I don't remember much about that particular
evening. Jacqueline insisted on showing me her
navel. She claimed that if I touched it, it
would bring me good luck. I have no idea if I
touched it. Dabney was bragging about his winnings
at the horse track. He said he won nine out of
ten races the week before. I told him I didn't
believe him, and he invited me to go to the track
with him. I told him I wasn't a gambling man,
which was a lie. Beatrice came over and showed
me her navel. It seemed to have a little face
in it, which made me laugh. I asked her if I
could touch it, and she said, "Of course, darling."
I didn't want to stop touching it, but after a
while she needed to go to the ladies' room. Adam
told me about his recent surgery. He showed me
his scar and I dropped my drink. Isabel tried to
sell me some cattle. "Isabel," I said, "I'm
not that kind of man." She lifted her blouse
a little and pointed to her navel. I don't
remember much after that. Some vegetables were
served. Some pottery was broken. Otto Guttchen
showed me a fossil.
James Tate, « My Cattle Ranch », The Eternal Ones of the Dream
