Chapter Eight

Kathy and Ransom walked their way to the dinner table, took a seat, and Paul led them in a prayer. As soon as the ‘A-men’ was finished, the food began to make its way around the table. Famished, Ransom dipped himself hearty portions which brought a smile to Darlene’s face, confirming to him that the rumors of Southern hospitality were indeed true.

“You missed it Ransom, Barney couldn't find his bullet.”

“Always fumbling around his pockets, isn't he?” Ransomed laughed for the first time all day. The food was making a difference, filling up a bit of the cynicism of having to be in Bethlehem.

Kathy looked seductively from across the table at Ransom. She took her fork, turned it upside down and placed a piece of meatloaf in her mouth. Ransom noticed but quickly looked away, trying to keep his attention focused on the Mayor.

“Goobers and Gomers, huh? Tell me more about Bethlehem.”

“My English teacher once told me, never tell it... show it. I’ll take you around to meet some folks, you’ll get a hoot out of them.”

Kathy took another piece of meatloaf the same way only to be interrupted by a knock at the door. Mayor Barton carefully pushed himself up in obvious displeasure to answer it.

“That'll be Matty. He eats with us from time to time.” Darlene said to Ransom.

“Oh God.” Kathy’s disgust was impossible to hide.

“Watch your tongue, lady!” Barton shot back from the next room. Kathy stuck her tongue out in Ransom's direction and he smiled. She did have spirit.

In a quick moment, Mayor Barton returned with Matty. Ransom would later learn that Matty was the town charity case, a bit inbred, in his early twenties. Feeling sorry for him, the town appointed him deputy to keep him busy and to provide him with a sense of self-worth in the town collective. They gave him a badge, but no gun and his primary duties were caring for the jail, where his brother Bo spent many nights sleeping off a long, hard drunk.

Matty spoke inscarcely intelligible phrases, constantly placing "t" and "w" sounds where they didn't belong. The Barton family was used to it.

“This here is Matty, Mr. Ransom. He's a lot smarter than you'd think.” Darlene began to fix Matty a plate while introducing him.

“I tan dwive.” Matty said looking intently at Ransom.

“He drives.” Mayor Barton interpreted.

“That's great, Matty.” Ransom responded kindly while noticing Kathy roll her eyes.

“Tank you Miss B.” Matty dug into the full plate that Darlene prepared for him.

“Matty here is a product of unique breeding if you know what I mean.” Paul smiled across the table.

“Paul, be nice.”

“I am being nice! Matty's in my house. Again. He’s eating my meatloaf. Again. I'd call that nice.” Barton shot the response back to his wife before launching a question toward Ransom, “That's nice, isn't it?”

“Sure. It’s very kind of you, Paul. Also it’s kind of you to open your table up to me.”

“Well, Matty’s just here because he has a crush on Kathy.” Darlene added to discussion. Her statement sent Matty into a laughing, snickering, and blushing fit of epic proportions. He spit up his bite of meatloaf, all over the table and pointed over to Kathy while stomping his feet.

“Welcome to Freaktown.” Kathy grabbed her plate and headed to the sink, obviously disgusted.

Sheepishly, Ransom looked around at his dinner hosts.

“Well, I certainly can't wait to meet everyone.”