Jinx showed up around the same time dawn arrived. Barely able to stand straight, I tossed a handful of plants into the trailer and waited for Jinx’s reaction to the mess.

He scrutinized the trampled field and then Pa, who was still going at it like a frenzied machine on full throttle. Shaking his head, Jinx started back to his truck. “I’ll be right back.”

Thinking he probably hightailed it away from the crazy, I shuffled over to the next perfectly planted row and began ruining it like the others. Days, hours, or maybe just minutes passed before Jinx’s truck returned to the spot by the tractor.

“Dave, you want us to bring this load up to the packhouse and get a clean trailer?” Jinx asked, calm as ever, not even questioning what in tarnation was the matter.

Pa stood straight and blinked a few times as if just realizing where he was at. He eyed the growing mound of damaged plants. “Yeah.” He beat a path to the tractor and was pulling away as we stood frozen in slumped states.

“Y’all get in,” Jinx ordered, inclining his head toward his truck.

The boys climbed in the back and I joined Jinx in the cab and filled him in on what had transpired. His lips remained pressed in a tight line behind his mustache as he nodded at a few of my comments.

In her nightclothes and a headscarf, Foxy stood beside Pa and the parked tractor by the packhouse. He was shaking his head at the offered thermos in her hand. We climbed out of the truck and joined them.

“But I made it extra strong, just the way you like it.”

“I don’t have time for a coffee break.” He turned and began unhitching the trailer from the tractor.

“The caffeine boost will help you be more productive.” Foxy kept on until Pa finally took the thermos and all but chugged it.

“Leave me some, Pa. I could use a caffeine boost too,” Peg grumbled, limping toward him with a hand reaching for the thermos.

Foxy tightened the robe around her thin waist and blocked Peg’s path. “I made you some too. Just give me a minute to get it.”

“Where’s it at?” I asked her, barely able to speak past the dust clinging to my tongue and throat. Between the thirst and the sharp pain in my lower back, I’d need more like a miracle than caffeine to get through the day.

Pa groaned, drawing our attention away from the pursuit of coffee. He staggered, bumping into the side of the packhouse. The thermos dropped to the ground as he braced his hands against the wood siding. His lips smacked loudly a few times before his body started sliding down to the ground.

Jinx caught him. “Here, Dave. Why don’t you have a sit inside for a minute?”

Pa slurred a protest.