by Jim Laughter
The door opened to reveal a pleasant-faced elderly woman in work clothes. “You must be Delmar,” she said as she opened the screen door and invited the youth inside. As Delmar stepped into the simple but clean farmhouse, an older man appeared from beyond the front room. His face reflected both strength and humor. Delmar decided right then that he was going to like this job.
“Glad to meet you, Delmar,” the man said, taking Delmar’s hand in his own. “I’m Robert Hassel and this is my wife, Agnes.”
“I’m pleased to meet both of you,” Delmar said formally.
“Come on back to the kitchen,” Agnes said as she led the way. “We’re about to sit down to lunch.”
“Join us,” Robert said. He motioned for Delmar to go ahead of him.
“I better not,” Delmar protested, remembering his brother. “If Dorn…”
“We won’t tell if you won’t,” Robert said with a wink.
“You look as if you could use some chow,” Agnes added from where she was setting the last of what appeared to be a feast on the table. Delmar looked up into Robert’s eyes and detected that the man probably suspected what kind of person Dorn was. More importantly, Delmar saw in that look that he was safe here.
“I guess its ok,” Delmar said awkwardly. “If it doesn’t keep me from getting the job done.”
“Don’t you worry about that,” Agnes said from where Robert helped her be seated. Following his hosts, Delmar waited until Robert was seated before taking the extra chair at the table. He could not remember the last time he had eaten a home cooked meal other than the hash he cooked for Dorn. Actually, he could, but he avoided thinking about his past that was gone forever.
The mealtime flew by too fast for the youth who felt a bit awkward around this couple. He found himself feasting, not only on the good food but also on the good company of this gentle couple, which was quite a difference from what normally happened at the Eagleman house. Delmar relaxed and only occasionally detected that the couple was slowing feeling him out. Instinctively, he grew defensive and gave evasive answers to any queries about his home life.
The meal finished, Robert led Delmar out to the barn. In contrast to the barn on the Eagleman farm, this one was well kept and neat. By comparison, the boy could not see anything in immediate need of repair. Mr. Hassel quickly disabused him of that notion. Together they started on what Mr. Hassel called preventative maintenance.
By the time the afternoon light began to fail, Delmar had worked up a good sweat. It was obvious to Robert the boy was used to hard work, but it bothered him that Delmar showed a hidden fearfulness concerning any task they set out to do. Robert made a mental note to quietly check into what was going on down at the Eagleman farm.
Agnes appeared at the barn door. “You two ever going to quit? I’ve almost got supper ready.”
The mention of mealtime startled Delmar. He knew he had to prepare the evening meal for Dorn or he would receive a beating for his neglect.
“Almost done, honey,” Robert said as he straightened up from where they had been working on the hay conveyor. “Ready, Delmar?” he up to where Delmar was greasing and tightening the top sprocket assembly.
“Uh… I better not,” Delmar said defensively. “I’ve got to get back home. My brother will be expecting his dinner.” Agnes raised an eyebrow at her husband but said nothing.
“Good ‘nuff then,” Mr. Hassel said. “We’ll finish this tomorrow. What time can you be here?”
“What time do you want me here, sir?” Delmar asked back as he climbed down from the loft.
“Soon as you finish your chores?” Robert asked, suspecting that there was more to this than feeding a few animals.
“I think I can be here by ten, sir,” Delmar answered. “But I’ll have to clear it with my brother.”
“I’ll take care of that.” Delmar’s face blanched but he said nothing. “You go clean up and I’ll give you a ride home. No need for you to be late.”
“I’ll be fine, sir.”
Before either Robert or Agnes could say more, the youth scooted off to the mudroom to clean up. The couple looked at each other knowingly. Agnes headed back to the farmhouse while Robert started buttoning things up for the night. Before he got back, Robert saw Delmar heading up the country road toward the Eagleman farm further up the valley. I better go make that call, Robert thought as he headed for the house. To Delmar’s surprise, Dorn was in a halfway good mood when he got home.
Almost as soon as he stepped through the door, Dorn spoke up. “I got a call from that old farmer down the road.”
Delmar tried to hold his fear in check but it must have shown on his face. Dorn roared in laughter. Delmar tried to ignore him and started for the kitchen to make dinner. “Forget that! I’m going out. I ain’t puttin’ up with your slop tonight!”
Delmar felt relief. When Dorn got up to leave, he yelled back over his shoulder, “I want you up early tomorrow so you can get your chores done. That old fool wants you down there by nine so you better not be late!”
Dorn sped out of the driveway for another night of drinking and mischief with his friends. In the meantime, Delmar went through the motions of making himself something to eat. Maybe I can get some study time in, he thought while he warmed a can of soup. He had already fallen terribly behind and the hope of earning a graduation certificate seemed more elusive than ever. But before he’d even finished eating, Delmar slipped into an exhausted sleep. The last thought he had was wondering what new trouble this change in Dorn could mean.
Chapter Two
Dawn arrived much too soon at the Eagleman farm. Delmar pried himself up from the table where he had fallen asleep the night before and managed to drag himself to his room. Even the noisy arrival of Dorn from wherever he’d gone had not penetrated his exhaustion.
The house was still dark. Quietly dressing, Delmar slipped back down to the kitchen where he whipped up some hash for Dorn. He left it covered in the heavy pan so it would retain its heat until his passed-out brother could arouse from his drunken slumber. Taking his portion, Delmar slipped out the back door and ambled slowly to the barn. At least here, he could eat in peace. It also gave him time to think.
Delmar regretted that he hadn’t managed to get any of his correspondence work done. He knew that if completed materials weren’t submitted in a timely manner, the school would eventually terminate his enrollment. He knew this could seriously limit any hope he had of getting out of here. Resolving to try harder, Delmar finished his plate of hash and washed it down with a dipper of cool water.
Further thought was interrupted by a roar and crash from the house. He’s up, Delmar thought. Irreverently, he hoped his brother would start drinking again so he would pass out. Then he would have some peace while he got the necessary chores out of the way.
Evidently, his prayers were heard as the noise soon ceased. I wish he’d stay that way! Delmar thought uncharitably. As quickly as he could, he turned the animals out and put what feed they had left out as well. He hoped the money earned from his new job with the Hassels would go to buy more feed, but he had his doubts. Delmar finished his chores and then headed down the road to the Hassel farm.
Surprised to find Delmar at their door early, Agnes led him back to the kitchen where she and Robert had been eating breakfast.
“Breakfast is ready,” Robert said. Agnes poured the youth a cup of coffee from the pot on the stove.
“No thank you,” Delmar said. “I’ve already eaten.”
Agnes caught the hungry look in his eyes. He may have eaten but it wasn’t much. Without a word, she whipped up another stack of pancakes and set the steaming plate down in front of the boy. Delmar reddened with embarrassment.
“Eat up, son,” Robert said good-naturedly. “Don’t want good food going to waste.”
Delmar’s gut rumbled. Sheepishly, he started on the food. Agnes sat back down and silently slid the butter and syrup over as a suggestion. Delmar took the hint and generously spread the condime
nts on his tall stack of hot cakes. The look of delight and satisfaction was all the Hassels needed to get another glimpse into Delmar’s home life.
Watching the boy eat, Robert came to a decision. “I need to make a run into town. I want you to finish stacking that hay and then see what you can do to fix the garden fence. You know where the tools are out in the barn. If I’m not back by then, I’m sure Agnes can come up with more for you to do.”
“Yes sir.”
“Don’t worry, Delmar,” Robert went on with a chuckle. “She won’t work you to death. It may seem like it, but she won’t!”
Robert pushed up from the table after draining his coffee cup and spoke to his wife. “I may be a while,” he said as he stepped over to grab his jacket off the hook. “I’ll call before I come back just in case you need me to pick something up for you.”
“I’ll try to keep the list short,” Agnes said with a smile. Delmar watched Mr. Hassel limp out to the car shed. He wondered what could be wrong with the old farmer’s leg. A minute later, Robert drove his car down the drive and off toward town.
“Yes, I know he limps,” Agnes said in answer to Delmar’s thoughts. “Combat injury.”
“I’m sorry,” Delmar said.
“Don’t be,” Agnes answered, “we aren’t. It’s an old injury. I’m sure Robert will tell you all about it eventually,” she added with a knowing smile.
“Guess I better get started on these projects,” Delmar said as he started to get up.
“You’ll do nothing of the kind,” Agnes ordered in a tone that brooked no argument. “Now finish your breakfast. You don’t want it to go to waste.”
“No ma’am,” Delmar said as he dutifully took another bite. Now that’s the waist I want to see it going to! Agnes thought while she studied Delmar’s too thin frame. Pouring herself a refill of coffee, she decided to make good use of the time.
“You graduate already?” she asked innocently.
“Why do you ask?”
“No reason. It’s just a boy your age should be in school right now,” Agnes answered. “Since you’re not, I suspect you’ve graduated in some accelerated program.”
“No ma’am. I’m in the correspondence program so I can be at home more. I hope to finish soon.”
“I see,” Agnes said. Not a very good liar, she thought. “What have you been studying lately?”
“History and social studies and stuff like that.”
“History and social studies?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
From the look on his face, Agnes suspected the boy hadn’t spent much time studying anything of real importance. And it wasn’t even so much the look on his face that caused her to suspect as much as the timber of his voice. He didn’t sound convinced.
“So how do you like living under a dictatorial monarchy?”
“It’s ok I guess.”
“But what if the empress ordered her troopers to storm this place and take us all captive?”
“She wouldn’t do that, would she?” Delmar asked, fear shading his voice. Agnes made another mental note. This is very interesting. Either he’s never studied history and civics or he has no understanding of it.
“How about the ongoing war with the Red-tails?” she asked.
“What about it?” Delmar dissembled. “I mean, can’t we just leave them alone? Why do we have to provoke them to attack us?”
Agnes felt her bile rising when she considered the absolute ignorance and distortion of facts Delmar was spouting. She couldn’t imagine what kind of lessons the boy was studying in the government correspondence courses. Whatever they were, she was certain he didn’t understand their true content.
“You better finish up and get on with those chores,” Agnes chided as she changed tact. “I don’t want your parents calling if you get home late.”
Delmar’s face grew ashen. “I don’t have any parents,” he mumbled.
Agnes was stunned. “What did you say?”
“I said I don’t have any parents,” Delmar replied more evenly. “My Dad was a trooper and died in space somewhere. My mother was killed when I was ten. Now my brother is my guardian and we do the best we can.”
“I’m sure you do,” Agnes said, trying to bring her own emotions under control. How could she have forgotten? Of course, she knew Delmar’s history, having been friends and neighbors of his parents so long ago. It just didn’t seem possible this boy could have grown up without any parental guidance on a farm just down the road from her and Robert. It was no wonder the boy was confused and even a little bitter.
“You best get busy,” Agnes said as she got up. “I’d like to see those projects well toward completion when Mr. Hassel gets home.”
Delmar hastily finished the last of his meal. Without a word, he placed his dishes in the sink and headed out toward the barn. Agnes watched him through the window and found her own thoughts going back to the sons she and Robert had lost early in their marriage.
∞∞∞
Hours later, Agnes heard Robert drive into the farmyard. Stepping out onto the back porch, she could see his weariness in the way he walked. “How did it go?” she asked as Robert dragged himself up onto the porch.
“Not very well.”
Agnes stepped supportively under one of his arms and together they walked inside. “Tell me about it.” She poured them steaming hot cups of coffee while Robert sagged into his chair at the table.
“Where’s Delmar?” Robert asked.
“He went home as soon as the projects were finished. But not before his brother showed up and demanded Delmar’s pay. I told him we pay by the week, not the day. Dorn sure seemed anxious to get Delmar’s money.”
“Didn’t he give the boy a ride home?”
“No,” Agnes said tightly. “He was in a hurry. Just before he left, he eyed Delmar and I saw his face go pale. I suspect that’s why Delmar left in such a hurry as soon as I released him.” She gave her husband his coffee and then sat down across the corner of the table from him.
“That fits in with what I pieced together while talking to people today,” Robert said wearily as he took a sip.
“I figured you went to the school.”
“Yes, but they were the least helpful,” Robert answered. “Seems Delmar hasn’t been turning in his correspondence courses for a while now. Much more and they’ll drop him from the program.”
“So what did you do?” She knew Robert wouldn’t leave things to get worse when he could get involved.
“I signed up to mentor Delmar through the Service Tutorial Program,” Robert answered with a wry smile. “I arranged for the material to come here directly. Then when Delmar’s not doing chores, he can get some study in without interference.”
“What interference?”
“It seems his brother, who does have legal guardianship, keeps Delmar so busy that his studies are neglected. Since the boy is old enough to leave school, there’s very little they can do about it. Even the social agency claims their hands are tied.”
“That fits in with what I learned just talking with Delmar,” Agnes reported.
“Been snooping again?” Robert quipped with a tired grin.
“Just asking a few questions. What little knowledge Delmar has in some subjects such as history and social studies is either missing or twisted. For the son of a trooper, you’d think he’d know much more.”
“His father was reported missing and presumed killed in action, and his mother died in that terrible accident when he was only ten,” Robert reminded Agnes. “It must have been hard on both of those boys.”
Agnes reflected on what her husband had just told her. She took his hand and squeezed it gently. “The Eagleman’s were our friends, Robert,” she said. “We should have watched out for those boys these last few years, but we didn’t.”
“I know, honey,” Robert answered. “I think that’s why I feel responsible for Delmar now.”
Agnes leaned into Robert’s chest. “Those could have bee
n our boys,” she whispered, trying to keep her emotions in check.
“Now honey. Stepping in and trying to raise those boys would not have brought our boys back to us.”
Agnes looked up into the caring face of her husband. “There’s one more thing, Robert,” Agnes said. “I also suspect that things at home aren’t too happy for Delmar. He acted very uncomfortable around his brother, as if he expected to be hit or something. He stayed just out of Dorn’s reach.”
“My sources confirm that,” Robert said. “More than one person mentioned they suspected abuse and neglect. That and Dorn has quite a reputation around the area as a troublemaker and a boozer.”
“So you think we’re up to tutoring this boy?” Agnes asked.
“I don’t see why not. And besides, the chores won’t last forever. Might as well pay him to be a student as well.”
“When will we start?”
“Soon enough,” Robert said. “They have to notify Delmar first. Then the materials will come here if he doesn’t object.”
“What’s worrying you?” Agnes asked, detecting hesitancy in her husband.
“I just hope Dorn doesn’t interfere.”
∞∞∞
The boy looked up as the shadow of the incoming ship moved across the field. He stopped hoeing the weeds around the cabbages and stared with unabashed envy as the ship glided silently out of his field of vision, heading toward the spaceport several miles away to the south.
“Hey! Dreamer!” Dorn yelled. “Get back to work on those cabbages or I’ll thrash ya good!” Dorn was just sliding in behind the wheel of the truck, apparently on his way to the bar where he spent most of his time with his drunken friends.
Sure Delmar had dreams. They’re certainly higher than the dirt and weeds surrounding these cabbages, he thought. Definitely higher than anything that might be percolating in the lazy brain of his twenty-three year old brother.
“What about dinner?” Delmar asked.
“You’re on your own, kid! I can’t stand that slop you call food anyway. I’m going to have some decent food tonight! And just because I’m gone, don’t slack none on your work.”
