Questions

So far, Huck and Dewey Strait, are just trying to survive under the abusive rule of their father, Matthew. When Matthew attacks a child, they take matters into their own hands and kill him.

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After about a week, Momma stops asking us to check down by the creek. She settles into his absence like she knows he's gone for good. Dewey starts to smile again. He tells us stories about the animals and the things they do while he's working in the yard with them. We all seem happier.

Only once did the sheriff come by. He listened while I told about Daddy going fishing and not coming home. He was silent for a few seconds and I waited, holding my breath. I figured I was wearing it on my face. Guilt is in the eyes. Momma says that the eyes are the window to the soul. I'm guessing if that law man was really looking, he'd see I knew more than I let on.

But he didn't. He just clapped his hand on my arm and smiled knowingly. "Bad things can happen when you go off on your own. Maybe the creek was running high that day. He just may have gotten swept off and carried out to the river."

I nod, every muscle in my body rigid. "Yes sir. You might be right."

"Well, if he does come back around, you be sure to let me know. I've got some questions for him."

"What kind of questions?"

"Someone broke some winda's down at Dobey's. Lynn Dobey said she saw your daddy running from the scene."

I nod again, knowing there was more to the accusation than the broken winda's. "I'll be sure to let you know, um, if'n he comes back around."

Momma stands by the winda', watching as the sheriff walks down the path to leave. She chews on her thumbnail while I come inside. "He lookin' for your daddy?"

"Yes. He thinks Daddy got swept off to the river. Said Lynn Dobey reported him for trying to break into the store. He didn't mention Hester."

Momma purses her lips, still unable to come to terms with the man Matthew Strait was. "I hope the little girl is doing better. I want you to take this to Lynn." She goes to the hutch in the corner and pulls out a loose wrapped package. "Tell her we're praying for little Hester."

She folds back the paper and I can see the white crocheted pattern. "You did this?"

"Started it the day after your daddy didn't come home."

I shake my head. "Miss Lynn ain't gonna take it from me."

"You tell her its from me. She ain't got no ill will toward me."

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I set out the next morning after chores are finished. People look at me, maybe a little friendlier to me. Some even smile as they pass by. No one asks about Daddy. It's as if he never existed. The man who heaped nothing but misery on everyone he met, ain't even acknowledged as missing.

Before I can put my hand on the door handle, Miss Lynn's momma comes out.

"I ain't gonna try to come in. I got something for Hester." I hold out the brown paper package for her to see.

"Lynn ain't gonna take it." She folds her arms around herself, her face set stubbornly.

"It's from my momma. She made it for Hester," I say.

"This is from Lil. Your momma made this for Hester?" Her face softens and she smiles happily.

"Yes ma'am. She told me about Miss Lynn's daddy."

The older woman looks around quickly. "Hush now, child. You wait right here. I'm gonna go take this to Hester."

She casts one more honest smile then retreats inside closing the door on me.

I stand outside, swatting at the mosquitos and listening to the crows cawing to each other. I glance up at the noise of the door opening again.

"That was real nice of your momma," she says. It's Miss Lynn.

She's just as pretty as she ever was. I make myself look at her different now. She's my kin. I need to remember that. Put that wanting ache away for now. "I'm real sorry about what my daddy done. But, I want you to know I ain't nothing like him."

Lynn bows her head. "I know. I was just so angry. She's my baby girl, Huck. I shouldn't have lashed out like I did."

"He ain't gonna be hurting anyone else. I promise you that."

"How is it that you can make that kind of promise?"

"He went fishing. Never did come home. Sheriff thinks he got swept down the creek. Probably drowned since the creek was running high."

Lynn is quiet. She ain't gonna say nothing. Nobody is. "Well, you take care of yourself, Huck."

She slips back inside and I shove my hands in my pocket as I start the walk home.

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The leaves are starting to turn. Hints of orange and gold are beginning to peek through the thick green canopy overhead.

Momma brings out some warm apple cider to where I'm sitting on the porch. "I'm not sure what I'd have done without you and Dewey."

"You're stronger than most women, Momma."

She looks off towards the tree tops. "He wasn't a very nice man, was he?"

"He weren't much of a man at all," I mutter.

"Huck," she says, pointing to the side of the house. "That looks like his fishing pole there, don't it? I'm thinking it might make good kindling."

I wait for her to ask me what it's doing here, but she doesn't. She turns to go back in the house but pauses by the door. "I was right, you know."

"'Bout what?"

"About you changing the world," she leans down and kissed the top of my head. "You ain't never gonna get the recognition for it, but I thank ya', I surely do."

Maybe Momma knows, not the particulars of that afternoon, but she knows. I wait until she lets herself back inside and I close my eyes. I try to open my heart and pray. I can't say the words out loud, but God knows what's in your heart. "Please, God, show me that you understand. Take this terrible burden from me. Take it from Dewey."

I keep my eyes closed and feel the cool evening breeze kiss my cheek. The purple of dusk start to steal from the shadows and the pale stars appear one by one in the darkening sky. Then I hear it. The faintest sound traveling in a sad haunting whisper on the wind, a coyote howls.

The End