And Along Came Jake (9 page)

After Edwin's warning to his fellow soldier, he noticed Madison outside, doubled over, now laughing uncontrollably. Edwin furrowed his brow, walked over to Jake and hit him hard on the arm.

"D-Darn it Jake! Why d-d-didn't you t-tell me she w-w-was looking? How embarrassing!"

Madison proceeded to open the door, and began pointing and making fun of the two boys. Then she put both of her hands over her heart, tilted her head to the side and batted her eyes.

"My two heroes!" She playfully said. "You've saved my family and my farm. How can I ever thank you?"

Hearing the commotion, Mr. Sutton walked out of his office, to put a face to the new voice he heard. "Well, hello there young lady. May I help you?" He asked.

Madison immediately stopped laughing as she stood there, with her eyes and mouth wide open, her head tilted all the way back as she looked up at this mountain of a man. Although he had a kind face and a gentle voice, his size alone seemed to paralyze her.

"You must be Madison Brierly?" He asked in a friendly voice.

She didn't say a word, just continued looking up at Big Paul, and slowly nodded her head.  "Well Madison," he said, trying to make her feel more at ease. "This shop sure could use a young lady's touch. What do you think can be done with these windows and walls?"

Madison suddenly lifted her eyebrows, perked up, cracked a smile and started walking the store, pointing and making decorating suggestions. Mr. Sutton and the two boys looked at each other, then watched Madison, in awe, of how such a young lady could talk, move and think so fast. After a few moments, she walked back over and stood in front of Big Paul.

"I have so many more ideas!" she added, as she smiled at Mr. Sutton.

"By the way," Big Paul interjected, sticking out his hand for a handshake. "My name's Mr. Sutton, but you can call me Big Paul."

Madison began to blushing in embarrassment for not greeting him properly. "It's a pleasure to meet you Big Paul. My name's Brierly, Madison Nicole Brierly; painter and decorator at your service!" she smiled, shaking his large hand.

As they formally introduced themselves. her eagerness to know a certain answer got the best of her. "Did you ask him?" she looked to Jake, and gave him a sharp elbow to the ribs.

"Oh yeah!" Jake remembered, while rubbed his side. "Mr. Brierly wanted me to ask if you'd like to join us for dinner tonight at their house—what do you say Big Paul, will you join us?"

"Well, I've sure heard a lot about the Brierly's, and their excellent crops, I'd be delighted to go. What time should I be there?"

Jake opened his mouth to answer, but was quickly interrupted. "Seven o'clock sharp!" Madison instructed. "Ma won't have anyone late for dinner; I'd suggest getting there a little early, we're having lasagna!"

"Sounds great Madison." Big Paul replied "I'll see you around seven, or maybe even a little before!"

The bell on the door rang, getting everyone's attention as Penny Birch storm into the shop. "Edwin Douglas Birch." his mother said, shaking her finger towards him. "Where on earth have you been?"

"I-I-I've b-been here Ma, I t-t-t-told you th-this morning." he answered.

Mrs. Birch, put her hands on her hips, and looked up at the ceiling. "Hmm, I guess I do remember you saying something about working with Big Paul today." she, walked towards Mr. Sutton and continued "So you're Big Paul, the one the whole town's been talking about? My boy seems very fond of you for some reason. If he ever gives you any trouble, you let me know…I'll straighten him out good!"

"He's a good kid" Mr. Sutton said smiling, as he messed up Edwin's hair. "No trouble at all ma'am!"

Mrs. Birch grabbed Edwin by the arm. "Time to go, your father needs some help back at the house. Say goodbye to your friends, you'll see them tomorrow."

Being guided out of the shop, he did his best to wave goodbye, knowing he would see them tomorrow. Mr. Sutton and the children waved back and giggled.

The kids continued to work, while listening to Big Paul's stories and wise advice, but now it was time to close up the shop. "Y'all should be getting home now." Big Paul said. "I've got a few things to wrap up before I make my way to dinner." He reached in his pocket. "Here's your wages for the day, young Patterson." Then he turned his attention to Madison and continued. "If you'd like to help decorate, I'll be happy to pay you."

"I'd love to, Big Paul!" She exclaimed.

Jake and Madison left the shop and ran back to the house to alert Madison's parents for the night's dinner guest. When the kids were gone, Mr. Sutton took time and looked around the shop, noticing how Jake and Edwin made really good progress thus far.

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Suddenly, the bell on the door chimed, alerting Big Paul to the frail woman who had walked in. She appeared very nervous and possibly troubled. "Are you alright ma'am? How may I help you?" He asked.

"Are you Big Paul?" She wondered as she began to wring her hands over and over.

"Yes ma'am, I'm Big Paul" he nodded.

"Where is he Big Paul? Is he here?" she asked, as she continued to wring her hands nervously, looking around the shop.

"Is who here, ma'am?" he asked, confused over the situation.

The woman then looked at the ground, and began to weep, covering her face with her hands. "Jake Patterson" She asked with a shaky voice. "He's my son, is he here?"

Mr. Sutton recalled the story Jake told of his father's death, and how his mother seemed to spiral into deep depression. He brought a chair towards the troubled woman and motioned for her to sit.

"Would you care for a hot cup of tea ma'am? I just made some." Paul asked.

She didn't say a word, just nodded her head and sat on the chair. When Mr. Sutton returned with two cups of hot tea, he pulled another chair over and sat in front of her.

Big Paul started "Your son was here earlier today; in fact you just missed him." He politely tried to change the subject by saying "How's your tea, do you need more sugar or anything?"

"No sir, it's good like this" she said as she took a sip. "My name's Maggie by the way—Maggie Patterson. My son ran away from home about a year ago, we use to live in Round Rock about eight miles east of here––"

She continued on and on for about an hour talking about her late husband, and the great times the three of them had. She told him how it caused her to lose her mind. She told Paul Sutton that her deepest regret was not only losing her husband, but losing her son as well.

Mr. Sutton sat there, and just sipped his tea and listened. Maggie Patterson desperately needed to talk. He poured cup after cup of hot healing tea, and lent his ear for as long she needed. He didn't give any advice, nor try to fix her problems, he simply sat and listened.

"Oh my!" She said, looking at the clock on the wall. "I'm so sorry Big Paul, I must have talked your ear off, I'm so sorry."

"No need to be sorry, ma'am." He answered, as he gently took the empty cup and saucer from her hands. "I'm here any time you need to talk."

"Will Jake be here tomorrow?" She asked, giving him a slight smile.

"Ma'am, if you don't mind" Mr. Sutton said.  "I'd like to speak with him first. I'm having dinner with him at the Brierly's tonight. I'll be sure to tell him you came by."

"The Brierly's?" questioned Maggie.

"Yes ma'am!" said Mr. Sutton. "He's living in the old barn on their land. Don't worry, he's perfectly comfortable there. He eats breakfast and dinner at the Brierly's every day."

Mrs. Patterson shook his hand, thanked him once again, and proceeded to leave the store. Mr. Sutton stood there for a few minutes, thinking how sad the situation was, and how her son had to grow up so quickly.

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Back at the house, Jake and Madison confirmed with the Brierly's of Big Paul's acceptance for the dinner invite. Mrs. Brierly was particularly excited to host the newcomer; she went right to work in the kitchen, cooking and baking. She loved to cook; an award winner actually, receiving a blue ribbon in many local contests.

While his wife cooked, Mr. Brierly, Jake and Madison went their separate ways to tidy the house and put on their nicest clothes for the special dinner with Mr. Sutton. All Mrs. Brierly had left was the finishing touches on the freshly baked apple pie. Shortly after everything was prepared, she also went upstairs to freshen up and get changed.

Jake and the Brierly's were all dressed up and ready to eat around 6:54 p.m. There was a loud knock at the front door, and Mrs. Brierly stood up and adjusted her dress.

"That must be him!" she said. "Get the door Nate!" she ordered, as her husband chuckled and shook his head.

"Okay kids" Mr. Brierly, said as he smiled. "Be on your best behavior, alright?"

As Mr. Brierly opened the door, his eyes widened as he saw this huge man standing before him. His white beard was neatly trimmed, and his suit appeared professionally pressed. Mr. Sutton removed his hat, and stood with a smile waiting to be asked inside.

After a few seconds, Mr. Brierly heard his wife clear her throat, hoping to snap her husband out of his trance. It worked perfectly, Mr. Brierly, stepped aside motioning Mr. Sutton inside.

"Good evening Mr. Sutton, my name is Brierly, Nate Brierly." he said as he extended his hand.

"Pleased to meet you sir." answered Mr. Sutton, as the two shook hands.

"This is my lovely wife, Abigail." Mr. Brierly voiced, pointing to Mrs. Brierly.

"Pleasure to meet you, ma'am!" Paul said, as they shook hands.

"This is my daughter Madison." Mr. Brierly concluded and looked towards Jake. "And you've already met Jake, our little stow away."

"It's so nice to finally meet the two of you." Paul began. "I've heard so much about you from young Patterson here, and please, don't call me Mr. Sutton, I may be older in age, but I'm still very young at heart. Call me Big Paul."

As everyone made their way to the dining room, Big Paul slowly glanced around their home. "Mrs. Brierly, you have a beautiful home." He noted. "These paintings are just lovely."

"Well Mr. Sutton" she said proudly as she blushed "We take great pride in our home. As for the paintings, they were painted by our Madison Brierly!"

"This is just beautiful Madison!" he said, walking over to have a closer look. "You're quite talented young lady."

"It's easy!" She smiled. "I look at something, or think of something, and paint it!"

"Well" Mr. Sutton said "They are absolutely beautiful!"

As they sat at the table, Mr. Brierly said grace, and they began to pass the delicious food around. Then they heard a quiet knock at the front door. Mr. Brierly placed a bowl of vegetables down and sighed.

"Abigail, did you invite someone else to dinner?" He asked.

Mrs. Brierly shook her head, as Nate excused himself from the table and walked to the door. Everyone stopped eating and watched as he opened it, exposing a trembling frail woman.

"Pardon me, but is this the Brierly's home sir?" asked Maggie Patterson.

"Yes ma'am, how may I help you?" he answered.

"Is my son here?" she asked, poking her head inside the door. "Is Jake Patterson here?"

Mr. Brierly opened the door, allowing her to see her son. When she saw Jake, she put her hands over her mouth and began to tear up.

"Jake—Jake, is that you?" she called.

"How did you find me here?" Jake asked

"She pointed at Mr. Sutton. "I went to his store today, and he said you'd just left, but that you'd be here tonight. Don't be mad at that nice man Jake. He told me he'd speak to you about it first, and get back with me, but I couldn't help myself son, I just had to see you!"

Jake took the napkin from his lap and slammed it on the table. He got up from his chair and stormed over to his mother. "You shouldn't have come here. Please, go back to Round Rock where you belong, and leave me alone!" He stormed out of the house, and headed to the old barn.

Mr. Sutton politely excused himself, and followed Jake to the old barn to talk. Meanwhile, the Brierly's reluctantly invited the woman in, sat her down and made another plate of food. Madison stayed put and continued eating as if nothing was out of the ordinary. After all, it was lasagna night, her favorite.

"What's your name ma'am?" Mrs. Brierly asked.

"Maggie" She said quietly, as she took a small bite of bread. "Maggie Patterson."

Just like she did with Big Paul, Maggie began to explain to the Brierly's the reason Jake ran away, and how she was trying to get her life back in order.

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When Big Paul arrived at the old barn, he could hear Jake sobbing. He took a deep breath, then lightly knocked at the door. "Go away—just go away!" Jake announced.

"Hey partner," Paul said, slowly opening the door. "I smelled some good ol' apple pie at the Brierly's…how about we go back and get us a great big slice?"

"I hate apple pie!" Jake said sobbing; he was sitting on his bed picking at the fibers of his blanket. "I hate lasagna, I hate iced tea, I hate my clothes, I hate myself, I hate everything!" He began to sob even louder, and buried his face in his hands.