ATDTDA (7): 201-203 plotline

[Peter Petto]

We (and Frank, Reef's already been here) meet a couple of the girls 
outside Nochecita's refuge for secret lives. How Frank is covering 
Reef's back is not apparent.  The focal girl is Estrella 
(ess-STRAY-ah) Briggs, "Stray." She is real pregnant, by Reef? Her 
friend Sage has had many beaus, and by implication so has she -- 
although the two of them seem as likely to run off together as with 
any of the guys. Reef and Stray had a tiff, and Reef is back for 
reconciliation bringing Frank as "muscle." We get a glimpse at the 
girls' messy rooms which contrasts the presented self to the 
authentic self.

Reef has an attenuated showdown with Cooper. Both of them seem eager 
for their girl's affection, and both a little nervous given all the 
other men in their lives, and perhaps they have other worries. Cooper 
has an ace up his sleeve, a guitar and a love song. It works despite 
some wrong notes and Cooper's thin voice. At the end of this section 
he and Sage are arm in arm. Reef is still alone, amazed, thinking 
about the cost (three weeks wages) of a guitar and how hard it would 
be to learn to play.

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Peter Petto <ppetto at apk.net>
Bay Village, OH