She sighed, remembering how when they were children she’d seen Joel many times sneak up the hill to sit on the large rocks by the big oak tree. Since Joel had left, she sometimes walked up to his rock-seat when she was visiting Dad and sat awhile. It was quiet there, with a lot of activity from birds and animals. Doris felt drawn to its calming effect. She also felt closer to Joel when she sat on his rocks. Sometimes, she would close her eyes and pray that her brother would see the light and admit the error of his ways.
But it may never happen, she reminded herself. Joel might always remain self-centered and disinterested in his family.
Uncle Joel, did you bring your harmonica with you tonight?” The question from Arlene’s twelve-year-old son, Doug, cut into Doris’s thoughts.
Startled, Joel blinked a couple of times. “Uh, no… I didn’t think to bring it.” He forked a piece of chicken and plopped it on his plate.
Doug’s dark eyebrows furrowed. “That’s too bad. It woulda been nice to hear you and Grandpa play together again.”
Elsie smiled. “You should bring it the next time you come.”
Scott tugged on Joel’s sleeve. “Will ya teach me how to play the harmonica, Uncle Joel?”
“Maybe sometime,” Joel replied. “But you should really ask your grandpa. You see him all the time; I don’t come here that often.”
“And whose fault is that?” Doris spoke up. She couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. “You don’t really live that far from us, Joel. There’s no reason you can’t take the time to visit at least once a month.”
All heads turned to look at Doris. She’d probably said too much, and worst of all, in front of the children. “I–I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I spoke out of turn.”
Arlene reached over and patted Doris’s arm. “It’s okay. We’ve all said things we wish we hadn’t.”
“What we need is a change of subject,” Brian put in. “Eustace, why don’t you tell how you singed your beard?”
Doris appreciated her husband’s attempt to lighten the mood, but Dad had previously told most of them about the mishap with his beard. If he explained how it happened now, it would only be for her brother’s sake. And so far, Joel didn’t seem interested in much of anything being said this evening.
“Maybe Dad would rather not discuss it.” Doris glanced in her father’s direction. “Should we talk about something else instead?”
He shook his head. “No, that’s okay. I don’t mind tellin’ the story again. It’s good for a laugh.”
While Dad recounted the details of his grilling mishap, Doris concentrated on finishing her meal.
“If it’s alright with everyone, I think we’ll wait awhile to have dessert,” Elsie suggested when supper was over. “I ate too much and need time for my food to settle.”
“That’s fine by me.” John thumped his stomach. “I’ll enjoy my dessert a lot more if I eat it later.”
All heads nodded in agreement, even the children’s.
Joel glanced at his dad, wondering if he would settle into his easy chair in the living room or head outside for some fresh air. It would be a lot easier to talk to him if he went outdoors. Joel worried about what he would do if he couldn’t get Dad alone tonight. He sure couldn’t blurt out in front of everyone that he was in a jam and wanted to borrow some money. On the other hand, he didn’t want to leave here without asking Dad.
Joel felt a surge of hope when Dad pushed away from the dining-room table and said he was going out to the barn to check on the mare that had given birth this morning.
“Mind if I tag along?” Joel asked.
Dad hesitated a moment, but finally shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
Relieved that none of the other men or any of the boys had offered to join them, Joel followed his dad out the door. When they entered the barn, he decided to make some idle conversation first, to break the ice. It would be best if he eased into the topic of money, rather than blurting it out.
They talked about Dad’s horses awhile and moved on to discussing the warm weather they’d been having.
“I, for one, will be glad when summer’s over and the cooler weather swoops in.” Joel leaned against the mare’s stall, watching her foal nurse.
Dad merely grunted in response as he chewed on a piece of straw.
“Sorry to hear you lost part of your beard, but it’ll grow back, right?”
Dad nodded.
Joel stood quietly, watching him check the mare and her colt over good.
Guess it’s now or never. I need to ask for the money while I have the chance.
Joel was on the verge of telling Dad his predicament when Arlene showed up. “I came out to tell you the desserts have been set on the table. Everyone’s waiting for you. Seems they all have room now.” She smiled at Dad. “Elsie made your favorite peach pie, so you’d better hurry before it’s all gone.”
Dad didn’t have to be asked twice. Without so much as a word to Joel, he hurried from the barn.
“Great,” Joel mumbled. At this rate he might never get to talk to Dad alone.
CHAPTER 10
Why don’t we start a bonfire out back?” Larry suggested as they all sat around the table, eating their pie. “I’m sure the kinner would enjoy roasting some marshmallows.”
“Good idea. It’ll give us more time to visit with Joel,” Elsie said.
Joel shook his head. “I should probably get going, but I do need to talk to Dad before go.”
“Why don’t you spend the night here?” Arlene suggested. “You don’t have to rush off, and it’ll give you more time to spend with Dad.”
Joel glanced at his father to get his reaction. If he stayed the night, he could get up before the Saturday morning traffic became heavy. With it being the final weekend in August and children soon starting a new school year, travelers would be crowding the highways for those last-minute family vacations. Joel figured if he left at sunup, he’d make it back to Akron in plenty of time to go to his bank, which was open until noon—that is, if he had a check to deposit. Everything hinged on Dad’s willingness to loan him the money.
Dad looked at Joel and shrugged his shoulders. “If you wanna stay, it’s fine by me.”
“Really? I—I mean, I’m fine with it, too.” Joel looked at Doris and noticed her scowl. Did she disapprove of him spending the night? Didn’t he have the right to spend time with Dad? It didn’t matter what Doris thought. Joel was an adult and could make his own decisions. Besides, if he stayed overnight, he’d have Dad all to himself and would be able to talk privately with him.
He looked at his watch, wondering whether he should give Kristi a call. In the message he had left earlier, he’d told her he would be home sometime this evening. He hoped she wouldn’t call while he was here with all the family, because he’d have a hard time explaining all the background noise.
“I need to step outside and make a quick phone call,” Joel stated after he finished his coffee.
“While you’re making your call, I’ll get the fire going.” Larry jumped up and followed Joel out the door. Several others did as well.
Stepping into the night air felt nice after being inside where it was stuffy. No one else seemed to have minded the heat, so maybe only Joel felt as if he couldn’t breathe. It made sense, with him being the center of attention, even among his own family, and feeling like the outsider he was.
The stars, Joel noticed, were far more intense out here at Dad’s place then back home in the city where Kristi lived. Joel’s own piece of land would also be a great place for star-gazing if not for all the lights he had around the place to discourage trespassing or a burglary.
Joel paused on the porch a few minutes, watching the fireflies rising from the lawn. Since July was normally the best month to see lightning bugs, he was surprised to still see a few around. Maybe it was because the nights hadn’t turned cooler yet.
He breathed in the refreshing night air and for several seconds watched his family mingle. Joel waited until e
veryone had headed around to the back of the house where Dad’s fire pit was located. Then, feeling the need for some privacy, he slipped away to make his call to Kristi.
Joel hopped into his truck and closed the door. When he took out his cell, he grimaced. The phone had no bars. “Should have known I would be off the grid way out here,” he grumbled. “Guess I’d better make my way to Dad’s phone shack and call Kristi from there.”
Joel stepped out of his truck and was halfway down the driveway, when his nephew, Scott called, “Where ya goin’ Uncle Joel?”
Joel turned around, cupping his hands around his mouth. “I need to make a phone call. Save me a seat by the fire, okay?”
Scott bobbed his head, then darted off to join the other children playing near the barn.
When Joel entered the phone shack, a sense of nostalgia swept over him, the way it had when he’d been in the barn earlier this evening. When he and Doris were children, playing hide-and-seek, he’d sometimes hidden in the phone shack. Of course, once she’d caught on to his secret hiding place, that was the end of it.
Pulling his thoughts back to the task at hand, Joel punched in Kristi’s number. She answered on the second ring.
“Hi Joel. Are you back in town?” Kristi asked cheerfully.
“No, not yet. In fact, I won’t be back till sometime tomorrow morning.”
“Really? But you told me you’d be back this evening.”
“I know, but my business here took longer than I figured. So rather than coming home tonight, I decided it would be best to wait till morning. I’d feel better being fresh and alert when I drive home.”
“That makes sense if you’re too far away. Where are you anyway?” she asked.
Joel bit his lip. “Umm… a little south of Berlin.”
“You’re in Amish country?”
“Uh, yeah, that’s right.”
“Lucky you. Wish I had gone with you. I had so much fun the day Mom and I visited there. I’d really like to go back again.”
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Joel opened the door and poked his head out. There stood Scott, looking up at him with inquisitive blue eyes. The boy opened his mouth, as if to say something, but Joel spoke first. “I’ll be there soon,” he whispered, then quickly shut the door.
“Who are you talking to, Joel?” Kristi questioned.
“Uh, no one. I mean, I was talking to you. Just said I’d see you soon.”
Joel heard Kristi’s intake of air, then waited as she paused before continuing. Kristi’s voice was above a whisper when she asked, “Is everything alright, Joel? Your voice sounds strained.”
“I’m fine. My job has me preoccupied, is all.”
“Okay. I’ll let you go. See you sometime tomorrow, Joel.”
“Sounds good. I’ll drop by your place tomorrow evening.” Hoping to reassure her, he added, “Maybe we can go for a run before supper.”
“That’d be nice, and I’d be happy to fix whatever you want to eat.”
“Okay. We’ll talk about it then. See you tomorrow, Kristi.” Joel pressed his fingers on the receiver as he pinched his lips together. He missed Kristi and wished he were with her right now.
When Joel headed toward the bonfire, another childhood memory came to mind. Teasing Doris, he’d roasted a marshmallow for her and deliberately made sure it was well-done, to the point of turning black. He’d realized quickly she hadn’t been riled one little bit, as she had let it be known how she much liked her marshmallows overly toasted. Joel could still see Doris’s smug expression as she ate the ash-covered marshmallow and smacked her lips, with gooey stuff still stuck to her fingers.
I wonder how she’d respond if I made her a burned marshmallow tonight. Bet she wouldn’t smile and say she liked it. Pushing his memories aside, Joel took a seat beside Scott to enjoy the rest of the evening.
Akron
Kristi settled into a wicker chair on her deck to watch the sun set in the Ohio skies. Toying with the braid she’d plated into her hair, an uneasy feeling enveloped her. Why was it she felt Joel had been keeping something from her? Or was it only her imagination running wild and making her feel uneasy?
Kristi picked up the book of crossword puzzles she’d bought a few days ago. Maybe this would keep her mind occupied. In the past, exercising her brain while working the puzzles had helped her relax. Tonight, though, she wasn’t so sure.
Kristi got the first couple of words right away, but it wasn’t long before her concentration faltered. She chewed on the end of her pencil and stared out across the yard. She noticed the trees had a worn-out look during their last stages of summer growth. Kristi couldn’t wait for autumn. She enjoyed watching the leaves turn brilliant with color. But now, as she looked at their dull appearance, she couldn’t help comparing them to her relationship with Joel. Lately it seemed their connection with each other was dull and lacked the luster they’d shared when they first started dating. Like the last autumn leaves letting go, was their relationship fading and drawing to a close? Or was it only the stress Joel felt from his job putting distance between them?
Kristi put the crossword puzzle aside. The sun had already dripped below the horizon, and the first stars were coming to light. Closing her eyes and bowing her head, she sent up a silent prayer: Lord, please be with Joel tonight. And if our relationship is failing, and it’s somehow my fault, show me how to make things better.
Charm
The house seemed quiet after everyone went home. Eustace wondered if he should go to bed or visit with Joel awhile. He didn’t have to wonder long, for Joel quickly engaged him in conversation.
“I need to ask you something, Dad.” Joel took a seat on the couch.
“Oh, what about?” Eustace seated himself in his easy chair and reclined it. He was tired from the excitement of the evening and needed to relax.
Joel leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I’m in a bit of a financial jam right now.”
“What else is new? I thought you said at the dinner table that you were doing substantially well in your business.” It was all Eustace could do not to point a finger at his son and exclaim what he’d been wondering all along. But he realized it would be best to keep to himself what he suspected about Joel coming home for more reasons than to visit. Eustace could almost count on the next words out of Joel’s mouth, when he’d worked up his nerve to ask for something.
“I was doing well, but something messed me up, and now I’m overextended. So I was wondering if I could borrow some money.”
“How much?”
“Twenty-five thousand dollars.”
Eustace pulled the lever on his chair so hard it nearly propelled him out. “Are you kidding, Joel? Why do you need so much money?”
“I owe some of my subcontractors.” Joel rose to his feet and moved to stand in front of Eustace. “I’ll pay it back as soon as my next big job comes in.”
Eustace shook his head determinedly. “Absolutely not! It upsets me that the only time you feel the need to come around is when you want something.”
Joel’s cheeks reddened as he ran a shaky hand through his hair. “It may seem that way, but—”
“Do I need to remind you that the last time you came here you borrowed money but never paid it back? Now you have the nerve to ask my help again.” Eustace lifted both hands. “You’re profligate.”
“Huh?”
“You’re reckless. When are you gonna grow up and take responsibility for yourself?”
Joel’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll bet if it was one of my sisters asking for money you’d give it to her with no hesitation.”
“I may, but none of your sisters are as irresponsible as you. For the most part, they’re magnanimous.”
“Magnanimous? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Worthy and upright. If they owed me money, you can be sure they’d pay it back.”
“I’ll pay my debt to you—for the last loan, as well as this one. Please give me another chance.” Joel’s tone wa
s pleading.
Eustace held his ground. If he gave in, his son would never learn to stand on his own two feet. “You’re spoiled, and it’s time you grew up and took responsibility for your mistakes without expecting me to come to your rescue. It’s not like you care about your family anyway.” His tone was flat.
“I do care. I made a mistake and need some money to tide me over till another big job comes along.”
“I suspected during supper, actually, that you were up to something.” Eustace crossed his arms. “You can’t fool me, Joel. A father knows his child’s heart. You have truly strayed and need to change the path you’re on before you lose any more of your precious money. A man like you will never be affluent, because he loses what he has as soon as he acquires it.”
“But—but Dad…”
Eustace held up his hand. “Sorry, Son, but you won’t be leaving here with a check from me. I will give you no more money. And don’t come back here again unless it’s strictly to visit. You’re not being fair to the rest of the family.”
“Fine then! If that’s the way you feel, I won’t come back at all!” Joel stomped toward the door then turned back around with his index finger in the air. “By the way, those big words you’ve been using don’t make you any smarter than me!” He went to the door again and swung it open, letting it slam behind him.
Eustace sank back into his chair. It hadn’t been easy telling Joel no, seeing such a look of desperation on his face. Like most parents, it was in Eustace’s nature to want to help his children and see them succeed. But Joel would never learn the value of a dollar or the importance of family if he had everything handed to him. What Joel needed was to follow the example of his brothers-in-law and quit blowing money on things he didn’t need. Eustace felt sure that’s exactly what had happened. No doubt his son had bought something he couldn’t afford, and probably with someone else’s money. Will my son ever stop being so selfish? How far down will he travel before he hits rock bottom? What Joel needs to do is a sincere, selfless act.
The English Son Page 7