Matty took the cold wet cloth from Bill's eyes. She had been with him all night, after helping him back to the main house.
"Now open your eyes very slowly."
Bill did as she told him. Like he had been doing all night.
"Any better?"
He blinked several times. He could not see clearly, but at least he could see something more than white light.
"I think its getting better. I can almost make out shapes now."
"Don't youse knows bitter den to star into the light of a light'ouse?"
"Whose that?"
"Close your eyes again, Bill," Matty suggested, as she put another cool cloth across them.
"I heard a man's voice."
"That was no man," Matty informed him.
"That is just Freddy Simpson. He is putting on your screen windows for you."
Bill heard a man's laugh.
"Yes, me son. I 'ears dat youse 'ad a fight with a gull. An da gull, he won."
"Just put up the screens, Freddy," Matty snapped at him.
"Deys all be up, Matty."
"Even the one in the bedroom?"
Bill heard Freddy laugh again.
"Ise figured dat Ise leaves dat one off, jest in case 'is girlfriend comes back ag'in. Wes don't wanna be da ones to break up a romance."
Matty let out a long sigh.
"Freddy, listen very carefully. You have ten minutes to get that screen up or you won't get the dozen beer I promised."
"Den cans Ise 'ave a 'alf dozen fer doin' 'alf a job."
"What about I give you no beer, a swift kick in the ass and tell Gertrude that you tried to kiss me."
Freddy grunted.
"Youse be a bitch sometimes, Matty. Youse knows Gertie would kick da shit out of me."
"Nine minutes, Freddy," Matty reminded him.
Freddy walked away, muttering and swearing under his breath.
"Womens bes always wantin' to bes kickin' da shit out of me."
"He sounds like a real winner," Bill laughed.
"Freddy's okay. Its just that his elevator doesn't go all the way to the top floor. He's basically harmless."
Matty took the cool rag off Bill's eyes again.
"Open your eyes again. Slowly."
Bill slowly opened his eyes. He blinked several times.
"I can see you. Somewhat. At least I can make out your outline."
He took a deep breath.
"Shouldn't I go to the hospital or something?"
Matty shook her head.
"You will be okay. Your sight will come back soon."
"Ise still don'ts knows why he wanted to star into the light of da light'ouse."
Matty helped Bill to a sitting position, on the couch.
Bill strained, as he saw another greyish figure come toward him.
"Boo!" Freddy laughed.
"Did I scars ya?"
Bill continued to blink his eyes, trying to focus. He still could not make out facial features clearly.
"Are you sure he even has an elevator?" Bill wondered aloud.
Matty laughed.
"There are those that would question it."
"Any ways, Matty. Da screens be all up," Freddy informed her, still staring at Bill. He stuck his tongue out at Bill and put his fingers in his ears, waving his hands like a child.
"Beer is on the kitchen table," Matty sighed.
"Tanks Matty."
Freddy started walking away, but turned quickly.
"Boo."
"Freddy?"
"Yes Matty."
"Take your beer and fuck off."
Freddy muttered under his breath as he walked away.
"Your giving him a dozen beer for putting up a few screens?"
Matty laughed.
"No, Bill. You are. I figured it was easier to do that than to watch you break something trying to do it yourself."
"Ha, ha," Bill snickered, sarcastically.
"'ey Matty?"
"What now, Freddy?"
"Asks da mainlander dere ifin he wants to buy a dozen beer."
"What?"
"Well, Ise 'as dis dozen beers 'ere and Ise wants to be sellin' dem."
Matty closed her eyes and sighed.
"Why do you want to sell the beer, Freddy?"
Freddy walked into the living room, carrying the dozen beer.
"Well, it bes likes dis. I needs gas so Ise can takes Gertie to Deer Lake so she can git her birth control pills."
He leaned in close to Matty and whispered, "youse knows da ones, Ise talkin' 'bout. Da ones youse women takes so youse don't 'ave babies."
"I know what they are Freddy."
"Good." Freddy let out a long breath.
"Ise didn't wants to 'ave to tells youse about da birds and da bees."
Matty shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Why didn't you just ask for money?" Bill wondered, aloud.
"Me son, 'ow could Ise asks fer money when Matty offered me beer instead."
Bill felt a hand on his arm.
"Bill, don't. You are in bad enough shape now. A conversation with Freddy could be devastating. It will make the blinding feel like a pleasure."
"Dat be da truth, mainlander. Peoples tells me all da time dat dey wonders where Ise gits da tings Ise says."
He took a deep breath.
"Anyways. Does youse wants to buy da beer or not?"
"How much do you want?" Bill laughed.
"I figures twinty dollars would bes a fair price."
Bill was confused.
"But they cost more than that at the store."
"Ise knows dat me son, but da way Ise sees it is dat ifin Ise sells dem to you, den dey bes secondhand and not wort' as much."
Matty squeezed Bill's arm.
"Bill. You are weak and tired. Don't engage."
Bill laughed.
"My wallet is in my pocket, Matty. Take out some money and give him."
Matty rubbed his arm gently.
"I have money. You can pay me back later."
Bill could see Matty's image passing Freddy's image something and then Freddy leaning toward him.
"Fuck," Bill barked, as Freddy dropped the beer on his lap.
"Sorry 'bout dat, mainlander," Freddy snickered. "Did Ise crush anyting useful?"
Bill shook his head and forced a smile, to mask the pain.
"No I'm fine," he gasped.
The front door opened quickly and Bill could make out the image of what he thought was a rather huge man. He sat back on the couch, as it approached.
"Freddy Simpson," the image yelled.
"Is youse finished yet. Ise been waiting' outside in da fuckin' truck for almost an 'our. Youse 'asn't been in 'ere fuckin' 'round wit' dat Matty Dove 'as youse?"
Freddy's figure headed toward the door.
"No, me love. I was jest gittin' paid for puttin' up da mainlanders screens."
Bill could see the large figure standing a few feet from him.
"What's wrong wit' 'e. He looks like 'es not be all dere. Sittin' dere on the couch starin' like a fuckin' looney man."
"No, me love. Da mainlander bes okay. He jest got a little blinded by lookin' at the light'ouse lite."
"Why da fuck would 'e be doin' dat? Doesn't 'e knows dem lights can be blindin' youse?"
The huge figure shook its huge head.
"All mainlanders bes a bit off."
Matty laughed, to spite herself.
"Well Freddy Simpson? Youse gonna stand dere or is youse gonna go git gassed so wese can go to da city and git me pills. Youse ain't gettin' any of dis without dem."
Bill saw the image of the huge woman grabbing Freddy and pushing him through the door.
"Bye Matty and mainlander."
The door closed.
Bill started laughing and Matty soon joined him.
The door opened again.
"And Matty, me dere. Don't lets me bes seein' youse puttin' da makes on me man, Freddy. Ise knows youse got eyes fer 'im."
"I promise Gertie. I will fight the urge," Matty was barely able to spit out, while fighting back her laughter.
"Youse bitter ifin youse knows whats fuckin' gud fer youse."
The door slammed again.
Matty and Bill burst out laughing again.
Again the door opened and Bill could make out the huge grey figure coming toward him again.
Had she heard the laughter?
Was she coming to rip him a new one?
Bill felt the case of beer being lifted from his lap.
"And Ise be takin' dis beers too. Ise thirsty and bes needin' somethin' to drinks on da way to da city."
The huge image waddled across the room and disappeared through the door, slamming it behind her.
"My fuck. Are they brother and sister?" Bill asked.
"No," Matty laughed.
"First cousins."