Chapter 2: Mum

Fred led Odis and I back to the board. The men had been ordered to move the stump and several had jumped to the task while the three of us left with the satisfying burn in our muscles. Odis swept the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, he tilted his head at the diagram drawn on the board.

"What in the world is this one about, Freddy?" he stabbed a gloved finger at the plans that were complex even for myself to handle.

Freddy took his time to confidently lean on the board beside the diagram, crossing his arms in a lax way that oozed with the carefree air he carried with him everywhere, "This here is to expand the yard. Worked on it while Ma kept me in bed."

The teen offered a grin as he began to point out the pieces of the puzzle that fit together to make the complicated plans that couldn't be followed without the deeper understanding that buried itself in Fred's mind. He had the trees that will fall in carefully calculated angles for easy extraction and maximum safety in mind while accounting for the weather. Truly, he was a genius.

Odis let an awed whistle escape his usually indifferent air towards Fred's plans, "This one really kicks the bucket, doesn't it?"

Fred gave a pleased nod, "And what's more, we can finally add in those extra stations we need to open up more jobs. I'm sure Pops will agree to execute this plan."

I removed my gloves as I silently looked over the diagram. I'm sure that Mr. Hamilton would agree to his son's plans, but the man himself was probably giving Fred more leeway than he ought to. One day, these ambitions may be too much for the company or could be calculated wrong and end up in a terrible accident. Fred is my friend, but I sometimes wonder if his head up in the clouds.

"He will. By the looks of it, these plans will be completed within a few weeks time with room to spare with your estimation, " I pointed to the neat handwriting at the top of the paper where finer details were labeled.

Fred turned his light gaze to me, "Yes, I'm glad you think so. Now off to work. Thought I'd just let the two of you in on my big plans."

He smiled slyly before winking at us in a conspiratorial way before leaving us to supervise the yard. Odis let out a hum before settling his hazel eyes on me.

"That look on your face. He may not be able to read your expression, but I can. What's on your mind?" he rested a gloved hand on his waist, beneath the flap of his open jacket.

I gave him a reassuring smile and pointed my chin to bid him to follow me, "It's nothing. Come on, let's work."

-

The day carried on like it does any day we work for the Hamiltons. The lines were smooth, no backups today, and Fred won his father over on his plan. Lunch was always a treat to share with the others who work at the company, the energy could be felt buzzing through the air as stories and jokes were told with light bantering in between. Days like these I especially cherished, even with my short black hair plastered to my face with sweat. The curls were a little much, but they were from my father.

The walk home with Odis was full of light talk and the prospect of completing Fred's project. Odis was particularly excited, it was in his nature.nAfter all, it was his expertise. I allowed a fond smile to slip over my mouth as he looked towards a field of wheat to tell me of this year's harvest. His parents had worked in the fields and he seemed to continue their memory by sharing these little thoughts of his to me. Odis hardly could speak of his deceased parents but could freely share the things that bring up their memory.

He had a little sister, Charlotte. She had been young when she learned what death was and what sickness meant in this town. Odis had taken up the responsibility of caring for her these past years since both of their parents fell to the sickness.

With my thoughts dark, I felt my expression slipping. Odis took notice but didn't say anything. He knew loss; I have yet to feel the freedom of not worrying while being away from home.

We walked up to my house to find my mother dressed and in the kitchen.

"Mum?" I asked uncertainly, it was unlike her to be in the kitchen due to the strain of the sickness.

Her crisp, blue eyes met mine and a hint of a smile swirled in their depths as her soft voice rose above the sizzle of her cooking, "Hello, Honey. Is that Odis with you? Tell him to come in for a little."

I held the door for Odis as he stepped inside, kicking off his boots to keep the dust at the door. I do the same while the door closes behind me. My mother and I share our blue eyes that my father said could pin the boldest person wherever we wished to hold them. The memory of his light green eyes flashed across my mind as Odis and I made our way to sit at the dining table. The kitchen and dining room were a large room that was separated from the living room by the door and staircase.

Odis and I looked out of place in the delicate room. The walls were a soft cream that melted into dark trimmings that lined the white cabinets and floor. The wooden floor was faded from age and exposure to sunlight but still brought a sense of timeliness. My mother's beautiful curio cabinet decorated the wall near the table and housed her fine china. The bare windows allowed golden light to fill the space.

My mother looked as delicate as the kitchen itself. Her frame was small but steady. As she moved from the stove to the sink, I found myself watching her long hair follow behind her like a gentle wave of soft browns. She wore a headband to hold back that wave of hair and had put on a jean dress today. She couldn't hardly dress most days.

"What are you cooking today, Mrs. Young?" Odis asked while leaning in his chair to view the food with a longing look in his hazel eyes showing the stray that he was.

Her painted red lips easily moulded into a warm smile, "Supper. I will get some for you and Charlotte if you are able to stay a minute."

Odis nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, ma'am."

A light laugh left those painted lips. It has been forever since I've seen my mother wear makeup. It looks like an illusion to me, but I gladly hold onto her image as if it will be the last time I truly see her.

She finished cooking and collected a container to send with Odis. She fills it with food by using her well practiced hands and patience. She handed him the container and made him promise to share equally and to return it the next day.

"I'll remember, thank you!" Odis scrambled to tie his boots and took the container in a hurry to return home.

"That boy sure never runs out of energy," she remarked as she stood in the doorway with a hand laid on her hip like a school teacher seeing her students off after class.

Her blue eyes looked to mine, amusement crystal clear within those depths of ocean. An ocean of emotions and thoughts.

"Is it some special occasion I missed tonight?" I asked after standing from the table and pushing Odis and my chairs in.

"No," her tone was light, it was a game.

She flicked her hair back and closed the door, ensuring the lock was properly placed.

I snorted, feeling disgruntled, "Then what could have you dressed as if you are the one the sun rises for?"

The light from her eyes dimmed in disappointment, but they flashed back to life with her next statement, "I plan to work as an office assistant in town. After dinner I must go to my interview for the job. It should be easy enough for me to do, so you don't have to worry anymore, Jinn."

I love my mother, but her ways are infuriating even if they are ingrained into her very soul.

Instead of biting back a cruel reply on why she shouldn't work, I say, "Don't go back to work. Please, for us."

The look of helplessness that crossed my mother's whole body was heartbreaking. She looked like a tormented wild animal. The sting of bitter tears forced me to brush past the silent woman and to retreat to my room. Dinner would not be eaten. I don't know if she truly went to that interview, but I know that the job would have killed her. As would living at home, too sick to do anything but yearn for the days her will was free like her spirit.