This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Floating Island” Down in the Dirt, v206 (4/23) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Forbidden Library the Down in the Dirt Jan.-April 2023 issues collection book		get the 420 page Jan.-April 2023 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Hunters Sale

Richard K. Williams

    It’s an unofficial tradition here in Maine that on the first weekend in November many stores hold what used to be called the “Hunters Sale” to celebrate the opening of hunting season. Many stores opened at six in the morning or earlier and offered twenty percent and higher discounts on merchandise until nine in the morning. In some cases, all the stores in various towns would open early. Retailers like the department store Renys (a Maine adventure) would also offer added discounts if you arrived wearing your pajamas. I assumed it was their attempt to lure regular Walmart customers into their establishments. I was told the sale was started so the spouses and families of Maines dedicated hunters would have an event to look forward to. Plus, they were most likely up early with the hunters anyway so they could use the occasion as a reason to meet with friends and get a jump on holiday shopping, perhaps even having breakfast together after shopping was completed. Because the sale is localized the crowds are smaller and it helps ease the pressure of frantic “Black Friday” sales for some people.
    The pandemic of 2020 caused the sale to be cancelled in nearly all locations. It’s back now but it’s called “Early Bird” sale however it appears to me that it doesn’t have the level of popularity it used to hold.
    I am not a hunter, so I would accompany my wife to the various specialty stores that opened early in nearby towns. We would also sometimes make a weekend of the occasion by staying at friends’ houses to attend the sale in their town. My traditional purpose was being a place holder. We would enter the store and I would get in the checkout line to hold a place while she dashed around the store selecting various unnecessary items.
    A few years ago, we traveled to the city of Bath for the sale. There exists a cooking supply store that my wife wanted to go to take advantage of the twenty percent discount they were offering. My wife Peg is an outstanding cook and baker, she will spend hours and sometimes days cooking and baking for parties, family gatherings, and holidays. During the holidays it’s one of my jobs to deliver trays of the cookies she baked to the neighbors. I would tease her that I could always tell when she was gearing up for the holidays when I would step out of the shower the steam would hit the air; and whole loaves of bread would rain down from the ceiling.
    Anyway, we were in the cooking supply store in Bath on the morning of the sale day. The store was already full of shoppers selecting Teflon coated frying pans, soup tureens, serving platters, spring loaded cake pans, and various knives and utensils. I got in the checkout line which already extended around the entire store. Shortly thereafter another man got in line behind me. We exchanged knowing glances as more shoppers filed in behind him. He said, “You holding a spot for your wife too?” “Yes,” I replied. We then exchanged some pleasantries and information about where we were from and the weather and such. As we were holding our places in line a woman walked up to him and exclaimed. “I know you, you’re Annie’s daddy!” “Yeah, and she’s a pain in the ass too!” he replied. I thought for a second, that’s a harsh comment to make about your child. When he continued. “She barks all the time!” I then realized, oh, he’s talking about his dog. The woman said. “They have this thing that you can hold in your hand that stops them from barking.” “Yes, it’s called a pistol.” I interjected. The man started laughing while the woman got a pained, look on her face, bid a hasty goodbye to the man, shot me an angry parting glance, and scurried away.
    Win friends and influence people, that’s what I do.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...