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“Hey, Andy.”
“Otis! Isn’t it a little early just yet?”
“Oh, no..I’m dead sober..but, I ‘spect I’ll get over it.”
Both men laughed. Andy leaned against the bannister, and placed the broom next to him. Otis halfway sat on the railing near the cells. They both lit a cigarette, Otis taking a small disinterested draw, while Andy inhaled deep at first as though it was an essential requirement of life. He exhaled and watched the smoke bellow up to the ceiling and saw that infamous bullet hole in the plaster.
“I just wanted to drop by early and see if someone will be here later…if I need to bring my key.”
“Bring your key.”
“You have big plans, Andy?”
“Nuuuuu. Just a quiet evenin’ at home. Aunt Bee is fixin’ a leg ‘o lamb for dinner, so I’ll just get stuffed and anchor down the couch. I promised Opie I’d wake him up around midnight. I’m not sure if I can make it myself.”
“Leg ‘o lamb. Sounds good. Never had it you know.”
“That’s right. You gave it to your mother-in-law didn’t you?”
Otis laughed and got lost in thought for a moment. “Yeah…..”
Both men laughed and then it was quiet. Then, they laughed even longer.
Andy wiped the tears from his eyes. “That’s terrible.”
“Yeah. Just terrible,” Otis countered matter-of-factly, still snickering.
“You know, Andy,” Otis said seriously after awhile, “I’ve been thinking about giving up drinking and spending more time at home, you know, with the wife.”
“Really? That’s wonderful, Otis. A great resolution for the New Year!”
“I’m kidding, Andy.” He laughed and Andy laughed too.
“You really had me, didn’t you, Otis?”
“Yeah, I did.” They roared with laughter. Then it was quiet. Otis snickered a bit and they both laughed heartily.
“It’s been quite a year hasn’t it, Otis?”
“Yeah. Pickles, Old Lace, Gentleman Dan…”
“You got a plaque…”
“You even delivered a baby…”
“Hmm Mmm…hope it’s not that exciting next year.”
“Say, Andy, why don’t you call up Miss Ellie? The night is young.”
“Why don’t you tell me where you’re getting your moonshine? Or, should I leave that to Barney still?”
Otis felt a shiver down his back. He dropped his cigarette and flattened it under his shoe with his head down. The heavy man twisted his shoe slowly and crushed it into a black smudge that stuck on his sole. He raised his head slowly to see Andy with that look of anticipation to his inquiry with a slight smile.
“I think I’ll go now.”
“Well, don’t drink too much, Otis.”
“Yeah.” He giggled. “Happy New Year, Andy.”
“Happy New Year to you too, Otis.”
Andy took the broom into the backroom and snapped off the light switch. It was half past four and getting dark quick. A light rain began to fall as he stepped outside and turned to lock the courthouse door. Barney had the squad car for his evening with Thelma Lou, so the walk home seemed like it might be an unpleasant one. Before he had the door shut the phone rang. He walked back in and answered it. It was Barney, calling from the home of the girl he thought he had in his hip pocket, inquiring if Otis had a key to the front door. After assuring his deputy that everything was ok in Mayberry, Andy hung up and pondered for a few moments. He picked up the phone again and asked Sarah to get Miss Ellie’s house.
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