I returned to work bright and early Monday morning. Charlene, Bob and Jerry were there before I arrived sitting in their cars. Charlene waved me over to her car.

“Travis, did you hear what happened?”

I feigned surprise, “No, what?”  

“I heard that Suzanne and the kids packed up and skipped town while Roger was in jail. Nobody knows where she went. I also heard that Rodger is supposed to get out today. I suppose Cindy knows something, but I doubt if she’ll show up for work.”

“Wow! that sounds crazy!” I said.

“Well Rodger’s got a bad temper for sure. It’s a good thing that she left that mean bastard,”she said.

Darrell’s truck sped down the dirt road and parked beside my truck. He got out and walked towards us with a worried look on his face. He turned, spat from the chaw he was chewing and adjusted his worn out green ball cap with Scoal written on it. “Well, guys. Looks like we should be finishing up here today and moving over to my daddy’s farm tomorrow. You’re all welcome to work if you want. We’re going to be a bit short handed today. Cindy called and said that she and Suzanne were not coming back. Rodger’s still in jail, and daddy’s supposed to bail him out, so it’s just us here today. We’re all going to pull as much as we can before lunch, then after lunch I’m going to have all of you sitting on the setter.”

Later that afternoon it got hot. I was on the far right next to Jerry, and Charlene was on the far left next to Bobby. I had all but forgotten about Rodger because Jerry and Bobby were telling dirty jokes. Charlene laughed and said she was shocked to hear all the filthy stories coming out of their mouths.

Bobby bragged about all the pussy he was getting and trying to outdo Jerry. He looked over to catch my reaction. Then he looked at me and said, “What about you Travis? I bet you got lots of pussy in the army.”

I was shocked and taken off guard. Jerry looked at me with a sly wink. “I dated on and off but nothing too serious,” I said.

“No, I mean pussy. You don’t need to date to get laid,” said Bobby.

All eyes were on me. I was on the spot again. I was at a loss for words. I wasn’t ready to come out to them, but then Charlene spoke up and said, “Seems like all you boys have dirty little minds. Travis is a gentleman and he don’t have to tell you young fools about his sex life. My guess is that you boys ain’t had half the sex that you claim to have had.”

Bobby began another story when we heard a car racing towards us. There was a cloud of dust behind his car as it came to a halt. Rodger jumped out and ran up to the tractor.

“Darrell!, Darrell I need to talk to you.”

Darrell stopped the tractor and said, “What the hell do you want Rodger?”  

“That fucking cunt! Do you know where that damned fucking bitch went? The fuckin’ bitch cleaned out my damned house and took all the furniture and moved out! Did she call and say where she was going?” he said stomping and kicking at the ground.

“I ain’t heard shit Rodger. Her sister called this morning and said they won’t be coming back. That’s all I know.”

“That damned cunt sister knows damned well where she is. Fuck fuck fuck!”  

Rodger ran back to his car and sped off down the road. My heart beat faster. Cindy could be in trouble, but I dare not act as if I knew anything.

We finished up the rest of the day working our asses off in the relentless sunshine and buzzing bugs. After work, I drove home. Suzanne was cooking a meatloaf. She knew something was up.

“Did Rodger show up at the farm?” she said.

“I guess you heard all about it,” I said.

“Yeah, Cindy called a few hours ago. Rodger showed up at her place yelling and threatening her. Asking where I’d gone. She said she told him I’d rented a moving van and went out of state. Said she didn’t know where I’d gone. Said she threatened to call the cops if he didn’t leave,” said Suzanne all worried.

“He showed up at the farm, but he didn’t have a clue that you were here. As far as I know, no one knows you’re here.”

“Thanks so much Travis. I don’t know what I would have done if it hadn’t been for you.”

Sam spoke up, “I’ll kill him if he shows up here!”

“Please don’t talk like that Sam. I don’t want you to be anything like Rodger.”

“I’m sorry mom, but that fuckin bastard hurt you. I just don’t want him to hurt you again,” he said as he hugged Suzanne.

“We’ll just have to be careful,” she said.

“This is my place and he will have to come through me first and we also have Ben and ole Buddy here,” I said.

“Yeah Buddy will protect us,” said Bella.