He had worked in the rice patties and in the tobacco fields since he was eight years old. He knew how to work and knew he didn’t want to see the state of Arkansas again for as long as he lived. His only belongings were a handkerchief and an old pocketknife. He took his belongings and he left Arkansas in search of something. He didn’t know what it was but he knew it was better than every moment in his life until now.
Love…...love is what he was looking for. He knew he had an aunt and uncle in Georgia so off he went thumbing rides and working odd jobs along the way. It took him four years to finally reach Georgia and by the time he got to Elberton he had saved up a couple hundred bucks and had learned how to steer cattle and raise hogs. By the time he arrived at his aunt and uncle’s poultry farm he was a well trained farmer and ranch hand.
“Johnny Rose is that you, you handsome thing? Just look at you. Tall, dark and handsome. You are definitely my nephew and I guess you know who I am. Oh just call me Aunt Vicky.” His aunt Victoria proclaimed.
“Yes ma’am, its me but I’m not so sure about those other things you said. I guess ya’ll received my letter from Kentucky?” Johnny answered.
“Well yes honey, we got your letter. Only a Rose boy would go all the way to Kentucky to get to Elberton Georgia! Why on earth didn’t you write sooner? We could have sent for you.”
“Yes ma’am I did go a little bit too far into mountain country to get to Georgia but I had a job and I promised an old farmer that I would finish it before I left. I appreciate ya’ll taking me in and all.”
“Oh sure….sure honey, we are glad to have ya. Your uncle was tickled pink to hear that you were ok after all that happened with your Ma and step father. I supposed you couldn’t really even call him a father….. Anyway, he was a scoundrel if you ask me! In my book, if you’re a scoundrel God is going to do away with you sooner or later.” Victoria liked to gossip and it was quite evident by her introduction.
“I can’t say I blame your Ma for contributing to his untimely demise the way she did. I’m just so sorry you had to put up with him for as long as you did Johnny.” Victoria smiled and opened her arms up for Johnny to hug her.
As Johnny embraced his aunt he thought about his mother and the flames dancing in her wild eyes the night of the fire. Then he thought about her in a striped prison jumpsuit working on a chain gang in the Arkansas heat.
“Have you all heard from my Mama?” Johnny was hoping his aunt would say no. He left Arkansas intending to never return and he was not interested in a reunion.
Victoria looked a little puzzled as she thought of her reply. “Why Johnny I don’t know how to tell you this buh….but…..uhhh...well…. your Mama’s been killed! When the sheriff found out that your stepfather….-whom I still say was a scoundrel-….was bound at the feet and hands and had clearly struggled for his life, the night he died,….well he sent for your Ma. She held up in a shack off of route 33 for two days before the land owner realized she was there and alerted the authorities. She had a sawed off twelve gauge and a thirty eight special in her position when the deputies arrived on the scene. It’s been all in the papers Johnny. She started shooting before the boys in blue knew what hit em. Hell Johnny, she killed three deputies before they lit her up. Your Ma wasn’t taken in alive son. I’m so sorry you had to hear it from me.” The excitement in Victoria’s voice proved otherwise.
“Wait, Aunt Vicky you said my stepfather was bound at his hands and feet?” Johnny paused, “and there was a struggle?” He was puzzled. His mother told a different story the night of the fire.
“Well yes Johnny, you were there that night weren’t you?” Victoria asked.
“Um, yeah….yes ma’am I mean, yes I was there but its all just a little hazy for me I guess.” Johnny didn’t see any reason to tell his aunt the story his mother told him.
He let her memory die right there, right then, along with all the misery he had endured for all those years. That fire had burned up the last bit of abuse he would ever suffer and the last bit of misery he would ever endure was destroyed by a police shootout in a strangers shack on Arkansas Route 33.
At this point I need to introduce myself. I’m your author and the narrator of this guide to finding love. I know you are probably caught up in the entertainment of the story by now but I wanted to give you a brief synopsis of our story so far to help you keep track. Here you have two tragic tales of families that have been torn apart by death and destruction. We will just call it difficulty to generalize
it. With all difficulty comes opportunity. This story is no different. Pearl and Johnny have a chance to build new lives. Love often gives opportunity to mend emotional wounds in the same way it has here. Throughout this book, I will point out details and guidelines for every aspect of love. I will share my thoughts and theories on the subject and even give you some techniques to help you in your search for the big L. As a gift to you I will share the one timeless secret that will indeed, lead you to find love for yourself. With that lets continue our journey and the search for How To Find Love.
