Page 79 of Repentance and Absolution

“Holy fuck, Oscar. Come here.”

“What?” he said, his eyes wide.

I took two strides and grabbed him, spinning him around and landing a volley of hard smacks on his behind.

“Ow! Jesus!” he yelped, and I forced myself to stop, even though I wanted to keep going, I was so mad.

I held him still, my fist wrapped tight in the neck of his coat while I tried to steady my breathing and at the same time listen for any sounds outside that would mean the wolf was still there…or wolves.

“I’m sor—” Oscar started.

“Shh-h. Quiet.”

He shut up and stayed still in my grasp. I’m sure he sensed my anger, and I’m certain t’was burning on the skin of his ass, even now that I’d stopped. I didn’t hear anything except silence outside, so I expected we were safe. But it had been a close one.

I turned to glare at Oscar.

“What the fuck did you think you were gonna do?” I said, my voice shaking.

“I—I know how to shoot, Jimmy. I was trying to protect you,” he said, in a husky, frightened voice that made me regret my hasty punishment.

I blinked. “I know. I know you thought you were—”

He stood up straighter and shook me off, lifting his chin. “I ain’t a child.”

We stared at each other for a long moment.

“I know,” I said.

“I have practiced, and I can shoot well,” he said, dusting himself off.

“I know.”

“So why can’t I make up my own mind?”

My heart was breaking.

“Because I got a lot more experience than you about guns and wolves and—and risky situations. You need to listen to me and do what I say.”

We stared at each other, and I could see he wanted to fight me on it.

“Oscar…” My voice was calmer now. “You’re so good at obeying me when it ain’t even a life or death situation. Why can’t you listen to me when it matters?”

He looked down at the ground, then back up. “I just thought I could help.”

I stepped forward and put my arms around him, pulling him into an embrace. He stiffened and resisted for one brief moment, then he let himself be coddled and petted.

“I know you did. But the best way for you to help in that situation was by doing what you’re told. I know you ain’t a child. You’re a smart man, and you are a good shot. But, like I said, I been in close call situations most of my adult life, and I know what to do. You need to remember that.” I pressed him tight to my heart. “Because you are the best thing in my life, Oscar Yates, and I don’t plan to lose you to some stupid, hungry wolves.” I choked up on that last part.

Oscar wrapped his arms around me then and pressed his head to my shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

“I know. And I’m sorry for whackin’ your poor behind.” I pulled away and frowned at him. “You okay?”

He nodded then grunted. “I can take that and more. You know it.”

I rolled my eyes. “Come on now. Let’s get these horses put up so we can go inside.”

We made sure all the animals were fed, watered and settled before we went to the house. True to his word, Clarence stood right outside the door, on the porch, with his rifle at the ready as we crossed the yard while Irene watched out of the window.