Had Uncle Colt gotten Dan’s dad to take us to Plainsville? Or worse, Dan himself?
When the driver’s door opened, Michael stepped out, and I caught my breath as he grinned at me.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
“I thought you were Dan.”
“Disappointed?” A smile played on his lips.
I raised one eyebrow. “Maybe a little.”
“Too bad. He’s already shipped off to boot camp.” He took the bag from me and carried it to the car.
Aunt Jenny and Uncle Colt came out of the house, and Zeke and I both rushed to them.
They hugged and kissed us. Only Zeke shed tears. And, it seemed they were more from fear of the car than anything else.
Aunt Jenny wiped the tears from his cheeks and settled him in the backseat.
I slid into my seat, placing Poppa’s Bible beside me, and Uncle Colt squeezed my hand one last time before closing the door.
“Will you take care of Chance?” I asked him.
He nodded his head.
“And tell Momma bye for us.” I wanted him to tell Momma I loved her, but my throat burned with the effort.
Michael cranked the car and backed into the road.
I waved to Aunt Jenny and Uncle Colt as we drove away, blinking to keep the tears at bay. I hugged Poppa’s Bible tightly to me as we drove down the red clay road.
Zeke sniffled in the back seat, and Michael drove in silence, occasionally clearing his throat as if about to speak, yet never speaking.
We headed north toward Montgomery and drove thirty minutes before Michael pulled into a filling station.
The attendant hurried to the car, and Michael told him to fill it up before turning to Zeke and me.
“Do y’all want a Coca-cola?” he asked.
The sniffling stopped in the back.
“Yes, please,” Zeke said.
“Zeke, we don’t have any money.”
“That’s okay. Your uncle gave me enough money.” Michael slid out of the driver’s side and walked around to hold the door open for me.
I felt guilty. Uncle Colt and Aunt Jenny struggled along with the rest of the families in our area. Having to spend money on Zeke and me just wasn’t right.
Uncle Colt had paid someone to work our farm, paid for the car to take us to Plainsville, paid Michael to drive us, and now paid for us to drink a Coke.
Zeke’s blue eyes caught mine and won the battle with my conscience. I nodded my head.
Zeke skipped in ahead of us. The red cooler stood against the back wall.
However, Zeke had his face pressed against the glass case holding candy.
I exhaled sharply. “Zeke! No candy.”
He looked at me, eyes pleading. “Just one piece. Please, Jay?”
“No.” I took his arm to drag him away from the temptation.
“How ‘bout this?” Michael asked.
He had placed three bottles of Coke on the counter and three Moon Pies.
“Oh, boy! Can we have one, Jay?” His eyes danced.
Michael answered. “Does a cat have a climbing gear?”
“Does that mean yes, Jay?” Zeke asked.
I nodded. Maybe we could pay Uncle Colt and Aunt Jenny back one day.
Michael paid for the snacks and gas. We walked outside and settled on a bench to eat and drink. There was no way I would let Zeke take food into Mr. Drake’s car.
The Coke was cold, so cold slivers of ice had formed in it. I sipped slowly, not knowing if I would ever have a chance to drink anything so delicious again.
We finished, and Michael returned the bottles to the store. Zeke rubbed his eyes.
“I’m sleepy.”
“Lie down then. We have a long way to go.”
When I climbed in the car, I saw Poppa’s Bible and picked it up. I had placed my mother’s picture inside it. Turning the Bible upside down, I gave it a shake, and the picture fluttered to my lap. I studied it, wondering if Aunt Liza looked like her.
I placed the picture back in the Bible and flipped to Ezekiel. After Momma almost burning Poppa’s Bible, I had forgotten to look it up. How could I have forgotten?
Ezekiel, seventeen. That’s what he had said. I turned to chapter seventeen.
Poppa had underlined one passage, even circling some words. I ran my finger over the verses, wondering if this was the last passage he had marked in his Bible.
Tears slid down my cheeks, unheeded. Michael opened the driver’s door, and I hastily wiped the tears away.
“Are you okay?” His brown eyes surveyed me steadily.
“Fine.” I fidgeted under his scrutiny. “Uh, thanks for the Cokes and snack.”
“No need to thank me.” He smiled, cranked the car, and pulled onto the road.
I turned back to the Bible. My eyes sought the words that Poppa had circled. Birds of every wing.
“Jay, would you like to read to me?”
My head jerked up. “What?”
“Read out loud. Do you want to?”
I nodded my head, took a deep breath, and began reading.
“Thus saith the Lord God; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent: In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell birds of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell. And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the Lord have spoken and have done it.”
I paused and cast a glance at Michael.
“Birds of every wing.” Michael smiled, although his eyes were grave. “I guess that includes blue jays.”
My heart pounded in my ears as I closed the Bible and folded my hands on the cover.
Michael remained quiet for a few minutes. A dirt road, barely two ruts, ran to the left. He turned and drove down to a clump of trees and threw the car into park.
My eyes widened. “What are you doing?”
I leaned over the back seat to check on Zeke who still slept soundly.
Michael turned off the car and twisted in his seat to face me. “Jay . . .” He stopped and flushed deeply but kept his eyes on my face.
He reached out for my hands. His hands were warm, strong, and so comforting that I gripped them tightly.
He smiled, and my heart skipped a beat. I smiled back.
“Jay, let’s get married.” He leaned forward.
I pulled my hands from his grasp and pushed him back. “Are you crazy? You’re only sixteen. You’re still in high school.”
“I’m seventeen, and I graduate this year.”
“Oh, right. I’m sorry. Poppa dying . . .” It was the first time I had said those words. I swallowed. “And with Momma, I forgot.”
School had gone on without me. The tears I had been holding back all day fell.
Michael drew me toward him, and I sobbed into his shoulder. He stroked my hair and made shushing sounds. And then my face was cradled in his hands, and he kissed me.
A sound emerged from the back seat. I jumped back to my side and smoothed my hair.
Chapter 34—New Beginning
“Why are we stopped?” Zeke asked.
Neither Michael, nor I answered.
“I’ve got to go.”
I knew what Zeke meant. “You can go behind that tree.”
Michael got out to open the door for Zeke. When Michael got back in, he leaned against the driver’s door.
With Zeke hidden safely behind a tree, I laughed.
Michael grinned at me. “Is that a yes?”
I shook my head. “You’re still in high school, and I haven’t even finished ninth grade.”
“I don’t want you to go so far away.” He reached for my hand again, and he laced his fingers through mine.
I sighed. “Michael, you know we’re too young.”
“We can make it—things will work out. All things work together for good. If we please God with our lives, things will work out.”
“Yes, but would it please God for us to get married so young? Would it please God for me to stop you from finishing high school?”
“It doesn’t matter what path we choose. As long as we stay on the right path, he will bless us.”
“Yes, with a bunch of children.” My voice sounded bitter, even to my ears.
Zeke came back, and Michael climbed out to open and close the heavy door for him. Before he drove back onto the road, he gave me a long look.
I looked away and focused on the scenery we passed. My hands were trembling. I picked up Poppa’s Bible, placed it in my lap, and prayed.
Peace like a warm coat surrounded me, and in the rocking car, I fell asleep.
I awoke with a crick in my neck. I sat straighter and stretched and yawned.
“Are we there yet?” I asked.
“Almost,” Michael said. He glanced in my direction, and a tentative smile played on his lips.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“Like brother, like sister. Zeke’s been asking every ten minutes.”
“Did I sleep that long?” I wished I had a mirror.
“About an hour or so,” Michael said.
“You were snoring to beat all getout,” Zeke said. He leaned forward until his chin rested on top of the seat. “Wasn’t she, Michael?”
Michael laughed, his eyes twinkling. “I’d rather not answer that.”
“Well, I’m glad I was a source of amusement.” I glanced out the window. “Where are we?”
“South of Plainsville. About five minutes or so until we reach your aunt’s house.”
My heart thumped loudly, and I twisted my hands. Poppa’s Bible had fallen to the floorboard, and I picked it up and pulled it to my chest.
“Reconsidering?” Michael asked. His eyes were warm, and his smile tender.
I swallowed. “Right about now, marriage sounds like a good deal,” I whispered.
“What’s a good deal?” Zeke asked.
“Nothing.” I shook my head at him. “You seem to be feeling better.”
“Yeah.” His small hand draped over the seat.
I took it in mine. “You doing all right?”
“Everything’s going to be fine, Blue Jay.” Zeke squeezed my hand.
I looked at him in surprise. He always called me Jay but never Blue Jay before.
“How do you know?”
“I had a dream when I took my nap.” He pulled loose from my grip and slid back.
I twisted around to see him better. “What did you dream?”
“I dreamed about the thundersnow. And the story Poppa told us about the cedar tree.” His eyes rounded, and he stared straight ahead as if seeing the dream again. “Death is scary.”
I had to strain to catch his last words. I nodded my head and swiveled back around.
Michael held out a sheet of paper. “There’s the direction to your aunt’s house. Tell me where I need to turn.”
“Sure.” My hands trembled as I took the paper from him. Just a few short minutes and we would be there.
I drew in a shaky breath as I looked down at the paper and then scanned the road for the landmarks. After a couple of turns, Michael pulled into my aunt’s yard.
The sun bathed the small white house in its glow.
As we emerged from the car, a man and woman came out to meet us, accompanied by a pack of barking dogs.
Aunt Liza looked at me through eyes of turquoise, and I caught my breath before she and her husband captured Zeke and me in an embrace.
Zeke pulled on my arm. I leaned down, and he whispered in my ear.
“She looks like you.” He tilted his head from Aunt Liza to me.
“I’m Howard,” her husband said. His eyes shone brightly out of a plump face. “This house has been too long without children. Our own Daniel died when he was just a tyke. Liza was never able to have another baby.” A sadness fell over his face but immediately lifted. “No need dwelling in the past. Just look at you two. Liza, have you ever seen prettier children?”
“Prettier than speckled pups,” she agreed, grinning.
“This is Michael,” I said.
“Good to meet you, son.” Uncle Howard shook his hand.
They ushered all of us into the house.
The room was small and cozy. Against one wall stood a chintz-covered sofa and two tables, one holding a radio. Two rocking chairs flanked the fireplace.
“I’ve got to check on lunch. Your uncle can show you to your rooms.” Aunt Liza said. She looked at Michael. “You can wait in here if you would like. Just make yourself at home.”
“Thanks,” Michael said, looking around the small room.
He chose a seat on the sofa, giving me an encouraging smile. I smiled back before following Zeke and Uncle Howard down a short hallway.
We were each to have our own room, tiny though they were. Zeke bounced from his room to mine across the hallway.
My room was only large enough for a bed and a chest-of-drawers. Zeke’s was slightly smaller, holding only a bed and small table.
Zeke immediately climbed onto his bed. “Jay, no corn shucks!”
Uncle Howard puffed out his chest. “The mattresses are filled with down. Soft as a cloud, aren’t they?”
I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of sleeping on such a soft bed.
“I’ll leave you two to get settled in while I go check on Michael.” He deposited the bag on Zeke’s table and bustled from the room.
“He seems nice,” Zeke whispered.
I nodded. Maybe this would be the best place for us.
Zeke and I unpacked our few things. I set Poppa’s Bible on my chest-of-drawers and let Zeke put Poppa’s pipe on top of his table.
We went back into the sitting room and found Michael talking to our uncle like an old friend.
Uncle Howard and Aunt Liza urged Michael to join us for dinner. Michael glanced at me, and I smiled when he nodded his assent.
“It’ll be another fifteen minutes before the cornbread’s ready.” She knelt down to Zeke. “Do you like dogs? We have some puppies outside.”
Zeke’s face lit up. “Jay, can we go see the puppies?”
“Sure,” Uncle Howard said. “Y’all go on. I promised Michael I would show him my woodworking shop.”
I took Zeke’s hand, and we went into the front yard and looked around. I whistled, and two puppies and three grown dogs ran to meet us.
They vied for our attention, and Zeke and I played with them, throwing sticks for them to fetch.
The puppies ran in circles around us, chasing each other and nipping at the older dogs.
I wished Chance was here, although I knew Aunt Jenny and Uncle Colt would take good care of him.
As I watched Zeke run after the puppies, I felt a contentment I hadn’t felt since Poppa died. Zeke and the dogs disappeared around the side of the house, and I tagged after them.
When I rounded the corner, Zeke stood stock still, staring up at a tree. Among the oaks, a lone cedar tree spread its welcoming branches. I caught my breath.
Tears pricked my eyes as Zeke and I walked to the tree and placed our hands side by side against the rough bark.
“Jay?” Zeke whispered.
When I didn’t answer, he laid his head against me.
I did not shirk from his comfort. I draped my arm over his shoulders, and tears silently spilled onto his hair. Half-formed words of prayer slipped through my mind while darker and lighter shadows fell over us, formed as the sun spilled through the branches.
And I almost felt Poppa’s spirit whispering within the trunk of the cedar.
I looked down at Zeke. “Welcome home,” I whispered.
And he smiled up at me...
...in the shadow of the cedar.
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A Note from the Abagail Eldan
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Abagail Eldan’s Biography
ABAGAIL HAS LIVED MANY places, none home until she returned to south Alabama. She lives with her husband, three dogs, and two cats near the farms where her ancestors struggled to scratch a living from the ground.
She agrees with Emily Dickinson who said, “I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it until it begins to shine.”
I also write western historical romance, and I’m part of the Brokken Writers.
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