{"id":391,"date":"2001-04-06T11:57:32","date_gmt":"2001-04-06T18:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ryanspeck.com\/blog\/?p=391"},"modified":"2023-06-24T00:48:09","modified_gmt":"2023-06-24T07:48:09","slug":"walto-bets-the-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.ryanspeck.com\/blog\/walto-bets-the-farm\/","title":{"rendered":"Walto Bets The Farm"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"boldgrid-section\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-lg-12 col-md-12 col-xs-12 col-sm-12\">\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto Haggerty was working his field. He strained away under the hot sun, trying to attach a plow to the rear of his tractor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">He paused momentarily to look questioningly at the sun and wipe his brow with an old handkerchief.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cDamn it all,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">It was one of the hottest springs in state history. On this particular day, it had reached 96\u00b0 by noontime.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">During a season that was usually cool and rainy, it remained hot and dry, leaving the soil dusty and hard, hard to work for planting, and making it unlikely any crop could be successfully grown.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto finished dabbing at his face and neck and set back to work hitching the plow to the tractor. He was having a hard time, much more so than usual. This day wasn\u2019t going well for him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">His sweaty, oily hands struggled to get the hitch attached until, finally, the bar attaching the plow to the tractor crashed down onto his foot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto screamed and hopped on one foot for several minutes, cursing loudly, before finally limping toward his small while house.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">The screen door screeched open on rusted hinges and slammed shut behind him as he hobbled into the kitchen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">His wife Doris turned from the stove to look at him as he collapsed into a chair.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cSomething wrong, Walt?\u201d<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cWell, Doris\u2026 I\u2019d have to say nearly every damned thing is wrong. That damned plow won\u2019t hitch to the John Deere, I\u2019ve done crushed my foot, and the soil\u2019s drier than a bull\u2019s teat.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cWell, Walt, there ain\u2019t much\u2019n we can do \u2018bout that. You just got to work with what you have.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cDamn it all, Doris, I know that. You think I like killing my fool self out underneath that sun?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cWell, I reckon you haven\u2019t a choice, Walt.\u201d Doris turned from the piecrust she was working at to glare at him before sliding the pan into the mouth of the oven.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cYou\u2019re some damn woman, Doris\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto slowly got back to his feet and stretched his legs. \u201cI\u2019ll get back to it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cYou\u2019d best do that,\u201d she said without watching him go.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto stood back out under the sun, working at hitching the plow to the tractor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">At long last, it snapped into place and Walto sighed with relief.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">After more wiping and swabbing at his old, leathery skin with his handkerchief, he mounted the large green tractor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">As he turned the small key, the engine strained to turn over several times before rumbling to life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto sighed, put the tractor into gear, and headed out into the field.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto had been working the hard soil for some time when he leaned back in his seat to wipe at the dust and sweat on his face, at just the right moment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">As he wiped across his face and neck, he happened to glance up into the sky. And, just as he glanced up, a few lonely clouds crossed the sun, blocking out the sun\u2019s harsh rays for a moment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">The blind light from overhead was gone for only seconds before being replaced by a brighter light, coming from directly ahead of Walto.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">In great numbers, at least 50 feet high across the sky, made of fire was:<\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><strong>4 19 22 26 34<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto couldn\u2019t believe his eyes. But it was impossible not to. There, in front of him, bigger than anything he had ever seen, were the numbers: 4, 19, 22, 26, and 34.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto\u2019s mouth gaped, his eyes glazed, and the tractor ground to a halt.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">And they still burned. They lit up the sky, burning into his retinas.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">By the time that he began to think that it might be important to remember them, they were almost gone.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto stumbled through the screen door. Doris didn\u2019t turn from the stove to look at him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cIt tain\u2019t done yet, is it, Walt?\u201d she said, chopping carrots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cHush up, woman,\u201d he gasped.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Doris turned on him, bristling, clenching the kitchen knife in her hand. She frowned, looking as if she were going to say something until she saw the pale shock on Walto\u2019s face.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cWalt? What in tarnation has gotten into you? You look as if you\u2019ve done seen a ghost\u2026 And I can\u2019t imagine as how ghosts would cotton to hauntin\u2019 corn.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cDoris, I\u2014 I believe I\u2019ve done seen a miracle from God.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Doris\u2019 frown increased exponentially. \u201cGood Lord, Walt, you ain\u2019t been out in the sun that long, have you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cWoman, don\u2019t patronize me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cDon\u2019t let me find out you done been making that corn liquor again, Walt. You know what Sheriff Johnson said about last time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cGod damn you, Doris, listen to me! I\u2019ve seen a sign from God. Great fiery numbers in the sky!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Doris stared on, frozen in a sneer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cA-SIGN-FROM-GOD!\u201d he annunciated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Doris sighed slowly, sounding like an innertube deflating. \u201cI\u2019ve done married a fool.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto wilted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cBecky Mae!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">A dirty little girl with a tattered math book in her hand wandered into the kitchen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cYes, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cPack up some clothes, baby. Your daddy\u2019s gone stone crazy. We\u2019re goin\u2019 to your aunt Ruby\u2019s house.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cWoman, I won\u2019t have you sass me in from of my own child. If I say I\u2019ve damn well seen Willie Nelson ride over the hill on a horse, you ought to take my word as the Lord\u2019s Truth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cWalt, Willie Nelson may ride a horse over that hill one day, but the Lord Almighty don\u2019t put up burning numbers in the sky to keep you from gettin\u2019 to the plowin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cIt\u2019s true, momma. I\u2019ve seen it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Doris looked petrified. \u201cHush up, Becky Mae, and go start packing like I done told you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cWoman, let the girl talk!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cDon\u2019t spread your craziness to my child, Walto Haggerty! The girl\u2019s young and impressionable yet and I won\u2019t have you fillin\u2019 her head with mess.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto\u2019s face reddened with every second. \u201cDoris, the Lord has offered me the winning numbers to the state lottery and I ain\u2019t gonna have your rurn it for me. If you want to head on out the door, then go. But when you ain\u2019t with me to spend the millions, don\u2019t be cryin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cChrist Almighty, Walt. That\u2019s what you think the Lord would use a miracle for? You think the Lord saves up all his miracles to give you lotto numbers? Famine and plague run rampant, but God\u2019s giving lotto numbers to Walto Haggerty? You sure you don\u2019t have no more of that corn liquor?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cWoman, I\u2019ve seen the numbers with my own eyes! And those millions are mine. I can taste it. I know it in my bones.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cWhat are the numbers, then, Walt?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cWell, they\u2019re 4\u2026 Um, 4\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cDamn you, woman! In all your stubbornness, you done made me forget the numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cDaddy?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cThat\u2019s one hell of an excuse, Walt.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cDaddy?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cSay what you want, you old cow, you cost me a million dollars!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cDaddy?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto finally looked down at Becky Mae\u2019s dirty face. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">She held up her math homework in her hand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">\u201cI wrote the numbers down, daddy. I saw \u2018em through the window while I was doing my homework.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">The tractor still sat in the field.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Walto sat in front of the TV. He had been to the bank over the days before and put as many mortgages on the farm as he could get. He had put every penny he could find or borrow into every legal or not-so-legal wager he could on those numbers, sure in his belief that the Lord was on his side. And now he waited for the lotto drawing on TV.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">None of the other gambles on the numbers had paid off. That was as he expected, though. He knew that, all along, the lottery numbers were the ones that he would win, that the numbers of fire were referring to when they revealed themselves to him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">This is the one, he thought. It had to be. This would pay back all those debts taken out on the house, the liens, the items pawned, the money borrowed from friends and some shady characters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">He tapped his foot, impatiently. Even with all he\u2019d seen, nervousness was getting a grip on him. What if he didn\u2019t win? But God\u2026 The numbers were burning in the sky, as bright as the sun. How could he not?<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">But if he <i>did <\/i>lose, then he\u2019d lose the farm\u2026and everything else as well.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">When the numbers finally did scroll across the screen, Walto\u2019s eyes began to water. Then, his stomach began to churn. His temples began to throb. Sweat poured off his brow. And then the screaming began.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"center\">8 14 16 24 32<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" align=\"center\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">The next day, as Doris was packing up the last of her belongings and waiting for Ruby to arrive to pick her up, Becky Mae came home from school.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">Becky Mae wandered to her now barren room, past the room where her father now cowered, sobbing quietly, and sipping generously from an unlabeled jug. She sat down in the floor next to her window and opened up her book satchel, taking out her math homework.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">She\u2019d have to tell her mother later, at a less emotional time, that she had missed all 5 problems on her quiz. But, in the meantime, it was her homework assignment to discover how she should have arrived at the correct answers, which the teacher had written down the paper\u2019s margin next to her wrong answers and the red \u201cX\u201d marks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western custom-indent\">4, 19, 22, 26, and 34.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Walto Haggerty was working his field. He strained away under the hot sun, trying to attach a plow to the rear of his tractor. He paused momentarily to look questioningly at the sun and wipe his brow with an old handkerchief. \u201cDamn it all,\u201d he muttered. It was one of the hottest springs in state [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"bgseo_title":"","bgseo_description":"","bgseo_robots_index":"index","bgseo_robots_follow":"follow","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[24],"class_list":["post-391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fiction","tag-short-fiction"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanspeck.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/391","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanspeck.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanspeck.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanspeck.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanspeck.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=391"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanspeck.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/391\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":395,"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanspeck.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/391\/revisions\/395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanspeck.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanspeck.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanspeck.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}