Walking Silent

As Steven began walking down the gangway from the river barge, he continued to remain mute.  However, he did observe the various passengers as they slowly began to carry their personal belongings down the gangplank of the boat and onto the landing.  At that present moment, the only thought that Steven had on his mind happened to pertain to his stomach.  The small amount of food that the passengers had been served onboard this small river vessel most certainly did not fulfill his basic needs. He knew that once he had planted both of his feet back upon the solid ground, he would automatically begin to search out the town for a decent restaurant.  His keen eyes instantly noticed a sign hanging from a nearby post, which advertised  “The Feed House,” which Steven assumed to be the name of the local eatery.

As he made his way through the front door of this establishment, he immediately noticed that the owner of this eatery happened to be in the possession of a very lucrative business.  The people within this establishment were talking and laughing, just as though they were dining within the confines of their own homes.  Steven carefully looked around the main dining room until he picked out a table that just happened to be located in one of the far corners of the room.  The table appeared to be isolated from the rest of the customers, which immensely pleased him besides positioning him in such a location where he would be better able to observe all the various actions that were taking place within the room.  Sitting at this table with his back up against the wall solved one of his personal problems.  Now all he has to concern himself with are the people that will be facing him while he dines inside this lively establishment.

A long time ago, Steven had learned to take these necessary precautions for his own personal protection.  Now he was in the process of looking around the main dinning room for the easiest way to retreat from this establishment, should some unbeknown event take place that would force him to leave this dinner behind him in great haste.  Sometimes, he faulted himself for taking these precautionary measures which he developed over the years, but they have now become his second nature, so like these habits or not, he is now forced to contend with them.  For a minute his mind flashed back to the late war, then he was suddenly brought back to reality by a waitress asking him, “Exactly what is it on our menu you wish to order today?”

The girl isn’t that pretty, but she seems quite proficient in what she does.  Steven replied to her,  “I wish to order a steak well done, fried potatoes, a loaf of bread, along with some butter and a glass of your cold beer.”  The waitress immediately informed Steven that the eatery serves food, not beer or whiskey!  Those particular beverages can be purchased over at Golden Nugget Saloon that’s located just across the street from where the eatery is located.  Steven said nothing in reply, so the waitress took off with his order without ever continuing on with their conversation.  Steven wondered if the waitress is as coarse with everyone as she had just been with him or is she so ill mannered with him because he happens to be a stranger in this town and not one of  her regular customers.

As time passed, Steven once again began to daydream about his military experiences back in the State of Virginia during the late war.  He knew that the South will never return to its position of power that it once possessed before