He took them back to the porch and said
THE NEXT visitor was no surprise. Ray was in the kitchen digging through drawers, looking for keys, when he heard a loud voice bellowing at the front door. Though he hadn’t heard it in years, there was no doubt it belonged to Harry Rex Vonner.
They embraced, a bear hug from Harry Rex, a retreating squeeze from Ray. “I’m so sorry,” Harry Rex said several times. He was tall with a large chest and stomach, a big messy bear of a man who worshiped Judge Atlee and would do anything for his boys. He was a brilliant lawyer trapped in a small town, and it was to Harry Rex that Judge Atlee had always turned during Forrest’s legal problems.
“When did you get here?” he asked.
“Around five. I found him in his study.”
“I’ve been in trial for two weeks, hadn’t talked to him. Where’s Forrest?”
“Gone to buy beer.”
They both digested the gravity of this. They sat in the rocking chairs near the swing. “It’s good to see you, Ray.”
“And you too, Harry Rex.”
“I can’t believe he’s dead.”
“Nor can I. I thought he’d always be here.”
Harry Rex wiped his eyes with the back of a sleeve. “I’m so sorry,” he mumbled. “I just can’t believe it. I saw him two weeks ago, I guess it was. He was movin’ around, sharp as a tack, in pain but not complainin’.”
“They gave him a year, and that was about twelve months ago. I thought he’d hang on, though.”
“Me too. Such a tough old fart.”
“You want some tea?”
“That’d be nice.”
Ray went to the kitchen and poured two glasses of instant ice tea. He took them back to the porch and said, “This stuff isn’t very good.”
Harry Rex took a drink and concurred. “At least it’s cold.”
Processing your request, Please wait....
