The Turtle, a Turtle in the Woods

Max watched as jacob hung the turtle with rope from a tree branch below the house and cleaned it. Its eyes were milky, its tongue swollen and foamed with spittle. The ancient skin fell in scraps. Rona thought in awe. Fried in butter, the meat was gristly and ripe. She chewed until her throat contracted and saliva pooled. Then she spat into a napkin. Max said loud and grinning, this country life does not agree with your poor old mother.