by James Rasile
Bo had beaten and scorned the wrong woman. Penelope was tougher than the rest, her boldness was matched only by her beauty. Barnabas demanded Bo make amends with the young lady. While her family had no wealth, Barnabas needed from Bo’s courtship with Penelope, they did possess something of value to Barnabas. Something they were not willing to part with at any cost, unless say, it became inherited after their passing.
Land.
The Tatum’s owned one of the largest, precious pieces of property in Hastings. It was a two-hundred-acre valley backing directly onto Kobold Woods. The very same woods in which only the Barabbas boys were skilled enough to trek into. If Barnabas could acquire Tatum’s lot, he would acquire the woods by default, thus owning more than two-thirds of Hastings. He would effectively own the town.
First things first, they needed the accusations made towards Bo gone. If the town got wind of his abuse to Penelope their whole operation could go sour. Who would want to hire a woman beater? What Bo did was unquestionably unethical, even if Barnabas agreed that Penelope had gotten what she deserved. A woman has no place in a man’s world, aside from caring for the man. This was the Barabbas family way of thinking for as long as they’d been around. Which, quite frankly, was too long.
And so, Cassidy informed Barnabas of the accusations. There were, as Barnabas saw it, two ways of going about it:
Removing Bo from the family business and admitting guilt.
Or.
Speaking with the parents of Penelope Tatum.
Cassidy agreed, and both he and his brother-in-law felt it was time the patriarchs’ of both the Tatum and Barabbas households meet. Then Barnabas got an idea.
The youngest of the Barabbas boys, the fourth born in total, was William, known by his family and close friends as Billy. In the eyes of Barnabas Billy was soft. He needed more life lessons, and more grit in his skin.
One summer evening Barnabas called his youngest brother into his study. Billy closed the door behind him and took a seat across from his eldest sibling. Barnabas lit a cigar and placed it between his brothers’ lips. He informed Billy of the situation they were in. How Bo had done something vile, and it was either remove Bo from the family, or remove the problem. He asked Billy what he best thought the situation was. Billy responded the way Barnabas had hoped, “Speak with the parents. Make sure they don’t go yapping their mouths off to none of no one.” Billy said as he puffed on his cigar. Barnabas smiled; he was proud of his baby brother. “I want you to go.” Barnabas lit a cigarette for himself, “I want you to talk to the Tatum’s.”
“Me, why me?” Billy began twitching, he was nervous. As much as Billy looked up to his brothers, as much as he yearned to be as tough as them, he was only just a teenager. He hadn’t earned their demeanor quite yet.
“Well,” Barnabas began as he took a puff of his cigarette, “it was your idea after all.” The smoke blew out of his mouth and into his little brother’s face. “You are one of the Barabbas boys, aren’t yee?” Billy could only nod, “Good.” Barnabas smiled, “Prove it.”
Billy absorbed every last ounce of courage and marched on over to the Tatum household. With his right fist he banged on the door three times. The door gently slid open. Mrs. Tatum, Penelope’s mother with greying hair, fresh wrinkles on her forehead, and pale white lips greeted the youngest Barabbas. “Yes?” Her voice was calm and nervous. “Do you know who I am?” Billy’s voice started with a nervous crackle before his pseudo macho tone could emerge. “Ye-yes.” A nervous Mrs. Tatum replied. Billy told Penelope’s mother that he needed to speak with her and her husband as soon as possible, she made the youngest Barabbas boy aware that her husband would be at his occupation for another hour. Billy agreed to wait and Mrs. Tatum made him a cup of tea and turkey sandwich.
Only a short while later Penelope returned home. She was curious and uneasy about seeing Billy, the brother of her former abusive boyfriend, sitting in her living room sipping tea with her mother. She asked what the meaning of it all was, and her mother told her Billy needed to speak with her father about some business arrangements. A lie to be sure, but one that Penelope accepted. She told her mother she would be late coming home that night as she would be out with Reuben, a fact Billy found fascinating, and one her mother was not too fond of.
As dinner time rapidly approached Mr. Tatum returned home from work. Penelope had already left for her “night out with Reuben,” and Billy remained in the living room, his tea had run out and his turkey sandwich all gone. All that was left was a glass of water.
Mr. Tatum stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of Billy. He demanded to know what meaning of his being there was! Billy gladly let the Tatum’s know that Barnabas was willing to donate a hefty portion of money in the helping of restoring their leaky roof, and drafty walls. “A bribe!?” Mr. Tatum was appalled, Billy shook his head “A gesture, a friendly gesture. Nothing more, nothing less.” Mr. Tatum still wasn’t buying it. “And what if we say no?” Billy stood from his chair, “I dun not know. But I do know I suggest you take the kind gesture; it would be in your wife’s best interest.” And without saying another word Billy grabbed his hat, placed it on his head and left the Tatum household.
The next day the Tatum’s told Penelope of the deal they had struck with the Barabbas boys. To say Penelope was happy with the decision that had been made would be a lie. Penelope was furious and told her parents that no amount of money would keep her from telling the truth about how Bo treated her. Her parents pleaded with her, but there was no changing Penelope’s mind. Once she set it on something, the task was all but done. Penelope marched down to speak with Barnabas face to face.
Barnabas greeted Penelope with a glass of wine, and a white rose. She, of course, refused to accept either. Barnabas invited her in, offered her a seat, and talked about the situation. Barnabas told Penelope that Bo was in the wrong, Bo knew it and would learn from it, and until he had learned from it, he would no longer have anything to do with the Barabbas Boys business. This was a lie. Penelope shook her head; it was not enough for her. She wanted other women to know what kind of “man” Bo truly was. Barnabas clenched his teeth. He took Penelope’s rejected wine and chugged it down his throat. “My youngest little brother Billy tells me you’ve taken a likin’ to that Reuben Burrows fella, that right?” His smile revealed several missing teeth, Penelope nodded her head before making the following threat “You so much as touch a…” Barnabas raised his hand to stop her from continuing, “I’d never hurt another man.” He placed his hand on his heart. “I know works tough, especially for a coloured fella such as Reuben.”
“Whatever it is you’re trying to say spit it out.” Penelope’s tone was firm, she was not in the mood for small talk or games. Once again Barnabas smiled, his blackened teeth had their own eco system. “I want to offer Reuben a job. If y’all have any intentions on marrying each other yer gonna need an income, are you not?” Barnabas made a point. “I don’t want Reuben going into Kobold woods.” Barnabas shook his head, “No no no. Reuben’s a smart lad, he’s got it where it counts.” Barnabas pointed to his head, “Clerical work. He’d be my clerk.”
“What about Cassidy?”
“Cassidy would be his boss. The Barabbas business is growing rapidly, Ms. Penelope. We could use all the help we could get, and good help is hard to come by. And… I suspect Reuben would be good help.” Barnabas picked up a cigarette and placed it between his lips. “He would be, he’s smarter than most know. Smartest man I’ve come to know.” Penelope hissed. “Then the job is his. If you’d let him.” Penelope was not entirely thrilled with the outcome, but Reuben was in need of a job, and the Barabbas boys, as shady as they were, offered steady work. “I’ll talk to him.” And with that Penelope stood from her chair, grabbed the white rose, “Thank you kindly for your time.” And then she left. Barnabas watched from his seat. He lit his cigarette and smiled a devious grin.
Reuben accepted the position and by weeks end he was the newest member of the B
arabbas boys, and the only one not to have to familial connection. Cassidy took him under his wing and taught him everything he needed to know. To Barnabas’ surprise Penelope wasn’t lying, Reuben was quite intelligent and took to the job well and with a certain ease. To top it all off Reuben was trustworthy. That isn’t too say Barnabas would be letting his guard down or indulging Reuben with any inside information, Cassidy would report Reuben’s daily progress to Barnabas.
Barnabas needed the Tatum land. He needed to own Hastings, and he needed it as soon as possible. Bo was meant to marry Penelope, but his hotheadedness got the better of him as per usual, and now Penelope was with a man with no blood ties to the family. This would need to change. But how? Barnabas concocted an idea, a brilliantly awful idea. He would set up the wedding of Reuben and Penelope, offer to pay for it even, then he would offer Reuben a promotion. At this point in time, the Goblin of the woods would take Reuben, leaving Penelope to grieve on her own. That’s when Barnabas himself would enter the scene. He would offer the heartbroken Penelope his shoulder to cry on, then would then trick her into falling in love with him. He had all the confidence in the world she would, because who treated Reuben better than he? Who wanted Penelope to have the best life possible? Penelope would fall in love with Barnabas, and then once they wed, Penelope would face the same grim fate as her first husband.
Soon Barnabas asked Reuben how he was enjoying the occupation and what his plan was with Penelope for the future. if he saw wedding bells and all that? Reuben was a shy personal fellow and was not at all comfortable with these types of discussions, but seeing as it was that Barnabas was his employer it would probably be in his best interest to answer, and to answer honestly. “I hope to marry her someday, when the time is right.” His voice was soft and honest. “How can one ever be sure when the time for such a thing is right? How can today not be the right time?” Barnabas put his hand on Reuben’s shoulder. Reuben looked up at his boss with a painful glance, “For one thing I can’t afford it. Couldn’t pay for a ring to even ask her to be my bride.” This was exactly the type of answer Barnabas was counting on. “Reuben Burrows are you telling me, Barnabas Barabbas, that I do not compensate you enough?” Barnabas pretended to be offended, “No not at all Sir… Mr. Barabass, it’s just that I’ve only been working here a few short weeks and, well...”
“Say no more. You go out there,” Barnabas now had his entire arm around Reuben, “you find the ring you know for a fact she’ll love; you tell me the cost, buy it and you can consider it a pre-wedding gift.” Reuben shook his head, “No, Mr. Barabbas I couldn’t.” Barnabas put his fingers on Reuben’s cheeks and squeezed, “I insist. And call me Barnabas. We’re friends now, ain’t we?” Reuben nodded as Barnabas removed his fingers. “Be sure to pick out the most beautiful ring. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, after all.” And with that Barnabas sent Reuben on his way. Barnabas could only smile and dream of the land and the fortune he would acquire.
It was less only a few short months later that Reuben and Penelope had wed. The wedding was paid for in full by the Barabbas boys. Penelope at first was hesitant to accept such a generous gift from her fiancé’s employer but after a one on one conversation with Barnabas should came to the realization that it was a blessing. The Barabbas boys truly appreciated the effort and all of the hard work Reuben had been putting in for them, and this was just a nice way to say “thank you.” Barnabas Barabbas was a world class liar. He had Reuben, Penelope and her parents eating out of the palm of his hands. Obtaining the Tatum land was going to be easier than he ever imagined. He should have schemed this up years ago. Why leave something so important in the hands of a loose cannon like Bo, anyway? Not his proudest moment, but he was about to make up for it ten-fold.
After the honeymoon Reuben returned to work, there was no removing the smile from his face. It was clear to all that Reuben and Penelope were meant to be. For several weeks Barnabas kept Reuben at his clerical position, then one day he called him into his office. He poured him a glass of the finest rum in the county, and lit a cigar under his nose. “I want to tell you something, Reuben.” Barnabas took a puff of his cigar, “I like you; I do.” Reuben waited for a “but”
“But,” there it was. “I don’t feel like you’re living up to your full potential.”
“Potential, sir?”
“Barnabas.” Barnabas corrected. “Yes, your potential here with us, the Barabbas boys. You come to work, dot the I’s and cross the T’s. It's all very mundane, wouldn’t you say?”
“Mundane? I don’t know Barnabas, it’s necessary.”
“But it’s so beneath you. Cassidy can do it all, don’t lie to me. You know you’re smarter than him. You know you’re more talented than him. So tell me, Reuben, why is it you’re not making the kind of money he’s making?” Truth of the matter was Reuben never gave it much thought. He was hired to do a clerical job, and so he was doing a clerical job. Had he been hired to be a baker, painter, or architect he is sure he would be doing any of those jobs as well, but he was not. Reuben Burrows was a clerical employee of the Barabbas boys. “If you’re willing to make more money, to give your wife a better life, to raise a family in a higher-class part of town, we can talk. But,” He warned, “Everything comes with a price.” Reuben wasn’t sure he understood. “I want you to think about it. Think about the possibility. Reuben, you cannot discuss this with Penelope. This is between us, between men.” Reuben nodded, even though he still didn’t quite understand.
The room was dimly lit as Reuben entered. To the left of the door Barnabas sat at an old wooden table, Cassidy hovered over this left shoulder, standing there like a royal guard. As Reuben closed the door behind him Barnabas stood up, “Reuben, come, have a seat.” The eldest Barabbas brother said motioning to a chair in front of him. Reuben slowly made his way in. The walls were made from logs, the roof had several holes in it, and the window above Barnabas was old and cracked. On the desk lay posters. Faces of men, none of whom he knew nor recognized. Barnabas slid the posters to the side, and flipped several over as if to hide them from Reuben.
Reuben sat across from Barnabas. His chair was made of old stretched and ripped leather. He could feel the cool dampness through his clothing. “Would you like an ale?” Barnabas offered. It was barely ten in the morning, Reuben declined. Barnabas couldn’t help himself, he had Cassidy leave to get himself and Reuben each a pint. He insisted Reuben drink with him. “Before we begin, I have some legalities I must get out of the way.” Barnabas slid several sheets of paper towards Reuben. “What’s all this?” Reuben asked starring down at the heavily worded forms. “These are what Cassidy referred to as FDA… no no that wasn’t it, LDU’s? No, no.” Just then Cassidy returned with pint glasses filled with thick brown ale. “Cassidy what in the blazes did you refer to these documentarians as?”
“It’s an NDA.”
“NDA that’s it.”
“Non-Disclosure Agreement. It means what is said in this room remains in this room.” Reuben was curious, if not intrigued. “I want you to look those over, and if you agree and sign them, we can continue. If not, that’s fine, you go back to your clerical work and so-forth.” Barnabas raised his glass, “Cheers.” And he chugged his ale.
Reuben studied the NDA. It all seemed more complex than it needed to be, but ultimately, he was not to speak and if he did speak, they would first remove a finger, and then his head. “Death?” Reuben’s heart sunk. He looked up at Barnabas, he had a fear in his eyes that Barnabas loved to see. “Only if you go against your word, Reuben. We have no intent on following through. It’s more-so about trust, y’see.” Reuben swallowed his saliva, Barnabas slid the pint glass closer to his employee, “Take a sip.” Reuben grabbed the pint and chugged. “Trust me, you keep your word - your bond - not only will you live your best life, but your wife will live hers as well. Keep your mouth shut and we’ll keep your riches rich.” Barnabas reached into his pocket he pulled out a sack of coins, “Here! A signing bonus” h
e tossed the sack at Reuben. He opened it and looked inside at the gold coins. “Signing bonus?”
“You sign, you keep it. We treat our family well ‘round here, Reuben. Sign those papers and you’re family.” Reuben did not waste another second; he dipped his pen in fresh ink and signed his life away. “Go home now, make love to your wife. You begin tomorrow, first light.”
Reuben couldn’t be sure which came first, the sunrise or the rooster, childhood lessons would suggest it was in fact the sunrise which woke the bird. However, on this particular morning it all seemed fuzzy to him. The coo of the bird woke him, but he was certain it was still dark outside when he came to.
The logistics of what came first did not matter. What mattered was his first day in his new position with the Barabbas boys. He looked over at his wife as she lay asleep in their bed, he kissed her on the forehead and went on his way. A nervous energy surrounded the man. He was anxious to get out of office work, but nervous at what he would be doing. He had heard stories of the Barabbas boys around town for some time. Stories only, never any facts, at least nothing concrete. Mostly just hearsay. Signing the NDA made him think more of these stories. He had to believe there was more than just fulfilling shipments through the woods. He would soon find out.
“We have two parcels for you today, Reuben. Parcel one is outside in a bag. Parcel two is outside in a wheelbarrow. What contents each parcel carry is none of your business, and none of mine.” Cassidy handed Reuben a piece of paper. “There you will find the addresses each parcel will need to be delivered to, and here’s a compass.” “What’s this for?”
“Kobold woods.”
“Kobold… woods? I can’t go in there… they say… the Goblin…” His voice trailed off, Cassidy smiled, “We’re all too familiar with the Goblin, Reuben. As you know my brother-in-law’s have been venturing out into them woods for quite some time. They say Barnabas has come face to face with the goblin. That compass, Reuben, will keep you safe. Follow its direction, travel north and you will make it to the other side. Any detours, stopping for a piss or what have you and I cannot guarantee your safety. Stay due north and you will stay safe.” Reuben was still nervous. He had heard far too many stories of the Goblin of the woods. He knew Barnabas made a career of transporting items through the there, but he didn’t think he’d be doing it. Not alone, and especially not on his first day.