Every spring we went out to the cemetery at Coalton. Even after the land was sold and deeded to the mining companies, Bess insisted on taking the kids every year. Our people are there and as long as I'm breathing those graves will be tended. It's anyone's duty. One day we'll be lying there ourselves, miles from anything. Clayton was away, working at Huttonsville most likely. Bess had Katie Sue and Chuck ready. We were in a hurry, wanted to get there before the heat of the day came up, and Katie cut a fit. She got sick in cars when she was little and dreaded riding any distance. Seven or eight and high-strung as an old lady. She hid in the house and wouldn't answer us. I got damn mad and switched her with a birch switch. Don't you know I regretted it for years.

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