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Jimmy Chang (a short story)

Jimmy Chang (by Uncle Jamie MacBlues)

I was on my way outa Harlan, pretty much at a loose end.I had thought to spend some time with my buddy, Uncle John, but just as I was walking up his driveway, a neighbour sitting on his porch told me that John was not home:

"He's away getting singing lesson, he wont be back for three days" he mumbled (having heard John sing, I was thinking three MONTHS per lesson would be preferable!)

Anyhoo, as I said above, I was on my way outa town, heading in no particular direction. At times I just liked to drive out to nowhere, something, I guess, akin to a mystery tour.

The sun was pretty strong, guess I'd driven about 120 miles, with no idea where I was. Suddenly, in the distance, I was aware of what appeared to be a small group of people, gathering on the outskirts of what I presumed to be an old bygone town, (or a ghost town, as some folks would say). As I got nearer , I pulled over.

There were three guys and a woman; one guy was holding an old beat up guitar.

"Can ya play that thing" , I asked.

"Naw", he replied I just brought it to blend in with the story of the guy writing this! (this made some kinda sense, not much, but I did not dwell on it).

Anyhoo, I soon heard the whole story of why this small group of folks was gathered on the outskirts of a deserted old town:

Seems that Jimmy Chang, an old refugee from China, had a store there; selling gunpowder mainly, to the miners. But he also sold fireworks to the local kids. His store had a sign that was 20 feet tall, and glistened in the almost continuous desert sunshine.

Seems that these four good folks were here to remeber Jimmy, on the anniversary of the day that his store blew up (luckily, that happened one early weekned morning, and only Jimmy was in when it blew.) There wasn't much to bury, I was told; even the famous sign had been blown into a thousand pieces!

Suddenly, the four folks surprised me by all getting up as one, dancing, and singing in Chinese. This lasted about 2 minutes, then they all sat down, holding hands and looking mournful. I let them sit in quiet contemplation; I had not much more to say anyway. (20 foot signs, gunpowder, and an old man from China had not that much interest for me).

After another few minutes, I decided to drive on. Before I did, I walked up to the folks, and asked how often they had this commemoration of Mr Chang "Every Saturday", came the reply. "Even though we all gotta come miles from all over the country now"!

"That's amazing" I said. But why do you NEED to do this little commemoration, especially every week"?!

They all answered in unison : "for the sake of old Chang's sign"!

" Good an answer as any" I thought, as I drove off.........................

THE END

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Comment by Uncle John on April 18, 2016 at 1:54am: Jamie, I am sorry I missed you. Hey, that lesson improve me by at least 1%!

Should old acquaintance be forgot................

Comment by Jamie MacBlues on April 17, 2016 at 6:20am: Too true, Jim. Here in Scotland, if we get a bit of sun, we are OUT in it! Lol

Comment by Jim Morris on April 17, 2016 at 6:09am: Ah, the hot desert sun can do funny things to a man. Only mad dogs and Scotsmen would venture out.

Comment by Jamie MacBlues on April 17, 2016 at 5:49am: LOVE that tale, Mr Tramp ! Lol
Been "deflated " maself , a few times in the bedroom ! ;)

Comment by Tramp Guitars on April 17, 2016 at 5:10am: There were 3 balloons. Mummy balloon, Daddy balloon and baby balloon.

Baby balloon took to sleeping in mummy and daddy balloons bed so daddy balloon said to baby balloon "Listen son, if you sleep in your own bed for 2 nights I'll double your pocket money"

Baby balloon agreed to the deal but on the second night he got lonely.

He crept into his parents room but couldn't squeeze into the bed.

Baby balloon took some air out of his dad and tried again. Still no good.

He took some air out of his mum. Still no good. He took some air out of himself and just managed to sueeze in between his parents.

Next day, daddy balloon was furious!.

"Two nights son, two nights . Thats all I asked!".

"Not only that............ You let me down.... you let your mother down and you let yourself down.

Comment by Jamie MacBlues on April 17, 2016 at 4:49am: Thanks, David; but those not words often used to describe me ! Usually one syllable word ( twat etc lol)