Little Texas, Dust Dreams

By Darren Ramon

Every life has a story. As difficult as it was growing up, I remember the good and not the bad experiences. I’ve forgiven and have moved forward with my life so that the anchor that holds me down, is one that I control. These seven stories help us remember that we are just one piece of the puzzle that includes the people we are privileged to live with. Being a Texan is in my blood and if you like simple stories, there is Billy, Roman, Edward, Gloria and Troop 91 ready to entertain you with what it’s like living in West Texas. Most of the stories are based on real events and one that is out of this world, "Super Nana". Discover the meaning of Little Texas Dust Dreams.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Darren Ramon
• Release date: Nov 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463848678

Darren Ramon

Retired and ready to share wonderful experiences regarding events that shape our future. More is coming. Educated at RCC and OUP in business, accounting and Computer science. Originally from West Texas with ancestry in both European and native american heritage. Living in the beautiful city of Portland Oregon.

Book preview

Little Texas

Dust Dreams

A boy’s backyard adventure

Table of Content

The Battle of the Flying Ants

Billy and the Candy Store

Super Nana (Glory)

Mystery in the Closet

Pinto, the Spotted Pony

The Tent

Troop 91

The Battle of the Flying Ants

Story 1

Billy couldn’t wait to get home to see his dog Spotty. The family had been to El Paso for a couple of days and the neighbor next door was feeding and taking care of the small brown spotted dog. Spotty had been given as a gift by his grandfather and was a pet dearly loved by Billy.

Yet, every second, Billy was stressed and worried that the dog had not eaten his food or perhaps the neighbor had failed to watch him with love. Billy didn’t trust Mr. Castillo or some of the kids that lived in the neighborhood. They had done things in the past that he could not forget or forgive. Billy and his family lived on the east side of town where both the Latin and the blacks lived. The family was use to having things stolen. His grandma had been robbed three times by kids that she had known since their birth, yet there they were robbing her with knives and guns. Billy had already experienced the process of stealing when his wheels had been taken from his favorite bike one night.

The stealing of animals was also very personal. Someone close by, in the neighborhood was always stealing his pets. There was Tiger, Rusty, Bear and others that have been taken in the middle of the night. Bear was Billy’s favorite but somehow one Sunday night, they had jumped the fence and torn the big thick rope that held his dog in place which was located in the back of the house and had taken him away. He never saw that dog again.

Spotty had been with him for a number of years and was more aggressive with people that he didn’t know. Sometimes if provoked, he would show his teeth, or if he felt that he was threaten by strangers. So the dog was very special to Billy and he would do everything he could to keep his dog safe. Spotty was a mutt and perhaps those responsible for stealing his pets weren’t so interested in this small dog.

Don’t worry Billy, Spotty will be fine. were the words that Mr. Castillo had said before the trip had begun.

OK, just wait and see that he’ll be fine. he continued.

Mr. Castillo, how do you know if he is fine, what if another animal gets in the yard? Normally he hides under the car when the other dogs are bigger or people who are trying get him? He is a pretty smart dog. He knows when something is out of place. He needs to be fed at a certain time and he is good at obeying. said Billy.

Yea, why shouldn’t he be? He is the world’s smallest dog. I think a cat has a better chance. replied his sister.

Well, you wait and see if he can’t handle cats? You know how he protected me when we were being chased by all those guys who came to visit the baby-sitter.

Well, we will see. replied his sister.

Just close your eyes and pretended everything is fine. You’re in the moon, far away from everyone who has a brain. said Billy.

Billy, don’t worry. He is in good hands, I promise. said Mr. Castillo.

Well those words were enough to calm him down for the weekend trip to his grandparents at the farm.

After a while they got tired of arguing and decided it was time to enjoy the scenery, but even then nature can only go so far and then you are on your own.

The beauty of the desert gets to be old news because everything looks the same. And then the hours begin to drag on and on and time becomes an enemy. It took his family about 5 hours to get to Pecos. Pecos was a tiny town in the desert where no sane person would ever live and yet here we were, trying to survive a dangerous environment called West Texas.

Living in this part of the country was no picnic in the park. The only thing that matter was Spotty and Billy was literally jumping out of his skin just to see his dog. He wanted to know that his dog was truly safe and in good condition.

Once they had made it to the west side of town, it would take another ten minutes to get home. Downtown Pecos presented an interesting array of sights including the old cantaloupe warehouse, home of the world famous fruit that had once been to the World’s Fair in New York City. There was also the very busy downtown business district where you could find the Sear’s store, JC Penny's and Woolworth and further east, even his grandparent’s grocery store on Lincoln Street.

The store was in front of East Pecos Jr. High School and the best place for kids to come and buy their favorite candies. At this anxious time, nothing matter to Billy, not even the lure of candies.

It must have been about 4pm when the family was almost home but unlike other times, there was something unusual about this day.

There was no sound of birds or kids playing in the street when they pulled up to the front of the house where they lived.

When Billy jumped out of the car, he noticed people standing on the other side of the street and they were all pointing and looking at their home.

Dad seemed confused by all the unwanted attention.

What is everyone staring at? asked my mother.

I don’t know. replied my father.

There was nothing different, the house hadn’t burnt to the ground or fallen in some great big hole.

What’s going on? asked my father.

"I