Huff and Jenny (part 5)

As a young man on the farm, Huff never even thought about it, but when he went into the Army, Huff picked up the habit of smoking. He started out with Lucky Strikes, then Camels, Kools, Winstons, Salems, rolled his own for a while, then settled down with full-flavored Generic Kings by the carton. When he talked about the Army, he would sometimes chain-smoke a pack,back-to-back. He tried to quit a few times, but that just seemed to make the habit worse. Huff even smoked in Wal-Mart while he and Jenny ate or shopped, ignoring the signs and managers who he tole point blank,”I’m a Veteran and I got a right to smoke wherever I please, damn’it.” Jenny didn’t like it, but she wasn’t brought up to tell a man, especially her daddy or husband what not to do.

April 1, Huff and Jenny sat in the diner eating their #3 specials, steak finger baskets with fries and large cherry Icees. Huff finished his third cigarette and began to cough. Huff had been carrying around a cough for several years now, and the cough didn’t seem that unusual.

Jenny said,”Daniel Wayne, are you allright?” Huff looked at her, then fell to the floor.There was nothing the EMT’s could do. The heart attack was too swift in delivering it’s deadly blow.

Wal-Mart sent a nice wreath of flowers to the funeral, and some of the employees that knew Huff and Jenny showed up to pay there respects. Daniel Wayne Huffman, Veteran, husband, father, teacher was laid to rest with a full military ceremony. Jenny cried tears onto the folded American flag.

Two weeks later, Jenny sat alone at their favorite table, sipping her Icee. Shirley Weaver, who had been at the funeral, saw Jenny and walked over and sat down. She held Jenny’s hand and held back the tears in her own eyes. She said,”Jenny it’s time to be strong and go on with your life.”

Jenny said, “I know, but I just don’t know what to do.” Shirley smiled and asked,”You ever thought about getting you a job here at Wal-Mart?”

The End

This story is dedicated to the Greeting Lady at Wal-Mart, thanks.

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