Highway 40 west stories. Chapter seven and eight.
Highway 40 west stories. Part seven. Conversation with new friends.
The Westerner country was getting full now. We return to our table. A older couple was sitting at the table. The man asked. Is it alright if we join you? We don’t like the bar. We like being near the dance floor. Me and wife like to be able to dance at will and we are good company. I told them. No problem. We could use another opinion and conversation tonight. I’m Johnnie and this is Lana. The old man with the big smile said. “My name is Jack and this is Cathy, my beautiful wife. He reached out his hand and gave me a good country handshake. His wife gave me the same. He shook Lana hand and asked. “What are you two northerners doing in Salt Lake city. You look like a two people very content and happy. I like that. Hard to find someone who can make you laugh and cry in the same second. My dear wife is the champ.
Cathy told us. Take a lot of whiskey to make this man beautiful. He ain’t so bad for a man who survived me for almost 30 years. He can’t hear good and is forgetful. Allowed our marriage to be alright. I like the suntan and haircut Soldier. When I met Jack. He had your haircut like yours and a bad attitude. He came home from Vietnam with a bullet in his back and was a powerful asshole. V.A took the bullet out but he kept the bad attitude.” Jack kissed his wife and said. “The woman saved me often. I had a gun to my head and she gave me reasons to live. Don’t let her fool you. She is sweeter than sweet Maine honey. She was a maid at the cheap motel and walked in when I had a gun to my head. She slapped me silly and I fell in love instantly
I took her hand and told her. Old soldiers need woman like you. It is a honor to meet you both. Me and Lana are going to Reno. I’m station at Fort Ord, California. Just left the war and Lana is going to see her sister. Cathy asked. Are you getting marry? I see no rings. Reno is a good town. Me and Jack got marry in 1967 in Reno. 50 dollars and a 500 mile road trip. Love come rarely. Few people fall together needing the same things rarely.
Jack said. Enough personal talk. Playing some Willie Nelson right now. Time for us dancers to dance. Too much talk killed the good night. I have forgot the war and today I’m thankful to be alive. All I got to say is. We must live for the people who can’t. Tonight time to drink and dance. Cathy can be the best woman tomorrow at the wedding. Let’s get dancing.
Me and Lana are doing the Texas two-step. She whispered to me. I’m having fun. Jack and Cathy are good people. What Jack said was right. We must overcome the bad things and live for the people who can’t. My father wouldn’t want me to be sad. He would tell me. Shape-up and be strong. I’m lucky. I found my Johnnie and we are going to Reno on Highway 40. It is time to have some fun. I gave her a kiss and twirl her in a circles, bringing her near and told her. We are going to be alright.
Jack asked me where did I serve? I told him. I’m prior service. I rejoined to go to war. I was board with life. I joined to go to war. He smiled and said. I knew men like you. You joined the war to escape. Men who wanted to die. Never were killed. Bullets goes into young soldiers who want to live. The irony of war. Crazy folks don’t get killed. That is why I’m still alive. I’m glad you made it son. Us Veterans must live to tell the tale of bad times and good men. He saw in my eyes. I had little to live for. Lana had given me reason and purpose for now. I asked him. How did you know I was on a suicide mission? I reached a dead-end. Sometime options are limited. War give men reasons and purpose. Jack told me. Enough talk about the bad days. A wise man leave the trash behind him. Tonight we have beautiful ladies and tomorrow is a new day. You can’t live for dead people and bad deeds and actions. We must live for the dance and drink.
We stayed with Jack and Cathy till closing time. We made a play-date for tomorrow. We would see the Mormon Tabernacle and the Family History library. We stopped at the 7-ll. Lana bought some cheap candles and a bottle of sweet fruity wine. We got to the hotel. Lana said she needed a bath and to wash her hair. She hated the cigarette smoke in her skin and hair. She left the bathroom door open. I watched her till I couldn’t no-more. I went to the tub. I sat on the floor and looked at her young and beautiful body, than I poured warm water on her hair. I gently washed her hair. She told me. No-one had treated me like you do. Thank you Johnnie.
Chapter eight. Highway 40 west stories. Finding some kind of peace.
I ran more hot water in the large hotel bathtub. I go to back to washing her long auburn hair. She relaxed in the water watching the dancing bubbles. She turned to me and asked. Is love real. Do we have reason and purpose for being alive. My father worked for 40 years and he died overnight. He never prepared me for his death. What do I support to feel? I took a deep breathe and told her. When I was in Kuwait. After my sister told me my grandfather had died. I needed time to grasp. I’m still. Death isn’t for us to understand. I lost two brothers to suicide. It pissed me off so bad. I disappeared for three years. It wasn’t a good thing. I wrote poetry and story. I went back to school. I closed all doors. Not good to play dead when you are alive.
Lana eyes were filled with soft tears and questioned me. Johnnie, you won’t let me play dead. Are you? Will you leave me in Reno and forget me as soon as you get back on Highway 40? I don’t want to be a burden. Maybe you have a girlfriend, responsibility and a good life? Maybe I’m dead weight to you? I poured warm water on her hair. Moving my hands through her hair to ensure no soap is left. I caressed her shoulders and told her. You are not dead weight to me, honey. With you I have reasons and purpose to be alive. I will hang around you as long as you need me. Today you are mourning. You need to mourn and you need to. I have no-one anywhere. I joined for the war. I wanted a suicide of a sort. I volunteered for every dangerous mission. Death didn’t want me yet. Maybe you are right. It was my destiny to find you on Highway 40. The last few days have been my best in many moons. I hope I won’t let you down. We have a lot of decisions to make. We have time. Tomorrow I will take you to the Salt Lake city “Family History library and the Mormon Tabernacle. We will take some pictures, buy a few books and have some fun.
I got one of my Desert Storm shirts and gave her the shirt to her as she dried herself off. She put the shirt on and asked me. Do you think I’m beautiful? I see in your eyes. You like to watch me bathe and get dressed. I want you to want me. I need to be wanted. I took her hand and took her to the bed. She laid on the bed with a sweet smile. I covered her with the blanket. I took my clothing off. I joined her on the bed and caressed her face. I told her. If we have sex. Everything will change. Sex don’t heal the heart and don’t make things better. In a few weeks if you still need Johnnie around. I will hold you and never release you from my life.
Lana smiled a sad smile and told me. Johnnie you are a brave man. Maybe a saint? I agree to your terms. If you promise to take me to Monterey. If even for a few days. I whispered to her. “We will drink Irish Coffee and roam the beaches. I will write a million words for you. I will take you to Monterey. Maybe we can find some sort of peace?
Lana fell to sleep quickly. She held me tightly like a stuff teddy bear protecting her from demons. I caressed her forehead when she shook with bad dreams and memories. I wondered what would I do with her. She was educated and have great possibilities. I was no-one. I was searching for death and I found someone who needed me more than dying. I guess I will roll with the flow. Poor Lana is young and strong. I learn a long time ago. Woman decide what they need and want. Men just believe they are in control. I will hope for a good landing. I close my eyes and I tried to find sleep.
Coyote