CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
As Buddy was walking home after work, he noticed a white 1953 Mercury Coup parked right in front of his home. Buddy no sooner arrived at the walkway that led up to his front door, when a man got out of the parked car. Buddy froze momentarily as he now recognized the gentleman. It was none other than Sam Franklin. Regaining his senses, Buddy turned to run for the safety of his home, but froze once again as Sam yelled.
“Don’t you dare run from me, you fat little asshole!” Sam’s strong words flashed deep into Buddy’s flesh causing his knee’s to weaken and his upper body to tremble.
Buddy felt as though he might faint, yet he slowly turned to face Sam, “I…I…I…”
Sam came around the front of the car and grabbed Buddy by his arms; he shook him violently--as a dog might shake a rag-doll. Buddy was so scared he didn’t realize he had wet himself.
As the frightening assault stopped, Sam looked down into Buddy’s watery eyes and roared, “You go near my wife again, I’ll kill you with my bare hands, you hear me boy!”
Buddy couldn’t speak through the intense fear he was experiencing; he was completely defenseless.
With no response, Sam’s anger drew back his right fist and punched Buddy right square in the face. That blow propelled him backward onto the ground, and then Sam spit on him. Making his way around the car, Sam slammed the car door and burned rubber leaving smoke and dust in his wake as he sped off.
Buddy would recover from this horrendous physical and emotional assault; but would never again approach Berta, nor go near Franklin’s Market. Needless to say, he would stay clear of Sam.