Bucolic is Dangerous

Chapter 8

Hay stacking

What people do every day or every summer becomes routine. Random chances are occurrences that unravel lives, divert the course of history. Even in a world where it seems unchanging day after day season after season, the lightning strike of tragedy can interject itself. It did in 1970 for Eldon Parker and the Donaldson family.

Then daddy came in to kiss his little man

With gin on his breath and a Bible in his hand

He talked about honor and things I should know

Then he'd stagger a little as he went out the door -

Bob McDill Good Ole Boys Like Me

Apple Playlist -- Null Stillness – Don Williams Portrait

“Jim sure was dependable, it’s just a shame.”

“What you going do now?”

“Have you thought about renting the farm out?”

“Jim sure was quiet, not a man for much gabbing.”

“He was a church-going man that must be a comfort.”

“Kids just never think, people these days forget about us farmers. “

“Such a tragedy that young girl killed too. Anyone who knew anything knew there was a driveway.”

“Don’t know how that Carder kid ever afforded any car especially that hot rod.”

“The Carder boy will have to live with it the rest of his life.”

“I talked to the deputy he said it wasn’t a pretty sight. He knew you were doing what you could but even a doctor couldn’t have done more.”

“They said you heard the crash and went running out, I guess even an old man can still run when he needs to.”

“Deputy said the girl in the back seat ended up in the ditch without a top. He gave her his jacket.”

“We got the tractor at the shop, insurance called. When you got time come in and we’ll talk about fixing it.”

“Can’t see behind a loaded rack, Jim probably never knew they were there.”

“Eldon how you holding up? Had to be a shock for you as well as Jim’s family.”

“I heard the Carder boy may not walk again.”

“Deputy told me Max Greene’s boy kept that Carder kid from bleeding to death.”

“Jim sure was a quiet man. “

Eldon had come in the back and spoke with everyone as he moved along. Actually, Eldon hadn’t spoken a word just nodded and shook hands. He would speak with the family before they left. He had never cared much for visitation lines would rather greet people on their way out. By the time he made it up to the Donaldson family the time was up, and everyone was starting to clear out. Dell hugged him and they just cried awhile. Jim’s wife, widow now, thanked him for paying for the funeral, Eldon just shrugged.

She said, “they had to be home for a phone call with JB from Vietnam. The Army said it would be daytime there, actually 9 o’clock tomorrow morning when it was 9 PM here, isn’t that odd?”

“Yes, truly halfway around the world. Your daughter said you are going to go live with her?”

“She needs help with the kids, and I love them munchkins so much.”

“Dell you alright, you will be living by yourself?”

“Eldon when have I not been able to take care of myself?”

“You are the most self-sufficient woman I know. But call if you need a little help. Maybe next time the wind blows your TV antenna down, let me get someone to put it up instead of getting on the roof yourself.”

“I had a good solid ladder. Kind of nice to look around on sunny day from that high up.”

“OK, just know when to call, and do call.” Then Eldon and the Donaldsons hugged each other’s shoulders and had a group prayer. Dell ended with, “The Lord is good. Watch over us and give Jim a good farm job in your garden.”

The Donaldson family left. The funeral director shook Eldon’s hand, “You Ok Eldon?”

“It is tough, worse thing is I keep thinking of my wife. It wasn’t that long ago. The Franklin girl’s visitation is tomorrow?”

“Yes, we will have people in line all the way back to the square. Always is like that when tragedy happens to a young person. She would have been a junior this Fall.”

“Here I wrote a check for what you said for Jim, and I added a thousand. Put it in the memorial scholarship fund they are starting.”

“Eldon that is generous of you want me to put your name on it?”

“No put it down as from the Donaldson family; encourage the appearance of forgiveness.”

“I thought you were an old tightwad; you are getting to be a soft touch.”

“I scrimped all my life because that is how you survive as a farmer, but I can weather a storm or two now. Kids are all OK. I wouldn’t be happy anywhere but on my farm. I got what I need; money isn’t my problem. My life has gotten so lonely and money can’t help. Time to help the Donaldson’s a little and the kids at the school.”

“Wish the Carder kid had been less reckless, so many people hurting, now.”

“I feel for him. We all, were a little foolish as a teenager. A new car, at least to him, with some girls to impress. Yes, it is horrible, no-one ever sees the risk upfront. I will probably not be at the funeral, I’ll go out to the cemetery, too many raw feelings.”






Photo eah2009 on Flickr