MEMORIAL DAY MEMORIES

            This weekend always brings out memories… all the businesses proudly flying the flag out front every day, the parade, honor guard holding the flags as the wind sent them flapping around.

The parade with the American Legion proudly marching down the street, along with the floats bedecked in red, white and blue, the scouts marching along. The floats always something about the military, one year there was one that had two guys peeling potatoes on the back… another one had a mini version of the Washington Monument.    We followed along in our car to the cemetery and walked up to the big trees by the flag, listening to taps being played and the guns firing shots in the air.

Dad bringing back the checkered black and white flags from the Indy 500, that we listened to on the radio. All the neighborhood kids, with out red, blue and white crepe paper decorated bikes, complete with playing cards attached to the spokes, riding around with out small flags.

Let’s never forget those soldiers in all the wars who never came home as well as those who did to keep our country and us safe.

WAKE UP

There is nothing better than waking up to sunshine and a blue sky as far as you can see …

“Ooh what a beautiful day” Craig said as he turned off the alarm and cuddled up with a kissed to Carla.

“Yum, that was nice, morning my husband” as Carla sat up and stretched, but she was pulled back down on the bed. “Oh you are being frisky this morning Craig, so you want to play, do you” Carla started to tickle him as she looked at the clock.

Craig caught her arm, “Are you going to time me this morning Mrs. Jones?”

“No just curious to see what time it was to make a notation in my memory bank that you’re ready to go at 6:08 AM for an early morning romp.” Carla rolled over on top of Craig . . .

“The sun is really bright this morning,” Craig said as he headed to the shower. Carla decided to join him . . . “Just what are you up to this morning Mrs. Jones? Better get moving we have a party today.”

“Oh, so that’s why you set that alarm for 6 this morning.”

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Sometimes our lives get all tangled up, a twisted mess and we try to explain what’s happened only to have it backfire or not… 

Well as the say goes, shit happens, for better or worse. But how did this go from emeralds to ducks?

Blackie cleared his throat, “Now I have some other news. Mr. Willson was the head of the ring; fencing the coins as they came to him. He paid kids to check out places where he made appointments. Juan Lopez told us he sat on your deck one night and saw Craig pouring out cans of coins and that Carla was sitting at a computer with bills in front of her.”

Carla shivered “We didn’t see him, the blinds were pulled shut, right Craig?”

“Yes, unless he was sitting at an angle to see in,” Craig stated then stopped. “Carla remember when I stopped by that morning for breakfast, the duck call thing. You didn’t see me sitting right there till you opened the blinds all the way, but I saw you walk by,” he said and started to make a fist again.

Carla grabbed his fist and held it tight. “Carla I am so sorry, I put us at risk.”

“No one got hurt Craig, no harm no foul,” she laughed remembering that morning.

“Oh hush Carla. Blackie so what about the Coin Head Ring,” then Craig started to laugh. “Can’t compete with this story line,” Samuel said, “Please Blackie do tell. I can’t wait to hear about this duck story.”

Blackie was trying to keep a straight face. “They all confessed and you’re coins are here in my pocket. Your bank has received an all clear from us. We got Mr. Willson before he could get out of your apartment complex Carla; had him under surveillance for weeks. We knew he would be there, since his phone was tapped.”

Craig jumped up and took off up the stairs. Carla just sat there with her mouth open. “What the heck” then she heard it. Samuel and Blackie heard it too and realized what he must be doing. “Oh boy, we are going to hear the newest duck story. Samuel, you think this is like the duck hunting trip we took 5 years ago?”

Craig told the story fast. It was not as funny as the other hunting story that happened. That’s a good fireside story for Carla later tonight he thought.

Craig pulled Blackie aside. “What’s the latest on the other?”

“Later Craig now’s not the right time, too many ears.” Blackie said as he waved to Carla. “Night all” Blackie and Samuel left. Craig turned around and said, “Well that was short.”

Carla said “Well do I get to hear the other duck story?”

Craig smiled and put his arm around Carla’s shoulder, “Actually yes, I was in charge of waving this big black triangle piece of fabric. It was supposed to resembled, a duck or goose. I was sitting in a duck blind, with reeds and grass all around me. Howard yelled to lie down. That’s when I saw all the geese around me, and I was trapped till Howard shot off a few rounds and the geese flew away.”

Carla smiled and asked, “So did you get a bird Craig?”

“No my dear had to bring home KFC!” Carla giggled, “Guess you had to have been there.”

“Yes Carla, it’s not as funny as our story. Craig pulled her close into him with a hug “I like the outcome of our story better it was much more satisfying and better eating!”

“Whoa!” Carla turned beet red and fanned herself. “Sure glad you didn’t say that when we had company.”

Who was I married to?

     Family relationships, can be a tangled mess, especially in a small town … People aren’t always who they say they are.

Craig has found out, who his first wife is … Aileen Bergen, Amanda Reanold, and Aileen Fletcher, plus now she is his ex-wife Aileen Jones, all the same person. Some how his father is involved but how?

Craig scratched his head and finally spoke. “Some things she wore all the time and others for special occasions. The best way would be to look in all the photo albums, could take a while. Blackie, how does my father fit into this?”

“Craig this is just speculation he must have seen Aileen with the ring on her hand and confronted her about it.” Carla cleared her throat stopping Blackie’s explanation, “Oh sorry, continue Blackie,” she went for a glass of water as Blackie continued.

“There was a notation on her rap sheet. Aileen was arrested and charged with theft of an emerald ring the charges were dropped. It was filed by Craig A. Jones II being stolen from this address #1 East Lake Road, Awlsport one year before you and Aileen married.”

“No wonder he wouldn’t help me financially or come to our home. Dad was right. Is the ring coming back for Carla?” Craig stopped himself, “No I don’t want her to have that tainted ring!” A growl came out of Craig’s mouth as he slammed his fist down.

“Craig,” Carla grabbed his hand before he could move it again. “Don’t worry; I’ll de-cootie the emerald ring. Then you can just buy a new one that will be for our grandchildren. Can you imagine their little eyes when you tell the story,” Carla started to giggle and had to get up for the coffee pot, jotting down the names Aileen used that Blackie had mentioned.

“Craig, you know Carla’s got something there, with all the jewelry your Grandmother had I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. You know, we do not know where that ring came from anyway. You said you never found a receipt for the purchase; and our Grandfathers did barter a lot,” Blackie commented.

“In fact I bet Mrs. Smith could tell you where and when your grandmother got that emerald,” Carla said. “Aunt Agie’s a real sharp cookie,” Blackie said. “Blackie who is Aunt Agie” Carla asked. “My aunt is Mrs. Smith, Agatha May Riddle she married Tim’s Uncle Frank.”

Carla started to laugh. “This whole town is related, must be something in the water,” it became contagious as everyone was laughing.

“Now that all the laughter is over with; yes Carla, there are a lot of cousins here in Awlsport. That would be an interesting family tree to investigate, but I’m not so sure you would want all that  information released,” Blackie said. Carla tilted her head on that statement and just said “Oh” thinking to herself, I wonder who he’s talking about or what he meant!