Billy and the Turkey
Shoot
A Thanksgiving Story
By Danny Tillman
The strategy meeting begins!
"Thanks for coming," said Albey to Morris and Barbara, "you are the two for the job, as we were needin' just one more man and one more woman.
"Now, folks, I think we have a complete group of warriors here. Little Sonny was telling me that the Knife Lady probably won't come to the Thanksgiving dinner today. Any objections if we all pay her a visit and try and change her mind?"
No one objected and Albey continued:
"Folks, we are embarking on a mission today that could be hazardous--even life-threatening. Don't worry, ladies, we'll keep you safe and sound in the background and out of harms' way.
"Rufus and Morris, it would be needless to put you two in any danger either, so I want y'all to keep behind and to the side also.
"Now, Billy. Since you were the one who got all this started by being willing to SHOOT YOURSELF -OR- Let Someone Else Do It for You.
"I'm just almost tempted to put you up front and center and let you face the Knife Lady all by yourself-same-- "just kiddin'! I want you back and to the side also."
Billy was relieved to hear that, even though he knew for sure, as did all those present, that he would have faced Raschelle Raschette and her long, heavy, razor-sharp steel instruments of certain death alone, if need be. Marines did stuff like that all the time, no problem.
"First of all, if there is any person present who does not believe in the Heavenly Father, and his Son, I would have to respectfully ask you, for your own personal safety in the upcoming exercise, to refrain from going with us to the house of the Knife Lady."
Albey paused at this point and looked around at the volunteers surrounding him. Nobody voiced a naysay or objected in any way, and returned Albey's gaze with affirmation as to going ahead with the planning stage of the rescue maneuvers. Albey continued:
"We will be attempting to persuade Miss Raschelle to come to the Thanksgiving celebration. "From all that the lad Sonny, Uncle Rufus and Aunt Mary have told me, she is very handy, to say the least, with the Jim Bowie knife.
"Under normal circumstances, she is harmless, like when Sonny and his little brother went by her house the other day to invite her over. Today's visit by us will be entirely different."