The Deal 6

Arlis was amazed steam was not coming off as he rode off in the rain burning with shame.Suzanne looked shell shocked by his long awaited arrival and sudden departure.And Francie looked at him hotly as he walked to the bike to leave.He knew what he had inevitably left her to deal with.When Suzanne got a good look at Donny there would be no option but to come clean. His Son.Named after himself Arlis Raymond Short and Francies dad Donald Ray Douglas. Donny Ray, their name for their son .Given name Arlis Ray Short. The burning settled to a warmth as he recalled the first time he saw Francie.She was in a pink cotton sundress wearing no make-up except for lipgloss.Her wavy dark hair and tanned limbs perfectly accented her dress.She was exiting a building he later found out was a museum in a small town in the bootheal of Missouri.What history could a town of 426 be holding He wondered. What truths?What lies? He had idled his Harley up along side her asking about a place to eat.She pointed up the street to what there was of a business district.Wardell proper home of the warriors.After learning she was going to lunch as well he offered her a ride and to his surprise she accepted.Though it was in broad daylight and the cafe was in view it seemed like an action out of character for this timid Creature.She reminded him of the deer he had come here to hunt. After sitting at a booth together it was if the lunch crowd blended into the background and only they remained.Francis told of losing her mom at seven.Her dad's illness and death soon thereafter had changed her plans to leave right after graduation. The town offered her the position at the museum as she knew the museum better than anyone having practically grown up within its walls.Her father's memory is what had kept her here.The job offer being incidental to her decision. Arlis secured the bike in the woods took his truck and went to obtain what he believed was a neccessity. A solar powered generator. An hour or so later he arrived at the guys house to make the deal. The man acted edgy but all considered it hardly registered with Arlis.His mind in part at the cave.The guy asked about the Harley.Was it sold? When loaded Arlis opened the cab to get the money.The guy tackled him from behind trying to get his gun from its holster.As they wrestled Over it the gun went off shooting Arlis above the knee.The man a novice to violence jumped back allowing his victim to flee before recovering his shaky resolve.