The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature

Grudgeholding by Janice D. Soderling

Fiction

High and mighty, Miss Lulu looks out over sweet peas, lupines, lavender. Her wilting flowers need rain. Miss Lu hoes hard, rules that handle. Captain John rides by.

Rough and ready, Captain John sits tall, rides slow. Wounded three times, not by guns. Haughty blue eyes squinting, Miss Lu lets him pass, chops a weed off when he says, How do.