everything she had done and seen and loved about her late summer day. I was grateful that she was willing to forgive me. I returned the favor by keeping my mouth shut.
Mom eventually waved us inside for supper. Ironically, a beef pot roast was on the table. Sally Bean was ready to talk. I could tell because Joe was sitting at the long table, looking very much alone in the midst of thirteen other people. I knew it was going to be an uncomfortable meal. It began in normal fashion, with Arturo offering a blessing and the normal sounds of daily chatter and clinking dinnerware. Jimmy was literally humming with excitement as the juicy meat was placed in front of him. He had a little squirming chair dance that he liked to perform before his first bite at every meal. Thinking back, I always took that as the real blessing before we ate. In one exuberant display, the seven-year-old managed to show us all how delightful it was to have a meal and to be able to sit down at a table in a normal kitchen and to eat with the people we loved.
Most of our day had involved changing the fences around to hold the new animals, which is why those animals were on Dad’s mind.
“Hey, Joe,” he asked for the hundredth time. “Are you sure you want to part with your livestock. We can come over and help you with them if you want to keep them.”
“David, we’ve had this conversation more often than I’ve used the john. For the last time, yes, I’m sure, and you’re welcome.” Joe smiled to show he appreciated the thought. “Which reminds me...”
Joe reached around and pulled a slightly crinkled packet of blue paper out of his back pocket. He unfolded it on the checkered tablecloth and revealed the white, official looking document inside. “This here’s the deed to my land. I’m not sure about the legal stuff, or if it even matters anymore, but I wrote a note on the back page. It says I’m giving it to you, David.”
Dad literally dropped his fork. The clatter startled everyone to silence as the fork bounced off the table and rattled its way to the floor. “But, Joe...”
“But nothing. I’ve made my decision. Sally and I talked it over, and she may not agree with me, but she says she understands why I’m doing it. Here’s why I’m doing this, David.” Joe paused to take sip of water and to gather his thoughts. “You’re good man. You too, Arturo... You got a great family, and you’ll need a way to build a future for them. You’re also young enough to put in the sweat it’s gonna take to get through this mess and come out the other side. Normally, I’d pass it along to my kids, but you know they’d just end up selling the place to pay the taxes. They’d have no interest in farming it anyway. Things are different now. I’d like to see my land go where it will do the most good, and that’s you folks.” Joe looked a little embarrassed at his speech and covered it with a big mouthful of pot roast.
Salle Bean got to her feet with tears in her eyes, and I was expecting her to either launch into a lecture or walk out. Instead, she stepped over behind Joe and nearly choked him to death with a hug. She kissed him on the cheek and said, “You’re a good man too, Joe Miller. A damn fool, but a good man.” She sat back in her chair and let the tears mingle with her supper.
“Aw now Sally. You ain’t rid of me yet. David? You mind if I shack up on your farm for the winter? If I left now, I would be a damn fool.” Joe said, regaining his voice as he spoke.
Dad struggled to speak as well. “Joe, I hope you’ll stay long enough for me to give this paper back to you. Thank you, for everyone. Until then, stay as long as you like.”
After supper, everyone managed to find a way to thank Joe personally. Jackie from across the room, Mom and Lucy with big hugs, the men with back thumping man-hugs, and Tommy and Jimmy by holding tightly to Joe’s legs as he staggered for the front door.
Chapter 9 – 9
Tam thought maybe she
Mom eventually waved us inside for supper. Ironically, a beef pot roast was on the table. Sally Bean was ready to talk. I could tell because Joe was sitting at the long table, looking very much alone in the midst of thirteen other people. I knew it was going to be an uncomfortable meal. It began in normal fashion, with Arturo offering a blessing and the normal sounds of daily chatter and clinking dinnerware. Jimmy was literally humming with excitement as the juicy meat was placed in front of him. He had a little squirming chair dance that he liked to perform before his first bite at every meal. Thinking back, I always took that as the real blessing before we ate. In one exuberant display, the seven-year-old managed to show us all how delightful it was to have a meal and to be able to sit down at a table in a normal kitchen and to eat with the people we loved.
Most of our day had involved changing the fences around to hold the new animals, which is why those animals were on Dad’s mind.
“Hey, Joe,” he asked for the hundredth time. “Are you sure you want to part with your livestock. We can come over and help you with them if you want to keep them.”
“David, we’ve had this conversation more often than I’ve used the john. For the last time, yes, I’m sure, and you’re welcome.” Joe smiled to show he appreciated the thought. “Which reminds me...”
Joe reached around and pulled a slightly crinkled packet of blue paper out of his back pocket. He unfolded it on the checkered tablecloth and revealed the white, official looking document inside. “This here’s the deed to my land. I’m not sure about the legal stuff, or if it even matters anymore, but I wrote a note on the back page. It says I’m giving it to you, David.”
Dad literally dropped his fork. The clatter startled everyone to silence as the fork bounced off the table and rattled its way to the floor. “But, Joe...”
“But nothing. I’ve made my decision. Sally and I talked it over, and she may not agree with me, but she says she understands why I’m doing it. Here’s why I’m doing this, David.” Joe paused to take sip of water and to gather his thoughts. “You’re good man. You too, Arturo... You got a great family, and you’ll need a way to build a future for them. You’re also young enough to put in the sweat it’s gonna take to get through this mess and come out the other side. Normally, I’d pass it along to my kids, but you know they’d just end up selling the place to pay the taxes. They’d have no interest in farming it anyway. Things are different now. I’d like to see my land go where it will do the most good, and that’s you folks.” Joe looked a little embarrassed at his speech and covered it with a big mouthful of pot roast.
Salle Bean got to her feet with tears in her eyes, and I was expecting her to either launch into a lecture or walk out. Instead, she stepped over behind Joe and nearly choked him to death with a hug. She kissed him on the cheek and said, “You’re a good man too, Joe Miller. A damn fool, but a good man.” She sat back in her chair and let the tears mingle with her supper.
“Aw now Sally. You ain’t rid of me yet. David? You mind if I shack up on your farm for the winter? If I left now, I would be a damn fool.” Joe said, regaining his voice as he spoke.
Dad struggled to speak as well. “Joe, I hope you’ll stay long enough for me to give this paper back to you. Thank you, for everyone. Until then, stay as long as you like.”
After supper, everyone managed to find a way to thank Joe personally. Jackie from across the room, Mom and Lucy with big hugs, the men with back thumping man-hugs, and Tommy and Jimmy by holding tightly to Joe’s legs as he staggered for the front door.
Chapter 9 – 9
Tam thought maybe she
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