Verse 8
She had come to thank Maury for giving her the greatest gift in the world. Love and death in a singular act. She called him a poet, a saint, a savior. He rubbed his eyes and tried to clear them of the sleep that would not leave. Deeply, he wanted to smile and to show his teeth and be grateful. He tried to understand what had happened and what she wanted and why she was here. If he were ever to ask her directly she would lie and summon the skills of her trade that taught her to know what men needed to hear and the lies they demanded of all women.
“What, what have I done to y’all?”
“I know . . .” she paused to light a cigarette and artfully send the smoke above Maury’s skull. “I know that you did not intend to give me any of the gifts I have received. But I just want to tell you t
