Susie sent her husband to the Richardsons’ with an apple pie, the scent of which filled the cab of Callie’s old truck, making his mouth water as he reached Walt’s driveway. Callie parked at the start of the driveway, although his truck was known all over that part of Harrison County. It was better to be reserved when approaching any white man’s home, especially when the man of the house was away.
Callie didn’t consider the stranger any representative of the Richardson family; he and Susie had talked about it last night once their daughters were asleep. Susie felt God had sent that man to Karnack, although she didn’t know the reason. Callie assumed his wife was correct, she usually was about things like this. She had accurately predicted the gender of all four Richardson offspring, although Dora’s two miscarriages hadn’t been expected. Susie seemed to think Dora was again in the family way, but Callie wouldn’t insinuate anything so personal. He’d wait for Walt to tell him, which if Susie was right wouldn’t be until well after the new year.
Carrying the pie in two hands, Callie hummed as he walked, staring toward the back of the Richardsons’ house, but the shed door was closed. Callie wore a small smile, which widened considerably as Dora stepped onto the porch, little Gail in her mother’s arms. Callie was fond of all the Richardson children, but after that last miscarriage, to see Dora with a healthy child…. “Good morning Miss Dora,” he called, holding out the pie.
“Morning Callie. Now, what’d Susie do this time?”
He approached the house, but wouldn’t step on the porch. “Oh you know Miss Susie. Too many apples in the barrel, she says.” He put the pie on the front step, then backed away, taking off his cap and wringing it in his hands. “How you feeling today Miss Dora?”
Her smile was slow, then she chuckled. “Okay. And you?”
“Oh, you know, doing all right.” But he didn’t smile. Around Dora, Callie could let down a little of his guard, especially a subject about which he would never speak with Walt. “Still quite a shock you know. We’re all just tore up over it.”
Now Dora looked stricken, and for a second Callie regretted mentioning it. Then she sighed, kissed Gail’s head, setting the child on the porch. Gail toddled toward the pie, making her mother giggle. “Don’t you think about it girl.” Dora picked up the pie, then smiled at Callie. “This’s just beautiful. Susie’s such a blessing.”
“She is a blessing indeed.” Callie grinned, letting the previous subject pass. Then he cleared his throat. “So how’s he doing this morning?”
Dora looked to the side of the house. “Ate all his breakfast, urine’s clear, finally.” She sighed, then smiled. “Seems eager to meet you.”
“Is he?”
Dora nodded. “I was standing by the door when Walt told him about you coming to check on him. Must know a few Negros wherever he’s from. Says that sweet potato pie tasted just like home.”
Callie laughed. “Well, that’s a surprise. I’ll hafta see if Susie’s the best baker.”
“Well, you let her know if he thinks she is. Otherwise, his opinion doesn’t count in my book.” Dora again gazed at the pie. “Callie, thank you. And please tell Susie….”
“She’ll come with me tomorrow afternoon if Walt wants more help.”
Now Dora looked pained. “Yeah, I’ve been not feeling so good lately.”
“Well, you just take care Miss Dora.” Callie looked at Gail. “And you take care of your mama, okay?”
“Pie?” Gail asked both adults.
“No pie now, but after supper….” Then Dora giggled. “Actually, Mama’s got Esther for the morning. Maybe we’ll have a slice when they come back.”
“Well, give Miss Hannah my regards.”
Dora had a sly grin. “Oh I’ll be sure to tell her you said hello.”
Callie laughed. “Indeed. All right, off to meet Mr. Doe.” Callie tipped his cap to the ladies, then put it back on for the short walk to Walt’s shed.
The first knock was soft, then was followed by two more. Those stirred the man, who had been dreaming about something from his past. He blinked, trying to recall the memory, then grunted in frustration. “Yeah, come on in,” he mumbled.
“Mr. Doe? I’m Callie Bolden. Mr. Walt told you I’d be stopping by today.”
“Come in, sorry, I was taking a rest.” The man hadn’t thought of himself as John since Luke left for school. He smiled, then looked up, a large Negro grinning back at him. “Nice to meet you,” John said, then he chuckled. “I’m John Doe, at least for another day.”
“Well Mr. Doe, it’s a fine pleasure.” Callie Bolden gripped a weathered cap in his hands, then stuck out his left, which at first confused John. Then he realized the significance and shook it warmly.
Their eyes met and John could only gape at the man. He looked so familiar, but the precise manner of similarity eluded. “Please, sit down,” John said softly.
“All right, I will.” Callie pulled the metal chair back a few feet, then sat, still gripping his hat. “How you feeling today sir?”
“Uh, okay.” John hesitated, for that wasn’t the truth, but only with Walt had he been completely honest. From his right elbow down, his arm felt as if on fire, while the upper part was totally numb. That numbness extended into his chest and neck, although sometimes he could feel his collarbone. That morning he had stood on his own for nearly a minute, but then had felt so weak, he thought he might pass out. Walt had stayed right beside him, then demanded that he not get up again unless someone was present. John took that to mean maybe Luke, certainly not Dora. But around this man, John thought it might be time to again get to his feet.
“Are you really feeling all right?” Callie asked, raising his eyebrows.
John chuckled. “No, actually I’m….”
He sighed, then explained his symptoms. Callie nodded, then placed his hat on the little table near the head of the bed. “All right, let’s get you up, see what happens.”
John nodded, then sighed loudly. “What?” Callie asked.
“It’s just that it’s gonna hurt. But I don’t have much choice, do I?”
“No sir, I’m afraid you don’t. Why don’t you sit up as best you can, then I’ll lift you on this side.” Callie gently tapped John’s left shoulder.
“Yeah, that’s probably the best way.” Using his left arm, John maneuvered himself in a mostly upright position. Then he slowly swung his legs over the bed, letting them dangle until he found the floor. He pressed his feet onto the bare ground, which felt cool under his toes. He was still dressed in Walt’s old clothes; did this man know that Walt had found him undressed? John stared at Mr. Bolden, how he thought of him. “How long’ve you known Walt?” he suddenly said.
Callie looked taken aback. “Um, well, we both was born and raised here, so I guess I’d say all my life.”
John nodded. “Do you have any idea how I got here?”
Callie shook his head. “No sir, I surely do not. Mr. Walt don’t have no idea neither.”
“He said when he found me my arm was hanging by a thread.” John looked at his bandaged shoulder. “Said he could’ve taken it off with a pocket knife. Then the next day it was like it is now. Except now it hurts like hell and I kind of wish he’d have cut it off.”
Callie nodded. “Yes sir, I imagine it’s pretty sore. But let’s try and get you up sir. You’ll feel a lot better if you can be up and about, yes sir.”
John didn’t try to move. “Mr. Bolden, something terrible’s happened to me. I don’t know my name, someone shot me and left me for dead, and now this family’s, they’re, they’re….” John inhaled deeply. “I don’t wanna cause them any trouble, you know what I mean?”
“Yes sir, I do understand. But you’re not gonna get better by lying in bed.”
John sighed, then nodded. “I know, it’s just….” Now he shook his head. “Go on, lift me up, let’s see what happens.”
“There you go sir.” Callie smiled, then gently hoisted John to his feet. John’s legs wobbled, but it
was easier to lean against Callie’s bulk than on Walt’s tall but slender frame. “Let’s take a few steps Mr. Doe,” Callie then said. “But just a couple, don’t wanna overtire you now sir.”
John chuckled. “You’ve done this before, haven’t you Mr. Bolden?”
“What sir?”
John took a step, then one more, then stood still. “You know how to get someone to do your bidding.”
“Oh now sir, I’m just a friend of Mr. Walt’s, just helping him and Miss Dora you know.”
John laughed. “And you have a wife who makes excellent pies.”
“Well, Miss Susie does have a knack for pie crust, yes she does.”
John chuckled, then he paused. “Something about that doesn’t fit.”
“What sir?”
John faced Callie, looking him up and down. “You remind me of someone, oh my God, someone I know well. Jesus, who is it?” John closed his eyes, then opened them, staring at Callie’s head. “I don’t mean to be rude, but when did you start losing your, well, your….” John raised his eyebrows, then looked at the top of Callie’s head.
“Oh sir, I was just eighteen when this happened.” Callie laughed, running a hand over his mostly bald head. “Well, maybe seventeen. Most of it was gone when I got home from….” He paused. “Let’s get you back in bed sir, that’s about all you need to do this morning.”
“From Korea, you were gonna say Korea, weren’t you?”
Callie was just easing John back onto the bed. “How’d you know that?”
“I don’t know. But whoever you remind me of went to Korea too.”
Callie pulled up the metal chair, then sat right across from John. “Don’t tell me he was a Negro.”
John smiled, shaking his head. “I don’t think so. I do think he was in a need of a hat though.”
Both men chuckled, then Callie again rubbed his head. “Well, if you remember anything else, be sure to tell Mr. Walt.”
John nodded. “I’ll do that.” John studied Mr. Bolden’s face. “Something about Luke’s eyes are familiar too, they’re so blue. And his sister, Tilda, she reminds me of someone else, Christ, it’s so damn frustrating!”
John slammed his left hand onto the bed. Then he inwardly shivered, recalling how Luke had chastised him for swearing. “I’m sorry, excuse my language.”
“Don’t bother me none sir. I heard much worse in the army.”
Now John smiled. “I guess you did. So did my friend, he doesn’t swear much either. But then he’s Catholic so….”
John laughed, then he gasped. “Oh my God, I remember, his name is, it’s…. Oh come on, come on!” John closed his eyes, but other than a balding white man, nothing more emerged. John sighed, then opened his eyes. As he did, he gasped again. Callie was shaking his head, twisting his cap tightly in his hands.
“What’d I say now?” John inhaled sharply, then let it out slowly. “Please Mr. Bolden, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to….”
“Whatever you do, don’t tell Walt, you hear me? Oh good lord, don’t you tell him at all.”
“Why not?”
“I’ll tell you why not, because Walt can’t stand Catholics. He finds out your best friend’s Catholic, he’ll up and think you are too.” Callie stood, setting the chair beside the bed. Then he looked at John. “Are you Catholic?”
“I, I dunno. I guess I must be if my best friend is.”
“Well now, let’s not get in a rush. Walt’s probably my best friend and I ain’t white.”
John smiled. “You must not be Catholic either.”
Callie laughed out loud. “Oh no, I ain’t no papist, that’s what Walt calls them. But between you and me, if I coulda, I woulda voted for Mr. Kennedy. But that’s the past. Now like I said, you keep this fella to yourself, you understand? Although you said he was in the army, right?”
“Yeah, he served in Korea. God, how can I remember that and not my own name?”
“I don’t know sir, but it’s a start. You just keep all that to yourself and I’ll tell Miss Susie how much you liked your pie. I brought another, apple. Maybe you’ll remember something after you have a bite.”
“Maybe. I’ll tell you though, your wife makes one of the best sweet potato pies I’ve ever had.”
“One of the best?” Callie acted insulted, then he grinned. “I won’t tell her that part.”
“It’s very good, but I’ve had it before and….” Now John’s head ached. “Too much for one day. But thank you, it felt good to get up.”
“Did it?”
John smirked. “It hurt like hell, but I gotta start somewhere.”
“Now that you can share with Walt. But not about your friend, you remember?”
“Yeah, I’d gotten the feeling he wasn’t too upset about what happened.”
“No, he wasn’t. Now let me also tell you that while Walt is one of my very good friends, we don’t share all the same views. As I said, if I coulda, well….” Callie shrugged. “It was a pleasure meeting you Mr. Doe. Maybe I’ll come by tomorrow, we can continue our little therapy session then.”
John nodded. “Mr. Bolden, that would be my pleasure.”
“Oh now sir, you call me Callie.”
“Only if you’ll call me John.”
Again their eyes met. “John it is,” Callie smiled. He extended his left hand, which John shook with all the strength he had. Then Callie clasped John’s hands in his own. “John, you take care today and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You take care too Callie.”
“That I will do.” Callie grabbed his hat, tipped it John’s way, then waved as he exited the shed.
As soon as he was outside, he put back on his hat, then walked to the front of the house. Dora stood on the porch, but Gail wasn’t with her. Dora’s mouth twitched and she looked frightened. Callie glanced back at the shed; had she overheard them? “Well, I got him on his feet,” Callie said flatly. Then he met Dora’s eyes, which were large in her face. “Can’t be up for long, but if you and Walt want, I’ll stop by again tomorrow, maybe in the afternoon. I’ll bring Susie with me if she’s done teaching.”
Dora nodded, then stepped to the edge of the porch. She peered around the corner, then gazed at Callie. “Did he say his best friend was….”
“Yup.”
“Oh my lord!” She clasped her hand over her mouth. “You think he’s….”
“I don’t know. Neither does he. And for now, what he doesn’t know is just fine regarding that matter.”
Dora shivered, then nodded. “Callie, I can’t stop thinking about it. Can’t tell Walt that, but….” She sighed, then folded her arms over her chest. “It’s just so terrible.”
“It is indeed. Miss Dora, all we can do is pray for Mrs. Kennedy and those children, pray for President Johnson, and pray for that man in there.” Callie motioned toward the back of the house. “We’ll pray he remembers who he is and then he can be on his way.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re right.” She wore a half smile, then she swallowed, covering her mouth with her hand. Before Callie could speak, Dora ran to the side of the porch, then vomited. Callie walked to where she still leaned over the porch, then he handed her a handkerchief.
She wiped her mouth, then stood, staring at him. “Thanks Callie, thank you.”
“You’re welcome Miss Dora. You gonna be all right?”
Her lip trembled and she gazed at the shed. The door was mostly closed, but Callie imagined John had heard Dora being sick. “I’ll be all right. Give Susie my best.”
“I’ll do that. See you tomorrow?”
She nodded. Then she reached out her hand, the handkerchief grasped in her fist.
“You keep that,” he said. “Might need it later.”
Now she chuckled. “Did Susie tell you?”
“Tell me what?” Callie feigned ignorance.
“Go on,” Dora smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you then,” Callie said, heading to his truck, hoping that if John wa
s Catholic it would remain lost to the man, or at least unknown to Walt.
Chapter 169