No Earthly Good

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At dinnertime we talked about Charlie. Charlie was somethin’ else. People always said that he was of no earthly good, but Charlie showed us all.

Daddy shook his head as he cut his meat and said, “You believe that about Charlie?” No one answered, sister started to cry.

I grew up with Charlie. He was the first boy that I ever kissed. Him, brother and I would go swimming down to the swimming hole in the summertime. I think sister was sweet on him, but she never said nothing about it cause momma always said Charlie was a bad sort.

Charlie’s people came from the wrong side of the tracks. He never wore store bought clothes and his hair was always a mite too long. But his smile would brighten anyone’s day.

Charlie died today.

He was down to the highway, walking along the side. As he passed the Gentry house, the baby came out of the yard and walked onto the highway just as the car came out nowhere. It was moving fast. Charlie only had time to jump in front of it and push the baby to safety.

Still sister cries.

Now . . . no one says that Charlie was of no earthly good.

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