Night of the Nativity

Chapter 38

Farm lane

Have a voice? Learn to use it – have a little fun along the way – Karen, Madison, Lee

Will the circle be unbroken

By and by, Lord, by and by

There's a better home a-waiting

In the sky, Lord, in the sky --

Roy Acuff—Will the Circle be Unbroken Nitty Griity Dirt Band Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Night of the Nativity

We were sitting on the porch sipping the last of the wine. Carol had divided the last of the bottle between us when we had returned from the immersion into night. The porch light did seem an intrusion glaring starting to attract insects. Carol’s pickup turned into the lane and headed up to the house. It was followed by one of the ubiquitous crossover vehicles everyone seemed to drive these days. Carol’s truck stopped and out popped Madison and Lee.

“Hello Ms. Parker”

“Carol, Lee and some of his friends are a having party sort of a welcome home event, may I go with him?’’

“Madison did you ask your parents before you hopped into the eye magnet with Karen to come here?’”

“No but it seemed I should ask.”

“Thank you, are you going to ride with his friends?” Carol pointed to the couple looking over Karen’s car at the moment.

“Yes, that is why they followed us.”

The couple had stopped looking at the sports car and were now on the steps of the porch. Lee said, “I should introduce you to Ms. Parker’s niece Emmy Lou”-as Madison and Lee laughed softly.

Lee added “and Ms. Parker, who is the owner of Parker Produce and Fruit”

“It is nice to meet you; did you enjoy the concert?”

“It was wonderful, I love going out there. Never had a band as good as Lee’s before, but an awesome place. I love those big horses, too.”

“I work for you during summers Ms. Parker. I started with Lee, but I work in the office doing tech support and data entry. I am fast at a keyboard. I’m Bill Garland”

“Are you coming back this summer?”

“Once college is out”

“Maybe I have met you before, but in the dark, I don’t recognize you.”

“No this is the first time I have spoken to you.”

Lee asked, “Karen, better known as Emmy Lou, Madison says you are a good singer. Would you come sing backup with me at the party, I’ve promised everyone a few songs.”

“Come on Karen all those summer camps can be put to good use”- Madison allowing no false protests.

“You should go. I need to go to bed soon, church will come early. You can take the truck that way Lee’s kind friends won’t have double back"

 I couldn’t refuse Madison’s imploring look, “Thank you, Carol it will be fun. We will have a good time, but not too good” Madison and I laughed as Carol smiled.

Lee asked, “You going to the church in Franklin?”

“Yes”

“I’ve been there, a big outdoor youth event. All the workers were invited, the food was great. I enjoyed the music although I made fun of some of the songs.”

“Ruth told me how reliable Lee was when he worked for her. Now I find Bill is also a valued employee. It seems I am entrusting my young weekend wards to good hands. I have always been so grateful for the people who work with us. The local people all consider themselves neighbors and are incredibly responsible. I feel it will be OK have a nice time.”

Bill’s girlfriend spoke, “Ms. Parker Karen, alias Emmy Lou could be your twin. I am pleased to have met you.”

“Karen only appears to be my twin on this very dark night.”

Bill said, “too bad we can’t all fit in that Audi.”

Carol walked out as they headed to their car, “I think that may be the most redeeming feature of this road terror. You guys have a good time, don’t do anything that causes me to call my legal expert son or brother.”

Carol walked back inside, thinking I hope they are OK. There was a general level of small community caring for each other she could rely on. Carol thought they were both four maybe five years older than when she left home. She was only Karen’s surrogate mother, showing a little trust was a good thing. After all, she had been a free love hippie as people still reminded her.

A soft prayer before sleep might be appropriate, couldn't hurt.





Photo by Dave Linscheid