24
THE MESSAGE LIGHT ON HIS PHONE flashed in tune to the beat of his heart. Manny ran his thumb over Pumpkin's name. He'd taken a picture of her orange beetle one day and used it as a screen saver. At the time, he'd thought it was safer than taking a picture of her face. He'd caught himself one too many times sneaking glances, and even all-out staring, at her while she worked his voter registration booths. Even now, the picture of the round vehicle brought to mind the curve of her ass, her breasts.
Manny turned the phone over so that he would not see the message indicator or the car any longer. But still, images of her flashed through his mind. He saw her smiling, but it wasn't at him. It was at her son and his father. Every time he saw Pumpkin's face now it was with the two of them stan
