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K.
," I said, "I can tell you all sorts of things.
Ronald Reagan will be a great President; the USSR will disband in twenty years.
Computers will be real big.
The telephone and computer will combine to create a device known as the 'internet.
' I prefer the gas prices and inflation rate here though.
I could talk about football, baseball, but none of that helps; you must know tonight.
" "I must know what tonight?" Cole genuinely looked puzzled.
"We'll talk about that later," I said.
I breathed deeply, steadied myself, and sighed.
I felt for the radio in my coat, and I could see it coming together.
"Tell me," I said, "what will convince you tonight?" Cole's marble stare made me nervous.
"Tell me what's going to happen tomorrow," he said.
"And be specific.
" "O.
K.
" My jaws locked as Angie walked in, soured from her grounding.
"Cole," I said, "I'll say what's going to happen tonight.
" Cole nodded.
Trevor spun toward us.
"So we're sitting here," said Cole.
"Not much happening.
It's Wednesday...
" "Two things will happen in the next hour," I said.
"First Sylvia will come home from church.
" "Yeah," said Cole, "there's a pretty darn good chance of that, since she lives here.
" "Ah," I said, "but she won't come in alone.
" I decided to step right out onto the ice despite Angie's cold stare that reminded me of my earlier mistake with the hippies.
"Hank will come in with her.
" "Not too shabby," said Cole.
"Hank hasn't been here for three days, so there's about an eighty percent chance he'll show tonight.
" Trevor gripped Puddles tight.
He scooted toward us, licking his lips.
"Why's Hank coming over," he said.
"Does he have my birthday present?" "Trevor, Hank doesn't owe you a present," said Cole.
"Oh, Hank's bringing you a gift alright, Trevor," I said.
Cole's face reddened.
"Don't go telling my kid lies," he said.
"I'm stating fact.
" "Then you'd better be right!" I mustered up my courage and leaned toward him.
"In a few minutes," I said, "Sylvia and Hank will walk in.
Hank will have a box, a heavy one, wrapped in a red ribbon.
He'll apologize to Trevor for missing his birthday.
Fact is, he got in a fight with Tanya and hit the road all mad in his car.
" "You mean his truck.
" "No, I mean his car, the car he just bought at the shop.
" I was elated, retelling what Hank had told me a hundred times over the years.
I didn't think that the story might have changed in the retelling.
"I haven't heard anything about Hank taking a trip or getting a new car," said Cole.
"Oh, you will," I said.
"He'll open that box and there will be a...
" I gazed toward Trevor, not wanting to give his birthday present away, ruin the surprise.
"It's something to do with horses," I said.
"You know the old saying, 'close only counts in...
' "Yeah, I know the saying," said Cole evenly.
I waited, rubbing the rough threads on the couch.
Cole forced a smile and dropped his paper onto the floor beside the lamp.
I could see lights flashing into the living room through the front street window, and heard gravel displaced by tires.
"My horse!" Trevor bolted up and ran for the door.
"Oh my god," said Cole, rolling his eyes.
Trevor swung open the door.
He chatted excitedly as he heard feet pounding up the steps.
Everyone gazed at the door.
It opened.
Sylvia came first, carrying a worn Bible and hefty purse.
Hank stumbled in next, a huge box in his arms.
"Happy birthday Trevor boy!" Yelled Hank, dancing around Sylvia.
"Sorry I missed it!" Trevor peered outside, confused.
"Where's my horse?" "Your horse?" Hank shook his head.
"Sorry, kiddo, didn't know you wanted a horse, but I got the shoes!" He set the box on the floor; Trevor tore into it.
"What is it?" Yelled Trevor.
"It's horseshoes!" Shouted Hank.
"Let's go in back and play!" "In the dark?" "Yeah!" Hank picked up the box and swung it in circles as he exited.
"Wait!" Cole stood, his mouth screwed up, forehead scarlet.
"Hank," he said, "why did you come here tonight?" Hank paused, craning his neck to peer at Cole.
"It's the kid's birthday, Cole," he said.
"What, is he in trouble or something? I didn't know.
" "Hank!" Cole's face scrunched into a scowl.
"Why did you buy my son Horseshoes?" "I don't know, Cole.
" Hank stood in the dining room, mouth agape.
Cole calmed himself.
"Where have you been the past three days?" "Oh.
" Hank dropped the horseshoes on the tiled dining floor.
"You hear about the fight? Yeah, I'm sorry.
I can be a real ass.
" Cole's hands trembled.
"Hank, whose idea was the horseshoes, Leo's?" "God sakes no," said Hank disgusted.
"To tell you the truth, I ain't seen anyone since the fight.
I left mad in my new car, told myself I'd go for a little test drive, and I got stranded in Newport.
While I waited for an alternator to be shipped in, I stopped by this little fishing shop - never noticed the place before.
And I saw these horseshoes in the window, so I remembered how it was, you know, that first horseshoe set dad got us?" "You think I'm stupid, Hank?" Cole gripped his fingers into a fist.
Hank's jaw dropped.
"Can we backtrack here a bit big brother? I just drove three hours.
I haven't even been home.
"You talked to someone since you got home!" "No," mumbled Hank, "ain't called anybody; ain't seen nobody.
" "No, of course," said Cole, relaxing.
He forced a smile on his quivering lips.
"Just playing with ya, little brother.
Go ahead, play in the dark.
That's the best time to play horseshoes, in the dark.
" Hank nodded.
"Come on, Trevor," he said, and they took off like chums.
"Cole," said Sylvia, folding her fur coat onto the dining room chair, "you look peaked.
Are you alright?" Cole gave a nervous shaking chuckle.
"I'm fine," he said, sticking his hand into his jeans pocket to jiggle his keys.
"I think I'll go for a ride.
" I wanted to say something like, 'hit the nail right on the head,' but I arose from the chair closed lip.
Cole stopped, turned toward me, nodded, and said, "So what you wanting, gold watch?" He said, and afraid of messing it up I just stared.
Finally I said, "And now?" Cole frowned.
"Good trick, Leo," he said, slapping his CZ hat on.
"Trick?" My courage returned.
"Check it out if you think it's a trick.
Ask Hank; he'd never collude with me!" The closer Cole got to the door the more I shook.
"Leo," said Cole, "don't matter how you pulled the trick off, it's still just a trick.
What gets me is why you'd go to such extremes for this fantasy, this lie.
" He turned to Sylvia and scoffed.
"He needs medication alright, the type that can be found at the nearest nut farm.
Anger swept over me as I watched him strut out the door.
Sylvia turned her gaze toward me, and I tried to remain calm.
"What was that all about?" She said.
"I don't know.
" "I swear I never said you needed to be on medication.
" "It's all right," I said.
"Cole went out for air.
I think I'll do the same.
" I opened the door as Cole's Harley roared to life.
The vibrations rattled the windows.
I'd won.
I'd shown him all the proof he needed and he'd brushed me off.
To him I'd always be the good for nothing Leo, moocher.
I'd trotted in here like it was a family reunion acting noble and lobbying Cole for permission.
I didn't need Cole's permission.
In less than six years Cole would be out of the picture anyway.
Who'd Trevor be left with then?
Source: ...