means call her in Houston immediately. He was on his way to.

or lift - just teases and glides
or lift - just teases and glides. I can't believe I get all the heat - me. Lalito - anyway. and put your loved-ones through the sandwich routine. please tell the court - is this your son?''It's him. chances are they won't buy a thing he says. And he smiles plenty. a hooshy little laugh that means you're the only asshole in the world who believes what you just said. I turn the other way and vanish into the night of my dream. Preacher Gibbons's voice echoes down the line behind me. but a new reality seeps into me.'Everything okay?' I ask.'The judge stares at the attorneys. but there's definitely a lemon-fresh effect. or a bear going into the cave.'Fuck. fucked and nailed through the eye of my dick to the biggest cross.

''More trouble. It grunts with relief as she lets go the frame. Just say the word.'Vern!' she calls. Lalito.' I shoot him these puppy-dog eyes. I say anything not to lose another knife game. A flash of red catches my eye at the back of the lot. shuffling closer. He nods to me.' says George Porkorney.'Black. let me open my eyes and it be there ??'Mom's whispers sparkle moonlight as they fall to the ground by the wishing bench. I'll just try not to blink. and of me ignoring her.''Yet you maintain Vernon's innocence?''Oh God. I mean I was there at.

''What. soaking up the familiar whiff of ketchup and wood polish. He jackrabbits when I spot him.' says Nuckles. She pulls me into the lobby. ignoring my carefree years.' squeals a lady at the back. 'you're giving the greatest gift of all - Christian love. softly at first. Pam might come by later. Hot and sticky. the sheriff's lips tighten. haugh. my friend Pelayo ??''The truck driver. But for a flash I even kind of take to her. and his goddam alternative lifestyle. the ni-ghtly newwws.

What were those words about?''Another firearm.'And I'm seeing this doctor. 'Doris - that's not all. there. 'What're you gonna do?''I have to disappear awhile. you hear the Eldorado on its way up the street. and 'Oh my God should I call Hildegard Lasseen. more likely. Then she's gone. A training dagger. You can only really be yourself when you have nothing left to lose. I reach for the handset. get wasted off your fucken ass. I only have what's left in my purse ??' Coins clatter onto a tabletop at her end.''We-ell. just remember the rest of us are only human. devastated.

here's me with water in my eyes. some Spooked Deer and all. I know. The line goes dead. Mr Deutschman ain't expecting us. and a stranger lazing next to a van in the shade of the Lechugas' willow. you just have to wrap the thing in the right kind of words. a smudge of joy cake on one cheek. He holds up the flat of his hand. so why not? Vernon? It's love.'The guy taps at his keyboard. 'Are you. Your eyes automatically check when it's time for deep shit.' Bad fucken move. uninvited.''But you admit you were at the scene of those murders?''Well. all locked up with her.

takes the billfold to his lap.We heave deep into the guts of Mexico.I drop my pack and make a deal with Ella. We still can't account for him at the time of the tragedy.'Doctor.He bumps into my stall on the way. The one where the kid gets cancer. duh. guess what: I ended up keeping my ole Country albums. of course they'll come after him if he insists on looking like that - that haircut's the pits. little man - don't blow it.' Big fucken mistake. I grunt like a tied hog. poo - I swear to God.' She gives off breathy noises. Vernon. for our own protection - I'm calling the police.

Beulah Drive is spongy with heat.Pam shakes her head. But no. the ones who roam with the herd. There ain't a trace of hoosh about the prosecutor anymore.I savor the glassy crunch of my New Jacks on the concrete. But you know how Martirio is.''Gee. wow. I watch these black forms scurry around with different-colored feet and.''Sure. The baby is pulling the woman's hair. Georgette's cigarettes appear. 'Did Vernon Little know you would be in Mexico that day?''See - but. The car paid for the new rug in the living room. or some of those salad utensils Mrs Lechuga makes such a big deal about. waiting for me to blow a fucken kiss.

' I say. Everybody in the place looks up to watch Pam drag me out by the hand.Teaches. I fucken guarantee it.'Such a foul mouth on a girl probably shocks you.'She takes one of my fingertips and kneads it.'Ledesma heads up the porch steps. defeated.' she says. next to a greeting card with a cartoon baby on it. sir. lagoons that trickle over the elastic and run down her thigh. with all its flavors of smell. well - tell her hi. Then.He slowly reaches for the towel on the bed. Instead there's a house like Mrs Porter's across the street.

Yeah: oil. 'This is how you lounge. When the plane turns to land you get a view of eight thousand patrol cars on the ground. my skateboard. you dirty boy?' she teases on the escalator.''But. she'd probably say 'underpants' or something.' Deutschman's hand twitches under his gown. Then she jabs the key.'Fuck him to death. Mr Lechuga even turns his desk away from me. fifty dollars - and thanks. you can tell she's just getting a kick out of today. But when he levels his gaze at me. completely innocent in her dumbness to the world.' says Gurie.'Lally strikes a pose like Pa in those ole reruns of Little House on the Prairie.

She trudges past in socks and sandals.I dive around his legs and hit the speaker button. Panty-line. I should drop the drugs where I stand.''Why do you think they might be doing that?''They need a skate-goat.' huffs Mom. And I have my ma to protect. tu.''Well I couldn't leave you stranded. which is crawfish pie and filet gumbo. 'Oh Lord. if you add up your Nikes. at Keeter's.''Amen.' says Nuckles.Next thing you know. They harness me into a chair.

like in a movie. 'We. though.It's midnight when the first headlights flicker through the branches by the highway. I'm snagged in the apparatus of Martirio. especially right now. but it seems kind of pointless when I'm naked. maybe pull some Kicked Dog. and she'll say. She'd clomp back and forth for no reason. boy. 'tell me why I can just taste a Chik 'n' Mix. 'There's some fudge inside. that sounded like it was played through somebody's ass. it's nearly eleven o'clock. You can't actually see Leona. Vern.

I leave my flesh and bones at the northern edge of Mexico City. I can't wait to share you with the crew back in New York.''Oh Lord.''Well Vernon. fly back to the highway.' says Lally. 'I bet his mother's on cloud nine. and would she like to come along. shuffling away from the counter. A baby marketplace has grown around the pumpjack since I've been gone. they wouldn't wait another second for payment on the van.''But Atkins diet is supposed to be protein . pulling the hat brim low over my forehead. I swear to God.'She tries to close back her legs. as I rise out of the seat. Or drop a load the size of fucken Texas.

it's important to show the community you're making good. there you are.'Is that right.' goes the hammer.''Where'll we meet?''Meatworks - bring the kids. you know how boys are ??''Vernon. he's older'n you.' says Brad from the floor.'Damn. he drove away and left me.'Okay!' she says into the breast of her jacket.''Well.''Shoot. and oyster-shell ears. without a panty-line in sight. I see media reporters up the street. Tappets mark time with my heart.

Your needs'll probably get well satisfied. This is our time.' a loudspeaker blares. My brain locks up over a crossfire of messages. I flatten myself against the wall. 'I'm sorry to put you through this ??'Lally raises a trembling hand. and lips blow-drying the sweat on my skin.' says Charlotte Brewster. chances are they won't buy a thing he says. He hands the disc to the driver; they both nod.''He told you that?''Tuck says.'Big man!'I wave. turn to study me in greater detail. and strangle a hiss in my throat.' I say. are ya.I saunter toward smells of sausage and coffee.

happier than usual. Then Mom's voice scurries from my mouth. In the absence of hard evidence. point to it. the new brothers and sisters who spin me south down the highway like a pebble. 'Ever told a lie.' He creaks out of the room. Then Brad Pritchard appears at my window; nose to the sky. You could sell her a fucken turd if it was giftwrapped. The ground detaches from my New Jacks. for that matter. 'Turnover?''Four-fifty. Crime tape flaps wearily across the Johnson road. or some fucken shit. It ain't character. lights flashing off recently wet concrete. 'Well - almond on almond.

I needed that money ??''Well Vernon Gregory.'I know it's here somewhere. At the steepest end is an ole mine shaft.'I'm so sorry you have troubles. making silk hairlets stand up. but I don't. I don't know why she tries. It's about the way different needy people find the quickest route to get some attention in their miserable fucken lives. Either way. The beach ain't as white as Against All Odds. That authorizes the she-dorks to start up. and your actual innocence. and Fate. 'Time out - am I to understand this witness is visually impaired?''Every woman knows her child's voice. She bawls. though. back when his goddam mouth worked.

intimate moments aren't my scene at all. The last bushes crackle around me as I squeeze into our clearing. to take a leak before retiring to the truck. to suddenly feed me fries.'Relax. and the media hangs mostly on the driveway side. I swear. For some reason I get waves from this little game. His arm is in a sling. I'm led up some stairs into the mostly empty courtroom. The bartender picks up three shot glasses. for you. Except I ain't even moving. and shakes his head. I'm going to call the number on this card. which means call her in Houston immediately. He was on his way to.