Flashback .. Fast Forward

After Uncle Smokey Had Gotten Knocked Out

everyone had said their goodbyes

man, oh man .. it was a hilarious scene

Aunt Myrl was leading Uncle Max away .. by his ear

she'd already snatched Max Raymond, Joe Earl, and Sherrie Lynn

shoved them hard .. into their dusty, battered farm truck

Uncle Max smiled .. slapped Aunt Myrl's hand off of his red ear

bellowing deep .. he hollered out across the lawn

you'll don't forget to come visit next weekend

we're having a barn raising at my place

I thought, great .. always a good time to be had at Uncle Max's farm

while everyone stumbled around in the middle of the night

I crept silently .. went and sat on the screened in porch

a cold beer in my hand .. a six pack between my feet

looked up .. noticed a strange looking skinny man staring at me

asked him who he was .. replied, he was searching for Aunt Edna

I pointed him to the front door

told him she's in the house somewhere

off he went, calling out to her .. checking on him later

observed him .. Aunt Edna, drinking beer together

years later I discovered .. he's my biological dad

odd thing was .. he'd simply told me he's a family friend

heard a loud horn blowing .. it was my family

Arlis .. mom ..  four brothers .. baby sister

they were screaming for me to hurry .. get my ass in the car

I ran to hug .. kiss, Aunt Edna goodbye

tears fell from her eyes as I got in .. shut the car door

she'd never gotten over .. mom taking me back away from her

after giving me to Aunt Edna immediately after I was born

my other uncle Jimmy .. Aunt Sis

all of their kids crunched tight in their stationwagon

Uncle Earl .. Aunt Yvonne .. Uncle Edward .. Aunt Katie

hollered goodbye .. drove away in their Buick LeSabre

cousins Larry .. John Ed .. burned rubber, leaving in a '57 Chevy

during our cramped ride home .. Arlis related to mom

what had happened outside of the Cottonport Lounge

Aunt Edna had been two-timing Uncle Jimmy

with a local private detective by the name of Jerry

everyone except Arlis .. was three sheets to the wind

Uncle Smokey had jumped in front of Uncle Jimmy

trying to protect him .. Uncle Jimmy was 5'2"

private detective Jerry was 6'4" .. seemed Aunt Edna

had influenced Jerry to harass little, short Uncle Jimmy

while he had been on the road .. driving his 18-wheeler truck

then Uncle Jimmy recalled Jerry's face .. went into a rage

little, short Uncle Jimmy proceeded to stomp 6'4" Jerry's ass

after Uncle Smokey had gotten knocked out

Copyright @ June 2014

StandingBear