Chapter 17:

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Installment #18 of:Sing Low: The Hangman of the WoodsBy B.C. Crow (Chapter 17Some wicked men accuse him of stealing children out of their homes. This lie only serves those who escape his noose. How else could they save face when confronted about their missing children? This deed is practiced openly, still they lie about it. Their own conscience condemns themselves. Yet they would rather harm this mentally challenged, disfigured man, who gives his all to provide a second chance at life to the innocent. If nothing changes, then one day you and they will look up and beg “Have mercy on me, and send this Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool our tongues; for we are tormented in this flame.”I’d grown used to spending the first several of hours of each day away from Midnight. But this time, for the first two hours of my hike away from her, I felt a heavy longing to return. My mind replayed our conversations. Had I really just proposed marriage to this girl? Well, maybe she proposed to me. But it had happened!The thought made me giddy. The more I imagined it, the lighter my steps felt. Before long I was practically skipping through the forest. The very idea of a life with Midnight had been unimaginable only a year ago. Now I could hardly wait to be with her again.My biggest dilemma was, of course—should I tell my mother? I was young. Too young to even be thinking of marriage. I’d lost track of the exact day, but in another few weeks I would be seventeen. By the time I came back for Midnight, we’d likely get married at eighteen years old. Young still, yes. But not unheard of. The bigger shock to everyone would be that I, Iddo, had found such a beautiful and sweet girl who was willing to marry me. So, no. I wouldn’t tell my mother—yet. I might tell her that I had a girlfriend, but I would leave it at that.Late that night I arrived home. Our humble home was dark, and I knew my mother must be sleeping. Not wanting to wake her, I lay outside in front of the house and fell asleep. I anticipated dreaming about Midnight, but my subconscious had other things to sort out. Of all things, I dreamed of Duy. In my dreams, he and his fellow Believers were using their powers to battle the witch from the woods, with all her dark magic and poisonous serpents. The witch was strong in her power, but the Believers were stronger. Stronger, that is, until Duy was expected to contribute. Once he got involved, the witch gained the upper hand.For some reason, Thing Two was there encouraging and criticizing him. The witch just smiled. Her snakes bit Thing Two then turned toward Duy. “Dere aw no second chance for you life,” she hissed. “We chosed we own path. Second chance aw for help auders dat we would ave helped, if we been able. Me own you now. You be doin’ what me tells you do, for now and always.” The snakes all reared back then lunged to strike Duy—I woke with a jolt.The sun was just peeking over the horizon. The morning heat was about to wash over me. The familiar smell of a cook fire drew my attention to the side of the house. My mother was already awake, heating a small pot of rice. Her smile was the sort that couldn't be removed, not even with a metal pry-bar. Not counting the extra wrinkles brought on by her grin, she looked much older. Wet puddles of tears had yet to dry from several creases that I'd never seen in her face before now."I'm so sorry, I wanted to let you know I was all right, I-"She didn't let me finish. Her arms were around me in seconds. Apparently she hadn't exhausted her crying. Her breath came in ragged sobs. "What happened Iddo, where have you been? Are you okay? Your hair, it's so short."My mother, my wonderful mother. She looked radiant. Fresh tears leaked from her eyes and I couldn't help but let some of my own squeeze out too. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes glistened. But she was happy. Then without warning, she grabbed a ladle from another pot and smacked me on the top of my head.“Are you trying to kill me?" She scolded. "I was so worried for you! You better have a good explanation.”I rubbed my head. I could still hear the metallic thump of steel on skull. Two months had passed since school let out. I'd had two months to figure out how to explain my delay and I was stumped. The nauseating sludge of guilt oozed into me, filling me with a sickness I never thought possible from a simple emotion. She stood in front of me with fists on her hips, that ladle still clutched in her right hand. That large steel spoon hurt and it threatened to give me another good whack if my story wasn't good enough. Maybe she would give me one anyways just for good measure.There was no way I could tell her about the witch. She’d never let me go back to school again. But this was my mother and I couldn’t lie to her. I thought quick and hard. It was insanely difficult. How were other boys able let their mothers down so often and still go on living?“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you worry. I just had a few extra lessons to learn after school ended. I didn’t mean to be so late in coming.”They say that the best lie is one with some semblance of truth. Well, I did learn some lessons. I’d learned that there is a God, though I didn’t know much about Him except that He’s more powerful than a devil woman. I also learned that I loved a girl who would one day become my greatest treasure. I even remembered the dream that I’d just had. It was so vivid, almost like I had something to learn from it also, but I couldn’t figure out what.“You could have written. We may not have a phone, but your uncle does. Why didn't you call him? Iddo, I thought the woods had swallowed you! You can't do this to me.""I'm sorry, I was so caught up in everything, I didn't even think-""That's right. I sent you to college and you still can’t think!" The ladle raised in the air again. My hands shot up to defend myself but it didn't come down. Instead my mother pointed it at me as if it were a dueling sword. "You may have moved out mister, but that doesn't give you the right to ignore me. I called the police and the school. Nobody knew where you were. I nearly charged into the woods myself in search of you. If it weren't for you uncle, I just might have. And don't you go telling me that you enrolled in any summer classes, I already asked the school about that. Your newspaper hadn't heard from you either. So what were you up to?""I was staying with friends, and I lost track of time." I felt bad for not telling her everything. I felt even worse that she caught my little fib. I felt bad for admitting that I'd been selfish. I felt so bad that I didn't even try to stop the ladle as it came down hard again on my forehead. Wow, she was strong when she was angry."I'm still mad at you, but I am relieved that you are safe. I don't care if you delay coming home. But next time you better write, even if you make it here before the letter does.”“Yes, Mother,” I said through a growing headache.While breakfast was cooking, she sat down on the ground in front of me, her flare of rage returned once more to the loving smile I'd known all my life. How could she still love me after that? “So I want to hear all about it.”“All about what?” Did she suspect something more? The way she sat with that new glimmer in her eyes made me suspicious. Was it that obvious that I was in love?“Your schooling. You’ve wanted this for a long time. How’s it going? You found work at a newspaper—how was that?”I sighed. Of course, school. I should have guessed.“And who is the new girl in your life?”I jumped in surprise. “Girl?”She smirked. “Do you think I can’t see the glow in your eyes? You can’t hide something like that from your own mother.”I smiled. No, I guess I couldn’t. But maybe a few details could still be hidden. At least until a more appropriate time.We talked all through breakfast. I told her about my roommates, my job, schooling, and a little bit about Midnight. Luckily my mother got hung up on her name and didn’t pry too deeply beyond that. She found it difficult to believe that any adult would name their child Midnight. I didn’t tell her that it was probably other kids who’d given her that name.Talking with my mother was nice. She even left for work a little late. Since there was nothing for me to do at the house, I took to wandering. Maybe I could find some small jobs to help her out while I stayed. Mostly, though, I didn’t want to be bored sitting at home. There were plenty of neighbors to visit and I did talk with some of them. Somehow I was drawn toward the marketplace and onward to the school of journalism that I’d attended not so long ago.For maybe the first time in my life, I noticed the smells of my hometown. Obviously I’d smelled them before, but this was different. From the dried fish market to the lime dusted streets near the Tusk plant, my hometown was welcoming me back.As I looked at my old school, despite my dislike for the profession, I couldn’t help but admire the building with a sort of nostalgia. I didn’t go in. Classes were out for the summer here, as well. I turned back around, retracing my steps in the direction of the marketplace. On a whim, I turned up a street I’d rarely walked. It took me through the richer neighborhood where Krystal lived. Surprisingly her father’s house was among the more dilapidated homes in the neighborhood.I heard a commotion coming from inside the home. A woman in her thirties came running out of the house. Her tight skimpy clothing suggested a profession meant for the most desperate. Krystal’s father followed not far behind. He was missing a shirt; his hairy chest was slick as if he hadn’t showered in weeks. He held a nearly empty bottle in one hand; I couldn’t tell if he wanted to drink out of it or throw it at the retreating woman. He was shouting something that was so slurred, I could only grasp about every other word.The woman kept quiet and quickly walked away, trying to avoid attracting any more attention. I turned around to ignore her. Any eyes following her would only add to her shame. I felt bad for her. I felt even worse for Krystal. I couldn’t imagine coming home to such an environment. I remembered how I’d treated Krystal in the time I’d known her. Yes, she’d annoyed me, but it’s not like she had life any better. At least I came from a good stable home. The least I could have done was treat her better. Despite my own insecurities, I now saw that she probably had a mountain of her own. She was the one who needed a good friend.I hoped to see her now. She wouldn’t be home, though. Not with her father in this state of angry inebriation. She probably didn’t spend any more time at home than absolutely necessary.I wouldn’t.Where would she be right now?The next two weeks passed without much excitement. I never did see Krystal. I found a few odd jobs to help pay for meals while I was at home. My mother’s health seemed good enough and I enjoyed spending time with her. But after two weeks, I was ready to leave. School would be starting again, and I wanted to be there at least a week beforehand, mostly to guarantee that nobody else came and took my journalism job. I’d also promised to see Midnight on my way back to school. I couldn’t very well let her down.Click here to read Chapter 18Copyright 2017: While I encourage you to share this link with your friends and family, please keep in mind that this is copyrighted material. Under no circumstances do you have the right to re-publish any or part of this content without specific written permission from BC Crow and Blue House Publishing.