The Bridge

by Herschel Cozine

I'm sure you have heard stories about us Down Easters. We're standoffish. Not very friendly. We may give that impression to “outsiders,” but that's not how we really are. We're independent, for certain, and don't take kindly to people coming in and trying to run our lives for us. But other than that, we're like any other folk.

Phil Lakemore wasn't trying to run our lives. No. That wasn't the problem. He was just not one of us, and had no idea how we think. He never took the trouble to learn about Bugle Flats. Otherwise this tragedy probably never would have happened.

Here in Bugle Flats we mind our own business. You may think that's odd, being as we are such a small town, and small town folks know each other's business as well as they know their own. That's true. But we don't interfere. Live and let live is our motto. If Katie wanted to carry on with that no good Phil Lakemore—well, who were we to tell her otherwise? She's old enough to decide these things for herself. Besides, she had parents, an older brother, and the Reverend Mitchell to advise her. I'm no relation, thank God, or I would have given her the benefit of my advice.

But, as I say, we keep our own counsel here in Bugle Flats. Phil Lakemore was about as worthless as a man can be. He must have been twenty-three or four, no job and no interest in finding one. His only interest was Katie Hill. Can't blame him for that, I guess. She's cute as a button, pleasant and smart. At least smart as far as intelligence goes. She lacks a little common sense in the romance department. But, like I say, that's none of my affair. She was quite a bit younger than Phil, too. She can't be more than seventeen. If I remember right, she was born the same year as the big fire that took the lumber mill. Seventeen years ago.

Phil wasn't from around these parts, so I don't expect he knew how we did things. It's easy to misunderstand, I suppose, if you haven't lived here all your life. He only moved here eight or nine months ago. From New York , he told Sarah, my wife. Don't know if he meant the city or the state. It doesn't really matter all that much. The important thing he was from out of town. It takes some time for folks around here to take a stranger into their confidence. And you're a stranger until you've lived here a couple of years and learn our way of life. You simply don't bring your city ways up here and expect us to welcome you with open arms. It's just the way we are. Why we'd give you the shirt off our backs if you fell on hard times. We'd even give you a place to stay. Look at Hannah Mills. Why she took Jane in—off the streets so to speak—and let her stay there four or five months ‘til she got back on her feet. But Jane was one of us, knew how we did things, and didn't expect anything more than what we were able and willing to do.

But Phil? Well, he didn't fit in. And when he started courting Katie it didn't go down well with folks. I mean, what right did he have to come barging in to town and take over like that, leaving poor Jimmy out in the cold? Jimmy Barnes was sweet on Katie, and they were pretty cozy until Phil came into the picture. But, as I said, we tend to our own business, so nothing was said. At least nothing was said out loud where everyone could hear. But believe me, Sarah and I caught an earful from a lot of folks when they came into the store. Behind closed doors more or less, where it was confidential talk and not gossip.

You see, Sarah and I run the grocery store here in town. We are the only store in town, unless you count the Millers' vegetable stand. But they're seasonal and don't sell anything but locally grown fruit and vegetables. So we don't have any competition to speak of. No big supermarkets or chain stores. And we're not high priced; don't take advantage of folks because they don't have anyplace else to go.

And Jimmy. Well, he took it pretty well considering. I remember when I was seventeen and dating Millie Farrell. Why I would have died if she ran off with another guy—especially an outsider. But Jimmy? Well, he was pretty broken up I know, but he was a man about it and didn't make a big fuss. At least not in public.

Jimmy worked for me in the grocery store. He stocked the shelves, swept the floor, and carried the groceries out to the car for the older folks. Everybody liked him and remarked how well mannered he was. Polite. Friendly. Why I would have been proud to have him for a son.

The day Jimmy and Katie broke up he came into the store looking about as bad as a fellow his age could look and still be alive. He went about his business, tying on his apron and sweeping up around the produce area without a word. But I knew something was eating at him. Something mighty terrible.

“What's the matter, son?” I asked, putting my arm around his shoulder and leading him to my office at the back of the store.

“Nothing, Mister Parks,” he said.

“I know better than that,” I said. “Something's bothering you.”

He brushed a piece of lettuce from his apron and looked at the floor. “I'm OK,” he said. “It's nothing much.” He reached for his broom. “I'd better get back to work.”

“Not just yet,” I said. “I'm paying your salary. No need to worry about that.”

He twirled the broom by the handle, making swirl patterns on the dusty floor. I waited, watching as his face ran the gamut of emotions from sadness to despair. Finally he lifted his eyes from the floor and looked into mine.

“Me and Katie,” he said simply.

“Having troubles, are you?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Well, that happens to folks,” I said. “But you'll work it out.”

He shook his head. “Not this time. She's in love with somebody else, or so she says.”

“Who?”

“Phil Lakemore.”

I stiffened at the name. Of all the people in town that Katie could go for, why would she pick a loser like Phil Lakemore? Why, he couldn't hold a candle to Jimmy in any way: looks, intelligence, character. I got angrier as I thought about it.

“Phil Lakemore? I don't believe it. Katie's too smart for that.”

Jimmy shrugged.

I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. How could Katie fall for a lazy good for nothing like Phil? But looking back on it I could see the signs. They had been spending an awful lot of time together.

“It won't last,” I said, hoping my voice was convincing. “Katie has a good head on her shoulders. She'll see him for what he is. Just wait and see.”

Jimmy shrugged again, took a firm hold on the broom and started sweeping. I took the broom from his hand.

“Take the rest of the day off, son,” I said. “I can sweep the floor.”

He started to protest, but I waved him off. “I ain't docking you. Just do as I say. In fact, take tomorrow off, too. I can handle things here for a day. Be back here first thing Thursday morning. You'll be feeling better by then.”

Jimmy looked like he was going to cry. But being the type of boy he is, he stuck out his chin and gave me a fleeting smile.

“Thank you, Mister Parks.” Another smile and he was gone.

I picked up some papers from the desk, riffled through them, then threw them down again. Still angry over seeing Jimmy hurt by that city boy, I couldn't concentrate on business. I wished there was something I could do to help.

But it really was none of my business. It wasn't my place to meddle. Jimmy would have to work this out for himself. Still...

That night at the dinner table I talked to Sarah about it. She was sympathetic, clucking her disapproval at the mention of Lakemore's name. And she was a fond of Jimmy as I was. He was the son we never had, being as Sarah was unable to bear children.

“I'm so sorry for Jimmy,” she said. “He deserves better'n that. Why, he has never spoken a word against Phil. Or Katie. Treated her right all this time, always taking her places and doing things for her. What's the matter with that girl, anyway?”

I shrugged. “No accounting for young folk. Especially when it comes to affairs of the heart.” I patted her on the arm and smiled wistfully. “Remember when we was that age and you thought you were in love with Hank?”

Her eyes clouded over, and I immediately regretted mentioning Hank's name.

“Poor Hank,” she said. “Dying so young. And so tragically.” She shuddered, remembering that long ago day when Hank drove off the bridge into the water at Hogan's Crossing and drowned. It was his own fault, and everyone said so. He should have known that the bridge was unsafe to go over twenty-five miles an hour on. But that didn't make the loss any easier to take. And Sarah was inconsolable.

I patted her hand. “Sorry,” I said. “I didn't mean to open old hurts. Forgive me.”

She placed her hand over mine. “It was along time ago.” She dabbed at her eyes, smiled wanly and stood up. “I made some chocolate chip cookies,” she said, placing a plate on the table. “Your favorite.”

I thanked her, took one and dipped it into my coffee. Sarah didn't take any. She went to be early that evening, leaving me feeling terrible about what I had said.

With Jimmy taking the day off, I was shorthanded. So, when Sadie called and asked me to deliver her groceries, I needed a hand. Sadie was a shut-in, living alone except for an old worn out cat, and a daughter who worked in the next town and only came home on weekends. And she lived a few miles out of town—an hour round trip in good weather. And today it was raining.

Nevertheless, she was a good customer, and as I say, we take care of our own in Bugle Flats. I would see to it that she got her groceries, even if I had to deliver them myself.

Phil Lakemore solved my problem for me. As I say, I had no use for him. But that didn't mean I would refuse to work with him if the situation called for it. And in this case I was certainly in no position to be choosy.

Phil walked into the store shortly after my talk with Sadie. He strolled through the produce aisle and headed for the beer section at the back of the store. It took him a few minutes to decide, but eventually he selected a six pack and brought it up to the checkout stand. I scanned it, put it in a bag and handed it to Phil.

“That'll be $8.98,” I said, tearing the bill from the register and sliding it across the counter. Phil studied it for a few seconds, frowned and threw down a ten dollar bill. I gave him the change, and he pocketed it without saying a word. He was studying a magazine cover on the rack by the door when the idea to use him as my delivery boy came to me.

“How would you like to earn a fast twenty dollars?” I said.

Phil didn't respond, but continued to study the magazine.

“Phil?”

At the sound of his name, he turned and looked at me with a puzzled frown. “Are you talking to me?”

“I don't see anyone else in the store.”

His frown turned to a bemused smile and he stepped back over to the checkout stand. “I didn't think you even knew my name,” he said. “And I know you don't like me. So why are you offering me money?”

“I need someone to do a job for me,” I said. “Jimmy isn't here, and I can't leave the store unattended.”

Phil snorted at the mention of Jimmy, and he put his hands in his pockets, all the while looking at me with a dubious frown wrinkling his brow.

“What's the job?”

“I need someone to deliver some groceries to Sadie Norris. She's all alone, can't get around, and needs them today.”

“Where does she live?” Phil asked, his face betraying interest.

“A few miles out of town. On the old mill road. Do you know where that is?”

He shook his head. “No. But this burg isn't big enough to get lost in. Point me in the right direction and I'll find it.” He gave a disdainful smile and ran his fingers through his unruly hair. “But I ain't so sure I want to do this for twenty bucks. It's raining and I got other things to do.”

“Okay,” I said. “Twenty-five. Take it or leave it.

He considered my offer, and I was sure he was going to ask for more. But after a moment's thought, he held out his hand. “Pay in advance.”

“Ten now, the rest when you get back.”

Phil grunted, took the ten dollars and waited for me to pack the groceries.

“Now remember,” I said, putting the bags in a cart and holding the door open for Phil to go through, “Sadie needs these groceries right away. Get them to her and get back here in an hour and I'll give you an extra five dollars.”

Phil grunted again. “Where is this place?”

“ Take Main Street to Olive. Right on Olive. It turns into County Drive . Sadie lives about a mile past the bridge. Small white house on the hill. It's the only house on the road for about half a mile.”

Without another word, Phil wheeled the cart to his car and loaded the groceries into the trunk. He fired up the engine with a roar, spun a wheelie out of the parking space and sped down Main Street a good ten mph faster than the speed limit. Typical city kid, I thought as I watched him disappear down Olive Street .

***

The inquest was brief. There wasn't much doubt how Phil died. He was going too fast when he hit the bridge at Hogan's Crossing and went into the water. The rain didn't help much, making visibility a problem. There's a sign there that says “Caution. Narrow Bridge .” It was put there after Hank's unfortunate accident. But Phil probably paid no attention to it. I'm sure he didn't know about Hank or he would have been more careful. He was no doubt in a hurry because he wanted that extra five dollars I promised him. As I said in the beginning, this never would have happened if Phil had taken the time to learn about Bugle Flats.

Some folks wondered what Phil was doing on the bridge if he was going to Sadie's place. That's partly my fault, I guess. When I told Phil she lived a mile beyond the bridge I didn't mean for him to go over it. There's a fork there and he should have taken the other road. Having lived in Bugle Flats all my life I just assumed that he would know that.

I feel pretty bad about this because I was in some way responsible for Hank's accident as well. He was speeding because I had dared him to, never thinking that he would have an accident. You know how teenagers are. They think they're indestructible.

Anyway, I was pretty certain that Katie and Jimmy would get back together once she got over the shock of Phil's death. But I guess it just wasn't meant to be. You see, Phil's brother, Jerry, came to Bugle Flats to claim the body. He and Katie seemed to hit it off right away. Jerry is a year younger than Phil, and just as shiftless. I honestly don't know what Katie sees in guys like that.

I can't very well ask Jerry to deliver groceries to Sadie Norris. Nope. That's out of the question. But the silo on my place needs a new roof. Maybe Jerry could use the work.