Jimmy Swann - A Red-Letter Day

#72 - Everything changed with the conversation with Robert.

Welcome! I’m glad you are here. 

Our Story: Jimmy Swann has left Oakland, California. The previous few years had been an ongoing battle of eminent domain with the City of Oakland over his home of thirty years. The city wanted to redesign the street and neighborhood. His neighbors had already settled and moved on. He was the last one. 

He had also lost his beloved wife to illness during this time. 

Jimmy dragged it out in court as long as he could, but the city won out in the end. As the bulldozer moved in on his home, he moved into a rooming house, unsure of what to do next. A short time later he left by Greyhound for Tucson, AZ., and the Caballo Loco Ranch. He had his few belongings in a pack on his back, and some money in the bank.  

In less than a week, Jimmy had a job on the ranch. And now, with taking care of the horses and going into Robles Junction once or twice a week, and getting Carla to Tucson weekly, Jimmy’s life took on a routine, and the days passed fast. 

He has received a letter from his son, Robert. They hadn’t spoken in years.

Prev Chap. #10 - Chap. #1 - Contents 

Jimmy Swann #11 – A Red-Letter Day 

Everything changed with the conversation with Robert.  

Robert had married and had a new-born son. He was working construction at a cattle ranch in Wyoming. 

It was an emotional talk for both. Jimmy had to tell Robert that his mother had died, and how, and that the home he was raised in no longer existed, and why. Robert struggled to talk upon hearing the news and he handed the cellphone to his wife to introduce herself while he got his head straight. 

Barbara said, ”Hi, Jimmy. I’m glad to meet you. Robert speaks of you often. Jimmy, I want you to meet someone. This is James, we call him ‘little Jimmy’.” 

She held the cell near “little Jimmy” and “Jimmy senior” could hear him, sounding like babies do. A wave of peace and an upwelling of joy came over Jimmy. He had his family again. 

“He’s been no trouble at all and is quite vocal. We think he is a singer,” Barbara added.  

Robert, now thirty-three, and his wife, Barbara, a younger than twenty-six-year-old sounding young woman, were happy together. They met in a local café where Robert came in for breakfast one Sunday morning with a co-worker. Barbara worked there as a waitress. Robert had just started working at the ZZ Ranch that borders the Devil’s Tower National Monument. 

“Nice meeting you, Jimmy. Here’s Robert, again.” 

“Very pleased to meet you, Barbara! Take care of your guys.” 

Robert told Jimmy that over the last year, he and a couple other men, one of whom got Robert the job, had built another barn at the ranch, put up a couple miles of new fence, and were working on another bunkhouse.  

But he was thinking about moving. Winter was cold and work had slowed down because the costs of cattle ranching was rising faster than the owner could keep up. He might have to stop the bunkhouse work and sell off some of his cattle. It might be sooner rather than later. 

Barbara was willing to move. Where to, they didn’t know but they would have to decide before the winter set in. It would depend on his job. They had some time to save up some more money. 

Jimmy jumped in, “Come down here. I’m in Arizona. I have room. You can stay ‘till you see what you want to do.”  

He told him about the Caballo Loco Ranch, how he got here, and what he was now doing.  

Robert said with a laugh, “Dad, that sounds like something you would do.” 

Robert thought it was an idea worth thinking about and as good as any other. And he wanted to see his dad; to show him his new self, and his wife and son. 

Some more small talk and some follow-up questions about his mother brought the call to its natural end with Robert saying he and Barbara would put their future plans for moving on the front burner. The Caballo Loco Ranch was at the top of the list.  

Robert promised to send pictures and call Jimmy regularly. 

Jimmy thought that Robert had finally gotten the monkey off his back and was at ease in his own skin. 

After the call, Jimmy brewed some coffee, got a cigar from those just purchased at a smoke shop in Tucson, and went out to the table under the mesquite tree.  

He sat down, lit up, and was content. He was amazed at how things can turn and reset your life. To give it purpose. He was grateful. 

Halfway through his cigar, he got a text. It was a picture of Robert, Barbara, and “little Jimmy”. Robert looked to be his good old self, Barbara was pretty, and they looked proud of their smiling little boy.  

He called Carla, both to see how she was doing and to tell her about his call with Robert. He almost forgot about the Airstream. That, too. 

Carla sounded good, even with only a few hours of rest after treatment. She invited him over for dinner and he could tell her his news. 

With a couple hours before dinner, Jimmy began arranging his belongings for the move to his new site. Just a couple trips, maybe a third, with the help of Carla’s or Fred’s UTV, would get it done. His mind raced with ideas in anticipation of what the future might bring. 

Carla served up a delicious stew and salad and as they ate Jimmy told her about his call and the Airstream. He was animated. She was happy for Jimmy and told him so.  

Then, Jimmy saw it in her eyes, something deep and tender. He realized how fond of her he had become. And something else in her eyes - “I have something to say”. 

“What is it, Carla!? Tell me now!” 

Carla stood up and moved to the sink. 

She said, “I have some news, Jimmy. I’ve been meaning to tell you, but I've hesitated and I'm reluctant to bring it up now. But I need to.”  

“I talked with the doctors. There has been less improvement than was expected. With one more treatment, they are unsure, at this point, which direction to take. It might be too late. They suggest a month’s rest to recover from the chemo. Then more tests.” 

Jimmy was frozen in place for a moment. He arose, went over to her, and held her tight in a long-lasting embrace. 

When Jimmy let go, she told him, “It might be time for me to think about what I’m going to do. My sister and her husband said they want me to come home where they could take care of me. It would be better than a hospice and much less expensive. They live in Tallahassee. I’m thinking it’s the best thing to do.” 

Jimmy was crushed. And angry that the doctors were at a loss as for what to do next. He thought the same when Amy got ill.    

He knew Carla was right. Though he and Carla’s friends here at CLR would care for her, it wasn’t the place for the care she would need and could get from her sister and nearby medical facilities. 

Jimmy helped with the table cleanup, and they moved outside with a jug of iced lemonade, to sit under the trees and quietly stare out - “into the mystic”.  

The heat of the summer day broke. Thunderstorms were piling up against the Sierrita. 

Jimmy headed back up the hill, his head full of roller coaster emotion. 

He poked around, gathering some of his things for the morrow’s move to his new place. His cellphone rang and thinking it was Carla he quickly answered, “Hello?” 

“Hey, Grandpa! It’s me, your granddaughter Carrie, in New Iberia! How are you? Is it too late for a call?” 

“Carrie, Sweetheart! No, never too late! How are you? Are all y’all okay?” 

“We’re fine, Grandpa! It’s just me calling to talk to you. 

“Mom has met a man, and I think it might go somewhere. I like him.” 

“I hope he’s the one for Caroline. Tell her I said so.” 

“We’ll see. Guess we’ll know soon enough.  

“Robbie is working on a towboat on the Mississippi. He loves it. He’s almost first mate. He wants to be a pilot.” 

“Really? Oh, that’s a good job. Good for Rob!” 

“Yes. Have you seen the Youtube channel called ‘marktwained’? Robbie says, ‘It’s like that.’” 

“Well. I’ll check it out.”  

“Guess what, Carrie? - I spoke with your Uncle Robert a few hours ago. He’s fine and in Wyoming with a wife and new child. He sounds happy! 

“O M G! Are you kidding me! I want to see him.” 

“I know. Me, too. They may be heading down this way. We’ll see.” 

Jimmy asked, “Now. What are you up to?”  

Carrie excitedly said, "I’ve graduated, Grandpa! I’m a veterinarian! I begin my practice this fall, in New Orleans. - That is if they get the refurbishing done. It’s neat! It’s in a strip mall. Six of us went in on it. 

“But for now,” she said, “I’m going to take a break and travel some. I want to see California again and check out the old neighborhood. And I could stop by and see you and, and - Hey, why don’t you come with me. That would be so cool.” 

“Carrie. Honey!” Jimmy had to jump in, “I'm not in California, anymore. I'm in Arizona, near Tucson.” 

Carrie knew that her grandma had died, but not about their home in Oakland. He explained how his move to the CLR came about. 

Carrie was all ears. 

Then, reasoning along as she continued . . 

”Well, Tucson is on the way. I can see you there, can’t I? You can still come with me to the coast, right!? I was thinking about leaving in a week.” 

“I’d love to take a trip with you, Carrie. But now isn’t the time. But I will expect a visit from you. Can you promise me that?” 

“You bet, Grandpa!” 

A few drops of rain pelted him, but the storms were to the east now, beyond the Ranch. Low thunder echoed down the mountains. It was a red sky into the night, and a red-letter day.

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