Luke
breaks the news to his siblings, telling them their father is dead.
"Why
you, Luke?" Samuel asked.
Lucius'
eyes riveted his brother's. "I 'spect you know the answer, Sam.
But for the sake of the least 'uns—it was Daddy."
The
children gasped, slow to realize the importance of what he said. The
older ones, Samuel, Jane and Betsy, caught on quicker than Jacob and
Sally. Jane and Betsy burst into tears. Sam sat there with wide eyes,
saying nothing. He'd caught a few of their father's beatings when
Lucius wasn't around to stop it.
"Where's
Daddy?" Sally asked. "When's he comin' home?"
"He
ain't, sugar," Samuel explained. "Daddy's gone to Jesus."
"But
I want him back!" she wailed. "You holler at him to come
back!"
"He
can't come back, Sally," Lucius explained. "He's dead,
sweet pea. No comin' back from that."
"I
want my daddy!"
"Sarah
Elizabeth," their mother spoke sharply. "You stop that
right now. All the caterwauling in the world won't raise the dead.
Now you young'uns go do your chores. Breakfast'll be ready soon.
Sally, Mama needs eggs, fetch 'em. Jacob, take the pail and milk
Blind Sue. Girls, help me with the biscuits. Samuel, Lucius—you
boys know what to do."
Lucius
set off to do his father's work and Sam followed behind to do his and
help with his brother's. They worked nearly an hour before their
mother called to them to come in. Washing at the sink, they sat down
at the table.
Lucius
went to his regular seat at the long, narrow table, but his mother
shook her head. She indicated that he should sit in his father's
spot. He declined. Instead, he helped her sit and stood by his place
at the table, hands folded.
"Lord,
we thank you for the food on this table. We thank you for the bounty
you provide. We also ask you to pave Daddy's way to your door. May he
find rest and peace in your arms. Amen."
They
intoned with a tearful amen.
The
meal was a silent one, punctuated only once in awhile if someone
needed the butter or the milk passed. When it was over, the children
helped clear the food and dirty dishes. They gathered their things
and Jacob saw them down the mountain to the school. They could have
stayed home, but Lucius knew their mother didn't need the added
aggravation of children under foot. It was better they be at school
where their minds could be on something else for a little while.
Sally stood on the porch, watching them go. When they were out of
sight, she went to her room and closed the door. Lucius wanted to
follow, but he was late to work.
I'll
manage," his mother said. "You go on now."
Lucius
kissed her cheek. "I'll come up at noon to see to things,"
he said quietly.
"Don't
you worry 'bout us. 'Spect we'll have company here soon as word
spreads."
Lucius
drove down to the school in Will's truck. He'd have to return that
somehow. He'd anticipated taking it back last night. He showed up to
work like usual, surprising the other men.
"Thought
you'd stay home today," Patrick Kennedy said. He was Lucius'
immediate boss.
"Couldn't
sit home doin' nothin'. 'Spect I'll have to take a few days for the
funeral and such."
"You
take all the time you need. Lost my daddy at Christmas. Damn near
tore me apart."
"I
imagine you were closer to yours than I was to mine," Lucius
said stiffly.
Patrick
nodded and walked off with the others. Albert Travis, who was Will's
age, put his hand on Lucius' shoulder.
"Me
and my Daddy got along 'bout as well as you and yours. I know how
you're feeling. You hate what it's done to your ma, but you're proud
as all hell that old bastard is out of your life."
Lucius
pressed his lips together, fighting his emotions. He nodded sharply.
"My
suggestion," Albert said quietly. "You go find yourself
some place to yell and cry, you'll feel better. Take that pretty Miss
Dollie out and have some fun." He winked, nudging Lucius.
Lucius
chuckled, shaking his head. "Ain't got that far, Albert. Wishin'
don't make it so. 'Spect I'll be a married man 'fore it gets to that
point."
"Yep,"
Albert drawled. "Well, if you need to get anything off your
chest, I'm a man knows what you're going through. Been little over
three years since my daddy crashed hisself into that tree. You need a
chance to rant, look me up."
"Will
do. Thanks, Albert."
Albert
smiled, punching his shoulder. Lucius tipped his hat back, blue eyes
wandering around the campus. He wasn't sure what he was looking for
until he spotted Dollie. She was coming down the hill from the
chapel. She saw him moments later. Waving and smiling, she adjusted
her trajectory. Lucius struck out to meet her. A few feet away from
him, she stumbled on a stone and literally fell into his arms.
Laughing, he picked her up and swung her around. Dollie smiled down
at him, giggling and blushing. Lucius lowered her slowly and,
oblivious to everyone else, kissed her.
©
2019 Dellani Oakes
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