Echo’s in the Dark

Halos surrounded the angel's head; Charity stared in awe at the lovely painting. It gave her a peaceful, serene feeling to gaze upon the image.
“Is there something I could help you find?” asked Mr. Butler.
“Yes, Sir, there is. Do you know of a place called Cherokee?” she asked.
“Well, as a matter of fact, Ma'am, I do know a place called Cherokee. It's about a hundred and fifty miles, due north of here, up there in the mountains- its smack in the middle of the Cherokee Indian Territory. They've been clearing them Indians out for years, but there’s still renegades running lose. Why do you want to know; if you don't mind my asking?”
“You’ve been good to me and my young’uns, so, no, sir, I don’t mind you asking,” she answered. …show more content…
She wished she could shush him; his lonesome call was just a reminder, of how lonesome she was without Henry there with her. She’d also heard him just before dark, although he’d been further away. Growing up, her Indian grandmother had told her that to hear a whippoorwill before dark meant that someone you know will soon die. This prayed upon her mind, as she tried to fall asleep, and caused her to toss and turn for nearly another hour before she finally dozed.
When she finally slept, she did not know she was sleeping. For she was wandering through the foothills of a strange land of darkness, and in the darkness, she came upon an even darker place, and became lost… It did not matter which way she turned, or how far she went in any direction, there was nothing except the darkness. In desperation, she called out to her grandfather to help guide her, but there was no response, only her echo’s in the darkness. Her own voice returned over and over, calling out her grandfather’s name. Still, she called out again and again, but there were only the echoes.
The firm pressure of Uriah’s hand on her shoulder, shaking her, woke …show more content…
Although, he didn't have any doubt that she could take care of herself and the young’uns, he knew she didn't have any idea of where he was. She might even think that he was dead… Would she just stay, where he left her? Was it even allowed for her to camp there that long? That might be considered, squatting… As it was, he wouldn't rightly sure what she might do, or where she might go. What if she went back home? What if she went on to Alabama?
“Lord, why did I have to take a swing at that sheriff?” Henry asked aloud.
“Well son, I ain’t the Lord,” said the old man with a chuckle. “But, I figure you done it ‘cause you was tanked up on whiskey!”
“Don’t you ever shut up, Old Man?”
“Ain’t nothing wrong with talkin’, son; it helps ta pass the time a day.”
“I’m worried about my family- worried they ain’t gonna make it without me…” Henry turned and sat down on the floor and put his head between his knees. The old man gazed over at him and shook his head.
“Ain’t much use in worrying, son; they ain’t a dang thang you can do about it, as long as ye stuck in here.”
Henry slid on down and laid down, almost in a fetal position. Tears of frustration stung his eyes.
“Ain’t no use cryin’ bout it either, ain’t gonna change nuthin’.”
Henry