“Searching is a good task for a young girl like you,” Mother says. She turns her wig around full circle and Earl makes this mulish face, thoroughly disgusted.
“Where’d you all go?” I ask.
“Everywhere, Papa.” Earl walks over to Sylvia and puts his hand on her shoulder.
I shudder.
“Sir,” Earl Meanhart says to me, “we’re really trying our best. I hope you understand.”
I close my eyes to transport myself to Jupiter.
Mother stands up and smiles this derelict grin and walks over to Earl. “You have such nice veins,” she says.
“Grandma, did you see Mom the other night?” Sylvia rubs her reddening eyes. My tired, tired girl.
“Who, little old me? No, I didn’t see her.” Mother juts out her jaw, ready to leap onto Earl.
Earl leans back about to fall off the edge of the Earth.
“Do you know whe
