to keep H-O-M-E-R in yore bed and out of ours.”
Jake and Hatta snickered, because they could hear Sarah scolding Lott for discussing their sex life so openly.
The cold dreary days soon began to lengthen as the spring of 1837 came to the hillcountry bringing a luster of wildflowers, blossoms and a sense of renewed life.
On one of these days the two families rode to Decatur to visit Sarah’s parents and to pick up needed farm items before spring plowing. Upon returning home, they were shocked to see Mister McCorkle, their old surveying boss, sitting on their front porch whittling on a stick and whistling some unrecognizable tune.
“Thought you never would get home,” Mister Mac said, as the Wilsons pulled up to the porch. “And who all you got with ya? Where’d you find them good lookin’ things out here in these sticks?”
Jake leaped out of the wagon even before it had come to a complete stop and sprinted out in front of the horses to greet his old friend.
“Question is, where the hell you come from, you old codger?” replied Jake, as he picked up Mister Mac like he was weightless and whirled him around. “Them hounds ought to have eat ya up ‘fore you got on the porch.”
“Put me down, you overgrown ox! I’m gettin’ old and my bones might break. And them so called bad hounds of yores ain’t nothin’ but house cats. I hollered one time and they took off under the house, tails tucked.”
After introducing their families, Lott asked, “Mister Mac, did you get to see Mamma? How’s she doing?” As they settled in front of a fresh crackling fire, Mister Mac replied, “Boys, I got good and bad news. What ya want first?” He took a big breath and filled his pipe.
“Mister Mac, don’t fool with us when we talkin’ about Mamma. This here is serious bus’ness,” scolded Jake.
“I’m sorry, boys. I forgot it’s been so long since you two has seen her.”
“Well first, she’s doin’ fine and is as healthy as ever. That’s the good news and the bad news is she’s going to marry ‘Fessor Johnson.”
“Johnson! That son of a bitch had me kicked out of school,” shouted Jake, enraged at the thought. “She must have gone crazy or sump’n. Damn, that makes my stomach turn.”
Lott, usually calm in such situations, suddenly became angry and grabbed a piece of firewood and hurled it at Jake barely missing him.
“Jake, I’ll tell you sump’n. You is the son of a bitch, and Mister Johnson didn’t get ya kicked out of school. Yore sorriness done it for ya. He’s a fine man, and if he loves Mamma and wants to take care of her, we ought to be proud for both of them. You ought to be ashamed of yoreself.”
Jake was shocked at his brother’s reaction. This hadn’t happened since they were children in Savannah. Jake quickly realized he had over-reacted.
“Lott, you didn’t have to throw that stick at me. You could’ve hurt me,” Jake said, as he straightened himself and tried to think of what to say to make amends.
In seconds, Sarah, Hatta, and Homer appeared to see what was happening.
“What in tarnation is goin’ on in here!” exclaimed Sarah looking the room over to see what caused the racket.
Mister Mac was leaning as far back in his chair as possible to avoid any melee and held his pipe behind his back to protect his treasured smoke.
Lott and Jake were glaring at each other, waiting for the other to make a move.
“That man over there throwed a piece of wood at me,” Jake said. “And it almost hit me.”
“Lott, you have never done sump’n like that to Jake before. What has come over you?” questioned Sarah.
“I throwed it and I wish it had got him, too,” muttered Lott, still angry.
“Jake, what you do to make Lott this mad?” questioned Hatta. “You talk ugly to him?”
“Naw, Mister Mac says Mamma’s gettin’ married to ‘Fessor Johnson, and Lott was takin’ up for him,” answered Jake who was now feeling embarrassed about the fuss he and Lott had made in front of Mister Mac and the family.
“Jake, is he bad man, this Johnson?” continued Hatta. “Does he steal or kill someone?”
“Naw, he don’t do none of them things.”
“I don’t see why you boys ain’t happy about yore mamma’s marriage. Ever since I known you, you been worried about yore mamma and concerned about what’s going to happen to her. If this man is good, you ought to be re-joicin’, not this fussin’ and poutin’,” concluded Sarah who had become angry herself. “And Lott Wilson, you ought to be ashamed for almost hittin’ yore brother. You could’ve hurt him bad.”
“And Mister Jake, yore bad words are comin’ out again and in front of little Homer. Devil is after you again,” scolded Hatta.
“And until you two get things straighten out, there ain’t going to be no supper tonight,” stated Sarah, as she and Hatta took Homer by the hand and led him across the hall to Hatta’s bedroom.
Mister Mac, who had remained silent, finally spoke. “I can see you two ain’t changed a bit. Always fussin’ and makin’ fools out of yoreself. You ought to be gettin’ tired of that by now. Either you two make peace and get them women back in the kitchen, or I’m takin’ this scrawny butt of mine somewhere else for supper—you hear me?” Mister Mac said, as he tried to relight his smoke. By the tone of his voice, the boys could see he was serious.
“Yes Sir,” replied Jake quickly.
“We are kind of good at being a pair of jackasses, ain’t we, Jake,” added Lott.
“Yeah, we is. And you got some kind of kick when you get that temper up,” replied Jake reaching out his hand.
When supper was finished, Lott turned to their guest.
“Mister Mac, I know we has always been the best of friends, but I feel you’ve come a long way to tell us sump’n besides a social call.”
“You always could read my mind. As soon as we finish our table talk, I want to talk to you and Jake in private, if’n that’s fine,” replied Mister Mac.
“Good as done, Mister Mac,” Jake said. “I’m ready to go up front now. Ladies that was some kind of fine meal.”
“Sure was. It was some of the best squirrel dumplings I ever put in my mouth,” Mister Mac said, as he rose from the table and gave the ladies a bow.
“We’re glad you liked it, but remember, no fightin’ up there when you start that talkin’,” Hatta said.
It didn’t take the men long to get relaxed around the fireplace, and in the meantime, Jake went out back to bring in some of his corn whiskey.
“Well, I’m going to get right to the problem, and I want you both to listen and don’t interrupt me till I’m finished,” Mister Mac said. “As you already know, the gov’ment’s gave
