Heaven's Gate Bridge twenty-nine

Heaven’s Gate Bridge twenty-nine

Mr. Miller had a restless sleep that night. He dreamed of green sheep running out of a barn. Beside the barn was a man who counted the sheep. But instead of saying “one sheep, two sheep,” he would say “one dollar, two dollars.” In the end the sheep jumped over a hedge and changed into coins that would roll down a hill into the hands of someone whose face he could not see. He woke up to see his wife in peaceful sleep. He listened to hear if anything unusual was happening in or around the house. He heard a vehicle stop and a door close. He got out of bed and went to the window to see who this person might be.

The street had few street lights. The lights were not very strong. Mr. Miller could tell by the shape of the vehicle that it was the milk delivery man. This company had two delivery dates and most of the time people had milk delivered only one time. But special families who ordered other extras such as cream and butter with their milk had this date. The delivery man walked slowly and opened each gate as quietly as possible. Many times the dogs of the neighborhood were inside asleep. The dogs who were outside knew the delivery man and just let him do his job.

Mr. Miller was thinking how simple the delivery man’s job was. Deliver the products and pick up the glass bottles to be cleaned and used again. The job was so early in the morning that there was almost no traffic. The only problem would be if the truck broke down or the weather was bad. If that happened then the milk was delivered late and customers would have to skip their cream for their coffee that day.

This morning, at the far end of the street, Mr. Miller could see that there was someone watching the milk delivery truck. This person was on a bicycle and looked like he was waiting for the truck to go on. The milk was delivered two houses down and then the man drove on. After the last delivery was made the truck went to the next street. This is when the cyclist came quietly to the first house and silently went inside the yard. It was lucky for the cyclist that the dog was inside tonight because she was an old dog and needed extra warmth of the home.

Mr. Miller hurried downstairs and went straight to the door instead of his window. He knew that recently his house had problems with milk delivery. And since the thief had a bicycle, he could be off and out of sight before Mr. Miller could get a look at his face. He was lucky that he opened the door with the key swiftly. He felt the cool sidewalk on his feet. The thief saw someone running after him and ran to his bicycle. He jumped on but dropped the bottle of milk. Mr. Miller got closer to the thief who wore a cap. The bicyclist was on his way but did not count on the chain popping off at that moment. The thief fell off his bicycle and rolled a few feet away. Mr. Miller made one last gallop and caught the thief by the edge of his jacket. The thief was small but very intent of getting away. He swung his arms like a person desperate for his life, but Mr. Miller, who wrestled in school, finally got both arms around the little crook. He turned the boy around and lifted off the cap. It was Billy Noonan. Billy tried to head butt Mr. Miller but at that instant, Mr. Miller tightened his grip.

“I got you, you little bandit. And for this you will be punished. I am sure that your parents will have a lot to say.” said Mr. Miller.

“No please. They don’t know. They think that I go to the store and work and then buy the milk for my little brother.” he said as he stopped struggling and hung his head in embarrassment.

Mr. Miller was surprised since Mrs. Noonan had not mentioned any of this during their interview.

“Billy, I think that you and I should go inside and talk. You did wrong and should be punished. But I want the truth from you before I decide on what to do. Promise me that you will not try to get away again.”

Billy nodded that he would promise and then walked over to the broken bottle. He pulled a small bag out of his pocket and picked up the pieces. He thought that at least trying to do something right might lessen his crime.

Inside the Miller’s house, Mr. Miller told Billy to sit in a chair while he closed the door. He turned on the light and stood in front of Billy.

“Billy, I just hired your mother. She never mentioned that you worked or that there were any problems at home. In fact, she told my wife that you were a good child. You helped with your baby brother. You also were working to bring up some low grades in school.”

“Mr. Miller please don’t fire my mother. She is a good woman.” he responded as tears started to fill his eyes.

“My father is having trouble with his job. His boss did not pay him this week and we needed milk for the baby. So I told mother I had a job early in the morning. I said that I would buy milk before I came home from the job. I have only taken milk three times. I know that father will get his money soon. And” he stopped as looked at Mr. Miller to see if he story was being accepted.

“Billy stealing is wrong. Adults who steal go to jail. Is that what you want for yourself?” Mr. Miller asked as he sat in a chair near the sad child.

“No sir. I did not like hearing my baby brother cry. It’s not fair that people can do that to other people. How can we pay for food, if my father doesn’t get paid? Isn’t not paying like stealing too?” he asked.

Mr. Miller sat silently for a minute. He thought that he heard some noise upstairs. He was hoping that it was not Frances because she still needed a lot of rest.

“Billy. You have a good point. But I do not know the facts of the whole situation.” he stopped as he tried to make a plan that could have an amicable solution.

“I am going to give you some milk for tonight. After school, you are to come here. We will talk with your mother. If you promise to do this and be good, then I will see what I can do.”

“Oh that is very kind of you sir. I promise.” Billy said as he jumped up and offered his hand in agreement for the deal. He wiped his nose on the sleeve of his jacket and stood in the room until Mr. Miller brought in the milk. He had it in another bag.

He let Billy out of the door and watched as Billy quickly fixed the chain to the bicycle. Billy looked one more time at Mr. Miller and raised his hand to wave good bye and was off down the street. Mr. Miller locked the door and went upstairs to bed. He could not understand it but he knew that Billy was a good boy but had a lot more of life’s lesson ahead of him.



Nanowrimo ends at the stroke of midnight November 30th. But have no fear, this little saga will continue until I feel that some place is a good point to end it. I do appreciate feedback. I do want to let anyone know that during the Nanowrimo, we were told to save editing for later which is what I will do. Thanks for reading. have a good day!