Honey Tree Farm

by Brenda Spalding

  On a Sunday in July, the Sullivans were sitting around the kitchen table.

  “There’s still coffee in the pot; anyone for more? There are a few donuts leftover. Help yourselves,” Tom said.

  "None for me, thank you." Doris got up and stretched. "I need to get up and move before I take root here in this chair. I want to check the garden anyway." She kissed Tom on the cheek and grabbing her cloth gloves from the nail headed out the back. The dogs eagerly joined her.

  “Jesse, we need to have a talk.” He cleared his throat. Tom crossed and uncrossed his legs twice before he seemed to get comfortable.

  Jesse could see that his dad was nervous and unsure how to begin whatever it was he wanted to say.

  “Jesse," he began again. "You and Katy have been spending a lot of time together. I’ve seen how you are with each other." He cleared his throat again.

  "Yes," Jesse said.

  "Is there anything we should know about?”

  "Like what, Dad?"

  "Well, you've been spending a lot of time going to parties, and other things."

  “I’m not sure what you’re getting at, Dad."

  Tom cleared his throat a third time. "Let me begin again." He opened his mouth, but then shut it and shifted once more in his chair.

  "Dad, if you’re wondering if we’ve had sex, the answer is no.” Jesse felt his face turn hot and knew it must be a crimson red.

  “Oh, good." Tom was instantly relieved - not that they hadn't had sex - but that this conversation would soon come to an end.

  "Katy is a good girl. She has been sheltered and it wouldn't do for you to talk her into anything she’s not ready for.”

  “Dad," Jesse explained. “Katy and I have known each other for years and somewhere along the way we fell in love. We know we'll get married one day and then we'll have babies by the dozens, but not yet. Dad, she’s a lot smarter than anyone knows. She can see into the heart of a person and find the good buried there; even Brice. She sees beyond the bully and the spoiled brat. She sees a lonely and frightened kid desperate to gain his father’s love. But he's a father, who can't show love, and thinks giving things will make up for it." Jesse put his coffee cup down. "We talk a lot and I can see what she sees. I love her, Dad. I would never hurt her or do anything she is not ready for."

  “I don’t know what to say, Jess.” Tom rubbed the stubble on his chin. “You have grown up so much. Just when did that happen? You are wise for your years and you have things pretty well covered. Just do me one favor. Think about consequences before you and Katy jump into anything. Your mother is worried that... God, this is hard. She’s worried you might get Katy pregnant. There I said it.”

  “Dad, I’m not going to rush into anything. I respect Katy too much. Now can we change the subject, please?"

  Jesse put his cup in the sink and went to his room.

  Doris opened the screen door and came in removing her gloves. She and the dogs stood for a moment. Then she went to the sink and washed her hands. She wiped them on a towel. “Did you talk to him? What did he say?”

  “Don’t ever ask me to do that again. From now on you do your own questioning.” Ted filled his cup with coffee that had now gone cold. “Yuck,” he said, sipping the disgusting brew. He poured the coffee in the sink. “I don’t think we need to worry about Jesse and Katy."

  “What do you mean?” Doris whispered.

  “He’s not a child any more. He thinks more clearly than anyone I know. More than some adults I know.”

  Chapter 25

  The sound of an approaching motor interrupted the story.

  “Well, land sakes, it’s about time!” Mrs. Sullivan struggled out of the rocker and walked to the kitchen door. The dogs raced out barking wildly at the newcomer.

  Josh and Maggie followed them to the driveway.

  “You the people with the car in the ditch?”

  Barry was a big black man with a lopsided grin and salt and pepper hair and wearing a worn baseball cap. He extended his hand to greet the couple, then realized how greasy they were. “Sorry folks. It’s been one of those days.” He wiped his hands on his coveralls.

  “I got your car on the flatbed back there. I know a garage on the Tamiami Trail just outside Bradenton that will hold it over the weekend. That'll give you time to contact the rental agency. Maybe you have someone you can phone to pick you up? It's getting late, but the guy lives next to his garage. That makes it handy in situations like this."

  "My parents are waiting to hear from me. I didn't know what to tell them, you know, if the car was drivable or not."

  "Maybe they might meet us at the garage?" He took off the cap and scrubbed his hair with his fingers. "I can wait there with you for a spell, but it's been a truly tiresome day."

  "I understand and I'll call them right away. That’s terrific, thank you.”

  Katy saw Maggie's expression change.

  “What is it child?” the old woman asked gently.

  “I'm just disappointed. I wanted to hear the rest of the story.”

  “I tell you what, young lady,” Barry spoke up. “I haven’t had a bite since breakfast. If Miz Sullivan's got anything to eat, I'll be happy to wait and let you finish that story you’re so anxious to hear.”

  Katy's eyes lit up.

  “You know, Barry, I’ve got some ham and I'll make you a couple sandwiches. You sit right down. All of you, sit.

  I’ve got potato salad, homemade pickles and my special honey tea. I think we still have some of Jesse's apple pie."

  She rummaged through the refrigerator and pulled out a number of things. "That's just what we'll do. Would that do you for a spell Barry?”

  “Oh yes, Miz Sullivan, you are a kind and generous woman, and I believe you’re the best cook in Desoto, Hardee and Manatee Counties,” he chuckled. “How could I possibly say no to an offer like that? Mind if I wash up first?"

  “Sure thing, it’s in the same place it’s always been.”

  Barry went to the half bath just off the kitchen as Mrs. Sullivan made his sandwiches.

  “Can I help you?” Maggie asked.

  “You can get down a plate and glass from over there, and pour him some tea.”

  Barry came back and took a seat at the table.

  "The front axle is broken on your car. I got it out of the ditch and up on the truck. It nearly tipped over on its side once."

  Maggie handed Barry his tea.

  "Thank you, mam." He nearly emptied the glass then gave a big sigh. "You have no idea how good that is to me."

  "Can the car be fixed?" Josh asked.

  "Oh, Mose can fix anything. Yes, sir. But no telling if he has the parts and such. But that will be up to the rental company to deal with."

  "Okay," Josh got up. "I'll call Dad and have him meet us. Barry, would you mind coming with me? They are going to need directions."

  The two men disappeared down the hall to make the call and returned just as Katy was putting the plate on the table.

  "Here's what the doctor ordered." She grinned.

  "Thank you, very much." He took one of the sandwiches in both hands took a quarter of it in a single bite.

  "I'll just cut us all some of that apple pie I baked for Jesse this morning. It will surely be gone if he doesn't get home soon," she said with a chuckle.

  Barry tilted his head and stopped chewing. He looked around at the group at the table.

  “Miz Sullivan? You okay?” he asked.

  “Right as rain, Barry, thanks for asking. Just telling these folks the story about how I came to be at Honey Tree Farm."

  “Ma’am, has Travis been by lately to see you?” Barry asked. He put the sandwich down.

  “Why, yes. He was here earlier. He said he'd take me shopping in the morning.” She made sure everyone had a glass and filled each one with ice and tea, then sat down in her rocker and closed her eyes for a moment.

  Chapter 26

  It was several weeks before Jesse and Katy heard from Sheriff Ha
ywood again. It was near the end of July when he phoned the Hailey house to give them good news.

  “The District Attorney is ready to proceed with the trial in September,” he stated. “Brice’s father sent him to live with an aunt in Brooksville. Guess he’s hoping to keep him out of trouble until the trial. Two more girls have come forward with statements that he beat them and either tried or did molest them."

  "That's wonderful news," Jim said, smiling at Katy and Malinda, who were eagerly standing nearby.

  “Katie’s friend, Janice came into the station with her mother a couple of days ago and added her statement. That one is of great importance. She's willing to swear in court that he beat and raped her. That will certainly help our case. All the girls who came forward have agreed to testify.”

  “Do you know where the trial will be held?” Jim asked.

  “Mr. Bachlund hired an attorney from Jacksonville. He requested a change of venue to Tampa. He feels getting a fair and impartial jury may not be possible here. The Judge is Walter H. Dexter. He's good and has handled a lot of criminal cases. Matthew Coffee is the Assistant District Attorney assigned to prosecute.”

  “Is the trial still set for September?” Jim asked.

  “Yes, but the defense attorney is dragging his feet. He knows he’s going to find it hard to get around all the evidence.”

  “Thanks for letting us know,” Jim said, and hung up the phone.

  "Let's go talk to the Sullivans," Jim said. "They'll want to know what's been said."

  Doris was watching Jesse as she puttered around the kitchen.

  "You're awfully quiet. What's on your mind?" She asked him as she wiped the counter top with the wet towel she'd been drying dishes with.

  “Mom, am I doing the right thing, going off to college? It’s a lot of money, even with my scholarships. You and dad didn’t go to college, and you've done alright.”

  “Times are different now. We’re just farmers, but you could make this place grow. Who knows, maybe you’ll decide you don’t want to be a farmer or raise cattle like your dad.”

  “But I do want to be a farmer.”

  “Then go to college and learn to be the best farmer you can be. Learn all the new things your dad and I don’t know. You're going to be fine.”

  She came around the table and gave her son a big hug. “Just promise you'll never get too smart or too big that your mom can’t hug you once in a while.”

  This made him smile.

  She turned away so Jesse wouldn’t see the tears building in her eyes. She pushed them away and called over her shoulder, “You had better get going before your dad comes looking for you.”

  Ted stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. He watched Jesse get up and push the chair back under the table. His smile read as a man who was very proud of the boy who stood almost his own height. “Ready, Jesse?" he asked. "We have cattle and chickens to feed. I need to check the hives for mites, as well as the honey production. There are still a lot of blooming plants for the bees to feed on."

  Jesse joined him and headed for the door.

  "I’m pleased Jim was able to leave us a couple of hives. Maybe we can get a split or two in time.” Ted grabbed his baseball cap off the peg by the door and walked down the porch steps. The dogs happily followed behind.

  Jesse enjoyed working with his father on the farm. He and Katy would make good farmers, just like his mom and dad. They discussed it often during their nightly phone calls.

  “Jesse, I’m afraid Brice will get off somehow and come after us again,”

  “I don’t think there’s a chance in hell that’ll happen. Think of all the evidence there is against him. The pictures of what he did to you and all the statements from the other girls proving what he is really like. He’ll get jail time alright.”

  "I hope you're right." They said goodnight.

  The next morning Jesse heard the phone ring.

  "I'll get it. It might be Katy," he called out. “Hello?”

  "Jesse, is your mom or dad around?”

  "Dad, it's for you," he shouted. As Tom reached for the phone Jesse whispered, "It sounds important.

  "Yes?"

  "Mr. Sullivan, this is Matthew Coffee with the DA’s office calling from Tampa. I wanted to let you know that there's been another incident. Another girl has brought charges against Bachlund. The boy went back home yesterday to meet with his attorney. Last night he beat up a girl named Cassie Moore. I believe they had been dating. She is so bad her doctor transported her to Manatee Memorial in Bradenton. She has a broken nose, a concussion and several broken ribs. Witnesses told the police he kicked her repeatedly. They pulled him off and called the police. He’s under arrest and will be held without bail this time. This can only strengthen our case. I just wanted you to know.”

  “I can’t believe Brice is so stupid!” Tom said when he hung up.

  Doris and Jesse were eagerly awaiting details.

  “Brice is back in jail. He attacked another girl last night.”

  After the call the house became unnaturally quiet. Ted went into the bedroom where Doris was dusting the furniture. He walked up behind and wrapped his arms around her.

  “Everything is going to work out. Our kids are safe as long as Brice is in jail. He will be convicted and spend much of his life in prison, then we can all get on with our lives.”

  Chapter 27

  “Barry, how about another piece of pie?” the older woman asked. She took his plate and added a slice before he had time to swallow.

  “Yes, please, ma’am. This sure is good pie. Maybe someday you can give my wife pie making lessons,” Barry laughed.

  "Are we keeping you from your family?” Josh asked Barry.

  "My Deidra is playing bingo tonight at the firehouse. She wins a little and loses more than she wins, but she likes her evenings out with her friends. Besides, I get called out at all times of the day and night. She’s good about that too."

  “Anybody want more before I put it away?” Mrs. Sullivan asked. When no one responded she put the rest in the fridge and gathered up their other dishes. “You come by anytime, Barry. I sometimes buy pies from the grocery, but Jesse likes mine better.”

  Barry turned to Josh and with a mouthful of pie asked, “You say Travis stopped by?”

  “Yes. He didn't stay long but said he'd come by again in the morning.”

  “I don’t think he stayed long enough,” Barry mumbled, a quizzical look on his face.

  Katy sat in her rocker and brought the bag of knitting from the floor. She carefully pulled out the nearly-afghan and knitting needles. Then she replaced the bag and settled in.

  "Let's see, where was I..."

  Chapter 28

  The trial began the first week in September. The crowded courtroom was sweltering, in spite of the fans that had been placed around the room.

  The bailiff called the room to order. “Please stand for the Honorable Judge Walter H. Dexter.”

  As everyone complied Jesse took Katy’s hand and squeezed it. “Here we go. Are you ready?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine. I just want it over quickly.”

  Brice glared at them from the defendant’s table where he was seated with his lawyer. Max Sawyer, was a tall man with thinning hair and a very nice suit. Sawyer shuffled papers he drew out of the folders in front of him.

  “He looks like he eats little children for breakfast,” Katy said, holding onto Jesse and shaking visibly.

  The two attorneys talked to the crowd summarizing the charges and explaining what they thought had happened and what they wanted to prove. Then witnesses were called for both sides to give their testimony. Each attorney had a chance to question them. As time passed Katy became less anxious.

  "Do you swear to tell the truth..." Preceded each new witness, and then Jesse was called.

  “Jesse, did you have an altercation on March 14th, with the defendant?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "Was it over some comments he m
ade to Katy Hailey?” Mr. Coffee asked.

  “Yes, sir. It was.”

  “Can you briefly describe the events leading up to that incident?”

  “Objection,” Sawyer shouted. “The question is not relevant."

  “On the contrary, I'm laying a foundation for what happened later, Your Honor. And it will show that the defendant had a prior run in with Miss Hailey and Mr. Sullivan, which led to the evening in question.”

  “I’ll allow it,” the judge said.

  “A bunch of us... well, 3 couples met up to go to the movies in Arcadia. Brice was making fun of my date and being crude. He was saying awful things about the girl I was with.”

  “Who was that girl you were with, Jesse?”

  “Katy Hailey, sir.”

  “What kind of things was he saying?”

  “Do I have to say?”

  “Yes, I think the jury needs to know.”

  Jesse repeated the insults and insinuations that Brice had made that night.

  “How did you react to this?”

  “I hit him and knocked him down. I told him to never speak to her like that again.”

  “What did you do after that?”

  “Katy and I got in my truck and left.”

  “Jesse, did Brice say anything after you hit him and when you were leaving?”

  “He said he would get even. That no one hits him and gets away with it.”

  “Did you take his threat seriously?” Coffee asked.

  “You bet I did. We all did. I felt like I had a target on my back.

  "I have no more questions of this witness, Your Honor."

  The defense attorney got up from his chair and went to stand in front of Jesse.

  “Jesse, were any of the supposed accusations true?”

  “No, of course not,” Jesse raised his voice. “He didn't know her. He'd never met Katy before that night.”

  "Just answer the questions 'yes' or 'no'."