There was a lot there.
First, it killed me everyone knew I danced for a living.
Second, it killed me she thought I wouldn’t give a shit about Gray.
Third, it killed me that Gray would lose his ever-lovin’ mind if he knew she was calling me.
And last and most importantly, it killed me that Gray was about lose his land.
“For you,” she went on, “probably a drop in the bucket, seein’ as you’re shacked up with a hotshot. But for Gray, it’s his land. And you should know, the bank that holds the note is Buddy Sharp’s bank.”
My body jerked yet again.
Oh God.
She wasn’t done.
“And you should also know, Buddy Sharp is scrapin’ together money to buy that note. So, they foreclose, the bank won’t own it and Jeb Sharp won’t own it. Buddy will.”
Oh God!
“How did this happen?” I asked.
“Mirry’s not growin’ younger through the years,” she snapped like I should know that which I should but honestly, no offense to Grandma Miriam but she was seventy when I met her over seven years ago. I was kind of surprised she was still alive.
Janie continued, “Got to the point Gray couldn’t take care of her, his uncles are all assholes, his cousins proved to be too so he had to put her in a home. He’s self-employed, got no insurance and he’s Gray. He didn’t put her in a shithole. He put her in the best place in the county. Had a bad crop of peaches last year, the bills from the home, a bad year with crops, shit happens.”
“This is awful,” I whispered.
“Well…yeah,” she snapped again like someone would say, “No duh”.
“So, what about his uncles, his cousins, can they help?”
“Did I not mention they’re assholes?” she asked.
“Yes, I know that Janie, but this is their family’s land. It’s been in that family for six generations,” I reminded her.
“Yeah, well, ‘bout twelve years ago, Gray’s Daddy died and they wanted their bit. They didn’t get it. Seems that left a sour taste in their mouth so they’re not feelin’ like steppin’ up. So they’re not.”
Those assholes!
I controlled my bizarre flash of temper because, really, this had nothing to do with me (anymore) and asked, “I…uh…how much does he need?”
“You kickin’ in?”
My back went straight and I repeated. “How much does he need?”
“Are you kickin’ in?” she repeated too.
“Yes,” I said instantly and I had absolutely no clue why.
“Right, I’ll get Shim or Roan to find out what they can find out. I’ll call you back.”
“I don’t want him to know it’s coming from me,” I said quickly.
“Well…yeah.” There it was again, the “No duh.”
“Janie,” I said softly, “I’m helping out.”
“You know, it took a lot for me to make this call, way you cleared out on Gray, way you cleared out on me. So, I appreciate it and all that you aren’t a total bitch and are gonna help out but don’t think you doin’ it means anyone’s gonna kiss your ass.”
I wasn’t breathing.
Therefore I had to force out, “The way I cleared out on Gray?”
“Yeah, one minute, he’s at home takin’ shit from Mirry because he told her you were movin’ in, the next minute, I’m callin’ him because you didn’t show up for your shift. The next thing we know, people saw you take off with that brother of yours. Then the next thing we know, rumors are pool hustlers are on the game in Grand Junction. You tried, I’ll give you that, gave it a go. Too bad you couldn’t manage not to walk all over Gray while you were doin’ it. I could find another girl. Lot harder for him to do it.”
Even though my heart was beating like a sledgehammer against the wall of my chest, my blood pressure was also skyrocketing.
“Actually, it wasn’t hard, seeing as when I came back three months later to explain, I saw him cuddling on the street with a pretty little brunette so, please, I know you’re tight with Gray and you think he’s one step down from God, but don’t bullshit me.”
“What?” she whispered.
“I think you heard me. And also, I’ve never been to Grand Junction except to drive through it. The last game of pool I hustled was before I went to Mustang. I haven’t taken a dollar from the game since Buddy Sharp and I didn’t hustle him. So if people were trash talking me after I left, they can go fuck themselves. And as for you and Gray believing it, the same goes for you. Now, although this catch up phone call has been a barrel of laughs, I’ve got flowers to water. Call me when you know how much he needs and I’ll get it to you. Take care of yourself, Janie.”