The Book of Common

Sit Down Folks

Yup just have a seat, first grab an ale, whisky or tea maybe a coffee. Have a seat relax Old Common gona tell ya a story. One different from before, not dealing out Justice or having gun fights. I know
part of my job, for once I'm gona tell ya about Beth. Yup Folks most wonderful lady I've ever met.

Well ya see was up York way, Edinboro just east of the Waste Land Hard Pack ten miles wide at its widest point. Up that away. Well place has a small station. Told the Station Leader Sargent can't remember his name. That I needed a break time off for a spell. Told him two months the ride has
got to me. Folks that old Sargent understood, said small house outside town. Might nice place Pleasantry worker takes care the place. Head over
she'll let ya stay a piece no charge. Station takes care it. He said now mind ya, ya have to pay unless
she says its for free any tumble in the sheets.

She is a good lady Common my sister in law now,
Me and the wife's old place. She passed few years
ago. Nice yellow house white shutters and picket fence. Can't miss it tell her I sent ya. Yesum I will
which end of town? West end follow main street.
Thank ya kindly be nice having a lady around.
Well folks I headed that way put my horse up at
the Station stable and walked over. Cool breeze was moving around fall chill. Just knowin I wasn't
goin on a ride real soon I felt, well like a weight was lifted off him.

She was sittin out on the front porch peeling apples.  Asked you Beth? She said why yes, can I help ya Ranger? Well ya see Sargent sent me down. Told me I could rest a spell here, Ifin ya don't mind. I'm Common I'm plum wore out Miss.
Don't know if I can Ranger any more. She smiled
Common might fine name, come on up bags put
inside the door. Have a seat just planning on frying
these apples up maybe having pork chops and corn bread. Hows that sound? My I said Yesum
like that. Well Common she said little chilly lets
move inside, bed room is in the back put your bags
away take nap if ya want I'll wake ya when its ready. Folks I laid down never feeling so relieved.
Ya know wondering if a blame fool gona shoot ya
or some damn rattler slither in bed with ya.

Slept peaceful like folks. Woke ta Beth sittin next to
me smile on her face. Said its ready plate fixed, ale
on the table. Ya hungry? Lan sakes was I hungry my it smelled devine. I nodded stretched well folks
best food I'd had in while. We talked and talked about nothin in general. Laughed we did walked around town, till about dark. Got back she got me a
whisky her cup a tea. I noticed she smelled of roses
hint of somethin else, my it was heavenly. Told her how I started Rangering at the age of eleven. On my own about fourteen. Her face changed to concern my she said, ya can't be over thirty four.

Thirty six I say long hard years, just want a break can ya tell? She smiled yes she said you kick back.
I've dishes to do, be about bed time then. Be nice
ta cuddle some nothing more tanight ok. I nodded
told her I was done to tired ta do a thin. Finished my whisky looked in the kitchen I'm goin on in.
See ya shortly. Folks must of really been tuckered out. Gone before she came in. Slept past daylight I
don't do that. I slept like that for a week maybe few days more. Finally started feeling myself, went ta
a dance sing along folks least once a week.

Rangering wasn't calling a month in, grew more fond of her by the day. Finally took a turn in the
sheets. That sealed it folks not only did I love her I
also lusted for her. True love as momma would say. About the third month, folks I got the itch ta leave, didn't really want ta ya know the road called. The ride called Beth called, well I stayed
I couldn't leave her. Told Beth wanted ta head
south maybe Orleans maybe the Myrtles. Told her
both were nice she could pick. Well she picked the Myrtles we headed out few days later. Told the Sargent well hell, Beth what was your brother in laws name? Mika thanks dear. Folks Mika why I
couldn't remember that don't know. Told Mika thanks for the rest and me and Beth were a leavin.

I'd start Rangering again after we settled in. Mika
smiled good ta hear Common you two have a long
life maybe a child or two. Glad to have helped you
both. Didn't quite make it to Myrtles made it ta Currituck Carolina. We had four children three died one lived. Liz made it as a Ranger, Mika sent
a Ranger down ta train her. I was getting on in years already trained Jacob. Me and Beth headed
ta Ohio's shortly after Liz came by after her training and second ride. Seen her about month ago fine lady and Ranger she is. Said she was headed Carolina way wanted ta see home.

Good ta see her, this Tower Ranger Station. Folks
is getting old, Army done went and left. Supplies slow ta arrive. Thinkin I might need ta send Norm Parson Junior a heads up. Not sure I'll think on it
some more. Well that's how I met Beth I know short winded this time. Liz dear be carful never know what maybe around the corner. I'm a might
damn proud of ya. I hope you listened steered clear of the Waste Land. Ya know folks I'm ten years older than Beth. Not once did she grow tired
of me. Sorry folks I'll be a writtin and yelling at once, Beth how old are ya? Forty ya say, I must be close ta fifty then. My folks I am a gettin old ain't I.

Beth I loves like the day I fell in love with ya even
more now! Folks she nodded and said she loved me. Sweet brave lady, well not sure about next time. I'll think of somethin. Folks always do. Till
next time. Thanks for looking this thin over.