Best Man

In the morning Jackson walked in to the saloon with Tiny already behind the bar.

He kept himself busy wiping.

-Mornin’, Jackson said. Her voice was hoarse.

She leaned against the bar. She looked toward the back room.

-Where’s Sarah?

-Sleeping, Tiny said.

He stopped wiping. He looked nervous.

-I want to thank you for everything, he said. So I wanted you to be the first to know. Me and Sarah intend on getting married.

Jackson’s eyes went wide. Then she smiled. A real smile.

-Well, I’ll be damned, she said.

She reached across the bar. She gripped his forearm.

-‘Bout time, Tiny. You two deserve every bit of happy you can grab.

Tiny cleared his throat.

-I don’t got no kin in this town, he said. But I reckon I need a best man.

-A best man? Jackson asked.

-Way I figure it, you’ve done did a lot of man’s jobs in this town, Tiny said.

Jackson laughed.

-Honey, I’ve shot, drank, and out-bartered every man in this territory. Reckon I’m qualified.

She leaned in.

-But I’m wearin’ a damn dress.

-I reckon your figure in pants would cut a pretty picture, Tiny said.

Jackson chuckled. She swayed slightly.

-Careful now, Tiny. Folks might think you’re aimin’ to be a bigamist.

Her eyes softened.

-But for you two? I’d wear damned near anything.

The next few days were a blur.

Jackson arranged wild desert blooms in rough vases.

She helped Sarah stitch a dress from sun-bleached muslin.

Night fell. The saloon was closed.

Jackson, Tiny and Sarah sat at a table.

-The preacher’s coming at sundown tomorrow, Jackson told her.

Tiny looked at her.

-Thank ya for everything, he said.

Jackson’s hands stilled.

-Don’t you go gettin’ sentimental on me now, she murmured.

Tiny took her hand. It was calloused.

He took Sarah’s hand. He placed it on top.

Jackson’s breath hitched.

She covered their hands with hers. Her grip was fierce.

She bowed her head.

-Damn you, Tiny, she whispered. Making a saloon owner soft.

-I reckon you deserve to feel soft, Tiny said.

Jackson looked up. Her eyes glistened.

-Get some rest, she said. Tomorrow… we make things right.

They got up .

Sarah moved. She hugged Jackson hard.

-You’ve been unbelievable to us, Sarah whispered.

Jackson melted. She held on tight.

-Don’t you go makin’ me cry, she said. No more mush.

Tiny joined them. A tangle of arms.

Sarah pulled back. She looked at Jackson.

-Ok, Sarah purred.

She tilted her head. She kissed Jackson on her upper lip.

Jackson froze. Then she gasped.

Then she deepened the kiss.

-Sarah, Tiny whispered.

Sarah turned. She kissed him next.

Jackson watched. A raw heat flared in her chest.

-Damn, she whispered. You two….

Sarah placed her hand under Tiny’s chin. She turned his face to Jackson’s.

Jackson didn't hesitate.

She cupped his cheek. She captured his mouth.

Tiny leaned into it. He wrapped his arms around both of them. He pressed Jackson back and sat her on the table.

Jackson groaned. She pulled him tighter.

-Is the table gonna hold? Tiny whimpered into her ear as Sarah helped him get closer to Jackson.

Jackson laughed.

-Fuck the table, she rasped. Let it break.

Sarah brought them together and the wood groaned beneath them.

It was desperate. It was heavy. It was everything.

Jackson slumped against the splintered wood. She was trembling.

Sarah kissed her on her bosom

She reached out. She squeezed Tiny’s hand.

-You two are gonna be the death of me, she murmured.

-Best fuckin’ send-off a couple could ask for, Tiny said, helping her up. I’ll see you ladies in the morning, he said.

He kissed them both on the cheek.

He went to the backroom. To the cot.

Jackson put her arm around Sarah.

-C’mon, darlin’, she said. Let’s get you to bed. Big day tomorrow.