DELBERT BRIGGS 9

it was just getting dark when del rode into his yard on a give out horse.the economy car that norma drove ws parked at his yard gate and she was sitting on the porch. he rode by and waved in a casual way and said" ill unsaddle and be right there." norma raised her hand in a wave as he rode by. fifteen minutes later it was full dark and del walked up on his porch. norma sat in one of the chairs there her long legs encased in wrangler denim britches. a light yellow blouse completed her ensamble. delbert steped by her and flicked on a switch to the porch light."ime gonna get a cold drink, can i bring you one?" he asked. " do you have a beer?" she asked. when del came back on to the porch he handed norma a open , cold bottle of dos exuis beer. she took a swallow then looked over at him as he sat down next to her.' WE NEED TO TALK. I WANT YOU TO KNOW WHATS GOING ON." del took a swallow from his beer and nodded" shoot, spill the beans." " this isnt funny del. that snake jacobs is planning something to stop you from paying for the ranch. i never could find out just what it was but ime sure its not honest." norma said. " i think we are ready for what ever he wants to pull. he finds out that your talking to me he is liable to fire you. but i thank you for comming out here to let me know."del sounded pretty confident. " he cant fire me, i quit today. i also copyed all of the papers in your file first. they are on your table. ime going to new mexico to seee my folks. ill be gone a while. but i also left a numbeer where you can reach me if you need me. i would take that file to your attorney to hold for you. i mean it del that guy will do anything i believe." she drained her beer then stood up." ime packed ime headed out to see my folks. but ill come back soon." delbert stood up and walked her to the car. " thank you norma. you drive careful going over there. ill look forward to seeing you when you come back." " you just make it a point to be here when i get back." she leaned in and kissed his cheek. she got in the car and drove out of the yard. del stood there and watched her tail lights disapear down the road in a cloud of dust. since he had no safe and didnt want to leave the file laying around until he could get it to his attorney he stuck it between his mattress and box springs of his bed. the next morning his dad drove in with two horses in his trailer.