Chapter 8

Dinner Thursday evening was much quieter than usual. There were usually four or five converations going on at the same time between the eight members of the McFadden family but this evening was a bit different, Hannah observed.

Evan, Ford and Guthrie were enjoying their usual banter. They just loved picking on each other, their older brothers, as well as Hannah and as far as the three of them were concerned, tonight was no different.

Ford was laughing about Guthrie taking a tumble and falling down the steps of the school bus that afternoon. As Ford saw it, his little brother was so busy making goo goo eyes at Sally Hinton, he wasn't paying attention to the bus steps as they got off at their stop, which had resulted in Guthrie literally falling off the bus, scattering his books everywhere.

Guthrie was vehemently protesting this, explaining instead that the tip of his cowboy boot had gotten tangled on a snag of the rug at the top of the bus steps, which had in fact caused the fall.

Evan was laughing hysterically at his kid brother. "Sounds to me like that ol' love bug has bit you hard, Guth!" Evan exclaimed.

"Shut up Evan. You don't know nothing 'bout nothing!" Guthrie yelled grumpily. I don't like that girl. She's just a silly ol' female. I don't care one bit about her!"

Hannah smiled at them while shaking her head. The boys certainly loved to pick on each other about the girls. She glanced around the rest of the table and noticed Brian, Crane, Daniel and Adam. They were all unusually quiet.

Hannah figured Brian was still suffering with his knee. When he was in pain, he tended to either be quiet or grumpy...if not both..

Crane kept glancing at Adam, then Daniel, then back to Adam. No doubt Adam had filled Crane in on Tally Dean's visit. Hannah wondered if Crane had gotten Daniel to talk about her visit.

Whether he did or did not, Daniel certainly wasn't talking now, Hannah observed. The boy was paying very close attention to his plate...He didn't bother to look up or acknowledge anyone else at the table.

Then there was Adam. He, like Crane seemed particularly interested in Daniel, carefully studying every move the kid made. Hannah figured her husband was worrying about Tally and Daniel too. She knew that her husband did not like to be in the dark when it came to his brothers. His overprotective nature could at times be his undoing.

Hannah decided it was time to speak. "Adam, how's your dinner?" She asked him sweetly.

"Oh it's outstanding girl! Best chicken I've ever eaten." He replied, looking at her with a somewhat forced smile.

"Yeah Hannah. It really is some great fried chicken. Sorry I neglected to tell ya." Crane offered, reaching over to pat his sister-n-law's hand.

"Thanks boys. I appreciate the compliment." Hannah replied with a smile.

"Daniel? How are those fried chicken livers? I made them just the way you like 'em." Hannah asked.

"Oh, they taste as good as always Hannah, thank you." Daniel offered, shooting her a quick glance, his eyes immediately dropping back to his plate.

"So why are you so quiet Brian?" Guthrie piped up.

"Oh my stupid knee is killing me Guth. I'm sorry. I may not feel like playing any checkers tonight either kid, sorry." Brian offered.

"That's ok. I'm sorry 'bout the knee. We can play tomorrow night instead." Guthrie replied.

"So what's with you Daniel?" Ford said turning to his broody brother sitting immediately to his right.

"Nothin'. Can't a fella eat in peace around here? It is the dining room, ain't it?" Daniel retorted.

"Well, excuse me! Sorry to interrupt your meal, you jerk." Ford replied, rolling his eyes.

"Hey listen Ford. I don't need to listen to your smart talk tonight. I'm tired ok? I just wanna eat and go to bed, alright?" Daniel spat back.

"Hey, cool it. There's no need to argue. Let's just finish our dinner in peace guys, ok?" Adam said with an authoritative tone.

"That's all I'm trying to do, Dad." Daniel replied, sounding a little too disrespectful for Adam's liking.

"Hey, don't call me Dad...and watch the smart mouth ok? It's not our fault that you didn't get any sleep last night." Adam said, glaring at Daniel.

Adam didn't know exactly why he was suddenly so angry with the boy. He was still irritated that he had refused to talk to him this morning about this Tally business, but it wasn't really justification for feeling this sort of anger. Adam was now fighting to keep control of his temper.

"I slept just fine. I'm just tired from being bossed around all day. You had me doing my work plus everybody else's all day, so of course I'm tired!" Daniel retorted, his voice rising with each word until the last couple came out as a near shout.

"Lower your voice, Daniel. We don't yell at the dinner table and besides that, you must not have worked too hard considering you didn't get half of what I asked you to do done!" Adam retorted, his voice quiet but filled with hostility.

"Hey guys, lighten up. I made cherry pie for dessert. Adam, Daniel...I know it's your favorite! Hannah exclaimed, trying desperately to diffuse the situation.

"Thanks Hannah, but suddenly I'm full. If y'all will excuse me, I'm going to bed." Daniel replied, rising from his chair.

"Oh, ok then." Hannah replied.

"More for me!" Evan exclaimed.

"Daniel, our work day starts at five tomorrow. I'll expect you to be up and ready on time, got it?" Adam asked.

"You got it boss man. Don't worry 'bout me. I'll be there." Daniel muttered, his voice full of sarcasm.

Adam glanced around the table to see Hannah, Crane and Brian all staring at him. Hannah's was a look of worry and sympathy. Crane's was a look of displeasure and Brian's look was of total confusion. Adam would've laughed at them all if he weren't so agitated. He was still worried about Tally being in town and was certain that no good was going to come of it.

"Thanks for the pie honey. I'll have a piece now." Adam replied, passing his dessert plate down to her.

"You're welcome sweetie." Hannah replied.

to be continued...