Crazy Butte

1

"Another beer, Tara." Victor said as I walked by his table.

"Comin right up Vic. Is Gina comin tonight?" Victor is in his fifties with salt and pepper hair that hangs almost to his waist, slicked back in a ponytail. It shows his former biker days. Gina is his old lady. They've been together for almost thirty-four years.

"Nah. She's in Duluth shopping with Lana for the baby." He had a small smile under his thick mustache. It's always there when he speaks of his daughter who was pregnant with his first grandson.

I went to get his beer. "I got the baby a little outfit. Complete with little boots."

"What kind of boots? Better not be any sissy boots!"

I laughed. "You'll just have to wait until Saturday."

"You got someone staring at you. Blonde guy about your age medium height, slim build. Sound familiar?"

"Nope! You guys are the only ones I know besides the regular guys in here. I better go see what he wants to drink." I turned to go across the bar. "What can I get you to dr......"

"Hey baby. I'm back!" Danny smiled at me as if he hadn't screwed me over.

"And you can leave again just as easily. There's nothing for you here." I turned to leave.

"I beg to differ. You have my baby. It should be about three years old now."

I stopped dead in my tracks. My hand went to my flat stomach. I turned back to Danny. "There's no baby. When you left to get my medicine, in my car, with my money, and never came back, I miscarried the baby after being too sick to get out of bed to call anyone, eat, or anything else. When Wendy came to check on me after a week, I was almost in a coma. So no, there's nothing here for you." I walked away. I went to behind the bar and pulled out my cell phone.

"What?" The deep voice answered.

"This is Tara Wilks. Danny is here in Crazy Butte."

"Oh really? Give me an hour."

"Yes sir!" I hung up and got Danny a gin and tonic. I took it to him. "Five dollars." He handed me a ten. I went back to Vic. "Hey buddy, there may be some trouble coming Vic. That's my ex. He owes some money to Griffin."

"He the cocksucker who left you sick, broke, and pregnant?" I nodded. Vic started to stand.

"No Vic. Griffin is on his way. I've already called him."

"Just how much did he take from the crew?"

"Ten thousand and some coke."

"Tara! I need another." Danny said from across the floor. I took him his drink.

After his third drink, the doors opened again. Griffin Tucker walked in with a couple other big guys. Tank Harris, Gage Patrick, and Snake Jordon, were with Griffin. They were all tall and dressed in their leather vest loaded with patches. Griffin was the president of the Crazy Horse Crew. George, who had been behind the bar, went to hide.

"Well boys, it looks like Danny-boy has decided to come back."

Danny's eyes were huge! "I better get them some beer before they tear up the bar." I went and filled five mugs with the coldest beer in South Dakota.

"A woman who knows how to take care of a man!" Snake said as I set the beer down, except one mug.

"I think you miscounted Tara. There's four of us." Gage added.

"One is for Vic." I told him.

"As we said, smart woman!"

"I..I think its ttttime for me to leave. Good seeing you again Ttara." Danny stuttered. He tried to stand, but Tank put a hand on his gun. Danny sat back down.