Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Seth and Bynum are playing dominoes in the parlor, and Bynum sings about Joe Turner when Loomis passes through on his way to the kitchen. Loomis tells Bynum he doesn’t like that song. Seth cautions Loomis not to create any more “disturbance” (66). Attempting to engage him in conversation, Bynum asks Loomis about his past. Loomis reacts suspiciously, wanting to know how Bynum can tell what he’s done. Bynum replies his father taught him and that “I can look at you, Mr. Loomis, and see a man who done forgot his song” which reveals Loomis as one of Joe Turner’s victims (67). Harold eventually admits that Joe Turner kidnapped him right after the birth of his daughter and held him for seven years. While he was imprisoned, his wife Martha left Zonia with her mother and went North. He and his daughter have been searching for Martha for the last four years. Loomis needs to “see her face so I can get me a starting place in the world” (69). Loomis wonders why Joe Turner took him. Seth replies that it was to do his work. Bynum tells Loomis it was because Joe Turner wanted his song, but couldn’t steal it, only make him forget how to sing it. Loomis tells Bynum that he is one of “them bones people” (70).

The next morning, in the kitchen, Bertha scolds Bynum to stop bothering Mattie about putting his good luck token under her pillow. Jeremy has run off with Molly, and Bertha counsels Mattie to forget about Jeremy, as he is unworthy of her. Bertha advises Mattie that she’s too anxious about finding a man and that if she stops worrying, she will “look up one day and find everything you want standing right in front of you” (71), the same way Bertha met Seth twenty-seven years ago. Seth comes in and reminds Loomis that it’s Tuesday, and he and Bertha leave the kitchen. Mattie asks Loomis if his vision was real and they discuss how he lost his wife. Loomis attempts an awkward advance at Mattie but is unable to follow through on his desire. 

The next morning, in the yard, Reuben tells Zonia he saw Bynum last night talking to the wind and the wind responded. Zonia heard the commotion and thought it was a storm. The ghost of Seth’s mother appeared to Reuben early that morning, hitting him with her cane for selling Eugene’s pigeons to Bynum rather than freeing them as promised. Zonia is skeptical at first and questions Reuben for details. Their conversation turns to a discussion of Zonia’s father ‘s search for her mother and their impending departure. Reuben is disappointed at the news and they share a kiss. Reuben tells Zonia that he will look for her when he is grown. 

Bertha makes breakfast while Bynum, Loomis and Zonia sit at the table. Mattie enters. She gives Zonia a ribbon and ties it in her hair. Loomis praises her and exits with Zonia. Bertha observes that it is the only time that she has seen Loomis “act civilized” (79). She tells Mattie “all you need in the world is love and laughter” (79). Mattie and Bynum join in the laughter. Seth enters and laughs as well.

Martha Loomis Pentecost enters looking for her daughter, followed by Selig. Loomis and Zonia re-enter. Martha tells Herald that she has been looking for him since shortly after he picked up Zonia from her mother’s house and recounts how her “whole life shattered” when Joe Turner took him (82). After five years of waiting, Martha decided that Loomis was dead to her, so that she could continue her life. Loomis tells her that he has been looking for her to say good-bye and that is what has kept him on the road. Now he is free to “make his own world” (83). He then gives Martha her daughter, saying that he has done his best to care for her and now she needs “to learn from her mother” so she won’t be a “one-sided person” (83). He tells Zonia to go with her mother, that he loves her and hopes to see her again. Zonia resists and wants to stay with Loomis, “searching and never finding” (83). Loomis insists she go with Martha.

Martha thanks Bynum for reuniting her with her daughter. Loomis accuses Bynum of “binding” him to the road and brandishes a knife (83). Bynum replies that he only bound Zonia to her mother, and that Loomis is binding himself. Bynum tells Loomis he won’t be free until he sings his song. Martha recites from the Psalms. Loomis responds mockingly, referring to Jesus Christ as a white slave driver. Martha tells him that Jesus bled to take away his sins and Harold cuts his chest, “rubs the blood over his face” and has an epiphany, “I’m standing” (86). Loomis exits, still holding the knife. Mattie runs after Loomis. Bynum tells Loomis that he’s “shining…shining like new money” (86).