“I’m not sure exactly what day or anything, but can you give me a ride to the truck stop. I want to try and catch a ride with one of the trucker's heading out on I-87.”
“So you’re heading south, huh?” How does Jodi feel about that, I wanted to ask?
Looking out at the orchard he went on, “Yeah, I think I’m ready for some warmer weather. Florida is always nice in the winter.”
“Just let me know when you want to leave, I’ll take you to the truck stop.” I told him.
“Sure appreciate it, man. Do you want another beer?” The kinder Kenny was the madder I felt.
Draining the last of my beer, I got up, “No, I’m all right. I think I’m going to head up to bed anyway.”
“I’ll go ahead and go then, see you tomorrow. Night.” I heard Kenny say to the door I’d shut tight on my way into the house.
After he left I grabbed another beer, turned off the lights and went back out on the porch. Sitting in the dark I made my decision. Kenny could not wreak havoc on our lives and walk away. He wouldn't need that ride after all, I thought.
The following Wednesday, while Kenny was at another meeting with Willie, I pulled out Granddads Winchester. Heading out into the orchard I shot a deer, dressed it out and hung it next to the barn.
Thursday I went to the forge and gave a firm push on the fourth plank from the front. Slowly I exchanged one barrel for the other. Taking a seat on the back porch, I turned on the radio, wondering what the music of my life would be today. Today WFLS didn’t fail; "Why Me?" filled the night. Listening to the words, ‘my souls in your hands,’ I waited in the dark, for Kenny to come home. Granddad's shotgun across my lap.
In The Orchard we find out what kind of circumstance a man would have to find himself in in order to feel that shooting another man was okay. A woman would have to be involved. What kind of woman could inspire that in a man? Not once but twice.
What kind of man would give in to that temptation?
