Getting to the creek early gave me time to clear my head and think what I wanted say. That was the easy part. The hard part came when I got to weeding out the things I shouldn’t say. It ain’t like me to be nervous but I reckon I must have been, ‘cause when a squirrel popped out of the undergrowth it scared the shinbones out of me. Hell, I damn near swallowed my cigarette.
I had no call to fret when night closed in. I just rolled another cigarette and had a mooch around. Even so, as the hours ticked by I began to wonder if I’d wasted my time. It must have been around 10:30 when my ears pricked up at a noise in the trees and I heard Miss Houston calling. After replying with a holler and striking a match to get her attention, I had a last minute think about my opening line.
There was no smile, not even a trace, on Miss Houston’s face. That’s the first thing I noticed and it pained me some to see her looking so worried. With no mind to trouble her further, I figured I’d best keep my mouth shut and let her make the first move.
‘Hello Levitt. I’m sorry if I’ve kept you waiting. I couldn’t get away till Robert went home; I didn’t think he’d ever leave. Have you been here long?
‘About eighteen cigarettes.’
‘How are you?
‘Fine. You?’
‘I’m okay. It’s a lovely moon isn’t it?
‘Yup’
‘Remember you once told me my star’s up there?’
‘Still is.’
An awkward silence ended with a question that took me by surprise.
‘Levitt, why did you ask to see me?’
‘I was told you wanted to see me.’
‘Hmm, then it wasn’t your idea?’
‘Nope’
‘So you didn’t want to see me?’
‘Sure I wanted to see you, it just wasn’t my idea.’
‘Then what brought you here?’
‘Maybe I wanted to see what a bride to be looks like.’
‘And now that you’ve seen one?’
‘You can tell me you’re happy.’
‘Yes, I’m happy. Robert’s got big plans for us. You should see the house, it’s beautiful.’
‘Does he love you?
‘Of course, he tells me so everyday.’
‘Do you trust him?’
‘Why do you ask?’
‘Just wondering. I hear he ain’t quite as pure as he paints himself.’
‘Then you hear wrong. Robert is a wonderful man.’
‘Maybe he is, but it don’t answer the question. I ain’t trying to needle you; I’m just saying what I hear. Do you love him?’
‘Why should it matter to you? Did you ever tell me you loved me?’
‘I can’t recall.’
‘You can’t recall ‘cause you never did, not once, not even when you asked me to marry you. You talked about cleaning and washing, and cooking and sewing, and you looked at me with that big stupid smile on your face, but you never once told me you loved me!’
‘Alright, you don’t have to get mad. Makes no difference anyhow, you turned me down, remember?’
‘I’ve got every right to get mad if you only came here to stick pins in me. Yes, Robert loves me and I love him! He’s promised me the best of everything from the grandest of homes and the finest clothes to a big fancy carriage and a string of white horses. He’s going places Valance, places you can only dream of, because you’re going nowhere. You’re just a jealous no mark.’
‘That’s what you think, huh?’
‘Damned right I do!’
‘Well I guess that puts me in my place. Won’t stop me caring about you though.’
‘Aww Levitt, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any of that. I speak without thinking sometimes.’
‘S’okay, I know that.’
‘And stop doing that!’
‘Doing what?’
‘You really don’t know, do you? You fire me up, cool me down, and fire me up again. Then just when I’m ready to slap your face, you go and say something that melts my heart. Oh, I’m so mixed up. Robert’s business dealings are the least of my worries; he’s always been good to me and my parents adore him. I’m just frightened I’ve made the wrong choice. Help me Levitt. Please help me.’
It don’t happen often, but once in while I do something I’m almost proud of. As soon as I saw tears welling in her eyes, I grabbed her. Then I hugged her good and tight and shushed away the tears before they could start rolling.
‘Oh Levitt, I don’t know what to do, really I don’t.’
‘S’okay Housty, everything will work out fine.’
‘You called me Housty.’
‘Sorry’
‘Don’t be, I’ll always be Housty to you. I’m confused, Levitt. My head says one thing yet…’
‘You’ll see things clearer in the morning, just wait and see. You’re gonna marry Robert and live the life he promised you. What you said about me is true; I’m no good. Never was, never will be.’
‘Levitt, please tell me what’s in your heart.’
‘I just did. Now get along home before you’re missed.’
‘Alright. Goodnight Levitt and thank you. Maybe things will be a little easier now.’
‘Goodnight… Housty.’
(With thanks to Houston A W Knight)
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