A Roadside Resurrection

Story opens, Mr. Redding is coughing in a cafe by the Yocona River, really whamming it out between his knees. He’s got on penny loafers with pennies in them, yellow socks, madras shorts, a reversible hat and a shirt that’s faded from being washed too many times. His wife, Flenco, or Flenco, as he calls her, is slapping him on the back and alternately sucking her chocolate milk shake through a straw and looking around to see who’s watching. She’s got a big fat face, rollers in her hair, and she’s wearing what may well be her nightgown and robe. Fingernails: bright red.