Wings of the phoenix

by John Bernard Daley

"Not quite, but it's almost true. It's hard for someone like you to believe, I suppose."

"I can't believe it. Not everybody."

Abruptly he jammed on the brakes. "Listen!"

"What for? What's the matter?"

"Shut up! Listen!" Markel turned, staring back down the highway. In the distance he heard a faint growling. The Earth Mother opened her mouth; Markel shoved her back against the seat. "Listen! Did you hear that?"

They listened in the empty highway. Wind blew across the fields and high over them a hawk hung motionless. Again came the growling, louder, like a swarm of angry bees. It stopped. "You heard that, didn't you?" said Markel.

"I didn't hear nothing."

"You're deaf! Stupid deaf and dumb and blind! Damn it, didn't you hear anything?"

"I said I didn't, so I didn't."

Markel started the convertible. "Idiot. Low grade idiot."