Writers Corner for January 6, 2012

JOE'S HEART

Joe Smith was well named. He was as unexceptional as his name. The kind of guy you would meet and just as quickly forget.

Now Betty Sanders was quite the opposite. She was the kind of girl you meet and never forget. Beautiful? Ha! They haven't yet invented the word to describe her looks. Could I be trite and say she left a trail of broken hearts wherever she traveled? It's true. But she wasn't cruel. She didn't intend the consequences she inspired in those she met. Men mostly. The women had other less favorable opinions. Betty wandered about seeking a place where she could relax, be herself and not cause any commotion. What's that you say? Not a likely couple her and Joe? Doesn't seem like a good pair does it? But they met and, if I may coin a phrase, sparks flew. Before those who were astounded by this development could close their mouths from the incredibly gaping positions they had assumed, Joe and Betty became one. Yes, I mean they married. As a token of faithfulness, Joe gave Betty his treasured Purple Heart which he had earned in combat trapped in a burning tank. He told her: "Keep this always. If you ever have to part with it make sure it goes to someone who suffered as I did."In return Betty gave Joe her mother's wedding ring which she wore on a chain around her neck. Now I would love to add "and they lived happily ever after" but such was not to be. Barely one month after the wedding Frank Burke arrived in town. Frank was the kind of guy who, if you saw him coming down the street, would cause you to step aside to let him pass. Now Frank had met Betty a couple of towns back and, unlike those who merely mourned her departure, he resolved to track her down. When he found her he quickly became aware of the Joe/Betty relationship but that didn't make him turn back. He was determined to have Betty for himself. Joe soon learned of this situation. Contrary to his generally mild and unassuming nature he was fiercely determined to protect Betty and defend their relationship at all costs. So when Frank challenged Joe to meet him at the city dump to settle the issue, Joe quickly agreed. At the designated time, Joe arrived at the site and saw Frank already there. What he didn't see were the three thugs Frank had hired to assist him in his cause. When those three finished there wasn't much left of Joe and none of it was moving. Frank laughed, walked over to his car and left the scene. Later Frank was seen driving out of town. There was another occupant in the car with him who was constantly caressing him. It was Betty.

Two days later the police found the car in an abandoned quarry. It was burned out. It contained a body-also burned out. With considerable difficulty the body was identified as Frank Burke. He had not died peacefully. Pinned to the body was a badly scorched and partly melted piece of metal. It was ultimately identified as a Purple Heart.

- Phil Membury, Coeur d'Alene

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