Jim placed a stick of wood in the Warm Morning stove, then shut the door with a clank. As he stepped back behind the store counter he asked, “ Refill on coffee anybody?” Bill raised his elbows off his knees and straightened his back, “ Yeah, I will.” As Jim grabbed the blue metal pot, he quipped, “ I need to start charging you fellas real money for this Jo.” Wilson raised his cowboy hat a bit and snorted, “ Be alright…if it tasted like real coffee.” All four of the men chuckled. “Well now, you could stay home with Erma in the mornings and drink good coffee with your wife,” Jim winked at the other men and grinned. Wilson smiled, and looked out the big plate glass window as he nodded, “Yeah, guess there are a few things around here that’d be worse than your coffee.” Everyone laughed a bit and then the room fell silent again.
The bell above the counter clanged as a rusty old pickup truck pulled up to the single gas pump outside. Jim threw on his coat and headed for the door. The driver of the pickup honked his horn once. Jim said (more to the men inside than to the driver) " I’m comin’, hold your horses… gee whiz!” Ed sat up straight to get a better view, then chuckled, “That’s Fred Simpson. He’s probably out of corn squeezins. Gotta get to Harry Lee’s place.” Bill nodded affirmatively, “Ole Harry Lee’s had that old still a cookin’ for many a year now.” Then Wilson said “ He would’ve been shut down long ago if he didn’t live so far back in the woods that he has to pay rent for sunshine.” “ Well, them fifteen dogs he has hollerin’ up the valley, gives him plenty of warnin’ when the Sheriffs on his way,” added Bill, “ not that the good Sheriff Leonard is beyond an occasional snort of his own.”
After a minute, Ed looked out at the pickup and said with a barely audible sigh, “Old Shorty would’ve given that driver ‘the what for’ for being so impatient.” “That’s puttin ' it politely," offered Wilson, then he added “Gonna miss that old cuss.” The room went quiet again.
The tinkling of little bells above the entrance door announced Jims' return to the inside of the old white clap board store. As he took off his worn out denim coat and hung it on the hook, he looked at the three men around the stove… and the empty chair nearest the counter. As if he could read Jim’s thoughts, Ed looked up at the others,“ How long’ve we been coming here in the mornings?” After a few seconds, Bill said “Well, ever since I farmed the Shelby place, so… I dunno, forty some years I reckon?” “Sounds about right,” said Ed. He adjusted the strap on his overalls and leaned his chair back on two legs, “ I’m seventy nine, and I started comin' in right after Shorty put that gas pump in. That was back in ‘24 or ‘25 I think.”
Jim put money in the cash register and rang up the sale, “Used to be a lean-to shed where that pump is, remember? Dad kept coal in that shed for a long time.” Jim had moved from Cincinnati back to his hometown after his father had become terminally ill. He hadn’t planned on keeping the store open or staying here at all after his father died. The building, with the 'Armstrong Feeds' sign on the gabled end, was old and drafty, and the inventory was dated mostly to an earlier time. In the last fifteen years or so, his father, Shorty, hadn’t cared much about making money or keeping the store updated. It wasn’t falling down, Shorty had always kept the building in solid shape. It was just that after Jims' mother died, his father had seemed to lose much of his enthusiasm for life in general.
The tinkling of little bells above the entrance door announced Jims' return to the inside of the old white clap board store. As he took off his worn out denim coat and hung it on the hook, he looked at the three men around the stove… and the empty chair nearest the counter. As if he could read Jim’s thoughts, Ed looked up at the others,“ How long’ve we been coming here in the mornings?” After a few seconds, Bill said “Well, ever since I farmed the Shelby place, so… I dunno, forty some years I reckon?” “Sounds about right,” said Ed. He adjusted the strap on his overalls and leaned his chair back on two legs, “ I’m seventy nine, and I started comin' in right after Shorty put that gas pump in. That was back in ‘24 or ‘25 I think.”
Jim put money in the cash register and rang up the sale, “Used to be a lean-to shed where that pump is, remember? Dad kept coal in that shed for a long time.” Jim had moved from Cincinnati back to his hometown after his father had become terminally ill. He hadn’t planned on keeping the store open or staying here at all after his father died. The building, with the 'Armstrong Feeds' sign on the gabled end, was old and drafty, and the inventory was dated mostly to an earlier time. In the last fifteen years or so, his father, Shorty, hadn’t cared much about making money or keeping the store updated. It wasn’t falling down, Shorty had always kept the building in solid shape. It was just that after Jims' mother died, his father had seemed to lose much of his enthusiasm for life in general.
He looked over at the three old men in the corner by the stove. These were his fathers true friends. They had helped carry his mothers casket to the Knob Hill cemetery all those years ago, and just two days ago, they had laid his father to rest beside her. They were family, these three men, and they were part of the reason he had decided to stay. He had hung a “Help Wanted” sign in the window this morning. He needed a hand.
Jim had gone to college in Texas.That was a rare thing in this tiny rural eastern Oklahoma town in the 1920‘s. There, he had met Jane, the woman of his dreams, and they were married one year after graduating. His vocational life had prospered over the years, and his income reflected that. His married life had suffered under the strain of two careers unfortunately, and a little over two years ago he and his wife decided not to grow old together; a fact that he tried to keep to himself during his fathers illness.
Jim had gone to college in Texas.That was a rare thing in this tiny rural eastern Oklahoma town in the 1920‘s. There, he had met Jane, the woman of his dreams, and they were married one year after graduating. His vocational life had prospered over the years, and his income reflected that. His married life had suffered under the strain of two careers unfortunately, and a little over two years ago he and his wife decided not to grow old together; a fact that he tried to keep to himself during his fathers illness.
His explanation for Janes’ absences was that she was too busy with her job overseas. But, Charles ‘Shorty’ Armstrong was no easy dupe. One day, just before he died, his father had asked “ You gonna let Jane know in plenty of time for her to get here for the funeral? You know that she will want to come, even though you two foolish kids have given up on each other.” Jim smiled at being caught, and the thought of being a middle aged "kid". He had looked at the floor beside the bed and just nodded yes.
Jane loved her father-in-law, and she did come; for Shortys' last two days of life, and the funeral. It was the first time she and Jim had been together since the divorce. Neither had ever had any interest in another relationship, it was just that life had vacuumed the joy out of theirs. She had sat with him during the service, and stood next to him as the bagpipes sounded from that chilly and windy knob, and out over the valley below. As the pipes played Amazing Grace, she had placed her hand under Jims' arm, leaned her head on his shoulder, and sobbed.
Jane loved her father-in-law, and she did come; for Shortys' last two days of life, and the funeral. It was the first time she and Jim had been together since the divorce. Neither had ever had any interest in another relationship, it was just that life had vacuumed the joy out of theirs. She had sat with him during the service, and stood next to him as the bagpipes sounded from that chilly and windy knob, and out over the valley below. As the pipes played Amazing Grace, she had placed her hand under Jims' arm, leaned her head on his shoulder, and sobbed.
They talked to one another that night like they hadn't talked in twenty years. She was still in town, staying at his fathers house. She planned to leave for Ohio today.
Bill got up from his chair, and that brought Jim back to the present. “Hand me a can of snuff, will you Jim.” Jim reached under the counter and pulled out the tin, “You know they’re beginning to say this stuff and smoking will kill you.” Bill nodded and said “Yeah, so they say, but at my age ranchin’s gonna kill me first.” Jim just shook his head and smiled. Ed sat his front chair legs on the floor, “Well if that kick to the head from that mule didn’t kill him when were kids, I reckon a little Kentucky tobacco won’t.” He chuckled, then he added “Does explain a lot though don’t it?” Bill grinned at the good natured ribbing. He slapped the tin in his palm a few times and went back to his chair. “You never smoked or dipped did you, Jim” Wilson asked? Before Jim could answer, Ed spoke up and said “No Jane wouldn’t put up with that.” There was a nervous silence for a second, so Jim forced a laugh and said “ Jane wouldn’t put up with a lot of things.” Nothing was spoken after that for several minutes. Finally, Wilson pushed his big hat up on his head and changed the subject. “ You figurin' on stayin' and keepin' the store open now, Jim?”
Jim looked around the old dimly lit store. He knew that there would be little income from this place. He’d pay the bills that operating it would accrue, and make a little profit, but that was about all. He was already set financially though, and coming back home, working the store, well, it had satisfied a need in him that he hadn’t really been conscious he had. These shelves full of canned goods, old lanterns, tack and ranching gear, the smell of leather mingled with the sweet smell of livestock feed, and the feel of warmth from wood burning in the stove on cold days, they all appealed to him now as they never had before.
Bill got up from his chair, and that brought Jim back to the present. “Hand me a can of snuff, will you Jim.” Jim reached under the counter and pulled out the tin, “You know they’re beginning to say this stuff and smoking will kill you.” Bill nodded and said “Yeah, so they say, but at my age ranchin’s gonna kill me first.” Jim just shook his head and smiled. Ed sat his front chair legs on the floor, “Well if that kick to the head from that mule didn’t kill him when were kids, I reckon a little Kentucky tobacco won’t.” He chuckled, then he added “Does explain a lot though don’t it?” Bill grinned at the good natured ribbing. He slapped the tin in his palm a few times and went back to his chair. “You never smoked or dipped did you, Jim” Wilson asked? Before Jim could answer, Ed spoke up and said “No Jane wouldn’t put up with that.” There was a nervous silence for a second, so Jim forced a laugh and said “ Jane wouldn’t put up with a lot of things.” Nothing was spoken after that for several minutes. Finally, Wilson pushed his big hat up on his head and changed the subject. “ You figurin' on stayin' and keepin' the store open now, Jim?”
Jim looked around the old dimly lit store. He knew that there would be little income from this place. He’d pay the bills that operating it would accrue, and make a little profit, but that was about all. He was already set financially though, and coming back home, working the store, well, it had satisfied a need in him that he hadn’t really been conscious he had. These shelves full of canned goods, old lanterns, tack and ranching gear, the smell of leather mingled with the sweet smell of livestock feed, and the feel of warmth from wood burning in the stove on cold days, they all appealed to him now as they never had before.
Is it possible to start over by going back to the past? He often said he couldn’t wait to leave this little “hole in the road town” when he was a young man. Now, middle aged and discontented in life, the place was comforting to him somehow. The three old fellows that came for coffee every morning, just as they had since he was a boy, reminded him that a simple life could be a hard life at times; but it could also bring more peace.
These men had survived the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and world wars. They had lost sons to war and other children to Pneumonia and Measles. They survived it all because they had deep roots.They had roots that went deep enough to find the nourishment needed to feed and heal a wounded soul. Roots. Jim now felt like it was time to re-establish his.
“ Yep, I might be crazy” he answered, “but its time to come home.” With a wink and a look at Wilson he kidded, “Besides I feel responsible to have a place for Wilson to get a break from Erma every day.” That drew a laugh from everyone. “Thank God for that” Wilson joked, and with that he got up and hung his tin cup on a four pegged board on the wall, then zipped up his coat. He looked at Jim,“ Better head back to the ranch. I’ll be in next week, after I sell some steers, to settle my bill.” Jim held up his hand and replied “ No hurry, Wilson. All kidding aside, give my best regards to Erma, and thank her for all the food after the funeral.” “I will, Jim,” said Wilson, and as he headed out the door, he stopped for a second, ”Good to have you home, son.”
Ed and Bill also got up. “ I best be hittin’ the road too, I reckon,” said Ed. “Yeah, me too,” Bill added as he brought a bag of cattle mineral to the counter. “So long Ed ,“ Jim said as the old rancher went through the door. Jim looked past Bill to see Jane pulling into the drive. She got out and spoke to Ed, who gave her a hug and a pat on the back. Bill saw her too, and then turned back to the counter. After Jim wrote the purchase on a ticket and placed it in the drawer, he looked up to see Bill staring at him.
These men had survived the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and world wars. They had lost sons to war and other children to Pneumonia and Measles. They survived it all because they had deep roots.They had roots that went deep enough to find the nourishment needed to feed and heal a wounded soul. Roots. Jim now felt like it was time to re-establish his.
“ Yep, I might be crazy” he answered, “but its time to come home.” With a wink and a look at Wilson he kidded, “Besides I feel responsible to have a place for Wilson to get a break from Erma every day.” That drew a laugh from everyone. “Thank God for that” Wilson joked, and with that he got up and hung his tin cup on a four pegged board on the wall, then zipped up his coat. He looked at Jim,“ Better head back to the ranch. I’ll be in next week, after I sell some steers, to settle my bill.” Jim held up his hand and replied “ No hurry, Wilson. All kidding aside, give my best regards to Erma, and thank her for all the food after the funeral.” “I will, Jim,” said Wilson, and as he headed out the door, he stopped for a second, ”Good to have you home, son.”
Ed and Bill also got up. “ I best be hittin’ the road too, I reckon,” said Ed. “Yeah, me too,” Bill added as he brought a bag of cattle mineral to the counter. “So long Ed ,“ Jim said as the old rancher went through the door. Jim looked past Bill to see Jane pulling into the drive. She got out and spoke to Ed, who gave her a hug and a pat on the back. Bill saw her too, and then turned back to the counter. After Jim wrote the purchase on a ticket and placed it in the drawer, he looked up to see Bill staring at him.
“Something else you need, Bill?” he asked. “ Nah, that’ll do for today,” he replied.“Let me carry that out for you” Jim said, as he rounded the corner of the counter and started to grab the bag. Bill shook his head and said “ Nope, I can get ‘er,” and he tucked the bag under his arm. After he placed his hand on the door knob, he turned slightly, hesitated, then said “ Jane still loves you, boy. That’s as plain as the sun in the sky at noon.” He paused a few seconds then added, “Your Pa spent his last few years mighty lonely. I know old Wilson kids about Erma, but he don’t wanna be without her, you know that. My point is, you’re young yet and they’s a chance o’ fixin’ whats broke if you’re of a mind to. After all, no better place to start a thing over than going back to where it began. I reckon sometimes a mans future is in the past." Jim just nodded and said "Thanks, Bill." "Yup" and Bill went out the door.
Jim watched through the glass as Bill talked for a minute with Jane. She gave him a hug before he got in his truck. Jane paused outside for a minute or or more, and stood looking at the storefront.Then she grabbed her coat tight to her and headed inside.
Jane entered the store with a jingle of the door. As the latch clicked behind her, she looked around and said “ You’re going to need help to run this place.” She walked over to the counter and looked up at Jim with a sweet sentimental smile. Jim nodded and walked across the creaking old wooden floor and took the help wanted sign from the window. He walked back behind the counter and slid the sign toward her. He looked into her eyes and noticed tears in the corners of them. He looked back down at the sign and said quietly, “The job is yours if you want it.” Then he glanced over at the four now empty chairs around the wood stove and said, “You come highly recommended.”
Jane stood there and looked into his eyes for several seconds, then took off her coat and walked over and hung it next to his. She pulled a white apron from under the counter. While she put her hands behind her back and tied it, she nodded her head sideways towards the chairs, smiled through her tears, and said “ They asked me to fix the coffee from now on.”
Jane entered the store with a jingle of the door. As the latch clicked behind her, she looked around and said “ You’re going to need help to run this place.” She walked over to the counter and looked up at Jim with a sweet sentimental smile. Jim nodded and walked across the creaking old wooden floor and took the help wanted sign from the window. He walked back behind the counter and slid the sign toward her. He looked into her eyes and noticed tears in the corners of them. He looked back down at the sign and said quietly, “The job is yours if you want it.” Then he glanced over at the four now empty chairs around the wood stove and said, “You come highly recommended.”
Jane stood there and looked into his eyes for several seconds, then took off her coat and walked over and hung it next to his. She pulled a white apron from under the counter. While she put her hands behind her back and tied it, she nodded her head sideways towards the chairs, smiled through her tears, and said “ They asked me to fix the coffee from now on.”
