The Saga of Miles Forrest

Lucas, what are you doing in here looking so glum? questioned Doc as Lucas came over to the tables.
        He gave a wry smile, then said, “Those idiots.  They’re always complaining about something, or else they’re moaning and groaning ’bout how life ain’t fair to them.  Senor Doc, I tell them, that life didn’t put them in jail, it was their foolish ways.”
        That brought a chuckle from both of us.  “I’m here to get their food,” he paused, “so they can complain again about Tia Emelda’s fine cooking.”
       “Sit down,” I suggested.  “Molly just went to the kitchen and will be back shortly.”
       “Lucas, I have one thing to say to you,” interjected Doc.  “You’ll find some people are that way–just plain contrary about life in general.  They don’t realize that the good Lord wants us to enjoy life, but to do that we must follow His rules.”
       “Si, Senor Doc, I know, but, but it gets so frustrating at times.”
       I slapped him on the shoulder.  “Don’t we all know that.  Want some coffee while you’re  waitin’?”
       “That would be nice, si.”
       Standing I went to the counter to grab a cup then over to the stove where the coffeepot was warming.  Doc and I had drunk about half of it so I poured Lucas a cup then brought the pot to refill ours.  While I was doing that Molly came out of the kitchen with a piece of pie.
       My gaze followed her and the pie as she sat it down in front of Lucas.  It was chocolate.  “I thought I heard you out here and thought you might like a piece of pie while you’re waiting for the food.  Emelda is dishing up enchiladas.”
       Lucas was licking his lips in anticipation of the first bite, but he remembered his manners.  “Gracias, Senora Molly,” he said with a smile then plunged his fork into the pie.
       “Enchiladas!” exclaimed Doc.  “I might just have to stick around for a plate of those.”
       I sipped on my coffee watching Lucas devour that pie.  It didn’t take him long and for a few seconds I thought he might lick the plate.  Molly was sitting there with a big grin on her face watching Lucas enjoy the pie.  Then she looked at Doc then to me, “I think he likes it.”
       “Well for a minute I was wonderin’,” I remarked with heavy sarcasm, then looked at Doc.  “Were you offered a piece of pie?”  He shook his head.  “Neither was I.  Hmpf, favorites.”
       Molly laughed, then got back up to go get the food for the outlaws.  In a few minutes she walked out with a tray covered with a red checkered cloth.  I looked at her then toward the tray.  “Ain’t no pie under that cloth is there?”
       She chuckled, “Might be.
       “Don’t let Lucas know.  He’ll have it et before he gets back to the jail,” I warned her.
       Lucas was looking from face to face with a big smile on his face.  He shoved his chair back still smiling and picked up the tray of food.  “I must go do my sworn duty.”
       “Wait just a minute,” urged Doc.  “I’ll go with you.  I need to check on their wounds.”  He slurped down his remaining coffee, then grabbed his coat pulling it on.  Looking at Molly, “Edith and I plan on eating supper here tonight,” he said then winked at her.
       “There goes a good boy,” said Molly as Lucas and Doc walked out the diner.
       “Boy!  He’s turnin’ into quite the man,” I stated.  “Charlie and Marta are doin’ a fine job in raisin’ him.”
       Molly smiled then put her hand on my arm.  “Marta has lightened up quite a bit.  I know that she and Charlie have been talking.  I was worried a few weeks back.”
       I nodded my head in agreement.  Then I gave Molly one of my best smiles.  “All right, you win,” she muttered in resignation.  “I’ll get you a piece of pie.”
       Customers were starting to come in as I was slowly working on my pie.  I wasn’t like Lucas to thrust it all in my mouth at one time, but I savored each bite.  Molly and Marta were both waiting on customers.  It was a place of contentment.  People coming in, smiling and nodding to one another, feeling comfort in the little diner.  It was a nice, relaxing place to eat.
       The cup was at the edge of my mouth so I could wash down the last piece of pie when I heard the shot.  In fact, everyone in the diner heard the shot…