CHAPTER 3
His black and chrome Harley roared nicely down the road but he knew he'd better stop soon and cool off before the heat really got him into trouble. His thin jeans, shirt, and leather jacket felt like they had been glued on. He only wore the leather for protection, it was bad enough he wasn't wearing a helmet like he knew he should. He'd been on the road for over two months and he still hadn't gotten anything straightened out in his head. There were so many things he just didn't understand about himself, his job or Lori for that matter. It really bothered him that after three years that she would suddenly decide she couldn’t handle what he did for a living.
He really liked what he did, well he used to anyway until he screwed up. But she just couldn't seem to understand why he didn't want to work for his father. She couldn't see he didn't want to be another one of his fathers’ puppets. Or that he didn’t like being trapped in an office building all day long either.
Shaking his head slightly. Now he knew the heat was getting to him. If he'd been truthful with himself he would have realized that his relationship with Lori had been over a long time ago. They both wanted different things in life. And the problems with his father have always been there and probably always would be.
Slowing the roaring machine down, he glanced at the sign. "KETTLEVILLE, Everyone is a Friend," he read out loud. He grinned thinking this small town seemed as good as any to take a break. Slowing the Harley down to the posted speed he looked around the sleepy little street. His long blonde hair still blowing in the heated breeze. It was still unbearably hot, even with his sunglasses and the setting sun he had to squint to read the sign in front of the truck stop as he pulled in.
"KELLY'S," he said, "I'm surprised it's not Joe's Eat's or just Eat." Parking the bike, he shut it off with some frustration, "Oh Man! Now I know I need someone to talk to, I'm talking to myself." He laughed, hoping to shake the depression he had felt out on the road.
Stepping inside the old diner he stood in the doorway savoring the coolness of the air conditioner. Spotting an empty stool, he quickly sat down at the counter. The place was extremely busy and it looked like something out of the 50’s. The colors, the equipment, ice cream dishes that were stacked on the back counters, the mirror, booths everything seemed like he had just stepped back about fifty years.
A very nice looking blonde strolled over and poured him a cup of coffee. He smiled. She looked about seventeen maybe eighteen, sort of an airhead he thought but she might be nice to talk to anyway.
After ordering a bowl of cream of broccoli soup and the ham-steak special. He watched her return shortly with his soup.
With a big smile she leaned over almost into his bowl. He went for his coffee trying to ignore the invitation.
"Hi, my name is Penny. What's yours?" She asked, bringing his eyes back to her, flirting outrageously.
"Hi," he answered, then drinking the last of the strong coffee. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed another waitress was working hard while this young thing sat here flirting, "I'm Calon. Could I have some more coffee please?"
"Sure," she said smiling hopefully, chomping on some gum.
While the girl was getting the coffeepot, Calon glanced at the clock and saw a sign posted next to it. It read....
WANTED:
One person to help on small farm. Room, board and small salary. Must be able to work hard.
Call before 4:30 p.m. 555-6235
Looking at the clock again he saw it was almost eight thirty, "Too late I guess," he mumbled to himself. When the dingy waitress finally returned with the coffee he decided to ask her. "Do you know anything about that?" Nodding toward the sign.
"Nah, you'll have to ask Katie about that," she stated showing a very sexy smile. "Why? You planning to stick around?"
"Maybe, maybe not." Then asking with a slight frown, "Why are you just sitting here while that other waitress is working her butt off? Why don't you take over for her so I can have a word with her?"
Penny shook her head frowning, "Nah, I get off in three minutes anyway," still gnawing loudly on her gum. "It'll slow down soon, besides she likes it. Sometimes she's still here when I come in real late with some of my friends. She even does some of the cooking like the soup," pointing to his now empty bowl.
As a bell rang he watched her turn to get the rest of his meal. "Man, what a bitch!" He mumbled again to himself.
"Are you going to pay now?" She asked when she returned, impatiently chewing the wad in her mouth as she set the plate down in front of him.
"Sure," He saw the bill was $5.95, getting his wallet out he handed her a five and a one. "And keep the change," he said, smiling with some satisfaction. A shocked look showed in her eyes as she forced a smile and stomped away to the cash register then packed her things and left.
Calon was glad to be alone for the moment and started eating his dinner while watching the other waitress. He noticed she wasn’t very tall 5’ 3” maybe 4 and she had dark brown hair tied up on her head. He thought she must be in her late thirties or maybe forty but it was her brown eyes that told him just how tired she was. She seemed to be rushing around trying to make everyone happy, most of the customers seemed to be satisfied.
As he watched her rush past the booths he saw someone grab the woman, pulling her onto their lap. From what he could tell there were two men sitting there, one with red hair the other dark brown and they seemed to know her. Calon slowly set his fork down to watch and listen more closely, his instincts told him trouble was on the way. And if the trouble started he knew he wouldn't be able to just sit there and watch.
"Let me go Henry! I have work to do!" She declared impatiently, glaring at the two laughing men. The red head named Henry tried to kiss her as she squirmed. "No!" She yelled trying to get loose, "Let me go!"
The one with dark hair sitting across from them spoke sarcastically, "Like Mother like daughter. Hey Katie?"
Having seen and heard enough Calon stood up, walking over to the booth his eyes narrowing as he saw her still trying to get loose. "I don't think she wants your company. The Lady said to let go," he stated firmly.
Henry looked up dangerously, "Ain't none of your damn bizness stranger! Jist move on!"
"Buzz, your father isn't going to like this when he hears about it and you know he will," Katie said using her most authoritative voice while still trying to break loose.
Buzz for a moment actually looked scared at her words, but the look disappeared when he looked at the stranger with his cold dark eyes.
Henry still had a smirk on his face and was holding her tightly when Calon turned dangerous gold eyes on him, "Let the Lady go!" He knew this wasn't going to be as easy as he had first thought because the two men were drunk. People got so stupid when they get drunk.
Henry suddenly let her go and Katie moved to the side watching the stranger closely. Looking him over, she didn't think he looked like the type to rescue a lady in distress. Then she seemed to have a feeling that everything might just work out for the best. She moved closer to the counter and phone, she could see other customers watching the standoff.
"Why'd you let her go?" Buzz asked eyeing his friend dangerously.
"Cause I'm a gonna teach this here idiot a lesson 'bout pokein’ his nose inta other folk’s bizness." Henry growled standing up to his full height of way over six and a half feet. Buzz followed his friend turning once again to face the stranger.
Calon stood his ground, he wasn‘t about to give them even an inch. He didn't care that one of the guys was twice his weight and the size of a giant. He had taken down bigger and meaner men than these two.
"Take it outside Boy's! I'm not going to pay for another mess from you two." Katie demanded eyeing the two locals.
Calon nodded in agreement, heading out the door first. He turned out front to wait for the two troublemakers. "Okay, which one of you wants to be first?" He asked, when they came out. He was just itching for a fight to release some of his tension.
Buzz stepped forward without answering the question, as they circled each other, Henry got close enough to grab Calon from behind. Buzz punched him in the mouth first, drawing blood.
In an expert move, Calon suddenly flipped Henry over his head right into Buzz knocking the two to the ground. They were both much more intoxicated than he had first thought, he grinned watching as the two had a hard time getting their balance again. When they both finally stood they charged toward Calon loudly. He was ready for them, kicking Henry in the stomach then quickly punching Buzz in the jaw sending him to the ground.
"All right, break it up! Let's go all of you!" A very authoritative voice bellowed before the two could attack again. They all stopped to look where the voice had come from, no one had noticed the Sheriff show up.
"Wait a minute Bob!" Katie called from the doorway, "This man here was only helping me and protecting himself." Nodding toward Calon, "It was Buzz and Henry who started it, as usual. He didn't do anything wrong." She then smiled warmly at the Sheriff, whom she had known for more than twenty years hoping he'd take the hint.
Calon noticed the Sheriff was a pretty big guy himself, over six feet at least, maybe mid to late 40’s with dark hair that was getting silver at the temples. He thought the man seemed to take his job seriously, even with the waitress flirting with him a little.
"Okay, if you say so Katie," giving her a warm smile in return. Then turning seriously to Calon, "Better take care of that lip, Boy." The Sheriff then hustled the other two over to his squad car.
Calon grinned as he followed Katie back into the now almost deserted diner. "Thank you very much. I really didn't feel like spending the night in jail, especially with those two." he sat down on his stool to his cold and half-finished meal.
"No," she said shaking her head, "Thank You. Usually I can handle them but this time it really got out of hand." "Did you call the Sheriff?" He asked watching her get the coffeepot.
"Yes, I did. I didn't want you getting hurt. It was two against one, you know," she remarked laughing, while pouring coffee in his cup. "But it looks like they got the worst of it anyway."
"Thanks," he said taking a sip. "Ooooo! That smarts!" His bruised hand going to his lip.
"Here, let me take care of that," Katie responded coming around the counter with a wet towel.
Waving his hand, "No that's okay, I've definitely had worse." A friendly crooked smile forming, "I wanted to talk to you earlier but you were so busy. I can't believe that other dingy waitress just sat here watching you. She's the one who told me to ask you about that," pointing to the sign.
"Are you planning on staying around for a while?" She inquired curiously.
"I was thinking of it. I've been going from town to town for a while, sleeping in my tent. It would be nice to have a solid roof over my head for a change." Then asking, "What do you know about it?"
Observing him more carefully, "Let me put it to you this way," she said seriously. "Are you going to stick around until the end of the growing season? That is one of the stipulations. And can you work from sun up to sun down or even later, for the little pay you'll receive?"
"Sure," he answered not caring what he'd be doing, so long as he would have something to do. "Believe me, I've pulled double shifts three nights in a row many times. And the money isn't really a problem I don't need much. Plus I have a little saved from my last few jobs, if need be." He lied and glanced away for a moment. He didn't like lying to anyone but he didn't really have much of a choice at the moment.
She watched him carefully again while she thought things through, "I was told to get someone soon...." She paused liked she was looking for the right words. "All right, you've got the job. I'd take you there myself but I don't know how late I'll be here. I can give you directions if you like. You do have transportation, don't you?" She asked knowing that a lot of these drifters caught rides with the truckers. But she had a feeling he wasn't just any old drifter, there was something special about this one.
"Yes I do," he replied. "But won't they be upset if I go out there this late?"
"No, don't worry," she told him noticing his quick frown. A mischievous smile forming on her face, "I know them very well. They'll be very happy to have someone so soon. Just tell the Tallon's that Katie sent you."
"My name is Calon, uh... Fields," he replied shaking her hand, feeling uncomfortable with another lie. "I'll make sure to tell them," giving her another smile.
"Let me see then," she grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from behind the counter. "The easiest way would be for you to go north on county J out here and then take the second road to the right that is Hwy W. Go about ten miles and you'll see it on the right. You can't miss it." She ended, then wondered what Dana would say when she found him there. He should arrive about the same time as her daughter.
Calon looked at the clock, it was almost eleven now, "and how long should it take me to get there?"
"Maybe twenty, thirty minutes but watch for deer." She responded while starting to fill some salt shakers that were in front of her.
He started to get up and when she wasn't looking he slid a ten-dollar bill under the empty cup. "Well," he expressed warmly, "See you soon. And make sure to stay away from idiots like those two today. Okay?" Waving to her he stepped out into the warm night.
He got on his motorcycle starting it loudly. The Harley roared as he headed north out of town like Katie had instructed.
Katie walked over to start cleaning up when she looked up quickly at the sound of his motorcycle, "Oh shoot! I forgot to tell him how long the driveway is." Picking up his cup her eyes widened in surprise, "Oh My! Look it this." She said to herself, "The coffee sure wasn't that much." A sneaky smile spread across her face as she pocketed the bill, knowing he'd have quite a few surprises coming to him by morning.
Calon followed her directions taking the second right, then going about ten miles but he couldn't see any house. He thought he should have seen one by now.
Suddenly a beat up old truck whizzed passed him as he slowed down. "What a maniac driver! I sure wish I could give that guy a ticket," he vocalized, as he came to a full stop.
Looking around he could see there was a forest to his right and decided he might as well set up camp in the woods. When it got light out he knew he'd be able to find the place. Hopefully no one would get upset that he camped on his or her property. He could go back and wait for Katie to get done, but Calon knew he was too tired to safely drive back there.
Pulling the cycle off the road he walked it to a small clearing, set up his tent and made a small fire to help keep away any animals. After putting his sleeping bag into the tent he crawled onto the bag, throwing his shirt to land on his jacket. He was in for the night and even with the oppressive heat he fell into an exhausted sleep.
Sometime later he awoke with a start, sweating and shaking, "These damn dreams, I wish they'd just stop!" He growled trying to get himself together.
He heard a sound outside the tent like a large animal walking around. He picked up his gun and crawled out to investigate. "My God! That's the biggest damn cat I've ever seen outside a zoo!" He exclaimed, which didn't seem to bother the animal which looked like a cat but it didn‘t have much for a tail. He noticed the large feline was holding something in its mouth. He thought it looked like a piece of clothing and wondered what happened to the owner of that clothing.
