Where the Red Oak stood

Chapter 1

Chad watched from under the brim of his cowboy hat, waiting for the game to end. The spot where he had chosen to sit was good, but the sun had moved a great bit since morning and it was becoming increasingly hot. He would not be staying here for much longer, though, and until then, the stable wall was as good a place as any.

On the other side of the fence was the bull, snorting madly as the ugliest man Chad had seen in quite a while jumped aside for the third time in a row when the bull came charging. The crowd cheered violently, clapping their hands and stomping their feet. Chad snorted, pulled another cigar from behind his ear and lit it. Why must he always get away? Not that he'd wagered against him, but there was no denying who was the more fun contestant. It was as he'd feared: the bull shouldn't have been quite so quick to throw the man off its back. Now it was chanceless, wasting the last of its energy on pointless charges. But then, who was to blame it for not wanting that ugliness on its back?

At last the fight was whistled off and the man was proclaimed winner. Sweaty and grinning - and ugly as ever - he went to claim his prize.

Chad sighed and finished his cigar, flipped his hat up and got to his feet. It was past time he saddled Lucy.

Seeing as the bullfight was now over, the crowd began to move to the other arena. Most were men, ranging from the ages of thirteen to eighty, wearing caps and hats in all fits and shapes. Many and more were drinking while loudly enjoying the moment. There were women too, generally of younger ages, elegantly dressed in long skirts despite the muddy ground. Most were accompanied by their partners, but some women were walking in groups, and still others had children running around them. Chad snorted again. Bringing children? To a place like this? He laughed. Some of us sure are introduced young.

The majority was there for the social part, he knew, for the gambling and the drinking, and these people were quick to take the best places along the track. But a considerable amount went for the stables, among them many of the younger ones. Green boys, Chad thought. Let's see who's to claim the grand prize.

He threw the cigar on the ground and rounded the corner of the stable, only to be almost run over by two little girls. Screaming and giggling, with braids fluttering behind their heads, they came running, probably playing tag. "Woah", Chad said, barely maintaining his footing as the girls crashed into him. "Better look where yer runnin', kiddos."

The girls fell silent, both leaning back to look up at him. The tall, dark ones eyes turned big as plates, plainly fearful. The younger one was also big-eyed, but with an ounce of defiance in that green of hers. Her golden hair had found its way out of one of the braids and a stand of hair pointed straight out, just below her ear. It gave her a wild look, Chad reflected.

"Well, what ya runnin' fer n' a place like this, anyways?" he went on as he was given no answer. "Could've run into that bull fer all I know, weren't ya careful."

"What are you walking around here for then, being in our way like that?" the little girl threw back, rather accusatory, to Chad's surprise.

"You've a tone, you've." He looked down at her with eyebrows raised. "Mind tellin' me who's got that into ya?"

"I mind", the girl said reproachfully, "telling you anything." She crossed her arms over her chest, defiant as ever.

Chad could not help but laugh. "Anythin', is that so...?" He turned to the dark one. "What 'bout yer friend, then? She mind tellin' me anythin' as well?"

The other girl turned to the little one, despair in her eyes. "Mary, let's go", she said in a voice so small Chad was surprised he'd even heard it. The little girl named Mary might very well have missed it, or choose to ignore it, for she remained put before him, never taking those green eyes off him.