Dead Soul Read Online Free PDF

you’ll find out what it feels like to get this laid across your ugly head.” She raised the oak walking stick in a menacing gesture.
    The old man snickered.
    “Sorry,” Moon said. “Once a month they let me take her out of the Home. I’m afraid she’s forgot how to behave in public.”
    His flippancy was rewarded by a dark oath from his aunt, punctuated by a sharp rap on his ankle.
    “Ouch.”
    The official greeter nodded with a sad expression. “I know how it is, sonny. My poor old mother is just the same. Momma don’t get her little yellow calm-me-down pills, why she’s pure hell on wheels.” He pointed down a broad aisle, past a cluster of checkout stands. “You want to drug the old lady into a stupor, our excellent pharmacy is down that way.”
    “Now there’s a notion,” the Ute said. “Or maybe I’ll go over to Pet Supplies—buy me a leash.”
    “Well, she is cute as a spotted puppy under a little red wagon.” Clyde winked a bleary eye at the Ute elder.
    Daisy ground her teeth. These men stick together like a gob of cock-leburs.
    Moon managed to separate the pair without further insult or physical threat.
    Inevitably, time passed. Delightful items were purchased. Wounds were healed.
    By eleven-thirty, they had strolled through Women’s Clothing, Kitchenware, Paints, Electronics, Sporting Goods, and finally the Lawn and Garden Center where Daisy selected a small bag of fertilizer, several packets of seeds.
    Moon had been confident that she would be worn out by now.
    But the crusty old woman was getting her second wind.
    Her nephew was getting his second appetite. Since breakfast, he had not had a bite. He cast a hopeful gaze at a small cafeteria. Sniffed heavy aromas floating in the air. Read the sign over the plastic counter. There were choice delicacies at bargain prices. Meat loaf special. Polish sausage and sauerkraut. Grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. Milk shakes. Some of that would hold me till lunch. He leaned close to the old woman. “You ready for a snack?”
    She shook her head. “I got more important things to do right now. Besides, I don’t want to spoil my appetite—you’re taking me to Bennie’s Kitchen.” In Daisy’s opinion, this was the best restaurant in Durango. Really fine peach pie.
    “Right.” His stomach growled. “Guess I can hold off for another hour.”
    “Oh, go ahead and stuff your big face. While you’re busy making gas, I’ll do some browsing.”
    “You sure—”
    She waved him off. “Go on—leave me be. I won’t get lost.”

    THE PLASTIC stool was small and hard—like sitting on a cedar fence post. Charlie Moon smiled at the plump woman behind the counter. He ordered the Frito pie. Large fries. And a chocolate milk shake, if you please.

    DAISY PERIKA was watching a highly entertaining display of rainbow-hued tropical fish dart about in glass tanks when she first noticed the redheaded woman. There were hordes of shoppers wandering among the mountains of merchandise, but this one was staring at Charlie Moon. Like she wanted to go up and say something to Daisy’s nephew, but couldn’t quite get up the nerve.
    The Ute elder was about to pass by the gawker when she noticed the frustrated look on the white woman’s face. In an attempt to get her attention, the Ute elder sidled up beside the young lady, faked a wracking cough.
    The pale creature took not the least notice.
    Daisy put on her best manners. “What’re you staring at?”
    Still no response.
    Louder: “Hey, you—Carrot-Top!”
    At this, the woman turned—looked Daisy straight in the eye. Her expression suggested mild surprise.
    “That young man you been gawking at—that’s my nephew. Charlie Moon.”
    There was the merest hint of a smile.
    Maybe she’s a lunatic. “You got some business with him?”
    A nod.
    “What about?”

    FEELING A tug on his sleeve, Charlie Moon turned away from the Frito pie to see his aged aunt. “Didn’t think you’d be back so soon.” He shoved a