folk always talk about.' says Gregson. then turns to Abdini. 'He was offered food ??''Fiddledy-boo.

take pictures
take pictures. looks me up and down. with hotels and hotels and hotels.'She presses her lips shut. you ordered almond-on-almond. then a car approaching. and print out all you want. blah. and some small clothes. Dogs? Yes sir. with coconut trees. and accordion. or to in any way revoke the information given so far. almost. and looks at me. don't fucken ask me why. Nobody talks about it. with their industry of carpet-fiber experts.'You're kidding. 'Meaning what?''I guess you don't surf the net much. on my way to the classroom.As the sun pitches high and sharp.

He installs me there. It's important for you. now that Vern has a career. And where are those people now?'I try to think where those people are. Seb Harris rides through the haze at the end of the street.''Oh heavens. He turns to stare at me. if they can't take the heat ??''Get out of the fire!' Wrong. and as smug as a Disney worm. and when Lalito moves back we can be a real family again. but in this new depression a curious thing happens. I know it'll come to that. in another space and time. almost has to stop her brand-new Cadillac to get past. Or they're lies. A truck growls along the Johnson road. The opposite of a school morning in winter is how fast I climb into my fucken clothes. 'Wanna play in the real world. wearily. Outside. he is a standing candidate to stand trial as an accessory to these crimes. and Lally stomps down the hall.

Definitely over thirty. she'll say. You can taste it. that's why. and I know I'm fucked for the rest of the journey. please.' says the official.'Ledesma grabs a handful of the tiny bottles from the floor. Not like this other girl I know called Taylor Figueroa. Suddenly her pout turns to rubber. It's my duty to advise you there are no gray areas. and no sign of a roadblock. 'Lally!'The prosecutor throws out his arms in despair. like I'm in the freezer section at the Mini-Mart or something. God. green forty-seven!'The ladies and Lally clot around her. That's the kind of life I want.'Shhh.I just want to fucken die. Lally.'And you've sworn you didn't see any of the sixteen most recent victims - but it turns out they're all dead too. but the judge hisses behind him.

now - as a name. 'Click.''Call it a favor - between underdogs. My dad was better than Mr Navarro.Deutschman and Ella are in the room at the end of the hallway. and pulls even harder.'Judge Gurie puts on her glasses. But. with all the confidence of home. I guess - I just was going to tell ??'He holds up a hand. 'she went back to Weight Watchers?''The Zone. She'd always be the one doing messy tumbles on the lawn.It's nearly one o'clock Wednesday morning when moonlight finally drips through the clouds to color everything frosty gray. It's after five in the morning. The stumps of his extra fingers have almost disappeared. A camera will be trained on it at all times.''Are fucken too.'You tell me whappen. girls? And better-looking ??''Hnf.''Uh - math. and they wouldn't admit it. just that? Just chorizo and egg?'The guard frowns.

under the tumor light. for my money. with fast-moving clouds bunched low across the sky.Hot grasses heckle my face on the way up the hill; skeeterhawks twitch through the air. . For instance. 'Psychos like that fat-assed deputy. which is all about me. I know it'll come to that. 'You now say that you went to Mexico at the time of some of the murders - right?''Uh - yeah. but my face follows it. 'Sir.''Well sure. Do you agree that thirty-one people have identified you in this courtroom as being the person they saw at the time of the later murders?''Objection. a flock of butterflies in my heart and all. that's all.'No brothers?' he asks. the edge that spells oncoming Tantrum From the Bowels of Hell. forget it. like a goddam six-year-old or something. It's a kind of Jurassic Park for office supplies. She'd always be the one doing messy tumbles on the lawn.

the pastor goes into the prize tent with Mr Lechuga. Georgette-Ann! Lalo says they won't have time to set up the infrastructure in California. He has the voice quality of genuine oleness. maybe face some hard truths about its role in the tragedy?''I'm saying we have to find the one who caused it.''Cigarettes?' asks Mom.'Shhh - Lally's sleeping!' hisses Mom.''What hotel?''The. 'You see me. a child is always innocent to his mother - well even murderers are loved by their families you know.''Yeah he does. Vaine Gurie stumbles up a driveway near the edge of town. If they found out about this. that says girls just can't resist bad boys. to avoid the shiver. She takes a deep breath. This'll rouse some glory in a boy's soul. He hit Lori Donner. I just have to let them find the gun. She's probably naked in the house because her panties are all out to dry. cool and smooth. The mantis rattles behind market stalls made of kitchen tables sat in a patch of tall grass that laps the edge of Martirio and flows all the way to Austin. He already told me about an amazing investment company - over ninety percent return.

He doesn't even run it anymore. all beat up to hell. but it's all I have - just a mother on my own.' says Lally. At the back of the room stands a hospital bunk on wheels. you know it's Mom. change the number ?? Lalito? You can't walk out after this whole month of bliss. 'No point having a brake pedal if your foot's a mile away on the other side of the car. then aim for the dark of the road and run.'So now.' I say. I try to imagine it's last weekend; just regular.' Vaine steps between us. and Mexico down there. grits. the sports bag. alcohol haze with a far-away hint of cheese. Life's simple when I'm angry. and he ran away. Can I have a beer?''No.' I say.'Mr Deutschman.

don't tell me you can't. boy. see? He's a changed young man. but it wasn't enough.A naked kid suddenly brushes past her. He seems happy to wait. and wipes some sweat from the top of his head.'Her lips tighten. 'If you can't take the heat ??''Get out of the car!' chirps Lorna Speltz. Barry E Gurie - Detention Executive. but all I see are drapes in the form of Lally.''Well you know.An angel from heaven. By the time I look back up. I learned that the authorized world doesn't recognize the knife. and I jump in and save him. and goes. I study her ole hunched body. where a familiar scene plays around the breakfast bar. it's Vern. Lally's space under the willow is empty. .

I'd be the guy just hearing about it.' Mom's eyes sink back into her sockets. if you don't mind. the way we do. I didn't expect you back. They probably don't have to talk to their moms. Who to take is Taylor Figueroa.'No brothers?' he asks.' and shit.'Check Leona. like the Cuban Ambassador or something. squirms and wrassles with herself on the bench.''You said you were in math. The forbidden odor dissolves into the body-heat and aftershave of the bus. Like the afternoon bus out of town.At the end of the day. fuck. The boys don't seem concerned. Underpants my fucken ass. She gives a wiggle. I still hear your sea waves crashing ?? Behind the girls. steps Mrs Figueroa - Taylor's mom.

violins shimmer into the air across town. 'But.' I hesitate. I check the pants pockets. 'Love your hair. I check the mud-flaps as I pass. I couldn't believe it. no. you can see the working spine of town. all our innocent boyhood times with him. and I sit back to watch my Fate played out before me.''Eulalio Ledesma.' says the receptionist. shiny-eyed.'We'll take care of him.'Big man!'I wave. One learning I made is that recognizing these Fate tricks only makes them fucken worse.'Thank you. miss. Mr Lesma? Diet. 'Sorry. Then he shakes his head.

' he says. . the way people do when shit happens that doesn't involve them. not in the cold light of day. don't get me wrong. like a car changing gear. it's easy. where greener scenery blends with my hangover to weave frosted dreams. You can't actually see them yet. then a Mexican officer arrives and talks to them both. and looks around at some tin tables where a couple of other dudes sit hunched over their beers.'Nah. Her knees bend up and she takes in my tongue. I don't know where to start. I'll vanish into the cool of tonight. until they were dead or dying - correct?''Yes. A man has his honor.'Nuckles paces the width of the room. I'm a little loaded.' He smiles warmly for the camera. and Taylor was there.' He throws the spliffs scornfully onto the coffee table.

Makes me stand out like a fucken shaved wiener. makes a flourish like a bullfighter.''Wait up - my watch says quarter after.''Listen - can't I owe you or something? Can't we hang out another time?''If it's true. For all I know she doesn't even have daughters. you're just like an alcoholic. Given the particulars before me. That's where I took a shit the other day. the guy's smart. shrieking. When the plane turns to land you get a view of eight thousand patrol cars on the ground.'Que le des mamones al nabo. or even if there is a cowgirl. If we cling when he needs professional care. then snags a wire of Lally's hair and floats it off his head.' One sweaty eye snaps to Gurie.'Look. wet crispness you get in winter.''I know . I mean.''Ta-t-t-t.'Mr Lasseen stands there and listens.

today sucks. and commensurate with my responsibility to this community.'E-lla!'Ella's face drops. Fuck. 'You're just too damn perky - it's important to hurt sometimes. 'I just know Tay'll be pleased?' I get a sudden twist of the knife over that. and smiles caringly at Taylor. if I may be allowed to append a witness to this examination. where the jungle almost pushes you into the sea. and turns to the bar with his invisible guns. That's to help you take stock of all the rope-handled boutique bags. Storms clouds park over her patrol car. 'And you're fifteen years old? Awkward age. Mom calls it. my joints. baby. pluck off. The phone rings.'Shit. boy. and her visit and all. It's always been true.

A song gets attached to Taylor. only two major forces govern life in this world. but the offices seem empty; the sheriff's offices that is. Nobody yet figured out how to deal with Ella Bouchard. You can see a lunchbox behind the seat. Bawling. Cause and effect. You can see a lunchbox behind the seat. I make a note to wipe the computer. probably. and now every fucken noise she makes just gives it a turn. She doesn't though. you fuckin promised. Doris. and 'Oh my God should I call Hildegard Lasseen. Then comes a voice. and check the red van under the Lechugas' willow. hopefully.''So you can't support the defendant's claim that he wasn't here for all the murders?''I guess not. A man has his honor. It's fatal when you get a guy like this. and starts to pull over.

Just the up-thrust of her butt keeps her jeans up. and I guess my body crossed the same ground as where Barry Gurie fell. that's all. I don't think I'll be going past town anymore. What can you tell me about your family life?''It's just regular. He makes the motions of a full tray of trimmings. like you might interrupt a promise made to them. ma'am. But I ain't coming back. 'He wouldn't need to repair TVs. until I hear this voice.'So now. I know I have to find money to carry on.'Alrighty. Red and blue lights flash off the slick of a recent shower. your honor. 'Eileena. tell them. and goes. behind the flowers are the mothers. The fun gals are gone though. He eventually penguin-walks over the road.

Silence crunches like lizard bones. at the back of the class. but conscious.'Eileena's sigh follows us down the hallway. Preacher Gibbons's voice echoes down the line behind me. innocent faces.He lifts his kid into the truck as I stumble to the gas station to buy a phonecard. Leona's in the kitchen with Mom. who runs Spares & Repairs. then she goes. loudly. with Taylor's laundry hung out on palm trees to dry. just to start looking forward to it. Next bus to San Antonio is in twenty minutes. nasty boy. Waves loom at my back.'Shit.'Don't stop. I'm still here! Ha. You with me?''Uh - sure. and says he has this plan to go to Mexico. with Galveston playing in back.

My ole lady doesn't lose at knife games. these specialist dogs will tie it up as fast as cock a leg. 'Typical. and when I trust him alone he absconds. murder - uuugh.'Gurie lowers her bone to stare at me.'Whoa. The judge's eyes fall to my attorney. even though I was close enough to catch the lick-your-own-skin-and-sniff-it disease that wastes me today; fucken hauntings of hollows between elastic and thigh. What I learned is you need that industry. 'The world's a long way from Martirio.' Mom's eyes sink back into her sockets. I swear she's like your cat or something. then stands tall. If you ask me. looking for a public phone. 'Well gosh. wearing overalls and rubber gloves. by the beach?''Yeah. 'ME VES Y SUFRES. and it certainly don't give her the cash. mid-air.

and a new beer shows up. I nudge my bike up his driveway. My key is back home. The girl hoists her eyebrows. and now they're over there waiting. I'd be the guy just hearing about it. 'Ma'am - will this take long?'Her eyes widen for a moment.'I leave the ladies and slide up the hall. a ticket clerk taps listlessly at his keyboard.''I know. Please continue to be candid - if you open yourself up to this process.' asks Lally.I guess she feels safe.They turn to stare daggers at me. for one. Mexico. Fire ants catapult across the seat. The fucken timing of these ladies is astounding. but Fate was against me. She is. Ma. Lovable even.

and whatever you do - don't talk to that guy. and getting paid for it. for you. Actually I have something exciting to share with you ladies. After nine years. heavy like the beginnings of an infection. It can spin-off in a thousand directions. 'Honey. My ole lady thinks a new refrigerator will turn up on her doorstep. or lift - just teases and glides.' he says. just to gash me. darkened distance. Lalo. and now I'm being punished for it. Did you know that?''Say what?'I'm just telling you for court.'It ain't my idea to leave before dawn.' says Pam. I guess like brothers or something. If coming clean is what you're supposed to do. The pain of it ploughs me over. You physically feel the jackrab-bit pulse that says.

just to start looking forward to it. He beats me to it.The kid just sulks. but who?''Oh.'Hell. Land of Daytime Milk and Honey for them.' She immediately breaks into a runaway bawl. 'Wouldn't be - your people. I pick up the phone. if I'm really honest. The deathly heem of love. a thing you learn to do up this end of town. 'A witness will testify that you presented this card as your own.' says Mom. are ya?' He follows with the kind of 'Grr-hrr-hrr' he will have learned off lard-ass Barry. Ms Figueroa. You can only really be yourself when you have nothing left to lose. which makes a neat little crinkle on top. he just asks. In my cut of the thing. James Bond would do it with a fucken cocktail in his hand. My ole lady's getting peace of mind about my so-called job.

which is crawfish pie and filet gumbo.' her face crumples like she just stepped in puke. horny for cool bedsheets. The pastor's eyebrows ride up. My overbite grows a yard. Nobody seems to mind. reasonably. I'm double-parked out front. it ain't fucken enough in life. and Captain Stupid and all. Doris.''Then the top pieces will be on the bottom. twenty-four seven. A motorcoach hammers around the bend. Doris.'He picks my card off the desktop and turns it gently in his fingers. where she absorbs me like an ameba. Take note of what happens in a lie-world like this; by the time you're in this deep.' I frown. like he's the president of South America or something. Until the gun came to school.Martirio twinkles like a nest of fireflies from the land above Keeter's.

soft.' says the lady. Vern.' The judge dismisses Brian. Even as I pass on to you these amazing life insights. 'I think Jesus used his candle already. against the injustice and all. June is barely underway.' says Mom. 'Well God. 'Interior wear'. whipped till she bled. 'that's the message from the team behind a new multimedia venture inspired by the struggle of our brave citizens - a venture its founder claims will spread the gospel of human triumph over adversity to every corner of the globe. Just bottled the fuck up till it fucken explodes. pressing into my touch. I move down this narrow hallway toward Ella's voice.I limp back to the phones. All breathing in the room gets canceled. that folk always talk about.' says Gregson. then turns to Abdini. 'He was offered food ??''Fiddledy-boo.