The Old Man Garcia

A crisis in the small town of Tin-Toil had been announced at the city meeting that night.

Fearful expressions were seen on faces of many of the residents. Many of the men had arrived with the entire family the men were armed with guns and knives.

Everyone seemed anxious and the room was full of animated talk of werewolves and demons. Children were clustered in a small group with many women carefully watching the doors and windows. The great room was the only room used tonight, not one person wanted to drift out to the halls or outdoors.

Beyond the dimly light room the night was dark and no moonlight filtered through the heavy clouds. Two armed men light torches at the entry to the meeting room. Like sentinels they guarded the meeting room. The men watched, they listened and they did not speak. Occasionally one of the men would look at the other both men could see fear in the eyes looking back at him. Yet they bravely kept watch as the town met that night so long ago.

The County Sheriff accompanied by three other cars filled with deputies arrived at last, escorting two couples that had thought about sitting out the meeting.

As the Sheriff and others entered the room all heads turned and a hush fell on the crowded room. The Mayor took the opportunity to call the meeting to order.  The whispers stopped and the standing room only crowd waited breathlessly to hear from their leaders.

Mayor Fuller spoke, “You all know Sheriff Poteet and I reckon you all know why it we gathered her tonight.”

The crowd acknowledged this with head nods and hushed comments.  A baby cried and the Mayor asked the mother to sooth the child. He asked two of the deputies to take the women and children to the board room and put the kids to rest on blankets, play a movie or a video game anything to keep them occupied for a while.

Chairs scooted across the back of the room. Women clutching their babies, holding toddlers in one arm and with a firm grip on their other children filed out of the room. The posture and expressions of each woman told of the great fear they all felt.

After the women and children were safely enclosed in the board room under the watchful eyes of the two deputies the meeting began in earnest.