The shadows grew long as the sun set slowly on a beautiful Indian summer day. Rebecca was hurrying to complete the harvest of black walnuts that had fallen in her back yard. As she gathered the walnuts, she could hear the wind as it played among the dried corn stalks in a field close to her driveway. This sound reminded her of all the sounds of fall, the crunching sound the cars would make as they drove over the walnuts she had placed in the driveway, braking the hard hulls off the walnuts she would later gather the walnuts and store them for future baking.
Rebecca paused and looked around her, there’s nothing more beautiful than the sights and sounds of autumn in rural Tennessee. Autumn was her favorite time of year. When people again became alive after the hot, humid summer, she loved the brisk autumn winds that put pep in her step. She loved the red, gold and brown colors which changed like a kaleidoscope as the sun moved across an autumn sky. She looked up as a colorful cascade of leaves floated gracefully around. and the breeze playing games, scattering them all over the ground. A wild gust of wind blew the leaves into a whirlwind.
She was so lost in the beauty around her that she was startled by the scurrying sound coming from behind her. She laughed aloud when she realized a squirrel was stealing her walnuts. “You also have to look out for your family, don’t you, Mr. Squirrel? ” Her words sent the squirrel swiftly up the nearest tree. She worked outside all afternoon. When the sun grew weaker, the wind became cooler, this reminded Rebecca she needed to shop for the twins who were now two years old. They needed their new winter coats. They were growing very fast. Rebecca and Marty’s lives were very content and peaceful most of the time.
Her biggest worry was for Maria, who seemed to be losing more weight and getting weaker every day. Rebecca dreaded winter for her. Maria was still a big part of Rebecca’s life. Marty had also come to love her. The twins called her Aunt Etta. They loved to see her coming for a visit. She would get down on the floor and play their childish games with them. Rebecca shared all the good things in her life that she could with Maria. She could hardly buy herself a new dress, perfume, or anything else personal without also buying Maria the same thing. Maria would scold her for her generosity, but Rebecca could see she was very pleased.
Rebecca had her health, the love of her family, and a very comfortable life style. On the other hand, there was Maria, sick and fragile. Her health was declining. She seemed to accept her fate. She never complained. Marty and Rebecca had become active in church. She was a Sunday school teacher and he had been chosen a deacon in the church. They had fellowship with fellow Christians. Their happiness seemed to be contagious. As Rebecca placed her last bucket of walnuts on the driveway, she began to plan what she would cook for the fall harvest revival dinner.
She had been chosen chairman of the food committee for the huge dinner that would be served the Sunday the big revival started. The ladies were to bring food and the minister was expected to bring lost souls to repentance. On the day of the dinner, Rebecca moved from table to table, checking to make sure everything was in order. As she looked over the tables, she saw Marty Ray, her inquisitive twin, pulling at one of the tablecloths and overturning an arrangement of goldenrods. By the time she reached him, the damage was already done. She gave him a good scolding and sent him to his daddy.
After the meal she was busily helping all the ladies straighten everything up when Edwina walked up behind her. “Rebecca, darling, I have someone I would like you to meet. ” Surprising her as she came closer and put her arm around Rebecca’s waist, she gave her a slight squeeze. “This is Johnny Jenkins, J. J. for short. J. J. , this is Rebecca, my talented daughter-in-law. ” She smiled her fabricated smile. “Pleased to meet you, Rebecca,” he smiled and offered her his hand.
“Me too, I’m sure,” Rebecca said as she took his hand and looked into his eyes. As she shook J. J. s hand, a chill went up her spine although the sun was shining and the temperature was warm for an autumn day. She looked closer at J. J. He was a medium-built man. He had a receding hairline. His neatly trimmed mustache made his teeth appear pearly white and his eyes were set close together. She trusted no one whose eyes were close together. There was a cold look in his eyes. It was as if he had no feelings in his heart. “J. J. has just moved to our town. He will be working in the sales department at the mill.
He’s a nephew of mine. ” Edwina placed her arm around his shoulders. I hope you and Marty will take him under your wing, introduce him around, and make him feel welcome,” she insisted. “Oh sure. That will be a pleasure,” Rebecca assured Edwina. She looked at J. J. and proclaimed, “Welcome aboard! ” As Rebecca made small talk with J. J. , Edwina noticed the ladies had begun serving the meal. There was a long line of children getting restless and hungry. She politely excused herself and headed in the direction of the tables.
On the way, she ran into Marty. “I just met J. J. Why haven’t you told me about your long lost cousin? ” “What are you talking about? Marty asked. “Your cousin, J. J. ” she hurriedly explained, “he’s moved here and will be working at the mill. ” “That’s a new one on me,” he replied shaking his head. “No one told me we were getting help at the mill. But, Mother, has a will of her own. She does what she pleases no matter what Dad and I think would be the best. ” He clenched his fist and his face became red with anger because he knew from experience wherever J. J. was, trouble was not far behind. The months went by swiftly. The autumn turned into winter and spring into summer again. Marty and Rebecca took J. J. under their wing.
They insisted he eat at least one meal a week with them since he had no wife or family. They took him to church with them, introduced him to several young ladies. Nothing seemed to work out with any of them. Marty and Rebecca couldn’t decide if he didn’t like them or they didn’t care for him. J. J. was a picture fanatic. He carried his camera with him at all times making beautiful pictures. He took many pictures of the southern landscape and was able to send a few of his mountain landscapes to local magazines. He also won some photo contests. He appeared to be overly fond of the twins and took lots of shots of them.
He would often sneak around them and take pictures when they least expected. He had taken some hilarious pictures of them all. He had his Canon AEl one day when he was sitting at their kitchen table. He was busily cleaning his camera and lens. He took immaculate care of his equipment. Rebecca sat down at the table and began to question him about his past. He evaded most of her questions, but he did make a strange comment to her. He said, “Rebecca, no matter what happens between you and Marty, I want you to know I think you are a fine person and I think highly of you and the things you do for Marty and the children. “
