Free The Man Who Ivented Florida by Randy Wayne White Page B

the people moved, clearing his view, and he could see why. Beyond the pool, a man and a woman were arguing. The man was tall but slumped, with gray hair. He had a drink glass in his hand and he was talking loudly, slurring his words. Saying mean things.
    I'll be damned—
    The woman was Marjorie.
    Joseph watched this outrage for a time. Marjorie tried to walk away from the man, but he caught her arm and jerked her back. She began to cry, covering her face with her hands. The man pulled her hands apart, then hurried after her as she ran toward the clubhouse. She got to the clubhouse first, and the man stopped short, furious. The door that swung closed behind her read LADIES' LOCKER ROOM.
    Joseph did not hesitate. If ever there were a job for a phantom, this was it. That the partygoers did not seem to notice as he sauntered toward the dressing room reassured Joseph. And when the man who had been harassing Marjorie let him pass through the door without question, he felt positively bold.
    Being a ghost is gonna be fun, Joseph thought.
     
    Tuck was frying his supper and humming a tune written by his old flying buddy, Ervin T. Rouse, when he heard a car slide to a halt outside. He looked through the window. Big bloated car— Tuck couldn't tell the makes anymore—and Joseph Egret was climbing out. The Indian waved a farewell as the car tore off, throwing dust.
    Joseph came into the house, grinning broadly. He carried a heavy grocery sack and there was a swelling beneath his eye.
    Neither men were the type for social preamble or reunion niceties. Tuck went back to the stove, saying, " 'Bout time you got the cojones to leave that rat-hole rest home."
    Joseph placed the grocery sack on the table. "Got steaks in here—some of them already cooked. Steaks and beer."
    Tucker turned the chicken he was frying and got another pan for the steaks. "Stole 'em I suppose." Looking meaningfully at Joseph's swollen eye.
    "This?" Joseph touched his face. "There was a lady friend of mine in trouble. This guy got upset when I followed her into the shower room. I woulda ducked, but I thought I was a . . ." It seemed rather silly now, thinking he was a ghost. "Anyway, I didn't think he could see me. After I knocked him and two or three others in the pool, things got kinda crazy. There was a lady screaming around with no clothes and a fire got started. But they didn't see me take these steaks. If they did, nobody said nothing."
    Tuck decided not to pursue it. Later, around a campfire perhaps, it would be a good story to hear. Find out why Joseph was dressed like a skeleton, too. Had to be an interesting story behind that. But now, if the police came . . . well, it would be refreshing to be able to tell them the truth—that he didn't know anything about it.
    The two men ate the chicken and steaks in silence, then Tucker leaned back in his chair, patted his stomach, and said, "Still takin' good care of myself, Joe. Left just enough room for a six-pack." He stood, found a foil packet of chewing tobacco and paper cups. Pushed a cup, then the foil packet across the table to Joseph, saying, "That woman who brung you, she's not coming back?"
    "Women love me," Joseph explained sagely, "but they love to leave me, too." He had had two wives and more romances than Tuck, and he knew it was true. "But she said she might come see me someday. Said her gentleman friend was just drunk and hardly ever like that, but she'd see." Joseph said all this sadly, but Tucker recognized the thread of relief in his voice.
    "Know exactly what you mean," he said, addressing the undertone rather than the words. "I had to pay a man cash money to take his woman back. Had to do it in secret so's she wouldn't find out. Hardest part was actin' heartbroke. That woman thought she was the best chili cook in the world. Had the windows open for a month after she left, just to air the place out."
    Joseph nodded, comfortable in the understanding of an old friend. He had his nose to the foil