by N. C. Reed
He decided he needed to talk to Rhonda about this. She’s know what to do, and just how to handle it.
*****
Rhonda listened to Billy relay his conversation with Trey, growing angrier by the second. She did, however, remain silent until Billy finished.
“Well,” Billy said, finally. “What do you think?”
“I think I’m going up there and tear that bitch’s hair out, that’s what!” Rhonda’s voice was a growl. “Of all the stupid things I’ve heard, this just about tops them all. The whole idea of having that stuff was to give the children a little bit of normalcy. What the hell is she doing up there?”
“I think this ain’t no place for me to be involved,” Billy said quietly. “Reckon you need to gather up the other women, and discuss this amongst yerselves. And I don’t want you trottin’ off up there alone, hear? Best this not be done in front o’ the young’uns. They got enough on their plate as it is. Ya’ll get’er down to the common house, and lay into her there. Together,” he stressed. Rhonda considered that for a moment, then nodded.
“Fair enough. I’m goin’ to see Emma. And Trey stays here from now on.”
“What?” Billy looked startled. “Now wait a min. . . .”
“No,” Rhonda shook her head. “He and Danny are friends, only a year or so apart in age, and they get along well. Danny needs friends his age that can do the things he does. They can bunk together in his room. Trey. Stays. Here.”
“What about the girl?” Billy challenged. “Don’t Mary need friends her own age, too?”
“She and Amanda get along famously,” Rhonda informed him. “Their age difference is less than three years, and Mary is very mature for her age. In fact, the two of them are together right now at Amy’s. Baking cookies.”
Okay,” Billy sighed. He hadn’t intended to wind up with yet another child, but Rhonda had that look. The one she got when she meant to have her way, if it meant hell just had to freeze over so she could skate on by. He didn’t like that look. He especially didn’t like it aimed at him. He decided he’d leave it aimed at Regina Townsend.
“I’m going to see Emma,” Rhonda announced, getting to her feet. “I’ll be back when I get back. I’m taking Trey with me. Emma will want to talk to him.” With that she gathered her things, gathered Trey, and went.
“Oh, boy,” Billy murmured. “This might be bad.”
*****
“What does Regina have to say about all this?” Emma asked, after Trey had told Emma his story. The two women, especially Emma, had questioned the boy rather thoroughly, and once he realized he wasn’t going back to Clifton House to stay, he started talking more.
Essentially, the older children took a backseat to the younger. While the older children were allowed access to some of the toys, any punishments included the loss of those privileges. Neither woman objected to that, since both had done so themselves.
But as the tale went on, Emma began to see a disturbing pattern. It sounded to her as if Regina had adopted a two tier system with the children in her care. The younger children, below school age, were her ‘favorites’. The older children, especially those into their teen years, were. . .not. She wasn’t cruel to them, and Trey was honest about it. She simply wasn’t fair with them, in almost any way.
With Trey gone, Emma sat thoughtfully for a few minutes, clearly playing things over in her mind. Rhonda sat silently, waiting.
“Do you know how many children are up there, at the house?” Emma asked suddenly.
“Uh, not exactly,” Rhonda admitted.
“Neither do I,” Emma agreed. “And that’s our first mistake. How big of a burden have we placed on her?”
“She’s got five other. . . .” Rhonda started, but Emma held up a hand.
“Hold on, girl,” Emma ordered. “She’s got two grown women, and that’s all. The others are teens. How much work is it for you to keep reign on Danny and Mary?”
“Well, it’s not too bad,” Rhonda admitted. “They’re both very responsible, and do a great deal of work. They don’t argue about their chores, or their school work, either.”
“But they are exceptions to the rule,” Emma nodded. “My point exactly. I think it’s time we had a ladies meeting, Rhonda. We’ve neglected things like this in all the hubbub of getting other things done. It’s time we took a hand it what’s happening right here at home.”
*****
“There are fourteen children living there,” Debby informed the others as they gathered around the table in the common building. Rhonda had taken the Ford and brought Amy, Debby and Maria to meet with her Shelly, and Emma. They hadn’t bothered with the two newcomers, as no one knew them very well, yet. They had, however, included Elizabeth Rickman.
“That’s too many,” Amy shook her head. “You know, we talked about this when we were in Columbia,” she reminded Rhonda.
“Yeah,” Rhonda looked slightly red faced. She wasn’t angry anymore, now that she could see that maybe Regina and the others were over worked. “We did. And we haven’t done a thing about it.”
“There’s always more than one side to any problem,” Emma nodded, grateful for the attitude. “Now, we need a workable solution. Who’d like to go first?”
“Well, I’ve already decided we’ll adopt Trey,” Rhonda announced. The others looked at her in surprise. “He and Danny are good friends, and Trey likes to help him and Billy with working on the vehicles. Danny’s been teaching him about his chores, too, which includes taking care of our little herd of cows. It just. . .it seemed like the thing to so,” she shrugged. “And he’s a great kid.”
“He is,” Debby nodded. “Always respectful in class, and gets very good grades. George and I have been talking about this as well, but didn’t know what to do. There’s a four year old little girl named Bethany we’d like to adopt. Do. . .do you think we could?” she asked hesitantly. Several months back she and Rhonda had butted heads over Mary. Everyone knew, now, that her problem had been caused by withdrawal from a powerful anti-depressant. Debby was fully recovered now, and doing well.
“I don’t see why not,” Emma nodded. “You’ve done a wonderful job with Georgie. He’s about the sweetest little boy I’ve ever met!” Debby blushed at this praise, and nodded her thanks to Emma for the compliment.
“My ninios are friends with the one called Sam,” Maria said next in her heavily accented English. “He is between them in age, and they get along very well. I must discuss this with Terrance, but I think we can take him into our home.”
“I’ve decided I can take at least one child as well,” Emma surprised them. “I don’t know, just yet, who it will be, but I was thinking about the teenager, Sally. She came here with Regina. She should be fourteen now, if I recall correctly. She’s working there, helping with the smaller children. But with the Beal sisters there now, I’d say she could use a break. And someone has to teach these children how to cope.”
Shelly smiled at that, her face lighting up. Rhonda noticed, and gave her a questioning look.
“Pete asked me to marry him,” she announced softly, and startled gasps erupted around the room. Emma didn’t look surprised at all, an hugged her daughter lovingly.
“You knew, didn’t you?” Shelly accused.
“Pete did come speak to your father a week or so ago,” Emma admitted.
“Oh, that’s so sweet!” Amy sighed. “When’s the big day?”
“What day?” Shelly shrugged. “There’s no preacher here. We’ve decided that we’re simply going to state that we’re married, and that’s it. Billy. . .believe it or not, Billy had already decided that would happen, and has been working on the George House for us. Pete’s already staying there.” She looked at her mother.
“I’m going to move in with him at the end of next week. I. . .I was hoping that Daddy would say some words over us, Momma. It won’t be like a preacher did it, but it’s the best we’re going to get, looks like.”
“I’m sure he’ll be thrilled,”
Emma smiled. “And this means we’ll need to plan a party of some kind, ladies,” she added. Elizabeth had a funny look on her face, and Emma noticed.
“Something wrong, dear?” she asked. Elizabeth didn’t reply directly, but looked at Shelly.
“Would it. . .would it be stealing any thunder from you if Howie and I. . .if we asked your father to do the same for us?” she asked shyly. “I mean, I don’t want to intrude. . . .”
“Don’t be silly!” Shelly exclaimed. “Of course! A double wedding!” More squeals of excitement erupted, and the others gathered around the two blushing brides. Finally, after several moments, Emma called their attention back.
“Ladies, as much fun as this is, we need to get back to the matter at hand. We’ve found homes for four of these children, three of them teens. Anyone else?” Eyes darted around the table at that. Amy held up her hands, palms up.
“I’d love to, but. . .with helping Doc get the clinic ready, and the lack of room we have, I don’t see how it’s possible.”
“We need to be working on getting your two families into separate housing,” Rhonda mused. “I mean, unless you want to stay that way.”
“We get along fine,” Amy looked at Debby, who nodded, “but I have to admit, it would be great to have a home of our own again.”
“I agree,” Debby nodded again. “We have no difficulties, but it’s sometimes a bit. . .cramped. Especially this last winter.” Everyone could agree with that.
“Well, what do we have available?”
“Again, not the discussion for today,” Emma reminded them. “Let’s talk about that soon, though. I take it we’ve gotten about as far as we can for the moment?” Heads nodded in agreement.
“Very well, then. Let’s see to getting that done today,” Emma ordered. “And I’d like to suggest we meet like this at least once a week, weather permitting, from now on. We simply cannot leave these kinds of decisions to the men. They haven’t the smarts for them.”
Billy swore later that he could hear the laughing from the front porch.
*****
“I don’t understand,” Regina looked at the delegation. “What do you mean?”
“Just what we said, dear,” Emma told her. “We’re taking some of these children into our homes. There’s simply too many here, and it’s not right. Not fair for them, nor fair to you. You’re practically a slave to this house. We intend to help correct that.”
“Maria, Rhonda, Debby and I have all agreed to take in one child. We’ll help get them moved this afternoon, so they can begin settling in. If you need help rearranging after this, we’ll send someone along see that it’s done.”
“Also, we’ll each be taking a turn here, once a week, to give you all time to have a day to yourselves. Starting next week. Our goal is to make sure that all of you are included in what’s going on around here, and made to feel as if you’re part of the community.”
“We ain’t really done a good job o’ that, so far,” Rhonda admitted, a bit shame faced. “It wasn’t personal, or even intentional. Just. . .lotta work to get done. Sorry,” she added.
“But I. . .I thought we would be. . .have to. . . .”
“Have to what?” Emma asked. “Raise them all yourself? Heavens no, child. I wouldn’t wish a houseful of kids on my worst enemy,” the older woman laughed. “And besides, how are you six going to have any kind of life, if you’re constantly tied down caring for all these children?”
“Now, let’s get this done, and then we need to set up a schedule. All of us have other duties, so it’s important that everyone knows when they should be here, and for how long. It may be that we have to divide the day, to ensure that. . . .”
As Rhonda watched Emma deal with everything, she couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes there was no substitute for experience.
*****
Trey was a bit hesitant at supper, at first. He was trying to take in the fact that he now lived with his friend Danny, and his family.
“Tomorrow I’ll show ya my horse!” Danny exuded. “Once ya learn to ride, why we can roam all over the place!”
“I don’t know if I’m allowed to ride,” Trey replied. “I’ll have to ask.”
“You’re allowed,” Billy told him flatly. “Fact is, you’ll have to. Lot o' work around here, and you gotta get to it somehow. We’ll have to get you fixed up. Might see to cuttin’ you a pony out tomorrow.”
“Oh, I can’t cut a pony!” Trey looked horrified.
“I meant cut’im out o' the herd, boy,” Billy smiled. “That’s what it’s called when ya separate an animal from the rest o’ the herd. Cuttin’im out.”
“Oh,” Trey dropped his eyes, looking embarrassed.
“Don’t go gettin’ all shy, Trey,” Rhonda ordered. “You’ll just have to learn, that’s all. Same as everyone else does. No one knows anything until they learn.”
“Okay,” he nodded. “I want to learn.”
“And you will,” Billy assured him. “But your schoolin’ comes first. Then chores. Then, when you’re done, you got time to have fun. Includin’ ridin’. And Danny, I reckon we need to talk later about this ridin’ all over the valley,” he added. Danny’s face reddened.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” he promised. “I ain’t never rode no further than the Clifton House, or over to Terry’s. But if there was two of us. . . .” he started hopefully.
“Then there’ll be two o’ ya at the Clifton House, or at Terry’s,” Billy finished for him. “I’ll let you know when that changes. Saves you from havin’ to ask.”
“Thanks,” Danny muttered. He was chafing at the restrictions, but he admitted they were for his own good. Danny had filled out nicely with good food, clean water, and medical attention. Working around the farm had put muscles on him in a hurry, and he felt like he was more man than boy.
Billy really didn’t mind Danny riding where he was of a mind to, since the boy had lived on his own for so long. But Rhonda didn’t want him or Mary, and now Trey, he added, riding too far out on their own. Rhonda had a mother’s instinct, and that meant that everyone had to stay where she could see them. Billy didn’t tell Danny that. He allowed Danny to think that it was Billy who had placed the restrictions on him.
Rhonda was very thankful for that.
“Eat up, Trey,” Billy urged. “You better get it while the gettin’s good.”
“That’s sure the truth,” Mary nodded, helping herself to seconds. “Food disappears fast around here, between Danny and Billy.”
“Hey, I’m still a growin’ boy!” Danny objected.
“And I’m. . .well, I just am,” Billy told her, chewing on a strip of bacon.
“Don’t talk with your mouthful,” Rhonda and Mary said at once to both of them. Trey sat and watched the back and forth quietly.
“Better dig in,” Billy warned again. “And you’ll get used to us. Same as we’ll have to get used to havin’ you here all the time.”
“Yes, sir,” Trey nodded, and returned to his plate.
Rhonda smiled inwardly at how easily Billy took control, and made Trey feel at home. While she wasn’t angry anymore with Regina, she was still glad to have the boy out of the house. Trey was a good boy, and he’d make a fine addition to their little family.
*****
With four children gone from the Clifton House, things were much calmer, and the women who worked there began to get out more, and socialize more. Trey and Danny now had the ‘job’ of keeping the heavy work done at the home each day after class, which meant getting firewood up, taking care of the trash (burning all the paper goods, and separating cans and bottles for possible re-use later. The women cleaned them, and kept them separate from the trash).
It wasn’t long before Regina and Ben Kelvey were spending more and more time together. At first they thought they were being ‘smart’, but Howie saw everything from the security shack, and the two of them walking and holding hands couldn’t get past him and his electronic eyes. Ben just shrugged, saying
they would ‘see what happened’.
Jon could see the writing on the wall, however, and started thinking about what to do. If his brother moved into Clifton House, there was no way to justify him staying where he was. With Howie and Liz already gone, Jon decided to start looking for a bachelor pad.
Dillon and his sister, Barbara, were still living with Terry, and they didn’t want to enter the winter like that. With Pete gone there was room, barely, for them all, but Dillon didn’t want to keep crowding the Blaine family. They had been good to the two siblings, and he didn’t want to abuse their hospitality.
Realizing that they had the same problem, the two of them decided to put their heads together, and see what came of it. Jon had been ready to give up the Smith house, but if Dillon and his sister made their home there, then he would stay with them, the two decided.
That still left the fact that two families were living in the Franklin place, and something needed to be done about that. Pete and Shelly would soon be newly weds, and Billy was determined that the two of them would have the George house to themselves. He refused to even discuss the matter, even when Pete suggested it.
“No,” he had said flatly, and that was that. No one wanted to argue with Billy, since he rarely objected to anything, anyway. He and Danny had worked long and hard, in the little free time they had had, making the place livable. Rhonda, once she realized they had done so, had taken Mary, and gone to help Shelly for an entire day cleaning and organizing.
The trouble was, there was no more nearby housing at all. The nearest home from the intersection that wasn’t occupied was two miles back toward Cedar Bend. And that was a long way on foot or horse back. Both Amy and Debby needed to be nearby, due to their impact on the community as a whole, so that wasn’t workable. The home was fine, really, but Billy was uneasy with anyone being that far away from the community as whole, thinking it was just too risky.
