Me and Catalina ( a Western Tale)
I had fallen in love with a young Mexican maiden in the town of El Paso
Completely mesmerized by her eyes had me following her wherever she would go. In
Rosa’s Cantina, the music would play and Catalina would whirl. She became my world and
there was nothing I wouldn’t do for this Mexican girl!
A wild young cowboy came in with his handsome features and wicked grin. He
carried arrogance within and he immediately rubbed me wrong. His lecherous eyes watched
my Catalina dance as the pianist played and sang his song. Too much whiskey, he’d
consumed. As this young stranger went to dance with my Catalina, I jumped up grabbing
him by the arm, spinning him around to face me. A powerful right hand knocked me to the
ground and his look was so deadly. My Catalina screamed, ran to my side, kneeling,
touching my face. A pistol in his hand, wild-eyed, I said, “Outside. This is not the place”.
It was high noon when the patrons poured out of Rosa’s Saloon. The heat could
not be avoided or beat, for it was a hot June…
I and the young stranger stood facing each other in the center of the dusty road.
Hands ready at our sides anticipating the next episode. On either side of us, people young
and old stood quiet for the event. My fear was controlled and I itched to draw my deadly
instrument. I was distracted for in my eye, in the sky was the glare of the sun. I did not
want to die for as he flinched the bullet exploded from my gun.
Cowboys would later say it was the faster gunplay they had ever seen. Lighting
fast came a blast from my quick draw. I felt a fire burn through my chest but I knew the
handsome stranger was dead. Catalina knelt hugging me to her breast and her tears began
to fall. The young stranger lay lain but would my death be worth the kill? I felt my life-force
drain and an eerie chill. I listened to Catalina cry as I was scared inside Rosa’s cantina. I
did not want to die and leave my dear Catalina!
Closing my eyes, I lost conscientiousness. To my surprise, I awoke, seeing my
princess. “Catalina, I thought I had died and left you alone! Kneeling closer to my
bedside, “The bullet went through just below the collarbone!” I said, “Marry me Catalina. For
you are my world, my heart”. She kissed my lips, “Yes, but first I must depart, as my
Father is ill but I will return to you, soon. The next day, I watched her leave for Nashville
with the promise to return the next June…
*Written fir Deborah Guzzi’s “Giddy Up! Little Doggies/Watch Out For the Indians”
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