Do not continue to live in the same old way. Make up your mind to do something to improve your life, and then do it. Change your consciousness; that is all that is necessary.
-------Paramahansa Yogananda,”Self –Realization Magazine
Tom walked slowly passed the classic buildings that lined the main street of his winter home. The Old town had long since disappeared after the Denver Water Board purchased the rights and flooded the town to form the Dillon Reservoir, to the opposition and dismay of it’s citizens. The new Town was fashioned after “Old Dillion” back in the gold rush days. Its heritage still remained.
He cheerfully kicked at the snowflakes falling from the skies. They floated gracefully to the ground like large white silver dollars. The vibram soles of his hiking boots squeaked leaving large footprints in the eight inches that had already fallen. He had never known snow to fall this hard or fast. Turning he looked at the virgin tracks he had left down the walk. They reminded him of a painting his Grandfather had hung on the living room wall. It was simply titled ‘A walk in the park’. It triggered a fond memory of home.
Tom spun back around and continued his exploration of the old mining town. The sound of music grew louder as he noticed a large weathered wooden sign protruding over the sidewalk.
“Tiger’s Moose Jaw Saloon," he spoke to no one in particular. “This has got to be the place.”
He approached the saloon door grabbed the brass handle fastened to the wide planks and yanked it open. Standing in the entrance for a few moments to allow the music to register. “You poison my clear water. You chop down my green trees. I live like an outlaw, in the land where I was born. I’m always on the run, Hey, Hey, What you gonna do about me?” Tom recognized the tune by Quick Silver Messenger Service. A rustic interior with a black upright in the corner opened up to a dark wooden bar with a wall of glass and bottles. A poker game was underway around a large table under a handmade wagon wheel chandelier. Tom expected to see a gun drawn over the inevitable fifth ace up the sleeve of one of the players.
“Only in the movies,” he laughed as he made his way across the room.
The regulars had been slowly showing up since around five when Sara punched in. Tucking her western denim shirt into her tight hugging jeans she flipped her shoulder length hair free from the collar. Well aware of her status as the ‘Queen of the Silver Dollar’ she smiled coyly at the men lining the bar. She noticed some unfamiliar faces in the crowd and expected that. This was the time of the year for the world to converge on Summit County, Colorado, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin ski area respectively.
She noticed one fresh handsome face in particular. Although a bit rugged and unrefined, his yellow down vest was thread bare and torn. She noticed his patched denim jeans clung nicely as he walked up to the bar.
“What’ll it be?” Sara asked in her best western drawl.
“J.D. and coke and hold the coke,” the young man smiled.
“Whatever’s your pleasure, Old No. 7 it is, you here for the show?”
“You might say that,” he laughed, “As long as everything goes as well as it has today.”
“Well, welcome to town. I’m Sara, Sara Lacey”
She was attracted to his confident, strong appearance. Attitude was always the first thing that drew her to a man.
“Tom Dillion,” he returned”
Her dark sensuous eyes accentuated a mysterious yet soft air. He could tell that she loved her job, the way that she smiled joking with all the customers.
“A blister a day,” he overheard her say. She was laughing with who he guessed was the mailman sitting down at the end of the bar.
“What can I get ya?” Sara asked another customer who had just walked in. He had the Olympic Logo pinned on his black ski sweater, and another on his matching cap. He stamped his freshly polished cowboy boots on the floor to shake off the snow. They had collected a considerable amount from the storm raging outside.
“Grapefruit Juice if you have it,”
“It’s your funeral,” Sara grabbed for a glass. “I’ll have to keep my eye on you, drinking this stuff.” She grinned at the young man as he removed his hat revealing long dusty blonde hair his six foot five frame towered over her and everyone else at the bar.
“This one’s on me,” Tom broke in.
“Thanks. Toby White,” the young man reached out his hand.
“Nice to meet ya, Tom Dillon. You here for the show?”
He gave Sara a wink as she twisted the ends of her long red hair. He felt the warmth of her smile and found himself smiling back.
Toby looked at them both and laughed.
“For a couple of months anyway. Coach says that I got the technique, but not the style. So he sent me to the Basin to loosen up. I’m shooting for the Olympics.”
“Impressive,” Tom nodded and raised his glass. “I’ve never had the ambition, but it would be glorious.”
“We’ll see if I get there,”
“When you get there,” Sara replied
“She’s right ya know, Ya can’t expect to go all the way without a winning attitude.”
“I know, that’s another thing coach wants me to work on. Loosen your heart and strengthen your mind, he always says.”
“He’s a wise man,” Tom sipped his drink.
“I was never big on skiing. My late hours here don’t leave much time for daily activities. A few times a year at best,” Sara looked down the bar for anyone who might need a refill.
“If you ever get the urge. We could take a few easy runs.”
Tyler couldn’t believe he was asking her on a date.
“That sounds like fun,” Sara smiled. “Excuse me duty calls.”
“So where are you staying?” Toby asked.
“That’s my last obstacle. I’ve got a job at the Basin in exchange for a season’s pass and a little spending money. There is no place to stay.”
“I guess we’re both in the same boat. Maybe Sara can steer us in the right direction.”
“It’s worth a try,” Tom looked up and waved to Sara.
Sara walked over wiping her hands on a bar rag that was hanging out of the back of her denim jeans.
“I’ll see what I can do,” she said. “I figured you guys would need a place to stay. My friend owns a boarding house in town. Maybe she’s got a room. Don’t wander too far for now.”
“Be right here,” Tom watched her move as she walked away. Her thin waist and rounded hips were looking finer all the time.
“She sure is a sweetheart,” Toby poked Tom with his elbow. “You got yourself a fine filly there.”
“Naw,” Tom shook his head. “She’s just being friendly. There’s nothing there.”
“Want to bet pal,” Toby leaned closer. “My mother always said, it’s all in what they don’t say.”
“Tom glanced up and caught Sara looking back at him. She quickly turned away.
“Maybe you’re right.”
“I know I’m right.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I’m sure, I’m right. By the end of the winter you two will be an item.”
“I certainly hope your right,” Tom added. “She’s the prettiest mountain girl I’ve ever seen.”
“Listen, I have sisters. I know I’m right.”
“We’ll just have to wait and see,” Tom replied.
“O.K. have it your way, she’s not interested,” Toby laughed.
They both burst out laughing.
“Tom, Toby, meet Jilly.”
They turned around and came face to face with every young man’s dream. Jilly was dusty blonde like Toby athletic build and a knock down smile. Tom thought she had a little too much make-up. Toby on the other hand was entranced by it.
“Nice to meet you,” Toby jumped up offering his chair. He stumbled in the process. A bit gawky on flat land, he skied like a demon.
“I’m Tom, He’s Toby,” Tom motioned.
“Hi,” she was looking at Sara. “I’ll have a martini, very, very dry,” she didn’t notice the two boys. They eyed each other behind her back.
“Thanks Sara,” Jilly replied reaching for her wallet.
“I’ve got it, I’ve got it,” Toby slapped a twenty on the bar.
“Thanks,” she reached over and sipped her drink and set the glass on the bar.
“A little less Vermouth next time Sara.” She ignored Toby’s gesture and didn’t acknowledge his attempt to be friendly.
“Sara tells me you boys need a place to stay,” she said curtly.
“Desperately,” Toby answered, mesmerized by her charm.
“Do you think I can trust these boys Sara?”
“They look pretty shady to me,” Sara smiled at Tom.
“I’ve got a room with two single beds and two dressers. You can stay this evening and if you’re still interested we’ll talk in the morning.” The business woman was showing through.
“Sounds great to me,” Toby said.
“Fine,” Tom added.
“Well I have to be going,” Jilly downed her drink and hopped off the stool.
“So soon? Where ya headin?” Toby questioned curiously.
“Got a date,” she answered with a sly wink to Sara.
Toby fell silent his face went blank and void of expression. He recovered, smiled sheepishly, held his hand to his heart and acted wounded.
Sara knew better than to ask who the date was with, she already suspected. She wouldn’t have given his name or where they were gong to meet. Friends should be interested but not prying. She would let it be, for now. She wondered if Jilly had any other friends in town. If she did, she never came around with any of them. Maybe the Moose Jaw wasn’t classy enough for her kind.
“Stop it Sara Lacey,” she chastised herself.
“See you later Jilly.”
“Bye Sara,” she tossed a dollar on the bar. “Up the stairs, second door on the left. Sara will tell you how to get there. We’ll talk business in the morning.”
“Thanks,” the boys said in unison. She turned and walked out the door before they could finish their sentence.
“Just my luck,” Toby sucked on a cube from his empty glass..
Sara grabbed the glass filled it to the top and shook her head at the boys,
“Don’t waste your time. There’s something distant about that girl. She’s got it all but still seems to want more.”
“She’s probably lonely,” Tom said. “Beauty isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
Sara shrugged her shoulders and was off to wait on another customer.
“Well Toby,” Tom extended his hand. “Not bad for the first day.”
“Not bad at all, Tom.”
It was to be the start of a long close, adventurous if not contentious friendship. Those were the best, the ones that could weather the storm. The storm was on their horizon.