Saltar's Point by Christopher Alan Ott Page A

arrived because the small talk they made on the way over felt forced and awkward. Randall pulled into the dirt driveway. The house was quaint, a small two-bedroom rambler that sat in the shadow of a large willow tree, causing the house to appear even smaller than it was. A billow of sweet smelling smoked wafted above the house signaling that Denny had already fired up the barbeque. Randall turned off the ignition and Ellie and Aiden followed him around back through the gate of the waist-high chain link fence.
    Denny heard them and called out. “Make sure to latch the gate so Chubs doesn’t get out.”
    Almost as soon as Denny had the words out of his mouth Chubs came bounding around the corner, barking and romping about playfully. He was a ten-week-old black Labrador puppy, enormous for his age and full of boundless energy. Chubs was immediately drawn to Randall as most dogs were. He jumped up and put his muddy paws on Randall’s jeans, leaving over-sized paw prints as incriminating evidence before bounding away.
    “Mommy a puppy!” Aiden pointed just before Chubs disappeared around the back of the house.
    “I saw him. Let’s go see where he went.”
    They followed Chubs around the house and into the spacious back yard. Denny was flipping steaks and sipping on a Bud. He wore a novelty apron that read: COPS DO IT WITH HANDCUFFS.
    “Heck of a watchdog you got there.”
    “Better not step out of line RJ or I’ll turn him loose on ya.” Denny said as he flipped another steak. “Hey little miss car trouble, how you doing tonight? Good to see ya.”
    “Good to see you again too Denny.”
    “Beer’s in the cooler by the table, help yourself. Oh and I got Cokes in there too since you’re the one on duty tonight RJ.” Denny took a long swig of Budweiser making a production out of it and staring right at Randall. “Man that’s good!”
    “Up yours Denny.”
    “Oh great you’re here!” Laura exited the house from the sliding glass door. She was carrying a slab of freshly glazed ribs. She set the ribs down next to Denny and made her way over to Randall throwing her arms around him and planting a big kiss on his cheek. Randall spun her around, her bare feet dangling just off the ground.
    “Randall Jackson you are one fine lookin’ man. When are you going steal me away from Denny, and make me the happiest woman on earth?”
    It was good-natured kidding but Ellie couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy, mostly because she was stunned by Laura’s striking beauty. She looked as though she stepped right off of the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue. Her shoulder-length black hair was pulled back in pigtails giving her an alluring girlish charm. She wore a red-checked shirt with the front looped through Daisy Duke style, exposing her cleavage and midriff. A pair of jean shorts cut off right where her legs and buttocks joined together complimented her perfect figure and completed her carefree image. Smoke and fire, Ellie thought to herself.
    “Watch yourself RJ. Remember I’ll sic Chubs on ya.”
    Chubs was rolling in the long grass just a few yards away, feet in the air he rubbed his head back and forth on the ground working out an itch.
    “Mommy can I go play with the puppy?”
    “Sure honey.”
    Aiden ran off to join chubs in the grass. Randall set Laura down.
    “And you must be Ellie. It’s so nice to meet you. You know when Denny said Randall was bringing a friend I was beside myself. I mean RJ hasn’t even looked at a woman since —“
    “Laura, don’t talk the poor girl’s head off,” Denny butted in. Laura continued undaunted.
    “Well I’m just saying you must be a real charmer to turn this man’s head is all. So let me get a look at you.”
    Laura stepped back taking Ellie all in. Ellie felt like a cocker spaniel being judged best in show. Laura talked with a southern drawl that would have been charming if she didn’t talk a mile a minute. She chewed through words like a wood