The Duwamish Bay Show-Down

Joey travels powered only on jeweled star power while we try to follow the map and catch sight of land or sea. Night passes into dawn. Then the golden luminescent fluff-clouds break up enough to view the shore from the sky. “Joey, look,” as I point to a crescent of beach below us. We could see a village nestled between a thick copse of trees and green translucent seawater. “Duwamish Bay. I’m certain, Bo. I knew I wouldn’t get us lost on our first trip together.”

Joey dips toward the sea, and then slides onto the Bay as if he is on water skis, (an acrobatic maneuver that I did not yet know he could perform.) Throngs of neon sea horses, each flickering in fluorescent pinks and yellows, welcome us. Joey and the sea horses dance on the water’s surface, a hula-tango-twist melange, while I try my best to stay planted on Joey’s bouncing back. Unsuccessful against such unbridled leaps, I fly from his back and somersault into the air. Villagers transfixed by the sight of the horses dancing in the Bay, now stare at me as I tumble into space and fear impact with the ground.

A woman with a long scarlet skirt watches me fly head over heels, then takes off running after me. “Sweetheart! I’ll catch you!” She bunches her billowing skirt into her hands, and traps my hurling body just before I smash into the cobblestones. I land squarely into her skirt and she bundles me into the silky fabric before lowering me to the ground. The two of us attract a crowd, and their whoops and cheers sing into the air, so boisterous they attract Joey’s attention. He takes three leaps and stands sheepishly at my side.

“Bo, are you hurt? I was dancing and having fun and I forgot you. Oh, thank you, Esmeranda, for saving my Bo from a large bump on her head.”

But the Scarlet Lady, instead of smiling at Joey and petting his forehead, lets out an angry cry, scolding and haggling at him. She speaks in a foreign language, but one which Joey obviously knows. Eventually the lady quiets and leans over to brush a few tears from Joey’s nose.

“Ah, Joey. I should have known. A new traveler and so Tillie gives you another chance. I don’t know why she treats you like royalty. You, dear boy, act more the buffoon than the prince.”

This conversation was making no sense to me. “Hey, could I interrupt a minute? Joey, you know this kind woman? Her name is Esmeranda, right? Esmeranda, you know Joey? And you claim Joey isn’t the finest horse from Tillie’s Stable?’

Esmeranda nods solemnly.

But you called him a…a…a buffoon? What’s going on here?”

‘Randa and Joey shoot bullets into each others eyes. The entire crowd draws silent, so as not to miss any of the explosion. I stamp my feet in growing irritation,feeling like I’ve been left out of a secret. “Well, is someone going to tell me what’s going on?”

A petite, rosy cheeked girl, not seven years old, steps forward. “Here’s what’s going on. ‘Randa gets mad at Joey every time he comes to Duwamish ’cause he plays around and doesn’t do his job. Then everything gets all messed up and ‘Randa has to rush around like crazy and fix everything.”

“Yeah,” interrupts an older boy. “‘Randa told Tillie that Joey couldn’t take any more travelers, but Tillie loves Joey most of all…”

‘Randa finishes. “And so Tillie gives Joey more and more chances. But I won’t fix things again. No more. Joey, this time you’re on your own. And may the goddesses protect Bo. If she’s smart, she’ll ground you and send for another steed.”

“Ohhhhh, nooooo!” snivels Joey. “Bo and I are a team. I’ll be careful. Cross my heart.”

Esmeranda hesitates. “This missive did just come by Raven for you, Bo. Maybe you should read it before we make any decisions.” ‘Randa pulls an envelope trimmed in gold from her sleeve. “Go ahead. Read it.”

I scan the letter. “It’s from Enchanteur. We’re to meet her at the Duwamish Inn for a banquet. Oh my, it’s at eight o’clock tonight.”

“I still have your traveling things,” says Joey. “We can be ready by eight. Let’s get a room.”

Esmeranda still frowns. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea…”

“‘Randa, I’ll stick by Joey. I like a little excitement in my life and I’m sure together we’ll have a grand old time.” I grin at Joey and he nuzzles my neck. “So it’s off to the Inn to get ready for the evening. Joey, I’ll find you a comfortable stable out back and have them treat you like a prince.”

“Thanks, Bo. Tillie knows I’m really a Prince, and now you know my secret, too.”

by Bo