Dear Hank Williams by Kimberly Willis Holt Page A

searching around for some old saddle blankets we’d had from the days when Uncle Jolly owned a horse. While Uncle Jolly hunted for them on the high shelves, I combed the lower ones. That’s when I came across my daddy’s boots. I was glad they weren’t on Frog’s feet, but the sight of them made me freeze.
    Uncle Jolly must have noticed, because he came over and grabbed them. “Meant to throw those out,” he said. “Good time as any.”
    Frog wouldn’t like it. “They’re magic,” he’d tell me. He’d stand tall, looking down, admiring those boots. I think Frog believed if he wore them enough, our daddy would appear in front of us in his socks. I was glad Uncle Jolly was throwing them out. Frog didn’t need to be wearing them anyway. They were way too big for Frog’s little feet. He could trip or fall or worse.
    When Uncle Jolly returned, he patted me on the shoulder and went back to scouting for the blankets. A moment later he said, “Here’s one.” He handed me the blanket. I held it by two corners and flapped it into the air a few times. Dust flew, causing us to cough. Then I folded it and placed it on the dirt floor. I patted Lovie’s new bed and looked up at her. “Come on, girl.”
    Lovie studied me and the blanket. Then she slowly made her way to the spot. I raised my hand to pet her head, but she ducked away as if I was going to hit her.
    Uncle Jolly shook his head. “Poor thing. I think she was running away from some downright mean scoundrel. They must have mistreated her something awful. Haven’t heard her bark once.”
    â€œWhere did you find her?” I asked. I wanted to know Lovie’s whole story.
    Then Uncle Jolly told me how he discovered Lovie. He was heading back from Dallas. He said he was so happy with his pocket filled with Christmas-tree money because he knew now he’d be able to buy the Victrola and we’d get to hear Momma on the radio. “I was thinking to myself, this must be what Santa Claus feels like, knowing he’s going to please all those boys and girls by getting them something they really want. Anyway, I was driving on Highway 80 and it began to rain, hitting the windshield so hard, I could hardly see. Hate to admit it, but I got scared all of a sudden.”
    â€œBut it rains here all the time, Uncle Jolly.”
    â€œYes, ma’am, but I was in Texas. And your aunt Patty Cake’s words kept playing in my head. I was afraid I was going to meet my maker right outside Mineola. I decided not to push my luck. I pulled over to the side of the road, practically driving into the woods because of what happened to your grandparents. As soon as I parked, I knew I’d done the right thing. At least that’s what I thought until lightning struck a huge limb that landed about two feet in front of my truck. Talk about a close call.
    â€œThen I heard a yelp. I could tell it was from a dog, and normally I would have stayed put, but something got me curious, maybe because I only heard the sound once. I buttoned up my coat and fixed my hat on my head and stepped out into the rain. Then I checked all around the truck, but I didn’t see anything. I figured whatever it was had taken off. When I headed back, though, I saw a dog’s tail with a tip of white on the end sticking out from underneath the truck. I fetched my leftover ham sandwich and coaxed her to come to me. She was shaking, but I sweet-talked her. Finally, she inched her way out from underneath and let me lift her inside the truck. I figured we’d wait the weather out together, but by the time the rain stopped falling I’d come to the conclusion that this dog was meant for someone special.”
    â€œThank you, Uncle Jolly.”
    â€œYeah, I was thinking this dog should go to my next girlfriend,” Uncle Jolly said. He looked dead serious. Then he winked.
    Mr. Williams, did I ever tell you that