The Angel on Her Shoulder

A conversation between Allison Johnson and Paul Newman from Willy Vlautin's novel Northline:


'So, kid, how's the water?'

'At least the water heater's good,' she said.

'This place ain't much, but I think you'll do alright.' He was sitting beisde her on the toilet, drinking a beer.

'You should do like Budweiser.'

'It's the king of beers.'

'I'm a terrible person. I don't know why you ever talk to me.'

'We all have tough times. Remember me in The Verdict. I was drunk as a bum for more than twenty years in that one.'

'But you were a lawyer, you'd gone to college.'

'Listen, kid, you could go to college. Believe me, you're smart enough.'

'You think so?'

'I'm sure of it.'

'I've done some horrible things.'

'We all have. You ever seen Hud?'

'You sure were an asshole in that one.'

'I've been bad. You aren't bad. You just got what I'd call bad nerves. That, my girl, you're gonna have to work on. We got to toughen you up. That's why you're in the boat you're in.'

'I just wish we could disappear together.'

'We do it all the time.'


Feel better and keep doing what you do Paul Newman! There are lots of Allisons out there who need your help and example.