Chapter 39. Black Autumn Snow
“People can talk for hours and not say a word.”
– Geroge’s Tab Book
Los Tios, Mexico
Geroge scrubbed the front seat, trying to get as much ash and dried blood out of the car’s interior as possible. Kody’s plunge off the top of the small chapel didn’t kill him, but it didn’t do any kindness to the convertible’s upholstery either. Geroge waged a strong campaign, but eventually settled for throwing a blanket over the seat. He looked up into the afternoon sky, watching remnant ash and cinder from the Hacienda fall like black autumn snow. He carried the bucket and rags back inside the inn.
Geroge made his way to Lorena’s room, knocking before entering. He left the bucket and rags near the bathroom, putting them out of sight. He took a seat, watching Lorena stare vacantly out the window while Glenn held a tearful Alma in his arms.
“Hey. I, uh…I don’t mean to interrupt, but I’m headin’ out.”
Alma looked up, pushing Glenn’s arm from her shoulder. She solemnly stood up and walked over to Geroge, giving him a hug. “Be careful, G. Take it slow and make sure you take a lot of breaks. Say hi to Jency for me.”
“I will.” Geroge nodded, returning the embrace. He got up and headed for the door, stopping short of the doorframe. “Lorena, you sure you don’t want a ride? The old place ain’t too far from here.”
“I’ll make my own way,” she replied, never turning back.
“All right. Good luck with rebuilding your bar. Lemme know if it ever gets off the ground. The Bards could come down and do a show or something.”
Lorena didn’t respond. Geroge lingered for a moment before leaving the room. He walked back into the hallway, heading over to the other room. He peeked inside, seeing Cris passed out in a chair next to the bed. He stepped inside, tapping her on the shoulder.
“Hey, chickarita, thanks for lending me your car—I’m gonna head on home. You guys really gonna stay?”
“We have to, for now.” Cris looked over to Kody, badly bruised and resting in bed. “Besides, I’m not fond of this place, but after what I saw last night…Lorena could use the help. Once she gets back on her feet, Kody and I will come home. Let Tabby and my sister know we’re okay?”
“Always do. But you gotta promise to phone Jeany and let her know what happened to me after Emma’s done beatin’ me to death. Don’t think you remember how much of a temper your sister has.”
“Heh…try texting her.” Cris shrugged.
Geroge leaned in, kissing Cris’s forehead. She reached up and hugged him, holding him tight. He sighed, letting her go. He walked over to Kody, kissing his forehead.
“No hetero, brother. Get better, all right? You got a godchild to meet.”
Cris looked up, but Geroge said nothing as he headed out of the room. He stopped outside the door, staring into the lobby, before moving on. He headed out in the unusually humid autumn afternoon, Glenn leaning unevenly on the side of the porch.
“You guys party way too hard, man. Make sure you take care of the Alm’ster, G. I know I give her a lot of crap, but she’s a good woman,” Geroge said.
“I t-told you b-before: you’re G, not I.”
“Yeah yeah… tell me somethin’.”
Glenn turned his head toward Geroge.
“You think the banditos are gone for good?”
“History shows that di-dissentious elements never d-disappear. I think the d-destruction of the Hacienda will set them b-back, and hopefully quiet things d-down for a while, but…” Glenn trailed off.
“But what?” Geroge asked.
“What happened after J-julius Caesar was killed?”
“They had a funeral?”
Glenn looked at Geroge over his glasses, adjusting them as he turned away. Geroge waited, but Glenn appeared to lose interest, watching something going on down the road. Geroge turned his head to see Lorena untying a horse. He watched as she climbed up onto the mare and rode off toward the ruins of her old bar.
“D-don’t worry about her. Things should be c-calm for a while.” Glenn paused. “And she w-wanted some time alone.”
Geroge moved up to Glenn, offering him his hand. Glenn took it, and Geroge threw him into a bro hug. Shortly after the two parted, Geroge headed back to the car. He put up the hood of the convertible, keeping the falling ash out as a dust storm started to kick up. Looking over to the passenger seat, he went through his bag, making sure he had the beads he’d scavenged after Cris tossed out Kody’s old necklace. Making sure everything was set, he hit the gas and threw the radio on to Coldplay’s song of self-discovery, “Don’t Panic” as a dust storm started rolling in.
I guess it’d be all fine and dandy if things ended there. Ya know, on a high-ish note. But I’m guessin’ you want a little more. And why shouldn’t you? Loose ends and all. Think I can swing a little encore. I’ll fill you in on a bit I caught through the rumor mill’s grapevine.