Plain City - 1913

[Author's note - This is historical fiction. While no record of this scene exists (as no writings by Clarence, William or Eliza regarding this time are known), I have developed this short story based upon the records I do have, combined with impressions from discussions with Clarence's son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. The framework is based on facts, available upon request.]

Clarence Coy (circa 1915 to 1920)

Clarence was not happy. He didn't know what he was feeling. But Ma and Pa had been fighting a lot lately, and it left his insides all tangled up. This was worse than ever, though. He hadn't seen Pa since the last fight. That'd been weeks ago. He'd disappeared for days, and even a week before, but never this long. Clarence was nearly 16 years-old, and being number 5 out of 10 kids meant you were lucky to get noticed. Especially with the fights... But pa had always noticed him.

He realized that what he felt most was annoyance. He was annoyed at his ma and pa. He was annoyed at the way they treated each other and the kids. So, it was with a sour face that Clarence walked into the kitchen.

"Clarence, I'm glad you're here," his mother said, trembling a bit as she spoke. She was wringing her hands. He'd never seen her ring her hands like that. "I have some news. I didn't want to tell any of you kids, but you're going to hear about it from someone sooner or later. It's in the newspapers and everything... Better you hear it from me than from someone in the neighborhood." She began to cry.

Clarence walked over to her. He'd seen his ma cry before, but never with this kind of look on her face. "Ma, what is it?" Then he knew. It was about his pa. All annoyance forgotten, he asked carefully, "Ma, is this about where pa is?"

William Henry Coy (circa 1930's)

His insight seemed to bolster her. She replied, "Yes, Clarence, it is. I don't think there's any way to say this nicely, so I'll just say it. Your pa left town after our last fight. It seems he left with Widow Cottle. The sheriff thinks he's found him in Florida. They're going to try to bring him home, but it's not looking good."

He interrupted with a quiet question, "Ma - are you saying dad ran off with Mary Cottle, the old lady who lives just down the street?"

Eliza J. Dallin Coy (circa 1920's)

It was a sign of her distress that his ma didn't correct his impolite speech about a grown-up. She just broke down crying, nodding her head. Clarence had thought himself annoyed before. But the frustration, annoyance, hurt and shock just welled up and congealed into a ball of bitter loathing stronger than anything he'd ever felt before. He had loved his dad. He'd defended him to the other kids when ma and pa fought. He'd tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. But his trust and hope were shattered, and all the love he'd felt burned away and fueled the already raging anger until it threatened to burst forth.

But he loved his ma, and he didn't want to rage at her. So, he swallowed that bitterness and placed it deep inside his heart. Even as he comforted his mother, he vowed he would never speak his pa's name, ever again.