Our mountain was a close-knit one. Everyone knew everyone and there were few secrets, at least anything that was a secret didn't stay that way for long. But I remember in the Fall of 1934, during my freshman year of college, when I discovered a dark and chilling secret about a pillar business in our community. It still disturbs me to this day.
October 26, 1934
"Hi children," John greeted his children six youngest children as they walked home from school.
"Hi Daddy." They called back.
Jason went over to talk to him.
"Daddy, do you know when John-Boy will be back?" Jason asked his father.
"Anytime Son, if I had to guess. He always gets home a little earlier than usual on Fridays. I think his writing class gets out early on Fridays. Something I can help you with?"
"Well, I have to write this paper and I have no clue where to begin. I was hoping maybe John-Boy could help me. Maybe he did this assignment last year. I guess my big brother got all the talent."
"Look at me Jason." John gently spoke to his second oldest son.
Jason looked up.
"Don't ever let anyone tell you that you aren't talented. Don't ever convince yourself that you aren't talented. You're just talented in a different way. Your music is your talent. I doubt your brother could play the guitar as well as you can or sing and remember all the lyrics the way you can. We all have our different talents, Son. You sure as heck wouldn't want me up on that stage with Bobby Bigalow. I'd scare them all away with my 'vocals.'"
Jason chuckled.
"You may have different gifts, Jason, but you have just as much talent as your brother."
"Thank you Daddy. I think I'll practice the piano until John-Boy gets here."
"That's more like it." John smiled, patting his son on the back.
John-Boy walked in the front door to hear Jason playing Bach's Prelude In D Major.
"That sounds nice Jason." John-Boy smiled after his brother finished.
"Oh John-Boy, I didn't even hear you come in. Can I ask you for some help?"
"Sure, no problem. What is it?"
"We have this big writing assignment to do. I was wondering if you could help me." Jason handed the paper to John-Boy.
"Oh, I remember this from last year. Sure I'd be glad to help you. Let's go up to my room."
The boys went upstairs. They worked on the writing assignment for about half an hour.
"John-Boy," John called.
"Yes Daddy,"
"Can you run down to Ike's for me? I have a couple things I need you to get."
"Sure Daddy."
John-Boy and Jason walked down to Ike's.
"Hey Ike,"
"Hi boys, how are you doing today?"
"Better now that school's out." John-Boy smiled.
"I'm sure." The kind storekeeper said.
"My daddy has a few things he needs." John-Boy handed the list to Ike.
"All right. I'll be right back with these." Ike said.
Jason grabbed a bottle of Coca-Cola. "You want one John-Boy?"
"Sure." John-Boy said. "That sounds good."
As the boys were drinking their pop, a bag of flour fell off the shelf, knocking two cans of soup off as well. The broom in the corner fell down as well.
"Wow, what a ruckus!" Jason laughed.
"Really." John-Boy chuckled.
Ike came back.
"We didn't touch anything, honest." John-Boy said.
"I believe you." Ike said. "That hasn't happened in a long time." He said quietly.
"What?"
"Oh nothing. Here's the items your dad needed."
"Thanks Ike." John-Boy set the broom back up in the corner.
"See you later." Jason smiled.
"Have a good day boys. Tell your family hi for me."
"We will."
John-Boy and Jason stepped outside.
"What do you think he mean by 'that hadn't happened in a long time'?"
"I'm not sure." John-Boy said. "I'm sure it was nothing."
"Probably." Jason agreed.
The boys returned home with the things for their father.
"Ike said to tell you hi." John-Boy said.
"How's ol' Ike today?"
"Good. It was funny where Jason and I were standing there. Lots of things fell off the shelf and even the broom in the corner fell down."
"Really?" John asked, laughing a little.
"Yeah. It was weird." John-Boy said.
John nodded, but he appeared far-off.
"Well, we'll leave you to your work Daddy." John-Boy said.
"Thanks for getting the things boys."
"You're welcome." Jason said quietly.
The boys went inside up to John-Boy's room.
"Did you notice Daddy's reaction to what we told him about what happened at Ike's?"
"I did." John-Boy replied.
"Call me crazy, but I think the two are related."
"What do you mean?"
"Does Daddy usually act weird when we tell him a few things fall off a shelf?"
"Not usually, he'd just laugh it off."
"Exactly." Jason said.
John-Boy nodded.
"Something strange is going on." The 16-year old added.