Allison woke him by phone one morning and asked him why her child support payments had stopped. He wasn’t aware that they had stopped. As the shock of hearing Allison’s voice faded, his concern changed to Olivia. Had she asked about him? Was she doing well in school? What was his daughter doing with her time? Allison ignored all his inquiries and badgered him about her last two payments which put the delinquency at an entire month. Figure it out, Marcus, and she hung up. The implied threat rattled his sleep-addled mind for a few minutes. He thought about lawyers and courts and tears, rivers of cloudy tears. He had no money. He was stuck with a standard court order, a disconnected piece of legalese canned in its own gravy.
As he explained Woody’s dishonesty to Poole and Jane, Hatchet realized just how ludicrous his obsession had become. It bordered on delusion. He could hear it in his voice. He could see the recognition in their eyes. Jane left Poole to deal with him. Poole listened to every word, assessing Hatchet’s state of mind. I’m beginning to worry about you, Poole told him, how can you possibly be putting this much thought into this risky, risky bullshit? Hatchet could feel agreement simmering beneath his mood but he told Poole there was nothing to fear. Poole turned his attention to his phone for a long time until Hatchet asked him what other available choices he had aside from some extreme maneuver. Poole wanted to list the abundant options but he could see in his friend’s face the residue of final decision and no amount of accumulated history would ever deter him.
But much later, after Hatchet’s ultimate disappearance, Poole would wish he had at least tried a little harder.
There’s nothing we can do for you if you go through with something like this, Marcus, Jane whispered. She had come back and was listening to them from the next table. You’re gonna be left out in the cold. I’ve been cold before. Really? she snapped, I don’t remember that part. He didn’t offer any examples.
As he explained Woody’s dishonesty to Poole and Jane, Hatchet realized just how ludicrous his obsession had become. It bordered on delusion. He could hear it in his voice. He could see the recognition in their eyes. Jane left Poole to deal with him. Poole listened to every word, assessing Hatchet’s state of mind. I’m beginning to worry about you, Poole told him, how can you possibly be putting this much thought into this risky, risky bullshit? Hatchet could feel agreement simmering beneath his mood but he told Poole there was nothing to fear. Poole turned his attention to his phone for a long time until Hatchet asked him what other available choices he had aside from some extreme maneuver. Poole wanted to list the abundant options but he could see in his friend’s face the residue of final decision and no amount of accumulated history would ever deter him.
But much later, after Hatchet’s ultimate disappearance, Poole would wish he had at least tried a little harder.
There’s nothing we can do for you if you go through with something like this, Marcus, Jane whispered. She had come back and was listening to them from the next table. You’re gonna be left out in the cold. I’ve been cold before. Really? she snapped, I don’t remember that part. He didn’t offer any examples.
Edit 11.9.2018