short story continues

10/21/06

Previously:

Bennie had encountered an odd situation when he read the note by Yvonne Blackgoats. Its contents disturbed Bennie. Somehow he was manipulated without being aware, which caused him to imagine that bad medicine was in play. As result, his mind ran wild with ideas that someone was controlling his behavior. That was until he called his sister and she helped calm him down.

So the story continues.

Part 2, Road Construction…Bennie Finale
by Harrison Lowe

Once Bennie was able to gain control of his "run-away" imagination, he continued on to Oklahoma 236 miles away. Any other time, that distant drive would seem dreadful and tiring but compared to what he just experienced he would gladly take the trip.

It was near 4p.m. when he began to feel the mental exhaustion from the ordeal with the note from Yvonne. His shoulder and back were stiff and tense and contemplated about staying in a hotel to assure him some rest for the long drive. But then, he wanted to push further and be near Amarillo by sunrise. Just up ahead in the distance, there was a road sign that read: Coffee and Belly Food for 5 bucks. And below were directions to which exit to turn off of. When Bennie came to that exit, he turned off and followed the signs that lead to a small square brick building cafe that sat off the frontage road. Big sign on the roof: Belly Food-Get it here. By the looks of the outside, the place it wasn't too appealing. At least compared to some of the places Bennie has been known to frequent out in Norman, Oklahoma.

Bennie wiped his shoes on the doormat and walked inside. There wasn't a customer in the place except for the lone attractive blonde female waitress and a cook. The waitress came over and asked what he would like. Bennie took a couple of seconds over the menu and decided on some black coffee and an apple pie with ice cream.

"Something sweet and creamy for the road" he said to the waitress. Little did he know what his words were actually saying to her hormones or did he?.

The waitress brought his order and sized him up with a smile.

"You Indian, huh? I can tell by your high cheek bones. We have lots of’em around here but none look as good as you." She Yellow-page walked her fingers across the table and winked at him.

"Well. My stars. Thanks for the complement. I think", a slight smirk escaped his tired face. Bennie asked if there was a hotel nearby where he could stay and get going early.

She said that there wasn't much around but for a small donation she could let him stay with her.

"I bet you say to all the guys" Bennie shoveled a piece of pie into his mouth.

"Well. It's either me or a creaky old hotel bed further up the frontage road. I don't know if it's still open or not but you can go see about it. And if it ain't open, you can always come back," and gave him another wink. "Then of course there is another place about 20 miles away."

She warned him that rumors have it that the hotel was haunted, and that there was some major road construction ahead due to hard rain. She bobbed her head as if to agree with herself. Bennie wasn't sure if that bit of information was included in with her ‘come-on’ talk or not.

The cook shook his head as he listened to her blatant shameless forwardness. Bennie thanked her for the pie and the information. He toyed with her offer but quickly remembered Yvonne. And that had him decide to take a chance on his options.

However, the word haunted did stir in his mind as he drove past a sign that read "Major Road Construction Ahead". He recalled what the waitress had warned him about. Then as a precautionary, he took out the note, pushed the "down" button for the window to rid of any spooks that might possess the note. Bennie motored the window down enough to slide through and let loose to the wind. But just as the note began to flap in the speeding wind, he noticed some more words written on the back. But it was too late. The note was out the window. He quickly slammed on the brakes and screeched to a halt. He jumped out and ran back to where he released the note. It seemed hopeless that he would find the note among other white pieces of paper that travelers had littered along the highway. Yet he was determined to find what was on the back-side of the note. Further down wind he noticed what might be his luck by the way the paper was folded in half. He raced to it and sure enough, his luck was good. He picked up the note and read what he missed on the back.

Sweet Baby Ben. I need you. Please, come back.

Bennie didn't know what he should do. The words on the paper looked as if it was written quickly like she didn’t have time to finish. Maybe she was in trouble and didn't tell him, he thought. Then again, he knew by looking into her eyes that she was capable of doing the woman thing on him. Or maybe Charlie wrote the note making Bennie think it’s her writing. Bennie felt his mind spinning again. His heart was racing. He sure didn't want to have to call his sister again, and for the same reason at that. So instead, a couple of deep breaths was the cure to his demise. Bennie couldn’t understand what caused his mind-swirling moments. He shook his head with a stare to the ground, in disbelief that was happening again. Good thing is, his blank mind which kept going back to Yvonne’s smiles and her hand in his back pocket. That alone was enough to stabilize his sanity

which felt like he was circling the drain. As much as he wanted to go on to Oklahoma, the memories of Yvonne were stronger. And he felt the same about Yvonne as she wrote in the note. Bennie has never had a woman to need him as much as Yvonne. But...what held him back were some unfinished things he needed to do. As all humans do, he rationalized that it could wait. So he took another deep breath and looked up to the sky to clear his mind. He searched the sky for a sign and all he saw were scattered clouds. There up there beyond the clouds, he noticed a pale half-moon emerge from behind. Bennie smiled. Right then he decided to turn back.

Bennie had made some rational decisions before but nothing to this degree. He ran back to his car and turned to head back to Arizona. He flipped on his cell phone to call Yvonne that he was turning back.

Meanwhile back at Charley’s place: As soon as Yvonne received the call, she raced to the tree branch where the cell phone hung. Somehow, maybe a female intuition, but she anticipated that Bennie would be calling her. She immediately told her Uncle of the good news. They were both beyond happy. In fact, she looked at the time and counted on her fingers to determined just when he might be turning off the main road.

And when that time came, she walked down the road where there is a slight bluff to where she could sit and wait for him. It was near dusk when Bennie's headlights appeared in Yvonne's view. She jumped up and ran down to meet him.

Bennie saw a figure racing towards him. Then he heard screams of joy. Bennie wasn't sure what to make of the commotion. Soon he recognized that it was Yvonne running towards his car. He stopped and ran toward her as well. They fall into each other's arms and literally fell to the ground. It was in that moment Bennie realized what he would’ve left behind had he not turned around for her. They embrace each other. She didn't want this to be another dead-end dream, ran her hands over his bare chest and wouldn’t let go for fear he might be her pillow. She began to cry. He tried to hush her but he wasn't very good at soothing female emotions. They lay side by side and hugged for the longest time.

It wasn't long after that the sky turned very dark on them. They had almost fallen asleep lying there. They picked each other up and walked to the house leaving the car where it stopped. Charley had been waiting on them since she walked to meet him. There was coffee and cold frybread on the table for them.

"My wife, bless her, use to make the best frybread" said Charley.

They all sat at the table. Charley told Bennie that Yvonne had been sitting by the tree hoping he would call. For the first time, unknown feelings emerged from Bennie. Never had he felt such pull in his heart to be with someone. Bennie looked at her starry eyes of joy. They laughed.

Charley looked over to Bennie and smiled. He cleared his throat and said that there was

something they needed to talk about. Bennie was obliged at the opportunity to speak with Charley. They both walked out into the low moon-light night. The family dog wagged up to Bennie's leg and sniffed his shoes. Charley looked on and took out two small cigars and gave one to Bennie. They both smoked.

Charley began with saying that Yvonne was like a daughter to him though she is his niece. She has taken up with you" he said to Bennie. Charley was careful to not talk-down to Bennie. Yet at the same time he wanted to be sure that Bennie understood what was happening to Yvonne. He didn't want her taken advantage of and she was still a little girl in many ways, Charley continued with his man to man talk. This kind of discussion isn't something Bennie comes across often. So this was a welcome talk with Charley. He understood the magnitude and that was why he made the trip back, Bennie said.

After some time, Bennie asked about the note. He asked Charley to explain what Yvonne meant about them getting together and that it somehow seemed like a set up. Charley was a little confused and not sure what it had to do with him.

"Like I said, she is like a little girl in many ways. Sometimes, when you want something bad enough, you have to make it happen. Medicine People know that and it is how it's done. The mind is a powerful spirit and it does many things we humans don't always understand. And I think Yvonne has learned that from me when I do healing ceremonies. She had feelings for you so strong that she must have used medicine on you."

"Wow! A woman used medicine on me? That's cool." They both chuckled. The cigars were smoked. They both make their way back to the house.

"So what's in the plan for you, Ben?"

"Oh, don't rightly know at this point Charley. I guess look for a job out here? Of course, after I take care of a few things back in Oklahoma."

"We could build you a house right over there where the old rusty Chevy sits in the yard. You and the rooster may have to fight over the land. He has squatters rights, you know? I think he will understand that it's for a good cause”. They laugh again. Charley continued, “How's that?”

“ And with satellite dish hook-up? I gotta have my dish out here.”

Charley says, "Hey want to hear a joke? Ever hear about three Indians, Souix man, Cherokee and Navajo standing over a bridge after an all-nighter. They relieve themselves. One says, Burrr.r.r this water is cold and the second says....."

"Get out of town! I've heard that one." Bennie gave Charley a friendly shove.

"Okay, How about this one..." continued Charley.

Bennie interrupted and told him very politely that he was tired and wanted to get some sleep. Charley understood, "maybe another time?"

They both shook hands. Charley said his good night and walked back inside. Yvonne had prepared the beds and the place for the night. Then she went out to Bennie where he was gazing up into the dark sky and she stood next to him.

"Nice night, huh?" She slid her hand in his back pocket and together they looked up at the half-moon.

"Yes. It is." Then they embraced. Bennie gave her a kiss and went to the hogan and Yvonne went inside the house.

Bennie sat on the bed thinking of the day and what the next day will bring to his doorstep. Then he heard a knock and Bennie opened the door to a new world.

With a devilish grin Bennie said, "So what medicine are you going to put on me now?" and they embrace.

THE END

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