A Tall Texas Tale

At the time I wrote this story in 1987, the Houston Astrodome was a fully functioning, vibrant sports arena. It was the first domed stadium and sometimes dubbed the "eighth wonder of the world". It was the home of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and also the Houston Astros baseball team and the Houston Oilers football team (as they were then called). When I chose the Astrodome as Nick's home in the story, I remember thinking that it was a ludicrous idea that the Dome could ever be empty and available. I even thought that was more unbelievable than a person who could be as tall as his age! But at this time in 2014, the Astrodome stands empty and is the subject of many local arguments and speculation over what its fate should be-demolition or repurposed facility. Who knows what will happen?