Here's part of a scene from Chapter 2. I'd appreciate your feedback, suggestions, etc.
He's gone and done it, Bill Henry thought as he saddled his horse the next morning. Defied his pa and gone off. He's got more gumption than I thought he did.
Bill swung into the saddle, gathered the reins, and clucked to his mount, a frisky dun mustang Rod Owen had bought in Texas. The animal frog-jumped and bucked for a few minutes, but Bill stuck tight and waited out the horse's temper tantrum. The dun would settle down soon and carry him through the morning without further complaint.
Yes, James Owen had sand, he had to give him that. Who else around here was willing to go toe-to-toe and have it out with Rod Owen? Nobody he knew, including himself right now. Not that Bill thought himself a coward. No, he didn't want to leave Colorado Territory and return to Texas just yet. It suited him fine to be in the employ of the older man.
If I head home now, I'll never see Miss Marie again.
There it was, finally, the hitherto unspoken reason for staying, even though the Owen boys were catching on to every cattle-handling trick he'd taught them faster than he'd supposed it would happen. I don't want to leave here without her.
Now the truth was in the open, so to speak. He'd never yet--until now--admitted to himself the fact that he'd grown very fond of the dark-tressed daughter of his boss--the sprightly miss who rode out each morning to exercise her horse, even earlier than he got out and about.
Yes, Marie was the major reason he'd stayed here in this green land beneath the mountain. Marie.
Bill smiled at the thought of the music in her name. He tugged on the handkerchief he'd knotted around his neck this morning. It was a bright red bandana, and he hoped she would see it--and him--when she returned from her ride. He imagined her picking him out of the other cowhands who would be riding up the mountain with him, off to tend the cattle in the pasture on the slope of the mountain. The kerchief would set him apart, catch her eye, draw it to him. After his encounter with her at the wedding meal, she would surely be thinking of him, kindly, he hoped.
He wondered if the girl had a middle name. Not that it mattered. Marrying him would add another name to her own, anyway. She'd be Marie Owen Henry. Ah, didn't that sound fine? Marie Henry. Wouldn't the boys back home be jealous at his luck, bringing back a wife who was as pretty as any girl he'd even seen. No. Prettier.
Her dark eyes reminded him of the deep black pool of water that he'd found on the mountain, shaded by trees and surrounded by protective boulders. He, the cowhands, and the Owen men had stopped there briefly on the way back from rescuing Marie and the Bates girl--Carl Owen's new bride. Marie had rested beside the pool, anxious to be home, but enjoying the beauty of the spot. He'd brought her a tin cup to dip into the water, and she'd looked up with such a depth of gratitude in her eyes as she thanked him for being one of her rescuers. He knew that was when she had captured his interest. Even bedraggled as she was, with her shoulders and sleeves covered with dirt and her hair tangled and bedecked with twigs and leaves, she was the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen.
Rapid hoof beats brought him out of his reverie. Who was riding a horse hard this early in the morning? Was James Owen coming back?
As his eyes sorted out the approaching shape, he saw a skirt billowing behind the horse and knew it was Marie. Irritation washed over him. She knew better than to treat horseflesh so harshly. Then anxiety for her welfare crowded out the negative feelings. Had the horse run away with her? Was someone chasing her? He didn't know the state of affairs with the Indian tribes in the area. Maybe she'd had a run in with a party of hostiles.
Bill rode toward the girl, gigging the dun into a gallop, his heart beating as fast as the hooves on the earth. Then he was choking, trying to swallow his fear as he saw her terrified face. Something was horribly wrong.
The usual disclaimers apply: first draft work subject to change, my copyright, comments very welcome.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Some More Stuff
I've finished Chapter 1 of the fourth Owen Family novel, and here's a bit of the last scene:
Marie shooed Julianna into the cabin, and saw that someone had informed Rulon and Mary of the family meeting. The couple huddled together on the periphery of the family circle at the table, Rulon's arm around Mary's shoulders. She bounced their infant daughter in her arms as Roddy circled the occupants of the room, still riding his stick horse.
Ma sat in her chair, her face pinched and white as though she knew something horrible was in the air.
Pa stood at the head of the table, his forehead drawn into severe lines above his grey eyes. He waved Marie and Julianna into the room, then waited silently while they approached and sat down. He took one deep breath, then another, and began.
"I have hard news. Your brother has taken it into his head that he's not welcome here, and rode out a few minutes ago. He said he'd try his hand at mining. Mining! He's not cut out for going into a hole in the ground." He accented his words by bringing his fist down on the table with a startling thud.
Rod's words caused no little stir among the family members. Marie listened to the hubbub without adding to it, clenching her hands into balls in her lap.
Rulon leaned forward. "You can't be serious, Pa. He'll ride around a while and come back, leaving his troubles in the wind."
At the same time, Albert asked, "Can I have his cabin?" at which Clay cuffed him on the side of the head, yelling, "You ornery son of a--" then bit his lip before he got his own cuffing from Rod.
Julianna had burst into tears, crying out, "That's not fair! James said he'd take me rabbit hunting."
"Hush, Jule!" Ma said sharply, then dissolved into tears herself, throwing her apron over her head, which served to muffle her sobs somewhat.
Pa bent over Ma, awkwardly patting her shoulder and making shushing sounds. He looked up and glared at Albert and Clay, who were rolling on the floor, punching each other.
Marie hid her face in her hands, overcome with the selfishness of her younger siblings . . . and herself. Oh James, she thought, will I ever see you again? It was wrong of me to think only of Ellen's happiness and not see your side of the hill.
The usual disclaimers apply: fresh first draft work subject to change, my copyright, comments very welcome.
Marie shooed Julianna into the cabin, and saw that someone had informed Rulon and Mary of the family meeting. The couple huddled together on the periphery of the family circle at the table, Rulon's arm around Mary's shoulders. She bounced their infant daughter in her arms as Roddy circled the occupants of the room, still riding his stick horse.
Ma sat in her chair, her face pinched and white as though she knew something horrible was in the air.
Pa stood at the head of the table, his forehead drawn into severe lines above his grey eyes. He waved Marie and Julianna into the room, then waited silently while they approached and sat down. He took one deep breath, then another, and began.
"I have hard news. Your brother has taken it into his head that he's not welcome here, and rode out a few minutes ago. He said he'd try his hand at mining. Mining! He's not cut out for going into a hole in the ground." He accented his words by bringing his fist down on the table with a startling thud.
Rod's words caused no little stir among the family members. Marie listened to the hubbub without adding to it, clenching her hands into balls in her lap.
Rulon leaned forward. "You can't be serious, Pa. He'll ride around a while and come back, leaving his troubles in the wind."
At the same time, Albert asked, "Can I have his cabin?" at which Clay cuffed him on the side of the head, yelling, "You ornery son of a--" then bit his lip before he got his own cuffing from Rod.
Julianna had burst into tears, crying out, "That's not fair! James said he'd take me rabbit hunting."
"Hush, Jule!" Ma said sharply, then dissolved into tears herself, throwing her apron over her head, which served to muffle her sobs somewhat.
Pa bent over Ma, awkwardly patting her shoulder and making shushing sounds. He looked up and glared at Albert and Clay, who were rolling on the floor, punching each other.
Marie hid her face in her hands, overcome with the selfishness of her younger siblings . . . and herself. Oh James, she thought, will I ever see you again? It was wrong of me to think only of Ellen's happiness and not see your side of the hill.
The usual disclaimers apply: fresh first draft work subject to change, my copyright, comments very welcome.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
A Couple of Snippets
As you know, I'm working on the fourth Owen Family novel, starring the elder daughter, Marie. Here are a couple of passages I thought you might find intriguing:
1.
Young Roddy, Rulon's boy, came galloping under the oaks astride a stick Pa had fitted with a stuffed horsehead made of burlap. "The horsie bucked," he announced in a high, shrill voice. "Unca James fell off." He pranced around his mother. "Mama, he said bad words."
Marie didn't fight the chortle the boy's comment brought out. I reckon he did, she thought. James don't like blemishes on his reputation as a horseman. She watched Mary bend over and exhort her son about sticking close to her. That baby's growin' up. Good thing Mary's got a new wee one to hold.
2.
She paused a moment, trying to think where Julianna could have taken herself. Then she remembered the girl's preoccupation with marriage, and ran towards Carl's cabin tucked into the woods. As she rounded the bend in the path, she was horrified to see Julianna, back against the log wall of the cabin, listening at the window. She darted forward, grabbed her sister's wrist, and hauled her backward away from the wall.
"Marie! Leave me be!" Julianna shrieked. Ellen put her head out of the window, a startled look on her face, and pulled the shutters closed. "See there, now I can't hear anything," the girl continued. "You're so mean." She struggled against Marie's restraining hand.
"That's a despicable thing to do, spying on the newlyweds like that. You should be ashamed," Marie said, tightening her hold and wrapping her other arm around her sister in a further effort to get her away from the scene. "Whatever possessed you?"
"I need to know about things," Julianna shouted, wriggling in Marie's embrace. "Ma won't tell me what folks do when they're married."
"It's none of your business. You're not married, and won't be for a long spell." Marie stopped dragging Julianna away since they were a suitable distance from the cabin, and stood in the path so she couldn't return.
The girl shrugged off Marie's arms and spat out, "I'll be married before you. Parley Morgan's sweet on me, and I wager we'll be getting married soon. Next spring, perhaps."
"That's preposterous! Parley? He's ages older'n you! Get to the house."
Julianna stood upright, arms akimbo, spewing out venomous words. "You're jealous. You don't have a beau. You won't ever have a beau, because you're too old!"
Marie felt her cheeks burn, and her hand swung in a short arc and caught Julianna on her cheek. "You little vixen," she yelled. "You mind your tongue. Ma's going to hear of this, but not today. She's got enough grief. Get home! Pa wants you."
Julianna turned and stormed off down the path toward the main cabin, muttering imprecations beneath her breath. Marie followed, breathing heavily, trying to calm down. It bothered her that Julianna had such power over her. In a few words, she'd managed to throw Marie's world into a blazing, furious uproar, and she didn't like the feeling. There was trouble ahead, and she needed a clear brain and all her strength to help Ma overcome it.
"Ma will be beside herself," she mumbled out loud, but more to herself than to Julianna's retreating back. "Pa won't be any use. He's madder'n a cat caught in a rain barrel."
The usual disclaimers apply: fresh first draft work subject to change, my copyright, comments very welcome.
1.
Young Roddy, Rulon's boy, came galloping under the oaks astride a stick Pa had fitted with a stuffed horsehead made of burlap. "The horsie bucked," he announced in a high, shrill voice. "Unca James fell off." He pranced around his mother. "Mama, he said bad words."
Marie didn't fight the chortle the boy's comment brought out. I reckon he did, she thought. James don't like blemishes on his reputation as a horseman. She watched Mary bend over and exhort her son about sticking close to her. That baby's growin' up. Good thing Mary's got a new wee one to hold.
2.
She paused a moment, trying to think where Julianna could have taken herself. Then she remembered the girl's preoccupation with marriage, and ran towards Carl's cabin tucked into the woods. As she rounded the bend in the path, she was horrified to see Julianna, back against the log wall of the cabin, listening at the window. She darted forward, grabbed her sister's wrist, and hauled her backward away from the wall.
"Marie! Leave me be!" Julianna shrieked. Ellen put her head out of the window, a startled look on her face, and pulled the shutters closed. "See there, now I can't hear anything," the girl continued. "You're so mean." She struggled against Marie's restraining hand.
"That's a despicable thing to do, spying on the newlyweds like that. You should be ashamed," Marie said, tightening her hold and wrapping her other arm around her sister in a further effort to get her away from the scene. "Whatever possessed you?"
"I need to know about things," Julianna shouted, wriggling in Marie's embrace. "Ma won't tell me what folks do when they're married."
"It's none of your business. You're not married, and won't be for a long spell." Marie stopped dragging Julianna away since they were a suitable distance from the cabin, and stood in the path so she couldn't return.
The girl shrugged off Marie's arms and spat out, "I'll be married before you. Parley Morgan's sweet on me, and I wager we'll be getting married soon. Next spring, perhaps."
"That's preposterous! Parley? He's ages older'n you! Get to the house."
Julianna stood upright, arms akimbo, spewing out venomous words. "You're jealous. You don't have a beau. You won't ever have a beau, because you're too old!"
Marie felt her cheeks burn, and her hand swung in a short arc and caught Julianna on her cheek. "You little vixen," she yelled. "You mind your tongue. Ma's going to hear of this, but not today. She's got enough grief. Get home! Pa wants you."
Julianna turned and stormed off down the path toward the main cabin, muttering imprecations beneath her breath. Marie followed, breathing heavily, trying to calm down. It bothered her that Julianna had such power over her. In a few words, she'd managed to throw Marie's world into a blazing, furious uproar, and she didn't like the feeling. There was trouble ahead, and she needed a clear brain and all her strength to help Ma overcome it.
"Ma will be beside herself," she mumbled out loud, but more to herself than to Julianna's retreating back. "Pa won't be any use. He's madder'n a cat caught in a rain barrel."
The usual disclaimers apply: fresh first draft work subject to change, my copyright, comments very welcome.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
A New Novel
I've been working on the next Owen family novel, and here's just a taste of the beginning.
Marie Owen pressed forward through the crowd surrounding her brother Carl and his new bride, her friend Ellen Bates. Ma was hugging on Ellen, then it was Albert, kissing Ellen's cheek, then Marie reached her, and threw her arms around Ellen.
"Lawsy, I thought this day would never come for you, and suddenly you're Mrs. Carl Owen. My sister!"
Ellen pushed back from the embrace slightly, her green eyes shining like dewdrops. "Yes. I didn't figure Pa would bring the priest with him," she whispered. "Who would have thought..." She looked around the meadow. "Where is James?"
"Now don't you fret about him on your weddin' day. He'll get over his disappointment."
"I wanted to tell him how sorry I am."
"Don't bother. He's acted like such a ninny, not letting go of his claim on you when it was clear as the nose on your face you were in love with Carl."
Ellen ducked her head and turned to look at her new husband, who was sitting himself down on a chair. "I can't believe it's happened so fast." She turned back to Marie as people shoved against them. "Carl's bleedin'. I have to get him home." She gripped Marie's hand. "You're next. I see the way Bill Henry looks at you."
* "What?" Marie protested, but Ellen had slipped away, motioning to Rulon and Clay to pick up the chair to bear Carl away. A crimson stain spread across the hip of Carl's trousers, and a shiver of fear coursed down Marie's spine. Carl hadn't yet recovered from the wounds he'd suffered in the shootout with kidnappers at a cave on the mountainside. Was he going to bleed to death because he got out of bed to marry Ellen?
Remember, this is pure off-the-top-of-my-head organic writing, and it's very much first draft stuff.
Comments? Critiques? Ideas?
* New paragraph added to clarify some stuff. I stopped too soon.
Marie Owen pressed forward through the crowd surrounding her brother Carl and his new bride, her friend Ellen Bates. Ma was hugging on Ellen, then it was Albert, kissing Ellen's cheek, then Marie reached her, and threw her arms around Ellen.
"Lawsy, I thought this day would never come for you, and suddenly you're Mrs. Carl Owen. My sister!"
Ellen pushed back from the embrace slightly, her green eyes shining like dewdrops. "Yes. I didn't figure Pa would bring the priest with him," she whispered. "Who would have thought..." She looked around the meadow. "Where is James?"
"Now don't you fret about him on your weddin' day. He'll get over his disappointment."
"I wanted to tell him how sorry I am."
"Don't bother. He's acted like such a ninny, not letting go of his claim on you when it was clear as the nose on your face you were in love with Carl."
Ellen ducked her head and turned to look at her new husband, who was sitting himself down on a chair. "I can't believe it's happened so fast." She turned back to Marie as people shoved against them. "Carl's bleedin'. I have to get him home." She gripped Marie's hand. "You're next. I see the way Bill Henry looks at you."
* "What?" Marie protested, but Ellen had slipped away, motioning to Rulon and Clay to pick up the chair to bear Carl away. A crimson stain spread across the hip of Carl's trousers, and a shiver of fear coursed down Marie's spine. Carl hadn't yet recovered from the wounds he'd suffered in the shootout with kidnappers at a cave on the mountainside. Was he going to bleed to death because he got out of bed to marry Ellen?
Remember, this is pure off-the-top-of-my-head organic writing, and it's very much first draft stuff.
Comments? Critiques? Ideas?
* New paragraph added to clarify some stuff. I stopped too soon.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
New Character Note: Bill Henry
Since Bill Henry is going to play a part in the next Owen Family novel, I've come up with some character notes about him that I put into the new novel-writing/project management software I'm going to use for this book. Bill had a card with a picture in the old file, but no notes. I have no idea who the person in the photo is, but I suspect it's from an advertisement. I mostly used bits and pieces of description of Bill from The Man from Shenandoah, in which he was a minor character, to create this character profile.
Hard-working cowman from West Texas, has light brown hair that curls over his shirt collar, and blue eyes. His face is tanned brown, but it's still unseamed. Powerfully built, wears a moustache that droops over the sides of his mouth.
About two years older than Carl, so he was born in 1843. Although he's young, he was the trail boss that trained the Owen men in cattle handling and successfully brought the herd to C.T.
His cousin, Bob Henry, was killed by Frank Tilden when the hands were going after the kidnapped girls in The Man from Shenandoah.
Hard-working cowman from West Texas, has light brown hair that curls over his shirt collar, and blue eyes. His face is tanned brown, but it's still unseamed. Powerfully built, wears a moustache that droops over the sides of his mouth.
About two years older than Carl, so he was born in 1843. Although he's young, he was the trail boss that trained the Owen men in cattle handling and successfully brought the herd to C.T.
His cousin, Bob Henry, was killed by Frank Tilden when the hands were going after the kidnapped girls in The Man from Shenandoah.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
A visit with Marie Owen
* It wasn't raining today, but after Church, I got a knock on my door. I get up from my nap to go answer it. I open the door. A young woman in dusty 19th Century frontier-style dress stands on my doorstep.
ME: Hello. What can I do for you? (I do a double take.) Oh my gosh! You're Marie, aren't you?
MARIE: Hello, Mom. May I call you that? Rulon told me that's what he called you.
ME: Rulon? He and the boys got back okay?
MARIE: Yes. They...
ME (cutting in): Come in, come in. Can I get you something to drink? Are you hungry?
MARIE (shakes her skirts and brushes off her bodice before she enters the house): Thank you. I reckon I could stand a drink of water.
ME: Sit down. Make yourself at home. (I go get a bottle of cold water from the refrigerator and give it to Marie.)
(MARIE looks at the bottle, turning it over in her hands.)
ME: Give a twist, and the top comes off.
(MARIE turns the bottle on it's side and twists it.)
ME (stifling laughter): I'm sorry, I mean twist that blue thing on the top. It's a lid that twists off and on again.
MARIE (mastering the task): There it goes. (Takes a drink.) That tastes grand. How did you keep it cold in that white box?
ME: That's called a refrigerator. It's kind of a machine that works like a spring house. (I sit down.) Tell me about the boys. How much did they say about our visit? It sounds like they remembered that they came.
MARIE: Rulon remembered the most. He recounted how they rode under the rainbow and ended up in your time. Carl and Clay were a bit hazy on details, but their tales were fantastical and I wasn't sure if they were telling the truth or making fun of me. When I saw a rainbow today, I decided to see if I could come visit. It took a bit of doing, but I finally figured out how to walk under the bow.
ME: And here you are!
MARIE: Yes, here I am. (Her voice is shaking a bit.)
ME: Was it unpleasant?
MARIE: No, not particularly so. Everything just happened so fast, I feel a bit weak. I've been walking for at least an hour to get here.
ME: Well, you just take your rest. I'll get you a bite to eat. (I decide cereal is the fastest thing, and prepare a bowl of Special-K and milk, which I give her, along with a spoon. Wastrel that I am, I give her a paper bowl and plastic spoon.)
MARIE: Thank you, Mom. It is all right to call you that?
ME: Certainly!
MARIE (dipping her spoon tentatively into the cold cereal): I've never seen the like of this food, Mom.
ME: It's the modern version of cooked mush. Somebody learned to roll wheat and oats flat and crisp them up. (I shrug my shoulders.) I think this cereal is mostly rice, but I'm not sure.
(MARIE takes a bite, investigating the cereal. She crunches up the food.) It's strange, but nice. (She holds up her spoon.) There's no weight at all to this white spoon. What's it made of?
ME: Plastic. It's a new material, something like the celluloid that's made into collars in your time, but plastic is different. Many things in our time are made with plastic of one kind or another.
(MARIE finished her bowl of cereal and hands it back to me. She watches in wonder as I throw it away. Then she fixes her gaze on me.) I understand you're thinking about writing my story into a book.
ME (taken aback): Um, I discussed it a bit with a friend of mine. I haven't entirely decided yet.
MARIE: I hope you will. I'm ready to get on with my life.
ME: You are?
MARIE: Yes. I'm in danger of becoming a spinster. Please help me.
ME: Well, sure. I guess I can do that. If I decide to write your story, will you help me with the details?
MARIE: The details?
ME: Yes. Jessie Bingham helped me out on my last book.
MARIE: Jessie? You know Jessie? Of course you know Jessie. You made her up, too. Is she still back in Shenandoah County?
ME: I believe she's on her way to Albuquerque, New Mexico Territory.
MARIE: Where's that?
ME: South of here, I mean south of where you live. It's northeast of here.
MARIE: Just exactly where is "here?"
ME: The State of Arizona. It was created from the western half of New Mexico Territory, in case you don't know.
MARIE: I didn't know that. What's Jessie up to?
ME: She and her family had to leave the Valley. Things got pretty messy after the Unpleasantness ended.
MARIE: But she's all right?
ME (smiling): Yes, I would say so. She's going to marry. . . . Oh! Maybe I shouldn't tell you. I should let that news come from the parties involved.
MARIE (making a pouty face): Don't be mean, Mom. Tell me?
ME: I'm afraid I can't. I'll try to work it into your book.
MARIE (sighs): You're not teasing, are you?
ME: No. I think I owe your ma some comfort.
MARIE: That's a strange thing to say. What comfort will Jessie's news bring Ma? (Her face changes as an idea comes upon her.) Ma carries a burden of grief from losing so many of her sons. Is James yet alive? Is he fixin' to marry Jessie? (She jumps up and pulls me to my feet, then grasps my forearms and bounces up and down.) Oh! That must be the thing! They were sweethearts before we left. It pained him to leave her behind. Tell me it's so!
ME (weakly trying to resist her pressure): I shouldn't say.
MARIE: Oh, please! Is James happy at last? Is he marryin' Jessie?
ME: He's happy. It's a hard-won happiness, but he's happy.
MARIE: But is he marryin' Jessie? Will she be my sister?
ME: You're hard to resist, my dear. She will be your sister.
MARIE: I knew it! I just knew James would find her again. Tell me all about it!
ME (shaking my head): I can't say more. All will be revealed in time. (I look out the window.) It's getting late. Do you intend to go back home now?
MARIE (sighs): I reckon I'd better do that, or Ma will worry. You will write my story, won't you? I promise not to tell Ma about James and Jessie if you do.
ME: I think I can't pass up that promise. I'll start on it tomorrow.
MARIE (kissing me on the cheek): Thank you. Thank you Mom. I hope to see you again.
ME (with a lump in my throat): Yes, I hope you will do that. (I watch as she goes through my open door, down the steps, and into a mist that envelopes her. When the breeze clears it away, she has vanished.)
*This is a work of fiction. I don't really talk to time-traveling characters from my novels. I do like them a lot, though, and am glad they pass under the rainbow from time to time to visit me in my own place and era. To order my novels, The Man from Shenandoah, Ride to Raton, and Trail of Storms, visit my website at marshaward.com.
ME: Hello. What can I do for you? (I do a double take.) Oh my gosh! You're Marie, aren't you?
MARIE: Hello, Mom. May I call you that? Rulon told me that's what he called you.
ME: Rulon? He and the boys got back okay?
MARIE: Yes. They...
ME (cutting in): Come in, come in. Can I get you something to drink? Are you hungry?
MARIE (shakes her skirts and brushes off her bodice before she enters the house): Thank you. I reckon I could stand a drink of water.
ME: Sit down. Make yourself at home. (I go get a bottle of cold water from the refrigerator and give it to Marie.)
(MARIE looks at the bottle, turning it over in her hands.)
ME: Give a twist, and the top comes off.
(MARIE turns the bottle on it's side and twists it.)
ME (stifling laughter): I'm sorry, I mean twist that blue thing on the top. It's a lid that twists off and on again.
MARIE (mastering the task): There it goes. (Takes a drink.) That tastes grand. How did you keep it cold in that white box?
ME: That's called a refrigerator. It's kind of a machine that works like a spring house. (I sit down.) Tell me about the boys. How much did they say about our visit? It sounds like they remembered that they came.
MARIE: Rulon remembered the most. He recounted how they rode under the rainbow and ended up in your time. Carl and Clay were a bit hazy on details, but their tales were fantastical and I wasn't sure if they were telling the truth or making fun of me. When I saw a rainbow today, I decided to see if I could come visit. It took a bit of doing, but I finally figured out how to walk under the bow.
ME: And here you are!
MARIE: Yes, here I am. (Her voice is shaking a bit.)
ME: Was it unpleasant?
MARIE: No, not particularly so. Everything just happened so fast, I feel a bit weak. I've been walking for at least an hour to get here.
ME: Well, you just take your rest. I'll get you a bite to eat. (I decide cereal is the fastest thing, and prepare a bowl of Special-K and milk, which I give her, along with a spoon. Wastrel that I am, I give her a paper bowl and plastic spoon.)
MARIE: Thank you, Mom. It is all right to call you that?
ME: Certainly!
MARIE (dipping her spoon tentatively into the cold cereal): I've never seen the like of this food, Mom.
ME: It's the modern version of cooked mush. Somebody learned to roll wheat and oats flat and crisp them up. (I shrug my shoulders.) I think this cereal is mostly rice, but I'm not sure.
(MARIE takes a bite, investigating the cereal. She crunches up the food.) It's strange, but nice. (She holds up her spoon.) There's no weight at all to this white spoon. What's it made of?
ME: Plastic. It's a new material, something like the celluloid that's made into collars in your time, but plastic is different. Many things in our time are made with plastic of one kind or another.
(MARIE finished her bowl of cereal and hands it back to me. She watches in wonder as I throw it away. Then she fixes her gaze on me.) I understand you're thinking about writing my story into a book.
ME (taken aback): Um, I discussed it a bit with a friend of mine. I haven't entirely decided yet.
MARIE: I hope you will. I'm ready to get on with my life.
ME: You are?
MARIE: Yes. I'm in danger of becoming a spinster. Please help me.
ME: Well, sure. I guess I can do that. If I decide to write your story, will you help me with the details?
MARIE: The details?
ME: Yes. Jessie Bingham helped me out on my last book.
MARIE: Jessie? You know Jessie? Of course you know Jessie. You made her up, too. Is she still back in Shenandoah County?
ME: I believe she's on her way to Albuquerque, New Mexico Territory.
MARIE: Where's that?
ME: South of here, I mean south of where you live. It's northeast of here.
MARIE: Just exactly where is "here?"
ME: The State of Arizona. It was created from the western half of New Mexico Territory, in case you don't know.
MARIE: I didn't know that. What's Jessie up to?
ME: She and her family had to leave the Valley. Things got pretty messy after the Unpleasantness ended.
MARIE: But she's all right?
ME (smiling): Yes, I would say so. She's going to marry. . . . Oh! Maybe I shouldn't tell you. I should let that news come from the parties involved.
MARIE (making a pouty face): Don't be mean, Mom. Tell me?
ME: I'm afraid I can't. I'll try to work it into your book.
MARIE (sighs): You're not teasing, are you?
ME: No. I think I owe your ma some comfort.
MARIE: That's a strange thing to say. What comfort will Jessie's news bring Ma? (Her face changes as an idea comes upon her.) Ma carries a burden of grief from losing so many of her sons. Is James yet alive? Is he fixin' to marry Jessie? (She jumps up and pulls me to my feet, then grasps my forearms and bounces up and down.) Oh! That must be the thing! They were sweethearts before we left. It pained him to leave her behind. Tell me it's so!
ME (weakly trying to resist her pressure): I shouldn't say.
MARIE: Oh, please! Is James happy at last? Is he marryin' Jessie?
ME: He's happy. It's a hard-won happiness, but he's happy.
MARIE: But is he marryin' Jessie? Will she be my sister?
ME: You're hard to resist, my dear. She will be your sister.
MARIE: I knew it! I just knew James would find her again. Tell me all about it!
ME (shaking my head): I can't say more. All will be revealed in time. (I look out the window.) It's getting late. Do you intend to go back home now?
MARIE (sighs): I reckon I'd better do that, or Ma will worry. You will write my story, won't you? I promise not to tell Ma about James and Jessie if you do.
ME: I think I can't pass up that promise. I'll start on it tomorrow.
MARIE (kissing me on the cheek): Thank you. Thank you Mom. I hope to see you again.
ME (with a lump in my throat): Yes, I hope you will do that. (I watch as she goes through my open door, down the steps, and into a mist that envelopes her. When the breeze clears it away, she has vanished.)
*This is a work of fiction. I don't really talk to time-traveling characters from my novels. I do like them a lot, though, and am glad they pass under the rainbow from time to time to visit me in my own place and era. To order my novels, The Man from Shenandoah, Ride to Raton, and Trail of Storms, visit my website at marshaward.com.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Character Notes: Clayton Owen
Clay Owen is next younger than Marie. On his character card, I used a photo of actor Bruce Penhall of televisions's "CHiPs" (1977-1983) . I don't see him around much anymore. He was the World Motorcycle Speedway champion of 1981-82, which predated his '82-'83 role as Officer Bruce Nelson, a cadet in the California Highway Patrol, playing in the lineup topped by Erik Estrada, Robert Pine, and Larry Wilcox. Since CHiPs featured motorcycle officers, I'm sure his motorcycling skill stood him in good stead.Now you know how long ago I clipped this photo from TV Guide(R).
Anyway, getting back to Clayton Owen, here's when I typed on his character card:
CLAY OWEN
At fifteen, Clay is still too gangly to be handsome, but he has promising features and a mop of crisp blond hair. His eyes are grey. Clay kept the family in meat for a year after James was drafted, is responsible, but when he pops his cork, look out, he is apt to do something rash and unthinking. He plays as hard as he works. In a few years, he will be a major character in the continuing saga of the Owen family.
Well, we'll have to see what surprises Clay will bring to the family's adventures. What do YOU think he's going to do?
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