3. Blackwater Creek

At Jimmy’s words, a little girl turns to regard him. Jimmy sees she is holding a mason jar with some murky water in it. She unabashedly looks him up and down, coming to some internal decision that he won’t end her fun, she sniffs and says. It’s my magic jar… The girl holds it up slightly to Jimmy. The boy who had darted to the rock pile comes back skipping as he holds a wriggling worm between his thumb and forefinger.

Watch… says the little girl as the boy promptly plops the jerking worm into the mason jar. All three children lean in, looking intently at the worm. As Jimmy watches, the worm sways and wiggles trying to find a way to climb from the water. Just as Jimmy is about to turn from the jar, he notices odd white flecks that seem to be floating within the water. The flecks drift slowly toward the wiggling worm and seem to congregate around it. Jimmy sees the movements of the worm change as the gentle probing, swaying of the creature turn into a spasmodic jerking and quick movements. Then, before Jimmy’s eyes, the worm dissolves as the white flecks swirl around its surface. An eye-blink later, the water seems to have returned to its murky, slightly opaque state.

The kids all let out giggles as the ruddy girl turns to Jimmy with a self satisfied smile, See? Magic…

The man, who wears a nice, yet slightly thread bare wool suit and sports a mustache that is well groomed, shakes his head as if in disgust at Lenny’s words. Hector… I’ve told that man nearly a hundred times he shouldn’t be standing in the road like that. I’m sorry he gave you such a scare. Is your car salvageable? Old Pete up at the Jarvey’s is a whiz with cars and trucks…

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At Manny’s words, the man jolts up in embarrassment, Sure, sure… where are my manners? the man moves into the house coming back with enough cups for everyone (assorted coffee, glasses and tin) and pours some whiskey from a bottle sitting next to his rocking chair, right next to a well oiled shotgun. As he pours, he calls over his shoulder, My name’s Dick. Dick Sprouston. I’m what passes for a sheriff out this way, course that hat sits right next to preacher and unofficial mayor… Dick smiles warmly as he hands the cups to each person as he fills them. What brings you boys out this way? He asks as he settles back into his rocking chair.

Dick rocks softly in his rocking chair as his brow droops in thought. After a moment of concentration Oh… I’d say I’ve been helpin out here since my wife Marcy died of that nasty flu in 1918. So, roundabouts 8 years? What friends you lookin for? I’m not tryin to be nosy, mind you, just wondering if you made a wrong turn an I might get you back to the right path…

Dick nods quietly for a moment looking at Jimmy intently. He downs his glass and says. You’d be looking for the Carmody’s then. They’ve been makin this fine drink. But if yer lookin to help this town… Helping the Carmody’s ain’t the way to go. Those boys’re… well… they’re not good people. Hell, they’re not even business men like I can see you all are. My two cents, fer what it’s worth, is you should look at ways those boys make this drink and be rid of… a potential obstacle. If’n you were a mind to do that, I might be giving you what help I can.

Jimmy feels the liquor settle in his stomach offering him a warm, ecstatic feeling. In a wave of euphoria he feels tingles running down his arms and legs, leaving goosebumps in its wake.