Over and over again Eli played that same wordless song, over and over, version after version the
Malaguena was played. It was pretty clear that Eli was lost in own world, the sounds of the gulls faded away. All he could he hear was the waves crashing down and the sound of every string he plucked. After a time of walking Jim Harper lead Elijah Craig to a bar not but a few feet away from the ocean.
"Want a beer?" Jim Harper asked Elijah, only to watch him get even more lost in his own little world. "EC! You want a beer!" Jim's voice loudly boomed finally get Elijah's attetion.
"Best bring a bucket LT." Eli shouted back.
"Aye G-d that boy can drink." Jim Harper said going off to do what was asked of him.
Eli other the hand found a hammock and jumped into it. He was even more shocked to find an old baseball cap underneath him. An old worn out cap that had years of use on it. There was a time when this hat was a navy blue with an orange power T on it. Like his shorts it had seen many better days yet its wearer it was every bit as good as the day it was brand new. "Jim I found my old hat!" Eli shouted. Something was again not right, up to this point it had been one the best days for Elijah Craig since who knows when. Could things really keep going this good? Eli pushed that thought from his and put the hat on his head. All he needed now was a pair of sunglasses and he could be proper douchebag. With the hat covering his eyes Eli started playing
another songJim Harper had shown up with the bucket of beers just as he asked. What he wasn't asked to do was sit down and listen to sorrowful music all the damn day long. "EC, I aint got one objection to watch the ocean and pretty women run up and down this beach. Don't bother me you playing the whole of the time, but I'll be damn if Imma sit here and listen to that sad shit. Give a man hope son! What was that one song your Momma loved so much? The one that gotcha playing in the first place."
Eli sat and moved his hat to keep his eyes clear. "El Passo by Marty Robbins. Gun Fighter Ballads and Trail Songs was the album." Eli reached for and opened a beer. "Care to hear it?" Eli asked after taking a drink.
"Fuck no, but I'll take it if it gets you off that sad shit." Jim Harper shot back
"Roger that LT." Eli laid back in his hammock and started playing
yet again he was even singing this time. While even he'd admit he didn't the best voice talent in the world, it was more than passable. Good but not great.
"Thank you Chief Warrant Office Craigh." Jim Harper smiled as he sat back in his chair.