LouCeeL

Recropping a picture

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

It's funny, sometimes, how the simplest thing can change your assumptions.

I published a photo some time ago, called

Nobody's Home.

When I cropped it I thought the picture was best served by getting in tight on the features of the shot which I felt were most important - which included the hole in the ceiling where the stovepipe used to exit, and the round bit of sunlight it lets through to the floor on the opposite side of the car.

I had the shot printed today at 11X14, and it drastically changed the crop. It now looks like this:

This is what was there all along - the lonely, empty feeling of the place - and was lost when I cropped the picture to emphasize the 'features'.

Sometimes I do better by accident than I ever might have done on purpose.

Sometimes, when you look too hard to find the 'features', you wind up overlooking the obvious.

I am going to frame this print in a dark frame with gray matting, and then it will become part of the "Holiday Hoopla Giveaway" on Mommycosm's blog - whenever she gets it all organized and ready to go. If you would like to have it, all you have to do is win. This print, for what it's worth, will be signed on the back and dated with today's date. So far, it's the only actual print of this version of the shot. I may print a few more, and frame them, for sale, if anyone would like. Given the cost of printing and framing, it would have to sell for $50, plus shipping.

All you have to do is let me know - if you would like one. Signed. And dated. And framed.

Ndinombethe.

p.s. This is the first time I have ever actually solicited interest in one of my photos. It feels a little weird.

Monday Meanders 11-30

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

For those who are new here (there are one or two) - The 'Sarah' story you see referenced here once in a while is actually a book in progress called "Vigilante: The Sarah Pierce Story". The set of links in the upper right sidebar will take you to the story as it has been published. The first 16 'tastes' of 'Sarah' have been consolidated into four links, but the rest of the 'episodes' are individual links in that sidebar.

The book is raw and unedited - that is, none of it has, at this time, been re-written or gone over by an editor. Maybe, someday, if I ever get a publisher interested in the book, that might change, but for now, it is SOOC, so to speak (Straight Out Of Camera).

There is a prologue piece to the book - the story is called "The Kid" and it is, in fact, the beginning of the story of 'Sarah'. Links to that story are to be found in the lower right sidebar - either as a series of links which cover the story as first presented, or the whole story can be read all at once by going to the bottommost link in the right sidebar.

There is a third story in the right sidebar - "One Knight's Story" - a book in progress that the development of is currently on haitus. I know. Convoluted sentence.

It seems all the meanders today run in the same direction. I guess that's not much meandering, is it?

Just to meander a bit - #3 son has given up on Air Force ROTC. Which means he also gives up the scholarship they would have afforded him. Yuck. Now what?

Ndinombethe.

Sarah - Maybe Manana

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

From yesterday ...

Chico and his crew had gotten into his car and backed out onto the highway. As he turned and headed south, he thought to himself that Jake's girlfriend looked nice. But she's too skeenny for me, not like my Rosa. No. Not like my Rosa at all.

And now ...

"I think he might know me."

"Who, Chico?"

"Yeah. He used to drive for Sully once in a while. I'd see him at the casino with Sully. He never talked to me or anything, he'd always wait by the entrance, but I know I've seen him - and I'm sure he's seen me. I just don't know if he remembers."

"Maybe not. After all, he'd been standin' in there staring down the barrel of Ma's rifle. I don't think you even registered."

"I hope not. I'm not ready."

"No, you're not. Come on, let's eat. I'm hungry. It's time for chow. We can worry later. Oh. Wait a minute. I'd better call Sully. You go over to the Diner and get us a booth. I'll be right there."

With that, Sarah walked across the dusty lot to the Diner while Jake went back into Ma's lobby.

"Hey, Darlin'. You aren't gonna shoot me, are ya?"

"Don't start with me, Jake Bertrett. I'm still as jittery as a polecat crossin' the highway."

"How'd you get the drop on them boys, anyway?"

"I seen 'em gettin' outta their car with guns in their hands. By the time they came through that door I had my rifle out from under the counter and they never had a chance to raise their guns. Now why the fuck are they lookin' fer you?"

"I don't know Ma. But I'm just about to find out. You mind if I make a phone call?"

A little while later, Jake slid into the booth across from Sarah.

"So? What's up? Why're they lookin' for you?"

"They need me to prepare some stuff for them. Some flash bangs and some smoke grenades on timers. And they need it in a hurry."

"You gonna do it?"

"Yeah. The stuff they need is in the truck down on the Reservation. I can do the work tonight and then I'll meet Chico outside the shop in the morning. We can't meet at my trailer anymore 'cause it's gone."

"Oh yeah, I'd almost forgotten about that. What're you gonna do about your trailer?"

"I don't know if the insurance company will cover gettin' my trailer blown up by gun totin' fanatics, or not. Maybe if I tell 'em it was a propane tank .... well, anyway, when this blows over I think I'm gonna sell the shop and move farther out, anyway. It's gettin' too crowded around here."

"Too crowded?"

"Yeah, there's people movin' out here all the time. Las Vegas is gonna be big, and I don't wanna get caught up in it."

"Just don't go anywhere I can't find ya, Jake. I need you."

"Don't you worry, sweetheart. We'll be together for some time yet - no matter where I am."

"Good. Let's order. I'm hungry."

And, while Jake and Sarah had some of Donnie's Fried Chicken ...

"You know Patron, I theenk Jake has a girlfriend now."

"Really. I thought Jake wanted nothing to do with women. That kinda surprises me."

"Oh, me too, Patron. I know Jake for a long time, and he don' like bein' around women. They make heem feel bad, you know? But thees one, she ess preety. Maybe she makes heem feel good."

"Maybe she does, Chico. Maybe she does. I wonder where he met her."

"I don't know, Patron. I theenk maybe I have seen her before. But I don' know. Anyway, I go now, Patron. I go home to my Rosa. She makes me feel good. Maybe, while I make love to my Rosa, I weel remember where I have seen the Senorita before. Maybe. Or maybe no. When I make love to Rosa, she don' like eet when I theenk of other women, you know? Oh well. Maybe manana.

Sarah - Training Day

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

From last time ...

"You wanna go back up there?"

"Nah. Let's get back to town. But I want you to come back out here and I want you to find Jake. Clear? Get some of your boys and come back out here and find him. If you don't find him, Chico, don't come back."

"Oh, no problema, patron. We weel find heem. No problema."

"You better, Chico. Or we're dead."

And now ...

The sun was getting ready to slip behind the mountains to the west, and Jake was walking in with the last target that Sarah had shot.

"Okay, I think that's enough for today. I don't know about you, but I could use some chow."

"Are you going to show me that target or not?"

"You just want me to tell you, again, how good I think you are. Okay. 9 shots. 3 groups. All in the black. Very good shooting. But don't forget you're only at 250 yards. With that scope, you should be able to center a target a quarter this size."

"I will. Just set it out there."

"Kinda full of yourself aren't ya?"

"Well, you said it yourself, Jake. I'm a natural good shot. And I guess it's a good thing I am when you stop and think about it. It's gonna be easier to train knowing my goals are reachable."

"Yeah, well, come on. I'm hungry. Let's get this stuff in the Jeep so we can get outta here. I don't know what Donnie has on tonight, but whatever it is, it's gonna be good."

They carefully packed the weapons and ammunition under a tarp in the back of the Jeep and then headed down the gravel road toward the highway, and Ma's.

"Where are you gonna stay tonight, Jake?"

"I dunno. Guess I'll head down to the Reservation - it's only about 20 miles from Ma's. I'll stay with Two Feathers. I'll be safe there."

They rode the rest of the way in silence, each with their own thoughts to wrestle with. Just as they approached the Diner, Jake spotted a car he recognized in Ma's parking lot.

"I think we got a problem."

"Why, what?"

"That car parked in front of Ma's door .. it's Chico's car."

"Who's Chico?"

"Among other things, he's one of the guys you're lookin' for."

"I don't understand the problem."

"He would never go into Ma's unless the Devil himself was on his ass - he must be lookin' for me. We go in there, you don't say nuthin', clear? Not a word."

"Okay, Jake."

"You just let me do the talkin'."

Jake and Sarah got out of the Jeep and walked in the lobby of Ma's motel. Chico and two of his 'boys' were standing there with their hands raised in the air.

"Hey, Jake. This here hombre says he's lookin' fer you. You know 'im?"

"Yeah, I know him, Ma. It's okay. Don't shoot him."

"I won't - this time. But listen to me you greasy little sonofabitch, the next time you walk in here with a gun in your hand I'll shoot first and bury your dumb ass later - I won't ask no questions. Get 'em outta here, Jake. I don't want 'em in here."

"Okay, Ma. Chico. Outside."

They all stepped out into the parking lot.

"Gracias, Senor Jake. I thought that crazy old lady was going to shoot. Sully says she ees loco, now I see."

"Why did you come here, Chico. What do you want?"

"Not me, Senor. Sully. He needs to speak to you. Pronto."

"Okay, Chico. I'll call him. Right away. Now you'd better get going."

"Si, Senor. We gonna go. But you call Sully. Ahora!!"

Chico and his crew had gotten onto his car and backed out onto the highway. As he turned and headed south, he thought to himself that Jake's girlfriend looked nice. But she's too skeenny for me, not like my Rosa. No. Not like my Rosa at all.

Friday Haiku - Black Friday

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Today is Black Friday,
The day retailers wait for,
day of thanks giving.

Ndinombethe.

p.s. Sarah will be back both days this weekend. I hope you enjoy.

100 Word Challenge - Give

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

The following is in response to the 100 Word Challenge, authored by the generous Velvet Verbosity. The Challenge Word is "Give".

Give

But I don't know what to give her!

I keep trying to tell you, it doesn't matter. She won't care.

What do you mean 'she won't care'? Of course she'll care. I know I would.

But that's you. It's not her way to care.

Fine, then. I won't give her anything.

I wouldn't do that. She'll know.

But you said she won't care. So why should I give her anything?

She will not care what you give her - she WILL care that you gave. It's the thought of giving that has the value, not the value of what you give.

Ndinombethe. And a Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

Wordless Wednesday - Season Over

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Cold and empty

Come back in the spring.

Ndinombethe.

Tuesday - and More Meanders 11-24

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Holly at The Tropic of Mom is doing a "Pay It Forward" and as of this writing she needs one more participant. Hint!!!!

Mary H Warren, who comments here as Grandmother, has joined the Writers at THE INFERNO and her first piece was published there yesterday. HINT!!

And because I'm running out of meanders for the week ...

A New Landmark

Under Construction
(From the walkabout with Jientje)

Ndinombethe.

Monday Meanders 11-23

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Those of you who read here regularly know I manage a site for Writers. It's an integral part of The Artist Challenge, a site where visual artists produce Art in response to a challenge word or phrase. The Writer's site, The Inferno, produces work from the Writers at the same time the Visual Artists' work is published on 'The Artist Challenge'. This last Saturday, we published a challenge called "The Winter Of Our Discontent". If you'd like to read a little of what we've done, click on the link.

Participation in a challenge by the writers is always voluntary - so we might have five pieces for one challenge, and three the next. But it's always good stuff.

And it wouldn't hurt my feelings any if some of you became followers of 'The Inferno'.

It was great seeing Mishi this last Saturday. She was in town on business and we had lunch and later, I took her to the airport. One thing about Mishi - she gives GREAT hugs.

I have been taking a few pictures lately - I'm still, after all these years, trying to find my voice as a photographer. But I have learned a lot in the last couple of weeks - mostly from watching Jientje work - which was a rare treat.

One of our writers on 'The Inferno' has published over 200 books.

Upcoming, on 'The Inferno' will be an interview with Catherine Ryan Hyde, thre author of "Pay It Forward". You guys are the only ones who know - so let's keep it just between you and me, 'K? (Eat your heart out, Connie Chung.)

Ndinombethe.

Walking the lakefront

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Chicago is a very special place. It's a big city, with a big playground immediately to its East. And that big playground, always bustling on sunny days during the summer, looks lonely and austere on sunny days in November.

The lakefront, as it is referred to by the locals, is dotted with harbors from north to south. During the sunny days of summer, these harbors are filled with pleasure craft of all shapes and sizes. But in November, all you see are empty yacht clubs and ghostly views of 'downtown' in the hazy distance.

Cold benches sit on stone quays with nothing sitting on them but shadows.

Rails and fences and retaining wall bolts wait for the coming coating of ice and snow.

Oh, and did I mention I had lunch with this lovely lady and drove her to the airport in the early evening? Well, I did - and I did. Mishi, Secret Agent Mama was in town for work. While she worked I photographed. And then I took her to the airport. Because she's my friend.

Ndinombethe.

Just a couple more ...

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Actually, I have a slight case of strep and I can't concentrate when I don't feel well so I'm going to pick out another picture or two from last weekend and let Sarah have one more day off.

First of all, Nathan "I Regret" Hale, who sits in the small entry courtyard of the Tribune tower.

Next, another shot of 'American Gothic' - nose to toes, so to speak. I wonder where they're going - what with the suitcase and all.

And lastly, a shot of the Wrigley Building, what I think is one of the most beautiful buildings in the City.

Ndinombethe.

And even MORE Photos

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Okay. Just to remind you whom it was that was being entertained, she is pictured below ... (can you tell Jientje is happy?)

And the picture below is in honor of her love of flags. The Wrigley Building flies this flag every day. Most people don't even see it.

This next picture is was surprise to me. Did I mention earlier in the week that sometimes I'm a tourist in my own town? Honest to Judy Canova, I had NO IDEA this GIANT statue of 'American Gothic' even existed - much less that it has been installed on Michigan Avenue. That said, ain't it cool?

(I wonder how many people I just made Google 'Judy Canova')

Okay - one more picture of Jientje. At this point, she has become bored with taking shots of American Gothic and is hunting live victims.

And now - just because it's there - here's another shot where the object being photographed is actually being lit by reflected sunlight off a glass facade - in this case, the glass belongs to the self same Sheraton Hotel that hosted BlogHer. In addition, then, we have a reflection of the boat in the water, to go along with the reflected light off the building.

All of these images are SOOC (Straight out of Camera), and as such, have not been cropped, sharpened or enhanced in any way. But you could tell, right?

Pray for Anissa.

Ndinombethe.

100 Word Challenge - Material

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

What follows is in response to the 100 Word Challenge, authored by the ephemeral Velvet Verbosity. The Word today is "Material".

Material

"Man, I was dyin' out there."
"Don't worry, Morty, it happens."
"But this is good stuff!! And they just sat on their hands like it was a funeral."
"Morty. Don't worry. You'll get it back. You always do. Next show, you'll kill 'em!!"
"I don't know, Sol. I'm not so sure there'll be a 'next show'."
"What are you talkin'? Of course there's a next show. You still got it. You still got schtick. You deliver a joke like nobody. You're the best. You just need some new material. You'll be back."
"Yeah. That's it. I need material. New material."

Tomorrow? More pictures from Jientje's visit.

Ndinombethe.

Wordless Wednesday - My Best Shot

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

The Shot I Like Best

Stairway up to the Roadway
Michigan Avenue, at the River

Ndinombethe.

And there were pictures

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

So after our little run down Lake Shore Drive early on Saturday morning, we parked the car near the Sheraton Hotel, where BlogHer had been in July, and went walkabout. And our first bit of walkabout took us up these stairs.

After a minute or two of walking with Jientje, and seeing how she works, you are struck with an immediate urge to get all artsy fartsy with your photography. Because you KNOW she's taking all these really great pictures and you KNOW you have to do SOMETHING to keep up because when her shots hit her blog - you're gonna look pretty plebian by comparison. Thus, the picture below ...

Yup. A very plebian photo of an outdoor metal and concrete staircase. Anyway, because I can at times be a tourist in my own town - and the darn thing IS brand new after all - after climbing the stairs we were greeted by this view of the Trump Tower.

And then, of course, I took another shot of Jientje, who was wondering how she was going to get a macro shot of THAT.

Okay, now this is where it's going to get a bit tricky. Notice, in the picture above, You see my shadow. I'm facing North, Jientje is more or less facing West, and behind her, out of frame to the right, is a large Condo building whose facing is glass. I turned around and moved into the shadows and took the picture below which shows the North wing of NBC Tower illuminated by reflections from the condo building we were standing next to.

I just thought it was cool.

All of these shots are SOOC - Straight Out Of Camera - no touch up or alteration of any kind.

I do love the Big Dawg.

Ndimonbethe.

p.s. Jientje flies home, with Ivan, her husband, today. Bon Voyage, Princess.

She got here Saturday

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Jientje got here at 5:20am Saturday morning - so the first thing we did was go to have breakfast. Egglectic Cafe - good stuff. And I took her picture with my little Fuji point and shoot.

And then the waitress took our picture, with my little Fuji point and shoot.

And then, in the parking lot, as we got ready to go down to the lakefront, she whipped out her weapon. And I took a picture of her, again, with me little Fuji point and shoot.

But then came the moment when the little Fuji point and shoot ran out of gas - overwhelmed by what I asked it to do.

It became time ... to break out the Big Dog.

Above shot with my Canon 30D.

Jientje's notebook computer crapped out on her sometime early in her trip, so she hasn't had the time or capability to post to her site. Look for her site, Heaven Is In Belgium, to be updated sometime Wednesday.

And I will have more pictures tomorrow.

Ndinombethe.

Snapping Sunday

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Jientje arrived Saturday morning, as planned. Right time. Right place.

We had breakfast at Egglectic Cafe in Rolling Meadows and then we drove downtown and took pictures along the lakefront. There is little that is prettier than the lakefront early on a sunny morning.

Afterwards, we parked near the Sheraton, where BlogHer was held, and we walked. And walked. And walked - all the while taking picture. Many, many pictures.

By the time I dropped her off at her hotel at 5:30 last evening, I was toast. TOAST I tell you. It's over 40 miles from downtown Chicago to my home, and it was tough staying awake on the drive home. Good news is, though, that by the time I got home, #3 Son's temp was down to under 100 - so maybe he's coming out the other side of his flu.

I WAS going to post pictures last night. (Actually, I had intended to post pictures during the day - but it didn't work out.) But I was really fried when I got home. I farmed a little (SOMEbody STOP ME!!!), wrote this post, and went to bed. In fact, I'm sleeping right now. Unless, of course, it's after 5am - in which case, I'm awake, I'm awake.

And I'm out taking pictures with Jientje.

Ndinombethe.

The Plan, The Plan!! Or was that the plane?

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

It is the plan, actually.

Jientje arrives at 5:20am, CST. About 6 hours from when this is being written. I gotta get some SLEEP!! Sheesh.

There will probably be posting of pictures here through the day.

Jientje's husband is coming in a little after 1:00pm, CST.

And then we'll be downtown.

Taking pictures, seeing sights, just being with each other in this great, big, city.

We may even Tweet.

We'll see.

Ndinombethe.

p.s. There's a group of 5 posts on The Inferno as of 12:01 this morning, in response to the challenge "Holiday Home". Check 'em out. And check out the last one. Mine. Please?

Friday Haiku - Jientje

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Soon she will arrive
Fresh from the Hawiian shore,
All suntan and stuff.

Jientje will be here,
And I will show her around,
Chicago, my town.

Pictures, forthcoming.
And there will be a surprise
Sometime Saturday.

Jientje will be here as of Saturday morning and I will be busy for the weekend. There will be picture taking and blogging - but Sarah is going to take the weekend off. I hope you understand.

I have a job to do.

Ndinombethe.

100 Word Challenge - Examine

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

What follows is in response to the 100 Word Challenge, authored by the studious Velvet Verbosity. The word today is "Examine".

Examine

"You need to examine your motives."
"Why, what?"
"These self destructive things you do; you need to understand why you do them."
"I don't know what you mean. I don't do this stuff on purpose."
"You don't THINK you do, but deep down inside, you KNOW you do."
"No. No I don't. I just don't know when to stop, that's all."
"But why do you start? What do you think drives you? Anger? Hurt? Fear?"
"I ain't afraid of nuthin'."
"Did someone hurt you? Is that why you hurt yourself?"
"I guess that's what we have to examine, ain't it?"

Catherine Ryan Hyde, the woman who wrote the book "Pay It Forward", has posted a 'video excerpt' for her book "Love in the Present Tense". The video is here. Keep in mind as you view this well done video that SHE DID the video stuff HERSELF.

Ndinombethe.

Wordless Wednesday - Kylemore Glass

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

South Stained Glass Window

Chapel, Kylemore Abbey, Ireland

Ndinombethe.

Schedule? What schedule?

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

I have another web site for which I write and for which I have adopted other responsibilities, as well - not the least of which is a cleanup and lean-up of the site, to make it easier to read, less confusing, and more focused on the real stars of the site - the people who write stuff for the site.

Which is fine.

But I am feeling a little disconnected from the sites I visit - mainly because I have not settled into a routine where I'm comfortable, yet, and I am, therefore, a little distracted.

If I haven't been to you in a while, I will be. And soon. Bear with me, 'K?

BTW, the other site is The Inferno. Stop by sometime and check out the writing there. The contributors are amazing.

Oh - and somebody PLEASE save me from Facebook? Please?

Ndinombethe.

Monday Meanders 11-9

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

The Bears lost yesterday - and they really looked bad doing it, too. It just goes to show you - sometimes the 'quick fix' does more harm than good. All this focus on "Quarterback" has taken away from other areas of need - and now we have no first or second round picks in the upcoming draft. I see long long downward spiral that will take a couple of years to make right.

I played Xbox over the weekend - Forza 3, a car racing game - at #2 Son's house. I hope Santa Claus saw all that and notes that I've been a good boy - and deserving.

It was a lovely and warm weekend in Chicagoland - marred by the Bears loss and Grannie isn't pleased with the way Tiger played golf over there in China, either. But both were great days to be outdoors - I'm sure there are few days left like those between now and the start of Winter.

Jientje arrives this coming Saturday morning. She's had such a good time everywhere else she's been - I hope I can make her stay here in Chicago as good as the other places she's been.

Ndinombethe.

Sarah - And Sully said ...

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

From last time ...

Across the highway, Chico sat in his car while Manuel filled it up with gas, and he watched Ma come out of the Motel and get in Jake's car and drive it around back. Sully gonna wanna know dees.

And now ...

Meanwhile, as Jake and Sarah were were getting into her Jeep ...

"Okay Chico. You drop me off here and go fill 'er up. But don't take too long. I wanna get back to Vegas, quick, before it gets to damn hot."

"Si, patron."

Sully walked into the gun shop - he was surprised to see that Jake wasn't there.

He walked up to the counter.

"Where's Jake?"

"He's not here."

"I can see that, boy. Don't get smart with me. Where's Jake?"

"I don't know, Mister. He called me early this morning and asked me to close the store up for a while. That's all I know, honest."

"Did he say why? Did he say where he's goin'?"

"No Sir, he didn't. And I didn't ask. I know he's due for another trip into the VA Hospital, but he's never asked me to close up the store before when he's gone there, so I really don't know ..."

"What about that old lady up the road? Do ya think she knows?"

"I don't know, Mister. Like I said - I'm just here to pack up the store."

"Gimme the phone. I'll call and see ... what's the number up there?"

"Just ask Sally to put you through - we don't dial out here."

"Oh ... well ... you call, then. Ask her where Jake is. Tell her Sully wants to know."

Two Feathers picked up the phone.

"Hello, Sally? Yeah, it's me. ... I'm fine, Sally. Put me through to Ma's, will ya? Yeah, Sally, I'll say 'Hi' to George. What? No, no she hasn't had the baby, yet ... Put me through, please?"

Sully began to look a little impatient. Two Feathers looked at him and shrugged and put his hand over the mouthpiece.

"It's ringing now ... Hi Ma? It's Billy. Is Jake up by you? ... Fella named Sully's here lookin' for him. ... Okay, Ma, I'll tell him."

He hung up the phone.

"Ma says he ain't up there and she don't know where he is. You two know each other or somethin'? 'Cause she didn't sound none too friendly ..."

"Don't worry about it, kid. Listen, if you see or hear from Jake, you tell him to get a hold of me as soon as possible. I've got some work for him and it has to be done in a hurry."

"Yessir, I'll tell 'im. But like I said - I don't know."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Damn. I need this stuff in a hurry. You be sure to tell him if you see him."

"Yessir."

Sully strolled out the door and stood in the sun, looking up the road toward Ma's, waiting for Chico to come back and pick him up. Damn, it's gonna be another hot fuckin' day out here. Chico best get his greaser ass movin' or I'm gonna be pissed. I don't like standin' around. Now I gotta figure out what I'm gonna do. I gotta get the stuff for the job and Jake ain't here. If I don't find him this whole operation is gonna go south and Vito will have my ass. MY ass. Well, it ain't gonna BE my ass on the line, here. Fuckin' Jake. Where is that bastard?

He turned around and stuck his head back inside the shop.

"Hey!! You got change for a buck? I wanna get a pop outta this machine out here."

"No. I don't. Jake didn't leave any money in the drawer, either. Here's a dime."

Two Feathers had reached in his pocket and pulled out a dime. He threw it to Sully.

Sully went back outside and lifted the lid on the pop machine, put his dime in the slot, and slid his bottle over to the mechanism that let him lift the soda out of the machine. He popped the lid off on the opener and took a long draw on the bottle of Coke. And let out a long, relaxing belch.

"Ahhhh."

He turned to look up the road and he could see Chico's car coming toward him. He finished his Coke just as Chico pulled off the road in a choking cloud of dust.

"Damn, Chico. I can't breathe."

"Sorry, patron. I was een a hurry. You come here looking for Jake, no?"

"Yeah, Chico. What about it?"

"I seen the old lady at de motel put Jake's car around de back of her place. Sometheeng don' look right to me."

"Shit. Something don't look right to me either. Now what the fuck is going on here?"

"You wanna go back up there?"

"Nah. Let's get back to town. But I want you to come back out here and I want you to find Jake. Clear? Get some of your boys and come back out here and find him. If you don't find him, Chico, don't come back."

"Oh, no problema, patron. We weel find heem. No problema."

"You better, Chico. Or we're dead."

Ndinombethe.

Sarah - Chico sees

lou.lohman@gmail.com (LceeL) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

From last time ....

Meanwhile, Sarah was just getting her Jeep stuck in the sand, Two Feathers was hiding behind a bush, and the Sheriff's men were just beginning to find pieces of Skinny scattered around Jake's trailer - or what was left of it.

And now ....

She slowed the jeep down out on the highway and then slowly turned left into Ma's dusty parking lot. She got out and walked into the small lobby of the motel. Jake and Ma were there.

"Hi, Jake. Hi, Ma." She walked over to Jake. "Two Feathers is gathering people together to pack up the store like you asked. He says he'll have it done before sundown."

"Good. One less thing to worry about for now."

"That guy you know - Stafford? His car blew up about a mile or so down the road from the store and Two Feathers' cousin said the Sheriff arrested four men on explosives charges."

"Good. Another thing less to worry about for now. It'll be days before they get out of jail."

"Oh .. and Two Feathers says it WAS your trailer that blew up this morning - he was right near your mailbox when it went. He seems to think there are still pieces of that thing coming down."

"Damn. Well, it is what it is. We'll just have to make do at the line shack for a while until I figure out how all this is going to play out. Meanwhile, we have your training to attend to, don't we?"

"Well, yeah, I was kinda wonderin' about that."

"No problem. In fact, let's get goin'. Out to the line shack and get started. Ma? Is it okay if I leave my car parked around back? I don't want it where it can be seen from the road."

"Sure, Jake. You can leave it here. You want a tarp over it? Or will you be comin' back right away?"

"You can cover it up if you wanna. That's not a bad idea. Not bad at all."

"Well then, you kids get outta here so I can get some stuff done around here and don't worry 'bout your car, Jake. Jus' gimme yer keys. I'll take care of it."

"Thanks, Ma. If you didn't remind me of a Gunnery Sergeant with a bad disposition I'd marry ya. I would."

"Ya. Right. Get outta here. Smartass Marine."

Jake and Sarah walked out to the Jeep, got in and drove away.

Ma walked over to the counter and sat on the stool next to the register.

The phone rang. It was Two Feathers.

"No. Jake isn't here, Billy. What's up? .... Well ... you just tell Sully you don't know where he is - and tell him it ain't no use comin' up here lookin' fer him, either. Unless he wants his nose busted again ... just tell 'im, Billy. He ain't here."

Damn. That's all I need. I better get that car moved around back pronto. Sully may not come in here but that don't mean he can't drive by. I can't let him see that car.

Across the highway, Chico sat in his car while Manuel filled it up with gas, and he watched Ma come out of the Motel and get in Jake's car and drive it around back. Sully gonna wanna know dees.

He paid his gas and turned south, toward the gun shop.