A Feather in the Rain by Alex Cord Page B

despair.
    The Smith and Wesson was a slick little unit with custom sculpted cherry-wood grips to accommodate his oversized hand. Like a polished wooden nude, it was a soothing thing to fondle. It was loaded. He rubbed it over his face slowly noticing the smell of oil and gunpowder and thought about what that final moment would be like to actually consider putting the barrel to his temple or in his mouth (which would be the better choice?) and pulling the trigger. The physical thing couldn’t be much. What about the mess? Someone would have to clean up his splattered brains and bits of bone and blood all over everything. And what about the folks he’d leave behind? Not too big a thing. His momma and his father were already gone. Speaking of old Clyde Burrell, he’d kick up the graveyard over this. He’d be waiting for me on the other side, arms folded, tapping his foot, and looking at his spur until I stood before him waiting for the storm.
    Abbie would sure feel bad. She’d be angry, disappointed, wounded. She’d think I was a fool. He snapped open the cylinder and tipped the copper and lead-headed bullets into his palm and rolled them together like dice. They were smooth with oil sheen and made a comforting sound. He slid them each into their chambers and clicked the cylinder shut. He kept the gun in his hand.
    The thought was damn sure intriguing. He’d get to see Zack on his new turf. Meeting this Holly Marie Bassett…why in hell did that have to happen? Jesus, I’ve got to get the hell out of here. Out of where? No matter where I go, my mind is coming with me. Unless I lose it. Now there’s a thought. Goddamn. I’ve got to quit this.

    A bbie, sprawled face down in the pillow, groped for the phone and got it to her mouth. Before she could say hello, the voice on the other end said, “Wake up. No sleeping allowed.”
    â€œDamn. You caught me laying down on the job. I’m sure there’s something I ought to be doing at one in the morning besides sleeping.”
    â€œI can think of lots of things.”
    â€œSo can I. In fact I was dreaming about one of them when the phone rang, thank you very much.”
    â€œHow was it?”
    â€œIt was great up until that point.”
    â€œLet me know how it turns out. How is everything?”
    â€œAside from the barn burning down everything is fine.”
    â€œSay you’re kidding.”
    â€œAnd the house too. Sparks carried from the barn.” She laughed. “I’m kidding. How’re you doin’, Boss? You having fun?”
    â€œYeah. I’ll be back in a couple of days. I’ll call you from the road. Go back to sleep.”
    â€œI wish. I hope. See ya. Hey. Bring me back an Aspen leaf.”

19
Adios
    L arry was loading saddles into his trailer. “I’ll be there for The Futurity. We’re gonna do some filming there. I want to see you win it, son.”
    Jesse smiled. “Call me when you’re on your way. Thanks for inviting me up. I had a good time.”
    â€œThanks for coming.” He stepped down out of the trailer stuffing a pinch of Copenhagen into his lip. “Everybody’s been bragging on you, saying what a nice guy you are. Specially Bear and Ruby. Course I told them they don’t know you like I do. Holly didn’t say anything though. I figure that Susan Hampton told her you was a sissy.” Larry stood in front of him and said, “You’re a good man. Take care of yourself. You want to talk, call me or get your ass back up here.” Over their handshake, he said, “Drive safe.”
    Jesse nodded, “You, too.” He turned and walked toward his rig.
    The horses were tied to the trailer ready to be loaded. Bear and Ruby came to say goodbye and tell him how much they enjoyedmeeting him and to come visit at their little place up north. He thought he’d probably never see them again. It saddened him. “Tell Holly Marie I