Sissie by John A. Williams

Author:John A. Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781504025904
Publisher: Open Road Media

10

With some reluctance he went home one Saturday to see his daughter. He had neglected to call April and learned that she and the child were out of town. April’s father told him this with great relish through clicking, ill-fitted false teeth. The old man did not invite him in. Concealing his anger, Ralph left the presents.

He borrowed a car and drove aimlessly around the city, and finally came to a greenhouse. He bought a dozen roses, then drove to the cemetery, turned off the asphalt road and onto the gravel. He stopped the car and gazed at the patches of snow, the tough, short grass. He took the roses, got out, and trudged through the snow and mud until he came to the three graves. He was glad he hadn’t worn a hat. He’d have felt foolish taking it off.

Beloved Son

Robert Joseph Joplin

Corporal, Army of the United States

1930–1951

This, the newest grave, was closest to the road! Sissie no doubt had had it arranged that way so that Rob could protect Juanita and Mary Ellen. He remembered how they had gone down to the Union Station in Los Angeles to receive the lead-sealed coffin. The United States flag had been draped over the coffin and an honor guard had been in attendance. Sissie had stared at the guards; they were alive, those white boys, and Robbie lay dead. “Goddamn them,” Sissie had said, but she hadn’t cried.

Ralph walked to the grave, the roses in his hands. Perhaps Sissie and Big Ralph, separated for so many years, had stood here together in the rain, getting Robbie laid away, to use Sissie’s expression. What had they been thinking, each of them? Ralph knelt before the grave. He set the roses at the head and rose quickly. Three-fifths of the family rested here, and not one of them had had a good or a full life.

He knew that he must see his father, but remembered that Big Ralph worked late even on Saturdays. Football would be their only topic of conversation.

He drove back to the city, returned the car, and walked slowly into the downtown section. He stopped for coffee. The farmers from the country were in with their broods. He moved through the rustic crowds and came to a stop before the window of a store and stood looking in just to waste time.

“Hello.”

He knew it was Jeanette even before he turned around. “Hello, baby,” he said, in a tone devoid of emotion; he reached for her hand and kissed her cheek. It was as if they had seen each other only the day before.

“Why are you smirking?” she asked, smiling herself.

He said, “I’m not smirking. I’m smiling because I’m glad to see you. Surprised.” He was not. He had always expected her to appear again one of these days. Behind them the main street traffic moved slowly north and south. The street reminded Ralph of those small Western towns one sights suddenly coming around a curve.

Once more she tilted her head and said, “I’ll bet,” and they both knew what she meant.

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