A String of Beads Read Online Free Page B

returned
     with a plate of brownies and a pot of tea, and resumed the conversation. “So you heard
     about Jimmy’s problems.”
    Jane took a brownie and nibbled it. “These are wonderful, just as I remembered them.
     Thank you.”
    Mattie nodded.
    Jane said, “I got a visit from some of my mother’s old friends, and somebody remembered
     that Jimmy and I were close friends when we were kids, and thought I’d want to know.”
    Mattie looked at Jane’s face for a second, and in that second, Jane knew that she
     had already seen through what Jane said to what she hadn’t said.
    Jane braved the look, like swimming against a current. “Since I heard, I’ve been worried.
     What happened?”
    Mattie looked at the surface of the table for a second, then up. “Jimmy isn’t the
     boy that you knew, any more than you’re the little girl he knew. You both grew up.
     You’re like the woman I thought you would be. Maybe girls are more predictable. He
     fooled me. When boys are little you can’t imagine them getting into fights in bars.
     Or some of the other things they do either. Jimmy is a good person, a good son, but
     he’s all man.”
    “Where is he?” asked Jane.
    “I don’t know,” said Mattie. “He didn’t say he was leaving. After he was gone he didn’t
     call or write to say where he was going or when he’d get there.”
    “Do you think he needs help?”
    Mattie sighed. “Anyone who’s alone and running needs help, whether he knows it or
     not. I just don’t know where he went. And I assume the police are watching me to see
     if I get into a car and drive.”
    Jane said, “I think I can find him.”
    Mattie said, “You can only get in trouble, and that would be twice as bad.”
    Jane said, “South?”
    Mattie sat motionless for a second, then nodded. “Maybe like you two went south that
     time when you were teenagers.”
    Jane said, “And how about you, Mattie? Are you getting along okay here?”
    Mattie shrugged. “I always have. I have my Social Security, and a pension from the
     school system.” Jane remembered Mattie had worked as a janitor in the Akron schools
     at night. “I also work four mornings a week at Crazy Jake’s. It gives me a few bucks
     to save.” Crazy Jake sold tax-free cigarettes and gasoline just outside the reservation.
    Jane said, “If Jimmy gets in touch, please tell him I’d like to help. I know some
     good lawyers.”
    “We probably wouldn’t have what they charge.”
    “I’ll get him a deal.” Jane heard the sound of a car engine, and then the squeak of
     springs and shock absorbers as a police car bounced up the road toward them. The car
     stopped, a tall state trooper got out and reached for his Smokey Bear hat, put it
     on, and walked toward the porch. A second car, this one a black unmarked car, pulled
     up behind. The driver sat there staring frankly out the window at the women on the
     porch. Jane and Mattie sat motionless as the state trooper climbed the steps to the
     porch. “Good morning, Mrs. Sanders,” he said. He nodded to Jane and said, “Ma’am.”
     He turned to Mattie. “I came by because I was wondering if you had heard from Jimmy
     yet.”
    “I haven’t,” said Mattie.
    “Sorry about that,” said the trooper. “If he calls or writes, please let him know
     we’d like to talk to him. Thanks, ladies.” He got into his car and drove up the road.
    Mattie said, “They drive by my house day and night, hoping they’ll see Jimmy. They
     must have seen your car and hoped it was him.”
    “I suppose that’s to be expected,” Jane said. “I’m surprised they’re so obvious, though.
     I guess they thought they couldn’t fool you anyway.” She took another sip of her tea
     and finished her brownie. Then she stood and hugged Mattie. “It’s been great to see
     you again. I wish it hadn’t been at such a bad time.”
    “Me too,” said Mattie.
    “I’ll come and see you when things are better.” She bent to kiss Mattie’s