Life Goes On - 21. Everybody Loved Seth

Monday, July 18, 1973

As Owen walked into the apartment following his afternoon summer class the phone was ringing. He hoped it wasn’t Lee telling him something came up at work and he would be late for dinner.

Vlad spoke in a very shaky voice, “There has been an accident. Seth’s truck was hit by someone who ran a red light. He is in critical condition at University Hospital. There is nothing you can do now except pray. I am at the hospital with Henry and Alex. I will call you if there is any change. Alex has called his family in Georgia.”

An hour later Vlad called again. “Seth’s condition is deteriorating. Alex called his family again to update them. His mother wants to come to Cleveland. Alex called the airline and has booked a ticket for her arrival at Cleveland Hopkins Airport tomorrow morning at 11:00. Aiden will meet her?”

Tuesday - Aiden waited at the gate area of Flight 885 from Atlanta which was scheduled to arrive on time. (In 1973 there were no restrictions of movement within airports. Friends and family could wait at the gate.) He wondered how he would identify Seth’s mother. So far all of the arriving passengers emerging from the jetway were businessmen or families. Then a short, sad looking older woman with grey hair emerged. She appeared somewhat bewildered. Aiden walked up to her, “Mrs. Cudley?”

She gave him a smile of relief. Aiden did not know what to do. Then by impulse he hugged her and she with no hesitation hugged him back. Then reverting back to his rural Georgia drawl that he had spent years trying to eradicate, “I am Aiden Hudson, a friend of Seth’s.” As they walked to the baggage claim area and on to the car the tall young man from one rural Georgia town walked with his arm around the petite older woman from a different rural Georgia town. During the 45 minute drive to the hospital Aiden updated Mrs. Cudley on her son’s condition. She profusely thanked him for meeting her at the airport. The flight had been her first experience in the air. She also expressed her feelings about Alex. Seth had told her in letters that his employer was a very kind to him and that he really enjoyed the job. He had also told her that he was Alex’s right hand man and that he shared in running the business that had over twenty-five employees. She also praised Alex for his arranging her flight and that she would repay him for the ticket. Aiden broke in saying, “Alex thinks of Seth as family, not just a good worker. He therefor considers you as family. He would never dream of or expect you to pay for the ticket. You will stay at the home of Alex and his friend Roland while you are in Cleveland.”

“When you talk, you sound like someone from my area of Georgia, not a sophisticated city boy.”

Aiden laughed as he replied, “I grew up in Cou Rouge, about a four hour drive on back roads from your town. After graduation from University of Georgia I continued my education in Cleveland and am now a professor at Cleveland State University.”

“I attended the wedding of a cousin in Cou Rouge. It is a small town similar to ours. So we are both Georgia Crackers. Never thought a Cracker would meet me at the airport. You are the first professor I ever met. Never thought professors could be such nice men or so young and handsome.”

She continued, “Ever since Seth was a little boy he dreamed of living in a city. He begged us to visit Aunt Masie, my sister in Atlanta. From my sister’s house we would take a trolley car to downtown Atlanta and shop at Rich’s department store on Broad Street. Visiting a city was a real adventure for us folks from the country. Once when Seth was fourteen he took the Greyhound bus to Atlanta and stayed with my sister for a week. When he came home he did not stop talking for days about all the adventures he had had. Every day he took a trolley to a different part of the city. He had studied a map of Atlanta for weeks before that trip. He never got lost and enjoyed every minute of his visit. When he returned home he told me someday he would live in Atlanta or maybe a bigger city like Washington or even New York City. I was not surprised when he told us he was moving to Cleveland. I miss him, miss him so much. But he wrote me a letter every week and I know he had fulfilled his dream and made many good friends. How did you, a small town Georgia boy meet Seth here in the big city.”

Aiden then related how his friend, Vlad, a professor at Western Reserve University, was also a friend of Alex. They had met when Alex suggested Seth do a painting for Vlad. Aiden did not reveal that the drawing, not really a painting, was a nude portrait of himself.

Mrs. Cudley then surprised him as she said, “How is Henry? I know he must be at Seth’s side now. I was so happy that my boy found someone to share his life. When Seth accepted a job in Daisyville he told me it was a step in moving on to a bigger place. Of course when he told me about Henry I was not surprised as I was happy that he would have a roommate. Later when during a visit he told me Henry was a Negro I was shocked. How could a white boy have a black roommate in Daisyville. When he told me they were moving to Cleveland I was in one way relieved that they would not be living together in a small southern town. I have come to suspect that their friendship is much deeper than I realized. It is not the situation I would have wanted for my boy but I realize it has made him very happy. Every letter he sends tells about the interesting things he and Henry do together. I never thought my boy would attend a symphony orchestra concert or spend hours in museums. He and Henry share so much. Gradually I accepted him as he was. I don’t think his father or sister have any idea about his life. I do not discuss it with them or any of my friends. I know there are a few men who share lives in our town. However, it is never mentioned. There are no black and white men together. That would be impossible. For years I have wanted to meet Henry. Never did I imagine I would meet him at Seth’s hospital bed side.”

Arriving at the hospital Aiden escorted her to Seth. She kissed her unconscious son and sat at his side holding his hand. Alex and Henry stepped out of the room to give her time with her boy from Georgia. A half hour later Alex returned to the room and placed his hand on her shoulder. She turned to him, “Thank you for everything you have done for my son.” With tears in her eyes she asked, “Where is Henry?” Alex was bewildered. He did not know what she knew about her son’s relationship or if she approved. He went to the hall and told Henry she had asked for him. In a daze he walked into the room. The short lady from Georgia stood and wrapped her arms around the stunned Negro. “I am so sorrowful about what has happened to my boy and your friend.” Henry felt her love as he wrapped his arms around her.

They sat at Seth’s bedside, each holding one of his hands. Two hours later surrounded by the two who loved him the most Seth breathed his last breath.

They sat with their loved one until a doctor arrived and officially pronounced the time of death. As the medical staff arrived to take Seth Henry led the sobbing mother out of the room. Alex led them to his car. As they drove to Shaker Heights, Alex’s home, he told her she would stay at his home as long as she stayed in Cleveland. Roland met them at the door as they entered the stately home. As Roland hugged the dazed woman, “I am so sorry. We loved Seth as if he were family. While we all feel great sorrow I am sure no loss is greater than that of a mother.” As this welcoming stranger held her all Mrs. Cudley could think was, ‘they warned me that ‘Northerners’ were unfriendly and that as a Southerner I would be looked down on. How wrong the gossips back home were. Never have I felt more welcome’.

She then asked Alex if he would help her arrange to have a telegram sent to her husband (Seth’s father). Alex replied, “Why don’t you just call him on the telephone?”

“Oh no, that would be too expensive.” Alex did not realize she had never in her life made a phone call beyond her small town. All visits to her sister had been arranged with letters and post cards. She and Seth had exchanged letters almost weekly since he left home at the age of twenty, twenty-five years earlier.

Alex replied, “We have special telephone rates for long-distance calls. You should call your husband this evening and every day you are gone. Also, you may call any of your family or friends whenever you wish. Then Alex handed her the phone and told that if she dialed the three digit Georgia area code and then the local number she could talk to anyone at home. She dialed as instructed and was amazed when her husband answered the phone sounding as clear as if she was calling from down the street.

Later as Alex escorted her to one of the guest rooms he told her Roland had prepared a light supper and that she should come downstairs when she was ready. As she sat on the bed in the most elegant bedroom she had ever seen she suddenly realized that Alex and Roland lived in what she would consider a mansion. Prior to her arrival Roland had purged the bedroom of man supplies such as the lube, Crisco and rubbers in the bedside table.

Following a small supper of cold Smithfield Ham slices, potato salad and coleslaw with cake and ice cream for dessert the four sat in the living room. Roland offered glasses of sherry to all. Mrs. Cudley politely declined. Then she changed her mind and said with a smile, “I have never had any alcohol except some of my daddy’s moonshine when a teenager. We would steal a bottle of his hidden supply and take it behind the barn where we not only drank some but also smoked cigarettes. If we had gotten caught we would have had our rear-ends whooped. Maybe one little glass will calm me.”

While sipping her sherry she announced, “Would you gentlemen please call me Betty, like all my friends do.” Then looking at Henry she continued, “Henry, please call me ‘Mama’ that is what all my children call me.”

Henry stood and walked over to her. As he leaned in to kiss her cheek he said, “It would be my honor, Mama.”

An exhausted Betty excused herself and went upstairs to sleep in a strange bed in a strange house. This would be the first time in over twenty-five years that she had slept in a bed other than that at home or her sister’s home during brief visits to Atlanta. As she laid her head on the soft pillow her thoughts of Seth were replaced by deep sleep encouraged by one of the most exhausting days of her life and possibly the glass of sherry.

Meanwhile downstairs Alex and Henry discussed arrangements for Seth’s funeral. They both agreed that Mrs. Cudley should have final say on any plans. Since Seth had turned away from the church that he believed turned away from him they agreed there would be no formal religious service in Cleveland. They were sure the Cudley family would have services back home. After much discussion they agreed: Seth would be cremated if Mrs. Cudley approved, there would be a brief reflection in the beautifully landscaped garden of this house and a reception at a country club or similar place for the friends of Seth and Henry. They were not sure how she would react to the cremation.

Henry then announced that since he would have trouble sleeping he was going to go home and clean the apartment. While Mrs. Cudley appeared to accept his relationship with Seth he did not want to embarrass her with their symbols of man love when he showed her Seth’s home.

Cleaning the apartment was easy as Seth was what Henry called a ‘neat freak’. Henry then removed the three drawings on the bedroom wall: Naked Henry, naked Seth and the naked couple; the statue of David in the living room; Seth’s nylon bikini underwear in a rainbow of colors; the pink boa; Seth’s tight leather pants that he only wore during in-house play; and the handcuffs and whip that were only used at home in a playful, not painful way.

Henry tearfully thought of their passionate play times. About once a month Seth would go to the bedroom and return wearing the leather pants and a leather vest. Henry would look at him saying, “You ain’t no tough boy, just a piece of southern white trash.” While the scene would vary the most recent started with Henry saying, “Get on your knees”. Henry then pulled out his uncut soft black dick. He forced it down Seth’s mouth telling him to make it hard or suffer the consequences. He then dragged Seth to the bedroom and slung him on to the bed. With Seth face down, ass up, he handcuffed his hands to the bed posts. Then pulling down the leather pants he slapped the ass covered in pink bikini nylon briefs. Pulling Seth’s head up he again forced his dick down the throat. When Seth called him a “fucking nigger” Henry replied, “You call me a nigger you piece of trash. You gonna pay for that. Henry ripped off the pink bikini and shoved it in Seth’s mouth. He then took the whip and smacked the ass. In his frenzy he hit harder than usual. When Seth cried out he realized he had gone too far as his lover convulsed while shooting a load of Southern cream onto the towel that had been placed on the bed. Henry felt ashamed as now with a limp dick he viewed the red bruises on the ass he had whipped. As he undid the handcuffs Seth reached up, pulled him down and embraced him. They held each other and soon Henry felt his dick rise against the cum covered crotch of Seth. His love’s dick also responded. Following tender play which included Henry massaging cream on Seth’s tender ass the dominant black man rolled Seth onto his back, raised his legs and gently penetrated his smiling friend. Before completing an affectionate fuck, Henry pulled out and while leaning over his love held both dicks in his hand jacking them to simultaneous explosions. Later as they showered together Seth looked with concern on his face, “You bastard, that hurt.” He then slapped Henry’s ass and with a smile on his face pulled him into a deep kiss. He then whispered, “They say, no pain, no gain. Well the pain was overwhelming but nothing like the intensity of that cumming. I love you.”

A month earlier Henry had thrown Seth into the shower and pissed on him while Seth brought himself to a momentous cumming. That had been the only pissing event between them. Interesting but not something that Henry wanted to repeat or Seth encouraged.

With tears in his eyes Henry realized his dick was throbbing hard. He took a pair of Seth’s nylon bikini underwear and wrapped it around his piece. Stroking himself he unloaded into the violet colored brief. After using it to wipe off the final drops he decided to keep it cum and all hidden it in the back of his own underwear drawer.

Returning to the home of Alex and Roland he went to bed but not to sleep. Thinking of Seth he again took his dick in hand. This gave him a peace that enabled sleep. In the middle of the night he woke to thoughts of his love. With tender thoughts of Seth his fist again calmed him.

Wednesday - The next morning Alex left for work at 6:00 to arrange schedules and follow up on problems. While he wanted to take time off to attend to Mrs. Cudley he had not only lost a young man he considered a second son, he had lost his key employee. Normally Alex could take off a few days and Seth ran the business. While he had never considered selling his business as he assumed someday Seth would take over, suddenly he felt weary and had no reason to keep it. He and Roland were financially secure and they both worked for pleasure: Roland with the books and Alex with the land. But without Seth the pleasure of working was gone, at least for now.

Roland also had to go to work that morning. He planned to take time off the next two days to help with arrangements for the funeral and service. He knocked on Henry’s door. The young man replied with a sleepy, “Come in.” As Henry sat up in bed Roland as always enjoyed viewing the bare chest of the naked man with a sheet loosely covering his waist and below.

“I’m sorry to wake you but we must plan the day. Alex left for work an hour ago. He hopes to be home by mid-afternoon. I also must depart soon. Hopefully I will be able to take off the rest of the week. You are left to take care of Betty, Mama. I know you and Alex discussed possible plans for Seth. I suggest you discuss them with her this morning. If she needs to discuss anything with her family in Georgia insist that she call them from our telephone. Maybe this afternoon you could take her to the apartment. It was a good idea to go there last night and prepare for her visit. As you can assume I did a quick cleanup of her room removing anything that might surprise her. She probably did not pack for a funeral. I will call a friend, Alfred, at a women’s specialty store on Shaker Square and arrange for her to be shown appropriate outfits and shoes to wear to funeral. I will also make an appointment with Rinaldo’s Salon for hair and manicure. Would you be willing to accompany her tomorrow? You will recognize both Alfred and Rinaldo. They were at our New Year’s Eve Party. In fact every time I see Rinaldo he asks about the red head and his Negro friend.

Henry got up, showered and read the morning Plain Dealer waiting for Mama. Walking into the kitchen wearing the same outfit she had on the previous day she stated, “My lands, I have never in my life slept so late. That bed is so comfortable and this neighborhood is very quiet. The gossips back in Muddy Creek told me my poor Seth would never get a good night’s sleep with all the hustle and bustle of a big city like Cleveland.” Henry sadly thought to himself, ‘If Seth did not get a good night’s sleep it was because of the hustle and bustle we created on our own.’ While Henry served her breakfast he suggested they discuss plans for Seth. “When I wasn’t sleeping last night I was thinking of what we should do for Seth. What did Alex suggest? He is such a nice man. I know Seth trusted him. You cannot believe the wonderful things Seth said about Alex in his letters to me.”

Henry knew the subject of cremation would be difficult so he started with the easy plans. “Alex suggested we have a small service for Seth in our garden on Saturday. You know that Seth rarely attended church services. In fact he did not believe the two of us together were welcome in churches.” Mama silently nodded in agreement knowing that churches would not accept two men living together. Henry continued, “We have a minister friend who knows all of us. I am sure he would be willing to provide a simple remembrance service.” Henry decided not to mention the minister was actually a Catholic priest, a person who many in Muddy Creek would consider an abomination. “Then in the late afternoon we could host a celebration of Seth’s life at a reception. All of his friends would be invited. I think you would be surprised as to how many people have been touched by Seth.” Then Seth would be sent to Georgia for burial in Muddy Creek. I know he had a little brother who adored him who died at the age of five. Seth would want to rest next to little Jimmy. You could arrange a service for him at home.”

Mama was silent and then said, “Your plans are very thoughtful. Thank you. I can feel your love for Seth as you speak.”

The Henry let loose with the big one. “Last April we attended the memorial service for a friend who had passed away. He had been cremated and his ashes were in a beautiful urn at the service. He has since been buried next to his wife. Alex and I are suggesting we have Seth cremated.”

Mama was silent, then spoke, “I never considered the possibility of cremation. Of course I never considered the possibility of my lovely Seth dying. I should talk to his father about this.”

Henry continued, “I do not wish to force a quick decision on you, but right now Seth is at a funeral home waiting for instructions. Would it be possible for you to call your husband now? Alex suggested you call him to discuss any arrangements. Then he can think about it and you can think about it and call him again this afternoon to discuss it more.”

“This is not something I want to think about or discuss. But, I know we must make a decision.”

Henry dialed the number at the father’s place of work and then handed the phone to Mama. He heard her side of the conversation.

“Hi Masie, this is Betty” … ”Thank you for the kind words.” … ”No I am not home, I am calling long distance from Cleveland.” … ”I know these calls are very expensive. I am at the home of Seth’s employer. He told me to call anyone in Muddy Creek I wanted to talk to.” … ”I’ll wait while you find Jim.” …. ”Hi Jim.” … ”Everyone is so nice to me.” …. ”I slept in the guest room of the big house of Seth’s boss. He told me I could call anyone long distance I wanted to talk to.” … She then told him how caring and thoughtful everyone had been. She praised Alex and his friend, Roland. She told about the arrangements for the garden service, reception, sending Seth home and suggestion that he be buried next to little Jimmy. Then she spoke to him about the suggestion of a cremation. It was finally decided that he would think about it and that she would call him back that evening.

After hanging up they discussed the plans and agreed to everything except the cremation.

Henry continued, “Alex assumes you did not pack with a funeral in mind. He and Roland have a friend who owns a dress shop and another who is a hair dresser. They are making appointments for tomorrow morning if it is OK with you. Do not worry about cost. Alex considers you as family. He would do anything for Seth and desires to give you some pleasure during these sad times.”

Mama had not had time to think about clothes. Suddenly she realized that for her son she needed to look her best. She agreed to the appointments and tearfully thanked both Roland and later Alex.

That evening she called Jim, Seth’s father, at home. He told her, “I’ve thought about this all day. I called Rachel (Seth’s sister) and we agree that we are not happy with the whole idea of cremation. But we are both more upset with the thought of putting Seth in a box and having him transported by strangers on truck, train or however they do it. We also thought about Seth and little Jimmy. There would be room to bury an urn next to his little brother. You know how much Jimmy loved Seth. It would be nice to have them together. So if you are OK with the idea of cremation I am willing to have it done.”

Thursday - After breakfast Henry took her to his and Seth’s apartment. Knowing Seth had been very particular about cleanliness and order she was not surprised at the clean, homey atmosphere. The three room apartment consisted of a living room, kitchen and bedroom with a double bed. Henry decided not to hide the fact that they slept in the same bed. She seemed to be accepting of their relationship and it would have been silly to tell her that he slept on the sofa in the living room and Seth in the big bed. They went through Seth’s belongings and selected a few items such as a pocket knife to give to his nephews. She cried when she saw the salt and pepper shaker on the kitchen table. They had been her mother’s, Seth’s grandmother’s. He had asked if he could have them when he moved to Daisyville. Henry insisted that she take them. Seth, an accomplished artist, had given his parents, sister and the Muddy Creek Library paintings and drawings. There was one on the wall depicting a scene along Muddy Creek, his hometown’s namesake. When she admired it Henry insisted she have it. Since he was planning to go to Muddy Creek for Seth’s memorial service he would bring it. She selected items of clothing to give to her grandsons, Seth’s nephews. The rest of the cloths were to be given to Seth’s friends or Goodwill. She especially enjoyed sitting at Seth’s kitchen table eating the lunch she helped Henry prepare.

Friday - The events of the following day were surreal to Mama as she received special attention at the small dress boutique, a word for a store she had never heard, and was pamper at the beauty salon. When they walked into the small dress shop near Shaker Square Alfred, the owner, swished up to them. “You must be Seth’s mother. I am so sad for you and your family. Seth was a good man and good friend. We all will miss him.” As he took her hand and kissed it, something Mama had only seen in movies, he guided her to a chair. Henry was shown to a chair in a corner designed as a waiting area for men. Never before had Mama been in a store where you sat while clothes were presented to you. Alfred suggested a simple, basic black sheath dress with half sleeves. He inquired as to her shoe size and called the nearby shoe store. A salesman soon arrived with a selection of basic black shoes. Alfred suggested and Mama accepted a pair of black leather low heel pumps. For a hat she had a difficult time choosing between a black straw hat with satin bow or a Jacqueline Kennedy pill box. She finally decided the straw hat would be a better choice to wear in Muddy Creek.

Their next stop was Rinaldo’s Salon. Usually new customers were put on a waiting list at Rinaldo’s. However, when Roland called Rinaldo at his unlisted home phone number the hairdresser responded with great enthusiasm. He had not only met Henry and Seth at the New Year’s Eve party he had made a proposition that the men very nicely refused without hurting feelings. Rinaldo had told them that two of his fantasies were handsome red heads and gorgeous black men. He invited them to his salon after hours where he would with great pleasure massage, trim or shave any or all of their body parts. Later Henry and Seth had discussed taking him up on his offer but decided they did not want to get involved with him. Rinaldo had not forgotten either and more than once had taken his hand to his fifty year old dick while stroking with thoughts of black and red.

After greeting Mrs. Cudley with condolences Rinaldo wrapped his arms around Henry and whispered in his ear, “I am still waiting to massage, trim and sculpt our beautiful body.” He then told Henry that the appointment would take at least three hours. Mama did not understand why it would take so long for a simple hair dressing but kept her thoughts to herself. When Henry returned three hours later he had to wait another thirty minutes. To his amazement she looked very much the same, yet different. Following a subtle hair style change, manicure, facial and professionally applied make-up she was the same Mama with a level of sophistication added.

At home Roland insisted she model her new outfit. He gushed with praise and then excused himself for a minute. He returned holding a black velvet box. He opened it saying, “This string of pearls belonged to my mother. It will perfectly compliment your outfit and I want you to have it. When you wear these pearls you will be reminded of the happy life Seth had in Cleveland.” She would have been shocked if she knew their value.

Lying in bed that night events of the past days swirled through Mrs. Cudley’s / Mama’s / Betty’s head. When Seth moved north to the big city she feared that he would be lonely and friendless. Never in her wildest dreams had she considered he would be surrounded by a circle of friends who really cared for him. While he had hinted in his letters that his life was full and rewarding she assumed he was just saying it to cover his lonesomeness. She still felt dazed from the pampering she had received in the dress shop and beauty shop or salon as what a ‘beauty shop’ was called here. While she felt guilty that her new clothes and beauty treatments had resulted from her son’s death, she also was pleased that his circle of friends cared enough for Seth to be sure his mother was treated so kindly. Tears formed as she thought of her little boy from Muddy Creek growing up to be a respected and cherished man.

Saturday – A brief memorial service was scheduled for 2:00 in the afternoon with the celebration reception beginning at 4:00. Alex handed her the phone while suggesting she call Muddy Creek. “Since the long distance rates are cheaper on Saturday make all the calls you want.” She called both her husband and daughter talking about an hour.

About an hour prior to the service the guests arrived. First Father Sean wearing a cleric collar come in. Obviously he knew her son well as he not only expressed condolences but talked about Seth as a real friend. Later she was stunned to learn that this religious man who was a good friend of Seth, Henry, Alex and Roland was a Catholic priest. She had never spoken to a pastor of this strange church, in fact she did not believe she had ever been in the same room as one. If there were any ‘Catholics’ in Muddy Creek they kept a low profile. She was in a daze as handsome man after handsome man arrived. They included two young men: Owen and his friend Lee, an Asia young man; two tall men in their thirties: Peter and Tom and with them arrived two elderly men: Will and Reg. Most of these men had been mentioned in Seth’s letter she was now able to place faces to names.

Later in conversations she had an interesting discussion with Professor Will Lang. Most of his professional life he had taught at a college in Daisyville, Georgia. One summer he had hired Henry to do yard work and then realizing his potential he both financially and morally supported college attendance. Peter, the grandnephew of Will introduced himself. He had visited his Uncle Will one summer in Daisyville where he met Henry. Her Seth had attended an art class taught by Will and eventually met Peter and then Seth. She was not aware of the details of the meeting which started with Peter posing nude for Seth’s class and then continued with a session with Henry where a piece of art was started but not finished. Meeting in the basement den of Uncle Will’s home Seth planned to complete the drawing of the nude Peter started in the class a day earlier. Peter had suggested Henry attend, observe and possibly also pose nude for the talented red head artist. As soon as Peter and Henry posed Seth lost all interest in drawing. The three had an encounter of the best kind. Then Peter went to bed while Seth and Henry remained in the basement den the remainder of the night. This was the beginning of their loving friendship.

Chairs had been set up under a maple tree in a corner of the yard. The only other furniture was a small rattan table. Henry escorted Mama from the house. After they were seated the rest filed in with Alex carrying and placing the urn with Seth’s ashes on the small table. Following a prayer and Bible reading by Father Sean remarks were spoken by some of Seth’s closest friends. As Henry held Mama’s hand retired Professor (Uncle) Will, Peter and Alex reflected on Seth’s life. Following the short service all returned to the house. Mrs. Cudley had interesting conversations with Uncle Will and Peter. She was surprised when Rinaldo arrived. He escorted her upstairs where he tweaked he make-up and hair. While she felt guilty about all the attention she was receiving she was happy that she would represent her son as an elegant lady, not the backwoods cracker that some had expected. Actually Rinaldo had an ulterior motive for offering his service. He lusted after Henry and had fantasized about massaging and trimming pits and crotch area. As he brought Mrs. Cudley back he quietly told Henry, “Whenever you are ready for some trimming or tweaking my talented hands are ready and willing. Call me sometime for a private appointment.” Henry just smiled.

Mrs. Cudley was amazed at the number of people already at Seth’s Celebration of Life. She stood with Henry on one side of her and Alex on the other greeting each guest while hearing condolences and kind comments about Seth. There were teachers from Henry’s school, workers of the landscaping business and an assortment of others, mostly men, of all ages. Alex introduced her to a handsome man, Alan, his son and then to an elegant woman June, the mother of Alan. Alan’s wife was also introduced. June and Alex embraced and kissed in a very friendly way. When Mrs. Cudley asked Henry later about June and Alan he explained, “Back in the 1930s when Alex was a poor Russian immigrant he did yard work for a wealthy couple. Initiated by the wife, June, skinny poor Alex satisfied her in a way her banker husband was unable to. When she discovered she was pregnant she encouraged her husband to be more active in bed. She did not want Alex to know what had happened so she stopped having him take care of the yard and do odd jobs around the house and in her bed. When Alan was born her husband assumed the boy was his natural son. Years later after her husband had passed on Mrs. June Foyle hired a landscaping firm to take care of her yard. To both their surprises Alex arrived to discuss her requirements. Eventually the son, Alan, was told the truth. They are now good friends and Alex enjoys being a granddad to his three grandchildren.” Then with a chuckle Henry continued, “I am sure such situations like that never happen in Muddy Creek.”

Mama laughed, “According to the gossip at the beauty shop there is a lot of what you call ‘hankie-pankie’ going on in Muddy Creek. By the time Seth graduated from high school half of the girls in his class had dropped out of school to get married or had visited relatives for an extended time to take care of situations.”

Sunday Henry, Alex and Roland escorted Mama to the airport for her return flight to Georgia. They had agreed that Henry would visit Muddy Creek in two weeks to attend the memorial service for Seth. He and Aiden would drive to Georgia bringing Seth. After the service Henry would visit his family in Daisyville, Georgia and Aiden his family in Cou Rouge, Georgia.