Anyway, when John and Grandma disappeared after lunch, I saw Uncle Arthur was about to leave. I walked out to where he was fastening his bag onto the horse. I wondered about Maude. “Is this all of the family?” I asked. “Maude and Lee are gathering corn today. They live over on Carter Hill.” “Over there?” I asked, pointing south. Uncle Arthur just stared at me. “Well,” I lied. “I saw a steep hill—with a house on it—on the way in.” I could now hear screams from around behind the house. Poor John!
“You're so young to be a doctor,” I said. “Yeah,” he said. “I just graduated from our new medical school last year.” He mounted the horse. “Sure is a tall horse,” I commented. “Bet that helps keep your pants legs clean, huh?” “Yeah, that's th' general idea. Someday, I'm going to get me one of those new cars. Sure would speed up my rounds, and keep me dry in bad weather.” “Cars will be getting cheaper, soon. Mass production is coming. Five years, and you won't need that horse.” “More like 15, I'd say. Well, I gotta go. Got to deliver a baby up in Wing.” “See you later,” I said, walking along beside him. “By the way, I said. “Be sure to spell the name right on the birth certificate. That's real important.” “Sure thing,” he laughed, cantering the horse away. I yelled after him, “And don't forget, Jerold is spelled J-e-r-o-l-d!” Too late. He was gone.
I went into the kitchen. Aunt Hallie was finishing up the dishes. I approached her. “Are you married, Miss Hallie?” She turned around, looked at me, and laughed. “I'm way too old for you, young man! But to answer your question, no, I'm not. Dad says I'm too young, a professional woman and all. I'm only 23, just started teaching, an' all. Besides, the right man has not come around yet.” Thinking quickly, I said. “He will. And when he does, don't tell Gra- uh, your dad. Just elope. That sounds like it would be more fun, anyway.” She had forgotten the dishes, and had turned toward me, just staring. Maybe I had said too much. Since this strange thing was happening to me, maybe I could change the course of history. Who knows? At least I had to try. “You are indeed a strange young man. What did you say your name was?” “Just Pat. I'm not too sure about the rest of it.” “Well, it's nice to meet you, Pat Whatever. Got to go. Got some tutoring to do this evenin'.” She swished out the door, just as Grandma came in the back. She laid the long, keen switch in its place above the door. “Well,” she said. “If you and John are not just like two peas in a pod! John is goin' to be sulking awhile, but he'll be better in a bit. If you want to help him feed the horses and the jacks, I'll bet you two could get up a good game of ball. John just LIVES to play ball. You're mor'n welcome ta stay th' night. You can bunk with Franz and John. If you all lie crossways th' bed, you can all make it OK.” I couldn't figure out just how to approach this. Finally, I said, “Does John have a girlfriend?” “No, silly, he's way too young. But I've got my eye on one a th' Humphreys girls. She's just what he needs, when the time comes.” I had to think hard awhile before I could go on. Finally, I said, “Well, whoever he marries, just be good to her, especially if they live with you. She'll be missing her family awhile. You could really help her fit in, just bein' her good friend. I'm sure she'll look up ta you.” She seemed to be thinking that over for awhile. Finally, “We'll probably let John build his house in th' meadow, when that time comes. But I'll tell you one thing. If they ever live in MY house, she will do things MY way, I can tell you that!” This was looking like a lost cause.
I went into the living room. Franz was at a small table, writing furiously. “Whatcha doin'?” I asked. He looked up. “I've decided I'm goin' ta write a poem. I've gotta hurry; Dad says some guys are supposed to bring some mares to be bred. I gotta help. Homer was supposed to, but he's off, courting Maggie, Saturday and all.” He went back to his writing, and I could see he didn't need my company.
I went out onto the porch. Lula Belle was giggling and playing hopscotch, which was scratched out in the dirt. I thought awhile. “You are such a fun little girl,” I said. “Now, while you are young, is the time for you to really enjoy life. Make the most of it. You will be all grown up far too soon.” She looked up at me, and giggled. “You're one ta talk. You're just a kid, too. Why aren't you home having fun instead of running 'round, all over th' place? Ya wanna play jump board?” she asked hopefully. “Nah, I better not. My mom used to tell me, you could turn your liver over doing that. Besides, I'm too heavy for you.” She giggled again and ran off toward the bag swing. What could I say to this wonderful little girl? How could I tell her she would grow up, become cranky, survive a string of stillborn births, begin to treat her
husband so badly he would run off, and live out her life, alone and constantly at odds with many who love her, except me and the other kids? She always liked me, right up until the time I had to put Dad in the nursing home. But, I didn't want to think about those times right now. I couldn't do anything to change the way she was destined to be.
Da-uh, I mean John, came around the corner of the house. His mood was better now. “Hey, Dad's goin’ ta be busy with the mare breedin' and all at the barn fer awhile. Wanta play some ball?” I jumped right on this. “Sure,” I said. “I've been waiting for this, all my life.” “You're one weird feller, ya know that?” He ran for the old, worn out ball and the stick, which I supposed was his bat. We played pitch, warming up. As we threw the ball back and forth, I said, “Are there many fish in the creek?” “Yeah,” he said. It’s full of perch and goggle eyes. Maybe while we're feedin' th' jacks we can dig some worms, then give 'um a try.” I jumped right on that, too. “Yeah, let’s do! Down at the deep hole, under the hill?” He looked confused. “You came in from the southeast. How in –” He glanced at the porch. Grandma was still inside. “–HECK would you know about that?” He was looking at me strangely. I had messed up in my excitement. The deep hole was on the west. I was thinking fast. “Well,” I said slowly, “I was a little scared, coming in on strangers an' all. I rode around the place once, decided it was safe, then came on in.” He was buying it! Whew! “No,” he was saying, “Not the deep hole. Being Saturday an' all, the girls and Mom will be takin' a bath down there. “We'll have to go down in the pasture.” “Well,” I said, “ya sure wanta watch out for cottonmouths, taking a bath down there.” He glanced at the porch. “Heck, I'm not afraida no snake. I just run the suckers out, and jump in. They take off when I come 'round.” “Well, ya never know. My Dad used to tell me, “sometimes they will just come after a feller.” Somewhere, from far off it seemed, a sleepy voice called my name. “P-a-a-t!” I threw the ball back to Da-uh, John. John was fading out. Again I heard the sleepy voice, nearer now. “We've got to get up early tomorrow!” I saw John throw the ball, but it never came to me. By now, I could hardly see him at all. Then, I began to realize. My strange, wonderful visit was ending. “NO,” I yelled. “We haven't been fishing yet!! I've still got a lot more questions for you!! Everything was fuzzy now. I hollered, loud as I could. “Tell Grandma, Grandpa, and Hallie, I'll see them in heaven!! I'll be back!! Tell the others! Dad, you and I have lots more work to do together!!” I could barely hear him, just a faint whisper. “Mom! Come quick! The stranger's gone plumb loco!”
Suddenly, the haze cleared. I looked down. My left thumb was cut off, again. I was in my house. I stumbled to the mirror. I was an old man again. I stood there looking at that old man a long time. Maybe Barbara was right. Maybe I have been getting too deeply involved in the old Gillums. I should ease off a little.
“I'm coming, Barb. Soon as I go to the bathroom. May take awhile. Go back to sleep. I love you! I crawled in beside Barbara. She was mumbling something about, “Have to get around early for nine o'clock church.” I just slipped my arms around her, and hugged her close—for a long time.
This is a true story. Well, the first part, and the last. The place, the time, and the people are real. The rest of it—well, uh, I just sorta dreamed it up.
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