Duelling Friends

The sun beat down on the back of Sam’s neck. Sweat beaded on his brow. He met his foe face to face in the middle of the dirt road.

“Choose your weapon, Wyatt,” he said, as he laid two handguns on his palm. Matt chose the black one with the silver handle.

“It’s July 1st, 1958, Jesse. Remember this day because it’s the day you will die!”

Sam took the brown one with a gold plate on the handle and the initials J.J. on the side.

“This town ain’t big enough for the both of us. Turn around. Take ten steps and then draw.”

Each of them turned and counted ten paces aloud. “Ten, nine, eight…” Spinning around, they shot at each other. “BANG, BANG…..BANG, BANG, BANG!!”

“Oh, you got me!” Sam said as he grabbed his chest and crumpled to the ground.

“Oh, you got me too,” said Matt, clenching his stomach as he staggered over to Sam and fell at his feet. “You were a good friend Jesse. I’m sorry I had to kill ya.”

“Ya, I’m gonna miss you too Wyatt.”

They closed their eyes and breathed their last breath.

***

“Boys – it’s time for lunch,” called Mrs. Watson.

Matt and Sam jumped up from the driveway and brushed the dust off their clothes.

“Come on Mattie, let’s eat!” said Sam.

They scrambled over to the table where peanut butter sandwiches and glasses of cold milk waited.

“Take those cowboy hats off at the table,” said Mrs. Watson.

“Yes Ma’am,” said Sam.

“So, what adventures have you boys been up to today?”

“We’re Jesse James and Wyatt Earp,” said Matt.

“Oh…” said Matt’s mom, not letting on that their heroes didn’t even live in the same era. “Did you have a good time?”

“Yes,” said Sam. “We shot each other and we’re both dead.”

“Well, you two look remarkably well for dead men.”

“Thanks,” said Matt as he grabbed his hat and a handful of chocolate chip cookies and headed for the door. “Come on Jesse – let’s go. We’ve got to catch the bank robbers!"

“Don’t go too far fellas. I want you to come in when I call you for supper.”

“Aww…Mom….”

“Don’t ‘Aw Mom me…’ You know you can’t stay out all night!”

Heads lowered, they skulked off. “O-kaaay…. We’ll be out by the barn.”

***

And so life went on…

***

“Do you know what day it is Sam?”

“Yep. It’s our anniversary – July 1st, 2018. Sixty years ago today I killed you, Wyatt.”

“An’ I killed you, Jesse.”

They clinked their glasses together and guzzled down their orange juice. Matt stood up, grabbed his walker and a handful of chocolate chip cookies. Sam rolled out in his wheelchair and headed for the lounge area.

“Don’t forget your hat, Sam.” Matt handed him the black Stetson.

“Hurry up so we can get a good seat,” said Sam. “They’re playin’ True Grit today. You know John Wayne is my favorite.”

“I know,” said Matt. “Mine too.”

Matt took a step with his walker, grabbed his chest, and crumpled to the floor.

“Mattie!!” cried Sam. “Nurse! Help! Matt is having a heart attack or something!”

Nurse Emily rushed to Matt’s side and asked, “Do you have any pain?”

Matt said, “A little.”

“Are you having any trouble breathing?”

“No.”

Nurse Emily took Matt’s pulse.

“I think we’d better take you to the infirmary. Dr. Evon is in today. It’s best if he checks you over.”

Sam fidgeted nervously as he waited for his longtime friend to return. An hour passed. Matt was wheeled back in by Nurse Emily.

“I’m alive Jesse!” called out Matt.

Sam, visibly relieved, shouted back, “Wyatt, you old dog. I was afraid they’d have to shoot ya!”

“Nope…not yet! This old horse has a few more races in him yet!” said Matt.

As the large group of nursing home residents settled into their seats, Nurse Emily said, “Enjoy the movie fellas. I’ll call you when supper is ready.”

Matt leaned over to Sam and whispered, “Awww… Mom…”

Sam gave Matt a wink and pulled his Stetson down over his brow.

And so life went on…