Valley of Death

Chapter 2

   The air is still and warm. The sun lingers at the edge where sky meets ground and the last rays of light glow an orangy, yellow hue. Earth has grown a day older. Tom is older too. He sprints home. Now a young teenager, his energy like the Sun's will continue to grow until he reaches adulthood. Tom easily hops a split-rail fence and recklessly crosses the street. His clothes caked with dirt. A fishing pole in one hand and a couple of rainbow trout he caught at the creek on fishline hangs from the other.

   Tom dashes across the front lawn of his parents' house. A beautiful, sprawling, white, ranch style home. The grass is a lush green and the many small garden flowers bloom vibrant colors. He approaches the garage. The overhead door is open and the family car sits atop jacks that hold up the front end. The car is not much of a looker but it's reliable, especially with the guiding hand of Tom's father. He is underneath the car, an assortment of tools lay beside him. Tom stops.

He holds the fish up proudly. "Dad, look what I caught."

"I'm kinda busy here Champ. Why don't you go show your mother. I'll look at it later."

Tom sulks as he walks away. "Okay."

   He makes his way to the side of the house, leans the fishing rod against the wall, kicks off his muddy shoes and opens the screen door. His socks slip and slide on the freshly waxed linoleum floor as he runs in. The kitchen is big but very neat and tidy, everything in its place. Delectable flavors of food cooking waft from the oven. Tom's stomach grumbles in anticipation. He stops and looks around for his mother.

"Mom!" Tom shouts.

His mother's voice comes from the next room. "I'm in here sweetie."

   Tom races into the living room and almost collides with his brother Sean who stands at attention. He wears his ROTC uniform proudly, the army green jacket and dress slacks clash with the bright colors of the medals pinned to his uniform. Their mother busies herself with the cuffs of Sean's pants as she lengthens them and re-pins.

"Mom, look." Tom holds out his catch.

   She looks up and the sight before her eyes amazes her. "Thomas Frederick Harper, how in the world did you get so dirty?" Tom shrinks from the use of his full name.

Sean rubs his hand through his brother's hair deliberately messing it up. "Nice fish, squirt."

"Stand still Sean unless you wanna get stuck with a pin." His mother playfully admonishes him.

She flashes Tom a stern look. "Put those fish in the sink and go wash up for supper."

Upset he tramps toward the kitchen. "Yes ma'am."

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   The men of the Harper family sit around a solid maple dinner table satiated and content. Blue, intricate, spiderweb like dollies offset the white fine china that has the remains of a well enjoyed meal.

"Wonderful dinner dear." Their father says.

Tom joins in. "Yea mom, really good."

She swooshes in with a homemade chocolate cake. "Well I hope you saved room for desert."

Sean turns to his father and asks apprehensively. "I was wondering if I could borrow the car tonight?"

His father inquisitive turns to him. "What for son?"

   The mother tries to hold back a smile and chimes in sweetly as she slices the cake. "He has a date with the Jenkins girl."

His father leans back in his chair. "I suppose that would be okay."

   "Are you going to inspiration point and make out with her?" Tom injects and makes kissy faces trying to pester his brother.

Sean glares at him.

   His mother is upset, "Where ever did you hear a thing like that from?" as she hands Tom his slice of cake.

"Craig says that's where all the seniors go to get to second base." Tom defends himself.

   "That'll be enough young man." His father scolds him and Tom turns his attention to the slice of cake. The father looks to Sean. "Where are you two headed tonight?"

"The movies."

The mother hands Sean his piece. "Well don't be too late tomorrow is the first day of school."

Sean nods.

   "Aren't you excited, your first year of high school Tom?" She hands her husband his slice and sits down.

Tom stares at his cake apprehensively and he uses his fork to play with his food. "I guess."

"What's the matter dear?" She asks concerned.

He looks up. "I'm gonna miss my friends."

His father turns to Sean. "Speaking of, I want you to watch out for your little brother."

"Yes, sir." Sean quickly responds.

"By the way how are the workouts going at the football field?"

Sean beams. "Coach Donavon says I'll be starting quarterback this year."

"Good to hear." His father pats him on the shoulder. "A natural just like your old man."

Sean clears his throat, "The keys?" and holds out his hand.

   "Yea, right." He reaches into his pocket and hands him the keys. "Remember to fill it up on your way home."

Sean takes the keys and looks at his parents. "May I be excused?"

"Go." His mother says and waves him away. "Don't keep that girl waiting." 

Sean gets up to go and Tom again makes kissy faces.

"Stop that." She chuckles. "After you finish your desert, right off to bed mister."

"Yes, ma'am." Tom politely responds.