Sinclair’s Balloons

The worn saloon door slammed open with a speed and force that threatened its forged iron hinges. The Whiskey Tavern had been open for twenty years, and Tad Taples had made countless repairs since opening day in 1830. What in the hell did I do to deserve this today, he thought as he dried a glass with his apron. Tad’s main job was to serve the most affordable whiskey and beer at the only tavern in town, while attempting to maintain order among the men. This was not an easy task as they became more distant from the reality of their lives, with each beer or shot of whiskey, growing in perceived stature, strength and wit; a perfect storm looking for the perfect conditions to rage on. It was Tad’s job to ensure that these conditions were not met on any given day.

   “Where is that damn Johnny Johnson?” yelled Brian, a tough, blond headed man with broad shoulders and an old raised scar that divided his forehead almost exactly in half. Brian Bask was the eldest child of the oldest family in town, but Brian was achild no longer. At the age of 34, he was the only surviving male Bask. This was a burden that Brian, the youngest sibling, had not expected to carry, so early on in life. He had thought for sure, that he had years of drinking and poker playing with his five dead brothers; his life now consisted of protecting his remaining two sisters who were almost a decade older. He loved his family fiercely, alive and dead, and made sure his dear sisters had everything they needed.

“I know Johnny J is here. I seen his old excuse for a horse tied up out front, that damn coward of a fool! He better be hiding out.” Brian said as he strutted around the bar, staring accusingly at all the patrons. That damn good for nothing Johnson boy better hope I don’t catch up with him before court tomorrow. None of men in the tavern wanted any trouble that day, especially Wade Foley who had “borrowed” Joe Johnson’s horse. Wade paid the hefty price of 2 pennies to borrow that flea bitten horse, when he could’ve damn well bought four pints of beer with that money. Old Wade could no longer walk the 45 minutes each way to the tavern, so he paid the two pence that he could not afford.

 Brian kept scouring the bar, then took an empty seat near Lily, a lady of the night who was flaunting her assets. Brian ignored her, he was here on serious family business today.

 “Joe Johnson ain’t been here today” Tad said to Brian nonchalantly, wiping his hands on his dirty apron.

“You callin me a liar? I’d tread mighty careful if I was you” Brian said as slammed his hand on the bar counter, “You might own this fine establishment, but you still bleed like the rest of ‘em” Brian said to the bar owner.

“I don’t like any bit o’ your tone Mr. Goddamn B. If I got to warn you again, my cousin, who I might remind you is the sheriff of this town, would be happy to haul your ass into a tight packed jail cell. Don’t step outta line man” Tad said as he nodded to the two men in uniform, sitting at the end of the bar.

Brian broke eye contact, and sat back on the barstool, sucking his teeth. Dammit, I just got to keep my nose out of trouble for just one more night, then I can eat my lunch in front of Joe Johnson’s jail cell every damn day. Brian swung his gaze to the saloon door, then back to Tad. He sat there for a long minute deciding. The tavern had been packed for a Thursday and he didn’t know what surprises could be in store. It was already six o’clock but there was plenty of Texas sun left on this dusty hot evening. The two sheriffs at the end of the bar kept a weary eye as they sipped their whiskey and made their presence known, casually scanning the tavern for any sign of trouble. 

“Lemme get a pint then” Brian said as he dropped the half penny piece on the bar. Weariness and fatigue from the feud between the Basks and Johnsons was beginning to weigh on Brian. It showed on the lines under his eyes, and the labored way he had started to carry himself. My brother did not deserve to die like an animal. It had been a month since his brother was murdered in cold blood. A murder carefully planned and executed by the Johnson brothers. Brian wasn’t taking any more chances. He had started sleeping in a rocking chair with his shotgun ‘Bessie’ on his lap. He bought one of those big hunting dogs from a local hunting family. He named the dog Barry and trained him to attack on command, which Barry seemed to love to do. He had already gone after half a dozen would-be assailants in the late night hours, when good men are asleep in their beds. 

 Joe Johnson and his brothers had been laying low at his sister’s house in the high country. There would be blow back for taking down Beau Bask. It had to be done though, it was ‘Johnson justice’ and the Bask family knew the rules. Beau damn well knew he wasn’t welcome anywhere near their land,in fact none of the Basks had been welcome in over a generation. How Beau still had the gall to start sneaking around with Joe’s younger sister Camilla, he couldn’t fathom. Why the hell would Camilla do that? Camilla should’ve known better and Beau sure as hell should've known better. Well, he knows better now, Joe thought. Joe was willing to have his day in court and sit his jail sentence like a man if needed, but he knew with certainty that wasn’t going to be tomorrow’s outcome. Joe’s dad was a deputy, and his dad’s daddy was a deputy too. Joe and his kin had a deep respect for justice and understood how it worked in the deep south.

Camilla cleaned and pressed all the clothes for today’s hearing. If their Mama was still alive, she could’ve helped Camilla get everything ready for the brood of boys. Camilla had been taking care of them for the past seven years. God, it seems like just yesterday that Mama and Daddy passed on. She often wished her mom was still there with her. She sure could use help cooking for these boys who never stopped being hungry or making a mess of everything. There was no one to help braid her long hair anymore, or tell her she missed a button on her frock. Most of all there was no one there to give her advice on love, or the loss of it. That morning Camilla had gone out in the early hours before anyone was awake and picked a yellow summer rose, Beau's favorite. She would put the rose in her hair to honor those she was mourning.  

Camilla had noticed that there was a double rainbow over the church, which was also the courthouse on Monday through Fridays. “Ohhh Joe, there’s a double rainbow over the church, that’s gotta be a good sign” she whispered to Joe

“That’s right, it sure is. For sure. God is on our side today” Joe said. 

The Basks were having a similar conversation at the other side entrance of the church, where the Plaintiffs are instructed to enter.

The Johnsons had sat on the Defendant’s side of the church which were the pews on the left, while the Basks made their way to the Plaintiff’s side, to the right hand side of the judge. The sheriffs were there to act as ushers and maintain order between the two sides. After everyone was seated, Judge Sinclair addressed the court. 

“Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome. For any of you who are not familiar with me, I’m Judge Roy Sinclair and I have been presiding over this court for only the past few months.” Both families shuffled uncomfortably in their pews as he spoke “My family and I have been made to feel so welcome here in Jackson Valley, and we truly appreciate your hospitality. Although my ways may seem a little unorthodox, I ask for your patience in these proceedings.” he said as he made eye contact with both families. “I hope that we have the same goal today; to serve Justice to it’s highest order in the most compassionate way possible” 

“I would like you all to reach in the shelf in front of your pews where the hymnals are placed and take out the white balloon and black string.” Judge Sinclair instructed. Everyone looked at each other a bit confused but did as the new judge asked of them. “Next, I want you to blow the balloon up to the size of a respectable pumpkin if you can, then tie it with the black string. It’s ok to help your neighbor if they need it but hold onto your balloon. It will be your guide” Before long there were twenty people in the pews holding on to their balloons in curiosity and mild disbelief. The balloons slowly emitted a most comforting warm aura that seemed to bring a sense of peace to anyone in contact with it. No one wanted to let go of their balloons.

“The proceedings will continue as usual, starting with the opening arguments from both sides” Judge Sinclair said. He was relieved at the look of calm that had come over both families. 

Each lawyer argued their side and called their witnesses. There was warmth to be rediscovered within themselves and each other. No one had an explanation. No one cared for one. Judge Sinclair’s balloons had opened everyone up to feeling a feeling of harmony that didn’t quite make sense. 

Big Brian Bask had a peculiar feeling, maybe it was more of a memory, when one of the Johnson’s had helped him through an emotional time. 

In this memory, his “wife” Vera couldn’t understand that she was the love of his life, even after twenty years together.

And a man named James Johnson had helped by giving just the right words to help him express to his wife Vera his intense love, so that she became more appreciative of him during her last days alive. In real life, Brian had no wife, but Vera was his great great grammy’s name. Could it be? Are these time travel balloons? But I’m still here in the courthouse.

Joe Johnson had a similar experience during the court hearing. He had felt his heart filling with gratitude when one of the Basks had helped to rebuild part of his single room home after a tree had fallen through the roof. This repair took many days during the wet season but Mr. Bobby Bask had helped all the same until the job was complete.

 None of this made sense because his current home had now been added on over the years so that it now was a five room house. When did this memory happen? Why did it feel like it was just a moment ago that a Bask had saved the Johnson family from homelessness?

Camilla could only close her eyes when she felt the memory of a Johnson wife who had come to the house. The men were out on a deer hunt and she was alone and very pregnant. She was sure that it was Jenna Johnson who decided she was going to keep watch over her until the men got back. It was indeed a Johnson wife who was helping her through the long labor, wiping her forehead with a cool cloth as she bellowed in pain hour after unending hour until relief came at the birth of her only daughter, the black haired beauty they would call Camilla. She would hold that gratitude for the Johnson family until her last hour. 

At the end of the hearings, Judge Sinclair gave his judgment which was found to be fair and just.

He then told everyone to keep their balloons as a reminder of what the past once was, and what kind of future everyone could work towards. He warned them that the balloons would eventually deflate but it was up to them to reflect on what they knew to be true, the love and gratitude was their truest guide towards a life of peace and fulfillment.