us that where he grew up, when people needed to be strong, they
painted themselves like animals. It tricks the animal spirit to come
and live inside them. He said that if we painted this place with life,
then life would come to Undergrounds.”
“Bennie,” Roy chuckled, scratching his head. “But the cost,
Leona. How did you…?”
“Partment came by and fronted us some. He’s been in a great
mood lately. I guess there’s been loads of bad parkers.” Leona
reached out and stroked the back of his long neck. “It’s our gift to
you, Roy, and Undergrounds.”
“I still don’t know what to say. Why don’t you hand me a brush.
I could paint some berries on those trees. Those are coffee trees,
aren’t they?”
“Of course.”
“Yeah. And furthermore, I think we should have a celebration.”
Roy put his hand in Leona’s, smoothly instigating impromptu cha
cha cha.
“Au lait!” he exclaimed.
A bang and scream came from outside. They rushed out to see
what it was.
Colin had slipped from the roof and fallen, catching himself on
the Christmas lights. The weight of his body had converted some of
the glimmering letters into gibberish. The sign now read: Underg—
—ds. One of the wires finally snapped and an electric shock furnished
Colin with an unwelcome freedom. Losing his grip, he fell. But not
far.
He suffered only bruised buttocks from the tumble, but in falling
face up he had no idea how close to the ground he had been. His
entire life had flashed before his eyes. Resting there on the pavement,
Colin noted with some chagrin that there had not been much to see.
Roy’s face appeared at a right angle to his field of vision, a wash of
stars twinkling behind his dark head making him look either like a
clobbered cartoon character or some pious Hindu saint.
“Your majesty,” Colin proclaimed. “I’ve fallen from grace. Or
gracefulness, rather.”
“But you bounce,” Roy replied, laughing. “You always bounce.
Good thing God gave you such a big ass.”
“In many ways,” he confessed, “I was fashioned bottom heavy.”
They helped Colin inside and Leona prepared a tray of Indian
chai, the subcontinental breakfast of champions. Leona thought that
ABYSSINIA
16
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