Part 4 (1/2)

She swallows. Again.

Calmer now.

”If the cops don't come down on us for aiding and abetting, we'll be lucky. Procuring, even. b.l.o.o.d.y irresponsible.” She doesn't know the half of that. ”So he quote loves her. Typical.” Sighing, she swallows once more and sets the flask down, smooths her hair. Back at the Remington, she won't notice the bucket's clank. Cleaning solution this side, pink water that.

N.

AT THE PO, MARION PUTS IN FOR A TRANSFER and returns to Calgary.

Strong Jennifer moves to Toronto. b.u.m never seen again.

At the next branch meeting, Roy shoves in to argue his case, shout it, till the TU coms throw him out. In this the old one doesn't exactly take pleasure, but she doesn't not either.

Russell locates the Apt For Rent sign, pens 2 clumsily before Apt.

A day later, a summons from Mrs. W.

”Jake, look what that man did before he left.”

The Sandringham's garbage cans, tossed. Newsprint all over the alley, cat litter, tins, jars, peels and grounds, bacon fat, tea bags. Slimy leavings coat the cans' insides. After tomorrow's pickup, scrub. Russell won't do it. Somebody has to.

”He even threw these out.” Wet white papers stick to asphalt, drift under parked cars. She holds a handful. ”From when Jennifer was a little girl.”

Artworks, must be back through elementary. One picture has a strip of green along the bottom, red flower-dots above, a white sky thick with paint. Along the top are plump blue clouds with scalloped edges.