A History of Hangings by A. M. Rau

Author:A. M. Rau [Rau, A. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Toby

“Tobe? You okay?”

Toby pried open his eyes to the concerned expression of Faye, who was standing next to the couch, firmly nudging his arm. Braxton’s head peeked from behind her, his expression equally concerned.

“Hey guys,” Toby whispered, blinking his eyes as he struggled to pull himself to a seated position. The movement caused his head to swirl; he brought his right hand to his forehead and began to rub. “My head…”

“Are you okay, daddy?”

“Daddy is fine, Brax. Go ahead and finish your breakfast.”

“Okay,” Braxton replied, turning back towards the table.

“You’re lookin’ pretty rough,” Faye said with a sympathetic smile, lowering herself to the floor next to the couch. “And you should probably change out of those clothes.”

“I could sleep for days,” Toby moaned, leaning his head against the back of the couch.

“When’d you come out here, anyway?”

“Huh?”

“Last night. I heard you in the bedroom. When did you come out here?”

“I… can’t remember,” Toby responded, still rubbing his forehead. “It’s all such a blur.”

“Must’ve had fun then, right?”

Toby lowered his hand and looked at her with a disappointed slow shake of his head. “It was a set-up.”

“What do you mean?”

“He had no intention of playing nice. He invited me out to humiliate me.”

“What? Really?”

“Mhm,” Toby groaned, closing his eyes.

“How?”

“He kept calling me Tammy. Said I was weak. Even went after you.”

“Me?”

“Mhm.”

“I don’t even know the guy.”

“Lucky you,” he scoffed.

The conversation paused for a moment, with Braxton’s unprovoked squeaks and hums the only sounds in the room.

“How was Tim Jim?” Faye asked.

“He wasn’t there.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. I doubt he was even invited. Hell, Gilbert mocked him, too. I’m telling you, it was a set-up.”

“Sheesh,” Faye responded, running her fingers through his hair. “Well, hey, at least the light works today.”

A loud knock at the door caused them both to flinch. Braxton jumped down from his chair and sprinted across the room.

“Brax, no!” Faye shouted, hurrying after him. Faye reached the door first and flashed a disapproving scowl at Braxton before reaching for the handle.

Toby straightened himself on the couch, struggling to manage the pounding in his head, as Sheriff Tanuho strolled through the open door and into the cabin, an artificial smile plastered to his face.

“Good morning you three,” he greeted with unfitting enthusiasm. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Absolutely not, sheriff,” Faye replied, closing the door. “Just a slow, typical morning.”

“Typical?” he said as he adjusted his belt, positioning himself at the edge of the living room. “You typically park your car on the shoulder of a roadway blocks from your house?”

Confused, Faye turned her head towards Toby, who was just now remembering how he had gotten himself home that morning.

“Ran outta gas,” Toby responded, doing his best to appear far more alert than he was.

“Hm,” Sheriff Tanuho muttered with a smirk, looking towards the table. “At least the light works this time,” he nodded towards the chandelier.

“Can I get you something to drink, sheriff?” Faye offered.

“No thank you, ma’am,” he replied, removing his hat as he maintained his forced kindness. “I just need to ask your husband here a few questions.

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