The Unquiet Earth by Denise Giardina

Author:Denise Giardina
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 1992-08-01T16:00:00+00:00

Homer laid a corpse in the front room of the house. All the neighbors come by with food, hams and fried chickens and deviled eggs and potato salad and chocolate pies, until Louelly had to send some of it to Rachel Honaker’s house to put in her big freezer. It was enough food to make do a month on, and that is the way folks are.

Arthur Lee Sizemore come to pay his respects. He brung a big ham from the company, and Louelly made him eat a plate of food. After he eat and picked his teeth, he pulled some papers out of his jacket.

“Louelly, I’m real sorry,” Arthur Lee said.

Louelly kind of ducked her head and didn’t say anything.

“Hassel, you can have off work a week and I’ll still pay your salary,” Arthur Lee said. “I know this family needs you right now.”

“I’m obliged,” I said.

He handed me the piece of paper. “I come with a form for Louella to sign. It’s just a formality.”

I read the paper quick as I could. It had lots of long sentences like lawyers use to take up room, and then it said that the American Coal Company was in no way responsible for the injury or accidental death of said employee, Homer Raymond Day.

“It’s what we always do,” Arthur Lee said. “It just means this was an accident and there are accidents in coal mines. You know that, Hassel. Always have been and always will be.” He looked at Louella. “I’m just as sorry as I can be. Homer was a good man and a hard worker.”

Toejam was setting on the floor beside the coffin, taking in every word.

“Hit weren’t no accident,” he said.

Arthur Lee looked at him funny. “Now, son,” he said.

“Jesus took my daddy,” Toejam said. “Jesus don’t make no accidents. Hit’s all a-purpose with Jesus.”

Arthur Lee kind of laughed and looked relieved. “Louelly,” he said, and held out his hands.

Louelly had her arms folded acrost her chest like she does when she’s feeling muley. “Toejam’s right,” she said. “I can’t sign.”

“Hassel,” said Arthur Lee, worried again. “You see that casket your brother’s laying in. That there is the best casket money can buy, courtesy of the company.”

“We’re much obliged,” I said.

“You’re a good worker,” he said again.

“Thank you,” I said.

Arthur Lee looked like he couldn’t think what to do. “I’m sure Homer would want Louella to sign,” he said, looking at me instead of her.

“I won’t sign,” said Louelly. “Hit were a bad roof.”

And I thought Arthur Lee would faint dead away. “Now, Louella,” he said, “you got no proof of that.”

She nodded toward the casket. “It’s what he said. That’s my proof. But don’t you fret none. We won’t file no claims. The Lord settles such like.”

I could tell Arthur Lee was relieved at that, but some people will not fear the next world until it is right up on them.

We did appreciate that there coffin from the company. It was silver and so smooth that when we

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