Free The Drought by Patricia Fulton, Extended Imagery

far, and had little hope of running into anyone her age so when she saw Jar sitting by the wall of the Stop-N-Wash, her flushed face brightened. A tentative smile appeared only to disappear when she came closer and he didn’t acknowledge her.
    She muttered, “Hey,” stepped over his legs and walked into the laundry mat. She stopped in front of the Coke machine and pretended to contemplate the selection. She’d already had three glasses of coke at the bar. She checked her pocket, counting out the coins.
    She returned carrying two cokes. She handed one to Jar and sat down next to him, uninvited. Surprised, he said, “Thanks,” popped the lid and took a long drink. She held her can against her hot temple trying to cool off.
    They sat together, the silence between them as thick as the hot air, neither one willing to bring up what happened down at the swimming hole. Jar pretended to read the Auto trader he’d taken off the newspaper rack, while sipping the cola Suzy had bought him.
    Suzy finally broke the silence. “You seen Barry ’round?”
    Jar turned a page; his response barely audible. “No.”
    She went silent again. It had been two weeks since Luke disappeared. Everyone knew Barry’s dad was heavy handed with the belt, but Barry had never been absent for more than a few days. Even then, when he finally did make his appearance, he’d be all cocky and annoying, to the point where you started to think his dad should have hit him a few more times. It was no secret she didn’t care much for Barry, but he was Jar’s best friend and she would have done anything to comfort Jar.
    She touched him lightly on the arm offering what little assurance she could muster. “I’m sure he’ll be around soon.”
    He just nodded, not bothering to look up. She thought about leaving, but the truth was, it was either go and sit in a smoke-filled bar and listen to Stevie Nicks sing Leather and Lace again or hang out here with Jar. The first scenario wasn’t very appealing but at least the bar had air-conditioning.
    She was teetering toward the air-conditioned bar when Jar finally spoke.
    “You think they’ll ever find him?”
    She wasn’t sure if he was talking about Barry or Luke.
    “Can you imagine how his mom feels? She doesn’t even have a body to bury.” His voice cracked, she looked away to give him a moment to recover, but he didn’t even try to wipe away the tears. Her own throat tightened in response.
    His lip trembled a little when he spoke. “Something’s not right. None of this makes sense. Luke’s gone. Hell, Barry’s probably dead too because of his goddamn father and that stupid ball... and today…” Jar stopped short. He was about to blurt out the bank clock had winked at him, had given him a little insider information. “It was gonna get mighty hot, mighty fuckin’ hot.” He looked over at Suzy who already looked worried and finished softly, “…and this heat…how can it be this goddamn hot?”
    She didn’t notice his long pause or the change in his tone. What she noticed was her own heart ached and more than anything she wanted to touch his face and somehow reassure him everything was going to be all right. There was nothing she could say about Luke. Everyone in town knew the rescue mission had been officially renamed “the recovery mission” and gossip at the bar indicated city council had voted against tearing up Flatrock Bridge. She said, “Come on, Barry will be back around soon. You know him, he’s as strong as a horse, his dad can’t break him… how many times has he tried?”
    Jar made eye contact for the first time. “I don’t think so. Not this time. I’ve got a bad feeling about Barry, I don’t think he’s anywhere near okay.”
    She settled back down against the wall. Jar’s conviction hit her stomach like a rock and she suddenly felt tired. “You think he’s dead, don’t you?”
    He shook his head, “No, somewhere close, maybe to the point he’s wishing it, but he’s