Rick was annoyed but went along. Marjorie and Linda’s dislike for Judy increased.
“Sure, as long as I get an exclusive.”
“Is that okay with you, Joe?”
He wondered if he had a say-so in the matter. “That’s fine with me. As long as it’s not tonight.”
“That’s fine, but I would like to do it tomorrow, so we can air it as soon as the police department makes its statement. Any problems, Rick?”
“No, I suppose not. I’ll give you a briefing of my report.”
“What about an interview with you?”
“Not until Monday. The chief would fry my ass. Might anyway if he knew what I was doing.”
“Rick, you haven’t done anything. If Joe chose to attend Judy’s party, that’s his privilege. However, if I had discovered this news without your explanation, I might have been curious.”
“Why is that?” asked Marj.
“Why suddenly are you socializing?”
“Would that matter?”
“Perhaps you were hiding something.”
“Like what?” Rick asked.
“That’s what I would be interested in finding out.”
“I see your drift.”
“Reporters! They’re all so suspicious.” Judy rolled her eyes and laughed.
Rick motioned to the waiter for another round of drinks. “Let’s drink to Joe being a hero and to Davis getting an exclusive.”
“And what about me?”
Davis squeezed Judy’s hand. “And to our lovely hostess and mediator.”
“Thank you so much. Do I get an interview?”
“One at a time, my dear.”
“You children talk, I’ve got to check my food.” She placed her hands on Joe’s shoulders and whispered loudly, “I’ll be back to check on you. Don’t listen to all their shoptalk. They’ll get you into trouble and then you’ll need me.” She didn’t wait for an answer.
Joe looked at Marjorie next to him. She raised her eyebrows, then turned her attention to Davis Wilson.
“So, what kind of work do you do, Joe?” asked Davis.
“I’m a roofer.”
“Well, I know you’re busy. Hell of a storm. Need a roof myself. You interested?”
“I’ll take a look for you.”
“I would appreciate it.” He reached for a business card and wrote down his home number. “Now, if l can have yours.”
“I’m in the process of moving, so I’m staying at a friend’s. Why don’t I call you?”
“Sure, sometime in the morning?”
“No problem.”
“Do you mind if I show up, Davis?” Rick asked. “I’ll bring my report and go over some names with you.”
“I would really appreciate that, Rick.” Davis excused himself and wandered off.
“Can we eat now?” Linda asked.
“God, babe, you’ve really got to watch your appetite.” He looked concerned. The girls shook their heads at each other.
The buffet was a typical West Texas assortment of sliced ham, potato salad, red beans, and peach cobbler.
Rick looked sternly at his wife after her second trip for cobbler. “Geez, Linda. You’ll have to shop at the fat girl store.”
“Fat girl store? What the hell is the fat girl store?”
“You know, the big girl shop, big women, big butts, whatever.”
“You’re a big boob, I know that.”
Everybody began to laugh and have a good time. Joe was amazed that he was enjoying himself with these people. They were likable.
Rick looked up from his fresh drink. “I think I’ll go hunting when you two go shopping.”
Linda looked up in much the same manner as her husband had. “That’s a good idea. Take a run out to Ginger’s and make a day of it.”
“I guess I could. You want to go, Joe?”
“I’m not much of a hunter, but I would like to go. When?”
“Next weekend, hon?” Rick asked Linda.
Linda looked at Marjorie. “Sure.”
“I’ll check with Ginger,” Rick said.
“Why don’t we go by Ginger’s and play some shuffleboard?” suggested Marjorie.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. We’re all adults. Besides, I can act a bitch.”
“Marjorie.”
“Relax, Rick. I’m only joking.”
“Great. Joe and I will play you girls.”
“That’s fine with us, baby. I’ll scorch your butt.”
“Eat another bowl of cobbler and we’ll go see.”
“Meet back at the car?”
“While you finish your drinks, I’ll slip out and wait at the car,” suggested Joe.
“Here, let me give you the keys.” Marjorie reached for her purse.
Joe took the keys as if they were his own. He squeezed Marj’s hand. “Give me about thirty minutes. I need to go the men’s room and also make a couple of calls. Okay?” he asked permission.
Marjorie swooned. She wanted to go flaunt Joe in front of Ginger. She tried to dismiss the thought, but it was there just the same. This was beneath her, or at least she wished to believe so. She had had enough wine to laugh at herself. Later she would not. Nonetheless, she pulled Joe toward her and kissed him, not long but long enough to insinuate a degree of passion. She hoped Judy was watching. She knew Rick and Linda were. She looked up in time to see Judy turning her head.
Joe stood up from the kiss and looked down at Marjorie. He smiled, turned, and started out of the banquet room until he caught a glimpse of Judy. She acknowledged his leaving. Then, as if something suddenly occurred to her, she waved for his attention. She met him midway, Marjorie observed. She could not hear the conversation, but she watched. Linda and Rick took notice as well.
Judy took Joe’s hand and spoke to him, pulling him toward her. She stepped back in her best social manner, looked into Joe’s eyes and nodded as if she had a request or a proposal. Then a pause and a smile. She pulled Joe close and gave a cute hug, as if something was agreeable. A polite nod, a subtle glance at her watch, and a confirmation of an exact appointment. Marjorie’s face grew red and she ordered another drink. Rick and Linda frowned their disapproval of Judy. Without words, they showed support of their friend Marjorie. They were on her side and somehow they would help crush the antics of her enemy.
Joe accepted Judy’s hand and smiled, neither confirming nor denying, neither giving way to Judy nor betraying Marjorie. He would straddle the line as long as he could, until he was forced to choose. Then he would, on his own accord, fitting his immediate needs, make a choice. It mattered not to him; whoever advanced his immediate needs. Until then there was Pam, a place of sanctuary, a bed of rest and nourishment. Even though he had not called in two days, there was still security waiting. He had the distinct advantage of deceit.
“Now, Joe, as soon as your interview is finished, come to my house and tell me everything that happened. My number is in the book; call ahead and I’ll fix us lunch or whatever. Bring Rick if you need to.”
Joe gave a sheepish grin. “I don’t need to, but I may have to.”
Judy curled her lips. “I understand perfectly. Just do what you have to do. I’ll be waiting.”
Joe smiled politely and strolled out into the hotel hall. It was quiet, with only a slight echo from the banquet room. The bar was around the corner. Perhaps Cynita was there. He couldn’t resist the temptation. By the time his eyes adjusted to the light, Cynita was standing in front of him.
“Well, hi there, handsome. What brings you here?”
“I’m sorry. I thought this was the public library.”
“Well, it is, sir. What kind of book are you looking for?”
“A medical book, young lady, on recuperating from the night before.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but I’m using that book myself.” They laughed.
“Do you feel as bad as I do?”
“Worse.”
“I just got up a few hours ago.�
�
“I haven’t been to bed since I left you,” he lied. “But I’m going real soon.”
“You’re not hanging around for a while?” She looked sincerely disappointed.
“You’ve got to be kidding! I’m exhausted!”
“What happened?”
“More police reports and dodging reporters. This has been a nightmare. I’ve got to get some sleep. I have an interview with Channel 5 in the morning. I wish it were all over.”
“Hero business is a little rough, huh?”
“Hero? Hell, I’m just a survivor.”
“Well, I wish you could stay, but I can imagine how tired you must be. Let me give you my number. Call me tomorrow. It’s my day off. Maybe we could lay around and rest together.” She arched her eyebrows. “If you get my meaning.”
“What about your roommate?”
“I’ll send her to the movies.”
“Aren’t you resourceful?”
“A good librarian has to be. Bye.” She turned away.
Joe glanced at the bar clientele before leaving. Different than the previous night. No sign of the man with the grey hair and $500 less in his checking account. Joe felt for his watch in his left pants pocket. He had to get rid of it. Somehow.
Joe arrived at the white Continental in time to see his companions exit the Hilton. He started it up and cut through the parking lot to intercept. “Need a ride?”
“Follow that car,” Hopkins said.
“What car?”
“Any car, as long as it’s going to the closest tavern.”
“Point the way.”
“Go south on Central.”
Marjorie smiled at Joe driving her car. She thought about scooting next to him, but perhaps that would be too high schoolish. She felt like it was her first date. It was the first in several months, since she and Ginger had broken up. It suddenly occurred to her they were going to Ginger’s bar. This would be the first time since their breakup she had seen him. Their last meeting was emotional and a little bitter.
Joe pulled into Ginger’s, quite curious. He turned off the ignition and opened his door. He had imagined the bar to be much nicer. It wasn’t much different than the Whisky Trough, where Pam was working at that very moment. It wasn’t too far away, either. He offered the keys back to Marjorie. She dropped them into her bag and the foursome entered Ginger’s.
There were about fifteen people scattered about, some at the bar, a few playing shuffleboard, and the rest around tables talking and drinking. Ginger was bartending. Dot was taking the rest of the night off. She was spending it on the other side of the bar drinking a glass of wine and talking to Ginger.
The bar was all too familiar to Marjorie. She felt an ache in the pit of her stomach. Memories flashed forcefully in front of her every move. She wasn’t prepared for such a sensation. But it was necessary to continue on. Joe followed her lead, with Hopkins and Linda trailing.
Ginger looked up, then looked again, his face somewhat white. He’d known they would eventually bump into each other, but never did it cross his mind she would come into the bar. He looked curiously at the man behind her. Rick and Linda smiled and waved mischievously. Linda elbowed her husband and whispered for him not to egg anything on.
“Got room for a few old friends?” Marjorie smiled.
“Absolutely. Four seats right up front.” He pointed to some empty stools next to Dot. “To what occasion do we owe this unexpected pleasure?”
“Just slumming. Go get us some beer,” Hopkins blurted.
“You couldn’t have left him in the car?”
“Don’t I wish,” Linda said.
“Well, I know what you three want. How about your friend?” Ginger looked straight into the man’s dark eyes, which looked just as intently back into Ginger’s.
Rick cut in front of Marjorie, who exchanged hugs with Dot as she sat down beside her. “This is Joe Cooper. Joe, this asshole is Ginger,” said Rick.
They exchanged introduction subtitles over a handshake, each trying to measure the other. Joe knew about Ginger, but Ginger wondered who Joe was, until he remembered the name from previous conversations with Rick. They both took an immediate dislike to each other. They weren’t sure why, but they both recognized it. Joe could see why Marjorie had fallen for Ginger; medium sized with collar-length brown hair, thinning in front, which revealed an intelligent-looking forehead. He was not a person easily fooled. He had a psychological presence that prevented him from blending in with the crowd. Joe would play him much differently than Hopkins.
Ginger asked his brand of beer, hoping it different from his and his three other friends. It wasn’t.
Whatever this man was, Ginger knew he was no hero. He looked at Marjorie. He was jealous, not that she had a date, but that she might be bamboozled by this guy. He wondered what the hell any of his friends were doing with him.
“Here you go, Joe. Drink up.”
“Appreciate it.”
“So how did you stumble across this bunch of legal minds?”
“It wasn’t planned, that’s for sure,” he looked at Hopkins, sitting to his left. “Was it?”
“He’s the guy who broke up the robbery at B&W Liquor,” Hopkins informed Ginger.
“Well now, a celebrity in our midst.” He still wanted to know what the four of them were doing out drinking together.
“Hardly,” corrected Joe. “Scared silly roofer who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Lucky for us,” Marjorie patted his forearm. “Otherwise the man would still be at large.”
“Enough shop talk. Give me a beer. Why isn’t Dot working?” Rick asked.
“Taking the night off. She had a lot of housework to do. You can tell, huh?”
“Hey, it’s my night off. I can do what I want.”
“You tell him, Dot.” Linda said.
“Well, Sergeant Linda, jump right in.” Ginger quipped. “A little work won’t kill you, babe.”
“Does that mean you’re ready for a beer?”
“You talked me into it.”
Rick looked over his shoulder toward the shuffleboard. “Hey, Matt, can we have the winners?”
“Only if your wife plays. I don’t mind losing to her.”
“You’re just too sweet, Matthew,” Linda said.
“Too full of shit,” corrected her husband.
Ginger passed out a few more beers throughout the bar, flipping a CD into the player.
“Still listening to the blues, huh?” Marjorie asked, barely glancing up.
Joe didn’t like competing for Marjorie’s attention, but he would make the most of the situation.
“Someone’s got to,” answered Ginger.
“Does it have to be us?” asked Linda.
“I’m sorry, Linda. If I’d known you were coming, I would have brought my copy of Englebert.”
“Yeah, right. Like you really have one. Who is this?”
“Like you really care.” Ginger smiled and winked at Linda.
“It’s Robert Cray, isn’t it?” Joe asked.
Ginger nodded approval. “The man knows his music. Blues fan?”
“Some,” he lied. “I lean more toward jazz.”
“I’m impressed. Bring in some CDs and I’ll play them. I’m sure some of us would like a change.”
Marjorie glanced in his direction, wondering if the remark was directed toward her. Ginger gave no indication, so she dismissed the thought. She definitely wanted to steer clear of a sarcastic battle. She hadn’t the energy, nor the inclination.
“Not me. I live for the blues,” said Hopkins, which immediately brought laughter from everyone but Joe.
Marjorie explained, “Rick doesn’t know Beethoven from George Strait. And he’s tone deaf to both.”
Joe looked at Hopkins for confirmation.
“I’ve always thought music was highly overrated. Don’t you?” Rick looked for help.
“Absolutely,” Joe Cooper agreed.
“You sho
uld hear him in the shower,” said Linda. “Like Daffy Duck doing an impersonation of Goofy falling in a well.”
Everyone chuckled.
“Hurry up, Matt. I’m being outnumbered.”
“The odds aren’t any better over here.”
“Come on, Joe. I need a partner. Let the girls bend Ginger’s ear while we beat these guys, then we’ll beat them.”
“Care to put a wager on that, husband?”
“Same as always?”
“That’s right.”
Joe gave Marjorie a questioning look.
“Don’t ask! And we are not betting on the same thing.” She blushed.
Joe laughed out loud. “That’s not much of an incentive.”
“That’s all you’re getting.”
Everyone laughed. Joe felt some anger, and a little rejection until Marjorie grabbed his forearm, squeezed, and left her hand there. He laughed, but also noticed Ginger still looking at Marjorie’s hand.
He laughed a little harder and put his hand across hers. He knew Ginger was burning, and he enjoyed the knowledge. It could be valuable later.
Ginger felt his face flush. He knew Marjorie was enjoying this. At first, he wished Bev was there, to call him hon or ask about supper, or insist upon a kiss. But then he looked at Marjorie. She was entitled to her feelings. He deserved to be put down somewhat. He understood. But why this guy? He composed himself by getting Marjorie and Joe another beer and smiling as he set them down. He then picked up some empty bottles, cleared a few tables, served some more beer, and retreated to the back for a few minutes. Buckshot was in the office, asleep on the couch. He raised an eye toward Ginger but made no other movement.
“If you can pry yourself off the couch, you’ve got company up front!” Buck raised his head and looked at Ginger curiously. He then lay his head back down, as if contemplating what his owner was talking about. It didn’t sound like food, so there was no reason he should hurry. He stretched and yawned.
Ginger paid no more attention to him. He found some aspirin in the desk drawer and swallowed a few with the help of a watered-down Coke from Jo-Jo’s. He looked for some leftover fries. They were gone. He gave a quick glance at Buckshot, who was suddenly gone.
“Just as I figured.” Ginger stared toward to the front. “When did I lose control?”
Rick and Joe were busy testing their skills at shuffleboard. Linda was talking with Dot, who was behind the bar, and Marjorie was hugging and making a fuss over Buckshot. It was a familiar sight from a few months ago. But now it seemed almost out of place. With Ginger’s luck, he half expected to see Bev walk in. She wouldn’t speak to him or Buck for a week. Ginger laughed to himself. He knew Bev wasn’t like that. She seldom complained when old girlfriends dropped by. Marjorie had been a little more jealous. She thought the bar business a bit silly and that Ginger kept it for reasons other than monetary gain. She said he was too intelligent to waste his time at a bar. And as far as his writing, that seemed more of an excuse for hanging on to the bar than actually writing. His so-called novel was more of a reflection of past love affairs than anything else. There wasn’t much of a plot to it, except getting women in and out of his bed. After six months of dating, she avoided his writing like the plague. Her one-time interest turned to suspicion about everything he wrote. His little bar was often referred to as “the dive.” And to think people still asked him what happened, said they had seemed like such a wonderful couple. Of course, some of Marjorie’s suspicions were well founded.
Save the Child Page 8