short story

The Drifting Tumbleweed

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Chapter II: Larry Dowd

It should probably be mentioned at this point, that Tony Twomoons did not, in fact, wish anyone any harm. Ever. His personal mantra aligned with ‘live and let live’. But that was the problem in the area at the moment. Not all the people were being allowed to live, were they? Someone had taken it upon themselves and started robbing other people of the most precious gift – the gift of life. For whatever reason, the fact that the victims had all been up to this point Native American and not white like the stranger that walked into the bar did not factor into Tony’s quick succession of thoughts. He also couldn’t explain why he naturally assumed the stranger would be another victim and not the killer. All Tony knew is when the stranger walked into the bar, Tony thought the blond-well-coiffed man with the popped up collar would be a victim not a perpetrator.

The stranger didn’t exactly do anything to change Tony’s mind either.

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The Drifting Tumbleweed

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Chapter I: Tony Twomoons

            Tyee Twomoons stood behind the bar drying glasses.  His face expression hard as flint.  Newcomers often made the assumption that he didn’t notice anything.  That assumption was generally incorrect but typically lacked tangible proof.  The regular patrons had learned not to underestimate what Tyee observed.  Many a bar fight had been settled by Tyee recounting the events leading up to the brawl.  No one could dispute his word.  Tyee’s version was always accepted as fact and unruly patrons soon found themselves on the other side of the door if they attempted to argue.  In the Drifting Tumbleweed Bar, Tyee’s seldom heard voice was law.

Although when he wasn’t on the reservation and here at the bar he was known as Tony Twomoons. While he grew up in an orphanage on the reservation his school was in town and only hired white teachers. None of his teachers could pronounce his first name. Until one teacher didn’t even try to say it and just called him Tony. Everyone could pronounce Tony so he just accepted it. It saved him the repetition of pronouncing his name at every roll call. Now he was usually surprised when he heard his own name and sometimes forgot to answer to Tyee.

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Story Behind the Post: Two Halves

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Last month was a 5-Saturday month. If you have been a reader of this little blog for more than a minute, then you are aware that on 5-Saturday months I attempt to write a 5-part short story. The intent is to practice my writing skills. Lately, I’ve been a bit lazy. So, my effort in this endeavor is waning. a little bit. But last month, I followed through even though May – as you know – is as busy as December. It tends to fill itself up with activities. Still, I managed to give it a go.

Three things came together and provided the spark of the story.

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Two Halves: Chapter III

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Chapter III: Two Plans 

            Amy looked at the last sentence Pete wrote.  Apparently, he had felt so bad in how long it took him to return her first letter that he wrote her almost every day since.  The only days he missed was when he traveled to Hawaii.  Actually, he did manage to write on those travel days, he just mailed them all upon his arrival. But according to that last sentence she read, that was all about to end.  This was her third time reading his latest letter.

            “Amelia,” he wrote. When he called her by her birthname, she knew he was about to tell her something serious.  She had explained to him that she was actually named after her mother Amelia but it was too painful for her father to call her that.  So, she had become Amy. Everyone called her Amy ever since she could remember but she liked the name Amelia. Whenever Pete addressed her as Amelia, it helped her feel connected to her mom who died before she had any real memories of her. But Pete only used it on serious occasions and this occasion was no different.  “It looks like I am being shipped to the Philippines.  I won’t bother telling you what little I know about the place since you probably already know more about it than me.  If you don’t now, I am sure you will head to the library and will gather all the information you need.  Maybe you could send me places I should check out there like you did for here?”

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Two Halves: Chapter II

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Chapter II: Two Letters

July 10, 1941

Greetings Private Romero,

Oh, that sounds so formal, doesn’t it?  I’d rather just call you Pete.  It seems rather silly of me to be writing this so soon after we said goodbye on my front step but I want you to be among the first to get mail when you arrive at the base.  So, after we said our farewell, I ran up to my room and grabbed a pen and paper to write this note. 

            I don’t want you to think I am the kind of girl that does this often.  No sir, let me assure you, I will only write to one soldier at a time and that soldier is you.  I’m sure Ruth will have something to say about that but she isn’t home yet anyway.  Besides, considering her behavior lately, I’m not sure I give a flying fig what she thinks.  Sorry if that sounded a little harsh. Sometimes I get a little tired being the buffer between her and dad.  You know what happens to a buffer?  It gets worn out, that’s what!

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Two Halves: Chapter I

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Chapter I: Two Stories

            Amy sighed while sitting at the bar.  She rubbed her finger along the glass rim.  Even though she had just looked, she couldn’t help but looking at her watch again as if that would force her sister to come to her so they could go home. Deep down she knew she would go home alone.  Again. But still she played along to the game they had somehow fell into without ever discussing it. Her sister, Ruth, and her were so different yet Amy loved her.  Even though Ruth was older Amy felt like she needed to protect her.  Even if the person Ruth needed the most protection from was usually herself.

            That’s why Amy sat at a bar even though she would rather not be sitting there that particularly hot July day.  Of late, the bar had become somewhat of a military hangout spot.  Soldiers heading to basic training, soldiers on leave, and the women looking for a good but short time with a soldier congregated at this place. Ruth fell into that last category.  Amy was always a little uncomfortable but Ruth seemed to thrive in the atmosphere.

“Here again, Amy?” a voice asked.

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First Kiss

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Chapter V – First Kiss 2.0

            While Gus changed from his work clothes and got ready for bed, Kristina worked quickly to get what she needed for her plan.  It wasn’t that elaborate.  All she needed was a paper bag and a black marker.

            When he finished getting ready, he walked out to the living room to join her.  He was looking at his phone’s screen and sat down on the couch next to her.  “Sleepy punch?” He questioned teasingly.

            “That’s all she needs to know right now.”

            He looked at her.  “At some point, she’s going to figure out the truth.”

            Kristina thought about it and nodded.  “I know.  I’ll tell her the truth some day.  When she’s about 50.  Or maybe she can read about it in my journal when I’m dead.”

            “You don’t keep a journal,” he said.

            “Guess she’ll never hear it from me then,” Kristina replied.

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First Kiss

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Chapter IV – Dad’s First Kiss

Gus made himself as comfortable as he could be on the small bed and stretched his arm above Ginny’s head on the headboard. “Before I tell you about my first kiss with your mom, I have to start at the beginning.   And that all starts with your grandma.”

            Ginny cocked an eyebrow and looked at her dad.  “What?”

            “I owe all this,” Gus waved his arm around the room, “to your grandma.”

            Kristina snorted and then caught herself.  By doing so, she knocked her balance off and she rolled off the ball.  She sat back on it.  “Sorry, I just find that kind of funny.”  She looked at her daughter.  “For no apparent reason.”

            Gus winked at her.  “As I was saying, there wouldn’t be a first kiss and there certainly wouldn’t be a Ginny without your grandma.”

            Kristina shook her head and rubbed her forehead. 

            “You see,” Gus continued, “you can already tell my story is going to be good.”  Ginny smiled at him oblivious to her mom’s reactions.

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First Kiss

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Chapter III – Mom’s First Kiss

            Ginny sighed but didn’t complain.  The longer the story the longer until she’d have to turn off the lights and try to fall asleep.  As long as neither of her parents caught on to the delay, she could be patient until they told her about their first kiss.

            Kristina continued the narrative. “I was so embarrassed and sad, I just wanted to get out of there.  I needed some time to think about everything that happened. I mean, I did date Carson for a few years so it was a big decision.  Life altering at the time.” 

“Your mom walked fast when she left,” Gus nodded his head.  “She was almost to her car before I caught up with her.  As I have learned, she may be tiny but she can move quick.”  Kristina barely reached 5’3”.  Even though Gus didn’t quite hit 6’, his wife’s petite size made him seem like a comparative giant.

“But you caught up with her, right?” Ginny asked a little concerned.

Kristina smiled at her daughter.  “Yes, he did.”  She looked up and thought about that night so long ago to refresh her memory.  Then continued with the story.

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