What Do You Think It Is?

Chapter 16

Oregon Illinois

In 1980 Mark Greene and Carol Parker both need the skills of lawyers. Art must be appreciated for art’s sake even in a rural cultural wasteland.

City sidewalks,

busy sidewalks

Dressed in holiday style --

Ray Evans / Jay Livingston Silver Bells Perry Como The Classic Christmas Album


What do you think it is?

“Glad things are going well with Parker Produce and Fruit. We need to go over some legal changes anyway. Why don’t you bring all the documents I sent with you? The kid did sign everything didn’t he? ”

“Yes, all signed and initialed.”

“I can represent him then and get this appellate case heard. This local prosecutor and judge are just being jack asses. They never had a real case from what I can determine. They are trying to win elections, maybe want to be governor. This kid has a job with the Foreign Service if he has a clean record. He was never in any other trouble. They’re just being jackasses and you know it is for their own personal gain. I talked to the kid’s attorney; he is out of his league here. He needs to stay with traffic tickets and simple wills."

“Mark will have you now.”

“Yes we are going push them hard. Actually, the first jury found him not guilty. They went after him again with a slightly different statute. The local police and prosecutor went into great dramatic detail about the evil of drugs and how even a small crack in the dike could lead to a flood. Urged the jury to be ever vigilant in the war on drugs. This War on Drugs has become more of blight than the drugs. Dad says the Greene’s are long time neighbors. This kid was there tossing bales the day of the big accident. He says the law firm should do what we can.”

“I’m sure Mark and his family appreciate it.”

“Also, we need to discuss some future legal structure for the farm and your business. Dad is discussing some things with Uncle Lance or Kenny as Dad insists on calling him. “

“What’s up with Uncle Lance?”

“The main thing I need to discuss with you is the sculpture, he wants to donate one to the school or the community. I think you are going to have to be our on-ground liaison on this.”

“What does this look like? Is it really weird and abstract?’

“I have photos; I think you will have to judge for yourself. Honestly, I think it is really good. I have shown the photos to a couple of our resident art fans and they were very complimentary. I don’t care much for modern art.”

“That Picasso gift was a real political football even in the big urban center. I don’t know most folks around here still don’t see why anyone cares about the American Gothic painting.”

“Thanks for sending Uncle Lance a letter and photos once in a while, he really appreciates it. He is also very impressed with you’re making a go of it.”

“He sends a card occasionally with a nice scene, and a short wish you well note, not much else.”

“That is more contact than anyone else has. He got in touch a month ago discussing the contract on the farm and this gift back to his hometown. I think something’s up I don’t know what. Christmas time is pretty in the downtown. A good time for a visit.”

“I can take a train all the way downtown and stay in one of your big-city rip off hotels. We had a good year I can afford a weekend.”

“I don’t suppose your husband is coming?”

“No, he was coming back after semester at the college he’s at now, but he cancelled.”

“That’s what Dad told me; it is part of what we should discuss.”

“Lawrence, I didn’t know you had taken on marriage counseling. I am not sure you have the right skill set. I seem to remember you as low on emotional IQ, not strong on empathy and compassion.”

“There are legal ramifications to emotional consequences. It takes less emotional IQ, if you are legally prepared. I only do letter of the law counseling. You can share your feelings with those horses.”

“The horses only listen to Ruth. Yes, Big Brother, it is time to discuss the future and look at options. It will have to be just after Christmas. I’m playing for the Christmas Eve service and Mark Greene is singing. I will make arrangements for it after that.”

“You’re going to church, now. I haven’t been since I stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Parker as a kid. You’re not one of these Born-Again zealots I am hearing more about, are you?”

“I hadn’t been since I was a kid either. I go and play on occasion. I have come to appreciate the true love these people have for each other. In a small community they are like one big family having a reunion every Sunday. Without the church I don’t what would be left in Franklin.”

“You should have taken that husband of yours to church, then maybe he would love the community like you do.”

“Enough with the marital advice I will discuss everything when I’m with you in your office. I have to make some plans; I will let you know.”

“We will see you in two or three weeks, then. I will set up an appointment with Mr. Finn so you can review, while you are here in person.”

“Mark is only a couple of years younger than me. He’s not a Kid, he has a master’s degree.”

“You’re my Kid sister and he’s younger than you. Also, his legal issue is childish at least on the prosecutor’s side. He’s a kid.”

“Bye Big Brother.”





Paths of Conviction, Footsteps of Fate, by Oregon sculptor, Jeff Adams, 2002, is located at Mix Park. It reflects on the crossing of the paths of Lincoln and Blackhawk and the struggles in this area in 1832.