'Till the Sun Burns Out-Part One

 Rick stepped out of the coolness and security of the office building and into the bustling hot streets of Old Colorado City. A retired mining town, Old Colorado City was still a busy place. Rick was just fifteen, a local paper boy handing out copies of "the Gazette" on street corners.

 He had just got another batch and went to the nearest corner. The year was 1936. It was a hot summer. Colorado had just recovered from the Dust Bowl and there were still traces of dirt and sand everywhere. Colorado, despite what most people out-of-state think, is not just full of mountains and is cold year-round. Though it does snow sometimes into April, there is a saying that goes, "Colorado has two seasons: Winter, and July." which means that even though it's cold most of the year it still heats up amazingly well in the few summer months.

 Other than the mountains, Colorado is all prarie, rolling hills, and vast, flat desert. The weather now was coming from the desert close to the New Mexico border and the Four Corners (the corners of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah) and it was a heat wave.

 Rick took off his sweaty cap and fanned himself. He had to stay out on the corner though, no matter the cost. He had to take care of his family. His father had came from Germany and his mother from Northern Ireland about twenty years ago. He had a little sister and a big brother. His sister Morrigan was seven, and had barely a concept of the world yet, and his big brother Brian was 19 and was wreckless, and a violent drunk. Rick's father was ill and bed-ridden. His mother worked both as a seamstress and a maid. His brother was going from job to job, barely chipping in to help the family. Rick had his job for about a year now, and had taken to it well. So he had to stand out on the street corner, so hot and sweaty. He had to keep his family in their tennant.

 And it was a mighty good thing Rick stood out on that corner. Because while standing under the beating sun, he saw Her for the first time. Rick didn't know her name, all he knew was that she was beautiful. She had blonde flowing hair, her smile full of happiness and mirth. She was waring a white dress, just because it was the coolest in this heat. She was carrying a small white umbrella and was wearing a white hat with a pink ribbon.

 She was walking with her mother who was wearing a yellow dress, and her faced was pursed into a bitter frown. The two walked past the corner and Rick called out, "Excuse me, ma'am. May I interest either of you in a newspaper?" Her mother turned to Rick, "We're not intersted in the news and goings-on of the commoners." She said. The girl, on her way past, turned her head back to Rick, smiled, and shrugged.

 Rick was stunned as he watched her disappear into the crowd. He was in love. He didn't even know her personality, didn't even know her name, he loved her, she was so beautiful. So amazing. Then he was snapped out of his trance. Mr. McGrady came trotting up to the corner, "'Afternoon, Rick." Mr.McGrady said. He always came to buy a paper whenever Rick was selling. Mr.McGrady was a family friend and an older man, but had the humor and enthusiasm of any child, "Here to buy the paper?" Rick asked. Mr.McGrady nodded, "Yes. Hot day isn't it?" he asked. Rick looked back at where She had gone, trying to catch a last glimpse. All he did was nod, "I saw you lookin' at her. See you have your eye on a good apple there. She's the daughter of a rich family here." Rick nodded again, "Her name's Britney. She's nice, but be warned she may be a wild one, you never know." All Rick did was nod as he exchanged the money for the paper, still staring off into the crowd. "Rick?" Mr.McGrady called. Rick looked back, "Will do, will do." Mr McGrady tipped his hat and walked off.

 Rick looked out into the crowd. Mr.McGrady's words echoed in his ears, "she may be a wild one." Rick nodded. He didn't care, she would be his, someday.