The Count of Castle Rock

Chapter L- Merchants and Schemes

Father fastens his apron, washes his hands, and sets to the task of preparing batter for his famous pancakes. The night before, he'd had a pretty explosive argument with Jesse over some words had with Sister Roberta. She'd said some hurtful things and he'd responded in kind. Later on he realized that his anger wasn't at his oldest, but at himself for allowing Leesa to go to Black Roost. Determined to make amends he figured he'd start with breakfast.

He makes sausages, bacon, eggs, and a huge stack of pancakes. The bottom floor fills with the savory aroma of home. Humming to himself, Father sets the table and begins boiling water. A knock at the door seems to drum perfectly with his morning song. He dances over to the side door and opens it. A young man from the open market brings in a basket of fruit and places it on the counter.

"It's all there, Mr. Talbert. Ripe and barely bruised." The young man smiles and ducks back out into the morning light where his cart sits, full of similar baskets.

"Thank you, Karim. Tell your father I appreciate his services." Father gives the young man three silver pieces. "Two for the fruit and one for you."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Talbert."

"You're quite welcome."

Father plucks the choice pieces from the basket and cuts them into slices. He puts them all in a bowl and places the bowl at the center of the table. He gives everything a quick look. Pleased with himself, he goes to the stairs and calls up to the girls to let them know that breakfast is ready.

In response, Mary comes running in a cloud of perfume. With barely a good morning greeting, she flutters out the front door and is gone. Jesse isn't far behind her. She grumbles an apology for her behavior the night before then snatches a pancake and barrels out the side entrance. Father stands speechless. Breakfast has always been the one thing he could count on to bring his family together, the one place they could always fellowship with one another.

Looking down at the wasted effort covering the table, Father loses his appetite.

"I hope you set an extra place for me," Will says as he hops down the last couple of steps. "I intend to have my fill of your pancakes, Talbert. Enough to hold me over for a few months, then I'll have to make the trip north again."

He walks into the kitchen and looks around. Father follows him and pours himself a cup of tea.

"Where are the girls?"

"They've all gone," Father says, leaning against the counter. "They've gone their separate ways, their stories no longer include me." He doesn't cry for the daughter gone missing or the daughters he fears he's lost... but the hurt is there.

"Don't say that. They'll always have a place for their father."

Another knock at the door stops Father from saying what was on his mind, a dark thing born of heartbreak and melancholy.

"I'll get it," Will offers.

"No, have a seat. Eat up."

Father goes to the side door. Not expecting anyone, he is thoroughly surprised when he opens the door and finds three visitors. He recognizes Fran Greenfinger and Thomas Hunt, but he's never met the tall man behind them. The man's resemblance to Leesa's apprentice suitor leaves Father with no doubt about the man's identity.

"What are you doing here?" he asks, his tone cold.

"Father Talbert, please," Greenfinger pleads. "I was hoping the four of us could speak."

He glares over her head at Heathson and, for his part, the tall man doesn't flinch.

"Please." Greenfinger puts her hand on Father's chest and gently nudges him out of the doorway.