Page 9 - Breakdown

LouAnn got up from her rocking chair
with great effort. She shuffled into the kitchen.
Came back out with a dirty tray carrying
hockey-puck-sized cookies.

“I am not used to gettin’ company in these
parts, forgive me. You want one?” Before they
could answer, she was handing Maddy and
Owen each one.
“Thank you,” Owen replied. He took a bite
of his cookie. It tasted a little like ketchup. Still

he smiled. He gave LouAnn a silent thumbs up
as he choked down the bite.
She plopped back in her chair again. “We
seen your mom just last night. Boy! You sure
do look like her. Your brown hair and dimples.

You are the spitting image of her. Real beauty.
Now, I don’t know how she knowed to come
here, but she was looking for something.”
Merl said, “See, now, people come round
here thinking they know the river. Thinkin’
it is just some water flowin’ to the Gulf of

Mexico. For centuries people have gathered at
the river. A lot of blood has been shed at this
river. Truth is, the river is full of spirits—some

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