trying to make chase of that big, beautiful Buick growling and downshifting into a comfortable, violent speed.
His heel bled thick and dark into his shoes, and he tied off the wound at the ankle with his necktie.
When they hit the county line, Verne Miller tossed a box of roofing nails from his window and fired up a Lucky, watching the blowouts in his rearview. For just a moment, through all that goddamn smoke, Harvey noted something on Millers lips that mightve been a smile.
Harvey reached out the window with a bloody hand to give Miss Lovings narrow little ass a nice pat. He knew damn well that the world was a fine place.
6
K athryn didnt see George again until twilight. He woke up from a whiskey slumber, scratching himself and coughing, and found his way out to the front porch of her stepdaddy Boss Shannons place. After taking a leak, he lit a cigarette and joined her on the stoop, watching that fire sun slipping down like a nickel into the slotted, flat land. She pulled the cigarette from his lips and offered him some of her gin. He took it because it was alcohol, but she knew he didnt like it. George was the same as every boy shed known back in Saltillo, Mississippi, whod been weaned on whiskey.
You want a quick poke? he asked.
Why dont I poke you in the eye, Kathryn said.
Wheres Albert?
Boss wanted to show him his mule, Kathryn said. He claims it can count.
That mule cant count, George said. Boss stands over your shoulder and nods his head to make the dang animal tap its hoof. That doesnt take much sense.
I heard yall had trouble.
George shrugged.
Albert said you ran out of gas.
Albert shoulda brought more gas.
Werent you watching the gauge?
You see many gas stations on those cat roads?
You shoulda thought ahead.
It worked out.
Can I see him?
No.
She looked away and watched the sun a bit.
Oh, hell, George said. Come on. Dont go poutin on me. Im too damn tired.
They took the new Cadillacthe same one GMAC threatened to repossess if they didnt make another paymentdown a twisting dirt road, scattering up trails of thick Texas dust that coated the midnight blue paint with a fine powder, into the southeast corner of Bosss place, where his son lived with his barefoot and pregnant teen bride. Armon came from the house when he heard the Buick and ran out to meet them, clopping along in unlaced brogans, big overalls covering his naked chest. He wore a big smile on his crooked face and opened the door for her, being more pleasant to her than when they first met, when his hick daddy and her stupid momma decided to make a go of it after meeting in the want ads. Back then, Armon used to try to peep at her through a crack in the bathroom wall. He was that kind of kid.
Yall did it, Armon said. You really pulled it off.
George killed the engine and stood from the car, stretching and groaning, still feeling the long drive from the night before. He lit a cigarette and watched Armon from over the big hood of the Buick.
What do you say, Potatoes.
Hey, George, Armon said. Whew. We got im all settled in and even brought him a can of beans. He wont speak or nothin. I guess hes still kind of upset about yall taking him. You think he might want a smoke or something? I read in the papers that fellas of his type like cigars. I could go to town and get him some smokes. He might like it. Or you think hed like some of Bosss shine? That might make him feel a little more rested and all.
George looked to Kathryn.
I think hes fine with the beans, Kathryn said. Dont make a fool of yourself in town. Just make sure he stays chained up, and you shut your goddamn mouth.
She pushed Armon to the side, walking down the dirt path in
His heel bled thick and dark into his shoes, and he tied off the wound at the ankle with his necktie.
When they hit the county line, Verne Miller tossed a box of roofing nails from his window and fired up a Lucky, watching the blowouts in his rearview. For just a moment, through all that goddamn smoke, Harvey noted something on Millers lips that mightve been a smile.
Harvey reached out the window with a bloody hand to give Miss Lovings narrow little ass a nice pat. He knew damn well that the world was a fine place.
6
K athryn didnt see George again until twilight. He woke up from a whiskey slumber, scratching himself and coughing, and found his way out to the front porch of her stepdaddy Boss Shannons place. After taking a leak, he lit a cigarette and joined her on the stoop, watching that fire sun slipping down like a nickel into the slotted, flat land. She pulled the cigarette from his lips and offered him some of her gin. He took it because it was alcohol, but she knew he didnt like it. George was the same as every boy shed known back in Saltillo, Mississippi, whod been weaned on whiskey.
You want a quick poke? he asked.
Why dont I poke you in the eye, Kathryn said.
Wheres Albert?
Boss wanted to show him his mule, Kathryn said. He claims it can count.
That mule cant count, George said. Boss stands over your shoulder and nods his head to make the dang animal tap its hoof. That doesnt take much sense.
I heard yall had trouble.
George shrugged.
Albert said you ran out of gas.
Albert shoulda brought more gas.
Werent you watching the gauge?
You see many gas stations on those cat roads?
You shoulda thought ahead.
It worked out.
Can I see him?
No.
She looked away and watched the sun a bit.
Oh, hell, George said. Come on. Dont go poutin on me. Im too damn tired.
They took the new Cadillacthe same one GMAC threatened to repossess if they didnt make another paymentdown a twisting dirt road, scattering up trails of thick Texas dust that coated the midnight blue paint with a fine powder, into the southeast corner of Bosss place, where his son lived with his barefoot and pregnant teen bride. Armon came from the house when he heard the Buick and ran out to meet them, clopping along in unlaced brogans, big overalls covering his naked chest. He wore a big smile on his crooked face and opened the door for her, being more pleasant to her than when they first met, when his hick daddy and her stupid momma decided to make a go of it after meeting in the want ads. Back then, Armon used to try to peep at her through a crack in the bathroom wall. He was that kind of kid.
Yall did it, Armon said. You really pulled it off.
George killed the engine and stood from the car, stretching and groaning, still feeling the long drive from the night before. He lit a cigarette and watched Armon from over the big hood of the Buick.
What do you say, Potatoes.
Hey, George, Armon said. Whew. We got im all settled in and even brought him a can of beans. He wont speak or nothin. I guess hes still kind of upset about yall taking him. You think he might want a smoke or something? I read in the papers that fellas of his type like cigars. I could go to town and get him some smokes. He might like it. Or you think hed like some of Bosss shine? That might make him feel a little more rested and all.
George looked to Kathryn.
I think hes fine with the beans, Kathryn said. Dont make a fool of yourself in town. Just make sure he stays chained up, and you shut your goddamn mouth.
She pushed Armon to the side, walking down the dirt path in
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