There it was. Jim’s high beams lit up the sign– “Mineral Lake Exit”. Jim slowed down and pulled onto the muddy road. He was glad he thought about locking in the hubs, he wouldn’t want to get stuck out here. Jim drove around the lake to Buck’s house. As he pulled up in front, Buck stepped out onto the porch. Jim got out of the Blazer and ran through the mud towards the porch. Most of the rain had stopped by now, there was just a mist left in the air.
“Thanks for coming, Jim.” Buck said.
“Are you all right? You look terrible,” Jim replied. “Have you been drinking again? You know we’ve talked about this before, Buck—”
“—I know Jim, tone it down a little will ya? My heads killing me.” Buck cut him off.
“All right,” Jim nodded. They were both tired, and Jim wanted to take care of business now that the rain had stopped. “Where’s the garbage?”
“In the barn, next to the straw pile. Here, I’ll help you.”
“That’s all right, there’s no use in both of us getting muddy.”
“Then I’ll put some coffee on. You look like you could use some,” Buck said as Jim ran back to the Blazer. Jim drove it around in a circle and stopped in front of the barn. He jumped out, opened the barn door, and walked in. Pulling a flashlight out of his raincoat, Jim turned it on and looked around until he found the bags of garbage. The mules moved restlessly in their stables as Jim walked to the straw pile.
“It’s all right girls, it’s just old Jim,” he reassured the mules as he picked up a couple bags. The animals calmed down upon hearing the familiar voice. Jim made two more trips into the barn for the rest of the bags, then closed the doors and ran to the house. He stopped on the porch, took off his muddy boots then entered the house. Inside he took off his raincoat and hat, and hung them on a peg next to the door. A fire was ragging in the fireplace and Jim moved over to it and warmed himself. Buck emerged from the kitchen with two mugs of hot coffee and handed one to him.
“Thanks,” Jim said, accepting it.
“I’m sorry you had to come all the way out here, but Clifford left and took the Suburban,” Buck explained.
“What? Do you want me to put out an APB out on it?”
“No, he’s just an antsy kid. His mother called just before I called you. Apparently Clifford went to Seattle to party, but ended up at home when he ran out of money. His mother said she’ll send him back in a week or so.”
“Well, alright if that’s the way you want it,” Jim replied then moved to a chair and sat down. Jim looked at Buck. Buck had a beard that was several days old and his clothes looked like they had been slept in. “What’s wrong, Buck?” Jim asked, worriedly. “You promised me you’d quit drinking.”
“I know Jim, I’m sorry,” Buck apologized. “I was doing well for awhile, then I just needed a drink.”
“Well you had better get a grip on it. You know it’s bad for business,” Jim scolded. “Especially with Clifford around.”
“I know Jim, settle down.”
Jim didn’t feel like arguing, so he changed the subject. “Have you got any charters yet?” he asked after a long moment.
“No, but the seasons still early. When are you going to come fishing with me?” he replied, happy for the change in topics.
“I don’t know. Soon I hope,” Harper answered, slumping low in his seat and warming his hands with his coffee cup.
“Tell you what. Why don’t you dump the garbage and come back. I’ll have the gear in the boat and waiting. We’ll have a great time, just like we use to,” Buck said with a smile.
Jim’s eyes wanted to close, but he fought it. “Not today Buck, I’m just too tired,” he replied, then took a long drink from his cup knowing that Nikki was waiting back at the house.
“It’s that dang blasted woman of yours isn’t it?” Buck scowled. “I warned you about her.”
“No, I’m just tired,” Jim defended himself.
“Being tired never stopped you from fishing before. Listen to it out there, the rain has stopped. In a few hours the clouds will break and the fish will be biting. We’ll have the lake to ourselves.” Buck pleaded.
“It sounds tempting, but not today. I’ll come next week, I promise,” Jim assured him. “I’d better get going if I’m to catch Marcellous at the landfill.” Jim set the cup on the coffee table then stood up, and Buck followed him through the door and onto the porch. As he sat on a chair putting his boots on, the water clock chimed.
Ding!
Jim looked at it, then to his watch. “Looks like you’re an hour slow, Buck.”
Buck frowned, slightly embarrassed. “Yeah, I’m still working on it.”
“I’ll call you in a couple of days. We’ll talk about fishing then,” Jim told him as he stood up.
“Okay, Jim. I’ll be waiting,” Buck said with a smile. Jim walked off the porch and into the darkness to the Blazer, carrying his hat and coat. He hopped in. Waving to Buck as he drove past, Jim rolled back up the muddy road with his high beams on, to the paved highway and turned north. The Blazer slowly accelerated, kicking mud clods from its tires, as it went down the road and around the bend.