Even If They Don't Ride Horses Anymore
Looking Down That Road. Episode 6.
Jacob told Betty Lou that night on the porch after supper. It was a fine summer evening. The smell of the dirt of the fields was carried on the soft breeze that brushed across their faces and rustled the trees overhanging the house. The sun had not yet gone to bed. It was still painting the sky a golden yellow with patches of orange and red. It was a pretty sky, a rural Kansas sky. Jacob was dreading this moment. Betty Lou knew something was wrong.
“Betty Lou?” Jacob began ever so timidly.
“What’s wrong Jacob?” And she turned to face him, and then she knew, she just knew. “Whatever it is you need to go do, go and do it. Willie already knows?”
“Yes, he does. I told him today.”
“I see.”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”
“I see.”
“I know you can’t possibly make any sense out of this. It’s just somethin’ I need to do.”
“I see.”
“I promise I’ll be back Betty Lou. All those I love are here.”
“I see.”
They sat for a while. Betty Lou looking at Jacob. Jacob looking at Betty Lou. And for the first time that he could recall, Betty Lou offered no big sister wisdom. And for the first time that she could recall, Jacob didn’t seem to need any.
“I will be back Betty Lou.”
“I know Jacob, I know.”
“It’s somethin’ I just have to do, I have to.”
“I understand Jacob.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“I’m glad. It makes it kinda a little easier. I was dreadin’ it all. You know, tellin’ you.”
Betty Lou smiled and said, “I see.”
Then she asked, “When will you be leavin’?”
“Reckon soon as possible, the next day or so. The sooner I leave, the sooner I’ll be back.”
Betty Lou smiled again and said, “I see.”
And then after a while Betty Lou told Jacob, “When you go Jacob, I don’t want to see you go. ‘Cause if I see you go, I will look down that road every day wanting to see you comin’ back. I’m still doin’ that for Jason and I don’t want to be doin’ that for you too.”
Jacob looked at Betty Lou and said, “I see.” And the sun was fading on another day in rural Kansas.
Previous Episodes. Even If They Don’t Ride Horses Anymore
Aunt Daisy & Caleb. Episode 1
July 4th, 1900. Episode 2
Keepsakes. Episode 3
A Better Way. Episode 4
Unfinished Business. Episode 5
