The drive up towards Willow Creek Road, was uneventful. Barney didn't say much and pretty much just fumbled with the toothpick in the corner of his mouth. Andy seemed tense. Barney observed Andy's white knuckles from gripping the steering wheel too tight. It had rained the night before, and even though it was a bright, clear, blue-sky day, the wild flowers scattered along the way and the southern pine still glistened. Everything seemed so much more alive. Andy turned onto Ranch Road and slowed as he approached Parker Creek.

"Say, Anj?"
"Yeah?"
"I can never remember...is Floyd over by Howard?"
Andy stops the car and retrieves the basket of flowers from the back seat.
"No, Floyd is near that brook by Mr. O'Malley."
"Oh yeah...and Howard is by his mother...."
"Right....and close by is Miss Peggy, and just on the other side of the fountain is Mrs. Mendlebright, who left us in '81."
"'81?...I'd forgotten she was with us that long."
"She was a sweet soul, huh Barn?"
"Yes.....say, Anj, you have enough to go around?"
"Yeah...let me take care of Aunt Bee, and Helen here..."
"...well, give me a handful and I'll make the rounds.."
Andy smiles. "You're all heart, Barn....there is plenty to go around!"
"Good. I'll start by those magnolias over there and circle around."
"I know Emma Watson and Bert Miller are over there...."
"Ok....and I remember there's a broken path that leads to Mr. Darling and big Jeff Pruitt."
"I believe you're right...and over yonder is Otis and Rafe."

As Barney left on his journey, Andy tended to Aunt Bee. Weeds had started to pop up around the edge of her marker, and he squatted down at first, then dropped to his knees and manicured it slowly and carefully. The previous night's rain made it easy to remove the unwanted growth. He kept thinking that 1989 only seemed like yesterday.
Twenty minutes later Barney returned. He was excited.
"Anj...you're not gonna believe it!"
"What?...slow down...catch your breath!"
Barney sat on a stone bench nearby. Andy brushed off his dirty pants and joined him.
"Well...when I was over near big Jeff, I heard laughing."
"Oh!..."
"No, really, I know it sounds strange, but it is true!"
"Has to be the wind in the trees...."
"There are no trees near there!"
"Let's go...I want to see."

After following a path to a small clearing near Parker Creek's lone stream, Andy and Barn found themselves standing at the singular grave of the gentle giant. It was perfectly still and silent. No trees, just a soft sound of the clear water passing through the rocky stream nearby.
"Barn, I don't hear...."
"...shhhh!.....listen!"
But, still nothing. Andy stooped down and cleared the loose brush away to read:
Forever Laughing, Jeff Pruitt, 1918-1990.

If I saw Don Knotts, I'd greet him if I could
and politely ask him to harmonize with me
on a chorus of Church In The Wildwood

To meet Betty Lynn, would be such a treat
I'd simply ask for permission
to kiss her softly on the cheek

When greeting Maggie Peterson, I admit I'd be shy
but I'd ask to sing Slimmy River Bottom
so's she could give me a slow wink and hear
her say "naw, that one makes me cry!"

I'd address Howard Morris
with the greatest of ease
I'd tell him a funny story
just to hear that Ernest T. hee hee hee

Approaching George Lindsey I'd say "Hey Goob!"
and he'd probably stay in character and say
"let's give your old junker a lube!"

To say hello to grinning Jim Nabors
would be such a thrill
We'd exchange salutes...you know...
the usual drill

To Bernard Fox, my proper english would be awful,
but no matter....I'd just clear my throat and ask
"Just how do you make a paper ladder?"

I'd be timid meeting Buddy Ebsen
my throat would have a lump
I'd have to try twice to ask
"Can you really hear fish jump?"

And, wouldn't it be funny
on meeting Clint Howard in this wonderful place,
if he were to quietly approach me
and push a peanut butter and jelly sandwich towards my face?

I think of those who are gone
ahh, just to have spent time with
Jack Dodson, Burt Mustin, Denver Pyle
and Mr. Hal Smith!

And I haven't forgotten talented Jack Prince,
Aneta Corsaut, Francis Bavier, and Joanna Moore
and to have sat with Howard McNear and chatted
would've brought chuckles and made my spirit soar