Episode 05: Coyote Remembers Like It Was 5 Minutes Ago
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I remember like it was yesterday. We were constantly on the move. We were in our 4th place of shelter in as many months. Mother said it was just a part of father's job. We’d settled into a place called "Motel Marrow.” Sounded a lot of more luxurious than reality.
One very rainy evening in the Sprawls, I remember a banging on the door. The room at the motel was small for any one person, much less a family of 4 and at this time I was pushing a teen. I stayed curled up under the cot most nights. It felt cozy and warm...and mine.
Coyote Comfy
I’d always been fascinated with the very unpredictable weather of Azurbala so with it storming, of course I was up. Lighting then thunder. Lighting then another crash. Almost predictable.
Suddenly, the sound of the rain was interrupted by a closer, louder banging, unusual for this time of night. Father's feet hit the floor from the cot as he crept toward the door.
He asked, "Who is it?" in the darkness with as much authority as he could muster. There was no answer from the other side. As soon as he turned the knob, the door was slammed open by 2 rather large masked Azurians. It was very hard not to jump out from under as they pinned my father to the wall.
They pinned my father to the wall.
But I obeyed my parents. They had instructed me to always stay out of the way, or unseen, if anything bad were to happen and if it became necessary, I was to take care of my little brother.
I watched as my father was being choked and interrogated by these heathens. They kept asking, "Where is it?" and my father repeatedly said "No idea!"
It was incredibly hard not to do anything. Unfortunately, my mother tried, only to be beaten down by one of the men. As she hit the floor her face was inches from mine. I held my breathe under the cot.
She mouthed, "Not a peep,” and she closed her eyes pretending to be knocked out. The two men took my father, saying as they dragged him out away, "We will see what the boss wants to do with you.”
Once it was safe, my mother got up and closed and locked the door. My brother and I ran into her big hug. Her face was already swollen from the punch. I was old enough to know who was behind this. I didn't have to ask.
Bags were packed, bills were paid, and an hour later we’d already found a dry place in the jungle for the night. All cuddled together for warmth but no one slept.
Sleeping in the jungle
I can remember like it was 5 minutes ago what was going through my mind that night. Would I ever see my father again? Would my mother ever see her husband?
My father had always been a good man just doing what he had to for his family. Unfortunately, he broke one of the cardinal rules in the Sprawls and loose lips sink ships. He had gained a reputation for being quite artful in business, but he had also developed his own addictions.
He’s long since passed on, but it wasn't because of that night. What can I say? Choices were made. Things happened. And what transpired over the next few days led me down a path from which I had no choice.
