Chapter 22

The real surprise? That they went the same place when they were ‘away.’

That, as they say, gave David, ‘furious to think’ thoughts. When I go away and there are people there ... how many of the people I see there are away ... too? and that brought out another thought... are any of the people I see when I’m not away are away from where I go when I am away? Is this where they go to get away? Is this all in my head? Are all these people figments of my imagination? Probably not ... Figment is real.

The Uberti kit Marion built was a work of art. She had an authentic J&S to use as a pattern for her kit. Aldo had left enough wood to carve. So her woodworking was of the 1700’s. So what ... it was dang pretty. And the wood from the kit? Well ... let’s just say ... straight grained it was not. Aldo had to have been in another part of his shop when the packers assembled the parts for the kit. For sure he didn’t know. The rifle Marion built belongs in a museum behind a glass case with strategic lighting.

David’s hand made copy wasn’t as good. It was nice ... but no cigar or blue ribbon.

For a few years, they were the terror of the ‘shoot’ circuit ... David got shaky and then it was Marion who brought home the bacon.

When he died, was he surrounded by his family? Propped up on silk pillows and regal? Nope ... in the woods sleeping against a giant oak. The REAL J&S in his lap. He wasn’t found for years. It was odd ... he was unmolested.

Marion knew when he died ... she felt his passing. She lasted a few years and died cataloging books in the county library.

They both were doing what they loved ... Can’t ask for more than that.