The Shoes Come First: A Jennifer Cloud Novel

by Janet Leigh

  ~

  The road was difficult to navigate in the darkness, and Brodie was not making any rest stops. We made the turn into the long dirt road that led to the Hobbses’ house. Brodie had slowed Gypsy down to a jog.

  “Aren’t we endangering the family by hiding out here?” I asked Brodie.

  “I’ll tell ya the details later, mate,” he answered, jerking his head toward Mitchell.

  We rambled alongside the pasture with the longhorn chewing his grass. He didn’t look surprised to see us back so soon. When we pulled up in front of the small farmhouse, Mrs. Hobbs came out, coffee can in the crook of her arm. Following her were her two sons, Clyde and Junior. The younger of the two was holding a kerosene lantern, which gave off a small amount of light that illuminated their faces horror-movie style.

  “We need a place to hide,” Brodie said and opened the collar of his shirt, exposing his key.

  Mrs. Hobbs’s eyes looked weary, but she said, “In the barn with you.”

  “Aw, Mom, I knew they was up to no good. Why are we lettin’ them hide here?” said Junior.

  “Shut yer mouth, Junior. You’re not old enough to understand yet.”

  Brodie steered the horse toward the barn. Mrs. Hobbs’s boys were there to let us in.

  As the wagon came to a stop, the older boy, Clyde, helped me down from the wagon. We both looked at Mitchell.

  “Leave him there for now, mate. His ride will be along in a moment.”

  Junior was unhooking Gypsy from the wagon, and when he was out of earshot, I heard Clyde ask Brodie, “What’s it like?”

  Brodie’s eyes met mine, and I understood. Clyde had the gift. He looked to be about fifteen. I noticed he did not have a key around his neck.

  “It’s an adventure, mate, but it’s also dangerous and sometimes scary, like today.”

  “Is he one of them?” Clyde questioned.

  “Yes, and we are taking him to jail.”

  “Why don’t you just slaughter the murdering sack of shit right now?” Clyde asked, clearly upset Brodie wasn’t taking more action.

  I didn’t understand why he was so angry. He didn’t know what the Mafusos had been up to.

  “He’s young, mate, and we don’t do that anymore. We have a way to control them now.”

  “Seems to me like y’all are a bunch of pussies in the future,” Clyde said in a disappointed voice.

  “Maybe, but it seems to work out for the better for everyone involved.”

  “Ma won’t let me have the key. She keeps it hidden, says I’m not old enough yet, but I know I am, and when I find it, I’m gonna get them bastards and they won’t live to see the next day.” He walked around the wagon and looked in. “Besides, I’m as old as he is,” Clyde said, pointing a thumb toward Mitchell.

  “And he got himself captured,” Brodie responded.

  “Boys!” Mrs. Hobbs shouted as she came through the barn door. “Git your butts out here, now!”

  She came around and looked in the wagon. Mitchell gave her a glare. “He’s a puny one. Are they gettin’ smaller?”

  “Nope, he’s only sixteen,” Brodie added.

  “Sixteen!” she exclaimed. “Next thing ya know, they’ll have the toddlers out stealing and killing. It’s pathetic.” She spit a wad of chew into her can.

  We walked Mrs. Hobbs outside.

  “Thanks for the use of your barn,” Brodie said. “We won’t be here long.”

  “If there’s trouble, I can’t promise I can help. My family’s gotta come first.”

  “We understand.” I spoke for the first time in the conversation.

  Mrs. Hobbs looked me up and down. “What are you?” she asked.

  “I’m a transporter,” I said proudly.

  “Where’s your key?” she asked, poking a chubby finger at my neck.

  “Pancho Villa took it from the one who gives it to me and sold it to the brigands.”

  Her eyes got wide at the mention of Villa’s name. I assumed she was mentally counting every available weapon she owned just in case the Villistas came calling.

  “Yer better off without it.” She turned and headed out the door. “Boys, come.” And that was that. The boys followed behind her. Clyde looked like he had a million questions that had to be left unanswered for now.

  After the Hobbses left, I looked over at Brodie. He knew I was also full of questions.

  “I’m not sure how much I’m supposed to tell ya since you haven’t formally been inducted into the WTF.”

  “Spill it,” I demanded.

  “Mattie Hobbs’s husband was the best defender of his time. He saved over three hundred people in a battle that was created by the brigands.”

  “Where is he?” I asked.

  “He didn’t make it out alive.”

  “How sad for Mattie Hobbs to have to raise the children alone.”

  Brodie looked at me through green eyes flecked with gold. He put a hand on my shoulder in a comforting gesture.

  “Ya see, mate, it’s serious business, what we do, so if you decide to join, you have to be committed. I have to know you can back me up if I need you.”

  “Right,” I agreed, but my knees were knocking together.