WA:  Dennis Mahagin

Christy is on her way from Wapato to Spokane

in a '78 El Camino, burgundy, with big fuzzy dice

hanging from the rear view mirror. There is a man 

who told her: "A grand per night ... for being nice."

Christy turns 18 in a week; has a sister doing time

in Walla Walla, for check fraud, and identity theft.

Her mom is shacked up with a man past his prime 

in Yakima; together they get by on whatever is left

after paying rent on a trailer with his social security 

check; they play bingo at the Legion Hall, and slots 

at the reservation casino in Toppenish. "Promise me 

on Daddy's grave," Mom begged Christy, "there's lots 

of ways ... but girl, don't let them turn you out." Pray

now for Christy, she's 35 miles past Moses Lake.