My Heart is a Chainsaw

 Shirley Jackson meets Friday the 13th in My Heart Is a Chainsaw, written by the New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians Stephen Graham Jones, called “a literary master” by National Book Award winner Tananarive Due and “one of our most talented living writers” by Tommy Orange.

THE START OF THE INDIAN LAKE TRILOGY

Jade Daniels is an angry, half-Indian outcast with an abusive father, an absent mother, and an entire town that wants nothing to do with her. She lives in her own world, a world in which protection comes from an unusual source: horror movies…especially the ones where a masked killer seeks revenge on a world that wronged them. And Jade narrates the quirky history of Proofrock as if it is one of those movies. But when blood actually starts to spill into the waters of Indian Lake, she pulls us into her dizzying, encyclopedic mind of blood and masked murderers, and predicts exactly how the plot will unfold.

Yet, even as Jade drags us into her dark fever dream, a surprising and intimate portrait emerges…a portrait of the scared and traumatized little girl beneath the Jason Voorhees mask: angry, yes, but also a girl who easily cries, fiercely loves, and desperately wants a home. A girl whose feelings are too big for her body. My Heart Is a Chainsaw is her story, her homage to horror and revenge and triumph.

Life Update

 

 It has been a weekend. A library weekend. Our new security system went off and would not stop so we had to unplug it. It looks like someone from the company has to come and fix it. I am beginning to wonder about our patches that we have been putting in the items to secure them. True, I think there have been great strides in the system which is plugged into your computer software of checking out items. And it is expensive. We just want it to work. Oh, and no one wanted to leave at closing time on a Sunday evening. 

My hubby is still in the hospital. He is doing good and bored and wants to come home, but now there is talk he might need some procedure on his heart which he doesn't want to hear about. Hopefully, he will have a PCM now. But he is very stubborn. The thing with CHF is the other issues that linger once the fluid goes to his lungs. When he starts feeling better he doesn't want to talk all his medications. And that can be the start of the problem. 

And my mother-in-law is still having some issues too. She is in another hospital.

On a crazy note, I am certain I left the bathroom light on last night, but it had been turned off when I got up this morning. 

I finally started watching Outer Banks. It is one of those series I like many of the characters yet sometimes, I feel nothing much changes even if it is a whirlwind of suspense, strangeness, and down right disturbing.

The Gobbler

 

It's a limited edition at Arby's. Although, it has been going on for a while in November from the franchise. Deep Fried Turkey! And yes, this one does have a certain Thanksgiving Turkey flavor. Although, mine did not come with the crispy onion and wasn't quite as beautiful as what you see here. It also comes in a club sandwich too.

I have a few favorites at Arby's other than the roast beef sandwich. It's always interesting what this fast food chain can bring. 

The sandwich was pretty good. But maybe once a year is all I need of The Gobbler.

Park After Dark

What was it that made the night so inviting after dark? There was a chill of November, which meant it was indeed Sweater Weather. Of course, Mae had shed her bra as soon as she got home from the dentist's office, where she worked as a dental hygienist. Funny how something like a bra still made her feel trapped after all this time. Really, she wasn't a bad girl, but she liked the freedom of being home alone. Her husband was on the night shift this week at the emergency room, so it was just her and a cup of soothing ramen.

Even so, when she went to check if her car was locked (which it was), there was something so tempting about the night. It was as if she'd been a cat once upon a time and needed to be on the prowl.

Sure, there were the lights on the street to guide her on a walk. Although, the farther she got down the street, the woozier she became. A certain excitement pulsed in her veins. Yes, Mae was right where she wanted to be.

It was as if a beat of excitement made her feel one with the night. She shoved her hands into her hoodie and walked past the high school to the old park she remembered from high school. Back then, it was Smoker's Hill. Now it was a jungle gym, swings, and of course, a slide.

She thought she heard something. Probably a cat. Yes, that's what it had to be. Funny how she thought life would be better if she had a cat. Still, she pondered there might be someone looming in the dark in the chest of the jungle gym.

Mae certainly wanted to run away, but she was curious. Before she could turn to go, someone slid down the slide. Mae gasped, thinking this was the time to run, but she didn't. All she could hear was the pounding of her heartbeat.

Instantly, like eyes of glass on her, he blinked. He was a little scruffy, but the shoes he wore looked as if he could get by. There was some agility about his presence.

"Oh, don't tell me you're a scaredy-cat?" His smile was terribly inviting. He could be a vamp, and he looked hardly homeless in his black suit.

Mae couldn't speak. She shook her head no, thinking she could be back home swooning over Johnny B in Outer Banks on Netflix. Mae turned to walk away. He followed.

"There's nothing to be frightened about," he said.

"Well, who hangs out in a jungle gym after dark?" She wouldn't look back.

"Some of us take different shapes at night, that's all!" he shouted back, but she ran, ran as fast as she could back home.

Of course, her door was unlocked at the basement door. She looked back and didn't see him in the driveway. Finally, it was a relief to be inside. She bolted the door and looked at her lovely home. The basement was her friend. This was where she stayed most evenings, to rest and watch TV alone.

But who would appear as soon as she got comfortable on the couch with the TV on? Someone was there to greet her. And he looked a little scruffy from the night. A coat of black. The ragdoll kitten cuddled up to her, purring.