The Thicket

by Joe R. Lansdale

We took what came the way it came. Least it was that way on the surface. You scratched us a little, though, you could find some jelly there pretty quick. We were the kind that found it hard to cry, but once we got started you best be ready for high water and the loading of animals two by two.

“Just a year ago I kept thinking this ain’t fair, the way things have turned out for me. Then it come to me clean as spring rain. Life is just what it is, and it ain’t fair at all.” “Can’t we make it fair?” “You can try, but all that other unfairness keeps seeping in.”