Chapter 6
Daniel had left his lamp light on and as soon as Duncan had flipped the fuse switch it glared out. Daniel woke up immediately. His mind kicked into gear quickly and he jumped from the bed and ran for the shower. He took a quick glance at the blood and semen dried on his underwear as he slipped them off. He balled them up and set them on the back of the commode.
He heard the outer door open and the water hadn't warmed up yet but he stepped into the spray anyway. He didn't want Duncan to see what had happened.
“Morning boy.” He heard Duncan's voice over the spray as he wet his hair.
“Morning.” He called back.
“You're up awfully fast this morning.” Duncan stated, suspicious sounded in Daniel's ears.
“It's going to be a busy day, with Jimmy coming and all.” He shouted back.
As he showered he turned his back towards the glass door and examined the scratch. It was real all right. It was cut down the length of his shaft and extended about four inches across his belly. How was he going to explain it to Duncan? Damn, he hated that nosy son of a bitch.
Daniel took his time showering but Duncan continued to stand there. What was he going to do? How was he going to explain the scratch?
“Are you going to shower all day?” Duncan half barked. “I wanted to give you some additional chores that need done.”
“Uh, I'm done.” Daniel turned off the water and opened the door. As he reached for the towel he heard Duncan gasp.
“What the hell happen to you, boy?”
Daniel looked down and realized just how bad it was when the bathroom light glared on the long red whelp already festered with scabs and pus.
“I don't know?” Daniel shrugged his shoulder and tried to cover himself with the towel.
“We've got to put something on that or it's going to get infected worse.” Duncan opened the medicine cabinet pulling out a bottle of alcohol, cotton swabs and a bottle of iodine.
“Okay. I can do it.” Daniel said as he tied the towel and reached for the articles Duncan held.
“I'll do it. If it hurts too bad you won't let yourself clean it properly.”
“I can do it.” Daniel protested.
“I said I'll do it. Now quit whining and lay down on the bed.”
Daniel still had the towel wrapped around him when he sat down on the bed and leaned back. He opened the towel.
Daniel cried out as the touch of the cotton swab saturated with alcohol brushed against his belly. Duncan then followed the long scratch across his belly and up the shaft of his penis. Daniel stuck his hands down to push Duncan away.
“Be still boy!” Duncan ordered. “Do you want it to get infected so bad you have to have your penis amputated?”
The fear of losing his baby maker was greater than the pain so Daniel balled his fists, scrunched his eyes tight and gritted his teeth. Tears welled in his eyes.
He finally exhaled and opened his eyes as Duncan began to apply a cool application of bright yellow-orange methylate. Not iodine. Thank goodness, it didn't burn as much now.
“Okay, now tell me how it happened and don't give me any of this, I don't know stuff.” Duncan stood up and screwed the caps back on the bottles.
Daniel sat up and stared at the bright orange streak and almost smiled. For a brief second he started to tell him. Tell him everything. God knew he wanted to, but as he looked at Duncan's hard face he changed his mind.
“I really don't know. It must have happened in the barn or climbing. I just don't know.” He lied and was proud of the lie he concocted. He couldn’t remember ever lying before at least not intentionally.
Daniel stood up and fanned at the methylate as Duncan returned the alcohol to the bathroom. Duncan returned as Daniel was opening his chest of drawers and pulled out some clothes and clean underwear.
“I'll check with your mother and see when you had your last tetanus shot. You can't be too careful on a farm.” Duncan watched as Daniel slipped on his clothes. “You look like you lost a lot of weight or you've grown a lot lately.”
Daniel glanced down as he slipped on his jeans. They were almost two inches above his ankles. That was impossible! Last week they had fit fine but now they were too short. Daniel shrugged his shoulders and a faint outline of muscles rippled out.
Duncan's jaw dropped. This boy was changing and changing fast. As a coach he had seen changes in the kids when they started to develop muscles but it wasn't overnight. And those kids had to do a lot more strenuous exercise than just a few chores and some walking.
Duncan turned and headed for the door.
“You said you had some additional chores?” Daniel called to him.
Duncan didn't turn around. “After breakfast I want to teach you how to drive the tractor.”
“The tractor, really?” Daniel couldn't help show his enthusiasm.
“It's not a toy.”
“I know. I'll be careful.” Daniel responded back as he watched Duncan leave.
Daniel made his bed and then headed to the kitchen. He was early but he hoped it would give him a chance to ask Tarla some questions.
As he headed down the hall to the kitchen he began to walk real softly to see if he could sneak up on Tarla. He peeped around the corner and Tarla had her back turned.
“Good morning Master Daniel. You have the smell of a boy who's been doctored.” She turned around and stared at him, her eyes seemed more amber than green today.
“Just a scratch.” He went to the refrigerator.
“Now you stay out of there. I have juice for you on the table.”
Daniel didn't sit but poured him some juice. “How long have you worked for the Osbornes?” He tried to sound nonchalant but wasn't sure how it sounded.
Tarla smiled. “Long time. Even before Master Duncan was born. Methinks you want to know how old Tarla is.” Daniel grinned. “Naw. I was just wondering if you knew much about this place?”
“Oh, I knows much. I know most of the families that live around here too. They no like Tarla at first because of the color of her skin but after a while they be all right. Now what do you want to know?” She looked suspiciously at him.
“Nothing in particular. Just wondered―You know, about the girl, Lynda, that I met yesterday and stuff.”
“I don't know the girl but there are some folks I don't know much about. Two families that keeps to themselves. Strange folks, not that we all are not sometimes strange, but these folks are said to be ....”
“Good morning.” Kelli said cheerfully as she entered the kitchen. Then looked at Tarla and Daniel a moment. “I didn't mean to interrupt you. You go right on talking.”
“That's okay, we were just chatting, Mistress Kelli. And how are you this morning?”
“Fine. Couldn't be better, as matter-of-fact today's my last day at work. Duncan will be in shortly. He said go ahead and eat, and Daniel, he wanted you to finish your chores and then meet him in the barn.”
“Okay.” Daniel said. “Did he say anything to you this morning?”
“Yes he did and I'm a little disturbed by it.”
Daniel stiffened. Oh shit, the scratch.
“He said he was going to teach you to drive the tractor. I just don't know about that.”
Daniel sighed with relief but then worried his mother wouldn't let him drive the tractor. He started to object and then decided not to. He knew that Duncan had told her he was going to teach him and at least for once he was glad that what Duncan said―went.
“I'll be all right, Mom.” He then worked on changing the subject. “Are you glad it's your last day at work?”
“I sure am sweetheart.” She patted his hand and they ate breakfast.
Daniel walked her to the car and then went about his chores. He was still wondering what Tarla was going to say just before his mother had walked in. She said the families are said to be, and that was when his mother came in. Tarla hadn'
t wanted to say anything else in front of his mother. He thought that was strange too but he didn't press it. Too much had happened to him and he didn't want anybody to know about it, except, maybe he would tell Jimmy. He wasn't even sure he would do that.”
Daniel finished his chores and then hurried to the barn and spent the remainder of the morning driving the tractor. The only hard part he had was keeping it from jumping when he started out in first gear without riding the clutch, too much. All in all, Duncan, had even complimented him on how fast he had caught on. If he could call it a compliment.
Duncan had said. “For a lazy city boy you did pretty good.”
Daniel didn't care. It sounded like a compliment to him and he could hardly wait to show Jimmy.
As Daniel headed for the house to wash up, he smiled to himself. He was to go down to the gate and wait for Jimmy and his Mom, just to make sure they found it okay, but he didn't care―he was going to get to drive the tractor down. Of course the main reason Duncan had said he could, was to make sure they didn't leave the gate open. Daniel understood that now. It would be a hassle trying to get the cows back if they got out. That worked out fine with Daniel because he hoped he saw Lynda again before she met Jimmy.
Daniel hurried and was soon on the tractor headed to the gate. He pulled the tractor off the graveled road and parked. He turned off the engine, stuck the key in his pocket and then climbed over the gate.
“Lynda!” He called out several times, cupping his hands over his mouth. He stood there and waited for several minutes for an answer but none came.
He guessed she must not be there today. He felt a little disappointment and decided to cross over the creek to explore the burnt out cabin more closely. This time he would use the log.
About midway across the log he looked up to see Lynda standing several feet away. Strange, he hadn't seen her approach. He figured she must have been behind a tree or something.
“Hi.” He said, a smile replaced his disappointment.
“Hi, yourself,” She smiled back.
“I called you but I guess you didn't hear me.” He stepped onto the firm ground with a little relief.
“I just got here. Where's your friend?” She looked across the creek and down the road.
“He's not here yet, should be soon.” He answered a little perturbed and she hadn't even met Jimmy yet.
She had on a simple one piece red dress that hung below her knees exposing her bare feet. “You look nice today.”
“Thank you.” She glanced down at her dress and shrugged. “This thing’s ancient, afraid I don't have any new clothes.”
“Looks great, Jimmy should be along soon.” He said trying to change the subject. She was obviously embarrassed by her old clothes and Daniel could understand that, that was for sure, but he had managed to make her aware of it. He could kick himself, he just didn't know what to say to girls.
“That's nice.” She said blandly and picked up a buttercup growing wild. She walked over in front of him and held it up to his chin.
Daniel didn't back up but stared at her a little overcome by her close presence.
“Be still.” Lynda admonished. “I just wanted to see if you'll get married someday.”
Daniel squinted and looked into her deep chocolate eyes.
Lynda giggled. “It's an old wife's tale. If you can see the reflection of the yellow on your chin it means you will marry, if you don't, then you won't.”
Daniel grinned. “Well?”
“Nothing.” She turned and walked away dropping the flower gently to the ground. Daniel watched her soft step as she retreated.
“Wow, what do you mean, nothing?” He hurried beside her.
“Nothing, no reflection, I guess that means you will never get married.” She shook her head, frowned and puckered her lower lip in mock disappointment. “I guess that means you'll be an old maid.”
“Men don't become old maids, they become ....” He stopped as her eyes began to sparkle. “Oh, you're just being silly.” He started to punch her in the arm but stopped himself and smiled instead.
“Oh, I think your friend is coming?” She interrupted.
“I don't see anything.” He glanced up the empty road and couldn't see even a hint of a dust trail that should be rising in the air.
“Just believe me. Let's go meet your friend.” They headed back to the log which and paused. “You go first.”
Daniel looked across the road but he still couldn't see anyone. “Okay, here let me help you.” He offered out his hand to help her follow behind, although in the back of his mind he recalled how easily she had crossed back yesterday without him.
“Thank you. I was just going to ask for your assistance. I really can cross back without any problem, this just makes me feel more secure.” Lynda took his hand and squeezed gently.
On the other side of the creek Daniel held her hand just a few seconds longer than necessary and then quickly let loose when he realized what he was doing. “I'm sorry.” He turned to look at the gate to keep her from seeing him blush and was startled. Jimmy's mother was there and Jimmy was already out of the car fiddling with the gate.
“Hey Jimmy!” Daniel shouted, catching his friend’s attention and then turned to Lynda in disbelief. “You were right, I really didn't see them. Maybe I need glasses or something. Come on.” Daniel headed over to Jimmy with Lynda following.
“Grief man,” Jimmy said, “I didn't recognize you. You're taller than I am and I was a couple inches taller than you the other day.” Jimmy's eyes widened, glanced down at Daniel's feet and then back. “You wearing lifts or something? You've lost a hell of a lot of weight too?”
Daniel just shrugged in embarrassment at the attention. He was glad Jimmy said it but wished he hadn't said it in front of Lynda. He was speechless. He hadn't expected anything like this from his friend.
He changed the subject. “Jimmy this is Lynda, she's a neighbor. Lynda this is Jimmy.”
Lynda nodded her head but didn't say anything. Jimmy reached out and took her hand and turned on his charm. Daniel felt himself begin to boil with a tinge of jealousy. Uh-oh, he thought, here it comes, the old charm.
Before Jimmy could say anything the car horn blew. The three of them turned to see Jimmy's sister, Sandy, sitting behind the wheel.
“Y’all going to stand there all day, or what?’ She yelled out the window.
“Don't tell me she got her license?” Daniel asked.
Jimmy nodded. “Scary, ain't it.”
“I've got things to do.” She continued. “You can get your stuff out of the car and walk. I don't even see their house. Must be out in the sticks.” Sandy got out of the car and opened the trunk and pulled out Jimmy's large suitcase groaning a little. “What did you pack in here? It weighs a ton.” She dropped it to the ground at the side of the car and started to climb back in.
“None of your fucking business.” Jimmy said.
Daniel glanced with embarrassment, to Lynda and saw her mouth drop in shock.
“Wait a minute.” Jimmy called after his sister as she began to back off. “I don't see the house either. You don't expect me to carry it do you!”
Sandy's response was to put the car in forward and spun a wheel as she sped off sending gravel flying.
Jimmy grabbed up a handful of gravel and threw it at the car but missed.
Daniel knew he missed it on purpose. If Jimmy had wanted to hit it he would have, he had a great baseball arm. Daniel concluded the only reason he hadn't hit the car was because his mother would have beat him if he did.
“You fucking bitch! I'm going to tell.” He screamed.
Daniel turned to Lynda, who just stared in shock. He smiled to himself. He liked his friend but he felt pleased that Lynda had witnessed this side of Jimmy.
Jimmy finished with his temper tantrum and turned back. “I guess I'll just have to carry it. Hope it's not far. You wanted me to br
ing the Ouija Board and a flashlight, you can help me carry it.”
Daniel broke into a big smile and pointed. “You won't have too, I'm driving a tractor. You can hold it on the back hitch and ride.”
“You drove it here? You mean Mr. Perfect let you or did you sneak it.” He grinned at his friend with the last suggestion.
“He let me.” Daniel puffed a little with pride.
Jimmy suddenly realized Lynda was staring at him glanced down at the ground sheepishly. “I'm sorry you saw all that. That was my sister. She's the only person in the world that could make me that mad. Just ask Daniel.”
Daniel nodded and joked. “They're always fighting. I use to sell tickets to the neighbors whenever they had a fight.” He grinned at Jimmy. “I made a fortune.”
Lynda managed to smile but change the subject feeling a little uncomfortable. “You said you had a Ouija Board. Is that one of those things you talk to spirits with?”
“Yeah it's great.” Jimmy said. “I've tried it with a lot of people using it but Daniel's the best. It's like he's got some kind of connection to ghosts or something. Want to try it sometime?”
“I would. I've never even seen one before but I've heard of them. When can we try it?” She said anxiously.
“Maybe tonight.” Jimmy answered and looked at Daniel with the question.
“Okay by me. Lynda do you think your parents would let you come over to the house tonight?” Daniel asked.
“Can't we do it now?” She moved her barefoot behind her upon catching Jimmy staring down at them. “We could go over to the cabin. There's bound to be ghosts there.”
Daniel grimaced. “I can't now. I have to get the tractor back or Duncan will be out looking for me. He told me not to be long and when you start with the Ouija Board you just sort of lose track of time. Kind of the way I lost time yesterday.” Daniel smiled as he felt Jimmy's eyes on him. It was Jimmy's turn to wonder, plus he wanted to tell Jimmy about what had happened to him last night and the night before.
Lynda paused for a minute in thought. Both boys stared with gapped jaws at her breast as she closed her eyes, raised both arms up and ran her thumbs underneath her thick hair and clumped it in a ponytail, as if she were letting the nonexistent breeze cool her neck. She let go and shook her head allowing her hair to fall gently on her shoulders.
“I'm afraid I can't come over but I could meet you at the cabin.” She finally answered.
Daniel didn't know if he could get away and felt embarrassing panic take over. “Uh, what time?”
“Any time you want.” She paused and looked into Daniel's eyes. “Maybe ten?”
Daniel thought quickly. Ten? Lights out at nine. He wondered if he could get a window open in his room. He wasn't too sure they could sneak out the door. “I'll try. I won't promise you I will be here but I will promise I will try as hard as possible, okay?”
Lynda smiled. “Okay.” She turned and headed back toward the creek.
“We don't have to go right this very minute.” Daniel protested as he watched her sway.
She looked back and waved. “You two probably have things to talk about. I'll be here tonight. I promise. Bye
Daniel and Jimmy watched as she crossed the log and disappeared behind a bush.
Jimmy finally turned to Daniel. “Where did you meet that hick?”
“She's not a hick.”
“Hey, no shoes in my book―says she's a hick.”
“Well she's not. She's really nice.”
“Nice body. I'll give you that, pretty face too, but there's something kind of weird about her.”
“Who are you calling weird? You're the one that had a fit. Throwing rocks and cussing in front of her. You're just mad she didn't pay that much attention to you. Your ego couldn't stand it.”
“Hey. Whoa. I'm your friend, remember. You just met her. Let's not get into a fight.” Jimmy saw that Daniel was really getting upset and decided to change the subject. “You never did answer me. Are you wearing lifts or something?” He looked down at Daniel's tennis shoes.
“No.” Daniel sighed out loud. Jimmy was right. He had just met her and didn't know anything about her. “Come on let's go to the house.”
They climbed the gate and hooked the suitcase onto the tractor’s back bar. Jimmy stood on the back as Daniel started it up and put it in reverse, turned and then headed up the first hill.
Daniel wanted to talk to Jimmy about what had been happening but the noise of the tractor made it too difficult, so he just sat there in silence. As he put the tractor in gear he heard his friend exclaim.
“Wow! This is great. Can I drive it?”
“I'll have to check with Duncan.”
“He'll say no. I'm surprised he's letting you.”
Daniel didn't answer. It surprised him too and he wasn't sure why Duncan allowed it but he wasn't about to lose Duncan's trust by allowing Jimmy to drive without Duncan's permission.
As the tractor topped the last hill overlooking the house he heard Jimmy's exclamation again.
“You live in that. It's huge. Man we ought to be able to contact some ghosts there.”
Daniel didn't respond. He just thought about what had happened to him last night and the night before.