"Mr. Keller, it's about Heath.."
"I'm truly sorry but I don't have any work for him. He's a hard working boy, and God is my witness I wish I could do more for him but right now my business is in bad waters."
"I'm not asking you to hire him. I want only to book a passage for him to Stockton."
"Why Stockton if I'm not.."
"Let's say that I just found something that could change Heath's life for the better. I could mail a letter but it would arise Matt Simmons' curiosity and I don't want him involved. Heath will deliver the letter himself to whom it concerns."
"You are very cryptic, but I will help you: that boy deserve something more than that excuse of an uncle."
"I agree wholeheartedly."
"Let me see...Stockton..you are very lucky in two days I will drive there for some merchandise I have to pick up for Mrs. Dalton."
"How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing. I'm glad I can help Heath. It's about time that something good happens to that boy. Too many of the so called 'good people' had turned their heads when Matt punishes Heath, he never had done anything wrong but sadly the majority of the people thinks he's responsible for his parent's sins"
"You are very kind man."
"Don't mention. Let's say that I will pick up Heath just outside Strawberry, nearby the old Larson farm one hour after dawn. I reckon it could be suspicious if I pick up Heath right here in Strawberry."
"God will treasure your help"
"It's only a small thing"
The day after Rachel was able to have some word with Heath to inform about his impending departure.
The day before the departure Heath was so excited, that he was a little bit too slow doing his chores around the hotel. It didn't take too much for being caught by his uncle.
"Boy, I didn't take you in for doing nothing, I told you one hour ago that I wanted these windows clean and sparkling, and you are only halfway, you lazy bastard."
"Sorry uncle." was all Heath managed to say with a trembling voice
"Sorry, you can say only sorry, maybe I should have drowned you at birth! You tainted my sister and she died because of you are devil's seed. Your father was a no good bastard, he claimed he lost his memory but I'm sure he was a criminal, a bad blood, he tainted my little sister and when you were born, you infected her. Finish you chores quickly your punishment will get worse for each minute of delay."
Heath was trembling he had seldom saw his uncle so angry, he was right it was only his fault his mama had died and everyday he wondered why God had let him live, instead of his mama, why He let a good woman like his mama die, and let live a no good for nothing bastard like himself live.
When he was finished he slowly dragged his feet toward the back room where his uncle was waiting for him.
"I think you deserve a good belting, you are becoming lazier each passing day."
He slowly unbuckled his belt and he raised it above his head and he started hitting Heath. He never offered any resistance, he knew it was futile and any begging would anger his uncle more he simply curled in a tight ball, protecting his head with his arms and offering his back to his deranged relative.
The beating continued till his uncle realized that some blood had seeped through Heath's tattered shirt, only then he stopped not because he realized that he overstepped Heath's punishment, but because he would lose Heath's wages if his nephew was injured too seriously. He simply put on the belt and left leaving the shivering and bleeding boy alone on the floor.
It was around midnight when Heath regained consciousness. He ached everywhere he slowly got on his feet and reached the pallet, he was tempted to lie down but he knew he wouldn't wake up enough early to get the hitch the ride to Stockton. So he put all his meager belongings in a empty floor sack and after glancing around for the last time the place that had become hell in those last two years he silently left.
As he reached the old Larson farm he went inside the dilapidated house. The temperature was chilly and he was wearing his coat because of the weather and also because he didn't want to let both his aunts know of the beating he just received. He remained in deep thought about his future with Mr. Barkley. He hoped he wouldn't be as harsh as his uncle. Aunt Rachel had assured him that Mr. Barkley wouldn't let him work all day long but he didn't quite believe it. He stopped believing fairy tales when his mama had died. The people around him had let him know his place and he was sure Mr. Barkley wasn't much different from them.
He dozed on and off till sunrise, he heard some noises were coming from outside the shack and he went to investigate he was happy to find out that there were both of his aunts.
"We come both to say goodbye and to give your mama's box back."
"You can keep it."
"No, it's yours."
"No Heath it's all you have from your mother."
"Thanks aunt Rachel...I's afraid."
"You have nothing to be afraid of."
"Your mama wanted so's much for you." Said Hannah.
They spoke till they heard the wagon's approaching, both women tried to assure Heath that everything was going to be all right but with no avail. Almost everyone had drilled in Heath's head that he was nothing, and no one would have wanted anything to do with the likes of him and Heath's self esteem was quite close to non existent.
Rachel and Hannah were sure that Tom Barkley would welcome him with open arms, and even if his wife wouldn't accept his husband's son, he would find a suitable solution. From what they knew from the Thomas they had met several years ago, and the Thomas Barkley they read about they were sure he was an honorable man and he would make the right decision about Heath.
The wagon stopped in front of the trio.
"Heath, it's time"
"Aunt...please..." he said with a quivering voice.
"Sorry Heath I know it's hard but you must go."
He was engulfed by the woman's embrace, he stiffened and moaned in pain when they touched his tender back.
"Heath, are you all right?"
"Yes don't worry I's all right I's only sad."
"Heath..."
"It's nothing my uncle was angry with me last evening, it's nothing."
"Heath that's the reason I want out of the reach of your uncle, sooner or later he could kill you."
"Heath go..please..I's pray for you and I's always love you. I made an apple pie for the trip."
"Goodbye Aunt Rachel, Aunt Hannah I'll always love ya." Said Heath while he was climbing up onto the wagon. He didn't want to let his aunt's see that he was crying, he wasn't a cry baby. He never looked back and he never noticed that the two women were smiling and that a ray a light was illuminating them .