he had lived there long before
he stopped, thinking to meet
playmates grown older
working now
and maybe see
a teacher or two
he was in college now
doing well despite the war
hoping to finish without being called
he rode to the old saloon
dismounted
then stopped
he heard no music from inside
no laughter
no booming mocks
no clink of glasses
he looked around and saw no men on the streets
not even standing outside the shops
saw maybe a dozen women moving slowly
toward the well or from it
saw three young women looking away from him
and a girl staring
eyes angry
daring to show her wrath
she sauntered to him, hands on hips
“Who y’gonna hurt now, bastard,” she said
a woman hurried to her
led her away and into shadows
the stranger stared then looked around
mounted his horse
rode slowly out of town
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