We left my Mama to her work & walked back out the store.
Well, Old Salt, you must have seen how she took me in her arms at the end there. Every man has his doubts but that has gone some way to dispelling them. She loves me. Not every one of them tears was for you, you must have knowed that.
He took out the pendant & begun to thread the links of the chain through his fingers.
I should have foreseed it that her emotions would get the better of her when she seen me. It is best I give this to her when she has calmed otherwise I fear she might do herself an injury. It is not uncommon for a woman to take a queer turn if she is the recipient of the attentions of such a man as myself.
He nodded at his own sapience but I was still too stunned by my Mama’s greeting to listen to his ramblings. He continued to wax on & on but I could not stop from thinking how my own cheeks was dry with the salt of her tears, she had squeezed me so hard my ribs felt bruised.
Even now as I write my skin is raised & all a-tingle at the thought of that look & touch she give me & all it did seem to say of our past & all it seemed to say of what we thought was to come.
I think this calls for a celebration, Old Salt, said Dud Carter. It seems clear to me that old Mr. Coombs has not stuck around, I told you he took a great fright & has hightailed it off. Now how’s about we head back down to old Tom Peeper’s place & see if he’s roused himself yet. We will partake in a few jars of his famous brew & then we will return here & you can see your mama & I will see Ellen.
He sniffed the air loudly & rubbed his hands, he was very pleased with this Distinction he had made.
We had mounted Gussie & Dud was about to turn us back toward town when I held up my slate. I reckoned it wise we go & check on where we would be making our Fortune.
Dud read my words & nodded.
I suppose you is right there, Old Salt. Old Dud is getting ahead of himself. We do make ourselves a fine team, what with you orderin me about all the time.
He winked at me & turned Gussie round again, her ears was besieged by flies in this uncommon warm weather we was having.
I reckon we’ll find everything as it should be, said Dud, but there ain’t no harm in checkin. Best we claim it for ourselves before some fool comes & takes what’s rightful ours from under our noses.
We made our way toward the woods, down that same road we had come all them nights ago in the rain. I took then the chance to bring up something else we had discussed on the journey home. I had claimed we was dutybound to find & bury Burl but now I mentioned it again & Dud sighed his disapproval.
It is almost as if you like the stink of a rotted body, Old Salt.
He deserves to be put to rest, I said.
I ain’t sayin that’s not the case. I just reckon Nature might have done Her work on Burl already, Old Salt. We can’t be sure how much will be left of him.
Then we’ll bury what is left of him, I said.
Dud dropped the reins & held up his hands in surrender.
So be it, Old Salt. I don’t want no arguments with you now. This is a great day for the both of us & we ought not to be bickerin like a pair of old maids about their needlework.
We plodded on in silence then. The sun was dipping & we could see more fires was getting lit, the air was bitter with the smoke what was carried by them sere winds. I had rode in the same saddle as Dud Carter for long enough now to know when he was deep in thought, his fingers begun to fidget & he sniffed very regular behind me. It was a minute later when he finally spoke up.
It will be a long while until my time comes, said he, but I knows no doubt I would like to be left out for the Elements to do their honest work. Ain’t no use in putting ole Dud Carter in the ground, Death got to do his dance with me first & I don’t reckon he got hisself a quick enough step.
He sniffed & looked up at the sky.
It is getting dark & it will be grisly work, said he.
He nipped Gussie with his bootheels so she edged into a lively trot.
Best we get ourselves a move on, Old Salt.