I got good news, Sherrif Tom, says we're all off the hook.
" thats's great! " Travis almost yelled "My Dad is so pissed."
"I cant even leave the house."
Then he called, Josh, It's all cleared up No charges,
"Rodney don't talk to me ever!" My mom is so
upset.
Rodney rode home,sank down outside the house and
turned to Clipper, " I did the right thing ,
why do they hate me? The dog looked at him and didn't hate or
even feign some kind of empathy.
He hugged the dog for his honesty.
Mom needs our help, "Clipper we got to move to a new place" .
The dog lapped his face and flopped on his back for more scratches.
Just then Mom pulled up in the Mercury.
An uneasy look on her face, she came from the back of the car with
a bag of groceries and some papers.
"Mom are you ok?", Rodney quizzed
"Yes, his Mom sobbed. " I Am ...
"Mom ? " She began to cry and sank to her knees.
"Oh Rodney, how can I ever get away from this?"
The Divorce papers crumpled next to her.
Rodney listened for over an hour about the troubles of a woman
beaten down by a suppresive man, the loss of her true love and the
need for a new life.
" Mom, we can start over. Dad always said, "We can start over".
She fell and they wept together. " Mom, I always love you"
Tomorrow, we start over, a new place, a new life, and new friends.
Rodney slept in the house for the last time, He drempt of blue bicycles and
Roxanne's sweater wrapped around his his neck.
Lost is the soul of a boatless man
Monday, December 10, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Politics
If I listen long enough to you,
I'll find a way to believe it's untrue
knowing that you lied straight faced while
I cried, still I look to find a reason to believe.
Have we all paused this year, Can one among us
have the strength to lead. I could make a difference.
But lack the clout it takes to run.
The preface of my run is simple tho.
Every man living under a bridge or in a
Stone mansion pays 10 percent when he earns it
and pays 10 percent when he spends it. no exceptions.
No IRS No special treatment, It would be the norm.
The money would first go to the state, taking care of
the poor sick and old, the highway etc.
the balance of all sent to the federal Gov to
handle foreign affairs.
No money would be given to foreign countries without
public vote.No money would be given to hostile countries no exceptions.
Our infrastructure, taking precident, no country outside of ours
would ever be more important.
This would be dismissed by higher thinking beings, but the masses would get it.
as we become less affluent and more the masses, et tu Brutus,,,.....
I can say no more, can you?
I'll find a way to believe it's untrue
knowing that you lied straight faced while
I cried, still I look to find a reason to believe.
Have we all paused this year, Can one among us
have the strength to lead. I could make a difference.
But lack the clout it takes to run.
The preface of my run is simple tho.
Every man living under a bridge or in a
Stone mansion pays 10 percent when he earns it
and pays 10 percent when he spends it. no exceptions.
No IRS No special treatment, It would be the norm.
The money would first go to the state, taking care of
the poor sick and old, the highway etc.
the balance of all sent to the federal Gov to
handle foreign affairs.
No money would be given to foreign countries without
public vote.No money would be given to hostile countries no exceptions.
Our infrastructure, taking precident, no country outside of ours
would ever be more important.
This would be dismissed by higher thinking beings, but the masses would get it.
as we become less affluent and more the masses, et tu Brutus,,,.....
I can say no more, can you?
Sunday, August 19, 2012
The Soda Bottle Kid
Rodney didn't sleep at all that night. The thought of Josh and Travis getting
arrested spun over and over in his head.
At dawn he pulled on his clothes, shoes and back pack,
told his mom he had to do something, kissed her goodbye.
He put Clipper on the porch, so he wouldn't follow, pumped
the pedal twice and swung his leg over.Riding to town he
kept thinking, this is my fault... If only I hadn't... and I got to make
this straight...
The first mile of gravel took an eternity, the hill down the pavement
he coasted his mind still going, Only if, The gang hadn't painted Dooley's
shed.
I'm going to tell the Sherrif the truth about Dooley he has to listen.
Rodney cranked on the bike, down the hill, over Beaver creek bridge
and up the other side past the feed store and bait shop until he was in front
of the Sherrif's office.
Rodney pushed the heavy wooden door, it felt like he was opening a tomb.
A round faced woman sat behind the dispatch counter, Blue eye shadow and
too red lipstick asked Rodney ", Whatcha need sweetie?"
Uh ,Uh I need to talk to the Sherrif I guess, It's about Pat Dooley's
He arrested the wrong guys......well a sorta.. I mean kinda .....",Rodney stammered
"He's uptown at the coffee shop, I can get him on the radio?", "Oh sure"'
Rodney mumbled.
" Tom , Tom , I need you back at the station, some kid here says he has info
on the Dooley break in.", " 10-4, give me 10 minutes, JXK 2154 out."
Rodney turned to the dispatch lady, " Are the 2 guys that got arrested still
here?" Oh no we don't keep Juveniles, the Sherrif takes them home to the parents."
Rodney thought about that for a while then, " So if I get arrested, I don't go to the
jail cell?"
" Oh no honey, not unless you did something really bad", She smiled. " Like
robbed the bank or stole a car."
Rodney's mind flashed to the bus, he thought he'd leave that part out.
Just stick to the Dooley thing his head swimming now.
The Sherrif walked in, a tall thin man with grey hair and a bushy moustache.
He turned to the lady," Marge we'll be in my office", " now young man what's
this all about?"
He led him down the hall to his office, a desk with a stack of papers and
a sign that read Sherrif Tom Holtmeyer.
The Sherrif turned to him, "Well what can you tell me about Pat Dooley's?"
Rodney swallowed hard," Well sir... I gotta tell you the whole story first....
My gang, I mean the boys club were working for pop bottles, so we stopped at
Mr. Dooley's about 3 weeks ago to see if he had any. He said yes but we had
to paint his shed for them. So the next saturday we show up and paint his shed,
Then he found out we used his whiskey for paint thinner, and o man did he go crazy..
He started swinging his cane and cussin, so we beat it outta there."
Tom looked at Rodney with a smirk," Yeah that's what the Travis kid said,
So when did you take Pat Dooley's bottles? " Uh It was 3 nights ago I think,
I'm not sure., Rodney started to sweat a little.
" So the night before you got back from camp?" The Sherrif looked stearnly
down at Rodney.
" Well uh no I guess not... I mean we kinda didn't go to camp....",
Sherrif Tom looked as if it made a little more sense to him, turned to Rodney,
" I take it you are the mastermind of all this, I couldn't get anything outta your buddies."
'They tried to tell me they took 50 cases of bottles by themselves, and hauled them away."
" You got a bunch a good friends they wouldn't rat you out", Now tell
me the rest of this story, and I think we can let this go.", Tom kinda half smiled as Rodney
continued,"So we all formed a chain gang.........Then ........... dropped the bottles and Dooley
heard the noise........... Then ........ He shot me and my buddy patched me up..
"Whoa!!, "You say Dooley shot you" " Yes sir",Rodney showed him his hip
with the 7 holes.
" I think I heard enough.",
The Sherrif looked out the window, he thought long and hard about when he was
a kid growing up, all the adventures, the things he learned, He turned to Rodney
"I think we'll keep this between you and me", Rodney looked up and said,"
You mean I'm not getting arrested, I can go?"
"You told me the truth , you were honest, remember that", Sherrif Tom turned to
look out the window again....
Rodney asked, "Are the charges dropped on the gang then?"
Tom turned," Yes, but leave Ol' man Dooley alone would you?"
"Yes sir" with that Rodney ran to the front of the office.
Marge peered over the counter," Everything Okay?"
"Oh, yes Mam", Rodney opened the same heavy door with ease this time.
He rode to the pay phone at the bait shop and called Travis and Josh.....
Tune in next time....
arrested spun over and over in his head.
At dawn he pulled on his clothes, shoes and back pack,
told his mom he had to do something, kissed her goodbye.
He put Clipper on the porch, so he wouldn't follow, pumped
the pedal twice and swung his leg over.Riding to town he
kept thinking, this is my fault... If only I hadn't... and I got to make
this straight...
The first mile of gravel took an eternity, the hill down the pavement
he coasted his mind still going, Only if, The gang hadn't painted Dooley's
shed.
I'm going to tell the Sherrif the truth about Dooley he has to listen.
Rodney cranked on the bike, down the hill, over Beaver creek bridge
and up the other side past the feed store and bait shop until he was in front
of the Sherrif's office.
Rodney pushed the heavy wooden door, it felt like he was opening a tomb.
A round faced woman sat behind the dispatch counter, Blue eye shadow and
too red lipstick asked Rodney ", Whatcha need sweetie?"
Uh ,Uh I need to talk to the Sherrif I guess, It's about Pat Dooley's
He arrested the wrong guys......well a sorta.. I mean kinda .....",Rodney stammered
"He's uptown at the coffee shop, I can get him on the radio?", "Oh sure"'
Rodney mumbled.
" Tom , Tom , I need you back at the station, some kid here says he has info
on the Dooley break in.", " 10-4, give me 10 minutes, JXK 2154 out."
Rodney turned to the dispatch lady, " Are the 2 guys that got arrested still
here?" Oh no we don't keep Juveniles, the Sherrif takes them home to the parents."
Rodney thought about that for a while then, " So if I get arrested, I don't go to the
jail cell?"
" Oh no honey, not unless you did something really bad", She smiled. " Like
robbed the bank or stole a car."
Rodney's mind flashed to the bus, he thought he'd leave that part out.
Just stick to the Dooley thing his head swimming now.
The Sherrif walked in, a tall thin man with grey hair and a bushy moustache.
He turned to the lady," Marge we'll be in my office", " now young man what's
this all about?"
He led him down the hall to his office, a desk with a stack of papers and
a sign that read Sherrif Tom Holtmeyer.
The Sherrif turned to him, "Well what can you tell me about Pat Dooley's?"
Rodney swallowed hard," Well sir... I gotta tell you the whole story first....
My gang, I mean the boys club were working for pop bottles, so we stopped at
Mr. Dooley's about 3 weeks ago to see if he had any. He said yes but we had
to paint his shed for them. So the next saturday we show up and paint his shed,
Then he found out we used his whiskey for paint thinner, and o man did he go crazy..
He started swinging his cane and cussin, so we beat it outta there."
Tom looked at Rodney with a smirk," Yeah that's what the Travis kid said,
So when did you take Pat Dooley's bottles? " Uh It was 3 nights ago I think,
I'm not sure., Rodney started to sweat a little.
" So the night before you got back from camp?" The Sherrif looked stearnly
down at Rodney.
" Well uh no I guess not... I mean we kinda didn't go to camp....",
Sherrif Tom looked as if it made a little more sense to him, turned to Rodney,
" I take it you are the mastermind of all this, I couldn't get anything outta your buddies."
'They tried to tell me they took 50 cases of bottles by themselves, and hauled them away."
" You got a bunch a good friends they wouldn't rat you out", Now tell
me the rest of this story, and I think we can let this go.", Tom kinda half smiled as Rodney
continued,"So we all formed a chain gang.........Then ........... dropped the bottles and Dooley
heard the noise........... Then ........ He shot me and my buddy patched me up..
"Whoa!!, "You say Dooley shot you" " Yes sir",Rodney showed him his hip
with the 7 holes.
" I think I heard enough.",
The Sherrif looked out the window, he thought long and hard about when he was
a kid growing up, all the adventures, the things he learned, He turned to Rodney
"I think we'll keep this between you and me", Rodney looked up and said,"
You mean I'm not getting arrested, I can go?"
"You told me the truth , you were honest, remember that", Sherrif Tom turned to
look out the window again....
Rodney asked, "Are the charges dropped on the gang then?"
Tom turned," Yes, but leave Ol' man Dooley alone would you?"
"Yes sir" with that Rodney ran to the front of the office.
Marge peered over the counter," Everything Okay?"
"Oh, yes Mam", Rodney opened the same heavy door with ease this time.
He rode to the pay phone at the bait shop and called Travis and Josh.....
Tune in next time....
Monday, July 23, 2012
Soda Bottle Kid
That night at the drive-in was wonderful, Lenny eased and laughed, Rodneys mom
opened and talked of her high school days. Rodney and Clipper gobbled cheese burger and fry baskets in the back, Clipper ate off everyones ice cream cone. Rodney thought he might puke from a final rootbeer float.
On the way home Rodney asked, where they might move to, "I don't know his mom smiled ", We'll find a place , and Lenny can help us move.? Half asking and hoping.
Rodney drifted to a life with a new bike and a smaller yard to mow.
All that was held up by the Blue Ford pickup of Edwin Forman in the drive as they pulled up..
Irene , Rodney and Lenny crept in the drive,Irene apologizing for the event that could happen.
Lenny said," So your ex is a dick? He laughed a little." I'm used to that."This changes nothing
about our moving agreement does it"?
Mom turned and said,"You don't have to do this.
Lenny said," I got this". Jumped from the car and met Ed coming from the house,
nothing was heard between Lenny and Ed, but Ed smiled and waved and carried his box to
his truck and left... Rodney and Irene stood dumb.... What had Lenny said???
" Well we had enough fun today better get going", Lenny parted, started the International and drove away.
Rodney and mom stood speechless in the drive.
" Rodney, that is one good friend you got.", mom said
" I know", Rodney replied, "we better go to bed"
" Yeah, It's been a long day", his mom replied.
They went inside to the phone ringing, " Hello, Rodney, this is Ton, the sheriff arrested Travis and Josh
for robbing Dooley's shed. We could be in for it. We could go to jail man....
Tune in next time........
opened and talked of her high school days. Rodney and Clipper gobbled cheese burger and fry baskets in the back, Clipper ate off everyones ice cream cone. Rodney thought he might puke from a final rootbeer float.
On the way home Rodney asked, where they might move to, "I don't know his mom smiled ", We'll find a place , and Lenny can help us move.? Half asking and hoping.
Rodney drifted to a life with a new bike and a smaller yard to mow.
All that was held up by the Blue Ford pickup of Edwin Forman in the drive as they pulled up..
Irene , Rodney and Lenny crept in the drive,Irene apologizing for the event that could happen.
Lenny said," So your ex is a dick? He laughed a little." I'm used to that."This changes nothing
about our moving agreement does it"?
Mom turned and said,"You don't have to do this.
Lenny said," I got this". Jumped from the car and met Ed coming from the house,
nothing was heard between Lenny and Ed, but Ed smiled and waved and carried his box to
his truck and left... Rodney and Irene stood dumb.... What had Lenny said???
" Well we had enough fun today better get going", Lenny parted, started the International and drove away.
Rodney and mom stood speechless in the drive.
" Rodney, that is one good friend you got.", mom said
" I know", Rodney replied, "we better go to bed"
" Yeah, It's been a long day", his mom replied.
They went inside to the phone ringing, " Hello, Rodney, this is Ton, the sheriff arrested Travis and Josh
for robbing Dooley's shed. We could be in for it. We could go to jail man....
Tune in next time........
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Soda Bottle Kid
The phone rang " Rodney" It's Thomas, his Mom said. Rodney ran to the phone.
" Ton What's up." " Rodney, Travis and Josh are takin Dooleys bottles to the store",
They want the money for their bikes and to settle up. "
"Those Idiots" " All of Dooleys bottles are Squirt and the Sheriff knows it too.
Can you stop them?"
" They left the camp an hour ago , by know they have have pulled the boat outta
Little Beaver Creek and headed for Hinky Dinky."
" Ton you got to stop them!"
Rodney hung up the phone as Lenny pulled in the drive.
"Hey Mom the moving guy is here"
The walk thru the side yard to the drive was slow and Lenny left the cab of the
truck like a snail." Mom this is Lenny, He's an expert!" Rodney said nothing else.
"Hi, I'm Irene ,.... "Lenny , uh Leonard, I guess, I am pleased to meet you,"
" So which is it Lenny or Leonard?"
" My friends call me Lenny."
"Mom we should go to AW Rootbeer in the Mercury," Rodney poked.
"Ok, Let's go," his mom replied.
"My Treat,Lenny said.
Rodney rolled down all the windows, and put Clipper in the back.
I hope Josh and Travis don't get caught, Rodney thought as they drove off.
" Ton What's up." " Rodney, Travis and Josh are takin Dooleys bottles to the store",
They want the money for their bikes and to settle up. "
"Those Idiots" " All of Dooleys bottles are Squirt and the Sheriff knows it too.
Can you stop them?"
" They left the camp an hour ago , by know they have have pulled the boat outta
Little Beaver Creek and headed for Hinky Dinky."
" Ton you got to stop them!"
Rodney hung up the phone as Lenny pulled in the drive.
"Hey Mom the moving guy is here"
The walk thru the side yard to the drive was slow and Lenny left the cab of the
truck like a snail." Mom this is Lenny, He's an expert!" Rodney said nothing else.
"Hi, I'm Irene ,.... "Lenny , uh Leonard, I guess, I am pleased to meet you,"
" So which is it Lenny or Leonard?"
" My friends call me Lenny."
"Mom we should go to AW Rootbeer in the Mercury," Rodney poked.
"Ok, Let's go," his mom replied.
"My Treat,Lenny said.
Rodney rolled down all the windows, and put Clipper in the back.
I hope Josh and Travis don't get caught, Rodney thought as they drove off.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Waves
Tomorrow may come but the waves soak my toes now,
The thought of past loves, of battles lost, perhaps to love again.
Fading into an abyss I like to call memory, a sandy beach that I have landed.
Sailing, tying knots and setting proper reef to the main.
The Virgins, the Martins, the Abacos all a dream for a flat lander
still their waves call, leave it, the mess, take leave, wander.
It calls to something deep inside, the waves, the wash, the sand.
Compelling to search for a distant shore, a new world, a new plan.
As the waves of Grief flow over you, sorrow of the death.
Struggle to assume a new life, take a deep heart breaking breathe.
I must leave you ashore and depart to save my life .
I sail away, sand, island, waves breaking on my toes, Forgive me...
I am only a man......
The thought of past loves, of battles lost, perhaps to love again.
Fading into an abyss I like to call memory, a sandy beach that I have landed.
Sailing, tying knots and setting proper reef to the main.
The Virgins, the Martins, the Abacos all a dream for a flat lander
still their waves call, leave it, the mess, take leave, wander.
It calls to something deep inside, the waves, the wash, the sand.
Compelling to search for a distant shore, a new world, a new plan.
As the waves of Grief flow over you, sorrow of the death.
Struggle to assume a new life, take a deep heart breaking breathe.
I must leave you ashore and depart to save my life .
I sail away, sand, island, waves breaking on my toes, Forgive me...
I am only a man......
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Soda Bottle Kid
His Mom left for work after the Sheriff quizzed her, Rodney went downstairs
and made peanut butter toast. His Mom left a note take care of Clipper and
pack up your old stuff to move to our new place. He chewed and fed crust to Clipper.
"I dont like the idea of moving, he said to Clipper. Clipper begged for more crust,
Rodney showed empty hands so the dog would believe him, I want Mom to be happy,
but I think she is worried about you and me.
Just then Lenny rattled up in the ancient International pickup.
"Hey, lil brother how's the combat wounds, I'm sorry I coundn't catch up the other day."
" Lenny!," Rodney smiled as Lenny got out of the truck. " Man, I can't tell you how glad
I am to see you. Rodney, I been so worried about you, is your leg ok?"
Rodney smiled and said", Yeah but my mom is in a bad way, She and Ed
split up and she and I have to move, I don't know where, but, could you help with your
pickup ? "Yeah I can help, are you sure your leg is ok?
"Yes, Lenny I'm ok I just worry about Mom and Clipper and how we can make it.
Lenny propped against the truck, "Did you know the Sheriff has been around?"
"Looking for the boys who robbed Dooley's shed?"
" I told the son-of-a-bitch that Dooley was a nut case."
"The sheriff seemed to agree that the old guy was a nut, and I don't think that
anything will happen."
"I will look for a place to rent for you and your Mom, Are you sure you are ok, lil brother?",
Lenny asked again.
Rodney smiled," I am now, Lenny you are one of my best friends, Can you stop later,
I want you to meet my Mom."
" Uh I guess," Lenny stammered
" After 6 ok ", Rodney said.
Rodney's Mom was home from the cafe job at 5:30 and was surprised to see Rodney at home,
"Rodney are you ok?", she asked " Did you pack up things like I said?"
"Yes Mom, I even hired a moving truck", Rodney beamed.
"What, his Mom smiled, " What are you talking about?"
"I got a truck to move us, He will be here at 6 to meet us for the job."
" If you make a good supper he might charge us less" Rodney mused.
" Rodney, you scamp who have you talked to?", his Mother plied.
Rodney just smiled...........
Tune in next time
and made peanut butter toast. His Mom left a note take care of Clipper and
pack up your old stuff to move to our new place. He chewed and fed crust to Clipper.
"I dont like the idea of moving, he said to Clipper. Clipper begged for more crust,
Rodney showed empty hands so the dog would believe him, I want Mom to be happy,
but I think she is worried about you and me.
Just then Lenny rattled up in the ancient International pickup.
"Hey, lil brother how's the combat wounds, I'm sorry I coundn't catch up the other day."
" Lenny!," Rodney smiled as Lenny got out of the truck. " Man, I can't tell you how glad
I am to see you. Rodney, I been so worried about you, is your leg ok?"
Rodney smiled and said", Yeah but my mom is in a bad way, She and Ed
split up and she and I have to move, I don't know where, but, could you help with your
pickup ? "Yeah I can help, are you sure your leg is ok?
"Yes, Lenny I'm ok I just worry about Mom and Clipper and how we can make it.
Lenny propped against the truck, "Did you know the Sheriff has been around?"
"Looking for the boys who robbed Dooley's shed?"
" I told the son-of-a-bitch that Dooley was a nut case."
"The sheriff seemed to agree that the old guy was a nut, and I don't think that
anything will happen."
"I will look for a place to rent for you and your Mom, Are you sure you are ok, lil brother?",
Lenny asked again.
Rodney smiled," I am now, Lenny you are one of my best friends, Can you stop later,
I want you to meet my Mom."
" Uh I guess," Lenny stammered
" After 6 ok ", Rodney said.
Rodney's Mom was home from the cafe job at 5:30 and was surprised to see Rodney at home,
"Rodney are you ok?", she asked " Did you pack up things like I said?"
"Yes Mom, I even hired a moving truck", Rodney beamed.
"What, his Mom smiled, " What are you talking about?"
"I got a truck to move us, He will be here at 6 to meet us for the job."
" If you make a good supper he might charge us less" Rodney mused.
" Rodney, you scamp who have you talked to?", his Mother plied.
Rodney just smiled...........
Tune in next time
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Soda Bottle Kid
The day past and not much happened at camp after the Dooley
adventure. The talk was of payback and the excitment of the previous night.
Rodney lay in a rack thinking of everything that happened in the past month.
The world full of people and how they walk on this earth hurting, stealing , cheating
making their way. The thought of "I wont be that way", rolled though and out again,
I've done all this stuff and envolved other people, man if ever this is told I will be
burned at the post.
"Ton , I dont want to cash Dooley's bottles today", "Let's just get ready to get to
the church and get back to our families."
"Ok, Rodney, tomorrow looks better any way", Ton smiled and went to tell the others.
Rodney drifted again of how they had come to earn money for the bikes and pull off one
of the greatest capers in all Springtown, the bus the camp trip and best of all Dooley's.
Next morning they all packed up their gear and walked the 2 miles of track behind the
feed store and to the Methodist Church, piled everything dirty and soiled against a faux
delivery bus, it was 10 am. A full hour before the parents were to arrive.
All the guys got in with parents looking back at Rodney and smiled and waved.
Except Josh, he just kinda nodded, flashed the peace sign. " Call me ", he said.
And disappeared, about the time Rodney's Mom showed up.
" Did you have a good time honey"? , his Mom smiled as she quizzed about the
camp adventure. Rodney feigned the camp follies, canoeing, horse riding, and
archery. The Olympic games and capture the flag.
It sounds like you had fun, her voice dropped and said, " Honey, Edwin and I split
and He moved out. Rodney, could have jumped out of his seat, but he was so wiped
out. " It's just you and me now but, we have to move....I cant do the rent at the farm house..
Rodney was silent...., this is all too much, he started to say something, but it came out as
"Oh that's ok, It'll work out..." The swirl of everything sank with it's full weight on his 13 yr
old mind. " Mom would it be ok if I went to bed early?"
"Sure, what ever you need to do.", they pulled in the drive , Rodney's gunshot began to
pain him. "Are you ok?" his Mom asked. "Yeah I just hurt my leg playing flag football."
, Rodney faked.
Arriving home Clipper jumped and licked him all over as he got out of the car.
" good boy, Good Boy!, Back off dog" ! , He laughed as the dog held him down and
loved him up.
" I guess he missed you" ,his Mom said.
"I think so, Rodney said
" I missed you too," his Mom pulled him up and hugged and kissed his forehead.
That night Rodney fell fast asleep and dreamed he was flying over Springtown with
Clipper and they looked down at all the little people and farm houses. He saw Dooley
in his lawn shaking his fist in the air, but he couldn't touch them. He even tried to shoot
at them but missed. The crack of the shotgun woke him up, but he fell back asleep with
his dog at the foot of his bed.
The next morning he looked out the window of his bedroom, to see his mom talking to the Sheriff
in the drive. His mom was saying " I'm sure it wasn't him he just got back from camp."
Rodney sunk under the covers, Dooley called the Sheriff??? OH Crap!!
(Tune in next time).
adventure. The talk was of payback and the excitment of the previous night.
Rodney lay in a rack thinking of everything that happened in the past month.
The world full of people and how they walk on this earth hurting, stealing , cheating
making their way. The thought of "I wont be that way", rolled though and out again,
I've done all this stuff and envolved other people, man if ever this is told I will be
burned at the post.
"Ton , I dont want to cash Dooley's bottles today", "Let's just get ready to get to
the church and get back to our families."
"Ok, Rodney, tomorrow looks better any way", Ton smiled and went to tell the others.
Rodney drifted again of how they had come to earn money for the bikes and pull off one
of the greatest capers in all Springtown, the bus the camp trip and best of all Dooley's.
Next morning they all packed up their gear and walked the 2 miles of track behind the
feed store and to the Methodist Church, piled everything dirty and soiled against a faux
delivery bus, it was 10 am. A full hour before the parents were to arrive.
All the guys got in with parents looking back at Rodney and smiled and waved.
Except Josh, he just kinda nodded, flashed the peace sign. " Call me ", he said.
And disappeared, about the time Rodney's Mom showed up.
" Did you have a good time honey"? , his Mom smiled as she quizzed about the
camp adventure. Rodney feigned the camp follies, canoeing, horse riding, and
archery. The Olympic games and capture the flag.
It sounds like you had fun, her voice dropped and said, " Honey, Edwin and I split
and He moved out. Rodney, could have jumped out of his seat, but he was so wiped
out. " It's just you and me now but, we have to move....I cant do the rent at the farm house..
Rodney was silent...., this is all too much, he started to say something, but it came out as
"Oh that's ok, It'll work out..." The swirl of everything sank with it's full weight on his 13 yr
old mind. " Mom would it be ok if I went to bed early?"
"Sure, what ever you need to do.", they pulled in the drive , Rodney's gunshot began to
pain him. "Are you ok?" his Mom asked. "Yeah I just hurt my leg playing flag football."
, Rodney faked.
Arriving home Clipper jumped and licked him all over as he got out of the car.
" good boy, Good Boy!, Back off dog" ! , He laughed as the dog held him down and
loved him up.
" I guess he missed you" ,his Mom said.
"I think so, Rodney said
" I missed you too," his Mom pulled him up and hugged and kissed his forehead.
That night Rodney fell fast asleep and dreamed he was flying over Springtown with
Clipper and they looked down at all the little people and farm houses. He saw Dooley
in his lawn shaking his fist in the air, but he couldn't touch them. He even tried to shoot
at them but missed. The crack of the shotgun woke him up, but he fell back asleep with
his dog at the foot of his bed.
The next morning he looked out the window of his bedroom, to see his mom talking to the Sheriff
in the drive. His mom was saying " I'm sure it wasn't him he just got back from camp."
Rodney sunk under the covers, Dooley called the Sheriff??? OH Crap!!
(Tune in next time).
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Soda Bottle Kid
The boys spent a day moving the raft and fishing boat,
behind Dooley's farm a 1/4 mile north on Beaver Creek.
It was the night that the boys waited for a half lit moon,
and still.
They stationed themselves along a long pine grove behind
Dooley farm.
One by one they stealed along the fence in preparation
of the removal of bottles from Dooley's shed.
Rodney said, "I want the best men up front, Josh
then Travis down the line Then the guys that can carry a lot.
Ton and Tank and then the pack up crew, Brent and Brian
to load the boats.
Rodney went to the shed and smashed the pad lock with
a 2 lb hammer. then ran behind the shed to make sure he hadn't been heard.
He then motioned to Josh to start hauling cases of bottles out of the shed.
Rodney was near the side of the house so he could hear if Dooley awoke.
Josh carried the bottles to the start of the grove handed to Travis, who then carried
100 yards and handed them to Ton, who then carried them to the end of the grove.
Handing them to Tank who brought them to the top of the bank of Beaver Creek.
Brent and Brian carried them down the bank to the boats.
It was 11:42 pm all was going as planned the bottles were nearly emptied of the
shed when Josh tripped and made a loud crash. The crash may not have
awakened Dooley but the "Oh Fuck" out of Rodneys mouth outside the house
startled the old man from his dream of Ireland and childhood, and how he had
dropped a flat of eggs in front his Dad. The first time he uttered the words.
"Josh Go", were the next words outta Rodneys mouth, by then Dooley had grabbed
his trousers, jacket and shot gun. Rodney ran to the grove, Josh a good 50 yds
ahead turned to see Dooley level his gun and shoot into the night.
Rodney kept yelling "Run" as the whole gang relayed down the line "Run"
By the end of the grove they had all gathered, Then starting down the bank
of the creek, Rodney fell, Ton and Tank grabbed him up and carried him.
At the boat, Ton said," Rodney you're bleeding!" " I know it burns",
the boys put him in the boat and started down stream, Rodney looked
at some pellet holes in his thigh, Josh said you need to see a doctor,
"Ton, get out and go get Lenny", Rodney said.
Ton ran a 1/2 mile to Lenny's that night, never stopping, he ran like
he never had before.
Pounding on the door he yelled, " Lenny you got to help, Rodney's been shot!
Lenny came out "what are you talking about?" Ton, panting, " OL man Dooley shot
Rodney, you have to come!
Lenny grabbed his army kit and ran to the pickup with Ton.
"Thomas how bad is it?" " His leg is bleeding" and he fell and couldn't walk",
Ton said. Ton started crying, Lenny said, " that crazy ol man shooting a kid what was he thinking."
Ton said," we were robbing our bottles he owed us, He went crazy I guess."
Lenny turned into the field behind Ton's house and Ton opened the gate,
"I hope they have made it this far now." Arriving at the cabin Brian and Brent were
pacing around outside. Josh ran to the pickup and said," hurry, I don't think it's bad, but
he's in pain. Lenny entered the cabin, Rodney said, " I think I screwed up,
It really hurts bad, Can you fix it?"
" Let's take a look little brother," Lenny opened his kit, "It's a good thing I was a medic in Nam,
drop those shorts and let's see." Lenny asked for the flashlights to shine on Rodneys wound
then looking close he said "I think you'll live, only 7 pellet holes that I can see", He then shot
Rodney with a small amount of Morphine, and started digging out the pellets with long tweezers.
Rodney started to drift and talk about being in love with Roxanne, and he would be a hero after
being shot. " Lenny said, " All done lil brother, but I think you should go to the hospital."
Rodney said," And ruin everything?, We worked so hard !"
Lenny saw something in Rodneys' eyes that said it all, "All right but if you get infection,
it's all on you." Rodney said," Lenny, You're the best". Lenny said " I'll check on you tomorrow,
when does this camp thing end? "Day after tomorrow," Rodney said. "We have to meet
at the Church lot at noon like nothing ever happened." Yeah like nothing ever happened",
Eh, lil brother." with that Lenny shook his head and smiled . " I love you ,lil brother"
then turned and left.
Rodney drifted to sleep, the boys talking about how brave they were and
James Bond didn't have nothing on Rodney and the rest of the gang.
How Lenny the Hippy was the coolest guy with all his medic stuff from Nam.
How he helped steal the bus and save Rodney.
Tommorow we'll cash the bottles and give Rodney a big cookout.
Ton and Tank went to the house to get bandages and peroxide
and a surprise for the party.
I'll see you next time for another adventure with the Soda Bottle Kid.
behind Dooley's farm a 1/4 mile north on Beaver Creek.
It was the night that the boys waited for a half lit moon,
and still.
They stationed themselves along a long pine grove behind
Dooley farm.
One by one they stealed along the fence in preparation
of the removal of bottles from Dooley's shed.
Rodney said, "I want the best men up front, Josh
then Travis down the line Then the guys that can carry a lot.
Ton and Tank and then the pack up crew, Brent and Brian
to load the boats.
Rodney went to the shed and smashed the pad lock with
a 2 lb hammer. then ran behind the shed to make sure he hadn't been heard.
He then motioned to Josh to start hauling cases of bottles out of the shed.
Rodney was near the side of the house so he could hear if Dooley awoke.
Josh carried the bottles to the start of the grove handed to Travis, who then carried
100 yards and handed them to Ton, who then carried them to the end of the grove.
Handing them to Tank who brought them to the top of the bank of Beaver Creek.
Brent and Brian carried them down the bank to the boats.
It was 11:42 pm all was going as planned the bottles were nearly emptied of the
shed when Josh tripped and made a loud crash. The crash may not have
awakened Dooley but the "Oh Fuck" out of Rodneys mouth outside the house
startled the old man from his dream of Ireland and childhood, and how he had
dropped a flat of eggs in front his Dad. The first time he uttered the words.
"Josh Go", were the next words outta Rodneys mouth, by then Dooley had grabbed
his trousers, jacket and shot gun. Rodney ran to the grove, Josh a good 50 yds
ahead turned to see Dooley level his gun and shoot into the night.
Rodney kept yelling "Run" as the whole gang relayed down the line "Run"
By the end of the grove they had all gathered, Then starting down the bank
of the creek, Rodney fell, Ton and Tank grabbed him up and carried him.
At the boat, Ton said," Rodney you're bleeding!" " I know it burns",
the boys put him in the boat and started down stream, Rodney looked
at some pellet holes in his thigh, Josh said you need to see a doctor,
"Ton, get out and go get Lenny", Rodney said.
Ton ran a 1/2 mile to Lenny's that night, never stopping, he ran like
he never had before.
Pounding on the door he yelled, " Lenny you got to help, Rodney's been shot!
Lenny came out "what are you talking about?" Ton, panting, " OL man Dooley shot
Rodney, you have to come!
Lenny grabbed his army kit and ran to the pickup with Ton.
"Thomas how bad is it?" " His leg is bleeding" and he fell and couldn't walk",
Ton said. Ton started crying, Lenny said, " that crazy ol man shooting a kid what was he thinking."
Ton said," we were robbing our bottles he owed us, He went crazy I guess."
Lenny turned into the field behind Ton's house and Ton opened the gate,
"I hope they have made it this far now." Arriving at the cabin Brian and Brent were
pacing around outside. Josh ran to the pickup and said," hurry, I don't think it's bad, but
he's in pain. Lenny entered the cabin, Rodney said, " I think I screwed up,
It really hurts bad, Can you fix it?"
" Let's take a look little brother," Lenny opened his kit, "It's a good thing I was a medic in Nam,
drop those shorts and let's see." Lenny asked for the flashlights to shine on Rodneys wound
then looking close he said "I think you'll live, only 7 pellet holes that I can see", He then shot
Rodney with a small amount of Morphine, and started digging out the pellets with long tweezers.
Rodney started to drift and talk about being in love with Roxanne, and he would be a hero after
being shot. " Lenny said, " All done lil brother, but I think you should go to the hospital."
Rodney said," And ruin everything?, We worked so hard !"
Lenny saw something in Rodneys' eyes that said it all, "All right but if you get infection,
it's all on you." Rodney said," Lenny, You're the best". Lenny said " I'll check on you tomorrow,
when does this camp thing end? "Day after tomorrow," Rodney said. "We have to meet
at the Church lot at noon like nothing ever happened." Yeah like nothing ever happened",
Eh, lil brother." with that Lenny shook his head and smiled . " I love you ,lil brother"
then turned and left.
Rodney drifted to sleep, the boys talking about how brave they were and
James Bond didn't have nothing on Rodney and the rest of the gang.
How Lenny the Hippy was the coolest guy with all his medic stuff from Nam.
How he helped steal the bus and save Rodney.
Tommorow we'll cash the bottles and give Rodney a big cookout.
Ton and Tank went to the house to get bandages and peroxide
and a surprise for the party.
I'll see you next time for another adventure with the Soda Bottle Kid.
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