Born to Run

Chapter 14: Country Girl No Longer

“Ted!” his mother screeched as he was mending the long fence that kept the cows from munching on Mother’s cabbages. “Something has come for you!”

Ted set the hammer down and wiped the sweat from his brow. Who would possibly send him anything? A thought came to him, and he stood. Maybe Esme had written to him!

He hurried to the house, his long strides aiding him in speed. “Mother?” he peeked into the sunlit house. “You said something came for me?”

His mother nodded, grinning. “It says that it’s from a Goldworth, dear! Open it!”

She held out the letter, and Ted tried very hard not to snatch it from her hands. Slowly, he took a corner of the precious paper with two fingers. His mother released, and not being able to resist, Ted tore open the letter.

“To Theodore Falcon,

You are required. Come to the palace.” Ted’s excitement dissolved as he read the sender’s name. “Sincerely,

Kenneth Goldworth etc.”

The time had come.

“Well?”  

“I must saddle up the horse,” Ted said, shoving the letter into his jacket. “Kenneth Goldworth requires my company.”

A look of bewilderment swept over his mother’s features. “Why?”

Ted kissed his mother on the cheek. “I will be back a few days.”

“But who will tend the farm?”

He thought a moment. “I will stop by the Davis’ farm and ask Will for his help. ‘Tis only a few days, Mother. You will be fine without me.”

His mother sighed, knowing there was little she could do to convince him to stay. “Very well, son, but do not forget to dress warm. I hear that fall is coming.”

Ted smiled. “Of course, Mother,” he replied. “Kenneth will make sure I am taken care of.”

She placed a hand on his arm. “Be careful.”

“I will do my very best, Mother,” he assured her. “Goodbye!” Ted turned around and jogged toward the stable. He saddled up their best mare, Betsy, and mounted her. “Come, we have quite a trip ahead.”

As the journey progressed, Ted thought about what might have transpired for Ken to need his help. Had the secret finally been discovered? Kenneth and Ted were children when it had happened. They had been staying up late, watching the fire while they sipped cider. Their mothers had already fallen asleep, and could be heard snoring softly in the back room.

As the shadows danced on the walls, Ted could remember listening to Kenneth with awe at his superiority, him being four years his senior. Kenneth had known so many good stories and ways to shoot birds… He had almost been like the older brother Ted never had.

The night had been so peaceful. That was what Ted remembered most. But the Monster was still lurking; still waiting to prey on the innocent and defenceless.

Then the door had banged open, and two men had appeared in the doorway, their eyes red and wary. One man Ted recognized as Kenneth’s father, but the other was much, much bigger and taller. “Go, boys! Hide!” The big man had said in an urgent whisper. “Go, before they come!”

Kenneth’s father shoved a bundle in his son’s arms, pushed both boys into the store room and had closed the door. “Make no noise!” Ken’s father had hissed.

Both boys had been too frightened to speak, and so they nodded in submission. Ted had found a small crack in the door and peeked through it, curious to find out what they had been running from. He had motioned to Ken to do the same, and they both had watched the scene unfold through the tiny crack.