Saturday, February 18, 2017

38 - Dead Eye Samantha




Slim pulled up his team at a fork in the road. One trail went east, the other trail turned west. Toward Arkansas. He was well clear of Taladega County now. He had a major decision to make. And, he needed to do some thinking. Dolly was getting tired of riding in this big wagon anyway, so while she cooked up a little food, Slim would decide.
     Slim had sent the other Dudley families west, with their eventual goal to be near Little Rock. His big wagon carried nearly all the Clan’s money. He did give each family travel money, with the understanding that all the Clan’s money would be divided up between them when they reached, and gathered up again, near Little Rock. Slim was well known for keeping his promises, so nobody doubted they would eventually get their share, if they could just get to Little Rock.
    Slim sat on a log, with a big chew of Red Bull, while he smoked a long Cuban cigar. (Oh well, maybe I exaggerated a bit. Maybe it was just a long cigar.)  And, thought about the situation.
     Going east meant Slim and Dolly would get all that money, and a life of leisure somewhere in the far eastern part of the country. Maybe as far as Georgia, or North Carolina, places he had heard of but never visited. He and Dolly would never have to work a day in their lives again. The easy life.
     Going west meant keeping his promise. Eventually dividing all that money up. Up to this point in his life, keeping his promise had always meant, keeping the the Clan in line, or Intimidating his enemies.
     This was different. Now, it meant, starting the Clan’s business all over again, in Arkansas. Ending the lives of a lot of people in Arkansas, like they had in Alabama.
     By the time Dolly had a good lunch of squirrel soup and cold biscuits ready, Slim had made his decision. West it would be. Not really because Slim was particularly honorable. Honor was not even in the equation.  It was mostly because Slim just loved this business of ruining lives and robbing people.



     Actually, sharing all that money turned out to be the most honorable decision Slim had ever made. And, the worst.

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