8,DON'T 2 SILLY4 ,!Y C / SEE U F !
H\SE40
  8,HELL10 ,I SD4 8,WE'RE Z GD Z M>RI$
ALR1 >5'T WE80
  8,NO10 %E SD4 8,B WE W BE4 ,N[ /OP T &
TELL ME :AT HE SD40

                                    #BFG
  ,! ONLY 9T]E/+ "PICUL> ,I RECALL N[ AB
! W$D+ 0 ! ?+ T HAPP5$ J AFWS4 ,! W$D+ 0
OV]2 WE _H PROMIS$ \R MUTUAL ,I DO'S2
,MAVIS & ,I 7 -+ D[N ! *UR* /EPS 6GET
9SIDE MY PA9T-SME>$ C> & AWAY F ALL !
?R[N RICE4 ,P 7 GA!R$ 9 TWO R[S AL;G !
/EPS & SIDEWALK--H] FOLKS2 MY "M & H]
LA/ HUSB&1 ,WILBUR ,COX2 ,$I? & ,LYMAN
,GOODN\<2 A CR[D ( O!RS1 FRS4 ,WE _H J
AB R1*$ ! SAFETY \ MY C> :5 ,V9CE ,HIG-
GIMS1 ,JUNIOR1 "O ( MY DR9K+ "PN]S F !
,HOLT ,TAV]N1 GRA2$ ,MAVIS UP 9 8 >MS &
/>T$ 6RUN ) H]4 ,%E / _H T :ITE DRESS ON
& T COLLEC;N ( /IFF PETTICOATS1 ALL ( :
SWOOP$ UP S HI< 9 8 >MS T Y CD SEE H]
G>T]S & CLE> 6,D5V] IF Y WANT$ TO4 ,V9CE
,JR4 0 AB S"M$4 ,I 2LIEVE 8 IDEA 0 6KID-
NAP H]1 _S H] AWAY S T ,I WD H 6-E LOOK
= H]4 ,: MI<T H BE5 FUNNY1 ONLY ,V9CE
DIDN'T "K ,MAVIS 5\<4 ,9 NO "T ,MAVIS
"W$ "O >M FREE & JAMM$ ,V9CE S H>D 9 !
,ADAM'S APPLE ) H] ELB[ T HE DROPP$ D[N
COLD L HE'D BE5 %OT ) BO? B>RELS4 ,H]
:ITE DRESS & /OCK+$ LEGS 7 ALL OV] HM1 !
TWO ( !M SPRAWL$ \ ON ! *UR*        #BFH
CURB1 S T AF !Y 7 EV5TU,Y UNTANGL$ "S-
BODY _H 6TAKE OLD ,V9CE OV] 6,DOC
,S*MIDT 6DET]M9E H[ M* DAMAGE HE _H SUF-
F]$ 6HIS ?ROAT4 ,X TURN$ \ HE 0 LUCKY2
HE J _H 6/AY (F SOLIDS =A WEEK4 ,V9CE SD
X 0 5 6SC>E HM (F W$D+S ALT4
  ,:5 ,I 0 SURE HE 0 GO+ 6AT L1/ 2 A# TO
DR9K AG1 ,MAVIS & ,I GOT 9 ! C> & DROVE
(F =! H"OYMOON4 ,WE W5T ACR ! ,3T95TAL
,DIVIDE 6,GL5WOOD ,SPR+S ON ! ,WE/]N
,SLOPE & /AY$ A FEW "DS 9 ! GRT OLD ,HO-
TEL ,COLORADO1 ": ,T$DY ,ROOSEVELT _H
ONCE SP5T "S "T1 & WE SWAM )! T\RI/S &
>?RITIC PATI5TS 9 ! BLOCK-L;G HOT POOL T
SMELL$ ( SULPHUR4 ,LAT] WE DROVE UP !
VALLEY 6,ASP5 & SP5T AN AFN & AN EV5+
AM;G/ ! W1L?Y SUMM] CR[D4 ,!N WE CAME
HOME AG 6? H\SE4 ,MAVIS 0 / "W+ Z A
NURSE AT ! HOSPITAL1 B :5 %E WASN'T
*ANG+ B$PANS OR TAK+ BLOOD PRESSURES %E
0 REMAK+ \R H\SE 6PL1SE H]1 & ,I W5T
BACK 6F>M+ & RAN*+1 CULTIVAT+ CORN1 BAL+
HAY1 & CUTT+ CALVES4 ,X 0 NICE -+ 9 =
SUPP] & F9D+ H] / "! E EV5+ WAIT+ = ME4
,%E LOOK$ GD & COOL & FRE% AF       #BFI
,I'D BE5 \TSIDE 9 ! SUN AWAY F H] ALL
"D4 ,AF SUPP] WE (T5 _H ! ,GOODN\<S OV]
6PLAY ,ROOK OR W5T 6_! PLACE1 & AB TWICE
A MON? ! F\R ( U W5T 6! ,LEGION D.ES ON
,SATUR"D NI<T4 ,MAVIS & ,$I? GOT 6BE GD
FRS4 ,%E CD TELL Y "S ?+S AB ,$I? T ,I
C'T4
  ,!N X 0 ,AUGU/ #AIFG1 & ,MAVIS WASN'T
"W+ AT ! HOSPITAL ANYMORE 2C %E 0 EI<T
MON?S PREGNANT4 ,H] /OMA* 0 SWOLL5 &
H>D1 BLUE VE9$1 TI<T4 ,I CD FEEL ) MY H&
H[ ! LL BE7> KICK$ & SWAM1 DID 8 HALF
GA9]S & WAT]Y FLIPS1 L HE 0 %[+ (F = U
9SIDE 8 W>M SAC1 L HE 2LIEV$ HE 0 NO?+ S
M* Z A GRE5 FROG CAVORT+ = ALL ! _W 9 A
HORSE TANK4 ,B ,I 0 A LL 3C]N$ AB X TOO4
,I KNEW AT ?IRTY-?REE T X 0 "S:AT LATE =
,MAVIS 6BE C>RY+ H] F/ BABY1 B %E WDN'T
HE> ( X4 ,%E REFUS$ 6LET ME WORRY4 ,%E
_H HELP$ ANY NUMB] ( BABIES GET BORN AT
! HOSPITAL1 & N[ %E _H ALL ! 3FID;E &
ALL ! EQUIP;T %E NE$$ 6BE> ? "O4 ,I CD
/OP WORRY+4 ,S ,I DID & WE 7 BO? PL1S$
AB ! PROSPECT ( HAV+ A LL BOY 9 ! H\SE4
,X WD 2 A BOY1 WE KNEW T4 ,WE 7     #BGJ
LOOK+ =W>D 6X4

  ,B ,AUGU/ IS AL TRADI;NAL ,HOLT ,C.TY
,FAIR "T1 & #AIFG 0 NO DI6]5T4 ,X'S CON-
SID]$ A BIG D1L >.D "H2 "EY"O & 8 HORSE
ATT5DS1 A# OR N1 "O HO( 9 ! GRAVE OR N4
,X GIVES U ! OPPORTUN;Y--&! EXCUSE TOO1
,I SUPPOSE--6VISIT ) FOLKS WE HAV5'T SE5
=A YE>4
  ,9 ! WEEK 2F ! FAIR IS 62G9 ! ,LIONS
,CLUB TAKES UP ! A3UMULAT$ TWELVE MON?S
( TRA% AT ! FAIRGR.DS2 !Y BURN ! TRA% &!
BL[N-IN TUM#WE$S 2H ! BUILD+S1 !N !Y
LOIT] 9 GR\PS1 EAT+ ,ROCKY ,M.TA9 OY/]S
& POTATO SALAD & DR9K+ BE] F KEGS4 ,M1N-
:ILE ! #D-;,H KIDS 9 ! C.TY H 2GUN 6FIT
_! /E]S =! JUDG+ 0CLIPP+ ! H1DS & E>S (!
ANIMALS & 0RATT+ ! TAILS 96BALLS2 !
KIDS' "MS & AUNTS & GR&"MS *OOSE _! BE/
BR1D-&-BUTT] PICKLES = 4PLAY2 "SBODY BE-
G9S 6"W UP ! RACETRACK )A DISK =! HORSE
RACES1 & "SBODY ELSE HELPS ! /OCK 3TRAC-
TOR UNLOAD 8 BULLS & BUCK+ HORSES AT !
*UTES ACR ! >5A F ! GR&/&4 ,ON ! AFN 2F
X IS ALL 62G9 ! C>NIVAL P F9,Y      #BGA
PULL 96T[N 9 _! BATT]$ TRUCKS4 ,!Y'RE
USU,Y A BAD CREW ( GR1SY "*S1 APPE>+ DOG
TIR$1 LOOK+ Z BOR$ ) X ALL Z IF !Y H SE5
X ALL1 & MAYBE !Y H4 ,SW1T+ & CURS+1 !Y
E/ABLI% ! BOO?S & RIDES 9 ! FRE%-M[$ *1T
WE$S4 ,S !N X'S "T4 ,OP5+ "D 2G9S )A PA-
RADE4
  ,X'S N M* (A P>ADE4 ,J A HOMET[N A6AIR
S Z N 6WORRY ,MACY'S1 B WE W5T 6X T YE>
ANYWAY4 ,? 0 DESPITE ,MAVIS'S EI<T-MON?
3DI;N4 ,I TOLD H] WE "\ 6SKIP X4
  8,WE C G ? AFN10 ,I SD4 8,WE C WALK
>.D ! BOO?S & !N Y C WAT* ! RODEO F !
GR&/&40
  8,Y'RE N LI/5+ 6ME10 %E SD4 8,I H 6GET
\ ( ? H\SE4 ,I'M SICK ( ? H\SE40
  8,ALL "R4 ,I C SEE T40
  8,& Y "K ,I WON'T 2 ANY M UNCOM=TA# 9
T[N ?AN ,I AM "H4 ,DON'T Y "K T8 ,B
,I'LL TELL Y :AT X IS40
  8,:AT80
  8,X'S 2C Y'RE EMB>RASS$ 6BE SE5 ) ME4
,I'M GETT+ TOO BIG40
  8,T'S CRAZY10 ,I SD4 8,V9CE1 ,JUNIOR1
TOLD ME ! O!R "D :5 HE SAW U TGR    #BGB
--HE TOLD ME Y MAKE ME LOOK SK9NY4
,HELL1 HE ?"\ ,I M/ 2 LOS+ "S WEI<T1 &
,I TOLD HM 6KEEP ?9K+ L T40
  8,S :AT >E Y TALK+ AB80
  8,X'S J T ,I'M AFRAID Y'LL GET TIR$4
,T'S ALL4 ,!N ,I'LL PROBABLY H 6C>RY Y
>.D ON MY BACK & -E DAMN NE> RU9+ MYF40
  8,I WON'T GET T TIR$10 %E SD4
  8,Y'RE SURE80
  8,YES4 ,N[ D WE G 6! P>ADE TGR OR
DON'T WE80
  8,ALL ,I "K IS10 ,I SD4 8,Y'RE GETT+
FLAT UNRULY4 ,T'S A FACT40
  ,S WE W5T 6! P>ADE ALL "R4 ,WE DID !
5TIRE OP5+-"D PROGRAM4 ,ONLY WE DIDN'T G
AL"O4 ,WE DROVE 9 6T[N )! ,GOODN\<S 9
,LYMAN'S ,PONTIAC4 ,! "D 2F HE _H WAX$ X
FRE% =! O3A.N1 & ,I FIGUR$ ! BIG BACK
S1T ( T BOAT ( 8 WD 2 GD = MY WIFE4 ,:5
WE GOT 6T[N T MORN+ HE P>K$ ! C> ON A
SIDE /REET AWAY F TRA6IC1 !N ! F\R ( U
WALK$ OV] 6,MA9 ,/REET & F.D A PLACE \ (
! SUN 9 FRONT (! ,COA/ 6,COA/ /ORE ON !
EA/ SIDE (! /REET4 ,"! 7 ALR HUNDR$S ( P
L9+ BO? SIDES4 ,"S (! OLD-"TRS _H   #BGC
>RIV$ E>LY 5 6UNFOLD LAWN *AIRS AL;G !
CURB1 & "! 7 KIDS "EY":1 TE5AG]S 9 %ORTS
& LL KIDS ) BALLOONS & C"OS ( ICE1 & ALL
! T[NSPEOPLE & >EA F>M]S4 ,A LL AF T5
O'C ! P>ADE />T$4
  ,! COLOR GU>D CAME F/4 ,!Y CAME M>*+
NOR? UP ,MA9 ,/REET F ! HI< S*OOL T[>D
U1 & "EYBODY /OOD / :ILE !Y PASS$1 F\R
MI4LE-AG$ VET]ANS /U6$ 96WOOL UNI=MS &
SW1T+ PL5TY4 ,!Y 7 FOLL[$ 0"S GUYS ON
HORSEBACK2 !N ! S*OOL B& 0 "! PLAY+ "S
M>* OR O!R :ILE ! B& DIRECTOR HOTFOOT$ X
AL;G 2S !M2 "S M HORSES !N2 !N ! ,HOLT
,C.TY ,FAIR QUE5 & H] TWO ATT5DANTS RODE
UP1 EA* ( !M 9 NEW FELT HATS & B"R C[-
GIRL \TFITS & LOOK+ /RAI<T AH1D )\T A
SMILE :5 "O (! GIRLS' HORSES RAIS$ XS
TAIL 6DROP ROAD APPLES AL;G ! PAVE;T 9
FRONT ( "EYBODY2 !N "S KIDS ON DECORAT$
BIKES2 !N A HALF-DOZ5 BOO/]S 9 3V]TI#S &
"S M HORSES2 !N A FLOAT OR TWO1 ! ,FU-
TURE ,F>M]S ( ,AM]ICA FLOAT ) "S HI<
S*OOL BOYS DRESS$ L ,>ABS SMOK+ CIGA-
RETTES 9 L;G HOLD]S2 &! LOCAL IMPLE;T
-PANY'S FLOAT 3SI/+ ( AN OLD MA-    #BGD
NURE SPR1D] )A PA9T$ SIGN TAP$ 6X T SD3
..,WE ,/& ,2H ,:AT ,WE .,SELL2 !N ! C&I-
DATES = C.TY CL]K WAV+ & SMIL+ F 3V]TI-
#S1 AC"KL$G+ ! FOLKS ( VOT+ AGE & ?R[+
C&Y 6! KIDS1 ! KIDS ALL SCRAMBL+ = X &
_! "MS *ECK+ 6SEE T X 0 WRAPP$ 9 WAX PA-
P]2 !N "S OLD TRACTORS & ANTIQUE C>S & /
M HORSES4 ,! C;Y /REET CL1N] ) XS SPRAY
( WAT] & ROTAT+ BRU%ES 5D$ ! P>ADE4 ,X 0
F9I%$ 0ELEV5 O'C4
  8,WELL10 ,I SD4 8,T APPE>S 6WRAP UP
ANY P>ADE =! YE>4 ,N[ :AT80
  8,I SAY WE EAT10 ,LYMAN SD4 8,SIS "H
GOT ME UP 2F BR1KFA/40
  ,WE ALL LOOK$ AT ,$I?4 8,OH1 ,I DON'T
LI/5 6HM ANYMORE10 %E SD4 8,NEXT ?+ Y "K
HE'LL WANT A TRAY 9 B$40
  8,T'S ! IDEA10 HE SD4
  8,NO10 ,I SD4 8,Y WANT 6BE C>E;L4 ,"O
SUMM] %E BR"\ ME A TRAY ( FOOD \ 6! SIDE
Y>D E "D & ,I J AB DI$ ( BLOAT & 4COM-
=T40
  8,D Y REMEMB] T80 ,$I? SD4
  8,SURE4 ,E M\?;L40
  8,T 0 A L;G "T AGO4 ,Y 7 A NICE   #BGE
LL BOY !N40
  8,I / AM40
  8,( C\RSE Y >E10 %E SD4 ,%E PATT$ MY
*EEK4
  8,"S"TS HE IS10 ,MAVIS SD4 8,B ,I
AGREE ) ,LYMAN4 ,I'M />V+40
  ,! CAF@ES 9 T[N 7 ALL CR[D$ ) P WAIT+
6F9D PLACES 6SIT D[N1 S WE DROVE \ 6!
FAIRGR.DS4 ,9SIDE ! GATE A DEPUTY %]IFF
WAV$ U OV] T[>D ! P>K+ LOTS2 ,LYMAN P>K$
8 ,PONTIAC AT A *ALK$ L9E & WE LOCK$ !
DOORS 6HIS SATISFAC;N1 !N WE ATE LUN* 2H
! GR&/& 9 "O (! BOO?S T _H A L1N-TO RO(
BUILT \ OV] "O SIDE ) WIRE SCRE5+ NAIL$
ONTO TWO-BY-F\RS 6KEEP ! FLIES \4 ,"! 7
ALW A LOT ( FLIES DUR+ ! FAIR4 ,X T5D$
64C\RAGE "S P'S APPETITE 6SEE FLIES
SWIMM+ 9 ! MU/>D & PICKLE RELI%1 S A C\-
PLE ( YE>S PREVI\S ! FAIR BO>D _H ORD]$
SCRE5S PUT UP4 ,WE EA* _H A HAMBURG] &
"S?+ 6DR9K2 ,MAVIS ORD]$ ANO!R S&WI* &
WE KI4$ H] AB X4 ,AFWS WE DECID$ 6SEE !
EXHIBITS & "S (! LIVE/OCK JUDG+ 2F ! RO-
DEO />T$4
  ,:5 WE GOT 6! HOG B>N !Y 7        #BGF
JUDG+ ! ,JANU>Y BO>-PIG 3TE/4 ,WE SAT
D[N 6WAT* ! FUN F ! SECOND R[ (! BL1*]S4
,9 FRONT ( U 0 A GD-SIZ$ 5CLOSURE ( H1VY
F;E PANELS ) SAWDU/ SPR1D DEEP ON ! DIRT
FLOOR4 ,! #D-;,H KIDS _H ALR RUN ! PIGS
96! P5 & 7 TRY+ N[ 6MOVE ! PIGS BACK &
=? 9 FRONT (! JUDGE S HE CD SEE ! MUS-
CL+4 ,X 0 H>D "W4 ,! PIGS 7 TALL1 L;G1
T\< HID$1 9DEP5D5T4 ,X 0 HOT 9 "! "U !
T9 RO(4 ,! PIGS 7 HOT2 A PIG DOESN'T H A
V GD COOL+ SY/EM1 Y "K4 ,!Y KEPT MOIL+1
TROTT+ (F 6LOOK = MUD4 ,_! R.D EYES
LOOK$ M1N1 H1VY LA%$2 _! BIG E>S FLOPP$
! FLIES AWAY :ILE _! SQUIRREL$ TAILS
TWI/$ & SWIT*$ Z !Y MOV$1 & !Y 7 ALL
GRUNT+ & SQU1L+ UP "O HELL (A PIG RACK-
ET4 ,IF ANY?+1 ! KIDS LOOK$ HOTT]1 M
MIS]A# ?AN ! PIGS4 ,! KIDS 7 R$-FAC$ F !
/RA91 & N]V\S1 DRESS$ "R =! %[ 9 NEW
BLUE J1NS & :ITE %IRTS & WIELD+ HOG
CANES & RACEHORSE BATS 9 ! ATTEMPT 6KEEP
^? DAMN BIG PIGS CIRCL+ 6! BE/ ADVANTAGE
9 FRONT (! JUDGE4 ,X REQUIR$ 3SID]A#
:ACK+ & WIELD+ ( CANES 6D T4
  ,M1N:ILE ! JUDGE /OOD ANKLE       #BGG
DEEP 9 ! SAWDU/ & PIG SQUIRT 9 ! C5T] (!
P54 ,HE _H 8 >MS FOLD$ & HE DID N LOOK
HAPPY4 ,HE 0 HIR$ Z PIG JUDGE2 HE TOOK
HMF S]I\S Z ,SUN"D4 ,I 2LIEVE A COLD BE]
9 A COOL B> WD H SAV$ HM4 ,& ALL ! "T !
#D-;,H KIDS 7 HAV+ A HELL (A "T ( X3 !
PIGS WDN'T COOP]ATE4 ,!Y 7 EI TRY+ 6DIG
\ F "U ! F;E PANELS ) _! T\< SN\TS & S
GET %UT ( T MIS]A# HOT BUSI;S1 OR !Y 7
FI<T+1 A BAD RACKET !N1 A HI<] PIT*$
SQU1L ?AN 2F1 IF T 0 POSSI#2 X MADE YR
HAT JUMP--! TWO PIGS SQU1L+1 *EW+ AT "O
ANO!R'S E>S & J[LS :ILE ! KIDS :ACK$ AT
!M1 B1T ) CANES & BATS & CALL$ =! BO>D--
8,BO>D6 ,BO>D60--UNTIL "O (! M5 /&+ ON !
\TSIDE /EPP$ OV] ! F;E & %OV$ A H1VY
%EET ( PLYWOOD D[N H>D 2T ! SCR1M+ PIGS
& /OPP$ ! FI<T4 ,SEP>AT$1 ! PIGS WD LOOK
SORT ( DUMBF.D$1 L ": DID T O!R SON (A
BIT* G1 ,I A9'T F9I%$ *EW+ ON HM YET1 &
S X WD ALL G ON AG Z 2F4
  ,ONLY T[>DS ! 5D "! 0 A SLI<T HIT* 9 !
R\T9E1 ,I REMEMB]3 "O (! PIGS PISS$ ALL
OV] ! JUDGE'S ALLIGATOR BOOTS4 ,! KID :O
[N$ T PIG 0 9 TR\# & HE KNEW X4     #BGH
,HE 2GAN 6KICK SAWDU/ ONTO ! MESS B X
DIDN'T HELP A LOT4 ,! DAMAGE 0 D"O4 ,FI-
N,Y 9 PURE HOPE HE LOOK$ UP 96! JUDGE'S
FACE = M]CY1 =A SIGN ( HUMOR4 ,B ! JUDGE
APP>5TLY DIDN'T H ANY1 OR N 5 ANYWAY1 2C
:5 X CAME "T = RI2ONS ! PIG )! EMPTY
BLA4] DIDN'T W9 A ?+4 ,9 ! BL1*]S WE 7
(F5D$4 ,! PIG 0 \R POPUL> FAVORITE4 ,$I?
& ,MAVIS BOO$ ! JUDGE = AN IDIOT4
  8,M510 ,MAVIS SD4
  8,N[ Y C'T BLAME T ON U10 ,LYMAN SD4
  8,I D10 %E SD4
  ,AF ! HOG JUDG+ WE WALK$ PA/ ! %EEP 9
! WOOD P5S PANT+ 9 ! H1T1 & SAW ! QU>T]
HORSES1 _! R.D-MUSCL$ BUTTS %9+ SMOO? "U
! LI<TS 9 ! HORSE B>N4 ,"W+ \R WAY D[N !
ALLEYS 2T ! #D-;,H KIDS SITT+ ON TACK
BOXES 9 ! C[ B>N WE SAW ! %[ /E]S & FAT
HEIF]S LY+ HALF ASLEEP ON CL1N /RAW4 ,!
CATTLE 7 ALL TRIM & N1T2 "S ( !M / _H _!
RATT$1 PU6$-UP TAILS PROTECT$ 0PLA/IC
BAGS 6BE CL1N =! BEEF-FE$+ 3TE/S :5 ! "T
CAME4 ,! CATTLE 7 HOT4
  ,\TSIDE AG1 WE WALK$ OV] 6! EXHIBITS 9
! HOME-EC4 BUILD+4 ,! C.TY WOM5     #BGI
_H _! QUILTS ON 4PLAY1 & _! >T"W1 FL[]
>RANGE;TS1 & PICKLES4 ,:5 WE GOT 6!
BR1D-&-BUTT]-PICKLE DE"P;T WE F.D T ,M>-
VELLA ,PACKWOOD _H WON X AG4 ,! \-(-T[N
JUDGE _H HUNG A BLUE RI2ON ON H] PICKLE
J>1 : AMUS$ ,LYMAN & ME A GD D1L4 ,"EY-
BODY 9 ! C.TY KNEW T ,M>VELLA ,PACKWOOD
_H J DELIV]$ H] ?IRD KID )\T B5EFIT (A
S+LE M>RIAGE C]TIFICATE4 ,"! 7 FOLKS :O
F.D T N ONLY SC&AL\S B EXCESSIVE4 ,X 0 !
"TS1 !Y SD4
  ,MAVIS SD1 8,DON'T Y SAY A ^W1 Y TWO40
  8,B T "! 0 A WOMAN JUDGE10 ,LYMAN SD4
8,Y A9'T GO+ 6-PLA9 AB T80
  8,%E ?9KS L A MAN10 ,MAVIS SD4
  8,LOOKS L A GD J> ( PICKLES 6ME10 ,I
SD4 8,LOOK AT T COLOR4 ,I PROBABLY "\ TO
'VE M>RI$ H]4 ,I ALW DID FANCY BR1D-&-
BUTT] PICKLES ) MY D9N] /1K4 ,DIDN'T Y1
,LYMAN80
  8,I CDN'T GET ANY10 HE SD4 8,N ": ,I
BE54 ,NEW ,YORK N"E HE>D ( !M40
  8,SEE "!80 ,I SD4 8,M>VELLA'S DO+ ,LY-
MAN & ALL ( U A S]VICE4 ,!Y "\ 6GIVE H]
ANO!R RI2ON40                       #BHJ
  8,DON'T 2 FUNNY10 ,MAVIS SD4
  8,!Y CD /ICK X 6H] BELLY40
  8,YES4 ,& Y'VE ALR GOT "O GIRL EI<T
MON?S PREGNANT ) *4 ,ISN'T T 5\<80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,I C'T TELL YET40
  8,-E ON10 ,$I? SD4 ,%E TOOK ,MAVIS'S
>M & !Y />T$ 6WALK AWAY4 8,^! M510 %E
SD1 8H BE5 \ 9 ! H1T S L;G !Y'RE GETT+
PLA9 MU%Y4 ,!Y'RE N Z /R;G Z WE >E40
  ,6COOL (F AF ! PICKLE EXHIBITS WE W5T
BACK 6! FOOD 3CES.NS & _H COLD DR9KS4
,LYMAN & ,I EA* DRANK A BE]4 ,:ILE ! O?-
]S /AY$ "! 9 ! SCRE5$-IN %ADE1 ,I W5T
OV] 6! TICKET BOO?S 6BUY RES]V$ S1TS 9 !
GR&/& =! RODEO4 ,P 7 />T+ 6FILE IN2 "! 0
GO+ 6BE A GD CR[D4 ,I /OOD 9 L9E 6BUY !
TICKETS1 WAT*+ ! P DRESS$ UP WE/]N =! "D
9 NEW BOOTS & /RAW HATS4 ,!N ,D\B ,RAGS-
DALE1 A F>M] ,I KNEW S\? ( T[N :O _H IR-
RIGAT$ CIRCLES ( CORN & 0 DO+ ALL "R )
!M1 CAME UP 2H ME4 8,HOT1 ISN'T %E80 HE
SD4
  8,"\ 6MAKE ! CORN GR[10 ,I SD4 8,Y C'T
FAULT X40
  8,Y1H1 B X WANTS 6RA940           #BHA
  ,WE MOV$ =W>D A /EP4
  8,! WIFE & KIDS ) Y80
  8,OV] "!40 ,HE PO9T$ T[>DS ! GATE4
,L\ISE1 8 WIFE1 0 /&+ ) _! TWO BOYS 9 !
SUN 9 ORANGE /RET* PANTS &A FL\NCY
BL\SE4 ,%E WAV$ AT ME :5 %E SAW ,I 0
LOOK+ AT H]4
  8,YR OLDE/ BOY GO+ \ = FOOTBALL ?
YE>80
  8,MAYBE10 HE SD4 8,HE'S / AW;L SCRAW-
NY40
  8,HE'LL 2 ALL "R4 ,J KEEP FE$+ HM40
  8,Y1H1 HE EATS4 ,T'S "O ?+ HE "KS H[
6D4 ,B HE'S S(T L 8 "M4 ,LOOK AT !M OR-
ANGE PANTS4 ,X'S N L :5 Y & ME 0 LL
%ITS40
  8,NO10 ,I SD4 8,"S WAYS X'S WORSE40
  8,I DON'T "K10 HE SD4 8,I DON'T L X40
  ,T 0 ALW ,D\B4 ,HE _H T BIG H\SE & ALL
T IRRIGAT$ CORN1 B HE -PLA9$ WORSE ?AN
ANY :1T F>M] W4 ,A :1T F>M] W TELL Y H[
HE'S LO/ 8 CROP FIVE "TS 6DU/1 FLOOD1
DR"\1 HAIL1 & RU/ 2F HE F9,Y ADMITS T
HE'S H>VE/$ X4 ,B ,I H N"E "U/OOD :AT
,D\B _H LO/4 ,MAYBE 8 P]SPECTIVE4   #BHB
  ,ANYWAY1 ,I B"\ ! RODEO TICKETS & W5T
BACK 6COLLECT ! O!RS 6G UP 96! GR&/&4 ,!
S1TS 7 9 ! C5T] SEC;N HI< UP "U ! RO(4
,WE CLIMB$ UP ! AISLE /EPS PA/ ALL ! P
WE KNEW1 /OPP+ 6TALK & JOKE "S Z WE "W$
\R WAY T[>DS ! S1TS4 ,$I?1 ,I RECALL1 0
ESPECI,Y LIVELY T AFN4 ,X MADE H] FEEL
GD 6BE AM;G ALL ! P1 & "EY"O FELT X1 EN-
JOY$ SEE+ H]1 0 GLAD %E 0 HAPPY2 X 0 L
%E LEFT A WIDE RIPPLE ( PL1SURE 2H H]4
,! WOM5 AL;G ! AISLE TOOK H] H&1 &! M5
SLAPP$ ,LYMAN NEI<BORLY ON ! BACK4
  ,:5 WE R1*$ ! S1TS ,I SETTL$ ,MAVIS &!
,GOODN\<S 9 _! PLACES ) CU%IONS 6SIT ON1
!N ,I W5T BACK D[N 6HELP )! CALF ROP+4
,I _H AGRE$ 6RUN ! ROP+ B>RI]1 B T 0
ALL4 ,I WASN'T GO+ 6RODEO ANYMORE MYF2
AT ?IRTY-N9E ,I 0 AT L1/ F\R YE>S ( M>-
RIAGE PA/ ! "T :5 ,I / _H ?"\S ( 2+ A
C[BOY4 ,2SS1 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6BR1K MY
NECK BUCK+ (F "S HORSE OR BULL & L1VE
,MAVIS 6BURY ME4 ,I _H D\BTS AB H[ M*
SPADE"W A PREGNANT WOMAN WD D4 ,! WAY ,I
FIGUR$ X1 %E WD PROBABLY ONLY PLANT ME A
FOOT "U1 !N ! DOGS WD DIG ME UP &   #BHC
*EW MY TOES & *ASE "O ANO!R = MY >M
B"OS4 ,! ?"\ DIDN'T APP1L 6ME4 ,I 0 SAT-
ISFI$ 6WAT* "SBODY ELSE BR1K 8 NECK :ILE
! P 9 ! /&S APPLAUD$4
  ,! RODEO />T$ Z USUAL )! GR& 5TRY4 ,A
BUN* ( GUYS & GIRLS GALLOP$ _! HORSES 9
FIGURE EI<TS 9 ! >5A1 !N "! 7 "S 9TRO-
DUC;NS S ! RODEO M>%ALS &! FAIR QUE5S &
ALL ! NOTA#S CD SPUR _! HORSES =W>D &
LIFT _! HATS 6! CR[D4 ,AFWS1 ! N,NAL AN-
!M 0 BL>$ OV] ! L\DSP1K]S2 ! C[BOYS HELD
_! HATS1 &! P 9 ! /&S ROSE UP & SANG2 !N
! 9VOC,N 0 GIV5 0! ,BAPTI/ PR1*]1 :O F.D
5 CAUSE 6PRAISE ,GOD = TW5TY M9UTES4 ,:5
T BUSI;S 0 F9I%$1 !Y ALL /AMP$$ \ (! >5A
& X 0 "T =! F/ EV5T1 ! B>EBACK RID+4
  ,! RODEO W5T AB Z USUAL T AFN4 ,"! 7
FIVE OR SIX PRETTY GD "Y C[BOYS F DI6]5T
"PS (! C.TRY1 B ONLY AB TWO OR ?REE F/-
CLASS HORSES4 ,X 0 GETT+ H>D] E YE> =A
/OCK 3TRACTOR 6F9D GD BUCK+ HORSES2 !
HORSES W]5'T Z BIG--!Y DIDN'T H M* ( T
RAW PL[-HORSE BUILD ANYMORE--S !Y W]5'T
Z RANK Z !Y _H BE5 TW5TY & ?IRTY YE>S
AGO1 : M1NT ! SCORES W]5'T Z HI<1   #BHD
& ,I SEEM 6RECALL ONLY ONCE :5 !Y _H TO
OP5 ! GATES & BR+ ! AMBUL.E 96! >5A4 ,T
0 :5 ? L;G-NECK$ GOOSEY KID F ,VAL5T9E1
,NEBRASKA1 /AY$ ON 8 SA4LE BRONC ! FULL
EI<T SECONDS4 ,HE 0 / ON AF ! BUZZ]
RANG1 RID+ ) BO? H&S N[ & HOLL]+ & /
TRY+ 6HOOK 8 HORSE = "S R1SON1 :ILE !
PICKUP M5 KICK$ UP 2S HM 6TAKE HM (F1 B
HE DIDN'T SEEM 6"K H[ 6GRAB ONTO "O ( !M
& GET (F4 ,!N ! TR\# 0 !Y ALL GOT 6RAC+
TOO FA/1 & :5 !Y CAME HELL+ UP 6! 5D (!
>5A ! PICKUP HORSES KNEW 5 6/OP B ! SAD-
DLE BRONC DIDN'T4 ,HE JUMP$ ! F;E4 ,I
M1N HE TRI$ TO4 ,I SUPPOSE HE MI<T H
MADE X TOO1 ONLY "! 0 A ?REE-QU>T]-9*
/R& ( CA# /RUNG AL;G ! TOP (! F;E PO/S
64C\RAGE ANY /EEPLE*AS+ OR IMPROMPTU F;E
JUMP+2 S AT ! LA/ SECOND ! HORSE DECID$
6/ICK 8 BIG RAW-BON$ H1D "U ! CA# L HE
?"\ MAYBE HE CD SNAKE "? T HALF FOOT (
EMPTY SPACE 2T ! CA# &! TOP F;E RAIL1 L
MAYBE HE ?"\ HE 0 "S =M ( CIRCUS LION
DO+ ! HOOPS 9 ! C5T] R+4 ,HE DIDN'T MAKE
X2 HE SLAMM$ 6A L\D1 SOLID /OP4
,M1N:ILE1 ! KID F ,VAL5T9E SAIL$    #BHE
H1DF/ OV] ! HORSE'S NECK & RAN 8 FACE UP
AG/ ! /EEL CA#4 ,! CA# DIDN'T GIVE A
LOT1 B 8 FACE DID4 ,!Y CALL$ ! AMBUL.E 9
& RODE HM (F 6! HOSPITAL 6REBUILD 8 NOSE
& SEW UP 8 *EEK4 ,AFWS "S (! C[BOYS 7
RID+ ! PICKUP M5 PRETTY H>D AB LOS+ A
HORSE RACE T X APPE>$ !Y 7 GO+ 6W94 ,UN-
TIL X CAME D[N 6! WIRE1 T IS4 ,! PICKUP
M5 FELT K9D ( FOOLI% AB X4
  8,HELL10 "O ( !M SD4 8,! KNOTH1D
WASN'T EV5 TRY+ 6TURN 8 HORSE4 ,HE ACT$
L HE N"E SAW F;ES 9 ,NEBRASKA40
  8,WELL1 Y 9TRODUC$ HM10 "SBODY SD4
  8,T'S A FACT10 HE SD4 8,I D\BT HE =-
GETS X40
  ,I /AY$ D[N "! 9 ! >5A =! DUR,N (! RO-
DEO1 DR9K+ W>M BE] 2H ! *UTES )! BOYS &
RUNN+ ! B>RI] =! CALF ROP+ :5 X 0 "T = T
EV5T4 ,X WASN'T ANY?+ ON]\S4 ,I _H 6/R+
! ROPE B>RI] ACR ! OP5-5D$ /ALL :5 !
ROP] _H 8 HORSE BACK$ UP 9SIDE X1 !N
*ECK 6SEE T ! HORSE DIDN'T BR1K ! B>RI]
2F ! CALF 0 REL1S$ F ! NE> *UTE4 ,IF !
B>RI] 0 BROK5 ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6WAVE A R$
FLAG AT ! JUDGE4 ,I DID T TWICE     #BHF
:5 A C\PLE ( BOYS GOT ANTSY & CDN'T HOLD
_! HORSES BACK4 ,! JUDGE LOOK$ OV] AT ME
F ! C5T] (! >5A ": HE 0 WAT*+ ! D,Y+ &
SAW ! FLAG1 S ! TWO BOYS GOT T5 SECONDS
A4$ ON 6_! "TS4 ,! "TS W]5'T ANY?+ 6BL[
AB ANYWAY4 ,BOOG] ,BRANNON1 A BIG H1VY-
SET C[BOY F S\? ,OKLAHOMA1 WON ! CALF
ROP+ )A N9ETE5-SEV54 ,ORD9>ILY HE WDN'T
H PLAC$4
  ,X 0 LATE AFN 0! "T ! BULL RID+1 ! LA/
EV5T1 0 F9I%$ &! F9AL QU>T]-HORSE RACE 0
3TE/$ & WON4 ,"! WD / 2 A GD ?REE H\RS (
SUNLI<T 2C ( "DLI<T SAV+S1 B ,I FELT Z
TIR$ Z IF ,I _H "W$4 ,I SUPPOSE ALL T
W>M BE] 3TRIBUT$ 6! FEEL+4 ,AT ANY RATE1
,I 0 R1DY 6G HOME4 ,I / _H EV5+ *ORES 6D
& ,I WANT$ 6SEE ,MAVIS S1T$ 9 AN EASY
*AIR ) H] FEET UP4 ,I 2LIEV$ %E M/ 2
TIR$4
  ,! CR[D 0 -+ D[N \ (! GR&/&1 S ,I
WAIT$ 2S ! GATE = MY WIFE &! ,GOODN\<S4
,I DIDN'T SEE !M4 ,I SAW ,D\B ,RAGSDALE
& ,L\ISE -E 0) _! TWO BOYS1 ALL ( !M
LOOK+ MIS]A# & HOT1 L !Y W]5'T SATISFI$1
& !N ,PACE ,GIV5S /OPP$ 6TALK A     #BHG
M9UTE4 ,PACE 0 A DIRT-POOR F>M] :O 0
TRY+ 6HANG ON 6A C\PLE ( DRYL& QU>T]S
EA/ ( T[N4 ,8 TEE? 7 ALL ROTT5 & G"O TO
HELL4
  8,0,GOD10 HE SD4 8,S&]S1 0,GOD40
  8,Y1H10 ,I SD4
  ,HE 0 SLAPP+ ME ON ! BACK4 ,I CD SMELL
! :ISKEY ON HM4 8,Y'RE ALL "R10 HE SD4
8,DIDN'T ,I "E TELL Y T80
  8,ONCE OR TWICE10 ,I SD4
  8,WELL1 DON'T N"E W1K540
  8,T'S "R40
  8,DON'T N"E W1K51 ,S&]S40
  8,TAKE C>E ( YRF N[10 ,I SD4
  8,HELL1 ,I'M ALL "R10 HE SD4 8,Y "K
:Y80
  8,2C Y N"E W1K540
  8,I N"E W1K54 ,T'S :Y40
  ,HE 0 TALK+ AT ME F AB SIX 9*ES 4T.E F
MY FACE2 HE SMELL$ /R;G ( *1P :ISKEY1 &
"! 7 P WAT*+ U & SMIL+ Z IF X 0 A JOKE1
B ,I LIK$ ,PACE ,GIV5S N"O!.S4 ,HE 0 GO+
6LOSE ^? DRYL& QU>T]S TOO4 ,!Y J W]5'T 5
ANYMORE = HM 6SURVIVE ON4 ,HE SLAPP$ ME
AG ON ! BACK & WALK$ \ ! GATE 9 8   #BHH
DROOP-S1T$1 RAG-CU6$ OV]ALLS4
  ,MY WIFE _HN'T -E D[N F ! GR&/& ) ,$I?
& ,LYMAN4 ,I CLIMB$ UP 96! /&S2 "! 0 NO
"O "! EXCEPT A "Y WOMAN TRY+ 6GET A LL
BOY 6WAKE UP 5 S HE WD WALK & N H 6BE
C>RI$4 ,I 2GAN 6FEEL A LL WORRI$4 ,I
KNEW ? 5TIRE OP5+-"D PROGRAM WD 2 TOO
M*4 ,I W5T BACK "? ! GATE1 LOOK$ >.D1
DIDN'T SEE !M1 & WALK$ \ 6,LYMAN'S C>4
,X 0 / "!1 GRE5 & DU/ COAT$ N[ )! AFN
TRA6IC4 ,S ,I RETURN$ 6! BUILD+S1 WALK$
"? ! EXHIBITS &! %[ B>NS1 & F9,Y F.D !
?REE ( !M DR9K+ POP 9 ! 3CES.N >EA4 ,!Y
DIDN'T APPE> 3C]N$4 ,MAVIS & ,$I? 7
LAU<+ AT ,LYMAN4 ,!Y 7 GIV+ HM "S K9D (
SILLY %IT AB "S?+1 & ,LYMAN WASN'T ALT
PL1S$4
  8,:AT'S ! JOKE80 ,I SD4
  8,Y DON'T WANT 6"K10 ,LYMAN SD4 8,J
BUY ME A BE]4 ,^! DAMN WOM5 WON'T ALL[
NO?+ B SODA POP40
  8,DON'T Y D>E10 ,MAVIS SD4
  8,T'S "R10 ,$I? SD4 8,HE HAS 6ADMIT X
0 A GD SY/EM F/40
  8,:AT WAS80                       #BHI
  8,! SY/EM WE _H =! RACES40
  8,DON'T LI/5 6!M10 ,LYMAN SD4 8,J BUY
ME A BE]1 W Y80
  8,( C\RSE4 ,B :AT HAPP5$ 6YR M"OY80
  8,I DON'T H ANY M"OY4 ,WD ,I 2 DR9K+ ?
DAMN /UFF IF ,I _H ANY M"OY80
  8,:AT HAPP5$ 6X80
  8,HE LO/ X40
  8,! HELL ,I DID40
  8,B WE "K ": X IS4 ,DON'T WE1 ,$I?40
  8,X'S "R "H10 ,$I? SD4
  8,LI/54 ,IF Y A9'T GO+ 6BUY ME A BE]1
AT L1/ LOAN ME A GODDAMN DOLL>4 ,IS T
ASK+ TOO M*80
  8,Y H 6ADMIT X 0 A GD SY/EM F/40
  8,DAMN YR DAMN SY/EM40
  8,I ?9K HE'S GETT+ MAD N[40
  8,ALL "R1 "H40 ,LYMAN /OOD UP & DREW A
*ECKBOOK F ! POCKET ( 8 DRESS PANTS &
SAT D[N 6WRITE 9 X4 8,"H10 HE SD1 8,I'LL
SIGN Y A *ECK IF Y DON'T ?9K Y C EV5
TRU/ ME =A GODDAMN DOLL>40
  8,J A M9UTE10 ,I SD4 8,I TRU/ Y4 ,B
:AT ! HELL >E Y TALK+ AB80
  8,I'M TALK+ AB T GODDAMN FOOL     #BIJ
UP AT ! C.T] T WON'T TAKE MY *ECK4 ,!Y
GOT HM 9 ON ?1 TOO40
  8,:O80
  8,^! WOM54 ,LOOK AT 'EM1 LAU<+ L TWO
CATS40
  ,I LOOK$ AT !M AG4 ,MAVIS 0 SMIL+2 H]
H&S 7 FOLD$ -=TABLY ON H] SWOLL5 /OMA*1
& ,$I?'S EYES 7 SNAPP+ B"R BR[N4 ,!Y 7
DELI<T$4 ,S ,I MADE !M A LL SPEE*4
  8,I DON'T "U/& ANY ( ?10 ,I SD4 8,B ,I
2LIEVE ,LYMAN "H IS 9 NE$ (A DR9K4 ,S
,I'M GO+ 6BUY HM "O1 SY/EM OR NO SY/EM1
:AT"E ! HELL X IS4 ,& ,I'M GO+ 6DR9K "O
MYF4 ,N[ D EI ( Y LADIES OBJECT 6T80
  8,I 2LIEVE ,S&Y IS GETT+ MAD TOO10
,$I? SD4
  8,NO1 HE'S N4 ,HE N"E GETS MAD4 ,D Y1
SWEETHE>T80
  8,( C\RSE N10 ,I SD4 8,I J GET ?IR/Y40
  8,B ,I GUESS WE'VE _H \R FUN10 ,MAVIS
SD4 8,:AT D Y ?9K1 ,$I?80
  8,I ?9K S10 %E SD4 8,& LET U PAY = X4
,WE'VE GOT ALL ! M"OY "! IS40
  ,T SET !M (F AG4 ,!Y 7 GI7L+ L TE5AG]S
& DI7+ 9 _! PURSES 6/UFF MY H&S )   #BIA
BILLS4 ,I TOOK ! M"OY & B"\ ,LYMAN ! BE]
HE WANT$1 ! BE] HE 9 FACT NE$$ BAD N[1 !
BE] HE 0 EV5 2G9N+ 6GET A LL MAD AB N
HAV+ SOON]4 ,I BR"\ X BACK F ! C.T] 9
PAP] CUPS4 ,I / DIDN'T "U/& X1 B X SEEMS
!Y _H MADE SIDE BETS ) "O ANO!R DUR+ !
QU>T]-HORSE RACES4 ,$I? & MY WIFE BET
EA* (! SIX RACES AG/ ,LYMAN1 BETT+ _!
SY/EM AG/ :AT HE KNEW 0 GD S5SE4 ,I
DON'T CLAIM 6"U/& T EI--P]H NO MAN CD--B
_! SY/EM _H "S?+ 6D ) H[ ! COLOR ! JOCK-
EY 0 WE>+ -PLE;T$ ! "N (! HORSE ! JOCKEY
0 RID+4 ,!Y GAVE ? Z AN EXAMPLE3 A HORSE
"ND ,CAJUN ,SCOOT 0 RI45 0A JOCKEY WE>+
*OCOLATE & P1*4 ,T MADE X A SURE W9N]4
,X 0 L ICE CR1M4 ,I DIDN'T SEE X4 ,B
ANYWAY1 FIVE (! SIX HORSES ! WOM5 BET ON
CAME 9 AH1D ( ,LYMAN'S HORSES1 & Z A RE-
SULT !Y _H WON ALL ! POCKET M"OY ,LYMAN
0 C>RY+4 ,6CL9* ! MATT]1 !Y RESOLV$ TO
SP5D ALL _! W9N+S--ALL ( ,LYMAN'S M"OY--
SP5D X ALL "R "! "U 8 NOSE 2F !Y W5T
HOME T EV5+4 ,!Y />T$ 0BUY+ T PAP] CUP (
BE] ,LYMAN WANT$ B : !Y W]5'T GO+ 6ALL[
UNTIL HE AGRE$ X 0 A GD SY/EM4 ,Y   #BIB
C'T TELL ME WOM5 DON'T H A -PLICAT$ S5SE
( FAIR PLAY4
  ,_! RESOLU;N 6SP5D ALL 8 M"OY1 ?\<1
M1NT WE W]5'T GO+ HOME YET4 ,I WD H 6D
*ORES 9 FULL D>K1 & ,MAVIS WDN'T H M*
OPPORTUN;Y 6PUT H] FEET UP4 ,2F WE CD
DRIVE HOME1 WE _H 6D ! C>NIVAL3 ?R[ D>TS
= /U6$ MONKEYS1 LICK ! COTTON C&Y (F \R
F+]S1 PLAY B+O1 TOSS NICKELS1 DR9K M
BE]1 RIDE ! ,F]RIS :EEL4 ,!Y GOT A LOT (
MILEAGE \ ( 8 M"OY4 ,I REMEMB] ! ,F]RIS
:EEL BE/4
  ,N[ ,I'M N BIG ON ,F]RIS :EELS4 ,I
SUPPOSE ,I FEEL A LL FUNNY RID+ UP & >.D
9 A 3T9U\S CIRCLE ) MY GUT SQUEEZ$ TI<T
AG/ ! LOCK$ B> S ,I WON'T FALL \1 :ILE
2L ME ON ! GR.D A CR[D ( KIDS >E WAIT+ 9
L9E = ME 6GET (F & GIVE !M A *.E4 ,!
KIDS C'T SEE :Y ,I'M DO+ X & ,I C'T EI4
,B X WASN'T TOO BAD T EV5+4 ,MAVIS & ,I
7 HOLD+ H&S OV] ! LL BOY 9 H] /OMA*1 &
WE RODE UP TGR 9 ! ROCK+ S1T 9 ! NE>
D>K4 ,! COLOR$ LI<TS 7 ON ALL OV] ! C>-
NIVAL1 \TL9+ ! BOO?S &! RIDES2 OV] !
L\DSP1K]S !Y 7 PLAY+ "S SCRAT*Y     #BIC
ROCK-&-ROLL MUSIC4 ,F ! TOP WE CD SEE F>
\ OV] ! FAIRGR.DS1 ! GR&/& & BUILD+S &
ACR ! >5A 6! BUCK+ *UTES ": ! BUCK+
HORSES 7 GRAZ+ 9 ! PA4OCKS1 & 6! S\? !
T[N1 ! /REETLI<TS ON AT ! CORN]S &! MASS
( D>K TREES & RO(TOPS4 ,$I? & ,LYMAN 7 9
A S1T 9 FRONT ( U4 ,T'S :AT ,I M1N :5 ,I
SAY ,I REMEMB] ! ,F]RIS :EEL BE/4 ,X'S !
PICTURE ,I HOLD 9 M9D :5 ,I ?9K ( T P]I-
OD 9 _! LIVES4
  ,IF ,LYMAN _H "E RE,Y BE5 MAD AB !
BE]1 HE 0 OV] X N[2 HE _H 8 >M >.D 8
SI/]4 ,!Y W]5'T TALK+ M* B J 5JOY+ !
LATE EV5+4 ,Z WE CAME D[N ON ! BACK SIDE
(! :EEL WE CD SEE !M 2L U1 ROCK+ A LL 9
! FLICK] (! COLOR$ LI<TS1 ! MUSIC PLAY+1
8 H& TAPP+ "T ON H] B>E >M & H] H1D RE-
LAX$ A LL T[>D 8 %\LD]4 ,IF Y DIDN'T "K
!M1 Y MI<T H 2LIEV$ !Y 7 AN OLD C\PLE :O
/ _H R1SON 6RIDE A ,F]RIS :EEL TGR4 ,I
HOLD T PICTURE 9 M9D4 ,WE W5T HOME AFWS4

  ,ON ! HI<WAY S\? ( ,HOLT IS A %ORT
WOOD5 BRIDGE CALL$ ! ,FIVE ,MILE
,BRIDGE4 ,NO CREEK OR RIV] RUNS     #BID
"U X1 J A WE$-*OK$ WA% T FILLS =A "D OR
TWO 9 ! LATE SPR+1 :5 WE GET MO/ ( \R
ANNUAL RA9FALL4 ,! BRIDGE IS N M* 6SP1K
(1 B 9 ? C.TRY ": "!'S N M* CALL =
BRIDGES ( ANY K9D X S]VES Z A L&M>K4 ,P
USE X :5 GIV+ DIREC;NS 6\TSID]S4 ,AL1
X'S BE5 ! SITE ( TWO A3ID5TS4
  ,"O ( !M 9VOLV$ ,BU/] & ,B>RY ,WELL"R1
TWO BRO!RS :O LIVE T5 MILES F>!R S\? (
ME 9 ! S&HILLS4 ,"! IS A /ORY T GOES )
X4 ,! ,WELL"RS >E MI4LE-AG$ BOYS & POOR1
ALM Z POOR Z ,PACE ,GIV5S B ) LESS R1SON
= X1 EXCEPT T !Y H A HABIT ( DR9K+ TOO
M*2 !Y /AY TOO L;G AT ! TAV]N4 ,3SEQU5T-
LY !Y DON'T ALW GET !MVS ORGANIZ$ V E>LY
! NEXT MORN+ :5 !Y GET UP4 ,! PRO( ( _!
NI<TLY HABITS IS _! BIG BE] BELLIES &
,BU/] IS MISS+ AN E> ": A CORN PICK]
*EW$ X (F4 ,B T'S ANO!R /ORY4 ,"! >E A
LOT ( /ORIES AB ,BU/] & ,B>RY4 ,!Y PRO-
VIDE A GD D1L ( 5T]TA9;T =! 5TIRE C.TY4
  ,ANYWAY1 ? "PICUL> /ORY GOES T !Y 7
DRIV+ S\? ON ! HI<WAY "O ,SATUR"D NI<T
AF ,TOM ,B[L& F9,Y QUIT TRY+ 6COAX !M \
(! TAV]N & J TURN$ ! LI<TS (F4 ,S   #BIE
X 0 AB ?REE O'C4 ,!Y 7 DRIV+ 9 _! PICKUP
& !Y _H J AB R1*$ T ,FIVE ,MILE ,BRIDGE
:5 ,BU/] HAPP5$ 6LOOK UP F 8 DRUNK5 SL\*
& NOTIC$ T !Y 7 (F ! ROAD4 ,! PICKUP 0
B\NC+ AL;G 9 ! B>R[ DIT* )! SUMM] WE$S
FLY+ UP OV] ! HOOD L CORN/ALKS4 ,HE
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GET ? SON (A BIT* BACK ": X 2L;GS40
  ,B>RY K9D ( LIFT$ 8 H1D & LOOK$ >.D
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DRIV+40
  ,X'S N"E BE5 FULLY E/ABLI%$ :O 0 DRIV+
--! ,WELL"RS 4PUTE X !MVS--B :I*"E BRO!R
X 0 DIDN'T MAKE X4 ,! PICKUP SMA%$ 96!
5D (! BRIDGE4 ,:5 !Y 7 SATISFI$ T !Y
CDN'T BACK UP OR = T MATT] MOVE AT ALL1
S9CE ! BUMP] 0 WRAPP$ H>D >.D A /EEL
PO/1 "O ( !M TURN$ ! 5G9E (F S !Y WDN'T
2 BL[N 6BITS & !Y BO? SETTL$ D[N 9 ! CAB
=A NAP4 ,! NEXT MORN+ P GO+ 6*UR* F.D !M
S.D ASLEEP ) HORSEFLIES BUZZ+ 9 _! OP5
ODORIF]\S M\?S4 ,! P ?"\ !Y 7 D1D1 UNTIL
!Y /UCK _! H1DS 9 ! W9D[ & SMELL$4 ,BU/]
& ,B>RY W]5'T D1D2 !Y J DIDN'T WANT TO
BO!R ANYBODY = HELP AT T "T (       #BIF
NI<T & !Y 7 TOO 3T5T$ =! MO;T 6WALK
HOME4 ,X WD H BE5 A GD TWELVE MILES1 &
WALK+ T F> !Y MI<T H _H 6G 6B$ SOB]4 ,!Y
DIDN'T WANT T4
  ,N"O ( U WANT$ :AT HAPP5$ 6U1 EI4
,$I?1 9 "PICUL>1 HAT$ X4 ,I ?9K %E BLAM$
H]F4 ,B X WASN'T H] FAULT3 ,LYMAN 0
DRIV+4 ,/1 "!'S NO PO9T 9 FIX+ BLAME4 ,X
HAPP5$ & X'S OV]4 ,-E ,AUGU/ X'LL 2 T5
YE>S4
  ,ONLY ,I ?9K ,I M5;N$ E>LI] H[ ,I ?"\
! BIG BACK S1T ( ,LYMAN'S ,PONTIAC WD 2
GD = MY WIFE4 ,X %[S H[ M* ,I "K1 2C X 0
& X WASN'T4 ,MY WIFE DIDN'T DIE4 ,-+
HOME F ! FAIRGR.DS1 AF ! NICKEL TOSS &!
BE] &! ,F]RIS :EEL1 %E 0 ASLEEP 9 ! BACK
S1T ) ME4 ,UP FRONT ,$I? 0 DOZ+ 9 ! PAS-
S5G] S1T 2S ,LYMAN4 ,I WASN'T PAY+ A LOT
( ATT5;N2 ,I 0 HALF ASLEEP MYF1 WAT*+ !
MON?-OLD :1T /UB# &! D>K %9+ CORN FL[ BY
2Y ! F;E L9E4
  ,I CAME 6:5 WE B\NC$ (F ! NE> SIDE (!
IRON BRIDGE RAIL4 ,WE 7 %OOT+ ACR 6! O!R
SIDE !N ": WE CAU<T ! F> 5D (! BRIDGE2 !
C> SPUN1 CROSS$ BACK 6! "R SIDE (   #BIG
! HI<WAY1 CLE>$ ! BRIDGE1 & !N DOVE NOSE
F/ (F ! ROAD-$GE2 X SLAMM$ 96! BANK (!
B>R[ DIT* & ROCK$ BACK )A L1D$ JOLT ONTO
XS TOP4 ,WE 7 ?R[N UPSIDE D[N SCRAMBL+
ON TOP ( "O ANO!R ) %>P CUTT+ $GES (
GLASS "EY":4 ,"! 0 ! BAD SMELL ( GASO-
L9E1 ! S.D ( "S?+ DRIPP+4 ,LYMAN 0 \
COLD2 ,$I? 0 MOAN+ 9 %OCK AB H] >M4 ,MA-
VIS & ,I 7 %OV$ TGR1 H] FACE TWI/$ AWAY
F ME AG/ ! DOME LI<T & H] KNEES DRAWN UP
AG/ H] /OMA*4 ,%E 0 CRY+4
  8,! BABY40
  8,>E Y ALL "R80
  8,B ! BABY40
  8,WE'VE GOT 6GET \ ( "H4 ,X'LL CAT*
FIRE40
  ,I />T$ KICK+ ) MY BOOTS AT ! DOOR1 B
X 0 JAMM$ H>D AG/ ! DIT* BANK1 &! O!R
DOOR 0 SPRUNG S X WDN'T OP54 ,! BACK W9-
D[ 0 SMA%$ FREE ( GLASS EXCEPT = JA7$
PIECES >.D ! $GES1 S ,I KICK$ ^? (F &
CRAWL$ \ 96! DIT*4 ,I 2GAN 6PULL ,MAVIS
\ AF ME4
  8,PL1SE DON'T10 %E SD4 8,PL1SE DON'T
MOVE ME40                           #BIH
  8,I H TO4 ,I C'T L1VE Y 9 "!40
  ,I PULL$ H] 0! >MS Z C>E;LLY Z ,I CD1
TRY+ 6CRADLE H] H1D & 6SUPPORT H] BACK1
& %E 0 / CRY+ 9 A S(T :ISP]4 ,I GOT H] \
& LAID H] D[N 9 ! WE$S AWAY F ! C>4 ,%E
0 LY+ "! 9 ! D>K ) H] KNEES UP4 ,OV] H]
LEGS H] DRESS 0 WET & /ICKY1 B ,I DIDN'T
TELL H] T4 ,I W5T BACK & PULL$ ,$I?2 %E
CRI$ \ :5 ,I TU7$ "O >M S ,I %IFT$ 6!
O!R1 & !N ,LYMAN AF H]1 \ ! BACK W9D[
96! DIT*4 ,!N A C> 0 "!2 AG/ ! H1DLI<TS
,I CD SEE FIGURES SLID+ D[N T[>D U F !
LIP (! ROAD4
  ,X 0 ,$ ,TAYLOR & 8 WIFE4 ,!Y HELP$ ME
C>RY ,MAVIS & ,LYMAN 6_! C>2 ,$I?1 ?\<
%E 0 / 9 %OCK1 0 A# 6BE L$ UP ! /EEP
BANK4 ,$ DROVE U ALL 6T[N 6! HOSPITAL4
  ,B X WASN'T 5\<4 ,! BABY CAME T NI<T
ANYWAY AF A BAD "T )! =CEPS & Q SEV]E
HEMORRHAG+4 ,HE 0 BORN D1D4 ,X 0 A BOY
TOO1 L WE AGRE$ X WD BE4 ,HE _H A %OCK (
BLACK HAIR & ON 8 FACE A BLANK P9*$ LOOK
L AN OLD MAN2 "! 7 BRUISES ON ! SIDES (
8 H1D F ! =CEPS1 & "O ( 8 E>S 0 TORN4 ,!
NURSES %[$ HM 6ME S ,I CD ATTE/     #BII
6HIS D1?4 ,LAT]1 :5 ,MAVIS CAME \ (! AN-
ES!TIC %E WANT$ 6SEE HM4 ,I TOLD H] NO1
%E DIDN'T2 ,I FELT BAD 5 MYF & ,I DIDN'T
?9K SEE+ A D1D BABY WD MAKE H] FEEL ANY
BETT] EI4 ,B %E SD1 8,I WANT 6SEE HM40
  ,S ,I TOOK ! D1D LL BOY 9 6H]1 & %E _H
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HM ON H] *E/4 ,MAVIS 0 J PALE & QUIET )
TE>S %9+ 9 H] EYES2 =A :ILE !N %E 0 G"O
F ME1 G"O F ALL ! _W & ALL ( U / 9 X1
RETR1T$ 96"SPLACE ": N"O ( U CD R1* H]
OR 9T]E/ H] 9 C.TY FAIRS OR JOKES AB
PICKLE EXHIBITS & BETT+ SY/EMS4 ,N"O ( T
MATT]$ N[4 ,& ,I 2GAN 6?9K X 0 GO+ 6BE
BAD TRY+ 6GET ! BABY F H]1 T ,I 0 GO+ 6H
6TALK H>D 6GET HM REL1S$ F ^? QUIET1
PALE >MS2 B %E WASN'T CRAZY2 ,MAVIS
WASN'T MAD4 ,%E 0 J DEEP HURT & SAY+ GD-
BYE 6HM1 & F9,Y %E TOLD ME 8 "N 0 ,JOHN
= MY "F2 & !N %E HELD HM UP 6ME & ,I
TOOK HM BACK 6! NURSES1 :ILE %E FELL (F
96A SAD SLEEP4
  ,S =A "D OR TWO ,I _H ?REE P 6VISIT 9
! ,HOLT HOSPITAL4 ,LYMAN WASN'T A LOT TO
TALK TO1 ?\<2 HE 0 GRO7Y ) PA9-     #CJJ
KILL] & Z 4TANT Z LA/ ,?URS"D4 ,!Y _H HM
9 TRAC;N )A BROK5 NECK4 ,& D[N ! HALL
,MAVIS /AY$ QUIET =A :ILE1 SLEEP+ :5 %E
CD1 & :5 %E CDN'T SLEEP />+ 9 PA9 T[>DS
! F> CORN] (! ROOM4 ,S X 0 ,$I? ,I TALK$
6DUR+ T BRIEF P]IOD AF ! C> WRECK4 ,!Y
_H H] >M 9 A CA/1 & %E KEPT SAY+ H[ SOR-
RY %E WAS1 L %E _H ASSUM$ ALL RESPONSI-
BIL;Y =! WRECK1 Z IF %E _H BE5 DRIV+ !
C> H]F4
  8,I'M S SORRY10 %E SD4
  8,I "K10 ,I SD4 8,B X WASN'T ANYBODY'S
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  8,DON'T SAY T10 %E SD4 8,I 0 LOOK+ =-
W>D 6HM1 ,S&Y4 ,I WANT$ HM 6-E D[N !
ROAD 6SEE ME4 ,L Y US$ TO1 ALL ^! YE>S
AGO40
  8,YES10 ,I SD4 8,HE WD H LIK$ T40
  8,I ?9K HE WD H10 ,$I? SD4 8,I WANT$
HM TO40
  ,S ,I W5T F "O ROOM 6ANO!R1 DID *ORES
AT HOME & RETURN$1 & !N S"EAL "DS LAT]1
:5 BO? ,MAVIS & ,$I? 7 /R;G 5 6BE
REL1S$1 WE _H A PRIVATE FUN]AL =    #CJA
HM UP ON T RISE ABV ! B>N4 ,LYMAN 0 / 9
TRAC;N 9 ! HOSPITAL1 S X 0 J ! ?REE ( U
--,MAVIS1 / PALE & QUIET & 9 PA91 & ,$I?
) H] >M 9 A :ITE CA/1 & ME ) "S /IT*ES
": ! GLASS _H CUT MY FACE4 ,WE BURI$ !
BOX1 : SEEM$ ONLY HALF Z BIG Z A P1*
CRATE--X WEI<$ NO?+--BURI$ X 2S ! LL
BOY'S GR&"F & GRT-GR&"M4 ,N"O ( U SD
ANY?+ :5 ! DAMP S& 0 PACK$ FIRM ON TOP (
X4 ,WE CDN'T ?9K ( ^WS T WD MAKE ANY
DI6];E4
  ,!N X 0 F9I%$4 ,"! 0 J ! FEEL+ AFWS (
2+ EMPTY4 ,MY WIFE CDN'T A3U/OM H]F 6"!
2+ NO?+ 9SIDE H]1 NO?+ KICK+ & /RET*+
ANYMORE 6PLAN =4 ,%E SP5T A LOT ( "T 9 !
ROOM %E _H PREP>$ =! BABY4 ,X _H A CRIB
9 "O CORN] )A NEW %EET /RET*$ TI<T ON !
MATTRESS2 ! /ORE TAG 0 / ON ! %EET2 OV]
! W9D[ "! 7 FRE% CURTA9S4 ,I F.D H] UP
"! "O AFN 9 FRONT (! W9D[ />+ T[>DS !
,GOODN\<S' H\SE4
  8,I DIDN'T WANT 6SPOIL _! FUN10 %E SD4
8,!Y 7 HAV+ S* A GD "T40
  8,YES4 ,Y DID ! "R ?+40
  8,I DON'T REGRET T "P ( X4 ,D     #CJB
Y80
  8,NO4 ,I DON'T REGRET T "P ( X4 ,W Y
-E D[N/AIRS ) ME N[80
  8,IN A M9UTE10 %E SD4 8,I'M ALL "R4 ,I
0 ?9K+ AB ,$I?40
  ,A HALF MILE EA/ ( U ,$I? _H PA9 &
,LYMAN 63T5D )4 ,LYMAN 0 2COM+ A *4