Mabel Joplin worked the strand of black satin through her gnarled fingers, weaving and twisting it into a perfect bow tie. She stepped back to appraise her work and pursed her lips in satisfaction.
“I don’t know why you’re going to so much trouble, Mama,” Pete Joplin said.
“Everyone’s come out to see you, ain’t they?”
Pete examined himself in the full-length mirror. He had to admit he looked pretty spiffy.
“Well, they’re here to see me and Anna.” He fit the wide-brim hat over his coal-black hair. “I just wish I could talk to her.”
Mabel’s tense face hardened to a deeper shade of stone, and she looked out the window.
“You’ll see her soon enough, son. And then you’ll be together forever, just like God intended.”
Pete stepped to his mother’s side and joined her in eyeballing the gathering crowd. Folks had come from all across Canyon County for the occasion.
After a couple minutes of silence, Jed Clanton arrived with a jagged knock, and the back door creaked open. The men had known each other since they were boys, and Pete was glad to have Jed at his side.
“You ready, Pete?” Jed asked. Pete nodded.
“I love you, Mama.”
Mable just stared out the window. “I’ll see you directly, I expect.”
Pete watched his mother for a beat, then the two men walked across the small cabin, where Jed opened a second door.
The gathering crowd roared below them. Pete gazed across the platform to find Anna’s warm and loving eyes.
The throng erupted, and the two hangmen prodded their charges onto the gallows.
Pete smiled at his bride. Their life of crime was coming to an end, but, yes, they would soon be together forever.
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