LOVE in a Small Town

by Janet Eaves

  I guess if I had to pick someone for a father, I might like someone like him.

  Yeah right, Danny. And he’d sure want a kid like you for a son. Mrs. C. too. Dream on, sucker.

  Danny kicked the leg of his bed frame then fell into a heap upon the covers. Staring up at the ceiling of the small room he shared with Jock, he felt like all he wanted to do was fade into the mattress and disappear.

  I hate this place. I hate the school. Mr. Alexander. The old man and the old lady. I hate everything to do with this piss-ant little town. I hate Trooper Lehmann. I hate Mrs. C.

  Liars, all of them. Nobody ever cares for someone like me. Nobody. I’m better off alone. I only need my friends. They’ll take care of me. That’s right. Lehmann is dead wrong. They’ll be there for me. They’re not cowards. They’re all I got.

  Yeah, liars, all of ‘em.

  I wish it could have been different. I wish I could have stuck around for a while longer. I wish Mrs. C. and Trooper Lehmann could have been what I wanted. What I needed.

  But they ain’t, I guess.

  Danny pulled the covers up over him and listened to Jock snore in the twin bed beside him. He tried not to acknowledge the tears running down the side of his face being quickly absorbed into his pillow.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kate arrived early on Saturday morning to set up the Legend Elementary crafts booth at the Fall Festival. Everything would be for sale during the day, even her quilt, and then the things that were left would be auctioned off later that evening. Each vendor was assigned a particular spot on the sidewalk, and the school’s booth happened to be near the end of the street in front of the Town Hall.

  Dragging a table from the back of her SUV, she set it up in the shade of the building behind her. “Might as well stay as cool as I can now,” she muttered to herself, “the afternoon sun will be in my face later in the day.”

  She glanced at the vendors lining up on Main Street. The quiet was interrupted once in a while by the shouts of a few lone men working on the carnival rides in a municipal parking lot. The carnival had been set up throughout the week, but the crafts fair and exhibits were not permitted until the weekend.

  Her students talked all week about being dipped and thrilled and raced through the mechanical wizardry of the traveling show. Today the rides didn’t open until noon and they could ride all day for one price—Saturday matinee, noon until six. A sure bet that every kid in Legend would get their money’s worth.

  Quiet now, with the sun peeking over the store tops and crafters concentrating on their work, a soft breeze blew through the streets. Kate wondered how long the calm would last. It was still warm for the last weekend in September. There was no reason to expect this day would be any different.

  Glancing in either direction she could see some of her favorite shops—Jane’s New and Used Books, The Emporium, and a new baby gift shop. There were also gift shops, Shelby Schul’s bakery, a florist, a drug store, an ice cream parlor, and a bank. Many of the family run businesses had been there for years; some of the newer shops were making every effort to make a go of it. The year-old Market Legend campaign was paying off. Many a shopper now by-passed Pigeon Forge to shop the quaint mountain streets of Legend. The Fall Festival was a nice annual draw.

  Various and sundry tables were set up throughout the street to display hours of handiwork done by local Smoky Mountain craftsmen. There was one booth of colorful patchwork quilts, pillows, and potholders. Another, one of her favorites, of handmade oak split baskets. The artisan had woven and dyed all of the baskets himself and each possessed its own character. She reminded herself to buy one before she left—she loved adding authentic artisan touches to her old batten board house.

  She also noticed booths of flower arrangements and primitive wood carvings. Others were set up with folk art pieces, rag dolls and rag rugs, water color paintings, photography, and pen and ink sketches.

  Of course there were also the food vendors. Not only was there the aroma of fresh, homemade baked goods from the Women’s Auxiliary of the Baptist church and the 4-H club, but also from the now empty trailers owned by private vendors who made their living traveling from carnivals to fairs across the country. Soon they would boast of the sticky-sweet, sharp smell of cotton candy, the sugar-burnt aroma of caramel corn, the tang of salt-vinegared French fries, and the lure of carnival pizza and hot dogs.

  Okay, enough of her perusing. She needed to get back to business.

  Kate’s job was to set up, with Patti’s help, but so far Patti was AWOL. She had already arranged the tables and pulled boxes of assorted crafts out of her car. The teachers were to bring their items in around nine o’clock. They would take shifts manning the booth. Kate was to work again around five o’clock. Since she came early this morning, she would welcome the free time this afternoon.

  As she lugged one box full of Patti’s pot holders and the third grade’s Christmas ornaments from her truck, she glanced down the street and saw a lone figure meandering down the street. He poked his head in doorways and kicked a large stone across the way as he approached. Hands deep in his pockets, his face long, Danny watched the ground at his feet. He stopped to observe an old man set up a display of wind chimes. A piece of Lucite, blown by a light breeze, played with the pipes, producing a magical, tinkling sound. The boy threw up his hand as if to say, ‘so long’ and sauntered on down the street.

  “Danny! How about a hand here?”

  He jerked his head her way, picked up speed, and then loped to her side. He grabbed one end of the box and helped her set it down on the table she set up earlier.

  “Mrs. C! Didn’t expect to see you here now. I’d have come by to help.”

  “Didn’t expect to see you here either,” she replied. “How come you’re up so early on a Saturday morning? I thought you’d still be home in bed. I guarantee most of the rest of your class are.” They both laughed.

  “Either that or watching cartoons,” Danny joked.

  “Here, grab some of those pot holders. I think we’ll put them over here. Do you mind? I’ve got to finish displaying these things and the quilt. You planning to stay around all day?”

  “Yep,” he said, a faraway look in his eyes. “Never been to a carnival before. I thought I might spend the whole day.” He placed the woven pot holders across the table and then looked up longingly at the carnival rides. Kate watched him in awe. Twelve years old and never been to a carnival? What kind of parents did he have anyway? She had to remind herself how different Danny was from other children, that he had not grown up as they had.

  “Where did you come from Danny, before you came here, I mean?”

  “Knoxville.”

  “And you never saw a carnival before?”

  “Aw, I saw them, but I never got to go. That’s when I was little. Mama always said we didn’t have the money.”

  “So what did you do in Knoxville? For fun, I mean?” She peered into the mystery of his eyes. She knew they had seen more than she ever dared to see in her lifetime.

  “No fun. My parents made me stay home a whole year from school. Never got to do anything. Then I got to sneaking around at night after they passed out drunk. I started hanging around with some big guys, you know? I was just ten then. They were the ones that got me drinking. Then I started stealing beer and stuff from my parents. They never knew it. I guess ‘cause they were drinking, I started drinking too.”

  His gaze slid past Kate. “We lived in a bad place. The houses weren’t pretty like the ones here. They were old and gray and falling apart. Worse than the Elliston’s. No one took care of them…or me. These kids around here, well, they are lucky.”

  Kate’s heart went out to the boy. She learned more about him in those few short sentences than she had from reading every page of his cumulative folder. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear any more.

  He placed the last Christmas ornament in a big basket she brought from home then turned and smiled. Kate couldn’t help but wonder if it
was truly better for him here.

  “Danny? How’s it going at the Elliston’s?”

  He shrugged. “It’s okay. I don’t like them very much. I hope Mr. Jamieson finds another place, soon.” He turned his childlike face up to hers, eyes searching.

  Mark Jamieson was Danny’s social worker. They’d had a couple of phone conversations recently. Kate held Danny’s gaze for a few seconds and decided to change the subject. “Hey, what do you say we get that quilt out and find a good place for it before everyone else comes with their things and takes all the good spots.”

  Danny nodded. They walked back to her truck, retrieved the quilt, and together unfolded it on the table.

  “Do you think we should hang it or lay it folded on the table?” she asked, trying to forget his pleading eyes.

  He gave the quilt an appreciative look. “Hang it, I think. That way everyone can see the whole thing. If it’s folded, they don’t get to see it all.”

  She agreed. “I think you’re right. But how?” They looked around to see what was available to hang it on. Not much as far as Kate’s eyes could see, but Danny was down the street in a flash. Before long, he came back grinning ear to ear.

  “I’ve got it!” he cried as he grew nearer. “The man with the wind chimes has some lumber in the back of his truck. He uses it to build a frame to hang his chimes on. He said I could borrow a couple of pieces and some nails and his hammer. I could make a frame right here to hang it on.” He pointed behind the table. “Back there, so everyone could see. What do you think?”

  “I think you’re a genius!”

  His face glowed.

  “Can you do it?” She wondered if he was biting off more than he could chew.

  “Sure! No problem. I’ll be right back!” He hurried back to the chimes man, gathering up the things and back again.

  Soon the street was ringing with the sound of hammered nails, the chatter of other teachers bringing in their crafts, and all of the vendors readying themselves for the crowds.

  A little later, Danny wiped the perspiration from his brow. “Do you think you can help me set this up, Mrs. C?”

  “Just tell me where.”

  “Over here.”

  In a few seconds flat, they sat it upright then braced it with a few short pieces of lumber against the back of the tables. Kate tested it for its sturdiness and was assured that nothing could make it budge.

  “It’s gonna stay put, Mrs. C. I know it.” Danny’s face shown with confidence.

  “Okay, Danny, you did it. Let’s get the quilt.”

  He helped her toss the blanket over the frame, displaying her class’s handiwork for the whole world to see. A cheer went up from the other faculty members who had gathered.

  “It’s wonderful,” Kate exclaimed. “I couldn’t have done it without you.” She reached over and hugged Danny’s small frame. “Thanks for such a great idea.”

  Blushing, he said, “Gotta get this stuff back to that man now.” He stood back away from it before he left and stared. “Sure does look pretty, doesn’t it?”

  Her heart swelled. “Yes, it does. And you should be very proud.”

  “I am.”

  He had been through so much, he needed to feel good about something.

  “How about if you take that hammer back and then I’ll treat you to a soft drink?” It was nearing noon, she was tired, and her shift was over. The crowds were picking up, and most of the food stands were now open, drifting wonderful aromas. She had been here since after dawn, and her tummy was rumbling.

  Kate tossed all of her things into the back of the SUV and walked to the gentleman who loaned them the tools and lumber. She thanked him and assured him that all would be returned tomorrow morning. He seemed not in the least worried and happy to help.

  “After we get something to eat, can I give you a lift home?” Kate directed to Danny.

  “No. Thanks anyway. Think I’ll hang around here for a while. I met some guy this morning over there on the Spider ride. He says he’ll show me how to run it. You know they make good money running those rides?”

  Something gripped her stomach, but she pushed it away. “I’m sure it’s very hard work though, don’t you think? And with traveling all the time and setting up and tearing down all night long? I’ll bet they hardly ever get any sleep.” She watched his face, uncertain of the thoughts running through his mind.

  “Yeah, probably so.” He stared out into the midway. “Probably so.”

  “What do you want? My treat.” She intentionally shifted the conversation. They stopped in front of a food stand.

  “Just something to drink.”

  “Surely you worked up more of an appetite than that?”

  Danny grinned. “Well, I guess so, but you don’t have to.”

  “Hush, I want to. I couldn’t have done without you this morning. You were such a great help. It’s the least I can do.” She perused the menu. “How does a hotdog sound?”

  One corner of his mouth turned up. “Sounds pretty good.”

  She laughed and turned to the boy in the stand. “Two hotdogs, an order of fries, and two sodas, please.”

  The boy handed them her purchases and she said, “I can never eat a whole thing of fries. Hope you can share these with me.”

  He nodded. “I’m sure I can.” The took a seat on a nearby bench.

  The sun shone down, reflecting heat from the asphalt street. It was going to be a hot one. Kate was glad her shift was over now until five o’clock, it should be cooler then.

  “You know what I like about you?” Danny asked midst a bite of hotdog. His eyes held a mischievousness that Kate hadn’t seen before.

  “No, what?”

  “I like the way you laugh.”

  She smiled and tried to remember when he might have heard her laugh.

  “My mom never used to laugh. Mrs. Elliston doesn’t either.” His face turned somber. She watched as he threw away the remnants of his hotdog and drink, then casually wiped his hands on his jeans. He glanced back up to her face. “I never used to laugh.”

  Something panged in her heart. “Laughing can make you feel better sometimes. We all need to laugh more.”

  Danny cocked his head to one side, thinking. “There’s a fun house over there. Want to come with me? I bet that would be funny.”

  Was that a challenge? “I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.” Kate dropped her half-eaten hotdog and empty drink cup in the trash receptacle. “Beat you there.”

  They were off. Kate ran like a child through the streets, remembering how it felt to be young and carefree. She had to think that perhaps Danny ran as a child for the first time, experiencing a simple pleasure he missed out on so long ago. They laughed and screamed as they chased each other through the growing crowds. Kate thought she must have looked pretty silly, and didn’t care one bit.

  Daniel reached the fun house a second or two before her. Kate plopped her body down on a bench. “Whew! I’m so out of shape!”

  “No you’re not, come on.” Daniel pranced around her.

  Kate groaned. “Pull me up.” She reached up.

  Daniel grasped her hand and dragged her over to the ticket booth. “My treat,” he said then turning to the ticket lady, “Two for the fun house.”

  They didn’t even make it past the front door when it all began. Kate walked in with Daniel beside her as they found themselves face to face with a wavy mirror that distorted every aspect of their bodies. Daniel started first.

  “Look at your hips.” Then he guffawed.

  “Look at your ears!” Kate shot back pointing.

  “Your stomach.”

  “Your elbows.”

  “Your knees.”

  “Your feet.”

  They stood for a second, hysterical laughter overtaking them. Kate walked up as close to the mirror as she could and stuck out her tongue. A grossly misshapen tongue reflected back at them. Daniel followed by pulling back his nostrils and his eyelids at the same ti
me. Kate dropped to her knees, holding her stomach, laughing so hard.

  “Stop, Daniel, I can’t stand it. It hurts.”

  He fell beside her, rolling. A cackle escaped his lips. He lay on his back and looked up at her as his laughter finally subsided. Kate sat with her back to the mirror trying to control her own laughter and watched him.

  “You really shouldn’t sit like that right there,” he told her between giggles.

  Kate wiped tears from her eyes. “Why?”

  “Look behind you.”

  Kate turned her head and looked over her shoulder. She was sitting on her knees. The widest part of the mirror had distorted her rear-end to look enormous. She felt like a character on a comedy show.

  “Ahhh…you rat!” She screamed and rolled to the floor beside him, clutching her sides.

  Their peals of laughter radiated from the fun house for several minutes as passersby lined up to buy tickets outside. When Daniel’s hysterical laughter made the tears fall from his eyes, Kate ignored them, wondering if the laughter was really the thing that was making him cry, or was it the fact that for the first time in a long time, he could laugh.

  ****

  After an hour nap and a shower, Kate threaded her way back through the growing crowds. Her house was only a couple of blocks away from the hubbub of things, so she took advantage of the situation. Since the matinee rides had opened, the crowd picked up, and the streets were full of children.

  She wandered, browsing in shop windows or checking out the crafts booths as she made her way along the street. A sandy-haired man with his back to her caught her eye, and she immediately thought of Michael. But he turned, and it wasn’t him. Her heart plunged.

  She’d not seen him since Thursday, after the episode with Danny and the wallet, which wasn’t entirely unusual. Since he’d kissed her in the car that evening, things felt different. He was on her mind constantly, now, and she wasn’t quite sure what to do with those thoughts.