Page 115 of Red Mountain Burning
One-Eyed Otis
The rising wall ran the entire border between the two properties. Once she got close, Otis turned. He was only a few inches taller than the highest part of the wall. He was shirtless and sunburned, and he looked skinnier than she’d ever seen him, unhealthily so. His stomach was caving in, and his ribs were showing. He wore tan pants and heavy-looking work boots that were covered in dirt and lime.
Otis limped toward her and wiped his brow. His entire body was painted with heartache. It had been two weeks since Joan had left him, and it looked like about that long since he’d eaten. The only sign of life he showed was the well-developed muscles of his arms, which told tales of many long days lifting those blocks and building this wall.
She pulled back the reins to slow down and wanted to cry when she saw him up close. He looked emaciated and broken. Gray whiskers rose from his face and neck. His gray hair ran in every direction like a wild animal.
“Otis, I’d tell ya you look good, but you don’t.”
He cracked a grin, and it was like a crack appearing in a clay pot. “No, I don’t imagine I look too good.”
“What can I do for you?”
He waved a hand in the air. “Oh, don’t worry about me.” He sounded even gruffer than normal, his throat straining to make sounds.
“How can I not? You don’t look healthy.”
He glanced back at his wall. “This has proved to be more work than I thought.”
“You’re doing it yourself?”
A nod. “Thought it might help me take my mind off things.”
Elvis stomped the dirt, and Margot patted him. “How high are you going?”
“I’d like to get to eight feet. That should do it.”
Margot let her imagination stack another few feet of concrete blocks onto what he’d built. “That will be a daunting wall.”
“I have no doubt.” He removed his cap. “How’s Joan?”
She didn’t feel it was her place to get in between them. “She’s okay.” Margot was fighting off tears. Never would she have imagined this sight. Otis was dying, right before her eyes.
“How about you, young lady? I’ve never seen you ride before.”
“This is new. I’m just learning.”
“Well, you look like you belong up there. And you look good. Like a big splash of light up there coming down on me. I need it.” He approached the horse and put his hand on the horse’s muzzle. “Elvis looks as happy as you are. He must love the attention.”
Margot thought he sounded starved for conversation, like he’d been walking the desert without contact for years. “We’re having fun out here,” she said. “What a beautiful day.”
He nodded, but she wasn’t sure he was appreciating the same beauty. “What’s it like riding a horse that can’t see?” he asked.
“You’d never know it,” Margot answered. “Honestly, I think not having eyes makes him see even better. His other senses are heightened to make up for it. I think he’s got a map of the mountain in his mind.”
“That’s an interesting notion. Hehasbecome our mascot, hasn’t he? What an inspiration. And you too, Margot. Seriously. I don’t know exactly how to say it, but seeing you right now reminds me of the first time I met Joan. It’s like all my troubles seem to melt away.”
Margot had no idea how to respond, so she said the only words that made sense. “Thank you. How incredibly kind.”
“I mean it. What a treasure you are.”
She thanked him again. “I’m worried about you. Is there anything I can do?”
“You keep riding that horse. That’s what you can do for me. Keep doing everything you’re doing. You’re the breath of fresh air this mountain needs.” He glanced behind him. “Anyhow, I’d better get back to this wall. The neighbors are opening next month, and I’m hoping it will all seem like a bad dream once this thing’s done.” Otis put his cap back on his head. “Will you give my best to Joan?”
“Why don’t you reach out to her, Otis?”
His lips flattened. “I’m afraid that would do more harm than good.”
