She'd put her teeth in his heart, long ago, and he'd left the print there, evidence that he wanted her love. That he returned it.

They’d dueled in the lamplight of her kitchen that night, savaging each other with accusations that could never be recalled. Now, he couldn’t remember half of what they’d said, only the colors and lights and seething tide of fear all around them. He could still taste the acrid burn of unfairness.

He’s a total puss,” Mercy continued. “But…shifty, too. Like, a shifty pussy.”               RJ

His hand moved up to cover her mouth, lightly, and she laughed against it. “You’re suppressing my first amendment rights,” she said, voice muffled.               “You don’t live in America; you live in the United States of Teague.

When would people stop saying his name out loud? Each time was a tiny gunshot through her heart.

How did life get so messed up?”
Maggie dabbed at the corners of her eyes and exhaled, quieting, gathering her composure. “Baby, it’s not messed up,” she said with a reassuring smile. “Just a little bumpy.