Gathering Home

by JEFF MOTES

Beauty

  Day 9

  Mr. Jimmy storms outside to the deck. Mrs. Lynn gets up and follows. It was a mistake to ask him that question in front of everybody. I should have waited. Another mistake. Why am I making so many? Amy is staring into the middle of the table.

  “Amy, it’ll be all right.”

  “How can you know?” she retorts. Rising quickly, she leaves the kitchen.

  “Will,” Lizzy asks, “are you sure there’s no way you can bring them to Repose?”

  “Lizzy, I can’t do it without talking to the people there first. Besides, everything that could be offered to them in Repose has already been offered to them by Pastor Ezell.”

  “Amy’s worrying about the guys in that trailer park.”

  “Burt and Ernie? Their mom had a sick sense of humor, and it cost them a lot of grief through the years. I know those guys. They aren’t bad. They’re poor, that’s true. I don’t know if that’s from bad decisions their parents made early in life or from unfortunate circumstances. But poor doesn’t mean bad. Those guys are in my classes. They’re smart, and I’ve never seen any meanness in them.”

  “Amy says they’re always looking her over…you know…like…like they’re trying to take her clothes off or something.”

  “I don’t know about that.” Lizzy is staring into the distance. I take her hand. Her gaze turns to me. “Lizzy, you are beautiful. You are beautiful on the outside, but more than that, you’re beautiful on the inside. Everybody knows it, Lizzy.”

  She opens her mouth to object, and I raise my palm to quiet her.

  “Please let me finish. You don’t use your outward beauty to draw people to you. You use your inward beauty. It’s what’s drawn me to you. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that you’re beautiful on the outside too.”

  Her face has turned red. “Stop it, Will. You’re embarrassing me.”

  “I don’t mean to.”

  She squeezes my hand. She does look beautiful this morning. I always like it when she wears her hair in a ponytail.

  “Amy uses her outward beauty to draw attention to herself,” I clarify. “You’ve seen how she dresses. Most of the guys looking at her can’t see the inside because of the allure of the outside.”

  “Amy is not a bad person!” Lizzy says sharply.

  “I’m not saying she is. In fact, I think she is a good person. She’s just using the wrong way to draw attention to herself. Sometimes she likes it, sometimes she doesn’t, but she keeps doing the same thing and keeps getting the same results. That’s why guys like Josh are always hanging around her.”

  “What do you see when you look at Amy?”

  Oh boy! This could be trouble!

  “I’m a guy. I have eyes. I can see what you see. Amy is pretty, but Lizzy, you’re the best.”

  She smiles. “Good answer.”

  ****

  Mr. Wright is opening the door to the smokehouse as we come up. The smoke is not as thick as it was. He pulls a piece of the jerky off the rack, looks at it, then gives it to me.

  “What do you think, Will?”

  I take the offered piece in my hand and hold it out between two fingers.

  “Grandpa said you want it dry but not too dry. There are a couple of things to look for. First is moisture. You don’t want any sweat moisture on the outside of the meat. Second is pliability. When you hold it out using two fingers, you want it to remain fairly rigid and not flop over. But you also don’t want it brittle. You want to be able to bend it completely over without it breaking in two. I think this piece should go longer. Did it come from the bottom rack or one of the upper racks?”

  “The bottom rack. Should we move them around on the racks?”

  “Might not be a bad idea.”

  “Lizzy,” Mr. Wright says, “would you mind getting a couple of pans from inside?”

  “Sure.”

  Mr. Wright closes the door to the smokehouse when she leaves. “Will, I don’t appreciate you putting me on the spot like you did. I’m still the head of this family and this house.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I wasn’t meaning to put you on the spot, and I recognize your authority over your family and your home. I was only trying to think of anything else I could do to help you before Lizzy and I leave tomorrow.”

  “Apology accepted. I’m not moving my family to that trailer park, Will. I really don’t think it will be good for Amy, and I do appreciate the help you’ve given us thus far.”

  He pauses with his fingers playing with the week-old beard on his chin. I touch my chin. Yes, there’s some hairs there. Not like Mr. Wright’s. Nonetheless, I need to shave.

  “There are a couple more things you could do to help us. How about take the girls and get all the empty water containers you can find, and get some water from the creek? Then if you feel up to it, bag another deer tonight and help me get it ready for the smoker. If you’ll do that, it will be a tremendous help.”

  “I can do it, Mr. Wright. It’ll put us leaving a little later in the morning than I had planned, but that’ll be all right.”

  Lizzy returns with the pans and hands them to Mr. Wright. He starts working on moving the meat between racks.

  “Lizzy, would you go get Amy? We need to go to the creek for water. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

  “All right, Will.”

  Chapter 27

  Lizzy

  Another Hunt

  Day 9

  Amy and I helped Will with the water. It was a lot of work, yet fun at the same time. Today, Amy has been her regular self. I know she’s under a lot of stress and worry. In total, we brought near fifty gallons of water back. We filled every container from the house that would hold water, even Will’s empty water bottles. The fun part, of course, was the water fight at the creek. Will wet us good, and it took Amy and me forever to duck his head under the water. We laid back and dried in the sun before returning to Amy’s house. It was almost carefree, like before.

  The sun is starting to set, and the sky is streaked with beautiful oranges, blues, and reds. I relax in the deck chair listening to the conversations of the others but not really hearing them. My mind is elsewhere. Tomorrow we leave. We’ll pick up my grandmother at my home then head to Will’s house in Repose. But my mother won’t be there.

  Oh, Mom, I miss you so much! Where are you? Are you looking at the same night sky?

  Dear God, I plead with You each day. Please protect my mother and bring her home.

  “Lizzy?”

  The words bring my thoughts back to our surroundings. Amy has been calling my name.

  “Lizzy,” Amy asks, “where are you?”

  “I’m sorry. I was thinking of my mother.”

  “I’m sorry, Lizzy. I’m sure she’ll be home soon.”

  “I hope so.”

  Will takes my hand. “Lizzy, as soon as Dad gets home, we’ll go search for your mom. I’d go myself, but I’ll need my dad’s help on this.”

  Will he really risk his life for my mother? Will Mr. Carter do so too? Searching into his eyes, I find my answer. Yes, he will, and I’m sure his father will, too.

  Dear God, thank You for men like Will and his dad!

  I don’t really know what to say, yet I squeeze his hand. “Thanks.”

  “Lizzy,” Amy says, “we were talking about the hunt tonight. Dad suggested Will and I sit up for the deer so I can learn what to do, but I think it would be better if you stayed up with Will. Can you stay awake?”

  “Yeah, I can.”

  “Good. I’ll keep watch up front with the shotgun. Just like last night. But…y’all behave.”

  “Where are your mom and dad?” I ask.

  “They’re over at the smokehouse getting the deer jerky.”

  The Wrights soon return to the deck. The aroma of smoked meat is thick in the air. Mrs. Wright gives us each a piece. I sniff it. It smells good. I take a bite. It’s kind of tough, and I can’t bite it in two. I pull on the jerky while biting, and the meat tears. I’ve nev
er had homemade jerky before. It doesn’t taste or even feel like any of the stuff from the store. It’s good. Really good.

  “Mr. Wright,” Will says, “whatever marinade you used worked really well. This is as good as anything Grandpa has ever made.”

  “Thanks, Will. We used some sauces we had in the cabinet. It does taste pretty good.”

  “Jimmy,” Mrs. Lynn asks, “how besides eating it like this can you use this stuff?”

  “I don’t know. What about it, Will? Are there other ways to use it? How long is this stuff supposed to keep?”

  “At home, we always ate it like this. It should last a month or more, but we always ate ours within a few weeks. Grandpa said we could chop it up and use it like bacon bits, though I haven’t done so myself.”

  “That will add a little flavoring to some of our vegetable dishes. You’ve helped us out a lot, Will, and I appreciate it. We all do.” Mrs. Lynn stands. “I’m tired. Let’s clean up these dishes. I want to go to bed. Will you girls mind helping me?”

  Amy and I gather the few dishes and follow Mrs. Lynn into the kitchen.

  ****

  It’s now dark, and Mr. and Mrs. Wright have gone to bed. Amy and I are sitting on the couch. Will is somewhere outside moving around. Mr. Wright thinks the trouble with the Hiltons is over, but Will says he’s not sure. I so wish they could go to Repose or move into Pastor Ezell’s community where it’s safer. I fear for my friend, but both of those decisions are out of my hands.

  The front door begins to open, and I grip my shotgun a little tighter until I see it’s Will coming in.

  “Will, you should have knocked or something to let us know it was you.”

  “You’re right. Sorry. I didn’t see anything moving around.”

  “Are you ready to go to the back?” I ask.

  I want to be alone with Will. I won’t run away this time.

  “I think we should. Hopefully we can bag another deer.” He looks toward Amy, the dim light of the candle dancing shadows on her face. “You going to be okay, Amy?”

  “Yeah.” Amy sighs deeply. “I’ll keep watch up here.”

  She brings her knees up to her chest, rests her chin on them, and looks into the distance. I give her a hug, then hand her the shotgun and my flashlight. She somehow managed to lose hers.

  “Maybe we won’t be too long,” I say.

  Will opens the door, and I follow him outside. On the front porch, he picks the hunting rifle up and hands it to me. I look at him inquiringly.

  “You said you wanted to learn how to do this. So how about now?”

  “I did say that, but I wasn’t expecting to start tonight. What if I mess up and we don’t get a deer?”

  “You won’t mess up,” Will says. “Besides, there is no guarantee a deer will even come out tonight.”

  The night is fairly dark with only the stars out shining. I turn the gun over in my hands, making sure I can find the safety and the bolt handle.

  “You’ll be fine. Remember what I showed you earlier today. I’ll help you get set up.”

  Will hangs his sling around his neck and right shoulder and lets his carbine hang in front of him. I sling the hunting rifle over my left shoulder and take his hand. The keychain light he’s using isn’t very bright. Just bright enough for us to walk by.

  He guides us to the same spot as before. I’m starting to tremble a little as I think of what almost happened back here the other night.

  “Are you cold?” he asks. “I can get you another shirt if you want.”

  “No. I’m good. Just a little excited. You know…about the deer. That’s all.”

  “Don’t let yourself get too excited. You’ll need a steady hand when you pull the trigger.”

  My face warms, and I know I’m blushing. I’m glad it’s too dark for him to tell.

  “Where’s the sleeping bag?” I ask when we reach the spot.

  “It didn’t seem to go over too well the other night, so I thought it best not to bring it. If you’re cold, I can go get it.”

  “No, this is fine.”

  Will sits where I sat the other night, and I take the position he was in. He releases the clip on his sling and sets the carbine on the ground on his left side. I start to set the rifle down to the side like Will did the other night, but he stops me.

  “I think it will be better if you hold on to the rifle. Try to make yourself comfortable with your back against the deck and your knees up. Now raise the rifle and see if you have a good sight picture all across the back.”

  I move around, trying to find a comfortable spot. We could be sitting here for a while. I raise the rifle to my shoulder and lean forward, placing the back of my left elbow against the front of my knee and peer through the scope. Will is scanning the area with his NVD.

  “I can’t tell if I can see through the scope. It’s too dark.”

  He lowers his NVD. “I didn’t see anything moving around, so go ahead and switch the light on and check your sight picture at different places in the back.”

  I do. The light is super bright, even brighter than the one Grandpa used to have. “Okay, I think I can see well enough to shoot.”

  “All right. Switch the light off and make sure the safety is on. Go ahead and load a round into the chamber.”

  I turn the light off and check the safety with my right thumb. It’s on. Using my right hand, I operate the bolt and load a round into the chamber.

  “How bad is this thing going to kick? Like a 12-gauge shotgun?”

  “It’s going to kick a lot. It’s a lot like a 12-gauge with magnum loads. Keep it pulled tight to your shoulder and don’t get your eye too close to the scope.”

  “Okay.”

  “If you’re worrying about it,” Will says, “I’ll shoot again tonight.”

  “No, I can do this.”

  By now, my eyes are well adjusted to the low starlight, and I can see much better. Will is staring at me without saying anything. It’s beginning to make me a little uncomfortable. Finally, I can’t take the silence anymore, and I ask, “What?” in a low whisper.

  He whispers, “In this dim night light, you sure are pretty.”

  I blush again. “What are you saying? You don’t think I look pretty in the daylight?”

  “No, that’s not what I’m saying. Lizzy, you’re beautiful.”

  I feel a warmth rising inside me right out to my face. I like the way it feels.

  “I’m glad you think so,” I respond.

  “You’re more than that, Lizzy. Much more. I…I don’t want to mess things up like I did the other night. I’m sorry.”

  My heart is starting to beat a little faster. Is he going to say it tonight? “I won’t run away this time, Will. I promise.”

  He moves a little closer and places a trembling hand on my check. “Lizzy, I…I…”

  A sound comes from the tree line. He stops speaking and raises his finger to his lips. “Shh…”

  Using the NVD, he scans the yard. “Lizzy, there are two deer maybe fifty yards away. Take the NVD so you can see where they are, then use your scope and see if you can pick them up with it.”

  Taking the NVD from him, I raise it to my eyes and scan the area. I see them, although I can’t tell if they are bucks or does. I give him the NVD then position the rifle and search for them through the scope. After a few seconds, I find them.

  “I can see them, but I can’t see the crosshairs of the scope,” I whisper. I feel like a leaf in a wind storm.

  “Watch them through the scope and let your nerves settle down. Let me know when you’re ready to take a shot, and I’ll switch the light on for you.”

  I study them through the scope. They’re grazing on the spring grass and lifting their heads every now and then. I try to calm my nerves. So much depends on me making this shot. The Wrights need this food, and I don’t want to disappoint Will by making a bad shot. The deer are now in the middle of the opening.

  “I’m ready, Will,” I whisper.

&nbs
p; “Okay, remember to aim for right behind the shoulder or the upper neck. Take your safety off and I’ll turn the light on.”

  “Safety is off,” I whisper.

  Will turns the light on. The deer are bathed in the bright white light. They become alert, looking at the light. The crosshairs of the scope are clear now. I exhale, then squeeze the trigger.

  BOOM!

  The gun kicks hard into my shoulder. I work the bolt and load another round, then peering through the scope, I search for the deer. They aren’t there. Oh no! Did I miss? I want to cry.

  “Will, I’m sorry. I missed.”

  “No, you didn’t. I saw it when you hit him. Looked like a four-point buck.”

  “But they aren’t out there.”

  “He’s run off. Let’s give him a few minutes to settle down and bleed out. We’ll find him close by. Don’t worry.”

  The back door of the house opens, and Mr. Jimmy calls out, “Did you get one, Will?”

  “No, I didn’t. Lizzy did.”

  Mr. Wright is shining his light around the backyard. “I don’t see it.” Mrs. Lynn steps outside onto the porch.

  “He’s in the woods a piece,” Will says. “We’ll find him in a few minutes. Lizzy and I’ll take him to the garage if you’ll get things set up there.”

  “All right. Lynn, how about help me get things ready? But first go tell Amy so she’ll know what’s going on.”

  “Will, how long should we wait?” I ask.

  “Let’s give him a few more minutes. And you don’t have to whisper now.”

  I give Will the rifle. He turns the light off, removes the chambered round, and closes the bolt without loading another round. Using his knife, he cuts the tape holding the flashlight to the barrel and leans the rifle against the deck.

  My adrenaline is starting to calm down a little. I pull my knees up to my chest and prompt Will to pick up where he left off. “You were saying?”

  He smiles broadly. He leans closer to me, then rises to his knees and to his feet. He reaches a hand down. “When we have more time and privacy.”

  I take his hand, and he pulls me up right next to him. I shudder, wanting to hold him close. Instead, I follow him out to where the deer was went I shot him. Using his flashlight, he searches the ground.