“Jesus, the desert’s past! Pa, Al, for Christ sakes! The desert’s past!’’ “I’m too goddamn tired to care,’’ said Al. “Want me to drive?’’ “No, wait awhile.’’ They drove through Tehachapi in the morning glow, and the sun came up behind them, and then—suddenly they saw the great valley below them. Al jammed on the brake and stopped in the middle of the road, and, “Jesus Christ! Look!’’ he said. The vineyards, the orchards, the great flat valley, green and beautiful, the trees set in rows, and the farm houses.
