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| << November06, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - I'm a Skunk |
November13, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - I had to say goodbye >> |
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Hello, my family. It's time for the mid-week repeat. Once again, this is a true story. We're getting close. Tonight I have 788 confirmed members. Please help me reach 1000 members by the end of the year. If you have a moment and see a story you like, pass it on, and include the link for your friends to sign up. I have a couple of great ideas for future stories. I think you will like them. Thanks to those who sent me poppies. I have three so far and will wear them proudly. Your generousity means so mch to me. Thank you. I was once a young man who went to night clubs. It was not a safe practice, but I did have fun. Those days are long gone, for a good reason. Tonight's story is a true one. Be sure to read tonight's comments. My good friend and former co-worker relates his experience with a skunk. It is worth a read. Now for tonight's story Mike The Right Thing In the early 1980's, I was a young man in my twenties. I was breaking free from my mother's apron and enjoying myself. I hung out at a 50's-and-60's club, had fun, and made many friends. Early one night, I was at this club and in the bathroom. I heard the door open with a bang. A gentleman paced around, mumbling to himself. I looked up. Through the crack in the door, I saw him pass in front of my stall, return, and peer through the crack. "I know you're in there." he yelled. I sat quietly and wondered who he was. He banged around the bathroom, cursing at no one - obviously angry about something. "I know you're in there!" He repeated. The only reply I could think of was, "So?" "Well, I know you're in there." "You're right. I'm in here." He grew silent and continued to pace. I finished my business came out. He blocked my way and pressed his face close to mine. His breath wreaked of strong alcohol. "I knew you were in there." he yelled. Spittle sprayed my shirt. "You're right. I was in there. Do I know you?" I ask calmly. He was about 5' 4" and stocky. A tobacco stained mustache decorated his upper lip. A scar cut a path through the yellowed hairs. Thick veins zigzagged across his muscled arms, cutting blue and green lines through the many tattoos decorating his flesh. His shoulders were broad - obviously strong. He twitched and danced from one foot to the other - not a person to mess with. I'm six foot, much bigger than he was, but I'm not a fighter. "Yeah! Well, I knew you were in there." "You're right." I hoped someone would come in and disrupt this scene. "I could take you, ya know." He said. "Take me?" "Yeah! I could take you. You're bigger, but I could take you." I became nervous. "Why? Why would you want to fight me? I don't even know you. I've never seen you before." "I know, but I could if I wanted to." "I don't doubt you. I'm sure you could. You look strong. I just don't understand why you want to." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. His eyes strayed from me to other parts of the room and back again, unable to focus on one point. There was no doubt in my mind, strong drugs were involved. I grew uneasy. He was not right. I was in a bad situation and had no idea what to do. I decided to stay calm. His eyes focused on me again. "I could kill." "Kill me?" My heart rate increased. "Why would you want to do that? I haven't done anything to you. We've never met before." "Well I could. I could kill you. I've killed before. What do you think of that?" I was in trouble and knew it. "But why? I believe you could, but why would you want to? I don't even know you." "Well I could if I wanted to. I've been in prison. I've killed before. I could kill you too." He paced again. I needed to get out of there. Where were the other patrons? We'd been alone for at least ten minutes and no one had come in. "I believe you." I said softly. He seemed to calm a bit. My tone calmed him. "I believe you." I repeated. "I'm going to go back into the club. Talk to you later. OK?" He paced I left the bathroom and went back to my table in the club. A few minutes later the ex-con came and sat at my table. He talked nonsense the whole time. I nodded when required and looked for an opening to get away. I was polite and smiled when necessary. He talked about his prison life. I listened - humoring him. I waited. A slow dance song was played. He settled down and listened. It was my chance. I excused myself to go to the bathroom again - blaming it on the beer. On my way out, I spoke to the bouncer at the door. I pointed to my unwanted friend and said, "See that guy over there? Keep an eye on him. He's nuts." I explained the encounter in the bathroom and got out of there as fast as I could. A few days later I returned. The bouncer said to me, "Mike, remember that guy you pointed out to me the other night? You were right! It took four policemen to drag him out of here. He was crazy!" A week later, I picked up the local newspaper, unfolded it, and looked at the front page. My face turned white. There was a picture of the man I met that night. The caption read, "Ex-con charged with murdering local man with a machete on downtown lawn." Like any man, I want to be strong, but there are times to back down. Fighting is wrong. There are better ways. If I'd pushed back at that man, I would not be writing about it today. Michael T Smith To join my story group, go to:http://archives.zinester.com/86758 Send your comments to mtsmith@qwestonline.com. I promise to include a few with each post. Now for my good friend's story. Thank you for sharing, Bob. Mike, Years ago I came across a skunk with a yogurt container stuck on its nose. It was in middle of the road going in circles. I was heading to catch a train to go to work and I too was afraid of being squirted. I stopped and turned around and decided to help it. I approached and said some soothing words to it and it stopped. I tried to carefully pull the container off and my hands slipped. I thought I was going to get it, but it waited for me to try again. The second time I pulled and the container came off. The little skunk fell back and then got up. We looked at each other. The skunk turned and waddled away, as I continued to walk. I looked back and at the same time he stopped and look back at me. There was an understnding between us. I don't know what made me do it, but I was glad I did. Bob ********************* Your story about your baby skunk brought back some memories for me. My family owns a farm up in North Missouri, and I was living there in 1995 when one night I saw a adult skunk walk by my window since my farm house sits next to a wooded area I didn't think of it. I woke up the next morning and was walking outside when I about stepped into a pile of baby skunks laying in a ball on my sidewalk by my front door. I counted seven of them, and they co existed with me for a while before something that is there natural enemy got a hold of them, and me sadly lost all 7 of them. Matthew *********************** Dear Michael, I love your story. May I please copy and send to my pen pals who don't have a computer? It makes me think of the times (back when I was a kid) I may not have been very kind to someone because other friends weren't. Thanks, Lois ****************** Someone just sent me "I'm A Skunk" and I loved it. Can you put me on your send list if you have one. I sent that to everyone I could think of. NancyRC That's all I have room for. Thanks for all the comments, gang. I love you. Spread the word. I would love to have 1000 members by the end of the year HUGS Mike Keep on Waving To unsubscribe, go to http://www.zinester.com/cgi/unsub.cgi?86758&0& |
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| << November06, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - I'm a Skunk |
November13, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - I had to say goodbye >> |
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