Chapter 43

           Iphonedher.Itwas1am.Iwentover.

           Tammielivedinasmallbungalowbehindahouse.

           Sheletmein.

           "Bequiet.Don’twakeDancy.She’smydaughter.She’s6yearsoldandshe’sasleepinthebedroom."

           Ihada6-packofbeer.Tammieputitintherefrigeratorandcameoutwithtwobottles.

           "Mydaughtermustn’tseeanything.Istillhavethetwobadteethwhichmakesmybreathbad.Wecan’tkiss."

           "Allright."

           Thebedroomdoorwasclosed.

           "Look,"shesaid,"I’vegottotakesomevitaminB.AndI’mgoingtohavetopullmypantsdownandstabmyselfintheass.Looktheotherway."

           "Allright."

           Iwatchedherdrawliquidintothesyringe.Ilookedtheotherway.

           "I’vegottogetitall,"shesaid.

           Whenitwasdonesheturnedonasmallredradio.

           "Niceplaceyougothere."

           "I’mamonthbehindontherent."

           "Oh..."

           "It’sallright.Thelandlord-helivesintheplaceupfront-Icanholdhimoff."

           "Good."

           "He’smarried,theoldfuck.Andguesswhat?"

           "Ican’t."

           "Theotherdayhiswifewasgonesomewhereandtheoldfuckaskedmetocomeover.Iwentoverandsatdownandguesswhat?"

           "Hepulleditout."

           "No,heputondirtymovies.Hethoughtthatshitwouldturnmeon."

           "Itdidn’t?"

           "Isaid,’Mr.Miller,Ihavetoleavenow.IhavetopickDancyupatschool.’"

           Tammiegavemeanupper.Wetalkedandtalked.Anddrankbeer.

           At6amTammieopenedthecouchwehadbeensittingon.Therewasablanket.Wetookoffourshoesandclimbedundertheblanketwithourclotheson