the Shack

“Why’re they here? Ones a child! More thieves. Stupid, big mouthed townies. It’s My By God Place! STAY OUT.”

“Mom?”

“Yes, sweetie?”

“Are we okay? Aren’t we supposed to get to ... albe ... something?”

“Albuquerque, sweetie, while you were sleeping. I got off the highway to pee and now I don’t know where we are. We’ll be fine. Let’s check that old shack and see if it has something that’ll help us.”

“But it’s dark?”

“You can see me in the headlights.”

“Momm...? I’m scared, I don’t want to stay alone!”

“Okay, sweetheart, coat on. I have the flashlight.”

“This is scary. It’s old and ... it smells bad.”

“Animals, baby, wild animals. Want to go in?”

“... no ... it’s someone’s house. you said it’s rude so they might not like it.

“Respect? How ‘bout that.”

“Why is that butterfly still up? It’s dark.”

“Maybe the flashlight, lets look. Be careful of the cactus.”

“It’s dancing on that one spot next to the cactus, can we look.”

“A stone, I’ll brush it off ... a headstone, with a name so worn it’s hard to read.”

“Look mommy, a necklace.”

“It’s a silver cross, sweetie, must have been this lady’s. I can read the first name only ... looks like ... Matilda something. I wonder who she was?”

“Let’s put it back. She may want it.”

“Finally! Some’un worth tellin’. Don’t need that coin no more. Now I’cun join Mattie. It’s been a hunnert years, Im’a cumin home love!”

“Look, the butterfly is over there dancing.”

“Be careful, scorpions.”

“There’s a bottle mom, with a note.”

“Let me see ... a map ... ‘Forty paces due west of headstone under rock. 100 pounds of gold.’ We’ll check tomorrow. If it’s true our money troubles are over, sweetie.”

“Wow! ... mom? ... can I get a bike now?”