#amwriting – Page 5 – Rebekah Lyn Books

Go West~Chapter 32

Go West

by DiVoran Lites

Chapter Thirty Two

Aldon

Dear Bill,

After the parade with all the rousing music and the prancing horses, we riders on horses stood under the cottonwood trees near the church, so the people could come up and say hello. Chief showed that he had adopted Summer and Sunrise by biting at any horses that came near him. His teeth came within an inch of Dieter’s horse, but Dieter kicked at him and he backed off.

It seems we’ve done nothing but practice for the grand entry, which is my favorite part of the rodeo. This was the best rodeo because Ellie was there for all the practices. She carried the Colorado flag. We had a stiff wind and it was hard for her to hold on to the flag even though she had the stirrup holster. She and Summer practically flew into the arena. The Spaetzli band played, the crowd cheered, and everyone stood to salute the American flag. The line peeled off into a four-leaf clover smoothly as could be.

That’s a good rodeo grounds. Remember when Dad took us along to build the grandstands and the corrals? Paul and I got into trouble because we played around too much, but you helped like the daddy’s boy you were.

This year I won a cash prize for bull riding. Man, I got a devil of a bull. After the buzzer went he threw me and then tried to gore me. Thank the Lord for Willy. Those clowns save so many lives, it isn’t even funny. Ha.

Ellie couldn’t figure out why a fellow would get on a bucking bull, risk being stomped, and have to run for his life. She does have a point. I plan to have that be my last bull-ride. There are other things in life besides showing how tough you are. I was glad for the prize money, though. I don’t want Signor Solano paying for all the ranch improvements.

Ellie had told me earlier that she wanted to race Summer. I was sorry to inform her that no woman had ever raced on our track before, but when Nancy heard me explaining, she got all huffy and she and Gertrude took off to badger their brothers into letting Ellie race. They’ll do about anything for family so the next thing we knew Ellie was on the list.

When Enrico heard Ellie was racing he wanted to race too. Signor Solano asked me to give him the best horse we had, but that was Chief and I just couldn’t do it. He rode Stardust, the next fastest. We didn’t know how Summer would do, but I wasn’t about to ask Ellie to loan her out. Enrico isn’t any kind of rider, so they came in dead last, anyhow. It wouldn’t have mattered whose horse he rode. Signor was so glad to see his boy interested in something he was satisfied. Chief got first place, Kenny’s horse got second and Summer did well, for a first race, coming in third.

After the rodeo the Fitzgeralds opened the old hotel bathhouse so folks could take baths without going back to the ranches. The Fitz’s still charge two-bits a bath, but they don’t make much profit because they must pay the employees to empty and fill tubs. You’ll recall that some family members share the same water

When Mrs. Fitz was ready to practice before the dance, the band went up to the hall over the general store. The cousins showed up with guitars, fiddles and drums, and Colleen played ragtime on the old Tonk piano while we tuned up.

The women all came up to let us know they were ready for the fireworks out at the reservoir. That was another grand entry, but as far as I was concerned, Ellie was the only woman there. She had on this spring-green dress that set off her golden hair. I tell you brother, the sight of her would make a man weak in the knees.

The town council had voted to spend a lot of money on pyrotechnics this year. About dusk, we workers went around to the other side of the dam to set off the spectacle. You won’t believe this, Bill, but when we got all the fireworks, including spinning wheels and Roman Candles laid out, the first display blew up and set off all the rest. Before we knew it, we had a shower of colored lights that illuminated the sky for miles around. They looked pretty about three minutes as they reflected in the lake for, but then it was over. All gone up in smoke as they say. The mayor was so furious he headed for his automobile saying he was going to the fireworks salesman in Artesia and knock his block off. We managed to talk him out of it, but he took his wife down to City Hall to typewrite a letter of complaint.

It didn’t take us long to get to the dance at the foot of the range. The folks enjoy the dance, but I never really cared about it. From the time we were boys, mother scrubbed us until our skin burned, then slicked back our hair with Madagascar oil. She parted it in the middle, remember that? We looked like little Lord Fauntleroys. We had to wear those suits, and above all, we had to behave like gentlemen. She took turns dancing with us when she wasn’t making us play our instruments. We had to smile the whole time and it made our faces hurt. But my dear brother, when Ellie was at the dance it was a different matter altogether and for the first time I was thankful for Nancy’s determination to make gentlemen of us. Dad’s too.

Meditation Musing~New Life

New Life

Beloved, talk to me.

Listen to me, and I will tell you wonderful things.

Confess trespasses into other people’s happiness, and I will give you a fresh start.

Forgive others for their mistakes and I will bless you abundantly.
To forgive is to:
Lift up
Bear
Pardon
Cover
Let pass
Hide
Wash
Purify
Let go
Show yourself gracious

1 John 1:9
Jeremiah 33:3

Go West~Chapter 29

Go West

by DiVoran Lites

Chapter Twenty Nine

Aldon

When dinner was over, Aldon herded everyone onto the sidewalk in front of the hotel. Offering his arm to Molly, he checked his gang to make sure they were all there: Nancy and Gertrude, Signor and Signora Solano, Kate and Seraphina, and of course, Ellie. Enrico hadn’t come, and Signor Solano seemed sad about that. Aldon would have been unhappy too, if a member of his family had not shown up. On the street, the group threaded their way through the strolling ranchers and their families who all seemed drawn toward the marquee where the words, “The Thief of Bagdad” shone in neon brightness.”

“Wait, boy! Where you going?” Molly pulled back, but Aldon tugged on her arm so that she was impelled to go along with him. They walked into the theater lobby, which was only a small room decorated in red velvet, but so exotic to Molly that she stared in wonder.

“Popcorn, Molly?” Mr. Fitz asked from behind the counter. The aroma as the white kernels popped and fell into a snowy heap against the glass filled Molly’s senses. She received the bags and passed them as Mr. Fitz filled them and handed them to her. When Aldon tried to pay, the grey-haired gentleman waved the money away.

“Where’s Ellie,” Molly asked.

“Here I am.” Ellie slipped into place, received her popcorn, and followed the herd into the theater. Aldon knew his young friend had already been inside this night to announce Molly’s arrival. He slipped behind Molly so she could enter first and when she did, Kenny played a mighty fanfare on the upright piano at the foot of the screen. Colleen stepped in front of the curtain and stood waiting for the theater to quiet.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please join us in singing happy birthday, to Molly,” she said

In the dimly lit theater, everyone heard Molly say tearfully “You mean…we’re going to see, “The Thief of Bagdad?”

“Yes, dear lady,” said Signor Solano. “Would you like to sit down and enjoy your birthday song first?

Molly sat down and tried to concentrate on the song. She knew it was an honor to have the people of the valley notice her in this way. The war was over and they had survived together in spite of devastating losses of family members at home and on the front. Prejudice, fear, and hatred had not managed to destroy the regard the people had for each other. A new respect and cooperation had begun which promised a better and more prosperous future for all, and now Molly was going to see her first film. Her cup overflowed.

“Take off your hats,” a man yelled from the back. Women’s bob-hats and old-fashioned, wide-brimmed chapeaus vanished into laps. A hush fell over the audience, and the feature began with a rolling glissando. Words came onto the screen, “The Thief of Bagdad: An Arabian Nights Fantasy,” 1924, By Douglas Fairbanks.”

Later when Lia asked Molly what she had liked best about the movie, the housekeeper had said that everything was too wonderful to be able to choose. When Lia insisted on an answer, Molly confessed that Kenny’s music had enhanced the screen excitement to the point where, near the end, she chewed her fingernails in terror. Soon, though, their own brilliant young musician played such beautiful music that she knew the lovers would be safe. She cried with relief as they flew over onion domes, spires, and pillars, and left the air above the exotic city for the clean, pure atmosphere of the desert and mountains.

***

“Indeed, that was a lovely show, thank you all.” Molly said, on the way out.

Aldon took Seraphina from Ellie and gave her to her grandmother. He slipped his free arm around Ellie, knowing it would be an announcement of sorts to everyone else. Looking up to see if there were any flying carpets in the air, he saw that the moon lacked only an inch or two of being full.

Once they arrived at the ranch, everyone except Aldon and Ellie scattered for their rooms. It was late and tomorrow, the chores had to be finished before anyone could leave for the rodeo. The two of them, though, took their time checking on the horses and shooing the chickens into the barn where the cougars and foxes couldn’t get at them.

“I’m so glad you came up with the plans for Molly’s birthday,” Ellie said. Aldon looked into her face thinking, you give off such a glow that no one could be unhappy around you, you beautiful thing.

“Did you like the movie?” he said, barely controlling his voice, which wanted to go gravelly on him.

“I loved it,” she said. “It was better than, “The Sheik.” Kenny did a wonderful job with the music. How can he know what to play? ”

“It’s improvisation. You’re good at that too,” Aldon answered.

“I suppose a person could get the hang of it. Has he ever talked to you about it?” Ellie wanted to know all the details when it came to music.

“The movie companies send accompaniment sheets, but Kenny ignores them and plays by ear. He says that as he watches a movie, his brain supplies the melodies and his fingers tickle the ivories. He believes movies will have the music recorded in them, somehow. He wants to go to Hollywoodland and be a part of that.

“I liked the flying carpet,” Aldon said. “I don’t know how they did that … wires, I guess.” He took her hand in his. “You know, kid, if they were really flying that fast, they would have fallen off the minute the rug lifted off the ground.”

“Oh, you’re so romantic,” Ellie gave a saucy toss of her head.

“Thank you.” He told her. “I think I am.”

The grandfather clock in the hall sounded twelve times and still they sat gazing into each other’s eyes.

DiVoran’s Promise Posters, Paintings from Go West as well as other art can be purchased as note cards and framable art

Creative Arts

Go West~Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Go West

by DiVoran Lites

Chapter Twenty Eight

Ellie

“Lia requests the pleasure of your company in her suite.” Ellie told Molly at the door to her bedroom.

“Suite is it?” Molly placed her hands on her hips and stood staring at Ellie as if she were a stranger.

“Please. She wants to be friends. After all it’s your birthday.” Ellie tented her hands under her chin in a pleading gesture.

“Humph, it’ll be the first time that besom ever thought about anybody but herself.” Molly stalked off down the hallway leaving Ellie five paces behind.

“Look what we bought you in Denver,” Lia stood by her bed with her outstretched hand presenting a display of garments.

“My stars, and garters,” Molly said. “Is all that for me? But why?”

“Will you try them on?” Lia invited, lifting the dress and holding it against herself. “Isn’t this pretty? It’s the right color for your redheaded complexion.”

“I ain’t been a redhead in a long time,” Molly said taking the dress and holding it at arm’s length as if she were looking into a mirror. “My, it is fine and soft.” It was a periwinkle voile that had green leaved violets embroidered on its white pique collar. When Lia moved behind the housekeeper and pulled loose one of her apron strings, Molly dropped the dress on the bed, grabbed her apron, and hung on. “You two go in the other room. I’ve never had anyone watch me dress and I’m not starting now.”

On the way through to the next room, Lia paused to put a large black record on the Victrola. She wound the machine and a lively ragtime piece started to play.

“Do you think Molly has ever worn rayon stockings?” Lia said, doing the one-step across her sitting room floor. “We’ll have to check whether she got the seams straight up the back of her legs or not.”

“I wonder if she has ever worn a silk chemise before,” Ellie said dancing too. Just think, this is only the first stage of the surprises we and Aldon have planned for her.

They heard a lady-like cough and looked up to see Molly standing in the doorway chin up and shoulders back looking like a queen on the front page of The Denver Post.

“You look beautiful,” Ellie said. “Do you like your present?”

“Oh, yes. I’ll wear this outfit for Sunday-go-to-meetings for the rest of my life.” Molly said. Lia took her to the cheval mirror in the corner.

“Why I’m just a regular Miss Got-Rocks, ain’t I?” Molly turned her head one way and then another admiring herself. Why did you do all this for me, anyhow?”

“Happy birthday, dear Molly,” said Lia giving her a careful hug.

“How did you know?” Molly turned to Ellie

“A little birdie told us,” she said.

“Most likely Aldon,” Molly nodded. “Well ain’t that just like him. I’m going to get out of this garb and back into my housedress so I can get supper going.”

“Lets’ go down and wait for the men to come in so they can see the new Molly first,” said Lia.

It took some persuasion, but Molly consented to being shown off with the stipulation that she could, “get comfortable” as soon as she had been adequately admired by the fellows. Ellie and Lia escorted her to the parlor, then went back upstairs to change into their new dresses from which a light shaking had removed the Tuileries dust.

When they went back into the parlor, Molly was wearing a clean apron and wiping the mantle with a rag. Suspicious, she set her head at an angle and stared at them. “Why are you dressed up?” she said. Right then, Aldon and the Signor Solano entered the room

“Bella, bella,” the Signor said, when he came in with Aldon.

“Molly, you look so fine,” Aldon said. “Wait until…”

“Where is my grandson?” Signor Solano interrupted.

“Let’s go for a ride,” said Aldon. “He’s probably going to meet up with us later.”

Aldon asked Ellie to drive the touring car with the Solano family and a bemused Molly in it, and he joined Kate and Seraphina in a Ford truck the ranch had recently bought.

When Colleen met them at the door of the hotel, Molly became self-conscious of her new outfit. A waitress led them into the small, private dining room with a large round table. Two women rose from their seats and came to Molly who swayed slightly when she saw them.

“Nancy!” she said, hugging the tall, willowy one. She then turned to the other, “Trudy!

Aldon took Ellie over to the small group and introduced her, first to his mother, Nancy, then to his aunt, Gertrude.

“How do you do?” said Nancy. “I have heard about you coming all the way from Chicago to work on the ranch. How are you liking it?”

“It’s the prettiest place I’ve ever seen,” said Ellie, noticing the resemblance between the tall, thin Aldon and his mother.

“Aunt Gertrude,” said Aldon, this is Ellie, our hired hand.” Gertrude who was shorter and rounder grabbed Ellie in a hug and almost suffocated her.

Colleen gave suggestions for seating as Kenny came in. The room sounded to Ellie like an aviary, where the birds were all chirping as they looked forward to being fed.

“This is your birthday celebration, Aunt Molly. We wanted to surprise you.” Aldon said.

“Faith and begorra,” said Molly. I never thought anything like this would happen to me, and me having done nothing to deserve it.”