“Leona’s doin’ fine. The girls love livin’ on the ranch. Virgil’s boys proved to be pretty good kids. One of ’em is working in the oil field. Another helps me out here once in a while. They’re keepin’ the family together. But how about you, darlin’? Whoer ya with?” Deke asked bluntly. “Is he treatin’ ya right?”
“I’m riding with my father.”
“Well, now, that’s good to hear.”
“Deke, would you believe that Ernie Harding went back home and told everybody that I had stolen his money? My father believes it.”
“Why, the sneakin’, lyin’ polecat! Don’t worry, darlin’. I’ll set your pa straight on that. I’ll take him in to see the records at the courthouse if I have to.”
“No. Don’t talk to him, Deke. He won’t believe you. He wants to think the worst of me. But I would appreciate it if you would tell Mr. Putman how it was. He’s very nice. So are his wife and son. I don’t want them to think I’m a thief.”
“I’ll do that. I’ll make a point of it. What’s goin’ on ’tween ya and your pa, darlin’? Yo’re not happy, are ya?”
“No. This trip has been a nightmare.”
They stood, and Deke slipped the empty pop bottle into a rack. “Come to the house. I want ya to meet my mama.”
“Deke, I wanted to stop here so bad I told Mr. Putman that you might let us do some washing. Will it be all right if we heat water in your iron washpot?”
Margie was aware that Brady had come up behind her. She refused to turn and acknowledge him. Her heart jumped out of rhythm, but there was no stress on the face she presented to Deke.
“Course it’s all right. For you, darlin’, I’d do their washin’ myself.” He looked beyond Margie. “Howdy, mister.”
“Howdy. I was just going to ask if I could draw water from your well.”
“Sure ya can. Name’s Deke Bales.” Deke stuck out his hand.
“Brady Hoyt. Glad to meet you.”
After Deke had shaken Brady’s hand he said, “It’s kind of late in the day to be startin’ a washin’, but yo’re welcome to do it. Them clouds in the southwest looks to me like they may be kickin’ up a storm.”
Brady tilted his hat and surveyed the clouds. “You may be right. Clouds with a tinge of green sometimes mean hail. I’ll speak to Mrs. Putman.”
“Margie!” Anna Marie ran to Margie and grabbed her hand. “Guess what? Aunt Grace took me to the privy. It’s clean like the one back home.”
“Well, that’s nice.”
“Come on, Punkie. Let’s go see Grace.”
“I want to stay with Margie. Mister, can I see the chicken with three legs? And the snake?” Anna Marie gave Deke a pleading smile. “Uncle Brady read the signs.”
“The snake is in that tank at the side of the garage, little sweetheart. Your daddy will have to hold you up.”
“Daddy’s in heaven. This is my Uncle Brady, but he looks just like my daddy. How did you catch him?”
“Darlin’, I’m the best snake catcher in Oklahoma. I just grabbed hold of that snake, pulled him up out of a hole, threw him over my shoulder and put him in the tank.”
Anna Marie looked at him with round, puzzled eyes. “Did he bite you?”
“If he had, I’d justa bit him back.”
Margie smiled. “Honey, Mr. Bales likes to tease little girls.”
“You’re a little honey, that’s sure. You go on and look at Mr. Hoover. I call him that ’cause he was the snake in the grass that got us into the Depression. Later I’ll take you out to see Mr. Roosevelt, my buffalo, and Mrs. Roosevelt, my chicken. I’m takin’ Margie in to see my mama. She’s waitin’ there on the porch.”
Brady took Anna Marie’s hand. “We’ll see the snake later. We need to go talk to Aunt Grace.”
Margie went up the path to the house with Deke. They were met on the porch by a short, heavyset woman with white hair coiled and pinned to the top of her head. She wore a granny dress that fell from her shoulders to her ankles. It was easy to picture her as Deke’s mother.
“Mama, this is Margie. Remember me telling you about the girl that was dumped here by that slimy little piece of horse dung who took her money?”
“That was last summer, wasn’t it? Hello, Margie. Deke was ready to tear that man up.”
“Hello, Mrs. Bales. That man left me in the best possible place.”
“Come in, dear. I’ll make you a glass of tea.”
“Uh-oh. I’ve got a customer. Make yourself at home, Margie.” Deke took off down the path to the garage.
“I can’t stay long.” Margie followed Deke’s mother into the house. “I’ll have to get back to the truck and fix supper.”
“I was going to ask you to eat with us, dear. You and Deke can visit.”
“I’d love to, but I’ll have to prepare something for my father.”
“He’s welcome to come too.”
“He wouldn’t come, Mrs. Bales. He’s kind of … difficult.”
“All right. After supper you and Deke can visit. Have a seat and tell me about the trip so far.”
Margie told Mrs. Bales about meeting Andy Payne, the man who ran from Los Angeles to New York.
“We camped on his land. He came down and gave each of us a big fish.”
“I get hungry for fish, but Deke has no time to go fishing these days.”
“Mr. Putman mapped out our trip. They had a singing at the camp last night in Oklahoma City. There must have been thirty or forty people there. Both Mr. Putman and his son play the violin and the guitar.
“The night before that, three men intended to rob us but were caught and turned over to the sheriff.”
“Oh me, oh my. There’s a lot of badmen along the highway now’days. Bootleggers come through here all the time. The bank in Sayre was robbed a few months ago. I worry about Deke. I say, ‘Son, if they want your money, give it to them.’ But knowing Deke, he’d not do that. He’d fight ’em.”
“I’m afraid you’re right.”
“I tell him that if somethin’ happens to him, I’d be all alone. I want to make him think before doin’ somethin’ foolish.”
Margie spent a pleasant half hour with Deke’s mother, then declined a second glass of tea.
“I must go and fix a meal for my father. It was one of the things I agreed to do if he would let me come with him.”
“There is a tank out back, dear. Deke filled it this morning so the sun would take the chill off. You’re welcome to use it.”
“Oh, thank you. I remember bathing in it when I was here before. There’s nothing I’ve been wanting more.”
“When you’re ready, tell Deke. He’ll see to it that no one comes near.”
“Will it be all right if I bathe a little girl?”
“Of course. Anyone you want. Deke will empty it and fill it again in the morning.”
As Margie passed the garage, she saw that the Luker car had been pulled inside and the front end jacked up. Deke was standing on a box so he could lean in under the hood. She walked on, dreading to pass Brady’s car, and was relieved when she didn’t see him.
Jody was building a fire beside the Luker trailer. Sugar’s tent was up. She wasn’t in sight, so Margie assumed that she was in it. Mona was tossing the ball to Anna Marie.
“Mona, Mrs. Bales said that we can bathe in the tank out back. I used it when I was here before.”
“You’ve been here before?”
“This is the place where the man stole my money and ran off and left me. I’ll forever be grateful to Mr. Bales for helping to get part of my money back so I could go home.”
“He’s strange-looking.”
“That may be,” Margie snapped. “But he’s a lot nicer than some big, so-called handsome men I’ve known.”
Mona noticed the dull red that covered Margie’s cheeks and wondered what she had said to cause it.
“I wasn’t saying anything against him, just that he’s strange-looking.”
“Not after you get to kno
w him.”
“Can I go with you and Mona?” Anna Marie swung on Margie’s hand.
“We’re going to take a bath in a tank. You can go if it’s all right with your uncle.”
“I’ll ask him,” Mona said. “Mr. Bales is going to put a new radiator in Daddy’s car. That means that we’ll stay here all day tomorrow. We’ll have time to do the wash and for it to dry. I’ll wash my clothes and Jody’s, but I’m not washing Sugar’s.”
“We’ll go to the tank right after supper.”
Margie made egg toast. She beat eggs, dipped in slices of bread and fried them in the big iron skillet. After she’d stacked a half dozen slices on a plate, Elmer miraculously appeared with his knife and fork in hand.
“Gettin’ kind of hard up, ain’t ya?” he said as he picked up the plate.
Margie was stunned. He hadn’t spoken to her in days. It took a few seconds for his words to sink in.
“What do you mean?” She knew what he meant, but she wanted to hear him say it.
“I saw ya lovin’ up to that ugly little freak.” “Don’t you dare call Deke a freak. He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be.”
Elmer’s mouth made a thin line. He glared at her with cold eyes but didn’t retort. Margie was suddenly awash with anger. Loud, reckless words poured from her mouth.
“He’s got more decency in his little toe than you’ve got in your whole damn body. He’s a kind, decent human being. Something that you’re not!”
“Watch your mouth—”
“Then watch yours. I heard you shredding my reputation. You want people to think I’m a loose woman, a strumpet. You know it isn’t true.”
“Bullfoot. All I know points to it.” Elmer went to the other side of the truck. She followed.
“Since we started on this trip you’ve treated me like I was something that had just crawled out from under a rock. I’m tired of riding all day with a mean, grouchy, self-centered old penny-pincher who doesn’t have enough manners to fill a thimble.”
“Then get your stuff and get out.”
“Oh, no! You’re taking me to California like you promised. I’ve lived up to my part of the agreement, you’ll live up to yours.”
Margie climbed into the truck, despising the tears that flooded her eyes and desperately wishing she were anywhere but here. Not wanting anyone to see her give way to tears, she pulled the rope that dropped the tarp at the end of the truck bed. Everyone in camp must have heard her shouting. It would only confirm what Elmer had said about her. It would give them all something to talk about.
She sat down on the bunk and let the tears flow. After a few minutes she straightened her shoulders, pushed her hair back and wiped her eyes. She would gain nothing by sitting here feeling sorry for herself. She would go take a bath, hold up her head, and if anyone gave her any sass, she would spit in his eye! That went for Mr. Brady Hoyt too.
Margie cleared up the supper dishes, then climbed into the truck to get a clean towel and soap. When she got out, Brady was waiting with Anna Marie.
“Ready to go, honey.” Margie ignored Brady and smiled at the child.
“I got soap.”
“So do I. Let’s go get Mona.” She held her hand.
“Margie—”
“Yes.” Her voice was as cold as she could possibly make it.
“Will you wash her hair?”
“Of course. Come on, honey.”
Margie thought she heard him mutter something as they walked away. But she didn’t care to hear what it was. Her attention centered on the four Lukers standing beside the camping trailer.
“Why didn’t you tell me that there was a bath facility here?” Sugar demanded. She stood apart, accusing all of them.
“I didn’t know,” Mona said. “Margie told me.” With a towel over her arm Mona turned as Margie approached.
“Didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did. Are you ready to go?”
Sugar whirled around and headed for the garage. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to go ask that pig-ugly little monster myself.”
Margie stepped in front of her. “I’m in no mood to put up with your hateful attitude, Mrs. Luker. Don’t insult my friend again unless you want a handful of that dyed hair pulled out of your mean, stupid head!”
“Well, who do you think you are?” Sugar sputtered.
“I know who I am. Hasn’t anyone ever told you who you are? You’re a self-centered bitch. And you’ve got the manners of a guttersnipe. Come on, girls.”
“Ha, ha, ha.” Mona chortled softly as they walked toward the garage. “You sure told her, and I’m glad you did it in front of Daddy.”
“I get tired of always trying to do the right and polite thing and letting bitches like Sugar walk over me. I guess you heard me yelling at Elmer. He’ll probably leave me here.”
“You could ride with Brady.”
“I would not ride with Brady. He—” Margie would have said more, but she looked down to see Anna Marie tilt her head to look up at her. The child was drinking in every word that was said and no doubt would repeat them to her uncle.
Deke was squatted beside the radiator he had taken from the Luker car.
“Will you be able to fix it?” Margie asked.
“ ’Fraid not, darlin’. I’ll have to get another one from Elk City. I know a fellow over there who does salvage work. He’ll have one or know where I can get one.” He stood wiping his hands. “Ready to jump in the tank? I put a tarp around it since you was here. I’ll go let it down.”
“This is Mona Luker, Deke. Mrs. Bales said she and Anna Marie could bathe with me.”
“Howdy, ma’am.”
They followed Deke to the tank beside the barn where he pulled on a tarp he had strung on a wire.
“Ain’t nobody out back to see ya, darlin’, but Mr. Roosevelt and a couple of horses.”
“Who’s Mr. Roosevelt?” Mona asked.
“My buffalo. I’m not sure he knows he’s a buffalo. He’s been making eyes at Mama’s milk cow.” Deke pulled a small platform up beside the tank. “Something for you to step out on to keep your feet from getting dirty. I had to build this for Mama so she could get in the tank.”
“Thanks, Deke. It’s going to be a treat to take a bath.”
“Take your time. Nobody will bother you.”
The next thirty minutes were pure pleasure. When Margie sat down, the water covered her breasts. After she had scrubbed herself and washed her hair, she held Anna Marie on her lap while Mona washed the girl’s hair, then held her over the water while she rinsed it. Margie loved the feel of the little arms around her neck and the sound of her childish laughter.
After they had all bathed, Margie climbed out, put on her dress and lifted Anna Marie out onto the platform. While Mona was dressing she asked a startling question.
“What are you wearing tonight when Brady takes us to town?”
Margie didn’t answer until after she had pulled Anna Marie’s dress over her head.
“I’m not going to town.”
“Huh? Brady said that—”
“Brady doesn’t speak for me.” Her tone was sharp.
“Don’t you like Uncle Brady anymore?” Anna Marie asked while Margie was tying her shoe.
“I never said anything about not liking your uncle, honey. I’m just not going with them to town.”
“Will you stay with me and Aunt Grace?”
“We’ll see.”
“I know what that means. It means no. Uncle Brady says it sometimes.”
When they stepped from behind the tarp and headed back to the campground, Rusty and Jody were sitting on the bench behind the garage.
“You girls took your time,” Jody called. “Deke said Rusty and I could be next.”
“If I’da known that, I’da picked up a cowpie and put it in the tank,” Mona retorted. Her cheeks had turned rosy. Her eyes were on Rusty’s smiling face as, with his hand resting lightly on Jody’s shoulder, they came toward her.
&nbs
p; “See what I have to put up with, Rusty? Let me have that bar of good-smellin’ soap, sis. Me and Rusty might want to catch us a girl tonight.”
“I left it in the tank.”
“No, you didn’t. I know you better than that.”
“Oh, all right. But it’ll take all of it to clean you two up.”
“Count me out,” Rusty said. “I brought my own.”
“Bet it isn’t lilac like mine.”
“No, it’s a plain old bar of P&G.”
“Save some for the washpot tomorrow.”
As they passed by the garage, Brady was there with Deke.
“Hey there, darlin’,” Deke called. “Ever’thin’ all right?”
“Fine. The bath was wonderful.”
“Get yourself all pretty, we’ll go to town tonight.”
“Oh, Deke, I don’t think so. Not tonight.”
“I want to show off my best girl, darlin’.” Deke put his arm around her. “When I come waltzin’ into the PowWow with you on my arm, old Booger’s eyes is goin’ to pop right out.”
Margie refused to look at Brady when he came out to pick Anna Marie up in his arms. He didn’t move away, so she knew that he had to be listening.
“There’s a drawing tonight at the picture show if you’d rather go there,” Deke said.
“I’ll be ready. You decide where we’ll go.”
“It’ll be a while, darlin’.”
“Thanks for bathing Punkie.” Brady walked away with the child in his arms.
“Are you going with … him?” Mona asked as they neared the campground.
“Him? You mean Deke? Yes, I’m going with him.”
Chapter 13
CHESTER STOPPED THE FORD COUPE on the top of the hill when the lead car of the caravan pulled into the space in front of the garage.
“She-et!” Homer snorted when the two trucks and the cars followed. “Hell. Looks like they’re goin’ to camp there. I thought they’d at least pull off the highway onto a back road.”
“Whater ya goin’ to do now?”
“Shit! Shit! Shit! Drive on. We can’t be but a mile or two from a little burg called Sayre.”
Dorothy Garlock - [Route 66] Page 14