"Did you really get thrown out of math class?" May asked him the next morning.
"I did." He said.
"Mary said it was because you cursed out Mr. Foster, and Julie said it was because you threw a math book at his head."
"What do you think?" He asked her.
"I think they are pretty stupid, but you do have a temper sometimes. Remember when you punched Ed?"
"Ed was a jerk. He knocked that little kid down." Danny said defensively.
"Calm down. I was just pointing out that it isn't impossible to believe you'd throw a book."
"You didn't say curse out a teacher." He said thoughtfully.
"You've got good manners. You'd never do that. Besides, your brother would kill if you did, so there's no way you'd be back at school the next day."
"You are pretty smart, May." He said grinning at her.
"So why'd you get kicked out?" She asked him.
"I was daydreaming, and when he called on me, he thought I was disrespectful." Danny sighed.
"Thought?" She asked.
"Yeah, it was kind of a misunderstanding." He sighed. "I . . . I don't really wanna talk about it, is all."
"Okay." She said and turned to head to class. He watched her. She looked sad. He suddenly realized he'd probably hurt her feelings.
"May, wait!" He called out and ran to catch up to her. "I'm sorry, May. I know you are just trying to help, and all. I just . . .it is kind of personal. I got a lot of stuff, I'm kind of trying to figure it out, is all."
"That's okay. It isn't my business. I just wanted to . . ." She sighed.
"I know and I appreciate it." He said. "If I were gonna talk to someone about it - It'd be you, May." He said, and was surprised to see her blush.
"Thanks." She said softly and turned to head to class just as the first bell rang. "See you in English class."
"See you then." He said turning to head to history. As he turned the corner, he bumped directly into Annie.
"Danny!" She said immediately giggling. "Did you really curse Mr. Foster out?"
It was going to be a really long day.
***7***
He studied his list.
Guthrie - toys
Ford - a remote controlled truck
Evan - new saddle
He sighed. He knew he could definitely take care of Guthrie - that would be no problem. Making a five year old's Christmas dreams come true would not be difficult. The remote controlled truck sounded pretty expensive - he figured maybe forty dollars. A saddle, however, was gong to be impossible.
He need a job. Worse, he needed a secret job. And who was gonna hire an eleven year old. This was not going to be easy.
"What are you doing?" Crane asked.
"Nothing." He shut his notebook.
"You wanna try the song?" Crane asked.
"Yeah, but I haven't practiced much. It might not be good." He said
"Well, I don't think the audience will mind." Crane said with a grin.
"I don't know our cows are pretty particular." He said laughing.
***7***
"What do you need a job for anyway?" Mr. Carter asked him.
"I got my reasons." Danny said trying to make himself look older and stronger.
"And when you gonna do this, if I were to let you work for me?"
"I'm quitting basketball. And I can come before school too and catch the bus from here." Danny said.
"Adam knows about this?" Mr. Carter asked.
"Of course! Geez, my brother doesn't let me walk down the road without permission! Let alone ask you for a job!"
"He is protective, that is true. Alright, we'll give it a go. I am short-handed since Mike broke his leg. When can you start?"
"Now!" Daniel said.
***7***
"Where's Danny?" Adam asked Brian as he surveyed his brothers gathered at the breakfast table.
"He said he was working on some extra credit and had to take the early bus in to school." Brian said.
"Oh, he told me about that. I guess he's growing up." Adam said raising an eyebrow at Brian.
"Adam!" Guthrie said pulling on his brother's pant leg.
"What is it?" Adam asked leaning down and looking at the five year old who was covered in jelly.
"More toast!" Guthrie demanded.
Adam lifted his brother up into his arms, feeling a sticky hand on the back of his neck. "More toast or more jelly?"
"Jelly!" Guthrie said.
"You've had enough jelly, Little Buckaroo. I'm cutting you off. Let's wash you up, huh?" He kissed Guthrie's soft cheek as the little boy pouted. He carried him over to the sink and setting him on the counter in front of him, he washed his fingers and face, and then the back of his own neck. He set Guthrie down.
"Go eat your eggs, mister." He said to Guthrie who slumped back to his chair.
"Does anyone have any games or extra practices this week?" Brian asked. "Tell me now. I don't want someone telling me as they are walking out to the bus that they need a glow-in-the-dark protractor, or a dozen doughnuts, or new cleats. Tell me now!" Brian eyed his brothers from where he stood at the stove.
"Glow-in-the-dark protractor?" Crane asked looking irritated.
"I'm just saying, if you've got some supply need, strange or otherwise, I would like to know before I go into town - not after."
"Five minutes." Adam said. "If you expect to catch the bus you are walking out that door in five minutes."
They stood on the porch, letting Crane walk their brothers to the bus this morning. Adam sighed.
"You know it is barely seven and I feel like a beer already." He said looking at Brian.
"Old Man McFadden." Brian said laughing.
"I feel like Old Man McFadden. I wonder what other twenty year olds are doing right now?"
"Not this." Brian said and laughing headed out to the barn.
***7***
Danny fell asleep in math on Thursday, and in English on Friday. Mr. Foster woke him up on Thursday which was pretty unpleasant.
"Sorry, I couldn't hold your interest." He said to him.
"No sir, it isn't that. I just, um, I've been doing some extra chores and getting up pretty early, so . . ." He sighed knowing by Mr. Foster's look that he wasn't going to get any sympathy.
"Really? Because I've got a newborn and a two year old, so I don't get any sleep, but somehow, I manage to stay awake in class." Mr. Foster said sarcastically.
"Yes, sir." Danny said.
"I've no problem calling in your father." Mr. Foster said and Daniel fought down a tidal wave of rage.
"Brother."
"Pardon?" Mr. Foster said.
"You've no problem calling in my brother. My dad is dead." He didn't hide the anger in his voice.
"Oh, that's right, I'm sorry. I forgot and . . . old habits." Mr. Foster shrugged.
Daniel stood where he was his hands in fists at his side. "It is kind of a big thing to forget." He said at last, and walked out the door without waiting to be dismissed.
It was May who woke him up on Friday as everyone was walking out of English class. That was much more pleasant.
"Danny! Danny!" She nudged his arm. He opened his eyes and seeing her face smiled.
"What are you doing here?" He asked thinking himself at home in bed.
"In English class? I was determining what tense each sentence was in, but then class ended." May grinned at him.
"Oh crap! I fell asleep!" He turned purple with embarrassment. "Oh, I'm sorry, May I shouldn't have said that. I apologize."
"Apologize for what?" She asked her brows furrowed in confusion.
"Bad language. Adam says you never use bad language in front of a lady." His blush deepened as he explained it.
"Oh." She said. "What's the matter anyway? People said you fell asleep in math yesterday."
"I've been getting up really early."
"Why?" She asked as he gathered his books together.
"Well, it is . . ." He hesitated.
"I know, it is kind of personal." She grinned. "That's okay."
"No." He glanced around the empty classroom and sat back down. "Listen, I've been working for Mr. Carter before and after school."
"Why?" She asked sitting at the desk across from him.
"Well, you'll think it is stupid." He sighed. "I just . . .well I realized the other day, that this probably the last year that Ford and Evan will believe in Santa. I'm not even sure that Evan still does, and I wanted to make sure that they keep believing for just this one last year." He looked down unable to meet her eyes embarrassed.
"It's kind of dumb, I know."
"No it isn't. Actually it is really nice." She said.
"Well, try not to sound so surprised." He said laughing.
"No, I just mean it is really thoughtful, but wouldn't your older brothers help? With the money, I mean?" She asked him.
"Yeah, but I want to do this. I want to help take care of them. We all have to pitch in, and besides my Mom always told us that brothers come first."
May rose lifting her backpack. "I'll do your assignment for you. I'll bring it to you during sixth period."
"You don't have to do that. You shouldn't do that, May. You could get in trouble. I won't have you cheat for me. You are a good friend."
"I will though, and you can copy it in your writing." She stood in the doorway.
"No. I'll just throw it away. Thank you very much, but no. Adam says a man always treats a lady with respect, and turning you into someone who cheats isn't respectful."
"I . . gotta . . . go." May said her face somewhat pink. "See you later, Danny."
"See you." He watched her go and sighed. He gathered up his books and trudged to his history class, dreading what his teacher would say when he stepped into class late. He passed Annie in the hall. Annie was hall monitor and really, really excited about her job.
"Where you going Danny? Do you have a pass?" She asked stopping him.
"Nope." He gave her his best grin, hoping it would do the trick.
"Oh, well, go and hurry up to class." She said glancing around. He grinned as stepped forward but then saw May sitting just inside the office.
"Wait," He said. "What about May?"
"Oh, she doesn't have a pass." Annie said shaking her head at May.
"Neither do I." Danny said stubbornly.
"I know but I'm doing you a favor." Annie said.
"I don't want favors. 'Sides, me and May were together. I'm the reason she's late." He said.
"Together?" Annie asked.
"Yep." He said knowing just how it sounded.
"Fine. Go sit in the office." Annie said angrily.
He grinned and stepped into the office. "Hey May, long time no see!" He said sitting beside her.
"I thought Annie was gonna let you go." She said surprised. "Your charm wearing off?"
"Oh, you know, after awhile your good looks start to fade." He said bumping her shoulder with his. They both laughed until the secretary scolded them.
"You are here because you are in trouble! I don't think you should be laughing!"
"Oh, it isn't May, ma'am. It's me. I'm a corrupting influence." He said and May shook her head.
"You are gonna get in real trouble McFadden if you don't watch it." The secretary said to him.
"Trouble is my middle name." He whispered to May as the secretary turned to answer the ringing phone.
"Hmm. . . I always thought it was Robert." She grinned at him.
"I gotta move to a bigger town."
They sat together awaiting their doom and a long lecture from the Vice-Principal about the importance of promptness. By the time he met with them, and completed his lecture on Missing Class is Missing Out on Your Education they had completely missed their next class. He didn't really even mind the note he'd have to get signed by Adam, for some reason he found the entire thing completely hilarious.