You know the drill. I open a book to a random page and then, without looking, point to the page. The word or words closest to the pointing finger will be the prompt. Today I opened Eternal Road to page 111. There are two words under my finger; wine and crackers. So let’s go with those.
Wine/Crackers by John W. Howell © 2023
The old man sits on the bench and uses his two hands on the cane to hold himself upright. Tired would not even come close to describing how he is feeling. The years of work and worry have evaporated any remaining moisture of youth. The cane shakes in response to the hands upon it. His interest in continuing another day is about the same as taking a ten-mile walk home. He might like to do it, but the effort seems overwhelming right now. He wishes he could remember how he got to this bench, but like most of the fog of his days, the mystery is not worth taking time to solve.
Squinting to avoid the sun’s glare, he sees a group of men ambling up the middle of the street, raising small dust clouds with each step. He thinks maybe they will be able to help him get back to his house. He wants to wait until they draw closer since his old man’s voice sounds like a cracking whisper. Repeating what he says has become an annoyance and another drain on what little resources he has left.
The men are abreast of his position, and he calls out, “Hey can anyone help me?” The men stop and look in his direction. One pulls away from the group and approaches the old man. “What’s the matter, pops? Lose your wine and crackers?” The others chuckle and shift on their feet.
“When I was your age, I had a little more respect for old people.”
“Aw, pops, I meant no disrespect. I’m sorry. What can I do to help you?”
The old man explains that he doesn’t know how he got on this bench and would like to go home but has no way to get there. The young man uses his thumb and pushes his wide-brim hat back on his head. “You have any family?”
“I think I used to, but I can’t rightly tell you if they are still around. I live alone.”
“I see. Well, we will be glad to help, but we have a job to do first. Are you going to be okay until we get back? Shouldn’t take more than a half hour.”
“Mighty obliged to you. Yes, I can wait a half hour.”
“Alright then. You stay here in the shade, and we’ll be going over to that corral there to arrest some rustlers.”
“You a lawman?”
“Yup, I’m the marshall hereabouts. Name’s Earp. Wyatt Earp. Them’s my deputies.”
“Pleased to meet you, Wyatt. I’ll be right here awaitin’.”
“Good for you, pops. Don’t you worry; everything’s going to be alright.”
“Bless you, son.”
Fiction Favorites 
Waitin’ on da doings at da O-K Corral… think he’ll ever get home?
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Hard to say. Virgil Earp got wounded so maybe Wyatt will forget. I doubt it though. He’s pretty true to his word. Thanks, GP.
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A couple of tragedies come together with a neat twist.
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Thanks, Craig. 😁
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Sad…I hope the old man makes it home.
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I do too. Gotta wonder how he got there in the first place.
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Uh-oh…! Good one, John!
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So glad you liked it, Vera. 😁
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John, I don’t know how you come up with your story lines but they’re terrific. This one has so many visuals, like a snippet from a movie. I want to know, did they get the old guy home? Dumb question, of course they did, it’s Wyatt Earp!
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I figure ole Wyatt is good on his word. Thanks for letting me know you liked the story.
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That was the ‘ol West’. I really liked it. Your description of the old man was spot on. I was thinking, ‘that could be me someday’. I read your stories and witness your imagination and I’m honored to be in your circle of writing friends. It makes me realize how much room I have for improvement. Writing is such a creative challenge which is what I enjoy about it. And, of course, 1 ‘Like’ and I’m on the proverbial Cloud 9.
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I love that one ‘like’ myself, Steve. Never lose that feeling for sure. If you do then it is time to hang it up. Thanks. 😊
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John, what a multiple-emotional ride…l went from “Oh boy, here comes trouble” to “Thank God, they’re not punks after all”. So good l read the last part again just to support my good feelings. 🐳
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I’m glad you liked it Big Tuna. Makes me feel good that you did.
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That’s quite a bit of business that needs taking care of (For Wyatt, I mean)!
I love where you went with this! Your imagination is not lacking, tell you what! And of course they (whoever is left) will get him home!
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Wyatt’s brother Virgil was wounded but survived. Wyatt made sure the old man got home.
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Yes, indeed. And I am sure he would! 🙂
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Really liked this one. How hard is it to fly by the seat of your pants?
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Gotta have a fireproof seat. All my writing is pantster stuff. It makes it more fun for me. Thanks, Charles I’m glad you liked it.
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Oh, and I keep forgetting to tell you I love your new header 🙂
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Thank you, Dale. You are the first to say so. 😁 It was time to have a reminder of the stuff I’ve done if only for me. 😁
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Those who use the Reader won’t know you changed it. I, on the other hand, use the email system so I see the true blog and all the work put into its design 😉
I love that you did this! You are a most creative and prolific retiree!
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Aw. Now you made me blush. Thank you so much.
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Blush away, the colour looks good on those cheeks! 🙂
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Ha ha ha. Thanks.
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😉
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Aw, so sad being old and dependent on others for stuff you used to do easily. Hope the old guy makes it back home.
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I think Wyatt will make sure. Thanks, Debbie.
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Fingers crossed for Wyatt! I suspect he’ll make sure the old man gets home. Another great story, John. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. I think Wyatt will do it.
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I didn’t see that ending coming. Well done, John.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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I love how you took this to the old west, John 🙂 i have a feeling he will get home no matter what.
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He will. It is the Wyatt after all.
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loved the story John… I didn’t expect Wyatt Earp lol.. 🙂 I just hope he stays in the shade before those Rustlers show at high noon! 😀
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He will stay in the shade for sure.
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😉
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moisture of youth – I like that. Consider it stolen…
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Done
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Nice twist, John!
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Thank you, Noelle.
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Just have to hope the old guy didn’t get caught in the crossfire!
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I think he is stuck to the bench. Thanks, Noelle
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Sad for the old guy, but pleased he’ll be helped home by the Earps. With Virgil getting wounded, it may take more than a half hour for them to help him, but he’ll have to wait.
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I’m sure he will wait. Of course if he goes to the saloon after the fight he will find the Wyatts and Doc Holiday there.
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I suppose he can find his way to the saloon, even if he can’t find his way home. 😉
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He’s a male right?
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🙂
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I was very touched by the old man’s plight. I hope Wyatt Earp was the real one and not some creep poking fun at him. I meant to tell you before that I really like your new header.
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I’m glad you like the header, Liz. Thought it wast me to have a shingle of some kind. That was the real Wyatt. He’ll be back.
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Whew, I’m relieved that Wyatt will be back.
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Trust me.
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I trust you!
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😊
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There is so much in this little tale! The differences between the young and the old, issues of respect and compassion. The horrors of the fading self and the chances that we don’t see coming. He waited a long time…
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It would seem he has been waiting for a while.
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Hmm. “This comment cannot be posted.” Trying again.
All I said was: I had no idea there were so many Earps. Such a sweet story. That old man…there but for the grace of God…
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Yes, for the grace of God. Thanks, Lois.
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Such a moving story. So many of our elderly are needing help. Thank you John.
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Thank you, Holly.
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😊
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I love your ability to create a fun story out of just two random words! This is why you’re a published author and I’m not, for I’d still be sitting, pen in hand, staring at a blank piece of paper a week from now! Good one, John!
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Thank you, Jill. I’m glad you liked the story. Your publishing energies are in your blog for sure. I think you’ve written enough on it to have published several books. 😁
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Thanks, John! I have tried to write fiction and it just falls flat … completely on its face. I just don’t have an imagination, I think! You, on the other hand, have a great one!
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😊
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I just checked and found that as of today, I have written 6,888 posts! If one assumes an average of 650 words per post, that’s … more than 4.4 million words! Heck, I could have written War and Peace!!!
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Yes you could. So be kinder when you talk about fiction writing. You don’t need no stinking fiction writing.
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I have tremendous respect for those who can write fiction, but … it just isn’t my forte. Ah well … it takes all kinds to make the world interesting, yes?
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Yes. If we were all the same t would be pretty boring for sure.
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In this heat, wine and crackers is about the extent of my evening meals. Terrific choice!
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Thanks, Monika,
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Didn’t see that end coming. Good one, John.
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Glad you liked it, Mark. Thanks.
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Nicely written
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Thank you.
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