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I died on a bitter, cold night. Beneath a black…
Most people run from nightmares; my mother seeks them out.
Rain sprinkles down. I run around to the side of…
Soon after the Quattlebaums leave in their big, noisy truck,…
We stop at the Food Fair grocery store on our…
The next morning, I’m up before seven, wide awake in…
Somehow I manage to press the shutter release and take…
On Saturday night, Papa Dan’s voice wakes me sometime after…
At seven thirty on Monday morning, I walk beneath the…
I leave campus at noon the next day with my…
“You’re up early.” Mom slides her sunglasses to the tip…
As I’m driving home after lunch at Bethyl Ann’s house,…
“Henry! You dropped your watch. I hope it didn’t break.”
Scents of perfume and chalk, sweat and stale cigarette smoke…
“Stay with me longer, Bell. I’m not ready for you…
At noon, Bethyl Ann and I sit on the stadium…
I awake the next morning curled up on the floor…
Bethyl Ann’s bangs are choppy now, but in a good…
The next day, I forget to remove Papa Dan’s beret…
Anger, betrayal, and humiliation build to a crescendo inside me.
The image of Henry and Isabel, Daniel and Louise in…
Mom goes to her office after dinner to finish writing…
“You?” I step back. “You couldn’t have.”
Mom takes the last two candy canes from the box,…