Photo credit Ron Pruitt.
The Road to Redemption
The old cowboy boarded the bus, hat in hand, boots freshly polished, his steps hesitant.
“Mind if I sit?” asked the young man in newly pressed black trousers, starched white short-sleeved shirt and black tie.
“You can sit anywhere you like but the only guidance I need at 90 is directions to the toilet.”
Undeterred he asked, “Have you found God, Sir?”
“Probably so, I’ve done my share of kneeling.”
They rode in silence another 100 miles.
Adrift in regrets, the cowboy asked the sleeping missionary, “This God of yours, you reckon he forgives rough necks and love-sick ol’ fools?”
For more flash fiction from the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wiseoff-Fields, author of the lovely novel Please Say Kaddish for Me go here.
What's for dinner, Doc? 
A bus-trip like this sounds like the last chance for the old cowboy… Wonder if it helps?
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I see him traveling towards a woman from his past. I hope there’s still time for them.
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Great bus ride story.
I’m sure god will forgive the coboy, no problem.
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I think all forgiveness comes from within and maybe this cowboy is ready to forgive himself.
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Very touching Tracey
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It sounds like the cowboy is ready to take the first step to forgiveness on his own. He just needed a little nudge.
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Yes, that’s how I see it.
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A really good story, that left me reeling at the prospect of being trapped next to a happy-clapper for a long bus journey. The most fruitful conversation would be the one where one of us was asleep. Such an original take on the prompt Tracey.
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A happy-clapper!
Love it!
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If my Dad were still alive he would love that phrase. Happy-Clapper ha ha
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Great piece of writing, took us into the ol’ fool’s heart.
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I’m a sucker for old fools.
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Hey, we’d get on just great…
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This is wonderful. I especially liked, ” the only guidance I need at 90 is directions to the toilet.” It’s moving, and funny, and thought-provoking.
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I’m not sure what else matters at that age.
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Dear Tracey,
This one left me with warm fuzzies and smiles. Your characterization of the old cowboy was pitch perfect. I could hear and see him. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Then I think you would have liked my Dad. This was one of his stories. I think he did find redemption but not while traveling with the LDS missionary. He surprised us one day having taken the Greyhound from Montana to Nevada at 90 by himself. He had lots of angels helping him on his journey and I don’t think he really minded the young Mormon’s company. Maybe they both benefitted from the encounter. I do know that my Dad died a Catholic. 😉
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Yep… I, too, would be worried, sitting to a man of God… lovely story!
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The bus ride alone would have killed me but a missionary – ugh.
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Especially if he wants to bring you over to the light… 😉
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Ooo, that changes the tone completely. What if this was the cowboy’s last ride as in the last moments of his life and he didn’t reach out to the “Light”? We don’t really know what happens at the end of life. When my Dad was dying at home, he made several references to travel but this story occurred while he was alive but what if ….. This is why I love comments. Seeing your work from someone else’s eyes can take you down a different road. Thanks Dale.
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Oh how delightful!
Enough said.
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That’s enough for me. Thank you Alicia.
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i felt for the the characters. they seemed so real to me. well done.
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That’s because they were real people. This is one of my Dad’s tales that I embellished a little. Thank you.
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That makes the tale even more fun.
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I reckon He does. Now, if the woman will just forgive him . . .
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I think she probably did. Thank you Russell.
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Touching story – The 100 miles must have taken several years back . Good one.
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Maybe so.
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What a heart-warming story, Tracey!
janet
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Thanks Janet.
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A moment in time ‘needed by both’ ? Only time will tell……
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Perhaps so. People come into our lives for a reason I think.
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You just never know who you will next to on a long bus ride. Maybe they sat next to each for a reason. Maybe it will be good for both of them. Well done, Tracey.
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That’s how I see it too. I think a young missionary could learn a little about real life from an old cowboy. I think there’s more to the story.
Thanks
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The road to redemption, all right. I hope it exists. Interesting story.
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This was so beautiful, Tracey. I’m so happy you shared it with us. 🙂
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Thanks Jack.
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I do love a cowboy love story…sigh…
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I definitely think there’s more to this story.
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