Halstead Street, chapter 37

by Simahoyo

Hugh was in a position to have heard little things from several people, starting with Giovanna wondering how Tomaso tore his pants and where he had been going at night. The next day at work, Father was grumbling about how his railwalkers' lantern had disappeared for days.. Hugh caught Franz Georg's eyes, and saw a little too much knowledge there.

While loading a grocery order onto Franz Georg's bicycle, Hugh asked, "Do you know something about this?" Franz Georg moved the bag of flour for balance.

"Yes."

Hugh walked around to look directly at Kate's brother. "Does it have anything to do with where Hans is right now?"

There was silence. "He's shoveling sidewalks for Kate."

"I know. She told me. She sounded awfully happy about it."

"Are you an only child, Hugh?"

"Uh, yes. How did you know?"

"Kate's making Hans do her shoveling because she's got something on him."

Hugh's eyes widened. "Blackmail?"

"Normal brother and sister behavior. Ask Giovanna."

Hugh was still and silent. Well, actually stunned. Brothers and sisters blackmailed each other? He knew Kate wasn't exactly perfect, but this was more than he expected. "Do these things happen all the time?"

Franz Georg shrugged. "Sure, If I had figured out what he was up to, Hans would be doing things for me."

"Wow. I guess I thought having brothers and sisters would just be fun."

Franz Georg laughed bitterly. "Well I knew Hans was doing stuff with Tomaso, but they got away from me. We have aunts and uncles. I'd bet it was the same with them. Then we'll grow up and laugh about it."

Hugh decided silence would be a safe answer.

Tomaso knew he was in trouble. He came home from work with Papa and Francesco, had just hung up his winter coat and other stuff then he heard Mama.

"Tomaso, how did you tear your pants?" Tomaso faked an alarmed look down at his carefully repaired pant leg. Then he remembered Kate's warning. Giovanna was standing right there looking at him. Her arms were folded. Tomaso mentally adjusted.

"Oh, Mama, a dog got my leg..."

"What? Oh my poor boy! Where?" She started to check his leg.

"I didn't get bitten. Only the pants are hurt."

"Oh Giovanna, that is nice sewing."

Giovanna's eyebrows rose. "I didn't do it. I'm not that gods. I only know one person whose sewing is that nice–Tomaso..."

Tomaso caught his breath. "Kate fixed it for me."

His sister narrowed her eys at him. "Oh, you use my friends to fix your clothes now"

"Mama, I didn't want to worry you and I promise to be careful from now on."

Francesco grinned at Tomaso. I have to take care of my clothes because they go to you next."

"When did Kate fix it?", asked Mama. "I should thank her."

"Last night, after the dog bit my pants."

"Tomaso, you got home awfully late. What time was it?", Papa asked.

"Ten o'clock." He saw Giovanna and Francesco trade a satified look. "I'm sorry? I won't do it again?"

Papa's face was working its way to angry.

"You bothered Kate after nine-thirty at night? For shame, Tomaso.", said Mama.

Even as he said it Tomaso knew it was a mistake. "I was with her brother."

Francesco fairly crowed, "Hans. I knew it. I saw you with him before."

Papa glowered. "That boy is always in trouble. You do not need to spend time when you should be sleeping going around with him."

Giovanna rolled her eyes. "Tomaso, what did Kate say when she repaired your pants?"

Tomaso started censoring as fast as he could. "She said, 'Hans Munk, what did you do now!'"

"And then?"

"'Is that from a dog.'"

"Then I told her Mama would kill me."

"She might yet.", said Mama.

"Kate told me I had to tell you the truth."

Giovanna started to laugh. " All those years growing up with Hans taught her well."

"Well, Tomaso, I believe I will keep you busy so you are too tired for mischief. Papa, isn't there wood to chop? And we must keep our steps clean so no one will fall. Papa?"

"I believe you could help your Mama by taking the chamber pot down to the outhouse every morning and clean it good with snow with snow before you bring it back inside". Papa's lips were twitching.

Giovanna exchanged a look with Francesco. "Excuse me please." and she ran out the door, followed by Francesco. The sound of their laughter came through the door.

There was no laughter at Alderman Martin's house. Finn stood in front of his wreaked woodstove door, and kicked, then grabbed at his foot. "Ouch!"

Hugh looked at the damage, fairly sure from whence it had come. "That's bad, Dad."

"Very funny. Dang kids. If I ever find out who did this..."

"Well, if their folks find out, I'm sure they are being punished. Somebody could have been hurt.

"Yeah, me. What do you mean, you're sure they are being punished? Do you know the kids?"

"Dad, they are working their little behinds off. It would warm the cockles of your heart. Snow shoveling is the least of it."

"Yeah? Well, we need more responsible parents like that. Little thugs."

"They are not notorious for thinking things out. And, their parents are good, hard-working church-goers."

"Okay, you convinced me. But, I still need my stove door fixed. It's gonna cost, and I wasted a wad on that firewood."

"Dad, don't you have some emergency money? You always taught me to have something set aside in case, say, someone breaks your woodstove."

"Hugh, I'm glad you listen to me, but I hate to use it now. What if something bad happens?"

Hugh clapped his father on the shoulder. "Now you sound like Grandpop. He was always worried about the Famine coming back. Get it fixed before you either freeze or have to move into your office."

"Or in with you." Finn laughed at the terrified look on Hugh's face."

Kate came over with something that looked like a pizza covered with apple slices, sugar and cinnamon. Pasquale saw it first, and stood up fast to beat Emil and Joseph to it. If he did the cutting, he might actually get some. Hugh was all wrapped up in looking at Kate, while his housemates only had eyes for the food.

"Wow, that smalls good, Kate.", said Joseph.

Kate didn't even look, just held it out. Luckily, Pasquale snatched it, and got out Mrs. Wilsons good knife. While Emil and Joseph looked on like hungry dogs, Pasquale cut six equal pieces.

"Six?", mouthed Emil

"Mrs. Wilson and Kate.", he mouthed back.

"Oh,", said Joseph, taking his slice and dumping it on a plate. Joseph's folks had trained him pretty good. He never drank out of the pitcher either.

Emil and Pasquale left for the chairs around the stove, with Pasquale taking a slice to Mrs. Wilson, and leaving one each for Kate and Hugh.

As the other sat together, enjoying Kate's apple pizza, they suddenly heard Hugh singing. The men all grinned at each other..

"Good Lord. Don't anybody tell Giovanna. I sing like a crow with a sore throat.", said Pasquale.

"Oh. She just likes your pretty face", laughed Joseph.

The song ended. There was silence, then talking. Soon Hugh burst into laughter."

"Dang, I'm sorry we missed whatever was so funny.", said Emil.

Pasquale stood and gathered the empty plates, taking them back to the kitchen. He put them in the sink, turned casually. To Hugh, and asked, "What was so funny?"

"Hans and Tomaso got into trouble and Kate was telling me how she punished Hans."

"Oh, how was that?"

"Shoveling all the snow at Mrs. Fraiser's. Then melting enough snow to do the washing. It was pretty funny."

"Yeah? He must have done the same thing as Tomaso. Giovanna and Francesco are still laughing at his punishment.

Kate turned in sudden interest ."So he did tell his mother."

"Oh ho. You caught them at it."

"No I just repaired Tomaso's pants. And lectured them–and punished Hans."

"Well, Hugh, your kids won't get away with much."

Hugh and Kate shared a look. Pasquiale wondered if he and Giovanna looked like that. Probably.

"Hey Kate, what do you call that apple pizza thing you made. It was great."

Kate Laughed. "Afpel Kuchen."

"Apple Cookin?"

"Kook-in."

"Okay. Thanks. It's good.

She turned to Hugh. Thank God I didn't bring Prinzregententorte."

"Watch it, or I will start sprouting Irish at you?"

"The Irish have a different language?"

"Aye, Colleen. When next we meet, I'll make you some nice coddle, colcannon and blaa."

Kate made a face. "Blaa? That sounds terrible."

"So does lebkuchen, and I know I like that. Come on. Come over on Sunday, and I'll fill you up with good Irish food."

Joseph stuck his head in. "Hugh, did I hear you offer to cook?"

"Yes. Sunday will be Irish night and Mrs. Wilson will have the night off."

"Good. Then I'll feed you all Indian style the week after."

Hugh smirked. "Yeah, what do you Ho-Chunks eat?"

"What do you eat on thanksgiving?"

"Turkey, sweet potatoes, potatoes, cranberries, corn..."

"All Indian foods. Every last one of them."

Kate laughed. "So as you two argue, I get two free meals. Invite Emil in. I could get a Norwegian dinner too."

"Wow, I can tell you're related to Hans."

"It's only fair that I cook up a real German dinner too."

"Oh, I like that. A preview of our life together. If I can get past your father."

"Is that a proposal?"

"Uh. Well, do you want it to be?"

"Hugh, arte you afraid of my father?"

"Ur, maybe. I like working for him. But I sure don't want to discuss religion with him. Yes?"

"Yes, that was a proposal? Or, 'yes', you're afraid of my father?"

"Right now I'm scvared of you. I'd propose now if it didn't involve your parents."

Joseph shook his head. There goes that German dinner. And I was looking forward to it."

Kate looked down. Sorry, Hugh. I'm used to teasing my brothers. I didn't mean to go so far. Are you okay?"