Tuesday Morning Writings and Such

There’s a dog barking in the yard next door and one barking on tv. Between them, I might get a headache.

I have been reading for an hour and a half for a class I’m taking. But an hour and a half of knowledge is way too much for right now. So, I’m taking a break to watch an episode of Little House on the Prairie. LOL

During the barking and reading, my mom called. I also tripped over an empty Dr. Pepper box. It was in the middle of the floor, because our cat thinks it’s a wonderful play toy. She gets in it and likes to sleep. 🙂

I worked for a short time on a scene for a story this morning while my girls readied themselves for school. I’ll paste some of it below. Let me know what you think. It has not been edited, so please be generous with your comments, and enjoy the rest of your day.

*****

“Miss Colton, what are you doing in here?”

It was Robert Johnson from the train. Katie choked on another drink of sludge then sat the cup down and turned.

“Hello, Mr. Johnson. I tried to find a place in the diningroom, but it was too full.”

“Well, I can fix that. This is no place for you. Please, allow me to escort you out of here.”

This man had nice manners. Clay and Judie were going to be so happy to see him.

“Thank you,” she smiled, sliding off the stool. “If you can find me a quiet corner somewhere, I would be grateful.”

Before she had a chance to take his offered elbow, a burly man pushed between them, shoving her into the corner.

“Rob Johnson! That you, you ole thief? I’ve been looking for you! Where’s my money?”

Clay and Judie’s son’s face went white, and that’s when Katie braced a hand on the bar behind her.

“Quincy! You ole coot! Ha, I didn’t think I’d see you ever again.”

Hoisting her bottom up onto the bar next to her now cold coffee, Katie glanced around for someone…anyone who looked like they were in charge.

“Uh, gentlemen,” she tried, “you’re crowding me here.”

“Course you never thought you’d see me again, Johnson! But I never forget a man who takes all my money and runs off with it. Hand it over!”

“Taking his own step back, Robert waved away the other man’s hostility. “Sure, sure, ole friend. I’ll give you whatever you need just as soon as I can get to the bank and…”

“You’ll hand it over now, or I’ll whipe the floor with your face!”

Katie didn’t see the first punch, but she felt it and hiked  herself up until she stood on the bar. The second punch followed quickly, and both men tangled themselves up, knocking over stools and into other men who whooped and gladly joined the fray. Grabbing up her coffee, she dumped it on the nearest man’s head, then thunked the mug on the head of another who came to close..

It was a genuine bar room brawl with chairs flying across the room, glasses and bottles shattering on the floor, card games scattering every whichway, and a huge mass of squirming arms and legs making their way closer and closer to where she inched backward on the bar.

Why had she not thought to strap on her pistol before leaving the Porter’s? Because, Olivia had asked her not to, that’s why.

“Well, what do you think about guns now, O?”

Bracing a hand against the wall, she peeked over her shoulder. The only human behind the bar was the bar tender. At least he had a gun held at the ready. The rest of the area was littered with boxes, shelves of alcohol, and an ice box. If she could jump down behind there with the bar tender and his clutter, he might keep watch while she escaped out the back door. Crowded dining room or not, anywhere was better than here.