ECHOES OF THE PAST

 

 

            Eighteen-year-old Jody Baxter was dancing with his girlfriend Sarah Reynolds at the Christmas doin's. He felt that he had never been so in love. It seemed to him that he could waltz her around the dance-floor all night. When the band took a break, he stepped outside for some cool fresh air.

            "Hey, fellers," he greeted the Forresters, who were already out there for the same purpose.

            Instead of offering him a return greeting, they eyed him quizzically.

            "Somethin' wrong?" the smaller man wondered.

            Gabby said, "Boy, that gal you was dancin' with...."

            "Sarah," Jody said, beaming at him.

            "Yes." Mill-wheel eyed him ruefully. "Jody, she's Buck's gal."

            "What??" Jody's gaze flew to Buck's face in utter astonishment, half-expecting Buck to grin and say that they were just joking.

            But Buck's expression betrayed no amusement. "Boy, don't you figger she's a mite old for you?"

            He was dumbstruck. "I think she's a mite young for you."

            Buck stared at Jody, and his expression was unpleasant.

            "Well, ...I mean...." Jody fumbled.

            Lem chuckled low in his throat; he was savoring this.

            "But...but...."

            Buck said ironically, "I recollect I told you, long ago, you'd git your britches dusted many a time, time you git to courtin'. But I admit, I never figgered it'd be done by me." The large, bearded man took a few steps in Jody's direction.

            "You ain't serious." Jody's eyes were wide and disbelieving. He took as many steps backward.

            "Don't I look serious?"

            Gabby guffawed. "Buck and Jody're gonna fight it out!"

            Lem moved forward. "You don't think I aim to be left outta this."

            Mill-wheel suppressed a grin. "I reckon that's my cue to go he'p surround him." He approached as well.

            "Oh come on!" Jody protested, backing away from them, and looking quickly from one to another with increasingly panicky eyes.

            Arch remarked, "Looks like you three'll hafta learn Jody like you same three learnt Oliver."

            Pack commented, "Now I don't wanta be left out agin. Do you, Arch?"

            "This ain't funny!" Jody protested, as Arch and Pack quickly circled around him, to keep him from backing away any farther. Still chuckling, Gabby joined them. And Jody was stuck, with nowhere to go.

            "Fellers, don't!" Jody implored. "Please!! Don't do me like you done Oliver!!"

            "Now, Jody," Buck said sternly. "Iffen you're old 'nough for courtin', you're old 'nough to deal with quarrels like this'n."

            "Not like this!"

            "This is the way. Now, you throw the first punch."

            "No." Jody slowly shook his head. "I'll not."

            "Then I will," Lem said.

            Jody saw it coming, and immediately dropped to all fours, ducking the blow.

            "Coward!" Lem accused. "Git up!"

            Jody rose, but only to his knees. He looked to Buck and raised his hands. "I surrender. I submit."

            "What??" Buck demanded in disbelief.

            "I give in. I give up. I'll not fight you."

            "Boy," Mill-wheel declared, "That ain't the way."

            "Maybe not. It's my way. You win, Buck; she's all yourn. I'll leave her be. I swear. I promise."

            The big men watched him with varying levels of disappointment and disgust.

            "I wanta go home. Please, jest leave me go home."

            They let him.