CHAPTER 17An unexpected Arctic front swept through the American southwest during the last week of August, temporarily chasing away the dogs days of summer. A burnt orange tint licked at leaf tips throughout the Texas countryside. Unlike their cold-blooded neighbors, humans emerged from hibernation with the arrival of cooler weather. Over cities and towns throughout the state, the sounds of autumn drifted: bass and snare drums from high school marching bands, cheer leading drills, and the ubiquitous "hut-hut" and the smack of leather pads from the state's second most popular religion—football.
With the start of school, little children basked in the excitement of new friends—building tree houses, swimming in ponds and racing their bicycles down avenues still wearied by memories of the ruthl
