Chapter
Everything's Clear in the Bright of Day
Tomlinson had let him stay in bed for a while longer. He had been in and out of the room quite a bit from when Joe had first opened his eyes. Joe couldn't eat much of the breakfast Tomlinson had provided. Alternatively, he continued to take in water like there was no tomorrow. Scotty like a loyal puppy-dog kept at his side watching over him in expected Scotty fashion, without word. Scotty did little more for him than stare. That and draw the green knitted blanket up to his neck every time Tom left the room and it was time for him to get more rest. Joe overlooked the awkwardness in this. He knew that the boy was doing the only thing he knew how to do to ease his sufferings and really, he'd rather have him there by his side than not. He found comfort in his presence.
It had been a while now since Tomlinson had popped his head into the room to check on him. By now Joe was feeling a fast-growing sense to relieve himself. Though this bed has seen more than its fair share, Joe was not about to add to it. He flipped the blanket down and got up to put his feet on the floor. The room vacillated. He closed his eyes and held the edge of the bed to steady himself. Scotty scurried to his back to support Joe's shoulders to keep him from toppling backwards.
When Joe had gotten control of himself, he pushed up. His legs were so week they struggled to support his weight. He gripped the bed post to keep himself from collapsing back down. Scotty climbed off the bed and went to his front, putting his arms up to support the torso so he wouldn't fall forward now.
"Thanks Scotty. I think I've got it."
"Woah, what do you think you're doing?" Tomlinson said coming into the room.
"I've got to pee."
"You can use the bed pan. You're too weak to make it to the outhouse."
"No offense, but I don't really feel like pissing in front of you guys."
"No offense Joe, but you are one stubborn fool. We'll be outside for you. Scotty can take care of it when you're done. It's the least he can do to return the favor. All the times you've had to deal with his piss." Scotty lowered his head shamefully. Joe felt bad but let it be. He was not in the condition to fight this man. Besides it seems everything he was saying was said in good spirits so that even the insults sounded as gentle jousting. Joe was thrown off by his whole demeanor not really sure how he was supposed to be feeling about this man right about now. It was as if the last couple of days hadn't happened but they had as evident by how weak Joe felt.
The convalescent boy had spent the entire day up in the room. He was fed and given plenty of water, most of which he took in bed. He forced himself up a few more times outside of having to relieve himself, just to get some blood flowing into his limbs and his muscles moving again. He did this outside of the prying eyes of the father.
"How about we do something a little different tonight?" Tomlinson posed to his son that night as he was preparing for bed. "Joe's been through quite an ordeal. How about we give him his space tonight. Oh, you can stay nearby in case he needs you but let's say we give him the bed tonight. What's say you?" He asked, getting down to Scotty's level. "I'll grab you some blankets and we can make up a nice spot for you next to the bed."
"Oh, you don't have to do that."
"Nonsense. You deserve a good night without having to wake up in someone else's pee. Go on Scotty grab your things. Let's set you up right here."
Scotty turned to the bed. Looking up at Joe and at the two blankets that lay on top the bed as if deciding on which one to take. He went for the top one. The green knitted one leaving Joe the comforter. He felt the sacrifice the kid was making for him and felt bad for it. It couldn't feel too comfortable on the floor. It would have been better for his sake to have taken the white comforter. Perhaps he considered Tom not being too happy with him if he did that. You always have to consider what Mr. Tomlinson might say on the matter.
Tom helped him draw the thin blanket out on the floor and the kid drug himself on top wrapping the excess, covering himself like a tortellini.
On the floor next to Joe was where the younger boy had spent the night.
~.~
"Come on sleepy head. Wake up." Tomlinson roused Joseph by tapping his leg. "You can't be sleeping in the whole morning. You've got to get up. Get your blood flowing again. You'll get stagnant if you don't use your legs."
Tom was real kind in helping Joseph make his way downstairs for breakfast. He kept on one side and let Joe hold onto him for support as they made it step by step down the stairs. A hot breakfast had awaited them. He let them eat as he went back up to grab Scotty's dirty blankets to bring them down to wash. Passed them he went with the bundle, seeming to be in good spirits. His carefree attitude threw Cartwright. He seemed to be the man he once knew him to be. The man his family knew him to be. The man whom had become so sore at him lately was not there.
"I've got to get back to my work today. How about you guys stay close to the house. Don't wander too far. I don't think your strength is quite up for any crazy adventures." Joe nodded his reply. "Oh, and hey." He stopped before walking out. "If your good today, I got a surprise for you later on." The boys both looked at each other perplexed when he was gone.
Joe had decided not to go outside today at all. He hadn't the desire to, which was strange considering how long he was trapped for in addition to his personality as he was typically not the kind of child who liked to be cooped up. He had a great passion for the outdoors. Today though he found a sort of safety in this house. In his weakened and vulnerable state, something about these walls offered him security from the outside elements. After breakfast Tomlinson had gone back to work, leaving the boys to their own devices.
The young Cartwright spent the whole day working on his strength walking the floor of the house. Scotty stayed by his side to help in any way he could. The first time since his arrival he considered entertaining himself by playing in Scotty's room and was reminded why he hadn't done that already. Scotty had absolutely no real toys of his own. A hairbrush, music box and mirror on the top of his dresser were his most prized possessions. Joe took down the music box and opened it up. It made the sweetest tinkling. Soft and innocent to match the boy's air. He closed it up again and set it back in its place. Well not exactly as was evident when Scotty went to move it a quarter inch off center and a hair to the left. Joe snickered at this, reminded of the first night that he had met Scotty in this room and how particular he had been with these items. The boy didn't have much but what he did have had to be kept neat and in its proper order.
His closet was still bare of clothes but for the blanket lining the floor. The blanket which, oddly now, seemed to be dirty. It had stains. Stains that he could swear weren't there before. Joe recognized these stains now. A big yellow one which presented just like the stains on Scotty's bed. The odor that came from it told him that it was somewhat new. That wasn't the only mess that was there though. There was food crumbs and a dirty bowl in there now. Like somebody was hiding in there to eat? And pee? He glanced back at Scotty who was standing in the middle of the floor, giving no confirmation with his expression. Somehow Joe thought he got it, even without Scotty saying it. While Joe had been in that cellar, Scotty had been in here.
Tom had come in late afternoon to make them lunch. This time though instead of going back out to the shed as they ate, he sat in his chair with a queer smirk on his face.
"I'll take your plates. He offered up as they were finishing. Before they could leave the table however he was back with another plate. A large yellow ceramic one with a white dishcloth laid over the top to conceal whatever it contained. "You guys have been good today. Like I asked. Didn't get in to no major trouble." He announced as he laid the plate in the middle of the table. "Well, did I promise you a surprise or what?" He said lifting the rag to reveal baked chocolate chip cookies. Joe wondered when he would have had the time to bake them. He never smelled them cooking. "Go on. Dig in. You've earned it." He said before heading back into the kitchen.
They each in small movements reached up and took a cookie, nibbling on it slowly. It was about the most delicious thing that Joe had ever eaten and his stomach grumbled in greedy affirmation. He couldn't help but notice the little one across from him. Scotty was staring at Joe as he nibbled on his own cookie and Joe wasn't really sure why? Did he still look so bad?
When Joe saw himself in the looking glass for the first time after he'd gotten out, he did look different. Worn. His eyes had darkened and skin paled. Scotty stared at him then too. His look then was more frightful as if he stared at a specter. Now he seemed a bit curious and remorseful for what his father had done. Joe could get the remorseful part, but what of the curiosity? What, he wondered, could Scotty have been thinking? Joe gave Scotty a soft smile to let him know he was alright. That was all he braved to do now at the eating table. Scotty smiled meekly in return and lowered his head.
After washing their plates, before going back out to the shed Tom was keeping himself busy in the kitchen. It didn't take him long to figure out that Tom had decided to get an early start on supper.
It was a hearty meal. Steaming mashed potatoes, green beans and Salisbury steak. His stomach had shrunken in the time it was in that hole. The late lunch and midday snack had filled it up and made him not that hungry for supper which they had sometime around five o'clock. Earlier than what time Tom usually likes to have it by a couple of hours at least. Tom seemed to understand this and accepted Joe's attempt to eat what he could with amiable regard. Tom spent most of that meal in his paper anyhow, eating only half of his own plate before reaching for a cookie, the bowl of which had been left on the table through the course of their meal. Joe noticed this paper was different than the one that had entertained him for the past week. He glanced at the top corner and read the date. He began to reflect on how Tom would have come about it. When would he have had the chance to get it? As he began to muse, Tom lowered the paper in question setting it on the table and laying his arm across it to address Joe.
"I've got another surprise for you Joe. I was thinking about doing something fun tomorrow. How about we take that trip to the lake like you wanted to? No. no. I figured you've earned it. After what you've been through, I figure you could use a good day out. You went through quite an ordeal. I mean you made it happen yourself. Some lessons are hard to learn but you did it. You took your punishment and got through. Let's say we leave this whole messy business behind us. Tomorrow's a new day. Let's make the best of it. Get out of this stuffy house for a while."
Joe felt a sense of pride as if he'd gone through a battle and won. That was how Tomlinson had made him feel in the way he said it.
~.~
Just as he promised the three of them made it down to the lake the next day. Tom carrying two poles in hand. The three of them with towels slung over their shoulders. The two boys wearing only shorts and boots. Tom remained fully dressed as he was not intending to dip in the lake himself. He made it clear that he was making this trip for them but confirmed again that Joe had earned it. It had been said before, and therefore not needing to be said again, that it was a battle he caused with his corruptible behavior; but conquering that battle and therefore taking a step forward into being a good boy was a step towards manhood. For this great accomplishment deserved reward. According to Tomlinson Joe had taken his punishment and no more was needing to be said on the matter.
The water was cold, the day was warm, and the birds were lively. Joe and Scotty played and splashed about. Tom stayed on the shore watching the two of them go at it. The two fishing poles propped up some 15 feet away from Tom on the beach. Once their lines found a spot in the water there they rested without so much as a false alarm until it was time to go.
Joe would often look over at Tom. He would think that every once in a while, he'd catch a smile, or a light in his eyes, or a snicker watching the two of them play. Joe would return a smile to let him know how grateful he was, then get back to playing. Everything was alright now. The worst was over.
When mid-afternoon rolled around Joe could see Tomlinson's energy being tried. Joe could have stayed out there all day, if allowed to, but the call brought them back.
"Alright, let's get washed up. Clean yourselves off."
"Ah man already?" Joe bemoaned as Scotty went to obey. At Tomlinson's stern glance Joe thought he probably shouldn't have done that. He lowered his eyes and went to obey too, showing Tom that that was the end of his insolence. Both boys came from the water and dried themselves off. Donning their shoes with wet and dirty feet, they made for the long trek home. Carrying their towels flipped over their shoulders.
The ground was wet and muddy in the areas closest to the shoreline. Their shoes stuck in the mud. What was annoying at first became fun as Joe made a game of slopping in with each step and hearing the suction as he pulled out again flinging mud with the outset. When Scotty saw what he was doing he smiled. After a few more steps Scotty wanted to join in.
"Stop it!" Tomlinson who'd been walking ahead shouted back to them. "You're acting like animals." Both boys looked up timorously. "This is what I get? I try to do something nice for you. Spend a good day with you and this is what I get? You've always got to find a way to screw it up, don't you?" He was asking of Joe now. "You just got cleaned up and you're already going to make a mess of yourself even before we've gotten away from the lake. What do you expect us to do? Go back and jump in? No. When we get back home, you're taking another bath.
Joe had a sudden twinge of fear. He knew how bad Tom's baths could be. They didn't get dirty again. Just up to their calves but that couldn't be helped.
"I'm just upset that you boy's let it come to this. You don't appreciate a thing I do for you. I try to be nice, have a good day with you and this is what I get back." Tom was angry and showed it in the way he scrubbed Scotty's legs, but that was the end of it. He didn't dunk Scotty, furthermore he didn't try and hold Scotty's head underwater. When they were clean to his liking, he let both boys head upstairs to dry off.
Tomlinson continued his rant over supper. The boys sitting silently letting his words fall upon them. Reaching the end of his rant. "Get to bed." He ordered. They were both mostly through with their plates so it wasn't a big deal. They cleaned up their mess then sauntered head low, up the stairs.
Joe lay in bed thinking about how he'd almost screwed this one up. He'd almost landed himself back in the hole. How could he be so careless? As if he'd forgotten what the last few days had been like. He knew everyone was trying to put it behind them, but as much as Joe wanted to forget, he knew he couldn't. He couldn't get too relaxed; he couldn't forget what it had been like. He had to be better than that. Lest it happen again. Fortunately for them, Tomlinson hadn't gotten too angry with them; but he had to be smarter than that. Constantly be aware. Do whatever he had to do, to not end up back there.
Authors Notes: So perhaps Tomlinson knows he has gone too far with the boy that his not his own. The man who he's intent on doing business with upon his return may not be too happy if he discovers what had been done to Joe. He must find a way to fix his mistake. Erase the past and make it go away. He decides on bribery and payoffs, but it won't work unless he makes it clear to the boy that it was in fact his fault that he was in there to begin with.
As Tom's exhaustion kicks in again he finds his true self fighting to be seen. Can Tom hold off the monster within that's threatening to rear back up and show its ugly head again?
I'd like to hear from the readers. Let me know what you think of the story so far.
