young Vernon has been vindicated. I say.

That was in the days after he hit me
That was in the days after he hit me. says Mom. Vernon - how quickly will you get paid?Uh - I can probably get an advance.Jesus ponytail eddies through shafts of sunlight; he seems to swirl with the trees overhead.The smiles on these cakes arent even facing the right way - come on. Pam only has this one cassette. I guess nobody else works Sundays around here. and by the end they have to grapple fucken scissors from her hands. all rugged and lonely. Think very carefully before jeopardizing your bail application. then top up the gaps with little bites. eyes puckered into goats cunts. really.

Vernon - were talking accessory to murder here.Damn.I wasnt even there. I wasnt even there ??Is that right. softly at first. frowning into his mirror. cranking his brow into a sympathetic A-frame.Doris - I think the Special Edition arrived! Heres Betty Pritchard. says Goosens. but I aint sure ole powder-puff Nuckles and his circus of fancy words really count. Jesus never had the damn money. Perky fucker. thingsd be fine again.

but her drapes are still pulled tight.Well Vernon. like - I didnt do anything. Only way to tell reporters these days is by their names - ever notice how fucken bent your local reporters names are? Like. Just bottled the fuck up till it fucken explodes. a message jumps to the screen. you probably heard of it - Buntys?Or at the Velvet Mode. Mr Smedma.You are under a psychiatric order. especially when you just saw a guy naked. It left memories of the Mini-Mart loading-bay after a storm; tangs of soggy cardboard and curdled milk.The smiles on these cakes arent even facing the right way - come on. Lalito.

I needed that money ??Well Vernon Gregory.Tch - the motels full. Eileena. lingering for the rest of the night down by the TV.LuDell Gurie? Well. Thats nouvelle; having the convict look for his own gun. No window. you heard what everybody thinks. TA-T-T-T!Or - something else? His breathing quickens with the march of his fingers. Then narrow to a squint. I check them for arm clamps. He trades stuff with us kids in return for pictures. Well - why is that tragic?He flicks a glossy eye at me.

no. Fuck. Mr Ledesma?Lally smiles the smile of a doting God.Tch. you dont want to fucken know. My ole lady doesnt lose at knife games. Youd remember Clarence Somebody.Papa always said Id amount to nothing. Just call up later or something. then I run crouched alongside the railroad tracks toward the green end of Liberty Drive.They seemed clean. but Fate deployed the shutdown routine you get whenever you miss a ripe opportunity in a dumb way. But because hes dead.

I know. despite the defendants stable. The ole court officer immediately turns to frown my way. which means under forty. me and Pam.41. She needs about five things to go to the Lechugas. I proved Papa wrong. girls? And better-looking ??Hnf. At the back of the room.I just stare at my Nikes. He keeps secrets from me. over the sweat and the barbecue sauce.

She catches my eyes and settles them back. Go up to any asshole and say anything. We move back over the road and up the driveway.Renee? Sorry about that - things are a little crazy down here. At the steepest end is an ole mine shaft. Hes my attorney.Leona flicks back her hair. says the judge. At first everythings quiet inside. And I cant say its going too well. not mine - I didnt even know you could breathe from down there. Moms so-called friend Leona was already devastated last week. cracked and hardened to plastic.

We dropped the biggest fucken load. Lally tightens his grip on my arm. says Gregson.George watches me fondle the phial. and they cant fucken kill him for it. Vaine stiffens like a bone. just waiting. and shit.Ill be back for my stuff. please. says Mom.Its fuckin ten after - take it or leave it. A cool finger invades me as the music explodes to a climax.

Then shes gone.What will Tyrie Lasseen think. But even naked animals need bail. I can tell my ole lady likes him. Mr Smedma. You see. why it aint worn away to nothing. says Lally.Perhaps youll tell us the name of the sheriff who briefed you?The way Georgette Porkorney talks you wouldnt think she gave a shit about the ole sheriff. No matter what. But all I whiff. Before Gurie can object.Mexico.

that kicks the last breath from my system. the guys over thirty. My window opens. Judge Guries been good to me. Wouldnt be - your people. So far hes done nothing but lie. Its ole Tyrie Lasseen. They clearly havent been instructed. but you dont mess with the boys from Smith County. Her mouth flaps empty of words for a moment.Well. I pull away from Lally and head up the hall. says the kid.

Heat comes to my eye. He knows Im waiting for him to say I have a call. I swear. But no. Like the afternoon bus out of town. it comes to my eye as a tear that shoots from my lash like a soggy bullet.Nice gown.Moms eyes fall to the tan-line where her wedding ring once sat. I have a report on the defendants state of mind. So much for Taylor Figueroa.It takes a full second for Spooked Deer to take hold of Mom. Three counties hear her bellowing at the sheriffs secretary. says the sheriff on TV.

hello - Im wondering if Eulalio Ledesma works there?You hear the ole gal catch her breath. I know. I tackle Mom into the corner of the kitchen. shed probably say underpants or something. I pull Lallys business card out of my pocket.A bolt of anger takes me. I say anything not to lose another knife game. along with a bag of my clothes. take a shot. Every stroke of my boy brings her cotton closer. Ma. why it aint worn away to nothing. Now I cuss the day I ever saw my daddys gun.

its all right Leona.What do you remember most about your contact with her?Her smell. seeing as everybodys so antsy. like a burrito. I feel the past wheeze up my throat in a raft of bitter words. did yall hear the one about the rabbit?Glancing over my shoulder. Pam might come by later. That signals the end of the brags. then steps aside as an acre of cellulite drains onto the dirt we call our lawn. real Kicked Dog. and writhing around the back seat of the car. now my voice goes all small and stupid.I glance over the bar.

Mom whisks the napkin off a tray of pessimistic-looking bakes. I dont know why she tries.We start on the front line. The Lord helps those who help themselves ??See you there. but just then Moltenbomb steps up to her with his camcorder and his alligator smile.Well its true. Mister Little? Are you here?Like. Ver-non!I stand on the porch this Sunday evening and try to force Mexico to appear in front of me. with all the specials painted on the window. this guy here - the repairman. Abdini said there couldnt be any media in court today. young Vernon has been vindicated. I say.