THE VALUE OF TRUST

 

 

            Mrs. Hutto was inside of the church for the Christmas doin's along with the rest of the townspeople, when suddenly the "bear" entered. Like many, she screamed. Unlike most, she did not attempt to climb out of the windows; she suspected that her old bones would not tolerate the maneuver. So, as one of the few still inside, she saw her dear friend Ezra Baxter enter with those dreaded Forresters, and she saw him spring forward, yank the bear-hide back, exposing yet another Forrester within, while yelling, "Git outta that thing, Buck, afore you git shot!" The Forresters roared with laughter at their "joke" upon the townsfolk.

            'Buck,' she thought bitterly. 'One o' the ones that hurted Oliver so bad.' And now, here he was, scaring the entire town, enjoying it, and entertaining his evil brothers. And Ezra was with them yet! Even Jody, she now saw.

            Not even tempted to hold back, she stormed over toward the mostly burly group. "Who said you-all was wanted here?!"

            Turning solemn, Buck eyed her. "Now Mis' Hutto, don't be startin' nothin' you cain't handle."

            The other Forresters were exchanging glances.

            Mill-wheel warned her, "We don't wanta hafta hurt a ol' woman."

            She glared at both of them who'd spoken, as well as at Lem, whom she recognized as the only unbearded Forrester.

            Arch followed her gaze and chuckled. "She sure knows which three o' you to hate for beatin' Oliver."

            All of the Forresters laughed with him except Lem, who looked as if he did want to hurt her, despite what Mill-wheel had said.

            Mrs. Hutto addressed Arch, "After what them three done to my baby, how you 'spect me to feel?!"

            Lem guffawed. "Baby!"

            Enraged, without thinking, she raised her right fist straight up, her arm parallel to her body.

            Lem eyed her dangerously, and his five bearded brothers appeared to consider accepting a challenge from her.

            Ezra grabbed her almost roughly and urgently steered her away from them. "Don't you know better'n to do that?!" he hissed, and then added in a whisper, "After what you said 'bout Oliver bein' senseless, I'd not've figgered you'd risk doin' the same thing he done!"

            "I wa'n't gonna hit him!"

            Her friend rolled his eyes at her. "Olivia, you know they're dangerous!"

            "Ezra, I know that as good as you!"

            "Well then why tempt 'em??"

            Still watching and listening as best they could, the Forresters tittered at hearing her call him "Ezra" instead of "Penny." They never heard anyone else do that, except Ory.

            Glaring at them over Penny's shoulder, Olivia dropped her volume almost below a whisper. "I'm so afraid Oliver'll come home tonight for Christmas, and walk right in here! I don't want the Forresters here iffen he does!"

            "You got no choice! You shore 'nough cain't chase 'em out!"

            Penny didn't hear Buck come up on him from behind. The big man laid a hand on the small man's shoulder. Penny startled briefly, regarded Buck sheepishly, and then cast the same sheepish look apologetically past Buck to the other Forresters as well.

            "I'm sorry 'bout this." He pitched his voice for all of them to hear. "Sometimes it's so awkward bein' so close to both your families, and you hatin' each other so much. But b'lieve me, you're both wonderful and worth it." He again lowered his volume. "Now, Olivia, listen to me. And Buck, please stay; this is for your ears, too. Olivia, Buck is a good man, and Mill-wheel, too. I understand why you'd think not, but it's still true. Them two saved my life, Olivia! When I was snakebit. And then, Buck stayed and takened keer of our whole family for weeks after, whilst I recovered."

            "When was this?!" she demanded in stunned amazement.

            "Only a month after the fight."

            Olivia stared at Buck, as conflicting emotions chased each other across her face. The big man regarded her pensively.

            Penny went on, "Now, Olivia, iffen I was you, I'd trust Buck. I think you should tell him what you jest told me, what you fear, rather'n wait and see iffen it happens. He might even find a way to he'p you. And at least, he'll show you compassion."

            Buck regarded Penny appreciatively, and then turned to Mrs. Hutto expectantly.

            At first, her hands moved helplessly, desperately, and she couldn't find the words. But then Buck took her hands in both of his, and held them gently. Penny marveled at the sight of the big rough hands clasped around the small, dainty, fragile ones.

            Tears came before the words. "He's the only one I got! I know he ain't still a baby, but I wish he still was, so's I could still protect him!"

            Buck's gaze on her was tender, sympathetic.

            "I know he's too hot-headed, but he's the whole world to me! And I reckon I'm the same way: too quick to rile, so how kin I blame him? But with you-all, we're in over our heads! I don't like to admit that, but you-all're too dangerous to fool with! My boy's too stubborn and prideful to admit it to nobody else but me, but he has admitted it to me, that he jest cain't handle you-all! And I'm so afraid somethin' awful'll happen to him! And you-all're here now, and I'm so scared...!"

            Gently, Buck asked, "Mis' Hutto, are you tellin' me he's here?"

            She saw in his eyes that, even if the answer were yes, that he wouldn't just run off to tell the others and go after her son. She had his pity, and his concern.

            "No," she responded honestly. "But it's Christmas...."

            "Is he comin'?"

            "I don't know." She was passionately honest in tone and expression. "He ain't told me when he'll be back."

            "But you're afraid he will. Whilst we're here."

            "Yes!" Her tears overwhelmed her. Without even thinking, she buried her face in his beard. He automatically put his arms around her and held her. Her arms went partway around him in return. Penny was awed at the sight. He looked to the other Forresters. still watching from a few yards away, and saw that they were utterly stunned. Even Lem.

            Automatically, the big men were drawn to the unique sight. They came quietly, and stood nonthreateningly around the pair, along with Penny.

            When Mrs. Hutto finally raised her head, sniffling, and saw them, she blurted, "Oh please don't hurt him no more! Please don't kill him! He's ever'thin' to me!!"

            The Forresters, despite their dislike of Oliver, couldn't help but be moved by the pathos of her plight.

            Mill-wheel moved toward her tentatively. "You don't even know for sure he's comin'? Then, why fret...?"

            "I cain't not worry! I'm afraid for him! Afraid o' losin' him!" She grew quieter. "And he's afraid of you-all, too."

            Reluctantly, Buck said, "I don't know iffen I kin speak for my brothers." He glanced at them. "But I'd not like to hurt somebody who wanted out of it."

            Mill-wheel nodded in support. "I don't fight somebody who don't act quarrelsome."

            Arch, Pack, and Gabby readily agreed.

            Everyone turned to look at Lem. Mrs. Hutto regarded him brokenheartedly. Try as he might, he couldn't avoid her eyes.

            But brusquely, he still said, "I cain't see Oliver not bein' quarrelsome with us."

            "You'd be surprised," she responded quietly. "You didn't see him huddlin' in bed cryin', and then later sneakin' 'round real keerful, allus fearin' comin' up with you-all 'round the next corner."

            Even Lem couldn't withstand that image without shock, and at least a modicum of pity. "All right." He sighed heavily. "Dependin' on how he acts."

            But when her face collapsed, and she almost went to hug him, he stepped back a pace, raising peaceful but rejecting hands, and nodding a placid acknowledgement. She herself seemed mildly relieved, and settled for a fervent, "Thank you!"

            Hours later, Oliver stepped into the church, with a cautiously jovial expression for Christmas. He saw the Forresters at the same moment that they saw him. Oliver froze in place. The six huge men didn't smile, but they didn't glare or look aggressive. They gave him a brief tolerant nod, met his eyes for only a moment, observed his fear, and turned away, returning to their business with others.

            By that time, his mother was all over him with hugs and kisses.

            "Ma??" Oliver queried in amazement. "What jest happened here??"

            "They promised not to hurt you! Long's you don't start it."

            An hour later, Oliver inadvertently bumped into Buck, and took the opportunity to thank him. "I...I...I...shore 'ppreciate...."

            "That's all right." Buck would've left it at that, but Oliver's expression was so poignant that he reached out tentatively to lay a hand on his shoulder.

            Naturally, all of the Forresters were watching. Mill-wheel said, "Relax now. Go have fun."