Billy and the Turkey
Shoot
A Thanksgiving Story
By Danny Tillman
Final battle positions!
When Yark, Rufus, John, Tom and X reach the point under cover of trees and undergrowth, directly facing Miss Raschette's porch door, Yark raises his hand to signal a halt. He gives his final, quiet instructions to Johnny and Uncle Rufus to assume the "far-flank" battle position, twin to that of Morris' and Billy's on the "near flank." Giving the two men the same instructions as he had to Billy and Morris: to "advance for the capture of the Knife Lady when I yell, 'Now !'," Rufus and John quietly slip off so as to be hidden, ready and waiting at precisely 11:00, when Albey was to break cover, announce himself, and let the confrontation with Raschelle begin.
It is 4 minutes to 11:00 and Yark turns, whispers and signs to X and Tom, "Boys, I will draw first fire. Stay out of sight till after she throws the first Bowie. I want you, X on my left, since she is right-handed and will tend to favor that side. "Tom-Tom, you will be on my right side. I know I said the opposite earlier, but I think this is the best way now. "Both y'all boys keep 20 feet away from me on either side. That'll let us-ns have more room a-dodgin' blades and not stumblin' over each other. It'll also make it harder for her to take accurate aim and slow down her reaction time, which'll be a-givin' us-ns better chances to move in to-ward her unharmed so we-uns ken pin her down. "I plan to move steadily forward 'tween dodgin' each knife she tosses. Ya'll do the same, but follow behind about 10 feet. "We'll go in at her like a arrow head, with me at the tip and y'all at the two tail ends of a triangle. She has a heap o' knifes, so she's a-gonna be like a machine-gunner. O.k. boys, go assume your po-sitions, and God speed!"
Albey glances at his watch. It shows 11:00. He steps forward out from the protecting cover of the foliage into the back yard of the knife lady. The door is standing open, but she is nowhere in sight. He cups his hand to his mouth and yells, "Hello, in the house! Miss Raschelle! It's me, Albey Yark, invitin' you to come to the Thanksgiving dinner at little Sonny's house!"