Down 'N' Derby Read Online Free Page B

my cousin had to put his two cents in, “Yo, he can’t eat you but the damn cars can still kill you.”
                  I flipped him the bird as I walked across the street, looking both ways this time.  I could hear my flops flapping against my heels as I approached the porch and I finally knocked on the door.  An older woman with a white apron and a white bun in her hair answered after a few more knocks. 
                  “How can I help you, young man?” She asked.
                  I coaxed my voice to return to my throat and gave her my best smile as I answered, “Yes ma’am, I’m looking for Einer Macon.”
                  She opened the screen door and looked me up and down more than once. “Well, Einer is my nephew but he hasn’t lived here for two or three years.”
                  “Do you know where I can find him, ma’am?” She smiled a pity smile at me and nodded.
                  “Son, you can find him six feet below at the Methodist cemetery.  I’m sorry.”
                  “I’m sorry to hear that.  Do you—do you know if he ever visited Louisiana?” She looked to the rotting porch before continuing, “Einer was in prison most of his life, committed armed robbery when he was two days over the age of eighteen.  He had been paroled three years ago and then got into some trouble again with the law.  He resisted arrest, held up a gun to a police officer and was shot.  He never left this city.”
                  A tear came to her eye as she told the story.  She lifted the hem of her starched apron and wiped it away.  This wasn’t my father.  Of course it wouldn’t be this easy, Mad, it’s you we’re talking about.  
                  “Ma’am, I’m so sorry to have bothered you.  Thank you for your time.” I did some kind of bow thing and walked away. 
                  “Young man?” She called out behind me.
                  I turned to answer her, “Yes ma’am?”
                  “You’ll find what you’re looking for.  But anything worth finding isn’t gonna come out and get you.  You’re gonna have to work for it.” She cackled a bit before continuing, “That goes for women too.”
                  I nodded at her and continued on my way.  And I was a pompous ass for saying this but I didn’t have trouble with girls.  It wasn’t the searching for one that was the problem.  Honestly, they kinda came at me like a damned magnet.  The problem with me was that all of them, tall, short, thin, curvy, smart, dumb, bimbos and virgins—they all made my skin crawl—and wasn’t that just peachy.
                  “I’m guessing no dice?” Nixon probed as I got back in the SUV.
                  “Nope, this Einer was a fan of orange jumpsuits and Omaha only.”
                  “Where to next?” He pulled out a map and readied himself.
                  “Colorado Springs,” I said and he didn’t groan this time.  It took me off guard.
                  “What’s in Colorado Springs,” I asked him.
                  “How would I know?” He asked and looked out the window.
                  “Spill it, Nixon.” I pressed and it made him sigh.
                  “Ok, but you have to keep your big mouth shut.” He got a little louder with the word ‘shut’.
                  “Yeah, because I want you running your ass all over town telling everyone about my twitchy shit.”
                  “Ugh—fine.  There’s this cool metal sculpture display, all made by this one man on a huge expanse of land.  It’s supposed to be amazing.  Mom nearly came unglued when I told her I wanted to be a sculptor and go to art school.  You may not be the only one running from family