“Fair enough.”
******
Blake returned to his new home to find Sadie had gone shopping. He put his gear in the larger upstairs bedroom and started taking a more leisurely walk around the house. Many of the Major’s possessions were left; he would have Sadie box them up. He poked his head into Sadie’s room and saw that it was little more than a woodshed. Daylight poked through several boards and there was a water stain on the ceiling. No parlor stove could be found and the bed was rickety with a few missing slats. Blake checked his pocket watch and saw it about noon. He headed back to the forge to check on Caleb. Turning the corner he saw Caleb sitting on the small anvil munching on a thick roast beef sandwich and drinking lemonade. Sadie was holding a basket standing nearby. “How’s that sandwich?” he asked. Caleb had so much in his mouth he couldn’t speak so he just nodded.
“When was the last time that boy et?” Sadie asked with suspicious look on her face.
“This morning,” Blake said smiling.
“Good Lawd,” she replied handing Blake a sandwich. “I gots to keep that in mind ‘round dinner time.”
Blake took a bite of his sandwich. The beef was tender and the bread was soft. “Fine sandwich, Sadie. I was wondering if you knew of a good carpenter,” he said taking another bite.
“My nephew Sam does himself a fair job. Works at the lumber yard yonder,” she said pointing with her chin.
“Have him come see me, please. I have some work for him, if he wants it. And move your things into one of the upstairs rooms.”
“I’ll send my nephew sho’ enough but it ain’t proper for me to be sleeepin’ up there.”
Blake took a long pull of his lemonade. “Just until I can get your room fixed up, then you can have it back.”
“My room’s jest fine,” she objected.
“For a chicken coop I suppose,” Blake said with a wide grin. “Now don’t give me any trouble or I’ll throw you out in the street.”
“Yous can try, but seein’ as it’s your house, I guess it’s maybe alright.”
“See how easy that is? Dinner at six?”
“Sho nuff,” she said as she walked back to the house.
After they finished their lunch, Blake went in the forge to take a look at Caleb’s work. Caleb had removed all the tools and was working on removing the piles of steel that were used to make various items. Everything had been sorted as Blake had asked and he took a mental inventory of what was there. He was pleased to find almost everything he would need, it was not as complete as his father’s shop had been but they had a good start.
He and Caleb worked together cleaning out the rest and Blake started explaining the different metals and sizes to him. Blake noticed something about Caleb’s face when he took a measuring guide and told him to measure a piece of stock that he was holding, he looked completely lost. “Do you know math and fractions and such?” he asked.
“N-no, not much,” Caleb said quietly.
“Well, that stuff is pretty important to this work,” Blake said, smiling. Caleb looked down, obviously troubled. “Not to worry, son, we’ll get you there,” and patted him on the shoulder. Blake checked his watch and pursed his lips. “I have an idea. You finish up here and I’ll be back soon.” Caleb nodded his head and picked up another handful of steel stock.
Blake took a walk over to the café. It was about mid-afternoon and he hoped it wasn’t busy. Luck was on his side when there was only one couple sitting at a table. He sat at the counter and waited for Chrissy. She came out from the kitchen looking lovely as ever. Every time he saw her his heart seemed to skip a beat. She smiled a little when she saw him and came over.
“Mr. Thorton,” she said a little warmer than usual, “would you care for some coffee?”
“Yes, ma’am. I was wondering if you could help me with a small problem.”
Pouring him a cup she cocked an eyebrow, “Oh, and what would that be?”
“Caleb and I are opening the blacksmith shop as you know but the problem is he has never had much schooling. I have heard that the teacher wouldn’t let him in school because of his mother and his stuttering problem. I could teach him what he needs, but I need to run the forge and we’ll both be tuckered out at night. Would you happen to know of someone who could help us out? I would be willing to pay them.”
“Hmmm,” she thought and her eyes glanced toward the kitchen. “I may know someone,” she said biting her lip. “Bonnie who works here for me was an A student when she went to school but after her ‘incident’ she has been very withdrawn.”
“Incident?” Blake asked.
“About a year ago she went for a buggy ride with Tom MacIntyre. Supposedly there was an accident and she was hurt very badly. Her father thought there was more to it and accused Tom of mistreating her. No one could prove anything so the matter was dropped. Bonnie’s father made it his mission to find out the truth but, before he could, he and his wife were killed when their house caught fire. Her parents and I were friends, so when she was well enough I took her in.” She refilled Blake’s cup and thought for a second. “Maybe this could bring her back to more of her old self. I know Caleb. He’s nice boy. And I know she has sneaked food out to him on occasion. Maybe, just maybe…”
“Do you think she would help?”
“Let me talk to her.” She cut Blake a piece of pie and started back to the kitchen.
“Was Tom MacIntyre hurt?” Blake asked.
“Not a scratch,” she said coldly.
About five minutes later Chrissy came out with Bonnie in tow. “Bonnie, this is Mr. Thorton. He is the man who hired Caleb to work with him.”
Holding out his hand Blake said, “Pleased to meet you, Miss.” She gave him a quick glance but would not take his hand. Realizing his mistake Blake dropped his hand to his leg and continued, “It sure would be a big help if you could teach Caleb math and some reading and writing. I promise he’ll work real hard.” No answer was forthcoming so Blake looked helplessly at Chrissy.
Taking his cue she said, “You could teach him here at the café. Slow time is from two to four so it should be quiet for you. How does that sound?” Still no answer. Chrissy gently placed her hand under Bonnie’s chin and raised it until their eyes met. “I’ll be right here the whole time.”
Courage is not a thing limited to men. Women have crossroads, too, and in some ways the paths are harder to choose. Bonnie was at one now. Her eyes darted back and forth searching for an answer. Perhaps it was Chrissy’s strength or her motherly way but, for whatever reason, Bonnie took a bold step.
“I would like to help,” she said quietly with a small smile.
“Excellent,” Blake said. “You two ladies have been a tremendous help. Can we start tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow is Saturday,” Chrissy said. “Perhaps they could start Monday afternoon.”
“You bet. If that’s all right with you, Miss.” Bonnie nodded her head in agreement. “You can go over to Dooley’s and get whatever you need, just put it on my account.” Blake got up to leave, as he headed for the door he turned and said, “Two o’clock sharp, Monday afternoon.”
Chrissy gave Bonnie a light nudge with her elbow and looked at Blake. Bonnie perked up and said, “Thank you.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you.” Placing his hat on his head he touched the brim and said, “Ladies.”
Chapter 7
Blake made his way back over to the forge to find Caleb jjust about done. He told him about his arrangement with Bonnie. Caleb seemed to brighten up at the prospect of working with her. “You mind your manners around her, boy,” Blake warned. “You are just going there to learn. Got it?”
“Y-yes s-sir, B-bonnie is a-a r-eal nice girl. S-sometimes she g-gives me an’ S-Satan f-food.”
“You and who?” Blake thought he heard him say Satan but that couldn’t be right.
“S-s-Satan.”
“Who the heck is Satan?” a total
ly confused Blake asked.
“Th-that’s what A-a-avery n-named m-my dog.”
“Why would he name him that?”
“I’ll tell why,” yelled Avery stomping over to Blake. “You tol’ Joe to let him sleep in the loft wit’ me an’ Hap. We didn’ mind till he brought that consarned mongrel wit’ him. I tol’ him I wasn’ sleepin’ with no dog, and he farted somethin’ fierce.”
“Caleb?” Blake asked.
“No, dammit, that there fool dog,” Avery blustered. “God almighty, I never smelt such a foul thing. We runned for our lives. I swear Hap puked and Joe come out of his office to see which horse died. Took quite a spell for tha’ smell to clear. I says to m’self, only the devil can conjure a smell like that. So I done named him Satan.”
Blake was laughing now, “Come on, it can’t be that bad.”
Caleb’s eyes bugged out. “D-does it when h-he g-gets m-m-mad. It’s r-r-rank.”
“Caleb can stay with me tonight, so you won’t have that problem again.” Blake was still chuckling.
“Well Hap has been fixin’ us up a room over at the store. So we’s stayin’ there now,” Avery said. “Jest don’ lettin’ him bring that dog wit’ him. You been warn’t.” Avery said as he headed back to the livery shaking his finger.
“Go gather your things, we’ll get you settled in,” Blake said. “And I think it would be best to leave Satan outside. I don’t think Sadie will approve.”
“I-I’ll t-try, b-but h-h-e g-goes where h-he w-wants,” Caleb said heading for the loft.
The dinner was everything they could have hoped for and more. Roast chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy. There were green beans and some of the best biscuits Blake had ever tasted. Sadie had made a fine peach cobbler for dessert. He and Caleb ate heartily and the only thing left were the dirty dishes. As Sadie was clearing the table she smiled at Blake. “I can’t rightly remember when I see’d a boy eat like that; does an old lady’s heart some good fo’ shu’.”
“Well, that was a fine meal, Sadie,” Blake said. “I think I’ll take a bath and shave.”
“You jest be leaving your dirty clothes fo’ me. I does a fine boiled wash.”
“Appreciate it, ma’am. Caleb has only two sets, I’ll see about getting some more.”
“D-do I-I have t-to t-take a b-b-bath t-too?” a very concerned Caleb asked.
“Yes, you do, and get used to it,” Blake said firmly. “Now help Sadie with the water while I get some clean clothes.” Blake got up from the table and gave Sadie a wink. “You have my permission to scrub him good if he gives you any trouble.”
Caleb’s eyes shot up and looked back and forth between Blake and Sadie. There was genuine terror in his eyes.
Sadie winked back at Blake. “He’ll be as pink as a newbor’ shoat he will.”
The bath felt great and the shave even better. Feeling like a new man, Blake went out and sat on the porch to take in the cool night air. He smiled to himself, thinking of the turns his life had taken the past few days. It had been a long time since he had any real purpose. A man never knows if his actions will come of any good but he sure felt he had taken a good trail now. Sadie came out on the porch with a box in her hands. “Don’ know ifn’ you smoke, but the major left these fine ceegars, thought maybe you’d be likin’ one.”
“After a fine meal like that, it would be a pleasure, thank you.” Blake took one and fished a match out of his pocket, lighting it he sat back in his chair.
“Why is you helpin’ that boy?” Sadie asked.
Blowing smoke out towards the yard Blake asked, “What do you mean?”
“He done tol’ me about what you is doin’. Givin’ him work and schoolin’ an’ all. Yo’ don’ seem like a man wantin’ to put down no roots. So why you doin’ it?”
“I was just trying figure that out, Sadie. The only answer I have is the boy needed help and I could do it. It just seems right.”
“You is a good man, sho’ nuff, a strange one, but good.” Not completely satisfied, Sadie went back in the house.
Blake smiled and flicked some ashes from the cigar. “It’s been said of me.”
Caleb came out onto the porch when he was done with his bath. They both enjoyed the cool night air while Sadie busied herself in the kitchen cleaning up. She was singing to herself an old song that Blake had never heard before. He felt the peace of settling down and sprouting roots. Life on the trail had benefits to it but it lacked the good feeling of home cooking and a warm bed.
“You ever play chess or checkers, Caleb?” He shook his head no and Blake got up to see if there was a set in the house. Sadie helped him find a very expensive set that contained both games. Apparently the major had loved playing and had purchased a fine set carved from ivory with a mahogany and walnut board. Blake set up a game of checkers on a table in the parlor and called Caleb in. “Checkers is an easier game to get the hang of to start. When you get better, I’ll teach you chess.”
Caleb was a quick learner and they played several games. Each time his skill improved. Blake held back a little to give him confidence until Caleb won.
“I-I w-won!” he shouted, when the game was over. He was beaming from ear to ear.
“You sure enough did, son,” Blake said smiling. “I guess I’m rusty, but you played a good game, congratulations.” Blake stood and shook his hand, then he checked his watch. “I guess we should turn in. We’re going to be busy tomorrow.”
“C-c-an I-I t-tell S-sadie?” Caleb asked, still grinning.
“Sure you can, but then up to bed with you,” Blake said putting the pieces away.
Caleb ran to the kitchen and told Sadie about his triumph and she told him he must be smart because she never had a head for those games. Caleb promised to teach her if she wanted. He told her good night and ran up the stairs. Sadie leaned out of the kitchen door and smiled at Blake. Blake smiled back and said, “Good night, Sadie.”
******
The next morning Blake woke to the smell of coffee and frying ham. He got up and washed up in the basin on the dresser. After putting on some fresh clothes he went into the hall to see both of the other bedroom doors open. He followed the aroma downstairs and found Caleb already eating and Sadie pouring more batter on the grill. “Must have slept late,” he said reaching for the coffee.
“I gets up wit’ the chickens, I do,” Sadie said. “That boy smelt my cookin’ and came runnin’.”
“I can’t blame him there,” Blake said sitting down. “How is it, Caleb?”
“Mmmmffff,” was about all Caleb could say around the hotcakes in his mouth.
Sadie set some ham and hotcakes in front of Blake. “I’m going to get fat eating like this every day,” he said while putting syrup on his hotcakes.
“Won’ be a problem ifn’ you is late every mornin’. That boy will have it all et’,” Sadie said laughing.
Blake was about halfway through his breakfast when Sadie startled him by yelling, “Scat!” and clapping her hands.
Both he a Caleb turned to see Satan sitting at the screen door of the kitchen wagging his tail. She picked up a broom and headed for the door.
“Sadie, don’t!” Blake yelled as she opened the door. Satan ran between her legs and over to Caleb. He put both front feet on his chest and started licking syrup on his face.
She started after the dog with the broom when Blake held up his hands and said, “I wouldn’t do that.”
“Get yo’ filthy dog ass out my kitchen,” she yelled and brought the broom firmly down on his back. Satan jumped down and hid underneath the table.
“D-d-don’t m-m-ake him m-m-mad,” Caleb stammered.
“Huh?” she said.
That’s when Satan did what Satan does best. As the smell crept its way from under the table and up to the nostrils of his victims, the realization hit all of their faces simultaneously.
Sadie clapped her hand over her nose and turned to run for the back door. U
nfortunately all three of them had the same idea and almost got stuck in the doorway. Finally they freed themselves and were standing in the backyard gasping for air.
All Sadie kept saying was, “Lawd, Lawd, Lawd.”
Blake’s stomach was doing flips like riding the high seas in a hurricane. Caleb was using his shirttail wiping his tearing eyes. Blake drew in a lung full of fresh air and blew it out. “Sadie I would like to introduce Satan.”
She looked through the screen door and could see the dog munching happily on a piece of ham he had pulled from the table; she looked back at Blake and said, “Who?”
“That’s Caleb’s dog, Satan.”
She looked at Caleb with a very confused stare, “Yo’ named yo’ dog Satan?”
“N-no m-ma’m. A-avery did.”
“It’s not a good idea to make him mad,” Blake chimed in.
“Lawd, that ain’t a natural thin’ comin’ out of him, fo’ shu’. Worse than any polecat I’s ever smelt,” replied Sadie waving her hand in front of her face.
“Best you get in the house and open the windows, Caleb, before that smell starts sticking to things,” Blake said. Caleb gave him a worried look. “Well it’s your dog, and I’m not doing it. Now git.”
Caleb pulled his shirt up around his nose, took a deep breath and ran into the house. Throwing windows up as fast as he could he ran out the front door, gasping for air.
“Upstairs, too!” Blake yelled from the back of the house.
They heard him running up the stairs and into each room opening windows. Then back down to the yard. Satan barked at him when he passed by.
“What’s we gonna do ‘bout him?” Sadie asked Blake.
“Caleb?”
“No! That fool dog.”
“I guess we don’t make him mad.”
“How’s I gonna knows wha’ makes him mad?”
“I think that’s pretty clear,” Blake said smiling.
Once the house was safe to enter, Blake and Caleb left for the forge with Satan trotting close behind carrying a ham bone that Sadie had given him as a peace offering. Blake unlocked the door and had Caleb open the main door and all the windows. Examining the structure damage Blake took a piece of paper from his pocket and started making notes on what he would need to repair it. He tried to explain everything to Caleb in detail. Caleb, never having done anything like this before, listened attentively and asked good questions. The main beam of the shop had cracked and was sagging because it was undersized and could not take a heavy load of snow. Blake figured that the first heavy snowfall would finish it off and the whole building would collapse. Finding a measuring tape, he started taking measurements for the materials he would need. Blake started to tell Caleb the complicated method on how he intended to fix it when a tall muscular black man entered the forge.
The Blacksmith Page 7
