Jake
My father came home one day and decided I was old enough to work. He told me that he found me a job at a barn where I would earn a wage to help with the baby. I was so happy to find a reason to be out of the house since school was no longer my sanctuary. That night, I looked at my body. My father gave me some of his old clothing and it hung on my skinny frame. My arms were so thin, I was not sure I would be able to even lift anything at this barn. But I would do anything to be away. My ribs were sticking out with various bumps where father had broken them in the past. But the worst were my scars, scattered throughout my body were various markings from past beatings. I just prayed that they would not turn me down due to my appearance. Father would be furious.
I woke up early that morning 4:30 am and as I was getting out of the house my father got out of his room and called me over. "Jake" he pulled me by my loose shirt and then grabbed my neck. He began to choke me as I helplessly grabbed at his hand trying to loosen his grip. I gasped for air while nothing went in. Slowly I felt my vision blacken and my body weaken. My brain was screaming for air. Then he let go and said "You have one shot at this job, mess it up and I'll choke you to death". I stumbled backwards as he let me go and ran out of the door.
I began my 5 mile walk towards the Volker's Barn. Dragging my worn out shoes along the rocky dirt. Once I got to the barn, the sun was already out and I was just in time. I walked over to the thick wooden door and knocked. A large bearded man with a cowboy hat answered the door.
He looked at me "are you lost son" he said with a strong accent.
"No sir, I am here to work on your barn"
The man looked at me head to toe. I knew I was a laughing stock but I really needed this job. I could not go home empty handed, or else inevitable death. I knew the man was going to turn me away. My heart began to race. I began to beg "please sir, let me work for you for one day to show you I am a hard worker. I really need to help my family"
The large man's expression changed to empathetic. And he told me to follow him. He brought me over to the horse shed. "Have you ever worked with horses?" He asked.
"No sir, but I am willing to learn"
He gave me some instructions, and I began to work. I started by mocking out the stables. Shoveling the manure into a wheelbarrow and taking it up the cliff. Then putting new hay in the stables, brushing the horses, feeding the, refilling their water. Within a few hours I finished all my designated chores and walked back to the house. The man must have been watching me through the window and he came out. "You are a very hard worker young man. I will hire you to take care of my horses, and tomorrow I will teach you how to plow". He handed me the money I earned, and a small bundle.
"My wife did not want you to go home hungry" he said.
I looked up at the man with gratitude, thanked him, and then I went on my way. I walked about a mile until I was out of sight. I sat down behind a bush, and opened the wrapping. Inside I saw a sandwich with meat and cheese. I knew that all the money I would get would go to my father, but working for food, that was priceless. I took a bight out of the sandwich, cherishing the flavor while it lasted. I wanted to save some for later, but I knew the moment I would get home my day's earnings will be snatched away.
When I did finally reach home, I slowly opened the door and walked inside. Father was on me in an instant. He pulled out his hand, and I reached into my pocket and retrieved my daily earnings. At that moment, Thalia came downstairs holding Jordy. I wanted to look up at the chubby cheeked toddler but knew my place.
"Finally, we have found some purpose to this useless boy" she said.
Maybe it was the new found strength in me, or the feeling of being accepted. I lashed out at Thalia. Lifting my chin I finally spoke up in so many years. "My name is Jake, not Boy" I yelled at her. Thalia's eyes widened in astonishment. She looked at father, "Jeremy, deal with this piece of shit, how dare he speak to me like this". Father took me by the ear and lead me to the basement. He opened the door and pushed me in. Then he closed it and walked away.
YOU ARE READING
Echoes of Divergent Paths
Romance"In a tale of fate, resilience, and the bonds that transcend circumstance, 'Separated Shadows' follows the divergent paths of identical twins Jake and Max, who were torn apart at birth. Unaware of each other's existence, their lives unfold in starkl...