Finding Will Hennie

by Joy Redmond

  “Yep. That’s where I’s headed.” What the heck is Arkansas and the boot heel of Missouri? It don’t matter. I reckon I’ll just take wherever I end up. I’ve ‘bout had all of this walkin’ that I want.

  “Climb over in the truck bed and hang on. They ain’t no room fer ya up front. My old coon dog is asleep and he don’t take to strangers.” The man walked around the truck and climbed inside.

  Will dropped his book and shoes over the bed, then stepped on the running board and hoisted himself up until he was able to fall into the truck. He fell beside two big coops filled with chickens, squawking and flapping their wings. Just as his body was in the bed, the man took off and drove fast. Will hung on to the side of the bed. It was hard to catch his breath as the strong wind blew in his face, yet it felt cool and it was fun. He felt like he was moving through the air as fast as a bird.

  He recognized the chickens in the coop because he had seen such creatures when he was outside with Gram. He remembered her saying, “Them chickens done got outta their pens again and come a visitin’. What they don’t know is, I’m gonna wring their necks and we gonna have us some chicken fer supper.”

  Will laughed. “Hey, chickens. Yer gonna be supper afore long. Wish I could have some of ya, but I don’t see that a happenin’. I reckon we’ll just be traveling friends. None of us knowin’ where the hell we be goin’.”

  He watched the chickens pecking the floor of the coops. He laughed again as he remembered hearing Gram say, “I’ve lived a hard life. They was times when I had to peck shit with the chickens just so’s I could make it.”

  “Hey, Gram,” he yelled, looking toward the sky. “I guess I’m gonna be peckin’ shit with these here chickens till I get outta this here truck.” He scooted his body around and rested his back against the cab. The breeze felt wonderful blowing over his face and through his hair. He felt sleepy but there was no way he could lay down. He picked up his book and thumbed through the pages. His body was itching and he started scratching, wondering what was biting him.

  As he scratched and squirmed he noticed a copper coin beside one of the coops. He picked it up. “I think this here is a penny. It looks like the one I seen in my book. I don’t reckon you’s gonna be needin’ it since you be chickens. So I reckon it’s mine.” He put the penny in his pocket and continued to scratch.

  Will had no idea how long he had been riding when he began to see houses and other big buildings. The man stopped the truck in front of a large building and got out. “You stay put, Jake. Don’t be jumpin’ out the window. I’ll let ya pee soon as I unload the chickens.”

  Will figured the man was talking to the coon dog.

  “We be in Sikeston, boy. I gotta unload the chickens and get me some money. Then we gonna head on up the road ‘bout thirty mile to Cape Girardeau. You want out here or do you wanna go on to Cape?”

  “I’m goin’ on to the cape.” Whatever that is. “And my name ain’t boy. My name is Will Hennie!”

  “It don’t make me no never mind what yer name is or where ya be goin’. But ya can help me unload these chickens,” he said, as he let the tailgate down and jumped into the truck bed. “By the way, my name be Jed. Now, you get down on the ground and when I scoot the coop to the edge, ya grab holt and hang on to it.”

  Will jumped from the truck and when the man scooted the coops to the tailgate, he grabbed one end and held it with all his strength. The coops were heavy and his arms were giving out by the time Jed jumped from the truck and got a better grip on his end.

  “Hold ’er, boy, and walk with me, not against me.”

  Will did his best to keep up but his end was getting heavier by the minute. Just as his arms were giving out, Jed hoisted his end of the coop onto what looked like the smooth road he had traveled on, but it was high in the air.

  “You wait right here on the porch. I’ll get the owner to come out and take the chickens in. Then we have to put the empty coops back on the truck. It’ll be easier puttin’ em back than it was gettin ‘em out.”

  Will waited on the porch and wiped the sweat that was pouring down his face and he scratched his belly while he waited. Two men came out of the door of the big building, opened the coops and grabbed the chickens by the feet and carried them back inside. When the coops were empty, Jed came back outside. “Looky what I got ya. Since you was a good boy and helped me, I got ya a pop.”

  Will eyed the bottle as the man handed it to him. It was cold and felt good in his hands. He wasn’t sure what it was or what he was supposed to do with it. He watched the man put his bottle to his lips and tilt his head, then his throat started going up and down. I reckon I’m s’posed to drink it. I’m powerful thirsty.

  Will stuck the bottle neck into his mouth and whatever pop was, it was the best tasting stuff he’d ever had. “Thank ya. That pop sure is good stuff.” Then he burped.

  “Drink it on down. We’re burnin’ daylight. We gotta get on up to Cape. I got family there and I’m gonna stay a few days. When I can’t take no more of their bullshit, I’m headed on up to St. Louie. Gonna have me some fun there. I got my chicken money and I’m gonna buy me a girl. You ain’t goin’ with me to St. Louie.”

  Will cocked his head. He wants to buy a girl? “Say, Jed. If’n you’ll settle fer a boy, ya can have me and ya don’t have to buy me. I’ll just stick with ya.”

  Jed threw his head back and laughed so hard, Will wondered if he was ever going to catch his breath. “I ain’t buyin’ no girl fer keeps. Just fer ‘bout an hour. Ya too young to know what I be talkin’ ‘bout. You be a cute little scrapper, but I got no time fer young’uns. Ya finish ya pop while I let Jake out to pee, then get in the back and we’ll be on our way.”

  Will climbed into the truck bed and braced himself against the cab.” His belly and back were itching worse by the minute. Rubbing his back against the cab helped the itching, somewhat. “What in tarnation is bitin’ me?” he mumbled.

  Jed drove up the street and then stopped in front of another small building with strange things sitting in front of it. Jed got out of the truck. “Sit still back there, Will. I gotta get some gas. I only got a few gas stamps left but I figure it’ll get us enough.”

  He watched Jed take a piece of paper from his back pocket and tear off a piece. A short, potbelly man came out of the small building and walked over to the truck. “How much ya be wantin’?” When Jed held up the little piece of paper the man said, “I ain’t takin’ no gas stamps. If’n ya want gas from me, you pay fer it. It’s ten-cent a gallon.”

  Jed cussed and put the piece of paper back in his pocket. “Then I’ll pay fer it. I want ten gallon.”

  “Ten gallon! That be a whole dollar!”

  “It ain’t none of yer damn business ‘bout my finances, but I got a whole dollar. I sold my produce and my chickens. So you be puttin’ in the gas and I’ll be payin’ fer it.”

  “Gimmy the dollar first.”

  Jed cussed, reached into his pocket and pulled out some coins. He carefully counted. “Here’s a dollar. Now get to pumpin’. I ain’t got no time fer the likes of you.”

  Will watched in amazement as the man took a nozzle out of the tank that was attached to a long hose and stuck it into a hole in the side of the truck. A few minutes later the man put the cap back on the hole in the truck. “Ya done took all I got in my tank. But’s fine with me. I can get on home. Gonna be gettin’ dark soon anyways.”

  Jed was back in the truck and had the motor started by the time the man had finished his sentence.

  Will stretched out in the truck bed and closed his eyes. The air blowing over his body was cool and it made him sleepy. Suddenly, he felt the truck come to a stop. He opened his eyes and saw that it was dark and he realized he was chilled. He untied his shirt and put it on. Then Jed yelled to him. “We only got a few mile to go. I thought I’d beat the dark, but didn’t. I can’t drive no more ‘cause I ain’t got no head lights. We gonna sleep here til morning. If’n ya want, ya can get up front and lay do
wn beside Jake. I’ll prop up against the window and sleep sittin’ up. That way if’n somebody sneaks up on me, I’ll wake up fast enough to stick my gun in their face. People be robbin’ people all over the place since nobody got no jobs and they be starvin’. Jake won’t mind. And I got somethin’ to eat that I’ll share. I know ya bound to be hungry.”

  Will jumped to the ground, opened the truck door and climbed inside. He almost had to sit on Jake but he managed to balance himself on the edge of the seat. “I thought ya said he didn’t take to strangers. He’s fine with me, seems.”

  “Jake takes to anybody. Truth is, I don’t take to young’uns. I just said that ‘cause I didn’t want ya up here. But I don’t have the heart to make ya stay in the back of the truck all night. I do have a heart, ya know. I just don’t show it much. People run over ya if they think ya got a heart and ya give a damn.”

  Jed pulled a sack out from under the seat. Then he took out a block of cheese. Using his pocket knife, he carved off a chunk and handed it to Will. “Have a hunk of cheese. It’ll stick to yer ribs and ya won’t get hungry for a spell.”

  “Cheese?” Will said. “I ain’t never had any afore.” He took a bite. “Not bad stuff. I kinda like it. But I reckon I’d like anything what would make my belly stop growling.”

  “Yep. When you be hungry, you ain’t too picky. I likes me some cheese. I wish we had some crackers, but ain’t got none.”

  “This be good enough,” Will said, and wolfed down the cheese.

  Jed smiled and said, “Ya wanna ‘nother piece? I can spare two chunks.”

  “Yeah, if’n ya can spare it. I’m powerful hungry.”

  They ate the cheese, then Jed narrowed his eyes and asked, “Are ya an orphan? It don’t seem right a boy yer age be out hitchin’. I know times are hard since the depression hit. Families losin’ everythin’, bein’ split up. People starvin’. Parents turnin’ their young’uns lose in the streets. Ain’t none of my never mind, but it’s sad a young’un like you be out in the world on ya own.”

  “I ain’t no orphan. My ma took real sick and she told me to hitch to, er, that cape and get Gram. So that’s what I’s tryin’ to do. So ya ain’t gonna be in no trouble with the law.”

  “Uh-huh. If’n ya say so. I’ll get ya to Cape Girardeau. I sure hope ya find Gram. That’s the best I can do fer ya.”

  Will knew that Jed didn’t believe him, but since Jed seemed to be alright with his story, he breathed easily.

  “It’s time to s shut yer mouth so I can get some shuteye,” Jed said.

  Will stretched out beside Jake. It felt good lying beside the dog and the itching let up when Jake’s body heat began to warm him.

  The next thing he knew, Jed was shaking his shoulder. “Wake up. We gotta take a piss then get on up the road. It’s daybreak.”

  Will was groggy but he got out of the truck. He was about to climb down in a ditch when Jed made it around the truck, unzipped his trousers and let go. Will was amazed at how far the stream went. Since Jed thought it was okay to pee beside the truck, Will unzipped and cut loose. This time he shook it before putting in back in his trousers.

  “Ya want I should get in the back? I know ya don’t take to young’uns. I don’t wanna be a bother. Ya been right nice to me, ya have.”

  “I don’t wanna seem mean, but if ya don’t mind, yeah, just ride in the back. I don’t like no talkin’ while I’m drivin’ and I know how young’uns like to run their mouths.”

  “I’ll be right happy to get back there. I like to feel the air. It makes me feel like I’m flying like a bird.”

  Will heard Jed chuckle as he opened the door, stepped on the running board, then hoisted himself into the bed. Jed took off and Will was glad he had on his long sleeve shirt. The morning air was cool and it seemed to cut through him. He hunkered down and sat as close to the cab as possible.

  Will’s stomach was growling and he hoped Jed would offer him another piece of cheese before long. A few minutes later, Will noticed trees and houses coming into view. He stood up. Again he was amazed at the sights. He was looking in all directions, trying to figure out why he was seeing houses all in a row. Jed stopped the truck abruptly and Will’s body slammed against the cab.

  Jed stuck his head out of the truck and yelled, “This here is the end of the line, Will ol’ boy. Ya gotta find yer own way from here on.”

  Will jumped out of the truck. “Thank ya, Jed. I’ll be fine. I’ll find Gram in no time. You go on now.”

  Jed didn’t say anything. He just took off, and Will found himself standing in front of a big house. He scratched his head. Then he scratched his belly. Whatever was biting him seemed to like the taste of his skin. He scratched and turned in circles, wondering where he should go. He noticed a large sign in front of the big house. Gram had taught him a few letters but he didn’t recognize but three of them.

  The house was painted white and it had pretty flowers in the front yard. It even had grass and two big trees. Will saw a man sitting on the porch, picking on something with wires, and it was making pretty music, and the man was whistling. The man didn’t seem to notice Will.

  A familiar smell was coming from nearby. It was the smell of biscuits, he was sure. He sniffed like a hound dog. The smell was coming from the back part of the big house. Rich people live here, he thought. Whoever ya are, I sure hope ya got a heart and ain’t feared to show it. I’m powerful hungry.

  Chapter Four

  Will made his way around to the back of the house. He stood for a few minutes taking in the sights. He saw small buildings, a wood pile, a well with a red pump, and a large plot of green plants and stalks with something growing on them. He wandered over to the plot. He saw big red things hanging from a vine.

  The smell of biscuits made his mouth water and his stomach growl. He walked up the steps to the back porch, took his shoes from his shoulder and dropped them by the door. His socks were full of holes so he took them off and placed them beside his shoes. He drew in a deep breath and knocked on the door. He waited but nobody came. He listened closely and he heard somebody walking across the floor. He knocked again, hard enough that it made his knuckles sting. Nobody came. He turned the door knob and pushed the door open. “Is anybody home?”

  “Land sakes alive! Where did you come from? You ‘bout scared me outta my skin!”

  Will’s eyes grew large and his instinct told him to run. But the smell of fresh biscuits and the look of the short, fat woman who was twisting her apron tail, told him he had nothing to fear.

  “I’m sorry I skeered ya. I knocked but ya didn’t hear me.”

  “Well, I don’t know who ya are but ya should know better than ta walk into somebody’s kitchen on ya own.”

  “I be Will. Will Hennie. I was wonderin’ if ya’d give me biscuit.”

  “Well, Will Hennie, this is a boarding house, not a soup kitchen, and I don’t give food away. I barely make it tryin’ to feed my boarders. So ya get outta here and be on your way. Just head on off to where ya come from. Shoo,” she said, waving her arm in the air.

  Will reached into his pocket and pulled out the copper coin. “I got this here penny. Is that enough to buy one biscuit?”

  The lady took the penny and turned it around in her hand. “I reckon that’ll buy ya one biscuit. Did your mammy or pappy give it to ya? Did they send ya over here to beg for me to give you a batch of biscuits for just a penny?”

  “I ain’t got no mammy and pappy. I don’t know where I come from, and I found the penny by the chicken coops. I didn’t reckon they was gonna need it so I put in my pocket.”

  The lady chuckled. “Ya right there. Them chickens are goin’ to the choppin’ block and they won’t have no use for a penny. But what ya mean ya don’t have no mammy and pappy? Are ya an orphan? There’s lots of ‘em in these hard times, but I can’t be feedin’ all of ya.”

  “I reckon I be an orphan.”

  “How ‘bout other family? Ya got brothers and sisters? Aunts, uncles, anybody?�
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  “I don’t ‘member. I think it’s just me.”

  “Ya don’t remember, or ya ain’t tellin’? Somethin’ ain’t right here. But you got a penny and that’ll buy a biscuit. Lord have mercy! You’s filthy!”

  Will smiled and looked toward the stove. He saw a pan of biscuits sitting on the top. He ran over and just as he reached for one, the lady smacked his hand.

  “You said a penny was enough. Whatcha smack me fer?”

  “’Cause yer hands are filthy. Nobody eats in my house with dirty hands. Get over there and worsh ya face and hands outta the worsh pan,” she said, pointing to a wooden stand with a large pan sitting on top.

  Will followed her finger. He remembered seeing a pan just like the one he was looking at. Gram brought him inside one day and she held him over the pan, splashed water on his face and dipped his hands up and down in water. Then she pulled up her dress hem and wiped his face and hands. He could still hear her voice. “I reckon that’ll have to do. I brought ya some blackberries and we’ll just eat ‘em out of the bucket. There ain’t never a clean thing to eat out of in this pig sty.”

  Will placed his book on the table and hurried to the wash stand. He splashed his face, dipped his hands in the water, then pulled up his shirt tail and started wiping.

  “Sakes alive, child! Put some soap on them hands and use the towel by the pan,” the lady said, as she scurried across the floor. She picked up a bar of lye soap. “Stick the soap in the water and rub it over them filthy hands.” She picked up a rag that was hanging on the stand. “Then ya wipe ‘em on this towel.”

  Will did as he was instructed, hoping he was doing it right. If the lady got mad, she might not give him a biscuit. She had her back to him, stirring something in a big pot on top of the stove. He walked to her side. “Can I reach for a biscuit now?”

  “No, ya can’t reach for one. Ya go sit at the table and I’ll put one on a plate for ya. Laws! Ain’t nobody ever learned ya a thing? By the way, my name is Berta. Is Hennie your middle name or last name? I don’t remember nobody by that name ‘round here.”