Chapter 3: LYING BY OMISSION
Saturday, October 27th… Once the chuckwagon had rolled away out of sight, Slim dropped his exaggerated limp and straightened up, grinning. "Well, here we are. Not much but it's home."
Still mounted, Jay Dee took a quick look around, withholding comment. 'Not much' was somewhat of an understatement. Sure was a far cry from what he'd expected... not to mention an alien environment compared to his family home back in California—a pole corral, a barn and a couple of outbuildings in need of paint, and a very small flat-roofed ranch house cobbled together from stone, logs and wood siding. Maybe it was bigger on the inside than it appeared from without. Houses generally were. Bathed in the golden glow of late afternoon, the compound appeared rather rustic… and peaceful.
"You gonna sit up there all day or help me put up these horses?" Slim queried.
"Yes, sir... I mean no, sir... Slim." Jay Dee slid down, hoping his legs didn't give out on him. He wasn't used to riding twenty miles at a stretch, as he'd just done on the way from Cheyenne and then from camp, trailing behind the wagon with Slim's chestnut on a lead. Trying to keep the gray from picking a quarrel with Alamo had claimed most of Jay Dee's attention on the way. Evidently knowing a troublemaker when he was tied to one, the chestnut had hung back, and Jay Dee kept having to play out more and more rope to allow a judicious distance.
But Alamo was home now, and fixated on getting to his stall and the bucket of oats he was anticipating. Surging forward, he passed too close to Tencendor, who squealed and kicked out.
"We can't have a dangerous horse around here..." Slim noted. "You sure you can keep him under control?"
"Yes, sir... I can. I will... it's only been six weeks since he was cut. He thinks he's still a stud. Dad said it takes about eight weeks for 'em to calm down—sometimes a lot longer."
Slim shrugged. "Well, we'll just have to wait and see. You want to put him in a stall or try turning him into the pasture with the others? No mares out there... just other geldings."
"I think maybe the pasture? But I'll keep an eye on him for a while to see how he acts... if that's okay with you."
"Sure... go ahead."
A tall young colored man ambled around the corner of the barn, pinfeathers and speckles of blood decorating his clothing, hair and forearms. He wiped his hands on his bib overalls before offering one to Slim.
"Welcome back, Mistah Slim. How it go?"
"Good to be back, Orrie. We did better than expected... around another hundred head we weren't counting on. Jess took 'em on to the stockyards."
"Dat mighty good."
"Everything quiet around here?"
"Yazzuh. Miz Daisy had a idee you might get back today. She layin' on a mess a fried chicken foah suppah. Mike an' me been choppin' an' pluckin'..."
"Where's Mike?"
Orrie jerked his head toward the woods behind the house. "He goan take de gutbucket to de hogs out back."
Slim shuddered. He hadn't especially wanted to keep swine on the premises but an admirer of his elderly housekeeper had gifted her with a brace of piglets. She, in turn, had charged the adopted son of the house with their care and maintenance and Slim had consented to construction of a sty near the outhouse... well out of smelling distance of the house.
During the exchange, Jay Dee had been busying himself with unsaddling his horse and giving the gray a quick brushdown. At the same time trying not to stare although he was curious. What few Negroes there were in Ventura County kept mostly to themselves on small freehold farms or held menial service positions in town—waiters, maids, stablehands and suchlike. He wasn't personally acquainted with any. This Orrie was neither very dark nor on the lighter side... more of a medium nut brown.
Slim turned to him. "Jay Dee, I'd like you to meet Orville Jackson, apprentice blacksmith and farrier. He's been doing me a favor by holding down the fort while I was gone."
Jay Dee held out his hand without a moment's hesitation. "Nice to meet you, Mister Jackson. I'm Jay Dee Kelly... that's initials 'JD"... for Joseph Daniel." Damn if I'm gonna go through that 'Jady' crap again…
"Likewise," the other reciprocated, though raising an eyebrow and shooting a sideways glance at the rancher as if to question if the new man was being sarcastic.
"Jay Dee's staying with us for a few days," Slim said, not elaborating.
"Mistah Slim, ah'll take care a Alamo so's y'all can git on inside da house. I see you done hurt yoseff. Miz Daisy goan has a fit you doan let 'er tend to it."
"Nothing serious. And thanks."
Orrie took the lead from Jay Dee and walked Alamo into the barn. Slim made a move to pick up his bedroll and saddlebags. Jay Dee put a hand out to stop him.
"I'll bring that in for you after I've turned my horse loose, then come back and get my own. Er... which way's your bunkhouse?"
"We have one but we don't use it as long as there's bed space in the house... saves on firewood," Slim said. "You can throw in with Orrie for tonight. He'll be going back to town tomorrow or the next day. Unless that's a problem..." Slim let the delicate insinuation dangle.
Because he's colored? Is that a problem? Should it be a problem?
"It's Mike's room, actually," Slim added, "but either one can move to one of the bunks in my room—mine and Jess', that is—while you're here."
"Not problem for me but it might be for Orrie. Mom says I snore like a runaway freight train."
"So does he," Slim laughed. "You'll cancel each other out. By the way... don't let him fool you with that saltwater Geechee routine."
"Then why does he speak like that?"
"For the shock value, I imagine. It's his just way of testing out a stranger to see how he's gonna react later when he's hit with white-man English."
"I see... I think..."
"Treat him as you would anyone else and he'll drop it."
It took a little longer for the gray to settle than Jay Dee had planned on. The mules and coach horses had all come forward to greet the stranger, but quickly decided he was a nuisance and drifted away to graze elsewhere. Eventually Tencendor got bored with trying to intimidate them and fell to sampling the grass.
Jay Dee was leaning against the fence, giving it a few more minutes to be reasonably sure peace was prevailing, when Orrie joined him.
"Good-lookin' hoss, dat."
"Thanks. I think so."
"He orful big."
"I like a big horse."
"Some folk say gray hoss be bad luck... mean death be comin'."
How long is he gonna keep this up?
Jay Dee rolled his eyes. "My folks don't put any store by superstition. Dad taught us that what's on the outside doesn't make the horse... or the man. It's what's on the inside that counts."
Apparently this was exactly the right thing to say to demolish the barrier. A smile crept over Orrie Jackson's face followed by a laugh. When he turned to offer his hand again, this time the handshake was genuine.
"Pleased to meet you, Jay Dee Kelly. I don't often meet a white boy with your smarts."
"Glad to hear you approve... 'cause it appears we're sharing quarters tonight."
"Slim gave me away, did he?"
"Yeah. But I probably would've caught on anyway."
"We'd best get on to the house. Miss Daisy... that's Missus Cooper... is strict about coming to the table properly washed up. Wouldn't be surprised if she makes you take a bath. No offense, but you sure could use one."
A sharp wind had sprung up in the last hour. Jay Dee didn't realize how cold he'd got until entering the warmth of the house and dropping his gear next to Slim's on a fainting couch by the door. Orrie went straight to the fireplace to warm his backside. Jay Dee had only a moment to take in the features of what had to be the main living space when he found his hands being taken by those of a sprite of a woman. Silver hair haphazardly pinned up and escaping in tendrils framed the face of an elderly cherub with merry faded-blue eyes.
"Welcome to our home, Jay Dee..." Daisy Cooper twinkled, immediately putting him at ease by pronouncing his name correctly without any hint of amusement. "Slim's told me a little about you. I look forward to hearing the rest, but I imagine right now you'd like to get cleaned up a bit?"
"Yes, m'am, I would."
"I have to get back to my stove. Orrie'll show you where to put your things. Slim and Mike are in the washroom but you can go on back. Supper's in half an hour."
Following Orrie around the corner, Jay Dee noted the six places already set at the larger of two tables. The kitchen nook had a modern cooker with a hot water reservoir attachment just like his mother's back home, an ice box, a pie safe and a spacious work counter with a built-in galvanized tin sink and pump handle. Not anywhere near as primitive as he'd feared. There were four doors in the kitchen area: two windowed, curtained exterior doors—one opening to the front of the house and one to the side yard; one interior door standing open, beyond which was visible a descending staircase—most likely the root cellar, judging by the earthy scent arising from below; and another door accessing a narrow hallway.
Opening off the hall was the bedroom Orrie was currently sharing with Mike, just large enough for a set of bunk beds, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers and a study desk with a chair.
"I've been using the lower bunk but I don't mind swapping if you'd rather have it," Orrie said.
"Either one's okay with me."
"Get your shave gear and a clean shirt. You can be taking care of that while Slim and Mike are finishing up with the tub."
"There's a bathroom here?" Definitely unexpected.
"Yes indeedy. It's the coming thing, you know."
"Where do the others sleep?"
"There're two other bedrooms opening off the parlor. The smaller one up front is Missus Cooper's. The larger one in back is where Slim and Jess sleep. There's an extra set of bunk beds in there, too. Mike'll go there while you're here."
The square boxlike 'washroom' had to be a relatively recent addition to the main house as the exposed wood surfaces lacked the patina of age. There was a door leading to the outside and two small casement windows set high up on opposite walls—presently shuttered for the winter—that would allow ventilation in the warmer months. In one corner squatted a cast iron stove with an iron cauldron perched on top, vapor wafting off the near-boiling water. Nearby was a stack of cordwood and several buckets.
Next to a freestanding rectangular galvanized metal sink with a pump was a single long counter beneath three small mirrors mounted equidistant on the wall. Several shave mugs and personal accoutrements occupied the counter along with two enameled washbasins and a pitcher. Underneath, a shelf held stacks of towels and a tray of soap bars. Two lines of laundry were strung up by the opposite wall.
Dead center of the room sat an enormous oval zinc tub. Clad in a towel wrapped around his waist and wreathed in whorls of steam, Slim was hunkering down to remove the bung that would allow the tub to empty directly into a drain conduit built into the floor. A smaller naked figure was toweling himself off.
Slim looked up and grinned. "By the time we're done eating there'll be enough hot water for you boys to get your baths... if you want one."
"Oh... I want one all right," Jay Dee averred gratefully. "Haven't had a decent soak in a week. My mother'd skin me alive..."
Orrie cut in. "Miss Daisy says supper's almost ready. Jay Dee and I have just enough time to wash our faces and hands and change clothes. We're both a little aromatic."
The child wrapped the towel around himself and moved forward, looking up at the newcomer. "Hi. I'm Mike Williams. Who're you?"
Jay Dee leaned down to shake hands with the kid, a cute blue-eyed blondie. Who does he belong to?
"I'm Joseph Daniel Kelly. You can call me Jay Dee."
"Nice to meet you, Jay Dee." Children usually caught on more quickly than adults. "Be sure and scrub your hands real good. Aunt Daisy inspects fingernails, too."
"Thanks for the warning. I'll keep that in mind."
Slim stood up and put a hand on the little fellow's shoulder. "Let's get dressed right quick and see if Aunt Daisy needs help."
The two left the room and Orrie stripped down. Dipping hot water into a bucket, he poured it into the stoppered sink. "Time's a-wasting. We don't want to keep the lady waiting."
Jay Dee hadn't enjoyed a meal this tasty since he left home three weeks ago. Tender chicken battered and fried to golden perfection. Gravy and mashed potatoes. Tiny green home-canned peas in butter sauce. Canned tomatoes with late season chopped green onion. Fluffy angel biscuits light enough to float right off the table. If these folks ate this well in wintertime, imagine what meals must be like when fresh produce was available. Jay Dee was seriously considering putting in for full-time employment.
"Leave room for dessert," Daisy advised. Dessert was warm-from-the-oven apple turnovers laden with spoonfuls of clotted cream.
Orrie announced he'd clear the table and wash up. Jay Dee volunteered his services as well. Least he could do. No one objected. Miss Daisy retired to one of the rockers by the fireplace and took up her mending. Slim removed Mike to the parlor table for a brief round of tutoring before bedtime.
Manning the drying towel as Orrie rinsed each item and handed it over, Jay Dee whispered.
"Won't Mister Harper be mad he missed supper?"
"Miss Daisy put aside plenty enough for him and any unexpected guest."
"That happen often?"
"Well... I don't live here but my stepmother says this ranch is a stray magnet. Folks keep turning up for all sorts of reasons and tend to stay on."
"Like me, huh?"
"You said it. I didn't." Orrie shrugged. "Soon's we're done would be a good time to get our baths... before Jess gets in."
Orrie won the coin toss to see who went first. Afterwards, he was standing at a shave station and Jay Dee luxuriating in the tub when they heard laughter filtering through the closed door to the hallway. Jess must be home at last. With regret, Jay Dee climbed out and pulled the plug. By the time Jess appeared the tub was refilled and ready for him.
Jess and Orrie greeted each other in passing. Announcing he was off to bed, Orrie closed the door behind him on his way out, leaving Jess and Jay Dee alone in the washroom. It was Jay Dee's turn to scrape off his week's worth of facial hair—sparse at best. Without it he looked more sixteen than eighteen.
Jess nodded in acknowledgment and disrobed before sinking without comment into the steaming tub. He was still conflicted about Slim's having taken on this new hand without consulting him. Not that I have any say in the matter... bein' just the hired help myself. Still, it bothered him some that Slim hadn't even mentioned it before doing it. Over the past two years Jess'd got so accustomed to the two of them discussing plans and ideas that he sometimes forgot he wasn't an actual partner. Face it... even if Slim offered you a third share in the ranch, you ain't got the cash to buy in. Ain't got but four hundred in savings an' that wouldn't even buy half a dozen white-face breedin' stock...
"Mister Harper... you okay?"
Jess became aware the boy was speaking to him. Must have made some external indication of his internal annoyance.
"Tole ya before. Call me Jess."
"Sorry. I forgot. Everything okay with you... Jess?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Jess, old son, no call to be rude to the kid. He ain't done nothin' wrong... "It's been a long day. Everything I own aches. Thanks for havin' the tub ready for me."
"You're welcome. I'm sure everyone's glad you're home safe. Miss Daisy was worried when you missed supper."
"Daisy worries about everything."
"She's been keeping your plate warm for you."
"Good cook, ain't she?"
"Excellent cook. I tried not to make a pig of myself... but it wasn't easy."
"Better cook than your Ma?" Jess asked slyly with a wink.
The kid made a face, stating flatly that his mother couldn't boil water. "Back home we have a Chinese cook... Bo Hai. His name means 'sea waves' or something like that."
"You look done in, kid," Jess observed. "You should go on to bed—day starts before dawn around here."
"I am kinda tired," Jay Dee admitted. "Guess I'll see you in the morning?"
"You bet."
After Jay Dee left the room, Jess closed his eyes and free-floated for a while with the back of his head anchored on the rim of the tub. Chipping away at a corner of his mind was that persistent hint of familiarity. That boy reminded him of someone... but who?
"So you're both pleased with this season's roundup?" Daisy queried, poised to pop up and fetch the apple fritters the very second Jess finished the last mouthful of his belated supper. Slim was nursing a cup of coffee while keeping Jess company.
"I am. How about you, Jess?"
Still chewing, the other fished out a folded receipt from a vest pocket and flicked it across the tabletop. "See for yourself. Countin' the bunch we brung in today, that's twenty-three head more'n last year. Hardaway said the money'll be in your account tomorrow."
Slim perused the note, nodding appreciatively. "Up five dollars a head from what we got last year, too. That is good news. You did a bang-up job."
Jess swallowed and reached for the last biscuit. "Speakin' a banged up, how's the knee?"
"The knee...?" Slim fumbled, quickly recovering. "Oh... the knee… uh... some better today but I think I'll need a few more days. That's why I thought it'd be a good idea to bring on Jay Dee as a temp, since he wasn't working for any of the others."
Daisy froze in mid-stride. "What knee?" she demanded. "Why haven't you said something? What happened?"
"Didn't want to worry you, Daisy. It's not that bad—twisted it when my horse went down."
"Swole up like a mushmelon yesterday," Jess contributed. "He hadda ride the chuckwagon back home from camp."
"I'd better have a look..." Daisy insisted.
"No need. I rested up all day with cold compresses on it. The swelling's gone down but it still aches a little. I promise I'll take it easy for a while."
Slim was already ruing the prevarication. Now he'd have to follow through and make it look convincing, plus have Daisy fussing over him like a cloud of gnats. The sooner Jay Dee presented that dadblamed envelope and finished his business with Jess, the better. Then they could all get on with their lives.
"If that kid knows anythin' 'bout ranch work, I'll eat my hat," Jess sighed. "But I reckon in the mornin' I can find somethin' he's good at."