Robbery at Holliday Creek (9)

Breakaway

At dawn he lay in the loft of the family barn, watching Zeb assault the hen house. A minute later he saw Marty heading to the barn. He jumped down startling his step-father, who recovered quickly, and they laughed genuinely, then nervously, then… silence.

     “When you leaving, son?”

     “Well, Pop… I haven’t actually…”

     “This life isn’t for you, Ted. I see that. You’re made for bigger things. Let’s walk.”

     The pair ambled out toward the water tank. “It’ll be hard on your mother, but she’s got the boys. I think they’re suited for this life. They’ll stay around, marry, have kids, and grand kids. And, we’ll be here if you need us.”

     Ted felt confused, but mostly relieved.

      “One thing I ask before you leave.” Marty pointed up at the windmill pump. “Would you put your mechanical skills to work and fix that damned pump before you go?”

    Startled, Ted looked into the face of the only man he ever knew as father, and caught the grin on the old troll’s face. Both men burst into laughter.

    Then serious. “Remember this, kid. Your mother invited you into this world, but no one owes you a damn thing. Give the man an honest day’s work for a day’s wages—fair and square. If you can’t do that, you don’t deserve the job.”

    Father and son turned toward breakfast. Ted was euphoric. He still had to deal with his mother, but he could work that out between now and when the water pump was fixed.

      But, it was longer than he expected before Ted headed up Holliday Creek. 

     The warm welcoming smile of recognition that beamed on Clara Maud’s face flicked to deadpan the moment her mind caught up with her emotions. “Where have you been, cowboy? It’s been three weeks.”

     Ted eased through the café door toward an empty table. “Not sure what you mean, Clara. And it’s good to see you, too.”

     She continued in the same tone. “We thought you would be here two weeks ago.”

     Ted was at a loss, until a careful look into Clara Muad’s eyes detected an ornery sparkle that said, “Welcome home, friend.”

          “You know how it is, Clara. A man has things a man’s got to do.” He made a show of adjusting his gun belt before he sat down. Clara Maud produced an empty mug which she placed before him.

     “You may as well have dinner, ‘cause there’s news about local crime… meat loaf today.” She couldn’t hold the straight face any longer. Ted grinned, and his nod sent her to the kitchen.