Donnie took frequent breaks but was driven to keep going by the thought of his mother resting there. She would be at peace on their land and then Donnie could focus on bringing peace to Billy.

By four in the afternoon, Donnie judged the hole to meet the needs of his mother’s coffin. He sat in the shade of the blackjack oak and drank from his third quart of water. It seemed to go down his throat and directly out through his pores. He stayed until he felt strong enough to bring Momma out of the house.

The box he’d built was placed next to the grave with the lid leaning against it. Inside he’d laid his Momma’s favorite quilt and a needlework pillow that had both her boys name’s on it. Donnie went inside to his mother’s room, gathered her into his arms and carried her out to where the box was. As gently as he could, he laid her in the homemade casket. He pulled the quilt up around her and put the pillow under her head.

Going over to the rose bush where she’d cut a rose each time she visited Billy, he clipped one for her and laid it on her chest.

Staring down at her, the tears began again as he prepared to place the lid over her. He would never see her face again.

After saying a small prayer, he willed himself to slide the lid over the box and hammer in some nails to seal it. Using some rope, he managed to lower the box into the hole. Taking the shovel, Donnie prepared to start pushing dirt back into the hole.

“Goodbye, Momma. I love you. I sure am going to miss you. Rest now.”

Donnie shoveled dirt until after dark, covering the box completely. He sat down at the base of the grave, resting his head in his hands, while he stared at the fresh piled dirt. It was done. Momma could rest.

****

The sun blinded Donnie as he rolled onto his back. He covered his face with his hand and tried to figure out where he was. It took him a minute before he realized he had fallen asleep at the foot of Momma’s grave.

He got up and tried to stretch. Every muscle complained. He was sore from the work but his mind felt refreshed. He brushed himself off and went in the house. His stomach growled as he rummaged through the fridge looking for something to eat. A tub of plain yogurt, with some maple syrup on it, would have to do. After wolfing it down, he thought to look at the clock. He was surprised to see it was almost noon.

Donnie spent the remainder of the afternoon picking up the tools, cleaning around his mother’s grave, and finally, making the cross that he stuck in the ground by her head. Next, he took a flat board, and using his pocket knife, scratched his Momma’s name and the dates of her birth and death onto it. He held it away from him and studied it.

It will do fine. Momma would like it.

He nailed it to the cross and sat at the foot of the grave while he watched the sun sink behind the horizon. It reminded him of what they would do each night on the porch together and he was glad she was close enough for them to still share it. When it finally disappeared, and dusk started to turn to dark, he stood.

“Goodnight Momma. I’m going to see Billy now.”

****

Donnie sat on the ground by the stone with Billy’s name.

“Hi Billy, I did what you suggested. Momma is buried behind the garage. She’ll not be alone there, and I can visit whenever I want. We watched the sunset together tonight.”

Billy smiled as if reacting to something.

“I’d like that too. Maybe when we’re done, I can have you moved next to Momma. I’m sure she would be happy to have you near.”

The rose his mother had left several days before had blown into the grass. It was wilted but Donnie picked it up and put it back on Billy’s name.

“Okay, Billy. I understand. The rooms are the priority and I’ll work to have them done as quickly as possible. I know what size and shape but what should I put in each room?”

Donnie nodded his head up and down several times.

“Got it. We’ll have this done soon and you can rest. I can feel everything is going to be fine.”

Donnie laughed out loud.

“Hey! This is different and besides, that was a long time ago. I won’t make the same mistake again, not this time. I’ll keep my facts straight and won’t let the wrong person know what’s going on.”

Donnie glanced at his watch.

“I gotta go, Billy. There’s a lot to do and I need to pick up supplies. Love you. I’ll be back soon.”

   Donnie turned and walked back to the van. He pushed the usual sadness away by focusing on the things he needed at the store. If he got them all tonight, he could start building first thing in the morning.

****

Donnie arrived at the Lowe’s store on Goliad Street in southeast San Antonio about nine-thirty. The store closed in a half hour but he knew what he needed and with help from an employee, he managed to collect everything before the store closed.

He put his cart load on the check-out table.

Four padlocks, keyed the same. A large box of screws. Twelve pieces of steel rebar, each one foot long. Four pieces of chain, each three foot long. Four heavy eyebolts. Another package of four padlocks, also keyed the same. Five-gallon buckets with their lids, four of them. Four latches that accepted padlocks and four thick moving blankets.

“Whatcha’ makin’?”

Donnie looked up, surprised by the question.

“Oh, it’s a 4-H project for my son.”

The cashier smiled at him while she rang him up.

“Cool. I was in 4-H. Loved it but I don’t remember any projects like this.”

Donnie tried to remain calm. He didn’t want to be noticed, never mind being questioned.

“Well, you know how it is. Things change.”

The cashier let it go and gave Donnie his total. He was relieved to pay and get out the door.

There was a H-E-B Foods on his way home, where he would stop for some groceries, and then to the house. He eagerly anticipated the next morning when he would be able begin the final steps of his mission. His mind raced with the possibilities of the next step in the plan. Billy still hadn’t shared what it was but each time Donnie completed a new project, it brought him closer to the ultimate final step. Donnie couldn’t wait to know what it was.

****

Six straight days of hard work had brought Donnie to the end of his construction task. He had visited Billy about half way through the project to make sure he was getting it right. Billy had been pleased and told Donnie so. It always meant a lot when his big brother was proud of him. Four solid cells were complete and the final preparations underway.

Donnie placed one of the five-gallon buckets in each cell. They would serve as a toilet for the people inside. Each cell was made of wood from the pile in the barn. Solid oak frame with steel bars in the window of each door. There was a blanket on the floor in each room with a chain lying next to it. The chain was fastened to a large eyebolt which Donnie had secured to the wall. Each door could be closed and padlocked.

Donnie went to his computer and looked at the names on his list. Four in all, each burned into Donnie’s memory since that awful day.

Ed Garland, his brother’s best friend. Suzanne Cooper, his brother’s girl friend of two years. Dexter Hughes and Chelsea Burt. Two people Donnie had never seen before that day.

It was time to choose the first name and Billy had left it up to Donnie. His brother didn’t care who was first and Donnie had debated for a couple days before making up his mind. And now it was time.