Page 2 of Small Town Hunter

“Yep.”

After a long pause, where my husband fills in no more details, the mechanic shrugs and says, “I can fit out your ride with some new plates if you’d like. Clean as a whistle. Hell, as long as the gold checks out, I’ll throw in some new tires. Sweet Lick will be back from the wedding…hm…well, I hear there’s an open bar, so any time between midnight and next morning.”

Sebastian flushes even redder, and he’s plenty red from the burning sun. “We can’t stay long,” he grunts.

“I reckon you ought to, ‘cause Tippalonga is more accepting than some other towns ‘round here,” the man says, his gaze sliding to me. “No sir, some folks ain’t as tolerant as we are here in Tippalonga.”

“Meaning, if I go to the next town with my wife, they’ll give us a hard time,” Sebastian says. “Is that what you’re saying to me?”

Just a little, the man shrinks. I don’t blame him. My husband is six- four, big as hell, with eyes like green laser beams.

“Ah, ah,” says Skyla in my arms.

“Shhh…Hush now, baby. See? See the bird?” A small fluffy bird flies past. It looks almost like an owl. I hug Skyla tighter. She’s soft and precious and my entire world. I would do anything for her. If anybody gives us a hard time, I’ll shoot them stone-motherfucking-dead.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying, friend,” says the mechanic. “Would hate for your family to break down on some of these country roads and have a run-in with the rednecks.”

He looks like a redneck to me, but I’m quiet.

“I can handle myself,” says Sebastian.

The man lowers his voice still further, but I hear everything he says. “Last month, there was a kick-up with the Cimarron County police — that’s our neighbors — and a couple passing through. Couple like you and the Missus. Bad situation.”

Sebastian’s eyes narrow. “The police, you say.”

“That’s what I told you. Steer clear of Cimarron. Terrible place. Murderers, Communists and Game Wardens. The worst scum known to man.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

“Sure, friend. I am real keen on that coin of yours if it’s the genuine article. Gold is the future, seeing as the dollar’s about to fold like a stack of cards.”

“Tomorrow then,” says my husband. “You tell Sweet Lick I’ll be here first thing.”

“Sure. Hey, you ought to stop by in town and watch the wedding. Our Reverend’s getting married. Big deal. And maybe you’ll run into Sweet Lick. In fact, I’m sure you will.”

“I hope I don’t run into anybody,” my husband says.

The mechanic smiles.

“You trust him?” I hiss as we walk out.

“I don’t trust anybody,” Sebastian says. “How is she?”

“Fine. She’s tired.”

“I know you’re tired, Dee.”

“Yes I am,” I snap. “I’m real,realtired.”

As we climb into the Crown Victoria that looks and smells like a musty hotel room, I try to stay calm. Sebastian’s barely said a sentence to me since he explained what he’d done (stolen Roman McCall’s gold) and what was going to happen (we run like the wind before Roman catches us).

I admit I didn’t take it well.

“Well, now what?” I demand.

“Now we get something to eat and find a place to sleep,” he says calmly. “How about that place we passed? Burger Palace? It’s near the motel.”

I would rather sleep and then eat, but I have to watch my diet according to the book I borrowed from the Florin Library,Motherhood for Young Mothers with no Parents and no Hope.

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