The Glorious Prodigal (25 page)

“I’m glad you came home,” Merry said.

Quickly Leah asked, “Have you eaten?”

Stuart came to his feet and shook his head. “Don’t bother.”

“There’s plenty left. Come into the kitchen, and I’ll warm you something.”

Leah led the way and was glad that she had something to occupy her mind. She pulled out the leftovers from supper and began to warm them in the wood stove. From time to time she would steal a glance at Stuart. He was sitting in the chair, not looking at her at all but talking with Merry and Raimey.

“Raimey, you’ve grown up.”

When the boy did not answer, he said, “How are you doing in school?”

“All right,” Raimey said, not looking at his father.

This was the only answer he got. Raimey’s face was fixed, and there was a light in his eyes that Leah had not seen before, and it disturbed her.

“I’m in the first grade,” Merry announced. “Do you want to hear me read?”

Stuart suddenly grinned. “I sure do.”

Merry ran away at once, and while she was gone, Leah put a plate on the table. As she did Stuart lifted his eyes and met hers. She did not say a word, nor did he, but of the two she was the more shaken. She could not get her mind pulled together, nor really believe that he was actually sitting there.

Merry came running back and put the book down on the table and stood beside Stuart. “This is the one I like best. It’s about a little dog named Rover.”

“Well, let’s hear you read.”

“ ‘Once upon a time there was a dog named Rover. . . .’ ”

Stuart kept his eyes on the girl, marveling at her beauty. She had Leah’s features, and he was glad of that. Her eyes were clear, large, and blue, and her hair was a light blond. He had not seen a child in years, and to be sitting here with his daughter for the first time overwhelmed him. He marveled now at the freshness and smoothness of her skin, and the fineness of her hands fascinated him. He had missed all the years of seeing her grow up, and strong feelings of regret rose up within him. He wanted to reach and touch her but knew that he must not.

Finally the meal was ready, and Stuart managed to eat something, although for some reason, he had lost his appetite. Merry talked constantly, and Raimey said absolutely nothing—nor did Leah. It was a rather one-sided conversation. Two-sided, really, with Merry chattering on and with Stuart speaking to her from time to time.

When he had finished, Leah said, “You children go back to the parlor. Go listen to your records.”

“I’ll read to you some more after a while,” Merry said.

“All right, Merry.”

Stuart got to his feet as soon as the children left, for Leah was standing with her back straight as a ramrod.

“When did you get out?” she asked.

“About a week ago. Took this long to walk.”

By this time Leah had made up her mind. She was a woman of great gentleness, but this man had caused her more pain and heartache than she had imagined possible. She had been thinking about what to say and had it in her mind, but the sight of his face had driven it away. Now she braced herself and said in a clipped tone, “I don’t want you here, Stuart.”

Leah bit the words off and then waited, expecting an argument, anger, disappointment. Instead Stuart said nothing at all for a moment, then nodded.

“I thought you might not. I just came to ask you to forgive me, Leah.”

His response shocked Leah, but somehow it brought anger, too. She had lived this moment over in her mind often, and now she said, “It’s so easy for you, isn’t it, Stuart? It always was! You ruined my life and the lives of the children, and then you think all you have to do is say you’re sorry! Well, it won’t work this time!”

Stuart stood absolutely still for no more than ten seconds. He studied her face, thinking how pale she was and at the same time that she was more beautiful than ever. “All right, Leah.” Without another word he turned and left the kitchen.

Leah stood there, almost paralyzed. She had braced herself for a blistering argument or shouting or incriminations, and now she did not know what to do. Finally she shook herself and ran out of the kitchen just in time to see him pull his cap down and leave. The door closed quietly, and she lifted her hand to her mouth, finding herself trembling all over.

The children came out at once, having heard the door close. Merry came running to her and said, “Where is he going?”

“He . . . he won’t be staying here, Merry.”

At her words Raimey stared at Leah, and suddenly she could not face them. “He’s your father, but he left us a long time ago. He just came to say good-bye.”

She could not say more, for her breath seemed to have left her body. She turned at once and went blindly past them to her bedroom and shut the door. She went to the window and tried to peer out, but there was nothing but the darkness of the night. She was aware that her hands were trembling, and her breath was coming very rapidly. She bowed her head and clasped her hands together, but all she could think of was Stuart out in the cold dark of the night.

****

“Mistah Stuart!”

Stuart turned quickly and saw a big figure appear. “Why, Merle,” he said, “it’s you!”

“I seen you come in, Mistah Stuart.” Merle came forward and put his hand out. “I’m glad to see you back. Welcome home.”

Stuart took Merle’s hard hand and felt a moment’s grace. The scene with Leah had shaken him considerably, and only by a tremendous iron will had he kept from showing her what was in his heart. “I won’t be staying, Merle, but I thank you for your welcome.”

Merle did not answer for a moment. He was a wise man, and something he saw in Stuart’s face kept him from asking questions. “Well, that’s as may be, but you comin’ in tonight. You can sleep in Wash’s bed in the children’s room. He done married up now.”

Stuart would have protested, but Merle grabbed his arm and practically dragged him down the road to the small house where he still lived with Annie. As the two men went in, Annie was standing at the sink cleaning up. When she turned to
him, her eyes narrowed at once, and her lips went together in a fine line.

Merle saw his wife’s coolness, as did Stuart. “Mistah Stuart’s gonna sleep in Wash’s bed tonight, then he’ll be goin’ on.”

“All right,” Annie said briefly. “You need somethin’ to eat?”

“Already eaten, Annie. Thank you. Coffee would be good, though.”

“Sit down, Mistah Stuart.”

Stuart found his legs were not steady. He could not remember a time when he was so shaken. He had known that Leah would not welcome him back, but the coldness of his wife’s voice and what seemed to be hatred in her eyes had been like taking a bullet in the heart. He sat down, barely aware of his surroundings, but as he drank the coffee, he listened as Merle kept the conversation going. Merle told him about the farm, the animals, and the breeding program.

Finally Merle seemed to run down, and Stuart looked up at Annie, who was watching him steadily. “You don’t have to worry, Annie. I won’t be staying.”

“What do you mean, Mistah Stuart?” she demanded.

“You hate me for what I did to my wife and family, but they won’t be hurt anymore. Not by me.” He stood up suddenly and turned to face her squarely. “I’d like to ask your forgiveness, Annie, and you, too, Merle, for all the things I did to you.”

“You ain’t done nothin’ to me, Mistah Stuart!” Merle protested.

Annie said nothing for a moment, and then she nodded. “You won’t be stayin’?”

“I just came back to ask for forgiveness. If you don’t mind, I think I’d like to lie down.”

“Sure, Mistah Stuart. Come on. I’ll get you fixed up.”

Annie sat down at the table and waited until Merle came back. When he sat down beside her, she said, “What happened?”

“I ’spect Miss Leah asked him to leave.”

The two sat there, struck by the tragedy of it. Finally Merle said, “He’s different now, ain’t he?”

“He may be,” Annie said. And then the bitterness that filled her heart came out, for she loved Leah and hated Stuart for what he had done to her. “A man reaps what he sows, and that’s all there is to it.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“I’ve Always Loved Him!”

A pale sun had risen in the east, shedding its beams but yielding no warmth. As Stuart trudged along the icy roads, he could not keep his mind free from thoughts of his wife and children. It was not what he had anticipated during the long years in prison, especially the last four. He had assumed that he would come home, ask for forgiveness, and then set about to prove himself a good husband and a good father. The coldness of the day seemed to match the condition of his heart, for despite his gratitude for being out of prison, he was still plagued with the question of what he would do with his life.

The sound of an automobile caught his attention, and he looked up to see a light blue car with white wheels and a canvas top shielding the driver. The car slammed to a stop, and a man jumped out and turned toward him.

“Well, you old codger!” The driver leaped at Stuart, wrapped him in a bear hug, and waltzed around.

“Hey!” Stuart cried. “What are you doing out here?”

Ace released Stuart and stepped back with a broad grin on his homely face. “I heard you were home. Sam Pickens has spread the word. I think everybody in the county knows about it by now.”

“You could always depend on Sam to spread bad news.”

“Bad news! None of that now. Hey, come on and get in.”

“What kind of a car is this?” Stuart asked as he walked around to open the door.

“It’s a Willis Knight. Just got it. Some pumpkins, huh?”

“You must be doin’ pretty well to buy a new car like this.”

“The surveyin’ business is good. I’ve got three guys workin’ for me now.” As the car picked up speed, Ace turned and grinned at Stuart, saying, “You look good, man. When did you get in?”

“Just yesterday.”

“Well, I’ve got all kinds of plans made for us. I see you still got your fiddle. We can do some fancy playin’.”

Stuart hesitated for a long moment, then said, “I don’t think I need to do much playing at dances. I’m out of the habit. We didn’t do much dancing at Tucker.”

“Well, nothin’ wrong with gettin’ some of the boys together and just havin’ a little hoedown, is there? We can get Clyde and Ralph and Fatso any day.”

“That would be good. Be glad to see the fellas. I guess they’re all married and settled down now.”

“Pretty much. Where you headed? I’ll take you there.”

“Going to my folks’ house.”

“I want to see your mom’s face when she sees you.” Ace nodded. “She’s had everybody in the county prayin’ for you.” He hesitated, then said, “How did it go with Leah?”

Stuart turned and gave Ace a glance. “Not too well,” he said finally. “I won’t be staying there.”

The car bumped over the rough road, slid on icy spots toward the edge, and Ace wrestled it back to the center. “One of these days we’re going to get some of them paved roads out here.” Not knowing what else to say, he murmured, “Well, Leah will come around. She’s had a hard time. But how about those kids of yours? Aren’t they somethin’?”

“I wouldn’t have known Raimey, I don’t think. He’s gotten so tall.”

“I’ll bet he was glad to see you.”

“No. He really wasn’t, Ace. Merry was, but she’s still just a baby really. All those years I missed, Ace . . .”

Stuart’s voice choked at the thought of so much of his life wasted, and the men fell into an uncomfortable moment of
silence. The conversation was difficult for Ace. He had known about the problems with Leah and had talked with Raimey enough to know that the boy seemed dead set against his father. Ace said quickly, “Well, I’ll tell you what. You can stay with us. We can make room.”

“I can’t do that, Ace. I’ll find a place.”

“All right, if you say so, but one thing. If you want work, I’ve got that. I need a chain man. Not much money, but you and me could have some time together.”

“I’ll take you up on that.”

Ace talked rapidly as he sped along the road, trying to be as cheerful as he could, but he was thinking,
Something’s gone out of Stuart. He’s not what he was. I’m afraid gettin’ out of jail might be as big a shock as going into it.

When he pulled up in front of the Winslow house, Stuart said, “I’ll be ready to go to work tomorrow.”

Ace fumbled in his pocket and came out with a wad of bills. Unfolding two of them, he said, “Here, you can’t work in that outfit. Get yourself some stout boots and whatever else you need.”

Stuart took the money and smiled. “Good to see you again, Ace. I thought about you a lot. As a matter of fact, some of the best memories I had were of you.”

“Here, too, partner. Uh-oh, look out!”

Stuart turned to see his mother, who had opened the door and was flying down the walk. He turned to meet her and caught her up, clearing her feet from the ground and squeezing her. “Hello, Mom,” he said huskily.

Diane clung to him, unable to speak for a time. She finally got control of herself, and when he put her down, she said, “Come on inside. It’s cold.” Turning to Ace, she said, “Come in, Ace.”

“No. I’ve got to be getting along. Take care of this guy. He’s gonna work for me, and I don’t want anything but good men.”

The car roared off, and Diane clung to Stuart’s arm as the
two went inside the house. “Come into the kitchen. I’ll fix you some pancakes.”

“I thought about your pancakes for a long time, Mom,” Stuart said. He took a seat, and she fixed him a cup of coffee while she scurried around nervously throwing pancakes together. “Your father will be down soon. I’ll make enough for all of us.”

“Tell me about yourself, Mom. How are you?”

“Me? Why, I’m fine.” She looked up from the mixing bowl long enough to study his face. “You look good, son,” she said. “I was afraid—”

“I know. You were afraid I’d come out a skeleton.”

Stuart had pulled off his cap and removed his coat on the way in, and now as he sat there, his mother saw that he did have a healthy look. His hair was as black as ever, his skin was tanned, and though he was thinner in some ways, he seemed very strong. “You did a lot of outdoor work at the—” She could not say the word and changed her expression. “For the last few years?”