Billy and the Turkey Shoot
A Thanksgiving Story
By Danny Tillman

Bernny & Ernny at the DCRGBKBPLBC

At the little sign, they turn left off the paved road onto a sandy road and begin the last two miles toward their destination. All around them are scrubby trees and sand as far as the eye can see.

Dodging pot holes and missing a few, the boys finally reach the Club House with a big sign in front on which all the different ranges are listed:     

After each type of range, directions to each were given.

Bernny parked and the boys go inside and see several men sitting at tables in the recreation area. The men are drinking coffee and talking guns, bows, knives, etc. Some of the men yell, "Hey, Bernny and Ernny, how y'all doing and how's your dad?" Bernny and Ernny answer, but keep on walking.  They walk on down two or three hallways and knock on a door in the rear of the building. A sign on the door says MANAGER. A voice behind the door says,

"Hoo eez eet?"

"Hey, Mr. Shaune [pronounced "Shah-OON"], it's us-ns--Bernny and Ernny!" Bernny answers.

"Entré Messieurs!"

 

and Bernny and Ernny enter and close the door.

"I wish I could larn that-thar French talk," says Ernny.

"Meee too," says Bernny

"Restez assez longtemps avec moi, et vous apprendrez à bien parler français, mes deux jeunes amis!--Stay aruund mee lo-uung enough, and you weel, my yoong frehns!"

"I Kin Already Say 'Awn-tray Messy-Yourers!" says Bernny.

"Hey, Bernny, that's REEL GOOD Bernny!" says Ernny.

"What breengs you heer, mes amis?

"Hey Bernny, I can say what Mr. Shaune just said—'Mess Ammys'!"        

"Yeah, Ernny, that's real good—hit means 'my friends'."

"Yeah, I knew that, Bernny. Go 'head-on and tell Mr. Shaune."

"Mr. Shaune, Paw wonts you. He said everthin' aer ready or should be by 'round noon."

Then Ernny says,

"Paw didn't tell us inner thing else, but he said you aer a-knowin' what to do, Mr. Shaune."  

"Yeah, Mr. Shaune," added Bernny.

"Mais oui."

"Hey, Bernny, I can say 'May-wee,' Bernny!'

"Yeah, that aer good Ernny, it means 'but yes' or something like that, Ernny."

"Mr. Shaune, we-uns need to be gettin' back to Mr. Rufus and Miss Mary's. See ya later."

"Au revoir, mes deux jeunes amis."

"Hey, Bernny, I can say…"

but Bernny opened the door and dragged Ernny out before Ernny could complete his version of  "Goodbye, my two young friends" in French. They exit the building, bidding the gang in the recreation room good-byes, climb back into their pick up and roar off, Bernny driving as before.

When they reach San Pablo Road, they turn right, being north, and a little ways down pull left into the yard of a small house. Before they can get out, a tall, slim, bespectacled man sporting a grey fedora with a wide black band steps out the front door and walks over to the truck.

"Hi boys, want to get out?"

"No sir, Mr. R.L., we just wanted to know if you, Miss Ida and Miss Louise are coming."

"Yeah, we'll be there, boys--just getting ready to leave."

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