Raven 2

by D M Barrett

  “Josh Sullivan has been shot,” Preacher Mann reported.

  “I need to sit down, I’m feeling faint,” the county nurse remarked.

  “The bullet grazed his forehead. He got three stitches from Dr. Whitman,” the preacher said.

  “Who shot him? Why did they shoot him?” Nurse Bilbrey queried.

  “I’m getting the full story from Jack Wright,” Preacher Mann responded.

  “Jack, what happened?” the preacher inquired.

  “Boyd Miller sent down word from Brotherton Mountain to have the preacher come and see him. Josh, along with a Nurse Perry, a young nurse filling in for Nurse Bilbrey, decided to go see him,” Jack Wright reported.

  “That was a bad idea. Boyd Miller is an agoraphobic. It’s an anxiety disorder that keeps him away from a lot of people at once or from people he doesn’t know. He’s not known for being violent, however,” the preacher replied.

  “He stopped Josh and Nurse Perry at the gate. He quizzed Josh about your whereabouts. Boyd Miller told him to not come back without you two. When Josh tried to explain that he was a preacher and that the young lady was a nurse, Boyd plinked a bullet off the edge of Josh’s forehead and said, ‘I said get,’” Jack Wright explained.

  Nurse Bilbrey had her ear to the phone and was listening to the merchant’s explanation. Her concern was more about Boyd Miller than Josh Sullivan.

  “Is this call for information purposes or are you suggesting that we cut the trip short?” Preacher Mann asked.

  “Josh said that Boyd Miller was pale and thin. He looked very weak,” the storekeeper added.

  “What are Josh’s intentions?” the preacher asked.

  “Staying away from Boyd Miller without you and Nurse Bilbrey in tow,” Jack Wright said with a chuckle.

  Nurse Bilbrey whispered, “We need to get back.

  “The boss said that we’re leaving for Ferguson right now,” the preacher reported.

  “I hate for you to have to cut your honeymoon short,” Jack Wright lamented.

  “It’s not a problem. I ran out of Wheaties this morning,” Preacher Mann said as he ended the conversation.

  “It appears that we’re leaving your fine establishment, Joe. What are the remaining charges?” the preacher inquired.

  “I got a certified letter from a man named Henry Wooden. My wife gave him the weekly cost for the honeymoon suite. He mailed a cashier’s check for the charges plus a twenty percent gratuity. I haven’t ciphered but I may owe you money,” Joe Wright said.

  “Keep all of it. Brother Wooden can definitely afford it. We will thank him when we get back to Ferguson,” Preacher Mann asked.

  “At least let me help you load your bags,” the innkeeper requested.

  Nurse Bilbrey remarked, “That would be so very kind.”

  “I’m right behind you,” Joe Wright said as the three headed for the door.

  * **

  Driving quickly, the couple made it to Ferguson a little bit after 2:00 pm. Their first stop was the Community Church.

  The preacher opened the door for Nurse Bilbrey and the pair stepped into the large auditorium. Nurse Perry was seated beside Josh Sullivan. She seemed to be checking his wound with her right hand and she had her left arm wrapped around the young preacher’s shoulders.

  “Be careful Abby. You preachers are more addictive than morphine,” Nurse Bilbrey remarked.

  Nurse Perry removed her left arm from around Josh’s shoulder and jumped up. Neither she nor Josh were expecting their return for at least another hour.

  “I was just leaving,” Nurse Perry said as she reached for her nurse’s bag.

  “You’re not leaving until we get the full story of what happened at Boyd Miller’s farm,” the preacher insisted.

  “Did you read Boyd Miller’s file before you went to his farm for a visit?” Nurse Bilbrey inquired.

  “I got his address but didn’t read the file until after the incident,” the young nurse replied with her head looking toward the meetinghouse floor.

  “What did you find out about Mr. Miller?” the county nurse asked pointedly.

  “I found out that he was moderately to severely agoraphobic. Since he knew neither of us that we shouldn’t visit him without an introduction and being accompanied by someone he knew,” Nurse Perry said continuing her glance toward the floor.

  “Brother Sullivan, what led you to make a call on Brotherton Mountain without clearing it with me, or one of the deacons in my absence?” Preacher Mann barked.

  “It sounded like a good idea at the time,” the young preacher replied.

  “Who gave you that impression?” Nurse Bilbrey queried.

  “Mr. Wright suggested that it would be a great place for a picnic before our visit. I got Miss Rosie to pack us a lunch basket,” Josh Sullivan admitted.

  Nurse Bilbrey and Preacher Mann gave each other a sheepish look. They both recalled that they had been there and done that exercise last summer.

  “Nurse Perry you can return to Cookeville. I’m driving Preacher Mann, Preacher Sullivan, and myself to Boyd Miller’s farm right now,” the county nurse said.

  “Here are the keys to my truck. We’ll use the county car for the trip. You can drive the truck back to Cookeville. We will pick it up tomorrow,” Preacher Mann explained.

  “If it’s all the same, I’d really like to wait at Miss Rosie’s until you return,” Nurse Perry requested.

  “Why is that?” Nurse Bilbrey asked.

  “I just couldn’t stand it if something else happened to Josh,” she responded.

  “Take my truck,” the preacher said.

  As the young nurse left the meetinghouse, Nurse Bilbrey whispered, “You need to have a talk with Josh.”

  “You need to have a talk with Abby,” the preacher whispered in response.

  * **

  The blue Dodge county health car carrying Nurse Bilbrey, Preacher Mann, and Josh Sullivan made its way through the curvy, graveled, mountain roads. The roadway was covered with a lot of overhanging limbs covering large segments of the route. Additionally, the travel path had plenty of switchbacks and ‘S’ curves.

  “How much longer?” the younger preacher asked.

  “We’re still about 15 minutes away from the first gate on Boyd Miller’s property,” Nurse Bilbrey replied.

  “Look! It’s open. What does that mean?” Josh asked peering down the road.

  “It means you probably won’t be dodging bullets today,” Preacher Mann remarked.

  “That’s good news,” the younger preacher said with a large exhale.

  “The second gate is open, too.” Nurse Bilbrey said looking ahead at the Miller house.

  “Let me talk first,” Preacher Mann said.

  When he heard the county car coming down the gravel road, Boyd Miller walked to the open, front screen door and waved at Preacher Mann. There was no gun in sight and the preacher didn’t intend to pick that scab – yet.

  Upon exiting the county car, the preacher noticed that Boyd Miller’s appearance had changed significantly since his last encounter. The short, rotund, balding middle-aged man now appeared emaciated. He had significantly less hair. His skin color was as pale as a corpse. It was patently obvious that he was a sick man.

  “I got word that you wanted to see me,” Preacher Mann said.

  “Yeah, but I want to apologize for grazing that young preacher’s head the other day. I just wanted to let him hear the shell whizzing past him. I reckon my eyesight ain’t what it used to be,” Boyd Miller said.

  “Even when they’re trespassing, it’s not open season on preachers,” Preacher Mann responded with a chuckle.

  “Where’s that boy? Is he alright?” Boyd Miller inquired as he stepped onto the large porch.

  “I’ve got him and Nurse Bilbrey with me,” Preacher Mann replied.

  “Tell ‘em to come up. I won’t be any trouble today,” Mr. Miller promised.

  Nurse Bilbrey, Brother Josh, and Preacher Mann made their wa
y through the gate and to Boyd Miller’s porch. He motioned for Preacher Mann and Nurse Bilbrey to be seated on the dilapidated sofa while he took a seat in a weathered rocking chair. He motioned for the young preacher to be seated on the porch.

  “I never have more than two guests at a time. You get Moses’ seat, brother,” Mr. Miller remarked.

  Josh looked to Preacher Mann for clarification. The preacher was inclined to help him understand.

  “In biblical times, Moses’ seat was a throne-like seat in a Jewish synagogue where religious leaders would render judgments on spiritual and civil matters,” Preacher Mann explained.

  “So it’s a seat of honor?” Josh Sullivan asked.

  “Yes, but remember that Jesus said, ‘whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister’ or servant. Mr. Miller is honoring you by telling you that is Moses’ seat.

  By having you sit in a place that is physically lower than the rest of our seats, he is reminding you that honor is reserved for preachers who serve others, rather than being served,” Preacher Mann explained.

  Josh Sullivan looked directly at Boyd Miller and nodded his head. Mr. Miller returned the affirmative nod.

  “I hate to mention it but you don’t look well, Mr. Miller,” Nurse Bilbrey said.

  “You might as well know that I’m not long for this world,” he replied.

  “Oh no, why would you say such a thing,” Nurse Bilbrey said with shock.

  I’ve lost about forty pounds since your last visit. I cough up blood that looks like coffee grounds. For the last few weeks, my bowels haven’t worked right. When I sent for the preacher, it was the day my kidneys started to quit working,” Boyd Miller reported.

  “We need to get you down the mountain and to Dr. Marcus Whitman’s clinic. He can help you. I’m certain of it,” the county nurse promised.

  Boyd Miller shook his head negatively. He looked directly at Preacher Mann.

  “We can get Dr. Whitman to come up here to check on you. I’ll go fetch him right now,” Brother Sullivan pleaded.

  “The only doctor that can do anything for me is your boss, the fellow that Preacher Mann calls the Great Physician. But, I’m sensing that he’s calling me home. I think that prayer is outside his plans,” Boyd Miller said with a break in his voice.

  “You sent for me. How can I help?” Preacher Mann asked.

  “I want to transact some business and then I want to plan my funeral today,” Mr. Miller said.

  “Say on,” the preacher replied.

  “I have no heirs. By that I mean that both of my parents and my only brother are dead. I have no children. When I leave this world, my farm will go to the state of Tennessee and my seed business will be lost,” the farmer explained.

  “What’s your idea on remedying that problem?” the preacher asked.

  “I want to leave this property and my seed business to the agriculture department at the University of Tennessee. They can sell or keep the land. But, they’ve been writing to me about doing some experiments on the seed business. They are especially interested in the hybrid seeds that are disease-resistant,” the seed wholesaler explained.

  “The best way to accomplish that is with a will that devises, or leaves, everything in a trust to the school and proclaims that it is bequeathed in trust for the benefit of the University and its students,” Preacher Mann suggested.

  “I’ve written up something like that. See what you think,” Boyd Miller said as he handed several pages of papers to the preacher.

  It took a few minutes to read through Mr. Miller’s documents. Preacher Mann was surprised at their complexity and detail.

  “All you need to do is sign this document before a notary public or execute it in front of two witnesses,” the preacher opined.

  “I ain’t going to Ferguson to see that old skinflint, George Hickman. I count three witnesses here. I’m picking a nurse and a preacher,” Boyd Miller responded.

  “Do you want a young preacher or an old preacher?” Preacher Mann said with a smile.

  “I’m goin’ with an old preacher. I got a separate job for the young preacher,” Mr. Miller reported.

  Preacher Mann drew a signature line for Boyd Miller. He added two witness lines for himself and Nurse Bilbrey. All three of them affixed their signatures in the proper order. Preacher Mann handed them to Boyd Miller.

  “You hang on to them. You can handle the business after I’m gone,” the seed man said.

  “I’ll do as you wish,” Preacher Mann said somberly.

  “Now, it’s time to talk about my funeral,” Boyd Miller announced.

  “What are your instructions about your funeral?” Preacher Mann inquired.

  “I want to be buried in the far corner of the yard. I’ve marked it with that bean pole and the red bandana,” he stated.

  “I’m taking notes,” Brother Josh said solemnly.

  “That boy is a good preacher already,” Boyd Miller opined.

  “He just needs a little seasoning,” Preacher Mann said with a smile.

  “I want to be wrapped in that quilt on my bed. It was made by my mother and I’ll take it on my journey. I don’t want no coffin or no undertaker. It will be like the Bible declares ‘all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.” Boyd Miller explained.

  “Do you have any more instructions?” the preacher asked.

  “Young man, can you play the guitar?” the seed man asked.

  “Yes sir, I play it well, too,” Josh replied.

  “Here’s a song that I wrote. I want you to play and sing it after Preacher Mann says a few words over me,” Boyd Miller instructed as he handed the paper to the young preacher.

  “You’ve even got the chord changes on here,” Brother Josh marveled.

  “Did you study music?” Nurse Bilbrey asked.

  “I studied business in college. I learned music in my elective courses. I used to sing but those days were over a long, long time ago,” Boyd Miller answered.

  “I’ll be glad to do this for you,” the young preacher promised.

  “Now, I’ve never liked crowds. I doubt I’ll like ‘em at my funeral, either. So keep it simple: the three of you, Jack Wright, and maybe one or two more,” the seed man instructed.

  “I may ask the three co-op managers and John Lester. They’re all your customers. They think a lot of you,” Preacher Mann said.

  “I know all of them. They won’t make me nervous – especially after I’ve departed,” Boyd Miller said with a nod.

  “Let me at least take a look at you. It’s my duty,” Nurse Bilbrey said.

  Boyd Miller nodded affirmatively. Nurse Bilbrey reached for her nurse’s bag and began her exam. When she had finished, she turned her back to Boyd Miller to return to her seat on the dilapidated sofa. She looked at the two preachers and gave a very sad look.

  “I’ll be back to check on you tomorrow morning at about 10:00 am. You get some rest. We can talk some more,” Preacher Mann suggested.

  “I believe this is the last time we’ll see each other in this life. The Lord bless you for helping a dying old man,” Boyd Miller said with a certain determination.

  Preacher Mann shook his hand. Brother Sullivan shook his hand. Nurse Bilbrey gave Mr. Miller a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.

  On the way back to Ferguson, Preacher Mann asked, “What’s the verdict?”

  “He’ll be dead when we return tomorrow. His kidneys have shut down,” Nurse Bilbrey stated flatly.

  “Oh no,” the young preacher lamented.

  “Sometimes it very tough being a preacher,” Preacher Mann said to the young preacher.

  Josh Sullivan didn’t reply but Nurse Bilbrey looked into the rearview mirror and saw tears silently streaming down the young man’s face.

  Relying on Nurse Bilbrey’s assessment, Preacher Mann notified the relevant persons of Boyd Miller’s imminent demise and suggested that there could be a graveside service as early as Friday afternoon or Saturday. He promised to notify them imme
diately when the arrangements were made.

  * **

  The next morning Preacher Mann and Josh Sullivan made their way along Brotherton Mountain Road following Nurse Bilbrey and Dr. Marcus Whitman in the county car. All four of them expected the worst for the seed man.

  When they arrived at the Miller house, they saw Boyd Miller still seated in his old rocking chair. His head was pointed upward.

  When Dr. Whitman examined him he said, “He’s only been dead a couple of hours. The body is still warm. I suppose he got to see one last sunrise.”

  Nurse Bilbrey wept. Josh Sullivan fought back tears.

  “We will lay him on that quilt from his bed. I brought some cotton rope to tie it around him. Afterward, we’ll dig his grave,” Preacher Mann instructed.

  “His grave is already dug. He carefully cut the sod and put it on top of the dirt. I saw that yesterday,” Brother Josh remarked.

  “We’ll get him in the grave and put the dirt on him. We’ll need a shovel or two,” Dr. Whitman said.

  As Josh Sullivan walked back from the grave, he replied to Dr. Whitman, “There are two shovels there. He thought of everything.”

  The three men placed Boyd Miller in his final resting place while Nurse Bilbrey watched. Preacher Man instructed Josh Sullivan to advise all the potential attendees that the graveside service would be held at 2:00 pm the following day.

  * **

  Jack Wright’s diary contained a brief account of Boyd Miller’s graveside service. Even decades later, it was a compelling narrative.

  It seems that Preacher Mann spoke of how Adam and Boyd Miller served the Lord’s will by being tillers of the soil. He said that their earthly labors benefitted many in the generations beyond their life on earth.

  Preacher Mann pointed out that the Bible says, that ‘a good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.’ He explained that even though Boyd Miller had no children, that his thoughts were on the children and grandchildren of future generations.

  In his estimation, the gift of his farm, seed business, and hybrid seeds to the University of Tennessee would benefit its students and was an example of faith and obedience.

  The service was concluded by Brother Josh Sullivan playing his guitar and singing the song that Mr. Miller had written for his own funeral. Jack Wright recalled that the words were very poignant and memorable.