o, I didn't marry Lars. That would have been ridiculous. I'm not a total airhead. I went home and got a divorce, first from Ted and then from Harlan. I'm still sleeping with Harlan and I guess I always will, even if he dies. Even if he becomes a total alcoholic. Even if I die. I just love him.

Lars? We email each other. Last week he suggested, "Gail, why don't we exchange more *interesting* messages?" An invitation. I'm smiling. He's a funny guy. We'll probably do it in the pantry with cake flour.

h, one last thing, you wanted to know about the sidewinders in the desert. Okay, I'll tell you. The weather had been particularly dry. The monsoon-like rains that revive the desert hadn't come and the heat was unbearable. We were living in air-conditioned libraries and movie theatres. Then the rains came and the snakes started to breed like crazy. They were everywhere.

One of my bikers got bit on the finger and wanted to sue me because I didn't tell him they were on the move. How'd I know he'd lift up rocks down by the Colorado. I am not responsible for acts of nature or stupidity. He was semi-paralyzed a month. The river flooded and suddenly you'd meet a sidewinder as you stepped out your door. I begin to step and bike more gingerly. The confidence I feel out here in the country suddenly eroded in a place where no crime happens - hardly ever, save a little bigamy.