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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Drama / Human Interest
- Subject: Adventure
- Published: 09/04/2017
My uncle David Caddy shared what he could remember of a story grandma used to tell. He said he couldn't remember but parts of it, and wanted me to see what I could do with it. Well I enjoyed the challenge and I hope you're not disappointed.
On Sunday Morning
By Rich Puckett
The sun was starting to hide as dark clouds filled the sky. There was a strange feel in the air, like the sky was getting so heavy that it was falling, closing in on the earth. The air was cool and clammy, almost hard to breathe. David wiped sweat from his forehead even though he shivered. He looked up at his big sister Linnie, she had wrapped her arms across her chest, grasping each arm as if it would warm her. Here it was in the middle of June and just moments before it had been pressing nearly a hundred degrees on the old Arkansas farm.
Something else was bothering David, only moments before he could hear Roy and Leo laughing as they had just pulled a trick on Mavis, as she was chasing them with the broom. He was sure he must be going deaf and maybe blind too. There was stillness though the wind blew, and the laughing was as if it never was. As he and Linnie looked into the woods where only moments before Curtis and Daddy had gone, hunting rifles on their shoulders, it was if they had dropped into a hole in the ground. Perhaps it was fog that hid them, but no, the trees were as clear as his momma's biscuits and gravy had been just a few hours before.
Linnie took his hand, the woods had always been inviting to him, and it was not uncommon for him to slip away into them. He would run between trees shooting wild Indians or be hunting bears. He was a tough and rough cowboy or solder, and his reputation among the trees in the forest was one of fear. Today as Linnie started for the woods he did not feel tough or brave. He wanted to say, no sis, take me home.
Yet as they stepped in among the trees, something changed, it felt just right, like laying his head on momma's bosom as he would go to sleep. Linnie changed too, the frown that had caused lines on her forehead were gone, she wasn't singing as normal but she walked with confidence. The kind she had when her and Murline would sneak away from Adline to play. Often climbing trees and tossing acorns at her till she would stomp her feet and declare to get even. Dessie would call out at them as she was helping momma hang clothes to stop picking at their little sister, and they would try to pound her with acorns too.
The path was well worn, Linnie didn't mind, momma had told her take David with her to find daddy and tell him to come home. She wouldn't ever admit to anyone but she kind of liked the little guy. Maybe it was his curiosity that she liked, or unless he was alone he was mostly a silent companion. Some might call it a strength or others a weakness but David was not a complainer, he liked to think the world was his Goliath and he had his sling and stones.
One thing he did notice in the soft breeze was there was still something off. Like daddies old clock when it would stop ticking because it was not wound up, or more like when it was four but the clock only chimed three times. No birds were singing, no squirrels were scampering from tree to tree. No rabbit jumped from the brush to seek a new hiding spot. No fly buzzed around his head or mosquito tried to take his blood like a vampire. No something was off, he wondered if Linnie was noticing it too.
He didn't know when or how, or bigger still why, but somehow the path had vanished. What is going on here, his young mind screamed. Linnie suddenly stopped, she looked around her as if she was searching for hidden gold. He saw her eyes sparkle and her hand had gripped his so hard it hurt. She mumbled, something is strange here, I feel like I am lost in the poets poem the Raven. David looked at her as if she were nuts, what was the Raven, what was a poem?
In the distance they heard a sound, sweet relief washed over them instantaneously. The sound of water running had to be one of the two creeks that were on either side of the woods. Linnie almost pulled David over as she suddenly started toward the sound. David said, Linnie we are going wrong, the creek is that way, as he pointed in the opposite way. It was as if he had not spoken, she pushed onward.
The trees were different, they began to close in on them, feeling like hungry beasts. They were bigger round and taller than any trees they had ever seen. The smells were different too. Odd how the smell of honeysuckle filled the air. Without warning the sky became dark and Linnie stumbled into a tree causing David to fall and a sharp rock ripped his overalls and took a hunk of his leg meat for the ants to enjoy if any ever came that way. He did not cry, this was his Goliath after all, he felt his pocket, his sling was there and a few stones.
Suddenly they felt very tired, walking in the dark, groping from tree to tree, tired was not the right word, exhausted. David was, in one way, glad it was dark, Linnie could not see the tears that now fell to the ground. Nor could David see hers, they were both doing a fine job of watering the forest.
As if by magic, perhaps the hand of God, they stumbled into a clearing. A bright light hurt their eyes. It seemed the brightest light David had ever seen, but it was just the moon. Full in its glory, lighting up the sky, what was it momma had read him from her old Bible? God set the night light and called it good, it sure was good.
A cabin, much older than their old house, which was part cabin, set alone and the light shone upon it like the star over the stable, passed in David's mind. The door opened and a short stooped over woman walked out. The candle she held showed a path mostly covered with vines like snakes that danced at their feet.
"Children, come in come in, I been waiting on you so long. I was a afeared you never were coming, come in, come in." Her voice crackled like stepping on leaves. Her smile had but one tooth, her Snow White hair blew in the breeze like wings on her head. Her dress was a woolen faded blue that went from bottom of her chin to the ground.
"Come in, come in, I have the soup on the fire. I made it specially for you." David could smell it, it covered the air with the same wonderful depth of joy he felt when momma was making a big pot. His belly sounded the trumpets of hunger as did Linnie's, in perfect harmony the growls filled their ears. Blowing that faithful tune, eat, e....a....t.
They followed her into a single room, a table right in front of the fireplace, three chairs around it. Three clay bowls and three sparkling silver spoons. The crystal glasses that sent colors of blue and yellow dancing as fire danced with it in the fire place. A big blue pitcher, shiny and showing signs of sweat on it set to the side.
"Come in, come in, have some cold milk, just for you." She pointed to the seat on the opposite side of the door, you there David, across from him with back to door, you there Linnie and she lifted the old cast iron pot from the hanger of the fireplace and set it on the table. Then taking her seat at the end of the table facing the fire place, she bowed her head to pray.
"Oh mighty and great one. This day I cry out in thanksgiving for all you have brought my-way." With that she swiftly ladled out bowl fulls of soup, laden with veggies and big chunks of meat." Eat, eat and be full, she almost sang, you have been delivered and the smile of the stars are on ya."
Linnie had not said a word nor had he. David pondered with each bite how any soup could be so much better than momma's or grandma Sally's. Then it hit him with such force he choked, the old woman put the glass of milk to his lips, "drink child drink just like the poor Hebrew chiliens fleeing the evil King, drink of the milk and honey."
When he could breathe again, the panic was in his face. She said, "don't worry David, I knows yourns name because it was meant to be so. I's tole yurn I's expecting yous."
They ate in silence, three bowls each they ate, the old woman never took a bite. She pointed to two old wood frame beds on the far side in the dark of the room. "You David take the one nearest the fire, cause yous the youngest. Linnie you take the other." She pointed to a corner with a dark curtain hiding whatever was behind it. David touched his sling. She smiled, "fear not David boy, behind the curtain is the chamber pot ifin Yas need sweet relief."
On Linnie's bed was an old but snow white sleeping gown, on David's a long white sleeping shirt. They went each their turn behind the curtain to reappear as the old lady said. "Whys pretty as angels all pure and dressed as Snow White lilies."
David must of been more tired then he knew, as he lay in the feather mattress he slept like old duke the dog. Not till the smell of eggs, ham and coffee did his eyes open. He ate like a man, not a boy, stuffing himself on victuals fit for a king.
Once they had ate and took turns behind the curtain to appear in clothes so clean it was as if they were new, she called them over, she sat in an old rocker, they sat on a fur rug. "Now when you go out take the path lined in roses and lilies and soon you will hear the hound barking and you'll be home. But stay on the path, don't go off chasing rabbits, do not Linnie go up the path of wild flowers nor pick any. The paths are broad and straight but youn gate is narrow, and let David go slip through and you follow and the morning star will greet you. Now don't be dallying around, off with ya."
As they walked the path they found they heard voices again. Birds were singing, a big rabbit hopped in front of them sometimes jumpin in the woods. Paths were all along the way, some of the prettiest wild flowers lining them, and others honeysuckle or violets. Each so beautiful, but when Linnie would start to stray David pulled her back, and when he would start to want to chase the rabbit she would pull him back.
Linnie started singing, you go to your church and I will go to mine, but let's walk along together, our Heavenly Father built them side by side so let's walk along together......
Soon a tall narrow gate blocked the way, David was feeling scared. He turned sideways and even sucking in his belly almost didn't make it, his buttons on overalls hung him up and Linnie had to help him get unsnagged. Then she turned sideways and sucked in her belly and was starting to panic, her growing women's balloons was caught, David yelled, push em flat, but with a bit of twist she tumbled through.
Just then a most beautiful star even in the daylight shone. They had not gone but a few steps and daddies ole hound let a Yelp and they ran home. Momma and the rest just looked at them like they were ghosts. Even Leo didn't pounce David in the arm. Linnie began to tell the story, David cutting in till both ran out of words. Daddy said, "best go wash for supper." Did they believe them, or not, we will never know.
Did they understand their journey together? We will never know. Yet perhaps it's why Linnie sung that song on the morning she went to meet God. Maybe it's why come Sunday David wants to be in church instead of the woods, for it all happened on a Sunday morning so long ago, or maybe yesterday.
On Sunday Morning(Rich Puckett)
My uncle David Caddy shared what he could remember of a story grandma used to tell. He said he couldn't remember but parts of it, and wanted me to see what I could do with it. Well I enjoyed the challenge and I hope you're not disappointed.
On Sunday Morning
By Rich Puckett
The sun was starting to hide as dark clouds filled the sky. There was a strange feel in the air, like the sky was getting so heavy that it was falling, closing in on the earth. The air was cool and clammy, almost hard to breathe. David wiped sweat from his forehead even though he shivered. He looked up at his big sister Linnie, she had wrapped her arms across her chest, grasping each arm as if it would warm her. Here it was in the middle of June and just moments before it had been pressing nearly a hundred degrees on the old Arkansas farm.
Something else was bothering David, only moments before he could hear Roy and Leo laughing as they had just pulled a trick on Mavis, as she was chasing them with the broom. He was sure he must be going deaf and maybe blind too. There was stillness though the wind blew, and the laughing was as if it never was. As he and Linnie looked into the woods where only moments before Curtis and Daddy had gone, hunting rifles on their shoulders, it was if they had dropped into a hole in the ground. Perhaps it was fog that hid them, but no, the trees were as clear as his momma's biscuits and gravy had been just a few hours before.
Linnie took his hand, the woods had always been inviting to him, and it was not uncommon for him to slip away into them. He would run between trees shooting wild Indians or be hunting bears. He was a tough and rough cowboy or solder, and his reputation among the trees in the forest was one of fear. Today as Linnie started for the woods he did not feel tough or brave. He wanted to say, no sis, take me home.
Yet as they stepped in among the trees, something changed, it felt just right, like laying his head on momma's bosom as he would go to sleep. Linnie changed too, the frown that had caused lines on her forehead were gone, she wasn't singing as normal but she walked with confidence. The kind she had when her and Murline would sneak away from Adline to play. Often climbing trees and tossing acorns at her till she would stomp her feet and declare to get even. Dessie would call out at them as she was helping momma hang clothes to stop picking at their little sister, and they would try to pound her with acorns too.
The path was well worn, Linnie didn't mind, momma had told her take David with her to find daddy and tell him to come home. She wouldn't ever admit to anyone but she kind of liked the little guy. Maybe it was his curiosity that she liked, or unless he was alone he was mostly a silent companion. Some might call it a strength or others a weakness but David was not a complainer, he liked to think the world was his Goliath and he had his sling and stones.
One thing he did notice in the soft breeze was there was still something off. Like daddies old clock when it would stop ticking because it was not wound up, or more like when it was four but the clock only chimed three times. No birds were singing, no squirrels were scampering from tree to tree. No rabbit jumped from the brush to seek a new hiding spot. No fly buzzed around his head or mosquito tried to take his blood like a vampire. No something was off, he wondered if Linnie was noticing it too.
He didn't know when or how, or bigger still why, but somehow the path had vanished. What is going on here, his young mind screamed. Linnie suddenly stopped, she looked around her as if she was searching for hidden gold. He saw her eyes sparkle and her hand had gripped his so hard it hurt. She mumbled, something is strange here, I feel like I am lost in the poets poem the Raven. David looked at her as if she were nuts, what was the Raven, what was a poem?
In the distance they heard a sound, sweet relief washed over them instantaneously. The sound of water running had to be one of the two creeks that were on either side of the woods. Linnie almost pulled David over as she suddenly started toward the sound. David said, Linnie we are going wrong, the creek is that way, as he pointed in the opposite way. It was as if he had not spoken, she pushed onward.
The trees were different, they began to close in on them, feeling like hungry beasts. They were bigger round and taller than any trees they had ever seen. The smells were different too. Odd how the smell of honeysuckle filled the air. Without warning the sky became dark and Linnie stumbled into a tree causing David to fall and a sharp rock ripped his overalls and took a hunk of his leg meat for the ants to enjoy if any ever came that way. He did not cry, this was his Goliath after all, he felt his pocket, his sling was there and a few stones.
Suddenly they felt very tired, walking in the dark, groping from tree to tree, tired was not the right word, exhausted. David was, in one way, glad it was dark, Linnie could not see the tears that now fell to the ground. Nor could David see hers, they were both doing a fine job of watering the forest.
As if by magic, perhaps the hand of God, they stumbled into a clearing. A bright light hurt their eyes. It seemed the brightest light David had ever seen, but it was just the moon. Full in its glory, lighting up the sky, what was it momma had read him from her old Bible? God set the night light and called it good, it sure was good.
A cabin, much older than their old house, which was part cabin, set alone and the light shone upon it like the star over the stable, passed in David's mind. The door opened and a short stooped over woman walked out. The candle she held showed a path mostly covered with vines like snakes that danced at their feet.
"Children, come in come in, I been waiting on you so long. I was a afeared you never were coming, come in, come in." Her voice crackled like stepping on leaves. Her smile had but one tooth, her Snow White hair blew in the breeze like wings on her head. Her dress was a woolen faded blue that went from bottom of her chin to the ground.
"Come in, come in, I have the soup on the fire. I made it specially for you." David could smell it, it covered the air with the same wonderful depth of joy he felt when momma was making a big pot. His belly sounded the trumpets of hunger as did Linnie's, in perfect harmony the growls filled their ears. Blowing that faithful tune, eat, e....a....t.
They followed her into a single room, a table right in front of the fireplace, three chairs around it. Three clay bowls and three sparkling silver spoons. The crystal glasses that sent colors of blue and yellow dancing as fire danced with it in the fire place. A big blue pitcher, shiny and showing signs of sweat on it set to the side.
"Come in, come in, have some cold milk, just for you." She pointed to the seat on the opposite side of the door, you there David, across from him with back to door, you there Linnie and she lifted the old cast iron pot from the hanger of the fireplace and set it on the table. Then taking her seat at the end of the table facing the fire place, she bowed her head to pray.
"Oh mighty and great one. This day I cry out in thanksgiving for all you have brought my-way." With that she swiftly ladled out bowl fulls of soup, laden with veggies and big chunks of meat." Eat, eat and be full, she almost sang, you have been delivered and the smile of the stars are on ya."
Linnie had not said a word nor had he. David pondered with each bite how any soup could be so much better than momma's or grandma Sally's. Then it hit him with such force he choked, the old woman put the glass of milk to his lips, "drink child drink just like the poor Hebrew chiliens fleeing the evil King, drink of the milk and honey."
When he could breathe again, the panic was in his face. She said, "don't worry David, I knows yourns name because it was meant to be so. I's tole yurn I's expecting yous."
They ate in silence, three bowls each they ate, the old woman never took a bite. She pointed to two old wood frame beds on the far side in the dark of the room. "You David take the one nearest the fire, cause yous the youngest. Linnie you take the other." She pointed to a corner with a dark curtain hiding whatever was behind it. David touched his sling. She smiled, "fear not David boy, behind the curtain is the chamber pot ifin Yas need sweet relief."
On Linnie's bed was an old but snow white sleeping gown, on David's a long white sleeping shirt. They went each their turn behind the curtain to reappear as the old lady said. "Whys pretty as angels all pure and dressed as Snow White lilies."
David must of been more tired then he knew, as he lay in the feather mattress he slept like old duke the dog. Not till the smell of eggs, ham and coffee did his eyes open. He ate like a man, not a boy, stuffing himself on victuals fit for a king.
Once they had ate and took turns behind the curtain to appear in clothes so clean it was as if they were new, she called them over, she sat in an old rocker, they sat on a fur rug. "Now when you go out take the path lined in roses and lilies and soon you will hear the hound barking and you'll be home. But stay on the path, don't go off chasing rabbits, do not Linnie go up the path of wild flowers nor pick any. The paths are broad and straight but youn gate is narrow, and let David go slip through and you follow and the morning star will greet you. Now don't be dallying around, off with ya."
As they walked the path they found they heard voices again. Birds were singing, a big rabbit hopped in front of them sometimes jumpin in the woods. Paths were all along the way, some of the prettiest wild flowers lining them, and others honeysuckle or violets. Each so beautiful, but when Linnie would start to stray David pulled her back, and when he would start to want to chase the rabbit she would pull him back.
Linnie started singing, you go to your church and I will go to mine, but let's walk along together, our Heavenly Father built them side by side so let's walk along together......
Soon a tall narrow gate blocked the way, David was feeling scared. He turned sideways and even sucking in his belly almost didn't make it, his buttons on overalls hung him up and Linnie had to help him get unsnagged. Then she turned sideways and sucked in her belly and was starting to panic, her growing women's balloons was caught, David yelled, push em flat, but with a bit of twist she tumbled through.
Just then a most beautiful star even in the daylight shone. They had not gone but a few steps and daddies ole hound let a Yelp and they ran home. Momma and the rest just looked at them like they were ghosts. Even Leo didn't pounce David in the arm. Linnie began to tell the story, David cutting in till both ran out of words. Daddy said, "best go wash for supper." Did they believe them, or not, we will never know.
Did they understand their journey together? We will never know. Yet perhaps it's why Linnie sung that song on the morning she went to meet God. Maybe it's why come Sunday David wants to be in church instead of the woods, for it all happened on a Sunday morning so long ago, or maybe yesterday.
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