Copperhead Road

Chapter:2

She sits in class close to the front. I've noticed her since the first day of kindergarten. I know she won't go near Copperhead Road. My family is full of brewers, shiners and weed growers. I knew my entire family did it while the women stood behind their men. My four older brothers are already married. Well almost all of my cousins except four are married.

There are no blood girls in the Pettimore genes. I wish there was though. We're all rough and mean boys and men that no one wants to mess with. Everyone knows we have a huge rep and won't do anything to call us out. We're the reason someone wrote a song about Copperhead Hollow Road called just that. Copperhead Road. Back to her. Ever since the summer after eighth grade she really filled out. I'm not talking about growth. I'm talking about looks and body. She filled in all in the right places.

I watched as she wrote in her journal she was oblivious of me. She never noticed me. She never notices me now. Once the bell rang I slapped my journal closed and went out. I went behind the building meeting Alex and Beau. "Dude ask her." Beau said as we walked to Alex's truck. "She never notices me." I told him. "Josh. Shut up, walk over to her and ask her. She's single and looks bored. I believe that you could show her a better time than that idiot trying to get in her pants." Beau told me.

"Nah. Not tonight. You know that. We gotta make sure no one is around our turf." I said. "Now that's a damn lie. You could ask if you could take a girl out on Fridays. They'd let you because your the last of John Lee Pettimore the third's boys. Your oldest brother is John Lee the fourth. Have a little fun." Alex said. As we got to the truck. I glanced over at her and the guy standing in front of her.

"Maybe next Friday. It's too risky right now." I said before getting in the bed. They threw their bags in the back and handed me a jar. I popped the seal and took a gulp. Homemade. It didn't take long to run home grab the black dodge and hit the road. I grabbed my pistol hiding it in my waistband before grabbing my shotgun. We split up after covering the red truck with a tarp. I walked out towards the fields and made my way around them.

After dark I started for the brewer. I heard a gunshot then looked out into the moonlight. I saw a feminine figure running. I ran after her knowing where she was heading. Once close enough I dropped my shotgun stopping her the only way I could. I landed on bottom my chest to her back. I clamped my hand over her mouth after she had kicked my knees and shins several times, trying to pry my arms loose.

"Shh. You shouldn't be out here. You better get back to the main road before someone catches you for attempted stealing." I told her. She stilled in my grasp. "Your lucky it was me who caught you instead of someone else." I added. Then loosened my grip before standing and pulling her to her feet. I could see her face perfectly. Blaze. That guy had the nerve to bring her out here to try once more.

I leaned down. "I'd run." I whispered. "Now." I said louder before knocking her out of her trance. I grabbed my shotgun chasing after her making it look like I'm chasing her off. Once she was gone I stopped watching as she went around the pond and to the road. I turned and walked back. Alex and Beau stood where her and I had been on the ground minutes before.

"We better get Michael to the house. A boy was on the road and shot at him, nicking him in the abdomen." Alex said. "Y'all go ahead. I'll be here keeping another eye out from this side." I told him. "I'll stay with Josh. Papaw wanted us traveling in pairs just in case he comes around again." Beau said. I didn't mind the company. It might be nice to have the cousin that's a week older than me to be here.

We all heard gunfire coming from the north. Beau and I ran to see what it was, thinking it was another family member. When we reached the pond we saw red taillights fade into the dark of night. A person was laying on the road. It looked male and no where close to Blaze's figure. Man that girl is going to be the death of me one of these days.

All night we walked the perimeter looking for anyone who would do harm or damage. By sun up I was tired and wanted to sleep all day. I hope she got home fine. "You should try to get Blaze to go have some fun with ya. Or take her out to eat tonight." Alex said. He was the only one that really said her name around me.

"Nah. She's probably helping her mom fix supper already." I said. "Man. Your blind. Her daddy and brother run shine for us all over the state. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets into running it." He said. My dad came in and slumped down in a chair. "Her father is a no good scum bag. That goes for her brother too. One of them stole a dozen jars of shine." He said.

"Henry and you have been partners for years. What makes ya think he tried?" I asked and Johnny came in. That's what we called my  oldest brother until he got married. The family still calls him that though. "Because him and his son are pieces of s***." Johnny said. "She doesn't act like any of them though." I said. "She doesn't uncle." Alex said. "Yeah. She's the completely different than them." Beau said.

"That daughter of his?" He asked. "She don't act like her mother either." Johnny said. "Yeah. She acts more like Thomas Gilson than anyone else in town." Michael said walking in. "That son of a b****. I'll get him back for this." He muttered. "You boys get out there and check on things. I'll be out there tonight." Dad said. We all nodded before leaving. When papaw dies dad becomes the head of the family. Then Johnny. And Johnny's oldest son. Then so on and so forth.