Prairie Moon: Time: The Revelator

By R.L. Mata

On the high plains of northeastern Colorado, Dennis Camp’s world, already small, is getting smaller. Wherever he looks, towns are disappearing, schools are closing, and his social world is shrinking. Emptiness is not inevitable for Dennis himself; however, his mother, who knows him better than he knows himself, has asked him for a promise, and he has given it. If he can just figure out how to act on that promise, his world may become large enough to bring him happiness and fulfillment as a man.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645316503

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Prairie Moon

Time: The Revelator

R.L. Mata

Copyright © 2019 R.L. Mata

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2019

ISBN 978-1-64531-649-7 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64531-650-3 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

1977—A Chance Encounter

1953–1956—Conversations One Shouldn’t Hear

1956–1957—The World Gets Bigger

1958–1960—The Closing of Midway School

Summer 1960—Growing Up

Fall 1960–May 1965—Time to Be a Man?

Fall 1965–Spring 1969—The Promise

Summer–Fall 1969—A Good Life Ahead

1970–1971—The Detour

1972–Summer 1977—The Circle of Life

Autumn 1977–1979: A Friendship

Time—The Revelator

Reconciliation and Acceptance

For Willimina:

When my eyes can no longer see,

And when my hands shake

So much I cannot use a pen,

I won’t worry…

For you will always be

In my memories…

Acknowledgments

In time. How often does a person find himself saying those two words? For this writer, more than twenty-five years. Time, the revelator, finally brought me to where I hoped I would always be; that is, completing a book that seemed fleeting—and yet ever present—in the back of my mind.

Having grown up on the plains of northeastern Colorado, it was only natural to draw upon the many memories of what it was like living in an area that was both harsh and beautiful in its own special way. For many people, driving through this part of Colorado is merely an inconvenience to get to what the state is known for—its mountains. However, if you take the time, you will see how the past and present create a landscape full of color, vibrancy, and respect for what once was and what is yet to come.

Many of my previous efforts to write this book are intertwined in this story. The individuals portrayed in this book are completely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Some of the geographic locations can actually be found in parts of northeastern Colorado—although the names have been changed. Still, they are memory points as opposed to my actual presence at those sites—whether in the past or in the present. The characters are collective images and not to be assumed as real persons.

There are many people to thank whose lives have left a lasting influence on my own. My parents and siblings will always have a special place in my heart. Special thanks go to the following:

Paul—my always and forever love

Our children and grandchildren who bring so much joy and happiness into our lives

Angie and Mary—dearest of friends whose persistence and support allowed me to write this book

The many family and friends who helped review this manuscript

John Thomas III whose review and editing of this book gave me the confidence to make it all happen

Mr. James McNally—social studies teacher when I was enrolled at Central Platoon School and whose confidence in my abilities allowed me to become a teacher and a school administrator.

1

1977—A Chance Encounter

The grasslands seemed to go on forever from where he stood. He could see at least ten miles in every direction. It gave him a high degree of satisfaction. Most importantly, this was his view of the world as he knew it since childhood.

He parked his ’69 Chevy truck at the crest of a hill near the fence he had come to repair. About time, too; whole sections of barbed wire were almost lying on the ground. Thank goodness that crazy bull hadn’t made it over here yet, Dennis thought. The truck hung onto the hillside right off the pavement in a precarious manner. Looking at it, you would think a strong wind would send it rolling into the ditch alongside the road. He knew better. He’d parked there many times before.

Looking south, Dennis could see a vehicle was heading his way, although at this point, it looked like a Hot Wheels toy—the kind he once gave his son to play with on an orange track he had set up in his bedroom. He fancied himself a good judge of cars—at least those he knew about from the past several decades. The car was a darker-red and had some kind of white landau top. Has to be one of those newer Monte Carlos, he thought. Several hills hid the road from where he saw the car and where he parked. It came as no surprise that before he collected his thoughts, the car was less than a hundred feet from him. Surprisingly, it looked like the car was slowing down.

Having completely forgotten that he was standing behind his pickup—taking a leak—he noticed the driver coming up close to the back of the truck where he was standing and almost stopped. The guy looked at Dennis, looked ahead, and then slowly started to drive off. In what seemed like an afterthought, he pulled in ahead of the truck, put his car in park, and got out.

Dennis was eyeing him with some trepidation. He could tell the guy was maybe in his mid-twenties and was wearing a CU Buffaloes cap. By the way he was dressed, it was obvious he was on his way to work or something besides ranching. Other than the fact that he was wearing sunglasses and Dennis couldn’t see his eyes, he didn’t seem threatening. The guy stood by his car door and didn’t move toward Dennis.

Mister, is everything all right? I saw your truck a mile or so back. From there, it looked like it was going to tip right over into the ditch. I thought maybe you might’ve had a blowout and needed some help.

Closing his car door, he began walking toward Dennis. I drive roads up here quite a bit for work. It always worries me when I see a vehicle by the side of the road. There’s hardly anybody on these roads so help might not arrive for quite some time.

As he approached the truck, Dennis remarked, Nah, I park here pretty often. My truck seems to hang on just fine while I’m taking care of business. I do appreciate you stopping to make sure I was okay, though.

No worries. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks again, although the real fun is just about to begin, Dennis replied. I finally decided it was time to get off my ass and come fix that fence before I lose any cattle. Dennis pointed in the direction of the fence, and in doing so, Dennis realized there were actually four sections that were going to need repair. Damn, he thought to himself, I didn’t bring enough wire with me.

By the time he turned to face the guy, Dennis realized he was practically standing next to him. I can see this is going to take longer than you thought it might. I’m in no big hurry and can help out if you need a hand.

As perplexing as all of this sounded, Dennis looked at him and could see (now that his sunglasses were off) that his expression was sincere. Somewhat confusing to Dennis was the fact that the guy kept glancing down at him—almost like he was checking Dennis out.

You look like you’re on your way to a business meeting, buddy. I don’t think you want to go into that pasture with what you’ve got on. I’m pretty sure you’ll get dirty and maybe even tear up your clothes.

Well, this is true, the guy said. But I always carry a change of clothes because if my car has problems out this way, I don’t have to worry about getting them dirty. If you’d like my help, I can go back to my car, change clothes, and we’d be out in that field in no time. He looked at Dennis who, by this time, was dumbfounded by this exchange. The guy gave Dennis a smile and a small wink. Just so you know, I grew up on a farm and pretty much know my way around fences.

You’re kidding, right? Why would you want to go through all of this trouble helping me repair a fence that I myself have dragged my feet for close to a month fixing?

"Maybe because