Pigs in Heaven

by Barbara Kingsolver

Since she found Turtle in her car and adopted her three years ago, she has had many moments of not believing she’s Turtle’s mother. This child is the miracle Taylor wouldn’t have let in the door if it had knocked. But that’s what miracles are, she supposes. The things nobody saw coming.

“Sex will get you through times with no money better than money will get you through times with no sex.”

The man’s T-shirt said THINK ONLY OF SURFING. It amazes Cash what people will advertise, as if convictions mean so little they can put on a new one each morning after a shower.

Vacationers expect perfect happiness, perfect weather, and if they don’t meet it here they’ll drive on toward Missoula or wherever else they imagine they will find it. Young people, like Rose, one eye always on the road out of town.

People’s always curious for the details, but seem like that’s just because we’re hoping somebody else’s life is a worst mess than ours.”