…any situation what demands the grace of God is already beyond the grace of God…
Monroe D. Underwood
The silence in the darkness of Brandy’s bedroom was long and lilac-scented.
I broke it by saying I have a suggestion.
Brandy said Purdue I’m always open to suggestions.
I said that wasn’t what I was going to suggest.
I said I was going to suggest that we get some sleep.
I said you see there is so very little to be gained by doing anything else.
I said we’ve already busted every record in the book.
I said again.
Brandy sat up.
She lit a pair of cigarettes for us.
She placed our ice-cold glass ashtray in its long-appointed location.
Right on my navel.
She said I hate to give up so early.
She said this may be our last night in Radish River.
She said the manure is about to hit the fan.
She said when it does I want you to meet me at the Radish River Drug Store as soon as possible.
I shrugged.
I said without packing?
Brandy said our suitcases will be in the car.
I said you’re calling the shots.
Brandy said Purdue if I’m ever going to be right this had damned well better be the time.
She said it’s possible that I’m verging on a blunder of astronomical proportions.
I said by the way what the hell could you possibly want with a radio and television business?
Brandy said I’ll never open the doors.
She said the Radish River Radio and Television Shop has a chariot that’s eligible for the big race.
She said that chariot was all I really wanted.
I said who’s going to drive the damn thing?
Brandy said I am.
She said by the grace of God that is.
I shrugged.
I said now all you need is a horse.
Brandy said I have one.
She said a seventeen-year-old veteran by the name of Lochinvar X.
She said the old darling used to run at Sportsman’s Park and he won his share.
I said wouldn’t a trotter or a pacer be better-suited to a chariot?
Brandy said not to a Roman chariot.
She said and most certainly not to my purposes.
I said do you know the first damn thing about horses?
Brandy said Purdue I was born in Nebraska.
She said as a kid I finished second in the National Bareback Finals at Omaha.
I said Brandy I don’t really believe you ever finished second at anything.
Brandy said well I might have won it but my mare was in season.
She said so was I.
I shrugged.
I said you still are.
Brandy killed our cigarettes.
She lifted the ashtray from my navel.
She said Purdue your perceptivity is little short of breathtaking.