Dana

by Kathi S. Barton

  She watched as the water was turned on and the water shot through the hoses that were hanging from the ceiling of the greenhouse. When they were satisfied with it, she walked in just as the water was turned off. “How about some lunch? My treat.” They both nodded eagerly. “I saw that you got the water running. That should save us a bundle.” “I didn’t do nothing more than turn on the water, miss. It was all Mel here. I’m telling you, if it’s got parts, he can surely fix it if it’s not working. And while he might not know the names of the pieces, he can break them down so that you can order them. The kid is a wizard at anything with moving parts, I tell you.” She liked that Denny didn’t take credit, and that Mel was blushing like she’d asked him to kiss her. She was going to enjoy working with these two men. And she was going to enjoy watching Mel come into his own. She had a feeling that few people had done much for him, including his father. “I have set up a line of credit for you at the hardware store. I know you have a list of things that you need.” He said that he did but wanted to know his limit. “There isn’t one. I trust you. And before I forget, Danburn and his wife donated three rototillers, a large tractor that needs just one or two people to drive it, as well as an open trailer so that things can be hauled around in it. You also have some yard equipment. I don’t know what all there is, but have a look at it before you go and see if you need anything else. Oh, and a truck. I’ve put your information on the insurance, Denny. If you trust Mel’s driving, then I can have him added as well. All I ask is that you be careful with it. Its new, and I know nothing about driving.” “You don’t know how to drive?” She told Mel that she’d never had an occasion to learn. “I can see that and all, you having wings, but driving is fun. Just to be able to get out and let the air run through your hair and all.” “Thank you, but I think I’ll stick to flying. That way I won’t run someone off the road or get stuck in a ditch with a tire all messed up.” They both laughed with her. “All right, gentlemen, I’ll go and get lunch, then you guys can go and see about getting what we need to clean up here, and with the garden project too.” She hadn’t been sure that Mel knew what she was. Denny was a wolf, and he wasn’t even a full-blooded one. But Sapphire supposed that in the long run it was better that Mel knew, and she’d have to watch that his dad didn’t try to exploit her newest employee. She was going to watch him like a mother hen from now on. The rest of the afternoon she worked on separating out the trash from the usable. She wasn’t one to waste anything if she didn’t have to. When the two of them returned from town, she could tell that it hadn’t gone as well as she had hoped. Mel was really upset, and she had a feeling that it was about his father and not the trip. “He wanted Mel to tell him where you were. Told him right off that he wasn’t going to do it, that you’d fixed him up. Wasn’t even sure that he meant the lip or the job, but his dad didn’t like it either way. Then he wanted him to pay for some things that he wanted to return. Didn’t get that either until Mel told me that you’d be charged for the stuff, then he’d bring it back in a week for the cash. You’d never know, he thought. Well, Mel told him right off he wasn’t ever going to do that. I got a whiff of him now—he’s not going to be coming around here without me knowing it.” She asked Denny if Mel had been hurt. “Nah, just his feelings, and those will mend, I think. Doesn’t seem to me that he gets much loving in the form of his dad none. Told me on the way back here that nobody had done a better clean up job on him than you had, and you ain’t even his mom.” She went to find Mel when Denny told her about his bank account too. He’d tried to buy himself a soda, not getting those much now that his daddy was there. But his account was overdrawn and he owed it money. Apparently, Melville had sweet talked a woman at the bank into give him a copy of Mel’s card, saying that Mel had approved so he’d have pocket money while he was there. Mel was really hurt about that. “Mel? Denny told me about your dad. And what happened at the bank and hardware store.” She saw him nod, but he wouldn’t turn around. “I can help you get your money back if you’d like.” “Nah, it’s gone. I just wanted me a pop, you know? Like a working man can have one.” She made a mental note to get a fridge for here with sodas in it. “He took out all my savings, Miss Sapphire. Every penny I saved up. Over six hundred dollars. And you can bet that as soon as I put more money in there, if I do, he’ll take that too. Why would he do that to me? I worked really hard for that money. And here I thought while he was here, it was his money he was spending because I gave him a place to stay. Did you know that he even took my bed, had me sleeping on the couch? I guess he’s a lot like some people said. A liar and a thief.” She wanted to tell him that his dad was a dick, but didn’t. Instead, she offered to help him set up another account at the bank, and to spot him the money to pay off the other one. It took her an hour but, in the end, he finally gave in and went with her to the bank. The sooner they got this taken care of the better things would be for Mel. And Melville was going to pay too. “I’m sorry about this, Mel. I didn’t know who was taking the money out; he used your card.” Mel told the banker that he’d left it out and then couldn’t find it after a while, and didn’t mention about the other woman who had given Melville the card. Sapphire would, when she came back. The woman had been the reason that he’d gotten into his bank account in the first place. “Yes, well, might I suggest, at least for the time being, that you keep it on your person. We could set it up so that you can only use it with a proper identification. Such as when you go to the store and such. It won’t work on the ATM out front, however, but that’s not such a bad thing, is it?” “Yes, sir, I think that’s a wonderful idea. And he won’t get it again. I’ll make sure of it.” He sounded so strong in that moment that she knew that Melville wouldn’t get it without a fight. She almost felt sorry for Melville. But not enough to warn him. He would get what he deserved if he messed with the boy. It took them only a few minutes to get it squared away. After putting the money in the account to bring it to zero, the banker waived half the fees he’d been charged because they’d sort of let him get by with it too. Sapphire lent Mel another five hundred to get him food for himself, and she even bought him a soda on the way home. It was, after that, a pretty good day, she thought. It was a lot of money to give to a new employee, but she needed to do something. So much was like Carmine and her trip to school lately. She wondered if the fates were making sure that they were sticking together on things like this. “I’m gonna have to ask him to go home. And if that doesn’t work, I’m going to tell him he has to go home. I don’t want him hanging around anymore.” She was glad and told him that. “Yeah, he’s not helping me out any, and when he’s there, I can’t watch my television shows and he messes with my things. I like them just so. Then there is the added fact that he took my hard-earned money, making me believe that it was his when it wasn’t.” “I know how you feel about things being just so. When I’m working, that’s the way I like them as well. Where is it you live?” He told her across from the little houses that were being worked on. “It’s a tiny little apartment, not big enough for the two of us. And there ain’t much in the way of towels and stuff for the both of us either. Dad don’t even clean up the kitchen. I do think the tiny fridge and stove are cute, but they don’t make Dad happy none. He complains about everything I have.” Mel snorted. “I’d sure like to have been able to buy me a house. That’s what I was saving for. A house is nicer than an apartment any old day. Plus, you have a yard to mow. I think that would be about the greatest thing, to mow my own lawn.” “Mel, I have an idea. Did you want to live in one of the houses? We’re going to offer them up to people who work for us for a cut rate.” It was a fib—they were going to rent them out to anyone that wanted them. “The first one is about done. It was the easiest to fix. And all the kitchen appliances are full sized too. The one I’m talking about, it has three bedrooms, and I know that’s a little large for you, but you could use one as an office and one as a gaming room.” “Really? Heck, I’d like that. What’s the rent?” He told her what he’d been paying
at the apartment, which to her was a lot more than it was worth. “I can’t do no better than that until I get my feet back under me.” “You kick your dad to the curb and you can live there for free for one year. So long as you work for me in that year.” He put out his hand and she took it. “Good deal. You go home, kick your father out, pack up, and then we’ll see you at the greenhouse in the morning.”

  Chapter 7

  Elissa loved the new shop that dealt in T-shirts and tied dyed things. She had picked out four for herself before she heard someone talking about shirts for his business. And then there was the man behind him that wanted to know the cost for tees for the local baseball teams. He said he was looking for sponsors. Her mind went crazy trying to figure out how she could make it work for them all. Just do it, she thought, and smiled as she made her way to the back of the store to the counter. Both men tipped their hats at her. The owner of the store, she didn’t know his name, told her welcome to his shop. “I’ll sponsor the team and get them shirts. Also, any equipment that you need. See about getting other teams together and we’ll help them out as well.” Bob Martin, the coach, thanked her. “You’re so very welcome. I’m glad that you’re taking this on. You need anything, you let me know.” “Thank you very much, Lady Elissa. I’ll tell the boys and girls.” He laughed. “Your son is going to be upset that you’re doing this and not allowing him to, isn’t he?” “Why do you think I jumped right on it? Anytime I can be one step ahead of him is a happy day for me.” Laughing, she turned to the other man. “How did you get the design for your shirts? You help me create some for the gardeners that work for us, and I’ll pay for yours as well.” “Thanks. As much as I’d like to take credit for it, I got it here. Mr. Knisley does it pretty good for a small fee.” Elissa looked at the man who was blushing brightly. “I think he gets them off the computer or something. But you’d never know it to see them. They look as good as anything you’d get in one of them big stores.” It took her nearly an hour to decide on the one that she liked. And it wasn’t really what she wanted. It was simple, really, much easier than coming up with a name for them. Elissa wanted to use the word dragon in it, but wasn’t sure how to incorporate it into the design, then he showed her the dragon wrapped around the tree. “Oh my yes, that’s perfect. I think we should simply call it Dragon’s Breath of Fresh Air, as you suggested.” Again Mr. Knisley blushed brightly. “How long will it take you to do a few of them? I think we have about a dozen men working now, but I think only two of them are anyone that I’m sure of. It’s going to be so wonderful to have the shirts. When we open, they’ll be able to tell a worker from the customers, don’t you think?” “If you tell me their names, I’ll put those on there for free. It’s the least I can do for you, Lady Elissa. You brought me in a lot of work today.” She even got to pick the color, and of course picked a bright green and a bright orange. Elissa even had herself printed one up, as well as Sapphire. “This is going to keep me out of the poor house, so you know. And if we can get other sponsors for the other teams for baseball, I’ll cut them a good rate like I am for you. Things sure have a way of working out, don’t you think, ma’am?” “If they can’t find any sponsors for the other teams, you let me or Danburn know. He might take on one or two himself. And I know that the greenhouse would love to be one as well, I’m betting. There are so many things that we can do to help our little town, don’t you think?” He agreed with her and started on the shirt. “Thank you so much for this. I’m sure that Sapphire will be as tickled as I am about them.” He was serious about being broke, she knew that. But this was going to help so many people. Not just with the new jobs, but keeping the ones that were working now busy as well. As soon as he was finished with the shirts, Elissa took them to the greenhouse to hand them to Mel, Denny, and Sapphire. Elissa pulled hers over her silk blouse to wear. “Mom? What are...? You went and got them? I wanted to do that.” Danburn showed up just as she was modeling her shirt for them all. “They look fantastic, however. I love the name. Good job on that, Sapphire.” “Your mom did it all. I love it too. We’ll have to get something for the truck. Oh, I have to talk to you later, Danburn, about those little houses.” He told her that was fine and they walked around the building. Elissa was seeing the improvements better because she’d been here before they’d cleaned up some of it. “This is impressive. I thought it would be in worse shape than it’s in.” “It was. Denny and Mel have been working on it non-stop since he got here today.” When they were in the back of the building, all alone, Sapphire told Danburn what had happened today and what Mel was going to do for them. “He isn’t lying when he said that he’s going to kick him to the curb, Danburn. You believe me, don’t you?” “Of course I do. But there is still the issue that he’s his father. That will play a huge role in what he does. We’ll have to make sure that we keep a close eye on him. Just to make sure that he doesn’t get hurt again. I’m assuming that he did that to him?” Sapphire told him no, it was his former job, but she was looking into that as well. Then Elissa brought up the houses and the rent for the poor boy, helping Sapphire out when she was called away. “Perfect. I love that he’s going to take one. And you’ve explained to him about not allowing his father there? We don’t need any trouble from him now.” “He said he wasn’t going to live with him, son. Mel wants his life to be on a better road, and he’s pretty much said that his father isn’t going to be helpful in that.” Danburn agreed. “I think this will work out better for all of us, including Mel. And if his father comes around, the boy won’t have any place to live. That’s the deal Sapphire made with him. No rent for a year, and then he can save his money for a house that he wants. I think you’d do well to sell those off to the people that are going to be living in them. Sort of one of those rent to own kind of deals.” “Mom, I never thought this would get this far—the town, I mean. It’s been going down so slowly that I never noticed things getting into disrepair. But now the buildings are being cleaned up along the main street. The people are walking around, eating ice cream and having a good time. I saw Mr. Kennedy out this morning watering plants in that big planter that sat out there empty for all these years. And Mr. Bash, he was sweeping the sidewalk and having a good time at it. It’s been a pleasant surprise seeing the town come back together after all this time.” “I think you owe a great deal of that to Sapphire. She’s been out here nearly every day working on one thing or another. I think she’d be at the houses too, but they ran her off. She was begging to be able to run the equipment.” They both laughed as they made their way to the front. “I think that she’s making sure to throw your name around too. She is doing that because she wants people to know that you’re behind this all the way.” “I am.” She told him about the T-shirts for the ball players. Danburn mentioned his drive by today. “I was just by the fields and saw that they’re in poor repair. I sent out a crew to mow and get it cleaned up. There was enough trash out there that I bet we could fill a dumpster.” “Danburn, I have to tell you, I’m so excited about all this. Your father would be so proud of the little town, don’t you think? And of you. He’d just love having all his boys here, as he called you and the others. And the mates. My goodness, he’d be in seventh heaven knowing that there will be a baby soon.” Danburn agreed with her, and she felt better when he hugged her. “I miss him so much, but this certainly helps. Dragon’s Breath is going to be a big hit, and when Sapphire gets done, you can bet the rest of the town is going to be as well.” Elissa heard them arguing even before she saw them. Melville was arguing with his son, not Sapphire, who apparently was there for support. The way she kept telling Mel to say what was in his heart was funny, if not a little scary. She didn’t want anyone hurt, and was afraid it was going to come to that. “You are not going to hurt me again, Dad. It’s my life and my money, and I’m sick of you telling me how you’re going to be rich on selling one of them women. Don’t you understand that they’re people? That you can’t just say, hey, I’m going to sell her so I can be rich? No, you can’t do th
at. And I’m not going to help you. In fact, I’m going to try my best to stop you.” Melville said that he’d not been touched today, not yet anyway. But if he kept this bull shit up, he certainly would be. “I’m a grown man, and the sooner you realize that, the better off we’ll be. But you have to tell me why. Dad, you took all my money and overdrew my account. They charged me a lot of money to close that account up to open another one. I can’t keep you in cash and make my bills and stuff. You told me that you were spending your own money all this time. You never took me out those times. You weren’t being generous or kind like I thought, but being a thief, taking my hard-earned money.” “Oh, stop whining. I thought you said you were a man. You’re nothing unless I say so. As for your account, you closed it? Why would you do that? I mean, you’ll have to open it back up soon. Or you can just give me access to the new one. That way I won’t have to lie to get one. I can go and help you out with things. You have bills to pay and so on, and I can do that for you. For letting me stay with you.” Mel told him that he was doing just fine before he got there, and would be doing fine after he left him. “Well, I have to tell you son, I’ve lost my job back home. I might be staying with you for a bit longer, I’m afraid.” “No you won’t, Dad. I don’t live in the apartment anymore, so this might be a good thing for you. You can take it over and live there by yourself. I’d find a job too, if I was you. They’ll want you to pay the rent every month like I had to do.”