Gothiccey and Beckettey

Gothiccey and Beckettey

 

You can’t go through life shaking hands with chickens. Momma said chickens don’t last long enough to hold up their end of the bargain. Daddy said let’s get some whiskey and quick grits. Momma said Daddy fell out one night in a ditch and they found a dead water moccasin under him the next day. Daddy said he meant no harm to that snake nortany other he just won’t some whiskey and grits. Momma said who did I marry. Daddy said whigrits. Momma said chickens are dufi. Dedsaid how you know latin. Msaid shutafuckup. Dedwhupper side the head broom handle. I said I better get out o here. Deysaid youright bout thetboy, get a fuck outta here afore we rescind your license to be progeny the fruit of our vigorous and juicy loins. Momsed Diddy when you talk like at I get even mojuicy Diddysaid I heard that Jellyroll git down in the servile position I will toss you one.

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About the Author

Padgett Powell is the author of The Interrogative Mood and six other books. His novel Edisto was nominated for the National Book Award, and his writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper’s, Paris Review, Esquire; and has been anthologized in Best American Short Stories and Best American Sportswriting. "Dump" is part of his short-story collection, Aliens of Affection.