Well. Here we are. I'm writing on my Friday and plan to post this on your Sunday. That will give me, basically, my weekend to go about and bother my neighbors and meet and greet people during this the years biggie for the village. I also stole the day from my Renter to do the necessary writing.___ I would like to thank my visitors that left comments. I must admit that Maudie's comment wanting to see the end of the story equaled my own - I believe her desires were to see completion, mine were to get it over. There are other stories out there, after all. Though a factual story as related from the tellers view, it hasn't been easy, coming as it has in lump sum.___ Aye and I had a long talk after yesterdays comments. I was firm in my conviction of his intrusion into my stories. He, as mild as usual, in these periodic explosions of independence, quietly pointed out that it wasn't MY story I was repeating, but his. Or, rather, the telling to me of it, was his. There are times. Yes, indeed, there are times.___ Our Teller, softly, continued his story. There was a difference around his eyes, though. A certain tightening of the corners, an unfocused business to the glance. Oddly, the coloring around them darkened. He said; I got to thinking, after this last time fixing that gate that something really had to be done. So, what I did was gather up all the receipts for materials that I had, and that the Lady had and I took myself off to the next County Commissioners Meeting. It wasn't a very pleasant meeting. Me and the Head Commissioner really got into a shouting match. Me demanding a sign at that corner, because it would make the next vehicle going through that gate libel. Him insisting it wasn't required. It went on for some time. Finally, one of the junior members intervened and called for a vote on the matter by the complete Commission. So, they took the vote. And I won. The commission voted a sign at the corner, and directed - directed, mind you - that the Head Commissioner, in his position as Chief, Roads person, get a sign put up. Soon. Before the next commission meeting, and he would inform them, the commission, that the deed was done.___ At this point in his narrative, Aye paused. "Mile, I'm trying not to intrude on the story. But, the Teller is a life long resident of the area. His family, Church goers, Law abiding folks, have been there since before the Sooners. He is of the strongest traditions. So, when I say the area near his eyes darkened even more, and the gaze became weak and hopeless, I'm saying a lot. You understand?" "Yeah, Aye. I believe so.', said I. He looked at me a bit, and took up the Tellers story, again.___ The Teller went on home and, he said, I carried on business as usual. Then one morning about a week after the Commission Meeting, I left home, coming to town for coffee. I zipped out the drive, turned North for the eighth mile to the left turn and almost ran over a road crew. I mean that bit of road only had me on it before it deadended below my house. I stopped and asked the crew what they were doing, and they told me they were putting up a road sign. Do What? They put up a road sign right there, almost in my drive. A STOP sign. I made the turn and drove the eighth to the main North Road and made the turn. There I stopped and checked the new sign on the turn. It was a YIELD sign.___ Aye said; "Mile, that old boy insists that is his stop sign and he will run it if he wants too. But, Mile, that was a pretty hopeless and irrational look in his eyes."___ I hope you enjoyed it.___ Aces to you.

Source: Poker Solstice