pepper

by

V

douglas r. empringham

morning of a february day in the present.

interior of a cottage in an upper middle income section of a non-southern city.

at center rear is a sofa-bed made up as a bed. at left, between doors to the closet and bathroom, is a mat, isometric bar and weights at right are a desk and a door to the yard.

wilfred, wearing only a pair of black denim jeans, sits on the edge of the bed smoking. he is a compact, wiry boy of nearly 15. around his neck he wears an ornate gold cross on a chain.

after a moment, denis enters. he is fully dressed, and carries a quart of milk, two glasses, and a bowl of doughnuts. he is a tall, heavy-boned, and firmly built boy of 15.

18