Kate withdrew $380 from her savings account. A debt of sorts or at least, payment for repairs on the car. A few hundred dollars bought his absence and atoned for her mistake. Kate thought money felt most valuable when it was worth something to someone else.
“Want a beer?” he asked, trying to hold on.
“I’ll give you a lift to the bus station,” she said. At least, she should get the satisfaction of watching him ride away.
“I got to see my lawyer first. But if the money is still held up, I’ll hitch. It’s a straight shot on 40.”
“You got bus fare in your hand.”
“I guess I’ll get a beer.” His blue eyes glittering as if that were all the future a man needed.
Kate extended her hand to shake. Business transpired, business complete. “Good luck,” she said, although “good riddance” was what she meant.
Troy waved adios and headed from the Plaza to Jackson’s Bar.
Halfway up the mountain, the sky burst. Over the surface of slick road, Kate drove by faith, sending prayers to Saint Christopher for safe travel, Buddha for detachment, and Mary Magdalene for Ruby’s well-being. Instead of one hour, it took almost two to get home as sheets of rain pounded dust to mud.
By the time she reached Zamora, the storm had moved east. The village was silent, the road empty, the birds and insects mute, the dogs sleeping, the chickens quiet, the air cool and pristine. Not a bark, cluck, caw, or motor disturbed the peace.
When Kate entered her front door, peace vanished.
“What the hell!” she shouted, dropping to Ruby on the floor.
Ruby’s hands were cold, her face ash. Kate felt for her pulse. She rubbed her temples and wrists. She pulled a quilt from the bed and tucked it around her.
“Ruby, Ruby, Ruby Ryan,” she whispered urgently.
A few feet away, August stood frozen, his hands outstretched like a preacher, humming a Beatles song.
“Dope?” Kate hissed.
He nodded.
“Yours?”
August pointed to a baggy across the room.
“Run to the clinic! Get the doctor!” she commanded.
“We weren’t doing anything.”
“Find Dr. Tanner.”
August put on his sandals and jumped out the door. Kate heard his feet, thwacking through the puddles in the muddy yard.
“Run, August, run,” she said.