Date: November 8, 2022Author: Edge of Humanity Magazine

Written by Mary Anne Abdo

There are missing pieces in Tunas’ family lore.

Underneath my bed mysteries await in a Phillies perfecto cigar box.

Faint smells of oil and gunpowder.

One American Double Action revolver wrapped in an old

blue kitchen curtain dotted with rust.

Dad hid it well under the porch steps as to not upset Situ or Jido.

Deflecting from Uncle Lou’s misstep of bringing, that

gun inside the big house on Ford’s Acres.

The second revolver is a truly more mysterious than the first.

Wrapped up in a greasy cloth with owls embossed on its side.

Our beloved father found the Oliver and Johnson weapon along the road.

While two suspicious men knocked on cottage doors looking to no end.

For that gun posed a problem, a possible crime near the Paupack

Somewhere into the night they disappeared when cops drove by.

Again dad hid another piece of steel under that porch.

Only to join the other gun in that tan, gold and red cigar box.

As Ford’s Acres was closing up for a long winter’s reprieve.

Dad brought the guns home and tucked them safely away.

Amongst the other treasures of life.

Time passing by and the secrets were somewhat revealed.

Reliving the tale to his youngest son.

Pieces of that long lost story were finally told.

Of how dad escaped many a fate, with two guns under the bed.

Text © Mary Anne Abdo

Thank you to Joelcy and The Edge of Humanity Magazine for publishing my work.