The Right Kind of Fool

by Sarah Loudin Thomas

  Loyal reached for the root and held it in his hand. He looked at Father with a furrowed brow. He pointed at him, then the root.

  “Are you asking if I’ve tried it?” Loyal nodded. “No, can’t say as I have. Too valuable to waste, and I don’t guess I put all that much stock in it being good for anything.” Loyal nodded his head more slowly and handed the root back. He used to think there might be a cure for being deaf, but he guessed ginseng wouldn’t be it. If it were, his parents would surely have tried it on him by now.

  Father elbowed him and showed him how to crush the little red berries to free their seeds. Then he planted them back where he’d dug the root out. “It’s important to plant the seeds so there’ll be more plants in a few years.” Loyal nodded to show he understood. “Think you can find one?”

  Loyal nodded and began scanning the area. He was afraid he was going to fail, then spotted another plant—even bigger than the first—with that crown of berries. He pointed, and Father beamed at him.

  “The Cherokee say these plants have minds of their own. Claim they only show themselves to people they favor. Guess you’re favored.” Loyal had to grin at that.

  Father let him dig a second plant nearby and then said they’d check on a few more patches before heading home for supper. Dusk was settling by the time they returned to the cabin. Loyal noticed a light ahead, high in the trees as they walked along. He’d heard stories about a light on the mountain at night. Some said it was the spirit of an Indian maiden looking for her true love who had been murdered. Others said it was swamp gas or crazier things. He drew closer to Father, who didn’t seem to notice the light. He hoped it was just moonlight, but whatever it was, it sent shivers down his spine.

  At the house, Father sliced a loaf of bread Mother sent with them and laid slices of ham and big red tomatoes on top. Loyal thought he’d never tasted anything so delicious, even though he was as tired as he’d ever been. As soon as he’d eaten, he flopped down on his pallet and gazed out the window, grateful that he didn’t see any strange lights in the trees. He guessed Father would send him to wash his face and brush his teeth, but maybe he’d close his eyes for just a minute first . . .

  The boy fell onto his bedding and was asleep instantly. Creed guessed he wasn’t used to working like this. Not that he’d shirked in the least. Loyal had toiled in the garden, hauled water, followed Creed across steep mountain trails, and had never given any indication that he’d rather be somewhere else. As a matter of fact, he’d done everything with such eagerness and passion that Creed found himself enjoying each task more than he ever had before. And the boy was a natural when it came to handling ginseng. Plus, it hadn’t been too awful hot. There had always been a little bit of cloud cover just ahead of them wherever they went.

  Creed whistled to himself as he filled a pipe and went out to sit on the porch as the moon climbed over Rich Mountain. He was beginning to seriously question if he’d done the right thing in spending so much time away from his family. He’d been so certain it was for the best—for him to provide for their needs from afar. Delphy inherited the house in town from her parents when she was a teenager. A descendant of one of the founding families of Randolph County, Creed had known she was too good for him, but his father approved, and he soon realized the dark-haired beauty was everything a man could want in a wife—in a friend.

  And he’d provided for her well enough as sheriff. But Loyal’s deafness took the wind out of his sails. He’d announced that he wouldn’t run for reelection and began spending more and more time in the hunting cabin on Rich Mountain. Digging ginseng to sell had been the only smart decision he made. He had a knack for finding the valuable plant, and even with the economy taking a downturn there was still plenty of demand for the mysterious root. At least this way he was close if Delphy needed him.

  But when was the last time she needed him?

  Creed drew on his pipe, filling the air with a scent that always reminded him of autumn. He heard a whippoorwill call from the edge of the clearing. It was a lonesome sound, and he realized that he’d been lonesome for a long time. He guessed he hadn’t noticed it until Loyal came along to show him how his life here could be different. He stood and took a step toward the edge of the porch. He suddenly wanted Delphy here, too. He wanted her here the way a husband wants his wife near when the joy of contentment needs to be expressed. Physically.

  He felt like a fool. Had he thrown away his family? Was it too late to reclaim what he’d so readily given up? He remembered the day Loyal had been born. He’d held his son, who blinked up at him with the clearest blue eyes he’d ever seen. And then he’d looked at Delphy, and it was as though they were a single cord, woven together in love.

  Turning, Creed went inside. He looked in on Loyal and drew the door between the two rooms mostly shut. He lit an oil lamp and pulled out the Bible his mother had left him when she died. He brushed through the pages until he found Ecclesiastes. There. He’d underlined it when Loyal was born.

  “And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

  Once upon a time, that verse in chapter four seemed like it had been written just for the three of them. How had he forgotten that? His eyes drifted to the verse preceding it, and he swallowed hard. “Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?”

  He was tired of being alone, and while having Loyal here was a mighty fine start, he realized he would not be satisfied until he’d redeemed himself in the eyes of his wife.

  fourteen

  Morning dawned gray and wet. Creed made a simple breakfast and noted that Loyal was watching drops slide down the windows like he’d lost his last friend. Tapping him on the shoulder, he motioned for the boy to follow as he ducked out the back door.

  They darted out to the shed with its boards weathered a silvery-gray. Creed flipped the wooden latch up and hustled inside, Loyal close on his heels. They both laughed as they shook off water. As he’d noted before, his son’s laugh sounded too loud and out of tune, but he was expecting it this time and decided he liked hearing the boy make noise. He stood and watched as Loyal looked around the small room with its bench, open window, and sloping roof that kept out most of the rain. Loyal’s eyes fairly sparkled as he looked a question at Creed.

  “I’m no great craftsman, but I can knock together a table or a chair if I need to.”

  Loyal nodded, picked up a piece of wood, and turned it in his hands.

  “Your mother’s been wanting a pie safe. Thought it’d be a good project for a rainy day.”

  Loyal’s face lit up. He made a thumbs-up sign with his right hand, planted the hand on the palm of his left, and moved both toward Creed with an expectant look.

  Creed shook his head. “I’m not sure what that means. Can you say it? With your voice?”

  Loyal’s eyes widened and he wet his lips. His eyes darted around and settled on Creed. He wet his lips again and spoke in a low, rough voice. “Help you?” he said, making the sign again.

  Creed nodded with all the enthusiasm he could muster. He imitated the sign. “Yes, I want you to help me.” Loyal’s answering smile was so bright, Creed thought they could probably work by it into the night. He wrapped an arm around the boy’s shoulders and squeezed. Creed realized he was excited. Not only was he going to try to win his way back into his wife’s good graces, he was going to do it with his son at his side.

  Loyal figured life didn’t get much better than this. The only thing missing was Mother, and once they gave her this cabinet they were making, he figured she’d be so pleased she’d want to be up here on the mountain with them. And maybe he wouldn’t have to go back to school in the fall. Maybe instead he could learn to dig ginseng and make things to sell. He’d learned plenty from books, and now he wanted to learn what Father had to teach him.

  The rain tapered off late that afternoon, with sunlight peeking through the clouds and making the wet trees sparkle green and gold. Fa
ther motioned toward the door, and they both stepped out into the clean air to stretch and walk around a bit after working at the bench most of the day. Loyal lifted his arms high into the air and felt as though he could take flight. He grinned at Father to share his joy, but Father was looking down the path beyond the cabin, squinting as if he was trying to make something out. Loyal turned and saw the sheriff approaching. He liked the sheriff well enough, yet he wasn’t sure he wanted anyone butting into his time with Father.

  “Hey there, Creed.” Virgil was close enough for Loyal to see what he was saying. The sheriff looked at him and nodded. “Loyal.” He smiled, grateful to have been included.

  “You’re a long way from the office,” Father said.

  “Heard a rumor Earl brought an interpreter in to question your boy.” The sheriff didn’t look happy, which pleased Loyal. He wasn’t happy about it either.

  “Word does get around,” Father answered.

  Sheriff White stepped up onto the porch and sat on a bench. Father leaned against a post. Loyal sat on the steps so he could keep an eye on both men. The sheriff glanced at him.

  “Guess I was thinking you and the boy found that body together.” He waited, but Father didn’t reply. “Did I get that wrong?”

  “He came and got me as soon as he found it.”

  The sheriff’s lips shaped a word Loyal knew he wasn’t supposed to use. “Might’ve been nice to know that.”

  “Yeah, well, didn’t seem all that important. The main thing was to let you know a man had been killed.”

  The sheriff twisted his body toward Loyal. “You read lips good, don’t you?” Loyal nodded. “I need to know exactly what you saw that day.” Loyal just stared at him, his eyes wide. The sheriff took off his hat and rubbed his head. “Creed, can you interpret what the boy says?”

  “Not much.”

  “But his mother can. And that fella Earl brought in sure enough could. They’re raising Cain. Say if I don’t do a proper interview, they’re going to sic the federal boys on me. Fred Mason finally gave it up and went home so his wife could nurse him. Now Earl’s insisting Tom be present when I question the boy, so that nobody puts words in his mouth.” He paused. “So to speak.” He slapped his hat back on. “Not to mention the fact Otto’s trial has been moved up—supposed to start on Monday. Some folks are plenty happy to pin this killing on a German and be done with it. You’ve put me in a pickle here.”

  “Nobody’s questioning Loyal.” Although Loyal couldn’t hear Father’s words, it was like he could feel them. A rumble in his chest. It felt good.

  Sheriff White stabbed a finger toward Father. “You don’t get to have a say in this. I’ll be questioning him, and I want you, Earl, and Tom there in the room with me when I do it. Probably bring Bud in too, since he’s the only one who doesn’t have a dog in this fight.” The sheriff stood and shook his head, mournful, like a hound. “I’ll expect you two in my office at ten a.m. tomorrow. Think you can manage that?”

  Father looked like a thundercloud about to burst, but he gave a quick nod. “He can’t tell you anything you don’t already know.”

  “Good,” the sheriff said. “Because if he can, we’re all in a world of hurt.”

  That evening, Loyal could tell Father was drawn deep inside himself. He hadn’t attempted to communicate at supper at all. Now they sat on either side of a kerosene lamp, Loyal punching holes in a piece of tin that would go in Mother’s pie safe, Father smoking his pipe and staring at nothing Loyal could see.

  Finally, Father knocked the ashes from his pipe, leaned close to Loyal, and looked deep into his eyes. “Virgil will ask you some hard questions in the morning. Is there anything I should know before then?”

  Loyal swallowed past what felt like a rock in his throat. He’d been wanting to tell Father everything. He guessed now was the time. He nodded his head while making the sign for yes.

  He saw Father take a breath and puff his cheeks out. “Hang on,” he said. He fetched a pad of paper and handed it to Loyal. Then he found a pencil and sharpened it with his penknife. He blew on the tip, then gave the pencil to Loyal. “Tell me.”

  Creed could’ve kicked himself. It was his fault he hadn’t asked Loyal if there were any details he hadn’t shared. He just assumed the boy would have told him anything important. But why would he? And how? It wasn’t like Creed had made a point of communicating with the boy beyond a few basics. He’d been a fool, and Virgil had caught him out.

  He watched his son furrow his brow in thought and then press the pencil to the pad. The scratching of lead against rough paper sounded too loud. How strange that Loyal couldn’t hear that sound at all. After a minute, Loyal turned the pad so Creed could read it.

  Michael and Rebecca were there.

  Creed felt his eyebrows shoot into his hairline. Hadden Westfall’s kids? Why would they have been there? He looked at Loyal. “When you found the dead man?”

  Before. They were running away.

  Oh, this was bad. Creed closed his eyes and tried to hide the emotions he imagined were scrawled across his face. Especially plain for someone as aware of body language as Loyal. “Do you know what they were doing?”

  Loyal hesitated, then shrugged. He wrote, Maybe, they saw and got scared.

  Creed smoothed his mustache while he pondered the situation. He could come up with several explanations for what the Westfall kids might’ve seen and why they hadn’t come forward to tell. None of them were good. If they had seen their father—or Otto, for that matter—they’d definitely be afraid to tell, and for good reason.

  “What else did you see?” he asked. The boy hesitated as though holding something back. Creed laid a hand on his shoulder. “You can tell me, no matter what.” His stomach knotted. He really hadn’t earned this level of trust with his son. Not yet.

  Loyal worried his lower lip with his teeth, then plied his pencil once more. Michael hid something in a tree.

  For the first time Creed understood what folks meant when they said their blood ran cold. What could the boy have hidden? Evidence? Virgil was going to be livid. If it was something important, then Creed had been complicit in keeping it from the authorities. “What was it?” he asked.

  Loyal shrugged and wrote, Too far away.

  “You think you could find it again?”

  Loyal nodded this time. Creed wanted to go right then. Wanted to march down to the river and find out just how badly he’d messed up. But it was dark, so this would have to wait until morning. He prayed that it was nothing more than a girly magazine or a pack of cigarettes the kids had gotten ahold of. Maybe it didn’t have anything to do with the murder and he was worrying himself over nothing. He forced a smile. “We’ll go see if we can find it in the morning before we go into town.” He squeezed Loyal’s shoulder. “Now get some sleep. We’ll head out right after first light.”

  Loyal let out a long breath, and his shoulders sagged. It occurred to Creed that the boy had been carrying the weight of what he knew around with him for a long time now. If nothing else, it was a good thing that the pair of them could bear the weight together of whatever was to come.

  Loyal slept deeply and woke eager to try to find whatever it was Michael had hidden. It had been such a relief to tell Father the truth. And he hadn’t been angry. Not one bit. Loyal smiled. Father would take care of everything. And if Michael or Rebecca had been involved with the shooting, Father would help them. He’d make sure everything came out all right.

  After a cold breakfast, they set out for the river as the sun crept over the mountain. The morning was fresh and cooler after the previous day’s rain. A fog rose up before them and didn’t dissipate until they reached the trail along the river. Then, as the air cleared, they slowed so Loyal could keep an eye out for the right spot. But after an hour of walking back and forth, he still couldn’t find the stump. And they were expected in town soon.

  Loyal began to feel anxious. What if he couldn’t find it again? What if Father thought he’d been m
aking his story up? What if Michael had already come back for whatever he’d hidden? And maybe, worst of all, they found it and it was nothing? He wanted to find something that would impress Father, that would be important. He felt sweat break out and swiped his face with the back of his hand.

  A weight settled on his shoulder, and he turned to look into Father’s eyes. “Take your time, son. We can always come back if we need to.”

  Loyal inhaled deeply and let the air out. He nodded his head. Then he had an idea. He made the sign for river. Father seemed to catch on.

  “You want to see if you can spot it from the water? Where you were that day?”

  Loyal nodded eagerly. He hurried along the trail until he found the spot where he’d tugged dry clothes onto his wet body. Taking off his shoes and rolling up his pant legs, he waded out, picking his way over and around dark rocks. The water felt deliciously cold, but he focused on the task at hand. He had to find that stump. Turning, he scanned the river’s edge, letting his eyes trace the route of the trail he knew was there. As he did, his memory unfurled, replaying what he’d seen that day. Movement. Then Michael . . . with Rebecca following behind. Michael was pressing her to hurry and . . . Wait. Loyal closed his eyes for a moment, watching the scene inside his head. There had been something else . . . someone else?