Second Harvest

Roy rubbed his chin. "That's okay with me too. I'll leave the decision up to the boys."

Billy immediately said, "I like Papa."

Roy smiled and patted Billy's head, "Great, you can call me Papa."

Abe's face was thoughtful. "I mean no disrespect, but I like calling you Roy. It's different."

"Then you shall call me Roy."

"And Billy will call you by a different name?"

"Sure, why not? Tom calls me 'my friend' and some people call me Mr. Folsom or Roy, so I'm used to being called by many different names."

Everyone agreed and after shaking hands with the boys, Roy said, "Let's go dancing and have a party."

When the family pulled up to the saloon, the place was packed with people. A band was playing energetic music in the corner of the room. Roy noticed that Maude made sure her working girls were properly dressed for the mixed company that filled the establishment. Never missing an opportunity, Sara pointed out that Maude was also handing out business cards like candy to every man she talked with.

The band switched the tempo of the music, playing a slow song. Reverend Daniel and Maura quickly stepped onto the dance floor standing close to each other. Sara looked at Roy, who then looked down at the floor. She reached out and grabbed Roy's hand and led him to the dance floor. Roy dragged his feet. Sara pulled Roy in close and whispered.

"It's okay Roy, just shuffle your feet like you're walking through tall grass, but make them small steps."

Roy immediately watched Sara's feet.

"Roy, don't look at the floor, gaze at me."

"I might step on your toes Sara."

"I'll live Roy, that's why you take small steps."

When the band finished playing the song, everyone applauded the newlywed couple. After blushing red, Roy ran off the floor with Sara in tow. "Can I get you a root beer?"

"Do you see Abe and Billy?"

Roy scanned the room since he was a head taller than most people. "Billy's over near the band sitting in a chair. Abe is sitting at the poker table playing with the older gentlemen."

"No!" Sara ran in the direction of the poker table. When she arrived, she was about to lambaste Abe, and the gentlemen for corrupting her son when Abe slapped his cards down and yelled out.

"You lose, old maid."

"Boy, you aren't cheating are you?" one of the men asked.

Another man added, "Yeah if you want to play like a man, you better put some money on this table."

Roy reached into his pocket and pulled some loose small coins and set them in front of Abe. Keeping his hand on top of the coins, Roy scanned the table looking into the eyes of each man.