Tea Leaf Deceived
He was a guy who drifted around.
One day he drifted into our town.
He wasn’t one who looked for trouble.
I don’t want to be one to burst his bubble.
But, when he arrived, his fate was sealed.
You might say he got a rotten deal.
Right away he attracted attention.
Mostly from girls. Not to mention.
He was a real good looking guy.
That is why he caught their eye.
The town bully had a girl.
The newcomer gave her a thrill.
She started giving him a lot of her time.
The bully found out and said ‘She’s mine.”
He took a swing at the newcomer.
The result was a real bummer.
The new guy moped up the floor with him.
Then,—- he said with a grin.
“I’m not here to steal your girl.”
“I am looking for Jeffery Till.”
“He lives just outside town.”
“What do you want with him?” he frowned.
“It’s my business and none of yours.”
“Stay out of it or do you want some more?”
The bully cowered and scooted away.
He would settle this another day.
The new comer found his way to Till’s place.
He had a grim look on his face.
“Mr Till, I want to talk to you.”
“I have things to tell you that are true.”
“Who are you?” Till said with a sneer.
“You’ll find out. Have no fear.”
“I knew your daughter before she died.”
“She missed you. She cried and cried.”
“She was raped and beaten badly”
“Died from her injuries.” He said sadly.
“Before she died she asked me to find you.”
“To tell you she missed you and loved you to.”
“She told me how you threw her out.”
“She didn’t even know what it was all about.”
“Why did you throw her out on her ear Mr Till?”
“Yelling that you didn’t forgive her and never will.”
“She had no knowledge of why you were mad.”
“I know that you made her miserable and sad.”
Mr Till said “I have nothing to say to you.”
“Run along now and find something else to do.”
“I loved your daughter and I’m not leaving.”
“I could beat your ass, the way I’m feeling.”
Mr Till backed up, all color leaving his face.
“You better talk or I won’t leave this place.”
“O.K., o.k. I found out she was pregnant.”
“She thought you wanted her to pay rent.”
“She was NOT pregnant. You made an error.”
“Dr’s checked her after her rape affair.”
“Where did you get the idea she was?”
“I read it in tea leaves.” He said in a rush.
“Why, you stupid old fart.”
“Your ignorant superstitions tore you two apart.”
“She died of injuries and a broken heart.”
“All she wanted in life was for you to be a part.”
Mr Till broke down in tears.
“What have I done? All these years.”
“I have always lived by the tea leaf readings.”
“Now, you bring me terrible greetings.”
“I will never read tea leaves again.”
“So be it.” Said the new guy. Then,
the bully and some friends arrived.
“Grab him boys. We’ll skin him alive.”
A hell of a fight broke out then.
Mr Till helped the new guy to win.
The bully and friends were knocked out.
“Get off my property” Mr Till did shout.
The bully and friends took off.
Mr Till gave a slight cough.
Mr. Till said “I didn’t catch your name.”
The new guy said “That’s o.k., just the same.”
“I’ll be going now. Thanks for your help.”
“I am sorry. I don’t know if it will help.”
“It does Mr Till. I pray that she knows.”
With that, he was gone down the road.
———————————–R. W. Johnson—–(2016)