Billy and the Turkey
Shoot
A Thanksgiving Story
By Danny Tillman
More Reminiscing at the Tables
The 2nd side of the 2nd phonograph record, L2019,[1] of the Oratorio is now playing the performance of Isaiah chapter 40, verse 5,[2] by the BBC Choir & Orchestra.
[venigla, kebod yehova vera-u kal basar yahdav ki pi yehova diber]
"And shall be revealed], the glory of the LORD and shall see it all flesh together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."
Albey joins in the ongoing conversation with: "The flier for the turkey shoot was distributed to all the students of Atlantic Beach Elementary School, and of course, we knew from Mr. R.L., that Sonny attended there. So we knew that Rufus would see the flier. Also, we knew from our chief informer, R.L., that Nephew Billy was presently living with Rufus. We were hoping the two would come to the turkey shoot."
"We almost didn't," says Billy, sitting nearby, and Uncle Rufus said,
"If it hadn't been for Billy changing his mind, and me feeling bad not to go with him, we wouldn't have gone. Of course, I'm glad now that we did go."
Yark then said, "R.L. found out they would be going, and he and I were waiting in the parking lot. We spied them drive up and park. Then R.L. went back home, and I snuck around the other side of the school house and got behind the board fence onto the shootin' range."
"Bernny and Ernny had the targets and the turkey tied down behind the dirt mountain and had already stored the guns and tables behind a partition of fence boards that we built up to run parallel to the fence near the doors. The partition had an opening on one end facing away from the doors, and me and my boys helped the range master with the other shooters and targets while Rufus and Billy were in line. "I kept an eye out for Rufus and Billy through a crack in the fence. When it was their turn to enter the range area, the boys and I disappeared behind the partition, keeping an eye on them through a crack in the boards. I almost waited too long to pop out and keep them from killing each other. Ho! Ho! Tho' it was Aunt Mary & Miss Betty who beat me to the draw & saved them before I could! "After the shooting, and we all was walking to the parking lot and a-talkin', I was glad when Aunt Mary invited us here for Thanksgiving. I guess if she hadn't, I would-a have to have asked myself--and that would have really been awkward! When we got here today, I still wasn't quite sure how we would form our war party and strategy, but it just seemed to come together, like a miracle."
Betty asked about Pete Fountain and his band and Shaune explained that they had met in New Orleans years ago. The Basin Street Six is on tour-- Jacksonville being their next stop. Shaune and Pete had kept in contact by mail and it had worked out where the jazz group could be here today."
At 5:00, the last eater finished and the huge task of cleaning up, packing up and repairing Aunt Mary's front yard began. Paper plates and cups had been used, so these were thrown into the pit & buried. Members of Yark's Company refilled the campfire hole & reset the sod back in place so the lawn looked good as new.
By 7:00 the musicians, singers and all the guests, save the relatives, neighbors, and Yark & Company, had hit the road. Of these remaining, the adults and some of the older children are now gathered and sitting on the front porch. Some of the younger ones are swinging in the porch swing and a mixture of youngsters of all ages are playing a game of kickball in the front yard.
"Well," says Betty, "I guess the mysteries of this Thanksgiving story are pretty much all explained as well as humanly possible."
"However," adds Billy, "There is one--or technically--two--questions that haven't--& probably never will--be answered."
"And what is that--or rather--those--Billy?" asks Betty, trying to hide a wry smile.
"I just can't decide WHETHER TO SHOOT MYSELF…"
And the whole crowd chimes in with,
"...OR LET SOMEONE DO IT FOR ME!!!"
---THE END---
(Happy Thanksgiving)
[1] Info about Messiah recording courtesy of Mark Boyle@markboyle9941
[2] Hebrew transliteration of Isaiah 40:5 KJV courtesy of blueletter bible.org]