Sloan took a slow drag and blew the smoke toward the open refrigerator door.

“People who don’t pay property taxes don’t set household rules,” she said.

I looked at her manicured hand holding the cigarette, but I didn’t give her another word.

I turned on my heel, walked back down the hall to my small guest room, and shut the door until the latch clicked.

My breath came short and dry, like swallowing sand, whenever cold air hit my chest.

At half past ten I sat down on the narrow staged bed and picked up the white receiver to call Dr.