Page 67 of The Hitchhikers
“That’s quite the bruise you have,” Ruth said.
Alice set the glass down and looked at her arm. “It’s turning a lovely shade of blue, isn’t it? My fault. I walked into the metal arm for the awning.” Alice gave an embarrassed smile, while Jenny tried to think when that could have happened. Was Alice lying?
Ruth patted her shoulder. “I’m always walking into things too.”
“May I use your bathroom?” Simon said. “I’d like to wash my hands before eating.” Jenny looked at his face, trying to read his expression. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
“Just down that hall.” William pointed.
The rest of them continued drinking their iced tea. William smacked his lips and told Ruth it was the best she’d ever made.She waved him off with a giggle that made Jenny think he probably said that every time, and she felt such a stab in her chest she had to rub at the spot.
Alice murmured compliments as she nibbled at a cookie. Ruth slid another one onto William’s plate. He was smiling at her, then he made a small sound, his mouth gaping. Jenny stared at him. Was he choking? Beside her, Alice dropped her iced tea, liquid splashing.
Jenny looked up.
Simon was standing in the kitchen entrance with the gun pointed at William.
“What have you got for a vehicle? Car or truck?”
“Truck,” William stuttered. “A Ford 100.”
“Wife doesn’t have a car?”
William shook his head.
“Give me the keys.”
“It’s not running. It’s in my garage.”
Ruth was clutching at the front of her dress, and looking around at them all, like she was trying to understand what was happening.
“You’re bullshitting me.”
“Boy, I’d give you the truck if I could. The rear differential is busted. I’ve got the parts, but I hadn’t gotten around to it. U joint and drive shaft need to be replaced too. Then brake shoes.” He paused for a moment. “Think that’s it, but it’s been running rough.”
“Are you telling me your truck is a piece of junk?”
“It’s a great truck,” William said, indignant. “It’s just old.”
“Goddamn.” Simon moved into the kitchen, pacing back and forth in front of the cupboards. He halted abruptly and looked at William. “You got guns in this house?”
William hesitated. Before he could deny anything, Simon said, “Don’t lie to me, man. I can shoot your wife right now.”Simon pressed the gun to the back of Ruth’s head. She gave a startled gasp and squeezed her eyes shut. Her lips were moving like she was saying a prayer.
“There’s a rifle,” William said. “Behind the bedroom door.”
“What else? Farmers always have more.”
“Shotgun in the closet.”
“Where’s the ammo?”
“Box beside it.”
Simon moved the gun away from Ruth’s head, and she opened her eyes, which were glassy with tears. One leaked out, traveling the folds of her round cheek.
“Get the guns, Jenny.”
“Let’s just leave,” she said. “We don’t need anything from them.”
