Page 77 of Repentance and Absolution

“Nothing of value ever is.”

Oscar nodded, sipping his coffee, and glancing at me nervously. I reckoned he was wondering same as me if Carson could see anything suspicious around the place.

“Still, you’re lucky to have a teacher as kind and patient as Jimmy,” Carson said.

Oscar grinned. “I suppose. Although, we seem to get on each other’s nerves more’n more.”

Carson laughed, and I thought t’was wise for Oscar to pretend that. Well, maybe he wasn’t pretending. We did get on each other’s nerves a bit. But we always made up real nice after we bickered, so there was that.

“I don’t doubt it. Well, it’s not that long till spring, and we can start expanding the place and give you two some more space. I imagine that second bedroom will be welcome.”

Oscar looked heavenward and put his hands together in a silent prayer. “Oh, t’will. I can’t wait to be able to sleep all alone without someone snorin’ and kickin’.”

I sat up straighter. “At least I don’t pass wind all the time.”

Oscar shot me a look of real indignation. “Maybe not. But when you do pass wind, e’en if I don’t hear it, it knocks me flat.”

“Well, good thing you’re lyin’ down, then.”

Carson laughed so hard that he almost spilled his coffee.

We spoke about how the weather had been, how Onyx was working out and if we needed anything from town. I said I thought Clarence and Irene were gonna take the sled to town next week, and we’d either go with them or get them to pick up what we needed. He didn’t need to bother himself, but I appreciated him asking.

“Well, then, I suppose I’d better get back. When do you want to start working on the house again?”

I shrugged and glanced at Oscar. “I don’t know. April? Or will it be too muddy?”

“I reckon we can at least start planning by then. And we’ll start as soon as we’re able.”

“Sounds good.”

“Bye, then.”

After he’d left, Oscar and I stared at each other until we were sure he’d gone, then let out equally relieved sighs.

I nodded toward the jar of saddle grease. “I hope to God he didn’t see what that was.”

Oscar followed my gaze and blanched. “Oh shit.”

“Or that he figured I didn’t have anywhere comfortable to sit to clean the leather gear. I don’t know.”

“I got worried when he looked at the slate. I’m glad you explained,” Oscar said.

“Yeah, I figured t’would make sense. And it does. You need to spell both those words and more.”

“Yeah.” Oscar made a face. “’Tis a goddamn shame we have to lie. ’Tis even harder after bein’ ourselves with Clarence and Irene.”

I walked o’er and lifted the edge of the curtain, making sure Carson had gone. Then I took Oscar in my arms and held him close, nuzzling his neck and kissing him in that soft place where there wasn’t much stubble.

“I know it. But ’tis the only way we can do this. And ’tis worth it, ain’t it?” I said, pulling back and looking him in the eyes.

He nodded. “’Course it is. I’ll lie to the Pope for you and our life together, Jimmy, e’en if he was standing right in front of me.”

I arched a brow. “Well, hopefully it won’t ever come to that.”

* * * *

Irene had been thoughtful enough to let us bathe at their place once every week. She’d said t’would be a kindness to them as well as to each other, and I had to agree.