Someone shook my arm, hard and steady. “Wake up, Dave.” I looked up at Alafair’s face. “Better come in before you get rained on,” she said. I stood up, off balance. “What a dream.” “You were laughing.” “I thought a big coon jumped in my lap.” “Better take a look at your trousers.” The muddy paw prints were unmistakable. There was a gummy smear on one thigh. I touched it and smelled my fingers. “What is it?” she said. “Sardines.” “Maybe he got in somebody’s trash.” “Coons don’t jump in people’s laps.” “Tripod did,” she said.
