Come Home to Us, Randy: {Chapter 10: Part 2: Tearful Revelation}
Well, anyway, more'n a year after they burned our barn, there was a killin' and the law got involved an'd there was a trial; Randy continued. And what happened after that, Randy?;
Betsy asked. Well, I was a witness to the killin' so I had to testify to what I saw, and because of my testimony the Claiborne that did it got sent to prison; Randy answered.
And did your telling the truth cause trouble for your family, Randy?; Betsy asked gently. It did, Betsy; Randy said quietly. After that happened Claiborne's kin all swore they'd finish
the score, an'd after that things just got worse for us all; Randy continued. Anyway, one night a pack of em' came to my daddy's place with guns an'd torches threatin' to burn
us out; Randy said. The leader told my daddy to either hand me over to him or they'd burn him out; Randy said. How awful, Randy!; Betsy said softly with tears in her eyes.
An'd Daddy flat out refused to do it, Betsy; Randy said next. They shot him down right where he stood; Randy said, tears coming to his own eyes. Mama made me hide myself in our
old root cellar outside so they would'nt find me; Randy said. That was the last thing she was ever able to do for me; he said. She saved my life, but she could'nt save hers; Randy said,
the tears flowing freely now. I'm so sorry that happened to you, Randy; Betsy said, hugging him gently. It was'nt your fault, and you were'nt to blame, Randy; Betsy said gently. In fact, if
anyone was to blame, it was the ones that chose to do those awful things to your mama and daddy, Randy; Betsy said. I know that; Randy said sadly. After it was all over, the preacher
an'd my granpa, grandma, an'd my uncle came and saw to the buryin'; Randy continued through the tears. And then I just packed up what I could carry, an'd said my goodbyes, an'd I
just high-tailed it west; Randy said. Mama made me promise I'd go west if anythin'g ever happened to her an' Daddy; Randy said through the tears.