by Casey Peeler
“Mom.”
“Yeah Walker?” she says as she places the picture back on the nightstand.
“I love you.”
“Walker, I love you as deep as the sea,” she says with a smile that would light up the world.
Chauna, my aunt, uncle, and two police officers are standing in the foyer. Uncle Scott takes us into the living room and we take a seat. Chauna helps to make sure I’m comfortable in the recliner.
“Walker, we’re sorry about what happened with your father. We wanted to know if you knew any details on why he would have been going to Commerce.” Knowing exactly why he went, I have to decide how much I want to say. They already know I was there so I might as well tell the truth.
“I heard from someone in town that he might have been going to Commerce to check out a situation. I had no idea what I’d see, and honestly, I didn’t see much. I didn’t even see my dad until I was leaving.”
“Do you happen to know where your mother might be living?” he asks.
“I’m right here,” she says as she walks into the room with a smile on her face.
“Mrs. Bentley, would you mind answering a few questions?”
“Not at all,” she states and takes a seat.
“Are you sure Barbara? I can get a lawyer here if you want,” Uncle Scott says.
“No Scott. I’m fine.”
The officers look at each other then toward Chauna. The officer closest to Chauna looks at her. “Chauna, I’m not sure if you want to be here for this with everything you’ve already had to deal with.”
“No, I want to be here,” she says confidently.
“Mrs. Bentley, can you tell us about that night?”
“Of course. Saturday we went out to Boondocks. I hear a lot, but don’t say much when I’m around Troy and the boys. I knew we were going to check on things for Ivan, but I had no idea what I was getting into. Personally, I thought I was going to get beer and wings. I learned pretty early in the night that Troy had other plans but I couldn’t leave. I had no car, place to go or anything else. Troy confronted Darren about trying to get out of selling the moonshine. Troy told Darren he had no choice, he couldn’t get out of the deal. They argued a little bit as Mike and his band were playing. Mike finished the song, and told the DJ to take over. He approached Darren and Troy to see what was going on. Troy told him to back off, and he didn’t. He got right in the middle and told them to go separate ways. Darren agreed and so did Troy, but as soon as Mike turned around, Troy pulled out his gun and shot him. Mike was just trying to help, and Troy took things to far. I knew in that moment my life was changing. Troy had done illegal things since the day I met him, but to hurt someone was never his style. Before I knew what was going on, we were out the door, and rummaging through the house to grab a few things. When we left, we both took our own bikes, but I had no idea where we were going.”
“Thank you. So you knew about the moonshine?” the officer asks.
“Yes sir. I knew that Ivan was the one making all the money, and Troy was a bootlegger for him. He was like his little puppy.”
“When did you realize you were on a mission for Ivan?” he asks.
“When we stopped for a break well into South Carolina. I asked where we were going and he said he had to check on something for Ivan. I had no choice at that time but to follow.”
“You had your own bike, why not leave?” he asked.
“I’d have ended up dead. In the past twenty-two years I’ve been with him, I’ve known my place. I know when to talk, what to wear, and most importantly, when to shut up and go along.”
“Thank you all for your time. Mrs. Bentley…” the officer begins to say and she cuts him off.
“Officer, I know charges are headed my way. You have no worries. I might have followed my husband over the years, but the day he tried to harm our child is the day I decided that this life is over. Just let me know when I need to be at the station.”
They give each other a confused look. “Ma’am, thank you for being so cooperative. It will take us about an hour to get the paperwork for a warrant together then we have to visit the judge.”
“I understand. See you shortly,” she says.
Chapter 39
Chauna
What a way to start a Sunday. For the second week in a row I’ve missed church and been in a situation I’d never imagined. Feeling as if I’m intruding, I start to leave, but Walker shakes his head.
“Stay,” he says.
“I’m just going to go and check on a few things before we go to the station,” his mother says as she stands. Mary goes to help her and Scott excuses himself as well.
Sitting in silence for a few minutes, I decide to break it. “You know when I was a kid I use to think this place was a castle?”
“Really? It’s big but not castle big,” he replies.
“Think about it, when you are fun size everything looks bigger. I can remember coming here for church stuff with my mama. Your aunt has always been an amazing cook. When they’d have Bible study, she’d make homemade fried pies and lemonade.”
“Would you ever want a house this big?” he asks.
“I don’t know. It’s nice, but I also want a house that is like a home. One where I don’t have to worry about breaking stuff,” I say with a giggle.
“Yeah, I know what your saying. I guess since they don’t have kids, they don’t get that,” he says.
“Walker, what are you going to do? I mean, if your mom goes to jail where are you going to go?”
“Nowhere, I’m staying right here or at least that’s what I hope,” he says as we hear someone enter.
“Walker, we need to talk to you a minute.” As I start to stand, his mother tells me to sit. “Last night after Chauna got here, your aunt and I discussed a few things just in case, ya know? Your birthday is a month away and until then your Aunt Mary and Uncle Scott will have guardianship over you. Uncle Scott is getting the paperwork together as we speak. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I will be back. Do you understand me? I will not leave you,” she says.
“I know Mom,” Walker says and in that moment we all begin to cry.
Walker
Going with your mom to turn herself into jail is a surreal feeling. The police station in Barber is small, and reminds me of The Andy Griffith Show. I kept looking for Barney Fife to show up. As Mom walks up to the window, she looks over her shoulder and tells me she loves me.
“Ma’am can we help you?” the lady on the other side of the glass asks.
“I’m Barbara Bentley. I’m here to turn myself in,” she says proudly.
“Just a moment.” She disappears from her desk, and within moments there’s a buzz and one of the officers from the house appears.
“Mrs. Bentley, you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, and if you can’t afford one, one will be provided for you. Do you understand?”
“Yes sir,” she says. I drop Chauna’s hand and walk to my mom. She looks at the officer and he pauses with the handcuffs.
With my good arm, I hug my mom like it could be the last time. Tears form in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. She hugs me like a mother does a child. She kisses me on the cheek and then whispers in my ear that Grams and Gramps would be proud of me. She pulls away and disappears through the door.
As is closes behind her, I stand there unsure of what my future holds, but as Chauna laces her fingers in mine, I have no doubt we’ll be in this together.
Chapter 40
Chauna
After arriving back at the Archer’s, I help Walker get settled. It’s obvious that he is exhausted. Once he’s comfortable, I tell him I’ll be back after awhile. I hate to leave him, but there is no way I can stay here twenty-four seven. I’ve got a lot to deal with and I’ve got to check on the house.
Pulling into the drive, I’m glad to be home, but as I enter, I
feel lonely without Daddy. Walking around, I know that this has always been my home, but how am I going to be able to afford all of this? It’s just me.
Going to the fridge, I grab the milk and make a bowl of cereal. Lying on the couch, I turn on the TV and watch the Food network. Logan calls and I let him know the details of the past twenty-four hours. He tells me that cereal isn’t an appropriate meal, and that he will be by with a Sammy’s burger.
Walker
Waking up from a much-needed nap, I can’t stop thinking about Mom’s comment about Grams and Gramps. What was she talking about? Taking their picture from the stand, I stare at it and remember the day it was taken.
Mom had just brought me to visit for the week and was about to leave to go home. It was a hot summer day in the mountains of North Carolina. I remember wanting to go to the creek that ran in front of their house as soon as I got there, and Gramps was game. Grams not so much. She wanted a picture of the three of us before Mom left so Gramps made me wait and I was pouting. Gramps told me that if I’d smile, we’d ride his motorcycle later. Within minutes I was smiling and the picture was taken.
Shaking my head, I wonder why those words were her last to me? As I try to place the picture back on the stand, it falls forward. What’s that? I see something written in black in the corner. Taking it in my hands I look at it. I count ten random numbers that mean nothing to me. I recognize Mom’s handwriting but I have no idea what these numbers mean.
Over the next few days I focus on getting better, and Mom focuses on her upcoming hearing. She’s decided to plead guilty. The most she will serve is one hundred and twenty days in jail. I’m praying it’s less. Chauna goes to my appointment with me and I’m happy to hear the doctor say I’m healing well, and that if I take it easy the recovery time could be less.
When we get home from the appointment, Chauna and I take a walk to the lake. I hold her hand as we sit on the bench near the water.
“How are things with your dad’s stuff?”
“Slow. Who knew that dealing with an estate would be this rough. I’ve done everything I can do. Now it’s just a waiting game. Did you know you have to run it in the paper? I mean he doesn’t owe anything. What’s the point? It’s not like I have money to give them anyway.”
“That’s crazy,” I say.
“I swear every time a bill comes in the mail I cringe. Who knew being an adult would suck this bad?” She laughs.
“I wouldn’t know about that, I’m still a juvenile,” I say smartly.
“Not for long. What you want to do for your birthday?”
“Honestly, I want to be able to take you out on the town.”
“You will soon. Maybe you can come hang out at Boondocks when I work Friday.”
“That sounds awesome, but I’d have to hitch a ride.”
We talk and I admire her as the sun glistens on her skin. She’s perfect. We sit for a while and then head back to the house. Chauna stays for supper, and then heads home. After I shower and get ready for bed, I look at the picture again.
“You know the picture’s on the other side?” Aunt Mary says as she comes in to check on me before going to bed herself.
“Yeah, but do you know what this is?” I question as she walks toward me.
“Numbers,” she says with a wink.
“Haha! Very funny!”
“How many are there?” she asks and I hand it to her. “There are ten. So that’s not a social security number.” She says the numbers aloud like she’s trying to place them. As she says them a third time, I remember.
Walking into the small bank in Marshall with Grams the teller asks for her account number. Two, five, twenty-one, forty-five, double zero, seventy-two. As the teller looks up that number, Grams looks at me. “Walker, remember those numbers, they are important. Remember Grams will always take care of you.” Then she kisses my head, takes the receipt from the teller and we leave.
“Walker, I have no clue,” she says as she hands it to me.
“I do. Can you ask Uncle Scott to come in here?” I ask. She calls for him and he appears.
“Would you be up for a ride tomorrow?” I ask him.
“Sure,” he says.
“I think Mom’s always been on my side. I just couldn’t see it,” I say.
Chapter 41
Chauna
Friday morning I sleep in until nine. I know I’ll have a long night tonight at Boondocks and wish I could have slept longer. After showering and getting ready, I grab a cup of coffee, and call Walker to check on him.
“Morning Princess,” he says as music plays in the background.
“Where are you?” I question.
“Uncle Scott and I had to take a ride.”
“You sure you’re up to that?” I ask.
“I’m fine. Besides if I can’t ride in a car then I can’t make it to Boondocks tonight.”
“You’re gonna come?”
“I am. So I’ll see you tonight,” he says and my heart soars to know that things are getting back to normal.
“I’ll tell Darren to save you a good seat,” I say and then disconnect.
Taking my cup of coffee, I walk onto the front porch and sit on the steps. I take in the world around me and am thankful for what I have in this moment.
Walker
The ride to Marshall is a killer. I forgot about those curves, but it probably wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t have this injury.
After hanging up with Chauna, Uncle Scott starts to laugh. “What?” I ask but he just shakes his head and remains quiet listening to the radio.
I haven’t been in Marshall since Grams passed away, and never thought I’d have a reason to come back here. Pulling into the bank parking lot, Uncle Scott helps me from his truck and even opens the door for me. Man I feel like a pansy. As we enter, the place looks exactly the same. It’s almost as if I’ve gone back in time.
“Can I help you sir?” the teller asks my uncle, and he looks at me. Uncle Scott stays back while I approach the window.
“Yes, can you tell me if these numbers are to an account here?” I ask.
“Do you have an identification?” I hand her my driver’s license from my wallet.
She takes the picture and my ID and types on the computer then excuses herself to make a phone call. A few moments later she comes back with a guy with slicked back hair and a crisp suit.
“Mr. Bentley, I’m Sam Waters. I think I’ll be able to help you,” he says and motions for me to walk to his office. I look at Uncle Scott who then takes a seat in one of the chairs.
“Did you know you have a money market account here?”
“No sir.”
“The account was established by Jane Runyon and is joint with you.”
“What does that mean?”
“Well, she must have loved and trusted you a whole lot. Currently there is three hundred forty-two thousand dollars in the account and a few pennies.”
I am stunned and do not know what to do. My grandparents never had a lot or at least I thought. They lived off the land, simple, Gramps worked on cars, and Grams stayed at home. Never in a million years would I have imagined this.
“So what do I do?” I ask Mr. Waters.
“You have several options. First you can leave it alone. It will grow interest or you can have it moved into a checking account so you can have better access to it. I take it you don’t live around here.”
“I live a few hours away,” I say.
“I’m sure this is a lot to take in, but I suggest that you open a checking account at home and have the money transferred there. I’d sure hate to lose this account from the bank, but it’s understandable.”
Sitting there I process what he just said, and now I have no idea what to do with that amount of money. I’ve never had a lot, and never planned on it. He asks if I have any more questions. Still in a daze, I tell him no and then shake his hand before leaving.
Uncle Scott stands and looks at me. “Are you okay?”
“I think so,” I say as we walk out of the door.
On our ride home, my brain replays the dollar amount. Holy freakin’ moly! I want to talk to my uncle about it, but I just don’t know what to say, then an idea hits me.
“So I have a question,” I say.
“Shoot,” he says.
“Do you know who owns that old fishing hole on the lake?”
He begins to grin, “Me. Why?”
“Just curious.” Now I know what I want to do with my money, but first I’m going to have to come up with a plan. “Would you want to sell it?” I ask.
“I’d only sell to a person that values that place as much as I do.”
“What do you mean?” I ask unsure of whether I want to know the details or not.
“Just tell me why someone would want to buy it?” he says with a huge smile.
“Because that’s the place I fell in love with the only girl that will ever matter to me,” I say with a cheesy ass grin.
“Walker, you got yourself a deal.”
Chapter 42
Chauna
Walking into Boondocks, I smile knowing that Walker will be here for teen night, but I’m not sure how long he will be able to stay. I’m hoping that he can stay for a good while. I help Paige stock the shelves and then help Krista with the tables.
“Where’s Darren?” I ask Paige.
She looks to Krista and I’m not sure I like the look on her face.
“He’s downtown answering questions,” Paige says.
What in the world? I know that Darren had something to do with the police being here, but why would he be questioned downtown? Oh my! I hadn’t thought about the fact that he actually sold an illegal substance through the bar. I don’t ask anything else and I finish getting everything ready for the crowd tonight.
As the evening progresses, I watch the door for Walker. Wonder where he went today? Trying to not drive myself crazy, I join Jackson’s Wheel for a few songs and then get back to my tables.
