That apple kept on rollin’
After Lilly died, Jack moved closer to town. The house where he and Lilly raised Evie (and half raised Dillon) had too many memories. The little area he moved to was closer to town and people. Widow Blake was one of his neighbors. There was a little park close to the houses. Many of his neighbors would gather there on pretty days.
That’s where Dillon found Jack; sittin’ on a bench feeding the birds.
Jack didn’t look up from his task as Dillon approached, “join me boy.”
“Yes sir.” Dillon sat down with a heavy sigh. The birds fluttered a little. But came back to the promise of more bread.
“What brangs you my way?”
Dillon watched him before he answered. Jack had a loaf of bread. He would take a slice out of the bag, tear pieces off, and with the soft flick of his wrist, toss the bread to the ground. “How much do you remember about my mom?”
“How my Lily loved her.” Jack sighed. “I wish she was here to answer that for you.” He handed Dillon a slice of the bread.
“Thank you.” He took it following Jack’s lead. The birds spread out a little but soon more birds appeared, fillin’ in the gaps.
“When we were yungons,” he stopped. Thinkin’. “Your daddy thought Rose was the purdiest girl in Sunshine Valley. He knew that my old man made shine. He asked me to pinch a bottle so he would have a reason to ask Rose out.” Jack laughed, “I did. He did. But Rose wouldn’t go unless Lily went. And, I was struck on Lily. As they say, the rest is history.” Dillon didn’t respond. When Jack turned his head, Dillon seemed to be mindlessly tossing bread pieces. “Why do you ask?”
“I don’t ever remember mom being happy. Mostly being in a stupor. Lost. Lifeless.” He wasn’t sure how to continue. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Jack. Jack put his hand on Dillon’s arm. He looked up, locking eyes with the old man. “I am terrified that when Evie and I get married, she will become like mom. I don’t know if I could handle her becomin’ a shell of who she is.”
“Your mom changed when they came back from the big city. That’s when your daddy started drankin’. The harder he hit the bottle, the more like a ghost she became. At first, she would spend hours cryin’ to Lily about it. They tried to dry him out.” Jack softly shook his head.
“What part did I play in that?” Jack gave him a confused look. “Some women get postpartum depression after a child is born.”
“Who told you you caused your mom to turn?”
“I heard it all my life.”
Jack scoffed, “not true.” He pointed at Dillon. “Your daddy turned her.” Jack smiled, “my Evie has been through a lot. I know. You just keep lovin’ her and she will love you.” He looked down at the birds. “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”
“Matthew 6:26-34.” Dillon commented.
“God’s got both of you. Trust him.
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