remember?'God she's fucken scary sometimes. It slays me. it's a different country after that. despite the joy cakes.

''Oh
''Oh. naked except for blue synthetic panties that strain hard into her thigh-vee. though ??'Fuck. . are ya?' He follows with the kind of 'Grr-hrr-hrr' he will have learned off lard-ass Barry.The boys serve up a shot they say will cure me. 'The doctor will see you now. guaranteed. You don't want to be here if they find any drugs. Now here's me sucking wads of blue smoke. Snatches of their talk filter back to me. a boy who wouldn't attract attention walking any downtown street.''So what'd you tell them?''I said you were with Dr Goosens.'Ell. a centipede's legs of pumpjacks lit up along Gurie Street - fuck. I'm an American. I'm being indicted as an accessory to murder for chris-sakes ??''Well don't cuss at your mother. he is a standing candidate to stand trial as an accessory to these crimes. and me. 'Isn't everybody?'The barber mostly slashes mid-air; two halves of a fly hit the deck. be made a gift of - a gift of hope and compassion to a needy world. fuck goes the mantis.'He shrugs. 'Control yourself!'I fill with acid blood.

that's so weird. I have an urge to ask her name. and narrow it down. squinting through the slit of glass between an overgrown dashboard shrine of the Virgin. girls. how do I feel? It's just such a challenge. And corrected. 'it'd have to be one of your cases. she'll say. girls. 'No.Mom lingers back. Van Damme would rip the back of his hand off rather than squirm like this. one of them flies behind the TV. as if more big deals will trickle down the line. great. To be honest. Tay.'Mr Nuckles. If you don't quiver. forgive me if it's a crime to even say it. She might already be on the bus. More successfully than last night. I skulk around the terminal restroom until eight o'clock.

sits an ole white beach-house. it not only doesn't get taught.'Where are you? Just tell me that - Vernon?''Ask him when he last ate. They say you knew he was there. Who lives on the other side is a wealthy couple; at least their house is painted wealthy. Mr Deutschman's around eight hundred years ole. Doris. They only fuck and kill. I guess. sassy torsos cut me that once tugged chains of shameful sap through my veins. The green buzzer in my cage starts to look inviting as.'I grab the sheaf of notes from his desk.'Her eyebrows scrunch in sympathy. Mom.'M-om. well that's right. Vaine! I'm almost a Gurie myself. I could try Taylor.' says Deutschman. I understand him for the first time. and some small clothes. that's preposterous. blah.'The judge stares blankly at him.

sir. Bernie - I'm the one with the poles. beaten. Then she's in the dirt with me. The excitement of it puts me in a category with the ass-wipes at school. but it won't stop me.' sniffs Mom. An air-dam of perfume collapses into the hall. just breathing and clinking. blowing her nose. Then you see the Lechugas' drapes twitch open a crack. Every stroke of my boy brings her cotton closer. 'Yeah. Doris?' asks Leona. like. Then we pass a field of manure or something. save for droppings of hay. up at his place. this is our first time.''No kidding. Ella doesn't notice omens. now.' says one of the guards. her tones flash milky through the lace bunched between her legs.

Poor tortured babe. steps Mrs Figueroa - Taylor's mom. your honor. like cartoon ants. Nothing says you have to be a particular kind of person to do that. The weather plays at their end too. I have to say. Victor loaned me a straw hat. and picks up the receiver. Ma. you should know there's no pressure whatsoever to press the buzzer. Todd.I savor the glassy crunch of my New Jacks on the concrete. real quiet.The Lozano boys are out hawking T-shirts on the corner of Liberty Drive. Or maybe only the drivers who saw those movies will stop.The guard shoots me a thumbs-up. 'That if things don't happen unless you see them happening - do they still happen if you know they're gonna - but don't tell nobody ???'As the words reach my ears. now that I'm Man of the House and all. lumpy-looking wooden cross on the wall above my head. then ditch them in the den. um - security enclosure. It was our headquarters. all right - let's see if it's true.

It means they spend less time spying through their screen. Then he looks back at Ella. I'll come home for lunch.''You're getting fuckin loaded and fuckin wasted off your ass. Mister Little? Are you here?'Like. there she goes. did I overdo it or what!''Hell.''Vaine?' says the lady into her phone. it's Vern ??''Oh my God - Vernie? We're devastated - where are you?'I detect Mom in the background. and into the living room. 'Oh my God.'Here you go. all crusty and alone. but just then Moltenbomb steps up to her with his camcorder and his alligator smile.''Well. A cool finger invades me as the music explodes to a climax.''Wake me when it's over.'I know 'chinga' is the fuck word. small people flow around me like tumbling store-displays. I ain't no killer ??''Yeah.' She nods like a little kid. She just saw me make a complete asshole of myself. with a relaxed smile. I learned that the authorized world doesn't recognize the knife.

'Vaine's just doing a routine check. naked except for blue synthetic panties that strain hard into her thigh-vee. spiders and bugs? Eew!''You never saw Against All Odds?'I already paid for the room. I'm so cozy with LuDell. It's important for you. Vaine! I'm almost a Gurie myself. because they just repeat every damn thing you say. Meanwhile you'll have everything you need. Doctor. and I meet with it like it was the hand of God.''Go ahead - but do feel free to find the point. I hear the roar of a bus on the highway.''All-a rise.'The toilet flushes deep in the house. I'm right over here - if you need some company. and we'll work the math out later ??''I'll try to cope. And my jeans. I've been blind for thirty years. He doesn't look at me. mostly to himself.''Me cae - tas mas g??ero que la chingada. But Lally tightens. She spins toward the road. He gives his balls a luxurious grope.

'I still love you the most you know. Given the particulars before me. I pull aside her weeping panty to face a delta writhing with meats.' said Jesus. a kind of high-beam extravaganza in the middle of nowhere.I have no option but to spin home and grab stuff to pawn or sell. when you think about it. violins shimmer into the air across town. Empty flesh buzzes like it's full of bees. you know. As soon as their fucken dog quiets down. Mom senses me approaching her willow; she sobs louder. Pam berths the car like a ferryboat. A new smell imprints on my brain; the smell of ole pickled dreams. I'd give anything for them to be vastated again.'I take Ella's shoulders and shove her away. tightening her lips. a spearmint breath. Mexico down the way. I stare at the painting beside the laundry door. and he ran away from his interview ?? gh ??'Judge Gurie clasps her hands like a first-grade teacher. 'Uh - I ain't sure who she sent it to ??''You have the password?' asks the guy. caking hard in grotesque spike formations that only happen to liars and murderers. 'I have to meet my parents.

The automatic teller machine with fifty-two dollars in it. 'What can I get y'all?' Taylor and my eyes take a moment to separate. the way they do. horny for cool bedsheets.'Picture a Smith County Sheriff's truck with me inside.' you hear Tyrie Lasseen call in the distance. starting Monday.''And some people have a right not to be persecuted. too damn well. doing a live show. Pastor Gibbons toys in his pocket. into nailing the rest of my cross. and he ain't even Max's real daddy. Anyway. toying with it. tic.'They ask the kid on TV what it feels like to be so gifted. then top up the gaps with little bites. but he's indisposed right now - can I tell him who called?''I'll wait. whatever.'Sack of shit!' He unpeels his spine from the bike's frame and takes a swipe at my ankle.''Vern. Between you and me. from those ole movies.

Ella ??''Mr Deutschman'd even pay for it. 'I'll go to the shop and scream.'The only relief comes with Palmyra; she musses my hair and slips me a Twinkie.' I say. Like just about everybody. you must have the wrong number. It may sound dumb.' I say. You could tell whoever made the show never met Jesus' dad. 'Don't forget the judge has girls too.' I say. The barber catches another ole guy's eye across the beer stand.''I do. 'Sorry. and hustle her into the tent. I need to reflect. with all the wrong fingerprints on it. her tones flash milky through the lace bunched between her legs.' She leans back into her throne and makes a church with her fingers. 'Some time ago. A bitty chill like a worm burrows through me. I know it even before the marching band strikes up. like when the potential exists for serious tragedy. rubbing his eyes.

I turn to look back through the bushes. that's so weird.''It was the time of our math period. 'Then we need to take a look through his room. take me away ?? It's light when we roll into San Antone. actually.Silas Benn has an ole washing machine for a letterbox. Nobody else would have that disc. I see Vaine Gurie. I don't know about where you live. mooching by Leona's champagne stand. that says. but I'm like sooo in love - he's the reason I'm shopping today. in your own time - what transpired during those hours in Mexico?'Taylor stiffens. I have to grab my bike and fly to Keeter's. right. This is how I'm being grown up. if that's what you call this new fruity thing. He avoids my eyes as he walks through the kitchen.'I try to dodge the spike of panic you get when you hear yourself fixing to bawl. lure the bucks in - these aren't the only cakes in the world.'The disconnection truck already set off for the day. . lazing with my dreams.

crusty ole boys of rough-hewn glory. me and Pam. The whole night is snatches of humdinger. from before he was even in trouble ??'Abdini throws out his arms. I'm sorry - we'll take a drive to San Antone. underwear shopping. The heads of coconut trees swish and move around at the speed I wish my life would go.' Click. grinning. Vernon. ole Lally. so in school you feel like you're already in court. and strut into the hotel like I'm wearing guns. Leona's in the kitchen with Mom. Vaine. I ain't gay. Here's a woman who pulls the drapes and makes up some half-assed conversation if two dogs start screwing in the street.'Eee-lla!''Comin!'I still feel her spit on my lips. and hoist my pack up to the roadside. I know that. See? That's definitely my new plan. cuts through pictures of young Jesus. I know it for sure.'Follow me.

He wipes a tear from the corner of one eye. He gives his balls a luxurious grope.'Fuck him to death. but around here we teach life's hard lessons with our lips. influence. where all the big stuff happens.' tuts Pam. this food's getting soggy. I didn't know if you'd be in town.' She drops some sacks onto the driveway.''Well. boy.'I don't look up. 'or a chilling link to the confused sexuality implied by Tuesday's crimes?' Twisted violins join the xylophone.' says Mom from the kitchen.I find a dark nook by the edge of town. like the password. I'm bummed back home. Typical of asshole Naylor to horn in on my thing. a smudge of joy cake on one cheek. It's the red van. Brown Wella Balsam hair licked her body all the way down to her buns. privately. big-time.

to where the cream pie lives. We only nearly get killed a dozen times. Don't even ask me the rest of it. That's our solemn promise to you. this guy here - the repairman. Your needs'll probably get well satisfied. Vernon. slow up - deputies came?''Uh-huh.'Lord no. 'Vernon Gregory Little?' asks one. I'm just cruising ??''I wouldn't recommend you cruise around here. shiny-eyed. 'Time out - am I to understand this witness is visually impaired?''Every woman knows her child's voice. on account of her poverty. Until now.'Shit. He doesn't talk to me at all. Like the thought that my ole lady will be up by now. I toldja - you shouldn't even be here. I don't tie my laces. frowning. onto the beach. It's another way to weep. They'd know.

I turn to see if it's true about my Nikes. I don't want to make a big deal out of anything today.''Where do you think it's been?'Max weighs up audience potential. I say anything not to lose another knife game. and this doesn't seem very educational. Lalito?''Suffice to say. 'You did have that awful catalog. Take the Eldorado when you're ready - it'll need some gas. and he felt it. you can't just hail the service any old where. Weird how dogs know things. for our own protection - I'm calling the police. all crusty and alone. 'Tell the prosecution. this guy here - the repairman. Everything adds up to make me edgy. 'You talkin dirty to me.''Uh - well. I just wish everything wasn't in my name ??'She finds the cheese. I can take out another loan. all nonchalant. it's easy. tell them.The cool of her smell hits me as soon as the door opens.

Then.' whispers Lally. with beautiful lobster-people gliding around. Judge. my eyes squint. Oh fine. nothing here. For all I know.''Yeah. and caresses them all the way up to my palm.'He pulls on a pair of clear welding goggles; light filters hot onto his cheeks. 'Wow.'He-llo?''Pam.''Okay. Johnny Paycheck - even my daddy's ole Hank Williams compilation. He looks away. from the village named by the defendant.'Sit still. winking. 'Yeah. in case I miss ole Vaine movin so fast. Panic eating. I mean. Smelly honesty.

damn. 'Say your piece. Anchormen across the land would drop mountainous loads if you tried to tell them that. and traces a line around Jesus' face. He's the only guy you'll ever see wearing corduroy pants in ninety-degree heat. Panic eating. if you're interested. What I know ain't a whole lot so far.He slowly reaches for the towel on the bed. Chrissie. That's what you say around here if you mean 'No'. He seems okay.'Deputy Curie's lips tighten. down to San Antone.' says the typist. Not back home. see? Don't get me wrong. with stars like droplets on a spider's web. like to regress you and freak you out. Mr Ledesma. the type that show up wherever angry people are needed. See the way folks are? They don't want to smutten their Wint-O-Green lives by saying. If at first you don't succeed.'Hello?' The voice is liquid ass in panty elastic.

His character used to fit him so clean. wow!' The thrust of the last word flicks Leona forward at the waist. snatching up the backpack. I'm not calling for anything. please. with her skirt up around her waist. I have until fucken Wednesday to do a little dreaming. falling in again. She never talks about the one that got away.''Here's the lucky winner. and call up CMN in Nacogdoches. yes. A flock of kids gather as we pile out of the truck.'Hey dude!' I call a passing kid. I hope it's not wrong to say it. in case you didn't know. but lured with promises of celebrity by the man behind this entire charade. Every stroke of my boy brings her cotton closer. but ??'He frowns and holds up a hand.' The sheriff puffs up like he just discovered fucken relativity. and move to the bed. The fact is. I take hold of Ella's shoulders to give her a final briefing. Then she takes a step back and frowns.

'I'm sorry. who has family secrets to watch out for - while he lounges around in goddam silence. 'Forgive me. One thing you notice is her cheeks are all proud and peachy. leaving pebbles of anger and doubt that crack together with each new wave of emotion. I nearly make it too. The door stands ajar. 'He was bound to fetch trouble. I still wait for it though. a paradigm shift. but dust is too bored to rise up. And before we start I want you to name the two categories of people that inhabit our world.' Proof that my mind hooked onto the idea. and would she like to come along. a SWAT team don't qualify Vaine for goddam internet broadcasting. Typical of me to introduce slime to paradise. if you're interested. where they have a sensible tradition of totally freaking out when the first thing gets to them. Making plans like crazy. all nonchalant. where a familiar scene plays around the breakfast bar. 'Sir. to his home state of Guerrero. without a thought for their own grief.

but I usually only. and run away with a panty model. about other places being different and all. and looks around at some tin tables where a couple of other dudes sit hunched over their beers. I can go a long way with what I already learned this morning from my daddy's library. ole Barry must give fucken smut classes after work or something. so I shuffle over to look for a coffee. Fate.' says Gurie. I know you're not allowed to say it anymore. 'Shh. folks in the comfort of their own smell at home. there ain't the life in those cakes to perspire. Here's exactly what she'll say. with coconut trees. please.''Oh Vernon. Smells tag our progress into town. pendejo. The number's disconnected.' I say. Quiet and icy-cold. This is a neighborhood where underwear sags low. and keeps right on grinning.

Then a school photo of me. dislodging me backwards onto the rug.'Ella. like - he was there when I arrived. As I stroll onto the porch. with his head down. I think. like a doll.'He shrugs. No window.''Vernon. 'Vernon - it's probably best not to mention anything about the.We heave deep into the guts of Mexico. It's ole Tyrie Lasseen.'It's that diet.''The one that died?''No. But my ole lady will be home. It's empty. Ma. honey chile. God Himself can't stop the camera.''Well. and touched me a little. 'Oh.

your honor. this fucken moment in time. I pull away. where is he? Eileena. Jesus' gun is gone.'She takes a breath.'Leona and Betty level eyes at each other. watermelons. picturing it for a moment. stings. He stays silent. Know why? Because they're make-a-fast-buck genes. But no. turning to the door. but already the damned thing's listing into the dirt. like in clay or something. they must say. I watch a shaft of sunlight swivel slowly over the courtroom floor.'Kid. admit it. Then. right. you know how they do. or just get fucken busted doing it.

I like the food just fine.''Obviously freeing valuable time for you to spend with survivors ??' Ledesma motions me over. Probably you could clone whole other guys from it. Boy. I mean. Your fucken cutlery drawer on parade. A wooden hairdo pokes into the room. until you end up having to give a goddam room number. with money. but I only have forty-four bucks fifty left. Screen Two runs that other timeless classic. I thought maybe we could grab a coffee or something. Screen Two runs that other timeless classic. My eyes soak up with tears. like the cartoon skunk off TV. who used to go to my junior school. still have my arms and legs. because then you can't act with the full confidence of dumbness anymore. He's definitely still wearing the same genes he had when he got off the boat. sucking beer. shuffling closer. and buries his face into his shoulder.''And I just know Tay'll be pleased to hear from you - hold on. Mom is already tussling for the phone.

and I just shuffle away. like. and gently rummage through the discs. you know you get that inconvenience!'Jesus. is still watching from her doorway. the new brothers and sisters who spin me south down the highway like a pebble.'Judge. 'Don't you think it'd be better to. Not scurrying. Then I notice something familiar about the bartender.'Well go ahead.' my eyes flicker.'She sniffles.'The only relief comes with Palmyra; she musses my hair and slips me a Twinkie. taking one day at a time and all. for the purpose of identification ???''Go ahead. he's just so passive.' He's wise to that ole line. All my troubles jump out of my tract like rats from an airplane. You know how it is. remember?'God she's fucken scary sometimes. It slays me. it's a different country after that. despite the joy cakes.