Prompt by:Stories from the Jukebox/ Joe Nichols.
Prompt: #13 :Holy Water: by The Funeral Portrait
Photo by: Kate Glotova (@glotova_content) | Unsplash Photo Community
Rob paused with his hand on the door knob. “Well this should be interesting,” he mused with a chuckle. “Morning Sam,” he said as he entered the room. Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens was playing softly in the background.
“Do you have it?” was the immediate question as he entered the room.
“Have what?” Rob put a look of concern on his face.
“You know what.” Sam looked at Rob with searching eyes as hope echoed across his face.
Rob reflected the irritation he felt. “Why don’t you just say it?
“I can’t.”
“Sure you can. Say it with me. Holy water.”
Sam cringed. “I can’t.” Sighs. “Do you have it?”
“Why do you need it? I have never really understood why you want it.”
Sam looked furtively around the room. “You don’t know the evil that lurks within. I have done some terrible things,” Sam whispered. He picked up his bible and put it back down. “I once killed a man in Reno just to watch him die.”
Rob smirked. “That is a line from a Johnny Cash song.”
Sam looked quickly towards the corner of the room. “It doesn’t make it any less true. Okay,” he muttered nervously. “It wasn’t Reno but the rest is true.”
“You once killed a man?”
“40 years ago,” Sam reflected. “I was in a bar. A guy came in talking big and flashing money like there was no tomorrow. He’s got these diamond rings and a wallet overflowing. Did I mention he was in a casino?”
Rob looked out the window. “Is the story fitting the opening line?” he wondered. “Let’s say you killed a man.”
“I did. I had to trade my name in for something I could live with. They were looking for me so I changed my appearance. I needed a new ID.” Sam seemed lost in thought.”
As Rob waited he wondered about what he knew of his friend’s life. There seemed to be new revelations everyday. The beeping sounds filled the silence. ”I hear you saying that your name isn’t Sam Smith. What is it then?”
Sam looked at Rob with concern in his eyes. “I ain’t never told anyone this before. You have to believe me. Even my wife and kid don’t know my real name.”
“We all have secrets.”
Sam looked around the room. “Dan Cooper. My name is Dan Cooper,” he said with all seriousness.
Rob narrowed his eyes. “Dan Cooper. As in D. B. Cooper?”
Sam smiled. “One and the same.”
“He was 53 years old in 1971. That would make you what, 107 years old today?”
“They got the age wrong.” Sam picked at the sheets on the bed. “Did you get it?”
Rob smiled. “I think I am starting to get it,” he thought to himself. “What happened to the money?“
“It’s still on the banks of the river.”
“Why did you change your name?”
“Wouldn’t you? I killed a man. I stole money. Everyone wants to rule the world so they need something new, something gimmicky to help realign them on their chosen path.”
Rob smiled. Another song reference.
Sam continued. “Besides, my first wife and kid don’t know I am still alive.”
Rob put his hand to his face as he looked away. “Who is this man he had known for the last twenty years? Who was the best man at this wedding? Who had eaten many meals with him?” He looked Sam in the eye. “You were married before? I gather Jennie doesn’t know this.”
“No one knows.” Sam laid back against the pillow and closed his eyes. The beeping eased slightly. “Did you get it?”
Rob smiled. “I will be right back,” he said as he walked to the washroom. He closed the door behind him and sat on the seat pondering the information Sam, or Dan, had just presented. “Is he delusional?” Rob wondered. “Not sure.” He rose and turned on the water. Reaching into his pocket he fingered the object before pulling his hand out and placing them both under the water. He quickly dried his hands and returned to the bedside of his friend.
“Sam, or Dan. Which would you like to be called?”
“Why don’t you stick with Sam. It’s what you know best.”
“Okay.”
“Do you have it?
Sings:
‘(Don’t) Hold back the water
I (aint) got time to burn’
Rob looked concerned. “You are full of songs today.”
“I’ve lived with my demons long enough. I need the stuff.”
“Your darkness is taking over.”
Sam smiled calmly for the first time. “You don’t know the half of it. I have done everything I can to atone for my sins but they have placed me here in this hospital bed. I need the….. stuff to help clear the way. It’s like the song said:
Consume the newest muse
(Holding your holy water)
We roll the dice for sacrifice tonight
(holding your holy water)
You, the now, and the truth
(Holding your holy water)
I have to make this sacrifice. I don’t have a lot of time left and I want to leave this world on a high note. As a king. As someone who has atoned for their sins.”
“Would you need some holy man for that?”
Sam smiled. “That’s me. Holy man of the ages. Do you have it?”
Rob pulled the vial out of his pocket and handed it to Sam.
Sam’s eyes had a crazed look as they went from the vial to Rob and back several times. A smile crossed his face that was rather holy. “Thank you Rob.”
“You are welcome Sam. I am going to leave you to do whatever it is you have planned. I will be back tomorrow.”
“Thank you again. I hope to see you then,” said Sam as they shook hands.
Rob left the room and paused outside the door. “Anything to ease your mind buddy.” he reflected. “Right now I am the only friend Sam has in the world.” He smiled as he contemplated the contents of the vial. “My hands might not be clean but at least the water is.”
Songs referenced:
Holy Water: by The Funeral Portrait
Morning Has Broken By Cat Stevens
Evil Grows by The Poppy Family
Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash
Everyone Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears
Hold Back The Water by Bachman Turner Overdrive
I wonder how many guys have confessed to being DB Cooper on their deathbed. 🤑😎🤫
Great story, Bill. Love the song references.