A Man Is Born, Part Ii

As they began the long ride to the ranch, his father asked,”Are you all done with that stuff? ’Cause there’s problems at home, even for a man setting things right is gonna’ be tough." Luther just nodded to show he had changed, his father said,”Good, because there is more. Your boy is living now with me and your ma, and your poor while, Shelley, works as a whore. “And if you want get paid chasin’ my cows, you will go and clean up this big mess, and I’m telling you now, prices, they are down, so your pay will not be among the best.” When they reached the ranch Luther did see his son Aaron, now aged to five years, the boy didn’t know him, ran for his grandma, buried his face in her arms to hide fear. Luther did nothing, what could he do? His own child did not know his face, so he went to the bunkhouse, planning his moves, tomorrow would be one hell of a day. Come the morning he rode down into town, attracting stares from various town folk, they said not a word, and he kept focused, on the saloon, where lay all his hopes. As he paced in the owner went stiff, remembering the last time they had met, He said,”You best no be looking for trouble,” then cradled his shot-gun as a threat. Luther said,”No, I am here for my wife. In which room upstairs will I find her?” The owner said,”Now wait, she’s under contract! And I won’t give up what that girl earns!” Luther darkened, tapped the but on his gun, Said,”But did her husband agree to it too? You know what the law says about such things, and what judges think of pimps like you.” The owner growled,”Third door on the left, Take the **** and don’t ever come back!” Luther paced upstairs, his breath coming quick, and gave the thin, wooden door a hard rap. It opened wide revealing a man, fumbling to undo his waistcoat, one look at Luther he buttoned it back up, and out the door quickly did he bolt. From behind a screen a woman emerged, the fire-haired beauty he’d once wed, She came out crooning,”If you’re ready now, Please lay yourself down on the bed—” Her words chocked off at the sight of him, Luther bit down the fury that he felt, said,”Shelly, I’m back. Pack up your things, I’m not leaving you here in this hell.” Frozen in place, the only thing she could say, “I-I didn’t know that you’d been released!” He said,”Well I have, and I am well aware, that all of this happened because of me... CONCLUDES IN PART III.