I thought for a moment, then looked at Molly,
"What do you want to do?"
She stared at me, wide eyed,
"I can't go down there! Your sperm is running down my legs for fucks sake!"
I just shrugged it off. I knew she would eventually have to deal with him, but I wasn't getting involved and she could do it in her own time.
I dressed and went down. Elsie was sitting with him at the table, talking.
Garrett stood up when I came in. He stuck his hand out, which I accepted with no real enthusiasm.
"Mr Hudson. What can I do for you?"
"Hey Jacob. Maggie told me you were making payments?"
I nodded and headed to the living room and went in the closet. I opened the safe and got out his contract, counted out half the money, took it back and sat it in front of him. I got out a pen and bottle of ink and gave it to him, pointing to where he needed to sign.
He looked the money over and sat the pen down.
"Uh, that looks to be a little short there."
I nodded.
"That's your half. The other went to Mrs Hudson."
"Now hold on a minute here! I never said I'd go for that!"
"Well sir, she came here for various reasons I don't figure to be any of my business. Seeing as how the law says a man and woman split everything, it just stands to reason she gets half the money. You'll have to take that up with her. Like I said, what's between you two ain't none of my business."
"Well, where is she then? I'll get to the bottom of this."
"Mr Hudson, I reckon you and me need to finish our business here. I'd appreciate it if you waited until later to take the other business up with your wife. I ain't wanting to get tied up in it. I did what I figured was fair. That's as far as i'm willing to go with it. I gave you both equal amounts to the dollar."
"Jacob, we had an agreement."
"Yes, and you both signed it. I paid what I said I would. Not a penny less. There's your money. Mr Hudson, I'd suggest you take it and go home. You can sort the rest out with your wife."
"Where is she?"
"I told you, I'm not getting involved. I'm about tired of saying it."
"She's still here, isn't she?"
That tore it with me. I finally lost my patience.
"Mr Hudson, take your money and go home. I'm not telling you again."
He stared at me for a long minute.
"Ok. But if you talk to her, please tell her I need to see her."
I nodded as he signed the document then gathered up his cash and left.
I shook my head. How do I wind up in shit like this?
I turned and went upstairs with Elsie in tow.
I looked over a her,
"Where's the kids?"
"Outside playing.'
I went to the room. My mother and Molly were sitting on the bed.
Molly looked over,
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For saving me from having to deal with him right now."
She stared out the window briefly, then spoke up again,
"You know, I kinda think I may get pregnant here. I know I'm ovulating right now and the amount of sperm you just put in my womb almost guarantees it. I'm not going back to him. I don't trust him anymore. I'll probably take my money and go back to my family home and settle there. Anyway, thank you for all you've done."
She stood up and got dressed. On the way out, she turned back to me,
"I want a truck like you've got. Could you help me get one?"
I just nodded, thinking about everything she said. I turned and walked out. I needed to think. To get my head wrapped around business again. All this nonsense was getting out of hand.
I went to the camp and looked around. It was relatively empty. I headed to the mess tent and saw only a handful of people eating.
The cook looked up questioningly. I shook my head and walked over to him.
"Where is everybody?"
"It's payday. Them that ain't working are all over to that juke joint you set up."
I nodded.
"You seen JT?"
"He came in earlier and ate. I ain't seen him since."