He himself was sitting on the floor, just to the left of her chair. Wafting around him was the savory hint of onion and garlic from their meal the night before. He looked down, expecting to see his small, five year old hands but instead saw the hands of an adult; hard, calloused and cracked.
When he looked back up, she was staring at him.
“You’ve grown so much since I last saw you, mi hijo,” she said. “It’s been a long time since you’ve visited me.”
Robert felt the blood rise to his cheeks.
“There’s no time for feeling guilty,” she reached over to put a hand under his chin. He could feel the soft wrinkles of her fingertips as she pulled his head up to look at her.
“You have been busy, mi hijo,” she continued. “It’s okay that you don’t visit. The living have so much to do. Finding time for the dead is hard. It’s enough that you think of me.”
“I miss you,” he muttered.
“Mi hijo, I’ve been watching you for a long time. I know what you do. It doesn’t make me proud.”
He bowed his head, suddenly feeling very small and trapped. “I only have to do it a short while more. Then I will never do it again.”
“So you think,” she said. She brought the Styrofoam cup to her lips and spit a little of the snuff juice into it. She wiped her lips with the back of her other hand and then on the leg of her dungarees.
“Do you think when you are dead and stand before the gates that you will be let in?” she asked.
Robert swallowed, then let out a breath.
“I don’t believe in the gates.”
“Where do you think you are?”
“I’m dreaming.”
“You’re dreaming?”
She waved the Styrofoam cup in an arc above her head.
“All of this is nothing more than a figment of your imagination, is it?”
“That’s right.”
She reached over, picked up her small can of snuff and handed it to him.
“Take a pinch.”
Robert unscrewed the top of the can. He reached inside, pinched a small amount between his thumb and forefinger and put it between his cheek and gums.
“You are not dreaming, mi hijo,” she said. “You’re here because you walk a fine line. Your friends have crossed that line.”
Robert could taste a sweet chocolaty burn across the back of his tongue.
“When you wake up, you would do well to remember that. There are things that are forgivable. There are things that are not. Do not cross that line. Promise me.”
Robert looked up at her.
“I promise.”
“Mean it when you promise me, mi hijo,” she said.
“I do.”
She looked at him for a long time and finally seemed to believe him. Nodding slightly, she put her hand on his head for a moment and stroked his hair like she did when he was five. He smelled the faint trace of tobacco juice on her fingers.
“Do you know where the line is?” she asked.
Robert thought about it. It seemed like there was something he should say but couldn’t quite grasp it.
His abuela shook her head.
“Of course you don’t,” she said. “Cindy knows. She’s a good woman, mi hijo.”
He stared up at her confused. After a moment, she put her hand back in her lap and returned to her shows.
Robert watched her for what seemed like hours, but she never spoke to him again. At first light, he opened his eyes and for a moment, he was confused as to where he was. Ruth’s living room was quiet and he could hear her lightly snoring in her room above. He sat up, rolled his head around on his shoulders to loosen up and suddenly was overwhelmed with the distinct taste of Red Top snuff.
III
Steve woke up to the sound of Sara moaning in the living room. He pulled himself out of bed, pulled on some boxers and wandered out. She lay on the couch, her legs pulled up to her chest and her arms around her knees.
“What’s the matter babe?”
“Cramps,” she replied. “Worse than I’ve ever had.”
“Can I get you anything?”
Sara shook her head. Steve walked around and sat down next to her feet. He put a hand out and rubbed her lower back.
“Does this feel okay?”
She nodded and smiled weakly.
“Are you sure you’re not pregnant?”
“I took three tests. All negative.”
“Do you think we should ride into Panquitch and see a doctor?”
She shook her head again, “No. I think it’s something I ate. It feels like something is rolling over inside me. Just give me some time. I’ll be fine.”
Steve settled in so he could rub her back with both hands.
“I’m here for the long haul,” he smiled. “Tell me when it either stops hurting or gets to be annoying.”
“Thanks, babe. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he replied and once again, realized just how much he really did.
It was a little after 11:00 when Javier pulled himself together and began heading toward town. He dialed up J.B.
“Mornin.’”
The voice on the end of the line sounded groggy.
“You still sleeping?”
“Had trouble getting to bed after what happened. I kept thinking about Ruth pulling that trigger.”
“Dude,” Javier said, “I’m proud of her. I didn’t think she had it in her.”
There was silence for a second on the other side.
“What?”
“That’s just a cold thing to say,” J.B. replied. “All the things she’s done for Robert, hell for all of us. She’s a good lady and she at least deserves some sympathy.”
“You and Robert are way to close to that old bitch. Look, she’s a nice enough lady but don’t go getting all touchy feely on me just because she feels shaken up. There’s not a damn thing wrong with her.”
“You call for a reason or just to piss me off?”
“I called to see if you want to check out the cemetery.”
“Where are you now?”
Javier slowed the car down and stopped at the single traffic light between James Ogden Trail and the highway.
“Just pulling into downtown. There’s not much going on today. A few people out here and there but no… SON OF A BITCH!”
He looked over at the Big Mountain Bakery and sitting on the bench right in front was Jason Reller. He was wearing his long black coat, his hair was pulled back into a ponytail and Javier glared as Reller raised his hand, pointed at him and brought his thumb down like a hammer on a gun.
“What’s going on?” asked J.B., still on the phone.
“Gotta go.”
Javier abruptly hung up.
The light changed and he pulled through the intersection, sliding the car into a parking space in front of Joe’s Grocery. In one move, he pushed the door open and started down the sidewalk toward Reller.
“Javier Quintana,” Reller said loudly as he got closer. “Long time no see, my friend. How the hell are you?”
“I’m all right. How have you been?” replied Javier just as loud. The few other people on the sidewalk seemed to pay them no mind. Javier got close enough to reach Reller and put a hand on his shoulder.
“What the fuck are you doing in my town?” Javier said under his breath.
“Sight seeing. Get your fucking hands off me.”
He gently pushed Javier’s hand off his shoulder and lifted his glasses up so they rested on his head.
“Besides,” continued Reller as he scanned the street, “I don’t ever remember hearing this was your town.”
“As far as you’re concerned, it’s my fucking town."
“Well, it’s a hell of a place,” Reller grinned.
Javier balled up a fist but stuck it in a jacket pocket. His voice came out pleasant and even, “Motherfucker, I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but you best remember one thing. In Ogden Wash, I make the rules. Righ
t now, I say business is closed. That fat pig Fenton knows that also and if I called him and told him you were here, he would happily send pieces of you back to me in a gift-wrapped box.”
Reller smiled back at Javier, unruffled, “First of all, I don’t answer to Fenton anymore. Second, what brings me here has nothing to do with your ‘business’.”
“Then what the fuck are you doing here?”
“Enjoying the small town feel. I’ve decided I like this place. It’s charming in a white trash, backwoods way.”
Javier leaned in a little closer, “I’m thinking you should be leaving.”
Reller’s eyes went flinty for the first time in all the years Javier had known him, “You know what? I don’t think I’m leaving anytime soon. You see, things in The Wash have changed, Javier. The rules are being rewritten. It’s already out of your hands.”
Javier frowned and ground his teeth. He looked to his right and left. There were people on the street but none were really paying attention to them. He felt the gun in his coat pocket and for a brief instant, he thought of shooting him right there on the street.
This is lunacy. You can’t shoot him in broad daylight.
He stared back at Reller, “You want to explain it to me?”
Reller smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
“Four o’clock. Ogden cemetery. Don’t bring anyone else. I’ll show you everything.”
IV
As soon as Javier was back in the car, he spun it around and headed to Ruth’s place. He was raging, too worked up to even call back J.B. He needed to talk to Robert and get some perspective before he did something stupid. As he pulled up to the house he noticed Cindy Walker’s car parked in front and his anger doubled. Why was Robert letting that bitch get this close? As soon as this Reller shit was over, he needed to reestablish some priorities. He took a few deep breaths before he got out.
Let it lie. This is not the time to shake things up.
He climbed out of the car as the front door opened. Robert stood there wearing the same clothes he’d been wearing the night before. He looked like he needed a shower and a shave.
“Rough night?”
“Wasn’t the best,” replied Robert. He stepped aside to let Javier into the living room.
“Where’s Ruth?”
Robert shut the door and nodded toward the stairs.
“She hasn’t been down yet. I brought her breakfast upstairs this morning. She says she can’t face the kitchen yet. I don’t guess I blame her.”
Javier nodded and turned toward the kitchen.
“Cindy here?”
“Yeah.”
Javier walked into the kitchen, Robert following behind and found Cindy looking through the cabinets.
“Didn’t expect to find you here,” he said gruffly.
“I thought Robert could use the company,” Cindy said as she closed the cupboard. “You want some coffee?”
“No,” Javier turned to Robert, “I think I left something at your place last night. Can we go over there and take a quick look for it?”
Robert took the hint and looked to Cindy.
“Can you listen out for her for a minute? We won’t be long.”
“Sure thing.”
Robert led Javier out the back door and through the snow to his place.
“Reller’s in town,” Javier said as he stepped inside.
“Where?”
“Right smack downtown. He was sitting on a fucking park bench outside the bakery.”
“What?”
“Not only that, but I parked the car and confronted him. He didn’t even blink. Said he’s staying here because he likes the town. Then told me to meet him later. He said things have changed in The Wash.”
Robert shook his head in disbelief.
“Reller said this? Jason Reller? The man who slinks out of a room when a disagreement starts? ”
Javier nodded, “I know. It was like he was a different person, very sure of himself. He said he’s out from under Fenton and said he was staying no matter what. Told me to meet him tonight at the cemetery.”
Robert couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“He’s got to have someone working with him if he’s that sure of himself.”
“That’s what I think too. I’ve been trying to figure out who but there’s no one else I can think of who stands to gain much by pushing us out. We’ve been more than fair with everyone. There have been no complaints and business has been humming.”
“Does J.B. know about this? He’d jump at the chance to go with you.”
Javier shook his head, “No. I’ll go alone and if I see any tracks or any sign that there may be someone else there, I’ll come get you.”
“I won’t go,” Robert looked up. He held Javier’s stare for a few seconds until the man finally looked away.
“You know, it’s times like these when I start wondering whether or not it’s worth it to work with you.”
Robert ignored the bait.
“You should go upstairs and say hello.”
Javier turned and walked back to the door.
“You know, you’re getting mighty close to that girl. I’ve never seen you like this before.”
Robert stayed where he was, arms folded across his chest.
“Just remember why the fuck you’re here, Romeo,” Javier said, then opened the door and headed out into the cold.
Cindy was still there sipping from a coffee cup when the two walked back in.
“You find what you were looking for?” she asked.
“Not exactly,” Javier said. He walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Robert shot Cindy a frustrated look as he followed.
“Ruth, you okay? Javier is here,” he called out as the other man turned the corner into her room.
Ruth screamed. Rounding the corner himself, Robert saw Ruth flattening herself against the wall. Her eyes were panicked and she was breathing heavy and staring at Javier.
“GET OUT!”
She reached over toward the night table, grabbed a wind up alarm clock and threw it at him.
Javier backed toward the door.
“What the fuck is wrong with her?” he asked.
Robert pushed him out and looked back in at Ruth. She was still up against the headboard a thick book cocked back and ready to throw.
“Ruth, it’s okay,” he said. “It’s me Robert.”
“I know who you are. It’s that thing with you!”
Robert turned and looked back at Javier.
“Get it out of here!” she screamed.
“It’s Javier!” said Robert.
“Get… him… OUT!” she threw the book past Robert’s head and Javier ducked it.
“What’s gotten into that bitch?” Javier asked as Cindy pushed her way toward Ruth.
“Don’t call her that,” said Robert, the anger in his voice was palpable. “I don’t know what’s happening. I’ll talk to her. Right now, you’d better go though. Call me later.”
Javier grunted and stormed down the stairs. After the door slammed, Robert stuck his head into Ruth’s room again. Cindy sat at the edge of the bed, one of Ruth’s hands in her own. She was still backed up against the headboard, her old body wound taut like a spring.
“He’s gone Ruth,” Robert said. “Calm down now.”
Cindy was calmly stroking the back of Ruth’s hand. Ruth looked up at Robert and spat toward the door.
“That man is never allowed in this house again.”
“Why?”
She slid back down in the bed and her eyes began to close.
“Murderer,” she said and turned her eyes from Robert.
Cindy looked from Ruth to Robert and back again.
“What’s she talking about?”
Robert stared at Ruth watching her drift back into unconsciousness.
“I don’t know,” he said and realized it was the first time he’d ever outright lied to her.
V
When Javier came bac
k to the cemetery, the sun was already low in the trees. He pulled the Charger off on the side of the road and let the engine idle for a moment. There were no signs that Reller was there yet. No other cars around as far as he could tell. Still, Robert had said Reller walked out of the cemetery across the field when he’d seen him. Perhaps he was on foot again. Javier cut the engine and stepped out. He scanned the snow but there were no tracks. Reller either wasn’t there or had come some other way. He bent down again, reached inside the car and pulled out the 9mm from under the seat. Instinctively he checked to make sure the clip was full and put the pistol back into his coat pocket. Then, he shut the car door and walked to the cemetery gate.
Through the bars, he could see it was laid out in a simple rectangle that stretched back from the road about 150 yards. In the center were two large mausoleums with a giant willow tree between them. It was the only tree in the cemetery and its mostly leafless branches draped over the mausoleums. The rest of the grave markers were simple, small headstones aligned in rows. He pushed the gate open with a small squeak and stepped inside.
The paved walk led him straight to the two mausoleums, then broke off in a Y that joined back up on the other side and continued to the back wall. As he walked, he glanced down the rows of headstones looking for anything out of the ordinary, but there was nothing to see.
As he reached the two mausoleums, he stopped. They were about ten feet tall, made of granite and somewhat plain. Neither looked that different from the other. He walked to the front of the one on the left. The engraved names next to the entrance were all Ogdens and other than a bit of decoration around the list, there was no other remarkable feature on the mausoleum itself. With the sun all but down behind the range to the West, the air was still and dipping close to freezing. The light cast a blue-gray pall over everything and thanks to the cloud cover, threw almost no shadow. There were no sounds at all. It was too silent, like standing in a vacuum. There was a rusted iron gate covering the opening to each monument and in the middle, where the gate came together, was an ornately cast rose. He placed his right hand in his coat pocket and wrapped it around the pistol. With his other hand he pulled on the gate for the left-hand mausoleum.
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