— Drew sat across from him.
— They will, — Arthur nodded. — Definitely.
Over the next two days, the SUV appeared in the valley regularly. Morning, afternoon, evening. The men went from house to house, showing the photo, asking questions. Drew saw them talking to old Mr. Henderson, to Mrs. Miller down the road, to Mrs. Gable again. Drew and Cassie went to school, trying to act normal. Cassie kept asking, “Where’s Arthur?” Drew told her to be quiet, not to tell anyone.
On the evening of the third day, Elena came home looking worried. She took off her parka and sat at the table. Her hands were trembling.
— Dan Miller came up to me at the plant today, — she said, looking at Arthur. — Asked how I was doing, if I’d seen you lately.
Arthur froze, clutching his mug of tea.
— What did you say? — he asked quietly.
— That I hadn’t. — Elena rubbed her temples. — He looked at me funny, but I think he believed me.
— Dan was always a terrible actor, — Arthur smiled bitterly. — If Mike sent him, it means they’re really looking. Hard.
— They’ve been here. Three days in a row, — Drew nodded. — Asking about you. I told them I didn’t know anything.
— Good boy, — Arthur put a hand on his shoulder. — Smart kid.
That same evening, around nine, Drew looked out the window. The SUV was gone. It hadn’t been seen for two hours.
— I think they finally left, — he said with relief.
Arthur came over and looked. He sighed.
— Yeah. Maybe they figured I’m not here, — he nodded.
Arthur’s leg was almost fully healed. He could walk without a limp now, and he helped Drew with the chores: splitting wood, carrying water. Over those few days, he’d become part of the family. At dinner, Elena put out potatoes, ham, bread, and pickles. Arthur ate with gusto, praising the meal.
— Drew, tell me about yourself, — he said, pushing his plate away. — What are you into?
Drew felt shy and shrugged.
— he answered.
— Any dreams? — Arthur leaned forward. — What do you want to be?
Drew was silent for a moment. Then his eyes lit up.
— A pilot, — he said quietly. — Commercial. I want to fly the big jets, take people places. See the whole world.
— That’s a great dream. — Arthur smiled. — Where are you planning to go to school?
Drew’s expression faded. He looked down.
— There’s a good program at the state university. — He muttered. — But that’s just a dream. We don’t have that kind of money.
Arthur reached across the table and squeezed his shoulder.
— Drew, you saved my life, — he said seriously. — When I get this sorted out, I’m going to help you. I’ll help with tuition. I promise.
— Oh, come on… — Drew turned red. — You don’t have to.
— I do, — Arthur nodded. — I keep my word. Always.
Elena watched them, smiling. She hadn’t seen her son this hopeful in a long time. Cassie, sitting next to her mother, tugged on Arthur’s sleeve.
— Arthur, do you know how to play checkers? — she asked.
— Of course. — Arthur turned to her. — Why don’t I show you how it’s done?
— My dad used to teach us… — Cassie looked down. — But he died.
Arthur went quiet. He laid a hand on her head.
— I know, honey, — he said sadly. — But he’d be proud of you. You’re doing great. Your mom, Drew, and you.
Cassie nodded and wiped her eyes.
— Let’s play. — Arthur stood up.
They got out the checkers, an old wooden set in a worn box. They set them up on the board. Arthur explained the moves to Cassie, showing her different strategies. Cassie listened, nodding, moving the pieces tentatively. Elena and Drew sat at the table, watching. The house was warm and cozy. The stove crackled. Outside, the snow was falling softly. Drew looked at Arthur, at how patiently he was explaining things to Cassie, smiling and encouraging her. A warm feeling spread through his chest. It was like having his dad back. Like the house was whole again. He caught his mother’s eye. She was looking at Arthur, too. She was smiling.
— He’s a good man, — Elena whispered.
— Yeah, — Drew nodded. — He is.
Arthur laughed: Cassie had jumped him and taken his king. The girl clapped her hands.
— I won! — she shouted.
— You did, you smart girl! — Arthur hugged her. — You’re a quick learner.
The clock struck ten. Cassie yawned. Elena tucked her into bed. Arthur stayed at the table with Drew.
— Thank you, — he said quietly. — To all of you. You took me in, hid me, fed me. I won’t forget it. Ever.
— It was nothing, — Drew brushed it off. — No big deal.
— It was a huge deal, — Arthur shook his head. — People have forgotten how to help each other. But you didn’t. You helped a stranger. That’s rare.
Drew was silent. He didn’t know what to say. Outside, the wind was picking up again. But inside, it was quiet and warm. And Drew thought: I wish it could stay like this. I wish Arthur could stay. He could be… well, not a dad, exactly. But a friend. A mentor. Someone important. Someone we need.
The axe rang against the sharpening stone, a steady, rhythmic sound like a ticking clock. Arthur moved the blade across the wet stone, showing Drew the proper angle. Water dripped from the stone in dark rivulets, soaking into the sawdust at their feet.
— See?
Comments are closed.