“Cookie wanted me to get some apples for a pie.”
You go on back. He’s made some quiche and homemade bread
in your honor.
“Okay”.
Just then Pvt. Benjamin came runnin’ up.
“I’m gonna help you”, she said to El Segundo.
I turned and went back to camp for some grub.
All of a sudden, I was hungry.
Hadn’t had quiche for some time.
“Where you been? We almost had to start without you!”
said General Maximus.
“Sit opposite me, you’re my guest.”
It was a long table, with the general at the head of course.
I would sit at the opposite head.
On his left were Wilson and Ashley. The Rossi brothers on his right.
There were two tables behind the general.
Sgt. Major White and 1st Platoon sat at these –
Nobody was getting to the general from behind.
The Black Knights were scattered all around.
Inconspicuously. Like an afterthought.
“unknown”
El Segundo was right – cookie had laid out a breakfast feast.
“Dig in!” commanded the General.
Nobody needed a second order. The troops went at it.
Eating, talking, laughter. We were one big happy family.
After a while,
after the initial chaos of a hungry beginning subsided,
the General broke the hubbub,
“Rossis,
after breakfast,
take our guest down to the lake, and throw …”
“Dessert!” Cookie interrupted.
He had come in with two plates of dessert.
“Cookie!” The General said.
“Sorry General!“
The General went back to the Rossi brothers.
“Throw him …
a line or two,
into the lake – get Cookie some trout for dinner.
I wanna see if this man can fish.
I don’t trust a man who can’t fish.”
I sighed a deep breath out.
And hoped I hadn’t shown my anxiety with wide-open eyes.
I thought the General was going to say,
“and throw our guest into the lake”.
I quick glanced at Wilson, and then caught myself.
And just as quickly shifted back to the General.
Hoping I hadn’t alerted anybody.
The atmosphere had no tension.
I did not want to inject any.
“I love trout,” I said. Surprising even myself.
BSOT
Ian
me, the Dalai Lama & Jack Nicholson 