Philip turned just in time to see the woman with the swollen ce, turn ane walk toward him. Philip felt as though someone had nit him in the stomach. She walked up to him and grumbl “Whadd’ya want?” ' : a Philip’s throat was a mass of lumps. With any sensible words stifled in his throat, all he could manage was a soft, hacked-out, “Oh nothing.” — BOYD i | the C pean, Seedling warm sunlight oridiles stil Lreake the — GWEN strong, WHIMS OF LADY UHRIG SOUTHWICK A swish of rope, a gurgle of oar, They stealthily slither on worm-eaten From a silent command the raiders Catch dozing guards unawares. A short gasp, then silence— water. deck. move on, he raiders move on to capture the hold; Singly climbing down rotted ladder; Eye to eye they meet their match— The crew is well prepared. Light glances off steel, pirates give way. But caught unawares, their venture is lost. I led my life with careful thought, And now, in closing days, I see the life I might have led and rest with easy mind. LINDA 14 MC PLAY PEN LUCK Brazen buccaneers glide, slide, Steal their way aboard ship, Never causing a ripple on moon-dappled — young sanrbh. THE THE a ILRATH The old street light planted its cone of light on the rocky pavement. The night was dark and clear. The air felt fresh, like the aitermath of a rain storm. Huge oak trees rustled in the breeze and cast shadows over the road. Uneven gray sidewalks, cracked with age, lined each side of the road. The worn road held many shadows from holes in the pavement. Duane stood near one of these holes. He looked down at his clean black tennis shoes. His dark blue parka reached below his waist. He lifted his hand and stared at his white fist, clenched tight. He opened his sweaty hand, swallowed hard, and looked at the brown wood-handled screwdriver. Light glared off the dull gray neck. It felt warm in his hand. Duane knew that what he was going to do was wrong. Still, he reminded himself, the older boys told him he had nothing to lose—even if he got caught. Patiently restraining himself, he walked over to the new 63 Ford. Light sparkled off the beauty rims. Duane felt like grabbing them and running, but he waited. He knew the time was coming. He gripped the screwdriver hard. He looked down the street at the arc light. There was no one around. He squinted the other way and saw no one coming. Duane swallowed hard and stared at the tiny white house directly behind the car. He saw no sign of life. He silently knelt down by the front left tire. His blue levis gripped tight on his legs. He rested his shaky left hand on the cold beauty rim. With his right hand he inserted the screwdriver behind the round edge of the beauty rim. The trees rustled in the breeze as he pried. The rim screeched and popped free. He wiped his sticky hands on his blue levis and looked at his prize. His pleasure was short-lived. He heard some gravel crunch on the road. Someone was coming. He hovered as close to the tire as possible, not daring to move a muscle. The still hot tire smell burned his nostrils. He swallowed hard and froze stiff. 15