Tacoma Falls: Homeland

Trust

Morgan

Trust is an interesting concept. It takes years to build it and seconds to destroy it. A single phone call shattered my world and trust. When Aunt Jessap called to tell me that Momma had died, my world imploded, decimating my trust: a trust that took years to build and mere seconds to destroy it.

I trusted Momma to live forever. She didn't. She left me before I was ready to say goodbye. I didn't have time to prepare. Then again, there's never time to prepare when someone dies.

The woman I could turn to when life got hard was gone and never coming back. The woman with sage advice was no longer here to offer it. I took spending time with her for granted. There will be tomorrow. I'll call her back later. I'm busy. All lies.

In the blink of an eye, the person is gone.

I stopped at the cemetery, grabbed the bouquet of assorted flowers and bottled water, and climbed out of my jeep. Hank offered to come with me, but I needed time alone with Momma.

I walked toward Momma's grave with the flowers and water, kneeled, and poured water into the vase. Then I removed the flowers from the wrapper and placed them inside the vase, arranging them so they brightened Momma's grave. I ran my fingers over her name in the bronze headstone. "Hey, Momma. I'm so sorry I didn't visit more often. You were right. I was a stubborn mule."

I sat on my butt and wrapped my arms around my legs. I told Momma about what happened with Rodney. I talked to her about my friends. Then, I spoke of Hank.

"You knew Hank cared for me, but you kept quiet. It wouldn't matter. I wouldn't have listened, thinking I knew better than you. I wish I hadn't taken you for granted. It's the one thing I regret the most."

A gentle breeze passed by me as I sat a spell with Momma.

*******
Hank

While Morgan visited her momma's grave, I went with Pa to Maury's office. For someone not needing legal help, I sure have seen a lawyer more times than I wanted.

We sat in Maury's office while Pa explained the situation between Grayson and that asswipe.

"What do you think, Maury?" Pa asked.

"There are only three witnesses to the altercation. It's hearsay and speculation about the actual events, which is inadmissible in court," Maury said.

"What if the sheriff arrears Grayson for assault charges?"

"The law can arrest Grayson, but it doesn't mean it proceeds further. Grayson has a clean record, which would work in his favor. Plus, Rusty didn't report the assault immediately. Time is crucial with arrests."

"So, you're saying that Grayson would get a slap on the wrists for his actions."

"It's hard to say. I don't want to get your hopes up and have them dashed. I would advise Grayson to keep his distance from Rusty."

Pa and I exchanged glances.

"Dalton, there's a fine line with assault, depending on the weapon used. It can result in a felony."

"Maury, Grayson was doing what he thought was right."

"But Grayson can't walk up to people and hit them. People won't hesitate to call the law on others nowadays. It's a slippery slope."

"What if Grayson hit Rusty to protect someone?" I asked.

Maury leaned back in his chair and rubbed his chin. "I would depend on the person who corroborated Grayson's story. If the person doesn't step forward, it won't help Grayson's situation."