scolded, I was stone deathly afraid of Deafy. When I saw him coming, I ran to the house and watched with knocking knees and shaking hands until he disappeared down the "Big Road". I even considered moving my coal mine, but I never did.
One beautiful fall morning I was working the mine. I remember the birds singing and the smell of clean white laundry coming from the clothes on the line. I was struggling with a stubborn rock that was blocking access to one of my haul roads that I completely forgot to watch for Deafy.
I got the rock moved and loaded on my truck. I was going to haul it over by the gob dump, when suddenly a giant shadow loomed over me and the truck. I thought the sun had gone down, but then I got a good look at the shadow. It was a broad brimmed hat shadow, Deafy! I felt then what Job must have felt when he said, "That which I have always feared has come upon me." (Job 3:25)
Deafy was standing over me. between me and the house, the house and Mama. The black hat and coat were sinister and I was alone. Why had Mama abandoned her post at the window? Had Deafy somehow gotten rid of her, so he could get to me? I tried to scream. No sound came out. Had Deafy cursed me so I could no longer speak, somehow initiating me into some awful society where nobody could hear or speak? What terrible torture would he use on my five-year old body. Or would he carry me off never to be heard from again. I knew for certain Mama was dead. I had warned her. Where were the neighbors? Had Deafv done them in too, just so he could get to me?
I tried to run, but my legs betrayed me. I prayed for the first time in my life.
Then I made up my mind. If I was going to die then I was going to die like a man. I'd heard my Uncle Delbert, who had been in the war say that once. It seemed appropriate.
I turned, still on my knees in the dirt. The giant was behind me. All I could see was his big, black shoes. They must have been size twenty-two.
Then I saw his hands, hands like Goliath, and I had no sling or stone to protect myself like David did. Determined, I looked into his eyes. A strange thing happened, a shred of hope. Deafy's eyes had a friendly look, no it was more of a yearning look. The kind of look a bashful puppy has when he is trying to make up his mind if it is all right to be your friend. Time passed. I don't know how long we stared into each other's eyes. Me on my knees and Deafy towering over me. I was starting to relax. Maybe I would live to see another day. Then Deafy moved. His hand came out toward me, like he wanted to shake hands. I thought it could be a trick, just to get his hands on me. His eyes kept that soft look. I reached out with a trembling hand, pressed my palm to his. I felt gentle strength radiate from his massive paw. I would live. I relaxed and Deafy knelt down beside me in the dirt, careful not to destroy my coal mining operation. He tousled my hair like Daddy would do when I'd done a good deed.
Deafy sat with me a minute and then he stood up, brushed his clothes and headed off toward the "Big Road". I was still a little disoriented but managed to wave and say "Bye". Deafy waved back.
I looked toward the house and saw Mama staring out the window. She wasn't dead, and neither were the neighbors. Mama had watched the whole thing, letting me learn for myself that things weren't always as they seemed.
After that day, Deafy came by my coal mine every day. We would communicate by looking into each other's eyes and handshakes. Deafy sometimes helped me with my mining operation. He showed me his pocket knife and pocket watch. Sometimes I would hold his big finger and walk him to the "Big Road". He would always watch me until I got back to the porch, then he would lift his hand and make a noise. I always waved back and said, "Bye".
This went on for a while. Then Deafy stopped walking up the path. Mama told me that he had moved off somewhere. I missed him. I don't think I ever saw him again.
I've told this story many times in sermons to illustrate the power of love. I tried to teach my children not to judge people by how they look, or how they act, but to try to think about other people's feelings.
Mr. Adam "Deafy" Kessinger died two years ago last January. He was buried in Render Cemetery near my mother and father. I always visited his grave when I visit Daddy's and Mama's.
I'm banking on making it to Heaven when I die. The first thing I'm going to do is find Mama and Daddy, then I'm going to lie down next to the River of Life. Maybe, just maybe a large dark shadow will loom over me......My friend, Mr. Deafy.
