With This Ring

By

Retta Michaels

Preface

Dear Reader,

In a lot of my writing, I've never felt the need to write a preface. With this story, I want you to know what to expect. For me, the story is a mixture of a whole lot of truth and a whole lot of fiction.

For me to explain it, I must sit and tell you what my conceptual plans were for the novel

IN LIFE, we are not given a set list of directions and plans how to complete it. Some people don't like the unknown, so they don't take any foreign steps into different territories. With others, they know no structure.

Rather than having a nameless character out there who could sue the fuck out of me for even inferring they're a member of the mafia, I chose to go personal and use my own name. It's a lot less messy and a lot more friendly for my lawyer.

I am not a member of the mafia. I will not say I do not know a lot of the family members from several cities, but I am not a member myself.

I will state at one time I was with a man named Gino who headed a crime family. He's since passed and this story has been released with permission and editing done by his son who is still a dear friend of mine. (Thanks Dave.)

The names I've used in the story besides my own are ficticious. The names have been changed to protect everyone. Where names weren't important, I have not used them.

I have given enough references to who the person is so if you can read between the lines, you can see who they are. With that said, I will not say more about the characters.

The story is made up. It is totally ficticious. None of the incidents happened, and nothing of the sort ever occurred. If you choose to believe it did happen, and if you choose to believe it's true, then that's on you. I will state now if I receive an email asking me if such and such part is true, I'll be polite and refer you to the Preface and leave it at that.

The reason I'm writing this preface is because I want people to know when I write, I write fiction with an air of the style of writing used by the National Enquirer or the Sun. There's an air of truth in there someplace, but it's actually fiction. If you choose to believe it's truth, then do so...I've got about twenty acres of swamp land I'll sell you and someplace on that land is a complimentary I-phone. If you can find it, it's yours.

With that said, I'll now state the characters of this story will probably be used time and time again. I think I've found a niche in this style of writing. I'll tell you now, it's done in the style of Mack Bolan “The Executioner”, James Bond, or Scarface.

“With This Ring” is the first book of the saga. It shows how someone can go from leading a normal life wanting to lead a normal life to being thrown into a complex cast of characters which require him to be more and more of what he doesn't want to be.

I hope you enjoy the story.

Chapter 5:

Rose came over and said, “Steve, you go help the boys with the gold. Rhette and I need to talk.”

He said, “Mama, we need to talk. I've made a mess of things and would like to straighten it out.”

“Son, when I get through speaking with him, he'll understand a lot more than you'll ever be able to tell him.”

He nodded and went out. She said, “Let's go get something to drink and then head down the beach on the four wheeler.”

We went into the kitchen. She got out four insulated sport drink bottles and filled them with cold tea. She smiled and said, “We'll be gone a while. We keep towels out here on the back porch to wipe off sand. Whenever you go down there, take one with you, and don't bother to put it into the wash when you're back.”

We walked out to her Gator and hopped on. She drove us out to the beach and then went down to a rock outcropping. We parked and got off. She started to climb and I followed her. Once we got up to the top. I saw a concrete rest which one of the cannons should rest. She sat down and patted the bench beside her.

“Rhette, I'm going to tell you a story, but no matter what I tell you, it can't be repeated. It's personal and not anyone but James and I knew what went on.”

“Ok, you have my word on it.”

She smiled and said, “James and I got married. No matter how we tried, I couldn't conceive. I didn't know what the problem was but we went and we went and no baby. James got disgusted with me and he began messing around.

I wasn't supposed to know he was doing it. Call it woman's intuition, or whatever, but I knew about the time he started. He'd start coming home an hour later and things just wouldn't seem right with him. Usually, when I'd need something from town, I'd call his office and he'd take down what we needed and he'd stop by the store on the way home and get it. Well, he suddenly wasn't there and wouldn't get the message. Then it became my fault because I wasn't calling earlier in the day.

Somewhere around the time we were married twelve years, I got pregnant. James' mama was sick and dying and the one thing we didn't need at the time was a baby. Just the same, that became my fault too.”

“Why?”

“James thought it was him that couldn't get me pregnant. I wouldn't normally say this, but he was a huge man when it came to his equipment. He thought and I thought that he shoved it in too far.”

“Ok”

“Well, I got pregnant and he jumped to conclusions it was one of the darkies and I had been messing around. I'll tell you now Rhette, there was only one man in my life. James.”

“Well, I can tell you now, he's their daddy. Their eyes are all the same.”

“You know and I know, but James wouldn't be told otherwise. He kept making the accusations and they were really painful. Emotionally, I shut off from him.

We went forward and I had Stevie. I went into labor and James decided he didn't want to come home that night since the arms of that other woman were too important. His mama was sick and as sick as she was, she helped me deliver Stevie.

As soon as he was born, she took one look at Stevie and said, “The damned fool can't help but tell that's his baby”. I was embarrassed because I thought our arguments were private, but apparently, she knew. Nothing was a secret in that house with all the help we had at the time.

When James got home, I could hear her chewing into him about what a fool he was. He was drunk and he demanded to see the baby. After all the threats he made about killing the baby, I took a pistol and told him if he laid a hand on the baby, he'd be a dead man. He left the room and that night went to the bedroom which became his.”

“Ok, so your marriage was basicly broken then.”

“Yeah, but that's the way life was. 'For Richer for poorer' and all that, I kept my vows.

“So what happened?”

“James sometime along the way began seeing Randy's mother. Once again, I wasn't suppose to know, but I did. The perfume was different and his hours with her changed his schedule. Instead of an hour late every night, he'd come home whenever he felt like it.

His mama got sicker and sicker and finally she was laying on her death bed and I was nursing her and had Steve laying right next to her caring for them both. When she died, it was she, he and I. James came in later that night and I told him she was dead and he demanded to know why I hadn't gotten ahold of him. I told him if he'd be so kind to come home instead of going to that woman, he'd know these things. That's when he told me she was right down the road on our drive.”

“On the drive coming up to the house?”

“Yes. You see, back then, Jacksonland had our own shanty town. It's where the original slave houses were. Sometime in the twenties, they all burned and the houses which is identical to the house his mama lived were built...I believe they were called double shotgun houses.

Well, he told me to go to shanty town and I'd find the one she was at since his Sheriff's car would be parked out front. I told him I would NOT go looking for him in the arms of another woman for anything. If he couldn't give me the respect to come home, he deserved not knowing what went on in this house.

He got upset and said he'd do what he damned well please and I'd give him respect. My response was I went into mine and Stevie's room and locked myself in with the pistol. He buried his mama and I came out for that.

One afternoon, James came home and Stevie was out in the yard. He was in a foul mood and told me I'd perform my wifely duties whether I liked it or not. He raped me on the staircase. When he was done, I asked him if it was good because if he touched me again, I'd kill him. He chased me through the house and we got to the bedroom. I got to the pistol and I shot. It shot him in the groin. He left out and made it to the hospital. All this time, I never knew what I did to that man that day until I washed him after he died.”

“What happened.”

“James was a huge man, as I said. A lot of his penis was taken and there was a huge scar there.”

“Serves him right.”

“Well, after that, I became pregnant. Once again, James accused me of having an affair. Interestingly, Randy's mama had become pregnant too. We had the babies, but when I had JT, I knew the signs and called the doctor. He came and delivered JT.

After that, James came home from work when he was supposed to and by that time, the damage was done. Stevie wouldn't go near James so JT became Jame's son. James doted upon him and when Steve would go towards his daddy, he'd be told to get his butt back across the room with me.”

“What a bastard.”

“Yes, but it's the life I chose.”

“It wasn't the life Stevie chose. Doesn't he realize he could have apologized?”

“It wouldn't have mattered. By then, I wasn't interested in him and that was that. Randy's mama was the brunt of James' wrath. He accused her of cheating and I let it go on. One day, when the boys were little, I drove back from town and was driving through shanty town and I saw a little boy up on a porch with James' eyes. I knew that was Randy and I knew it was James' baby.

As the boys grew older, they went down the road to play as any normal kid will do seeking out playmates. One day, James brought the boys home yelling at them how they were never to be down the road playing again. I knew what his concern was but I never said anything.”

“What happened?”

“It never stopped them. Steve didn't go as often, but since JT and Randy were the same age, they began be be fast friends.”

“Did James try to stop it?”

“No. I really think he knew the writing was on the wall and knew it'd be a matter of time before he'd have to face the questions.”

“I'm not understanding something. What happened to the shanty town?”

“I'm getting to that.”

“Ok”

“When the boys were about ten and twelve. James came home one day and he was in a really foul mood. He was yelling at me and told everyone in the house to leave.”

“Who was in the house?”

“All the help.”

“Ok, let me ask a few questions because I'm not getting a few things. Why was there a shanty town if there wasn't anything on the farm being raised?”

“Until then, we farmed the trees ourself and we logged them. The tops and the limbs would go to heating the houses and the logs would be taken and sold.”

“So the farm sustained itself.”

“Yes.”

“Ok, now I'm understanding why the shanty town was there.”

“Yes, the guys worked the logging and their women would help cleaning and cooking at the house. We had nearly eighty guys working plus their families. It was our responsibility to cook, and cloth all of those people and see their needs were met. They lived poor, but we all did.”

“Ok, so what happened to the shanty town?”

“As I said, James came home and he cleared everyone out of there. This in itself wasn't unusual, but this day, he was in a really bad mood. He told me to take the boys and to leave and never come back. I left and went into town to my parents house.”

“Your parents still alive?”

“No, but they were at the time.”

“Ok”

“I went and my daddy was getting up there in age, but he was still young enough to know what was going on. He'd had enough and late that night when James came to town, my daddy went out with an axe handle and beat James. He told James either he would give me respect as his wife, or he'd not live to see his next year. James was nearly unconscious and I stood up for him. My daddy told me that was the one time I had to choose James over him.”

“That had to be rough.”

“Yes, but I took him home and nursed him. While he was laying there, I told him my choice was made and no matter how bad it was, the days of him being a rounder were over. He didn't say anything, but before he went back unconscious, he vowed he'd get even with my daddy. I went in with the pistol and waited until he was conscious. When he came too, I raised the pistol and gave him the choice to either be a husband or to end his life. He told me he'd end things but I better watch my back. I told him he better watch his mouth and he better take a look over his shoulder because if I had to be his shadow, I'd personally see he never laid on another woman. His comment to me was I didn't know what I was talking about. That's when I told him about seeing the boy down the road with his eyes. Even when he was facing a pistol, he denied Randy was his. That's when I told him if he wasn't his, then he sure shouldn't care if JT played with him.”

“What happened.”

“Later that night, the shanty town began burning. James went out on the front porch and told the men that came up asking him to call the fire department they were already called. I knew they weren't as I was responsible for making phone calls in the house.”

“Why didn't you call the fire department?”

“IN a sick twisted kind of way, I wanted James to get caught in the lie. I wanted the men to come and take out their anger on him.”

“That would have been terrible because it probably wouldn't have been him they would have stopped at.”

“No, but somehow, I think everyone knew I was in the same boat they were.”

“So it burned?”

“It burned until the next day. People's things were out in the middle of the road and James didn't do a thing about it. He went to work and I told the men to load their belongings up in the old pickup and take them to town to find places to live.”

“What happened with Randy's mama?”

“He tried to put her in his mama's house!”

“What!”

“Yes. They were moving their things over to the house and I went over and took the shotgun. Randy's mama came out and I told her I understood her dilemma, but I wasn't going to let her stay on my property and continue with James.”

“What'd she do?”

“She told me to raise her son and to just go ahead and kill her because there wasn't any other choices for her.”

“Oh man.”

“Yeah. So, I told them men to load her up and I moved her into town to my mama's place. My mama took her in and the man she's now with his my baby brother.”

“Oh.”

“He sure wouldn't let James around her and believe me, James tried and got himself beaten several times.”

“What did you do?”

“The first two times, I didn't know it. We weren't sleeping in the same bedroom, and I really didn't keep tabs upon him. The third time, I got the phone call and got told. When James came home, I was waiting out front with the shotgun. When he stepped out, I shot his car. He took off to the right and I took out the hitching post. He took off down the road and I reloaded. I shot and James went down.

The boys were there and they came out and were yelling at me that I'd killed their daddy. They went down the road and they brought him in. The doctor was called and he showed me how to remove buckshot.

James was laying face down and each time I'd jab in the tweezers to get another piece, he'd cuss me and he'd threaten. When it was all over, his legs and his butt were a bloody mess. James was moaning in pain and I took the peroxide and poured it all down his back. He began screaming in pain and the doctor looked at me like I was nuts. I told the doctor, “This man has been warned time and time again he shouldn't mess with what he's messing with. He's now going to either realize I'm his wife or I'll make every waking moment of his life hell....now, hand me the rubbing alcohol.” The doctor smiled and he handed it to me.

James knew I was one movement away from pouring the alcohol down his back and he told me he'd do anything. That's when I told him his days of being Sheriff were over and his days of being a husband were beginning again. He agreed and the next day, I went into the Sheriff's department and got myself made deputy.”

“Oh man”

“Yeah. When James was able to report to work, I went in and we began riding the roads as partners. When he went into a restroom, I went in before he went and made sure there wasn't anyone in it. Then he was allowed to go in. When the day was done, we went home together.”

“So then what happened.”

“Somewhere along that time, I saw how crooked James was. The payoffs he was taking was frightening. I told him he was disgusting to me and then started running the people off. James told me I was putting him into the poor house and I told him it didn't matter, we could continue living upon what he was making.”

“That was good.”

“Yeah. One day, we were at the dinner table and James called Steve in and told him he was going to run for Sheriff when James' term was finished. I told Steve I'd support that and Steve was happy. It was a first for him because James had never paid attention to him.”

“Ok, so that's how Steve became Sheriff.”

“Yes.”

“Rose, here's what bugs me. Steve doesn't realize JT's just as much a victim in this as he. The way I see it, JT's getting hind tit. He's to take the Sheriff after Steve's done with it and when Steve gets Governor, JT gets that.”

“Rhette, in some political dynasties, it happens. Look at the Kennedies. Jack got President first. Bobby was in line to take it and then Teddy tried. If you ask them, I'd be willing to bet each of them would have told you it was their birthright and not them receiving hind teet. They each had their own plans of what they'd do in office and none of them got to fulfill the dream.”

“So I'm looking at it wrong.”

“A bit. What you need to know was James was a crooked politician. I'll tell you that and I knew it. Steve's got some things he's not told me about, but I know it. JT's told me a few things and he wants to make changes to clean the place up even Steve hasn't succeeded in doing.”

“SO you're telling me Steve's refusal to answer my question was because he's covering.”

“Hon. I know my boys. JT's much like you. His doings are so out in the open everyone knows what he's doing. With Steve, I love him, but I'll tell you when he's up against a wall, he'll refuse to answer rather than lie to you and have you thinking low of him.”

“Then tell me what to do.”

“Go back in and keep his mind off it. To you, confrontation is the best source of getting things into the open. To him, confrontation will blow it up and it will sweep things he didn't want to talk about under the rug until he's able to clean things up to the point you're told. My advice is to go back and keep like you're not paying it attention and then when he's ready, you'll be amazed at what you hear.”

“That's fine, but it's like the elephant in the middle of the living room. Everyone's seeing it, but it's getting ignored.”

“My advice is to pet the elephant and tell him it's ok and you're aware it's there and you'll still love him when he tells you about it.”

“Ok, let's go over and see that house. Something's telling me that house should be priority. The plat map and the cup are pieces of the puzzle. You hold onto them and we'll get an attorney called.”

“I'm not sure an attorney will be able to do much.”

“The man who can get me the attorney will also be able to get that gold sold. He'll move mountains where everyone else will wonder how to go around it.”

“Is he nice?”

“David?”

“Is that the man's name?”

“Yeah. Dave's nice. His dad and I were a part of each other's lives and I could've very easily spent the rest of his life with him.”

“What happened?”

“If you must know, Gino was mafia. There's the elephant in the middle of the room if I said he wasn't. Now, if you want to know, I'll tell you Gino was a helluva businessman and he handled his organization so amazingly well, he took it from a band of simple crooks to being one of the best financed in the country.”

“And you want this man to be associated with Steve?”

“Ro, you might not like it, but I already know what a lot of Steve's problem is within his office. What it boils down to is corruption and small people in small offices all thinking they're powerful. Sometimes, you have to stroke their egos and other times, you just have to go in with a bulldozer and remove them. We're going to have to do that back home, and it's going to make me look like I'm opening the can of worms. IF you ask me, it's high time it got done.

I'm sure there are points in this county's politics which are the same way. The good old boy system works that way.”

“What do you mean?”

“I believe Steve was trying to tell that police chief he knew how the game was played, but I was now under his protection and as a professional courtesy, he should start getting some things done.

What I don't believe is Steve's ever been in so far he's ordered hits upon anyone. IF he has, then he's further gone than I'll care to associate and I'll end the relationship there.”

“I doubt if he is.”

We drove over to the shack and that's the way I have to describe it. If I'd not seen it so clearly in my mind, I would have sworn someone had taken the house and had shoved it over into the corner of a field. It looked that neglected.

As soon as I saw it, I said, “Oh man.”

“Honey, I had no idea this place was in this state of disrepair.”

“Me neither. She wants this place put back into rights and something's telling me it has to be done and there's no other way around it.”

“Does it have to be on this location?”

“I don't know, but I'll tell you it has to be this house. What we need to do is we need to get a shotgun and come out here. I'm not going to have you climbing through any of those weeds to get to the house and us facing a rattle snake on the way in through that mess.”

“Ok, but what we should do is get the tractor and back in with the brush hog going to clear those weeds.”

“That's terrible.”

“Out of sight out of mind, but now it's in my sight, we've got to get something done.”

When we went back to the house, Steve had the will out and the plat map. “Mama, this plat map shows the original home site is over there at that other place and doesn't show this place at all.”

“Yes, this place was built after. Your grandma said she'd stay there when your daddy and I got married because she by all rights should have us move out there. If that's what she meant, then she was right.”

“But this house is on the land.”

“Yes, but if the will states that's the house you have to occupy, then I'll tell you now it's not fit to live in. Rhette and I were just over there and it's terrible.”

“Well let's go look at it because this will states we have to occupy it.”

I looked at Steve and said, “Hon, the name of this place better be changed to Green Acres because this is Park Avenue compared to that place over there. We just came back to get the tractor and the brush hog and a shot gun to even get into it.”

“It's that bad?”

“When was the last time you were over there?”

“Ummm, maybe five years ago?”

“Well, a lot has went on in five years if you could still reach the place.”

“I didn't go in, I just drove by it. It wasn't good then.”

“Well, ride over with the brush hog and we'll gnaw our way in because the weeds are so thick there's bound to be some snakes in that mound of brush.”

“Where's JT?”

“Why?”

“He knows how to operate that better than me.”

“You ride over with your mama, I'll drive the tractor.”

He smiled and said, “I'm sorry.”

“No problems, we'll talk later.”

He gave me a whipped look again and I said, “Steve, you need to think about a few things. I'm sure there are things going on you're ashamed to tell me, but it'd be better if you just put them out in the open. We can deal with them together if I know. If you choose to keep them secret, they're not doing anyone any good.”

“I don't want to talk about it.”

“I told you I wouldn't leave and now I'm back. You called me a liar and now you're going to eat those words. I hope they're tasty because you're about to find out what you're asking me to do. There's no way I'll move into that house the way it is. Now get me the keys and I'll do what I can.”

He went in and got the keys. “It's not been started in about ten years. The horses eat the growth.”

“Then there's a reason they won't go near the place. Take a shotgun and if it moves, blast first and then pick up the rattles later.”

“I better take a bunch of shells.”

Rose said, “Get me mine too and we'll do this together.”

He smiled and said, “Ok, at least one of us will be shooting something!”

I chuckled and said, “I'll be working on getting that tractor started.”

I went out to the other shed. Pushing the door open was a chore, but once it began moving, it creaked along the track and slid open. Inside, I found an old Massey Harris still with the brush hog attached. I went over and got up on it. I attempted to prime the carberator and heard an empty gas tank. Over near the door was a bunch of five gallon plastic gas jugs. Three had gas in them, but I could tell they were all not much count. There were two other jugs empty so I poured off what was usable and went out to the road and poured out the settled shellac. When all of them were emptied, I went out to the road and set it afire. It burned and the smoke was terrible.

Back in the shed, I got up on the tractor and began priming the carberator and finally got the motor to hit. When it caught and roared to life, I eased back on the choke and got it to moving. It groaned and lurched out of the shed.

I drove over to the home site and then eased the brush hog down and began operating the PTO which got it to cutting. Steve was standing there up on the bed of the gator. I backed into the brush and began chipping away at the overgrowth.

When I had about twelve feet cleared, I heard a bang and looked over towards Steve and Rose. Rose was standing upon the seat and aiming at the ground. Steve took aim and fired again. I pulled forward and then eased into the growth again. Somewhere within me, I was told to turn to the left rather than go the direction I was heading. I did and when I'd eased six feet. I saw a huge rock wall which would have easily put the brush hog out of commission. I pulled forward and then eased in again. This time I was able to make it to within ten feet of the porch.

I pulled out again and set the brush hog down for a clean cut next to the ground. I went back in and cut so the ground was as low as the pasture.

When I pulled out, I went around and began doing sweeps using the front of the tractor to knock the overgrowth down so it could go beneath the blades. It was slow going, but with each pass, I was gaining yard.

The whole time I was cutting, I was hearing bangs. I'm guessing the gunfire is what brought Randy and JT to the pasture in JT's truck. When they got out, they were both sporting shotguns. They saw what we were doing took up into the bed of the truck away from Rose and Steve. It seemed I'd make a pass and the bangs would continue.

Eventually, I was up to so the side of the house was close. I went ahead and the front of the tractor went down like the wheel fell into a hole. Fortunately, I'd been taught the first thing you do in that situation is shut down the PTO and remain calm. I lowered the deck of the brush hog and it acted like a counter balance to right the tractor. Using the brush hog as my counter weight, I raised it which again let the tractors other wheels support the weight and backed up. I back out and then went in backwards and mowed over the hole.

When I was sure I had mowed over the hole, I went forward and swung around. By this time, Rose and Steve were up near where I'd mowed and were really letting loose with the gunshots.

I pulled out and as I pulled out, I saw at least five snakes moving. I started pointing. JT and Randy went in and they began shooting too.

I pulled out into the pasture and parked. The thought of having Rose walking into that mess would have had us both killed.

Steve came over and said, “We're going to go get some brush killer and start spraying down the yard. The whole place seems infested.”

“Wait until I get it mowed. I've only got a part of the yard done and the other side needs to have it cleared too.”

“There's a well on the other side. The hole you fell in was where the outhouse used to be. I have no idea where the outhouse went. I'm guessing the winds from Hugo or something carried it away.”

“It was a surprise.”

“I was worried, but you sure got out of that mess easy.”

“It took remaining calm and doing what my grandpa Orville taught me.”

“Well he taught you good because mom was sure worried.”

“All in a day on the farm. How many have you killed?”

“I don't know. We've emptied a carton each.”

“So you guys need more ammo, right?”

“Yeah”

“Well, go get the weed killer and ammo and I'll be here.”

“Let the ones that didn't get killed sink back into the woods and hopefully, we'll not have to kill as many. Don't go mowing over there because we've got to point out the well.”

“There's a well over there too?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it on the plat map?”

“I don't know. They've got all the pastures noted and where the house is, but I'm not knowing what I'm looking at.”

Rose came over and said, “Man, that was incredible!”

She came walking over smiling and said, “I know my shoulder's going to let me know I've been shooting tomorrow, but I've not been that busy with a shotgun since your daddy and I were first married.”

JT and Randy came over and said, “We've got more ammo”

Steve said, “What gauge do you have?”

“Randy's got ten and I've got twelve.”

Steve said, “Mom's out with her four ten and I'm out of sixteen. IS there more at the house I don't know about?”

JT shook his head no and laughed, “Where's Homer when we need him!”

Steve said, “Maybe I should call the department and get the guys out here for target practice. They could use it and they could bring us more ammo.”

Rose nodded and said, “Make sure Rhett's not in the way though. I'll go back to the house and see what we've got.”

She took off on her gator and then Steve said, “Guys, here's the bad news. The will states by all rights, that house is the one we've got to inhabit. It didn't tell us how long we had to inhabit it, but it stated we have to inhabit it when we take possession. Right now, as you can see, that place isn't fit for anyone to live. We'd get in and probably find ourselves facing more when we tried to leave. I'll tell you now, I'm not going anywhere where I have to shoot my way out.”

I looked at him and said, “I'm counting my lucky stars we didn't try going in there by ourselves. That was terrible.”

JT smiled and said, “Rhette, don't go out into those woods then. The snakes out there are nearly as thick.”

I looked at him and Randy said, “WE use to go out and take a box of ammo and shoot until we were empty just like this. What you don't know is those trees are so dense they are a breeding ground for bugs and little critters that bring the snakes in to feed upon. They are thick in there.”

Steve said, “You guys weren't supposed to go into the trees.”

JT said, “We did, but now we're figuring out how dangerous it was. Fortunately, Randy had my back about every time I was about to get bit.”

Randy shook his head and said, “We used to go in there wearing shorts. Man, we were so dumb.”

JT said, “How'd you get the tractor running Rhette?”

“There was fifteen gallons of fuel. A lot of it was bad, but I got what was good put into the tank.”

JT laughed and said, “Randy, there goes your supply!”

Steve looked at him and said, “What do you mean?”

“Randy had home made hooch in those jugs.”

I began laughing and said, “What proof was it because this tractor is running fine!”

JT laughed and said, “Randy got an old boy that had a bunch in a fifty five gallon drum. We bought it and was going to spike the punch for our high school graduation. We did one punch bowl, but that was it.”

Steve said, “Oh man! That stuff had to be ripe!”

“Well it sure fired up the tractor. Someone ought to go get some gasoline to mix with it. This thing's probably running way hot.”

JT said, “Well, I thought it had a stuck cylinder the last time I ran it, but I sure can't tell that now!”

We all sat back and laughed and then JT said, “I'll go get the gas. It's over in the stables.” He hopped upon the tractor and drove off.

Steve and I got up on the bed of the pickup with Randy. Randy was counting shell casings. “I'm counting nearly seventy here.”

Steve said, “Mama and I went through at least that many. If each one was a snake, then we really had a bunch.”

Randy said, “The other side is more towards the woods. It's really going to be thick. What you need to do is check in under that place.”

Steve said, “I have no idea how we're going to get the house raised back up.”

“Steve? Does it say it has to be the original house or can a house be put there in it's place and be lived in?”

“I'm not sure. All it says is it should be at that location.”

“Would you mind if I call Dave and get him to get us a lawyer to look at everything?”

“It wouldn't hurt.”

He looked uncomfortable speaking about Dave and I chose to ask. “Steve, are you uncomfortable with me having Dave looking into things?”

“I'm thinking of the future.”

“I'm aware of that. If he's working in the shadows, then we're not directly relating him with you. The attorney is going to be the best in his field no matter who it is.”

“So he'll spend the money to get us the best?”

“He'll do that because he wants to see me happy. He'll do that for a large part because he wants in your good graces.”

“Why?”

“There are a lot of reasons. Reasons which you don't know. Reasons you can suspect. And, reasons which are blatantly clear. One of the reasons you don't know is he's not getting younger and as with most of these guys, they want to retire where the weather is nice and there are people who are in the higher income brackets. It's like it would be if you or I were retiring. They sure as hell don't want to be where they're viewed as a continual threat to the power structure that might be fought over.”

“So out of a turf war.”

“Yeah, and look where you are. You're in the middle of an area where a lot of the houses are owned by people who are high income. They can go to the club and rub elbows but also stay behind that gate and be left alone.”

“What's the obvious reason?”

I looked at him and knew he was testing me. “Let's see. If he can come in and help you get what you want done, then when you get into the Governor's seat, he can get deals done too.”

“What if there aren't any deals to be made?”

“What if there are? We're talking about a shipping port. I'll tell you now, someone's going to be in there and if not, there's no shipping port. Between you and I, I'd rather have someone in there I know than a group which you don't know and have them choosing to put someone up against you and getting a lot of embarrassing things out.”

“What sort of things?”

“Who knows? What's in your past that's embarrassing? You might not want to answer that, but I'd rather hear it from you than be involved in a relationship and be in a campaign and have it all come out. Now, I've thought of some things and you might be dodging the question, but I'll go wading in because I know it's most likely there.”

“Do we have to talk about it now?”

“No, but you telling me that tells me there's something there. You dodging it earlier told me there was something there. I'm not going to press it, but I'll tell you I could find out without you telling me.”

“How?”

“Between you and I, just because Dave knows I'm here means he's somewhere in the shadows looking. I know that because that's what I'd do. You'd do it too.”

“I doubt that. I don't go looking for trouble where I'm not personally located.”

“Let's put it this way and I don't really care if Randy is in the bed of this truck or not. If JT was going somewhere to live, and you had the things at his disposal and he had the sort of problems I've had, wouldn't you go looking?”

“I imagine.”

“Well, I'd say he's probably looking into the good old boy network and checking to see if it's alive and well and how much I've associated myself with by being with you.”

“What if I told you there are problems?”

“I'd tell you I imagined there were. What if I told you I'd already laid out the scenario in my mind to your mom and she pretty much reaffirmed it?”

“What then since you know so much.”

“Well, since I know so much, I'll tell you. Most politicians are the same. It doesn't matter if it's backwoods Missouri, Kansas, or low country South Carolina. You've got lawyers all hoping to be something to someone and you've got judges who are on the inside. A part of spending all that money to get there is to be on that inner sanctum. A part of it involves the kick backs, pay offs, and bribes. It involves in one good old boy sitting back at his desk lighting a cigar and playing the part of fat cat to a younger more impressionable guy saying he can get the matter resolved and calling his “friend” who will make matters dissolve.”

Randy smiled and said, “Sounds like one guy I know”

Steve said, “Well, it works that way, but I've tried not letting it happen too much with me.”

“The key word is tried. Now, if it's not worked with you, I'll tell you how it's worked and you can rest assured you've been neutered. It's working on the level of fat cat calling the judge and the arrest you made being dissolved before your eyes between he and the prosecuting attorney.”

Steve turned around and hopped off the truck. “You don't know what you're talking about.”

“I'm afraid I do. Now, you want to hear the other side of the coin?”

“You apparently have it all made up in your mind, I guess I could entertain you.”

“Well, there's the part of the bankers. They rub shoulders and they slide fist fulls of cash to get projects done. That involves the trades which also slide politicians money. They all are paying everybody and they're all getting a cut. The banker perpetuates it because he's getting the interest off the money. The contractor is getting the profit and the politician is ok-ing the project. Call him the road commissioner, building inspector, or whomever, he's getting paid. All of them write it up and the unsuspecting are the one's paying.”

“I'm not a part of that.”

“Ok, so you're not on that gravy train. Which line are you riding? Push cart because each time you have to get over by a fast moving local, they're all shoving money in your pocket as they go by.”

“Rhette, you're really bugging me by telling me I'm corrupt.”

“Steve, I'm not going to tell you a thing. IF the shoe is on your foot, I'll find out. You should know I would rather hear it than find out when I get that phone call.”

He looked at me and said, “Call him and tell him we need a lawyer.”

“Ok, criminal or real estate?”

“Rhette!”

“Ok, I won't press. I'm going to make the call.”

I got off the back of the truck and started walking towards the house. I got about ten feet and he said, “Would you slow down!”

“Maybe I've got something on my mind. Maybe I've got to think.”

He came up and said, “You don't know how it is.”

“Oh, I do. I'm probably not even scratching the surface, but I sure bet I'm banging on all eight cylinders.”

“Rhette, call him and see what he can find out about the land and then I'll tell you anything you want to know.”

“Ok, you might want to make a map because I do know the road to the Governor's mansion is going to involve a lot of kissing asses. I also know it's a whole lot easier to be on our way with a lot of people already having that phone call and thinking their ass has been kissed.”

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“Let's see. Corruption isn't new here. It's probably older than what we dealt with out there, but I doubt it's older than the new breed which builds a Vegas casino. Those guys will burn a casino to show you it can be done. Those guys will do it in a style it will leave you scratching your head of how they'll ever come up with a different way.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“It's all being done. Just because it doesn't involve you yet doesn't mean it won't some day. There are a lot of crazy som'bitches out there in this world. There are also some that you choose to have on your side which will make those crazies think you're so nuts they run in fright when your name is mentioned.”

“What do you mean?”

“Steve, you tell me your secrets and I'll tell you mine. When those come out, we'll know the pages we're on and see if the book is even in the same library as the other.”

“So you think we're backwoods here.”

“No, it's all very real to you. What I told your mom is this...intimidation is a street where there's always someone bigger and badder. Are you having drive by's in your projects?”

“No, that's in the bigger cities.”

“Pretty scary isn't it.”

“Yeah.”

“Intimidation. You're sitting in your house and you're thinking you're secure and boom, blam, blam, you're sucking shit up off your floor under your coffee table because someone chose to make you feel insecure. I wonder if the big bad judge whom has you wondering what his next move has saw the floor lately.”

“Don't do it!”

“Why the fuck not? I mean it's amazing how the case you gave away yesterday or last week can suddenly get tried or not...when the phone call afterwards gets made. Or, the power of his kid being lifted off a street can have him in your pocket for a long time. “

“Rhette. It's not that bad here.”

“How much money are you making a week extra that's not on your paycheck to tell me that?”

“Rhette.”

“Steve. If you think I'm being a real bitch say so. A few hours ago I was a whiny fucking bitch. Now, I'm hitting you where I know it's happening and I've asked repeatedly to be told what it is I'm facing when we hit that campaign trail. You still don't talk, so I'm thinking aloud at what I've got to do to release you from that fear.”

“It's trading one for one I don't know.”

“Ok, so is it in the will that you run for another office?”

“No”

“Good because what I'll do is I'll hold onto that conversation with Dan and keep him thinking you're running so JT can get into the Sheriff's office. You're out of it and as high as I can hold my head when we go into town is how far I'll raise it. Everyone will know but me and I'll know the moment I get that phone call. Now, I'm going to walk to get to that phone and make the call to get you a lawyer to get this place into your name.”

“You're making this hard.”

“No. I'm making this easy. You don't have to tell me a thing. Instead, I'll be the Sheriff's wife and I'll wonder when I've got to see you pulling some shit. Now, I'm walking to that house and don't try to say another word until you're coming clean with me. I'll not lose my face over you. You got me!”

“This is about your personal security isn't it!”

“DUH! Let's see. We're three miles down a fucking road. Yeah they can come up the thing and blast away and have a grand old time. The way it is, it could be one of your fucking officers that does it for all I know. OR, it could be a speed boat with a 50 caliber running by out there or a plane coming over. It all depends upon how bad the person is that wants to do that drive by. Why the fuck do you think I'm choosing to keep that gate shut? Why the fuck do you think I'll be putting in steel mesh on the back side of that gate? It's because I know anyone who wants to can blow that guard shack and get up the drive in town. It's because I know out here, I know it's possible it could happen. How many police officers came down that road while we were out there blowing away some snakes? Not one. How many would come if it were people receiving the same treatment?”

“Rhette, I'm sorry.”

“Steve, I love you. I can hope you're my security blanket and hope it won't be happening, but there's also the hope I can know it's coming and know that as much as I hate the thought of us having to run to those woods for cover, that the idiots aren't going to be shooting from cover of them.

Now, before I make a run with you politically, you're going to have to tell me everything else. Right now, you're retiring at the end of that run because if you do it without telling me, you'll do it alone and when that disgrace happens, I'll be a part of your past and not there with you.”

“You're telling me we're finished then.”

“You running?”

“I had hoped.”

“Then either talk or consider this our final conversation. I'm not going to see you brought down and be there to catch the wreckage. Naïve doesn't begin to describe how I think you're being about it if you do.”

“So you think they're all corrupt?”

“YES!”

“Is your friend corrupt?”

“Have I heard conversations which tells me he's got to kiss asses all day long? Yes. Have I heard how he lives in fear of becoming known or found out? Yes. Does he continue to do it even though he knows he's got to walk a tightrope? Yes. And finally, do you think I'd enjoy being up there doing it as he does? Not no but fuck no!”

“So what do we do?”

I let out a big sigh. “Just tell me what it is that you're doing. That way I know. That way it's known and I can say, “OH THAT! Well he told me about that!”

“Well, would you listen and let me tell the story?”

“I will but would you sit everyone down and tell us all at once so we all know what we're facing?”

“Who? You mean Mama and JT?”

“And Randy. Yes.”

“Why him?”

“Because I plan on having him out there on the trail campaigning and shaking hands. I want your daddy's little secret to be known and I want no one to use him for blackmail. I want him to feel like he's got some importance to you. Don't you see how he came running when he thought he was needed?”

“He did that for JT.”

“You are so dense sometimes it just really scares me. He knew your dad was dead. He knew the threat was gone. BUT, as long as you're alive, I guess your daddy will have a secret. Jeez.”

“That was a low blow.”

“No. The low blow is when you're up on the stand at a debate and the other person chooses to use him as a inference to you hiding things and keeping secrets. How do you think you'll handle it then? Will he be an embarrassment? Or will he be someone you choose to bring out and blow that son of a bitch out of the water. Drive bys happen in all shapes and sizes. Don't you get it?”

“So you're telling me that anything that I have in my past will be fair game to be used against me.”

“Yes. Just like they could use Chad against me! BUT, you know what? I'll have Chad's ass out there on the trail slapping hands and telling people what a charm I am. I want every guy who's had a shotgun wedding to know I got just as fucked. I want everyone to know I overcame and I conquered. That's what prison taught me. Secrets are only as powerful as the one hiding them. If you have everything exposed, then nothing gets used. That's how I got ahead in there and that's how I made things so I could live in that world.”

“I'm understanding you more and more.”

“Good. Now, let me walk across this field and get to that phone.”

“Rhette. Just tell me you love me.”

I turned to him and hugged him. “Steve, there wasn't a question. It's not an option I'll stop. What the option is, is how far you push me out with what it is.”

I turned and walked across the field. When I got to the gate, I went over and across the pasture to the parking area. The walk wasn't as long as it seemed previously and yet, because of the growth of trees, it made it seem like it was further. Going through the wrought iron gate into the inner yard, I thought of how lovely this place would seem if it were landscaped in pretty flowers. I imagine in it's day, the place was really a showplace. Interestingly, I imagined it with Steve out front on the steps with bunting on the porch and him acknowledging his win for the Governor's office. The only thing I didn't imagine was me standing next to him when that took place.

Going into the house, Rose came into the living room to see who it was. “Oh hon, you surprised me!”

“Just me. I'm using the phone to call and get us a lawyer. I'm thinking and I want to see what our chances are with a few ideas I have.”

“What do you mean?”

“The will states we have to have occupied that house. It doesn't state it has to be that house, but a house on that site. If that house can't be saved, does it nullify that will and that plat? Or, can it be a new house that can be built there?”

“I never thought of that.”

“Well, she wants it to be that house for some reason. I don't know if her soul is crying out for us to experience what she did, or if it has to be that house for a reason. She's not telling me things are hidden there, but I do know it has to be there.”

“Hon, what's upsetting is she let us live in this place knowing it probably voided the previous wills. She probably would have told whomever we occupied that house, but she also knew James was a rounder.”

“Maybe it was because of her feelings towards you. She liked you, didn't she?”

“Yes. We got along wonderfully.”

“And she lived there the whole time?”

“No. when James' daddy died, she went there to live. She said it was her place and wanted us to have lots of babies and us to have them knowing this as home.”

“When did James' daddy die?”

“We'd been married about two years. He was really advanced in age. One day, he went out on the front porch and sat down in that rocker and just died.”

“I was wondering because I don't get his presence here at all.”

“You wouldn't. The man felt trapped here. He wasn't happy here and as many times as he could, he'd take that old Roadmaster of his and he'd go up to Charleston.”

“What was in Charleston?”

“The ships. The man loved his ships. That's why when they had to move this house back, I was surprised he never moved it so he could sit upon the porch and see the water. He didn't. He made it so it faced the South.”

“You'd think he would have faced it to the capital of the Confederacy if he was a true Southerner.”

She smiled. “Spoken like a true Yankee”

I chuckled and said, “Well, maybe he faced it so he could face Bluffton. That's where I'll be when he doesn't come up with what's eating him.”

“He will. You're whittling away and what's funny is you're doing it so transparent he sees it. That's what's scaring him. It'd be like JT questioning him.”

“That's what the next road block is. I think. When he comes out with them, it's got to be with everyone sitting there.”

“Why?”

“The road to the capital is going to have you, JT, Randy, and me on it out there shaking hands. For us to know and not be taken out of the water when those secrets come out, he's got to let us in on them. It's not just me. He's got to tell us all.”

“He won't do it.”

“He will or we won't make that trip. He knows the option is out there that he can retire and wither away to being a retired Sheriff with everyone knowing his secrets but us. I think his desire is strong enough he's going to face it.”

“It would make him stronger to face the demons with us. Then, anything we face on the trip there wouldn't be anything.”

“What I think the key is now is to have him and JT talk.”

I dialed the phone and it rang. “Hello”, Dave's voice said growling.

“Boy that was rough, you ok?”

“Yeah, just irked like hell, but how are you?”

“I'm doing well. I've got a question.”

“Shoot.”

“Who's the best real estate lawyer you know?”

“Why? You having problems over your place?”

“No, I'm looking for loopholes in a tax.”

“What sort of tax?”

“Inheritance tax.”

“Huh? You've got to buy your place from an estate?”

“No, Steve. His daddy died and there's an inheritance tax that's probably twenty five million.”

“Oh. Well you need to contact Thad Moseby. The man's a genius.”

“Where's he at?”

“He's in Vegas. He can take a parcel of land ten feet wide and make it a mile.”

“Ok, what I need is in regards to a land grant and whether the tax has to be paid if the title was prior to it even being a state.”

“Oh, nice precedent.”

“I thought so. Do you have his number?”

“How about if I have you called. You going to be there in about five minutes?”

“Yeah.”

“Ok, wait there and I'll have him call you. You got your cell?”

“It's with me always.”

“Ok, He'll call you.”

I rung off and she said, “He think it can be done?'

“He says it's an interesting precedence.”

“It will be if it saves money.”

“We'll see. It could be used to bite him later in the campaign. The opponents could state he was trying to bilk the state before he ran and what's changed?”

“We'll use it as a campaign tool. Expose the weakness and use it to become a strength.”

“Smart.”

My cell phone rang and I answered it. “Hello?”

“Thad Moseby. I hear you got a problem.”

“I do. Here's what the will states and what the situation is.”

I read him the will and then told him the situation.

“You don't owe taxes. They're not going to attempt to collect them. If anyone's paid taxes prior, that's not a precedence. That's their ignorance of the law. You're using the law for your defence.”

“Ok, now, I'm going to throw you a few things here so you know what we're up against.”

“Ok”

“The house is in South Carolina.”

“Ok, one question. Was the house in their name when the state reentered the union?”

“Yes.”

“And it was a part of a land grant prior?”

“Yes, but it was a part of a dowry.”

“And you can prove that?”

“Yes, we've got a cup here and a map and the will.”

“What's the cup?”

“It was given to the family along with the piece of land. It's solid gold and has an inscription stating it was awarded in valor for heroism in battle or some sort of thing.”

“Good. That is wonderful. It makes your case stand more solidly. They'll not ask. If anyone does, show them the map and the cup and they'll back off.”

“IF they don't, you going to come in and save our bacon?”

“My fee is negotiable.”

“Negotiable to the point it's cheaper to pay the tax or negotiable that I can put you on a plane and get here.”

He laughed and said, “You get in trouble, you give me a call and I'll come get you out of your scrape.”

“What do I do for future generations.”

“Leave it as it is. If you put it into trust, it changes the deed in your lifetime and the taxes might go retroactive. What I'd do is will it as it is with a complete explanation as to how to beat the tax man.”

I got off the phone and Rose smiled. “Good news?”

“He said the tax man can't touch us. If they attempt to do it, he'll come in and save it.”

“It's a shame James and I paid the taxes. I wish I'd known it then.”

“Sometimes we don't know things, but James might have not contacted a good lawyer.”

“No, he didn't contact one at all.”

“A fool and his money are soon parted. He should've.”

She shook her head sadly and said, “We trusted our instincts. I wonder if all those people that lost plantations knew they didn't have to pay the taxes.”

“They probably weren't a part of land grants. The catch there is this one is.”

She said, “Well, it's all water under the bridge. At least you kids don't have to pay those taxes.”

“It makes it nice. We have to put it in future Wills how to beat the tax man so they don't think they have to pay them.”

She smiled and said, “I'm glad you two are going to have children.”

“Yeah, I've got an idea there which might work.”

“What is it?”

“I've got some family members who are rather poor. I think what I'll do is put the word out I'll pay a million for a baby. That should start a stampede and we'll have quite a few of them here. With Steve's semen, and my family members, our kids will have my blood and his.”

“Smart. I like that idea.”

“We have to see if it flies past Steve. Let me go tell him the good news about this and I'll bring the other up to him.”

I went out and he was just coming up the steps out front. “Sit a spell. I've got good news and an idea to tell you.”

“Ok, the good news first.”

“We don't have to pay the taxes.”

“How'd you find out so fast?”

“Dave has a lawyer he knows who is like a hot shot attorney for real estate. I spoke with the man and he told me it's not a problem and if anyone thinks they can get it to let him know and he'll come in and represent us on it.”

“Good. Now, what's your idea.”

“It's about children.”

“Ok”

“I've got a lot of family members who are poor. What I was thinking is telling my mom to put word out throughout the family we're wanting to have kids and we'll pay a million to each person who wants to be a surrogate.”

“Oh man, a lot of them could want to do it.”

“Yeah, but with what we saved on the taxes, we can afford it. Besides, what I was thinking is it'd be nice to have our kids have your blood and mine in them.”

He smiled and said, “I like the idea.”

“Good. Let me go get the idea given off to my mom so she can get it out to the family. Who knows how long it will take for it to fester with them before we have a taker.”

I got up and he pulled me down onto his lap and kissed me. I returned the kiss warmly. We sat there and hugged nuzzled for a few moments until Randy came up on the porch. His voice startled me.

“Hey guys, I'm going to go in and see if I can get a drink.”

I came up with a start and said, “Sure, let's go in and get you something to drink. I need to use the phone anyways.”

Randy blushed and smiled. Steve began to apologize with Randy saying, “Steve, no apology is necessary, I've been there a few times myself. It's your front porch and I'm not harmed by it.”

I went in and got Randy a glass of tea. He had followed me and said, “Thanks Rhette, now I've a question to ask you.”

“Ok, shoot.”

He smirked at my using Steve's phrase. “Is it fine with you if I come here to visit?”

“Sure, why not?”

“I wasn't welcome here. I've asked Steve and he said it was fine with him if it's fine with you.”

“Well, I'll have a talk with him, but don't ever feel you have to ask to come out here. Your kids are welcome as is your wife. We'll make sure the past doesn't rear it's ugly head.”

“So you know.”

“I know Rose's side of the story. I'd love to hear yours and your mama's.”

“I doubt if she'd tell you anything.”

“I can understand, but I also think everyone should be able to tell their side of a situation. Is your mama fine now?”

“Yes. I think his death will help begin the healing for her.”

“I'm glad to hear it. Would you do me a favor?”

“What's that?”

“I know you're close to JT, but would you try getting closer to Steve too?”

“I'll try. I'm not sure how to relate to him. We fell out of touch a long time ago. It wasn't anything bad, it's just he stopped trying.”

“I understand, but I'd like for you three to be close.”

“I'll try. I can't promise it will be better than it's been, but I doubt if it'll be worse.”

“I need to make a phone call. Please excuse me for a moment.”

“Sure.”

I dialed home and there was no answer. I left a message and rung off.

When I went into the living room, Steve and Randy were talking. Steve asked Randy, “Where is it you're living now?”

“Sunrise Apartments, it's a tight squeeze, but we all fit.”

I looked at Steve and said, “ With that money from the gold, you guys can get a house!”

He smiled and said, “We've got to pay off my tow trucks and gas station first.”

I looked at Steve and said, “Randy, you use the money from the gold for the house and I'll take care of the gas station and the trucks.”

Randy started to object and Steve said, “Randy, I'll give you a pointer about Rhette. When he cares, he gives. To him, money is something to be spent upon those he loves. For him to offer means he cares for you and your family more than you know.”

Randy smiled and came over and hugged me. “Thanks.”

“No problem, now tell me what bank it is and I'll get the funds over to them to pay those off. If you need trucks, let me know. Do you have a rollback?”

“No.”

“Ok, let's look on ebaymotors for a rollback for you. Now, what sizes are your wreckers?”

“The size I've got out there.”

“Let's get you a mid-size. It will pay for itself. I doubt a semi will pay for itself, but a midsize can latch onto a midsize truck easier than the the smaller ones.”

Randy smiled and said, “You know your wreckers.”

“A guy I used to really like has a wrecker service. I've got police scanners at home and listen to the calls. The amount of times he's used for a rollback and the amount the midsized is called out, I know he's making money.”

“I wouldn't know how to begin getting something on ebay, would you help me?”

I looked at Steve and said, “Do you mind if we take the time to do that now?”

“Sure. Randy, put your name on the wrecker lists at the Sheriff's department. They rotate throught the lists and as your name comes up, they'll call you.”

Randy smiled and I asked, “Do they require a fenced in lot here for impound?”

Steve nodded and said, “Here, by ordinance, they have to have a enclosed lot which most use a fenced in compound.”

“Randy, would you be better served if we put up a metal building for that instead? It'd give your place a better appearance and would get your trucks in out of the weather.”

He nodded and said, “That's what I was thinking, but the money's never been there.”

“Well, look for a lot and get it and we'll get you a building put up.”

“I've got a lot that's right by my garage. It's one hundred and thirty five thousand.”

“Is it big enough to put a building up and not mess with ordinances?”

“Yeah, it used to be a gas station and used car lot.”

“Are the tanks in the ground or above?”

“They're no longer there. If they were, I'd not be considering it.”

“I understand. The amount of money it takes to get a tank removed is horrendous. Figure what it'd take to get everything done so it looks the best in town and we'll get it for you.”

He smiled and said, “You really sure about that?”

“Yeah. Now, is your station a convenience store or a gas station?”

“It's a gas station. The bays are leased to someone who has a car repair center. There's enough space to put up a couple more bays on the side. I'd thought about it, but as I said, the money wasn't ever there.”

“Well, when you talk to the building man, have him add them on or put you up a new building entirely that will serve your purposes for the next ten years. We're going to see you have a go