He Came For Me

My daddy never liked him, said he made his skin crawl. "Somethin'

'bout that boy just ain't right, daughter," Daddy said. "I don't want ya'

seein' him." Momma never said anything when Daddy was like that. Well,

at least not around us.

That crazy boy would come around in his 55 Chevy just a vroomin' past

my house. He'd vroom up the road and vroom back down the road just a

smilin'. Daddy would get so angry. When he road by one time, Daddy

stood right next to me, arms folded, daring him to come on our property.

"That fool boy's got another thing comin' if he thinks he's gonna be up in

here a courtin' you," he said in his usual grumbly voice. "Now you go on

and get in that house."

Momma would make us breakfast and pack our lunches then Daddy

would drive me and my sister to school before he went off to the sawmills.

He would stress to us the importance of a good education. "Y'all all gon'

make good and git yourselves on out o' here," he'd say, "Do better than I

ever could."

"But Daddy, don't you want us to stay here with ya'? I'd ask. "Don't you

want us to get married, have children, and be around ya'?"

"Y'all all can do better than this," he said. "And I'm gonna see to it, and

this is where its starts, right here, in this school. "Now go on in there and

make ya' daddy proud. We'd both kiss daddy on his ol' rough cheeks and go

into the school.

'Bout lunch time, I'd sit with my girlfriends and we'd talk about life

outside the town, relationships, and of course, boys. "I hear you have a

gentleman caller that keeps a creepin' past your house," my best friend

said as the others giggled.

"Yeah, he keeps a creepin," I say with a sigh. "But my daddy ain't havin'

none of it. He doesn't like him. Won't let him come near me."

"Your daddy's just protectin' you, sugar," she said with a smile. "Shoot,

my papa done run off so many of my suitors, I'm 'bout to go insane." she

said, with a long heavy sigh. "I got things a stirrin' in me that need some

satisfyin'."

"Oh, there you go," I said staring at her with the face I save for people

who ain't doin' right. "Those stirrins gon' get you a bun in the oven."

"Sugar," she said. starin' at me as if she remembered something I forgot.

"If Papa keeps runnin' em' off, my oven's gon' break down before a baker

can roll a bun up in it." Everyone laughs when she says this, and just as

we were a talkin'. He stepped into view.

"There's your roamer," my best friend said a smilin', "Is he goin' to this

school? Well, I do declare, things do happen for a reason, don't' they."

Our eyes met the moment my best friend stopped talkin'. We looked at

each other as if the world had stopped and we were the only ones in it. I

tried to avert my eyes from his as a matter of purpose, but I knew deep in

my heart that averting my eyes was the last thing that I wanted to do. We

stared at each other for what seemed like moments in an eternity. It was as

if our souls had touched. He turned his attention back to the two fellas who

were showing him around the school and they quietly walked away.

"If that stare was a fairy godmother," my best friend said slyly, " You'd

two be ridin' in a pumpkin coach and you'd have a glass slipper on your

toe."

"Oh Shush," I said, trying hard to hide my embarrassment, "I wasn't

starin' at anyone."

"Oh, the lies you tell, Pinocchionetta," she said, staring at me. "Your

nose is about to grow six inches long.

"What am I goin' to do with you?" I said, avoiding her stare. "You're

impossible."

"The question is, my dear friend," she replied. "What are you going to do

with him?"

"I hate you," I said, still trying to deny what she already knew.

"But you love him," she replied.

The bell ending recess sounded and we all walked back to our school

lockers and then back to class. I walked to my sixth period science class,

and there he was sitting in the middle row. I tried my best not to look at

him, but the attraction was instant. We stared at one another for what

seemed like moments in a world where time did not exist. It was the

teacher's voice that scooted me back into this world.

"If you would kindly go to your seat," the teacher said, with a slight grin.

"We could start today's lesson."

My desk was two seats behind his. I had to sit there and look at the back

of his head while listening to the teacher explain about the nature of things

living inside our bodies. He used certain terms that my teen-aged brain

couldn't fathom or would even dare to comprehend. But then I started

thinking about my daddy and his longing for us get a good education and I

started working.

The class finally ended, and I rushed to my locker. I knew that Daddy

would be out there waiting for us and I'd knew he'd be lookin' to see if any

boys were hovering around either of us. Just as I was about to go out the

door, he approached me.

"I'd thought I'd introduce myself before you went out the door," he said,

walking up to me. " I thought I'd say somethin' right here where ya' daddy

couldn't see and try to blow me away with a shotgun."

"You got that right," I replied. "He don't like you, matter a fact, he don't

like anyone."

"Well, I kinda' perceived that," he said, staring at the floor briefly. "Just

wanted to introduce myself, "Name's Purvis, Purvis Prolieux.

"That name's not common 'round these parts," I said, staring at him,

trying hard to conceal my delight. "You ain't from around here."

"Folks hail outta' Louisiana, Cajun country," he said, starin' at the floor

again. "Poppa come up here to try somethin' new."

"Well, Mr. Prolieux, I say, lookin through the door window, starin' at

the blood red pickup truck with a big ol' mean head starin out of it lookin'

for me. "I'd best be goin' now."

"I reckon so," he said, starin' at me, this time intently. "I intend to see

more of you, and I do intend on gettin' ya' daddy to like me."

"Good luck on that," I replied. "I'd better git' now."

"See ya' around," he said, still starin'. "Didn't get ya' name."

"Didn't give it," I replied, rushing out the door. "Bye."

Purvis approached me every chance he'd get. Sixth period he'd be

walking next to me just a talkin' about any dad-blamed thing he could

possibly think of. He wouldn't look at me while he was a talkin', but he'd

talk until we both entered the classroom. My heart would rush each and

every time, it was as if it had a mind of its own. He'd never approach me at

any other time, just my sixth period Science class and I looked forward to it

every day. Just a hearin' his voice while we walked down the hallway and

to the classroom gave me feelings that I couldn't explain. At the end of

school, He'd meet me at the entrance that leads to the double doors from

where we all exited the building.

"Have to say my goodbyes right here so ya' daddy can't set his sights on

me and blast me." he said, starin' at me with a smile.

"Can't have a handsome fella' like you a wastin' away in pine box." I said,

returnin' a smile.

"That smile looks a right nice on you," he said, starin' at me with a gaze

that could undo the coldest of hearts. "And I appreciate the compliment. "

"I'd best be goin' now," I said, backing away slowly. "Daddy's a waitin'."

"See ya' at sixth period," he said softly. "Miss Pearline Fulton."

"Dad-blamed teacher and his dad-blamed attendance." I said, with a

slow grin. "I was tryin' to be a mystery."

"I like mysteries," he said, his eyes focused on me.

"I'll keep that in mind." I said, walking away and then bolting out the

door.

After supper that evening, Me and my sister were doing our homework,

when there was a knock on the door. Daddy stood up, walked towards the

door and opened it. He was a standing there, in a black jacket and a pair of

blue jeans and brown loafers.

"Good evening, Sir," he said, staring directly at Daddy. "My name's

Purvis Prolieux", he continued. "My father's name is Christophe Prolieux,

our family hails from Louisiana."

"State your business, young man." Daddy said sternly.

"I'd like to ask your permission to see your daughter, under your

supervison of course."

"I have two daughters," Daddy said flatly. "Which one are you talkin'

about?"

"Pearline, sir," he said, continuing to stare directly at Daddy. "I'd like to

ask your permission to see Pearline."

"I appreciate your honesty and your respect, Youngman," Daddy said,

staring at Purvis. "But about right now, the only things my daughter will be

seeing is a history book, a science book, a math book, and an English book

and I hope you're doing the same. You have a good evening."

Sir, I really like your daughter," Purvis said, almost pleading. "I'd never

stand in the way of her education...I"

"Young man," Daddy said, interrupting him. "I think you heard me."

"Mr. Fulton," Purvis said, with urgency in his voice. "I really like your

daughter. I'd treat her like a queen...I'd."

"Young man, good night," Daddy said, closing the door.

"Have you been talking to that boy on the school grounds? Daddy

asked"

"No, Daddy," I replied sheepishly. "He always talks to me."

"Told you I didn't want him around you, didn't I?" Daddy said, slightly

angry. "Daughter," Daddy continued. "I do want you to meet someone,

court, go to school dances, and have fun, but he's not the one."

"Daddy," I asked. "Could you give him a chance, just one?"

Those books you're a studying from are your only chance to get out of

this place. You heard my final decision."

When I heard those words, it was as if I was a balloon full of air slowly

deflating and descending to the earth. It was as if all the joy of a thousand

years was stolen and no happiness was left. I never felt anything like it. The

disappointment, the pain, the longing, and the sadness.

In school we were watched. If we were in the hall together at any time,

several teachers would rush us along. My desk was moved to the far right

near the classroom door. It was a mess. Purvis's parents kept him busy

with errands and I was given five minutes or less to get my things and be

outside headed for my Daddy's pick-up truck with my little sister. It got so

bad that Purvis stopped driving past my house.

Then the news came, Purvis was in a bad accident. The police said that

he had been speeding, slid off the road, and hit a large oak tree head on.

The impact flung him through the windshield of his car and into a ditch

several feet below the tree. But here's the strange thing, when the officers

and the coroner went to retrieve the body, it was gone.

At the same time, everyone in town had reported seeing several bright

lights in the sky during the time that the accident had taken place. The

officers searched and searched but could not find a body. Naturally, the

Prolieux family about lost their minds. Their son was reported dead and

now his body was nowhere to be found.

Sorrow hit me and I cried. A grief erupted from my soul that I could not

contain. I cried and my lungs heaved with each sorrowful moment. Daddy,

Momma, and my little sister all gave me privacy. I was given that time to

mourn the loss of a person that I would never get to know, or for that

matter, would never be allowed to. The pain felt eternal, so final.

I spent days in my room lying on my bed wondering what the future

would have been like had I been allowed to see Purvis. How happiness

would engulf our very being as we walked the among the trees with the sun

shining on us smiling ear to ear, and our laughter echoing through the

leaves. The tears still flow when I think of him at sixth period telling me

any and everything.

Right after that tragedy, Daddy got sick and needed care that our family

couldn't afford. The bills started pilin' up and we were several days away

from gettin' kicked out the house. Momma was cryin' a lot now. Daddy took

care of everything, and now the responsibilities were laid on her. I could

see that it was wearin' at her. That's when I went outside to just breathe.

I breathed in deep and then exhaled. Just then, a hand touched my

shoulder. I turned around to see who had touched me and there he was,

Purvis Prolieux.

I jumped back, eyes wide. "They said you were dead!" I said, staring at

him in disbelief. "They said you were dead!"

"They fixed me," he said, smilin'. "Them people up there in them ships.

"They fixed me. I'm here."

"Ain't no one gonna believe this, Purvis!" I said, trying hard to believe it

myself. "The Police officers said they saw you dead! Whachu' gon' tell'em?"

"Shhh," he said placin' a finger on my lips. "Let's go heal ya' Daddy."

Purvis entered the room where Daddy was lying. Daddy was so sick, he

could barely speak let alone complain. Daddy trembled in anger and then

in fear.

"Mr. Fulton," Purvis said, calmly. "I'm here to heal ya'. I'm here to heal

ya' family's woes." A glowing light flowed from Purvis's hands, and he blew

it into the air. "This will heal you," he said, blowing into his hands. And this

will heal all of your families woes." Purvis blew into his hands again and a

bag filled with the exact amount of money needed to care for Daddy and

pay the family bills appeared on the table along with a note handwritten

signed by an unknown person explaining the need to do one good deed

before they left for places unknown. A tear streamed down Daddy's

cheek as he watched everything that had taken place before him. Daddy

mouthed a weak thank you to Purvis. Purvis nodded.

"I have to go now," Purvis said, preparing to leave.

"You can't stay?" I asked. "You're back now and we never really got to

know each other."

"I can only stay if ya' Daddy allows me to see ya'," Purvis said, staring

at us all. "Then and only then will they let me stay." Momma, my little

sister, and I all looked at Daddy, waitin'. He shook his head in approval.

"Ya' Daddy'll be healed in six days," Purvis said, this time starin' at me.

"They'll find me unconscious a few feet away from the ditch below the area

where my car crashed. "I'll need care. I'll call for you, Pearline."

"And I'll be there, Purvis Prolieux. I said, staring deeply into his eyes,

"I'll be there."