Bartle Clunes - Chapter 44
A good-bye and a new beginning
If you are new to this tale, please start at - Introduction to Bartle Clunes .
El Dorado County 1952
All that summer and fall Bartle's success in the Gallery was steady and gratifying. He had developed a small, but affluent following in the city and a bit of fame in El Dorado County – fame that he never would have predicted. Yet, to his family's wonderment, his newer work began a startling transformation.
Bartle had always presented the world around him on canvas solely from an emotional viewpoint. His paintings were full of bold, dark colors, large strokes, unusual angles, radical distortions of the landscape. It was always his desire to evoke emotion, to express strong feeling, rather than literally depict physical reality. And people had responded to them.
But the summer of 1952 found his hand and his eye turning in a new direction. His brush strokes were becoming relatively smaller, finer. His compositions were more open, with an emphasis on the changing and shifting qualities of the rural light. He seemed to be moving from shouts toward more intimate whispers. He painted people for the first time, the people in his world. Louvina holding baby Pearly. Ayla bending to pull a weed. Eli holding a fat white hen. Eizer standing in tall grass. Maggie stretched out in the dust.
Bartle had lived alone in the foothills for fifteen years, folded in upon himself. The last three years, though, living among people that he cared about, and who loved him back, had had a sweet softening effect on him. It stretched him out, long and smooth, like shadows on the land at the end of the day. Contentment awakened in him and made his thoughts grow wider, filling his heart with pure grace.
No one had heard from Merlene for several months. Eizer wrote notes to her to tell her how Eli was and to see if she had gotten herself any help, but there was no reply. Eli rarely asked about his mama. He had been given silent permission from somewhere to feel happy where he was. He would blossom where he was transplanted until the day his mother came for him.
One morning in December, a little over six months after Eli's return, a stranger came to the front door. Eizer was alone in the house.
A man in a brown suit stood at the door with a briefcase. Two small boxes were tucked under his arm. “Hello? Mr. Griggs?” he called, lightly knocking.
Eizer open the door and looked out. “Yah?”
“My name is Joseph Means,” he said, handing Eizer his card. “I am from Child Protective Services in Kern County. I just drove up from Bakersfield to see you. I wonder if I might come in for a few minutes?”
“Yah, Come in,” said Eizer, hesitating, pushing the screen open, stepping back. “Come in. What is this about? Have a seat.”
“Your cousin is Merlene Flounder. Is that correct?”
Eizer froze. “Yes, sir, that is correct.”
“Well, I am sorry to be the bearer of very sad news, but Miss Flounder has been in an accident. She was driving down the mountain out of Tehachapi, traveling west, and apparently she missed a turn, slid off the road and ran into a tree. The police report said she had been drinking and was alone in the car. I am sorry to have to tell you, but she did not survive. I believe she died immediately at the scene.”
Eizer flinched, the color drained from his face, his legs grew wobbly. He sat suddenly, slumping, staring at the floor. All he could think of was that Eli could have been in that car with her. He could find no words, nothing honest or appropriate to say, so he remained silent.
“Social services went through Miss Flounder's belongings at her residence, and they found your name and address among her personal things. You seem to be her only relative, is that right?”
“Yah, I think so. I never heard of anyone else.”
“Well, I have brought you her things – some clothing, papers, letters, old photos. Some child's toys. There was really nothing else of a personal nature.”
“Oh. I see. Yes. Okay then.” The man handed him the two boxes and indicated there were a few other things in his car.
“Now, Merlene's employer said that you have taken care of her little boy – Eli, is it? For over a year? Is that right?”
“He's lived with me for … ah … fifteen months all together. Merlene brought him to me, saying she could not keep him, and asked me if I would take him. Then she took him away for a few months . Then she called me to come get him. We do right fine together, the boy and I. He likes it here. He has friends, people who love him.”
“Well, that is a good thing to hear. I have come here today to talk to you about him. Eli will go into foster care and be placed for adoption in Kern County. I can take him back with me. However, I have brought along papers for you if you would like to apply for legal guardianship. I would need to do an inspection of the residence, of course, and ask you a few background questions. If you are interested, that is.
“I am interested. I am certainly interested.”
“Well, that is very good news then, sir. May I ask you a few questions, Mr. Griggs?”
“Fire away.”
“Eli goes to school here in El Dorado County, does he?”
“He does. He is in the third grade. He's right clever, earns good marks.” They sat down together at the kitchen table. Mr. Means carried out his surprisingly brief interview, then Eizer took him all through the house and yard, showing him Eli's things, Eli's home.
On that early winter's eve at Riles Crossing, Eizer explained very gently to Eli what had happened. Eli cried. And he cried some more. His mother was with the angels and he would not see her again. Eizer sat with him, held him, made oatmeal for him and put brown sugar and fresh cream on it.
“Eli, I want you to stay here with me in Riles Crossing forever. I will be your real grandpa now. You will be my real grandson, if you like that, and we will be a family.”
Eli did not speak as more tears fell. Finally, he said “My mama is gone to heaven. I can't see her no more, and … I … I won't forget her.”
“No you won’t, son. She was a good mother and we will never forget her. And we can talk about your mama any time you want.”
A door of constant worry and uncertainty had very suddenly and violently slammed shut, and a window of hope had opened wide for the Griggs and Flounder union. It was a non-traditional, perfectly matched confederation of two. Eizer thanked heaven that he could help Eli and provide him with the stability, love and guidance he deserved. And gave thanks, too, for receiving the blessed gift of love in return from the little boy.
A good ending to a wonderful telling of a loving community - all peopled in your imagination. Well done, Sharron!
Bittersweet. Life is always a mix of tragedy and joy. Hopefully, more joy.