The Talk
Not a word was spoken during the funeral service, after his out-burst. A few glances were exchanged between Jessie and Jim, then, a quiet ride to the Cedar Hill Cemetery in a car provided by the funeral home. Then, a rather abrupt graveside service. The Reverend J. R. Shannon, Pastor of the East Main United Brethren Church occasionally glanced at Jim, still puzzled by his sudden outburst of emotion over the still body of his friend, Walt. Rev. Shannon had pastored to the family for many years, and had preached the funeral of Jim's Mother, Sarah, and his father, Harley.
Somehow, the two made the decision to walk back to their home on Hudson Avenue. The weather was nice, and apparently, both thought that there was a need for some serious conversation. As they walked down Cedar Street, they passed the open door of Bummy's Bar, and heard the juke box playing a popular tune of the day. The music was mingled with talking and laughter. They listened for a moment, looked at each other, and this seemed to break the ice. Jessie laboriously asked, "Is there anything you would like to talk about?" Jim replied, "Jess, I guess there are some things I have to let you know, some hidden secrets in my past that, well, I didn't want anyone to know, no one alive but me knows this ... Walt is my half Brother!" "What?", she blurted out, "why didn't you ever tell me." Jim had never told Jessie much of his background, even though they had grown up together, he was always guarded when talking about his family.
Jess had wondered on more than one occasion, but, had never asked. Calvin Verner, one of the designers of the Arcade, and also one of the financial backers of the venture, was well known in the County, in financial circles as well as political. He had at one time been the town Mayor, and served two terms as a County Commissioner, and was on the Board of a Bank and also two large local industrial companies, one, a glass company, and another a manufacturer of baskets.
He resided in a very large home on Hudson Avenue, and was a well respected member of the community. Jim's Mother, Sarah, had worked for the Verner family in their home, many years ago, and, as Sarah had related to Jim when he had reached his 18th birthday, one hot summer July afternoon, she was cleaning on the 3rd floor of the stately Verner Mansion, and, thinking that no one was home, partially disrobed to be cooler. Calvin, unexpectedly arrived at his home, and quickly went up the spiral Oak staircase, headed for a quick cool shower. The two, partially clad, one walking down the hall, and the other coming out of a bedroom, bumped in to each other .... The hall-way was darkened, the situation was tense ... but emotion and the heat overcame both of them.
