River Runs Red by Scott Alexander Hess

Author:Scott Alexander Hess [Hess, Scott Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rebel Satori Press
Published: 2022-08-09T16:41:48+00:00

-28-

A good paying job. Snopes’ proposal. The shack.

Calhoun McBride

He done whispered soft words dark and hot. There at the river, that night of our first coupling, then in his hotel room all those nights we met. I believed every word he said, held him close, together forever I dreamed, but that all went away fast, smashed to pieces, my bruised fist the only reminder of his touch. Guess there wasn’t anything real to begin with as much as I wished there was. I’m riled, feeling beat up, angry and sad but I know the best thing to do is get away as fast as I can. I’m working the Landsworth party and making the last few dollars I need to take me West. I know I’ll see Clement, which is risky since part of me wants one more look, one more touch and part of me wants to tear him to shreds. But I gotta keep my head on straight. Do the job, get the money, get on.

Landsworth himself was the first to talk to the help. He barked at everybody then we all got told what to do. My job is to walk around with a tray of champagne. It ain’t crowded yet so my mind wanders. I know Clement will be here and I can’t stop myself from thinking maybe he’s gonna change his tune, maybe it’s gonna go back to how it was. Maybe he’s gonna yank me aside and say how he wants to get back to the river, or off somewhere we can be alone. But I know that’s crazy. Looking toward the door it’s like I conjured him up because in he comes, strolling with two ladies.

I stare straight at Clement but the only one who notices me is that Mrs. Brattridge. Her eyes spook me, the way they look long and hard. Clement sees me but he acts like I’m stone, like we never met and he laughs and smiles at the ladies which burns even worse and I feel a new and terrible hate rising in me, a deep knowing that this really is the end. I can’t stand looking at him. They all turn away. My hands are shaking as I carry the tray. I gotta settle down. I conjure up a wide hot western plain, sky clear and water blue not muddy. That’s where I’m headed.

I move into the next room and there’s Mr. Belasco Snopes. He waves me over so I go offer him a drink. He don’t take a drink, just lifts his hand, which is bird-like and white, and stays like that, staring at me.

“We meet again. The dirty little river drab,” he says.

The room is starting to fill up and he don’t budge, don’t lift that skinny hand for a glass, don’t say a thing, just looks straight into my eyes and I’m surprised he’s talking to me, knowing what he knows about Clement and me. I wonder how much he knows, and what he might of said to Clement to make him toss me aside.

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