A Hidden Past

Chapter 2 – Because Of You

Everyone was in the café that night. I had been introduced to a few of the people there. Sarge turned out to be an army sergeant, while Fillmore was a peace-loving man. Their friendship struck me as odd. Then there were the two Italians, obsessed with Ferraris and white wall tyres, Flo's husband (I quickly learned he repainted his car at least once a week) who owned the body art shop next door to the café, and various others I didn't know yet. Jason told me it would be better to wait a few days before he introduced me to Red and Lizzie. I had briefly met Mater, but he was often out somewhere or other, or so I heard. The only person missing that night was Sheriff. He had driven off shortly after bringing me back to the town.

"How long has Sheriff been here?" I asked Jason quietly.

"About a year I think, why?"

"He doesn't seem particularly comfortable."

"He won't say what's bothering him. I've tired asking him several times before."

That was the impression I had got from him during out short meetings. He seemed like a nice enough bloke, just very distant. Whatever was on his mind was no little thing.

Silence fell upon the café. All eyes turned towards the door as Sheriff appeared with a stranger. I watched him cross the room and speak to Flo. The stranger shuffled into the light. I quickly turned my face away, hoping she wouldn't see me. Sheriff turned and gestured for her to join him at the bar. I watched her progress across the room, still with my face slightly averted.

"Excuse me." I whispered to Jason, quickly drained the rest of my drink and stood up to leave.

She looked in my direction as I left. I shot her a cold glare and continued on my way. The less I had to see that woman the better. I didn't miss the confused expressions on some of the townsfolk's faces as I went.

I managed to avoid her for several days, but I knew it wouldn't last for long. Flo had given me a room in the old Cozy Cone Motel in the town. It was a small motel, and unfortunately, the same place the latest visitor was staying.

It was once again evening when I next saw her. I was sitting outside the café for a change, as were most of the others. Conversation was relaxed and friendly at first. When she showed it, the atmosphere rapidly changed. I saw her approaching the café from the motel and got up to leave as usual. Unfortunately she was going to let me get away so easily.

"Doc." She caught my arm as we passed.

I turned slowly, making sure to show I wasn't pleased to see her.

"Why are you here?" I hissed.

"Am I not allowed to visit my son?"

"Just leave me alone." I wrenched my arm from her grip and stalked back to my motel room. I knew she didn't get the message. I never wanted to see her again after what she had done to me and my father.

I shut the door to my room rather forcefully and fell onto the bed. It wasn't the best room I had been in, or the brightest, but it would do. The walls were an odd shade of pale orange, and the carpet was brown. The curtains too were orange, though a little less of an odd shade. I stared at the picture on the wall for a moment. The knock on the door brought my gaze to it. I hoped it wasn't her trying to get me to talk to her.

I opened the door somewhat reluctantly and found Jason on the other side. Neither of us said anything for a moment. Instead we studied each other's appearance. His calm, green eyes said nothing to me. I was sure it was the complete opposite when it came to my eyes.

"What did you say to Michelle?" He asked eventually.

"I just told her to leave me alone. I'm fed of her following me everywhere." I returned to the bed and sat down heavily. "You wouldn't understand. I'm even sure I do, and I'm her son."

"Why don't you want to speak to her?"

"I sighed and lay back on the bed. Jason continued to watch me for a time before he pulled the door shut and left me in peace. I got up and went to the window. My room had a good view of the café. I saw him walk up to the rest and sit on the bench beside Flo and Michelle. He said something to the two women and Flo shook her head. I sighed again and drew the curtains. What I never saw was Jason looking towards the window as I disappeared from sight.

I rose with the birds the following morning. It was silent in the town. I took the opportunity to take a look at my battered car. I lifted the hood as quietly as I could and peered at the engine. My shabby repairs were obvious. It was one of those repairs that was causing the problem. I knew I would have to replace that part. I wondered if Mater had the appropriate part at his scrap yard. It would be some hours before anyone else was awake. I snuck off to the rock formation again.

I stopped on the hill above it and looked down at it. I could see what appeared to be a dirt track running in an oval around it. The rocks were in the centre of the track. Perhaps when my car was fixed I would take it for a test spin. I missed racing.

I hung around the track for a while before I turned and headed back into the town. By the time I got back to the café, the rest of the town had woken, including Michelle. I glanced at her and chose the table across the other side of the room. It didn't go unnoticed.

"Hey, man, what have you got against her." Fillmore asked me from the next table.

"I'd rather not say." I replied quietly.

Flo brought me the same order that I'd had every day before and left without a word. I guessed it was something to do with last night. For once nobody bothered me while I ate.

The volume rose visibly when I left. I rolled my eyes as Mater arrived outside the café.

"Hey, Mater."

"Howdy, bud. You's in big trouble."

"Tell about it. Can I drop by the yard later? I need a part for my car."

"Sure, buddy."

I watched Mater go into the café, feeling as though I'd just lost all of my friends, and then turned my back on the town. If they didn't want to talk to me, I would make it easy on them. I returned to the track for a few hours, retreating into the shade as the sun rose in the sky and brought heat with it.

Song Artist: Kelly Clarkson