as I had in the morning. I was kind of puzzled with myself, you know, wondering why I'd wanted Rose Hauck to have a gun. Because, of course, I did want her to have one.
I tried to tell myself that it was just for her own protection, just in case someone tried to bother her. But I knew that wasn't my real reason. My real reason, I guessed, was something I hadn't quite figured out yet. It was part of something else, some plan-wishes I had for Myra and Lennie-and I hadn't quite figured out what they were either.
Maybe it don't seem to make sense for a fella to be doing things for a reason that he don't know about. But I reckon I've been doing it most of my life. The reason I went to see Ken Lacey, for example, wasn't the one I let on that it was. I'd done it because I had a plan for him-and you've seen what that plan was. But I didn't know it at the time I'd called on him.
I'd had kind of a goal, and I'd figured that a fella like Ken could be a lot of help in bringing it about. But just how I was going to use him I wasn't even halfway sure.
And it was the same situation now, with Rose and the gun. All I knew was that they probably fitted into a plan for Myra and Lennie. But I didn't have no real idea of what the plan was; I purely didn't.
Except that it was probably pretty unpleasant…
Rose got to the courthouse around four o'clock that afternoon. I was on the lookout for her, and I got her in the office for a minute before she could goon upstairs.
She was looking prettier than I'd ever seen her, which was really saying something. She said she'd slept like a goddam baby all night long, and she'd woke up laughing, thinking about that son-of-a-bitch of a Tom being dead out in the mud somewheres.
'Did I do all right when I called up this morning, honey?' she whispered. 'It sounded like I was really concerned about the dirty bastard?'
'You did just fine,' I said. 'And looky, baby…'
I told her about the gun, how it would look like she was worried about Tom beating her up when became back-which, you see, would prove she didn't know he was dead. And she kind of hesitated for a second, giving me a quick frowny look, but she didn't argue about it.
'Whatever you say, Nick, honey. If you think it's a good idea.'
'Well, it was actually Myra's,' I said. 'I just about had to go along with it, or it would have looked like I knew Tom wasn't coming back.'
Rose nodded and said. 'What the hell?', dismissing the subject. 'Maybe I can take a shot at you some time, if you're not real nice to me.'
'That time ain't never gonna come,' I said. And I gave her a quick hug and a squeeze, and she went on up the stairs.
She and Myra went out a little later to get the gun, and stayed out until after five.
A few minutes before six, Myra called me, and I closed the office and went upstairs to supper.
Myra did most of the talking, like she always did; shutting me up whenever I said anything. About all Rose did was agree with her, putting in a word now and then about how wonderful and smart Myra was. And that was the same as usual, too. We finished eating. Myra and Rose started clearing up the dishes. Lennie looked at me to see if I was watching him- which I was, only he didn't know it-and then he made a sneak toward the door.
I cleared my throat to get Myra's attention, and jerked my head at Lennie. 'How about that, honey?' I said. 'You know what we agreed on.'
'What?' she said. 'What are you talking about now, for pity's sake?'
'About him goin' out at night,' I said. 'You know what he'll do, an' it just ain't a good idea with the election coming up.'
Myra said, 'Oh, pshaw. The boy's got to get a little air some time, doesn't he? You can't begrudge him that!'
'But we agreed that-'
'I did not! You just got me so mixed up I wasn't thinking what I was saying! Anyway Sam Gaddis is bound to be beat and you know it!'
'Well, I just don't see no use in taking chances,' I said. 'I-'
'Oh, shut up! Did you ever see such a man in your life, Rose? Is it any wonder that I'm half out of my mind from living with him?' Myra scowled at me, then turned to give Lennie a smile. 'You go right ahead, honey. Have a good time, but don't stay out too late.'
He went out, after a blubbery spiteful grin at me. Myra said I'd better go to my bedroom and stay if I couldn't make sense, which she was sure I couldn't, so that's what I did.
I stretched out on the bed, with the spread turned back so that my boots wouldn't soil it. The window was open, and I could hear the crickets singing, like they always do after a rain. Now and then a bullfrog would sound off with a loud
It was so god-danged nice and peaceful that I dozed off again. Yes, sir, I went to sleep, even though I hadn't had a real hard work day and I'd managed to catch up on my rest a little.
I guess I must have been asleep about an hour when I waked up to the sound of Myra yelling and Lennie bawling, and someone talking to 'em-Amy Mason speaking her mind in a way that almost put your teeth on edge. Soft, but firm and cutting, like only Amy could speak when she had her dander up. You knew you'd better listen to what she was saying, when Amy spoke that way; you'd better listen and take it to heart or it would be too god-danged bad for you.
I knew it was having its effect on Myra, in spite of her yelling and trying to set defiant. She began to kind of whimper and whine, saying that Lennie didn't mean anything by peeking in Amy's window-he was just curious about people. Amy said she knew exactly what he meant, and he'd better not try any of his nasty tricks again if he knew what was good for him.
'I've already warned your husband,' she said, 'and now I'm warning you, Mrs. Corey. If I catch your brother at my window again, I'll take a horsewhip to him!'
'Y-You wouldn't dare!' Myra whined. 'And you just stop hurting him! Let go of the poor boy's ear.'
'Gladly,' Amy said. 'It makes my flesh crawl to touch him.'
I cracked the door open an inch or so, and looked out.
Myra had her arm around Lennie, who looked redfaced and mad and scared as she patted him on the head. Rose was standing next to her, trying to appear concerned and protective. But I knew, knowing her so well, that she was laughing inside, tickled pink to see Myra catching it for a change. As for Amy…
I swallowed hard, looking at her, wondering what I'd ever seen in Rose after I'd had someone like Amy.
Not that she was any prettier than Rose, or built any better. You just couldn't fault Rose on prettiness or build no matter who you stood her up against. The difference, I guess, was something that came from the inside, something that kind of grabbed hold of you right around the heart, that left its mark on you like a brand, so that the feel of her and the memory of her was always with you no matter where you strayed.
I came bursting out of the bedroom and looked around, putting a real surprised look on my face. 'What's going on here, anyways?' I said, not givin' anyone a chance to answer. 'Why, good evening, Miss Mason. Is they some kind of trouble?'
Amy said no, they was not no kind of trouble; kind of mimicking me, you know. 'Not now there isn't, Sheriff. The trouble's all settled. Your wife will tell you how to avoid any in the future.'
'My wife?' I gave Myra and Lennie a studyin' look, and turned back to Amy. 'Did my wife's brother do somethin', Miss Mason? You just tell me about it.'
'Of course, Lennie didn't do anything!' Myra snapped. 'He was just-'
