The boys hurried to obey their father’s orders. I thanked them, then watched as they led Thunder away.
“Don’t worry. He be fine,” said Sam Perry. “Pasture’s fenced. That horse, he ain’t goin’ nowheres. My boys take good care of him.”
“I don’t doubt it,” I said.
Sam Perry led me up a path toward the porch. On either side of the path was a multitude of flowers, petunias and snapdragons, marigolds, pansies, and even roses. I stopped to admire them. “They somethin’, ain’t they?” said Sam Perry. “They my wife’s and the Lord’s doin’. Lord sends the seeds, the rain, and the sunshine, and my wife, she do the plantin’ and the tendin’, and she mighty good at it too. She don’t ’low no weeds. Ole weed show his face, he be yanked outa there ’fore he know’d what hit him.” He laughed and motioned toward the porch. “Why don’t you rest yo’self up here a spell. It’d be cooler than inside. I’ll see ’bout gettin’ us somethin’ t’ drink and let my Rachel know ya here.”
“Well, I thank you,” I said, “but I think I’ll just admire your wife’s flowers a bit longer.”
“Admire all you want,” said Sam Perry with another laugh. He went into the house and I remained on the pathway taking in the beauty of the garden. The flowers were splendid, planted knowingly to bring out the best of each. The tallest were in back, the most delicate, the smallest in front, and there was a pattern to them, with rows of purples and reds and oranges and yellows arranged in intricate designs. Each side of the flower yard was bordered neatly with stones. The garden made the little shack look almost grand. An artist had been at work here.
“So, you like flowers, do ya, Mister Paul Logan?”
I turned. Caroline was standing at the side of the house holding a bucket of water. I smiled and tipped my hat. “Yes, ma’am, I do.”
“Well, good,” she said, “’cause one thing we sho’ got plenty of, it’s flowers. Might not have much else, but we sho’ got plenty of them.” She glanced at the porch. “Papa with you?”
“Yes. He went inside to let your mama know we’re here.”
“Then he be back in a minute, I reckon,” Caroline said. She switched the bucket to her other hand as if to alleviate its weight. “I got to carry this bucket on to the back of the house.”
I moved toward her. “I’ll be happy to carry it for you.”
“No, sir, thank ya. This water goes to the kitchen, and one thing my mama can’t abide is a lotta folks in her kitchen.” She then looked toward the house and called, “Papa! Papa! You comin’?” She received no response and looked at me again. “You go on up t’ the porch there and wait outa this sun. Papa won’t be long.”
Her words were an order, and for one so young she seemed mighty sure in giving orders. I tipped my hat to her again and started up the path just as Sam Perry opened the porch door and came out holding two large tin cups. Caroline glanced at me with a smile, then disappeared around the side of the house. I stepped onto the porch and took both the cup and the seat Sam Perry offered, and he sat down beside me. Just about that time several of the Perry children came onto the porch. Two of the youngest, who looked to be about three or four, immediately climbed onto Sam Perry’s lap, while the older ones stood bare-foot, leaning against the posts and staring at me.
Sam Perry laughed. “I got me quite a houseful, ain’t I? And this here ain’t all of ’em. Got me a baby crawling in the house and another boy older’n Sylvester and Calvin there, and course I got my girls, Callie and Caroline. Now they’s all the ones still at home. Got two others, my oldest boy, Hugh, and my girl Risten, married and on they own. Eleven in all! Got me three grand-babies, and this here’s one of ’em.” He tickled the neck of the little boy sitting on his knee. “This other one here with these big eyes and pretty smile, she’s another one.” He grinned wide and the little girl giggled, then hid her face. Sam Perry laughed.
Before dinner was ready, all the Perry children appeared on the front porch. I figured I was a bit of a curiosity to them, and they mostly just stared at me with only mumbled words to say. Caroline came out, and so did Callie, to order all the children to the back porch to wash up, and their older sister Risten brought a bowl of fresh water, a towel, and some soap for their father and me. Of all the Perrys, only Miz Perry didn’t make an appearance on the porch. When dinner was announced, Sam Perry ushered me into his house.