The Hollow Tree at Dead Mule Swamp Read Online Free PDF

to see the
pictures. I just had to work out the logistics.
     
    Meanwhile, it was Saturday, and I
decided I wanted to meet Bert. I put on my tightest jeans and a scoop-neck
t-shirt. When I added some flashy dangling earrings and eye makeup, the effect
was terrible, but it seemed to fit with what I had in mind. A little after nine
that evening, I walked into the Dead Dog and blinked. The interior of the bar
was really dark. As my eyes adjusted I saw the usual line-up of men at the bar,
and some couples at the few scattered tables. Loud country music was playing,
and I recognized the tune of If I Die Young . I could hear the clacking
of pool balls, and a rumble of voices competing with the loud tunes.
    I walked to the bar, and ordered a
draft pale ale. I'm not much of a drinker, but I knew I could handle a couple
of beers. While the bartender filled a tall glass from the tap I looked down
the bar. Sure enough, a few people away to my right, was the man who had to be
Bert Fowler, mustache, cowboy hat and all. Most of the men were wearing
baseball caps, and no one else had a handlebar mustache. I had to admit, he was
handsome enough to be attractive, if I hadn't known his dirty secrets.
    A few heads turned to look at me,
but nobody paid too much attention. I didn't recognize anyone. I sipped my beer
and started watching a baseball game, which was playing on the TV mounted high
in the corner. The sound was turned down. I was struggling to read the tiny
ticker at the bottom of the screen, to see if I could tell who was playing,
when there was Bert at my right elbow. Maybe this was going to be really easy.
    He leaned sideways into the bar. He
had on a denim shirt with the sleeves turned up loosely to reveal hairy
forearms. The shirt was tucked neatly into a pair of stone-washed jeans. His
belt had a large Mack Truck buckle, and the jeans tapered to where they met
tooled cowboy boots. His face was tanned and the mustache was perfectly
rolled.  "I don't think I've seen you in here before," he began.
    "You haven't," I agreed.
    "What's the occasion?"
    "Oh, nothing special. I've
lived here a couple of months, and just haven't had time to get out much
yet."
    "Can I buy you a drink?"
    "I have one, thanks."
    "That's pretty tame. How about
something stronger?"
    The man's not shy , I
thought. I covered my glass and laughed. "Oh no, I'm strictly a beer
drinker."
    "What's your name?"
    "Ana Raven. I bought the old Mosher
place on South River Road." I wondered if that would get a reaction.
    "Hell, we're neighbors,"
he joked. "Name's Bert Fowler. I live out that way too." But he
didn't flinch at hearing the Mosher name, and he didn't mention the dump on Alder Road.
    "Do you have a family?" I
asked.
    "Not me," he boasted.
"I'm a free spirit." The man just beyond Bert guffawed, but it might
have been at the error the shortstop had just committed. I thought it would be
perfect to be hearing the strains of Your Cheatin' Heart , but I didn't
recognize the tune that was playing. I sure recognized the music Bert had in
mind.
    "How about you?"
    "Divorced," I admitted.
    "A pretty lady like you?"
    I took another sip and tried to
look demure. I doubted I knew how, but it was worth a try. "Where do you
work, Bert?" I asked.
    "Here and there. Used to drive
truck." I couldn't haven't made up a more useless answer. "Do you
play pool?"
    "Oh, not very well. But I'd
like to watch you play." At least that would give me a chance to observe
him, without talking too much more.
    He nudged a man seated a couple of
stools away. "C'mon Bud, let's rack 'em up, and show this honey how it's
done."
    Bud and Bert made their way to one
of the pool tables, and slapped a stack of quarters on the rim to signal the players
they wanted the table next.
    I followed along bringing my beer.
Soon it was our turn, and Bert pulled the balls from the side slots and
arranged them in the rack. Stacking the quarters was only a custom, as the coin
slot had been removed. Playing the game was