Gathering Home

by JEFF MOTES

  The voice calls out again, “Jimmy, this is Pastor Ezell.”

  This could be a ruse to gain some advantage. Still, I’ve heard that name before.

  “Jimmy, we heard the shooting and have come to check on you and your family. We aren’t here to hurt you.”

  Dad had spoken of a Pastor Ezell a few times. He was a guy he knew back in high school. I decide to take a chance.

  “Pastor Ezell, this is Will Carter. John Carter’s son.”

  He speaks again, and I spot him.

  “Will Carter? What are you doing out here? Where is Jimmy and his family?”

  “I’m speaking for Mr. Jimmy at the moment. His family is safe.”

  “Who’s under the tarp?”

  “Somebody who attacked us earlier. I don’t know who it is.”

  “Do you have anybody injured inside?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Will, I’m going to approach the house. Don’t shoot.”

  He stands from behind cover with his hands to his sides, unslings his rifle, sets it against a tree, and comes forward. The blacken on his face is a permanent feature, and it’s not black but brown. He steps into the yard, approaches to within twenty yards, and stops. His hands are well away from the pistol on his hip.

  “Will, we aren’t here to hurt you. We’ll help you if we can. These men are members of our church.”

  He gives a signal, and two men rise from cover.

  “There were five of you. Where are the other two?”

  “Maze,” he calls out, “come up front. Lucas is watching the highway. He’s going to stay there.”

  Shortly, a man comes from around the side of the house and walks over to Pastor Ezell. If I recall correctly, everything Dad said about Pastor Ezell was positive. I take another chance.

  “Lizzy, you and Amy stay where you are. Don’t come out unless I call you.”

  “Okay,” Lizzy replies. “Will, I’m scared.”

  “It’ll be all right. I’m going outside. If anybody besides me enters the house, shoot them.”

  I step through the doorway, my carbine still in my hands, and approach the two men. Maze’s rifle is slung over his shoulder, and I let my carbine hang by its sling. I stop a few feet in front of them. Maze and Pastor Ezell are both big men. Pastor Ezell holds out his hand. I look at it for a moment then give him a firm handshake. He takes a step closer and gives me a big hug.

  “I was hoping one day I could repay your daddy,” Pastor Ezell says. “Maybe this is the day. What are you doing out here, Will?”

  “I came out here for Lizzy Barnes. She was staying with the Wrights when the EMP happened.”

  He seems surprised. “You walk all the way out here from Repose?”

  “No, I drove a truck. Mr. and Mrs. Wright took it into town. They should be back shortly. I’m taking Lizzy and her grandmother to Repose when he returns.”

  “Who’s inside?”

  I’m still not sure if I should be answering these questions, yet I do again.

  “Lizzy and Amy.”

  “They’re probably pretty scared right now. Do I need to send some of the ladies over to help them?”

  “No. I don’t think that will be necessary.” I call to the house, “Lizzy, everything is okay. You and Amy can come out if you want.”

  He gestures over to the tarp on the ground. “What happened here?”

  “Some men came here to do us harm. I had to stop them.”

  “I guess it’s true then,” he snorts. “We heard Roy Hilton had set up a gang and was harassing folks along the road. Our church has partnered with the white folks church near the railroad tracks to secure an area from Jackson to the bridge. We’re setting up checkpoints once we get the logistics worked out as to where to set them up. We’re hoping it will help keep troublemakers out of the community.”

  Gesturing to the men standing around, he says, “These guys here are part of our response team. We were scouting around when we heard the gunfire and decided to investigate.”

  He walks over and uncovers the body. “Yep. That’s Roy’s youngest brother. How many were there? Did you hit any more of them?”

  “There were four. I think I may have hit one more, though I can’t be sure.”

  He studies me for a minute. “That’s a hard thing to do, Will, taking another man’s life. I’ve never had to do it, and I hope I don’t. If they were here to harm you, you did the right thing. Your father has taught you well. I knew he would. This is not the last you’ll likely see of the Hiltons. You and the Wrights should move to the other side of the bridge, inside our watch area. Jimmy’s and Richard’s places are too far out for us to effectively patrol. We can find a place for y’all, though everyone will have to pitch in doing their fair share of the work. There is lots to do working security, working in the fields and gardens, hunting, and other things. It would be safer than here.”

  “I appreciate the offer, Pastor Ezell, but I’m going back to Repose shortly. I’ll tell Mr. Wright. How is the best way to get in touch with you?”

  “After today, if everything goes well, you’ll have to stop at the checkpoint and somebody will get up with me.”

  “Am I going to have trouble getting to Jackson?”

  “No trouble. You will be asked questions before you go through. I’ll let folks know you’ll be coming through sometime. You won’t have a problem.” He calls out to one of the men, “Sammy, bring the four-wheeler and let’s load this body up.”

  Looking at me, he says, “We’ll take care of this for you, Will. You should probably write down your story of the events that occurred. Get the girls to also. Probably won’t be necessary, but it’ll be good to have, just in case. Where is your daddy?”

  Sensing my reluctance to answer when I hesitate, he says, “It’s all right, Will. Your daddy is a smart man. He’ll be home before long. I owe your daddy a great debt. Helping you may in some small measure allow me to pay him back.”

  I don’t know what debt he’s talking about. Seeing my confusion, he explains, “Will, your daddy and I went to high school together. Back then, I wasn’t the same man I am today. Not until your father opened my eyes and it changed my life. Racial divisions were pretty deep back then. I know there are still some divisions today but nothing like it was then. I figured white folks didn’t like me, and I certainly didn’t like them. Our pastor was always comparing us black folks to the oppressed Israelites and saying white folks were going to get their due one day. Nowadays it’s called Black Liberation Theology. Well, I bought into all that crap.”

  He pauses and stares into the distance. “Late one evening, I was taking my grandmother home from Jackson. It was a cold, rainy winter evening. All the tires on my old truck were wore out. I hit something in the road, and my tire popped. I pulled over, and the tire had a big hole in the side. I didn’t have a spare tire, and back in those days, we didn’t have cell phones like you do today. Do? Ha! Did. At any rate, your dad was driving by and stopped. He knew I didn’t like him, but he stopped anyway. He asked me a few questions, and I was really angry with myself for hoping a white guy would help me. Then he done the craziest thing. He got his spare tire, jack, and lug wrench and told me to use his truck to take my grandmother home and get her out of the cold. Reluctantly, I did. He stayed right there and changed my flat tire. When I came back, he was just letting the jack down. He was soaking wet and shivering, and his voice was quivering when he spoke to me. ‘Ezell,’ he said, ‘you should judge a man by his actions and not by his skin. We’re all God’s children.’ Then he got in his truck and drove off. I had not said a word. Not even thank you.”

  His eyes start to water.

  “The next day at school, I got called to the office. The principal gave me an envelope. Inside was a note from the owner of Western Auto. It said he had four new tires for me already paid for. All I had to do was come by and he would put them on. I found out later John’s dad bought those tires. My heart was broken, and I was confused. Confused by the thin
gs I was being taught and confused by the things happening to me. I left my church and started going with my grandmother. My life was changed, and I got right with God. I’m here as I am because of a selfless act of your father. I owe him a great debt.”

  Wow! Dad, never told me this story before. Maybe he did in bits and pieces, but never like this. It matches what I know of my father. I hold out my hand, and he takes it.

  “Thank you, Pastor Ezell, for sharing that with me.”

  He smiles. “You’re welcome. Your father will be fine, Will. He’ll make it back, don’t worry. And thank you for helping the Jacksons yesterday. Little Anthony is doing good.”

  Looking behind me, he says, “Hello, Lizzy. I knew your mother back in school. You look just like she did back then. Very pretty.”

  I glance back. Lizzy is to my side right behind me. I had not noticed her come up. I reach back and bring her up beside me.

  “Y’all make a fine-looking couple,” Pastor Ezell says. “When you see your folks, tell them hi for me. Don’t forget to talk to Jimmy about moving inside our watch area.”

  The men load the body, then climb onto the trailer and drive off.

  Chapter 6

  Lizzy

  Amy’s Plea

  Day 6

  Amy is sitting on the couch when Will and I step in the door.

  “Lizzy, I’m sorry. We should have left this morning. We shouldn’t have waited. As soon as Mr. Wright returns, we’re leaving.”

  Amy starts crying again and runs up the stairs to her room.

  “Will, I need to go check on Amy.”

  He releases my hand, and I go up to her room. She’s curled up in the bed crying. I crawl in and put my arm around her.

  “Lizzy, I don’t want to die!” Amy sobs. “Please, please don’t leave. Please stay here. Please get Will to stay and help us. Please! My dad is a good man, but he’s not ready for what’s happening. None of us are. If that had been Dad here instead of Will, Dad would be dead, and you and I would have been taken. Please, Lizzy, I beg you don’t leave us!”

  I’m stunned at her request. There is fear in her voice, and her body is quivering. I don’t know what to say. I want to go home. I want to see my grandmother. I want to go to Repose with Will. I want to find my mother! Amy’s right, though. I don’t think Mr. Wright would have done what Will did. I think he would have hesitated and waited until it was too late. I don’t think he would have taken prompt, decisive, and aggressive action. The voices play back through my mind. The harsh threats from the Hiltons and Will’s calm, steady replies. He wasn’t afraid, and he didn’t hesitate to act. If Will had not been here, the Hiltons would have taken me. I would have used the shotgun, but would it have been enough? Thoughts of being dragged down the stairs and into the yard make me shudder. Will that happen to Amy if we leave? Pastor Ezell said he thought the Hiltons would be back. If they do come back and Will isn’t here, what will happen to Amy and her parents? What will happen to Will if he is here?

  Dear God, thank You for protecting us. Show us what to do.

  Pastor Ezell said the Wrights could move into their community. Maybe we could stay long enough to help them move. That shouldn’t take more than a day or two, especially with Will’s truck. Would Will even consider staying another day or two, or will he insist we leave right away? I so want to see my grandmother, yet I don’t want to abandon my friend to certain death and who knows what else if she falls into the hands of the Hiltons. I haven’t said anything. My emotions and thoughts are conflicted.

  “Lizzy, if you love me at all, please talk to Will. Please help us even if only for a few more days. Get Will to teach my dad what he needs to do. Please, Lizzy, I don’t want to die. I don’t want to become a toy for those vile men.”

  My heart is aching for my friend!

  “Amy, you are my best friend. I’ll talk with Will.” Though I don’t know what I will say.

  I head down the stairs. Will is sitting in the recliner looking out the door. The same recliner Mr. Wright sat in, looking out the same door when the Hiltons first made their threats. Yet somehow it seems different. Will seems more sure of himself. How can he be surer of himself than a grown man? Are these times going to show who real men are? I walk over behind the recliner and touch him on the shoulder. He looks up and smiles. How can he smile after what just happened?

  “Amy is very upset and scared.”

  “I’m sorry, Lizzy. We should have left this morning. We shouldn’t have waited. I made a mistake and put you at risk. I’m sorry.”

  “You protected us, Will. You protected us both. I’m thankful, and Amy is too. What do you think would have happened if you hadn’t been here?”

  He remains silent for a few moments. “I don’t know enough about Mr. Wright to know what he is capable of. I’m glad I was here, but we should have left earlier.”

  “I don’t think Mr. Wright could have done what you did, Will. I think if you had not been here, Mr. Wright would have been killed or badly injured and the Hiltons would have taken me or Amy. Maybe both of us.”

  He doesn’t say anything.

  “Will, I’m so anxious to see my grandmother and my mother. I want to go with you to Repose, but what about Amy? She’s my best friend. What will happen to her if we leave now?”

  “Pastor Ezell has offered to let the Wrights move into their community. It’s probably the best thing for them.”

  “Could you take them to Repose?”

  “I don’t know, Lizzy. I’d have to ask if they could come. I’m not sure it would be allowed. I certainly couldn’t just show up with them. When we get to Repose, I’ll ask. But I’m not certain someone would be willing to take them in and divide their resources.”

  I hadn’t thought of that. Is it right to ask others to give their dwindling supply of food to the Wrights? Is it right to ask those who prepared for their own family to now take that food from their family and give it to someone who didn’t prepare? What about me and my grandmother? Who in Repose will have to do without for us to come?

  “Will, we have food at home. Mom always kept a large pantry. I’m sure it would be enough for a month, maybe more.”

  Will smiles. “That’s good, Lizzy. My dad and I have prepared a place for you, your mother, and your grandmother. We have a place for you to stay and food and supplies for all of you. All you’ll really need is your clothes. If you have food to bring, that will be great.”

  Isn’t that what Amy’s ex-boyfriend, Josh said to her? ‘Just get your clothes. You won’t need anything else.’ He’s looking outside, and I study his face. It seems different than when I saw him last. He looks older. He’s acting older.

  “What if I choose not to go to Repose?”

  He stands and turns quickly. “What?” There is pain in his eyes, and I have to look away. His voice has a slight tremor. “Why?”

  I don’t look up immediately. His hand softly touches my neck, then I look into his eyes. “Do I have a choice?” I ask. “Sounds as if you’ve already decided what I should do.”

  “I’m sorry, Lizzy. I thought … I only want to make sure you and your family are safe.”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  Will looks at me in confusion. “Lizzy, I don’t understand.”

  “Do I have a choice to decide if I go to Repose or not?”

  “Lizzy, I don’t think you fully understand what is going on and how bad things are going to be.”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “Lizzy, I would never force you to do anything. I’m sorry if you have misunderstood my intentions.”

  He removes his hand from my neck and goes out the door. I take a deep breath.

  Where did that come from, Lizzy?

  Will didn’t deserve that, but I have to know where I stand. I have to know if I’m going to Repose of my own free will or if I’m going as a weak, dependent person. He’s on the front porch, leaning on one of the columns, looking into the distance. I walk outside and place my hand on his
shoulder.

  “I’m sorry, Will. I had to know if I was going as a free woman or something else. Of course I’ll go with you. I’m anxious to see my grandmother, but I fear for Amy and the Wrights. Do you think we could stay a few days and help them? Could we help them move closer to Pastor Ezell’s? Could you teach them some things they need to know? I know you know things many people don’t.”

  “Lizzy, I want you to go to Repose with me, but I will never force you to do anything. I…I…” He is struggling, unable to say whatever it is. He looks away, then turns back. “I can’t promise a place for the Wrights. I would have to ask. If you want, we could stay another day or two to help them move and better prepare themselves for the trials ahead. I’ll have to check in with Repose and let them know our plans, though they won’t like it, and I don’t think we should stay more than a few days.”

  Why did I ever doubt him? I’ve been through so much. I want to hug him and tell him I’m sorry. I want to…yet I refrain.

  “If you’re willing, and we get good news about my grandmother from the Wrights and a good report about your grandfather, let’s stay a few more days and help them. Then we can go get my grandmother and go to Repose. But, Will, I will go with you whatever you decide.”

  His expression changes. It’s hard to describe. He hugs me close. “Thank you, Lizzy. I will keep you safe. I promise.”

  Chapter 7

  Jimmy

  Home Again

  Day 6

  I look at my scraped knuckles as I steer into our drive and park. The story I’m going to tell Will and Lizzy has been developing in my head while driving home. I hope it works, because there is no way I’m going to be able to make him or Lizzy stay unless they’re willing to do so. There was a good bit of activity going on up and down the road, but nobody hassled us. The lug wrench slipped earlier, sending my knuckles into the asphalt. They burn. The worst feeling is the butterflies churning inside my stomach.