by Boo Riley
Mrs. Adams stopped in front of us and the doors popped open. “So, now you got the sheriff looking in on you, eh, Cameron?”
“Yes, ma’am, we’re real close. We like to visit quite regular. He was down to the house last night, come to mention it.”
Mrs. Adams had on her old self, mussed hair, no lipstick, and a sour look, like she dipped her fair share from a jug of sour mash last night. She eyed Cameron close. The look caused him to hesitate in the door. “Come on, don’t got all day. Quit your gawking and don’t lollygag. Slow as molasses, you boys.” She shook a finger at us. “I better not have any trouble out of you three today.”
Cameron kept his attitude on the edge of being sassy. “No, ma’am. Me and Jason are real tight now, best of friends. Won’t be no more trouble.”
We shared grins. I sat down in the same seat with Jason. Cameron plopped down across the aisle.
Cindy wasn’t on the bus, but Cowboy sat on his perch, legs in the aisle and watched with interest. He had on a straw hat that looked like a cow used it for a pillow. It fit his head crooked. The brim turned down in front, bent up in back, the sides curled like dried mud. Must store it in a shoebox at night.
He could go fly a kite. I knew the truth about learning to drive and wouldn’t be trying to prove anything to him. Not no more.
Cindy was another story. One I couldn’t get off my mind.
“Jason, you know a lot about the Bible?”
“I know some. I been going to church all my life.”
“Really?” I said.
“Yeah, after yesterday, you wouldn’t think so, would you? I don’t know why I acted the way I did. I’m embarrassed.”
“That’s all right. I’m glad we’re friends now. Cameron too. I think you did us a favor, to tell the truth.”
“How’s that?”
“Dad bought some deodorant.”
“You mean you didn’t have any?”
“Didn’t know what it was.”
Jason watched out the window a minute, cows and horses and trees, men working their fields. “How do you know the sheriff?”
The thought crossed my mind that he didn’t need to know, but why not. “He picked us up on the road last night, after church.”
“You didn’t have a ride?”
“Dad said he would come, but he didn’t. We were ‘bout to our lane when the sheriff drove up.”
The bus bounced once then ground to a stop, its brakes as grating as fingernails on a chalkboard.
Jason looked over my shoulder, across the intersection. “That’s him! That’s the motorcycle I saw last night.”
The three of us stuck our noses to the window. “I thought you didn’t pay attention to it,” Cameron said.
“The white star on the side of his helmet. I saw it last night.”
29
Cindy wasn’t on the bus and didn’t come to school. I hoped she wasn’t sick, or something bad had happened in her family.
The cowboy sat next to another girl in math class, filling her ear with his goings on. He just liked to talk, stir a pot, and he didn’t care who with. I gave his stare my back to look at.
It was only the second day of school, but it felt like summer break never happened, the same old thing all over again. The teachers and kids were all the same. A few new faces walked the halls, but not many. Maybe high school would be different. Long as they served a lunch and we didn’t have to rely on Momma Ray for table scraps, or Dad for money, I wouldn’t care.
I set my mind to my schoolwork. The day passed in a flash, with a short intermission to inhale roast beef and mashed potatoes with gravy and a chocolate chip cookie. When I took my tray to the trash, someone had left a cookie. I snatched it up and put it in a napkin. Cameron would appreciate sharing half of it after chores.
When the bus door opened, I walked out and lit a shuck for the house. Jake fell in beside me. He was being his usual self, tail going crazy. A quick scruff on the head didn’t satisfy him, but it would have to do for now.
“Hey, wait.” Cameron waved bye to Jason over his shoulder. “What’s your big hurry?”
“Mr. Bryan assigned a chapter in the science book and Miss Betty Sue gave us a page of math problems. I want to get on with it before Dad comes up with something for us to do.”
“I don’t like math much. Some of that geometry stuff doesn’t make sense to me. Proving a line’s straight is simple. Get a ruler. All them shapes and symbols. How do folks learn that stuff? I didn’t see nothing in the book shaped like a hog trough. I might understand something like that.”
“I don’t know, but whatever. I’m not getting behind on my schoolwork this year. Somehow, I’m going to get it all done.”
Cameron skipped twice, first one knee then the other raised high. “Sure you are. So am I. We’re dumb, remember? Dad said so. Wait, I know. Next time he blows a cork over our grades, we can ask him to hit us with our books, or better yet, tape our homework to his foot. When he kicks us, we might absorb some knowledge through our hind ends.”
I gave Cameron my that’s-not-funny look. He only smiled and continued. “Long as the hayfield and chores mean more to Dad and Momma Ray than our school work, we’re going to struggle with our grades. It’s not our fault, it’s theirs.”
Cameron was right. Today, if the house was empty, both of them gone, I’d have time for homework. Otherwise, there was no telling what was in store for us.
“Ty, wait up. What are we going to do with the motorcycle guy?”
“What’s there to do?”
“What if he’s making shine back in the woods? Or there’s a jail escapee, a bandit hiding back there. Bet he’s got a bunch of money hidden. Reckon it’s that old shack back of the holler where Jake lost his eye?”
“You fell off your rocker. It takes wood and fire to make shine.”
“Well, Ty, everyone knows that.” Cameron’s voice went shrill, like Momma Ray talking.
“Well, Cameron,” I responded no less sarcastic. “Have you seen anyone hauling wood, heard a chainsaw running, or smelled smoke? And if someone’s hiding, why does he leave? That ain’t hiding, that’s coming and going. And you think I’ve got an imagination.”
Cameron caught up and fell in step next to Jake. “Heck, I don’t know. Maybe he likes to eat at The Burger Stop every night.”
Jake trotted in front of us and put his nose to the ground, working the scent where the biker turned off, then left a piddle on a bush.
Jake’s actions got me to wondering again, pondering why and where he did what he did. Dogs were sure strange sometimes.
Cameron walked a few paces into the brush, crouched, and then pulled a blade of grass and put it between his teeth. “You going to help me set a trap? We’ll find out who’s been coming down here and why.”
“Just what kind of trap you got in mind?”
“I’ve been thinking about that.” Cameron held his hands out flat, palms down, and waved them over the area. Looked like he could already see his plan in action. “We could take some of them boards we pulled off that old barn to build the chicken house we never finished. We lay them out right through here and cover them with leaves. There’s plenty of nails in them. He’ll get a flat.”
“Yeah, or step on one and get hurt. We can’t do that.”
Cameron stood and looked around. “Maybe a bunch of cans tied together and strung right across here on some baling twine would work. Then, we lie in wait and catch him.”
I was done with Cameron’s wild ideas. He wasn’t listening. “We’ll hear him coming on the motorcycle, won’t need no cans. And catch him? You going to tie him up, or jump on him and chew on his ear ‘til he cries uncle?”
Cameron gave a quick snort, jerked the blade of grass out of his mouth, and started for the house. “You ain’t right. Now you’re the one who’s no fun, ruining the moment. I have a good plan. It’d be something to do. You don’t want to help me, just say so, and I’ll do it myself. Or don’t say so. Up to you.”
“Well, you just get to gnawing on it. I don’t have any. I’m going to get some of them old boards and cans ready.”
“How is it you don’t have homework? You have Miss Betty Sue after me.”
“I did it during health class. I hate homework and you know it.”
Focusing was my problem, or daydreaming was. If I’d concentrate, there was no reason for me not to have my homework finished before leaving school. “Cameron, let’s just go down the road and sit a spell tonight. If the motorcycle comes, we’ll ask him what he’s doing.”
“I’ll think on it. Look, we’re in luck. Dad’s pickup’s gone and the doors are closed. Momma Ray went with him.”
Jake plopped down in the shade of a bush with his tongue hanging out.
Setting a trap for the motorcycle rider would be something to do. It had a feel of excitement to it. Someone had been in the woods and that was a fact. It would be fun to find out who and why.
Momma Ray preferred we study in our room, sitting on our bed with a book for a desk, but she wasn’t home. I sat and placed three books on the kitchen table, the science book, the math book and the red book, the New Testament. It took some doing, I wanted to pick up the red one, but math had to come first.
Evening found me in the red book, reading words printed in red. Cameron had been right about “thee” and “thou,” and I’d have to add “hath” and “doeth” to the list. Some of it was hard to understand. Jesus seemed to be a good guy, someone to know, someone to rely on. Jason had more questions he’d need to answer for me.
Shadows were long when I walked out. There was still no sign of Dad and Momma Ray. Jake had wandered off. Probably with Cameron.
The four tomatoes I found on the ground in the garden wouldn’t be missed. Two of them went down on the spot. The other two I carried down the road where Cameron worked on setting his trap.
“About time you showed up.”
I held out the tomatoes. “You want these? Sorry, I’m a slow reader, you know.”
“Yeah, I’m hungry. Where’d you find them?” Cameron tried to give one back to me.
“On the ground in the garden. That’s yours. I ate my two. I wonder where Dad’s at? It’ll be dark soon.”
“Who cares? It’s peaceful.” Cameron took a bite and sucked juice as it dripped, and then he wiped his chin. “Don’t walk over there. I got boards covered in leaves. And right through here,” he swallowed and pointed with the tomato, “is a string of tin cans.”
“Looks like you got it all covered.”
“Let’s move into the woods a ways and sit for a spell.”
“And when Dad comes home?”
“Skedaddle through the woods for the barn. We’re finishing up chores. He’ll never know.”
We found a spot where we could relax. Jake laid his head on my lap and sniffed at the cookie in my shirt pocket. Might as well break it in half and enjoy it.
Cameron leaned against a tree and stretched out his legs. “Did you read the Bible?”
“I did. You’re right about some of the words, kind of confusing. Here, I saved this from lunch.”
“Oh, T, thanks.”
Jake sat up in front of me. “No begging. Lay down.”
“Wait, listen. What’s that noise? Dad?”
I turned my head. Jake pushed away from me and disappeared into the darkness. “That’s not Dad. It’s a motorcycle.”
We scrambled to our feet and moved to the edge of the road. The motorcycle came toward us, slow and dark, its engine a deep hum, not loud like a racing bike. The engine died, but the bike kept coming, coasting, the gravel noisy under its tires. It stopped and brush rustled. There were other noises I couldn’t identify: metal on metal, clicking, someone taking a deep breath.
Something Cameron didn’t figure on was the guy riding the bike would have to see to park in the same place every time. He missed the trap by a good twenty paces.
My heart beat like a bass drum.
Cameron whispered. “Let’s get closer.”
I put a hand on his shoulder and we inched forward through the brush, one branch, one carefully placed foot at a time. “Where’s Jake?” I whispered. “Why don’t he cut loose?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he went to the house. Listen. What’s that?”
Crunching, like someone chewing. How far away I couldn’t tell, twenty paces, thirty at the most. Then it dawned on me. “That’s Jake eating something, a dog biscuit. The guy’s made friends with Jake. That’s why he ain’t howling.”
“Uh-oh, Dad’s coming. Go to the barn. I’ll be right back.”
My hand fell on nothing. “Cameron, Cameron.”
I lit out for the barn just as headlights appeared. Cameron was nowhere in sight. We were in a heap of trouble. Jake met me as I made it to the back door of the barn. He and I were going to have us another visit about taking food from a stranger. Dad rattled into the yard about the time I clicked on the light in the barn. He got out and walked toward me. “What you doing in there in the dark?”
My mind raced straight into a big fat lie. “The lights just came back on, Dad. They been off for a while.”
His eyes narrowed. He had to think on that one. “Where’s Cameron? You boys got chores done?”
“I…Cameron is…”
“I’m right here. Just back there with the pigs.”
Cameron walking up from behind scared the daylights out of me. How he got there so fast was a miracle.
Dad and Momma Ray walked to the house.
Momma Ray stopped at the door. “Hurry up with chores. I’ll make you something for dinner.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I turned to face Cameron. “Where’d you go? I was scared to death that guy got you.”
“Nah, he didn’t get me. I didn’t see him, but he ran just like we did. I heard him stumble and fall. He went down hard or hit something and let out a big puff of air, sounded like Dolly coughing. He’s riding a Yamaha motorcycle. It was hid off in the bushes about forty paces down the road.”
“How do you know that?”
“I stole his helmet.”
30
Boy, were things getting crazy, or what?
I tried to turn over and cover my head with the pillow, but I couldn’t. I stared at the window. A branch on the bushes outside would move and my mind put a face on it.
“Cameron, you awake?”
“I am now.”
“I can’t sleep.”
“So you don’t want me to sleep neither?”
“Come on, Cameron. Think about it. Someone’s been watching us. Gives me the creeps. How can you sleep?”
“I knew you’d keep watch.”
“You did?”
“Of course not, but you’re the worrier. Leave it be. Jake’s out there.”
I looked at the window again. I knew my dog lay there under the bush, as always. “He’s a traitor. Done made friends with that guy, whoever he is. Jake might let him walk right up to the window.”
“That’s true, looks like he made a friend, but don’t blame him. Dogs like a good biscuit.” Cameron stirred, shaking the bed. “Guess what? Two things.”
“Not playing.”
“I wasn’t trying to play.”
“What, then?”
“No one wants to kidnap two hillbilly kids.”
“I know that. What else?”
“The helmet is dark blue or black and has a white star on each side of it.”
“Just like Jason said.”
“Yep, but nothing else. No name, nothing.”
“Cameron, you shouldn’t have stole it.” Here I was feeling guilty for something I didn’t do.
“It’ll make him think about coming back. He knows we’re onto him now.”
“He knew that when we took off running.”
“Nah, Dad’s pickup would cover
a herd of cattle running, and I didn’t run until I hit the road. My chest almost popped before I got to the barn. I haven’t run that hard in awhile.”
“This is a strange deal, Cameron.”
“Sure is. Why don’t you be quiet and go to sleep? Morning’s coming.” Cameron was done. He turned over and tried to get my share of the covers.
Sleep felt far away…but it came…as did morning, and much too soon. Our rooster mouthed off outside the window, and I came wide-eyed like I’d been up an hour already. Sometimes I wished he’d find his way into Momma Ray’s cook pot.
Jake’s ears flapped. Hogs squealed and a ruckus erupted, but didn’t last long. A light breeze passed by the sty before it reached the house. Oh, the smell of hogs. Nothing like it first thing in the morning.
Heavy footsteps came down the hall. Dad opened the door and screamed, “Hey!”
Cameron barely stirred.
“I’m awake, Dad.” I sat up.
The light came on.
“You boys get up. I’m going to town this morning. Old man Jordan’s going to pick you up after school. Don’t get on the bus. He’ll bring you home tonight. Work, work, don’t mess up.”
The door banged shut.
Cameron didn’t move, but whispered, “Did I hear him right?”
“Sure did. We need to take our work gloves to school with us.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. Don’t let me forget mine. Mr. Jordan wanted us to work this weekend too. We could make some good money. Got to squirrel some away without Dad finding out.” Cameron got out of bed and dressed. “Want to see the motorcycle helmet?”
“Yeah, I do. Where’d you put it?”
“In the barn. Come on.”
Jake fell in beside me and Cameron. He acted like nothing happened, wagging his tail and jumping around. I felt betrayed. How could he do it? I ignored him, but he didn’t seem to care and kept pressing me to pet him, looking at me with his big, brown eye. He didn’t even act like he felt guilty about what he’d done.
Cameron marched straight into the barn and rummaged in the sacks under the wooden bench. He stood, looked around, and dug again. “That’s odd. I know I put it here, but it’s gone. T, someone got it.”
