Liberty Betrayed, Page 4

  Chapter 4

  The bright neon light flickered above the door inside the smoke-filled bar. Two-Shot Joe’s was the local watering hole and a favorite place for the men to gather and talk about their day while slamming down a few cold beers.

  “Damn it, Silas, you know how much me and Ed were counting on getting in on that project. It figures that our cowardly Mayor didn’t have the courage to tell us.”

  Craig Fletcher was the owner of a small construction company in town. His company had built the addition to the school a few years back, as well as kept up with the constant repairs on the City Hall.

  “I know you’re disappointed, and, to be honest, I am too, but there’s nothing we can do about it now. Maybe there will be something out there for you to do.” Silas picked up his mug of beer and took a long swallow, trying to shake the anger burning deep inside of him.

  He hated to have been the one to tell Craig. They had been friends for many years and would often get together for a few beers on Friday’s after work.

  “You may not believe this, but I think Andrew was just as surprised about it. I saw the look on his face earlier today, and he seemed disappointed.”

  Craig knew the chance of getting any work was slim if they were bringing in their crew. With the economy and people not having any extra money for new construction or remodeling, Craig had struggled to stay in business.

  “Damn, I might need to apply for one of those factory jobs at this rate,” Craig groaned as he took another drag on his cigarette.

  Silas knew things had been difficult for Craig over the last few years. His wife had been sick recently, so he was sure the medical bills were beginning to pile up as well.

  “Things will pick up once the plant is up and running. People will have extra money to spend again, and that should bring some new construction to the town.”

  Craig put his cigarette out in the ashtray while exhaling the smoke swirling in his lungs.

  “You know something, Silas? Shelia and I nearly moved to Dallas a couple of years ago. Her brother owns a large construction company there and is always looking for someone with experience to run a crew. I should have taken him up on the job the last time he offered.”

  “Dallas? You’d be miserable living there.”

  Silas tried to make light of the comment, but he understood why Craig would consider moving.

  “Besides, if you moved, who would take over your part of the deer lease?” Silas teased.

  “I’m sure you’d find someone. Besides, my freezer is full, so I don’t need any meat for a while.”

  Craig had always loved hunting. All one would have to do is mention it, and he was ready to go at the drop of a hat.

  Craig glanced over at Silas, “I think Doug might be interested. I overheard him talking to Josh the other day that he wanted to find a deer lease to join.”

  “Doug’s a decent kid, but I’m sure he wouldn’t want to hang out with a bunch of old coots like us. Besides, it wouldn’t be the same without you.”

  Silas had always enjoyed his time at the deer lease. They had all been classmates and friends while growing up, so the thought of losing Craig was something he did not look forward to experiencing.

  “Just admit it. You’re worried that the kid will make you old guys look bad.” Craig gave Silas a side-ways glance then quickly took a swallow of his beer.

  “You might be on to something there. I guess I’m worried that he’ll think it’s the perfect time to take a shot at me after one of his weekly ass chewin’s.” Silas chuckled at the surprised look on Craig’s face.

  Craig shook his head, visualizing Silas running through the woods with an angry Doug, hot on his heels.

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. The last thing the town needs is its police chief chased through the woods by an angry officer.”

  “See, so that solves it. You can’t move to Dallas. Besides, who’s gonna make sure the beer stays cold? We’ll never survive without you and your special ice chest?”

  Craig looked at Silas and smiled. “I guess I could leave that old ice chest behind with y’all. The damn thing’s so worn out that I hate for anyone other than you guys to see it.”

  Silas saw the sadness appear in Craig’s eyes. He understood why so many good families had moved away, but the thought of Craig and his family joining them broke his heart. “Maybe something will come up, so you won’t have to move. This town has lost too many good folks over the years, and I hate to think of you leaving as well.”

  “Yeah, Shelia’s worried about leaving, as well. She loves it here, but with her health issues, I don’t know how much longer we can hang on.”

  Craig took the final drag on his cigarette, and then put it out in the ashtray. He exhaled, as he traced his fingertip along the scratches on the bar top, trying to think of how to say what else was bothering him.

  Silas noticed that Craig had something else on his mind. He took a deep breath before asking, “Okay, what else is bothering you? You know there isn’t anything that you can’t say to me.”

  Craig reached for his beer and took the last swallow then set the empty mug back down. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts.

  “Shelia has breast cancer,” he said in a near whisper.

  This news caught Silas by surprise. Everyone knew that Shelia had not been well for a couple of months, but he never imagined that it could be cancer.

  “Craig, I don’t know what to say.” The words caught in his throat as a vision of Jen appeared in his mind.

  Silas would always tease Craig that Shelia must have felt sorry for him because that was the only way he could ever get such a fine woman to marry him. “What’s her doctor saying?”

  “They think that they caught it early so she has a good chance of a complete recovery. She has an appointment in Houston next week for some more tests, and to decide when to begin her treatments.”

  “Do the kids know yet?” Silas knew how difficult this must be for the family.

  Craig pulled another cigarette from the pack and lit it. He held it out and watched the smoke swirl out of the fiery, red tip.

  “You know what doesn’t make any sense? I have smoked these damn things for going on twenty years, and she’s the one who gets cancer. It doesn’t make any sense, does it?”

  Craig snickered then took another long drag on the cigarette. “We’re planning to tell the kids this weekend. Damn, I don’t look forward to that.”

  Craig flicked the cigarette ashes into the ashtray then took another drag.

  Silas knew it would be difficult to break the news to their three children. Their oldest son, Tadd, was a junior in high school. Next was their daughter, Heather, who was in the eighth grade, and lastly, their youngest daughter, Shelby, who was in the fourth grade.

  Shelia was a teacher at the elementary school with Jen. She taught the sixth grade and was popular with all of the children at the school.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” Silas asked with a heavy heart. He knew what a difficult time this would be for their family.

  Craig lifted his head and looked at Silas.

  “Maybe I should have you break the news to the kids. You seem to do a good job of telling people bad news,” Craig chuckled, but Silas could see the pain and sorrow in his eyes.

  “I’m just pullin’ your leg, Silas. This is something we have to do as a family. I just don’t know how Shelby is going to take the news. She’s her mama’s little girl, and this is going to scare the crap out of her.”

  Craig felt his heart break at how his sweet, little Shelby would react to her mommy being sick. He looked toward the end of the bar then motioned to the bartender, “Hey, Joe, we need a couple of cold ones over here.”

  “Yeah, and give us some of those peanuts you keep hidden behind the bar too,” Silas added.

  “Well, there you are; I was wondering when you would get home.”

  Jen w
alked up to Silas and kissed him on the cheek then stepped back, noticing the sadness in his eyes. “How did Craig take the news?”

  Silas was not ready to talk about what happened at the bar. “Is dinner ready? I’m hungry and tired. Why don’t we talk during dinner?” Silas pulled off his boots and set them by the back door.

  “Sure, I was just waiting for you to get home. Why don’t you go clean up a bit and I’ll get dinner on the table.”

  Jen noticed Silas dark mood, and she worried that things had not gone well.

  “Okay, I’ll be back in a few minutes. Maybe a quick shower will help.”

  Silas walked to their bedroom, wondering how things could get any worse. Once there, he undressed and tossed his clothes on the old chair in the corner. He then walked to the master bathroom and turned on the shower.

  “Damn, today was a crappy day,” he said aloud.

  Steam filled the room as Silas stepped into the shower, and then stood under the hot water. He closed his eyes with the hope it would wash away the dark mood he felt.

  On one hand, Silas was thrilled the window factory was opening soon with all the jobs it would bring to the town. Then, of course, he was also disappointed they had chosen not to use the local contractors for the renovation work.

  As the hot water flowed over his head and down his body, he thought back to what Craig had said about Shelia - Cancer. What would he do if it were Jen? Just the thought of it brought tears to his eyes.

  “Damn it, she doesn’t deserve to go through something like that.”

  “Silas, are you okay?” Jen called out from the bedroom.

  “Yeah, I’m all right. I’ll be right out.” He turned off the water, and then reached for a towel.

  “I’m sorry; I guess the water was feeling a little too good.”

  “No problem, I’ll see you in the kitchen.” Jen left the room, closing the door behind her.

  “I’m sorry about taking so long. I got lost in thought under the warm water.”

  Silas sat in his chair and looked at the pot of beans with ham hock, and the plate piled high with cornbread on the table.

  “That looks delicious,” he smiled while licking his lips.

  “Well, I know how it’s one of your favorites.” Jen filled his bowl with the steaming beans and set it down in front of him.

  Silas reached for a piece of cornbread and the butter. “Honey, there ain’t much that can beat your beans and corn bread. After the day I had today, it’s a welcome treat.”

  Jen filled her bowl and spread some butter on her cornbread. She could tell by the look on his face that he needed to talk, but she also knew to let him do it on his own terms.

  Silas ate a couple bites of the cornbread before he finally spoke, “Did you know that Shelia has cancer?” Just saying the word caused his heart to ache.

  “Did Craig tell you?”

  “So, you do know. Why didn’t you tell me?” He looked at her and could see the tears filling her eyes.

  “I’ve only known for a couple of weeks though I’ve suspected it for a couple of months. She swore me to silence until she was ready for everyone to know. They’re going to tell the kids this weekend.”

  Jen reached up and wiped at the tears flowing down her cheeks. “How’s Craig holding up?”

  Silas put a few drops of Tabasco sauce in his beans and mixed it in with his spoon.

  “As well as can be expected, I guess. He’s scared, and, to be honest, I don’t blame him. He was counting on the renovation project at the window plant to help pay her medical bills.”

  “Yeah, Shelia said that her health insurance through the school isn’t going to pay for all of it. She said their money has been tight for quite some time now, and they’ve even been talking about moving to Dallas. Oh, Silas, I hate to think of losing more of our friends.”

  Silas put the top back on the bottle of Tabasco and handed it to Jen.

  “As do I, maybe once the plant opens things will get better. This town has hung on by a shoestring for the last few years, so I’m praying this will be a new beginning for everyone.”

  Jen set the bottle of Tabasco next to the salt and pepper shakers on the Lazy Susan in the center of the table.

  Silas looked at Jen and smiled. “Why don’t we put this subject aside for a while and enjoy this delicious meal.”

  He then scooped a spoonful of the beans and put them in his mouth, rolling his eyes and grinning with a look of sheer pleasure on his face.

  Jen could not help but chuckle, and for a few moments, all the fear, and pain they had felt was gone.