Chapter 9

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Those momentary feelings of optimism faded as they trooped back to the house. Walking with slow, muffled steps and heads hanging with an occasional panicked glance passing between them, they were led back to their house of horrors like the fabled sheep being led to the slaughter.

As they neared the back door, when most of them were wondering how their situation could possibly be any worse, a large savage-looking dog blocked their path.

Sonny stepped forward. “Get back!” he ordered, quiet but empathetic. “Move back slow – no sudden moves. Matthew, lean down real easy like and pick up one of that 2x4 and hand it to me, real slow like.” Everyone did as they were told. “Nice doggie,” Sonny kept saying. “Nice doggie.” He reached into his jacket pocket and took out a half-eaten sandwich. He tore off a little piece and threw it toward the dog. “Nice doggie. No one’s gonna hurt ya’. You hungry? Yeah, I bet you are. Good stuff, aye?”

The animal crouched to sniff at the crust thrown its way and then ate it. Sonny drew nearer until he was so close he could touch it, but he didn’t. He threw the last bit of food. The dog looked at him quizzically for a moment, then gulped it down in one swallow and ran away.

“Where’d she go?” asked Peter with sincere concern.

“Ah, who the hell cares,” Thomas said, picking up the board that Sonny had cast aside. “Mangy old mutt better stay away from here.”

“She’s a bitch with a litter around here somewhere,” Sonny said. “Just don’t go poking under porches n’ stuff. It’s hard telling where she put her pups.”

He led them through the back entrance through the foyer into the living room. He appeared undaunted, but the others were shaken. Annie felt sick again, standing in the middle of all the rubble. She was afraid she was going to cry. “You heard what Daddy said, don’t go near that stairway,” she cried. “And stay away from those dirty chairs and things. John, go check Joey and the baby. If they’re awake, stay with them. No, wait!” she screamed, remembering that dog. “Mack or Andrew should go with you.”

“Just hang on a minute,” Sonny said. “This room is in the best shape. I think we should start out in here.” He crawled into the fireplace and peered up the chimney.

“Sure,” agreed Matthew. “The fireplace must work. Looks like some bum came through and used it recently. The windows are still intact or boarded up well. We all have sleeping bags so we can camp out right here in this room until the rest of the house is habitable.” He made it sound so simple, but his children were not buying it, judging by the round of moans and groans.

“Habitable? When? How?” Annie exploded, glaring at her father. “How can we possibly make this run-down, drafty old house ever fit to live in? Since when do you know how to do plumbing and electrical work?”

“I don’t, but we can hire people who do,” Matthew said, that maddening eternal optimism radiating from his face. “We’ll hire crews of plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. We can get this place livable in a few weeks, right Sonny?”

If Matthew wanted confirmation for his glowing predictions, Sonny did nothing to provide it. “Well, it’ll take a lot of work and a lot of money,” was all he said.

“Yeah,” jeered Mack, “and I’m just sure you’ll be real happy to help my father with the money part.” Sonny turned away and didn’t respond so Mack went on. “Besides, I’m sure there’s a decent hotel within fifty miles of here where we can stay until this dump is renovated. Two or three weeks? Ha! No way!”

“Oh, yes, there’s a way,” Matthew retorted, “and you won’t be sitting on your ass in any motel either. This is not New York, boys, where it’s considered improper to get your hands dirty. We’d be the laughing stock of this whole town if we sit around while someone else does the work when we can do some of it ourselves. Now come on, let’s get to work.”

Matthew and Sonny began discussing how they should proceed. Work assignments were doled out. There didn’t appear to be anything of any value left in the room so everything needed to be hauled outside and piled away from the house. Luke, Thomas, and the little boys would do that. Johnny and Peter were dispatched to gather firewood. Sonny took Mack and Andrew back to the bus to begin unloading. If Sonny heard Mack’s incessant grumbling, he didn’t pay any attention to it. He was having difficulty himself, trudging through the mud trying to carry the bulky luggage.

“Man, this is stupid,” he announced, throwing down his load on the porch steps.
“For once we agree on something,” sneered Mack.

“But wouldn’t it be impossible to get the bus up here?” worried Andrew. “It’d never get through that muddy part.”

“Oh, but I bet our Boy Wonder here can think of something,” Mack quipped.

Sonny said nothing as he scouted around until he found some planks and a wooden door. He picked up the door and motioned for the others to bring the rest. He positioned them across the sinkhole. Scraping the mud off his hands, he hoisted himself into the driver’s seat and started the bus.

He didn’t acknowledge Annie who was in the back of the bus, trying to bundle up the baby and Joey to get them out before the ride began.

“Don’t worry,” Sonny drawled. “Either we sink, or we won’t. But if you want to walk through that mud hole again, be my guest.”

Ann’s feet were already cold and wet from the mud inside her shoes. “Okay, then, if you’re sure it’s safe. I mean, the worst that could happen is we’ll have to walk part way if the bus gets bogged down, right?”

Sonny said nothing as he positioned the bus to point straight down the driveway. He gunned it and slammed down the muddy track. The bus swayed and groaned but the planks worked to maintain traction. Keeping a steady speed, he coaxed the bus up the hill. It was three-fourths of the way up before it ground to a halt. A brief but hearty cheer went up from the spectators. They all pitched in and had it unloaded within an hour.

A creaky, iron hand-pump by the well was functional so they were at least able to rinse off the worst of the mud and grime. Peter brought a cup and filled it to drink. “Oh, phew! This is awful!” He spat it out. “It’s poison!”

Sonny splashed some water into his cupped hands and brought it to his mouth. “Ha!” he hooted. “You people been drinking city water so long you don’t know the good stuff.” He filled the cup and offered it to Danny.

The boy peered into the cup. “If it’s such good water, why is it so red?” he asked.

“It’s iron and minerals. You boys will never have to take vitamins or nothing’ as long as you drink this stuff.” No one was convinced. One by one they looked at the cup of clay-colored, filmy water and decided to opt for soda or milk.

There was a warm fire crackling by this time and cribs were set up near the fireplace. Sonny produced a large black cast iron pot from one of his supply trunks and prepared a wonderful pot of stew. Everyone say on their sleeping bags and ate quietly. Their bodies were weary but the dark shadowy room and strange assortment of noises kept most sitting upright until weariness overcame them. One by one, they succumbed into a deep sleep.

“Guess we didn’t have to worry about excess energy tonight, did we?” Matthew mused as he moved among the heaps, tucking in the little ones. “I’m proud of my boys tonight,” he said. “They had all worked hard with less complaining than I expected.”

Annie moved around the room, too, picking up paper dishes and things. She trembled every time a hard gust of wind shook the house. It was though the place was alive as it shuddered and groaned against the rainstorm. Rationalizing that the house had stood up to such storms before, she crawled into her bag and settled into a comfortable spot. She watched as the light of the fire danced on the walls and ceiling, silhouetting the bowed figures of Matthew and Sonny huddled by the fireplace. She tried to concentrate on they were staying to drown out the whining wind and pounding rain.

Matthew talked about all the plans he had for this place. He was anxious to get machinery and livestock, and do some “real farming”. Sonny listened for a while but then said, “I don’t think you have any idea how much work has to be done before one seed is planted.”

Matthew reached over and tapped out his pipe. “Yes,” he sighed, “I know what you’re saying. I guess I just have to be patient. But now that I’m here – now that I’ve seen this place – why, it’s even better than I hoped.”

Annie smiled. Here they were, sleeping on a dirty plank floor in this run-down dump of a house on a dark and stormy night in the middle of nowhere, and her father is so excited he can’t even sleep though he must be exhausted. Oh God, watch over us, she prayed. Keep us safe and warm, and most of all, keep my father from killing himself.

She tried to hear more of what they were saying, but the hum of their voices, the rain and wind, the creaking and groaning of the old house blended together to make a strange lullaby so that soon she slipped off into a deep, deep sleep.


Annie awakened gradually, recognizing the sounds and smells surrounding her. Coffee. Ah, that’s what she wanted, even if it was brewed from that awful water the boys told her about. Sonny sat by the fire, perched on an upside down bucket, cooking what smelled like bacon. The rain and wind were gone now, and the old house was still. She thought the baby must have slept through the night, but then she saw empty bottles. Daddy or possibly Sonny must have taken care of her. She was thankful because she felt rested after a full night of sleep.

Sonny turned to see that Annie was stirring. She was pulling on her coat and boots hurriedly. “Hey!” he called, “you’d better take some Kleenex or something.”

Man, she thought, this guy really thinks he knows it all. The idea that he would take such liberties in personnel manners irked her. She rushed out through the foyer and stepped out onto the back porch. She couldn’t help but pause to survey the view. It was a crisp, clear morning and the sun was rising out of the valley. Even with the weeds and garbage strewn all around her, it was lovely. Wading through the mud and brush, she rushed to the dilapidated outhouse and wished she was one of the boys and take care of business behind a nearby tree.

She lingered on the porch, listening to the morning sounds. After such a frightening night, she could hardly believe it was so tranquil. The river couldn’t be seen because of the screening trees. She wondered if she could see it from upstairs. She climbed an outside stairway which led to the second floor balcony. Everything looks so different from up here, she thought. There was less contour and severity. Still, the wall of fur trees stood as a tall curtain until she maneuvered herself to the far right corner where she could see over the rocky place they had found last night. The river and valley came into full view.

The sun bathed everything in rich hues of gold, and even the large puddles of standing water from the spring melt were transformed into lovely, blue reflecting pools. And the river, though it was probably more than a mile away, shimmered in the morning light, looking much less intimidating that it did last night.

She turned and saw there was a doorway that led into a bedroom. It was connected to another bedroom, which Annie guessed, judging by the few remaining snatches of pink and blue wallpaper, was a nursery. These were the perfect rooms for her and the baby. Plus, it had the best view in the place.

In the hallway, she found the back stairway to the kitchen, which would further substantiate her claim to this corner of the house. She explored on, finding there were four bedrooms on each side of the house. Actually, they’d have more room here than they did back home. Home. The word stuck in her mind like it was riveted there. Was this place home now? Most of the doors and windows were gone, and there were large gapping holes in the walls and floors. Never in a million years could this be home.

She turned her attention to the sounds of noisy confusion filtering up from the living room. Carefully, she descended the stairway, such as it was, and entered the living room just as Matthew was explaining how he had gone over to the Gibson's and was given generous portions of eggs, bacon, and bread.

“His wife is a really nice lady,” he was saying. “Should see her pantry – just loaded with all kinds of food. Look at this bread. It’s homemade!”

“Man,” Luke whistled, grabbing his share like everyone else, “these farmer’s wives sure know how to cook, don’t they?”

“Yeah,” laughed John, “and now Annie’s a ‘farmer’s daughter’ so she’ll have to learn how to make all this good stuff – like baking bread and pies and stuff.” They all snickered.

“Ha!” retorted Annie. “Baking bread for you guys would be a full time job – half a dozen loaves a day, at least.” She squatted down on the floor and picnicked with the others. Never had eggs and bacon tasted better.

The baby was changed and fed, and breakfast was cleared away. It was time for a planning session.

“Obviously,” Matthew began, “some of us need to go into town. We need a lot of supplies and I need to set up an account at the bank and start talking to contractors – unless you want to live in this room indefinitely.” Of course, the response to that statement was unanimous. “OK then, I guess Sonny, Annie, and I will go.”

“Hey! That’s not fair!” Thomas protested, loudly echoed by several others. “Why can’t we all go, or at least some of us? C’mon, there’s nothing to do out here!”

“Oh, yes, there is. Just look around. There’s plenty to do!” insisted their father “You can start by hauling out garbage and junk from the rest of the house. Just put it on the pile we started last night. We’ll burn it later.”

“What?” Mack complained. “You’re just gonna leave us out here in the middle of nowhere with no phone, no food, no nothing’ -- except work? What are we? A chain gang?”

“Mack, shut up!” shouted his father. “What else is there to do? You said so yourself – no TV, no place to go. You boys to get started. We’ll be back by lunch, okay?”

No, it wasn’t okay. The arguing continued. Sonny slipped away, picking up the pan of grease and scraps. He went outdoors and began looking for an opening underneath the porch. Peter and Danny were watching him, peeking through the broken windows in the office.

Sonny tried to coax the stray dog from her hiding place. Not seeing any sign of her, he put the skillet down on the ground away from the house and stood back and waited. It didn’t take long. The appetizing smell was too much for her. She came out, crouching on her belly toward the food, keeping a watchful eye on the stranger lingering close by. When she began to eat, Sonny crept near her until he reached out and touched her.

“C’mon, boys,” called Sonny quietly. “Let her get to know you.”

The boys were ecstatic. They came running out. “Just take it slow and quiet,” Sonny said. They touched her timidly. She tolerated it but as soon as the food was gone, she left.

“Do you think she’s got a name, Sonny?” Peter asked shyly. It was the first time the boy had actually spoken directly to him.

“Nah, probably not,” Sonny replied. “But you can name the puppies when she brings `em out if you want.”

“Oh boy!” the little ones shouted with glee. Never in their fondest dreams did they ever expect to have a dog, much less one with puppies.

“Don’t you boys go outside alone and don’t go poking around looking for those pups, ya’ here?” Sonny reminded them. “She’ll turn mean real quick if she thinks someone’s messin’ around with her babies. You understand?”

“But how we’re ever gonna see `em?” Danny asked.

“She’ll keep `em hidden until she’s good ` n ready to bring `em out. That won’t be until their eyes are open,” Sonny explained. He picked up the skillet and started back toward the house, the two little boys close behind.

Then there was a loud slam of the door and there stood Annie. She looked at them and the empty skillet and surmised what had happened. “My God, Sonny,” she cried. “You fed it? You let them out here with that vicious dog?”

“She’s not vic’us!” retorted Danny. “She let us touch her a little.”

“And we get to name the puppies, too, when she brings `em out, right Sonny?” Peter said, excitement quivering in his voice.

“Boys, that is a very dangerous animal,” Annie insisted, still glaring at Sonny.

“We know, we know – Sonny told us. Don’t go out alone and don’t poke around looking’ for the puppies,” Danny said. “We’ll see the puppies when she brings `em out.”

“And that won’t be until their eyes are open,” Peter added, sounding like an expert.

“Well, just so you’re careful,” Annie called as they scampered past her. She wanted to yell at Sonny but it was useless.

It was time to get started for town. They boarded the bus, Annie yelling out last minute instructions over the roar of the motor. “Wash all the pots and pans from this morning. You’d better get more firewood, and don’t let Joey close to the fire. And Peter and Danny – stay by the big boys and don’t go out alone.”

And then they were gone, fairly bulldozing their way down the driveway.
“Well,” Andrew said leading the way back to the house. “We’d better get to work.”

“Jeez!” Mack spat hotly. “Maybe you’re gonna swallow that bullshit, but I’m not! To hell with that crap!” He picked up a piece of wood and slammed it down on the ground. His brothers stared at the splintered wood and said nothing.

Once they turned onto the main road, Annie began to feel panicked again. She knew once they got into town she would be expected to make decisions about things of which she knew nothing.

She got a reprieve when Matthew insisted on stopping at the Gibson's to thank them for their kindness that morning. He had tried to pay them before, but they had refused. Plus, he wanted Annie to meet Mrs. Gibson. “You’re going to really like her, Annie,” he said.

“Just remember,” Sonny sighed, “you told the boys we’d be back by noon. Sometimes these little visits can go on and on.” It was obvious he would rather keep going into town.

Chapter 10

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