Twenty-Three

From 'Jesus, Lover of My Soul'

“Miss Jennie,” announced Aunt Ella, “I will be returning to Laclede with your grandfather tomorrow. Tonight, he can stay in your father’s room, and Aunt Lizzie will have John’s bed.”

“Not necessary, Ella. I have already arranged for an additional night at the hotel.”

“You, Father? Paying for two nights at a hotel? My goodness!”

Aunt Lizzie spoke up. “If it is all right with you, Jennie, I would like to stay a day or two longer. Unlike your grandfather, I cannot afford an extra night at the hotel, so I hope I can stay here. We have some catching up to do.”

Jennie was delighted but confused. She could usually keep up with plans that change, but these developments taxed her. But, of course, she could not refuse.

“Certainly!” She hoped the enthusiastic smile she was sporting was convincing.

The party came to an end when Mr. Hornback departed, followed by John and Jay returning the tables to the Jefferson Club, and then escorting Miss Eulalie Church back to her father’s restaurant. Joining them was Miss Spillar. They made a lovely little group. Jay was twenty-one, John, eighteen, and the two ladies somewhere in between.

As the group walked toward the café, they did not notice Orval walking on the opposite side, going toward home. Though he earlier went to Booche’s and shot some pool, he only had one sip of alcohol.

But Orval was present at Jesse Auditorium for the entirety of the commencement exercises up until the point just after Jennie received her diploma. He had descended to the main level after leaving the rest of the family upstairs and stood at the very back when Jennie walked onto the stage. He wiped away a tear and departed. He knew he must witness the momentous occasion, but he also could not face his father. Or Miss Lizzie Gardner.

From Jennie's
1913 Yearbook

But later in the day, during a game of pool which, for once, he played “just for fun, and just this one,” he realized he must face his demons. He was weary of hiding. It was time to set his life straight.

He knew it wouldn’t be easy, especially with his children all leaving. But maybe he could change their minds.

Jennie was staying for the summer to work on her teaching certificate. Surely, she would rather stay in her own room than impose upon a friend, at least until the end of the month!

John was graduating from high school the following week and he planned to go mine coal. Orval hoped to dissuade him, though the horror stories he told his son were disregarded in favor of the money promised.

“Pa, besides, I need to get out and be my own man, make my own life,” he told Orval on several occasions.

But Orval observed his son, strolling up the street, a lovely young lady on his arm. Hmmmm… Maybe now there was a reason for his son to stay.

As for Jay, well, it was time to let his son know about his farm. Orval had been working on the decrepit farmhouse to make it habitable enough to move there so he could give up the rental house the end of the

From the Columbia Missourian
1922

month. He was going to begin stocking the farm, buying chickens and livestock at farm auctions where he also would buy farm equipment. Father and son could grow enough crops to be self-sufficient for themselves and their animals, and they could sell the fattened livestock when the market was optimal.

Orval could see that Jay had a knack for farming. Since he was little, he trailed behind his grandfather, helping when he could. And for the past two years, Jay learned about the raising of livestock for greater profit than others in the family had ever known. It would be perfect!

Orval paused. His sons and their ladies had turned the corner and were out of sight, and Orval was now drawing close to his home on Paquin. He observed from a half block away for a while, then strode on up to the porch where his father and daughter sat, rocking.

J.K. squinted, removed his hat, and fanned himself. But he said nothing. Jennie merely nodded and cocked her head sideways in the way she always did when something was on her mind. But she was not ready to speak.

“I was there, Jennie.”

Her right eyebrow arched, and J.K. stopped fanning himself. Instead, he took his hat and began turning it by the brim with his fingers.

“I saw you get your diploma. I was thinking, ‘this is my proudest day.’ But then it occurred to me, no, this is only the beginning for you.”

There was no response, but no chastisement, either.

“Do you two mind if I sit here?” he motioned to the steps. “Or am I interrupting?”

Jennie motioned for him to sit.

Orval stretched out his legs sideways, along the step, and leaned against the post. He resumed speaking but faced away from the other two.

“You know, I went to Booche’s for a while. Played a game or two. Thought a lot.” He drew a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

“I had a beer in my hand.”

Deep down, he knew he had not fooled his children over the many years of pretending. He knew that Jennie often spoke at the Epworth League at the Methodist Church, and at the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. He wondered from time to time if she testified from personal experience about the evils of alcohol.

“But, you know what? You inspired me today, Jennie.”

Orval turned his head to look at his daughter.

“I gave my beer to another patron and left Booche’s. Walked over to the park. Saw you on the quadrangle, getting photographed. Saw all of you talking.”

Orval grew silent. Still, neither of the other two spoke. So, he continued.

“I thought about how I should have been with all of you. I should have been enjoying the moment. And I was ashamed.”

J.K. shifted in his chair. Jennie resumed rocking. Still, nothing from them.

“Do you know what I did next?”

The others realized it was a rhetorical question. They awaited the answer.

“I prayed.”

Jennie broke her silence. “Father…” she murmured, her voice cracking.

“It was a simple prayer. Help me. Help me find my way.”

Orval was uncertain if he should continue. But something seem to urge him on.

“Do you know what happened next, Jennie?”

The tree frogs, croaking nearby, paused.

“A bluebird above me began singing.”

Jennie’s tears, only a glimmer the moment before, began streaming down her face.

“Mama…”

Lithgraph from "Bible Forget Me Nots"