Sarah Shun-lien Bynum

Though I had the blanket under me on the grass, once Brody got going, the pounding, pounding of the act was more than I wanted, and I wondered what aim of evolution was served by designing it this way.

What force of nature wanted Brody's enthusiasm to leave welts on my back?

When it got too bad, I shifted around so I was on top, which Brody liked fine, but I was already battered.

And yet I believed, more than ever, that we were nature's dearest creatures, its adepts, its glowing initiates.

My battered self slept on Brody's chest.

On the way to Oklahoma the next day, we had a creepy driver who told dirty jokes and laughed at the punchlines.

It was her pussy all along!

He didn't try to touch me, but he kept repeating the lines and grinning.

When he dropped us off at a rest stop, I decided I had nine dollars in my wallet that we could spend for a motel.

You are such a princess, Brody said.

We're starting to smell, I said.

Excuse me, Miss Royalty.

We fought over this until I thought he really was going to sleep outside by himself, but in the end he let me check us in, and I took a rapturous shower for so long that the hot water ran out on Brody, who had no interest in making love that night.

Okay, if that was how he felt.

I slept poorly and sadly, hearing the murmur and whistle of his breath.

Our last day in Texas was steamy hot and had one unpleasant incident.

Brody tried to steal a pack of American cheese and three pepperoni sausages from a gas station grocery, and the guy followed us to the door and said, People get shot for less.

I was terrified.

Brody said nothing and kept his head down as he gave up the goods.

Arizona was thrilling to see outside the windows.