[img]https://i.imgur.com/nalNq9e.jpg[/img] Folk was still lookin’ out fer her. After Pen headed in, she spun back by with a tube ‘o’ sunscreen an’ a jug ‘o’ water. Cap’n showed up with a walkie. An’ then Hook come out with this amazin’ fish sandwich. “I should git shot more often,” the girl tried the joke. Judgin’ by the blank stares, it went over like a lead balloon. Lesson learnt. She may come up short in the joke tellin’ department, but one thing Abby conjured straight up. Them’s who showed her so much kindness was due double in return. Mighta been a bullet goosed ‘em inta action, but she figgered it had tah be in ‘em tah start...and that made ‘em good folk. Folk she wanted tah be like. [i]Emulate,[/i] she’d read in one ‘o’ her stories. Abby mused on that as she rubbed the lotion ontah her legs. Aunt Lupe an’ Uncle Bob was good folk...leastways til Lupe died. But even in years tah follow, when she’d have tah steer him tah bed at night or pick him up from a puddle of his own sick come mornin’, she always knowed Uncle Bob cared for her. He taught her tah draw a pistol..”tah keep yer virtue from them’s tryin’ tah take it.” All the while, he waved that book about. “Looka here, Chick Pea! Says it right here! Blackjack Bob O’Halleran...fastest gun in tha ‘verse!” Sure’n she believed it, too...leastways ‘til she beat him on the draw. She’s eleven at the time. Afore then, she’d always pondered why none of them other guns never come lookin’ fer him...jest farm boys with big ideas an’ dog eared copies ‘o’ that book. But after a time spent thinkin’ on it, Abby come tah realize that them gunslingers, Lefty DuFresne, Jean Ann Cuthbert, Doc Adler an’ tha rest...knowed all along what she jest learned. Uncle Bob weren’t fast. Weren’t even close. But even when she kenned his feet ‘o’ clay, the girl loved the man what raised her. [i]”I should open that book tahnight…[/i] she thought of her last remembrance. “Excuse me? Miss?” Man was standin’ right fronta her. “Sorry,” Abby startled from her lotion. “Mind’s a million mile away…” He give a smile. “Those are my favorite times. Apologies for interrupting your journey.” Man looked about her height. Had a suit jacket, but everythin’ ‘bout ‘im was rumpled. Scuffs an’ dirt on his shoes tole her he weren’t no high toned gent, but them spectacles and the eyes behind got her tah thinkin’ he’s a right smart one. He’s breakin’ a sweat, draggin’ a big trunk behind ‘im. “I was told you’re bound for Greenleaf?” Abby nodded. “True that. Skids up ‘bout fifteen hunnerd tomorrah. Got single an’ double berth rooms open.” Man’s eyes brightened a skosh. “Perfect! I’d be delighted to book a single. May I store my trunk aboard now?” “Sure’n you can.” Abby opened the clipboard. “Gotta warn yah. We’re haulin’ some fresh fish, so won’t be no heat ‘cept a space heater in yer room. We’ll set ya up with extra blankets an’ such. That work for yew?” “Shiny,” the man give a broad smile. “I’m from New Kasmir. It’s always cold there,” he chuckled. “I was so afraid, with the fishing season starting, that I’d be stranded here and miss my orchid.” “Orchid?” “I’m a botanist...I study plants,” he said tah Abby’s lost stare. “I think there’s an unnamed species of orchid growing in the southern jungles on Greenleaf.” As he ‘splained his purpose, his eyes took a shine. She could tell he’s gettin’ excited jest talkin’ ‘bout it. “I’m meeting a guide, but she says we have to leave in three days’ time...so I’m glad to face a little cold for the chance to name a new species!” He’s durn near bouncin’ on tha balls of his feet. “Then yah got tha right boat.” She lifted the clipboard. “Care tah putcher name on tha line?” “Certainly!” He took her pen and set to writin’, his name laid out in neat letterin’. [i][b]Prof. S. Marquina[/b][/i] He went fer his pocket, then like a doctor measurin’ out medicine, he counted out his coin. “I believe that puts everything in order,” he said as Abby took the clipboard back. Her brow furrowed. “Prof? Kinda name is...oh,” she caught wise. “Perfessor. Perfessor Marquina,” she said with a nod. “You pronounced my name correctly,” his smile was good humored.. “You know some Spanic?” “Had an Aunt Lupe...Guadalupe,” she counted out the coin, afore lookin’ up. “All square, Perfessor. I can have someone show yah aboard.” Marquina straightened his tie. “Actually, I’m running late for an appointment in town. Might someone take my trunk aboard while I attend my business?” [i]”Ku.[/i] We’ll git it stowed fer yah. Welcome aboard tha China Doll, Perfessor.” “Thank you, miss?” “Oh yeah. Travis,” she give her hand tah shake. “Call me Abby.” The Professor give a half bow as he took her hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Abby. I’ll be back.” Tossed a friendly wave her way, and in a second, he was hurryin’ off toward town. “Seems nice,” sht watched him go. [i]Good tah see there’s nice folk out there.[/i] Durin’ his last years, Uncle Bob was all paranoid an’ warnin’ her tha ‘verse was full ‘o’ killers, rapists, and con artists. [i]”He’s prob’ly right,”[/i] she conjured, [i]”but seein’s I ain’t been killed nor raped, one outta three ain’t too bad…”[/i] This next fella she seen comin’. Younger, mayhaps her age or a year or so more, tall an’ long haired. “S’cuse me,” he asked, eyes fixin’ on her legs til’ he realized he’s makin’ a fool ‘o’ hisself. “Are you...Abby?” he near whispered. She laid the open clipboard over her thighs. “Who the hell are yew?” “Jerome,” he stammered. “I...got a message...if you’re Abby.” Abby cocked an eyebrow. “The same. Go on.” The boy chose an honest to Buddha whisper this time. “We got a mutual friend. She left her bag on your boat. Hopin’ you’ll give it back?” Her hands gripped the armrests. “She’s alive?” “I conjure.” “So y’ain’t seen ‘er?” “Nope...oh,” the boy fished in his pocket. “I’m s’posed to give you this.” She took the envelope, an’ tore it open. Abby read it all quiet as Jerome shifted about, til his nervousness couldn’t be ignored no more. “Yah gonna keep doin’ that rain dance or yah gon’ let me finish?” she demanded. Once he settled down proper, she went back tah readin’. [i]”This,”[/i] Abby thought of them words in the note, [i]”is zactly what Cap’n warned me tah steer clear of.”[/i] She tucked the note back inside afore pushin’ it intah Jerome’s hand. “What time I gotta be there?”