Chapter 3

After, we lay together, his arms around me, and I have no idea what to do because I’ve never been held. Growing up, there was little affection in the house, it being a hard place, so this marshal, whose name I don’t even know, is winning me over, not by his dick, but by his holding on.

“What’s your name?” I ask. “I only know you as Marshal.”

“Jack Halligan. You call me Jack in here, Marshal elsewhere.”

“I’m Wynn Dyer.”

“I know. I asked Abel the first time I saw you. He explained your circumstance, being an ex-con.”

“Guess I’ll wear that forever. Not Wynn, but Wynn the ex-con.”

“It will fade in time.”

An hour has to have passed when he says he needs to get back to work. He dresses, then hands me a dollar. “I know you don’t get much from Abel.”

“Thank you, Jack. I’m most grateful.”

“I’ll be seeing you again.”

When he’s gone, I clean up, but sit a spell before going downstairs.

* * * *