Aurora Magazine 2018

Cleaning my arm seems a little unnecessary, dontcha think? (KYLE shrugs, annoyance showing in his face.) KYLE This is what they told me to do, I’m just following orders.

MARSHALL You do it well. KYLE I know. MARSHALL

Tell me something, boy. Be honest, it’s just you, me, and that needle. Do you pray for anyone? Come on, I won’t tell anyone. I know you’re not “religious.” You said it’s life or death for me and your mother. KYLE

Yeah. I pray. MARSHALL I knew you did. For your mother? KYLE She’s sick. MARSHALL

I figured, boy. Most people that don’t consider themselves religious don’t tend to spend their time prayin’ a lot. That is, unless they got someone that needs their prayers. KYLE She does, need prayers. MARSHALL I’ll pray for her, boy. It won’t be much, a convicted murderer’s prayer, but God knows I didn’t commit that murder, so maybe he’ll make an exception. KYLE C O O P E R

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