Hortons Bend

thought you would be getting dressed for work.” Paul shook his head. “I’m going in a little late today. I’ve got some notes I want to look at before going in.” She patted him on the back and said “Ok…well sit down and enjoy your breakfast. I’ve got to get ready. I’ll be back sometime in the early afternoon.” She walked in the direction of the bedroom and left him to his pancakes.
    Brody was sitting on the porch swing when his wife bid him good bye. As she was pulling out of the driveway , Brody began to concentrate on all the possibilities of last night’s disaster. He was certain he could feel his blood pressure rising. Brody also became convinced that Lacy would find out and he had no way to explain to her why he acted so impulsive. Brody realized too that he had jeopardized everything his wife and he had worked so hard for in life. It also began to sink in that he had thrown all his ethics in anthropology out of the window. And he had convinced Darwin to be part of this scheme. It had been a criminally stupid scheme that could have gotten both of them either arrested or hurt. Brody could not believe how eternally foolish he had been to compromise both himself and Darwin. He took his work in anthropology very seriously up until now. Should he go ahead and tell Lacy or wait and see what happens on Monday? If Darwin refuses to go back to the museum, there will surely be consequences and questions from Barbara Peabody. She had specifically told him that any more involvement with the Horton property would result in his termination from the museum. “Christ Jesus what have I done?” he thought to himself. Paul Brody also made a promise to himself that if this mess managed to clear itself up he would turn his back on anything having to do with Horton’s Bend.
    When Lacy pulled from the driveway, Jeanie King was also leaving her home that morning. She too had gotten up early that morning preparing what she knew she had to do this particular morning. She had no profound guilt for not having done it earlier as she had put her faith in the Lord and the Lord had answered her. While having her morning coffee, Jeanie considered all the possibilities but could not imagine where they might lead. She had always been a spiritual person in tune with nature. Her beliefs were something she had instilled in both of her boys but she knew deep down that Ronnie had probably benefited from her convictions more than J.W. Ronnie should have gotten a better education but like her he was a determined sort. Their father had been the same way in willing to sacrifice for the good of others. She was not ashamed that Ronnie had not received a higher education but had resigned herself to the fact that she and he had done the best that they could.
    Jeanie had ma de her preparations for the contents of the box and gave careful thought to what she was going to say. It was most important to handle this situation delicately. She was asking a lot and would understand if the task could not be completed. There are no guarantees in life and this was certainly a fine example of the lack of sureties in this fragile journey. Still she would be persistent and hope for the best. It was her only hope left.
    Meanwhile, Brody calmed down and walked around his yard wondering what he would do with himself the rest of the day. He knew for sure that it would be a long weekend of worry. After a while he was able to take his mind off the debacle by weeding Lacy’s flower bed and looking for further chores to keep him busy. As he walked to the shed in the back yard, he heard a vehicle turn in his driveway. Brody half recognized the vehicle until it got closer and recognized the driver. Jeanie King? “Oh god” he thought “I’m not sure if I can handle another thrashing.” The pickup truck pulled up alongside his Toyota and the driver gave him a small wave and a smile. Brody managed a wave and a smile in return but remained confused to the purpose of her visit. Jeanie got out of the truck and looked back in the cab to check on its contents before she walked towards the archaeologist.
    “Mr. Brody I hope I haven’t caught you at a bad time.” Jeanie asked. Paul immediately assured her that she had not. “No Mrs. King. I was just doing some yard work. How have you been?” he asked. The old woman did not appear as defiant as their last visit but instead had a look of almost defeat. She smiled again and said “Please Mr. Brody….call me