Fish_NN Story_NN1 It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 swollen_JJ ,_, gasping_VVG ,_, netherworld_VV0 creature_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 had_VHD no_AT tub_NN1 big_JJ enough_RR for_IF it_PPH1 ._. 
Men_NN2 came_VVD over_RP and_CC placed_VVN lanterns_NN2 on_II the_AT ground_NN1 all_DB around_II it_PPH1 ,_, like_II candelabra_NN1 at_II a_AT1 dinner_NN1 setting_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 hoped_VVD it_PPH1 would_VM die_VVI before_CS they_PPHS2 skinned_VVD it_PPH1 ._. 
Do_VD0 you_PPY ever_RR think_VVI those_DD2 days_NNT2 were_VBDR different_JJ ,_, that_DD1 time_NNT1 had_VHD not_XX yet_RR been_VBN corrupted_VVN ?_? 
In_II the_AT early_JJ 1960s_MC2 my_APPGE parents_NN2 ran_VVD a_AT1 service_NN1 station_NN1 about_RG 60_MC miles_NNU2 west_ND1 of_IO Fort_NP1 Worth_NP1 ._. 
The_AT gas_NN1 station_NN1 was_VBDZ in_II the_AT middle_NN1 of_IO the_AT country_NN1 ,_, along_II a_AT1 reddish_JJ ,_, gravelly_RR ,_, rutted_VVD road_NN1 ,_, on_II the_AT way_NN1 to_II nowhere_RL ._. 
You_PPY could_VM see_VVI someone_PN1 coming_VVG from_II a_AT1 long_JJ way_NN1 off_RP ._. 
Pumping_VVG gas_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 hard_JJ way_NN1 to_TO make_VVI a_AT1 living_NN1 ,_, and_CC my_APPGE father_NN1 was_VBDZ never_RR shy_JJ about_II reminding_VVG me_PPIO1 about_II this_DD1 ._. 
Always_RR waiting_VVG ._. 
When_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ 10_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ one_MC1 of_IO my_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE customers_NN2 had_VHD caught_VVN a_AT1 big_JJ catfish_NN on_II a_AT1 weekend_NNT1 trip_NN1 to_II the_AT Colorado_NP1 River_NNL1 ._. 
It_PPH1 weighed_VVD 86_MC pounds_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 swollen_JJ ,_, gasping_VVG ,_, grotesque_JJ netherworld_NN1 creature_NN1 pulled_VVD writhing_VVG and_CC fighting_VVG up_RP into_II the_AT bright_JJ ,_, hot_JJ ,_, dusty_JJ world_NN1 above_RL ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 had_VHD brought_VVN the_AT fish_NN ,_, wrapped_VVN in_II wet_JJ burlap_NN1 ,_, all_DB the_AT way_NN1 out_RP to_II my_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE service_NN1 station_NN1 in_II the_AT back_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE car_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR to_TO have_VHI a_AT1 big_JJ barbecue_NN1 that_DD1 weekend_NNT1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ given_VVN the_AT job_NN1 of_IO keeping_VVG the_AT fish_NN watered_VVN and_CC alive_JJ until_CS the_AT time_NNT1 came_VVD to_TO kill_VVI and_CC cook_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
All_DB day_NNT1 long_RR that_DD1 Friday_NPD1 --_NN1 in_II late_JJ August_NPM1 ,_, school_NN1 had_VHD not_XX yet_RR started_VVN --_NN1 I_PPIS1 knelt_VVD beside_II the_AT gasping_JJ fish_NN and_CC kept_VVD it_PPH1 hosed_VVD down_RP with_IW a_AT1 trickle_NN1 of_IO cool_JJ water_NN1 ,_, giving_VVG the_AT fish_NN life_NN1 one_MC1 silver_NN1 gasp_NN1 at_II a_AT1 time_NNT1 ,_, keeping_VVG its_APPGE gills_NN2 and_CC its_APPGE slick_JJ gray_JJ skin_NN1 wet_VVD :_: the_AT steady_JJ trickling_NN1 of_IO that_DD1 hose_NN1 ,_, and_CC nothing_PN1 else_RR ,_, helping_VVG it_PPH1 stay_VVI alive_JJ ._. 
We_PPIS2 had_VHD no_AT tub_NN1 large_JJ enough_RR to_TO hold_VVI the_AT fish_NN ,_, and_CC so_RR I_PPIS1 squatted_VVD beside_II it_PPH1 in_II the_AT dust_NN1 ,_, resting_VVG on_II my_APPGE heels_NN2 ,_, and_CC studied_VVD it_PPH1 as_CSA I_PPIS1 moved_VVD the_AT silver_NN1 stream_NN1 of_IO water_NN1 up_RP and_CC down_RP its_APPGE back_NN1 ._. 
The_AT fish_NN ,_, in_II turn_NN1 ,_, studied_VVD me_PPIO1 with_IW its_APPGE round_JJ ,_, obsidian_NN1 eyes_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ had_VHD a_AT1 gold_NN1 lining_VVG to_II their_APPGE perimeter_NN1 ,_, like_II pyrite_NN1 ._. 
The_AT fish_NN panted_VVD and_CC watched_VVD me_PPIO1 while_CS the_AT heat_NN1 built_VVD all_DB around_II us_PPIO2 ,_, rising_VVG steadily_RR through_II the_AT day_NNT1 from_II the_AT fields_NN2 ,_, giving_VVG birth_NN1 in_II the_AT summer-blue_JJ sky_NN1 to_II towering_VVG white_JJ cumulus_NN1 clouds_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 grew_VVD dizzy_JJ in_II the_AT heat_NN1 ,_, and_CC from_II the_AT strange_JJ combination_NN1 of_IO the_AT unblinking_JJ monotony_NN1 and_CC utter_JJ fascination_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE task_NN1 ,_, until_CS the_AT trickling_JJ from_II my_APPGE hose_NN1 seemed_VVD to_TO be_VBI inflating_VVG those_DD2 clouds_NN2 --_NN1 I_PPIS1 seemed_VVD to_TO be_VBI watering_VVG those_DD2 clouds_NN2 as_CSA one_PN1 would_VM water_VVI a_AT1 garden_NN1 ._. 
Do_VD0 you_PPY ever_RR think_VVI that_CST those_DD2 days_NNT2 were_VBDR different_JJ --_NN1 that_CST we_PPIS2 had_VHD more_DAR time_NNT1 for_IF such_DA thoughts_NN2 ,_, that_DD1 time_NNT1 had_VHD not_XX yet_RR been_VBN corrupted_VVN ?_? 
I_PPIS1 am_VBM speaking_VVG less_DAR of_IO childhood_NN1 than_CSN of_IO the_AT general_JJ nature_NN1 of_IO the_AT world_NN1 we_PPIS2 are_VBR living_VVG in_RP ._. 
If_CS you_PPY are_VBR the_AT age_NN1 I_PPIS1 am_VBM now_RT --_JJ mid-50s_MC2 --_NN1 then_RT maybe_RR you_PPY know_VV0 what_DDQ I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 ._. 
The_AT water_NN1 pooled_VVN and_CC spread_VVN across_II the_AT gravel_NN1 parking_NN1 lot_NN1 before_II running_VVG in_II wandering_VVG rivulets_NN2 out_RP into_II the_AT field_NN1 beyond_RL ,_, where_CS bright_JJ butterflies_NN2 swarmed_VVD and_CC fluttered_VVD ,_, dabbing_VVG at_II the_AT mud_NN1 I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ making_VVG ._. 
Throughout_II the_AT afternoon_NNT1 ,_, some_DD of_IO the_AT adults_NN2 who_PNQS were_VBDR showing_VVG up_RP wandered_VVD over_RP to_TO examine_VVI the_AT monstrosity_NN1 ._. 
Among_II them_PPHO2 was_VBDZ an_AT1 older_JJR boy_NN1 ,_, Jack_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 15-year-old_NN1 who_PNQS had_VHD been_VBN kicked_VVN out_II21 of_II22 school_NN1 the_AT year_NNT1 before_RT for_IF fighting_VVG ._. 
Jack_NP1 waited_VVD until_CS no_AT adults_NN2 were_VBDR around_RP and_CC then_RT came_VVD by_RP and_CC said_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 wanted_VVD the_AT fish_NN ,_, that_CST it_PPH1 was_VBDZ his_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE --_NN1 that_CST his_APPGE father_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN the_AT one_PN1 who_PNQS had_VHD caught_VVN it_PPH1 --_JJ and_CC that_CST he_PPHS1 would_VM give_VVI me_PPIO1 five_MC dollars_NNU2 if_CS I_PPIS1 would_VM let_VVI him_PPHO1 have_VHI it_PPH1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD no_AT guile_NN1 about_II her_PPHO1 ;_; the_AT liquor_NN1 had_VHD opened_VVN her_APPGE mind_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 could_VM see_VVI she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ thinking_VVG about_II gripping_VVG the_AT fish_NN 's_GE toothy_JJ jaw_NN1 and_CC dragging_VVG it_PPH1 away_RL ,_, though_CS to_II where_RRQ ,_, I_PPIS1 could_VM not_XX imagine_VVI ._. 
As_CS21 if_CS22 ,_, given_VVN a_AT1 second_MD chance_NN1 at_II wealth_NN1 and_CC power_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 would_VM not_XX squander_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
As_CS21 if_CS22 this_DD1 fish_NN was_VBDZ the_AT greatest_JJT luck_NN1 that_CST had_VHD happened_VVN to_II them_PPHO2 in_II ages_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 kept_VVD watering_VVG the_AT fish_NN ._. 
The_AT gasps_NN2 were_VBDR coming_VVG slower_RRR and_CC I_PPIS1 felt_VVD that_CST perhaps_RR a_AT1 fire_NN1 was_VBDZ going_VVG out_RP in_II the_AT fish_NN 's_GE eyes_NN2 ._. 
Lanterns_NN2 were_VBDR lit_VVN ,_, and_CC moths_NN2 rose_VVD from_II the_AT fields_NN2 and_CC swarmed_VVD those_DD2 lanterns_NN2 ._. 
Men_NN2 came_VVD over_RP and_CC began_VVD to_TO place_VVI the_AT lanterns_NN2 on_II the_AT ground_NN1 all_DB around_II the_AT fish_NN ,_, like_II candelabra_NN1 at_II a_AT1 dinner_NN1 setting_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 hoped_VVD that_CST the_AT fish_NN would_VM die_VVI before_CS they_PPHS2 began_VVD skinning_VVG it_PPH1 ._. 
Moths_NN2 cartwheeled_VVD off_II the_AT lantern_NN1 glass_NN1 ,_, wing-singed_JJ ,_, sometimes_RT aflame_JJ --_NN1 like_II poor_JJ ,_, crude_JJ ,_, awkward_JJ imitations_NN2 of_IO the_AT fireflies_NN2 --_NN1 and_CC landed_JJ fuzz-busted_NN1 on_II the_AT catfish_NN 's_GE glistening_JJ back_NN1 ,_, where_CS they_PPHS2 stuck_VVD to_II its_APPGE skin_NN1 like_II feathers_NN2 ,_, their_APPGE wings_NN2 still_RR trembling_VVG ._. 
A_AT1 man_NN1 's_GE voice_NN1 came_VVD from_II behind_II me_PPIO1 ,_, saying_VVG ,_, "_" Hey_UH ,_, you_PPY 're_VBR wasting_VVG water_NN1 ,_, "_" and_CC turned_VVD the_AT hose_NN1 off_RP ._. 
Immediately_RR ,_, or_CC so_RR it_PPH1 seemed_VVD to_II me_PPIO1 ,_, a_AT1 fine_JJ wrinkling_NN1 appeared_VVD on_II the_AT previously_RR taut_JJ gunmetal_JJ skin_NN1 of_IO the_AT fish_NN --_NN1 a_AT1 desiccation_NN1 ,_, like_II watching_VVG a_AT1 time-lapse_JJ motion_NN1 picture_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 man_NN1 's_GE or_CC woman_NN1 's_GE skin_NN1 wrinkling_VVG as_CSA he_PPHS1 or_CC she_PPHS1 ages_VVZ ,_, regardless_RR of_IO the_AT man_NN1 's_GE or_CC woman_NN1 's_GE wishes_NN2 to_II the_AT contrary_NN1 ._. 
The_AT heat_NN1 from_II the_AT lanterns_NN2 seemed_VVD to_TO be_VBI sucking_VVG the_AT moisture_NN1 from_II the_AT skin_NN1 ._. 
The_AT fish_NN 's_GE eyes_NN2 seemed_VVD to_TO search_VVI for_IF mine_NN1 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 who_PNQS had_VHD turned_VVN off_II the_AT water_NN1 was_VBDZ Jack_NP1 's_GE father_NN1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ holding_VVG a_AT1 Bowie_NP1 knife_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE heart_NN1 stopped_VVD ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 tried_VVD to_TO tell_VVI him_PPHO1 to_TO take_VVI the_AT fish_NN ,_, but_CCB found_VVD myself_PPX1 speechless_JJ ._. 
Jack_NP1 's_GE father_NN1 's_GE eyes_NN2 were_VBDR red-drunk_JJ also_RR ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 wavered_VVD in_II such_DA a_AT1 manner_NN1 as_CSA to_TO seem_VVI in_II danger_NN1 of_IO falling_VVG over_RP onto_II the_AT dagger_NN1 he_PPHS1 gripped_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 beheld_VVD the_AT fish_NN for_IF long_JJ moments_NN2 ._. 
"_" Clarebelle_NN1 wants_VVZ me_PPIO1 to_TO take_VVI the_AT fish_NN home_RL ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, and_CC seemed_VVD to_TO be_VBI studying_VVG the_AT logistics_NN1 of_IO such_DA a_AT1 command_NN1 ._. 
"_" Shit_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" I_ZZ1 ai_FU n't_XX takin'_VVG no_AT fish_NN home_RL ._. 
Fuck_VV0 her_PPHO1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 pay_VV0 my_APPGE debts_NN2 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 crouched_VVD beside_II the_AT fish_NN and_CC made_VVD his_APPGE first_MD cut_NN1 lightly_RR around_II the_AT fish_NN 's_GE wide_JJ neck_NN1 with_IW the_AT long_JJ blade_NN1 as_CS21 if_CS22 opening_VVG an_AT1 envelope_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 slid_VVD the_AT knife_NN1 in_II lengthwise_JJ beneath_II the_AT skin_NN1 and_CC then_RT ran_VVD a_AT1 straight_JJ incision_NN1 down_II the_AT spine_NN1 all_DB the_AT way_NN1 to_II the_AT tail_NN1 ,_, four_MC feet_NN2 distant_JJ ._. 
The_AT fish_NN stopped_VVD gasping_VVG for_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 ,_, opened_VVD its_APPGE giant_JJ mouth_NN1 in_II shock_NN1 and_CC outrage_NN1 ,_, then_RT began_VVD to_TO gasp_VVI louder_JJR ._. 
In_II watering_VVG the_AT fish_VV0 all_DB day_NNT1 ,_, and_CC into_II the_AT evening_NNT1 ,_, I_PPIS1 had_VHD not_XX noticed_VVN how_RGQ many_DA2 men_NN2 and_CC women_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN gathering_VVG ._. 
Now_RT when_CS I_PPIS1 straightened_VVD up_RP to_TO stretch_VVI ,_, I_PPIS1 saw_VVD that_CST several_DA2 of_IO them_PPHO2 had_VHD left_VVN the_AT fire_NN1 and_CC come_VV0 over_RP to_TO view_VVI the_AT fish_NN --_NN1 could_VM the_AT fish_NN ,_, like_II a_AT1 small_JJ whale_NN1 ,_, feed_VV0 them_PPHO2 all_DB ?_? --_NN1 and_CC that_CST most_DAT of_IO them_PPHO2 were_VBDR drinking_VVG ._. 
"_" Someone_PN1 put_VVD that_DD1 fish_NN out_II21 of_II22 its_APPGE misery_NN1 ,_, "_" a_AT1 woman_NN1 said_VVD ,_, and_CC a_AT1 man_NN1 stepped_VVN from_II out_II21 of_II22 the_AT crowd_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 pistol_NN1 ,_, aimed_VVD it_PPH1 at_II the_AT fish_NN 's_GE broad_JJ head_NN1 ,_, and_CC fired_VVD ._. 
My_APPGE father_NN1 came_VVD hurrying_VVG over_RP from_II the_AT fire_NN1 ,_, shouted_VVD ,_, "_" Stop_VV0 shooting_NN1 ,_, dammit_UH ,_, "_" and_CC the_AT man_NN1 grumbled_VVD an_AT1 apology_NN1 and_CC retreated_VVD into_II the_AT crowd_NN1 ._. 
The_AT bullet_NN1 had_VHD made_VVN a_AT1 dark_JJ hole_NN1 in_II the_AT fish_NN 's_GE head_NN1 ._. 
The_AT wound_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX bleed_VVI ,_, and_CC the_AT fish_NN ,_, like_II some_DD mythic_JJ monster_NN1 ,_, did_VDD not_XX seem_VVI affected_VVN by_II it_PPH1 ._. 
It_PPH1 kept_VVD on_RP breathing_VVG ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 wanted_VVD very_RG much_DA1 to_TO begin_VVI watering_VVG it_PPH1 again_RT ._. 
Jack_NP1 's_GE father_NN1 had_VHD paused_VVN only_RR slightly_RR during_II the_AT shooting_NN1 ,_, and_CC now_RT kept_VVD cutting_VVG ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 had_VHD all_DB the_AT cuts_NN2 made_VVD ,_, two_MC other_JJ men_NN2 helped_VVD him_PPHO1 lift_VVI the_AT fish_NN ._. 
They_PPHS2 ran_VVD a_AT1 rope_NN1 through_II its_APPGE mouth_NN1 and_CC out_RP its_APPGE gills_NN2 and_CC hoisted_VVD it_PPH1 into_II a_AT1 tree_NN1 ,_, where_CS roosting_VVG night_NNT1 birds_NN2 rustled_VVD in_II alarm_NN1 ,_, then_RT flew_VVD into_II the_AT night_NNT1 ._. 
The_AT fish_NN writhed_VVD ,_, sucked_VVN for_IF air_NN1 ,_, and_CC ,_, finding_VVG none_PN ,_, was_VBDZ somehow_RR from_II far_JJ within_II able_JK to_TO find_VVI ,_, summon_VVI ,_, and_CC deliver_VVI enough_DD power_NN1 to_TO flap_VVI its_APPGE tail_NN1 once_RR ,_, slapping_VVG one_MC1 of_IO the_AT men_NN2 in_II the_AT ribs_NN2 with_IW a_AT1 thwack_NN1 !_! 
The_AT fish_NN was_VBDZ making_VVG guttural_JJ sounds_NN2 now_RT --_JJ that_CST deep_RR croaking_VVG sound_NN1 they_PPHS2 make_VV0 when_RRQ they_PPHS2 are_VBR in_II distress_NN1 ,_, right_RR before_CS they_PPHS2 die_VV0 --_JJ and_CC Jack_NP1 's_GE father_NN1 said_VVD ,_, "_" Well_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 guess_VV0 we_PPIS2 need_VV0 to_TO cook_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD a_AT1 pair_NN of_IO pliers_NN2 in_II his_APPGE pocket_NN1 --_NN1 evidently_RR part_NN1 of_IO the_AT debt_NN1 reduction_NN1 required_VVN that_CST he_PPHS1 also_RR do_VD0 the_AT cleaning_NN1 and_CC cooking_VVG --_JJ and_CC he_PPHS1 gripped_VVD the_AT skin_NN1 with_IW the_AT pliers_NN2 up_RP behind_II the_AT fish_NN 's_GE neck_NN1 and_CC then_RT peeled_VVN the_AT skin_NN1 back_NN1 ,_, skinning_VVG the_AT fish_NN alive_JJ ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 pulling_VVG the_AT husk_NN1 or_CC wrapper_NN1 from_II a_AT1 thing_NN1 to_TO reveal_VVI what_DDQ had_VHD been_VBN hidden_VVN within_RL ._. 
The_AT partygoers_NN2 decided_VVD that_CST ,_, in_II honor_NN1 of_IO having_VHG the_AT barbecue_NN1 ,_, my_APPGE father_NN1 should_VM receive_VVI the_AT treasure_NN1 from_II the_AT fish_NN 's_GE stomach_NN1 (_( which_DDQ produced_VVD ,_, also_RR ,_, a_AT1 can_NN1 opener_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 slimy_JJ tennis_NN1 shoe_NN1 ,_, some_DD baling_NN1 wire_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 good-sized_JJ soft-shelled_JJ turtle_NN1 ,_, still_RR alive_JJ ,_, which_DDQ clambered_VVD out_II21 of_II22 its_APPGE leathery_JJ entrapment_NN1 and_CC ,_, with_IW webbed_JJ feet_NN2 ,_, long_JJ claws_NN2 ,_, and_CC frantically_RR outstretched_JJ neck_NN1 ,_, scuttled_VVD its_APPGE way_NN1 blindly_RR down_RP toward_II the_AT stock_NN1 tank_NN1 --_NN1 knowing_VVG instinctively_RR where_CS water_NN1 and_CC safety_NN1 lay_VVD ,_, and_CC where_RRQ ,_, I_PPIS1 supposed_VVD ,_, it_PPH1 later_RRR found_VVD the_AT catfish_NN 's_GE bulky_JJ head_NN1 and_CC began_VVD feasting_VVG on_II it_PPH1 )_) ._. 
Jack_NP1 's_GE father_NN1 scowled_VVD and_CC lodged_VVD a_AT1 protest_NN1 --_NN1 his_APPGE wife_NN1 was_VBDZ still_RR not_XX in_II attendance_NN1 --_NN1 but_CCB the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO the_AT partygoers_NN2 laughed_VVD and_CC said_VVD no_UH ,_, the_AT fish_NN belonged_VVD to_II my_APPGE father_NN1 ,_, and_CC that_CST unless_CS the_AT watch_NN1 had_VHD belonged_VVN to_II Jack_NP1 's_GE father_NN1 before_II the_AT fish_NN had_VHD swallowed_VVN it_PPH1 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ shit_NN1 out_II21 of_II22 luck_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 laughed_VVD and_CC congratulated_VVD my_APPGE father_NN1 ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 he_PPHS1 had_VHD won_VVN a_AT1 prize_NN1 of_IO some_DD sort_NN1 ,_, or_CC had_VHD even_RR made_VVN some_DD wise_JJ investment_NN1 ,_, rather_CS21 than_CS22 simply_RR having_VHG gotten_VVN lucky_JJ ._. 
In_II subsequent_JJ days_NNT2 my_APPGE father_NN1 would_VM take_VVI the_AT watch_NN1 apart_RL and_CC clean_VVI it_PPH1 piece_NN1 by_II piece_NN1 and_CC then_RT spend_VV0 the_AT better_JJR part_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 month_NNT1 ,_, in_II the_AT hot_JJ middle_JJ part_NN1 of_IO the_AT day_NNT1 ,_, reassembling_VVG it_PPH1 ,_, after_II drying_VVG the_AT individual_JJ pieces_NN2 in_II the_AT bright_JJ September_NPM1 light_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 would_VM get_VVI the_AT watch_NN1 working_VVG again_RT ,_, and_CC would_VM give_VVI it_PPH1 to_II my_APPGE mother_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS had_VHD not_XX been_VBN in_II attendance_NN1 at_II the_AT party_NN1 ;_; and_CC for_IF long_JJ years_NNT2 ,_, he_PPHS1 did_VDD not_XX tell_VVI her_PPHO1 where_CS it_PPH1 came_VVD from_II --_NN1 this_DD1 gift_NN1 from_II the_AT belly_NN1 of_IO some_DD beast_NN1 from_II far_RR below_RL ._. 
That_DD1 night_NNT1 ,_, he_PPHS1 merely_RR smiled_VVD and_CC thanked_VVD the_AT men_NN2 who_PNQS 'd_VHD given_VVN him_PPHO1 the_AT slimy_JJ watch_NN1 ,_, and_CC slipped_VVD it_PPH1 into_II his_APPGE pocket_NN1 ._. 
The_AT party_NN1 went_VVD on_II a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 slept_VVD for_IF a_AT1 while_NNT1 in_II the_AT cab_NN1 of_IO our_APPGE truck_NN1 ._. 
When_CS I_PPIS1 awoke_VVD ,_, Jack_NP1 's_GE mother_NN1 had_VHD rejoined_VVN the_AT party_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ no_AT less_RGR drunk_JJ than_CSN before_RT ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 watched_VVD as_CSA she_PPHS1 went_VVD over_RP to_II where_RRQ the_AT fish_NN 's_GE skin_NN1 was_VBDZ hanging_VVG on_RP a_AT1 dried_JJ ,_, withered_VVD mesquite_NN1 branch_NN1 meant_VVD for_IF the_AT fire_NN1 ._. 
The_AT skin_NN1 was_VBDZ still_RR wet_JJ and_CC shiny_JJ ._. 
The_AT woman_NN1 turned_VVD her_PPHO1 back_RP to_II the_AT bonfire_NN1 and_CC lifted_VVD that_DD1 branch_NN1 with_IW the_AT skin_NN1 draped_VVN over_II it_PPH1 ,_, and_CC began_VVN dancing_VVG slowly_RR with_IW the_AT branch_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ ,_, we_PPIS2 saw_VVD now_RT ,_, had_VHD outstretched_JJ arms_NN2 like_II a_AT1 person_NN1 ,_, and_CC which_DDQ ,_, with_IW the_AT fish_NN skin_NN1 wrapped_VVN around_II it_PPH1 ,_, appeared_VVD to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 man_NN1 wearing_VVG a_AT1 black-silver_NN1 jacket_NN1 ._. 
In_II that_DD1 same_DA detached_JJ and_CC distanced_JJ state_NN1 of_IO drunkenness_NN1 --_NN1 drunk_VVN with_IW sorrow_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 imagined_VVD ,_, that_CST the_AT big_JJ fish_NN had_VHD slipped_VVN through_II their_APPGE hands_NN2 ,_, and_CC that_CST their_APPGE possible_JJ fortune_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN lost_VVN --_JJ Jack_NP1 's_GE mother_NN1 remained_VVD utterly_RR absorbed_VVN in_II her_APPGE dance_NN1 ._. 
Slowly_RR ,_, the_AT fiddles_NN2 stopped_VVD playing_VVG ,_, one_MC1 by_II one_MC1 ,_, so_CS21 that_CS22 I_PPIS1 could_VM hear_VVI only_RR the_AT crackling_NN1 of_IO the_AT fire_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 could_VM see_VVI her_PPHO1 doing_VDG her_APPGE fish_NN dance_VV0 ,_, with_IW one_MC1 arm_NN1 raised_VVN over_II her_APPGE head_NN1 and_CC dust_NN1 plumes_NN2 rising_VVG from_II her_APPGE shuffling_NN1 feet_NN2 ,_, and_CC then_RT people_NN were_VBDR edging_VVG in_II31 front_II32 of_II33 me_PPIO1 ,_, a_AT1 wall_NN1 of_IO people_NN ,_, so_CS21 that_CS22 I_PPIS1 could_VM see_VVI nothing_PN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 still_RR have_VH0 that_DD1 watch_NN1 today_RT ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX use_VVI it_PPH1 ,_, but_CCB keep_VV0 it_PPH1 instead_RR locked_VVN away_RL in_II my_APPGE drawer_NN1 ,_, as_CSA the_AT fish_NN once_RR kept_VVD it_PPH1 locked_VVD away_RL in_II its_APPGE belly_NN1 ,_, secret_JJ ,_, hidden_VVN ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ just_RR a_AT1 talisman_NN1 ,_, just_RR an_AT1 idea_NN1 ,_, now_RT ._. 
But_II21 for_II22 a_AT1 little_JJ while_NNT1 ,_, once_RR and_CC then_RT again_RT ,_, resurrected_VVN ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 vital_JJ thing_NN1 ,_, functioning_VVG in_II the_AT world_NN1 ,_, with_IW flecks_NN2 of_IO memory_NN1 --_NN1 not_XX its_APPGE own_DA ,_, but_CCB that_DD1 of_IO others_NN2 --_JJ attendant_NN1 to_II it_PPH1 ,_, attaching_VVG to_II it_PPH1 like_II barnacles_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 take_VV0 it_PPH1 out_RP and_CC look_VV0 at_II it_PPH1 once_RR every_AT1 few_DA2 years_NNT2 ,_, and_CC sometimes_RT wonder_VV0 at_II the_AT unseen_JJ and_CC unknown_JJ and_CC undeclared_JJ things_NN2 that_CST are_VBR always_RR leaving_VVG us_PPIO2 ,_, constantly_RR leaving_VVG us_PPIO2 ,_, little_JJ bit_NN1 by_II little_JJ bit_NN1 and_CC breath_NN1 by_II breath_NN1 ._. 
Of_IO how_RRQ sometimes_RT --_JJ not_XX often_RR --_JJ we_PPIS2 wake_VV0 up_RP gasping_VVG ,_, wondering_VVG at_II their_APPGE going_VVG away_RL ._. 
