Read Online Hell Rig by J. E. Gurley - Free Book Online Page A

constant braggadocio about his accomplishments that day wore on everyone’s nerves. Finally, Gleason could take no more and exploded.
    “Shut the hell up, Easton, or I’ll swat you like a fly,” he shouted before taking a bite of his bread.
    “Try it you big lummox,” Easton challenged, pushing his chair back and half rising.
    “Stow it you two!” Ed called out, shutting them up. They continued to brood and stare at each other but said nothing more. Jeff suspected Easton knew just how far he could rile Big Clyde before pushing him too far, riding that fine edge for all it was worth. It made him want to slap Easton down himself.
    “Good dinner, Mac,” Jeff said trying to lighten the mood. Each took a turn at cooking dinner and McAndrews had managed to make a palatable meal from sliced deli beef. “What is it?”
    MacAndrews smiled. “Shit-on-a-shingle, my dad called it. It’s chipped beef and gravy with fresh peas on mashed potatoes. I chopped up the beef and sautéed it in oil before making a white sauce and adding the chipped beef to it.”
    “We ate it in the Navy but it didn’t taste as good,” Ed added.
    “Thanks,” MacAndrews said, embarrassed by the sudden attention. “I just added a few spices I found in the pantry.”
    “You’ll make someone a fine wife someday,” Tolson chided, throwing McAndrews a mock kiss.
    McAndrews threw back his head and quoted:
    “ If more of us valued food and cheer and song
    Above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world .”
    Lisa’s brow furrowed and she lowered her fork. “Shakespeare?” she asked.
    “J.R.R. Tolkien,” McAndrews answered with a chuckle.
    “Don’t pay any attention to Tolson,” Lisa said. “Women love men who can cook. Don’t they Greg?” She said, looking over at Greg Bale.
    Bale had been silent throughout the entire meal, concentrating on his plate of food. He looked up suddenly, a startled expression on his face, a deer caught in a spotlight. “I, uh, I…” He pushed his unfinished meal aside. “I guess I’ll take first watch tonight,” he said quickly and left the room.
    Lisa looked at Jeff, concern showing in her eyes. “What did I say?”
    Jeff just shrugged. Bale was always quiet but not shy, his mood darkening since they arrived. He hadn’t said more than pleasantries all day. Maybe it was just the platform. It was getting on everyone’s nerves.
    “We takin’ watches now, Ed?” Tolson asked bemused.
    Ed had watched Bale walk out and was still staring at the door. “It might be a good idea at that,” he answered, turning his attention back to the table. “We should keep a fire watch. We don’t know if the gas manifold will hold or not. We should keep an eye out for leaks.” Jeff knew that was Ed’s way of saying he didn’t trust Waters. “It won’t hurt to have someone awake in case of a blowout.”
    Jeff glanced at Sims and saw him trying to hide a smile. Something in Sims’ eyes made Jeff shudder. He noticed Tolson using his cell phone and frowning.
    “God damn cell phone!” Tolson cursed. He held the offending phone in one hand. “I got full bars but can’t call out.”
    “Same with mine,” Jeff acknowledged.
    “Maybe it’s all this metal,” Lisa suggested.
    Tolson shoved his phone back in his pocket. “Maybe,” he said, “but it’s damn odd.”
    * * * *
    Greg Bale sat on the edge of the rig with his legs thrust through the rails and dangling over the side, smoking a cigarette. He knew he was not supposed to smoke on the rig but he needed the nicotine and did not want to walk down to the dock. He tried to stifle a yawn. Bored and tired, he regretted volunteering to stand guard duty. They did not need a night watch and he suspected Ed knew it. Lisa had caught him off guard with her question. He had been deep in his own reverie and her question had struck too close to home. He had just completed fifty pushups and fifty sit-ups, but the exercises had failed to purge the bitter memories occurring