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THE PLANE RIDE TO ATLANTA seemed so much longer than when he flew to California. He had much time to think about Peggy and the mess he’d created. She was innocent and he might be the only person on earth who knew that. Then he locked his thoughts on Peggy being pregnant and that made it even worse. He had mixed emotions about a baby. Having a baby with Peggy would be the most wonderful thing in the world, but Peggy being in jail made it an impossible situation.
On the plane he just had his thoughts. When the bus passed through Jasper the scenery began to remind him of the wonderful time he had spent with Peggy, the happiest times of his life. He was almost ready to explode when the bus stopped in front of the Blue Ridge station
As he stepped off the bus he remembered it was almost one year to the day since he had first stepped onto this sidewalk. At that time he had arrived with pure vengeance in his heart. This time his heart was full of desperation. He began his walk to the post office. Each step increased his apprehension. What would the Barkleys do? Would they still feel the same about him or would they want nothing to do with him? If they refused to even talk with him, he would understand beyond words.
He was surprised to see the same little group sitting near the post office. It looked like he had only been gone a couple of days instead of months. He still approached the lobby slowly. Then he heard Mike’s booming voice call out: “Mother! Look who’s home. It’s Jim!”
They both almost attacked him with hugs and kisses. Mother made him feel like he was a war hero that had been missing for years. She began to talk a mile-a-minute. She had cleaned his apartment, washed all his clothes and his bed linens, waiting every day for his return. They had even added a TV to the room while he was gone. He had a sickening feeling in his stomach. Not only had he destroyed Peggy’s life, he was doing even worse to the Barkleys. They had lost their Michael to the Vietnam War and now Mother refused to accept the loss of Jim. He thought if he had stayed in California how many more months would Mother have lasted? All at once he was ashamed of how selfish he had become. He made a pledge that being selfish would never be part of his life again.
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