The Gardener's Son(8)

MCEVOY Where’s the old man?

No one answers.

MCEVOY Where’s Martha?

They regard him nervously and he turns and goes on through the house, looking in rooms.

MCEVOY Hey.

He returns to the front room. He looks at the old women.

MCEVOY You all get out. I dont know you.

OLD WOMAN We caint leave. We give word to set up with her.

MCEVOY I want you out.

The old women regard each other. The two seated are nervous, are ready to rise and leave. The one standing sets her jaw. When McEvoy sees her he flies into a rage. He hobbles to the door and flings it open and screams at them.

MCEVOY Get out! Out, damn it!

The two seated ones rise and scurry past and out the door. The other takes a last look at the coffin and giving McEvoy a hard look she goes past him. Outside she turns as if she'd say something to him but he slams the door in her face. The wind from the door sets the candle guttering. McEvoy goes to the casket and looks down. He takes the coffin lid up from behind the box and fits it over the top of the coffin and then he leans on the coffin and lets his head fall forward onto his clasped fists.

Interior. The McEvoy parlor. Darkness outside, the only light the candle which is now burned down low. McEvoy is sitting in one of the chairs with his hands folded in his lap. The door opens and Martha enters. She comes forward and kneels in front of him.

MARTHA Bobby?

MCEVOY When did she die?

MARTHA Yesterday. Early of a mornin.

There is a long moment of silence.

MARTHA You got the letter?

McEvoy takes a crumpled letter from his shirt pocket. He smooths it absently and looks at it.

MARTHA I know you come quick as you could.

He looks down at her. He looks at the letter.

MCEVOY I wish you hated this place like I do.

He shakes his head.

MCEVOY No. I dont.

MARTHA Did you want me to fix you some supper?

He shakes his head no.

MCEVOY She was supposed to been took back up home.

MARTHA Its all right.

MCEVOY No it aint.

MARTHA Its done been arranged. Bobby. For her here.

MCEVOY She aint going to be buried here.

MARTHA What do you aim to do?

MCEVOY He’s got the money. He could of took her up there on the train.

MARTHA He cant stand it. Bobby. He’s just tore up . ..

MARTHA We went up there last year. He and Mama. We seen our old place up at Pickens and we went to Greenville and I seen Captain, Bobby. He was harnessed to a wagon in the street and he knowed me, Bobby. And we was up there three days . . .

MCEVOY Where's he at?

MARTHA I dont know. I sent Maryellen up to Clabo’s. He wouldnt have her buried today he said give Aunt Fern and them time to get down here but they aint comin. Bobby. I know they aint. I prayed ever day for you to get my letter. From the time she first took sick .. .

MCEVOY When trouble once finds a house it stays on. You caint get shed of it.

MARTHA Dont be that way Bobby.

MCEVOY What way am I?

She looks down. She doesnt answer.

MCEVOY You dont know how I am. You dont know me.

MARTHA You’re still my brother.

MCEVOY The good book says all men are brothers but it dont seem to cut no ice, does it?

Exterior. Early evening. The greenhouse that Patrick McEvoy used to tend. Weeds grow by the greenhouse wall and a number of panes are stoved and broken. Robert McEvoy approaches the greenhouse and pushes in the door. It creaks back on its hinges. Lizards scuttle dryly in the late sun. Inside are withered pottings. He enters and pokes about. While he is there an old man comes to the door and looks in.

OLD MAN Who’s that?

Robert turns. The late sun throws shadows of dead weeds across him. The old man is squinting in at the door.

OLD MAN Who’s there? Come on out.

Robert McEvoy comes to the door and faces the old man. The old man looks down at his leg and his crutch.

OLD MAN Ah. It’s you.

ROBERT I was looking for my father.

OLD MAN Ye’ll not find him here.

ROBERT Where would I find him?

OLD MAN Got to keep these boys out of here. They’ve broke some more of these lights. See them there lights? Busted em out.

ROBERT What’s it used for?

OLD MAN How’s that?

ROBERT What’s it used for. The greenhouse. There’s nothing growing in here.

OLD MAN Well. Uh. Hmph. Dont have to be used. Aint no sign to tear it up just cause it aint used no more. Rock it plumb out. See here?

He pokes with one finger at some rocks lying among the dead and wilted boxes.

OLD MAN Just cause a thing aint used is no need to beat it to death with rocks.

ROBERT I was looking for my father. He’s the gardener.

OLD MAN I know who he is. But he aint the gardener. Not no more he aint. You see any gardens?

ROBERT No.

OLD MAN Not big on gardens here no more. Gardens is always the first thing to go.

ROBERT Where you reckon I might find him at?

OLD MAN I always knowed him for a sober man. Days work done why would he not be home?