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.

Dick looks a little confused. Lawyer... what fer? Round these parts we say what we mean and we mean what we say. That and a firm handshake solves all disputes... leastways those disputes that can be mended. Come in, come in, let's sit around the table to talk. What can I make y'all to settle yer stomachs? I have some venisen jerky or some fruit from the Jarvey's if yer of a mind? Dick gets up from the rocker and opens the screen door gesturing you into his house. Sprousten's house is one of the larger homes part of the "square" of Blackwater Creek. There is a larger building that looks to be some sort of general store with a sign that says "Baxters" on it and then other smaller homes.

Sure... sure... I have a case here in the kitchen. Come on in. Dick called back to Mickey.

Dick sucks his teeth slightly and pauses before he responds. This stuff… Dick raises his tin cup. … it’s been here before the Carmody’s… before the Anti-Saloon League… before…. Dick pauses for a moment and his eyes go slightly unfocused. He gives his head a slight shake and looks back at Jimmy. Them boys… they… well they don’t respect or care about anything… they just care about themselves… Dick takes a sip of his whiskey and sucks it over his teeth before he mutters. They do make a damn fine whiskey though…

Manny picks up on a deep seated hatred Dick has for the Carmody’s. Something beyond normal justice seeking, perhaps jealousy.

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Jimmy’s seeming genuine interest causes Dick to sit forward in his chair regarding Jimmy with a wistful eye. This Valley… I know you might think me crazy… but this Valley is special. There is a gift that’s been given to us here. A gift of milder weather, abundant crops.. of the very love of God and his holy Mother… Dick sits back in his chair and coughs before he continues. Gifts like that are meant to be shared… Not hoarded… Gifts like that are freely given to all who bask in awe of the Giver… not to the few that find a way to warp that gift to personal gain. I don’t know their recipe… But I know we’ve been given the fruits from God, and them boys’re using those fruits to elevate themselves above the rest of us. The rest of the people God has blessed equally… It’s a sacrilege…

From the religion standpoint, Manny doesn’t remember anything specific. Catholics, Lutherans and several other denominations of Christianity venerate Mary as the Mother of God, so Dick could be referring to that.

Something does come to mind with respect to local history. Manny remembers that there was fighting between a Native American tribe and settlers who wanted the valley for its fertile soil.

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An end to the whiskey?! God no. When God gives you manna, you don’t throw it away! I would just want to make sure the good folk of our town get their share. Dick says beaming a big smile. As to how to deal with the Carmody’s, I would leave that up to you gentlemen as that’s a row I’ve never hoed, if you catch my meaning. Now… last time I was up to their place, this is what I remember… Dick then describes the Carmody farm in detail.

Dick looks at Manny with a dumbfounded expression. After a few heartbeats, the man leans back in his chair, crossing his hands behind his head. I knew you were professionals. Asking the tough questions. Not some backwoods people that would chop down the tree you’re standing on. I just gave you my friendship, and a map of them boys’ farm. Who’s to say I don’t give those same things to the next suit who comes into town? I’m sure whoever the Carmody’s are selling to presently would be interested… Dick leans forward in his chair. I’m not saying I would do that, mind you. I’m just offering another view for you to consider. This whiskey’s value will go down the more people get involved… No offense.

As Mickey and Lenny make their way out of Dick's house, he says a farewell. Don't be strangers now. Remember, Old Pete up at the Jarvey's could look at yer car and if yer lookin fer a place to stay, Edith rents out a room up there as well. Least ways she did to a couple of university folks a few weeks back. Their place is up the the first left to the east and then take the right at the forest. If you keep straight on you'd go to the Carmody's.

The door closes and the group find themselves on the porch of Dick's house. The square is quiet and the sun is setting into the west. The pre dusk air is heavy and hot and you hear a wild cacophony of insects and frogs wailing away already.