We were on the
lookout. There was a job to be done, and
we were setting out to do it. We had to
go undercover, you see, because there were criminals on the loose. A gang of the ‘bad ones’ had busted loose and
had yet to be recaptured. What was
unfortunate for those on the lam was the fact the local paper had printed
mug shots of each on the front page and now we were on the case. We were bounty hunters, so to speak, minus
the bounty. Our community needed us and
we were happy to oblige. We
were both armed to the teeth and had clever disguises designed to make us look
innocent enough.
There was no
discussion about what needed doing. Each
knew what the other thought and agreed, so we hit the streets at an early
hour. As we rode through the dry summer
heat of the desert, our spirits waned from the initial excitement and eagerness
of the hunt. Sightings were few and far
between. There were fruitlessly searched
miles behind us, and an inexhaustible supply of fresh ones ahead.
Our pace slowed to
a crawl. Our throats were parched and
our muscles cramped. Without warning,
one of our tires blew. Our failure
seemed secured. That’s when we saw your
place, ma’am. At first, we were certain
it was a mirage. The heat waves
distorted our view. You were no mirage,
though, ma’am.
You were a
Godsend. As we pushed our crippled ride into your driveway, you met us halfway with iced lemonade. With sweat dripping off our youthful faces,
we drank your refreshments and sat on your weeds. We filled you in on the days’ events. And now here we are, ma’am. We appreciate your kindness and hospitality,
ma’am. What was that? Why, yes, I can fix the flat on my
bicycle. I’ve been doing it since I was
six, ma’am. Pardon me, ma’am? Yes, I’ll be seven this fall. My friend here is seven and he lives next
door to me and he has a pet turtle and a big brother. Are we far from home,
ma’am? Why, no, we’re not. See down the street where that red house is
with the swing hanging from the tree?
That’s my place, ma’am. It’s
where my mother lives, too. Yes, ma’am,
I’ll tell my mother where we were and that you said hello.
Well, I guess
we’ll be on our way, now, ma’am. Thank
you very much for the lemonade. I think
the bad guys got a lucky break today.
What’s that, ma’am? You say the
bad guys turned themselves in this afternoon?
Those scoundrels must have known we were on their trail, huh? Well, you know what they say, ma’am - the truth always comes out in the
end.
