When the Women Come out to Dance (2002) (27 page)

"Front hole money hole," Denise said, "back hole cor
n hole. I told it to Ben in the eighth grade."

Ben remembered it and turned his head to Denise. Haze
n said, "Look at me, goddamn it," and they saw him holding a black semiautomatic pistol on them but mainly on Ben, a bi g one Denise believed was a Colt .45, like one her dad used t o have, Hazen saying now, "I'm through talking," raised th e gun to eye level and put it dead center on Ben.

Ben said, "You're gonna shoot me? For what? It won't ge
t you my land."

Hazen sighted down the barrel. "I'm not talking to you n
o more."

Denise's hand went into the bag close in front of her.

Ben said, "How's Brother?"

It stopped Hazen because--Denise saw it--he didn't kno
w and had to ask.

"What happen to him?"

Her hand came out of the bag and laid the pack of Winsto
n on the table.

"He fell off a roof," Ben said. "He won't die, but has to b
e put back together."

"Goddamn it," Hazen said, "what'd you do, push him off ?"

Denise's hand went back into the bag.

"I'm trying to get away from him," Ben said, "and he'
s shooting at me up there, and he lost his balance."

"You care so much," Denise said, "why don't you go to th
e hospital and see him?" She waited a moment and said, "Yo u shoot Ben you'll have to shoot me, too, won't you?" Thre w that in and got Hazen to look at her and saw his eyes los e their fire, his eyes turning heavy so she'd think he was cool.

"You know your brother," Ben said. "He likes to fight bu
t doesn't know how. He's too quick on the trigger."

"He's a moron," Denise said to Hazen. "That's why yo
u never let him hang around with you. I really think you ough t to take off while you have the chance."

Ben said, "Why bust your ass dealing in truck parts? If I
w as a hardcase like yourself, shit, I'd rob banks. My granddad , a famous deputy U
. S
. marshal in his day, used to tell me robbing banks took nerve, but was the quickest way to get your hands on real money. Even if you get caught and put away , you're looked up to in prison."

Denise said, "Really? Is that true?"

Ben said, "Yeah, bank robbers are among the elite," an
d looked at Hazen. "You've done time. Isn't that right?"

"Hijackers," Hazen said, "don't take any backseats to nobody."

"It's a lot of work though, huh? Heavy work." Ben said
, "You want another beer?"

"No," Denise said, "he's running out of time. Let him go."

Hazen put his sleepy eyes on her, looking more tired tha
n cool, and she softened her tone saying to him, "Go on, Hazen , get out of here while you can." She paused a moment and said , "For my sake. Please."

And it seemed to move him. Hazen said, "Sometimes i
t works," shaking his head, "and sometimes it don't." H
e looked at Denise again to say, "This one wasn't my trip," an d walked out with his big Colt .45.

Neither one of them moved until they heard the front door slam.

"What did you mean," Ben said, "you told him to leave fo
r your sake?"

Denise's hand came out of the bag holding her SIG Saue
r and laid it on the table.

"So I wouldn't have to shoot him."

"You think you would've?"

"If it looked like you and I were through before we eve
n got started? I'm not a victim type." She said, "That man i s really stupid, isn't he?"

"Carl said nine out of ten criminals have the brain of
a chicken."

"Your old granddad, known for his wisdom."

"He could tell a story," Ben said.