Ben's book bag held
firmly in his lap, arms crossed tightly around the bag
in anticipation as the school bus topped the hill. This
was the best moment of the day when his little white home
broke into view, glimmering in the sun against the emerald
lake behind. The bus slowed to a stop and Ben bounded
off. His Beagle Maude could be seen streaking to the porch
that his mom stood on waiting to greet him. On reaching
the porch Ben and his Mom grabbed and hugged and laughed,
Maude turned in quick circles around them. Another quick
glimpse back to the bus growing smaller in the distance
then back again to his mom's smiling face, her eyes. Nothing
needed to be said, chores must be started or the cool
night would catch him behind.
The plant had closed
without notice or warning on a Friday. His Dad had left
for the city to find work the following Monday. Since
that time Ben and his mom worked together to keep their
modest home. Dad had always said, "virtue was it's
own reward", and they could build a future if each
person did their part.
Ben lowered his bag
to the worn porch and turned to the woodpile. Maude settled
and lay down to watch and wait. Ben unwound the oily cloth
from the axe slowly. If he had wound it up properly the
last time there would be no rust. There wasn't. With a
slow slide of his hand he inspected the handle and found
the splintered dent. It was not any worst, it would hold
today. Before each swing of the axe he pictured his fathers
swing in his mind and tried to imitate it. Crack the log
split nicely down the middle. Maude's, ears forward, eyes
wide, peered as Ben found his rhythm to splitting the
evening's wood
The split wood grew
as the sun went down. Ben paused and glanced skyward.
The first emerald shining star would soon be out. He would
wish again to be the type of man his father has been.
The morning paper
declared the news. A corporation was going to re-open
the plant within a month. Ben's Mom called his Dad, and
they made the plans for him to return home. Ben planned
how he would tell his Dad all the things he had learned
to do, but then thought he would just keep doing them
to help so they would have more time for swimming and
fishing.
