Jess walks in and Lyla’s with him, the look on her face, the look on his.

[Shifts to take hold of barstool and sit down]

[Whispering] Shit.

I know my life’s about to change in a way there’s no goin’ back, those looks on their faces.

Lyla:

I was terrified.

Utterly and completely terrified.

Jesse:

I didn’t know whether to stay or go.

The way they were looking at each other, I had to find a way to give them both what they needed.

So, I said to Lyla, “I’ll be right outside in the car.”

She nods, barely tearin’ her eyes from Preach.

I give him a look.

Under that bushy beard, his jaw is flexing, almost bulging, and he nods.

Then I go.

Lyla:

[Head turns to look at door, smiles softly]

Well, what do you know.

That man always had good timing.

[It’s then the growl of an engine can be heard, and all of the dogs start barking, the ones on the floor rise up and move about agitatedly, the Maltese on Lyla stars yapping and racing around the daybed to the distress of both cats.

The growl of the engine ceases and the cacophony reaches fever pitch before the door opens and Jesse, Lyla’s son strolls through.

He scowls at me and looks to his mother.

“This isn’t done yet?” he asks, at the same time petting two dogs at once while the Maltese that has taken a leap from the daybed yips at his heels.

“Jess,” she murmurs.

More agitation from the dogs as a shadow falls through the opened doorway.

It’s then, Preacher McCade strolls through.]

[McCade tips his chin to me then looks to his wife]

Where’s Lynie? (McCade)

Shopping. (Lyla)

Of course. (McCade, muttering)

We’re almost done here. (Lyla)

Good. (Jesse)

C’mon, bud. Let’s get a beer. (McCade)

[Jesse brightens]

If you give my underage son a beer, Preacher, I’ll strangle you. (Lyla)

My son needs to learn to hold his beer like a man. (McCade)

[Lyla’s gaze comes to me] Do you see what I have to put up with?

Don’t let her fool you. She loves it. (McCade)

[He approaches Lyla and is not deterred in kissing her. He engages both hands in order to make certain this happens. He lets her head go, gestures to his son with his chin and looks to me.]

I’m makin’ chili. Stay when you’re done. (McCade)

[The two males disappear behind the door to the rest of the cabin and my attention returns to Lyla.]

[Draws in a very deep breath and lets it go]

I think it’s best if we back up a bit.

The CD

Lyla:

It was Loretta who gave me his address.

I did not listen to the CD before I went.

And, mind you, I took this journey a whole two days after he came to see me.