And Along Came Jake (6 page)

Mr. Cobb straightened up, and began to laugh aloud, getting everyone's attention. "Hey everyone!" he announced. "Wanna hear something funny? Jake Patterson here just asked me for a job––can you believe that?"

A handful of customers began to laughing at the idea of Jake Patterson ever landing a job in Blackwater with his reputation.

"Jake," Mr. Cobb said. "I'd rather go out of business then hire you. Now get out of my store, you thief!"

As Jake exited the store, he overheard Mr. Cobb and his customers conjuring up funny scenarios of him working at the hardware store. As he continued down the street, he remembered seeing a 'Help Wanted' sign at the market, so he walked across, and went into Mr. Dobbin's store. He walked right up to him, and extended his right hand for a shake.

"Hi Mr. Dobbins. I see you have a 'help wanted' sign in your window, so I'm here for the job!" He proclaimed.

Mr. Dobbins looked down at Jake's extended hand, then immediately walked towards the window ledge, removing the sign. "The positions been filled." he said. "Unless you're here to buy something, I suggest you go on your way!"

As Jake left the store, he looked back and saw Mr. Dobbins replacing the sign onto the window ledge. Tired and weary, he decided on trying his luck at the bakery, but they didn't need any 'troublemakers' working for them. He went into the diner, hoping to wash dishes or something, but again, he was rudely told 'they didn't need a little hoodlum on their payroll.'

He spent all morning and most of the afternoon looking for a job. No one wanted to higher Jake, or his bad reputation. He went to every store on the street except one. The only place left was Smitty's store. Jake figured he had a better chance of growing a set of wings and flying away, than Smitty actually giving him a job, so he decided the store was off-limits for job hunting.

Nevertheless, Jake would still make an appearance at Smitty's for one reason, and one reason only—he needed food. The only thing Jake ate all day was breakfast at the Brierly's, and by this time he was absolutely starving. Not to mention, he needed time to think of a good excuse to give Mr. and Mrs. Brierly, why he couldn't find a job.

He wasn't about to go and ask Smitty for a job. That would be like asking a cat to voluntarily take a bath. But he was hungry, and knew he still could outrun Smitty with two broken legs. He thought about what he could do. He was trying to change his life, and didn't want to steal anymore, but what choice did he have? He didn't have a job, or any money, so he decided today would be his last time.
"It's only a sack of peanuts and a soda."
he thought to himself.

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As he walked in, Smitty gave him an evil stare, and took out the thick stick he hid behind the counter. "Go on, get outta here Jake!" He warned. "I don't wanna have to use this thing on you today!"

"I got money Smitty" Jake lied. "Don't worry, remember last time? I paid, didn't I?"

Smitty set the stick on the counter, reminding Jake of his fate should he try stealing from him again.

"You better have money boy!" Smitty said "Or I swear, I'll give you the beating that's been coming to you for a long time!"

Jake smiled, and started to whistle. He walked over to the cooler and pulled out a nice, cold soda. Smitty sensed by the look on his face he was up to no good.

"I'm watchin' you, Jake Patterson!" He began lightly tapping his index finger on the stick.

Jake began to walk around the store hoping Smitty's attention would go elsewhere, unfortunately Smitty kept a steady eye on him, watching his every move. Jake slowly made his way over to the peanut bin close to the door, grabbed a small empty sack, and started to fill it up.

As he scooped peanuts in the bag, he cut his eyes over to Smitty, who had his hand on the stick, waiting for him to run. Jake smiled at Smitty, gave him a wink, bolted out the door with the sack of peanuts and soda. Smitty held the stick, jumped the counter, and ran after him.

He chased Jake down the street, stick in hand and a determined look on his face. "You're mine today Patterson!" Smitty yelled, letting out a sinister laugh. "You've got nowhere to go!"

"Watch this!"
Jake said to himself, looking back, noticing Smitty was slightly closing in.

Then, like all the other times, Jake quickly turned the corner and headed towards the tall fence, where he planned to squeeze himself between the broken boards to escape. But something was different; when Jake reached the fence he noticed the broken boards had been replaced.

"Oh no!"
he thought, tossing the peanuts and soda high over the fence.

He jumped up and tried to grab the top, but his fingertips were too short. He jumped again and again, but each time he came up short. Looking back, he could see Smitty was only a few yards away. With time for one last attempt, Jake jumped as high as he could, barely reaching the top with his fingertips.

Once he had a firm grip of the fence, he started to pull himself up. He was almost clear, when he felt an angry hand tugging the bottom of his shirt, causing him to lose his grip, and fall hard to the ground. He quickly turned around and scooted himself backward, his back now up against the fence.

"Well, Well, Well!" Smitty chuckled. "I got you now boy, and to think, I had that fence repaired yesterday." Smitty started to bang the stick on the fence, close to Jake's head, scaring him to death.

"Boy!" he threatened. "I'm gonna teach you a thing or two about stealing from me—prepare yourself Jake Patterson, this is gonna hurt for a while."

Jake closed his eyes, and put his hands in front of his face, as Smitty held in the stick in the air. He was just about to bring it down, when all of a sudden, a large hand grabbed Smitty's skinny wrist, stopping his plan just in time.

The grip tightened and shook Smitty's thin wrist, causing the stick to fall to the ground. Smitty turned to see who it was, and Jake slowly lowered his arms and opened his eyes. Both Jake and Smitty now looked at a tall, handsome, muscular man, with neatly combed white hair and a nicely trimmed full beard.

He was obviously new to Blackwater, and quite possibly the biggest man Jake had ever seen. He was an older man; looked to be in his early sixties. His skin was bronze and leathery, his hands were callous and worn. His broad shoulders and his height alone made him all the more intimidating. Yet there was something about his soft blue eyes and gentle smile that seemed to balance everything out. His voice was thick and raspy, but at the same time, gentle and kind.

"Have you lost your mind?" The big man asked Smitty "He's just a boy!"

"This little hoodlum's been stealing from me for almost a year now, and I finally caught him!" Smitty said, trying to regain his composure.

The man let go of Smitty's wrist, picked up his stick and gave it back. "Go on back to your store!" he demanded. "I'll handle this!"

"You're that newcomer around here, ain't ya?" Smitty asked, walking back to his store, rubbing his wrist. "You bought that empty lot at the end of the strip, didn't you?"

"Just go on back to your store now!" The big man said, nodding his head, and answering Smitty's question. "Everything's gonna be just fine."

After Smitty was completely out of sight, the man turned his attention to Jake. "You ain't gonna hit me—are you mister?" Jake swallowed hard. "If I'm gonna get beat, I'd rather Smitty hit me hit me with that stick, than you with those big hands."

"Nah" The big man replied, extending his large hand to help Jake off the ground. "I ain't gonna hit ya. Come on, get up now, you ain't hurt!"

Once he helped Jake to his feet, he reached behind him and brushed the grass and dirt off of his back. "I don't know who that fella was, but he sure was awful mad at you boy."

"That's just Smitty" Jake replied, as he rubbed and rotated his shoulder. "He's always got something to be mad about. Well mister, I suppose I should thank you for helping me out. Are you new in town or somethin'? I've never seen you around here before."

"Yep" The big man said, as he shook Jake's hand. "I'm brand new to Blackwater, just got here yesterday. I was tired of livin' in the big city and thought it was time for a change. I just bought that vacant shop at the end of the strip. I make, repair and sell furniture. You know anyone who's in need of a good furniture repair man?"

"Not off hand" Jake replied, rubbing his chin, trying to think. "But if I hear something, I'll send em' your way. My names Jake by the way. Jake Patterson. And you are?"

"Me?" The big man chuckled. "My name's Sutton—Paul Sutton, but you can call me Big Paul. So why was Smitty chasing you in the first place Jake?"

"Well" he said, looking down on the ground "I'm trying to turn a new leaf in my life. I've been tryin' to do good, honest mister, and well—see—I was out looking for a job so I can stay at the Brierly's, but no one will hire me. I got hungry, stole some stuff from Smitty's—and well, that's when you came along."

"Hmm, Sounds like you had a big day today?"

"It's about average for me." Jake replied.

"Ever make furniture before?" Big Paul asked.

"Nah" he replied, "but I know how to use tools. My dad taught me real good."

"So why not go work with your father?" Big Paul asked, with a puzzled look on his face.

"Well mister" he said, his eyes faced the ground again. "My father died a while ago, and my mother's a drunk, so I left my home in Round Rock, and ran away to Blackwater about a year ago. I finally got somewhat of a permanent place to stay, but in order for me to keep staying there, I need a job. Mr. Brierly told me finding a job would help keep me out of trouble and teach me some responsibility."

"Well Jake," Big Paul said "I think Mr. Brierly's a smart man. I could always use a hand at my furniture store, how does five cents an hour sound?"

"Are you offering me a job, mister?" He asked.

"Yes Jake, I'm offering you a job." He said as he chuckled.

"Thanks Big Paul! I'm a hard worker; you won't regret this one bit!"

"You can start tomorrow. But first, we need to make something right!"

"Make what right?" Jake asked puzzled.

"What did you take from Smitty's store?" He asked as he put his hands on his hips.

"Oh, make that right!" He said, raising his eyebrows "Well Big Paul, I threw the stuff over the fence so I guess they're gone now."

Mr. Sutton grabbed the top of the fence and pulled himself up just enough to look over. He saw the sack of peanuts, the soda, and a small crate on the other side. He let go of the fence, grabbed Jake by the waist and lifted him up enough to see over.

"Okay Jake!" Big Paul said "Climb the fence, toss the stuff over, then use the crate to climb back. If you run, I'm gonna find this Mr. Brierly, and tell him what you've done! Got it?"

"Yeah Big Paul, I got it!" he jumped over and moved the crate next to the fence, grabbed the peanuts and soda tossing them over, then climbed back to the other side.

"Okay Jake" He said "Grab the stuff, and lets go back to Smitty's. You're gonna give em' back, then apologize."

"Aww, come on Big Paul!" Jake said whinning. "Are you serious?"

"Yes I'm serious, now let's go!" He smiled and tossled Jake's hair.

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As the two walked in Smitty's store, Smitty gave them the familiar evil stare. "Jake, you've got about three seconds to get out of my store or I'll––" His words were cut short as Mr. Sutton spoke.

"Jake here has something he'd like to give you, and has something to say."

"I'm waiting, what is it?" He said, leaning on the counter.

Jake looked back at Mr. Sutton, sighed and shook his head. "Go on Jake" Big Paul nodded, "Smitty's a busy man."

"Here you go, Smitty" Jake said, as he placed the peanuts and soda on the counter. "I'm sorry for stealing from your store, and if it's alright with you, I'd like to––" he paused, and looked back at Mr. Sutton. "Big Paul, do I have to say the last part?"

"Yes Jake, go on...." Mr. Sutton instructed.

"If it's alright with you Smitty," Jake continued "I'd like to help out, in your store, for free as payment for all the times I stole from you in the past."

"Tell ya what," Smitty grinned, as he started sucking on his own teeth. "There's a room in the back of the store, full of junk. If you sort it out, clean it up, and make it neat, we'll call it even."

"And" Mr. Sutton added, putting his hand on Jake's head. "If you take anything from that back room, Smitty will tell me, and me, you and Mr. Brierly I are gonna have a nice long chat. Got it?"

"Yes sir. I won't take anything, I've learned my lesson."

"Your name's Big Paul?" Smitty asked.

"You can call me Mr. Sutton." He replied with a smile.

As Jake and Mr. Sutton walked towards the front, Big Paul reached in his pocket and pulled out some change, handing it to Jake.

"Well, It looks like you've got enough money to buy yourself some lunch, How about you go back in there, and grab something to eat? I know you're hungry."

"Thanks Big Paul." Jake said, reluctantly grabbing the money.