Chapter 16

Chapter 16

“…an old man, and full of years.”

Genesis 25:8

Clark rode through the night, and through the next day and the next—the logistics aren’t important. He stopped only for dramatic pauses where he would look into the distance as if searching the horizon for the answers to his problems, for the perfect words to say to Agatha, his lifelong friend, and the woman he loved with his whole heart.

Before he knew it, the landscape became more and more familiar. His heart seemed to grow more anxious as he drew closer and closer to his destiny. He had come home before, but this time, he was truly coming home, bearing his true name, and not a rhyming pseudonym. Even though Clark was afraid of all that awaited him in the mountains, and also the prairies, of Sunshine Salvation Valley, he felt a sense of relief wash over him like Niagara Falls, something he had only read about, but seemed like a useful comparison for his feeling of relief.

Before Clark came to Agatha’s, he knew he had to make one important stop. His family farm started off as a speck in the distance, but grew bigger and bigger as he approached on his horse. He saw Nina, lugging heavy buckets filled with feed across the property, and his mother getting out of their horse and cart, probably after a long day of work in town. He assumed his father was sitting at the kitchen table or lying in his bed, smoking his pipe or having a drink. Clark felt the anger start to rise in up within him, and he did the only thing he could think of to calm himself down:

Lord, help me to have patience with my Father. Give me words to say to my family. Give me strength. Amen.

Clark galloped onto the property, causing Nina to look up from her work. She looked surprised, but glad to see him, “Clay! Clay! You’re back. Oh boy, am I glad to see you. Everyone has missed you sorely, and well, I hoped you’d come back. Momma! Momma! This is that Clay I was telling you about,” Nina’s voice was filled with excitement, and a touch of relief. Mrs. Dangerpride slowly walked over to where Nina and Clark were standing. She walked at a snail's pace, the fatigue and age showing in her stride. As she took her long intentional steps, her eyes locked with Clark’s. Not a word was spoken as she made the long walk over to Clark, who dramatically stayed in his spot. Silence hung heavy in the air, until after several minutes, she was only a few feet away from her son. She looked at his face, squinting her eyes in thought as she gazed at her daughter’s friend, “Clay Dangerpride.” Slowly, her tired and sad features warmed into a rueful smile, and she spoke, “So Clay, are you from around these parts? You seem awful familiar,” there was a twinkle in the old woman’s eye.

“Well, you see, there’s something I’ve come to tell you all…” before Clark could say another word, his mother had taken him into her arms as tears poured out of her eyes.

“Oh, my son. How I’ve missed you! And you were here this whole time! Oh my son, my son!” The joy was tangible in Mrs. Dangerpride’s voice, a joy that had been so long absent from this place.

“Momma, I’ve missed you so,” a solitary tear fell down Clark’s face. Meanwhile, Nina stood openmouthed, taking the scene between her mother, and her long lost brother, who she had thought was just a good friend. She walked over, and took the edge of her apron, silently wiping away the solitary tear off of Clark’s cheek. She looked up at him, and he looked down at her. Then he picked her up in his arms and swung her around. They both laughed with joy, siblings reunited. Their mother smiled as she watched the two. Just then, the door creaked open. Everyone’s blood turned cold, and the joy seemed to leave the place. Mr. Dangerpride appeared in the doorway. Clark was surprised to see that the man looked sober and clean-shaven “What’s all the hub-bub?” he asked, his tone unclear. No one spoke, afraid of what the old man might do. Finally, Mrs. Dangerpride broke the silence. “Well Bart, your son has come home,” she said, her voice shaking.

Clark’s heart tightened in his chest as he prepared to defend himself, and the rest of his family to his unreasonable father. He clenched his fists as Bart made his way towards his long lost son. All of a sudden, something strange started happening: Bart seemed to be…. could it really be? Yes, in fact, the old proud man was crying, and his arms were outstretched towards his son, “Clark, my son, I’m so sorry. I know I made you run away, and I want you to know how sorry I am. Oh Clarky boy.” Years of baggage fell away as Clark made psychological leaps impossible in real life and embraced his father. “Papa, I’ve been waiting for you to say that,” Clark almost shed two tears as he said these words. As the two men embraced, the sun shone down on the Dangerpride farm and a beautiful rainbow formed overhead. The family spent the afternoon enjoying each other’s presence, laughing away years of hurt and pain.

Finally, Clark realized that it was getting late, and he had other business to finish that day. “Well, I have another stop to make. I have to go see Agatha, and tell her the truth,” Clark said the words with more bravery than her felt. Concern flashed over Nina’s face as he said these words. “What is it Nina?” Clark asked, alarmed at his sister’s expression.

“Well, I just got so distracted with all that’s happened today Clark, but, you see, Aggie’s gone.”

“GONE!” Clark felt sadness and panic take over his body.

“She’s gone looking for you Clay, I mean Clark,” Nina tried to say the words calmly.

“I’ve got to go find her. The range is no place for a delicate flower like Aggie,” Clark ran for his horse. “I’ll be back, and hopefully with my love,” he said as he prepared to leave once again.

At this point, the prodigal son theme has been seemingly exhausted with all of Clark’s back and forth trips from Prodigal Wyoming, but the author is not concerned. “Go and get her son,” Mr. Dangerpride said, with more love and concern in his voice than anyone could ever remember hearing. With that, Clark kicked the sides of his horse, and once again, set his destination as destiny.