The New Life

a novel by Mark Robert Whitten

Chapter 3

"Again!"

Jess swung the willow switch with control and focus, just as she had taught him. He thought he had gotten it right this time… until the sound of Leslie's clicking tongue told him he hadn't. Jess lowered his sword and heaved a heavy sigh as he glared at her.

"What did I do wrong this time?"

She regarded him calmly, appraising his posture. "Look at your feet."

Jess glanced down sourly and saw that his feet were placed exactly where they should be. He frowned at her and asked what she meant. She rolled her eyes and stepped up next to him. "Like this," she instructed, stepping into position. "Look at my feet. Look closely. See how they're different from yours?"

Jess was about to tell her that the only difference between them that he could discern was that hers were smellier, when he suddenly saw what she meant: He had his feet in the wrong place. His left foot was where his right ought to have been. He quickly shuffled them into position. Leslie clapped his shoulder and congratulated him on getting it right after only three tries. Jess was about to become very flippant when she confided that it had taken her a week to learn the same lesson.

As she stepped back, Jess took to the lesson with renewed vigor. He was determined to be a good student. Leslie had taught him for most of the afternoon and he realized that he was becoming more than a little tired. In spite of his fatigue, he refused to quit. Leslie had more than once offered him the chance to do something else or even go home for the day, but he didn't want to stop; he finally felt as if he were becoming a real warrior.

At Leslie's terse command, he stepped again, this time keeping his footing proper as he swung the sword. The tip whistled through the air. Leslie gave her approval with a single nod. Jess was glad to finally be getting it right. He repeated the step as many times as he could and was pleased to find that Leslie didn't need to correct him anymore.

The sun was getting low in the sky when the lesson ended. Jess knew they had to head home soon or there would be a belt waiting for both of them. He was just about to toss the sword away when Leslie's hand caught his arm. She gently took the sword from him and slipped it behind her belt. Jess grinned at the sight; Leslie always looked better with a sword.

As they raced home to the sight of the setting sun, Jess wondered what they would be having for supper. The cool evening air swept his brown hair back from his sweaty face as thoughts of the approaching evening filled his mind but what occupied his thoughts most were where Leslie would sleep. She would be staying with them of course but the lower floor seemed too crowded for her and his pallet wouldn't hold more than one.

He suspected she might get his room, while he was put out like a dog.

When they strolled into the yard, both laughing from an outrageous joke Leslie had whispered to him, May Belle rushed out and plodded along behind them. She fell in laughing with them, not knowing what they were laughing about or perhaps not caring.

Aromas from supper greeted them as they slipped through the front flap. The table was being set and Jess, Leslie and May Belle plopped down on the bench, ready to eat. Mother was stirring the pot of what Jess thought were beans. He didn't much care for beans, but as hungry as he was, he didn't really mind. He would have eaten anything.

The plates were set and Jess was delighted to find other foods being served: chicken, vegetables, rice, potatoes and, of course, beans. He took plenty of all and helped to serve everyone else. Leslie looked as famished as he from their long day of training and as they sat watching their steaming plates cool, they began talking quietly of everything they had done.

Soon everyone was engaged in hushed conversation, Ellie with Brenda, May Belle with mother Leslie and Jess sharing their plans for the next day. The only person missing was Father. Jess wasn't surprised by this as Father often stayed overnight in town where he worked. People often paid him with a bit of food and shelter when he rested at the inns and worked on the homes and businesses by helping to unload and cart things.

With summer over, he hoped Father would be home more often. Jess felt a sense of apprehension mixed with longing when he thought of father. His father staying home meant a chance for Jess to impress him but it also meant more chances at failing to impress.

As he watched the steam rise from his chicken, he tapped it with his fingers. Deciding it was reasonably cooled he plucked it up and dug in. He was fortunate to get the biggest piece; with father out he was the "man of the house." The biggest piece of chicken was one of the few benefits of so much extra work. Jess smiled. At that moment, the extra labor seemed well worth it. The meat was tender and warm and as he tore off chunks with his teeth, he glanced at Leslie. She had followed his lead and started in on hers. As they chewed, they both nodded to each other in satisfaction.

The rest of the evening went on pleasantly. Jess and Leslie took turns telling stories around the snap of the evening fire. Leslie's stories were a match for anyone's and were the most often cheered. May Belle sat curled in mother's lap, sucking her thumb as she listened in rapt attention to Leslie's tales of monsters and maidens, of daring escapes from dark dungeons and wild adventures in faraway forests. Jess held his breath for the heroes who narrowly avoided being devoured by all manner of nasty things, from trolls, to ogres, to orcs and goblins and they always seemed to escape in the nick of time and find a home and family waiting for them only to be set upon again and to keep running.

Leslie seemed to make the stories come alive and as he watched her face in the grim glow of the fire, Jess could almost see the places she talked about and the things she said the heroes did. Leslie was the greatest story-teller he had ever known.

Everyone seemed to take a liking to her stories—even Brenda and Ellie glanced their way as they sat away from the fire, combing their long hair pretending not to listen.

As the moon rose high and the night owls began their discourse, Mother clapped her hands and ushered everyone to bed. Jess climbed the ladder sleepily, wishing he were already there. Leslie followed him up. Before he could think better of it, Jess had unbuckled his belt and slipped down his trousers. Leslie's giggling made him come awake and pull them back up in a hurry. Blushing, he tersely asked what she had seen. She told him that she had seen nothing and sounded as if she meant it. Jess figured his shirt had covered him. Coupled with the dark, he guessed she might not have seen anything. But by the way she covered her giggling with her hand, and they way her rounded cheeks bloomed red, Jess reasoned that Leslie might have had a little peek at his bottom. He didn't really blame her for it; he was the one who had messed up.

As he sat on his pallet, he stared at her.

She frowned, folding her arms. "I'm not taking my clothes off, Jess."

He smirked and told her that he couldn't stand it if she did. They both laughed. Leslie dropped down next to him and jostled his shoulder. He was about to ask where she was going to sleep, when Mother interrupted, coming up the ladder with a blanket bundled under her arms. She handed Leslie her traveling sack and Jess helped her arrange a pile of straw and drape a blanket over it. The pallet they had created for Leslie wasn't any more comfortable than his but it was the best they could provide—and it was more comfortable than the bare wood of the loft floor. Leslie thanked her and lay down on top of the blanket as mother wished them both a good sleep and left. She curled up and bunched some straw and stuffed it into the sack propped under her head. Jess smiled at her creativity. Leslie looked perfectly at home on the floor. She wished him pleasant dreams and rolled over to fall asleep. He never really thought much about his drafty room, but Jess figured she was grateful for a roof and a full stomach.

As he lay down his last thoughts were of his new friend and if she would be warm enough.

* * * * *

The next morning was bright and cool. Jess lay awake in his bed as a soft breeze blew in through the window. He knew the day wouldn't stay pleasant for long. Soon the baking sun would beat down, driving the morning mist from the air. Jess rolled over onto his side and thought about all that had happened the day before. He thought about Leslie, and all that she had taught him. He smiled to himself. It must have been a dream. Certainly no person as wondrous as Leslie could possibly exist. It all must have been a dream—a wonderful, fancy dream.

The smell of cooking meat floated up to him, stirring him from his drowsiness. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. As he glanced about, he noticed the sunlight was filtering in through the window. He jumped up and quickly changed. It was fortunate that Father wasn't home; he would have tanned his hide for sleeping so late.

With rising frustration, Jess realized how late it was; he figured the sun had been up for more than an hour already.

Running to the ladder, he slipped downstairs to the sight of his mother and sisters preparing breakfast. Leslie was there too. Jess smiled at seeing her, squatting beside the fire, in her simple clothes and vest, her hair still ruffled from the previous night's sleep. Her fair face was sparkling clean. Jess realized she must have bathed while he slept. It occurred to him that he needed a bath himself.

Deciding to put off bathing until after breakfast, he ambled over to the table and sat down. As Leslie watched him from the hearth, she smiled. It was a small smirk that she often showed him when they were alone. He smiled at her smirk. It made him feel special.

As Leslie squatted in front of the fire, Jess yawned. He leaned forward, surprised to see Leslie stirring something in the skillet. She added a handful of some-things and stirred it some more. May Belle was watching as Leslie added the ingredients, talking as she did. Jess guessed it must have been reasons for adding them.

Leslie making breakfast seemed unusual to him. He silently wondered if she really could cook. The aromas floating to him from the fire told him he was in for a treat. He drummed his fingers against the table as he waited, listening to the sizzling sounds of the skillet. The smoke hung in a dense haze around the room as it always did, but now he could see through it to his new friend. When she smirked at him, he knew she was planning something. He wanted to taste whatever it was she was making and he wanted even more to talk to her about everything they had discussed the day before.

Jess watched her as she spoke to May Belle over the fire. May Belle said something about something being "really good." Jess hoped it was the food. Leslie hooked some hair behind her ear and glanced in his direction. He smiled as she winked at him. Jess liked seeing her in the morning; it seemed to make the day more promising.

As he thought about everything there was to talk about, his mother stood near the fire, directing the others to set the table. May Belle placed the plates and cups around the table. Mother leaned close and whispered to him to go wash up before breakfast. He nodded and stumbled over one of May Belle's ratty old dolls.

He considered kicking the doll across the room, but he didn't want to upset her and end up in trouble. Grumbling, he poured some fresh water into the basin and splashed some on his face, trembling slightly at the chill. He wished he didn't have to bathe in cold water. Nothing could be done about it, he knew; he just had to live with what he had. He tried to get as clean as possible, not wanting to stink around Leslie and as he grabbed the towel and dried himself off, he pulled on a fresh shirt and resumed his place at the table. Leslie set the skillet down and served everyone. Jess helped her and as she thanked him and filled his plate with an assortment of foods, she whispered that she made it special for him. There were eggs, of course, but Jess found that there other things mixed in: sausage, beans, onions, and lumps of gooey cheese. Jess tried not to drool as he set down his plate, wanting nothing more than to start in on his meal, but he managed to restrain himself long enough to serve cider to everyone before resuming his seat.

Jess imagined he must feel like wolves did when looking at lambs.

As the steam rose from the plate, he looked over at his friend. She was unusually quiet. Jess figured she must be hungry and didn't question her. He watched her take a sip of cider before regarding him with a delightful smile.

"Jess," she whispered, "You know that place we were at yesterday?"

He nodded. "The creek."

Leslie held her cup in front of her mouth as she spoke. "I want to go back today." She watched everyone else talking quietly as she took a sip of cider. Her delicate eyebrows arched in question. "Are you interested?"

He nodded discretely. He remembered the place well and had wanted to ask her about returning.

"Well, I was wondering if you also wanted to go across the creek."

Jess stared at her openly. "Across the…?" He lowered his voice to a harsh whisper. "Leslie, are you crazy? We can't cross something like that—it's too dangerous!"

She gave him an even look. "I understand if you're scared, Jess, but I'm going to cross it after our chores are done. If you want to come, then you're welcome to follow me."

Jess watched her sip some cider. The conversation was finished, but he still couldn't believe she was serious. He didn't know how they could possibly cross such a torrent without falling in. He didn't think they could leap across, but he had never seen Leslie jump. He thought maybe she could do it, if she tried.

"I don't know if we should," he pleaded. "It might not be the best idea to try."

She picked at her food awhile before answering. "Or it might turn out to be the best thing we ever did."

Jess thought it over a while. He still wasn't sure it wasn't a good idea, but he had to admit Leslie did seem to have the best ideas. It might be fun, he decided. But he still didn't know how they would cross over to the other side. As he pondered her solution, he started in on his food. It was a tasteful mixture of some wonderful treats, much better than the plain scrambled eggs he always ate before. Mother seemed to approve. Everyone was eating heartily; although Brenda was loathe admitting that she was wrong about Leslie. May Belle kept teasing her about the things she had said before Jess awakened; that Leslie would probably put them all in the ground with her cooking. Jess laughed at that and at the fact that his sister was wrong about his friend. He was just starting on his second bite when something occurred to him.

He didn't know where Leslie had learned to cook.

As they finished their meal, Jess turned to her and asked, "Leslie, where did you ever learn to cook like that?"

"Oh, you know," she shrugged, "around."

Jess frowned at her oblique answer. He was accustomed to it but after sharing some of her life story yesterday, he'd been hoping she would have been more forthcoming.

"C'mon, Leslie, were friends. You're not supposed to keep secrets from friends."

She gave him a frightening look. It wasn't a look of anger; more a look of wonder.

"Do you really mean that, Jess? Are we really friends?"

The question seemed to be important to her, more important than anything she had ever asked. Jess wondered why it would matter. He shrugged. "Sure." He busied himself with drinking some cider as she sat staring at him. "What's wrong," he asked. He thought to soften the moment with a joke. "Haven't you ever had a friend before?"

She shook her head. "Not even one."

Jess began to laugh, but the serious look on her face told him it was no joke.

Everyone at the table suddenly stopped eating. They all stared at her. Leslie fidgeted under his family's close scrutiny. She seemed like some new creature to examine. Jess felt as if he had discovered something new, something unexpected but he didn't enjoy putting Leslie on the spot. In spite of this, he couldn't stop staring. Mother stood and began clearing the table of their empty plates, more to break up the tension, Jess thought, than because it needed to be cleared. Ellie and Brenda whispered to each other and May Belle scooped up the last of her eggs, shoveling them in as her plate was taken away.

Jess just continued to stare at Leslie.

"How could you not have any friends?"

"You don't have any either," Brenda broke in with her usual rancor.

Jess glared at her before returning his attention to Leslie. He couldn't fathom anyone being alone their whole life—other than himself. Leslie didn't explain any of what she had told him, just quietly stood and gathered the empty cups. She smiled down at him and shrugged before moving away. Jess stood to help her but she told him not to bother. As he sank back down, he sighed. He had offended her, he was sure. Jess didn't mean to hurt her feelings; he just didn't understand. He wanted to understand though. Jess didn't know why, but Leslie seemed very important to him—more important than almost anyone. He guessed he really hadn't had any real friends and that she was the first to genuinely acknowledge him as more than a nuisance. She was an honest companion who valued his company. She listened to him. She always had a smile when he informed her of his view of things and she always seemed interested in hearing what he thought. Jess had never had anyone ask what he wanted or thought or felt; they always just expected him to do what they thought or wanted and to know how they felt. Leslie was different. She was someone special. He knew he had to figure her out or he would miss out on something. He couldn't imagine what it was but he was sure it was something hidden, something special, secret and unique.

After their morning chores were finished, Leslie led Jess out back, proclaiming she had something special to show him. Jess had obliged her, but didn't really know what to expect.

"This is it," she whispered. She pointed to a coiled rope. "This is how we'll get across to the other side of the creek."

Jess was confused. He didn't understand how a simple rope could possibly get them across. "Leslie, I don't see what good that will do. It's just an old rope."

"You're wrong, Jess." She had a mischievous look in her almond-shaped eyes as she reverently lifted the heavy coil. "It's an enchanted rope."

Jess sighed. It was a game. She was playing games. He didn't know what she wanted to play, but he didn't think it would be much fun. He would almost rather be working.

If she sensed his disappointment, she didn't show it, simply smiling at him as she walked past, the heavy coiled rope slung on her shoulder. By the bounce in her step, she seemed in a playful mood. Jess wanted to ask where she was going, but realized he already knew: she was going to the creek.

As they made their way across the fields, Jess stole a last look at the farm. The sun lit the wide pastures where children laughed and played and while the fields looked ready for the harvest, he wasn't sure he was. Jess smiled at seeing the golden fields waving in the wind, as if bidding him goodbye and as he turned his attention back to the journey, he wondered if he would be coming home. As they made their way across the fields, Leslie had a smile and a wave for the people they passed. Some acknowledged her,. Others didn't. Jess thought it odd for her to be so happy to see people she didn't know but he didn't tell her to stop. He contented himself with trudging behind her as they traveled back to their place in the woods. The return journey was longer because they weren't running to the creek; Leslie told him the rope was too heavy and that she wanted to save all her energy for the crossing. Jess still didn't understand how she intended to cross with just a length of rope. He guessed he'd find out soon.

As they entered the woods, the shade provided some much needed relief from the sun. As Jess stopped to rest, Leslie went on ahead. Jess looked around for a willow switch to play with, but, finding none, settled for falling back in behind Leslie as she made her way to the creek.

They stopped when they saw it.

The water seemed higher than he remembered. They both shared a look. The way Leslie bit her lower lip told him she felt as anxious about this as he did. The torrent was definitely faster than last time. Jess swallowed and stepped back a little but Leslie was undaunted; she started toward a nearby tree.

Jess didn't follow. "What are you doing?"

She looked back at him as if he were daft. "I'm getting across the creek." As she returned her attention to the tree Leslie dug her feet into the side of the trunk and lurched upwards, grabbing a crook and heisting herself higher. As she climbed, Jess held his breath, watching her go from handhold to foothold. His gaze followed her as she reached the largest branch and crawled out onto the limb where it extended over the rushing water. She draped the rope over it and tied a loose end to the thick branch.

"Jess," she called out, "Grab the other end."

He reached out timidly over the water only to find that he couldn't grab hold of it. He let his arm drop back. He looked up at her in feigned regret. "Sorry," he called as the rope swung away from him. "I can't get it."

She swung it back towards him again, urging him to snag it. He gave a half-hearted attempt and told her again that he couldn't reach it. She sighed and climbed back down grumbling that he wasn't even trying. He knew she was right, but he still felt like pushing her in the creek. Leslie told him he should climb the tree and she would grab the rope. He shook his head. She sighed, scratching her blonde head. Jess folded his arms and looked away. He didn't want to meet her gaze. She couldn't get across the creek alone and he wasn't going to help her anymore.

"Maybe we should just go home," he offered.

Leslie's eyes came back to him. She opened her mouth to argue, when a clap of thunder interrupted, startling them both. They cringed and casting a wary glance to the darkening sky, Leslie meekly nodded her consent. "Alright… let's go home."

Defeated, and with the rain already falling, they raced off towards the longhouse.

"Well," Jess shouted above the sound of the rain, "I guess we'll never get across now."

Undaunted, Leslie frowned at him. "I swear to you, Jess, one day we'll come back and conquer the creek. One day we'll find all the secrets it hides on the other side."

He didn't doubt her for a minute.