Bull Head Read Online Free Page B

his forehead, and sinks his fingers into the folds of the flesh on his neck tofeel his pulse, faint but rapid. He takes a deep breath and exhales, closes his eyes. When he opens them, Earl clicks off the TV and goes to his room, shuts the door. The doll stands upright in the closet. Earl’s hand squeaks against the puffed-up plastic of its wrist. He leads it into the room, to the foot of the bed, whispers in its ear, “Step together, walk, walk.” He holds it in position and starts. Quick-quick, slow-slow, quick-quick, slow-slow. In the darkness, he dances with Arlene, holds the doll tight in his arms, spins it, his socks shuffle on the carpet. The doll’s smile radiates inside him and he moves in the cramped space of the room, reminded of what he loves about two-stepping, the contact between two warm bodies, how both partners move together close in the most efficient and graceful way. He opens his eyes, stops to listen, but there’s no sound. Peers out the window, the camera’s gaze directly on him. He slides deeper into the room, near the closet, hums their favourite Willie Nelson song, “Georgia on My Mind.” Earl considers what will become of them, him and Arlene, but the wondering makes his pulse accelerate, and when he opens his eyes again, he stares at the gaping mouth of the doll. Just one more night, he tells himself, plotting his drive back home. He’ll start with some Chardonnay to sweeten the palate, move on to rye and coke. Beers in the cooler behind his seat, a cold can resting between his legs to steady him until he gets back to the valley. Hammy coughs across the hallway. Earl places the doll on the bed, undresses, climbs in beside it, and pulls the covers over both of them.
X
    Earl wakes Hammy when the phone rings. Hammy answers, goesback to bed. Earl picks up Hammy’s journal, sips coffee outside in the sunshine. He’s got a ferocious headache, one the coffee won’t fix, no matter how many cups he drinks. The German shepherd barks and chases after a tennis ball that a guard tosses for him. Earl skims through a bunch of stories and stops at a list.
    How to steal and never get caught :
    1. Wear baggy clothing. Army surplus pants work best cause theyve got lots of pockets.
    2. Pick the right store. The Bay is good (tho I got caught there once when I was too high) cause theres no undercover guards. Plus theres tons of small shit you can pinch and unload quickly on the street. CDs, watches, jewelry, that kind of stuff.
    3. Scope out security. Most cameras are out in the open, hanging down in the corners of the store. Others are behind one-way glass. Avoid stores with armed guards.
    4. Smoke and mirrors. You got to make sure you get near the thing you want to take but let it be. Pick up the thing next to it. Hold it up in the light, turn it over as though its the most important thing you need. While this is going on, grab the thing you really want with your other hand and slip it into your pocket.
    5. Escaping. NEVER RUN! Keep cool and walk out as normal. If you get caught, pretend youre telling the truth. Convince yourself and you will act innocent! This is 100% foolproof in crime and life!
    When Hammy wakes, he nods to Earl, fills his coffee cup, and takes a sip.
    â€œReal good, Big E.”
    Earl pauses before answering to see if Hammy’s sincere.“Customized coffee for my little man. Nothing but the best.”
    Hammy sits down. He’s in a good mood, more relaxed, and wants to fill Earl in about the prison band he’s the drummer in, “Bitches Crew.” The lead guitarist is also in for drug-related charges. They have plans to go out east when they’re released to cut a CD and tour. Hammy’s excited; Earl can hear it in his voice, the promise of something better. He didn’t know that Hammy played the drums or any other instrument.
    â€œWanna hear us play?”
    Earl considers it for a flash, knows there’s only one answer;