Summary

Dillard goes to the quarry to sit in the September sun and sees a copperhead snake. She does not see snakes that often but always carries a small anti-venom kit with her. She recalls a story she heard about a boy who was playing near a creek when his mother called him in for dinner. He told her he had seen a snake. Later that evening his leg swelled to the size of his trunk and the mother saw two small snake-bite teeth marks. Snakes are furtive and sneaky and can bite you so fast you may not know it. Dillard gives the snake space and finds somewhere else to sit. But, she knows where she lives copperheads and other poisonous snakes are abundant.

Before she leaves the snake she watches a mosquito sit on the snake’s head for...