Chapter 12. Adakias’ Shadow
“There are a lot a’ things I put off ‘cause I get nervous an’ make excuses, but lately keep askin’ myself—if not now, when?”
– Siggy’s Memory Book
Making his way downstairs, Siggy checked to make sure no one was around. He established the area was clear and headed over to his bed, kneeling at its side. The hell was Kody goin’ on about? There’s no way he knows about this, crossed Siggy’s mind as he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. Feeling around for a small box stashed under his bunk, he pulled out the metallic tin and stuffed the paper inside. He looked around once more, pulling out his Peacemaker, and placed it in the tin, closing the container back up. He slid the box back in its spot and lay down on his bed, sorting things out.
“Jake was spotted up north, an’ again not too far from here. Can’t be too many places he’s headed, but why come here at all? If he’s runnin’, this is the last place ta’ go,” he thought aloud. He sat up, rubbing his head, “He can’t be comin’ here. Not now that things are so close.”
As he recounted his meeting, his stomach began to rumble. He checked the drawer next to his bed, finding an empty satchel. Siggy hopped out of bed and frantically double-checked the bag. “My jerky’s gone! Damnit, Ade!” Siggy slammed the drawer shut and headed upstairs. He ran out onto the hot dirt road, trying to find his brother. With Adelais nowhere in sight, Siggy quickly abandoned his quest for vengeance.
“Prolly for the best. Wouldn’t be the worth the hell ta’ try an’ get ‘it back anyway. Prolly stuffed his face ‘til he couldn’t fit any more,” Siggy grumbled to himself.
“Aw, was the little rat finally gonna stand up to his big brother?”
Siggy turned around to see a tall young woman with an antagonizing smirk and under-abundance of clothing standing before him. He sighed, having no good excuse to leave.
“What’s it matter, Maite? You ain’t Ade’s type, and even if you were, I wouldn’t set ya’ up.”
“’Course not. You could try to help out around the town like everyone else, instead of sneakin’ around like a little rat, but what would be in it for you?”
The shuffle of crutches beating against the ground not far behind him, Siggy turned to see the blanket of the chantry cast aside.
Lorena hobbled out, injecting herself into the situation. “Oh don’t worry, Maite, he’s all kinds of helpful ta’ people who matter. Kinda like you’re s’pose ta’ be, right? Instead of interruptin’ peoples’ prayers by starting fights in front of the church?”
“Lorena, ya’ can’t stand on your own foot, much less stand up for the boy behind you,” Maite responded.
Lorena stood on her good ankle, handing her crutches to Siggy as she stepped up to Maite, face to face. “Didn’t ya’ say somethin’ about helpin’ out around here? Must keep ya’ pretty busy—well, when ya’ aren’t already findin’ ways to ‘make yourself helpful’ to the other guys in town. You should prolly get back ta’ that.”
Lorena turned around and reached up to wrap her arm around Siggy’s shoulder, the two of them heading back into the bar. Once inside, he helped her as she took her crutches and hobbled over to a table, sitting on top of it to relieve the pressure on her leg. He took a seat across from her, watching as she rubbed her ankle.
“Lorena, you don’t gotta stick up for me, ya’ know. I can take care a’ myself.”
“Wasn’t jes’ fer you. Can’t stand that ass peddler. Always gettin’ in our business jes’ ‘cause Adelais won’t take her out back ta’ play bury the bone.”
“Right…” Siggy trailed off. “Lorena, I need to tell ya’ somethin’. And you can’t talk ‘bout it with anyone else. Got it? Not the city boy, not Ade. No one.”
Lorena stopped rubbing her ankle and looked up, giving Siggy her undivided attention.
“Ya’ know how I try an’ keep an ear to the ground ‘bout what’s goin’ on around here. I heard that Jake might be headin’ back. Dunno if he’s comin’ here, but I dunno where else he could go.”
Lorena stared at Siggy, hanging on his every word. Even after he finished speaking, she seemed lost in thought.
“We dunno for sure if he’s comin’ here, or if it’s even really him. Jes’ that he could be comin’. We should be careful.”
Lorena snapped out of her daze, looking the place over. She examined the bar from top to bottom, apparently trying to figure things out. “We gotta get ready, Sig. There’s no way him comin’ can be a good thing. Not after all the hell he raised last time. Not after what happened ta’ my ma.”
Siggy put his hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down. Lorena remained on the table, fidgeting with her crutches. She ground them against the table, chipping away at the wooden edges.
“Sorry. Little nervous. Got the butterflies, ya’ know?”
Siggy got up from table and kneeled before her. He looked up to her, taking her hand into his own. She looked down into his eyes.
“We’ll be ready, Lorena. Ade and the city boy can hold their own. And don’t worry—I got ya’. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Ya’ can’t know the future, Sig.”
Siggy stood up, holding Lorena’s hand. He helped her off the table, leading her on her good ankle. She looked up to him, puzzled, as he wrapped his arms around her waist, supporting and holding her injured side.
“Sig, what’re you…?”
“Shh.”
Siggy fumbled around in his pocket until he found the mp3 he had lifted from the truck. He placed an ear bud in Lorena’s ear and one in his own, the two of them listening to the haunting romance of Iron & Wine’s “Fever Dream.” He began to sway his hips, bringing her with him as they shared a quiet afternoon dance in the bar. He felt the warmth of her lower back as he slid his hand along the seam of her cotton dress. He managed to control the trembling in his hands as Lorena looked up into his eyes.
“Sig, you’re like my brother…” she trailed off.
“I told ya’ before—I’m not.”
Siggy leaned in slowly, grazing his lips upon hers. Her body quivered in his arms as they touched, and he held her close, unwilling to let her go. After an extended moment, their lips parted. They looked into each other’s eyes.
“Can ya’ still feel the butterflies?” he asked.
“It’s a little weird…”
“Give it time. Maybe you’ll like it.”
Lorena hesitated a moment before cautiously resting her head on Siggy’s chest, being careful to keep weight off her bad ankle. She relaxed her shoulders, exhaling as she closed her eyes. He took on the full weight of her body, resting his head upon hers. The taste of her lips still fresh on his mind, he inhaled, embracing her scent while trying to contain the rapid beating against the walls of his chest. The two continued to rock back and forth, letting the song end. After a period of shuffling together to the breeze of the wind, Siggy chuckled quietly to himself.
“Guess I should get started with dinner, huh?”
“…one more?” Lorena asked without lifting her head.
Siggy smiled, pressing the play button. The couple continued dancing to Death Cab for Cutie’s indie dirge, “I Will Follow You into the Dark,” as the evening settled in.