Evil Deeds
by
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This story begins in Autumn in the mountains of Western North Carolina in a small farming community with fields and barns and a few homes all sewn together with a school, a church, and a small store. There are many such communities throughout rural America and the times were very different from now. A man could count on his neighbor to be helpful, honest, and to treat him with respect. It was a time to be longed for and not forgotten. Nights were getting colder now and early morning brought frost in low lying areas of the fields. Large fields of corn, now quite brown, stood ready for gathering along with golden orange pumpkins and large red winter apples. Harvest time is a time of plenty and a few of the more prosperous farmers would celebrate with a Saturday night barn dance. Anyone and everyone were invited for a good wholesome time and to share in what the harvest had brought. String bands, clogging, square dancing, bobbing for apples, popcorn, apple cider and a good story was all part of the usual entertainment. I was seventeen and the oldest of three children. My days were filled with early morning chores, school days, evening chores, and then homework. It wasn’t as hard as you may think if you are used to the schedule. This Saturday night I was free and Jenny had said she would meet me at the barn dance. This was not hard for her because it was her father’s barn, but for me, three miles to walk. She was the only girl worth the walk. I arrived there just as the band started to play and Jenny was looking for me. This night was a perfect carrousel ride, with the best music, the best food, the best friends, and the prettiest girl there. Jenny danced with me, and only with me. We laughed. We talked. We walked all around the barn and I had never been so happy. The night slipped away fast and as the people left a few here and a few there, I looked around and I was the only guest left. The lights were being put out in parts of the large barn and grounds. I walked Jenny to her house, chatting on about what a wonderful time I had. When we arrived at her porch, she reached up and kissed me on the cheek and turned toward the door. I don’t know why but my hand just reached out and stopped her. She turned to look at me, I pulled her into my arms, and she didn’t resist. I kissed her lips and she whispered good night. Quickly she crossed the porch and went inside. Suddenly, I realized how dark and cold it had become. No one was left at the dance. I had intended to ask some friends for a ride home, but only now remembered. It was late. The moon was passing through dark gray splotches of clouds. I thought of the long walk home in the dark alone. The road would be void of traffic and not too many homes between here and there; just me and whatever else is out this late.
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About the Book
Evil Deeds
The trial is harsh and results in a heart attack for the defendant, and the family must endure the loss of their father, along with their hardship that their farm has suffered, due to the intervention of their enemies. The book seeks to underscore important observations in human nature and also the devotion that it’s characters feel for one another. These citizens inhabit a world where security is earned through hard work, and the injustices served upon them draw them closer together. While the actions of their father draws scorn from some, those who have been bullied by the land grabbers stand up to applaud his actions, and the truth is finally revealed. The multifaceted characterizations that I have endeavored to create in this book form the core of the story, and the book strives to introduce the elements of commitment and loyalty that may be intrinsic to positive family relationships. The reader is sure to enjoy this family saga and it’s entanglement with surprise and mystery.
About the Author
Thom Medford grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, which is a town in the cool mountains of the western end of the state and is one of the nation’s most beautiful places to live. He is a graduate of Western Carolina University and has been married to his wife Marsha for 33 years. They have one grown son who lives in Nashville, Tennessee and another son who is deceased. As a young boy growing up on a farm in the mountains of North Carolina, Thom learned to appreciate people and hard work. His love for the people and the beauty of the land influences his work as an author and is the common thread that runs throughout his books.