Finding Will Hennie

by Joy Redmond

  Ben ran inside his house.

  Will took off running back to the shed. Once inside, he picked up his burlap sack and threw it out the door. Then he started throwing everything in sight, watching things bounce off the walls.

  He picked up the ax and went outside. He raised it over his head and began chopping. He didn’t recognize what he was feeling inside his soul. He’d never felt it before. He supposed it was what Miss Marylee called boiling hate. He swung the ax until the shed was flat on the ground.

  He threw his head back and howled like a wolf. Then he ran over to the outhouse, swinging the ax like the mad man he felt like he’d become. He was exhausted by the time the outhouse was flat on the ground. He wanted to chop down the walnut tree, but his strength was waning and his arms ached. He threw the ax to the ground and headed for the well. He pumped buckets of water and poured them over his body. His rage abated, somewhat.

  He walked over and kicked the boards of the shed until he found Jim Bob’s overcoat. He picked it up, walked across the yard and grabbed his burlap sack, then headed to the elm. He sat down and shook his head. “That was real smart of you, Will Hennie. You just chopped down the only home you had, and you chopped down the only place you had to shit!” And I’m talking to myself like I’ve completely lost my mind. I think I have. I’ve gone insane. Jim Bob would tell me I need a stay in the nervous hospital.

  His heart rate finally slowed to normal, but his rage wasn’t completely gone. I’m right back where I started. Homeless, hot, hungry, lost, and one penny in my pocket. I don’t even have a biscuit or a piece of chicken. All I’ve got is a burlap sack full of mementos. George Long said I’d be welcome. How in the shit am I gonna hitch over two-thousand miles with only a penny to my name?

  He stretched out on the overcoat, rage building again, and he punched the elm, which caused his knuckles to bleed.

  Tears ran as he whispered, “Goodnight, Red, wherever you are.” He felt as empty as a dried up well.

  He finally fell asleep from exhaustion, mentally and physically.

  He awakened the next morning, not sure where he was. He sat up and looked around. His first instinct was to call Red. Then he remembered the last thing on earth that he loved was gone, too.

  He walked over to Mr. Reed’s, and knocked on the back door. Nobody answered. He turned the knob. The door was unlocked. He walked inside calling, “Mr, Reed. It’s me, Will. I need to use your bathroom.”

  When Mr. Reed didn’t come into view, Will ventured into the kitchen. “Mr. Reed,” he called louder. Then he saw a small room, left of the kitchen. He ran through the door and made it to the commode before his bladder burst. He finished his business and went back into the kitchen. He saw the coffee pot on the stove. He touched it and it was barely warm. I guess you had your coffee and left for the day. He reached into a cupboard and picked up a cup. He poured the leftover coffee into it, but it was only a half cup. Better than nothing. He quickly drank it, feeling guilty for being in a person’s house, using their bathroom and drinking their coffee without permission.

  He went back outside. He had no idea what time it was or even what day it was. The sun was climbing high in the sky, which told him it was close to ten o’clock. He’d never slept that late in his life. He walked back to the elm and sat down. It’s time to make a plan and stop running around like a goose in a thunder storm. What are you going to do, Will Hennie? Use your head for something besides a hat rack.

  He heard church bells ringing. It’s Sunday. Church will start in one hour. He stuffed the overcoat into the burlap sack and put on his baseball cap. I hope I make it to California before it snows, but if not, I’ve got a coat.

  He walked several blocks until he reached the First Methodist Church. It was the largest church in Cape Girardeau. It had the largest congregation and the parishioners were the wealthiest, according to Miss Marylee. She and Will had attended the small Baptist church just a few blocks from the boarding house. Nobody would know him at the Methodist church.

  He stood on the sidewalk, just a few feet from the front door, his baseball cap in his hand. When someone walked by him, he said, “Can you spare a dime?”

  People walked by as if he were invisible and went up the church steps. At least a dozen people passed him within ten minutes, but nobody wanted to spare a dime. Mighty Christian of you, folks. He stood for a few more minutes. A man dressed in rags dropped two dimes in Will’s cap and said, “God bless ya, son.” He noticed the man didn’t go into the church.

  He put the dimes in his pocket. Twenty-one cents. He picked up the burlap sack and threw it over his shoulder. He was adjusting his cap, looking at the ground, wondering which way to head, when he saw a pair of ladies shoes. He lifted his head and gazed into the face of the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

  She put her left hand on her hip and cocked her head. “Why are you standing on the street, begging for money? Where are your parents?”

  She was beautiful beyond words, but Will didn’t like her attitude and her stance. He wanted to be nice but she had his dander up. “I don’t have parents. I don’t have a home. And a boy has got to eat! Not that it’s any of your business. Don’t you go judging me. Just because you’re all fancy in that dress and jewelry and carrying a frilly parasol, you don’t have the right to get all high and mighty.”

  The lady laughed. “I wasn’t judging or getting high and mighty. I’ve been in your position. I was just feeling you out. You’re on hard times, but you don’t take any crap from people. Not even a woman. I admire that. Did you say you’re hungry?”

  Will’s face turned red. “I’m sorry. I lost my manners there for a minute. Yes, ma’am. I’m hungry.”

  “Don’t ma’am me! My name is Rose.”

  “Okay, Rose. I’m hungry. You sure are sharp with me. Are you always this jolly?”

  Rose laughed again. “I’m jolly sharp. I size people up real fast. I’m thinking you’re a good boy who’s down on his luck. I’m offering to feed you if you can come down off your high horse.”

  Will laughed. “I guess jolly sharp is good. I’ve lost all my jolly. I hope I’ve still got my sharp mind. I’m not a hobo. I’m educated. I was schooled by the best.”

  “Well, Mr. Educated. Would you like to come home and have a nice meal with me, or do you want to stand here in the hot sun?”

  He extended his hand. “My name is Will. I’d be pleased to have a meal with such a beautiful lady. Thank you.”

  Rose shook his hand. “That’s better. Now, follow me to my car and we’ll be on our way.”

  Holy mackerel! I’m going home with the most beautiful woman in the world. And she has a car! Will was so nervous he didn’t think he could have spit if his life depended on it. Girls had never had much effect on him. He’d had a crush on Becky Moore, but he’d never before had the feeling he had in his gut now, walking beside this woman.

  They made it to her car, a beautiful convertible and it looked brand new. She’s a rich woman, Will thought, and his hands trembled as he opened the door and climbed inside. He wondered how old she was. He figured she was probably in her mid- twenties. And she sure used a lot of face paint. Her bright red lips were very enticing.

  Rose didn’t say much during the drive, and Will had no idea what to say. He just stole quick glances at her when he didn’t think she knew. Soon, she passed the city limit sign, and Will wondered where she was taking him. Finally, she turned her car off the main road and drove up a roadway toward a large brick home, sitting at the top of a steep hill. She parked the car in front of the house.

  Holy shit! This is a mansion! She’s rich alright.

  “Come on in, Will. I want you to meet my girls.”

  “You have daughters?”

  “They’re like my daughters. They work for me.”

  “Oh. You run a boarding house?”

  Rose chuckled and gave him a coy look. “No, Will. I run a brothel.”

  Oh, my achy-breaky heart! What have you gotten you
rself into now, Will Hennie?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Will stepped out of the car and couldn’t resist the urge to glide his hand across the shiny black surface. It had to be brand new. He looked around in awe. The lawn looked like a green carpet, and with all the flowers in full bloom, it looked and smelled like a botanical garden.

  Rose walked up beside Will. “Beautiful, isn’t it? I was speechless the first time I saw this place. I’ve done a lot of work on the yards, but it’s always been the most exotic place in the world to me.”

  “It beats anything I’ve ever seen. Beautiful doesn’t come close to describing it.”

  Rose smiled and patted Will’s arm.

  He extended his arm and Rose placed her hand on it, then she hiked up her dress as they climbed the steps. “What is your last name, Will?”

  I have no idea. “Hennie,” he said.

  “My girls are going to take a likening to you, Will Hennie.”

  Will swallowed, hard. What did she mean by that remark?

  When they reached the front door, Rose took a key from her purse and handed it to Will. “I always keep my doors locked, even though the girls are here. You never know when some crazy will come busting in.”

  Will’s palms were sweating as he inserted the key in the lock and turned it. Being close to a beautiful woman who smelled so good he wanted to sniff her all over, and entering a brothel with girls who were going to take a likening to him, and having to be on guard for crazies, was more than his mind could absorb all at once. Just eat, then get the hell out of here!

  They stepped into the parlor and Will hoped his eyes were still in their sockets. He’d never seen such splendor. The hardwood floors had a gloss that outshined his freshly polished church shoes. This place is a palace. Rose called it a brothel, but that’s just a fancy name for a whore house. Mr. Tom said a whore house was seedy and full of diseases. And the women who worked in them were fat and ugly. He wanted to turn and run but he couldn’t take his eyes off Rose, and he was too hungry to turn down a meal.

  “Come this way,” Rose said, as she walked down a hallway that was twice as wide as the one in the boarding house.

  A delicious smell wafted through the air. His stomach growled, louder.

  “That sounds like you’re hollow to your toes. Not to worry. The girls are good cooks and we’ll have that hunger sated in no time.”

  Thoughts were racing through Will’s mind. I think I had a heat stroke. Or maybe I really did lose my mind, and I’m delusional. What if I’m so hungry and thirsty, I’m seeing a mirage? If I’m dreaming, I hope I never wake up.

  They walked into the kitchen. Will did a quick scan of the room. Four girls were busy preparing a meal. He glanced at the table. Lace tablecloth. China. Crystal. Beautiful girls wearing blouses, showing half their tits. Holy shit! I don’t think I fit in here. I don’t seem to fit anywhere. Eat and get!

  Rose’s voice was sweet as honey as she said, “Girls, this is Will Hennie. He’ll be our lunch guest.”

  Rose pointed to each girl. “This is Prissy. This is Belle. This is Ceil. And last but not least is Sudie.”

  Will tipped his cap. He noticed that Sudie was smiling at him. That made him more nervous. Please don’t take a shine to me.

  “It’s your house, Rose, but are you really gonna let that filthy bum eat at your table. He stinks. I ain’t eatin’ with no stinkin’ man, just like I don’t bed one!” Prissy said.

  Belle said, “It’s gonna be a good thirty minutes or more before we get the food on the table. I’m still basting the duck. The dressing is about ready to come out of the oven.”

  “That’s perfect timing. Will, come with me,” Rose said.

  Will wanted to grab a deviled egg off the table as he passed by, but he managed to control his hands. He followed Rose into a room behind the kitchen.

  “You’ve got time to take a bath.” She picked up a bottle on a small shelf by the big claw foot bathtub. “This is shampoo. Lather your hair good.” She reached over the tub and picked up a white cake of soap. “This is a bar of Ivory. Scrub yourself from head to toe.” She walked over to the sink and opened a small cabinet above it. She held up a can. “This is shaving cream. Lather your face, then use this,” she said, as she picked up a safety razor. “I’ll change the blade for you.”

  “Excuse me, Rose, but this isn’t my first shampoo and bath. I know how to do it. And I know how to shave. I’ll admit I’ve never used shaving cream, but I think I can figure it out. All I need to know is where to heat the water.”

  Rose walked over to the tub and pulled up a small white handle. This is the hot water. When it gets hot, then pull up the other handle. That’s the cold water, and you can adjust it to the right temperature. I didn’t mean to insinuate that you didn’t know how to bathe. I’m used to giving instructions to men—never mind.” She pulled open another cabinet and took out a towel and wash cloth. She placed them on a stool, then scooted it by the tub. “I’ll leave you to your duties.”

  He couldn’t believe there was cold and hot running water. As he waited for the tub to fill, he stripped and mumbled a line he always laughed at on the Amos and Andy Show, “Holy mackerel, CatFish. This is the lap of luxury.”

  Just as he climbed into the tub, Rose opened the door and walked in. “I found some clothes that will fit well enough for you to wear today. They belonged to Jacko. He used to be my bouncer. He took off a month ago. This outfit was in the laundry when he left. Lucky for you, huh?” Rose left the room.

  Will wanted to say thank you, but he was so shocked by the way Rose had walked in on him, it raised his dander. Does she think I’m eight-years-old? And what the hell is a bouncer? His anger soon abated as he enjoyed the bath. The soap floated when he dropped it. Amazing! He dropped it several times just to watch it float back to the top. Ivory smelled good to him as he rubbed the bar over his skin, making him feel as soft as velvet. He liked the feeling and he hoped that didn’t make him a sissy.

  He read the name on the shampoo bottle, White Rain. He poured a few drops into his palm, ran it through his hair and massaged his scalp. It made his hair feel like silk. He liked that feeling, too. Shit fire!

  Will pulled the plug and watched the dirty water go down the drain. Then he turned on the cold water and caught it in his hands and splashed it over his body. The bathroom was hot and the cold water was refreshing. He stepped out of the tub and picked up the towel. It was soft and smelled of lavender. It felt wonderful on his skin as he quickly dried his body.

  He stood in front of the sink and looked at himself in the mirror. No wonder the girls gave me hard stares. Except Sudie. I look like a porcupine with the face stubble. My hair is so long I look like a shaggy dog. They probably think I have mange. He picked up the can of shaving cream. How does it come out? He pushed the blue button on top. Foam spewed out. He pushed the button again and filled his palm. He smeared the shaving cream over his face. He picked up the safety razor and made an upward swipe on his left cheek. I hope I don’t nick myself. I’ll look like a fool with tissue stuck on my face.

  He turned on the cold water and rinsed the blade after each stroke. When he finished shaving, he splashed cold water over his face and wiped it dry. He ran his hand over his face. It had never felt so smooth. He picked up a comb sitting on the side of the sink and ran it through his hair which was was almost dry from rubbing the towel through it, and from the heat of the room.

  I bet she doesn’t have any Brylcreem. He opened the cabinet above the sink. He saw a bottle of red liquid. He picked it up and read, Rosebud Hair Tonic. He poured a couple drops in his palm, then rubbed his hands together and ran the tonic through his hair. His hair shined, giving it a wet look. Good stuff.

  He dressed in Jacko’s clothes. The shirt was a bit large and the pants were a tad too short, but they were clean and they felt good on his clean body. Now to get my belly full before I faint. He looked at himself in the mirror again before leaving the bathroom. I’m sure not that u
gly kid who was looking back at me in Miss Marylee’s mirror. I’m a handsome dude, if I say so myself.

  He walked back into the kitchen. “Am I clean enough to eat at your table, ladies?”

  All four girls whistled.

  Sudie said, “You’re clean enough for me to eat off of you!”

  Will’s face turned red. She sure is forward. “Where’s Rose?” he asked, looking around.

  “She’ll be here as soon as I ring the bell,” Ceil said. She picked up a little silver bell and shook it. It barely made a tinkle.

  Will’s heart quickened when Rose came into the room. He almost forgot how wonderful the food looked when he gazed upon her beautiful face.

  Rose took a seat at the head of the table. “You can sit by me,” she said, as she pointed to the chair to her right. Will sat down. Sudie down sat beside him. He waited for Rose to say the blessing, but she reached for a bowl of sweet potatoes and took a helping.

  Will quickly scanned the table. Six bowls of food? And I smell apple pie. Damn, this is a meal fit for a king. He glanced toward Rose. And a queen sits on her throne at the head of the table. I think I died and went to heaven.

  Will had never eaten roasted duck, but he thought it was delicious. All the food was cooked differently than what he was used to, and as much as he hated to admit it, it was better than Berta’s cooking.

  When he finished eating a helping of everything, he was overstuffed, but he just had to have a piece of apple pie. His full stomach would hold him for many miles, he was sure. Then what? Twenty-one cents! I’ve got a long way to go.

  Soon, the girls were cleaning off the table. “May I be of assistance?” Will asked.

  Rose said, “No, I want you to come out to the gazebo and have a chat with me, if you don’t mind. We’ll take a pitcher of iced-tea. There’s shade, and we’ll be comfortable. Do you mind?

  “No, ma’am. I don’t mind.”

  “Don’t call me, ma’am! My name is Rose!”