Free Renewal 8 - War Council by Jf Perkins Page A

kiss. She went back inside and brought out the two boys. Jimmy and Tommy were bundled up and carrying two sleeping bags. Apparently the penis curse extended to them as well. They followed Dad back to the barn with long serious steps. They knew they were on a mission.
    Once they were up in the loft, they felt the freedom from harsh feminine despair, and began to talk and play. Jimmy ran to his father and gave Arturo a big hug. Then he stood up tall and gave his dad a congratulatory noogie with his tiny fist on Arturo’s dark hair. Arturo laughed loudly, breaking his melancholy spell for the moment, and Jimmy took that as a sign it was time to sing and dance. It was the theme song from a cartoon show that I was surprised to remember at all, it felt like so long ago.
    Sally showed up fifteen minutes later with a pot of chili and enough bowls and spoons for all of us. She left her lantern glowing in the hayloft while she went back for powdered lemonade for us, and a glass bottle full of brown liquid, which she handed to Arturo.
    “That looks like the bottle George gave us,” Arturo said, holding the bottle up against the lantern.
    “It’s the same stuff,” Sally replied. “This is some of his oldest work. He said it was in the barrel for twelve years when he gave it to me, and that was quite a while back. I’m not much for drinking, so stuff like this tends to sit. Tonight seems like a good night.”
    “How’s it going in the house?” Dad asked.
    “Depends... We got one hysterical lady, one who thinks she’s still in the shed, one who wants to kill all ya’ll for getting her in trouble, and the girl. I think she’ll be all right. Kids are more resilient than us old coots.” Sally threw her head back and laughed.
    “I know what you mean,” Dad said.
    “That reminds me... Arturo, been meaning to have a word with you,” Sally said.
    “Ok. What can I do for you, Sally?”
    “Would you mind if I take a look at your leg? I noticed you been limping around pretty hard, and it’s been about a year since you got shot,” Sally said.
    “About a year...” Arturo replied, thinking out loud. A quick review of the year triggered a stormy expression on his face. “Ok, sure. I’ll take all the help I can get.”
    “Well, do me a favor and take off those britches. Unless you’re going commando under there. That’s probably more than this old lady needs to see.” Sally smiled as if she wouldn’t mind too much.
    Arturo laughed and said, “My mama always said never get caught without clean underwear.” He slid his canvas pants down his legs and sat on the blankets in a loud pair of plaid boxers.
    Sally pulled the lantern over to his leg and took a look. We could all see the scars, puckered around the bullet’s entry and exit points. Little Jimmy traced some patterns in the air. It looked like he was trying to measure what he saw. Sally put both hands on Arturo’s leg, one to each side of the bullet path. She closed her eyes and moved her lips like she was talking silently to herself. After fifteen seconds, she opened her eyes and removed her hands from his thigh. “Pretty much what I thought,” Sally said.
    “What?” Arturo asked.
    “Now this ain’t no doctor’s office, and I expect it’ll take a lot to convince you, but there ain’t nothing wrong with your leg. It’s completely healed except for those scars to remind you.”
    “It hurts all the time,” Arturo said.
    Sally grabbed a handful of his thigh and squeezed hard. “This hurt?”
    “Not especially,” Arturo said, surprised by her gesture. “Just like always.”
    “Well, that’s what I’m talking about.” She gave his leg another squeeze. “That’s because it doesn’t hurt here.” She poked him right in the forehead. “It hurts here.”
    “What? That’s cra...”
    “Crazy?” Sally asked. “That’s why they call me Crazy Sally around these parts. But it’s not crazy. It’s just how we work. You take a man that hurts when