Journey to Little Rock
by
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Old Dedge pointed his knife at a bucket.
“Take some of that corn and lay a trail towards me. Turn that first pig loose and give him a handful to get started.”
WC sifted a last meal through his fingers to each pig and dropped a few kernels in a line towards Dedge’s crate. He left a good handful in a pile to hold the pig still. He untied it and joined Dedge at the crate.
“You want I should shoot? You know I have better aim.”
“I don’t know any such thing. Been pulling triggers most of my life.”
“That doesn’t change I’m steadier with my aim.”
The pig began feeding on the loose kernels, and Dedge snapped the knife closed and slid it back in his pocket.
“Shut yer trap, boy.”
“You have to get him between the eyes. You’ve been drinking. Let me do it; you’ll make a mess of it.”
Old Dedge swung the rifle around and poked the barrel against WC’s chest.
“I told ya to shut yer mouth.”
WC stepped back, rubbing the place he had been struck. His eyes were wide, astonished.
The old man stood and stepped closer, crowding the boy back toward the pig and the fire.
“I think I got yer attention. Yes, I believe yer hearing me better, now.”
He raised the rifle to WC’s head, cackled, and sighted in on the bridge of his nose.
“Yer thinking I have plenty of reason to pull this trigger—ain’t ya? Well, boy, how’s the seat of yer pants?”
WC looked toward the house.
“Call yer ma, why don’t ya? Maybe she’ll come and change ya.” He laughed at himself.
“Here’s what I want ya to do. Go back there and hold that pig still.” He waved the rifle toward the line of kernels.
“You want me to do what?”
“Go and hold that pig!”
“You’re crazy to think I’d ever do that.”
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About the Book
“You’ll not beat me anymore—not without paying a price yourself.” With that, WC realizes it is time to leave the 1910 Arkansas farm he sharecrops with his mother and the dreaded stepfather, Dedge. The resentment between the boy and man have become too dangerous to allow life to continue as it is—his mother is at risk, and who knows if the bullet was meant for him or the pig? But is it realistic to think a ten year old boy can survive the uncaring, selfish world waiting for him? The truth, however, is whether the big city of Little Rock— or the man-eating work of a lumber camp— or two murderous men— is any match for his confidence and determination. WC’s heroic journey of innocent honesty awakens his mother to the hope and courage to rescue herself from the futility of her sacrifice.
About the Author
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
B.A. in English and Social Studies; M.A. in Theatre Arts;
Certificate in Elementary Counseling
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY includes Waiting Tables in a family restaurant, Grocery Store Cashier, Door to Door Sales of home care products, Shoes Sales in basement department store, Assistant Youth Director of large city church, Youth and Recreation Director of Summer Bible Conference, Warehouse and Truck Delivery of national biscuit and cracker products, Assistant Director of Upward Bound (poverty program), Director of Cultural Affairs at a state university, Sheriff’s Marine Deputy, Clerk in Children’s Book Section of major book chain, Educator at several state universities, secondary schools, and elementary classroom (where the bulk of my teaching career was happily, satisfyingly spent), J.V. Football Coach, Varsity Track Coach, Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach (State Champions 1984), and Director of High School Theatre Productions.
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