Love Songs: The Wrong Note - A Collection of Short Stories

3

That was when Enos noticed it for the first time.

It came as a shock to the reed-slender man of the earth.

Abraham was going to fat.

He was three years younger than Enos.

The farmer's face was brown, and the crows' feet at the corners of each eye were deeply etched into his leathery skin. Abraham's face was full, his double chin cutting into the stiff collar binding his neck.

***

"You know," said Abraham, "the way I see it, you're getting the best end of the deal. One hundred acres, plus the fifty I'm throwing in extra because we're practically family. And you know Mother. She just wouldn't hear of anything else. She insisted I give you at least fifty extra."

Enos looked down at the earth again, hoping its ancient wisdom would filter through the thin, holey bottoms of his worn brogans. With his head still lowered, Enos seemed to be talking more to the dirt than to the man standing three feet in front of him.

"Your mother's a fine woman, Abraham," Enos said. "And I know my Mother, God rest her soul, thought the sun rose and set in her. Stanora loved your Lilly Mae like a sister but Mama had her doubts when Lilly Mae sent you to your uncle. I gotta say, after you finished your schooling and came back and all and set up your office, Mama couldn't say enough good things about Lilly Mae's decision. And I know that Lilly Mae must be bustin' with pride over you, too. I ain't got no doubts about that."

Enos looked at Abraham. The lawyer seemed to swell up three sizes right before the old farmer's eyes.

Sayin' his ma is proud of him makes him look fluffier than a thick hoecake, Enos thought.

"That's a mighty fine automobile, Abraham," Enos said. "It must make you mighty proud, too."

Abraham glanced back at his car. His face broke into a broad smile, and for a moment, the lawyer fought back everything except how good it made him feel to own such a wonderful piece of American ingenuity. That car did make him feel superior. Like a truly modern man.

"She is a beauty," Abraham said. "My pride and joy. That automobile makes me want to jump our of bed every morning and travel down new roads. See new sights. Broaden my horizons. Experience unknown adventures. I swear, Enos, it makes me feel young again."

Enos smiled.

"Yep," the farmer said. "I reckon it would, at that. But I don't know about hoppin' in it every morning. Seems to me like you'd be sparring with a pole cat every day of your life."