Musings & Threads. An Old Man’s Right

An Old Man’s Right

“Luke Johnson! What do you think you’re doing?” Luke’s sister Janie asked rather indignantly as Luke continued packing his suitcase.

“Please, Janie, you are not going to stop me this time!”

“Luke, you are not well, stop this foolishness right this minute!”

Luke turned to face his older sister and the years came flooding back. The car accident, Janie took care of him when there was no one else, he got better but he stayed, now he’s an old man and those years after the accident all gone, gone. Janie got used to having him around, Luke got used to being around, and he stayed.

“Janie, it was a mistake my staying so long. I love you and you have been so kind to me for all these years, but I have got to find her again, got to, I don’t have much time left now.”

“I know Luke, I know. Tell me if you need any help packing.” Resigned, Janie turned and walked slowly back down the stairs, knowing this time she had to let him go.

It was frightening that day, the day of the accident. They didn’t think Luke would live, but he came through. Janie was single and took Luke in when his wife left, said goodbye in his hospital room his wife did, I’ll be back tomorrow, she said, but they never saw her again. They both knew she wasn’t able to deal with the accident and the long painful recovery that would take place. She was young and she just left and didn’t come back.

They did hear from her once or twice over the years. She never married again. Wound up raising horses somewhere in Kentucky, had herself a winner once. They thought she’d come back one day, but she never did. And the years moved on, but Luke never could move on from her. Jessy, that was her name, how Luke did love her!

“You know Janie,” Luke called out as he dragged his suitcase down the stairs, “Sometimes you just gotta let this old man do what he’s gotta do.”

“I hope it works out, Luke, and you find her.”

“Oh, I’ll find her alright, but can I make her stay this time. That’s what I’m wondering about.”

“Luke, you sure seem determined about this. I hope you are doing the right thing.”

“Janie, I am doing what this old man should have done years ago. Now don’t fret none, and don’t go cryin’ on me neither.”

Janie smiled, held back the tears, actually they both held back tears, and then he was gone, the car kicking up the dust from the old dirt road that the county never did get around to paving. Janie waved one last time and then went back into the house.

Luke made it to Kentucky. The folks living at the address Luke had never heard of Jessy. They thought maybe next door, them folks have been around for years Luke was told. A middle-aged woman answered, yes she remembered Jessy, sweet old woman she was. I don’t like telling you this sir, but Jessy’s been gone five years now. Well do you have her address, I gotta find her after all these years. She died sir, you won’t find her here.

Luke’s face sank. He thanked the woman and started to go. The woman asked, “You wouldn’t happen to be Luke Johnson now, would you?”

“Well yes ma’am, I am.”

“I think you ought to know, Jessy never did forget you, even after all those years.”

After a long pause, Luke replied, “Reckon the same it was for me ma’am, never did forget Jessy, never will. Much obliged to you for telling me. Best be going now. It’s a long way back to Oklahoma.”

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This story was inspired by Crowd Around the Corner, a song written and recorded by Earl Thomas Conley (1941-2019). The lyrics follow.

Those stormy years leave deep and endless trails across his face
He'll wander back when morning rolls around
For it's an old man's right to spend his life just searching for a place
Where he can sit and watch the sun go down

Time's run its course and freed the horse that pulled him through his prime
And placed a different light above his brow
Now towering rows of buildings grow in fields he left behind
And life seems twice as heavy as a plow

With his golden chain the old man clings to the watch inside his vest
That tells him when it's time to move along
Just rambling through the avenues, he'll sometimes stop to rest
But it's hard to find a place where he belongs

So crowd around the corner, boys, and take your good old time
And pass along a piece of yesterday
A tender breeze of memories is blowing through your mind
Softer than those strands of silver-gray
And sweeter than the things we've seen today

If you are so inclined, close your eyes and take a listen.