Odd Billy Todd

by N. C. Reed

  “I said crawl,” Billy almost whispered. The man crawled.

  “Toby, stay here, watch our backs, and your mom and sister,” Billy ordered, never taking his eyes from Big Dirty.

  “Yes, sir,” Toby answered, and put himself where he could do as ordered. Billy walked to the front, where Jerry had similarly disarmed the other three.

  “Now, you boys are bein’ naughty,” Billy said, his voice projecting an eerie calm. “This here, this is a public road, as I recall. That sort of trumps your claim to ownership, the way I see it.”

  “We’re just trying to live!” one of the others snarled. “We gotta right to make a livin’!”

  “You can work for what you want and need, same as ever body else does,” Jerry snarled back. “You ain’t nothin’ but a pack of wild dogs!”

  “You talk mighty tough behind that rifle, old man,” a third shot back.

  “Kinda how you aimed to talk to us, huh?” Rhonda smiled sweetly.

  “When I get my hands on you, Red, you’ll wish. . . .” Big Dirty didn’t get the chance to finish, as Billy’s Kimber barked once. Big Dirty’s head exploded on the road. Rhonda and Jerry looked on in shock as Billy walked up to the rest.

  “Now, gimme one good reason I don’t do for you what I just did for him.”

  “Hey, mister, we ain’t like that. . . .”

  “He ain’t nothin’ but a fool! We only followed him cause he. . . .”

  “He would o' killed us, we didn’t do what he. . . .”

  “Shut up,” Billy ordered, and there was quiet. He looked them over, disgusted.

  “All of you, strip off, right now,” he ordered suddenly.

  “What?”

  “Now!” Billy ordered. All three reluctantly began to undress. Rhonda looked at Billy.

  “Not now,” he told her, and she nodded. Jerry was grinning.

  “Now,” he told them once they were naked, “you push them trucks outta the way. Try to start one, and you’ll get what he got.” They began to push the trucks, first one, then the other, until the road was clear.

  “Now, get that dead slime off the road,” he ordered, pointing to Big Dirty. Even more reluctantly, the three drug their former comrade to the side of the road, and rolled his body off the levee.

  “Okay, you can go now,” Billy told them.

  “What about our clothes?” one had the courage to ask.

  “You mean my clothes?” Billy asked. “See, that’s my toll for you using my road. I take everything, and then you can move on. Which you need to start doin’, before I change my mind. We’re going that way,” he pointed north, “so you can go that way,” he pointed south this time. “And you should run, for a while, cause like I said, I might change my mind.”

  “We’ll freeze without our clothes!” another protested.

  “Want me to send you someplace warm?” Billy replied, lifting the Kimber again. “No? Then you start in to runnin’. Better keep at it a while. I might decide to follow you. Now git!”

  They got. Fast. Billy watched them go, following them out of sight.

  “Well, let’s grab this stuff,” he pointed to the weapons, “and get goin’.”

  “Billy,” Rhonda’s voice was soft, “why’d you shoot that man? He was already disarmed.” Billy’s eyes were flat as he looked at her.

  “He threatened you,” he said simply. “No man threatens you, and lives.”

  “Damn good policy,” Jerry murmured, as he and Toby gathered the guns left behind. He didn’t look up, not wanting to get between the two younger people, but he felt the need to voice his approval of Billy’s actions.

  “Okay,” was all Rhonda could get out. She’d been prepared to shoot them if she had to. What Billy had done frightened her just a bit. Until she remembered her father’s words;

  I’d not want to be the one that hurt something or someone he loved.

  Now, Rhonda finally understood what her father had meant. And it didn’t bother her so much anymore.

  She got back in the truck, ready to go.

  Shelly, of course, was a bit more vocal.

  “Why did you shoot that man!” she almost screeched. “He couldn’t hurt you!”

  “He was a thug,” Billy shrugged. “He wasn’t no good, and no good would come of leavin’ him alive. His knife had blood on it, and so did his clothes. Ain’t no tellin’ who all he’s hurt, and killed.”

  “You can’t just kill someone like that!” Shelly shot back.

  “I did, therefore I can,” Billy shrugged. “He had it comin’.”

  “Shelly, shut up,” Jerry told her before she could start again. “If Billy hadn’t shot him for what he said, I would have. He threatened Rhonda. In a way that only a low down animal can threaten a woman. Billy’s right. I'd o' done the same thing, had he threatened you, or you ma, in such a way.”

  “What do you think, Rhonda?” Shelly just had to get one more dig in. “About what he did?” Rhonda looked back at her for a minute, then looked back front.

  “I think I have a man who loves me, and won’t let any harm come to me so long as he’s alive to stop it,” she replied truthfully. “And I’m proud to be his woman.”

  Emma squeezed her leg, and Rhonda looked over to see the older woman smiling at her in approval. Somehow, it made Rhonda even more glad of her answer.

  “Next stop, Franklin,” Billy said into the silence.

  “Billy, one thing,” Jerry spoke up. “I’d appreciate a warnin’ next time you aim to pull the pin out of a grenade.”

  “You mean this pin?” Billy asked, holding up the pin he’d shown Big Dirty at the roadblock.

  “You didn’t put it back in?” Rhonda gasped.

  “Never took it out,” Billy grinned. “This come out of an old lighter my daddy had. It’s sittin’ on his desk in the study. I was thinkin’ it might come in handy.”

  Everyone but Shelly was still laughing when they pulled into the market in Franklin.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The ‘market’ left a lot to be desired, at least as a true trading post, Billy decided. But it was a passable flea market, just as Rhonda had thought it might be. There were people inside, as well, in what had been the city convention center.

  When they parked, they were met by two men wearing badges on their jackets, and wearing armbands that read Constable.

  “You folks headin’ to the market?” one asked, while the other stood back.

  “We are,” Jerry nodded.

  “Your vehicle should be safe, but we can’t guarantee it, understand,” he told them. “If you’re carrying items for trade, it might be best to leave someone to watch it. Carrying weapons is okay, so long as you stay peaceable.”

  “I’ll stay peaceable so long as everyone else does,” Billy shrugged.

  “That’s the idea,” the constable nodded. “We don’t have a problem with self-defense around here. Be forewarned, however, that any sort of violence will have an inquiry to see that it was justified.”

  “Enjoy the market, folks,” the other nodded, and the two were on their way.

  “Well, who wants to take a turn with the truck, first?” Jerry looked around.

  “We will,” Rhonda smiled. “You guys go ahead. When you get back, me and Billy will go.”

  “Thank you, Rhonda,” Emma smiled. “It’ll be nice to get out as a family. We haven’t done that in a while.”

  “Take this ‘fore you go,” Billy called, handing Jerry and Toby a small radio. “FRS. Won’t work so well over long distances, but they should do okay somewhere like this. They’re already set.”

  “Good idea,” Jerry nodded, placing his in a shirt pocket. Toby studied the radio for a moment, then did likewise. Emma pointed out baskets she wanted taken, and the two teens picked them up.

  “We’ll be back in a bit,” Jerry waved, and then the Silvers were gone, lost in the crowd.

  Billy hopped up on the tailgate, taking a seat, and Rhonda joined him. The two were silent for a while, then
Rhonda looked at Billy.

  “Thank you, Billy,” she said softly.

  “Huh?” Billy was jolted out of his reverie. He hadn’t seen so many people in a while.

  “Thank you,” Rhonda repeated. “For earlier. For not gettin’ mad when I asked why. For doin’ it in the first place. For. . .well, just for everything.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetie,” Billy said, trying to use endearments the way she did. He could tell by the way her face lit up, she liked it.

  “I knew things would be different,” she went on, laying her head over on him. “I really did. It was just, seeing it for myself, instead of hearing about it, or thinkin’ ‘bout it, was. . .well, it was different when you had to see it.”

  “I know,” Billy placed his arm around her, and she snuggled into him. “I’m sorry you had to see it,” he said truthfully. “I should have sent you back to the truck. But I didn’t figure you’d go, for one. And, to be honest, I shot him ‘fore I thought much about it.”

  “I know,” she patted his chest gently. “Because of me,” she added.

  “Yes,” was all Billy said. “But that don’t make it your fault. He made his choice, and it was the wrong one.”

  “I know,” she nodded. “Don’t worry, I don’t feel guilty. I seen him looking me over when you was talkin’ to him. I knew what he meant to do, if he had the chance.”

  “I’ll not let something like that happen, can I prevent it at all,” Billy promised.

  “I know that,” was all she said.

  The two of them fell silent after that, just enjoying each other’s company, and watching the people come and go. There were more people than Rhonda had expected, and she mentioned this to Billy.

  “Well, they’ve had three months or so to get organized,” Billy commented. “And, this is likely the last big trade day before winter sets in. And they advertised it, if you want to call it that, over the HAM. Lot o' people are probably makin’ stuff to sell by now, or at least trade. And I’m sure there’s scavengers about, just like us. This is the best place to try and buy, sell, or trade, without gettin’ stole from, or maybe killed, I’d imagine.”

  “Yeah,” Rhonda nodded. “Still, I’m surprised to see so many people. Not in a bad way. Kinda glad to see so many made it.”

  “Big change from the last little bit,” Billy agreed. “I’d say a lot o’ these folks, while they’ll make a deal if they can, or want to, are here more for socializin’ than anything else.”

  “You know, I was thinkin’ that, too,” Rhonda replied. “It must be nice to have a place like this, where so many are near enough to have a get together.”

  “Yeah, I doubt we’ll be having anything like this anytime soon,” Billy sighed. “It ain’t that I don’t want to, but I gotta admit I’m not unhappy with how things are at the moment. We may can get some neighbors, if we can get to know people a little better. There’s plenty of room.”

  “That’d be nice,” Rhonda smiled. “But I’m like you. I want to know people pretty well ‘fore we invite’em into the neighborhood.”

  “Where you folks from?” a voice broke in on their conversation. Both turned to see a less than savory man in a dirty suit looking at them.

  “What’s ‘at?” Billy asked, though he’d heard the man just fine.

  “Just wondering’ where you folks is from,” the man repeated. “I’m Nate Blaine, from here in Franklin.” He extended his hand, which Billy looked at, but didn’t take.

  “No offense, mister,” Billy told him. “But I ain’t interested in givin’ out my name, or my whereabouts.” Blaine’s smile slipped just a bit, but he caught it.

  “Perfectly understandable,” he nodded, using his best used car salesman demeanor. “I just don’t recognize you. Thought you might be new in town.”

  “Maybe you just never saw us before,” Billy shrugged.

  “Oh, I’m sure I’d remember a fine couple such as yourselves,” Blaine scoffed. “I try to get about and see everyone. And everything,” he added. “For instance, I noticed your truck doesn’t have a tag.”

  “Fell off, I guess,” Billy didn’t bother to look. He knew there wasn’t a tag. He’d taken it off himself.

  “Sure,” Blaine grinned knowingly. “Mind if I ask what business you’re in?”

  “I do,” Billy growled slightly. “We ain’t botherin’ you mister. You oughta return the favor.” He was getting tired of dealing with the greasy looking Blaine.

  “Ain’t no call for unkindness, friend,” Blaine raised both hands in supplication. “I was just thinking there might be a deal we could strike. I’ll just be moving along.”

  “I think that’s a fine idea,” Billy agreed.

  “Nice meeting you, ma'am,” Blaine tipped an imaginary hat at Rhonda, and Billy stiffened. Her fingers dug into Billy’s arm, stilling him.

  “It ain’t, really,” she assured Blaine. He flushed slightly at that, but nodded, and turned away. They watched him go, although Billy kept a look all around them, as well, just in case Blaine had been a diversion.

  “What a charming fella,” Rhonda said dryly, when Blaine was far enough away. Billy grunted.

  “Makes me feel like I need a bath, just talkin’ to him,” he noted, and Rhonda laughed at that. Billy had a dry sense of humor most times. And sometimes he just said what was on his mind, which was funny in it’s own right. She loved that about him.

  “He does look a little greasy, don’t he?” she giggled.

  “Wonder what his game is?” Billy mused, watching as Blaine tried another group.

  “What ya mean?” Rhonda asked, rummaging through the basket of food she’d brought. She handed Billy a sandwich, and a bottle of water, and got one for herself.

  “I mean, what’s he up to,” Billy said, opening his sandwich. He hadn’t realized he was hungry. “He ain’t just passin’ the time o’ day, he’s up to something. He’s either lookin’ to rook somebody outta their stuff, or else he’s workin’ to find out where people are livin’, and what they got, so’s him, or someone else, can go and relieve’em of it. He might not go with’em, but get a finder’s fee, like.” Rhonda looked at Billy, almost dumbfounded.

  “I didn’t never think of anything like that,” she admitted. “I just didn’t like him.”

  “I don’t neither,” Billy grunted. “And I don’t like how he looked at you.”

  “Men look Billy,” Rhonda teased. “It’s in your nature.” Billy turned to look at her.

  “I know men will look at you, darlin’,” he grinned. “You’re a right pretty girl, though some’d say you ain’t got no sense, takin’ up with the likes o’ me. But he didn’t look at you in an admirin’ fashion,” he added, turning back to keep an eye on Blaine. “He looked at you like a thing. Something to possess, or buy and sell. I don’t like that.”

  “Billy, you can’t go killin’ ever man looks at me, or the Silvers women, like that,” Rhonda chided gently.

  “I can’t?” Billy raised an eyebrow. It took her a minute to realize he was kidding.

  “No, my He-Man, you can’t,” she giggled. “Ain’t done in polite society.”

  “We ain’t livin’ in a polite society no more,” Billy pointed out, but grinned, and winked at her to show he was still just being playful.

  “Well, some, like that guy this morning, you probably saved someone else by gettin’ rid of,” Rhonda admitted. “But that greasy goof ain’t a real threat, at least not by himself. And don’t forget, I shoot pretty good myself,” she grinned.

  “So you do,” Billy nodded. “So you do.”

  They ate the rest of their meal in silence, once more enjoying the day. It had warmed up enough that it was comfortable, and they soon stripped out of their jackets. Both were wearing long sleeve flannels, and they were warm enough.

  The Silvers were gone perhaps an hour-and-a-half, returning with several things they had traded for.

  “Well, it ain’t Wal-Mart,” Emma laughed, “but it is nice, considering. I manage
d to find some canning lids, and rings. Traded homemade jam and preserves for them. And I found some fleece that I traded for, too. I figure it will come in handy, this winter.”

  “There’s a man set-up in there with ammunition, but he knows it’s worth its weight in gold,” Jerry muttered. “Got a reloading’ set-up to, trades live rounds for empty brass at the tune of five empties per the round.”

  “Don’t do no business with no one about that,” Rhonda told him quietly. “I got daddy’s set up, and plenty of stuff to keep us going. I was thinking about running a business like that, but if there’s a man already doing’ it, I’ll just wait a while. What he’s got won’t last forever.”

  “Go deal, Little Bit,” Jerry grinned.

  “And don’t you go tradin’ for no fabric, till I can show you what I have,” she added to Emma. “I ain’t got no fleece, as it happens, but I do have some other stuff. Ain’t much,” she lied slightly. “But if you have a need, you can have what I can spare.”

  “I can’t just take your material, dear,” Emma told her. “You might need it, too.”

  “I might,” Rhonda nodded. “Might need something else, sometime, too,” she pointed out. “We two families have to work together. 'Fore we come here again, we’ll see what each other has that the other needs. Ain’t no need to let these other people get our goods, or our money, if we ain’t gotta.”

  “Well, that does make sense,” Emma agreed. “All right, we’ll work that out before we come back. Meanwhile, it’s your turn to take a look around. We’ll eat, and watch the truck.”

  “You two have fun,” Jerry smiled.

  “Reminds me,” Billy said. “Was a greasy lookin’ cuss named Blaine come by here whilst you were gone. Askin’ where we was from, what business we was in, that sort o’ thing. I put him on the road pretty quick, but you might be watchful for him, or others o’ his kind.”

  “Good idea,” Jerry nodded. “Thanks for lettin’ us know.”

  “Well, let’s go see what’s what!” Rhonda exclaimed, taking Billy’s hand. Billy handed Jerry the truck keys, and the two set off.