Howdy Folks,
My novel, "We'll Have The Summer," received its
100th FIVE STAR review on Amazon the other day…..I thought I'd share an excerpt from Sam & Mary's story –
"Sam removed Bullet’s saddle and bridle then turned him free to pick at
the wiry grass. Then he simply folded his legs and squatted next to the fire,
facing the old Navajo. He sucked a deep breath from the pipe handed him, held
the rank smoke long enough to burn his mouth, puckered his lips, and allowed it
to drift out. Sam looked across the fire at his dear friend and studied the
faded shirt covering shoulders made uneven by the many years, and the deeply
furrowed skin sagging around Anaba’s still keen eyes. Such a man was Anaba,
that it was necessary to study his worn-out body closely to notice the wear of
it. The spirit living in those rich black eyes created a cloaking aura which
prevented all but the most determined examiner from seeing the toll the years
had taken on the mortal Navajo. But even in the quickest glance, that vibrant
spirit was abundantly obvious.
“I remember the times I would come here to listen to your
tall tales and legends. Now, it seems I only come when…Ah hell, Anaba.” He
sucked the pipe.
“We must understand these times, my friend. You are passing
through a very difficult and important time. It will not be an easy journey,
but like all journeys, it too will end.”
Sam dropped the pipe and held his face. “Like my daughter’s journey ended? How
much must one man bear?”
“That is not for us to know. No one of this world could help
your daughter for she came into this world with an imperfect body. But she had
a good life. Her memories rest in your heart, and her spirit surrounds you and
Mary. Do you not agree it is better for her spirit to have enjoyed the happy
life she had with you, than to have had no life at all?”
“She was still a little girl. A sweet, innocent young girl
who loved life and who was loved by everyone who ever knew her. Why should she
have such a short life?”
“We do not know why some travel this world long and some
only a short time. I have outlived all my children. And three wives. I have
left two brothers in faraway lands, unable to even bring their bodies home for
sacred burial. I do not know why I have been asked to live this long life. I do
know it is right and natural to sometimes feel sorrow.”
Sam pulled himself up and walked to the edge of the
clearing, staring down the vertical wall to the desert floor some thousand feet
below. He yelled Mary’s name, fell to his knees and screamed out over the
dessert, “I’m not ready to live without you.” He sat very close to the edge,
wrapped his arms around his knees, and wept. Then in a broken, sobbing voice
told Anaba, “It’s not sorrow I feel – it’s emptiness. Emptiness and anger.”
The old Navajo grabbed him by the shirt and dragged him back
from the edge, back to the fire. He sat hunch-shouldered and glared into Sam’s
eyes, yet his voice was calm. “Emptiness and anger are selfish feelings, and
they do no good. They will make you bitter.”
Sam glared back at him. “I am bitter. God-damned bitter.”
Anaba gave him a tender look and handed Sam the pipe. “We
will smoke now. We must not speak again until you have a question."
*************************
If you haven't been to Mar-Sa yet to spend time with Mary
and Sam, you can buy "We'll Have The Summer" on Amazon here –
And if you have, you may just want to visit them again.
Have a fun day & Gitty Up ~ Dutch
