c. 2025 Rod Ice
All rights reserved
(4-25)
Townshend Lincoln dozed off some time in the afternoon, following his confrontation with Linn Speck, who lived on the front corner of their street. He snored loudly and sputtered saliva and bourbon. This offensive mixture dribbled into his shaggy beard, and left telltale signs of inebriation and vanquished stamina. But as evening approached, he floated back toward consciousness. A slow process retrieved him from the grasp of oblivion. When he had finally managed to open his eyes, a dark figure appeared from the cerebral shadows. It stood at the crest of his long, wooden ramp. Peering intently at his ruddy face and dirty clothes.
Sheriff Tom T. Rath displayed a mood of serious concern.
“Link? Are you still alive? We got a call that you had passed out in full view of the neighborhood. I decided to visit myself. Mark it as a courtesy call, because I’ve been out here so many times with my deputies. Evergreen Estates never seems to quiet down for long!”
The weary hermit cocked his head to one side, and yawned.
“Big Tom? What the hell, I’m out here drinking every day. Even in the winter months...”
The county lawman relaxed his stance, and leaned against the porch railing.
“I know that of course, everybody in this development has seen you here, at one time or another. But you had some sort of altercation with another resident, earlier today. Is that right?”
Lincoln smiled broadly.
“Yes I did. He won’t be back again, I figure...”
The enforcement chief nodded and sighed.
“My concern was that maybe you suffered some injury during the dispute. Are you feeling okay, old man?”
The contrarian loner shrugged and straightened his debilitated legs.
“Yeah, no more aches and pains than usual. I think that irritating fuck down the street might’ve come out of it worse than me, honestly. He could need some dental work...”
Sheriff Rath frowned and stiffened. He did not find the comment to be amusing.
“Mr. Speck wants us to press charges, Link! But from what he admitted, it was his intrusion that started the fight. Is that correct?”
His host at Lot 13 slammed a fist on the side wall, cracking a piece of vinyl siding.
“DAMN RIGHT HE STARTED OUR LITTLE BRAWL! I WARNED HIM ONCE BEFORE NOT TO COME ON MY PROPERTY. WE’RE OIL AND WATER, NO MIXING BETWEEN US...”
The safety captain nodded again.
“He said it was a friendly visit to tell you about an offer for tenants of this park. Some kind of promotional deal on Tesla vehicles?”
Lincoln gestured with his arms spread wide.
“Something like that, I didn’t listen long enough to figure it out. He’s not welcome here, so I let him know that danger was about to strike...”
The sheriff bowed his head. He appeared to be tired of settling conflicts at the trailer community.
“I heard from the Chamber of Commerce that our county has set a record for Cybertruck sales. It’s been in the headlines all week. I don’t quite get it, with chaotic tariffs from Washington driving all the bankers and builders crazy. But whatever the case, that business spike registered with people on the coasts. I have a daughter in college, and she sent me a copy of the New York Times. They had the story on their front page, along with a picture of your official welcome sign by Pine Trail Road. I don’t care for publicity, Link. I like things quiet and peaceful. That’s what I want you to keep in mind!”
The target of questioning shrugged and coughed before responding.
“So, am I going to jail? I would’ve bought extra booze if I knew you had a free vacation in mind...”
Rath was furious at this cavalier attitude. He snorted like a bull.
“DAMMIT LINK, YOU’RE NOT BEING ARRESTED! SO, SETTLE DOWN! I JUST WANT YOU TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY! EITHER ONE OF YOU IDIOTS COULD’VE BEEN HURT. YOU’RE BOTH GROWN MEN, YOU KNOW BETTER! NOW, THERE’LL BE REPORTERS AND GAWKERS PEEKING OVER THE FENCE OUT FRONT, TO FIND A STORY. YOU NEED TO BE VIGILANT. KEEP YOUR COOL! DON’T LET MR. SPECK GET UNDER YOUR SKIN!”
The hairy hobo grinned proudly.
“If he stays out of my yard, there’ll be no worries, Tom! I don’t walk around the neighborhood. Shit, I don’t really go anywhere, except to see the doctor and buy more refreshments...”
The lawman stifled a guffaw. He was very much aware of the details.
“I know your routine. And so long as you don’t bother anybody, that’s good enough for me. We’ve had a ton of complaints about this mobile village, but nothing ever led us to you. It’s not your thing to fly flags or wave guns. Or to bark through a bullhorn about political ideas...”
Lincoln felt his knees aching. He had been on the bench for too long.
“That’s gospel truth right there, Big Tom! I keep to myself. Truth is, I don’t like too many people. They make noise, leave trash in the grass, and go by with their noses in the air. Screw ‘em all! I got no use for most of the human race!”
Sheriff Rath brushed lint from his uniform shirt, then straightened his duty belt.
“I’m going to mark your incident with Mr. Speck closed. Have a good day, sir!”
Loose gravel and dust scattered as the county SUV disappeared, quickly. A first hint of sunset lingered above the treetops. Despite the warm relief of their day, now, inhabitants of Evergreen Estates felt chilly conditions returning.
The cranky outcast had only a single swallow of liquor left in his bottle. He twirled the container for a moment, letting the fading light penetrate this meager reserve. Then, he was distracted by the scratching paws of his adoptive, stray feline. A house guest that had invited herself onto the premises, almost one year ago.
He addressed the animal interloper with a wink of satire in mind.
“What, you want to critique my drink? Is that a temperance lecture, in kitty language? Trust me, you ain’t the first one to give me grief for getting blitzed every day, if that’s your vibe. Piss off, Miss Fur Face!”
The wandering Calico rolled on her back, and flexed her limbs.
“Mrowwwwww!”
Nightfall descended at last, with a sense of calm settling over the junkyard oasis. Tomorrow, there would be other questions to consider, and challenges to meet. But for the moment, Townshend Lincoln was sleepy and content, to share the company of an independent creature who was also lost in a prevailing vortex of social alienation and regrets.
No comments:
Post a Comment