Short Stories

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For Keeps
By
Mark Adams

“Have a shot Mrs. Darcy,” said William handing her a worn and battered marble.
“If you can knock them out of the circle, you can have them for keeps,” he said pointing at the marbles scattered within the circle.
The five children and old Tom the Baker, stood around the outside of the circle that had been scratched in the hard worn red clay of the road. Timmy the black and white Kelpie sat nearby watching. Tom’s old grey Clydesdale, stood quietly hitched to the two-wheeled jinker with the words Baker, painted on the side in green and black letters.
The muscles in his neck twitched as his head turned to look at what was happening.
Mrs. Darcy tucked a loaf of bread under her arm as she took the marble from the small boy with the blue peaked cap standing to her left.
Mrs. Darcy bent down low in a partial squat, took aim and bowled the marble at the others inside the circle.
“Great shot Mrs. Darcy,” yelled William as the marble scattered three others to the outside of the circle.
Timmy barked with excitement as the children moved with glee.
“Yes!” said Tom, his breadbasket held in the fold of his arm. He straightened up and began to walk towards the cart.
The horse took one step forward then rested again as old Tom climbed aboard. “Whoa,” Tom said.
Mrs. Darcy straightened up as William handed her the four marbles. She patted him on the head and handed back the marbles. “There you go Willie,” she said with a smile as broad as a barn.
“I’m just too good for you kids,” she said.
“Yes Mrs. Darcy,” said William returning to the game.
As Mrs. Darcy walked toward the old wrought iron and wire gate, which was well overdue for a good lick of paint, she could hear the children playing once again.
“Gee up,” said Tom as the old Clydesdale lunged forward moving the cart once again. The children never even looked up at the baker’s cart as he cluttered and squeaked toward his next customer.

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