Leaving Epitaph: The Sons of Daniel Shaye

21

Alone in his room, Dan Shaye realized that being alone was not a good thing for him. All he did was think about his dead wife. That fueled his anger and his bitterness, and without an outlet, they could combine to eat him alive from the inside out. He decided to go see what the boys were up to. He was fairly certain Thomas could keep them out of trouble, but there was no harm in checking.

The two men seated at the table were the center of attention. All the others—all men except for the two saloon girls—crowded around them. Some climbed on top of tables to see, others stood on the bar. Most of the people in the place had a monetary interest in the outcome.

Thomas watched the action with satisfaction. A potentially dangerous situation had become a sporting event, and that was much preferred.

He hoped his father would feel the same way, because at that moment he saw Dan Shaye walk into the saloon.

From the street, Shaye had noticed all the commotion coming out of the small saloon, and he walked over hoping he would not find his sons in there. As soon as he entered, though, he knew he was out of luck. He could feel their presence.

He pushed his way through the crowd until he saw Matthew sitting at a table across from a man who was as big as a bull. Then he saw Thomas, on the other side of the table, looking at him. He hadn’t seen James yet, so he circled his way to his oldest son.

“Hello, Pa,” Thomas said.

“Thomas,” Shaye said. “Do we have any money on this little contest?”

“Uh, some.”

“Where’s James?”

“He’s right over there.” Shaye looked where Thomas was pointing and saw his youngest son standing among a bunch of bar patrons.

“And why are we here?”

“It was either this or a bar fight,” Thomas said, “or worse.”

“And what started it?”

“Uh, that big guy and five of his friends.”

“Over what?”

“Well…”

“Girls?”

“Yup.”

“Those two standing on the bar?”

Thomas turned and saw that a couple of men had helped Dora and Henri up onto the bar so they could see better.

“I’m afraid so,” Thomas said. “They came up to us, Pa. I swear, the place was empty when we got here, but—”

“Save it, Thomas,” Shaye said. “Looks like they’re about to start. That big guy looks like he’s going to be tough. Big belly on him. It’ll anchor him.”

“That’s what I thought, Pa,” Thomas said, “but Matthew said he could take him.”

“I guess we’re about to find out if he’s right.”