Finding Will Hennie

by Joy Redmond

  “I just want to tell you that I’ve greatly enjoyed our mornings together. Thank you for trying to teach me how to play the banjo, and for being my friend.”

  Jim Bob wiped his nose on his coat sleeve. “Thanks goes to you. You’s the bestest friend I ever had, Will Hennie.”

  Chapter Ten

  Will was outside playing with Red when Miss Marylee stuck her head out the front door. “It’s about supper time. Come on in and get washed up.”

  Will rubbed Red’s head. “I’ll be back later. We can play fetch until it gets dark, then I need to get some reading done. I know it’s summer vacation, but I’m all involved with law cases.”

  Red lifted his head and cocked it to the side. “That’s right. I’m learning more from reading about trials than I am from my law studies.” Red licked Will’s hand. “I’ll see you later, friend.”

  Will went around to the back of the house and came through the kitchen door. Berta wasn’t in the kitchen, which was odd. Bowls of food were on the table from one end to the other. I think Berta is slipping in her older years. She forgot to take the food to the dining room.

  He walked over to the wash basin, cleaned his face and scrubbed his hands with lye soap. While he was drying off he heard Berta say, “I hope I did it like ya want it, Miss Marylee.”

  Will walked into the dining room, and his breath caught in his throat as Mr. Tom, Miss Myrtle, and Miss Marylee, started singing, ‘Happy Birthday.’ Jim Bob was playing the banjo.

  “Don’t just stand there like a knot on a log. C’mon over here!” Berta said.

  Will couldn’t believe his eyes. In the middle of the table was a chocolate cake with lighted candles stuck around the edges. Four presents were on the end of the table.

  “Make a wish and blow’em out!” Mr. Tom said.

  Will felt his heart flutter as he made his way to the table. He drew in a deep breath, then blew the candles.

  “You got them all. Now your wish will come true,” Miss Marylee said. She gave him a hug. “I can’t believe you’re already sixteen-years-old.”

  “How do you know it’s my birthday?”

  “I don’t know what month or day you were born, so I just say July sixteenth, because that’s the day you came into our lives.”

  “I guess it as good a month and day as any,” Will said. “You’ve always told me how old I was, the best we could figure, but nobody has ever said happy birthday, let alone baked me a cake.”

  “I’da baked ya one before now if’n Miss Marylee had told me what day. I just learned last night that today was your special day,” Berta said.

  “I was waiting for his big birthday before I mentioned it,” Miss Marylee said. “Sixteen is a milestone.”

  Berta picked up the cake and headed into the kitchen.

  “Aren’t we going to have a piece?” Will asked.

  “After supper,” Miss Marylee said. “You can open your presents while Berta brings in the food.”

  Will pulled out a chair, sat down and grabbed a present as if he were a two-year-old. He was so excited he could feel sweat beads popping out on his brow and upper lip. He looked for a tag but there wasn’t one. “Who’s this one from?”

  “All the boarders pooled their money and I went shopping. So I guess every present is from each of us,” Miss Marylee said.

  He opened his presents: A baseball mitt, baseball cap, a tackle box, and a red, button-down shirt. “I’m speechless. Not good for someone who plans to be a lawyer, huh?” He wiped his brow. “All this just got away with me. I’ve got the best family in the world.” He fought back tears, determined not to cry. Suck it up. Don’t be a sissy.

  “Take your presents on up to your room, Will. I’ll help Berta get the food on the table,” Miss Marylee said.

  Will thought her face was beaming brighter than the lighted candles. “I’m on my way. Thanks, everybody.”

  Just as Will had his hands full of presents, Berta brought in the first tray. Will bent and kissed her cheek. “I can’t wait to sink my teeth into that cake. You know how I love chocolate. And I always get fussed at for eating too much.” He looked at Miss Marylee and winked. “No fussing tonight. It’s my birthday and I’m going to eat all I want.”

  After supper, Will helped Berta clean off the table and he brought the cake from the kitchen. Berta brought out small plates and clean forks. “You cut the cake, Will. And you get the first piece,” Berta said.

  Will cut the cake and put a piece on each plate, handed it to each person, then sat down. “Dig in!” he said, and shoved a big bite into his mouth. “Play that banjo, Jim Bob!”

  Jim Bob played the happy birthday tune while they ate the cake. Then Jim Bod did something that was unusual. He reached over Berta and grabbed her plate. “No need to dirty up another dish. Berta done had all she needs. Gimme that piece of cake, woman!”

  The women gasped, but Will and Mr. Tom laughed so hard they were holding their sides.

  Jim Bob grinned. Berta was speechless. The room fell silent for a few minutes. Will was still laughing inside, but he managed not to let out a sound.

  “Will, have ya got any plans fer tonight?” Mr. Tom asked.

  “Just studying a bit. Why?”

  “It’s your birthday, for pity sakes. Come on out in the yard. I got something else I wanna learn ya. I had it out with Miss Marylee, and she done agreed not to interfere.”

  Will followed Mr. Tom outside. “What have you got in mind?”

  “I’ve never told about my boxing days, but back in my time, I was pretty good. I never won any titles, mind ya, but I won a few rounds. I mostly boxed at local matches, but I got a chance to show my stuff in St. Louis a few times. I’m gonna learn ya how to box. Now, I’m not tryin’ to make a fighter out of ya. I’m just gonna learn ya how to defend ya’self. Yer gonna run into bullies all yer life. You don’t take no shit off nobody. You go upside their noggins a few times and they’ll leave ya be.”

  “Show me how.”

  “First, ya hold your fists like this.”

  Will made two fists. “Is this right?”

  “Almost. Look at mine. Now, do it again.”

  Will studied how Mr. Tom was holding his fists, then he tried it again.”

  “Good. Now you hold yer fists like that and dance around in a circle like this,” Mr. Tom said, as he bounced his body and moved his feet around.

  Will held his fists up and danced around, feeling like a fool.

  Mr. Tom landed a slight tap on the right side of Will’s head.

  Will froze on the spot. “Don’t hit me. Please don’t hit. I—”

  “Will. I know what must’ve happened in yer past. But we have to face our fears. If ya let yer fears take over, ya gonna be robbed of a good life. When it comes to a fear, ya gotta look at it like it’s a mean bull. Then you stare it in the eyes, grab it by the horns, wrestle that sumbitch to the ground, and stomp its ass! Now come on and get them fists up and start dancin’. Keep yer eyes peeled. When ya see a punch comin’, ya block it, then you land a good one upside my head. Just don’t hit me hard. Just tap me like I did you.”

  Will’s heart was beating so hard he could barely breathe. Face your fear, face your fear, he kept telling himself. It seemed as if he’d been dancing in a circle for twenty minutes, then he saw a punch coming. He threw up his right hand, blocking Mr. Tom’s fist, then landed a punch upside Mr. Tom’s head. “Like that?”

  “Well, ya didn’t have to knock my brains out, but yeah, like that.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you that hard. It just came out of me. I really thought I had given you a gentle punch.”

  “Well, if that was a gentle punch, I sure don’t wanna feel a hard one. Good boy. Yer learnin’ fast. Come on. Let me see if I can get one in. Keep yer guard up!”

  Will saw the next punch coming and didn’t even try to block. He crumpled to the ground and held his head and whimpered.

  “Don’t go soft on me. Get up and give me a good lickin’. Get it
outta yer system. Picture that mean bull. Whatcha gonna do to that bull? Ya just gonna let ‘im stomp on ya?”

  Will stood up and he felt fire in his eyes. He put up his fists, danced around, and when he saw the next punch coming, he blocked it and swung back with all he had.

  Mr. Tom dodged it. “Time out. Yer gonna kill this ol’ man. That was great fer yer first lesson. Ya got the fight in ya. Now ya just gotta let it out. We’ll practice again tomorrow. That’s if you wanna.”

  “Oh, I wanna! I feel like a ton of bricks just fell off my chest. I’m sorry I got all sissified there for a moment. It won’t happen again.”

  From that night until late September, Will and Mr. Tom practiced sparring until Mr. Tom gave out. Red came over every day and lay on the ground and watched. Occasionally, he barked softly as if he were cheering for the younger man. Will learned to hold back his strength when he saw an opening and went in for the knock out. He was fast at blocking when he saw a punch coming and Mr. Tom never had a chance to land another one.

  “Yer getting’ fast as lightnin’. That’s the trick. Out-dance yer opponent. Throw a punch only when ya know yer gonna hit yer target. Won’t do ya no good to punch the air, and missin’ saps yer strength. Make every blow count.”

  Will shook Mr. Tom’s hand. “Thanks. I think I can defend myself in case I ever have to. Fighting isn’t in my blood but I’ll knock the shit out of anybody who wants to go a round with me.”

  “That’s the ticket. I reckon we better get in the house. The skeeters are gonna eat me alive.”

  Will didn’t bother to heat water for his bath. He pumped two buckets and took them to the washroom. He still washed his hair and massaged his scalp with his fingertips the way Miss Marylee had shown him. He scrubbed his body, then lay back in the cool water. I’m a damn boxer. I’m going to be a lawyer who can whip the shit out of a smartass criminal if I think he’s guilty and lying to me. I won’t defend a liar. He stood, reached for the other bucket of water and poured it over his body. He always loved the smell of towels that had been dried on a clothes line in the sun. He found the coarse texture on his skin to be stimulating.

  After his bath, he went into the parlor and turned on the radio. He listened to music for an hour. Miss Marylee called from upstairs. “Bedtime, Will. The boarders are ready to get some sleep.”

  Will turned off the radio and went upstairs. I really need to study anyway. I just can’t go to sleep as soon as the chickens go to roost like the boarders do.

  He read until midnight. His eyes were burning, so he decided to call it a day. He undressed, turned on the floor lamp, crawled into bed and snuggled into the middle of the soft mattress. He closed his eyes and heard Mr. Tom’s voice. Face yer fears. If ya don’t, they’ll rob ya of a life.”

  He got out of bed, walked into the closet and turned out the light. He slowly made his way back to bed. He lay in darkness, his heart racing, his eyes squeezed tightly. You’re not a sissy. You’re a man. Face the bull! He grabbed the extra pillow and hugged it to his body. Suddenly, he felt Grams’ warm arms around him. He drifted into a sweet sleep.

  The next morning, he awoke when the smell of biscuits and coffee wafted through the floor. He stretched and smiled. Two fears gone. I whipped another bull’s ass. He put on clean clothes and took his dirty ones downstairs so he could put them on the back porch by the old Maytag.

  He stepped off the porch and Red came running to him. “Come on, boy. We’ll go take our morning piss. Then, how would you like to take a walk with me? I’ve got some money and I think I’ll walk down to the new bakery and get us a cinnamon twist and a glazed do-nut. I’m getting tired of biscuits. It’s six blocks, but the walk will do us good.”

  Will bought a bag of twists and do-nuts. When he came back outside, he tossed a do-nut to Red. “Come on, boy. Let’s walk to the park. It’s a couple miles from here, but it’s a pretty place. I’m not a child anymore and I think it’s high time I venture out on my own.”

  Red barked.

  “Yeah. That’s what I think, too. Berta will put up a fuss, but what else is new? She isn’t happy unless she’s fussing about something.”

  Will didn’t have on a watch and he had no idea he’d been gone for three hours. He loved being out with only Red for company. Lately, he’d been feeling smothered.

  When they made it back to the boarding house, Will said, “Red, go on home. I’ll go in and face the music. Come on back this afternoon and we’ll play fetch.”

  Will walked into the kitchen and Berta was sitting at the table, crying. Chills ran down his spine. “Who died this time? I know that cry.” Please God. Not Miss Marylee.

  Berta wiped her eyes and blew her nose on her apron tail. “Myrtle. She had a stroke. The undertaker come and got her ‘bout thirty minutes ago.”

  Will hugged Berta. “I’m so sorry. It seems like we’re losing them all. I wasn’t ever that close to her, but I’m still going to miss her.”

  “She weren’t all that likeable, but she was a good woman. And she always paid on time, and now I’m gonna be hurtin’ for money.”

  Will felt his tempter rising and he couldn’t control it. He reached into his pocket and took out a dollar. “Here!” he yelled as he slapped it down on the table. “Will this make you feel better? Miss Myrtle was a soul. Not just a piggy bank for your good!”

  “Don’t you be gettin’ all hateful with me. You ain’t never had to worry about payin’ bills. You’ve had life handed to you on a silver platter. I’ve worked like a dog all my life. Started workin’ in this house when I was barely fifteen-years-old. Now I’m fifty-three and what have I got to show for it? This fallin’ down old house, broken down knees, bunions on my feet and a confounded ol’ cuss fer a husband. So ya just watch yer smart mouth!”

  Will opened the door and threw Red a biscuit. He turned on Berta with fire in his eyes, and spittle flew as he said, “I’ve worked my ass off for you since the day I arrived. And I’d already paid heavy dues before I came to this house. My life damn sure wasn’t on a silver platter, either.”

  Berta gasped and held her chest as if she were going to have a heart attack.

  Will poured two cups of coffee. “I’m gonna take my smart mouth outside and have coffee with Jim Bob, who happens to be a great man. Not a confounded ol’ cuss! You’re lucky to have him. You can just stay in here and feel sorry for yourself.”

  Berta jumped up from her chair, almost knocking it over. “Will Hennie! I’ll take the broom to you, you smart-ass little bastard!”

  Will laughed and headed out the door. “Cuss on, Berta. It’ll get the mean out of your system.”

  Jim Bob was sitting under the elm, but he wasn’t playing his banjo. He smiled when he saw Will headed his way. “Thank ya,” he said as he reached for the cup. “’Tis a sad day. I don’t feel the music in me this mornin’. I’m just gonna sit outside fer a spell. I think I’d rather not breathe than have to face Berta. She’s goin’ through the change and I think she’s plum lost ’er mind. I’m thinkin’ it’d do ’er good to spend some time in the nervous hospital.”

  “She sure has changed. What causes that? I’m used to her fussing, that’s just her way, but lately she’s gotten mean. She even cussed me this morning. That’s not like her at all.”

  “That’s what I’m sayin’. She be goin’ through that change and she ain’t got no more hormones. No hormones makes women mean as Hades. And they cry all the time. Berta ain’t never been no cryin’ woman – now she’ll pucker up and bawl if’n ya say, ‘scat.’”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about. How does a woman change her hormones? Whatever they are.”

  “Nature gives ’em and nature takes ’em. That’s the onliest way I know how to ‘splain it. I gotta go in and take me a nap. I’ll see ya outside late this afternoon. I’ll watch ya box yer shadow and laugh at Red tryin’ to dance with ya. Don’t let Berta get under yer skin. Just act deef.”

  Two days later, everybody was dressing for the fune
ral. Will heard a gentle tap on his door. “Come in, Miss Marylee.”

  “I just wanted to tell you, you don’t have to go.”

  “Yes, I do have to go. And I’ll pay my respects by looking at her in her casket. I have to face my fears, remember? You told me that a long time ago. So did Mr. Tom. I’ll be dressed in my suit in a few minutes, but before you leave, may I ask you something?”

  “Sure. What’s troubling you?”

  “Have you changed?”

  “Changed in what way?”

  “You know. Like Berta’s doing. Jim Bob said she lost her hormones and she needs to go to a nervous hospital. She’s changed a lot suddenly and she’s getting unbearable.”

  “Oh, that kind of change. I went through that years ago. Berta doesn’t need to go to a mental hospital. That’s what Jim Bob means by nervous hospital. All she needs is time. And it’s a hard time in a woman’s life. So you try to be patient with her. You know she loves you.”

  “I’ll do my best. But she’s going to make me mental. There’s just no understanding women. But I want you to be proud of me, so I’ll tolerate her and I’ll be kind, even when she gets mean. I’ll just brave up and take it.”

  “You’re a brave young man. I’ve always been, and always will be proud of you.”

  For the next year, Will woke up every morning, wondering who might die that day. He practiced boxing until he was exhausted. It took his mind off of losing the people he loved. And he knew they all loved Will Hennie.

  Chapter Eleven

  Will came into the dining room and sat down by Miss Marylee. The sight of the empty chairs was still a sad sight to him. The table seemed twice as long as it once had. Miss Marylee and Mr. Tom were the only boarders now. Berta ranted every day that she couldn’t rent out her rooms because people didn’t want to live in a rundown old house, and she couldn’t fix it up fancy, and she was going to starve to death.

  Berta came into the dining room with a pitcher of iced tea. “I might as well start eatin’ in here. Will won’t eat with me anymore and there’s plenty of room now.” She pulled a chair and sat beside Jim Bob.