Thistledown Farm

Sunday Evening

Sunday evening....Seven fifteen p.m.

 I checked on the horses and left Life on guard duty. I got into my car and drove to the rendezvous. As I was a few minutes late Johnny Denver had already finished a mug of coffee. We exchanged pleasantries and I ordered a large mug of coffee each, then slid into a booth. 

 I gave Johnny a menu that was standing on the table and told him to pick what he wanted.

 The waitress came round in typical fashion, a note pad in her one hand biro in the other and chewing gum.

 "Can I take your order guys ?"

 Johnny ordered first. "Yeah, I'll have the large steak with fries, tomatoes and beans and two slices of wholemeal bread darlin'."

She then looked at me. "And I'll have the same thanks." She wrote it down and winked....at me, or had she a nervous twitch. I prefer the former. As she walked away, I couldn't help but look at her skirt. It was snug around her bottom.It was a very nice bottom.

 While waiting for our food, Johnny got the map out of his pocket.

 He unfolded it, opened it up and showed me what Pleasantville and the surrounding area looked like. Johnny pointed out a few good places to ride and added, "You can cross the river here, and here."

 "Best thing would be a dry run don't you think ?" I inquired.

 "Yup mister McCormack."

 We were interrupted as our meal was brought over. We tucked in.

 Johnny made a few more observations, pointing and tracing with his fingers on the map.

 "Can I get you guys anything else?"

  I was so engrossed that I had failed to notice that the waitress standing next to me, tapping her biro on the note pad in her hand, hoping we would order more.

 I looked at the menu again and ordered two slices of key lime pie for us. After consuming our meal, I paid the check and left the waitress a $5 tip.

 Waiting for Johnny to return from the rest room I engaged him in more talk as we walked out of the diner.

Red Diamond-Backed  Rattle snake

 "Think I could borrow that map so as I can make a photo copy Johnny ?"

 "Sure thing mister McCormack." He handed me the map and we said our goodbyes.

 "See you tomorrow then.".... I watched till he disappeared into the distance.

 I then became aware of the noise coming from out of The Maverick Pub, just over the road from the Diner. I sort of turned for a fraction of a second, and then thought better of it. There, I had  resisted the urge to enter. The liquor store would be closed as it was prohibited to sell spirits on a Sunday in Pleasantville. Looked at my watch, it was a little after nine p.m.  I decided to pop next door to the General Store to buy a pack of low-alcohol beer to drink when I got home. Retracing my steps back to the Diner I went back to the parking lot, where they sell gasoline too and got in and drove back home.

Life ran up to me wagging her very enthusiastic tail. "Pleased to see me girl ?" I patted Life, then stood up and looked around.The view looked beautiful at night, calm and peaceful came to mind. I could just hear the noise of the river which ran one hundred metres or so away from the back of my place along with a nice sandy beach just a few more metres down stream. Red River was it's name. That's what it said on the map that Johnny had shown me. The river was named after the copper that was mined out of the hills and mountains many, many years ago but now defunct.

 I'll probably know more about this valley where Pleasantville was nestled and had sprung up if I went to the County Historical Museum in town. I noticed it the first day I drove here at the opposite end of town. I had purposely made a left hand turn off the highway to check out the town instead of going straight on to the property I had been left. The hills and mountains encircled about a third of the town. I yawned. I didn't realize how tired I was, so putting the beers in the refrigerator, to drink another day I went to the bedroom. Life settled down on my bed, watched me as I undressed. I climbed under the duvet and pulled it over my head....as Life was trying to lick my face....See you in the morning Life!