Mike Addington > Quotes

“What you do is so loud, I can't hear what you say."

Anonymous”
― Mike Addington, The Home Place

“Franklin strolled toward the tent trying to bite the apple without getting the sugary coating on his face. None of the dozen or so men looked up when he approached. All eyes were fixed on the radio as if they could see inside it. The announcer’s voice didn’t rise and fall as usual. Every word was tension filled: “Reports of the Japanese attack began coming in early this afternoon, Eastern time. What we know now is that several battleships have been hit, one already at the bottom, with enormous loss of life.” The candied apple dropped to the sawdust.”
― Mike Addington, The Home Place

“You gutless pup. Come in my club thinking to do me harm. I’ll do you like I did your sorry brother.” He grinned. “ ‘Cept maybe I’ll burn you up instead of putting you in the water.”
― Mike Addington, The Home Place

“The man finally stopped pumping. “Whew, you were pretty low.”      Matt looked at the pump, a little over a dollar.”
― Mike Addington, The Home Place

“Jessie leaned into the car and stuck a finger in her face. “You started it. If you’d listened to me in the first place, none of this would’ve happened. That scum walking into my church like he owned the place. And you waving at him. For everyone to see. How do you think that made me look? Everybody in church thinking you and that freak are friends. And me just sitting there.” “Me. Me. Me. It’s always about you, isn’t it, Daddy? If you feel that way, what about Mother? Shouldn’t she be included? But, no, it’s how would Jessie Whitaker look? What would people think of Jessie Whitaker?”
― Mike Addington, Three Sides of the Tracks

“Matt and the judge’s eyes met, and Matt shook his head.      “What do you have, Sullivan?”      “Coroner’s report indicates probable drowning, Judge. No signs—”      “Now wait a minute, counselor. What do you mean ‘probable drowning?’ You’re either drowned or you’re not. You have to do better than that,” the judge said.”
― Mike Addington, The Home Place

“Up the road, a flickering and half-burned-out neon light caught his attention. The flickering image was supposed to be a peacock but more resembled a half-starved rooster.”
― Mike Addington, The Home Place

“Why do you hate Danny so much? He’s never done anything to you. . . . Oh, that’s it though, isn’t it? He and I are friends, and he won’t bow down like everyone else, and you can’t stand it. That’s it, isn’t it?”
― Mike Addington, Three Sides of the Tracks