Tommy Wayne Returns – Chapter 9

Sadie Mae Keeps Her Own Counsel

Now, everybody in Piedmont thinks I don’t hear half of what’s said at the Huddle House, but I do. I hear every word, even the ones whispered low over biscuits and gravy. Folks get to thinkin’ the sizzle of bacon and the hum of the vent’ll drown ‘em out — it don’t.

So when Sheriff Cole came in this mornin’ lookin’ like he’d been dug up instead of wakin’ up, I knew somethin’ had gone sideways. Then in trundles Clara Mae, talkin’ about ghosts at Rest Haven, and Ol’ Man Eustace—Lord help us—he’s got his “theories.” By the time I refilled the Sheriff’s cup, the whole place was tighter than a jar lid in July.

Now, here’s the part none of ‘em know: I got a letter once, too. Fifteen years ago, near about the time Tommy Wayne vanished. Come in the mail, no return address. Inside was a single piece of paper with Lily Pearl’s hand on it — I knew it soon as I seen the loops on her L’s.

All it said was:

“He knows now. I couldn’t keep it. Pray for him, and for me.”

I burned that letter after I read it.
I told myself it wasn’t my business — but the truth is, in Piedmont, everybody’s business leaks out sooner or later. I always figured whatever Tommy Wayne found out that summer was too heavy for a boy his age to carry.

That’s why, when I seen him walk past the Huddle House window this afternoon — older now, jaw set like his daddy’s — I nearly dropped a plate.

He didn’t come in. Just stood across the highway, lookin’ at the Huddle House like it was a museum of ghosts. The sunlight hit his eyes, and for just a moment, I swear I saw Lily Pearl in his face — that same proud sorrow that made folks love her and fear her all at once.

When I turned to tell the Sheriff, Tommy Wayne was gone.
Just the smell of rain and exhaust left behind.

Now, I don’t go meddlin’ in other folks’ hauntings, but I got a feeling this one ain’t over. Not by a long shot.
Because that empty grave plot Oliver keeps mowed so careful?

That was bought by Lily Pearl herself — cash, no questions — the same week Tommy Wayne ran off.

And I’ve been keepin’ that little detail to myself for fifteen years.
Until now.

*****

New Yesterdays is available through the following links: Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon as well as your favorite bookshops. The Audiobook is available from Libro.fm, as well as Amazon.

About Ol' Big Jim

Jim L. Wright is a storyteller with a lifetime of experiences as colorful as the characters he creates. Born and raised in Piedmont, Alabama, Jim’s connection to the land, history, and people of the region runs deep. His debut novel New Yesterdays is set in his hometown, where he grew up listening to stories of the past—stories that sparked his imagination and curiosity for history. Today, Jim lives in Leeds, Alabama, with his husband Zeek, a tour operator who shares his passion for adventure and discovery. Known affectionately as “Ol’ Big Jim,” he has had a diverse career that includes time as a storekeeper, an embalmer, a hospital orderly, and a medical coder. There are even whispers—unconfirmed, of course—that he once played piano in a house of ill repute. No matter the job, one thing has remained constant: Jim is a teller of tales. His stories—sometimes humorous, sometimes thought-provoking—are often inspired by his unique life experiences. Many of these tales can be found on his popular blog, Ol’ Big Jim, where he continues to share his musings with a loyal readership. Jim’s adventures have taken him far beyond Alabama. For seven years, he lived in Amman, Jordan, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. His time there, spent in smoky coffee shops, enjoying a hookah and a cup of tea while scribbling in his ever-present notebook, deeply influenced his worldview and his writing. When Jim isn’t writing, he’s thinking about writing. His stories, whether tall tales from his past or imaginative reimagining is of historical events should read from his past or imaginative reimaginings of historical events, reflect a life lived fully and authentically. With New Yesterdays, Jim brings readers a rich tapestry of history, fantasy, and human connection. Visit his blog at www.olbigjim.com to read more of his stories, or follow him on social media to keep up with his latest musings and projects, one of which is a series that follows Bonita McCauley, an amateur detective who gets into some very sticky situations. His book, New Yesterdays, can be found at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.

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