Archer Mayor - St. Albans Fire

Cal kept his eyes on the horizon. “Not too good. Hasn’t said a word since it turned out the way it did-losing both her kids, one way or the other. It’s pretty clear Linda won’t be getting out anytime soon.”

“I am sorry about that,” Joe said gently.

Cal finally looked at him with a sad smile. “So am I. You have kids?”

“No.”

“It’s interesting,” he said philosophically. “They sure can surprise you.” After a pause, he added, “But they give you something to love all the way to the end.”

That made Joe think of Linda’s family. “Is Jeff going to stay put?” he asked.

“Far as I know. I suppose that’s the funniest part of this whole deal, when you think about it. He only really stayed because of Linda. Now it’s just him and me, basically. A couple of guys doing what they can-like shipwrecked sailors, when you think of it.”

He shook his head slowly, as if countering an argument. “No, best to keep things the same. Linda’ll know where we are that way, wherever she might be, and Marie can use the familiar routine to get better. Won’t hurt those kids, either, knowing we stuck it out.”

He bent down and retrieved a clod of earth, which he held in his hand like a talisman. Joe wondered if the gesture would result in some comment combining both insight and hope.

In the end, he wasn’t sure it didn’t.

“Guess I better get back to work,” Cal said.