The Calling: Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Grissom rode lazily around the estate, once in a while pulling his handkerchief from his pocket and wiping his sweat soaked brow, the blazing sun causing a heat haze around the entire ranch. The captain was right; things had changed a little, but not too much and he didn’t have many problems navigating himself about the grounds.
Grissom made a point of stopping by the main stable. He dismounted and allowed his horse to wander at will while he admired the newly built building. Grissom knew it would have taken a lot of hard work to build the stable back to its former glory but something was bothering him. How had it caught fire in the first place? He approached the open double stable doors and the familiar smell of horse manure caused his nostrils to flare. He spotted a young male mucking out one of the stalls and he quietly approached him.
The young man seemed to sense a presence and looked up; quickly, he stood to attention, immediately removing his hat and bowing his head.
“It’s okay,” Grissom said quickly with a smile, sensing the nervousness oozing from the quivering boy before him. The boy looked up.
“What’s your name?” Grissom asked.
The boy stared at the man before him with a sense of unease.
“My name is Robert, sir.”
“Do you live at The Grove, Robert?” Grissom asked softly, trying to put the boy’s obvious anxiety to rest.
“Yes, sir, in the servants quarters, sir,” Robert replied quickly.
“With your family?”
Robert shook his head. “No, sir; I have no family.”
“Oh.” Grissom didn’t know if he should probe the poor boy as to why, for now he decided against it. “How long have you been here?”
“Ten years, sir.”
“And how old are you?” Grissom asked, a frown creasing his forehead.
“Fifteen, sir.”
Grissom did the math in an instant, so this boy was as young as he was when he arrived at The Grove. “Well, I can see that you work hard...”
Robert nodded quickly. “I do, sir and the captain treats me well, so, I always like to please him best I can.”
With a smile Grissom stepped a little closer, “May I ask you something, Robert? Just between the two of us?”
Grissom observed as Robert dug his shovel into the ground. He knew secrets were hard to keep around The Grove but he hoped for the young boys trust.
“Yes, sir, I will not tell anyone what you ask.”
With a tender smile of appreciation Grissom stepped closer. “Were you here when the barn caught fire?”
Robert’s face seemed to pale and his expression changed to one of uncertainty. “Erm...” Robert stuttered. “I didn’t see anything, sir,” he continued quickly.
Grissom’s eyes narrowed; there was something about Roberts’s answer that made Grissom feel he was being untruthful.
“Are you sure?”
Suddenly, Robert averted his gaze from Grissom to behind him and his eyes grew wide, he looked back to Grissom quickly. “I’m sorry, sir I...I really do not mean to be rude but, erm, I have to go.” Picking up his shovel with speed, he rushed past Grissom.
Grissom turned quickly, intent on stopping the lad, but when he saw Ecklie, arms firmly folded, staring in at them, he did not. The boy hurried out of the stable and Grissom noticed how Ecklie scowled at Robert as he passed him. Robert didn’t say a word but cowered down as he passed the furious looking man.
Ecklie turned his attention to Grissom as he walked towards him. “What are you doing here, Grissom?”
“Just looking around, that’s all.”
“No,” Ecklie snapped. “What are you doing here? At The Grove?”
“Ah,” Grissom grinned, leaning against the stable door, “why did I come back?”
“Yes,” Ecklie snarled at him.
“Well, I’m sorry Conrad, but if you wish your question answered you better ask the captain. I answer to him, not you.”
“You...” Ecklie began but Grissom kicked off the door and began walking away.
“Grissom! Don’t walk away from me!” Ecklie shouted clenching his fists and Grissom stopped, turning around, he walked right up to his obvious nemesis.
Both men stood, almost touching, breaths mingling, staring each other in eye; there was certainly no love lost between the two.
“Be careful where you stick your nose, Grissom,” Ecklie warned. “Things happen here you would not even understand. Step out of line and you’ll answer to me.”
A faint smirk caught Grissom’s lips. “I step where I please, Conrad. See what happens when you get in my way.” Grissom was calm with his words unlike Ecklie. “I’ll be seeing you around, Conrad,” Grissom finished before heading towards his horse.
A light whistle from his master’s lips caught the horse’s attention; he trotted to Grissom who mounted quickly.
“Be careful, Gil....” Conrad warned and Grissom looked over to him as he grabbed the reins. “Don’t go digging or you may get buried!”
Grissom merely grinned before giving is horse a light kick and they bolted towards the driveway.
CSICSICSICSICSI
Grissom approached the top end of the drive, shaking thoughts of Ecklie from his mind. He would rather think of something more pleasant.
“Whoa...” He commanded and his horse came to a steady stop.
Sighing contently as he looked down the long road winding from the estate, he smiled, remembering the very first time he’d travelled down it, it seemed to go on forever....
The line of horses and carts trotted down the driveway of Providence Grove leaving a path of dust in its wake. Young Grissom constantly looked around from his secure position in front of Robbins. The surroundings fascinated him; he truly had never seen anything like it as he stared down the mile and a half of driveway enveloped by an alley of live oaks before him.
“We have arrived, young sir,” Robbins announced. “Welcome to your new home.”
Grissom tried to stand but Robbins held him firm, “Not just yet, lad: wait until we stop or you’ll cause yourself an injury.”
Grissom obeyed and plonked himself back in the saddle. Still, he couldn’t help the eagerness bursting through his veins to explore. Suddenly, the sounds of shouting and a distressed horse filled the air. As the convoy approached the stables chaos was very much evident.
Robins pulled his horse to a halt just as the animal making all the fuss kicked hard, raised himself onto his hind legs and tipped the struggling rider who was trying so hard to stay mounted. The rider cursed loudly as he hit the ground with a heavy thud.
Robbins eyes widened as Grissom managed to slip free and leap from the horse. He ran towards the ruckus.
“Grissom!” Robbins shouted but the boy failed to acknowledge and ran on. He slowed slightly as he approached the horse and the numerous men trying to bring it under control. They were fighting a losing battle as the horse was certainly not impressed and only got more agitated as they tried to calm him.
Grissom looked at the man on the ground, he seemed very displeased. The man frowned as his eyes met Grissom’s, he did not know this boy, but before he could question him Grissom stepped towards the horse.
“Boy, keep away!” The man tried to get to his feet, but his ankle was badly twisted and he groaned at the stinging pain cursing though him.
Holding out his hand to the fiery animal, the young boy moved forward. The farm hands stood back in disbelief as the horse suddenly calmed and with a quick spitting pant, took several steps backwards and just looked at the young boy approaching him. With a quick shake of its mane, he allowed the boy’s small finger tips to brush over his nose and continue upwards to softly stroke him. The horse neighed contently and Grissom smiled.
Robbins finally caught up. “Captain Sidle, sir, let me help you.” He pulled the captain to his feet and supported him as the rancher winced heavily. Then the gazes of both men fell upon Grissom and the horse. The animal which mere seconds ago was angrier than a raging fire now stood, stoic, having only eyes for the small boy petting him.
“I’m sorry about the boy, sir,” Robbins began. “I’ll get him away from your horse immediately.”
“No, no,” Captain Sidle replied, his eyes narrowing a little as he watched Grissom circle the horse, tenderly dragging his hand over its smooth silky skin.
“Who is he, Robbins? Did you bring him here?”
“Yes, sir, I found him at the port. He has no one, his father died during their travels, or at least I suspect so, the boy has yet to tell me exactly what happened.”
“Taking on the responsibly of a mere child, Albert?” The captain raised his brow, “And on my time? I know not if you are a fool or savior.”
Bowing his head for a second before returning his gaze to the captain, Robbins looked the man in the eye. “I like to think I’m the latter, sir; but, of course, I need your approval for the boy to remain with me here. If you feel it’s best I can send him away although it is not my desire to do so.”
Shaking his head, Captain Sidle looked back to Grissom, “Not necessary. There is something about him that has caught my undivided attention; what it is, I do not know, but I am willing to trust your judgment on this. But, understand one thing, if he ever becomes a nuisance he will be gone.”
Robbins nodded. “Yes, sir, I understand.”
“You, boy! Come here.” The captain commanded.
The boy looked over at the captain and giving the horse one final pat Grissom cautiously approached the two men. Had he done wrong?
Once Grissom had left the horse, the farm hands quickly grabbed his reins and tried to pull the horse towards the stables. The horse would not move and just watched Grissom as he walked away.
“It’s okay boys, leave the horse there. I’ll take care of him,” Robbins told them.
The men bowed their heads in acknowledgment and headed off to continue their duties.
Grissom stopped a few feet from the captain, looking extremely nervous.
“What is your name?” The captain asked.
Looking at Robbins, Grissom shuffled from left to right, his small feet creating slight drag marks in the sand path.
Robbins nodded, “It’s all right,” he reassured him.
“Grissom, sir, Gilbert Grissom.” The voice of the young boy shook as he spoke.
“Hmmm,” Captain Sidle responded, “I am happy to see you have manners, young Grissom.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Is it your wish that you stay here in Providence Grove?”
Thinking for a second Grissom nodded, what other option did he have? “Yes, sir.”
The captain fondled his beard. “Then we must have a proper chat. But first,” he looked to his foot , “I need to sort a little something for my pain.”
“If you say so, sir.”
“Good. Robbins, take the boy and show him around while I sort out my foot, then bring him to the house.”
“Yes, sir, Captain.”
“You two help me to the house,” the captain called to two of his workers, who quickly ran over and took the captains arms, placing them over their shoulders to support his weight.
“I will see you in a little while, young man. I’m sure we will have lots to talk about.”
Taking a deep, savoring breath Grissom’s grin grew as he softly stroked the mane of his horse.
“Enjoying the view?” A familiar voice came from behind and Grissom turned his head to see Captain Sidle grinning.
“Very much,” Grissom smiled dismounting.
“You looked deep in thought there, Gil. Anything interesting going through your mind?”
“Well,” he grinned, “I was just recalling the first time I came here.”
“Ha!” Captain Sidle chuckled looking up to the clear blue sky in an attempt to hide his embarrassment. “Flat on my ass as I recall,” he chided.
Grissom attempted to dissolve his grin. “Was an interesting first encounter, sir. I shall leave it at that.”
Both men exchanged quick glances but neither could hold in their amusement, erupting into laughter simultaneously.
“Thank you, Gil! I needed that,” the captain finally said.
Grissom smiled. “Did you need me for something?” He then asked.
“Well,” the captain reached out to pat the horse, “I suddenly had a thought.”
“Oh?” Grissom asked.
“About this evening, do you have anything to wear my boy?”
“Ooohhh,” Grissom semi whispered clearing his throat. A dinner party. Not really an appropriate place for his current wardrobe.
“Well, erm, actually no. I didn’t bring much; I didn’t expect to be staying too long. So I guess I’m in a little bit of a, dilemma, shall we say?” Grissom thought quickly, dinner parties weren’t really his thing anyway. “Is it essential that I have to attend? I mean, not to sound ungrateful, not quite sure if it’s my thing, sir.”
“Nonsense,” Captain Sidle flung a comforting arm around Grissom’s shoulder and pulled him close. “I would like for you to meet everyone and I’m sure you would love to get reacquainted with some old friends would you not?”
A frown creased Grissom’s brow. “How old?” He asked his voice showing a notch of concern.
“Wait and see,” the captain sniggered, “I insist you attend. Now, come.” He released his arm from Grissom and headed back up the driveway. “Come to the house and I will give you something of mine to wear. I will meet you there when you have finished your tour.”
Grissom knew the captain was grinning, he just knew it. Although he wanted to object he didn’t and merely sighed. His only hope, the evening would be a peaceful one with lack of attention, at least on his part.
CSICSICSICSICSICSI
Later that day and back in his lodgings Grissom dressed for dinner. Exhaling a deep, nervous breath he looked in the mirror and was actually quite shocked at the image reflecting back at him. The captain certainly had fine taste and luckily the two men were of similar build. Grissom smoothed his hands across the superior material as he admired his attire.
A pristine gentleman’s evening outfit, coal black in color and similar to the current military dress uniform, consisting of a silk-lapelled tailcoat cut away across the waist, matching trousers which retained a military braid on the side seams, a starched shirt with high-standing wing collar, a white bow tie and a low-cut black waistcoat. All finished off by an exceptional pair of black leather boots.
Grissom barely recognized himself as he rubbed his palm across his bearded cheek. He knew he needed a trim, but now he did not have the time and he needed to go.
The evening air was pleasant, still a little warm, maybe too much so, for his current dress but Grissom fought back the urge to loosen his collar. As he walked casually up to the house he couldn’t fight the sense of nervousness oozing through his body. He was not familiar to social gatherings, let alone ones that would accommodate faces from his past. The wonderful smell of food caught his nostrils as he climbed the steps towards the front door and his mouth watered. As he reached the open main door he took a deep breath, hoping for a pleasant and uneventful evening.