by Ann Patty
Kelly looked back over at Cliff in incredulous wonder. “Did you see what I saw?” Did you feel what I felt?” Kelly asked with a shrill stuck in her voice.
“Oh yeah, “ Cliff remarked, then added with his classic tilted nod, “Good omen.”
Kelly got into the driver's side opened her window and reached a hand out to Cliff. He took it, squeezed it and bent down. He reached inside and kissed Kelly on the forehead one last time. Within the minute she was driving down the better road that lead into Cliff's house.
Cliff just stared after where Kelly's car disappeared for fifteen minutes. He was in a stupor. An emptiness enveloped him that he could not, but did not want to shake. He reached up to feel his day old growth that stubbed his chin and cheeks. He wondered if Kelly found that attractive, or amusing. The sun was now well above the hill. Far from where the warrior had stood. Cliff scuffed at the dirt at his feet and retraced his foot falls back to his empty ranch house. After these last days, the weeks and months to come were going to pale in comparison. Cliff was contemplative about what had just transformed his heart. He wanted to run after and hold Kelly hostage. However Cliff knew Kelly had her path cut out for herself, and he was not one to interfere.
What Cliff feared most was that he would once again slip into complacency. He would do the ranch work he had always done without question. It was natural and easy and he could do it without thought. Cliff loved his horses and dogs and ranching life and his own property, but now he was moved to love something—someone more. Kelly had changed Cliff. How could a person fall so abruptly into his life due to circumstance, and cast a spell so strong it even mystified Cliff. Good ole practical Cliff who claimed reserve and cautious as his motto. Now he wanted to throw his conservative values cavalierly into the wind. That kiss of hers last night not only startled, but stirred his soul. This woman called Kelly would now consume his thoughts for the near future and most certainly the beyond.
Snake Path
Kelly was on cruise control heading east on the Interstate. The plan was to just drive, stopping overnight only when necessary. Meal breaks at roadside diners were going to be the main attraction for keeping Kelly awake and in good driving condition for the duration of the trip back. She figured food and coffee breaks would carry her far in lieu of motel over nights. Kelly felt comforted in Cairn's wagon. She began to count how many roads trips they had taken together over their years of travels past. Memories could haunt a person or comfort them. Kelly found solace in most everything she shared with Cairn. It was true that on occasion the two gals did get into a nasty spat that typically always ended in a laughing fit. The fights were trivial. It was true that Cairn normally started the feud and fueled Kelly into verbal combat. Kelly reminisced how she fell for even the fake fights Cairn conjured up. She had to smile warmly to herself. Kelly succumbed almost every time for Cairns put-ons.
Kelly had driven four hours when she spotted an exit. Not that exits weren't plentiful, but this one had a cafe sign next to it. The promise of caffeine, and food, a restroom and a change of pace would be welcome. So off the freeway Kelly veered and a side road guided her into almost a ghost town. Sure enough, a cafe in a faded pink building waited for her. There was a flashing open sign but no cars were parked out front. Like Cairn, Kelly had always understood that the sign of good food was a full parking lot. However, she reasoned that this was a small town in an off-beat place so that rule probably didn't apply.
Pulling open one of the double doors, Kelly stepped inside. Clanking dishes in back proved there was life, at least a cook was available to feed her. Down one end there was a couple eating. The other end was vacant. In front of her was a sign to 'seat yourself'. Kelly chose the vacant side and walked all the way to the end booth. As she sat down her eyes caught an adornment on top of the table where she would be dining. There sat an out of place rock. About the size a bit larger than one hand could pick up. And, totally smooth and gray in color. Kelly's hand reached out and turned the rock around and over in her hands. Soon a young waitress came by with a menu.
“Hello, here's a menu. Can I get you something to drink? Perhaps coffee?” The young brunette asked.
Abruptly reawakened from her already road weary trance Kelly's answer was a question, “Do rocks decorate your booths normally?”
The waitress looked stumped, then said, “Well, no. Actually never. I thought you found it and brought it in here. Anyway, please take it with you if you would not mind. One less step for me today. We are short handed by two.”
“Oh sure. That's fine. I will take it off your hands,” Kelly smiled and added, “Yes, coffee would be great and I'd like a chef salad with blue cheese dressing if I may.”
The waitress nodded, removed the menu she brought and was off.
Something attracted Kelly to the rock. For as rocks go it was fun to feel. Like a river washed it baby smooth, and there was absolutely no divots on its surface. So Kelly held it in both hands and decided the rock would go home and sit with some other rocks she had collected over time. Her home mantle displayed many natural artifacts from her travels.
While Kelly sat in the booth she was prompted to look overhead. The restaurant was filled with western motif pictures that hung over every booth. Many had frames of old barn boards. The picture above Kelly's booth began to disturb her. A rearing white horse was being terrorized by a several striking rattlers. Kelly recollected that Bluebird was a white horse even though he was flecked with dark spots. Bluebird met his fate with rattlers. And so did Cairn who hit her head on... Kelly let go of the rock in her hands and it plucked loud on the table. Kelly had a head rush. What were the odds that she would sit in a booth with a waiting rock below a picture of a rearing horse about to be struck down by snakes? Kelly had too many coincidences in her life, but this reminder was too overwhelming just after the incidents of the last week, and especially on the heels of the warrior viewing that morning.
When the waitress came bearing a full dinner plate filled with salad, Kelly asked, “On second thought can I get this meal to go?”
“Oh, of course. I will put it in a container, the dressing in a separate cup, and you'll be all set,” the waitress responded, then turned around and left.
Kelly put twenty-five dollars down on the table, which was more than enough to cover the salad and a tip. She got up, but could not take her eyes off the rock. Omen or not, she reached for it and carried it with her. She picked up her waiting bag at the front counter and waved to the young gal.
Her car was still warm, Kelly got in, placed the rock in the back seat along with her food, and then drove along this freeway siding road. After about five miles, still dazed, a creek side park appeared. Kelly pulled into the small alcove for cars and turned her engine off. I've got to eat something thought Kelly as she put her forehead on the steering wheel. A few minutes later she was soaking her bare feet in the creek while perched on a rock above. The salad was fresh and hit the spot. Kelly started to come around and feel better. Food made her lucid again. The day was crossing from warm to hot. It made no matter to Kelly for she was lost in thought most of the time.
Kelly decided to stretch her legs for a bit before returning to the drive which would always be there waiting. Highways rarely relocate. Depositing her trash in a receptacle and repositioning her shoes and socks for comfort, off she went down a well-established creek trail. The pseudo hike was pleasant. A good way to unwind. Kelly walked about a mile and a half then headed back. Nearing the end, Kelly thought that although the hike was pleasant, there was also nothing memorable about it either.
Within ten minutes near the trail entrance across Kelly's path lay a snakeskin. It was about two feet long, perfectly intact. And, although it was stretched out before her like it was just shed, it was aged and dried out. Kelly wondered how she could have missed it initially, unless a breeze placed it there as she walked. The skin was translucent and feather light. Is this some sort of karmic joke? Kelly was thinking as two young men approached her o
n the trail. Taking possession, Kelly picked up the skin. The two men got closer and one said, “Cool, a rattler's skin. Very rare in these parts.”
Kelly wanted to ask him if he knew the warrior too, but refrained. So many thoughts in her head and all she could muster to ask was, “How do you know this is a rattler's skin?”
The taller fella in his twenties, spoke next, “See here the shape of the head bulges due to where the glands hold their venom.” Kelly winced at the thought. Then the savvy man went on, “The scales earthy tones match the indigenous species here.”
Kelly just looked at him still holding out the skin for examination. All she could muster was, “Oh.”
The other young man donning a severely overgrown beard piped up, “The local natives told me once that finding a rattler in your path means to be very careful in your travels.”
Now either Kelly was on her way to being paranoid, or she had over dosed from all her sensory input, but this was the last thing she cared to hear. Kelly was also not one to shrink back in the face of adversity. “Wow, you guys are a cornucopia of information. Thank you.” They both nodded and smiled and moved on down the trail from which Kelly had come. Snake skin still in hand, Kelly decided to add this new addition to her mantle as well.
On the road once again, Kelly asked the universe to just give her an uneventful trip home. That's all and nothing more. Cairn had herself a bushel of coincidences during her travels to see Cliff. Kelly wondered what more could be added to her list of serendipity heading away from Cliff.
Blanket Trail
The next day found Kelly traveling the Montana Interstate. She decided to take a bit northern route hoping for some interesting scenery. She had spent the previous night in a cheep motel, but could not sleep. Wired from the whole journey Kelly hoped mental rest would come and take her into slumber land, but it didn't. She did make one pact. That she would stop the car and get out three times per day to rejuvenate.
This late afternoon found Kelly off the freeway and near a small town once again. The local city park seemed to be the spot for the homeless. There was a path that surrounded a small lake and Kelly set out to walk it. With an ice cream cone in hand from the local vendor Kelly scanned the landscape. Spotting the lake path Kelly started off, but not without noticing an aged Native American man wrapped in an old red blanket. Kelly did not know whether he was homeless or just part of the local flavor. She smiled at him as she passed.
The lake walk was pleasant and refreshing. Kelly's thoughts consumed her. Primarily she was planning out all the things she had to do for Cairn when she got back which was only days away. Lost in thought, Kelly tripped over some rocks along this ultra smooth dirt path. She fell to her knees and lost grip with the last bite of her ice cream cone. It went into the dusty dirt where it stayed. On her hands and knees Kelly propped herself backup on her knees. She took her hands and brushed them off on her shirt. Looking nowhere Kelly spotted something hanging from the nearby thorny bush. She reached out to pick off a piece of cloth. It looked familiar. It was a squarish sized piece several inches long on each side. Kelly examined it, turning it over and over, on her way back around the lake wondering what its story was. Then she thought about the old native she saw on the park bench. Kelly wondered if this was part of his blanket.
When she reached the park grounds the old native had not moved. Kelly went over to him and sat on the opposite side of his bench, “Excuse me. My name is Kelly.” The old men nodded as if he knew.
Holding out the cloth, which sort of matched his blanket Kelly asked, “I found this snagged on a bush over on the other side of the lake. I was curious if it came off your blanket?” Kelly handed the native the swatch of cloth.
The aged man turned the remnant over in his hand a couple of times. Then he said, “No, too old. This blanket is too old, ancient really. It is the chief's pattern.” He handed the cloth back.
Kelly shook her head. The man did not make sense. “Do you know whose blanket this is from?”
The old man stayed quiet for a bit then said, “This piece is from the chief's shroud. He had special patterns only for him. He is dead by many, many years.” The elder then closed his eyes and put his head back against the bench. A clear sign Kelly would get no more information out of him. So she got up carrying a dead chief's blanket piece. What possibly could be the reason she tripped onto to this new discovery? Maybe when she got home Kelly could do some research to find her answers. So until then the detached, frayed threads would go home with her too.
The following day, Kelly took a longer break. She saw a banner advertising a vintage and antiques sale and a swap meet. It was quite an event and held at the fairgrounds just off the freeway. Kelly's timing put this sale at the perfect break time and kept her wandering for hours. She believed it was good that she only drove a car. Had she been in a pickup there were several antiques that she would have loved to bargain for.
As it was, she did find an eyelet top that she was told was brand new. Store tags hung from the sleeve and it had a department store insignia imprinted. Kelly bought it to spruce up her work wardrobe. Kelly had an affinity for quilts and scoured every booth. In one such stall she found a dainty summer weight bed cover she could not resist. The stall next door held shawls and blankets woven in traditional Native American patterns. Kelly was drawn to the fabrics. One basket held squares of different clothes. On the backs was a legend of the pattern history. Kelly thumbed through the basket and pulled out several samples. One looked like the cloth found in the park. She decided to buy the swatch rather than run all the way back to the car to get the sample. Kelly laughed quietly. Her collection of finds was growing and all of it was based on fate.
Cliff
Over the days Kelly traveled, Cliff worked. His dogs and horses were with him wherever he when. At night, he was back to solo living again. Back to where he left off before life perked him up. The summer nights were long and hot. Cliff was scouring the real estate section one evening laying back in his easy boy chair when the phone rang beside him.
“Hello. Ranch of four dogs two horses and one cranky old man,” Cliff droned.
“You are silly. It's Kelly.”
“Oh, hey. How are you?” Cliff perked up into life again and sat up as if she had just entered his room.
“I'm good, but tired of the road. I'm thinking another one and no more than two days out,” Kelly stated, then added. “So how are you doing?”
Cliff chuckled, “Well you know life on the ranch. Barrel racing and cow cutting. Nah, just doing some ranch work up the way and a little closer to home. Have one set of the grand kids coming in this weekend. That's about it.”
Kelly was glad to here Cliff's voice. It soothed her somehow. Then she had to ask, “Cliff, do you still have those items that I told you to give to Indian, I mean Engine Jo?”
“Huh, yeah, as a matter of fact. Was going to get them there next week. I figured there was no rush,” Cliff said.
“Well, change of plans. Can you please hold onto them for the next time we see each other?” Kelly asked... then she proceeded to tell Cliff of her finds and the coincidences surrounding them.
“Hmm. Plot thickens,” Cliff stated. “Of course, if you want I will mail them to you.”
“Yeah, maybe. I can let you know on that. Thanks.” Kelly then coyly added, “Cliff,” she paused again and said, “I really miss you.” Their physical connection had been severed. Kelly was attempting to reconnect that cord.
Cliff listened and wished she was there in the chair beside him. He paused before he said, “Yeah, I miss you, too. A lot. We'll see each other again. Promise.”
“Yeah. Promise here too. Good night my cowboy rancher man,” Kelly said.
“Night darling,” Cliff responded then hung up the antiquated phone receiver.
Once again, achingly so Cliff was even lonelier. He knew without a doubt he needed to change his life. Whether Kelly would be in his life or not, her influence was the catalyst Cliff neede
d to move on. Call it a midlife crisis or turning fifty within the year. It did not matter because it was all the same. Cliff had hit a plateau.