Day six.

As daylight approached, Evan could not fathom that he had survived the horrible night. It was still raining and not only was he beat to a pulp but his clothes were muddy and his body ached all over. He was so tired. He managed to get moving very slowly. He visually searched for his duffel bag and found it lying half way in the pond. “My God!” He said aloud. “What's next?” He made his way over to his bag and drug it out of the water. When he opened it, the first thing he saw was the sandwiches that Maureen had given him. There wasn't much left of the bread it had been just about completely dissolved by the water and found it's way all through his bag and all over his clothes. An empty hole wrenched itself in the pit of his heart. He took a piece of ham out and ate it. Then another piece and ate that. The rain was light but he was still cold. There was a fog hanging about two feet off the clearing. The grass crunched beneath his feet as he moved about. I need to build a fire he thought as he searched his pockets for his matches. Only one match left and it was soaked. “Oh no, I don't have any matches.” A dreadful feeling of despair came over him. “I might as well be dead.” How was he going to dry out his stuff? This was by far the worst night Evan had ever experienced in his entire life. Feeling totally defeated he sat down and cried until he couldn't cry anymore. His head was pounding from his stress and his stomach felt like someone had stabbed him. “I'm never going to make it to Florida,” he said to himself. “Never going to make it. How can I get back out there on the road the way I look? People will never pick me up. I'll end up dying out here.” He screamed, “Damn!!! Damn you!!!! Damn you!!! Damn you Dad!!!” He broke down and fell to his knees. “Please help me,” he pronounced in a trembling almost non-existent tone. Evan had grown up Catholic but didn't pray much. He was actually begging for help on his knees. He could barely see for his tears. The rain had stopped but he did not notice. The fog had lifted and a ray of sunshine could be seen breaking through the Silvery gray and off white billowing clouds. Evan was so mentally destroyed at that point that he did not see the ray of sunshine at all. “Please, please somebody help me,” he murmured. “Please help me God, please help me? Please?” He fell to his elbows and then all the way to the ground. Balled up in a fetal position and shook all over. He just kept saying. “Please God help me.”

A man's voice rang out from somewhere. “Hey! What are you doing?” Evan thought it must be a dream. “Hey you there. What are you doing?” The voice inquired. Evan couldn't move he felt paralyzed. An old man with a brown, black and white Heinz 57 variety sort of collie looking dog walked up on him. The dog started licking Evans face. The man said, “are you all right boy?” Evan gathered all of his strength and answered. “No sir.” “Are you hurt?” Evan shook his head no. “Here, let me help you,” the gentleman said as he helped Evan to a sitting position. “Are you O.K.” He asks? Evan shook his head no and with his lip quivering tried to speak but nothing came out. “Can you walk young man?” Even nodded yes. “Well then, come with me my farm is right over there.” He pointed but Evan did not see any buildings. The dog, the man called Ginger, was still licking and jumping all around Evan. The man helped Evan up threw his bag over his shoulder and away they went. Evan nearly collapsed a couple of times on the way. The man put his arm around him and pretty much carried him to the house.

Once inside the farmer kindly said.”Here sit down son.” The farmer pulled out an old wooden kitchen chair and sat Evan at the table. Ginger laid her head on Evans leg and looked so sad. “Mary come here and fix a pot of coffee.” The farmer sat on the other side of the shabby wooden table. He was a big man slightly bald with a scruffy salt and pepper beard. His bib overalls were torn and worn. Mary a little tiny wisp of a woman with gray platinum hair and a tattered apron set to making coffee without a word. She had a kind smile and whistled quietly as she put some wood in the old cook stove. She poured Evan and the farmer who she called Daddy a cup of coffee. There is no way, Evan thought, this could be his Daughter she was at least 75 or 80 years old. Evan shaking picked up the cup with both hands and spilled some on the floor. Mary announced, “That's alright.” as she grabbed a worn out dish towel and wiped it up. She put her hand on Evan's shoulder and told him. “You are safe now.” Evan began to cry. “Here, here, now everything will be all right.” Mary said as she patted Even on the top of his head. Mary reminded him so much of his Nan. Her name was Mary also, and his Baw called his Nan Mommy. He couldn't believe it. Nan was Evans Great Grand Mother who he loved with all of his heart. Ginger had not moved an inch and Evan reached down and scratched her ear. She licked his hand and Evan sort of smiled. “What were you doing out there by the pond?” The farmer asked. Evan broke down again and tried so hard to talk. It was so difficult to get the words out. “I am a traveling man.” Evan whispered. “A traveling man?” Bellowed the farmer. “Ah-ha! I did a bit of that when I was a younger man,” He added as he smiled and looked into Evan's bloodshot eyes. “We used to ride a horse though back in my day.” Mary was busy at the cook stove fixing something that smelled strange to Evan. “What is your name son?” The farmer asks as he sipped his coffee from an old tin cup. “Evan” is all he said. “They call me Bear” the farmer smiled. Mary added, “his name is Bobby Jo.” “I like Bear better you know that Mommy.” Evan could not understand. “Mommy and Daddy? Huh?” Evan's Nan also called his Baw Daddy. This had to be a dream. It just could not be true.

It was very hot in the kitchen with the stove fire. Steam was rolling off Evan's clothes and he was sweating. Mary put a plate of food in front of Evan and got him a knife and a fork. Evan had never seen food that looked like what she gave him. He thought, “what in the world is this stuff,” as he pushed the food around the plate a little with his fork. Bear ask. “What's the matter Evan don't you like biscuits, gravy and grits?” “I don't know sir.” Evan managed to say. “I never had them.” “Boy oh boy, you don't know what your missin' son. Eat up!” Mary poured Evan another cup of coffee. Bear stood up and he and Mary left the room. Evan took a small bite and much to his surprise, it was delicious. He shoveled it in as fast as he could.

He had finished every bit of food on his plate when Bear and Mary returned. Bear handed Evan an old pair of blue jeans and a flannel shirt and directed him to go in the bedroom and change. Evan accepted with a crooked little pouting smile. The jeans were at least three sizes too big around the waist and way to short. He laced his belt through most of the belt loops and tightened it. Evan was six feet tall. The shirt was big enough to be a tent. Evan put them on anyway. He looked like lil' Abner he thought. But at least he was dry. The bedroom was hardly big enough to turn around in. A worn out dresser with a stained mirror against one wall. A small chipped up Vanity on another and a big double bed, which looked like it was made of 4 x 4's. It was a very dark room with one window with tattered lace curtains. It had a peculiar odor. Kind of like the locker room at Evan's high school. Evan started thinking about all of his school friends and when, if ever, he would see any of them again. He thought again about Rachel, his Mom, his Nan, his Dad, Liz and could not hold back the tears. He was beginning to get used to the salty taste of his tears as they ran down his cheeks and onto his lips. He found a rubber band on the floor, tied his hair back into a ponytail with it, and went back to the kitchen.

”You feelin' better Evan?” Bear piped out. Gave Evan a start. He was behind him and Evan did not see him. “Yes sir a lot better. Thanks.” “Mommy will wash your clothes. Come on! We don't sit around all day around here. There is work to be done. Finish your coffee and meet me out at the barn.” Evan chugged his coffee and out the door they went. Evan looked a site with his Dingo boots and high water pants as he walked into the barn. Evan had carved stars on the tops of his boots and painted them red, white and blue. They stood out like a sore thumb. Bear didn't say anything about it so Evan just laughed a little about it. More like a small smile than a real laugh. “Get that dung fork over there Evan and come on down here.” Bear walked to the other end of the barn. Evan looked around. “Dung fork?” He spotted a few in a corner of what he learned to call pitchforks . There were three different sizes. “Dung fork? Which one is that? Hmmmm.” Evan grabbed the five tine fork and threw it over his shoulder like a soldier. When he walked up to Bear he laughed out loud at Evan. “Boy not the hay fork the dung fork. Hahaha Evan. You never worked on a farm before huh?” “No sir this is the first time.” “Well go up there and get the fork with three tines and bring it here.” Evan did.

"Didn't your Daddy teach you anything?" Bear said with a grin. "AH...not much." Evan replied. "Not much?" Said Bear. "Do you know how to drive?" Evan answered, "Yea, I can drive." "Well who taught you?" Asked Bear. "My Dad did." Said Evan. Evan thought about the old 50 Chevy he learned to drive in. It was going to have been his in a couple of months. "Well we will see if you can drive this afternoon." Stated Bear. "Now fork that shit into this wheel barrel and dump it around the corner." "You will see the pile." "I will be working on the tractor." Bear said as he walked out of the barn. Evan went to work. The shit must have been a foot deep and was so hard to move. Wheel barrel after wheel barrel full Evan moved. With Evan weighing in at a solid 147 pounds, a few time he almost dumped it on his way around the corner to the pile. The odor was sickening sweet and Evans Dingo boots and hands were taking a beating. It was hard work. Evan went at it like a trooper. The hard work was good for him. He didn't see Bear at all the rest of the morning. Evan was filling the last wheel barrel load when Bear walked back in the barn. "Good job son." Bear smiled. "Thank you sir." Evan replied. "You call me Bear, Evan." Said Bear with a firm look. "O.K. Bear." Evan answered. "Mommy has our lunch ready. So come on lets eat." Bear said as he put his arm over Evan's shoulder and started toward the house.

"You hungry? Bear inquired. Then he said. "You must be. You worked very hard." "I could eat the north end of a south bound mule right about now." Evan chuckled. Bear laughed a hearty ha ha ha. Evan smiled at him as they arrived at the house. "Kick your boots off and slip these on." Bear directed Evan to a pair of worn out leather slippers about 3 sizes too big. Bear must have worn at least a size 13 shoe. Evan kicked off his shit covered boots and shuffled into the kitchen in the slippers. He was certainly a sight. It was about 100 degrees and smelled so appetizing. "Mommy has your clothes laid out in on the bed." Mary added. "All nice and clean for you Evan." "Thank you Maam." Evan said as he sat down to the old table. "Evan worked out real good out in the barn Mommy." Bear almost whispered. Evan thought. "What a soft gentle voice Bear used with her." "You must be hungry?" Mary asked. "Yes Maam, that I am." "Well get over to the sink and wash those hands before you get any food at my table. You too Daddy." Bear leaned over the table and quietly said, "better do as she says son. She packs a pretty mean wallop for a little woman." "I heard that." Mary laughed. "Now wash up before the soup gets cold. Evan and Bear followed her instructions like a couple of giddy schoolboys.

When they sat back down, there was a big bowl of chicken corn soup, a half loaf of homemade bread and a pound of butter on the table. "Would you like coffee or milk Evan?" Mary inquired. Evans response was . "Coffee with milk, please Maam." "Eat up son. We got a lot of work to do before dark." Bear explained. "Before Dark!" Evan shockingly thought. "I really should get back on the road soon today." Evan told them. "Nonsense! You are staying here tonight." Bear answered in a most convincing tone. "We'll have no more talk of you traveling today and that's that!" Mary added. "Now eat up. You will need your strength if you are going to keep up with Daddy." She smiled. "This is really good soup Maam." Evan told Mary. "It all came from right here on the farm." Bear said. "Sure is good." Evan garbled as he chewed the sweet bread and butter. Mary filled his coffee, served him and Bear a second bowl of soup and put fresh bread on the table. They ate, finished their coffee and were kicked back and relaxed when Bear spoke up. "Well time to get back to work son." Evan was stuffed. His muscles hurt, he was tired and two blisters had burst on his left hand. Bear exclaimed. "Lets go Evan! We will never get anything done sittin' round the kitchen like a couple of old women." "I should change my clothes first Bear." Evan said. "No sense dirtying up your clean clothes. Might just as well wear what you are. Now come on lets get a move on." Bear insisted. Evan reluctantly shuffled to the door.

It was a beautiful day. Bright blue sky with a spattering of soft white clouds. A slight breeze and around 60 degrees. Before Evan took a look at his Dingo's he was beginning to get in some better spirit. But, when he saw his boots all covered in cow shit he almost cried. He said out loud. "Damn! Done ruined my boots. Shit!" Bear explained. 'No you didn't ruin them. We will clean then up real good for you tonight. Scrape them off over there on the boot scraper, for now." Evan did and then followed Bear around to the back of the house to a run down shed. Bear pulled the bolt and swung open the double doors. Inside was a small rubber tired, front end loader. It looked about a 100 years old. "So, Evan, can you drive that." Bear asked as he pointed at the loader. Evan's look of doubt said it all as Bear climbed into the drivers seat and started the engine. It sounded like it was going to fly apart at any second. Bear slammed it in gear and bounced out of the shed. Bear yelled. "Climb up here and I'll show you how to drive this contraption." Evan climbed up and stood on the small running board as Bear showed him. There were two levers on one side, two levers on the other side and one pedal on the floor. No steering wheel at all. Evan couldn't figure out were the brake was and how was he going to turn? Bear explained that there were no brakes and that Evan would have to. "Pull two handles back to stop or back up. Push both forward to go. Pull the left one and push the right one to turn left. Just the opposite to turn right. The pedal is the gas. The other handle on the left moves the bucket up and down and the other one on the right is to dump the bucket. Now, you think you can handle her, Evan?" "I think so! Why not? Yea, I can drive it!" Evan excitedly proclaimed. Bear turned the engine off and Evan climbed into the drivers seat and started it. It shook like a can of bolts. Bear pointed to go around the house as he ran around the corner. Evan needed to turn a little to the left so he did as Bear had told him and spun the machine clear around and almost was thrown off. Evan almost had a heart attack. "I can see this thing is going to be a little touchy." He thought as he delicately maneuvered around to where he wanted it. "Both levers forward." he muttered. The loader leapt forward just about giving him whiplash. He was rolling and in the right direction though. By he time Evan made it around the house he had the hang of it and was driving like a pro. Bear pointed at the shit pile and a shit spreader and Evan began to scoop up the shit and dump it in the spreader. Bear watched and directed when Evan got a out of hand. Evan thought. " It was kind of like riding a bucking bronco." Evan never thought he could have so much fun working. Non the less shoveling shit. Took quite a bit of shit to fill the spreader but Evan finally succeeded. Bear instructed Evan to turn off the loader and climb on the tractor with him. Bear pulled the spreader out to the field and the shit hit the fan. Evan sat up on the fender while Bear drove. "You chew?" Bear asked as he pulled a plug of Red Man out of his pocket and took a bite. Evan had never chewed tobacco before. "No sir, but I would like to try." Bear handed him the plug and Evan took a bite. It was bitter sweet and filled Evan's mouth with juice right away. Bear spit and Evan did the same. The juice ran down Evan's chin. Bear could spit a country mile. He taught Evan the art and they spat and spread shit all over the field. The tractor was loud. The exhaust pipe stuck straight up through the hood and billowed blue white smoke which occasionally would blow right back in their faces. Evan was turning green from the exhaust fumes and the chew. They filled and spread three spreaders full. Cleaned out the spreader and put away the loader. Bear drove the loader into the shed. Evan was grateful for that. The sun was getting low in the sky. A red purple line of Cyrus clouds were stretched across the horizon. The temperature was dropping and Bear announced. "Time to call it a day son." Evan replied. "Yea, just about that time I'd say." "Mommy will have super on and we'd best not be late." Bear added.

As they walked back toward the house they kindled a relationship like Evan had never known. Bear would on purpose bump into Evan and push him around a bit in a playful manner. Bear could have knocked Evan down any time he wanted. He was only nudging him. Evan followed suit and kind of wrestled Bear around when he had the chance. They laughed and rough housed all the way to the house. Evan could smell the aroma of something that smelled awfully good coming from the house. Bear exclaimed. "Hog maul! Boy Evan you are a lucky guy. I can't get Mommy to make hog maul for me unless I take her to town for a day of shopping. I just might have to keep you around for awhile. Ha ha ha." They took off their boots and Evan shuffled into the kitchen in his oversized slippers.

"I drew a hot bath for you Evan." Mary announced. "Thank you Maam." Evan replied. Bear walked up to Mary and kissed her softly on the cheek and said. "I love you Mommy." She answered. "I love you too Daddy." Evan went into the bedroom, picked out a change of clothes and went off for a bath. The bathroom was at the end of the hall just past the bedroom. There was just enough room to stand beside the tub. There was a toilet but no sink. A clean, dirty white, towel was on the rack and a washcloth hanging on the side of the old claw foot tub. Steam was rolling off the surface of the water and a small electric open faced heater was running at the far end of the room beside the toilet. Evan took off his lil' Abner clothes and eased into the tub. The tub was a long one and the water was just right. Evan laid back and stretched out. Drew a little more hot water and almost fell asleep. His body was aching all over. He couldn't seem to think about anything. Everything was a blank for a time. "Why am I here?" He asked. "Who am I?" He could smell the food cooking in the kitchen, and he was hungry. So, he quickly washed. "What am I going to tell Bear and Mary?" Even pondered as he dried off with the old dilapidated towel. He put on his boot cut 501 button fly Levi's with the peace flag patch on the bottom of one leg. "That's me!" He smiled, as he strapped his belt through the loops. He put on a plain white T-shirt. It smelled so good when he pulled it over his head. Evan wondered. "Hmm, wonder what kind of detergent Mary used?" Evan felt good in clean underwear and clothes. He put on his white socks and did his best James Dean. Tied back his hair, slipped into his huge slippers and shuffled out to the kitchen.

To be continued..