Candy's pyjamas were yellow goldfish on pink flannel. She sat on the edge of her bed, a cigarette dangling from her lip, two drinks down, and painting her toenails as best as humanly possible. The clock radio on her nightstand flipped a digit. A fishbowl sat near the bathroom sink where an endless drip stained the porcelain. The bowl was surrounded by crumpled squeeze tubes and scented bottles in a state of hygienic disarray....
It was a standard letter-sized envelope. Sarah handed it to David and sat down beside him on the floor. She resumed untangling a massive pile of Christmas lights. David gave her a suspicious look before pulling two official looking forms from the envelope. He glanced at the titles and squinted at Sarah again. "You've got to be kidding, right? You want us to be a part of the Mars colony mission?...
Summertime in the South Texas' hill country, dusk falls like the skin of ash on charcoal. The rattling dissonance of cicadas reverberates and swells from the darkening trees, and a Mexican bat swirls between sentinels of pale stone. Barefoot and in a floral cotton dress, Kate sat halfway down the back porch steps. Her anklet was a keepsake of braided colored thread. Knowing where to find her at this time of day I walked around from the driveway, sat down and gave her a kiss....
A wreath of nut-bearing branches hung on the door, and bundled stalks of corn stood on either side. A carved pumpkin sat patiently at the bottom of the steps; a master of ceremonies waiting for nightfall. These were the kinds of old-fashioned homespun decorations Hazel took pride in—joyed in—in the hope that their authenticity would speak for her. "Lord save me from myself. Is everything done?" said the old woman. She worked her broom down the front steps, right up to the sidewalk in front of her house....
Like molasses and butter, poured over a mess of buckwheat cakes, her grin spread in warm recollection. Hazel Smith, who was ninety-eight years old, relished a historical fact: When she was young, you couldn't find a more adventuresome girl in all of Hope County. And if you know anything at all, that says a lot. She drew herself up in the tattered arms of a green chintz recliner. And though shifting her gaze to the window lace I knew full daylight was little more than an indistinct glow full of vague moving shapes....
Geraldo pushed his lawnmower down the street where the homeowners tipped best. He didn't mind that most lawns he passed were professionally mowed, combed, and swept by men in white jackets. Those lawns, too, were as smooth as a golf course. He kept his mind on the right side of things. A man like himself can still contribute to the fight against the jungle in his own small way. The soil is promiscuous....
"Eat an iguana egg. It will keep you strong." I was introduced to a man who worked in the fresh produce department. Denise and I went to the store to get me an over-the-counter cold remedy. Denice is a social person who enjoys hearing the latest gossip. And that's fine with me. I'm all for cultural events like that, but keep in mind that I felt terrible at the time....
Inside Acuppa-Cuppa, on the corner of Rodeo and Camino Carlos Rey, twenty feet of glass frontage overlooks the sidewalk patio, parking lot, and a dirt island -- home to three aspiring evergreens. Despite the fact that it is winter, the day is almost balmy. Light traffic rolls by and the sky is the flavor blue. A vibrant chrysanthemum on a table near the door is flanked by two overstuffed lounge chairs....
In the barn leans some thing almost there. In the very frame, red paint flaking, doors askew, old tires in a heap, and what else? -- lots of mouse nest in the air. Limp lengths of fence line lifted, and wading in through the grass, (how hoppers zig and zag) you felt it then as you do now. Almost there. In the faded corn powder and littered straw, boards creaking under foot, something remains something....