by SJ Davis
George carried Henry home. Sebastian, Mr. Shelby's son, was waiting for them. He waved to them as they walked up to the building they called home.
"Hello, Master Sebastian," George said.
"Hello, George." Sebastian looked at Henry. "Hi Henry, want to play?"
"Yes, I’d love to play!" Henry said. George set him down and watched Sebastian walk with Henry to the house.
Ezra, already dressed for work at the Shelby's, stepped out of the house as they went by. "Welcome home."
George smiled. "I'm glad to be home." Together they watched the two children play for a few minutes.
Ezra intertwined his hand with George's. "You seem troubled."
"Someone approached me about Henry today," George murmured out of earshot of the children.
Ezra frowned. "Did the person complain because Henry wanted to play with the other boys again?"
George shook his head. "No, the man was a trader. He wanted to purchase Henry. I politely told him where to go and came straight home."
"So that's why you were early." Ezra sighed. "We knew some might find him odd, George."
George grunted. "I know. But by steel and steam, I can't believe that so many refuse to treat him as a boy. It's worse than how they treat us, Ezra. It's bad enough we'll both be in debt for the rest of our lives, but for poor Henry to suffer... It's just wrong!"
He leaned back, placed his hands behind his dark neck, and looked at Ezra. His fair skin and platinum hair matched the white and red uniform that he wore when attending to Mrs. Shelby at the main house. George reached over and took Ezra's tie in his hand before he pulled him close.
"You look lovely, even if it is a uniform."
Ezra smiled. "Speak for yourself."
George smiled back, but then his smile grew distant. "Ezra, I think it’s time I left."
Ezra stared at him while his long pale hair waved around in the summer breeze from the open window. "You want to leave me?"
George removed his tall engineer's cap that bore the emblem of the factory he had been leased to by Mr. Shelby. He raised a dark hand and caressed Ezra's cheek. "No, I mean I think I need to leave this place and try to make it to another city. I can sell my designs there, make enough money to pay off our debt—make a good life for the three of us."
"Mr. Shelby would never let you go," Ezra cautioned him.
"I know it's risky," George admitted, "but today showed me that it's only a matter of time before someone tries to take me or Henry away. And what if they took you? I don't think I can live without you."
Ezra sighed and nodded. "I know."
"I love you, Ezra," George whispered.
Ezra sighed again and did his best to smile. "I love you too. I just don't want you to leave."
"I know. But I can't take the risk that, somewhere down the road, someone like that man Haley will come along and try to take you and Henry away from me. I won't wait for that to happen. I'll make it to another city where we'll be free."
"What will I tell Alice?"
"Mrs. Shelby will forgive you, Ezra. She always does." George embraced the other man tightly. "Listen, I might be gone for a year, maybe two. But once I have my fortune, I promise I'll come back, and we'll never be separated again."
Ezra rested his head against George's shoulder. "Is there no other way?"
"I don’t think so. I'm sorry, Ezra."
"What will we tell Henry?"
George thought for a moment. "We'll tell him I'm going away for just a little bit, but that when I come back, I'll bring him a present."
They both turned to look at Henry and Sebastian. Both boys laughed as they played with the small train set that George had made for them.
"I promise things will get better, Ezra," George whispered.
***
Both men had difficulty explaining to Henry what a goodbye was, and that it meant he wouldn't see his father for some time. They waited until Sebastian had said goodnight before they sat Henry down to speak to him.
"But why do you have to go away?" Henry asked.
"I want to work hard and do something special for you and Ezra, Henry," George said. "Will you bear my being away for a bit so I can do that?"
"Yes... but will I see you tomorrow?"
Ezra bit his lip. George glanced at him helplessly before he turned back to Henry. "No, son. It might be a little bit before you see me again."
"Oh. I will miss you. I'll wait for you to come back and take me to the playground. Okay, Father?"
George felt tears in his eyes. "Alright. You play with Sebastian and keep your Papa company until I'm back. Take good care of each other. Promise me?"
"I promise, Father. I'll see you when you come home tomorrow."
Ezra shook his head and mouthed, "He doesn't understand."
George nodded, a lump in his throat. "I know. Hopefully it won't affect him too much," he whispered.
"What will I do if something happens to him?" Ezra asked.
George smiled and shook his head. "Nothing will go wrong with him. He is a good, strong boy. I'm more worried about you and your heart. Do you have enough medication?"
Ezra nodded. "Mrs. Shelby made sure I have enough to last a few weeks."
George grunted. "She takes good care of you. I'm grateful."
"You just take care of yourself, promise me," Ezra said.
"I promise. I'll come back as soon as I can."
***
That night George snuck away with a bag of food and disappeared. Ezra wasn't sure what he was going to tell the Shelby's, but he hoped Mrs. Shelby would understand. If not, he was determined to take George's punishment onto his own shoulders. That was the least he could do for the man he loved.
George stopped by another laborer's home, a man everyone called Uncle Tom, because of how good he was to anyone who needed him. Even young Sebastian had taken to Tom and thought of him as family. Whenever Sebastian wasn't with Henry, he was at Tom's side, reading and talking about many things.
George knocked on the door to Tom's cabin.
"Bless me! George? Why are you here? Is everything alright?"
George hesitated for a moment and shook his head. "Tom, I am running."
Tom stared at him when his wife, Chloe, appeared in her nightgown. "George Harris? What you are doing out so late? Don't you work early in the morning?"
Tom gently hushed his wife. "Hang on, Chloe. I think George is about to tell us something important."
George nodded. "Tom, I've decided I'm going to make a run for another city."
Tom frowned. "George... Mr. Shelby's a good man, if a bit strict in his beliefs. I know he doesn't approve of you and Ezra, but if you just give it some time—"
George shook his head. "It's not about that, although I would be lying if I said that doesn't bother me, Tom. No, it's more than that. It's also because of Henry and my debt. I want to be a free man. Free of all of this!" He looked at the big man before him.
"Tom, you've never judged my relationship with Ezra. I know you're a religious man, and I think you for your kindness over the years."
Tom shook his head. "My heart's filled with faith and love, George. I know you don't believe as I do, but I know you have a good heart, and our Lord is waiting for you to open it to Him."
George smiled. "Maybe I'll have time during my journey."
"See that you do, George. If you're determined to do this, I'll be praying for you."
"Thank you, Tom. Please, look after Henry and Ezra for me."
"I promise. Run fast and free."
***
The next morning Ezra went to work while Sebastian and Henry played. He noticed a steam carriage pull up as he entered the house. Troubled, he tried to ignore the fear settling in the pit of his stomach.
Mr. Shelby came out of the house and held out his hand to his visitor. "Welcome, Mr. Haley. Shall we sit in the garden?"
"Shelby," Haley grunted as he followed the other man. "I trust the papers my solicitor sent over a
re in order?" The two men sat at a table facing one another.
Shelby nodded. "Yes they are. I'm sorry, but your request for my laborer George and the automaton... I just can't do that."
Shelby's eyebrow rose. "Why is that?"
"Because my wife and child are very fond of them. They're like family to us."
Haley scoffed at him. "Those are just laborers with no brains for business or learning. They're not like family or pets. They're only good for two things. Heavy work and scavenging through the dirt."
Mr. Shelby shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I cannot do what you ask, Haley."
Haley leaned forward. "You wouldn't deny me what you owe, would you, Shelby? If you like, we can get the law in here and have them decide if I take your home and business, or your laborers."
Shelby's fists tightened under the table. "So you want the child?"
Haley snorted. "That machine isn't a child. It's nothing but a heap of metal parts."
Shelby frowned. "Then why do you want the automaton so badly?"
The solicitor smiled. "That heap of metal would be worth its weight in credits, Shelby."
"What would I tell my wife?" Shelby said. "She is so fond of Ezra, and he of her. They grew up together. He would be crushed to lose Henry!"
"Well, I suggest you send your wife away on a vacation somewhere, Shelby," Haley mused. "A nice holiday. Perhaps a necklace or a new ring. That should smooth things over."
Shelby scowled. "If that is what you think, then clearly you aren't married."
The other man shrugged. "Just sign the papers, Shelby. I want the young man and the automaton to go with that other one, Tom."
Shelby sighed as he stared at the papers in front of him. He reached for his pen, and signed away the lives of three people who meant so much to his family. He knew they might not forgive him.
He would never forgive himself.
***
Ezra stared at Haley and Mr. Shelby as they talked, wringing his hands.
"Ezra, what is wrong?" Mrs. Shelby asked. She frowned at the look on her childhood friend's face.
"I'm sorry," he said. "It's just...that man with your husband?"
Mrs. Shelby joined him at the window and looked out at where her husband sat in the garden with the solicitor. "I don't know him."
"I do," Ezra whispered. "They talk about him in town. Rumors about how he blackmails people into giving him what he wants. He tried to buy Henry from George."
Mrs. Shelby placed her hand on Ezra's slim shoulder. "Well, don't you worry, Ezra. My husband takes very good care of all of us. You have nothing to worry about. I promise."
Ezra nodded, although he couldn't help the dread that continued to grow in his heart. Ever since George had left, he felt as if something bad was coming.
“Oh George, I wish you were here,” he whispered softy.
***
Mr. Shelby climbed into bed next to his wife and opened his newspaper. "I see the city government is being petitioned again to provide better working conditions for the laborers. Every year it goes on." He sighed.
"Sweetheart?" Mrs. Shelby said while she adjusted the steam radiator, and turned to look at her husband.
"Yes, wife?"
"Who was that man today?" She walked over to the bed and placed her hand on his. "He seemed to trouble you."
Mr. Shelby folded the paper and frowned. "That he did." He turned to look her in the eyes. "My love, I must confess something, and I hope you won't divorce me over it."
Mrs. Shelby felt her heart racing. "Yes?"
"Things are not going well for us. I'm... sweetheart, I'm sorry. We've lost a lot of money recently. Sales are not what they once were. Larger competitors are forcing my company under. If I don't do something soon, we'll lose everything. The store, my business and our home."
She placed a hand to her mouth and felt the room spinning around her. "What can we do? What of Sebastian? We can't let him know."
"It's alright. The man I met with today has bought our debt. I signed papers today to help us for another year."
She bit her lip. Something felt wrong. "What did you do to save us?"
"Please don't be upset, sweetheart. I didn't have a choice. That bloody man... he was so determined I couldn't do otherwise. I swear if I could have given the shirt off my own back I would have!"
Mrs. Shelby stared at him. "What did you do?"
"Haley, the solicitor," he said. "He was so determined. He had only wanted Tom at first. But when he saw... oh sweetheart, I'm truly sorry. When he heard of George's talents and his... well, that automaton, Henry, he wanted them and would not be stopped. I swear I tried!"
She felt horrified and didn't know how to respond for a long moment. "Are you telling me that you sold your own son's only two friends in the world and George, the love of poor Ezra?"
Mr. Shelby glared at her. "That thing is not a friend! It is time he stops with that imaginary friend and meets other boys his age. It is nothing but scrap parts put together by George. I should never have let him build it but he and Ezra seemed so determined since they couldn't have children. And you my dear, I'm sorry but I have never felt comfortable having a male who is not related to us in this house."
Mrs. Shelby's eyes narrowed dangerously. "In the ten years we have been married I have ever heard you say such trash, Shelby. You will make this right. I swear if you don't the law will never find your body!"
Mr. Shelby shrank back from the rage emanating from his wife. "I tell you there is nothing I can do!"
"Oh you will do something and fast. Tomorrow. But tonight, we shall sleep. Me in this room, and you in the living room."
Mr. Shelby grew angry. "This is my house and my bedroom. I won't be kicked out of it!"
Mrs. Shelby smiled coldly. "Well, husband, if you wish, you may remain in my bed, but I will not promise that you or your extremities will be safe tonight if you do."
He stared helplessly at her.
***
Ezra listened to the Shelby's talk. His heart ached thinking that his dear friend, who had known about his feelings toward George and weak heart before others, had betrayed him. But there was no time to think about it. He set down the tray he had been carrying and left quietly.
He hurried home and went to where Henry sat on his chair. He stared at the shiny reflective molded face plate that served as his son's face.
His green eyes opened and noticed him standing there. "Papa?" the automaton said. "Are you well?"
"No, Henry," Ezra said, tears streaming down his face. "I'm not at all well."
"Your face is wet, father."
Ezra nodded. "It's wet because my heart is hurting."
"Can you have Father service your heart and make it better?"
Ezra choked back a sob. "This kind of hurt can't be mended so easily."
The automaton stood up clumsily and placed a hand on Ezra's. "My heart doesn't hurt, Father. You can have mine until yours feels better if you want."
Ezra kissed Henry's forehead. "It doesn't work like that, son." He hurried to the nearby drawer and began removing items to put into a bag. From the nightstand, he grabbed his bottle of heart medication and slipped it into his pocket.
"Father? What are you doing?"
"I've decided we're going to go see George," Ezra said. "Would you like to see him?"
"To see Father? Oh yes, I would love to see Father." The automaton clapped his hands together.
Ezra grabbed them to silence the noise. "Shhh, Henry. Remember it is nighttime. People are sleeping, so we have to be quiet."
"Oh. Sorry, Papa."
Ezra smiled through his tears. "We'll clap together when we see your father, alright?"
"Yes!"
He picked up Henry, the heavy weight of the automaton's body bearing him down, and hurried out of the house. When he was sure no one could hear him, he ran to Tom's cabin as fast as his legs could take him.
Ezra set Henry down, struggling to catch his breath as his heart poun
ded painfully. He knocked on the door, and while he waited, he took two pills to ease the ache in his heart.
Tom answered the door, and stared at Ezra and Henry in surprise. "What the… Why are you here, Ezra? Is everything alright at the house?"
Ezra groaned and shook his head. "Oh Tom, we are lost! We have been sold to hell itself."
The big man frowned. "What are you saying, Ezra?"
"Tom! You, Henry and George have all been sold."
Tom stared at him. "No, Mr. Shelby wouldn't do that to us. We've served him well for years. No one can work the machines like we do, Ezra. And what about Mrs. Shelby? Surely she wouldn’t do that to you. You've been her friend since childhood."
Ezra shook his head. "I tell you, they have sold you, Tom. I should have gone with George."
Tom nodded and went to the cupboard. He pulled out a jar from the back, opened it and pulled out a small roll of credits.
"Tom!" Chloe whispered. "That's—"
"Hush, my love." Tom turned to Ezra. "Here, I want you to have this."
Ezra stared at the credits. "Tom, where did you get this money?"
"It's the money I've been earning from the extra work I do for one of Mr. Shelby's friends. I've been saving it to... pay for my children's debt."
Ezra swallowed and shook his head. "I can't, Tom. Thank you, but—"
"No, you take it," Tom said firmly. "You take this money, and you get Henry to George. Find somewhere better than this. Forge yourself a new life, Ezra. A good life."
"You're a good man, Tom," Ezra whispered.
He turned to Chloe, who nodded to him, tears in her eyes. "Run fast, run hard, boy," she whispered.
"Come, Henry," Ezra said. "Let's go."
"Yes, Father," Henry said. The automaton waved to Tom and Chloe. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Ezra led Henry outside, and Tom and Chloe watched them until they couldn't see them any longer.
"He doesn't understand, does he?" Chloe asked.
Tom shook his head. "Henry doesn't understand that he won't be coming back here. Things like goodbye... well, he's never had to do a goodbye before."