Highway 40 west stories. Part 3-4.

Highway 40 west stories. Part three “Cheyenne, Wyoming”

A Chapter by Coyote Poetry

 Time and distance decreases the pain. Life teaches us life isn’t fair. Sometime we must burn to know we are alive. 

                                Cheyenne, Wyoming..

I pulled up the hotel blanket on the bed and ensured Lana was covered and kept warm. I caressed Lana forehead softly till she fell into a deep sleep and I tried to find sleep. My goal tomorrow was Cheyenne. I hope Lana wasn’t in a rush for Reno. Reno was one of my stops before crossing into the mountains into California. I knew it would be her decision. I learn many years ago. You follow life to where it takes you. Sometime things happen for a reason.

I awoke and the sun was rising. Lana was awoke and was she was trying to get cleaned up. I heard her in the bathroom. I got up and knocked on the door. I told her. I bought some basics. Did you find them?  She opened the door. Looked embarrassed and confused. She told me. I’m sorry to mess up your vacation. If you want. I could take the Greyhound bus to Reno. You would be free of me and my problems. I smiled and asked her. Ever seen Cheyenne, Wyoming? I heard they have a pretty city and I want to see the Theater Big Boot. Lana smiled and answered. Okay my soldier friend. I will go with you as long as I’m not a inconvenience.  The Theater Big Boot sound like something I need to see. Maybe I can forget some of my problems?”

We drove for 7 hours. The silence was hard. I played the radio. Mainly country station in the Midwest. She told me part of her life. She had never left the East coast. She went to college and got a teaching degree. Her father was proud of his baby daughter. She told me with tears. Old dad just faded away and died. He told me the Vietnam war caught up with him finally. He died a painful and bad death. I have my father’s money. I was just in a hurry and my boyfriend offered to take her to Reno for some cash.

I told her as we entered the Best Western Frontier hotel. Today we will roam the city of Wyoming and tonight I wish you to go to the Outlaw Saloon with me.” Lana laughed for the first time and told me. “I will be honored to accompany you to the Outlaw Inn. Sound like a wild place. I told her. I heard the drink is cheap and the music is good but first let’s do some shopping first. You can’t play cowgirl without boots and jeans. We will do some shopping while we roam Cheyenne.

I found a outlet mall. Lana shopped and she bought the basics clothing. She had nothing. Boyfriend drove away and left her with little but what was on her back and feet. I followed her around. Agree to her selections like a polite man should. She bought her cowboy boots and tight jeans. She chose a pink blouse and asked me. Will I look nice enough for the Outlaw Inn? I told her. You will be the bell of the dance hall.

Cheyenne, Wyoming is a beautiful city. Many sites and places. I like the feel of old days in the building and the people. Everyone was polite and kind to us. Lana held my hand and held it tight. I believe she  needed the comfort of another human being. She was very pretty and I had to control my normal ways. I knew there are times to seek sex and sometimes you must be a friend. I had six sisters and I learn. Even a asshole must be kind.
We found the Theater Big Boot. She stood by the boot. She touched the boot and told me. Old dad would of liked this. He like the old ways. He was like you. Filled with secrets and mystery. Never talk of war or bad times. He just worked and loved us kids. He like to smile and drink his beer. I miss his laughter and smile.

Lana was dressed and ready. She was artwork for my  eyes. I told her. You will steal many hearts tonight. Can you two-step? She smiled and told me. I have danced a few two-steps in my time. Even in Boston. A few hidden Country dance halls. 

The Outlaw Inn was better than I predicted. Big dance hall, a big stage for the band and cheap beer and drink till 10 pm. The door man gave us a Howdy and told us to have a great time after checking our I.D. I ordered two long Island ice teas. Lana watched the few people dancing and asked me. Am I going to be okay? I’m so damn sad.
I took her hands and told her. I went to war. I was raised by a kind Grandfather. I called him two months ago to tell him I was returning home from the war. My sister answered the phone. She told Grandpa died last month. We didn’t want to tell you while you were so far away. I thanked her and hung up. I couldn’t stand up for hours. The person who taught me how to live was gone. I wished I told him, I loved him more often and thanks him for his love and kindness. Lana wrapped her arms around me and whispered. No perfect life is it? We must cry to know laughter. We must lose people to appreciate them. Lana saw tears in my eyes. She brought my face to her face. Kissed my tears away. She told me . Time to dance Cowboy. You promise me many dances. Tonight we will dance. We will dance for people who cannot not. Thank you Johnnie for being a friend when I needed one.

 Highway 40 west stories. Salt Lake city, Utah.

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 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 white 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 40 west. Not paying attention to two people seeking peace in things that cannot know true closure.

     Coyote/John Castellenas