Red Alligator Boots

By Marlene Mitchell

Mobile Beacon-Real Estate Listings
Property No. 147

For Sale 2.5 acres of land with easy access to the Mobile-Tensaw River and the ocean, includes large three-bedroom house, with wrap around screened in porch. Your own houseboat on a quiet cove adds to the charm of this property. Located less than two miles from a town that offers many shopping conveniences. A lucrative business opportunity will provide a livable income with short hours and many benefits. Don’t wait. Priced to sell. This property will go fast.

“It seemed like we were living in the middle of nowhere and having to deal with things we didn’t even know existed. June cried almost every night for a month. She wanted to go home and so did I, but I kept my mouth shut and hoped Cal would come to his senses and take us away from this terrible place we were supposed to call home.” Danni sighed, “He decided to prove to all of us that we could make a good living catching alligators, but no one wanted to help him and so I got drafted into his army of one. I thought that maybe we wouldn’t ever catch a gator and then we could leave, or we would do really well and be able to get the hell out of here. Either way, I was scared to death. But when Jack Sawyer comes to town, my life changed forever."

Best-selling author, Marlene Mitchell writes strong character driven stories. As her fans know, readers quickly become invested in the people portrayed and their unique, gripping, realistic plots.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marlene Mitchell
• Release date: Jun 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370195602

Marlene Mitchell

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Marlene makes her home in Louisville, Kentucky. A wife, mother and grandmother, Marlene has a wide variety of interest including painting, and wild life rehabilitation, but it is her love of the written word that comes through loud and clear in her novels. Marlene feels that exploring different genres gives her an opportunity to build strong and interesting characters. To quote Marlene, “It took me a long time to get started writing, but now the ideas for future novels never seem to quit. To this day, my imagination is my best friend and creativity is my constant source of inspiration. Keep in touch, -- Marlene Marlene loves the letters she gets from her fans! "Thanks for sending me the notice. Congratulations on your new book. I can't wait to read it. I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of your previous stories..." -B. Hoard "Thank you for the notification of the new book. Can't wait to read it... It is a thrill to have all your books! God bless you." -Nance "I really loved the first books in the trilogy. I bought the 1st two books in Gatlinburg so I love that they are set in tha area." -Joanne "I just finished "Yardsale" (I know it took me a while I only read on the treadmill) I just wanted you to know it is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I was hooked from the very first page will spread the word to my literary friends..." -D. Stockman "Omg, I just finished reading the "Woman of Magnolia". It is the best book I have ever read. I have all of your books and loved them all but this one is my favorite..." -L. Paytoni "The books are great. You are a very good writer, looking forward to your next book." -R. Gelson "Keep up the good work- I met you at the Hotrod Nationals last year- I like your books. I liked you too!" -C. Stele

Book preview

CHAPTER 2

Frank burst out of the kitchen door, grabbed a broomstick and jumped up on an overturned wheelbarrow.  He wore ragged short pants and a dirty white T-shirt.  The remnant of a green-checkered tablecloth was tied around his neck and a blue oven mitt, cut open in the back, covered his head.  Strands of bright red hair stuck out from under the oven mitt and a row of freckles danced across the bridge of his nose.  I am the king of this land and you are all my royal subjects, he bellowed.  The rooster and five hens scratching at his feet were not obedient servants.  He waved the stick and a flurry of feathers filled the air.

The screen door opened with its familiar squeak.  Get yer ass off that wheelbarrow before you put a dent in it, and quit scarin’ them chickens or they ain’t gonna lay any eggs today.

The boy frowned and made a proclamation to his subjects.  The queen mother is a bitch.  Someday I will smite her with my mighty sword and send her to the dungeon.

Marvalee wiped her wet hands on the sides of her shorts as she watched Frank jump and race across the yard waving the broomstick in the air.

Cal switched his toothpick to the other side of his mouth and took another gulp of his black coffee.  He stood up and walked to the door.  I swear that boy is touched.  He’s out there flittin’ around like a got damn fairy with an oven mitt on his head.

Marvalee took the last plate out of the sink and let the dish water run down the drain.  What you trying’ to say, Cal?  It’s bad enough he don’t say two words to anybody accept us and he won’t go to school, but now you think he’s odd?  Didn’t you ever play dress up when you were a kid?

Hell no.  Might have worn a cowboy hat or an army helmet, but I sure didn’t wear a cape.

Us girls played dress up all the time, Marvalee said.

Girls play dress up, not boys.  I don’t think he’s exactly normal.  Listen to him using all them big words that Danni teaches him.  What the hell does smite mean?  And I swear I think he called you a bitch.  He’s got stuff to play with, but he’s always carrying that broomstick around.  Why not jest a plain old stick?

Well, he jest likes to pretend.  He don’t have no one to play with and he gets tired of hanging around me.  Why don’t you start takin’ him to the river with you?  Let him see what you do.  Maybe if he saw you and Danni killing them gators he’d get over playing like he’s a king.  Besides it ain’t fittin’ for a girl her age to be snaggin’ gators.  She looks like a got damn mess all the time and she don’t have time to help me out at all.  I think it would do him some good.

You must be touched, Marvalee.  He’s too damn young and after what happened to him, he won’t even go down the path to the houseboat.  Every time we bring a dead gator up to the house he runs and hides.  You know he’s scared to death of them gators.  Danni is the one who reads him stories about kings and stuff.  She said it might help him not to be scared of everything if he could pretend he was in charge of his own castle.  Hasn’t worked a bit.  I could jest see Frank helpin’ me pull one of them in the boat.  He’d shit his pants the first time one come out of the water.  Be better I took June than him.

June is in school and she is gonna stay there.  Don’t you be messin’ with her education.

Education?  That what you call it?  She’s jest learnin’ how to do hair from Miss Rose.  That ain’t school, that’s bein’ a flunky.  She’s washin’ hair and cleanin’ up the place and she don’t even get paid one red cent.

You jest wait, Calvin Soffer, someday June will have her own shop and then you can eat your words.

The chair scraped across the wooden floor as Cal pushed back from the table.  I’m goin’ down to the houseboat.

You see if you can find Danni.  She needs to come help me get supper on the table.  You hear me, Calvin Soffer?

Cal mocked her words as he walked down the path toward the houseboat.  You hear me, Calvin Soffer?  Damn woman, I got a mind to send her packin’.  All she does is bitch.  She can take June and Frank with her and leave me and Danni the hell alone.  Who does she think keeps her in food and cigarettes and beer?  Gators, that’s what.  I’ll bring her down here and let one of them bite her in the ass and then maybe she’ll leave me alone.

Danni appeared at the door as Cal stepped onto the houseboat.  Is that you, Cal?  Who are you talking to?

I’m talkin’ to myself, Danni.  I’m pissed at Marvalee again.

Danni shrugged and sat back down at the wooden table.  It wasn’t anything new to her, they fought all the time, but Cal would never let Marvalee leave him.  She returned to her open book.

What you readin’ now?

"It’s called Dante’s Inferno. It’s about Dante’s travels through the layers of hell."

Why you want to read something like that?  All them books in the library truck and you picked that one.

Danni marked her page with a scrap of paper and closed the book.  It’s a classic, Cal.  I want to read every book in the library van.  I’m going to read all the hard ones first.

I ain’t read a book in twenty-five years.  How’s your hand doin’? Cal asked, pointing to the white cloth wrapped around Danni’s left hand.  Looks like it’s bleeding again.  Want me to change the bandage?

No, it’ll be okay.  I soaked my hand in some Witch Hazel.  It stung like hell, but the cut is closing up.  Did you tell Marvalee I got hurt?

No, dammit, she’ll blame me.  Course, it was my fault.  I shouldn’t have told you to pull the wire before I got a bead on that gator.  I didn’t reckon he was gonna go under.  Damn good thing that harpoon line didn’t slice your hand right off.

Don’t blame yourself.  I’ve been doing this long enough to know I should have put my gloves on before I grab the harpoon line.  Anyway, we got him.  Danni walked over to the door and looked out over the dark water.  I have to ask you something, Cal, do I stink?  Some fella in town said I needed a bath.  I know I was a mess when we got to town, but when I got home I showered and changed my clothes.  Do I still smell, Cal?

Cal put his nose close to Danni’s hair.  That gator let loose on both of us today.  I reckon we’ve jest got used to smellin’ bad after a hunt, but you smell fine to me now. Maybe I’m jest gettin’ used to the reek of them gators.  Now I gotta ask you a question?  You mad cause I got you by my side huntin’ gators?  Marvalee says it ain’t right, but she knows damn well we can’t afford to hire anybody.

No, Cal, I’m not mad.  What else would I be doing?  Working in some truck stop or running a register at the dollar store?  I like what we do together, Cal.  We make a good team and we make good money, but our fund isn’t growin’ as fast as I thought it would.  We need a bunch more money before we can open a fishing pier.

I sure thought we’d have a lot more than what we got in the jar.  If I had a bigger boat, we could go after some of them real big gators that lay out in the deep water.  Hell, if I tried to put one of them in our boat, we’d all end up in the water.  Besides, Marvalee keeps dipping her fingers into the jar.  I gotta find a new hiding’ place for our money.  Any coffee left?

Danni nodded and watched as Cal poured the black liquid in to a tin cup.  He sat down across from her and lit a cigarette.  His eyes were bloodshot and his hands were shaking.  He had always been a beer drinker when they lived in Mobile, but since living here he had taken to whiskey and carried a flask in the back pocket of his pants.  He hadn’t shaved in almost a week and his hair was hanging on the collar of his shirt.  Living in the bayou was taking its toll on him.  She knew his idea of a stash was probably ten or twenty dollars.  Not enough to even make it through the week.

You know what, baby girl?  I should have never sold your grandma’s house in Mobile.  Yeah, I know when the foundry closed I was out of a job, but we still had a roof over our head.  I probably could have found some other job.  The bank would have probably carried me for a while.  Can’t figure out how I let that man talk me into buyin’ this place.  It sounded like such a good deal.  I reckon I should have investigated it a little bit more before I took the bait.  Hell, I didn’t know nothin’ about huntin’ gators and I sure didn’t know it was illegal most of the time.  He made it sound so easy and that I’d make a lot of money.  Now what have I got, a house up the road that’s fallin’ apart and this old houseboat.  Cal flicked the cigarette butt out the window.  It hissed when it hit the green water.  "We better get up to the house before Marvalee comes lookin’ for us.

Danni closed her book and put it on the shelf over the wood stove.  No fighting tonight, okay?

I’ll give it a try.  As long as she leaves me alone, I’ll keep my mouth shut, but it ain’t gonna be easy.

As they walked in silence, Danni's thoughts were on Cal’s question.  What would I be doing if I wasn’t hunting alligators?  I would have finished high school and right now I could be in college.  My hand hurts like hell and I stink.  I lied to him.  I hate hunting alligators.  I hate being called a swamper and I hate it that I don’t have enough nerve to tell him the truth.  She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

CHAPTER 3

June, honey, if you’re finished putting the color on Miss Betty, will you take the perm curlers out of Miss Cora’s hair and rinse it?

June pulled off her rubber gloves and tossed them into the sink.  A small hole in one of the gloves left her with one black fingernail.  She patted the middle-aged lady on the shoulder.  I’m settin’ the time for fifteen minutes, Miss Betty.  You want a magazine to read?

The woman shook her head.  June walked down three stations and smiled at the small lady who was asleep in the chair.  Miss Cora, wake up honey, I’m gonna take the curlers out of your hair and rinse off the perm solution.  The woman did not answer.  Did you hear me, Miss Cora?  You need to sit up now.

After several attempts to communicate with the elderly woman, June was able to get her to sit up.

My goodness, I had a really nice nap, Cora said.

June gently removed the curlers and papers and Cora laid her head back in the pink sink.  June made sure the water was warm, not hot, and began running her fingers through the fluff of white hair that was now beginning to come out and fall into the sink.  Miss Rose, I need you back here?  June said, trying not to panic.

In a minute, June, I’m busy.

"But, I need you... now," June said in a tone that she had never used on Miss Rose.

Rose was annoyed, but feigned a smile to her customers and joined June at the rinse station.  For God sakes, June, what’s so important that you had to speak to me in that manner?

I’m sorry, but I have to show you somethin’.  June pointed into the sink where the strands of white hair were now clogging the drain.  Patches of pink scalp were visible as Rose quickly wrapped a towel around Cora’s head.  

Is everything okay?  How does my perm look?  Cora asked.

 Everything is just fine, now you just relax we’ll be right back, sweetie.  Rose took June by the arm and pulled her into the woman’s restroom.  What in the hell happened?

I don’t know, June said, I guess the perm solution was too strong for her hair.

No, dear, I think you pulled too hard when you took them curlers out.  You pulled out her hair with the curlers.

No, I didn’t Rose. You put the solution on. You left it on way too long. Don’t blame this on me. If I would have pulled the curlers out that hard, that old woman would have screamed her head off. Tears began to run down June’s face. Please, Miss Rose, don’t blame this on me. I’ve been workin’ so hard for you and I…

I think you’d better leave, June.  You’re too upset to go back into the shop.  I’ll take care of Cora.  I’ll just try to cover the bald spots.  Maybe she won’t notice them for a day or two.  She can’t see very well anyway.

June took her smock off and hung it on a hook in the bathroom.  She grabbed her purse off the break room table and knocked over a vase of red plastic roses.  She grabbed them and stuck them back in the vase and bolted out the backdoor, knowing that Rose was going to tell everyone in the shop that she ruined Cora’s hair.

June sat down on the top step of the small stoop outside of the back door and lit a cigarette.  She laid her head against the wall and tears began to run down her face.

Sorry to bother you, but can I bum a cigarette from you?

Damn, you scared me. June quickly wiped her eyes and looked around.  Where are you?

I’m over here.  I asked if I could bum a cigarette.

She turned toward the dumpster next to Hobart’s store.  He was leaning against the wall holding an empty cigarette pack.  Sorry again, if I scared you.  I’m taking a break and I’m out of butts, he said as he walked toward the porch.

Oh, sure, here, June said as she held the pack out to him.

You crying? he asked.

None of your business, she replied. 

He held up his hands.  Pardon my intrusion, you got a light?

June tossed him a matchbook.

With the lit cigarette hanging from his lip, he picked up the trashcan and heaved the contents into the dumpster.  She wondered who he was.  He was tall and muscular, with charcoal black hair and dark eyes.

You workin’ for Marlin? she asked.  I ain’t never seen you here before.

Yeah, he replied.  I’m just helping him out.  We’re cleaning out the storeroom.

Where you from?

Springfield, Missouri.  I’m on my way south.  I’m going down to the Florida Keys.

June took a drag from her cigarette.  You a drifter?

Heck no.  I’m just short of cash right now.  My truck broke down in Kentucky and I had to use all my cash to get it fixed so I gotta work a few days before I head on down the road.

So, you’re a drifter.

Jack threw his cigarette butt on the ground and stepped on it.  I have to get to work.  He heaved another full container into the dumpster.  She could see the outline of his muscles through his thin T-shirt as he lifted the heavy can over his head.  He wiped his hands on the sides of his jeans.  Listen, you can call me whatever you want, but sometimes a person has to do a lot of things he doesn’t want to if he wants to get by.  I’m not a drifter.

June picked up her purse and started down the alley, she was done talking to him.  She didn’t want to go back into the shop and call her mother to come get her.  Her momma would want to know what happened and then they would end up fighting with each other.  After leaving the last street in Viola, June cut across the railroad tracks and began walking on the shoulder of the road.  Her feet hurt and she was hot.  She pulled at the collar of her uniform and opened the top button exposing the outline of her ample breasts.  Maybe she should have called home.  Three miles was a long walk in the hot July heat.  A few cars passed her and a semi-driver horn blared, making her jump into the weeds.  Asshole, she said out loud.  A few minutes later she prepared herself to tell someone else to go to hell as a blue truck slowed next to her. 

Hey there, you want ride? 

She looked up to see the guy from Hobart’s leaning out the window.  No, I’m okay.

You sure, it’s really hot and I’m going this way, he said.

June stopped and put her hands on her hips.  Look, I don’t know you and I don’t get in trucks with strangers and besides why would you be going this way.  There ain’t anything down this road but my house and the bayou.  Are you stalking me?  Jest go, leave me alone.

Jack groaned.  Damn, I’m just trying to be nice, besides I was looking for some place to get a decent meal.  You don’t want a ride that’s okay by me.  He pulled the truck back on the road.  He had only gone a few hundred feet when he looked into his rear-view mirror.  June was waving her hands in the air.  Jack grinned and backed up.

I changed my mind.  I reckon if Marlin lets you work for him, you’re okay.  Besides I am getting really hot.  Jack reached across the seat and pushed open the door.

Okay, let’s get a few things straight.  I’m not a stalker and I’m not a drifter.  Right now I’m looking for someplace to eat.

June huddled closed to the door, holding her purse on her lap with both hands.  There’s the café in town but they’re closed already.  The only place I know is the Circle J truck stop.  You done passed the road about a mile back.  They got pretty good food.

I can take you home first or if you want I’ll buy you supper.  You hungry?

I am, but I can’t let you buy me food.  I don’t even know your name.

My name is Jack Sawyer and its only supper.  I’m not asking you to marry me.  I just thought it might be nice to have someone to talk to for a while.

Oh good, I wasn’t planning on getting married today.  June looked at her watch.  Rose always gave her a ride home after the shop closed.  It was only four.  She wasn’t expected home until six.  Okay, but I gotta be home in two hours.

Jack made a U-turn and headed back up the road. What’s your name?"

June Soffer, she replied.

Soffer, that name sounds familiar.  Are you any relation to Cal Soffer or his daughter?

Yeah, how do you know Cal?

I don’t, but I saw your sister in Hobart’s today and…

June cut him off.  If you’re talkin’ about Danni, she ain’t my real sister.  She’s my stepsister.

So, if she’s your stepsister how come you two have the same last name?

Cause my momma was never married when she had me so she wanted everything to be all proper like so when she and Cal got together they gave me his last name.  Danni and I aren’t very close.  She mostly keeps to herself except when she’s takin’ care of Frank.  That’s my little brother.  Danni’s always got her nose in a book.  She has to help Cal catch gators.  Ain’t no way I’d ever do what she’s doing.  It’s bad enough the people in town calls us swamp rats and then she comes into town smelling like a bottom feeder.  It’s real embarrassing.  She’s afraid to say no to him and… and I reckon she really doesn’t have a choice.

Jack put his hand up and interrupted her.  That’s enough.  It’s getting too confusing.  I don’t need to hear any more.

Jack only wanted to make conversation, he really didn’t want to know June’s life story.  She sat quietly for a while and started talking again just as he pulled into the truck stop.  Before he turned off the key, June was already out of the truck, still talking as she walked across the parking lot.

  Let’s sit in the back of the restaurant, they got booths.  I like sittin’ in booths, she said as she pulled open the door.

The waitress came to their table and opened her order pad.  Jack knew this wasn’t a place to ask too many questions about the menu, so he ordered two daily specials and two Cokes.  Hope roast beef and mashed potatoes are okay with you.  It comes with a salad, he said as he stuck the menu behind the napkin holder.

Yeah, that sounds real good.  Mama’s probably makin’ fish again.  Seems like that’s all we eat lately.  That was real nice, I mean you ordering for me.

There was a lull in the conversation.  June twisted a strand of hair around her finger and looked around the room.  There was no one there that she recognized.

Jack drummed his fingers on the table.  So, you’re a beauty operator.

No.  I’m a hairdresser.  There ain’t no way I could make them old ladies that come into the shop look beautiful.  Actually, I’m in training.  Miss Rose is supposed to teach me how to cut hair and give perms.  I know everything else about the shop, but she keeps puttin’ me off about givin' haircuts.  I work my ass off for her and she keeps tellin’ me it won’t be long.  I’ve been watchin’ her real careful and I think I can do it without her help.  I’m jest scared.  What if I messed up somebody’s hair real bad and then they get all upset.  I want to open my own place, but not in Viola.  I hate this town, if that’s what you want to call it.  There ain’t nothing to do here.  We don’t even have a picture show and most of the shops sell old lady stuff.  You got to go to Mobile if you want to see a movie or get anything decent to wear.  We lived in Mobile when I was younger and I liked it there and… she stopped talking.  Why are you grinning at me?

I guess it’s because I didn’t expect another long answer to my question, but that’s okay.

I’m sorry, I reckon I do talk too much.  You sure do talk funny, I guess it’s your northern accent.

The waitress put the steaming plates on the table and returned with their drinks.  Anything else? she asked.

Jack shook his head as he pulled the napkin out of the paper ring.  This sure looks good.  Mixing the gravy into his potatoes, he asked, How old are you June?

I’ll be twenty in about seven weeks.  How old are you?

Twenty-five.  There was another lull and once again he asked a simple question that got a real answer.  Did you go to high school in Viola?

June swallowed a mouthful of salad and wiped her mouth.  "Yeah, but I never did get to graduate.  Me and Danni both had to quit a year after