Busted Gulch vol 10

It's Not Shamus's Birthday (baileygaines)

It's Not Shamus's Birthday

Annie had managed to stay out of trouble,

and she and Brody were still together.

She woke up one morning with a strange feeling inside.

"It's my birthday! Brody, wake up!" She cried.

"Huh?" Brody opened one eye.

"So, it's your birthday. Go back to sleep."

He rolled over and started to snore.

"Brody!" Annie gave him a shove

and he toppled to the floor.

Annie leaned over the edge of the bed.

"Awake now?" She dangled her arm over the edge.

Brody grabbed it and pulled;

Annie went over with a squeal.

He started tickling her.

"How does that feel?"

"Stop! I surrender! I'm sorry, okay?"

Brody's fingers stilled. "Happy Birthday.

Let's have breakfast at the cafe.

What do you say?"

"Yes!" They were dressed in a flash.

Brody felt in his pocket to make sure he had cash.

They greeted Myna; ordered biscuits and gravy;

They knew that the food they'd get would be savory.

Just as Annie was exchanging gossip with Gyn,

a damper on the day walked in.

"Hello, Annie me sweet.

What be the meanin' of this breakfast treat?"

"Go away, Shamus. This is MY day."

"Oho!" Shamus leaned over her chair.

"Your birthday? Well, I declare!

I'm feelin' generous, so I believe you owe

Two poems and a fourth of your gold."

"A fourth?" Brody frowned 'round a biscuit.

"You're up to something, what is it?"

"That's right!" Annie gasped.

"You told me a third!

Why make me pay less?

That's just absurd!"

Shamus rolled his eyes.

"Are ya deaf?

I'm feelin' generous - save your breath

and hand over the gold.

This game's gettin' old."

Annie glanced at Brody, who nodded at her.

"Go on, Annie. Keep your word."

Annie sighed. "All right, all right."

She pulled out the gold, all shiny and bright.

"Here you go, Shamus. A fourth of it all."

Shamus's eyes grew wide at the haul.

"Sweet mother above!

Annie, me dear, I'm filled with love.

But what about the poems - the last part of your debt.

That's something you'd better not forget."

Annie huffed and she puffed, but she pulled a pen

and started to write, glancing up every now and then.

Finally she shoved the paper at Shamus's face.

"There you go," she said with ill-grace.

Shamus handed them back. "No, no, Annie.

I want you to read the poems to me.

Not just a whisper, close in me ear,

But out loud, so everyone can hear."

Annie glared, but slowly stood

and cleared her throat.

"Is it his voice, his way with words

that makes the girls flock like birds?

Or is it his mind, his tricks and schemes

that drew in the women and ruined their dreams?

Everyone will remember Shamus McGinty

and he'll live out his days with plenty

of money and a comfortable home...

but he'll end up all alone."

Brody choked on his drink,

motioning to her to stop and think

about what she was going to say next.

Annie took a breath and forged ahead.

"Shamus McGinty, cunning and sly,

no one can foresee the day that you'll die.

For no one can catch you, and no one can tell

whether you'll go to purgatory or straight to hell!"

There was a moment of silence around the cafe,

the patrons unsure whether to laugh.

Brody choked on his drink and tried to cover

the grin that threatened to take over.

Shamus wasn't grinning as he snatched the papers away.

"Not what I had in mind, but it is your birthday."

He stomped away and Annie sat down with a grin.

"Well?" She looked at Brody, who looked grim.

"That was funny, but don't think you've won.

Just be thankful your deal with Shamus is done."