…if there wasn’t no bad news a feller wouldn’t know good news when he heard it…
Monroe D. Underwood
Brandy flipped my jacket from her shoulders.
She seemed nervous.
She sucked on her cigarette as though it would be her very last.
She drummed her fingernails along the rim of the ashtray.
Her expression was grave.
She said Purdue there’s something you must be told.
She shook her head slowly.
She said I’ll be damned if I can find a way to tell you.
I said just tell me.
Brandy said it isn’t that easy.
She said this is goddam terrible news.
I said how goddam terrible?
Brandy said about as goddam terrible as it can get.
I said well for Christ’s sake Brandy what is it?
Brandy looked at me with misery in her liquid brown eyes.
Her face was ashen.
She said it’s so goddam terrible I just can’t believe it.
My throat had gone dry and the palms of my hands were moist.
I said all right Brandy get it over with.
Brandy buried her face in her hands.
She said oh Lord Purdue I’ve fallen in love with you.
I said that’s pretty goddam terrible.