Obed, a good man, hardworking, had a girl that’d show up and he’d start running with her to the dope-spot. He always came back with the same sad face. He’d look out into the distance as he smoked his Marlboros and then when asked if he had gotten high, even if on the nod, he’d deny it, and his lips would kiss the ground. Pucker-up, Riverbed thought. Pucker-up now.