As bleak as Rick's future seems upon graduation, he has no idea what radical changes await him as he battles the Shishwhaka in Folklore. The last time the amphibious creatures emerged from their hibernation, only loggers lived around Millistique Lake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. As soon as a couple of the men turned up missing, the remaining loggers packed up camp and moved while the creatures returned to hibernate for another hundred years. Thus, the beasts remained part of local folklore until now. This summer is their summer. Find out how Rick saves his town and regains respect for his trouble-prone family as he battles not only the Shishwhaka but his girl friend's family in Folklore.
Folklore
By Brian WillshireAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2009 Brian Willshire
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4389-8702-6Chapter One
"What a crock of crap," Rick said as he tuned out the graduation speaker.
Several classmates turned and chastised him with a "shh".
Rick looked down and scuffed his foot on the only dead patch of grass on the entire football field. "They probably made sure my seat was over this patch as a final gift," he huffed just under his breath. Rick ran his hands over his legs and shifted his lanky frame to fit more comfortably into the cramped seating. Rick's navy-blue gown hung off his slightly muscular chest and flapped in the breeze as it concealed his best pair of faded blue jeans.
Rick glanced up at the graduation speaker for Millistique High. Pinching his hazel blue eyes nearly shut, Rick scanned the crowd for his older brother and sister. They had promised to attend the first high school graduation in Reynolds' family history. Even though his heart filled with the hope that his family would support him in his proudest moment, Rick knew better. They would have their excuses, and he would not want to hear any of them. The truth was they were jealous. This latest and greatest slight caused anger to displace hope in Rick's heart.
The speaker stoked Rick's smoldering anger with his speech. "This is the most exciting time of your life, a time when you can shape your limitless future to your liking."
As his smoldering embers grew into flames, Rick unconsciously balled the graduation gown into his clenched fists. How could the speaker say something so stupid? Rick's future had been decided for him a long time ago when he was born the youngest in the Reynolds family. His family proudly held the most notorious reputation for toughness in the county, maybe even in the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The three siblings lived together in their parents' house. Their father died an alcoholic's death long ago, and the three packs of cigarettes a day their mother smoked caught up to her a couple years later. However, his parents' absence never made much difference since the Reynolds children learned to fend for themselves at an early age.
Although they more than qualified for food stamps, it was a matter of pride with the Reynolds that they remained self-sufficient, and the deer they poached off state-owned land was not regarded as government assistance. Rick's parents bought food when they had enough money, but it was up to the kids to fix it for themselves. If no food could be found, the children provided for themselves. They often begged to eat at a friend's house when they were younger and fished or hunted when they were older. "It's a tough world out there, and we're teaching you how to survive," his parents would always say.
Peter Reynolds, the oldest, died his junior year in high school while driving under the influence of several substances. The only thing he did right that night was take his own life and not allow his ignorance to affect any innocent lives.
Barb, Rick's older sister, surprisingly won a medal in track during the only time she was eligible. However, she dropped out five credits shy of graduating in order to prove to the world she did not have to live by its rules, that she did not need "some stupid piece of paper". After a year of the world proving to her otherwise, Barb passed her graduate equivalency exam and entered the army.
There was no doubting Barb's physical prowess and readiness for combat. However, it was her combative personality that landed her in trouble. Barb only lasted three months before receiving a Dishonorable Discharge. It seemed she had problems following orders. Always bragging that not even the army was tough enough to handle her, Barb ended up tending bar at Fish, Deer, and Beer. She made a decent living when she managed not to drink all her tips. She also had Mikey, her five-year old son, whom she all but ignored. "I feed him and put a roof over his head. Ain't that enough?" was the extent of her maternal instincts. Rick felt sorry for him. Since Barb did not know who the father was, Mikey was stuck with the Reynolds name. Nevertheless, she helped pay most of the bills, at least those they chose to pay after receiving the third past-due notice.
Finally, there was Lester, just released from prison for breaking and entering into the houses he helped roof. Barb and Rick missed him greatly because he was the best hunter in the family and usually put meat on the table. Their dad used to give him two bullets and would tell him to bring back two squirrels. Lester never failed at this task. In fact, sometimes he brought back three. Rick never really counted on Lester showing up because if his brother didn't stand to directly gain from something, he didn't bother with it.
Rick shrugged and gave the speaker another shot and listened again.
The speaker continued, "Success ...", but Rick immediately tuned him out, for that unattainable word increasingly fanned his flames. Rick barely stayed in his chair as he scoffed at the thought, "Success?" All he ever wanted was for people to respect him for who he was, not label him for what all his family members had done. Was being given a fair shake too much to ask? He recalled all the slights he had endured, the fights others started with him just because he was a Reynolds, the suspensions he served because he defended himself. His chest swelled with anger.
Rick wanted to scream. If no respect could be shown to him, then he would show none in return. He would simply get up and leave in the middle of the ceremony. Since they falsely labeled him a troublemaker, he would show them what kind of trouble he could really make. Rick twisted in his seat as he searched for a route that would cause the biggest scene. As he did so, Rick's gaze fell upon a familiar figure standing at the top of the bleachers, and all his frustration melted away.
Chapter Two
Lyle Odessa stood firmly with his arms folded before him; his long gray hair cascaded over his shoulders. Barely taller than five and a half feet, Lyle, nevertheless, radiated strength. Everyone knew Lyle, locals and tourists alike, because he owned the general store on the lake. Normally, Lyle was instantly recognized as the eldest Native-American in the area, but today he stood out even more than usual. Rick noticed Lyle wore ceremonial head and arm bands. Rick shrugged and thought,
Probably just some sort of honorary dress for the occasion.
Rick knew his friends would not be caught dead with someone like Lyle. Sure, they thought nothing of hanging out with people with various body parts tattooed or pierced, but to be seen with someone who so proudly embraced dated traditions- no way. Nevertheless, Rick was proud to work for Lyle and was flattered that he attended the graduation.
Having completed his speech, the speaker sat down and the president of the school board stood up. It was now time for the graduates to receive their diplomas. The school board president droned endlessly through the names that were punctuated by various noisemakers. Rick received no cow bells, air horns, whoops, hollers, or even mildly enthusiastic applause for his name when it was read. However while crossing the stage, Rick heard Lyle's clapping. After receiving his diploma, Rick punched the air above him with it and waved to Lyle in thanks. Lyle cupped his hands before himself, shook them in shared victory, and smiled broadly.
When the time came to toss their caps into the air, Rick threw his to the side. While the others hugged and kissed, Rick headed for the exit. Todd, Jeff, and Julie, Rick's closest friends, ran up to Rick and hugged him before he could react.
Todd swung his arm up enthusiastically to high-five Rick. Todd cheered, "We're out of here, man!"
Rick responded with a faint slap to Todd's hand. "It's about time."
Julie bounced up and hugged Rick from the side. "What's wrong? This is the greatest day of our lives! We're free!"
Rick eased away from Julie, pulled his gown off, balled it up, and stuffed it under his arm. Flipping his long, brown hair from his eyes, Rick said, "Nothing. I just got to go to work."
Todd threw his arm across Rick's shoulders and lobbied him like a politician, "Skip work! We're going swimming at the State Park, then having a bonfire at the access tonight."
Rick listlessly shook his shoulders. Todd drew the arm he had on Rick's shoulders into his own chest so that he now had Rick in a headlock. "This is the biggest day of your life. Celebrate it!" Todd proceeded to give Rick a noogie to further his point.
Rick laughed a bit and then elbowed Todd in the ribs to free himself and said, "Okay, already. I'll meet you at the access then. Right now, I have to work."
"Suit yourself, but you'll know where we'll be if you get off early," Todd said as he and the others wrapped their arms around one another's backs and joined the crowd.
Lyle waited until the friends left before he approached and hugged Rick. "I am so very proud of you."
Rick pulled away after a moment of polite obligation. "Thanks, but did you have to hug me? I don't get all this hugging stuff."
Lyle kept his hands on Rick's shoulders. "This is a time of happiness, a time of celebration. Of course there is hugging ... and kissing."
Rick broke Lyle's grasp. "You're like a father to me, but you better not kiss me."
"Relax, I was just kidding," Lyle said as he shook his head, "It is not part of my custom either."
"Good."
The two walked towards the parking lot.
Lyle put his arm around Rick's shoulder. "But a little celebration is in order."
"Maybe, but I don't see what the big deal is. So I graduated? I'm still stuck in this stinking little town with no future."
Lyle shook his head. "You speak as though you are a caged animal." He brushed the horizon with a broad stroke of his free arm. "I see no bars, no walls. You are free. Your future is limitless."
"You sound just as bad as the stupid speaker."
Lyle nodded towards his car and invited, "Come, I will buy you lunch, and we will talk some more."
Never wanting to turn down a free meal, Rick trudged alongside Lyle and left the celebrating mob. He studied the images on Lyle's head and armbands. They looked like hieroglyphic scenes depicting hunters surrounding a strange creature. Rick made a mental note so he could ask Lyle about them later. For now, he wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
Chapter Three
Sophie's diner offered just five tables and two booths. A "No Smoking" section was not an option due to its modest size and poor ventilation; besides, ninety percent of Sophie's customers smoked. The gold speckles on the white plastic floor tile hid behind various spills and other stains that had accumulated over twenty years. Tar-brown ceiling squares sagged beneath their own weight and stretched towards the customers. Despite its appearance, the restaurant served the best food in the area at the cheapest prices, even during tourist season.
The two plunked themselves down in the back corner booth.
Lyle grabbed a couple of menus from behind the jelly tray and handed one to Rick. "So what does the future hold for you?"
Rick opened the menu, searched for something to eat, and stated matter-of-factly, "I'm a Reynolds. What more is there to know? I'll become a drunk, get in a few bar fights, go to jail, and die an early death."
"Have you been smoking peyote?" Lyle asked as he leaned in.
"What?" Rick looked over the edge of his menu.
"What you call my peace pipe?"
"No."
Lyle raised his eyebrows. "Smoking anything else?"
Offended, Rick leaned back and set his menu down. "No!"
Lyle smiled, folded his menu, and hit Rick over the head with it. "Good! Then what is your problem?"
"I've told you ..."
"You have told me nothing. Your family's past does not have to be your future. Each day begins fresh, anew. We can do with it what we want. We can follow old, well-worn paths, or we can blaze new ones."
Rick inhaled to reply, but Betty banged a couple of waters on the table. A little spilled from each. She slid Lyle's water in front of him. Rick would have to reach for his. From behind too much makeup Betty asked, "What'll it be?"
"Good morning, Betty," Lyle replied.
"Morning, Lyle. The usual?"
"Please."
Without looking up from her pad, Betty asked, "What'll you have, Reynolds?"
"It's 'Rick', and I'll have the farmer's omelet."
"Sorry, Sweetie, didn't know which one you were." Betty folded her pad, stuck the pencil behind her ear, and walked towards the kitchen.
Rick thumped the table lightly with his fist. "See, I'm just a 'Reynolds' to everybody, and we all know that isn't good."
"When others are mistaken, it is unimportant what they think of you." Lyle folded his hands on the table before himself and leaned forward. "What counts is what you think of you. So what are your plans?"
"I don't know." Rick's shoulders slumped as he appeared to seriously consider the question for the first time. "The only plan a Reynolds ever had was to win the lotto or hit it big at the casinos and start over."
"Start over into what?"
"Well, Lester and Barb always dreamed of buying an acre of land, putting a trailer on it, and use the rest of the money to buy boats and snowmobiles."
"I did not ask about them. What is your plan?"
"I don't know. I'd move out of this town. Maybe start my own building business or go to school or something," Rick said as he drummed his hands on the table and rattled its contents.
"You keep saying 'I don't know', but you do know. You have a plan. Work on the details, then live it!"
Rick stopped drumming. "Except I can't leave."
Lyle grew frustrated. "Why not?"
"Because I'm the only one who looks after Mikey, my nephew."
"He is your sister's responsibility."
Rick looked deeper into Lyle's eyes than at any previous point in their conversation. "That's the problem; she isn't responsible enough to take care of herself, let alone a five-year old boy. I can't sit by and watch him get dragged down by the family name."
Lyle leaned back in the booth and nodded. "That right there makes you a special person. You have a good heart, and good things happen to people with good hearts."
Rick flung his arms into the air. "I'm eighteen years old, and both my parents are dead." He then knotted his knuckles atop his head. "I don't have a nickel to my name, and I'm stuck living with my worthless brother and sister with no hope of ever moving out. I'm still waiting for something good to come my way."
Betty appeared with the plates. She smacked Rick's omelet down in front of him sending some eggs over the side. Without any mention of the eggs, Betty gently set Lyle's plate of biscuits and gravy by the table's edge and slid his plate in front of him.
Lyle said, "Thank you."
"Yeah. No problem," Betty said as she turned and walked away.
Rick made sure she was not out of earshot. "Did you see that? What did I do to deserve that?"
"Nothing ..." Lyle said as he picked up his utensils.
Rick clenched his fist and shifted in his seat. "Sometimes I get so angry, I just want to ..."
"Act in a dignified manner," Lyle leaned forward and spoke softly, "because her actions reflect on her, your reaction on you."
"Maybe, but what's wrong with getting even?"
About to take his first bite, Lyle set down his fork. "A boy asked the chief one day, 'Why is it I cannot control my emotions? That I fly into a rage?'
The chief answered, 'We have two wolves in our hearts battling one another over its control. One wolf seeks revenge, is angry, arrogant, dishonest, selfish, and hates. The other wolf seeks to forgive, is patient, humble, honest, selfless, and loves.'
The boy asked, 'Which wolf wins?'
'Whichever one we feed,' the chief replied."
Lyle picked up his fork and motioned towards Rick. "You must learn to control your anger, or it will fill your heart and control you as it has your family. That's what is wrong with getting even."
Rick glanced down, scooped up a fork full of omelet, and crammed it into his mouth. Not wanting to be lumped in with his family, Rick changed the topic by pointing up and down with his fork at Lyle's arm and head bands. "Speaking of stories, what's the story behind the head and arm bands?"
Lyle's face suddenly grew somber. "These are ceremonial."
"I'm honored."
"They are not to honor your graduation. I wear them for protection."
Excerpted from Folkloreby Brian Willshire Copyright © 2009 by Brian Willshire. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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