Page 62 of Our Own Light
Ollie pursed his lips, hopefully to keep himself from smiling. Feeling confident that his plan was working, Floyd tried again.
“You look real nice today, Ollie. I ain’t mention that to you yet.”
Ollie’s cheeks flushed. “Floyd, I know what it is you’re trying to do.”
“What is it you think I’m trying to do?”
“You’re trying to make me forget about the fact that you snubbed my offer back there.”
“I wasn’t trying to snub you.”
“Why wouldn’t you let me pay for you today? I mean, I’d even prefer to buy you the phonograph myself, especially if it would mean that the two of us could listen to music together.”
“I wasn’t raised to take charity.”
“It’s not charity.” Ollie lowered his voice to a soft whisper. “I wanted to treat you. Especially now that I’m aware of the fact that you’re being taken advantage of by the coal company like this. I can’t believe I had never really paid much attention to the exchange rate before.”
“Not like we’ll be heading to Charleston every weekend.”
“Not if Donohue Coal and Steel has something to say about it.”
Floyd tried not to react to Ollie’s tone. He hated when Ollie talked about life in the coal town like he actually knew something about it, like he was really living it. Because Ollie wasn’t living it. He’d never really be living it, not like everybody else in Rock Creek. Because Ollie had plenty of money. He was still an outsider. Still new to mining, too.
Which was one of the reasons why Floyd always made sure to take care of him in the mines. Whenever they needed their blast powder, Floyd took it upon himself to handle it, making sure Ollie wouldn’t be in harm’s way. Whenever they were assigned a new tunnel, Floyd ventured in first, test lamp in tow, to check for the so-called asphyxiant gasses and confirm that it was safe. He needed to keep Ollie safe. Like he ought to have kept Matt safe all them years ago.
Floyd’s chest tightened at the thought of Matt.
Ignoring the upset, Floyd scooted closer to Ollie. He wanted them to have fun in the city. He couldn’t let Ollie keep sulking about the money, and he couldn’t let himself start to sulk about Matt neither.
“Just have fun with me today,” Floyd said. “Don’t worry about Donohue Coal and Steel. Worry about spending time with me.”
Floyd waited for Ollie’s response. He hoped Ollie would let it go.
“Fine. I’ll try not to worry about Donohue,” Ollie relented. “Can I at least pay for the pictures?”
“Mmm . . . yeah, I suppose.”
“Thank you.” Ollie’s face lit up, the wrinkles on his forehead finally fading while his eyes brightened. “And thank you for the compliments. You look very nice, too. Fantastic even.”
“Yeah, I like this suit.” Floyd studied the light gray sleeves. “I wear it to church a lot.”
“Well, I think it’s officially too tainted for church now.”
Floyd smiled, already aware of what was a-coming.
“Why’s that?”
“Because it has me thinking some very unholy thoughts.”
Floyd let out a puff of air. “You’re really something, Ollie.”
“So are you, Floyd.”
Floyd tapped Ollie’s foot again. Ollie tapped his back.
Soon, they arrived in Charleston. Floyd and Ollie spent the majority of their time doing something Ollie called “window-shopping,” where they walked by a bunch of stores real slow-like and talked about what they seen on display and whether or not they’d ever buy any of it. It was a little strange since Ollie could probably buy every single item if he wanted to, but it was fun, too. A couple of times, Ollie made comments about the prices of some of the items—boots and men’s shirts and the like—and seemed keen to point out that they cost less in Charleston than in Rock Creek. More evidence, he said, that the company was taking advantage. Comments like that had Floyd’s heart hammering, fury about the past and worry over the future swirling in his chest like a storm, but Floyd managed to fight the feelings back. He really wanted their special day to stay special.
At one point, they walked past a toy store, and Floyd seen something Josephine might like—a box of building materials called Lincoln Logs—but thought that he should make sure he’d have enough left after the phonograph before trying to buy it. They passed a hat shop, too. Floyd could tell that Ollie was fighting the urge to go inside. He wished he could sneak away and buy Ollie one of them hats. He’d have loved to see Ollie’s face light up when presented with a new one. But, of course, he’d never have that kind of money, especially not after buying the phonograph.