Highway 40 West stories chapter four to six.

 Long ride and the long highway allow us to learn. We are not alone. 

                                Highway 40 west stories. Salt Lake city, Utah.- Chapter four

Me and Lana stayed at the Outlaw saloon till closing time. The people of Cheyenne were easy going and friendly. Somehow we ended up with six people at our table. The people talk of the cold days and hard work. A woman name Rebecca saw the sadness in the eyes of Lana. She told her. Honey, your going to be alright. Hang with this sun-tanned beauty and things will be okay. I was the odd ball at the party. The Kuwait sun gave me a farmer tan from hell. The old timers told me. “I need to go to Kuwait. Looked like you only sunbathe. Not too much fighting.” Was a good night. Lana forgot her real problem for a while.

We get back to the hotel. I clean-up and start making the bed on the floor. Lana told me. Soldier, if you sleep on the floor. I will sleep in the truck. I smiled and told her. Time for all things. You are very beautiful and in trouble. I don’t want to add to them. I will lay with you. Tonight we are too filled with regret and sadness. Sex is good but sometime better to hold off and maybe one day. If you still like this old soldier. We can be more. Lana put on her warm pajamas. She came to me and she wrapped her arms around me. She whispered. Thank you for the good night. I forgot about my father for a minute. Where do we go tomorrow. I told her the next stop will be Salt Lake city. You will like the city. Nice people. Maybe too nice. I like the myths and tale of Salt Lake city. Ancient Native Americans would go to the salt water to find healing for the  body and mind. She smiled and told me. Maybe I can find some healing too? Some of your old medicine may fall upon me. You think? I turned around and brought her close. I told her. The first people in the America, is the medicine for all people. You must open your eyes and want to find some kind of peace.

We awoke late. We had to escape the hotel quickly. The hotel clean-up woman woke us up. She told us. You have a half hour. Lana showered and I brushed my teeth and shaved. I was looking like a lumber jack and needed to have the clean face again. Too much time in the Army? Lana ran passed me. Clothing less and proud. She gave me a wink and started getting dress. I just laughed and kept shaving.

We ate at the hotel restaurant. She was hungry and I drank coffee. She asked. Why won’t I eat. Eating alone is not polite. I told her the biggest and best buffets are coming. I will eat later and get my steak. She accepted the response and she enjoyed her food. The snow was falling. I told her. I hope I don’t get stuck in Reno. I didn’t have anything for my tires to drive over the Sierra Nevada mountain if the snow is too heavy to get into California. I was writing in my journal as she ate. She asked. What are you writing?  I told her. Just thoughts, poetry and story. I will be the next Hemingway one day. You will be part of my story. She looked out the hotel window at the snow and asked. ” I hope you plan on not following Hemingway to his poor ending? I forgot to tell you. Literature was my study in college. I knew you were safe. You have the eyes of a old soul.

I allowed her to read my journals. She got a pen and she started edited them. I watched her eyes surveying the words repairing the many mistakes. She asked me. Do you like to travel? I like how you watch the road. I see you feel the comfort of happiness driving away from Michigan. I told her she was right. Good to leave regret and old misery behind you. If you don’t look back. You may forget where you came from. Lana asked. You said the salt water can heal. Will the water help me?  I told her. Too cold to fall into the salt water today. I like the smell and the feel of the place. It is sort of a ancient place for old Naguals  to find their thoughts and gather their life. I bought us some whiskey for our coffee. We will sit by the salt water and maybe find the mystery spirit of hope?

I filled up the truck and bought some hot coffee. We could see the lake now. I told her you will need a hat and gloves. She picked out a red combination of gloves and hat. She picked out  a black set for me. I took out my power bag. Ensured I still had the sage. She asked what was I looking at. I told her. The sage. Old Ojibwa belief. My Grandmother would burn the sage. She told me it clean the poison out of us and the world. Sort of a blessing. I do it more for her. When I burn the sage. I believe she can feel me thinking of her. Lana came to me and kissed my lips and whispered. You are a man of mystery Johnnie.

At the lake. The snow was light. You could see the salt and smell the salt in the air. It was a smell of purity. Me and Lana walked to the water. She touched the cold water and looked at me. She said. You are right. Only a fool would go into the water. I put down two folding chairs near the water. I bring her the coffee with the whiskey in it. I told her the whiskey is to keep us warm. I opened the power bag. I lite the sage and I said a prayer. I walks around the folding chairs as the sage was burning with Lana’s eyes watching my movement.

                       Earth, water, fire and air.
                       Hear my plea for peace and salvation.
                       Please protect me and Lana.
                       Two travelers looking for a safe place.
                       Send wisdom to our leaders.
                       Please spirits of life and death.
                       Allow me to live with honor for my ancient teachers.
                       Give me strength and ability.
                       Please give strength and hope to my new friend.
                       Too much sadness is upon us.

Lana came to me. She started to cry and with tears flowing down her face told me. I’m so tire and scare.  My dad would of told me I would be okay. He would told me. Be a good soldier and be brave for me. His last words to me were. Was he was so sorry he had to die. He wanted to see me live. I had to live for him. He told me I was his baby girl forever, I will always be with you.   I brought her close. I felt tears falling down my face for a old Mexican man who loved me like his son. I didn’t know when I saw him last. It would be the last time. The regret of not enough gratitude for him broke my heart. I wished too late to visit him more often.

Cars are driving down down Highway 80 west. Not paying attention to two people seeking peace in things that cannot know true closure.

 My traveling tale. I left the war and took a 12 days road trip from Michigan to Monterey, California in 1992. 

                                 Highway 40 west stories. Part five. Two days in Salt Lake city.
     Conversation with Lana…

Me and Lana walked near the water. She would take her gloves off and feel the cold of the water. I knew what she was doing. She wanted to feel alive. The cold salt water awoke a dead part if you are lucky. We sat in my truck. Lana asked. Is the next stop Reno?  I told her. Yes it is and you will be with your sister soon. She looked to the vast whiteness of the land near the water and turned to  me and questioned. When do you report to Fort Ord? I told her in seven days. I have a lot of time to explore still.  She took my hands and asked. Lets stay here in Salt Lake for a few days. Maybe I can figure what I want to do and need. I told her okay.

I paid for two nights at the Holiday Inn in downtown Salt Lake. The people were very kind. Well dressed and polite. You could feel the calm and peace in them. I wondered how such a place could survive in the chaos of the USA. I left Lana in the room to get clean-up and she called her sister. I found  two things to do tomorrow. The Salt Lake Temple and to find some good food.  I went back to the room. Lana was ready and looking very beautiful. I told her after I clean-up. We will go to the Bayou Inn. Good beer and music. She smiled and whispered thank you.

We arrived at the Bayou Inn. A friendly large man directed us to the bar. He told us. If you are hungry. The food is very good. We thanks the man and found a seat near the stage. Tonight was some old time jazz type music. My favorite kind of music. Nothing better than live music played with skill. Lana was looking at the Bayou Inn. I know it reminded her of her home. Boston had many good pubs and drinking holes. The waitress, a young pretty girl came up and asked what we wanted. I told her I wanted the Cajun platter and a large cold beer. She recommended the house brew. I accepted. Lana wasn’t so brave. She selected a hamburger with fries and a Long Island ice tea.

We sat in silence for a while. I saw in her eyes. Memories swimming in her head. She asked me. We believe love is forever and one day. Someone who loved us is dead. Why do we love at all? I went to school for four years and couldn’t find a job. I need a master degree to get a job. I’m so tire of school.  I pondered her statements and I told her. I’m ten years older than you. This is change four for me. I served in the military. I went to school and I worked for ten years for big business. Today I’m sitting with you because of death and bad luck. I’m going to be station in California. My oldest dream coming true. I’m able to write, travel and test life. I have more things to be pissed off for than good. I buried three brothers in early graves. I tried to drink myself to death. Wasn’t enough booze to kill me. Today I’m with you. Maybe it was our destiny to land on Highway 40. I have been saved often. My good friend Leona saved me from my 30-30 many times. I joined a war to get killed. Just taught me I needed to live. I made 33 year somehow. You are young. No rush to get your master degree. I wouldn’t wait too long. Education give you opportunity and please stay away from assholes like your boyfriend was.

The waitress brought the food and asked if we needed anything else. I requested another cold beer. She smiled and told me. Be right back. Lana ate her food slowly watching me enjoy the Cajun food. She told me. I’m done with men for awhile. Except for you. I know you are trying to be a gentleman. You are acting like my father. Hiding fear and disappointment. Giving me strength and hope. He was dying and tried to tell me what you said. I had to go on. My dear father left me a large sum of money. One reason the dickhead boyfriend wanted to take me to Reno. My sister promised him some money. I need a long vacation. Maybe a few months in Monterey with you and I will return to school. My father told me the same things you said. Life is change. All things happen for a reason. Would you mind a friend for a while. I will tried not to be dead weight for you.

I told her. We will discuss this topic after we get to Reno. We are still strangers. Monterey is far away and you are young and beautiful. Educated and with income. A old Soldier would slow you down. We will travel slow and easy. Maybe stop in a few Nevada places to lose some money. You can decide what you want to do. Monterey is costly and very beautiful. I would love to become more with you. I know when you rush into the fire. Sometime the heat isn’t the same. Today you need me. Tomorrow you may need more.

Lana took my hands and whispered. You are too kind. I’m not so innocent. I see in your eyes. The concern and desire for me. Thanks to you. I feel better. My father would of liked you. He have more concern for me than for what I wanted. I went to college and know what is right and wrong. I know you are alright. She reached over and gave me a kiss on the forehead, my face cheeks and lips. She smiled and asked. Are we going dancing tonight? I have my tight jeans on and cowboy boots . I want to drink another Long Island ice tea and do some country two stepping with my cowboy.  I smiled and said. We will find a good dance hall tonight my dear Lana.

A Chapter by Coyote Poetry

 A nice city to learn what you truly need. 

                            Salt Lake city.. Chapter six…

I told Lana. We will go to the Epic Brewing company first. The Westerner country club opened at 9pm. We had time to test some beer. Lana was looking very good tonight. She made the jean and boots come to life in the good ways. Her light pink shirt allowed her white skin to have color and life.

We arrived at the Epic Brewing company and received a polite hello and the doorman pointed toward the bar area. We sat in a quiet spot. Her eyes held disappointment and she was very quiet. She was dying to ask me why I didn’t welcome her to stay in Monterey. I told her. I have a story for you. A long time ago. A beauty name Jenny came to me with great sadness. She was as young and beautiful as you. I was 10 years older. She wanted new dance and to become a clothing designer. I was a working horse who couldn’t keep up with her life. We lasted three months. The three months were amazing. I allowed her to advance in her life and I was left behind. Lana, you have education, opportunity to travel, enjoy life and if you need me. I will be 500 miles away. My old truck is good and I would love to spend time with you.

Lana drank down the Brewing Company lager and asked me. You think you are wise and old. You are like my father. You know everything? You don’t. I believe in destiny. I have spend 4 years in college. I have raised hell and had fun. I know life isn’t fair. I fell at your feet and you saved me. You decided to become part of my life. You took the hit for me and had treated me with respect. You and I are not babies. I’m almost 21 years old and I need the comfort of a good man. Someone who looked at me like you do. Like I’m special. I need someone to make me feel special.

I ordered two double of Jack and a cold lager. I took Lana’s hands and told her. We can try. I have known you for six days and I wouldn’t mind knowing you for forever. I believe we need slow and easy. You need your degree and I need to find my mind again. You can’t rush love. I’m loco in the head. War didn’t mess me up. Life has. If you want. We can find you a place in Monterey. I heard Monterey is paradise. We can drink coffee and I will become the new Hemingway of highway one. You can get your degree and become the beautiful teacher.

Lana smiled and told me. You are right Johnnie.  I want to go with you to Monterey. We will go slow and easy. I know you want me. You look at me like a painting. I like being treated with tender loving care. In college. We used and abused our body. No concern for tomorrow. I know you are a Soldier. Done everything and some. This doesn’t bother me. I see in your eyes. You are more afraid of me than I’m of you. You have nothing to give but I felt your arms holding me in the night like I’m your last hope.

I told her. Time to go dancing before we end up in Vegas marriage and pissed-offed. I heard the Westerner had dance lessons and cheap whiskey. It is time for us to quit planning the next 20 years and have some fun. Maybe life can be fair. We can learn to know love and a few new dance steps? Lana reached over and gave me a long kiss and whispered we will buy some scented candles and we will lay bare to the night tonight my cowboy.

We arrived at the Westerner country club. The music was loud and good. I heard Tim Mcgraw singing his song “Don’t take the girl”.  I asked Lana to dance and we danced alone on a empty dance floor. She whispered into my ear. “Thank you.”

Johnnie/Coyote