Stone Fever by Norman Westhoff

Author:Norman Westhoff [Westhoff, Norman]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Norman Westhoff
Published: 2020-10-26T00:00:00+00:00

***

By noon the volcano’s rumblings lessen, as our small party distances itself from the mountain. We bounce over the rim of the crater and approach the plane. The cockpit door is open, and Buck’s head sticks up inside. He can’t see us yet.

There comes a roar from the plane, Buck gunning the engine. The bandage on his head is gone. I’m surprised at the amount of relief that gives me.

Now Buck sits still and watches us draw near. Harry stands nearby with arms akimbo, his gaze fixed on me. Looks like he’s ready for a rumble. Buck must have filled him in about the Chinese meter. I grit my teeth, ready for the worst.

“Good to see you all made it back,” says Harry. “Where is Aldo?”

Gone to an eternal green pasture. I point a thumb at the bundle in the cart. “Aldo died during the night. His heart gave out on the mountain.”

“Uh-oh.” Harry gulps and looks away for a moment, then straightens and addresses Efrain. “I’m sorry.”

The big gaucho blinks in response.

I try to ignore Buck’s stare and dismount with a sigh of relief. I turn toward Efrain and Luz and rotate my hand in front of my mouth.

The big guy shakes his canteen. “Just a cup of water. We must be on our way.” He stays mounted.

I translate this for Harry, who goes to fetch the water. He forces a smile as he pours for them; it’s obvious that he can’t wait to vent his spleen. He whips around to face me and snaps, “You realize you’re in for it now.”

I tie up the mule and avoid eye contact. “Don’t start on that, Harry. You knew I had to go scout Erebus.”

“Another of your ill-advised decisions.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning the not-so-smooth landing in this crater...” I start to object, but Harry isn’t done, “... and, Buck told me about your little yellow box.”

I face off square with Harry and open my mouth again, ready to have it out. Just in time, I glance over at Efrain on his horse, Luz in the cart, and stop myself. No sense airing our dirty laundry in public.

Efrain takes his cue, hands me the empty cup with a faint nod, and tips his boina.

I collect Luz’s cup and reach down to give her a hug. “Okay. Goodbye for now.”

Harry waves absentmindedly, and they’re off again.

Now I’ve got a choice. Stand out here and argue with Buck and Harry? Instead, I heft the pack and head toward my tent. I sense Buck, still sitting in the cockpit, following my every move with his unshaded eyes, like a buzzard in a treetop.

A little part of me, the “aw shucks” part, wants to act passive. Let them take their best shot. The treasure trove of stone that we found is my best defense. Our mission is a success. The other part of me says, “Don’t back down now.” Sir Oscar is the one who raised the stakes. I owe it to Luz and her people to play my hand.

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