Sunshine Valley

This mess

     Evie was shocked to see Dillon pullin’ in her drive way. He wasn’t scheduled to be off work for another 5 hours. He didn’t get out. As she got her phone to call him, he slowly walked toward her house. She knew in an instant something was wrong. 

     He didn’t speak as she let him in. When she looked at him, it was obvious he had been crying. He was shaking and something told her it wasn’t from the cold. There he stood in her living room like a marble statue. 

     After several minutes he squeezed out, “I am so very sorry. From the depths of my soul.” He sank to his knees. 

     With a gentle touch, she caressed his face, “for what?”

     He couldn’t contain his emotions anymore and between sobs – blubbered, “it’s all my fault.” With all his might, he tried to bury his face in her shoulder. 

     “What is ‘all your fault’?” 

     “Did he follow you here when you came back for my dad’s funeral? Did he see something back then that we didn’t see? He took it out on you?” He snubbed, “we didn’t do anything. I’ve went over that week a hundred times.” He pleaded, “we didn’t do anything!” 

     This didn’t make sense to her. What was he talking about? “Dillon?” 

    He leaned up to face her. “It was my fault Evie. Doug attacked you because of me. The first attack happened the day you went back after dad’s funeral. That first e.r. visit was one month after you left. Why? Evie, why?”

     She sighed, looking at the floor. “Dillon, I don’t know why. I don’t have any answers.”

     “He had to say something. Anything.”

     “Nothing. He didn’t say anything to me other than what he said when we were in the presence of hospital staff or law enforcement. Then it was all sweetness and light. He was the concerned dutiful husband carrying for his sick wife.”

Sunshine Valley

Missing link

     Dillon had just finished a meeting with the county attorney. New laws and revisions to existing laws from the state were being sifted through. He jumped when there came a knock at his office door. He said ‘come in’ a little more grouchy than he had intended to. 

     Bradley stuck his head through the door, “I can come back.” Moving his head out of sight.

     “No,” Dillon sighed. “I’m sorry. Edward just left and my head is spinnin’.”

     “Then I should probably come back,” Bradley encouraged, from outside the open door. His stomach was on fire. 

     “Bradley,” Dillon called to him. As he fully stepped inside the office, Dillon noticed the folder in his hand. “What ja got?”

      Bradley was feeling sicker now than he had been. Bile was rising up into his throat and into his mouth. He forced it down, regretting that Patty had been able to find it. He didn’t say a word as he handed the folder over the desk. 

     Dillon read it. Then read it again. “Did you read this?”

      With a dry mouth, he answered, “yes sir.” 

  Dillon read it again, “I don’t want to know how you got this.” He put the report back in the folder, “yes I do.”

     “Patty found the e.r. report. When she found it. That gave me the date,” Bradley hung on the word – date. Finding it hard to move past it. But was finally able to ring out, “once I had that. I was able to find the corresponding police report.”

     Dillon wanted to hurt something. Break anything. He wanted to rake all the stuff off of his desk into the floor and stump on it. He wanted to pound his fists through his desk. But what he did was caress the folder. Trailing his hand back and forth over it slowly. 

     “Boss?” Bradley whispered. 

     Dillon got up and left Bradley standing there with his heart on his sleeve. ‘God, why did he have to find it?’ He blindly walked outside behind the station. Maybe getting smacked in the face with the cold air would bring him around. Instead; his knees hit the pavement, no longer able to contain the contents of his stomach. A paper towel was draped over his shoulder as Dillon sat close to him, leaning up against the cold brick of the sheriff’s department building. “I’m sorry.” Bradley almost cried. 

     After several minutes of not hearing anything from Dillon, he turned to look at him. Tears were streaming down his face. Stomach acid was the only thing left for Bradley to throw up. And it was coming out. Bradley smacked his hand down on the pavement to catch himself from falling, plopping his hand down in (now) cold vomit. 

     Dillon laughed through his tears, “that’s just nasty.”

    Bradley gagged while laughing. His laughter turned to muffled sobs. “If it makes you laugh, I’ll do it again.”

     Dillon took a deep breath. Letting it out slowly. “This is all my fault.”

     That was the kick to the gut Bradley knew was coming. He choked on the words but was able to squeeze them out as he wiped at his hand. “Walk me through how?”

     Dillon didn’t look at him. Couldn’t. “You read the date on that report. It was one month to the day that she left after dad’s funeral.”

     Bradley’s stomach was hurting but more bile was on the rise. Marching like foot soldiers out of his stomach. “How?” Came out as a taunting gag. The silent falling snow sounded like bombs exploding inside his head. Dillon’s words cut like a knife as he spoke. 

     “She came back here for my dad’s funeral.”

     “But we don’t know that had anything to do with it. It could have been an unfortunate coincidence.”

     “No,” he sighed. Walking to his truck. 

Waste not. Want not: free food?

This poem is being written in stages to highlight the things I do toward frugal living.

Nothing in life is really free.
When we get something FREE, it makes us go WEEEEEEE.

At work we get coffee, filtered water, birthday lunch, potlucks, and pop.
Eat, drink and be merry. It’s the top.

They don’t have to provide us with any treats.
It does help my overall budget, neat.
Waste not. Want not: tea bags

 Sunshine Valley

The couple

    “Before I forget it, there is somethin’ eatin’ at me.” Dillon sighed. “Remember the couple with the baby from under the bridge?”

     “Of course.” Evie sipped at her coffee. 

     “I took a ride with DCBS to find them.” Dillon pushed his cup on the table. “Praying the entire time that we wouldn’t. I did try. It’s my job. We checked all the known places a homeless family might be.” He let out a long sigh. “I had some of the deputies looking for them, off duty. Totally voluntary. Maybe I shouldn’t have,” he rose up leaning on the table. “I told them about DCBS. I took the mother and baby to the dv shelter. Povol knows she’s not dv.”

     “Bring him here,” Jack offered. “He can stay with me until we find something better.”

    “I’m sure you’ve checked them out?” Evie commented. 

     “Two,” he corrected himself, “3 wondering souls crushed under capitalism.” He cleared his throat, “if people put 2 and 2 together, I could get in all kinds of trouble for interfering with a cabinet investigation.”

     Jack laid his hand on Dillon’s arm, “God’s got you.”

     “We might have them a home if they want it by the spring.” Both men looked at her in shock. “Well,” she shrugged. “We are getting married. They can live in my house, as a family. Unless you object dad.” What just flowed from her mouth. So much for asking her dad to be careful about who he let in his house. She was opening hers up to a whole family of strangers. 

     Jack beamed, “heavens no.”

     Dillon couldn’t stand it. He was about to explode, “we’ve set a date?” 

     She blushed. “No, you said I could do anything I wanted to the upstairs. We can go ahead and get that started. Even if this couple doesn’t want to live there, we haven’t lost anything.”

     “That’s my hummin’ bird.” Jack said with pride. “Are you comin’ to church Sunday?”

     “No, I’m not ready yet. I am getting religion. Sara’s Bible studies are coming along great. She even got us involved with an app. We’ve got encouraged readings and everything. She’s taking a few seminary classes as well.”

     “Feel free to use the house, if you want to take a turn,” Dillon offered. “I don’t have to be there.”

     She stood taking her cup to the sink, “you want to set a date?”

     Dillon answered without hesitation, “now.”

     

Sunshine Valley – Poetry & More

     

Sinner to Saint

Sin, brings temporary joy.

Forever with us, it toys.

~

Sin, you giggle, tote, do really bad things. 

Forever with us, in our souls it sings. 

~

“Come to me.” The siren duth sing. 

“Come to me. Your soul to me, bring.”

~

Manifest the flesh. 

Never! Never receive any rest. 

~

Born into sin. Die in sin. 

However, a peace can fill-in.

~

Grace is free.

Fill your soul with glee.

~

Be washed in the blood of the lamb. 

Open heavens dam.

~

Angels sing in a heavenly chorus.

As the light of heaven penetrates our souls, porous.

~

Soaking up the light of love. 

Given freely to us from above. 

~

Sin, around each corner. Under each rock. 

Doesn’t wait at the door to knock. 

~

Sin, hangs around your neck like a millstone. 

Badges of shame, picking at your bones. 

~

Shame, society will not let die. 

Shame, we cannot hide. 

~

God’s got your back.

He gave us the ultimate life hack. 

~

All we must do is ask.

For the holy Trinity, this is their task.

~

Fill you with the love of Christ.

Sin, your soul, is always looking to heist. 

~

Let your past live in the past. 

Give your future to Jesus, fast. 

~

Don’t let sin define your life. 

Let go of the chains of strife. 

~

We have all done bad things. 

Jesus was the only perfect person to walk this fragile earth with no sin strings. 

~

He has the power to forgive your sins. 

Bring him your past, your soul he can mend. 

~

It’s a difficult path; a God filled future.

Do the work, your soul it will suture.

The writing prompt was a quote from *Oscar Wilde, “Every Saint has a past. Every sinner has a future.”

Not a big fan of Oscar Wilde, so working with this prompt put me in different territory. However, there is another quote of his I like; “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

Monday Poetry Prompt: Saints & Sinners | Living Poetry

Sunshine Valley

Instead of answering the daily prompt with personal stuff; I’m gonna work the prompt into my story. Hope you enjoy.

Shock

     Evie walked into her dad’s house, “dad!” She was here to fix breakfast and visit. Her first surprise was pillows and blankets on the couch. Her stomach dropped at the thought of someone takin’ advantage of her dad. Someone becoming his friend only to rob him later. He was too trusting. She would talk to Dillon and get some stats to rattle off to her dad not to do this. He was opening himself up to danger. 

     Her second surprise was Simon setting at the table playing with a cup. 

    “Oh,” he jumped when she walked in. “I guess I should get going. Your dad was kind enough to let me spend the night.”

     “Unless you’re in a hurry, might as well stay for breakfast.”

     “Jack’s in the bathroom.”

     “Thanks.”

     She began cooking. There was a knock at the door. Jack walked into the kitchen with Dillon. Dillon kissed Evie before pouring himself a cup coffee. Jack winked at Simon. Dillon spoke to Simon. Instead of setting down, he did little things to help Evie. Including setting the table. 

     Evie stole glances at Simon. He looked lost and sad. 

     He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. As they sat to eat, he said. “Did you know your dad was the one I credit for introducing me to Rebecca?”

     “No,” Evie smiled. “I didn’t know that.”

     “I was just wondering through. Really had no intentions on settling down. Mr. Rice here gave me a couple odd jobs to do. Gotta have a little money,” he blushed. “Told me about Rebecca needing help around her place. And other folks in town. Before you know it, I gotta job. A wife. And a home.”

     “You’ve done a wonderful job with Teka.” Evie added.

     “Thank you. I would like to continue if possible.”

     “Why wouldn’t it be possible?” Dillon asked.

     He shrugged, “you never know. Thanks Mr. Rice for lettin’ me crash on your couch.”

     “My door is open to you anytime.”

     “Thank you,” he sighed. Almost in tears. 

     Simon left. 

Sunshine Valley

Dr. Pepper Blackberry

I don’t try new things often. But today I decided to be brave and try the new Dr. Pepper Blackberry.

Here is my humble review of the New Dr. Pepper Blackberry. “Meh.” Yes, that’s right, “meh.” If you love blackberry and want it to be the predominate flavor, you are going to be sadly disappointment. It’s more of an after taste that hits you in the back of the throat. If Dr. Pepper is your drink of choice and you don’t care what it is as long as it’s a Dr. Pepper, you’re gonna love it.

Purchase at your own taste buds risk.

Sunshine Valley

Instead of answering the daily prompt with personal stuff; I’m gonna work the prompt into my story. Hope you enjoy.

Thinking 

     Dillon lay in his bed thinking. Evie was right. The people of Sunshine Valley did give Sunshine Sue a lot of their time. Including him. She lived rent free in his mind for something that happened 30 some odd years ago. He was a different man now than he was back then. He was hostile, hurt, lonely and in all honesty, just wanted to hurt someone else. Everything in Sunshine Valley reminded him of Evie. He didn’t have the courage to leave. Didn’t have the courage to end it all. Though, he prayed someone else would. Hurting someone else the way he was hurting, left him empty and ashamed. 

     His Evie had come home. She had come back to him. Gettin’ to know adult Evie was amazin’. But was she enjoying this exploration period? Well, she had agreed to marry him. 

     Before she came home, the only time he had darken the door of a church was for a funeral. Watchin’ Evie struggle with the humanity of church was eye opening, sad and he had this deep seated need to help her. He could offer to go with her? Why did she feel this dread? Shame? Guilt? Worse than he had? He didn’t think about it much at all. She was there. It was done to her face. In front of the body of the church. ‘That’s why’, he told himself. Then to offer to help the very woman that had called her out. He was wowed in that moment. He was just getting to see the magnitude of her faith. 

     Her faith? To step into a relationship with the man that had been waiting on her. That some would say, was pinein’ his life away. Waiting on her. While there were plenty of good women in Sunshine Valley to choose from. He was waiting on her. 

     He really didn’t know Rebecca. He was familiar with Simon because of Teka but didn’t know him either. Whatever was goin’ on with Rebecca toward Evie, was this what jealousy looked like in adults? If this was jealousy? Why? Adult Evie had never lived in Sunshine Valley. All those childhood connections were that, childhood connections. She had to work her way back into the community like a stranger. It helped that Jack was so respected and loved. He wanted to think that he had been a big help, but he knew better. Most people in Sunshine Valley forgot he existed, until the shit hit the fan.  

     He had to admit to himself, she didn’t complain about gettin’ churched much. He knew it hurt. And she talked to him about it. But to say she complained wasn’t accurate. Come to think about it, he hadn’t heard Evie complain about much. Not even Doug. He smiled to himself, she did complain about her shoes when they went hikin’. Even that was short lived. The car wreck didn’t seem to phase her. Her dad’s truck not having heat caused her some temporary discomfort but not really complaints. Adult Evie was much more fascinating than childhood Evie. 

     How long had it been since he prayed? ‘Dear God, please don’t take her away from me again. Let us grow old together. Let our love grow in you, together as you would guide us too. Give me the strength to forgive myself. To ask for forgiveness. To be the man, husband, member of this community that you need me to be. Amen’. He let out a long sigh. 

     His phone chimed. It was a message from Evie. ‘Happy Valentine’s Day 💕 Stay safe out there lawman.’ A huge smile crept across his face. Yeah, she loved him.

     He decided to send her an emoji back. Did she know his heart was all hers? 💝

Sunshine Valley