"Maple Den Drive" by Morgan A Grover

Maple Den Drive

James sat in a foldout lawn chair poking the end of a long stick into the fire, trying to prod it back to life. A chill breeze blew through the campsite, and someplace in the distance a wolf howled to its clan. “The pack is running tonight,” he said, dropping the stick and pulling a cigarette from a wrinkled pack of Marlboros.

“They been runnin" the past few nights. Ol" Farmer Deakon said one o" his cows was ripped apart on Monday mornin" when he went out to round"em up. The damnedest thing is, them prints that was out and around the pasture where big. To big to be a wolf print if ya ask me.” The man who spoke was short and round. His gray hair cut short, which left his ears sticking out in an elfin sort of way. His small nose and mouth only helped to accentuate the features. His left hand missed the three center fingers, a left over reminder of an accident back when he was a kid. He had quickly changed after getting home from work, but left his badge hooked on his gun belt which he still wore.

“Hmmph. Old Man Deakon is about as blind as a mole. I saw him try milkin" a horse one time. Swore up and down that the "old heffer" was dryin" up.” James smacked at a mosquito that was refreshing itself on his leg.

“Yeah? What"s that hafta do with anything?”

“I"m just sayin". That"s all. Hell, it wasn"t even a mare.”

The third man in the group, Toby, just rolled his eyes and looked back over at the town sheriff. “So how big where those prints then Henry?”

“Oh, I would say about a size twelve.” He lifted his heavy black boot to show the others. “I stepped up along side it and it was nearly as big as my foot.”

“Ya know, I bet that ol" man did it himself and just wanted some attention. Ever since his ol" lady got put in the ground he"s been actin" a little strange.” Toby and Henry looked over at James as he finished speaking. His cigarette hung off his bottom lip like an extra appendage that bobbed up and down as he pursed his lips together. “What? I"m just sayin.”

“Yeah, you always got somthin" to say Jimmy. Can"t ever keep yer opinions to yer self. Now give me one of those cigs, these bugs are eating me alive.”

James dug out his pack and handed Toby a broken cigarette.

“What the hell am I suppose"ta do with this?”

“Mickey mouse it! Damn Tobes, yer just gonna smoke it anyway.” James" last word was cut off by another howl, this one a bit closer than before.

Henry shifted uneasily in his seat, then stood up. “We should build up that fire a bit. I don"t feel like being turned into kibbles and bits tonight.” The sheriff pulled up his pants and gun belt, shifting the badge so that it caught the fire light. “Yeah, fellas, whatever got Old Deakon"s cow sure did a good job. There wasn"t much left besides the shredded hide and some bones. The poor crows hardly had a scrap to fight over.”

Toby dug in his pocket for a lighter and lit the end of his cigarette. He took a long pull on it and then blew the smoke back out slowly. “Well, I sure as hell don"t wanna stick around out here and find out what it was. I"m gonna head on home. Missy hates it when I"m out late.”

James snickered, “Yeah? She has you on the ol" ball and chain eh? Been married for three months and look what she has done to ya. She"s eatin" the life right outta ya.”

Toby stood up and threw his smoke on the ground. “I"m gettin" tired of all yer talk James. What"s your problem anyway? I think yer just jealous. Jealous of Henry"s success, jealous of my wife, and jealous that Old Deakon fired you for hittin" on his daughter.” Toby was across the clearing in two steps and a hard calloused finger jabbed James in the chest. “Cut the crap, James.”

The smaller man glared at Toby from beneath his John Deere cap, but didn"t say anything. A moment later he looked back down at the poker stick and nodded. “Yeah, well, I was just sayin".”

“That"s your problem, man. Your always "just sayin". I think it"s time you stop sayin" and start figuring out what yer gonna do with yer life. We"re not eighteen anymore. Ya got your whole life ahead of you and it"s time ya straightin" up.” Toby let his words drift off as the sound of wolves baying at the moon grew closer. His eyes darted around the clearing, and he ran a large hand through his shaggy hair. He looked at James once more then shook his head and started over to his truck. “I"m goin" home guys. Catch ya tomorrow night at the tavern, eh? And think about what I said James.” His steps where a bit quicker than before and he hopped into the seat of his truck before even getting the door open all the way. With a nod he turned the engine over, flipped the headlights on, and backed down the dug road.

Henry, who had been standing silently through the lecture shrugged when James looked at him. “He"s right ya know. I hate to say it, but it"s time you face the facts.” He shifted his weight to the other foot and pulled up his belt again, the thumb and pinky on his bad hand tapping the golden star on his belt. “But, hey, don"t worry about it right now. I"ll talk with Bob in the mornin". He may be able to get you in down at the office. Maybe you can fill out reports or somthin". You"re a hell of a worker when the ladies ain"t around.” Henry winked at James, who sat in silence. “Hey, let"s head down to my brother"s place. His wife and kids are sure to still be up. We can throw back a few brewskies and howl at the moon like my friends out there.”

“Yeah, alright I guess. I heard yer bro moved back in town again. How"s he been anyway?” James pulled another cigarette out and lit it.

“Oh, not bad I guess. He let himself go a bit though. I"ve been tellin" him that a shower and a razor would do wonders for his appearance. But you know how Don is, he don"t answer to nobody but himself. Has a pretty wife and a bunch a kids now too. Rambunctious brats I suppose, but good kids still. Come on, I"ll introduce you to the clan.”

James nodded and stood up. “Yeah, has to be better than hangin" around out here with those damn dogs howlin".”

Henry stared at the fire for a moment, the flames dancing in his eyes. He scratched at his arms and then headed to his patrol car.

By the time James had finished his pack they were turning onto Maple Den Drive. “They sure live a ways out here don"t they? I ain"t been down here in a decade or more I bet. Back when we used to go explorin" in that old abandoned mine, remember that? Those sure were the days eh?” He looked over at Henry who was scratching at his legs. “Those skeeter bugs musta chewed you up good. You"ve been scratchin" since we left the fire.”

Henry only nodded in response.

“Hey, you alright Hank?”

“I"m fine!” His voice was sharp and gruff.

“OK, geez. I was just askin".” James saw the old mine road come into the view of the headlights. Henry slowed down and took the turn, following a beaten path through the grove of maples. “Oh, hey, I didn"t mean I wanted you to go down there tonight. I was just sayin".”

“Oh, it"s alright James. My brother lives there now.”

“What?” Jimmy"s hands trembled. He reached for the car handle, but the patrol car door refused to open. He spun to look at Henry and instead found himself staring at a set of sharp canines dripping with hot saliva.

“That"s the problem with you, James. You"re always "just sayin". It"s time you finally shut up.” The beast"s jaws clamped down onto James" lower jaw and ripped apart his throat, destroying the only line of defense that he had ever offered.  Outside the car the pack of wolves came into the clearing. Henry"s family had come to celebrate the hunt.