Eventide (Plainsong #2)(72)

But we’ll follow you into town, Maggie said. So you don’t get lost on the way.

Well, Maggie, Raymond said. I’m beginning to think you got kind of a mean streak in you. I never noticed it before.

I’m not mean, she said. But I’ve been around you men for too long to harbor any illusions.

You hear that, Tom?

I hear it, Guthrie said. The best thing to do is just go along with her when she gets like this.

I guess so, Raymond said. But I’ll tell you what. She’s going to make me think of a barn-sour horse yet, if she keeps on this way.



THEY DROVE OUT THE LANE AND ALONG THE GRAVEL county road onto the blacktop, the headlights of the two pickups shining into the night one after the other along the barrow ditches. Then they entered town and turned west on US 34. There was a wreck across from the grocery store and the highway patrol routed them around it. They went on through town and parked in the crowded graveled lot outside the white-stuccoed American Legion and went downstairs and paid the cover charge to a woman sitting on a stool at the entrance to the barroom and dance hall. A country band was playing at the back. The music was loud, and the long smoky room was already filled with people standing two and three deep at the bar and sitting in the booths along the walls, and there were more people clustered at the foldout tables in the big side room where the sliding doors had been pushed back. Men in western suits and women in bright dresses were dancing in the thin scatter of sawdust on the floor in front of the band.

Come on, Maggie said. Follow me.

She led Raymond and Guthrie to a dark booth in the far corner that a friend from school had been saving for them. It’s about time, the woman said. I couldn’t have kept it much longer.

We’re here now, Maggie said. Thank you. We’ll take care of it.

They sat down. Raymond peered around in silent amazement and interest. There were other ranchers and farmers he knew, out for a Saturday night of dancing and partying, and a great number of people from town. He turned to look at the band and the people out on the floor dancing in wide circles. Presently a barmaid came up and they ordered drinks, then Guthrie and Maggie got up to dance to a song she said she liked. While they were gone the barmaid brought the tray of drinks and Raymond paid for them, and then the band stopped for a break and stepped down off the riser, and Maggie and Guthrie came back to the booth looking sweaty and red-faced and sat down across from him.

Did you pay for these? Guthrie said.

Yeah. It’s all right.

I still owe you a drink, Maggie said.

I ain’t forgetting.

Good, she said. I’m not either.

Maggie drank deeply from her glass, then she stood up and said she’d be back in a minute. Don’t let him disappear, she said to Guthrie.

He’s not going anywhere, Guthrie said.

The two men drank and talked about cattle, and Guthrie smoked, and Raymond asked him how his boys were doing, and all around them the big room stayed alive with movement and noise.



BEFORE THE BAND STARTED UP AGAIN MAGGIE RETURNED to the booth. With her was a woman Raymond didn’t know. She was short and middle-aged with curly dark hair, and she had on a shiny green dress with a bright floral pattern and short sleeves that revealed her round fleshy arms. Raymond, Maggie said, I want you to meet someone.

Raymond stood up out of the booth.

This is my friend Rose Tyler, Maggie said. And Rose, this is Raymond McPheron. I thought it was time you two got to know each other.

How do you do, Rose said.

Ma’am, Raymond said. They shook hands and he glanced at the booth. Would you care to join us?

Thank you, she said. I would.

She slid in and Raymond sat down beside her on the outside edge of the seat. Maggie sat down beside Guthrie across from them. Raymond put his hands forward on the table. He removed his hands and set them in his lap. Would you care to have a drink? he said.

That would be a very good idea, Rose said.

What would you like?

A whiskey sour.

He turned and peered out into the crowded dance hall. I wonder what you got to do to get that barmaid to come back, he said.

The band was playing a fast song, and Maggie nudged Guthrie and they stood up.

Where you two going? Raymond said. You’re not leaving, are you?

Oh, we’ll be back, Maggie said, then they moved out onto the floor and Guthrie swung her out and they began to dance.

Raymond watched them. He turned toward Rose. Maybe I should move over there to the other side.

You don’t have to, she said.

Well. He drank from his glass and swallowed. I’m sorry, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of you, he said. Do you mind if I ask you about yourself?

I’ve lived in Holt a long time, Rose said. I work for Holt County Social Services.

Welfare, you mean.

Yes. But we don’t call it that anymore. I take care of people who need help. I have a caseload and try to help these people sort out their lives. I distribute food stamps and see that my clients get medical treatment, that kind of thing.

It must be a hard job.

It can be. But what about you? Rose said. I know you live out in the country. Maggie tells me you have a cattle ranch south of town.

Yes ma’am. We have a few cattle.

What kind?

Mostly crossbred blackbaldys.

I think I know that means they’re black with white faces.