Hortons Bend

not have interfered in your life except for the trespass by your sons. I won’t lie to you. It was an act of abomination by my friends here but we are no strangers to such violations. It just happened to have occurred on this sacred ground which has been in my family’s care for generations. I’m not going to explain my genealogy to you since you could not even comprehend what I am part of here on…..”Horton’s voice trailed off and he smiled at the old woman. “Let’s just say that I and my family are part of something much larger than you might be accustomed to.” Horton walked a short distance away and turned to look up at the sky. His wife, Ruby, joined him and took his hand into hers. Brody could not help but notice that she seemed very proud of her mate. Never before had he witnessed the type of true content that was present between the two. It seemed as though they were proud of being exactly where they were at this very moment.
    Horton’ s attention turned from his companion and back to his present company. He walked a few steps and picked up the burlap wrapped bundle. “Mrs. King I see that you have fulfilled your obligation. The package that Mr. Brody has returned to this land is so very important to us here. The Bend contains many artifacts but you know that don’t you Mr. Brody? My wife and I have acted as trustees for so very long and it was with great sadness when this object was removed. You see all of it is important but we understand human nature. Curiosity is innate to you but this item is a little different. It’s not a pottery sherd or an arrowhead as you call them. This item has an essential value that completes all that is shared here.” Horton paused while seemingly finding it difficult to convey the importance of the object. He sighed in frustration as he attempted to explain. Gently he continued, “This is not an artifact to us. It represents the now and the future. There exist certain tangible items that are beyond holy. They transcend everything. It’s too early for you. It will be centuries and centuries before you ever accomplish this. I hope one day your people will. I truly believe that one day there will be……understanding.” Ruby Horton again walked to her husband and comforted him by patting him on the back. Brody sensed their frustration in trying to explain things but it amazed him how their approached seemed other worldly. It was as if they were teachers of pupils who were not ready or perhaps not developed enough to graduate. Brody stood in rapt attention while Horton continued his lesson.
    “I mentioned that we have been trespassed upon before. Mr. Brody I know you have a keen interest in the arrival of the European intrusions on this continent. The Spanish did travel through this area. They left a trail of sacrilege along their way but found that this area, now known as Horton’s Bend, was a special place. It wasn’t different because the inhabitants were able to ward off intruders or that it was especially bountiful in the precious gold that they sought but rather because of the people. I’m not going to tell you what this area was called by the natives. You don’t need this information. But you should know that they were special to my people. They were gifted in the most important of aspects to us. We found them to possess an exceptional sense of humility, kindness, and the greatest love of their land and its resources. Today’s society cannot comprehend these values and it was here that my people gained a great hope and lost it at the same time.” Horton walked over to his ashen guardians and spoke a few words in a hushed voice. Two of the members, a man and a woman, nodded and walked away into the darkness. Horton turned back to Brody and smiled again. It was an almost defeated smile. It was almost a grimace that portrayed the appearance of an internal struggle and great sadness.
    “Mr. Brody I need a favor from you. I won’t expect you to do as I have done these many years. You have the heart but your life only has so many years. My time here is almost finished. I have fulfilled my duty but it will soon be over and I must leave this place. My replacement will arrive in the not too distant future and I want you to act as a temporary caretake r for Horton’s Bend. It won’t last long. We can’t afford that. When the time comes you will be notified that your duties are over here. But I do need for you to leave this land alone. I know your