Jimmy Swann - THE HOMESTEAD

#118 - #18 - On the next morning’s walk, Barbara motioned them over to meet them. They came over after a look back to the trailer, smiling at LJ and petting Susie.

Welcome to Before I Forget . . I’m glad you are here.

THE HOMESTEAD

Prev. Chap. 17 – Chap. 1 - Contents

Rob, Carrie’s older brother, and his girlfriend, visited Swann Song, and the Caballo Loco Ranch, for a few days in June. He is the son of Jimmy’s first-born son, James, a marine career officer killed in Afghanistan. He was between shifts working on a Mississippi River towboat. He was a fine young man climbing the ranks to towboat captain. He would probably marry soon.

When talking to Jimmy by phone before he visited, he mentioned that his buddy had a 5-month-old puppy he had bought but could no longer keep. “Would you be interested?” he asked. “She’s a beauty. A Catahoula hound with glass eyes. One blue and the other a mix. Easy going, white with mottled black and brown patches. Her name’s ‘Susie.’”

Jimmy said, “We’ll take her.” He gave her to little Jimmy, but Susie spent most of her day with him.

Little Jimmy was now a year old and had picked up the moniker, “LJ”. He was walking now and trying to run. He liked the horses, Susie, and his cowboy hat.

Barbara was almost due with her and Robert’s second little one. She and LJ and his pup made daily walks about the Caballo Loco, but the short climb up the incline to Swann Song was getting tougher. LJ walked it, ever so slowly, as Barbara handled the stroller and Susie.

Robert and Owner Jim’s work at putting in more RV sites on the ranch was completed.

Robert now split his time between working with Fred Loomey at his place and getting groceries and supplies twice weekly at Robles Junction for a growing list of residents at the Ranch.

He also picked up UPS/FEDEX deliveries for Ranch residents that were dropped off at the supply store. He now used his pickup, the side by side being too small for the job.

Regular mail was still delivered by carrier to the Ranch.

Jimmy’s Swann Song, his 3-acre hilltop, was taking shape.

Robert and family were now at Jimmy’s place, their truck camper shell and his nearly completed home on wheels near the Airstream.

He and Jimmy had building projects in the works for both their living quarters. Robert was busy.

Carrie was still at Three Points dude ranch. Ben was coming back. He said, “I’m not cut out to be a rabbi”. He wasn’t sure what he would do. Carrie was elated with Ben’s return. Her mobile vet service was growing.

She spayed Susie at six months of age.

Jimmy and Carla worked the office for Owner Jim a couple days a week.

Jimmy’s episodes of blacking out, the only lingering effect of his waylay and robbery by illegals, were now infrequent. Carla was always with him, and much to his consternation but necessary just the same, wouldn’t let him drive the truck.

Only recently, upon his insistence and Carla’s reluctance did he get behind the wheel of the side by side.

A SURPRISE CALL

One evening, while they sat under the tree watching the sunset, Jimmy got a call. It was Bella, the colorful tarot reading lady he had met with Haylene and Marla in New Orleans.

She had been cruising the river in a paddle wheeler giving readings to fellow cruisers as part of the cruise’s entertainment. She had not heard from Haylene since they parted company in New Orleans.

She was headed home to Santa Cruz from Memphis. Her car had come upon expensive repairs in New Orleans, and she let it go. She would be flying. Her flight was to make a stop in Tucson and gave her the thought of giving Jimmy a call. She would like to come by for a visit.

Jimmy, remembering Bella was a bit of a flirt, hoped she and Carla would get along. He said, “I’d love to see you. Come on out.”

She would rent a car in Tucson and spend a few days at the ranch. She would arrive the following week.

TWO GIRLS

Changes in policy at the border now led many of those who had come across to begin the return journey back to their origins.

There were small groups scattered along the highway down to the border town of Sasabe where they could cross. Some made the trip through the CLR though it was no shorter a distance.

Most of them were in a bind and it made for a sad situation. Only a few appeared sketchy in any way.

There was more dog barking both day and night.

Residents were cautious and on guard but there were no troubles with their passing through.

Robert wanted Barbara to stop their daily walks now that she was close to delivery.

Then, with an interaction between her and a family camped near the front of the ranch, the walks were over.

Barbara, along with LJ and Susie met two young girls of Latino descent at their campsite.

They were recent arrivals, and Barbara had seen them two days now. They smiled and showed interest in LJ and Susie. She saw who she took to be their parents.

On the next morning’s walk, Barbara motioned them over to meet them. They came over after a look back to the trailer, smiling at LJ and petting Susie.

The older of the two girls looked up at Barbara quickly with pleading eyes and said in a low voice, “Ayudanos, por favor! Ayudanos!” and quickly looked down again.

The man opened the trailer door and called for the girls. Barbara knew something wasn’t right though not clear on what the girl had said. She smiled and waved at the man and continued her walk.

Robert was in Robles Junction and when he got home, Barbara told him what happened and tried to repeat what the girl had said. Robert said, “They were asking for help!”

He headed for the office where Jimmy and Carla were.

“Something’s going on over at one of the new sites. Number 12b. Barbara said a Latino gal asked for help.”

In an effort not to connect any bad vibe confrontation with anyone at the Ranch, Jimmy called the Border Patrol. “Let them handle it,” he said.

That afternoon officers arrived and cruised nonchalantly through the ranch.

The next morning, two Border Patrol vehicles arrived, and homed in on the #12b site.

The group at the campsite were breaking camp and about to leave.

After a brief talk, and the drawing of guns, they took the girls into custody and put the “parents” in a separate vehicle and left the Ranch. A fifth officer drove the truck away.

It turned out that the late model pickup pulling the trailer had been stolen a couple weeks previous up in Flagstaff. They didn’t know who the trailer belonged to. It was old but clean.

Jimmy and Carla cleaned up the campsite, as yet undecided about what to do with the remaining belongings and trailer. They would wait for further info.

The Border Patrol started making daily ride-throughs the CLR.

Upon getting back to the office, Carla headed inside, while Jimmy took the trash to the dumpster.

Jimmy didn’t return in the few minutes it would take. Carla looked out the window and Jimmy was still in the driver’s seat of the side by side staring out into space. He was having a spell.

She rushed outside and put her hand on his shoulder. He came to, as if waking up, and said, “I had another dream.”

Thanks to Sharron Bassano and Leaves for the use of Bella. Her story with Bella, Haylene, Marla, and Jimmy in New Orleans is here.

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