Part 29 (1/2)

”We'se finally back. Five years'a hard work'n for the last four I ain't been back home but once a month. To top it off me'n some of the boys've been workin' up the house past few days, diggin' and such. I need me some relaxation.” He peers closer. ”You ain't even been workin' fer Bella a year, have ya?”

”About that, sir.” You take his roughened hand and lead him through the crimson curtains to the hallway. You immediately notice that his hands are gritty with earth.

”And that's a mighty fine a.s.s on ya.”

You can't think of any reply. One of his hands claws your bottom when you lead him into your room. A short, scruffy beard makes his face indescribable, but you notice...something- Maybe it's just the way the light is in the room, but his eyes look yellow, like a p.i.s.s stain on a white bedsheet.

Even before the door closes, his hands are up your dress yanking down your linens. Fingers like file stones tweeze the tender folds between your legs.

”Yeah, that's real nice, too...”

Finally you speak, as he's bending you over the daybed: ”Puh-pardon me, sir, you gotta-you gotta tell me what'cha want'n then pay me first-”

A ten-dollar gold piece hits the floor, spins like a top, and lands tails. Part of you could squeal with delight-you've never been paid that much for just one go with a man, but then your belly continues to sink because you know that this man Morris will make you earn it. You can't help but notice the very long knife and scabbard on his hip.

”Sir, thank you-”

A knuckled fist hits you in the back of the head. ”Shut up,” he says, and continues to fiddle with your s.e.x like a baker working dough. His pants are already down...

You can't even think about the thing he does to you. Oh, G.o.d, please, you beg over and over. Let him be done soon...

A half hour later, you fall back on the floor.

”There, that weren't so bad, was it, sugar?”

You look up through misting eyes and see him sitting on the couch, his trousers still unfastened. The taste in your mouth combines with the smell coming off your lips. It's so foul it seems evil, and just as bad is the malodor wafting off his exposed groin. On the couch arm lay a pretty cotton smock you've been sewing; it's about half complete. You could howl when he picks it up and wipes himself off with it, then drops it to the floor. He winks at you, and lights a long, thin cigar that smells like burning garbage.

”Come on up here, pretty girl. I need my money's worth.”

You remember the ten-dollar piece, and tell yourself that this will be worth it.

”I ain't got much more time,” he says rather distantly now.

You reluctantly sit next to him. ”Pardon me, sir?”

His yellow eyes stare into s.p.a.ce, but then he smiles again. ”Gotta get back to the house a right quick. One more thing I gotta do fer Mr. Gast. He's already gone, but he trusts me'n a few others to do what he wants.”

”He's left town again? I heard he just got back...”

”See, only important men are invited to do his bidding. Men like me.” His yellow gaze slowly turns to you. ”Do you believe that? Do you believe that I am an important man?”

He sounds so strange now. You know you must ingratiate him. ”Oh, yes, sir, I do, very much so. I understand that you are one of Mr. Gast's most important foremen.”

”Yes...” He nods. ”Yes, that is true.” Then his eyes focus. ”Do you like me? What I mean is, do you enjoy my company?”

You s.h.i.+ver. ”Oh, yes, sir. You're a very handsome and rugged gentleman.”

”Now, I realize that I just put you through the wringer a mite hard. So you've probably had enough. Right?”

You're not sure how to figure him. You don't know what to say. You know he's very, very violent. ”Only if you feel you've had your money's worth, sir...”

He blinks. ”Hmm. Yes. And I suppose I have. But...you just said that you enjoy my company...”

It's getting too strange. You don't like it at all.

”So...I'll tell you what. I'll leave it up to you. If you'd like me to stay a bit longer, then I will. Or'n if you'd rather I leave now, then I'll leave.”

He's plotting something, you can feel it. You know that your next response is very, very important. If I ask him to leave, then I just know he'll beat me'n take the ten-dollar piece with him...

”Well, sir, I would like it if you stayed...a bit longer...”