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The bag lady
- Southern Illinois University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
Thebaglady wasafleamarketfind, anoldchandelier,afox-headedwrap, agilt-edgedbookgonedamp, aclassic,awreckwithpresence— MissHavishamofBrushStreet. Invitingaschappedlips, alatenightatthemorgue, ahighpierwithlooseboards. Butnotdangerous. Still,shegavemetheheebie-jeebies. That’swhyIstudiedher.Toforgether. Now,likebadgenes,she’sback. Notdéjàvuatall.Morelike asharpword,abadback, thefamilialpast—subliminaltrash persistentasthemothballreekofAuntie’s closet.You’dlikeittoletyougo, butyouareitsbreath, itscanaryinthemine, itsreluctantgourmet. Youtasteit,itsustainsyou. Youhesitatebutit’sessential— thethirstyman’sdirtyglass. Idrinkherin.Anaged Venus-on-the-half-shell, uptoherelbowinadumpster, hopingtoaddtohercache. Hopeisadirtyrag. Ididn’tevensayhello. ...