Free The Final Shortcut by G. Bernard Ray Page A

start some trouble but decided to let it go. Considering how embarrassing it would be to explain to the County why it took them more than six years to discover Marty’s deception. And why so many in the system were helping them. The Baumann’s had many friends in town, and most of them thought Junior deserved special treatment. And since Marty had provided for his family so well no one seemed concerned about Junior choosing a career. As long as they were happy living in the hills, everyone else was happy too.
    When they got home Marty found a note on the kitchen table that said Ellen was over at her cousin Trudy’s, which Marty knew meant that she was probably stoned and drunk again. She had drifted back into her old habits after Marty had given up the cash crop, finding solace with her second cousin, who was still in the business. Her addiction had stemmed from medication she received after Junior’s troubles at school. And after the doctor took her off the prescriptions, she had found other sources for a variety of pills and chemicals. At this point Marty had given up trying to stop her, she just became abusive and mean. She was constantly accusing him of sleeping around with every girl in town, constantly threatening to leave him. He still loved her but he couldn’t bear to see her destroy herself. Both of them spent more and more time away from home in order to avoid confrontation. Junior hardly spoke to her except in passing, and never told her he loved her anymore.
    “Well, you want me to cook something or would you like to go back to town and eat?” Marty knew what he would say before he even opened his mouth.
    “I’m still having nightmares from the last time you tried something different. Remember?”
    Marty tried to act hurt but he couldn’t hold it, “It wasn’t that bad was it?” Junior didn’t answer.
    “Let me get my homework and I can study while you play darts.”
    The home style cooking at “The Corral” was good as always. The kitchen closed after supper and the adjacent bar took over the dining area. Junior had studied there often enough that he was allowed to sit in the kitchen where it was quiet. Christy, one of the waitresses, left him a pitcher of tea and a big slice of pecan pie. Meanwhile Dad ordered another beer for himself and Clyde. They often spent the evening talking and playing darts.
    “You ready for another match?” Clyde swigged his beer as he walked back toward Marty.
    “No, I think I’ll sit this one out.” Marty took a couple healthy glugs from his glass and sat down. “I swear, one day I’m gonna take off and go live in the tropics.”
    Clyde rolled his eyes, “You keep saying that and you might even believe it, you ain’t never gonna leave this mountain. What would you do?”
    “I would lie on the beach and let everybody just wonder what happened to me. I’ve got plenty money stashed, enough to set myself up. Junior can take care of himself now; I just ain’t got any more patience left. She makes me so mad sometimes I could scream.” Marty downed the rest of his beer and waved for Christy for another.
    “You’re not gonna drive home any time soon, are you? You’ve only had about eight beers.” Marty started to say something sarcastic, but he knew his best friend had is safety in mind. “No, Junior can drive better than me. You know that.” Clyde waved off Christy before she could get to the table and Marty didn’t act like he noticed. He was in an agitated state, something he did quite often lately.
    “You shouldn’t get so worked up about it, can’t you get her to see what’s happening to you.” Clyde put his hand on Marty’s shoulder as he stood up.
    “I’ve tried to get her to stop but she just explodes on me and says I’m sleeping with every female within forty miles, you’ve heard her. She’s so paranoid about everything, says I’m not sensitive to her needs.” Marty stood up and stretched. “Maybe you could arrest her supplier. You