It was nearly sundown and time to bring the cows in from the lower pasture. Grandpa slowed his long strides, adjusting to Crystal's smaller steps as they walked with Cappa to gather the herd. They strode in silence for a while until Grandpa took Crystals hand and began speaking in his slow southern drawl.
"Crystal, girl. How old are ya now?"
"I just turned eight Grandpa."
"Well," he said "I think it's time you and me had a little talk. There's somethin' you aught to know about your daddy."
Crystal didn't know what to say, so she said nothing. She simply listened, mesmerized by the soft rhythms of his voice.
"When your daddy was born, he didn't have no father. Now I can't rightly explain that to you, but you'll understand some day. Your Grandma and her sister, Aunt Gladys, did their best to raise him up right, but they were awful soft on him. Heck, they spoilt him real bad. By the time he was twelve, he was drinking hard liqueur and causing all kinds of trouble. I met your Grandma around that time, and I asked her to marry me, but I knew your daddy had to learn how to be a man, so I sent him off to military school. You know what that is girl?"
"Military means the army. Right? I know daddy was in the war."
"That's right. He learned everything like in a regular school and he stayed out'a trouble. They taught him how to be a man, a soldier, but they couldn't keep him from the booze; and I don't think he ever really forgave me for taking him away from his Momma. He was always angry like. Your daddy's a good man. He takes care of you and your sister and momma, but sometimes the meanness takes hold a him. I've seen how he treats you when he gets that way, and it just ain't right. You're a good girl, Crystal. Don't you forget it. Your daddy loves you, but he's got problems and it ain't your fault."
Crystal didn't really understand, but somehow the words made her feel better. She looked up at her Grandpa and said. "Maybe if I stayed here with you, Daddy and Momma would be happier. I'm a lot of trouble sometimes."
"Oh girl, that just can't be. Your Mom and Dad need you and what would Amy do without her little sister? It'll be all right child. Someday it'll be all right."
"I'll try to be better and braver Grandpa. I promise."
"Ain't no need to try no harder. You're perfect just the way you are."
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