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Welcome To The Bullpen
THANKS ANNIE
By Stephen Gese'
From her letter, he sensed she was not overly educated. That was all right with him, he wasn't really looking for a schoolteacher for a wife; he wasn't long on words anyway. He just wanted someone with a pleasant disposition; easygoing, who could cook, and didn't mind chipping in if he needed a hand around the place. Someone to stroll along the creek with, someone who would keep him warm at night, a partner to grow old with who wasn't afraid of Coyotes howling on a cold Wyoming night; you know, a woman, but not a sissy
She'd answered his ad three weeks ago, said she'd be arriving from Oregon on Thursday; that was yesterday. He had replied and said he'd let her get settled at Katie's rooming house, and then meet her here this evening for dinner, to get acquainted.
Elba's was the fanciest dinner place in Orensburg. Out of place really, for this cow town. Odd story how some rich city fellow had moved here and built it in the style of a San Francisco place he'd once been in. That was before the gold ran out ten years ago, in ought-eight. Right about the same time he got homesick. Once the placer crews moved on, he sold this outfit to the highest bidder and headed back to the crowded places. since then it had changed owners several times before ending up in the hands of old Hollis Bonner's wife, Bobbi Jo. Mostly just the cattlemen in the area ate here now. Bobbi Jo wouldn't allow no loiterin or card playin.
Andy was still as nervous as when he'd first sat down almost thirty minutes ago. He still had no idea what he was going to say to her. He hadn't seen a woman socially since Annie died two years ago, and he sincerely hoped his dinner partner would be of a similar type that could readily set a man at ease like she had always done. Taking stock of their rendezvous, his eyes roamed the open-beam ceiling above him, following the hand-hewn pine logs past the chandelier made from Elk's antlers, down the wallpaper covered walls, to the big windows that had been hauled in from who knows where.
He figured the place seated maybe thirty persons at the tables of burnished oak. Their settings all had gold-plated utensils sitting on top of thick burgundy-colored cloth placemats. Everything was much fancier than what he was used to, but he wanted to make a good impression. He envisioned a quiet dinner, and the possibility of kindling a romantic spark with a mysterious woman.
Just as he became uncomfortably aware that the fireplace in the corner was spitting out enough warmth to make him want to roll his sleeves up, a breeze swept through the room making him turn toward the entrance. That's when he noticed the woman standing barely inside the doorway.
Watching her scan the room searching for him, he noticed her long dark hair fell straight to her waist, the center portion gathered in the back by a beaded leather clasp from which hung a cluster of what looked like small bird's feathers. She wore a sorrel-colored floor length skirt, its hem resting on the tops of her shoes. Her charcoal gray blouse was simply cut, with only its top button undone to accommodate the knot of her rose-colored scarf. He smiled appreciatively; he couldn't believe his luck, for she fit the western style of which he was most fond. Her gaze fell on him as he arose awkwardly from his seat.
The seeming demure woman smiled briefly then, and hesitantly moved toward him. He tried to greet her when she finally stood across the table from him, but his throat had gone dry, leaving him standing next to his chair; feet glued to the floor. Swallowing hard, he managed to say, "I hope you are Lynn Kelso."
"I am, and I hope you are Andy Marier," she replied cordially, slightly amused by his embarrassment.
He took a calming breath and nervously nodded to assure her he was indeed the man she sought, all the while thinking that even though her name sounded European, despite her blue eyes, her long dark hair and facial features distinctly betrayed an American Indian lineage.
Suddenly feeling foolish for just staring at her, he quickly recollected his manners and stepped immediately to the chair beside him to help her be seated. His uneasiness must have been apparent, for he'd barely found his own seat again when she reached for her menu, glanced at him, and casually remarked, "I'm so hungry I could eat the ass out of a skunk."
He had been about to reach for his water glass when that remark came across the table. He stifled his laughter and coughed lightly to clear his throat, then took a sip of his water. He closed his eyes briefly, "Thank you, Annie." he thought.
Regaining his composure, he smiled and just as casually said, "I'm not sure they have that here, Lynn, but I haven't looked at the menu yet." His tension subsided when she laughed easily. He liked her already.
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REVIEW 1
I thought it was well written, enough detail to keep it interesting, but not overwhelming. The ending remarks were great, humor is a must in country life.
Jan
REVIEW 2
Never expected the twist at the end. This was a nice little tale that brought a smile to my face.
Review 3
Bland character dialogue with just enough interest to bait the reader further, until....Female remark was caustic shock value leaving reader with 'entrapment'. Intention??? 'Waste of time' aftertaste. Good thing it was short.
Review 4
Cute little tale, and about the right length.
I can't add a thing to improve it.
Well Done
L. Roger Quilter
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