Chapter 4

It had been a month since Buddy and I stayed in Franklin County, and we have never been happier. Jack and Cricket have been teaching Buddy to play ball, and Howard had been very generous on keeping an eye on him for me while I worked my shifts at the station. Smokey comes by every evening for a meal and pie. Forrest, however, had often kept to himself. I would catch him sneaking a peek at me a few times, but would brush the thought from my mind; thinking I was foolish to even consider a man like Forrest would ever be interested in a woman like me. When he did look at me, I felt as though the world had stopped spinning for just a few moments before his eyes left me. When he looked at me, I felt safe and it was as though I was immortal. I felt like nothing could go wrong, but God seemed to have another plan.

It was a normal afternoon, Buddy had found some other kids his age to play with and business was slow. Jack, Howard and Cricket were drinking one of their finest jars of apple moonshine while I baked an apple pie. Jack was sharing a stories of their childhood, before their folks died from the spanish influenza.

"You should'a seen Howard back then," Jack stumbled on his words. "Was as skinny as a twig, he was and Forrest was always mama's favorite-"

"Shut up, Jack. Yer drunker than a lonely sailor!" Howard spat out at his younger brother, grinning from ear to ear.

Jack giggled like a girl. "Ruth, why dontcha take a break and have a drink. Cricket made it himself."

I took the pie from the oven, placing it carefully on the bar. "oh, I couldn't-"

"Sure ya could!" Jack interrupted. "You work to damn hard. Come join us." Smiling sheepishly, I accepted the men their offer and walked up to the table they had been sitting at. I took a spot between Jack and Howard, sitting up straight and my hands laying gently on my lap. The men looked at me funny, making me feel a little self conscious. I pushed the thought away from my mind and looked at the jar Jack set in front of me. "Try it, I promise you it's the best brandy you'll ever drink."

I stared down at the jar of amber liquid. Looking back up at the men, they stared back with anticipation. I slowly took the jar with my hand and took a sip. The liquid burned my throat instantly, but it tasted of sweet apple at the end. After swallowing, I coughed from the burn and tried to keep it from coming back out. Moonshine was the most harshest drink I have ever tasted.

Jack and Cricket giggled from drunkenness and my lack of experience with liquor. I let out a breath and smiled at the bitter drink. "Well, if you ask me, this is the worst drink I have ever tasted." I admitted, letting my thick southern accent come out. The men stopped laughing wholeheartedly and stared at me strangely again.

After a few seconds of an awkward silence, Jack spoke, "I don't mean to sound rude, Miss Ruth, but where'd you say you was from?"

"Jack-" Howard warned.

I was shocked by the question, but I trusted the Bondurants and Cricket enough to tell them the truth about myself. "Well," I paused for a moment after seeing Forrest walk through the screen door. His light blue eyes looking deep inside my soul. I forced myself to look away from Forrest and looked down at my lap. I cleared my throat before answering, "Well, Buddy was born and raised in South Carolina. I, however, am from Whistle Stop, Alabama." There was another awkward silence. I shifted my eyes from the three gentlemen. When I caught a glimpse of Forrest, the look in his eyes were filled with curiosity rather than knowing. This was a look I have never seen him give before. I looked back down at my lap from shame. "Buddy doesn't know where I am really from and I'd rather keep it that way for a while."

"What about yer folks?" Jack asked innocently.

"Jack," Forrest grumbled loudly.

"Oh, no! It's quite alright," I smiled at Forrest, reassuringly. "My daddy died when I was twelve and my mama got ill a few years before Buddy was born. She died before I left my old life, but it was for the best."

Forrest walked up to our table slowly, while looking at me. Though I wasn't watching him, I felt his eyes on me, forcing me to look up at him. When I did, our eyes met. He looked away quickly, like a child had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. It could have been my imagination, but I saw a light tint of pink brush through his cheeks. My heart fluttered lightly at the thought of Forrest looking at me in a way that would be inappropriate. Forrest sat himself down between Cricket and his older brother. This was definitely a first.

I stood from my seat almost instantly, "how would you fine gentlemen like to eat some of my apple pie? It's my mama's recipe."

"Sounds pretty damn good, Miss Ruth!" Cricket exclaimed with excitement.

I lightly chuckled to myself as I walked behind the bar, taking out forks, plates, and a knife. It was then I felt the peace and happiness I never thought I deserved, until it happened. It had all happened so fast that I only remember it as though it were a blur. First I heard the whistle from the train, thinking nothing of it for I had gotten used to the sound. Then the screams of children being heard from the distance.

"BUDDY!" they screamed in unison.

I dropped the plates that were in my hand, letting them crash and shatter on the wooden floor. My heart had stopped, but my body bolted itself through the kitchen and out the door. I ran so fast, huffing and puffing from the lack of oxygen. I felt my throat tighten, trying everything I could to prevent the tears from falling. Flashes of Buddy Sr ran through my head. The images of his perfect handsome face, pleasant smile and charms, then his body being crushed by a train. I refuse to let that happen to my son. I prayed to God as I ran to the tracks that I will do everything in power to make sure I die before he does. When I had reached the tracks, I felt the tears run down my cheeks. Howard and Jack bolted past me, running to the other side of the stalled train.

One Week Later…

The Butterfield's Lullaby played beautifully by Smokey's bugle. So many people had come to the service, and I was very surprised. Everyone was dressed in black and wearing their best clothing, including Forrest, who was standing next to me. The days were becoming colder; summer was sadly leaving us. I looked up at the sky, listening to bugle being played. The children remained quiet, and the men stood like statues. I tried my best not to laugh at the seriousness, but I failed terribly. I pretended to cough softly so it wouldn't sound like I was chuckling.

Toward the end of the sad song, I leaned in to Forrest and spoke softly, "I understand having a funeral for an arm, but I don't understand why Howard's gotta go on and call him 'Stump'." Forrest only responded by a low grunt and a twitch of the mouth. I giggled softly to myself, knowing Forrest did find it has humorous as I did. When the song finished, Buddy turned to me and smiled as widely as he could. I smiled back, putting three fingertips to my lips, blowing him a kiss. "Alright everyone, we got some pie and ice cream waiting for us!" The children yelled with excitement, running toward the station. I looked down at the tombstone, lying on the ground. 'Here Lies Buddy's Arm. He will be forever missed'. The Bondurant brothers and Cricket stood around me as I stared down at the tomb stone. Smirking, I looked up at Forrest, "My daddy always used to say there was a separate god for children."

Bet you all thought Buddy Jr. died, didn't you? I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Don't worry, more drama and craziness to come.. (not sure if that is a real word or not, but I like it)