Kent Haruf - Eventide

Did you physically try to stop him?

Well, like I says, I was in there. Then he come and hit me cross the neck. It’s still stinging me. Luther rubbed at his neck beneath the shirt collar.

What did you do after he whipped you with his belt?

I went back to take care of my wife.

What was she doing?

She was laid out bawling about all what was going on.

So in fact you didn’t do anything.

Luther looked at the judge, then he glanced at Betty, then he faced forward again. I went in there to stop him. But he whipped me cross my neck. With that belt of his.

Yes. I heard you tell the court that you did that much. But just entering the room where he was whipping your children didn’t stop him, did it. That wasn’t enough.

He says he’s going to kill us.

Sir?

He says he’s going to kill us if we done anything.

Mr. Raines told you he would kill you?

Yes sir. That’s exactly what he told us.

That he would kill you if you tried to prevent him from whipping your children.

Yes sir.

If we told on him too, Betty said. If we called somebody on the phone.

That’s right, Luther said. If we called somebody, he says he’s going to hear us, and he’s going to kill us like we was dogs.

So he threatened you both.

He put a threat on us both right in our own house, Luther said.

The judge looked at the file on his desk for a moment. Then he raised his head. This is the second time this has occurred. Isn’t that right?

Yes sir, Your Honor. He done it once before, Luther said.

Do you know where he is now?

No.

Where do you think he might be?

He could be about anywhere. He might be in New York City.

New York City. Do you think that’s where he is?

Might be Vegas too. He’s always talking bout making a killing in Las Vegas.

The judge looked at him. Well. I thank you both for your testimony. You may sit down.

The judge then called the guardian ad litem. The young attorney stood and approached the table and reported his interview with the two children. He closed by submitting his own recommendation to the court.

I’m to understand from what you’ve just informed the court that you concur with the recommendation of the county attorney and the Social Services? the judge said.

That’s right, Your Honor.

Thank you, the judge said. He looked out into the courtroom. In a case like this one, he said, I have to make two determinations. First, on the filing of the Petition of Dependency and Neglect. Secondly, I must make a determination about the custody of the two children. The court has heard the various parties involved in this case. Is there anyone who wants to say something more?

Betty stood up from where she sat behind the table.

Yes? the judge said. Do you have something more to say, Mrs. Wallace?

You’re not going to take my children, are you? Betty said. I love my children.

Yes, ma’am. I appreciate that, the judge said. I believe you and your husband do love your children. That’s not in dispute here.

Don’t take them. Please.

But Mrs. Wallace, it’s evident to the court from the testimony we’ve heard today, including your own testimony, that you can’t protect them. Your uncle has abused them twice. For now, they’re better off in foster care.

But don’t take them. Please don’t.

The court has to decide what is in the best interest of the children.

They’re suppose to be with their mama and daddy.

In most instances, that’s right. The court makes every effort to keep the children with their parents. But in this case, it’s the court’s decision that they’re better served by being placed in foster care. At least for the time being. Until your uncle has been found, Mrs. Wallace.

You mean you’re going to take them away?

You may still see them. Under supervision. They won’t be taken out of the local vicinity. They’ll still be in Holt County and you can visit them on a regular basis.

Oh no! Betty cried. Oh no! No! No! Then she screamed something that was not even words. Her voice rang in the room and it echoed shrilly against the dark paneled walls. She fell back into the church bench and banged her head. Her eyes rolled wildly. Luther tried to help her and she bit his hand.

The judge stood up in surprise. Somebody help her there, he said. Somebody bring this woman a glass of water.

AFTER HIS SUPPER OF FRIED MEAT AND FRIED POTATOES, sitting alone at the pinewood table in the kitchen, the house so silent and still with just the sough of wind outside, he rinsed off his meager dishes at the sink and moved into the dining room. He took down the phone from the wall and carried it on its long cord to the parlor and sat in his old recliner chair and called Victoria Roubideaux in Fort Collins.

I was just picking up the phone to call you, she said.

Were you, honey? I just figured it was about my turn. I was wondering if you knew when you and Katie was coming home for the summer. I hope you’re still coming.

Oh, yes. Nothing would change that.

I’ll sure be glad to see you. Both of you.

I’ve only got another couple weeks of classes, then finals.

How’s your classes going?

Okay. You know. It’s school.

Well. It’ll be nice to have you home for a while. How’s my little Katie?

Oh, she’s fine. She talks about you all the time. Here, do you want to say something to her?

The little girl came on.

That you, Katie? he said.

She began to talk immediately and her high voice was clear and excited at once, and she was telling him something about day care and some other little girl there with her, and he couldn’t make out much of what she was saying, but he was satisfied just to hear her voice. Then Victoria took the phone again.

I couldn’t get all of that, Raymond said. She’s a talker, ain’t she.

She talks all the time.

Well, that’s good.

Anyway, I plan to be home by Memorial Day, she said. I’ve been thinking I wanted to take some flowers out to the cemetery.

He’d like that.

I think about him just about every day.

I know. I been catching myself talking to him again.

What do you talk about?

Oh, just the work around here. Like we used to do. Making up our minds about what to do concerning one thing or another. I’m just turning old and crazy, I reckon. Somebody ought to take me out back of the barn and shoot me.

I wouldn’t worry about that. You’re not really worried, are you?

No. I guess not, he said. Well. Now how about Del. I guess he’s still in the picture.

Yes. We were out together last night. We took Katie to a movie downtown. That reminds me — do you think you could use him this summer during haying?

Does he want to do that?

He was asking about it. He wanted me to ask you if you thought that would be all right. If he came out for a while this summer.

Well sure, I could always use another hand. He’d be welcome.

Okay, I’ll tell him, she said. But what about you? Have you seen Rose Tyler again?

Well. We been out several times. We been out to eat dinner.

Are you having fun?

Yes ma’am. I believe you could call it that. At least I think so.

I’m glad. I want to meet her. I haven’t even met her yet.

I believe you’re going to like her. She’s a awful fine woman to me. I want to get us all together once you get home.

And have you been taking care of yourself?

Yes. I’d say so.

Have you been eating right?

Pretty good.

I know you haven’t. I know you don’t eat right. I wish you would.

It’s just awful quiet around here, honey. You say you’ll be home by Memorial Day?

Yes. As soon as I can.