The Stand. Time is all but fleeting, waste it on the way. It’s Friday night. It could be any night. The beginning of my last weekend here on this earth. I’m sure of it. It’s been hell up until now. We’ve lost so many men. Good men. Family men. Men who have given their lives for a cause. This cause. From every corner of this new nation. To make a stand for the cause. Texas. And here of all places. The Alamo. I wish I could say that the cause brought me here. That would be lying. I’m a slinking lowlife bank robber and cattle rustler. I managed to outwit the posse chasing me. And found myself here. Seeking sanctuary. Amidst the death and brutality there’s a calmness here. A found serenity. There’s no hope for the people inside these walls.

There’s a big price on my head. But I’ve finally stopped running. I make my final stand here. With these people. Perhaps I can find retribution this way. I told Colonel Travis and the others as much. As I look across the plain, I realize that Santa Anna’s army has grown in the night. Frightfully. I can see small campfires. Outlines of soldiers, wagons, tents and cannons. Word has it that they’ll throw everything at us on Sunday morning. God’s day. My belly’s full and I’m tired. I picked up a bullet in the shoulder today but I’m still ready to fight on. I want to sleep but can’t, although I know they won’t attack tonight. Superstition. My rifle needs cleaning. I best get down to it. I look up at the night sky and sadly smile. And ponder Rosalita, a girl I left back in the territories. I can think of better ways to spend a Friday Night ... xoRJ