Summary

Debi looked up from her sweeping to see Alma Carlson and her daughter walking up Pine. Just the day before, she had seen Paulie buying flowers for Alma. Debi did not think Alma deserved any affection. She looked awful, too.

Debi wondered when God would finally punish or kill her for being "mean as all getout" (6). She dismissed the thought. She did not believe in God, and had not been an "angel herself" (6). Not only had she done drugs, she had slept with innumerable men.

She continued sweeping. The truth was, "she'd loved men, and men "loved her" (6). She had enjoyed herself. She had learned from these encounters, and valued that open part of herself. Still now, she felt open. Perhaps she would even "run across Pine and give Alma a hug" (7). She knew she would not. She had learned to "accept people...