Vocabulary 3: The Apology
By: Linda Backer
As the days passed, Vin found himself fleeing the
boardwalk more and more often to hide in the saloon,
until Josiah kindly pointed out Vin would someday find
himself fleeing from Mary and run straight into some
bounty hunter's gun. Chris had pointedly remarked to
him that if and when he got close enough to hell to
smell smoke, the gunslinger would take care of
clearing up the problem in Tascosa, all without
actually promising to turn in a body to do it. So
midday found Vin holding up a post outside the saloon,
watching the door of the newspaper office nervously,
trying to build up the courage to face his demons.
"Easiest way to eat crow is while it's still warm."
Josiah interrupted his thoughts.
"Huh?"
"Colder it is, harder it is to swallow."
"Oh. Yeah." Vin nodded. He heaved a sigh and threw
himself away from the post.
As Vin ambled down the street, Josiah began to smile.
Buck crossed the steps in front of him and followed
his eyes down the street. "There walks a man afraid."
"Yes, yes indeed. That man will face a hangman's
noose without a quiver but his knees are a quakin'
going to face a pretty woman."
The two men laughed together and went into the saloon.
As Vin approached the door to the newspaper office, he
dusted off the front of his jacket and pulled his hat
from his head. He stepped softly in the door, shutting
it silently behind him. Mary's back was to him as she
talked with Yosemite about a broken piece of metal on
the printer. Vin turned his hat around and around in
his hands, studying the brim intently until the
blacksmith left. Mary moved about the room, waiting.
"Hello Vin," she finally spoke.
"Mary." He dipped his head.
She emptied out a can of pencils, studied each one for
a sharp point, then replaced them neatly in the tin
cup. She straightened a stack of paper. She ran her
fingers down the type, then studied the ink staining
the tips.
"Is there something I can get you, Vin?'
"No ma'am."
She ducked her head away from him, tapped her fingers
on the desk. She picked up a book and riffled the
pages, set it back down again. She tucked her hair
neatly behind her ears. Finally, she'd had enough.
"Vin-"
"When I make a jackass outta myself I don't usually go
lookin' fer witnesses. I'm real sorry for what I said
and I won't never use talk like that a'front of you
agin cause you are a proper lady and I'll try never to
do anythin' to be rude to you agin. I think you are a
real smart woman and I got nuthin' under this hat but
hair but I'd sure like you to accept me bein's sorry."
The words came out in a rush of air that left him pale
and gasping, his blue eyes wide.
She turned away, bent her head and put her hand over
her face.
"I'm sorry," he repeated. "Very sorry, Mary."
She nodded silently, several times.
He began to retreat towards the door, backing away
quietly. She lifted one hand without turning around,
beckoning him not to leave, but did not turn around.
He thought she uttered a "no" and stopped to tip his
head sideways, narrowing his eyes, listening, hard,
and watching her.
She was laughing.
the end
maybe . . .
Vocabulary: The Beginning
Vocabulary: The First Sequel
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