Intermission Summer 1951

Intermission Summer 1951

Annie picked her son up to let him pet their horse Bullet. “Pretty Pony.” he giggled.

She smiled broadly at him and gave him a hug.

“Yes, he is Dally.”

“Mommy is pretty too.”

“I agree.” Annie sat her son down and turned around. James stood at the doorway to the barn.

“Hello James.” Annie’s voice came out softly.

“Hello yourself. Is this your son?”

“Yes,” She picked him up, “This is Dallas Winston. I call him Dally.”

James walked up and put out a hand to the boy. “Well hello Dally. I’m James.”

Dally gave the man’s hand a squeeze. “Hi.” he said happily. “I’m a bib boy.”

“You are? How old are you Dally?” James asked sweetly.

“He’ll be three in November.” Annie replied curtly.

“You are a big boy.” James said. He looked at Annie. “He’s a good kid Annie.”

“Thank-you James. How have you been?”

“Good. I started at the seminary. I like it, what about you.”

“You know me, I’m like the wind. I do a few rodeos here and there, waitress some.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? I heard about the cowboy.” Cowboy came out like venom in his mouth,

“Dallas and I are doing fine on our own. We don’t need Frank”

“Are you sure? If you need anything I can help. I’d be a good dad you know. Dallas looks more like me then him.”

“He’s not yours though James. Dally and I are doing just fine on our own. Find you a nice little girl that will make a good minister’s wife. No congregation is going to accept me for the job.”

“But what if I want you?” James asked stepping forward.

Annie’s face softened. “Well Eve wanted that apple but it didn’t turn out so good did it James?”

“You’re no apple Annie.”

Annie laughed. “James you deserve better. I’ll just way you down. You know I have itchy feet. I’ll end up breaking your heart. I couldn’t stand it if I did that to you.”

James nodded, tears flowing, and walked away. “You already are.” he whispered.

Dallas looked at his mother. Tears came from her own eyes. “Are you okay Mommy?”

Annie looked at her son and hugged him tight. “I’m fine Dally.”

“Then why you cwying? Awe you hurt? I can get Auntie Carol. She makes it betterer.”

“It’s nothing anybody can fix baby.”

“How come.”

Annie smiled. “That’s just the way things are. Tell you what though. I think a kiss would make me feel better.”

With that she kissed her son’s cheeks. Then she began to tickle him. He laughed and laughed.