Homeward Bound: Chapter Twenty-One

Homeward Bound: Chapter Twenty-One

      "So, how was your first day?" I ask.

      "Not bad… Did you see the guy I was talking to when you came in?"

      "Yea, that the owner's son?"

      "No, he works for the border patrol. He was in earlier for dinner. Asked to see my alien card. I told him, away you go…Figured who was he? He took out his wallet and showed me his badge. Said he wouldn't check my card now, but he could if he wanted to. I guess the guard at Sunburst told him about us…"

      "So what if he works for the border patrol He can't ask to see your card, can he?"

      "I think that was just a line. He seemed really nice when he came in later. It just makes me think, though, everyone in town must know our business. You should have seen the stares I got walking to work."

      "Ahhh, that's just because you're nice to look at… How is it living with the Brigg’s?"

      "Oh, it's just great. They're such nice people. I have to tell you, though; they have a daughter, Julie. It's such a shame. She was in a terrible car wreck. About six years ago. She had just turned eighteen. Coming home from a party. Her spinal cord was broken. She's completely paralyzed from the waist down. It's such a shame. Mrs. Briggs showed me a picture of her from before the accident. She was beautiful. Now, God forgive me, she's horrible to look at… She's such a sweet thing, though, and she seems to enjoy our talking together…"

      "That's too bad. Nothing they can do for her, huh?”

      "No, she's had several operations… Nothing has helped. And, the boy who was driving got away without a scratch…You'll have to meet her. I told her all about us. She's very shy now. Her mother said she use to have so many friends, but she doesn't want to see them. It's such a shame… But, I shouldn't be worrying you. How are you guys doing out at the ranch? Are you catching on all right?"

     "Are you kidding? We got it down pat. Matter a fact, I was gonna ask you. How'd you like staying in Shelby for awhile?"

     "Here in Shelby? Oh, I'd love it, Hon."

     "Well, Vance is sure that Doc is gonna ask us to work for him after the harvest. Maybe start us out buying junk cars and stuff…"

     "Oh, do you really think he might?"

     "Well, it's not for sure, but it does make sense. He and Vance have really hit it off. They work together down at the silos. Vance spends most of the day with him. He's pretty sure that Doc is looking for someone to do some footwork for him. Doc's got a lot of irons is the fire. Lots of money to invest…"

     "Oh, Hon. that would be great... I was telling Mrs. Briggs about our plans to get married up in Alaska. She said it would be nice if we could get married here in Shelby. There's a Catholic Church. Her and Mr. Briggs would come…"

     We dream about the possibilities of settling in Shelby, renting a house on the edge of town, maybe getting a couple horses, riding the foothills together, visiting Canada, the Rocky Mountains. Before we know it, we're back in each other’s arms, feeling the beat of our hearts, breathing in the same breath, drifting out side of time and space…

     All of a sudden, there is an exploding noise on the car roof. I shot bolt up right with pounding heart. "What the hell?" I ask myself.

     "Don't you think it's about time we started back?"  Vance growls through my open window. "For Christ's sake, man, it's after one A.M."

     I exhale a sigh of relief, and feel just a twinge of hurt at Vance's violent reaction. "Sorry, man, I jus' lost track of time," I say as I straighten myself out. 

     Anne opens the door and gets out. "I'll jus' walk her to the door and be right back," I tell Vance as I slide out the passenger side.

     "You'd better hurry. Vance looks awfully mad," Anne tells me as we  pause at the front door.

     "Ahhhh… don't worry," I say and pull her close for one more kiss.

     The horn honks twice. The motor races. "He'll wake the Briggs," Anne tells me as she pulls away.

     "The stupid ass," I say starting down the stairs.

     "I love you," Anne whispers.

     "I love you, too. I'll try to get in tomorrow night…" I return and hurry down the stairs.

     When I reach the curb, Vance races the engine and pulls away as I open the door. I have to jump in to avoid being hit. "You are about one inconsiderate bastard… I waited in that f---ng bar by myself for almost two hours, man.  You know how early we got to get up…"

     "Christ, man, I jus' lost track a' time. You know…"

     "Yea, well, I seen some inconsiderate people in my life, but you f---ing take the cake, Daley. You don't give a fuck about anyone but yourself…"

     "F--- you, man. You know you pulled the same kind'a shit when you were going with Kathy. How many times did you?”

     "You shut your mouth, Daley or I'll f---ing shut it for you."

     Vance's words sting like a whip. I picture him and me getting out of the car and rolling around the ground like Birdie and me did that night outside the Triv. The dirty f---ing, bastard. He doesn't think at all how Anne is alone by herself the whole time… Get's up tight about a couple hours, and it wasn't that long either… Shut my f---ing mouth, I'll show him. I'll never say another word to him the rest of my life.

     We ride in silence through the dark Montana night. A good fifteen minutes passes with just the sound of our tires kicking up stones, and my continued resolution never to speak to the Vance again. I'm just dozing off when all of sudden, Vance slams on the brakes and screams, "Holy Shit!"  Smack in the middle of the road stands an enormous black bull. As Vance edges forward, shouting out the window and waving one arm, the animal moves over just enough to let us squeeze by. "Son of a bitch. I should'a hit the mother and collected the insurance…"

     Listen to him trying to make up. I'll show him. I'll never talk to him again, I tell myself staring straight ahead.

     "Shit, that's right… Guy at the employment office told me. Open range out here. F---ing cows got the right 'a way. Hit the son of a bitch, and you gotta pay… Lucky thing I saw him in time," Vance continues. I clench my teeth and follow the headlights.

     It is near two A.M. when we enter our sleeping quarters. Ernie is sound asleep under a brown blanket. The naked light bulb gives off its dim glow as we undress in silence. Should I go out for a piss now, or wait 'til morning? I ask myself when Vance pulls the string and plunges the room into darkness.

     Maybe I should say good night, I tell myself as I catch the glow from Vance's Camel, and remember my mother telling me that I should never go to sleep mad at someone.

     Naw, he started it. Let him make the first move, another voice says as I roll over on my stomach. I wonder if Anne's is still awake as I catch a whiff of her perfume and a charge of energy runs clean through me. Better get some sleep. Tomorrow’s gonna be another long day, I tell myself, and picture Anne through the coffee shop window.