people I have known

[doodlebug]

He got me with his eye like he gets everyone. He had a glass eye after he fell in a fresh cut corn field and stabbed his original one out with the stob sticking out of the ground. He also had a fake he kept in his pocket. You'd be sitting at the big kitchen table and he would sneeze. Here would come that eyeball rolling down the table at you.Always good for a laugh or a scream! If he could figure a joke to pull he'd pull it.Many involved his horrendous smelling gas. He always had gas and since he had no sense of smell was fairly free with it. He liked to see who he could get blamed for it and would go way out of his way to do so. best of all in his book of tricks was getting up from the table,walking behind Edna and opening the fridge like he was getting something. By the time he came back to his seat she got his "gift". every now and then she'd catch him before the smell got there as she'd realize he didn't get anything out of the icebox, and she's slap him as he went by and say "grab your noses folks"

[doodlebug]

Another story of his childhood was early on when a car was rare to see around the Yellville dirt roads. Those roads rolled through the Ozark Mountains in a series of never ending tight curves. He was helping his uncle Bob move some cows from one pasture to another and they were on the road when a "flatlander" in a car came ripping around a corner and scattered the herd but only hit one of the animals. The stranger got stopped and climbed out of the car.The cow struggled up to her feet and followed the other cows. Bob told the man"Why don't you watch where you're going ,Stranger?" Garland said the man was unapologetic when he said" It don't look like I hurt her any." Bob looked the man straight in the eye and acted like he was reaching for his wallet and said" Well, I'd be glad to pay you for all the good it done her!"

[doodlebug]

One night we were sitting at the table when a man and his son came in. The man looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. He was carrying a big cardboard box. He said as he walked through the door"I finally found a fiddle I don't think you can fix." He had a bass fiddle that the top had been broken into four pieces. The neck was still o.k. and the back was split in several places. He said "found it in the attic of that new place we bought.Looks like maybe it got run over by a tractor."
Garland looked the pieces over and said"It's all here so I don't see what the problem is."Then he pointed over at me and says"We'll get on it tomorrow." The man just laughed and said" I was just joking around and I didn't really expect you to fix it. just wanted you to see it before we took it to the ."
Garland said "oh no! That is a fine piece and it will go back together. Just take a while. We can do it in "our spare time"
So began the lessons. I guess I could write a paper on his techniques and ways of gluing things,adding missing wood and bracing an instrument to stay in place. Dozens of clamps.concrete blocks and other weights and nylon cords. We took it in stages of course with sometimes weeks in between because of other projects and the fact that I had to work for a living and raise six kids.Garland had a bad heart and emphysema and often he'd get too warm or cold and start coughing so bad he would end up on the floor. Many times I thought he was just gone. Sometimes it kinda made me a little scared and I would tell him " Dammit Garland,you better not die on me." He'd just laugh and say everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die.Me? I don't mind."
Then one day he got serious and told me that I would definitely be with him when he died.It was "payment for the lessons." "My own son won't be here but you'll take his place.After I go there will be four of my family members die within three years. I know this to be true cause I been told,and you'll see."
We finally got that big Bass all together except for setting the neck into the dovetail slot.He hadn't figured out how to set it "True". At last he figured a way to do it with light and shadows.On a Saturday he called and said he was ready if I had the time to help. I drove down feeling very excited. When I got there he was outside with his truck backed up to the two burn barrels he had out by the garden for burning trash. He said some one was coming by and would take the truck to the .All we had to do was load them up.Then we'd finish our Bass Fiddle.He never let his cans get so full you couldn't handle them easily. WE were able to one can into the other and got it loaded. Garland turned the empty upside down to check the condition of the bottom.Didn't want one rusting out and coming apart on him.

[doodlebug]

When the barrel was turned over and slammed to the ground a little cloud of dust hit Garland in the face .He coughed a couple of times and fell right over on his face.I actually stepped back instead of catching him because I thought he was foolin' around.There was a young lady in his garden picking cukes and she saw him go down. She ran to the house and got Edna to call 911 and then came back. She said we should start CPR.
A month or so earlier we were alone, when after trying to play a fiddle tune and getting frustrated because he couldn't stop his left arm from shaking and then followed that with a coughing fit he had told me." If I'm alive come deer season,you and I are going to Bickleton to go hunting." It took me a minute to figure that out. He was just tired of living and not being able to do what he loved the most. The cold air up in the Bickleton hills would do his lungs in and he would die.I made up my mind right then that I wouldn't be able to go hunting that fall. At least not with him. Now,I felt pretty sure he would rather no one tried to bring him back.I even told her this. Edna came out and said"Just leave him alone."
The girl couldn't do that so together we worked on him. He came back around and I felt his spirit go right through me from back to front and then into his body.It was very strange. Then I felt it reverse the trip. After breaking some ribs and working on him until the ambulance got there I was just done. I found myself praying to Creator "let this go Garlands way."
I drove Edna to the hospital. After a while a nurse came out and told us "He's gone.We did all we could do."
I asked if I could go in and say goodbye. Edna and the nurse both said "o.k."
I walked in and looked at him laying there. He was so peaceful.All I could say was "Uncle Garland,you got me!"
I swear to you, I heard him laughing out loud as clear as a bell. Loud and uncontrollable. I left and Edna went in alone. When she came back she handed me his belt with the silver belt buckle on it and said he told me to give this to you just last week. I still have that.
Within the predicted three years another three of his family members did die. His only son was fourth to go and he told me a couple of days before he crossed over he would die very soon and "the next time you see me will be on the other side."He had a massive heart attack, alone on his porch two days later.
R.I.P. Uncle Garland and Dave. All my relations.

[mmhmm]

Doodlebug, as always your stories leave me touched in a very special place in my heart. You're not only a gentleman ... you're a gentle man.

[doodlebug]

thank you ,mmhmm.

[doodlebug]

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[doodlebug]

I was just cleaning my deleter and it went off. I didn't know it was loaded.

[doodlebug]

The Indians around here call it a "Splitail" His tail isn't split though.Some birds do have a split tail. This hawk doesn't in that sense. What it does have is a white band between it's main body and it's tail. The real name is Northern Harrier. It's fairly sleek and there are lots of them in the Yakima Valley,especially in the sage brush "game land"and out on the Satus where the Rez runs up into Mount Adams and the Ahtanum Area.Every time I see one I think of certain places and events.All comes in a big flash of "what's left" of my memory.Their tail feathers are banded if you are close enough to see. Overall appearance is generally a gray smooth sailing wooden airplane like we use to buy at the Ben Franklin 5 and dime store for a quarter,assemble and play with for a short while before the thin balsa wood gave up or you lost a piece. They ride the wind currents down low over the brush lands and only flap if they absolutely have to. When they go down to get themselves a meal it is immediate and sudden. One or two fast pushes and BAM. Sage rat or quail. It's all the same. You might hear one squeal or maybe it's a puff of those fluffy underneath feathers floating up on the breeze.

[doodlebug]

Over in the Valley when I was at the smoke shop I saw Cousin Split tail. At that spot there is a drainage ditch that is full of Russian Olive and on either side is prime hunting for a bird of prey. A hundred yards past the ditch ,on your right, is a small grove of tall cotton wood beside an old sheep shed and corral. A Red tail Hawk couple raise their babies there every year and the Split tail shares their food supply. They seem to have everything worked out. Red Tail waits till the thermals are working and lets that power take them high where they have a good view and can take aim and dive down when it's time to pick up dinner. I think they get more rabbits while Split tail likes the mice and gophers that are going about their business until their invitation comes for lunch.
That Split tail though made me think of Spring along the Yakima River and years of canoe trips when I use to put in just past Granger and rode the current down to Ivy's Landing. I usually was on the water while it was quite early and cool.I took a lunch ,my coffee pot and my canoe pack with what I might need in the next 4 or 5 hours. Not much.While I did have a couple of friends that went every now and then I learned it was easier to not have to plan things and once I got to that point I went alone a lot. The river is a series of huge curves through there. There were two ancient Indian camps where you could still see the dishes in the Earth that use to be pit houses.There was one large "longhouse" with a small rise of land covered in wild roses above it. Another spot around the curve from that was a bluff with tall old cotton wood trees that the Herons nested in every year. The sounds of that spot when they were in there raisin' babies was a whole chorus of squawks and calls I'm unable to describe. The cool thing about the river is the farms and orchards are generally out of sight as the river has high banks and mostly you're below the sight of any civilization. The river flows free from Sunnyside/Rosa dam to Prosser.There are deer,black bear,bobcats,raccoon,mink,beaver and cougars around in much larger numbers than anyone would believe if they never got out on the river. It is rare for anyone to be on it.A few Steel head fishermen that are educated about it and some Indians that set up dip net scaffolds during salmon runs.the Yakama Indians have a lot of their side of the river set aside as Game land/refuge. Every now and then a black bear leave th eriver bottoms and will try to cross the interstate down towards Toppenish or Wapato and get smacked by a semi truck, but if it weren't for that you'd have a hard sell trying to convince the local population of their existence.The Black Tail deer is known because it loves apples and there are miles of orchards in that section on the non reservation side. When you canoe early you usually either see them or the wet trail they leave when they cross from one side to the other, early before the farms come alive in the daylight hours. It is a bird sanctuary like you wouldn't believe. Thousands of ducks and geese breed in there and it isn't uncommon to see Golden and Bald Eagles .

[doodlebug]

My habit was to make it to the "longhouse' area and get on shore. There is a lot of drift wood there and a quick fire for coffee is simple. From that spot it is flat all around you and both sides of the river are empty of 'people stuff.' It has the highest traffic of birds of prey and the nicest scenery of Mount Adams off in the distance. To say it feels like a magic place is putting it mildly because some kind of magic always happens. I saw my first brown pelicans and very first egrets there. I've seen American Kestrels(Sparrow Hawk) breeding on a tree branch and the Eagles mating in the sky as well as the red tails. I've seen the kingfishers harvesting and chattering their heads off and the blue Heron stand motionless for hours. The Earth there is layers of old volcanic dust and ash and you can see all the layers where the river got high and cut the banks. The crazy thing about the river is it stays about 35 or 40 yards wide but the depth goes from knee deep to holes of 45 or 50 feet deep.With each new winter runoff it changes, though not as much as the Cowlitz that runs past me now. Once you pass the old longhouse pit you come to the second ancient camp. Here the wind chews large dish shaped holes in the sand when it decides to whirlwind itself into dust devils or mini tornadoes. The end result is all the heavier rocks( arrow heads,pestles stone knives,etc). end up exposed in the center of the dish. In that spot is where I've found prehistoric camels teeth and the black see through "medicine stone"s the easiest. Apparently the camels teeth were a big deal to the old ones because you always find them in the old camp sights.The black stones are obsidian though not quite as clear as a polished "Apache tear". The arrowheads are often "Columbia river gemstone variety,clear reds or whites or grays. Some river jade is around and a lot of agatized wood examples.

[doodlebug]

what use to be the camp is now a long asparagus field.The land was changed by tearing off a hill top and spreading the land down in a more gentle slope which spread the old camp dirt all the way down to the waters edge.So, years of built up midden is strewn there and with every breeze and every season of irrigation things of interest are exposed.. it is a treasure hunt.So, in a period of seventeen years I ended up with a fair amount of understanding about the life living along the Yakima and a bit about the people that lived there before their life was interrupted by an invasion of aliens.I also ended up with boxes of rocks! I thought these rocks a treasure then but now they are boxes of rocks. some tools and art of another lifetime belonging to another culture that got pushed aside just as our current culture is being pushed aside. If you don't believe that, ask anyone over 50. this world is so very different. And my grandfather was saying the same thing to me years ago before he crossed over.I suppose it is just what happens. There is much I miss already, just like there is much I miss about my canoe and my time with the critters there on the water and the ghosts of the villages and the wild rose gardens of the women of hundreds of years ago. I gave my canoe to my old pard Denny and I gave my soul over to these mountains.
All my relations!

[doodlebug]

We met Ron on the river. A friend had given my pard,Doug, a model 1911 .45 Semi-Auto and he insisted that the wife and I take it out and shoot it. We all have an appreciation for smooth hand guns and Doug had a ton of ammo.I was over there delivering a holster I had made for Doug. So, we went to a spot behind his place to play. The weapon was definitely a pleasure to fire and we shot up a box of ammo, progressing from still targets to floating sticks in the current.
A stranger came walking up from behind us whistling loudly,I suppose as to not surprise us. That was a good idea. I said hello and he introduced himself and asked if we could give him a hand.His car was stuck a couple of hundred yards down stream in the mud. We drove down to take a look. He had a Mercury station wagon.It was only a few yards from being in the river.The river had been rising for a few days though slowly. He explained he had been camped out there for a week and the water seemed to be creeping higher with every morning he woke up. His camp was a heck of a mess. He had clothes and sleeping bags hanging over bushes drying out and the ravens and blue jays had scattered his garbage all over the place. Ron was smellin' pretty gamey. He had a couple of weeks worth of beard and his hair was an oil slick. I would guess he hadn't really slept welll in a while as his eyes were dark rings of flesh with little blood shot orbs stuck inside.
The car didn't appear to be a problem. A chain and the jeep would have him on solid ground with little effort. Unfortunately I didn't have a chain or tow rope with me. Told him I'd be back in about an hour. I had to go around and to the other side of the river to our place. The wife had to get ready for work and I needed to fetch a chain.

[doodlebug]

We drove by and dropped off the pistol and had some quick grins about how sweet that thing shot. It was the wife's first experience with that large of a weapon. Her little model 37 Air weight with the black Pachmeyer grips was enough for her but quite small in comparison. She was really liking that .45 and Doug was getting a kick out of her excitement. He said to come by and take it out anytime she was in the mood. Maybe she and Doug's wife could go shoot together. We said our thanks and goodbyes and drove home.
When I went back Ron had packed his camp and had the car loaded. I got out and took a black garbage bag from under the seat and told him I'd help him clean up before we got going.He looked at me funny and I explained that it is expected of a person around here to leave a clean camp and at least one fires worth of wood under a close tree."It is just polite". We picked up the trash and I paid attention to every little scrap of plastic and paper.When it looked right I smiled at him and said "there.Let's hook it up. " I got the chain attached ,put it in 4 wheel and gently eased him no more than 10 feet away from the river and he was good to go. Being a nosy sort I asked him what he was going to do now. He said,"Find another camp,preferably low and away from the river. "I've been higher up and it's a bit chilly for me. Snowed the last time and I didn't think I would be able to get out.That's how I ended up on the river."
Some times you get a feeling about some one and you want to find out if you can help.There is often something simple you might do that really makes a difference in anothers' comfort. Plenty had been shown me in my time up here that saved me a lot of work and sometimes allowed my survival.
I asked Ron if he'd like to come to our place and shower and maybe wash some clothes.I told him I had some killer left over stew,if he didn't mind hot peppers,and some home made bread we could heat up. He said,"I suppose you have coffee too.",and laughed. I said "if I dig deep enough in the cabinets there's probably some." Then Ron said he knew about the camp ground out on the other side of town that had washers and dryers and showers. He asked if he could just come out for the stew after he got squared away better. I told him it would be fine and drew him a map to my place. Three hours later he drove into the drive. I stepped out on the deck and waved him up. You have to climb a hill up into my garage to enter the house.While it isn't convenient it is a nice way to have things from a security standpoint.

[doodlebug]

We had a little small talk over stew and coffee.The weather lately,the mountain and park,birds. just stuff to take up time. It was a decent night so we retired to the deck and lit a fire in the stove. As soon as we settled he abruptly sat up straight in his chair and spoke a bit louder than was really needed."I have to tell you some things.Or I should go.I don't which.But I think I need to tell you what's been going on with me "
I said"fine,Ron.Either way."
Ron kinda relaxed some and took a sip of coffee.Then he said ,"Fine indeed." then he sat quiet.
I was starting to feel uneasy.Is this guy alright or what?You know?
Ron spoke up. He said,"First off,I'm 34 years old so I do understand some things about life.I can easily tell when some one is bad.I can tell when they're good too.Now you, you're some of both but All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,so that's o.k. Regardless of my ability I met Mike two weeks ago.He said you drove a maroon jeep and had a long white beard.If I should find myself in town I should ask for you.You're good people and he says you helped him get on the Presidents payroll."
I said,"I only helped ,Ron.There were several people involved in getting him his V.A. benefits. He had to do the hard part."
Ron continued,"Mike offered to let me hang out with him for a while until I knew the ropes of living outside and I'm thinking I should have taken him up on the kindness.But I didn't.Not me.I went and got myself stuck in the rain and the mud.I did catch a few trout though.Angel showed me how to do that.'
I asked,"who is Angel?"
He looked right into my eyes and said,"An angel.Don't know her name but she said that one day I would and then we'd go home together.I assume that means I'll die.I'm not exactly sure though.Be that as it may,she isn't anyone you're likely to see because few people do but she will come around every so often.If I speak to some one when you can't see anybody there just be polite and we'll all get along." Then he smiled again like he was glad that was settled.
I told him I try to be a gentleman and usually I am unless riled or wronged. I felt that was all I could ever do no matter my intentions. Ron grinned and said"That reminds me of Paul. The one in the Bible,you know? He said,to put it loosely,'" I try and try to be good.but,without God I would be a complete failure.'"You remember that?"
I said ,"yes,I do."
He continued," here's the trick,my friend.You see me and my brother were raised by my fathers mother. I was taken very well care of and had a good upbringing.We lived in a nice place and went to school with nice people.We had nice teachers.When we got our drivers license,we got nice cars.You could define my life as nice. That would cover it.I went to school two years after high school but I lucked into a job at a computer software company.Actually,all I did was hunt viruses. I stalked them like a lion stalks prey. I met Sheila a year after I got my condo bought,well, me and the bank bought one. She was this close to finishing school at U.of Washington. She had committed to helping a certain charity organization when she got out. I knew that from the get go. I loved her too much to think about anything really.So,boy meets girl,boy falls in love, girl falls in love,boy gets married to girl. Shortly after our second anniversary nice began to go away. Something in me knew it was.The other part said,no,nice is yours forever. I tried to hold on to that part.

[doodlebug]

The first thing that went to pieces on me was my Grandmother. She walked in front of a truck in front of her house and was killed completely dead. My brother and I are her only heirs.My brother lives in Japan and has for many years now.He wanted nothing to do with anything over here.I do not know why but that's not going to mean anything no matter how long I figure on it." here he stopped and sorta seemed side tracked in his thoughts.He took a drink from his cup and began again.
" the not nice part is,she was over her head in debt. She had sold her place several years before with the right to live there until she passed away.She kept up appearances that she was alright and I never thought any different. Even after selling her piles of jewelry and cars and antique furniture, I was still in the hole by a fairly depressing sum.Sheila said we'd be fine and it was just "a bump in the road".She was so positive she made everyone around her feel good about life."
I asked him if he'd like a refill because I was going to grab me one if he would excuse me.
He said"I've had plenty,thank you.Mike said you drank a lot of coffee!"
"I do.where did you see Mike?"
Ron said,"up the road across from where I was on the river."
"Lava Creek Road"
Ron went kinda blank again but then said"Be that as may, he found me.( I learned after a while that when Ron said "be that as it may",it could mean either he didn't quite believe what he was saying for sure or he was unsure where you were with it.)
"I had been walking from where I camped and got turned around.I stayed turned around for a few days I guess.Mike said he followed me around for two days.He finally decided I was just some damn fool that had got misplaced and showed me back to my car and camp.He said he had to wait until he was sure I wasn't with the Cambodians.They send spies,you know.I didn't believe him at first but Mike showed me their camps from the last time they were scouting here.Did you know about them?"
I said,"yes,I've seen them up here for several years."( I didn't think that moment would be the time to tell him they are actually mushroom pickers and a pretty good bunch of people.They only come for the season.Mike can't be convinced but then again he was their prisoner during Nam so he had a natural mistrust of their particular kind.I try not to judge him on that.)
He asked,"don't they worry you?"
I said ,"not one bit.I go armed wherever I go."
He accepted that as reasonable I suppose, because he dropped the subject.

[doodlebug]

" the next thing that left nice world was my job. My company got bought out and a lot of us were looking for work.Sheila didn't worry. She put an add in the paper and I started doing home tech work. It was kind of fun for a week but then it got very boring and frustrating. I met more idiots than I knew existed before.I had applications all over the place and Sheila thought I should just relax and expect to go to work soon. She was right. I finally got on with a Key Bank. I had to travel a lot but the money would be great. We celebrated by blowing a wad on a night out.We wined and dined ourselves over at Lake Chelan. The next morning we were going to be riding the ferry to the other end of the Lake and back. It's a full days trip."
I told him "I did that trip twice on the Lady of the Lake and loved it.Both times were in fall when those land lock salmon were running up the streams and turning them red.It is beautiful!"
"he said, "That night around 11:00 her head began to pound. She never had many problems with headaches or anything else wrong it seemed.The head ache got continually worse until I drove her to the hospital back in Wenatchee.By the time we got there she was screaming. The rest of that night I paced the floor and waited. 8:00 o'clock the next morning there was a masked man standing there telling me Sheila had a cancer. Inoperable. Right then I heard the threads popping. Inside everything was pulling apart. I remember falling backward.I guess I fainted.I don't know. I won't bore you with the next 19 days. Sheila died on the 20th day. I tried to do right by her with the funeral.Unfortunately for her memory ,before I could enter the church my programs shut down. I could not make anything work. I couldn't speak. I couldn't write. I couldn't do anything although I knew all the time what I should do and wanted to do.I couldn't even keep myself from crapping my own pants. I could hear people saying I just need a minute to get it together but I knew better because I was trying already. That's when Angel showed up.One thing I'll never forget is her touch. It felt like Sheilas hands. The difference in her and other people was ,she didn't lie to me. At least not at first. She told me from the beginning that I was all messed up. She also said it was o.k because every one is messed up because the world is tilting more than they think. I had to put my trust in her.No one else could communicate with me nor I them.It was a bad place to find yourself, I can tell you that.I had to stand by and watch while they came and took me to the medical facility. I took pills every day and some times when I thought I was finally having a break through ,they would give me injections. It took me a long time to figure out Angel had a terrible sense of humor and got a kick out of getting me in trouble. She would tell me to do something and I'd listen. I resented her some but learned to question her advice.Now I just assume she's up to something and I think things through.She still likes to talk to me when I'm ,say,in a line at the market and she'll ask a perfectly innocent question and when I answer,everyone stares at me .It's embarrassing but I deal with it because shes' just trying to be funny. I do know that if it is an important situation or life threatening,she won't lie or try to get me hurt. She's not all that different from many friends I had in my nice world."
At that point or close to it, he stopped." tell me,do you think I'm just talking crazy?I don't mean do you think I'm crazy. But,do you believe me? I mean about Angel? Mike said he thought you would."
I told him I had no problem with anything he said and that I knew damn well the tricky side of any of these angels. Some times they're self entertaining. I told him "mine runs off to pick flowers or ride ravens just when I need her. But that's just their nature."
Ron visibly relaxed again.

[doodlebug]

After a pause of about four long minutes Ron started back in,"The longer I stayed in the head doctor place the more I didn't like it. I just kept thinking that it was a place for crazy people and I knew my problem was communication.That didn't make me crazy. Angel agreed and said 'we gotta get out of here.' I began watching for the puzzle pieces that I knew existed.It should be easy for a person who isn't crazy to get out.They make those places like that. If you can leave, then you aren't needing their help.Simple, and I believe a stroke of genius went into that idea.So we watched. Angel said, it's a matter of waiting and never allowing ourselves to hurry.Her explanation was if we tried to leave and didn't actually leave THEN they would think I'm crazy and there would be severe consequences.We had to be uncrazy enough to get out without anyone knowing for six hours.That became my goal.

[doodlebug]

Probably six months later I still didn't have a plan together.The problem was the unknown factors.I didn't know what lay beyond two rooms away.Two rooms that wee separated by locked doors. How many more after those? What did the security look like after those?
Then one night I had a dream. I was fishing with my brother for salmon down at Westport.I was enjoying the dream so very much because of the conversation. I thought then,I can talk. It is a matter of remembering that when I wake up. I did. The next morning I opened my eyes and said 'good morning' to myself.Out loud. It sounded slurred to me but at least I had done it.At breakfast ,I spoke to the orderly. He got all excited and went to control central and picked up the phone. I thought I was in trouble and got pretty nervous. It wasn't long before a doctor showed up and walked straight towards me. I didn't see a needle in his hand so I tried to relax. Angel appeared beside me and put her Sheila hands on my arm.My hope rose. Something good is going to happen, is all I could think.Be that as it may,I did have a certain amount of mistrust. The doctor smiled at me and spoke,"Ron, good morning." I said Doc,good morning." Again it sounded slurred to my ear.I vowed to try harder.This was important and I knew it. Angel whispered low enough that he couldn't hear,"You have no memory.None.Get it?"I told her "I get it." The doctors head cocked to one side like a puppy dog and said,"What was that ,Ron?" I had to think quickly. I said,"I'll get it." and stood up from the table and walked to the coffee urn and poured him a cup. I walked back and handed it to him and smiled the way people do when they're being polite. You know.I sat down and continued my breakfast.The doctor asked me some questions and mostly I answered exactly how Angel told me to. I soon saw that he was not aware of her presence.That was good.We had a team. Many hands make the load light.That made sense to me right then.

[doodlebug]

After that first day life changed for the better.I was mad at myself for not thinking of this earlier. Maybe it just wasn't time. Another six months went by, but more quickly. I attended arts and crafts classes and worked out some in a gym.I was careful with every word I spoke though. This led to long pauses between questions and my answers. I think they thought I was slow minded and maybe in a way I was. But I was never crazy.
I didn't have to plan an escape.I didn't need any information. All I had to do was ride a bus.They decided that a few of us should attend a state fair in Puyallup. That it would be a glorious adventure. Angel told me it was time. She would help.I had to listen though.I told her I would only if she swore to me on her wings that she wouldn't trick me.Not right now,anyways. She swore the oath and I felt free already. I had faith.Of course,all you need is the faith of a tiny mustard seed to move a great mountain.I held on to the fact that anyone can muster that much faith.You have more than that just to drive a car down the road and expect the people coming towards you to stay in their lane. So, that part being under control and understanding there was nothing left for me to hang around for I decided 'this is it.'
I stopped him for a moment. I had to go to the bathroom. Just had to. I'd held it as long as my body can. So I excused myself once again. From inside the bathroom you can hear conversation just outside the wall of this shack on the deck. In my absence Ron spoke several times quite loudly, though I couldn't make out the words. I had to assume Angel was there.I found myself wishing I could see her. Then I found myself wondering if I was sane. HA! Is this a joke on me? One never knows.

[doodlebug]

When I got back Ron continued. he started off saying,"We're getting close to the present moment.Bare with me."
I said"I'm all bare!" and grinned.
He frowned.What do you mean?,He asked.
I said,"I meant nothing.It was suppose to be like a joke.that's all"
"Oh."
Then he sorta glanced to his left at the empty oak rocking chair and said"O.K." Then to me,"It was simple. No one really kept an eye on anyone.We wandered through the pig barns,the sheep barns,the chicken barns and into the rabbit barn. As everyone entered the rabbit barn Angel pulled my arm and we simply walked away.Now,I had a close friend that lived in Buckley and I knew where that was and how to get there.It would be a long walk but I had nothing else to do. My only thought was to stay out of sight and not hurry. The weather was cool but not unbearable. I reached Carinas apartment late the next night. Man,was she surprised!! After I got inside she told me right away that my group was missing me and were active about finding me.I laughed and told her,"I quit.You know? Take this job and shove it kinda thing!"She laughed and asked me how I felt. I told her fine but I needed to sleep. Then I told her I really am alright and all I need is a place to sleep for a night. Instead of letting me sleep though,she had a million questions,which I of course answered the way she wanted to hear. I felt a little bad about some of the lies but mostly I knew I had only a short piece of time to convince her to not turn me in. Carina did feel comfortable with me.The more I talked about old times and mutual friends the softer she sat in her chair. I slept then for almost two days.I had good dreams. I woke with the sun coming through the curtains in a brilliant sign that I was going to be just fine.Angel was no where to be seen.Carina was away. I figured for work. That gave me another ray of hope. She trusted me just like back when! Once the phone rang, and I answered it,thinking it would be Carina.It was Angel. She said she'd gone to Mexico for a short vacation and that I was on my own for a week.I thought that was a good idea.I was kind of afraid that she would be jealous of another woman or something.I don't know for sure.

[doodlebug]

thank you Hootieman.It's nice to know some one reads my life stories. Harmony comes from understanding we are all relatives.It is just a matter of respect.

[doodlebug]

That afternoon Carina came back. I found out what she had been up to. She worked for a land management company doing books. Then at night she had a gig transcribing medical records on a contract deal. She was going to be marrying in about two moths. Her guy,Dave was coming over later and I was to remember I'm her cousin from Ritzvillle. She said he had a small jealous streak and wanted to keep things cool. I could understand that.
Dave had his own business supplying fishing boats,mostly in Alaska, with things like boots, rain gear, knives and rope and other cordage. He was fairly new at it but a good salesman. It was 100% drop- ship and all he did was coordinate the movement of goods and payments. He got people "deals" basically.Working in large quantities he could get prices down and ever body is hurting these days so it works out. His percentage was enough though she said he was feeling the crunch too.
Dave turned out to be one of the good guys.I can tell, you know.He was polite and didn't ask a lot of soul searching questions.After we'd eaten dinner I caught the reflection of them out in the kitchen by way of the t.v. screen mirror. He pinched her butt and she sorta slapped his hand and thumbed over her shoulder at me in the front room. Shortly I got up and went to the door explaining I was going for a walk .Don't wait up for me. Dave looked me in the eye and smiled. I'm not crazy.I know when it's time to get invisible.
The next day I took a look at her at home work. Looked easy enough to me so that night I asked if I could help her out. She went through things with me in and less than three hours I was going strong. It felt so good to do something. At first I had to go slow and get my finger memory up and running for the keys but it's like riding a bike, just with no wheels.
The next thing that happened,and I'm getting closer to right here, was Angel came back. Just in time too.
Dave had dropped off some papers he wanted Carina to go through that had to do with his business. He said he has a problem. Too little money coming back for too much going out. Something along that line. I wasn't really listening. He left them on the kitchen table. Well,Angel sifted quickly through them. Then she says,"come here.You have got to see this." We looked for a while and I said"He needs a new accountant.This ones robbing him and the amount is so great it must be a Quick money/disappear thing." Receipts just didn't make sense on the end where his money is suppose to come back WITH some extra. That simple. He was missing close to ten thousand dollars in just a two month period. Carina came home and I pointed out the discrepancies. She did some checking and a couple of phone callings and we waited for Dave.
When Dave got there she showed him in plain view what was up. He turned red in the face and blew a gasket.Just as I can tell a good person ,I can tell when murder is in ones heart as well. We tried to calm him down.Finally he cooled and started getting his normal color back. I was glad! They discussed ways of dealing with the problem while I went for a walk.Angel joined me and said"we need to leave next week."
Back inside Dave was running even again. Carina told him I was the one who found the bad stuff and he was full of "thank yous" and "You da Mans" I guess I shouldn't have taken credit but I didn't feel like trying to introduce Angel to anyone. She was fine with that.