Chapter Nineteen – Crimson Joy What Bish called “the lachrymose moment” had passed. Why was it so difficult to convince Cinda that her companion of fifteen years was the last person on earth to take a shotgun and blast someone away with it? What was wrong with people? Persey wondered, driving home. Was this just…

Chapter Eighteen – Dark Secret Love Persey hated driving Roy’s truck. She could barely see over the steering wheel, barely reach the pedals. It inevitably took longer driving anywhere in this gas-guzzling behemoth. Roy had turned down the gift of a Hummer from his mother because “it wasn’t big enough.” This thing bounced all over…

Chapter Seventeen – Occam’s Razor Downstairs Persey was surprised to find Babe garbed in a black velvet caftan padding disconsolately about outside her library. Babe usually had breakfast in bed brought by loyal Mickey. Babe claimed she never slept until dawn began to break. She must have been up all night. In this early light…

Chapter Sixteen – The Howling Storm If in the wide world Bruce was nowhere to be seen, he could not hide in dreams. Persey sought him out, consulting the Bird Lady, her dream mentor; where would they hide him? The Bird Lady covered her eyes with her hands and spoke: people are just animals disguised.…

Chapter Fifteen – The Invisible Worm No one in the upstairs hall, but downstairs she encountered Mickey. Mickey wore a velvet smoking jacket and a string tie. He enfolded her in a warm hug. In spite of his age, bay window avoirdupois and burned Chia Pet perm, Persey knew they were cousins beneath the skin.…

Chapter Fourteen – The Sick Rose Nothing ever happens the way you expect. Roy, acting normal, a little cold perhaps, never sought the alibi prepared so carefully for his delectation. The slow week sped up; now they were driving in tandem to Babe’s house, Jarod steaming up ahead. Persey hated leaving Digger at the kennel,…

Chapter Thirteen – The Washing Away of Wrongs There was more than one reason she needed to see Bish. Only with Bish could she share her fresh discovery: that sex, the devouring ritual, can birth a new self. No wonder men thought they could become stronger giving themselves away. Would Bish proclaim this new insight…