The Stump

by Kevin Kardos, SUNY Cortland, December 10, 2004

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Otis Everett has been sitting on the ol’ stump for eighteen hours, his eyes investigating the long stretch of Highway 221 that slithers through the uninspired West Texas countryside. 

The town of Noble, Texas is an afterthought on any map. Its population reaches a grand total of 21 people. During the oil boom of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s the number swelled to 131, which was the largest since the town was founded in 1832. However, the oil dried up, the workers split town, and only true Noblemen and Noblewomen remained. John and Esther Abernathy and their four kids own and operate the General Store and Gas Station; Martin and Estelle Burkis, along with their two children, run a small cattle ranch; Luiz and Rosa Hernandez operate the little Mexican restaurant with the help of their three children; Bryce and Laura Pritchard and their twin boys have a small dairy farm just north of town; Wayne Tinker is the local handyman and Mr. Fixit; and lastly, there is Otis Everett, who is the town doctor. Three months ago, the population of Noble had been 22. Otis’s wife Martha passed away from pancreatic cancer. She was 53 years old. 

**

Wayne, whose tool belt was forever hanging haphazardly around his waist and droopin' down to his knees, walked into Abernathy’s General Store. Esther sat behind the register with a hand-held propeller fan blowing hot air into her face. 

“Howdy, Esther.”

“Hello, Wayne.”

“Say, would you mind if I grabbed a cold sodee-water outta the cooler and squared up with ya later on today? Or better yet, you can put it on my tab. Luiz is supposed to pay me for fixing his fridge last week, but I ain’t made it out to the restaurant yet this mornin’.”

“Sure thing, Wayne. Go right ahead.” Wayne had been running a tab at the Abernathy Store forever.  He never squared up with cash, instead he would repair anything in the store or out at the Abernathy home, and this sufficed as payment. 

“Listen, Wayne.  Something’s got me really troubled this morning.”

“What is it, Esther?”

“Well, I locked up the store last night and was driving home at about 10 o’clock and passed Doc Everett sittin’ on the ol’ stump.  And when I drove in to work this morning, sure enough, he was still out there sittin’ on the stump. I stopped and asked if he was doin’ O.K., and he said he was fine.  Said he was just watchin’ for somethin’. I could tell by the bags under his eyes, that he never went home the night before. He sat on that stump all night. Would you mind goin’ up there and seein’ if he’s O.K?”

“Sure thing, Esther. I’ll go give it a look-and-see”

There is only one road in Noble, appropriately called Main Street. Wayne pointed his rusted pick-up north down the road towards the highway and the ol’ stump. 

Noble, Texas is the furthest thing from a tourist town. It has no distinguishing characteristics except for the ol’ stump. If you were to stop at the nearest town of Fort Stockton, some 85 miles away and asked for directions to Noble, they would tell you, “Head straight down the highway about 80 miles and when you see the big tree stump, take a right.  You can’t miss it. It’s the only form of a tree around here for some 300 miles.”

The stump is gigantic compared to the other bushes and briar that grows out in the dirt of West Texas. It is six feet in diameter and although no one knows how tall the tree grew or who cut it down, the bark is still dark brown and by all appearances, still alive. It sits right at the intersection of Highway 221 and Main Street and this is where Otis Everett was sitting when he heard Wayne’s noisy pick-up pull to a stop. Wayne got out and walked up to Otis.

“Hey Otis, how ya’ doin?” Wayne was the only one who called him Otis instead of ‘Doc Everett.’

“I’m O.K. Wayne.” Otis looked tired and weary.

“Whatcha doin’ out here on the ol’ stump?”

“I’m looking for something.”

“Well, I tell ya what, tell me what you’re looking for and maybe I can help ya find it.”

“I don’t think so, Wayne.”

“Give me a shot, Otis. You know I got an eagle eye.”

Otis turned and his gaze settled on Wayne’s lanky form. Wayne could see the man hadn’t slept the night before and he also witnessed the sadness that had crept into Otis’s eyes since his wife passed away.

“I’m looking for a reason, Wayne.”

“A reason, huh? A reason for what?”

Otis let his chin drop to his chest as he let out a long sigh. “A reason to get up off this stump.”

“I tell ya what, how bout some of Rosa’s enchiladas, my treat. That’s reason enough for any man to get moving.”

“Rosa does make some fine enchiladas, Wayne but that ain’t quite good enough. To be honest with you, I’m not so sure I see the reason in eating at all.”

“When was the last time you had something to eat, Otis?”

“It’s been a day or two. I’m waiting on this stump for a reason to do that as well.”

Wayne started to seriously get worried. He had known Otis since he ended up in Noble some 22 years ago. Otis was one of the kindest men he had ever known. If you needed stitches or got a sore throat, Doc Everett would show up with a gentle smile and you knew everything was going to be fine. It hurt Wayne to see his friend sitting on this stump slippin’ off into grief’s strong grasp.

“I tell ya what Otis, I’m gonna run up to Luiz and Rosa’s and get us some of them enchiladas and something to drink. I’ll be right back.”

“O.K., Wayne. Do me a favor, if you see anyone, tell them not to make a big fuss and let me have some quiet time, please.”

Wayne jumped in his truck and drove up to the restaurant. It was half-past twelve and he knew that most of the town would be up at the restaurant having lunch. When he got there, he was surprised to see everyone in the town gathered around a couple of tables.

Bryce Pritchard spoke, “You’ve been down at the ol’ stump talkin’ to Doc Everett? How’s he doin?”

“Not so good Bryce. How did everybody get the news so fast?”

“Well, Luiz saw him sittin’ out there last night and again this morning,” said Rosa. “So I called Bryce and Laura and they went out to talk to him but he said he was doin’ O.K. and not to worry about him.”

“So I called Martin and Estelle to see if they knew what might be going on but they didn’t know and they called the Abernathy’s who were concerned as well,” said Louise. “So we all arranged to meet here right now to see if we could figure out what to do. That poor man.  Since Martha’s been gone, he has just been growing sadder by the day.” Laura started to sob as Bryce came over to put his arm around her.

“I got a feeling it’s pretty serious. He said he hasn’t eaten in a day or two. I was wonderin’ if I could take him some of your enchiladas, Rosa and maybe get some food in his belly.”

“Absolutely, Wayne. There’s a fresh couple of plates in the oven right now. I’ll get them ready for you.”

“Did he tell you how long he plans to stay out there on that stump, Wayne?” asked Bryce Pritchard.

“He didn’t say exactly. All he said was is that he’s out there lookin’ for a reason.”

“A reason?”

“Yep, a reason. A reason why he should get up off that stump.”

Everyone was quiet. Their faces were tense with worry as they looked at one another. Rosa came out of the kitchen and handed the enchiladas to Wayne.

“I tell you what everybody. I’m gonna take him this food and stay with him.  He asked that we all not make a big fuss over him, so I think it’s best if the rest of you give him some time.  I’ll let you know tonight if anything changes.”

Wayne pulled up to the stump and Otis was still sitting there staring intently at the road. 

“Hey Otis, I got some of Rosa’s enchiladas and I know if you get a whiff of them, you’ll change your mind.” He offered the plate to Otis who held up his hands.

“You have mine for me, Wayne. I’m not hungry.”

“Come on. Otis. You got to eat something.”

“No thank you.”

Wayne set the food down on the ground and gathered himself. “You know Martha wouldn’t want to see you like this, Otis.” The words hit Otis hard, but Wayne figured it was best to be honest; it was no good at all to have Otis out here sitting on this stump.

Otis turned and looked at Wayne, his eyes swelling with emotion. He opened his mouth to say something but instead his shoulders just shrugged back and forth as he softly sobbed.

 “I know, Wayne. But the truth is, Martha is gone.  She can’t see me anymore and I can’t see her.” 

The two men sat there in silence as the Texas sun poured down over them. After about fifteen minutes of silence, Otis spoke.

“Two nights ago, I almost ended my life. I was at home, talking with God, asking him to show me the reason why he took Martha from me. I didn’t get an answer.  I was about to pull the trigger when I suddenly stopped. You know I have always been a fair man, Wayne. I decided I’d give God another chance. I told him I was going to come sit out here on this stump and wait for him to show me a reason why I should keep on living, or let thirst and hunger have there way with me. So here I sit. Waiting for that reason.” Both men turned their gazes away from one another and stared out across the highway.

The hours passed as neither Wayne nor Otis said anything. The scene,--Wayne sitting on the ground and Otis perched on the stump--was only interrupted by a passing vehicle every 45 minutes or so.

Wayne suddenly spoke, “Well, if it were me sittin’ on that stump, and I was lookin’ for a reason to get up off it, I could think of a couple.”

“Well, what would they be?”

“One, if a red Corvette convertible with two gorgeous blondes happened to pull up and stop and offer me a ride with them to Las Vegas, I tell ya, I’d be off that stump in a hurry. Or say an armored car were to drive by and a bag full of cash happened to go flyin’ out the back, I’d have to say I’d be spurred into action.”

Otis smiled at the young man’s attempt to lighten the mood. “Those are two pretty good reasons, Wayne.  Just not for me. I’m lookin’ for something else.”

As the sun started setting, thy sky turned into a mosaic of orange and purplish hues. Wayne and Otis sat in silence as the day succumbed to evening. Another half hour or so passed when their silence was interrupted by the sound of Estelle Burkis’s Chevy pulling up to a stop just short of the two men.  Estelle’s two children, eight-year-old Louis and Sarah, who just turned eleven, bounded out of the back seat of the Chevy with sleeping bags in hand.  They stood next to the car as Estelle approached the two men.

“Sorry to interrupt you fellas, but I got a huge favor to ask of you, Wayne.  Martin promised to drive me into Fort Stockton and take me out to dinner, and since we haven’t been on a date in ages, I was wonderin’ if you wouldn’t mind watchin’ my kids for the evening?  Martin and I sure would appreciate it.” Estelle gave Wayne a look that said, “I will not take no for an answer.”

“Gee, Estelle. I was probably gonna be spending most of the night if not all of it out here with Otis. He and I are in the middle of doin’ something,” Wayne said with a puzzled look on his face.

“That’s no problem.  The kids got their sleeping bags, and they love campin’ outside. We could just pick them up in the mornin’. Thanks a bunch, Wayne. I gotta run and get myself prettied up. Now don’t worry, they’ve both been fed and won’t give you no trouble.”  Estelle hurriedly walked back over to the car and gave her kids a hug. Louis and Sarah came running over to the stump and dropped their sleeping bags at Otis’s feet.

“Mama said we were having a campout. This is gonna be great!” squealed Sarah as she rolled out her sleeping bag and smiled at the two men. 

As the sound of Estelle’s Chevy faded off another car was heard approaching.  John Abernathy pulled up in his car and got out.  “Hey, how you folks doin’ out here.  Sure is a pretty evenin’. Say, Wayne, got a little problem over to the store. The water cooler broke and I’m afraid Esther and I are gonna be up all night cleanin’ up the store. I was wonderin’ if you wouldn’t mind watching the kids for me?” 

Just as he got done asking, the four Abernathy children, ages 5 to 12, got out of the car, sleeping bags in hand. “I passed Estelle on the way out here and she said that you and Otis and Louis and Sarah were havin’ a campout. The kids just love campin’ outside.  Sure do appreciate it, you guys.” Before either of the men could speak, John turned and got in his car.  The kids all unrolled their sleeping bags and started playing with a set of jacks that one of the Abernathy kids had brought along. Two minutes later, Rosa Hernandez pulled up in her truck.

 “Hi, everybody.”

“Hello, Mrs. Hernandez!” the group of kids yelled out.

“John told me you guys were having a campout so I thought I’d bring my kids out here to lend you two a hand” The Hernandez brood was a little older ranging in age from 12 to 15. “Besides, Luiz and I need to run up to Fort Stockton this evening to get some supplies for the restaurant. This would really be a big help. Thanks, so much.” Rosa gave a big smile and turned sharply as her three kids walked up to join the others.”

Within two minutes, Laura Pritchard arrived with her twin boys carrying their sleeping bags.  “Rosa told me you guys were having a campout here at the old stump with the rest of the children, so I brought my boys.  I hope you don’t mind, me and Bryce need a night alone away from these two rascals. I’ll be by to pick ‘em up in the mornin’” And just like that, Laura Pritchard was gone and the number of kids at the stump was now at 11.

“I don’t know what everyone is up to,” said Otis, “but you and I got our hands full out here tonight, Wayne.”

Wayne sat looking at Otis like someone had punched him in the stomach.  He had babysat all these kids at one time or another, but never all 11 at once.

“All right, boys and girls,” said Otis, “gather around the ol’ stump here and crawl into your sleeping bags. I’m gonna tell you some stories about some of the mischief Mr. Wayne here got into when he was a youngster.”

The hours passed by as Otis entertained the children with stories of Wayne’s hijinx. The moon rose high into the Texas sky as one-by-one the children fell asleep.

By midnight, all of the children, Wayne included were sleeping. Otis sat on the stump, watching the stars flicker in the sea of black above. He started to speak softly to himself, “I see what these kind people are trying to do, Martha. It really is sweet of them.” He started to weep softly as spoke further, “I just don’t see how I’m going to be able to do it without you, baby. I just don’t think I’m strong enough.” He looked around at the sleeping children and his gaze rested on Wayne who was curled up on the ground and snoring. As he looked at the young man, he remembered the first time he ever saw him.

Her name was Wendy Tinker. She was a drifter who landed in Noble 22 years ago. She was four months pregnant and alone when she arrived in Noble. She worked part-time at the Abernathy store that was run by John’s parents at the time. After five months, she gave birth to a son, whom she named Wayne. It wasn’t but two weeks after she had the baby that Wendy Tinker took off with a trucker who stopped off in Noble for some gas and a bite to eat. On her way out of town, Wendy Tinker stopped at the old stump, and with a note that read, “Please take care of him. He is better off here than with me,” she set the baby in his bassinette on the stump. It was Otis who found the boy that morning. He brought him home and there he stayed until he was two years old. Wayne then went to live with Old Man Pritchard and his wife for the next five years. After that, up until he was seventeen, Wayne spent the summer and the fall with the Pritchard’s, and winter and spring with the Abernathy’s. Although he had no real family, everybody in Noble considered Wayne to be a part of theirs, and he grew up to be a fine, caring young man. 

Otis looked at Wayne and smiled. He thought of all the kids who were snuggled up in their sleeping bags. He had tended to every one of them over the years. Louis needed stitches every couple of months; the Hernandez children were prone to ear infections on a regular basis; little Sarah had recovered from a bad case of pneumonia when she was just two years old; and the Pritchard twins seemed to break a bone every six months… 

“All right, Martha. I see it now, sweetheart.” The night passed by slowly as Otis watched the moon make its journey across the heavens.

In the morning, Wayne was the first to awake. He shook off the dew that had formed on his clothes and stood with a stretch. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked over to Otis. 

“Good morning, Otis.”

“Good morning, Wayne.”

“How ya doin’ this morning?” Wayne asked.

“I’m hungry, son.”  And with that, Otis Everett got up off the ol’ stump.

DESIGNER: Heather Cheetham, New Media Design, SUNY Cortland, USA

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