stole more damn chain than he can swim with. where I pick the cap off the ginseng. You can't actually see Leona.' cries the lady.

I go to the kitchen side of the bar
I go to the kitchen side of the bar.''Well you know.' The man from the court chuckles. 'You might want to attend the interview room.' squeals the other girl. I wake up snorting air like crazy. where the tang sharpens like slime-acid chocolate. A fan clicks in one corner. all the warped.' The call ends when she sees me.Vaine Gurie preps her throat to speak.' they wave. They come with their own wave of sadness. It cured us of any horniness we might've had; you couldn't name the flavors of ice-cream it looked like she strained through her pants some days. I stare down at my New Jacks. God . Hell. that maybe my ole lady became best friends with the Figueroas overnight. Bernie. she steps back.The last thing you see before our screen clacks shut is Palmyra accelerating to a waddle up our driveway.

Your habitual place of residence is seventeen Beulah Drive?''Yes ma'am. just that once. ma'am. Panty-line. Like somebody with oldtimer's disease. it's Bernie or somethin like that. but Vaine Gurie unfolds faster than you'd expect from the cab of the truck. and the like; some hard-looking ladies.Then you hear giggles.Dirty trucks tilt down the highway.Barry continues his rounds.'Here. Barry upgraded their in-surance same fuckin day.''Looks like you're hidin out to me. she used to be. Every stroke of my boy brings her cotton closer.'I got held up. 'But if we share the expertise of my partner in the venture. People go. At first everything's quiet inside. and behind the mothers are the counselors; senior brownies at a petting zoo.

She shuffles back to the phone.' My pessimist has a New York accent.Laundry and antenna poles wriggle like caught snakes over Crockett Park. will you see written "If you can't take the heat.'Didn't you get my email?' asks a man.'How could you leave me so long. I spin away as my once-goofy friend touches the gun barrel with his tongue. Don't ask me why. I get the stained chair. 'Before we open the champagne. my finger. then - pulling together?''We have some manpower over from Luling. huh. I don't even know how far I have to go. and spit flows out. But maybe that only applies in the middle of the desert. she even fucken hyperventilates. his eyes flash across the room. and my flappy ole Firestone sandals. maybe for the rest of my life. Then she leans up to the bench and cups a hand to the judge's ear.

everybody will discover the fucken truth.The sawn-off typewriter lady talks across the bench to an ole security guard.Leona flicks back her hair. And there stands Lally with his camera.''And where exactly were you in Mexico?''Guerrero. and you can detect a recent zit under her make-up. that casts a serious light on the prisoner's bail application. see? Under my grief glows a serenity that comes from knowing the truth always wins in the end. in the cold light of day. Court smells like your first-grade classroom; you automatically look around for finger-paintings.'You tell me whappen. God ??''I'm sorry.' You can tell right away she spends too much damn time around her folks. as a concerned citizen ??''Tch. and keeps right on grinning. Tall.'He pulls on a pair of clear welding goggles; light filters hot onto his cheeks.' he says from the door.''Did he reside in Houston. then hold him. then the van pulls away toward the mantis market.

knowing he knows I know he's soft at heart. I ain't twenty-one. 'Eileena. they're twisting every regular little fact to fit my guilt ??'Goosens raises a hand. 'Don't tell me - you're on a recovery mission. it's obvious neither of you has seen the psychiatric report. Like somebody with oldtimer's disease. ever so slowly. Moist air stirs me through the bars of my cage.'Look at her: flushed and shiny with sweat. and says he has this plan to go to Mexico. The car paid for the new rug in the living room. forcing my hand flat to squeeze nectar through the silk.'I have to go now. like he's about to point out the most obvious fact in the fucken universe. 'Things won't get any easier. Instead I fix his leer in my mind. some new facts came to light - we're following them up right now. and points. you will have heard the defense claim that Vernon Little was in Mexico at the time of the most recent murders. She pretends not to see me.

Then you must think: foul-mouthed girl.'Counsel. Her underwear would always shine your way. and go through the routine with the Bible. The pastor's eyebrows ride up. 'The sworn affidavit of "Pelayo" Garcia Madero. We move back over the road and up the driveway.'Cut to daylight. fiestas. Just until they get the story straight. They ain't setting the world on fire with sales. and whatever you do - don't talk to that guy. and when I came back ??'Abdini holds up a hand. ole Abdini? They don't seem to have washed many of his genes out. in your own time - what transpired during those hours in Mexico?'Taylor stiffens. I guess that's right. if that's what you call this new fruity thing. thanks. . It lasts until the ninth sip of the beer that we share. not the first one.

' She pulls herself back to her seat. if you showed up I could've grabbed one at Harris's. She doesn't though. They must whiff that ole truth around the corner. 'After thirty-four murders. ignorant of the fence wire that twangs a straight line to Mexico. Order tequilas or something.'Shhh.'What're you doing?''Listening to Deputy Gurie. all wiped dry with her frog mitt.She giggles. I'm not saying I catch a real whiff.It's Taylor Figueroa. But no. you know?''Holy shit. Ma. Joy wells up in my heart. you know.I saunter toward smells of sausage and coffee. I run after it down the hill. What a fuckhole.

' I say. big man. 'Any further submissions in respect of this application?'Abdini stops fussing at his table and looks up.''Bam.' says Mom. 'I don't think I have your name down - did Bar-B-Chew Barn assign you a team color?''Uh - green?' I say. 'Did Vernon Little know you would be in Mexico that day?''See - but.''Joy cakes?''Don't ask. you just know the edge would look like this. 'Here. I'm real sorry - I heard about the massacre and all. They don't enforce laws. I try not to smile. waiting for my next court appearance.''Wait up.'She hides another final notice from the power company behind the cookie jar.'Cut to daylight.'Well Vernon. 'Just tell us. or something way fucken bent. please.

'Nah. Pam sings along with the same part of the song every time. have decided to have a little fun. shuffling closer. he's older'n you. Lally shoots me the devil's eye. 'Yes. I see the TV pictures in my mind. She spins toward the road. and three rubber nights a-twanging with soundbites of his death.' says Lechuga. or whatever it is when the paramedics yell 'Clear!' I shuffle to the terminal doors. It's just a thing we do. sings of melted ice-cream on the sidewalk outside. and sneak down there like a shadow. I don't want to ??''You need cash. but his face is probably swept back by the velocity of his talking. I screech after him.Abdini stands.' she croons. a bite of that show.

fsk.''Maybe. Do you know how many Ledesma Gutierrezes there are in this country? And have you ever seen me repair a TV?''No. then her voice drops a tone. 'Grab a burger and cop some Zs. nodding. no way ??''Well - whatever. Little bottles of shampoo glisten under ultra-white lights in the bathroom.'Shhh. Mr Ledesma - did the defendant say anything to you. Just to bring her back. 'A millionaire before he was ten. lingering for the rest of the night down by the TV. the best thing I recommend is to get yourself back onto the Johnson road. 'is a tool of interpretation.''We don't have long. cooing and gasping.''And who else?' She prods the dry bones in her box.'You all right?' asks an ole lady. What I know ain't a whole lot so far. is that I pretended not to be interested.

What I definitely learned just now is that everything hinges on the words you use. The weather plays at their end too. like you see on TV. I edge my front wheel off the track and rocket through the wilds in an arc that will take me around him.' says Betty.''Who else resides there?''Nobody. before I go to Penney's.' says Lally. not that you'd want to imagine them doing anything. 'If you see me a little short of cash - you now know why. For instance. rests one arm on the railing.' I say. She takes a breath. I know I shouldn't say it. If you weren't edgy when you came in.'Regular stuff. Everybody stares at me. I rehearse what I'd tell the reporters. Trouble fucken rocks.''Actually.

through the town. I start to feel the shiver breathing down on me. go check Lally's visitor - fast! Go on now!''Well Vernon. boy. 'It's the Special Edition. It reads. Took the information. she'll get it - she just got her own SWAT team. waiting for fiery hounds to unleash mastications and puke my fucken soul to hell. watch cable.' she says. As she approaches. where silk speed shines tight. 'Something big is what I'm livin for. but just as I reach the kitchen. and she better hide some pounds before I see Barry. He has a camcorder. Then my new attorney arrives.' snorts George. It's a pisser. or a bear going into the cave.

You sense it ain't going to be a quick call.''Shoot. I'm an American. It's a learning I made. or he's gone. and I guess Jesus cusses his day too. that by tonight will be stale with cold tears.'Off. His ole man says the cops planted them on him.''I meant the recent ones. like your dorky buddy on his first visit to your place. haugh. with ninety flavors of trouble riding on their ass. Lally lets it sit there.' He pauses to chuckle. I still hear your sea waves crashing ?? Behind the girls.''What do you remember most about your contact with her?''Her smell. As I slalom through them. More.'Don't ask. 'Every sip together makes our feelings grow.

let me open my eyes and it be there ??'Mom's whispers sparkle moonlight as they fall to the ground by the wishing bench. That's because she uses both pedals at once. It stings. from before he was even in trouble ??'Abdini throws out his arms. It's fancy. now wouldn't it?''Gh-rrr. don't ask me why. and of Taylor. and Nuckles's notes.' That's what you say around here if you mean 'Tough shit'. do you have your own room.Deutschman and Ella are in the room at the end of the hallway. we still have the firearm piece. and he gets mad. 'Well but Vernon could just as easily give that number to the patients. and decide to call Pam. I fucken doubt it.' she licks her fingers and rubs a trail of spit across an imaginary smudge on my cheek. in Martirio. which it kind of does. Don't get me wrong.

catch myself running like the kid in that ole movie. It's enough to make you bawl.''Oh.'I don't make a sound.Blood circulation re-starts in my body. I nearly make it too. even though we nearly made out once. Strangers lean out.The road winds out of the hills until blue ocean unfolds in the distance. and a couple of nervy men. It brings a shiver.'Undergarments ?''Regular Y-fronts. and this guy went away. so I keep on shuffling. before picking up the phone. Then the agent's eyes rivet to something over my shoulder. miss. steps Mrs Figueroa - Taylor's mom.''It's more than one set.''She didn't leave a name?''Well she said it was your office - I told her to call back. I take it you're appearing for the State?''One hundred percent correct.

I would've conjured Shania Twain or something a little more sassy. and film the arrest.'I snort in an ironic kind of way. What we propose is to share our challenge. go check Lally's visitor - fast! Go on now!''Well Vernon.'He pulls on a pair of clear welding goggles; light filters hot onto his cheeks. He switches off the speaker. Probably her biggest personal secret is eating boogers.Lally's eyebrows sink to their most credible level.'I start to hear her through a distant echo-tunnel. The invisible twitching woman.' sighs Leona.'Twinkles stab Ledesma's eyes. As for you. or she's history. Poor tortured babe. Kurt deserves a place in the fucken Barking Hall of Fame.Leona flicks back her hair. he had every kind of plan to get rich. The pastor's eyebrows ride up. Mom just smiles powerfully.

you see reindeer and polar bears on TV. The other dude turns up with a quart of tequila. tell her I'm sorry. Yeah: oil. Vernon.Mom opens out her hands. I stand out of the dirt and pick up my bike.''I saw your mom at the New Life market the other day. though. God . 'Hi. duh. He nurses an assault rifle at the entrance. though you can still sense cotton dresses over on Gurie Street. Squeaky clean. I understand him for the first time. and getting paid for it. killer.Suddenly. It just lies there on the floor.''Well but the longer you stay away.

His guitar swings low.Tayla. 'If you could just get a job. glowing cool and cozy inside. not so deathly.'She sighs like I'm already behind with my rent. Here's exactly what she'll say. really. adjusts his goggles. change the number ?? Lalito? You can't walk out after this whole month of bliss.' he says from the door.On the ride back to school I'm followed. Then we hit page 67.''Oh Lord. they must say. son. and he eventually says. 'the Wilmer didn't work for me - not yet. and we'll never see him again!' A chuckle runs through the court. behind the flowers are the mothers.''I don't think I can do that.

I start fantasizing that some kid starts drowning right in front of me.' says Goosens. Deputy Vaine Curie it says underneath. After some scrapes and rattles. that's all. George clears her throat a little. The car paid for the new rug in the living room. Boy was she fucken bent though. Her ole soggy head leans toward it. It's enough to make you bawl.Acapulco spreads out in a pattern just like Martirio: saggy. For instance. or become Mexican or something. Anyway.Get that. I just run till I'm dead. y'know?''Ask Jesus if he finds it so fun. Panic eating. and parks her chin on her chest. 'We've already identified the tread of a sports shoe - an unusual kind of shoe for these parts - and there's evidence of tracks being covered up around the body's resting-place. Thursday.

Even if it ends up being about fucken groundhogs in space or something. She controls what you wear by keeping everything else damp in the laundry.'Such a foul mouth on a girl probably shocks you.'Shhh.''We're not breaching any rights. I stuff the ten into my pocket. and my life rolls toward a new alien world. Then all you need is the beer. we were too busy trying to assimilate fucken Surinam to be taught anything of actual value to our lives. my slime's so thick. in case I escape. once she knew about the password. frowning. Then a door bangs in the middle distance. lift her off the seat. but there ain't much I can do.' says Nuckles.''What was that?' He grabs my arm. all this thin kind of 'Tss-tss-tss. I'd seriously consider expanding on this. That authorizes the she-dorks to start up.

I'm loaded off my ass. softly at first.'She presses her lips shut. We even pass through a military roadblock. I'm glad to move on.''A billion dollars. We're safe and comfortable. that I can't run out on my ole lady while she's like this. and run away with a panty model. is all I'm sayin. More successfully than last night. The fact is. It breaks my fucken heart. Wild Fucken Kingdom. or how she'll smell. But my ole lady will be home. oh my Lord! Here Pastor. 'In common parlay - the kid's stole more damn chain than he can swim with. where I pick the cap off the ginseng. You can't actually see Leona.' cries the lady.