The Tragedy of Reginald King, Part Iii

III. “Excuse me m’am,”he did call out, “It looks like you could use some help.” The woman looked up cautiously, if she feared him, he could not tell. “And what if my husband should come, see a stranger talking with me?” He nodded, said, “I would explain, no good woman needs to fear, see. “I’m not a man who would presume, ghere is not joy in things like that. I may not be a perfect man, but I’d never do things like that.” She eyed him up and down, again, then said, “You can help if you’d like. I'm cooking inside, need more wood, help me and you can have a bit.” He tipped his cap and got to work, gathered up the logs in his arms, then rose and looked at his squarely, and what he saw didn’t alarm. She appeared to be late thirties, but didn’t show a speck of grey, her curves would speak to any man, and not words to drive him away. Besides some small lines by her eyes she had no flaws to her beauty, her husband was a lucky man to pick a woman so lovely. Inside she took the wood from him, fed a big stove where a pot cooked, “I’ve made a rabbit stew,”she said, “I’m no chef, but it should be good.” Reg nodded and stood awkwardly, said, “When will your husband be home?” She laughed and said, “I lied to you, I’ve been living here all alone. “Needed to see if I could trust this strange man who came to my house, based on the way you’re blushing now, I think you wouldn’t hurt a mouse.” Reg was indeed red in the face, not quite sure why he felt this way, but this woman had confidence, her presence made him want to stay. As they sat down she said to him, “People round here call me Jolene.” He introduced himself and them she brought out two big bowls that steamed. Alone was she, but she had means, fresh vegetables, big loaves of bread, Reg could not remember a time when he’d ever been so well fed. And she could talk, oh, did she talk, in a way that put him at ease, asked him about his plans and soon he was spilling all of his dreams. His desire to settle down, his trip to the town to find work, after talking for an hour Reg finally asked about her. “How does a woman like yourself end up living alone out here? Most men would crave a girl like you.” She sighed, said, “Let me make it clear. “Most did crave a ‘girl’ like me, I worked the hook-shops in this land. I live here because it’s as close as the wives in this town will stand.” CONTINUES IN PART IV.