by Ruty Evans

Created on: August 20, 2010

When the summer began, he was a boy. Now with the hints of autumn in the trees, his paper route ending with school beginning, he is anything but. Smiles haven’t come to his freckled face since the first months of his paper route. A summer job he didn’t want, a forced labor imposed by an overbearing father opened him to this. He feels dirty. He feels shame. Mr. Abbot, waiting on the porch of the last house on the route smiles and waves. With a slight hesitation, Jonathan guides his bike up the drive. The kick-stand scratches into the soft blacktop. Mr. Abbot, plastic smile in place, waddles over to the boy. Mid-forties with beady eyes, he tousles the boys blonde mop. “I’ve been waiting for you. Come inside, I just got MangaQuest and need a partner to help crush the Orcs!”

“I don’t feel much like playing video games right now Mr. Abbot.” Jonathan’s watery eyes focus on his shoes.

“How ‘bout some pie? Mrs. Abbot made it. Could hit the spot, no?”

Jonathan shrugs. “No thanks Mr. Abbot. I really should be getting home.”

“Jonathan, how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Jack.” The smile doesn’t temper the lead in his voice, nor does the arm around Jonathan’s shoulder as he crouches to look in his eyes.

Unsure, Jonathan shrugs.

“Come on Johnny, I thought we were pals. You’re not mad about last week are you? I said I'm sorry. What can I do to prove it?”

“I know. I just don’t feel like having a snack ‘is all. This was my last week delivering. I’m just coming to collect. Mom wants me to help buy school supplies later.”

“Suit yourself. What do I owe yah?”

“Twelve Fifty.”

Mr. Abbot straightens up, reaches into the pocket of his khakis. Producing a twenty, he offers it to the boy. “Keep the change.”

Almost snatching the bill, Jonathan turns to leave. A firm hand on his shoulder stops him. With a flinch, Jonathan turns back.

“Pals?”

“Yes sir.”

Far enough not to worry about Mr. Abbot seeing, Jonathan's warm childhood tears fall away as he pedals home.

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