Never talk to strangers...

In the night. Ghost and spirits can appear..

Never talk to a stranger..

The last tavern on the Austin, Texas street “Fifth street”.  Low music and people seeking conversation. Pretty lady sat with me and she ordered a double shot of Jim Beam and a cold tap beer. He saw her painted face hiding bruises and her lower lip scarred. He told the bartender. I will buy this lady her drinks, if she likes. She turned to him and she looked him over from foot to face. She told him. I’m bad company stranger, I had a bad day and a real bad night. Tonight I need to hide in the whiskey and wish for a new life. He smiled and I told her. Life is fair my new friend. My name is Johnnie and I know karma is a deadly payback. Losers and abusers will pay the undertaker of debt one day..
She laughed at his words and she reached out her hand and she told me. My name is Jennifer and I guess we are not strangers no-more. You can buy me this drink and maybe another? I do need a kind voice and someone to listen to me. I reached a dead-end. I can’t go home and be safe. I have no place to go. Only back to my personal hell. The stranger smiled and he told her. The taverns are where we can confess our pain and sin. Men who abuse women need to receive equal payment. She laughed at his words and she told him. I wish life was fair. Cold hearten men who just know abuse and hate. Woman, like me are at fault. We knew the man we gave everything to was filled with hate and abused us when dating. We deserve our ending.
Johnnie ordered another double shot of whiskey and a fresh cold beer. He watched her eyes. He saw abuse all his life. He saw she was reached her end. She went to the tavern bathroom. He looked in her purse and he found a loaded 22 pistol and note. A suicide note. The note stated. I’m tire and I can’t do this no-more. Death will be sweeter than life with you Robert. I’m sorry. He found her license and memorized her address. She returned and she saw the change in his face. She asked him. “Are you okay Johnnie? Did I do something wrong?” He reached over to her and he hugged her. He whispered. Jennifer, you will be okay. I promise. They talks for two hours. She was going to be a teacher and once had a strong family. Her husband wouldn’t allow the family near. She was lock-up and alone. Johnnie told her. I have a quick mission and I will return in less than a hour. Can you wait? Jennifer smiled and she told him okay.
Johnnie went outside and the anger was alive and well. He hated men who abuse and harmed woman. He went to her house. A 10 minute drive. A apartment complex. He went to apartment 15 and he saw the door was not fully closed. He open and he closed the door. A man yelled. Where you been b***h? I’m going to beat your a*s till you cannot move. You trying to escape me you dirty b***h. The man faced Johnnie. Johnnie kicked in his knees first, than a fist into throat. Robert fell to the ground. He stomped both hands and knees. Johnnie went to the floor and he whispered into his fearful face. The Devil dances at the midnight hour. The devil get his due on earth and in hell. Today I won’t kill you. If you harm Jennifer again. I will do the devil dance on your lonely grave. Johnnie rose-up and tossed the house phone to Robert. He left him crying and swimming in his own blood coming slowly out of his mouth.
Jennifer was happy when Johnnie returned. She smiled and she told him. I decided to call my parent. They told me to come home tonight. My brother is coming to pick me up now and I must thank you for giving me the confident. Johnnie smiled and he told her. This is very good and he took her purse. He took out the gun and the note. He empties out the shells and he put the gun in his pocket and he tore-up the note. Jennifer gave him a sad smile and she told him. I thought death was sweeter than life. When did you know? He embraced her and he whispered. Robert won’t try to stop you. Sometime when a stranger comes. We need their words and their help. Go home and pack. He gave her a envelope with some money and put the money in her hands. Just a gift from a new friend.
Jennifer kissed Johnnie face and his hands. She left him with a kind reward of a forgotten smile. She went home and she found Robert on the floor bleeding. With broken legs and hands trying to use the phone impossible. She called the police and she went to Robert. She went to her knees and he whispered. The devil dances at midnight. Please forgive me Jennifer. The police came and she told them she was drinking at the Tavern till 2 am. Her brother came and she told him the story of this kind man. The brother’s eyes became fearful. I told you often, never talk to strangers. You are protected by ancient spirit. Our Apache heritage is strong and I believe I prayed for the stranger to help you. No-one will harm you now.

Coyote
 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Poetic Beauty]

We all need that kind ear and the smile of someone even if it’s a stranger in a bar. Unfortunately this tale is way too common and many don’t see a way out.

This tale has a happy ending and I’m glad she was able to get away from the situation. You never know how life is going to play out and who may come to your rescue when least expected

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my dear friend. Hard to escape a bad situation. But somehow the people in danger must. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Poetic Beauty]

You are welcome

[Betty Hermelee]

a very poignant story.... in this case talking to a stranger was a happy ending...but you never know that it will always be so..Johnnie befriended her when she was about to commit suicide, she was in such despair...a few drinks, some kind words, a brutal beating, and some cash certainly helped in this situation...
kindness shines in this tale and the poor woman was rescued....and she went home with her brother, but not before kissing and thanking Johnnie for his sweet heart and friendship.... great tale
Warmly, B

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Betty for reading and the comment. I do believe we are protected by spirits with concern for us.

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome John
Warmly, B

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful work. Great storytelling. It is well crafted and sensitive.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Thomas. I appreciate the comment.

[red93]

Fabulous Coyote - this actually has the feel for me of a Bob Dylan type song lyric. Very mysterious and strangely powerful. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear friend for reading and the comment. I do appreciate,

[AYVID N]

It takes a very compassionate and strong man to intervene on behalf of a woman who he has known for a very brief time. Most would perhaps listen, smile, and walk away but Johnnie was not like the rest of the world. He acted selflessly and rescued her from the goodness of his heart. Johnnie was an angel sent in answer to a loved one's fervent prayer.

This wonderfully written story restored my faith in humanity. Makes me want to believe that in this dark and evil world, there are a few good men out there. Who expect nothing in return for kindness shown when needed. Theirs will truly be the reward in Heaven.

We must talk to caring strangers sometimes...Thank you for this precious share, dear Coyote.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Divya. I agree. In my lifetime. Many strangers befriended me and assisted my life. Thank you dear friend for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[emmajoygreen]

Your tales of kindness and passion sometimes reach the highest mountain, John. This shows the heart of the man. You all too many loves (as you know!) have left memories in your man/soldier/man's life but for me, this post crowns the lot. So many points, thoughts, ways of saying 'this matters' have left me stunned somehow. Courage has more than one face, doesn't it. Very finely put, worthy. Women need protectors even in this modern day of equality. Believe me. Thank you.

[Coyote Poetry]

We all need protection dear Emma. My mother was abused my three different men. Made me kind to all women. Thank you my dear friend for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[emmajoygreen]

How very sad. What a terrible way of learning how to protect, however. You can at least stand as an example. Be proud of that.

[Coyote Poetry]

I tried dear Emma. And thank you.

[roarke]

Great story, great message, strong truth and emotion.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you roarke. I appreciate the comment.

[Poetic_Vixen]

Impressive story with quite a mysterious yet satisfying ending nonetheless, I believe it's true that God does help in unimaginable ways and in the least expected places or situations, liked reading this story my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear poet. I believe the same. We do have spirits ( Maybe angels.) watching our journey.

[Poetic_Vixen]

This belief is sorta reassuring every time, most welcome!