Chapter 1
Jack Maxwell didn’t like wearing a suit and tie, but for his dad’s funeral, he wore one. It seemed he only wore a suit and tie for funerals and Sunday service, when he used to go. Not no more. No. Jack wasn’t sure there was a God anymore. Not with all that his family had been through. Looking at the casket containing his father brought back painful memories of his mother’s funeral, her death. He and Julius, his younger brother, were only kids when she died. Cancer took her when she was in her thirties and left his papa to raise them alone. Jack rested his hand on the closed casket lid. “You did good, Papa. You did good by me and Jules.” Cattle ranchers, farmers, local boys, came to pay their last respects. New Mexico was a quiet place to live. A forgotten, non-political state with good, hardworking folk. A pat on the back roused him from his thoughts. “Wally was a good man, Jack. He’ll be missed.” “Thanks, Dale.” Jack appreciated the turnout. He and Julius would rely on these other cattlemen for advice and help, since they knew his dad well. As mourners offered their condolences and future assistance, Jack noticed his brother. Julius was taking their papa’s death hard. Jules was only eight when their mother passed. Poor thing. Suffered. Suffered hard. He did too, but being the eldest son, he put on a strong face. He recalled his dad at her funeral saying, “You take care of Jules, Jackie… He’s more sensitive than you and me. He takes after his mama.” “I know, Papa,” Jack whispered to his daddy in the box. The local pastor had already prayed for them, trying to give them strength through the Lord. The Lord. Jack wished he could believe in a higher power. Since his family had been delivered blow after blow, his faith was being tested. A neighbor put her arm around his waist. “Jackie? See to Jules. He’s not doing well.” “Yes.” Jack nodded and looked for his brother. He wasn’t in the room with the coffin and rest of the folks who’d come to pay their last respects. Jack went looking for him. As he searched for Julius more friends consoled him, shook his hand and offered kind words. “Thank you.” Jack was grateful to everyone. He located Julius outside the funeral home, where the service was held. His brother looked wretched. Jack stood next to him, trying to offer his strength silently. When Julius noticed him there, he fought hard to stop the tears from rolling down his cheeks. “Okay.” Jack rubbed his upper back over his Sunday best. “Well, be okay.” Julius spun around and hugged him tight. A lump formed in Jack’s throat at his brother’s pain and anguish, but now, he had to be the man in the family. It was up to him.
