"But I need to work..." said a scrawny eight year old
"Sorry."
Heath bowed his head and left the mine foreman's office with an heavy heart. He feared how his uncle would react. Barely two weeks ago there was a cave in in the mine and Heath was caught in and he had broken his arm. He remembered his uncle's reaction, he rambled about the doctor's fee, he told Heath that it was only his fault that he wasn't quick enough to run out the mine.
The plaster around his right arm was cumbersome and he had some difficulties when he worked in the stables
"What are you doing here boy!" yelled his uncle as soon Heath entered in the hotel.
"The foreman said I ain't allowed to work till my arm is healed."
"And how do you think you will get money for your board you lazy bastard!"
"But sir...I work in the livery.."
"For a pittance." Said Matt Simmons, a few seconds before slapping his nephew around the room.
"Ted told me that you are slacking your work!" Matt Simmons continued his rambling while he kept on hitting Heath.
"I should have sent you to the orphanage as soon my sister died. I kept you only for my christian duty, you are a devil's seed and it's only you fault that my sister died. Stupid bastard go and do something useful start the laundry!"
He slowly got up from the floor and headed toward the back room. Doing the laundry was one of the chores he hated most, it was hard to wash dirty linens in the cold weather and then squeeze them but it was far worse doing it one handed, but he didn't have any choice.
Since his mama's death more than two years ago he had to work all day long and he wasn't allowed to take any breaks. His uncle's lesson taught him so.
It was nearly dark when he hung the last line but sadly he wasn't finished yet. His uncle had declared that since he didn't have to work in the mine he could do some more chores around the hotel, this included also mopping the floors and stairs. Only when he was finished he was allowed to have something to eat. As usual all he had were some cold leftovers. By the time he wolfed down the last bite he was so tired that as soon as he laid down on the pallet near the stove that he used as a bed he fell asleep.
The next morning he worked in the livery as usual, his back was hurting fiercely from his uncle's beating but he tried to focus on the work. He didn't want another beating for his laziness. Working around the horses had a soothing effect on Heath. With them he could forget his pitifull life and he was able to dream for a future where he would be able to escape his uncle clutches. They were his only friends he always talked with them about his life and how he missed his mama.
The day moved on as the others before but something in the air put Heath ill at ease. It was getting chillier and dark clouds started to appear above the mountain range: winter was approaching faster than he thought. He would need some more clothes and more important a new pair of shoes, so far he managed to go barefoot since the shoes he used last winter had became too small for his growing feet. Maybe I can exchange them for a bigger pair if I can find a miner who has a little boy he thought. For sure he would never ask his uncle.
When he arrived at the hotel he was able to spare a few moments to browse in his little belongings. He still had the scarf and mittens his mother had knitted for him, they were threadbare but still warm, and he could smell his mama on them, some ragged clothes and a pair of too small shoes were all he had to afford the cold winter of the Sierras, but his most precious belongings was his mama's photo and two wooden soldiers when he could find some spare time he still played with them and in those precious moments he was able to forget everything and be still a kid who dream about being a brave soldier fighting the Indians.
Strangely that day the chores were less than usual, he he had a whole hour to spend by himself just before sunset. He decided to spent it in the only place he could find peace: his mama's house, he decided to spend some time there and then go to his aunt's Hannah and Rachel since his uncle had forbidden those visit he seldom saw them.
The time had left its sign, the roof had caved in and some small animal has used the little house as a refuge. He looked around in the one room house and everything made him remember his mama and all those happy moments he spent with her.
He didn't know, why he looked at that particular point on the floor, but he saw right in front of him a small half buried tin box in the earthen floor. It was his mama's treasure box! After her death he along with Hannah and Rachel had searched everywhere with no result, she had buried for some reason and only some critter's diggings had bought it to the light. He reverently opened it and found a gold clock, a photo of his mama with a tall blond man and an envelope. Since he had never learned to read he didn't know whom it was addressed to and he was sure that take it to Aunt Rachel was his only choice. It took only few minutes to cover the distance to his aunt's little house. He entered barging the door open.
"Aunt Rachel, Aunt Rachel!" He yelled breathless while entering, "I found it! I found it!"
"Heath Thomas Thomson do you forget your manners?" said his aunt, with a smile.
"Sorry but I's so happy. I found it!" He said with a grin ear to ear, "I found mama's treasure box. Here!" He said while showing the box to both his aunts.
"Praise the lord." said Hannah.
"Oh Heath I'm so happy. Where was it!"
"I found it half buried in the floor, inside there are some things. Look! There's a gold clock i thinks it's worth a bunch of money. I can buy a new pair of shoes with it, and there is a photo of mama with someone...and an envelope, there's something written on, what do it say?" said Heath, breathless.
"Heath take a breath and try to speak slowly, I barely understood everything you said." replied a smiling Rachel.
"A gold clock? Your mama never had one, maybe...Heath show me the photo and the letter please."
She quickly read the address why on earth should Leah write to Mr. Barkley unless she thought briefly just before looking at the photo as soon as she saw the happy couple, she blanched. It can't be, she thought. All the evidence was in front of her; Leah's photo with Tom and a letter addressed to Thomas Barkley 'It can't be only a coincidence,' she thought
"Aunt Rachel, what does it say on the envelope?"
She looked briefly, 'oh Heath what a shame you aren't allowed to attend school, you are such a bright boy?'
"A friend of your mama's."
"My papa?"
"I don't know yet honey, I must read the letter inside," she replied. She didn't want to give any straight answer unless she was certain, when she opened the letter she found another one address to Leah. She quickly read the first letter, and she had the proof of Heath's parentage. It was sadly ironic that Heath's father is one of the wealthiest men in central California she thought. When she finished the second letter she was unsure on what to do.
'So Thomas Barkley don't know about Heath, why Leah didn't write him when she knew she was with a child, she could have avoided many suffering', she thought..
She didn't want to give Heath false hope, so she did something she knew was a sin: she lied..
"The letter is from your mother to an old friend of hers. She wanted him to look after you in the case of her death, for sure she didn't think he death would be so sudden."
"Mama..." he spoke out hearing his aunt's last words.
"Come here." said Hannah.
Heath sobbed for a few minuted on Hannah's bosom and he wasn't aware of the silent communication between the two women.
"Aunt Rachel will you write to mama's friend?" asked Heath, suddenly.
"Yes, I will compose a letter to him."
"Do you think he will be kind to me after all I'm a bastard."
"Heath how many times I told you that I don't want to hear that word."
"But it's what I am," he replied.
"No you are a kind and smart little boy."
"I ain't a little boy. Aunt do you think he will make me work all day long?"
"I don't think so." she replied
"If you say so..." replied Heath unsure
She had met Thomas Barkley, and she was sure he was a man of honor who would cherish Heath.
Leah had saved Tom's life after he was robbed, she had nursed him back to health. But the blows to his head had caused amnesia and all he remembered was that is name was Tom. Then one day he suddenly regained his memory and left Strawberry. Just before leaving Tom told Leah his true name but she never told Rachel or Hannah his identity. After reading the letter Tom wrote Leah she knew that he had a family in Stockton.
It was a difficult letter to pen and only after twenty minutes she was satisfied with the results.
Meanwhile Heath was fussed over by Hannah, by chance she had an apple pie just out the oven and she gave it to Heath, the little blond boy was starved and quickly wolfed it down. Only when he was at the last slice he realized his lack of manners.
"Don't worry, you's needs it more." said with a smile Hannah anticipating Heath. "Heath what I'm going to tell you is very important. I've just finished the letter to your mama's friend."
"I can mail it."
"No, I don't trust the post master, he's a friend of your uncle's, he could give the letter to him. I will speak with Mr. Keller and arrange your transportation to Stockton."
Heath knew him, he was a nice man and he had treated him fairly well when he was working for him. He was the owner of a small freight wagon company operating between Strawberry and some bigger towns around central California.
"Why Stockton?"
"It's where your mama's friend lives. When you will arrive ask for Thomas Barkley and give this letter. I don't know when I can arrange your passage I hope in a few days meanwhile don't say a word to your uncle."
"I ain't saying anything to him, but if I leave I cain't see you or Hannah anymore," said Heath, with a trembling voice.
"It doesn't matter and I'm sure we will see again. You are a good boy and it was your mother's last wish that you have to go to live with Mr. Barkley."
"I love you."
"We love you too and remember not a word to your uncle."
Heath was leaving the house when he gave his mama's box to his aunt's.
"You keep it..uncle will find it!"
He was lucky when he was back at the hotel his uncle barely acknowledged his presence, he only verbally abused him because he was five minutes late, but it wasn't a big deal he was used to be insulted.