Billy and the Turkey
Shoot
A Thanksgiving Story
By Danny Tillman
Debriefing
The ladies and men folks were in a jovial mood as they finally rounded the far end of the fence where the master shooter said they could "…leave th'table set, I'll drive my truck up to pick it up later. "I'll walk y'all on out t'your cars if you don't mind," and they all began the long walk back toward the parking lot.
* * *
If you had been following close behind this happy, relaxed, glad-it-was-all-over group of walkers, you would have heard the following conversation:
"Where are the children?"
"We got Vonnie to come over and baby-sit. She brought Ronnie and Fetcher ( two small sons of the Gainey family who lived nearby) with her to keep Sonny, Little Brother and Little Sister company while Vonnie looks after Baby Sister."
"Sir, that was the finest shooting I ever saw!"
"Keeps me in practice… that last shot had me a mite concerned though."
"Guess we looked a little silly standing there trying to shoot ourself…"
"…Or each other!"
"Never you mind 'bout that, young fellers. I had a feelin' somethin' like that was a goin' to happen when I first saw that there turkey shoot announcement paper.
"You see, it was writ up by one of th'fellers down at the Duval County Rod, Gun, Bow, Knife, Black Powder and Long Beards Club, (editor's note: otherwise known as the DCRGBKBPLBC) which just so happened t'sponsor this here turkey shoot.
"And me bein' a member an' all, I ask' th'President down there ifn I could keep a watch out for fellers just like y'all and put on a shootin' show for them.
"He said 'No' at first, but changed his mind an' said, 'O.K., but only oncet, cause it takes up too much time ifn you do it for all th'fellers that can't deecide,' an' I picked y'all."
"Thanks!"
"Don't mention it. Like I say, it's good practice for me… and I like to keep my hand in."
* * *
They finally found Uncle Rufus' car. Betty said that she was pretty sure Billy's car-- which she had drove herself and Aunt Mary to the Turkey Shoot in-- was just a little farther over.
"I almost forgot," said Uncle Rufus, "We have to wait for the turkey!"
"Aunt Mary, you and Betty can go on back home and relieve Aunt Vonnie of her babysitting job, and me and Uncle Rufus will bring home the turkey when it gets here," suggested Billy.
However, they all stopped momentarily at the '49 Ford, even though the men intended to walk the ladies on over to Billy's car.
"Folks, it looks like my helpers might be a little longer a-bringing that turkey back…I tell you what…jus' give me your address an' I'll bring that there turkey to you myself.
"Y'all all can jus' go on home and enjoy the rest of the day together."