A Brief Moment in Time
"Father," the boy whined. "That man just ate four days worth of beans and the fish I caught on Sunday that was to last us through the week."
"Well son, he did say he was hungry."
"Father, the fish wasn't even cooked! Do you not see what has happened here?"
"A great man was well fed by our hands. That's what I see anyways." Father sat at the table and watched Dog as he settled to the floor for a rest. Dog let loose a contented sigh while Father let loose a reverential sigh of his own.
"No! This man was nothing but a freeloader father! He saw a spark in your eye and he played you for the fool!" The boy began to grow red faced in his anger as he carried on. "You do not even know if this is the 'great man' you think he is. You just brought him here and gave him a weeks worth of our stores!"
"It is he son. I know it to be true."
The son shook his head in disbelief once again. His father had been reduced to nothing but a moon eyed mark and now they would grow hungry because of it. "Father, he did not even announce himself as this...'Fat Man'. You planted the name in his head, he just played along for free food."
The father closed his eyes tightly as he took in the boys hurtful words. He drew a deep breath as he paused to calm himself. As his face grew red in anger he suddenly let fly his fist and slammed it down upon the table with a sharp report. "You are wrong boy! You know nothing of which you speak." Dog flinched with a loud snort and rolled to his opposite side.
The boys mouth fell agape as the shock of his fathers raised ire swept over him. Having never seen his father with such anger about him, he knew not what to say. So, he sat in shocked silence fearing to further stoke the flames.
"I apologize, I should not expect you to understand." Father patted his son affectionately upon his shoulder. "I've gone through great pains to ensure you did not grow up in the same fashion as I. I've made sure you've had an easier time of it."
The boy recovered from his initial shock while letting confusion take over hir features.
"In my time, things were not pleasant. Food was scarce, crops sickly, the rule over the land oppressive." Fathers eyes soon vacated as he drifted off to the hazy time lapse of memory. "There was not a lot of hope those days my boy. My own parents toiled from sunrise to sunset, not as a preventive measure to stock up for the coming winters such as we do. We worked as a matter of survival."
"How is it you've never spoken of this before father?"
"It is not the most pleasant of memories my child." Father sniffled as he tried to hide the emotions that overtook him. "My own father was carted off when I was naught but a tyke. The baron in those days with a ruthless man, cruel and vengeful. Father had insulted him with his withered crops so they drug him away to make him pay. We never saw him again."
The boy grew quiet and somber as he learned of his fathers history. Before something he had never wondered over, now he found that perhaps his own father was something more than a simple farmer.
"We never saw him again. You can imagine how hopeless one might feel when forced to become the man of the house at such an unprepared age. Mother worked hard, I worked along side her. We fought tooth and nail to keep ourselves fed. Our neighbors, they did not help. They donated no food nor labor. They couldn't; they were in the same condition as we were."
Unnoticed by the story teller, Dog had righted himself from his slumber. He sat upright across the room as he watched the man tell his story. One would think that the dog was in fact listening to the tale as he made the occasional nod or grunt in response to the story.
"Just as the situation became most dire, the moment that mother thought for sure we would have to abandon the farm and begin a journey of our own in search of food, a fleeting glance at the far foothills managed to turn the tides against pain and hopelessness."
"Was it he father?" The boy now leaned forward with arms rested upon his knees, his full attention focused on his father.
"Aye boy, much like we noticed him today," a wistful smile crossed the fathers lips. "Only not so smelly and ugly."
From across the room Dog let out a short spurt of a growl as he cocked his head to one side as though challenging the mans conviction.
"Sorry Dog," the father said. "You have to admit you've seen better days though."
"Well what did he do father? Did he bring riches and gold? Bags of food to help you through the winters? The head of the baron?" The boy bubbled over with questions and curiosity as the story got the best of him.
"Nay son, nothing of that nature."
"Well what father? If he single handedly turned the tide of your poverty, surely he brought something with him?"
"Oh, he did son, he did. It wasn't a material gift we needed though."
Father gave a slight start as he felt a warm wetness press against his hand. As he turned to look for the source he saw that Dog had crossed the room quietly and took up station next to him while nuzzling his nose into him. Father chuckled to himself and reached forward to tousle Dogs floppy ears and give him an affectionate scratch atop his head. Dog smiled openly and laid his head upon the old mans lap, comfortable in their familiarity.
"No, Fat Man and Dog brought something far more essential in those dark times. They brought us hope and good cheer."
Looking Back, Concerns
"Father, he's been gone quite awhile now hasn't he?"
"That he has. I do hope he's okay." Father rose from his chair to peer out the window in search of the missing Fat Man. Dog took the opportunity to lay back upon the floor as he waited for his master to return. "Dog does not appear to be to worried, so I'm sure he's okay."
Crossing back to the table Father poured himself a mug of coffee left over from breakfast and winced as he sipped the cold bitter drink. "You see son our biggest problem in those days was not starvation and fear. Our biggest problem was that we had given up all hope for the future. We had become accustomed to the downtrodden lives we lived."
"The Fat Man was able to rectify this?" Still intent on his fathers history lesson, the boy kicked back in his chair. While his father spoke, the boy tried in vain to snap his fingers or get the attention of Dog so he could give him a pat upon the head of his own. Dog ignored him completely, content in his snoozing.
Father chuckled under his breath as he drifted back into memory once more. "That he was son. There were always many tales of encounters with the Fat Man and his Dog, wild and fantastical stories that were a wonder to behold. Stories of pantsing a misguided king, forcing a nobleman to apologize to all of his subjects door to door, bringing a troll to death from laughter. All of them far fetched, though as the tall tales grew, it became easier to fall under the spell of the Fat Man."
"Surely though these were all made up?"
"So I had thought as well. After I met him however, I knew it all to be true."
Father regained his chair next to his son. As he sat and sipped from his coffee cup he reached over and placed a hand atop of his sons. "You see son, when I first met the Fat Man, I was but eight years old. I was well familiar with the stories of his adventures from years of storytelling around the fireplace. My own father had rememebered hearing of him from his childhoold. His father as well could remember chance encounters related in similar fashion."
"That far back? How old is he?" The question was plain upon the boys face.
"That's just it son, nobody really knows. The stories of The Fat Man and his Dog stretch back over many generations."
"Surely it couldn't be the same man. There's no physical way for a person to be around that long," the boy said with awe begining to seep into his tone.
"You would think. However, the descriptions and stories are always the same. In every generation he has always appeared in times of great depression looking as young and dashing as the generation before. Truly it is a mystery.
"
"If he always appeared the same, then how can you be sure this is him? This man is as fat and matted as a great grizzly and smells rather fowl to boot." The boys awe began to give way to questioning doubt once again.
"Aye, I wondered that myself son. There could be explanations though."
"Such as?"
Father sat and stared contemplatively at Dog lying upon the floor beside his chair. He appeared thoughtful as he rolled over theories and ideas in his head. "That's what troubles me. I believe there may be something wrong. He has never appeared in any of the stories in such a condition. No one knows where he makes his home between adventures. Perhaps something quite foul is afoot to bring one such as the Fat Man such distress."
"Are you sure it is he father?" The boy looked at him with concerned eyes, an attempt to spare his fathers feelings from his doubt.
"Yes, I'm sure. Despite the outward appearances, his eyes hold the truth. Deep inside of them is the drive and good will that pulled us up by the bootstraps so long ago. There is also Dog here, there is no questioning him."
The pair turned in their chairs to look over the dog once again. He laid upon his side, legs out stretched in complete contentment. Round like a well cooked sausage bursting at the seams, the dog was large and muscular. Despite the matted and mangy fur upon his frame, the deep black coloring flecked with patches of white did little to hide great strength within. From the front the dog was shaped much like a wedge of cheese, wideset and powerful shoulders that tapered of to a sleek and fast rear end. This was also quite the coincidence as at the moment, the dog smelled much like a wedge of Limburger, sharp and foul to the senses. In breed Dog resembled the misbegotten spawn of a pit bull and a labrador.
"Dog and I became fast friends back in those days. I could never forget him. The color is same, the way the white fur fades as it climbs upwards over his muzzle there." Father pointed out the distinct coloring to his son who listened raptly. "I knew for sure only a moment ago. We used to sit around the hearth in my own childhood home just as we did here, his head resting upon my lap, my hand playing with those floppy ears."
Oblivious to the close scrutiny thrust upon him, Dog let out a loud snore that caused both men to flinch as it broke the silence.
As they sat taking in the spectacle of the dog snoozing upon their floor, the silence was disrupted again by the sounds of heavy boots stomping across the front port of the cabin. Both men turned their attention to the front door as they became aware of the approach. Without warning, a heavy bang sounded against the wooden door causing it to shake within its frame. Another loud bang followed the first, this time causing the heavy door to explode from its hinges in a cascade of wooden splinters.
Both men flew from their chairs, dashing to the safty of the table. Cowering behind the far side, they both covered their heads with arms thrown high as the door crashed to the floor. Waiting for further assaults the men hid their faces while listening intently for further sounds of pursuit.
The uproar slowly settled, dwindling down to a small patter of splinters falling to the floor. As the dust settled,the Father wrapped his son in his work hardened arms in an effort to protect him. He risked a glance over the table to make out who had bashed their way into their cabin and gasped at the site before him. A man, hulking in size, barrel chested and thick stood in a grand pose upon the threshold, his hands planted firmly upon his hips. He was bedecked in bright green woolen trousers that bloused out from where they were tucked into sturdy and strong work boots. A wide black leather belt held back a whispy poet shirt that hung loose and jaunty from the mans impressive frame. As the father panned upwards, he came to light on the face of the man whom broke their tranquility. Golden hair flowed outward to cascade over broad shoulders, the handle bar mustache and sharply pointed and waxed beard framed a broad smile. Finally meeting the man eye to eye, a sparkle shown in the gleeful eyes that looked back from deep within the craggy brow.
"Great day in the morning..." father gasped from under shaky breath.
"BEHOLD!" Bellowed the man standing in the doorway. With a great flourish the man bowed deeply at the waist, doubled over in salute to the his frightened audience. As he rose he drew himself upright into a muscle flexing pose, arms held high. "I HAVE RETURNED!"
Witchery, Confusion and Crops
The young boy sat upon the floor cradling his unconscious father upon his lap. Fear consumed his features as he took in the brutish man standing upon his doorstep within the ruins of the entryway. He glanced over to see Dog sitting to the side looking at the man with a quizzical cock of his head, tail wagging gleefully.
Drawing forth every ounce of will and courage that he held within his small frame he gently lowered his fathers head to the floor. He drew himself slowly to his feet and clenched his fists tightly. "I know not who you are sir but mark my words, I will do everything within my power to remove you from atop my stoop."
The large man in the doorway threw his head back in a hearty laugh that shook from his boots to his shoulders. "Know not who I am? I just told you, you dolt!"
The boy faltered briefly in his boldness as he pondered the man's statement.
"What part did you not understand? The behold or the I have returned?" Though the man held his dashing pose and faltered not a step, good natured humor could be heard in his words.
"What trickery is this sir," the boy stammered in the turbulence of emotions that rode upon him. "I've never laid eyes upon you before."
"Oh? Is that so." The man broke his pose and stepped into the cabin with heavy boot and heavy step. He approached the boy quick and steadfast. The boy flinched at his heady encroachment.
"I will warn you once sir, stand back or I will strike." The boy flinched slightly as every sense of his young being urged him to flee from the man bearing down upon him. He stood his ground however and raised his small fists before him.
The man drew up short as he neared the boy, making no attempt to hide the chuckle that escaped him as he looked over the boy prepared to fight him. "Too bad your dad is passed out back there, he'd be rather proud to see you as such." Admiration and approval shown bright upon the large man's face.
"You know nothing of my father," the boy spat. "Leave him out of this. I will protect him if I must."
"Oh, and with what do you plan to protect him with boy?"
"My fists if I have to sir. You'll be kind to remember that I gave you fair warning."
At this last statement the man could contain himself no further. A bray of laughter sprayed out from between the mans jaunty moustache and beard, mirth and good humor shined bright from his eyes. He doubled over with the laughter and slapped his meaty paw against his thigh as the humor convulsed through him. "I will be sure to remember, don't you worry."
The two stood facing each other in the silence that came after the man regained control of himself. The boy stood steadfast, fists raised before him, fear and determination fighting for a hold upon his face. Small quivers of fear shook him from top to bottom, yet still he did not flee. The large man stood with arms crossed before his chest, one hand playing idly with his pointy beard as he took in this protector of the homestead.
"Yes, your father would be quite proud indeed. I hope he wakes soon to see it for himself!"
The brute broke the contest between them as he turned and walked towards the table. He raised the door with his mighty arms and carried it back to lean upon the door frame. Crossing back to the table once again he smacked his hands together to knock the dust free, each strike reporting with a meaty thwack. As he passed Dog who sat wagging his tail rapidly during the entire exchange he reached out and gave the dog a quick stroke across his muzzle. Dog smiled and increased his wagging even more.
Drawing a chair out from the table the man dropped his bulk upon it and reclined idly.
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br /> Confused by the sudden defusing of the fight, the boy awkwardly dropped his hands back to the side and stared at the man with questions struggling to escape him. He opened his mouth a time or two like a gaping frog but failed to form a coherent sentence. "But..but..." he spat repeatedly.
"So, what's for breakfast boy?" Mirth and happiness continued to dance in the large mans eyes.
"Sir?"
"Breakfast my boy! What's to eat?"
The boy risked a glance to the far side of the table to see his father still unconscious from his earlier fainting spell. Knowing that they risked a bare cupboard if he offered to feed any more strangers, the boy knew best not to feed this newest arrival. "Sir, we had company just this morning. I fear our cupboards are nearly spent."
"Oh, I took care of that for you, not to fear!" The man rose from his chair and stomped over to the gaze out the window.
"You did not bring any crops in with you so surely you lie." Suspicion crept into the boys voice once again.
"Well boy, I'm a guest! You can't expect me to take care of the fields and carry it all inside for you now can you! That would be rude!"
"Uh...took care of our fields?"
"Certainly, come see for yourself!" The man motioned the boy to the window with a wide wave of his arm.
Still suspicious, the boy could not resist seeing what it was the man spoke of. He took a few tentative steps towards the window and stretched upon his toes to see out towards the fields. As he peeked through the window his jaw dropped slack at the sight of the high tassels of late summer corn blocking out the view at the edge of the field.
"What is this?" The boy nearly shouted in his astonishment. The father could be heard to snort in the background at the outburst. "It is only mid spring! There is no humanly way the corn could be this high!"
"Aye, you're right son, but I figured I owed you and your pops for eating all of your beans this morning. Dog had seconds too, so it's only fair."
The boy turned with a start to take in the man standing next to him. He looked him head to toe as he stuttered, "But...no, it can't be. He was large and burley, unkempt and smelly!"
"Now now boy, no need to be rude. A man can't expect to look his best when he first awakes. I did plant your field too, let's not forget that."
"There is no way! I refuse to believe this trickery," the boy shouted.
As the two stood looking each other over once again, they were startled out of their reverie by the sound of of scraping wood behind them. They both spun quickly on their heels to see the father upright once again, stretching out the kinks from his brief slumber upon the floor of the cabin.
The father shuffled across the floor to his son and the burly man standing within the window. He patted his son lovingly upon the shoulder as he passed. Approaching the man before him, he reached up with the same loving touch and patted the man upon the cheek.
"Ah there he is!" A broad smile sat firmly upon the fathers wrinkled face. "That is the Fat Man I remember!"
Plans and Portents
"Oh it's so nice to see you back to yourself once again!" Father bubbled over with glee as he took in the man before him.
Fat Man smiled warmly in the beams of sunlight coming through the front window. "Feels good to be back!"
The group stood in awkward silence, the only sound to be heard was the thumping of Dog's tail upon the wooden slats of the floor. Knowing not how to proceed, Father looked ready to burst with excitement, the Fat Man somewhat bored and the boy still confused and slightly afraid.
"Where have you been?" The question burst forth from Father's mouth, finally let loose from the mass of confusion that overwhelmed him. "I've not seen you since I was such a small boy! I've not even heard talk of you for nearly twenty years!"
"Oh, I've been here and there" the Fat Man said as he crossed his arms across his chest. "It's a wide world out there, many folks to help. As I said I grew tired so we slept for a bit as well."
"But not even a sighting? You must have traveled far! To go so long that most had forgot your tales, it seems hard to believe!"
A slight shadow crossed the Fat Man's face as he thought over his answer. For the briefest of moments his trademark smile could be seen to falter. "Aye, it has been many many years my friend and I'm sure many have forgot my legacy. Perhaps though, that was the point. A chance to fade away in both form and memory."
"Whatever could have caused you, the Fat Man, the need to slip into obscurity? Such a force I cannot even imagine!"
"Unfortunately my friend, such a thing does exist." The Fat Man broke his short but sullen reverie with a sneering grin that made his moustache cock at a daring angle. "Now don't go thinking the Fat Man ran away with his tale between his legs though!"
Dog yelped loudly breaking the quiet surrounding the three men before him, following it with a slight snarl. Father jumped at the outburst, The Fat Man rolled his eyes in annoyance and shook his head, raising a hand to placate the suddenly vocal dog.
"Don't go getting your shorts in a knot, Dog. I didn't say you ran scared. Wasn't even the point. Regardless, there are dark forces that have roamed for many years, the type of forces that even I and Dog could not dare face. Without preparation that is!" The Fat Man gave a wink and then spun away on his heel. He stomped off across the room towards the table and sat his bulk down into the chair. "Come sit compadre, this could get lengthy."
The boy and Father joined the Fat Man at the table, both wide eyed with anticipation of such a tale that could give the Fat Man second thoughts. Dog joined the group as well, sitting nearby the father enjoying his off handed scratches to his head and eyeballing the boy as if daring him to try the same.
"You may remember me as the boisterous and good spirited sort I was back in the day, and that hasn't changed. What most may not credit me with though is a full set of sense and reason!"
Father gasped as the accusation hit him. "No sir!" he cried. "I would never! I have always spoke nothing of kindness since last we met!"
The Fat Man chuckled as he reached forward to comfort the father with a pat upon the knee. "No no friend, not you. To be quite honest, I myself know that I act rather rash at times. Comes with the territory! In truth though, Dog and I here are quite keen as to when we are being out matched, such as with the darkness that began to rise some thirty years back proved to be. Such a force we were not sure we could prevail. So, we retreated."
Having remained silent until this point, the boy listened raptly to the man before him as he spun his yarn. At his admittance of being out matched the boy felt a mix of emotions well up inside him. Unfamiliar with the sense of fear, disappointment, confusion and more, he let the first thoughts that came to mind fly forth unchecked. "So you ran? You ran away and hid for thirty years?"
Annoyance crossed the Fat Mans features for the first time as his brow furrowed at the outburst. He turned and faced the boy full on with a stern look setup upon his eyes causing the boy to sit back quickly upon his seat. "Nay boy, the Fat Man does not run. The Fat Man plans. The Fat Man prepares. You can not rush into battle against something you know that could out match you easily. You must have a plan of attack!"
The boy quivered as the Fat Man faced him down, the sheer force of the man bearing down upon him causing him to break into a sweat. Regardless, the boy knew he had prompted the attention but knew as well never to back down to no one. "For thirty years though? You took three decades to form a plan of attack?"
"Aye boy. Tis a nasty bugger we're facing out there."
"And the rest?" the boy faltered as he asked.
"What do you have against rest? Can't be heading into battle when you're tired can you? That surely isn't very smart."
"You had thirty years though sir..."
"Right, but dog and I are getting
older these days, some might say our twilight years. Takes longer to heal up these weary bones and as you may of heard from your pop there, we tend to do a lot of walking." The Fat Man's mood began to lift as it shifted from the stern power of a man proving his point to the wistful rememberance of happier times past.
"You don't look that old" the boy stated plainly. "Matter of fact, you look in pretty good health. How old are you?"
"Oh, older than you can imagine my boy. Looks can be deceiving!" Reaching up to twiddle with the end of his handle bar moustache, the Fat Man chuckled to punctuate his feelings of himself. "Go ahead, take a guess boy!"
"Fifty years sir?"
Laughter roared forth from the Fat Man as the age sputtered out from the boy. Even Dog appeared to smile gaily at the proclamation. He let the laughs shake through him for a moment before he wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes. "I like you boy, you're a flatterer. You're wrong though, off be a good three, four hundred years at least!"
Lessons to be Learned
"Come on now boy, no time for lazing about now, there's crops to bring in!" The Fat Man's voice bubbled with orneriness and annoyance as he passed by. On his left shoulder he carried a bale of corn stalks, with his right hand he reached out and clouted the boy upon the back of his head.
Boy jumped awake at the sudden impact, snapped abruptly from his brief nap. "Oy!" he shouted. "I don't care who you are, you don't go striking a sleeping man like that!"
The Fat Man stopped in his tracks with a grin spreading across his face. He spoke without turning to face the boy, the dare think upon his voice. "A sleeping man eh? Well boy, now's your chance to do something about it."
Gawking openly at the turn of events unfolding before him, the boy stared at the Fat Man's back. The only sound that managed to escape from his now quivering lips being a strangled gasp.
"Gaack? Is that all you have to say?"
"Sir," the boy stammered."I mean no disrespect. You startled me is all."
"Boy!" the Fat Man barked as he spun to tower over the child. "There is a lesson to be learned here. Do you have what it takes to learn it?"
Cowering before the brute that postured over him, the boy gave in to the fear and confusion that welled inside him. "Sir?" he asked again. "I do not understand sir."
The Fat Man continued to stare down the before him, the bale of corn still upon his shoulder, his other hand now balled tightly into a fist upon his hip. He breathed heavily through his nose like a contemplating bull causing the arms of his grand moustache to wave in the produced breeze.
He continued his threatening vigilance, his prey doing his best to disappear at his feat. When the boy began to whimper quietly, the Fat Man finally broke. He turned and strode off towards the waiting harvest wagon in silence.
Standing stock still the boy held his breath as he watched the retreating form of the Fat Man fade off into the distance. Finally reaching a distance that he felt confident he could not be overheard, he took a shuddering breath and let his shovel drop to the ground. With the grimy sleeve of his work tunic he wiped the snot that leaked from his nose. Following the course of the shovel he dropped into a low crouch and wrapped his arms tightly about his knees in a protective ball.
"I care not who father thinks this man is, I care not how great he might have been. The man is now nothing but a common ass!" He lamely threw a rock in the direction of the wagon to punctuate his point.
"The ungrateful git...stays for weeks and eats our food, destroys our house with his clumsy ways. I for one will be happy once we're rid of him. He's done nothing but torment me and clout me about the ears since he arrived."
Oblivious to his surroundings, the boy gave in to his most recent bout of self pity. So wrapped in his quiet reverie he failed to hear the soft footsteps that approached behind him. Continuing his rant in full confidence that no one could hear him, he let loose with more litanies against their guest.
"If we do not part ways soon, I'm of half a mind to show him on his way myself."
"Is that so?" A gentler voice asked.
The Fat Man stood leaning against a fence post, confident and loose in posture. His expression had softened from his earlier raging bull impression in both expression and stature.
"As I said before boy, there's a lesson to be learned here. You say you're going to see me on my way your own self?"
"I didn't mean anything by it sir," the boy replied meekly. "Just startled and sore, nothing more."
"You my friend, you need to stop with the apologies!" A broad smile set firmly on a face that radiated kindness and caring for a change. "You're old enough now, it's time you learned to stand by your word."
"I do not mean to sound disrespectful sir..." the boy trailed off.
"But?"
"It's just that you've helped so much with this early crop and all..."
"But?" The Fat Man grinned as he egged the kid on.
"Honestly sir?"
"By all means boy!"
"You've been plenty kind to my father sir, but you've been an insufferable ass to me. Sir."
A small guffaw escaped the Fat Man as he stepped towards the boy. He laid a meaty paw upon the boys shoulder pulling him into a sidelong hug. "Stop flinching boy, I won't smack you anymore." The boy wilted slightly beneath the weight at the heavy arm draped across his shoulder.
"Walk with me, it's time for a break."
The pair walked across the cornfield, meandering their way towards the cabin. The Fat Man stood large and protective, the boy think and lanky, stuck in that awkward stage of youth. Around them the fields thinned as their weeks of hard work carried in load after load of fresh pickings.
"It's time to put some muscle behind those words of yours. Some bite, some confidence."
"I've never fought a day in my life" the boy replied.
"No matter, I can teach you that before I go. You have the build for it, I'm not to worried. Seem to be a quick learner as well. You have a razor tongue on you as well. You're going to need some help with that."
"I do not mean to be so abrasive, but people who make me angry...I cannot help myself! It just comes out!"
"That's not the problem boy! You need to learn to wield that tongue of yours like a weapon!"
Confidence seeped its way back into the boy's posture as they crossed the field. He lifted himself a bit straighter, held his chin a little higher.
"Dark days ahead my friend. The world is going to need smart ones such as you if it will see it through. It's time to crack that shell you've built around yourself, bring out the man I know that lives deep inside there!"
"You've been sticking around for me sir?"
"Aye boy, you could say that. Largely because of your father too. He's going to need your help in the times that are coming. But you, you remind me a lot of myself at that age." The boy blushed at the admiration that shone down upon him.
"My father shall need help? You can foresee this?"
"No no, none of that magic or anything like that. You pop though, he grows old. You know this."
The boy nodded his head slightly. He knew all to well the advancing years of his father.
The Fat Man grew reflective which was uncommon for him. He thought back briefly over the years to happier times. "He was a lot like you back then you know."
"So you do remember father from when you visited in his youth?" Excitement and wonder played across the boys eyes as the hope of affirmation to the large mans pedigree began to take shape.
"Aye boy! Little Jeffirs Stevens, he was one of my favorites!" The Fat Man gave a shacking laugh as he squeeze the boy tighter for a moment.
"His stories are true then? You really do remember him!" The young Stevens boy shone with glee to finally have proof of the man of legend that held him in a
bear like hug.
"Of course I do! Why else do you think I picked you two for the Fat Man's return!"
Fight, Might and a Touch of Insight
The dog snarled like a hound of hell, haunches raised which caused the fur along his spine to rise up in a mighty stripe. Dripping fangs born towards his prey helped finish the image. He circled the small boy before him, each step calculated and exact to keep him within attacking position.
The boy stood with nothing but a small wooden bracer strapped to his forearm, a large tree bough clenched in the opposite hand like a sword. The loose slats of the shield clattered as his shaking knees vibrated throughout his entire being.
The boy sank into a low crouch, trying his best to hide his small frame behind the wooden shield. Wide eyes peeked over the rim of his wooden salvation watching the beasts every move, the stick continued to be held high as if it could fend off an army. The dog paced back and forth feeling out his enemy, waiting for a hole to open in the wall of defenses.
Seeing the boy shrink away from him, the dog saw his chance and lunged into action to take advantage of it. With a fluid movement belying his large and bulky form he sunk low to the ground and moved swiftly into the gully that the boy had setup shelter in. He gained speed as he bore down the slight incline and moved his shoulders forward, intent on bowling into the shield and taking the child down with it.
The boy hunkered as low as he could manage behind his shield, holding his ground before the charging brute. His teeth chattered and snot began dripping from his nose as the fear overtook him. He watched as the taught muscles of the dog rippled with each step, growing more sleek as he came. In what felt like a lifetime to him as he waited for the attack, the dog finally bore down upon his shield, nose held out front, teeth bared, making a desperate grab for meat as his shoulder laid into the wooden slats full strength. As the head snaked around the side of the shield, the boy saw the opening he himself had been waiting for and wasted no time in acting.
Throwing his weight backwards, he kicked out with his left foot planting it firmly upon the back of the shield, bracing himself against the rushing dog. With his momentum increased, he planted himself firmly upon the seat of his pants a good two foot behind his post and deftly tucked himself into a reverse somersault. He tucked his knees into his stomach as he rounded over, landing him squarely into a squatting position facing the now confused dog. As the beast looked from side to side from the tasty morsel he nearly held between his teeth, the boy raised the small log he held as a weapon above his head. Finding him finally in his new position, the dog locked his eyes upon the boy once more just at the child brought the large branch crashing down his snout.
The hit sounded with a large thwack accompanied by the dogs high pitched yelp. The Fat Man laughed heartily off to the side.
"Excellent boy! You my friend have arrived!" The Fat Man walked out of the bushes and slapped the boy in the shoulder with a congratulatory enthusiasm. "By jove, you have been paying attention!"
The boy beamed from the praise as he walked towards Dog who sat pouting with a loud whimper, playing up his wounded nose. The boy tousled the dogs ears lovingly as he leaned forward to whisper his apologies to his canine friend.
"The key to any attack is to show great patience, and today you've shown you understand. With your waiting you allowed the attacker to open himself to mistake, all with a minimum amount of work."
"Thank you Fat Man," the boy smiled widely as he spoke. "When we started this training six months ago, I thought for sure you were speaking nonsense! I'm happy to see that I may stand a chance now!"
"Aye boy, you just might! Don't go getting too cocksure of yourself now however. Over confidence can be a hindrance if piled on too highly don't you forget. You've come a long way for sure, there's a long way to go. I've given you what you need to get you started. It's up to you to take these basics to heart and learn on your own."
"You speak as if your time here draws to its end sir," the boy asked pointedly.
"Well boy, it just might be." The Fat Man remained silent as he dark thoughts clouded over him.
"You've not been here even a full year yet, are you sure you're ready to move on?"
"It may not be a matter of whether I'm ready or not my boy, the decision isn't really mine to make."
"It's nothing that we've done to drive you off is it?"
"No no, boy, not at all. I'll admit, you annoyed me to no end when I first arrived, but I've grown fond for sure! And your father, he's always been near and dear after the times we spent together when he was your age." The Fat Man smiled warmly at the boy as he gave way to nostalgia.
The two sat in silence upon the log, both reflective in the warm afternoon sunshine. The boy thought wistfully at the prospect of his new found mentor having to leave soon, The Fat Man thinking worriedly of the times yet to come on his long journey. Dog curled himself at their feet, basking in the warm sunshine.
The Fat Man stretched his great arms above his head as he let out a might yawn as he turned to face the boy once again. "It's been a long day and you earned a break, so let's head back to the house. While we're add it, I want to let you know something."
The boy looked at the Fat Man quizzically, expectation and excitement starting to build within him.
"You've impressed me boy. Quick wit, quick to learn, and good companion to have at one's side! You and I are going to have a long talk here before I leave, but I must talk to your father first."
Dreams and fantasies exploded within the boys mind. He remained silent as the Fat Mans words sank in, the possibilities unfolding endlessly within his young imagination. He dreamed of walking over hill and dale, Fat Man and Dog by his side, a companion in both spirit and strength. He wondered momentarily how sad his father would be come should the Fat Man ask him to leave, but he knew his father wanted the best for him, and the adventure of a lifetime could hardly be looked down upon.
"Certainly sir, I'm sure father will see the question through to its best conclusion" the boy stated as the wandered back in to the lawn surrounding the hut.
"Aye, that he will." The Fat Mans mood had become somber as they reached the cabin, the weight of what he was preparing to ask the boys father heavy upon his shoulders. "It looks like your father has returned boy, why don't you and dog run out and check the compost pile out back while I go and have a talk with him."
Knowing when it was time to make himself scarce, the boy bounded off around the corner of the hut, Dog happily nipping at his heels as they went. The Fat Man stepped onto the porch where the Father sat smoking his pipe, a knowing and happy look upon his face as the Fat Man took a seat in the rocker next to him.
The Fat Man reclined in his char, fingers laced behind his head, comfort and ease heavy about him. He took in the father's knowing look and smiled. "You know why I'm hear to talk with you don't you old man."
"Yes, I remember fondly when you and I had a similar talk many years ago. The boy has come far under your tutelage, I knew it was only a matter of time." Father smiled faintly, proud of his son yet reluctant of the events soon to come.
"That he has, much like his father. But, it is time for Dog and I to make our preparations to move on sadly."
"Aye, I know my friend, I know." Sadness filled the father's eyes, enjoying his second time around with the Fat Man at his side. "You know I won't deny you the deed, and I know that the boy will eventually come to revel in it. Just go easy on him. You can see it in his eyes that he thinks you're going to ask him to join you."
Goodbye.
The boy woke with the dawn sun bright eyed and excited. He checked over the bag he had packed the night before for any forgotten essentials. Convinced he had packed everything he would need, he slipped the bag back into its hidey hole beneath the bed. He took a final look around his
bedroom, then bounded off down the hall.
The day had come for the Fat Man and his dog to take their leave, and in celebration of the day Father had prepared a grand breakfast to see them off. As he entered the dining area of the cabin, the boy was greeted with the warm smells of bacon and fried potatoes, and the smiling faces of the Fat Man and his father.
"You're up awfully early," his father held a laugh as he greeted the boy.
"Yes father, tis a big day!" He pulled himself up to the table while tucking a napkin into his collar. With nary a glance at his surroundings, the boy dug in to the bounty laid out before him with vigor.
Fat Man laughed heartily at the sight of the youth and his frenzy, yet a somber look sat deep within his eyes. He turned to father as he toyed absently at the food left upon his plate. "Now, you're sure I've left you with enough food for the winter?"
"Of course friend, of course! You need not worry."
"Do you need for me to gather any more firewood for the stacks before I go?"
"You've cut and cleared nearly a quarter of the forest already," father laughed. "Now stop before there is nothing left to me but the barren hills!"
The Fat Man reached out and gave father's shoulder a loving squeeze. Father in turn raised a hand patted his friends hand in return. The two sat in silence soaking in the warmth and smells of the morning cabin, basking one last time in their friendship.
Finishing his plate with two mighty mouthfuls, the Fat Man pushed himself from the table. Wiping the crumbs from his beard he stood up to his full height. He looked hulking and menacing in his traveling clothes, bedecked from head to two in dark leather breeches and shirt, sturdy buccaneer boots upon his feet. "Dog," he called. "Gather your gear, it's time."
Dog who had been napping near the front door rose to his feet, tail thumping against the door excitedly.
Hearing the Fat Mans proclamation, the boy finally managed to come up for air. His face was smeared with the grease of his victimized breakfast, yet his shone through with excitement. He knew that his friend intended to speak to him before he left, so he figured that this meant it was time.
Fat Man looked down upon him with pride and admiration and perhaps a touch of sadness. He glanced towards the father for encouragement. The good byes were always the hardest for him.
Father merely nodded with a knowing smile upon his lips.
"All right boy, it's time. Let's have a walk, shall we?" Not waiting for a response, he turned and stomped out the door into the yard, the sounds of the boys pursuit already behind him.
The pair strode across the front lawn side by side, The Fat Man walking with head held low, the boy near giddy as he looked on expectantly towards the large man beside him. He had been waiting for this moment for days and for a boy his age, days can feel like an eternity boy.
"So, before the tension stretches any tighter I have to tell you..." The Fat Man paused as he gathered the strength to press on. "I know what you think I'm going to ask, but its not going to happen. I'm not going to ask you to join me on my travels."
The boy deflated instantly, his hopes and dreams crushed in a single fell swoop. At that moment he felt the greatest disappointment in his young life and was quite certain he would never suffer any worse.
The Fat Man stepped near and put a comforting arm over the boys shoulders drawing him near. "I know boy, its crushing to hear, but I could not bear to draw you into the dangers that awake."
"But...but I thought you had been training me to defend myself, to fight against such dangers?"
"Aye boy, I have but not for the reasons you think." Sitting atop a fallen log that lay near the trail, Fat Man patted the empty space next to him. "Sit, let me tell you the tale."
"Your father grows old and is going to need a strong hand to help him. A strong hand to sew the fields, a strong hand to haul in the harvest."
The boy sat next to the Fat Man letting out a deep sigh. "Yes, but all of that seems awfully mundane in comparison you know."
"True, true. But, there are other things he will need your strength to help with too. Wild dangers abound and he is nearing the point where he'll be hard pressed to hold off an attack. And lest we forget, the dangers that come may some day reach your own distant lands here as well."
"There is that, and I hate to think of leaving father to fend for himself. The dreams though, the thoughts of wandering the country side, warding off hardship and danger, it still leaves one wanting I'm sorry to say." The boy sat with shoulders hunched, eyes downcast, refusing to look The Fat Man in the eye.
"All thoughts of grandness aren't lost boy, there's another reason I must ask you to stay behind."
"What's that," the boy asked, enthusiasm still low. "Taking out the laundry on Sundays?"
The Fat Man let out a guffaw at the boys indignation, thoughts of a younger version of himself strong. "You've questioned many a time yourself how I've lived for as long as I have, haven't you?"
"Sure," the boy said. "I'm still not so sure I believe it either."
"I can assure you, it's all too true. Enough years that I've lost count to be quite honest. Yet, there is a reason I've grown so old and it is a reason that lies in mystery and magic you could say."
The boys face began to take light once again, the questions beginning to swirl in his head and show in his eyes.
"Simmer down now son, there's somethings I'm still not going to tell ya. I'm not going to tell you the hows or whys, or from whence I came. Still though, there is a key element I can let you in on. That key boy, lies in a name. My name to be exact."
"The secret is Fat Man? That seems somewhat disappointing in light of all the mystery," the boy replied.
"No smartass," the Fat Man laughed. "Throughout generations as far back as I can remember, there has always been one person on this land who has known my true name. My given name, laid upon me at my inception. A standard bearer so to speak who held the essence of my existence in the knowledge of my true persona."
"How did this come to be then? What kind of sorcery would depend on your name?"
"Now don't get ahead of yourself boy, I already told you I'd not give you all the details. Some secrets go with me to my grave. But tis true. If a time goes without someone knowing that name, I grow older. As long as that person lives, I stay the same."
"Is that all there is to it then, you whisper your name to me and off you go?" Disappointment still rang true in the boys voice, despite his piqued interest in the grand tale.
"No boy, there's more to it of course. There's true power in a name, a basic rule over that for whom it belongs. The name bearer is one that I can trust, one that should the need arise and I have been robbed of my wits and power, can be trusted to come and break such a spell by the utterance of my name."
"It snaps you back just like that?"
"Honestly? I couldn't say. Never had to try it out as of yet, which is nice." The Fat Man sat upon his log, arms locked stiff to his side, holding himself up as he stared off into the fields before him. The wind picked up as the two sat talking, a portent of the changes happening about them.
"So how do you come about this name bearer then? Is it somebody appointed, a family line?"
"Oh, it's never appointed, I couldn't trust someone blindly. Its always someone I've chosen myself. It's the only way to be sure about someone you're going to give such a powerful secret to, you know."
The boys mood began to lighten as he was swept away by the story given to him by the Fat Man, curiosity getting the best of him. "So, why tell me this now?"
"You're not dumb boy, figure it out."
The boy sat in silence as he pondered the question before him. He began to have an inkling early on, but with the mistake he had made of what the Fat Man had intended to ask, he was wary to blurt out his first idea.
"You're going to ask me to be the name bearer," he asked timidly.
"Correct in one my boy."
The weight of the announcement flooded over the boy, excitement beginning to trickle through him once again. He did not pretend to understand much of what the Fat Man had told him, nor even fully believe it, but the idea was a fantastical one all the same.
"What of the current name bearer then, are they still around?"
"Aye, that they are. Alive and well. I fear for them though as they grow old now and there are had times marching strong against us. They are a hearty stock though. As I said, I chose them myself."
"Will I ever cross paths with this person?"
"I can guarantee it, son. So can your father."
The boys jaw began to sag open as he slowly gleaned the nugget that the Fat Man had laid before him. "My...my father?" he stammered.
"Correct again! Why else do you think I chose to come back here upon my reawakening? I knew I could trust him to take care of me, to do what needed done. He's a dear friend boy though we haven't seen each other in some fifty years. That I can never forget."
"So what happens now," the boy asked.
"Well, we start by walking back to the cabin. I grab my gear and Dog and I hit the trails."
"Where will you go?"
"To the east most likely. I don't know where yet to be honest, but I can sense that somewhere out there will need my help, and soon."
"I hate to see you leave sir," the boy stated warmly. "I never did trust you at first, but I've grown fond over this past year."
"I know you have boy, and I knew you were wary from the start. That's part of my draw for trusting you, you do not warm quickly to just anybody. A good trait to have in a name bearer."
The pair rose from their log, straightening themselves and turning down the trail towards the cabin. They drew together in a warm embrace between friends, standing in silence a moment as they made their peace. Eventually, the two men broke and strode off back to the cabin.
As they neared, father came to the front porch to lean against the railing. Full of warm smiles and knowing eyes, he looked upon his son that was now honor bound to follow in his footsteps, and upon the man he learned to call friend so many years go. The boy broke into a trot and ran to embrace his father who welcomed him with open arms.
"All right Dog, its time we make our way." The Fat Man hoisted a back pack that stood waiting for him at the porch steps. Dog bounded down the stairs, giving the boy a nuzzle to his hand with his cold wet nose as he passed. "Thank you friends for nursing us back to health. It will never be forgotten."
"Tis nothing for you," Father replied.
With the brief exchange serving as his goodbye, The Fat Man turned and strode off across the yard to return to the trail, Dog walking with head held high at his side.
"Fat Man," the boy yelled, worry now upon his face. "You never told me your name!"
The Fat Man turned to face the porch, walking backwards down the trail. The smile on his face was large and grand. "There's no need to worry boy, will be easy for you to remember!"
"How's that?" The boy asked bewildered.
"Tis simple! Your father named you after me!" With a loud guffaw he turned to face back in the direction they were heading and strode proudly into the warming sun of late morning that mottled the trail.
The boys jaw hung agape as the Fat Man's statement overtook him. All this time and wonder and his name was at his finger tips all along. He turned to look at his father in astonishment, father returned the look with great amusement.
"That's right boy," father replied. "The Fat Man's true name is that of your own, Dekkard."
Father and son stood upon their porch, arms wrapped tightly about each other in warmth and love. Together, they stood and watched as the Fat Man and his Dog faded off into the shadows of the trail ahead.
Author's Note
“The Fat man and his Dog” originally ran as a serial on my blog, CinemaFromage.com. The story was received to little or no fanfare whatsoever! The story received a second life courtesty of the fine folks at TheGreatandSecretThing.com even though it received little to no fanfare there as well. Some would wonder why I would try to push this story out the door a third time. All I could answer is that of the few that have read ti thought it was a great tale and needed to be told. I would also let them know that the story strikes a person chord as it was inspired on many a long walk with myself and my own 'Dog' as we trekked about for days back in 2006.
About the Author
Having spent several years writing essays on horror films at his website Cinema Fromage, full time duties writing news and film reviews for bloody Good Horror, as well as sharing his love and knowledge of horror films with anyone willing to listen, Casey finally decided to stray from the path of other people's nightmares and invent a few scares of his own. His previously published stories include “Jackboots for Jesus”, “A Fine Line”, “A Fat Man and his Dog”. Casey can also be heard weekly co-hosting the Bloody Good Horror Podcast.
Connect With Me Online!
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CaseyBGH
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/casey.criswell
Webisite:https://www.cinemafromage.com
Podcast: https://www.bloodygoodhorror.com
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