Chapter 49

Ward was able to heed that admonition during the milking with his dad and Joe. They talked, joked, and teased as usual. But at dinner things got a little tense.

As the four Cartwrights sat around the table for their evening meal, Ward’s mother said, “I was thinking we should bring Addy into the house so she can start getting used to living inside. Maybe start a little house training and leash walking. Won’t be long and she’ll be going home with Tyler and the boys. It’ll make it easier for them. It’ll be better for Tyler’s mother, too. I suspect she’ll be caring for Addy while the boys are at school for a while, won’t she, Ward?”

Ward felt his throat tighten. He cleared it. Then he said, “I suspect you’re right.”

“Edward, is something wrong?” Ward’s mother asked, looking at him.

As always, his mother could tell when something was bothering someone in the family.

“No, not really,” he lied. “Just Eddie got in a fight at school, and Ty was called into the principal’s office.”

Joe laughed. “Just like old times. You and Tyler spent almost more time in old man Griffen’s office than you did in class.”

“What was the fight about?” Ward’s mother persisted.

“You know—boy stuff,” Ward answered, trying to avoid the real issue.

“Funny that Tyler would be called in for a simple playground fight. Wouldn’t they just call him and let him know? Musta been serious,” Ward’s dad added.

“Well,” Ward started trying to think of a way to present the situation without telling it all. “Eddie beat up the kid pretty bad. And it was Hank Erlich’s son. You know, Hank that works at the mill.”

“What on earth would cause Eddie to do that?” Ward’s mother asked.

Ward’s brother shook his head. “Probably the kid’s got a big mouth. Just like his dad. That Hank Erlich’s a prick!”

“Joseph!” his mother admonished.

“Sorry, Mom,” Joe said, looking sheepish. “But he is. When he’s at the bar he’s always shooting off his mouth about how bad things are, how dumb the president is, how blacks and gays think they should have all the rights, and other shit…er…stuff.” Joe gave his mother a sideways glance, who was giving him another stern look.

“Children can be cruel. I wonder what little Tommy…that’s Hank’s son right?”

Ward nodded.

“I wonder what he could have said or done to Eddie to provoke him. Surely Eddie wouldn’t just walk up and start a fight without reason. He’s too nice a boy,” she went on.

Ward shrugged. He seemed to be doing that a lot today. “I don’t know,” he lied again. “I’ll have to ask Tyler.” If he’ll talk to me, he added to himself.

* * * *

Ward lay on his bed holding his cell phone. It was ten o’clock, the time when Tyler and Ward usually talked about their day, hopes, and their love for each other. It was one of the highlights of Ward’s day. Even if they had just seen each other, Tyler would call after he’d gotten the boys to bed, and they’d talk for an hour or more. Since it was well beyond the boys’ bedtime, and Tyler hadn’t called, Ward was wrestling with whether or not he should call Tyler.

What if he called and Tyler refused to talk to him? But what if he didn’t call and Tyler had calmed down and was waiting for Ward, needing to talk? Tyler might get the idea that Ward was backing off over this Hank shit.

Ward had no way of knowing what had actually gone on in the principal’s office. However, from the way both Hank and Tyler had behaved, it must have been bad. Finally he decided calling Tyler was the only real option, so he poked Tyler’s number on the speed dial.

After four rings, Eddie answered. “Hello?”

“Eddie!” Ward said, surprised that the boy was still up. “I heard about the fi…uh…this afternoon at school.”

“Yeah, I’m in big trouble. I got in a fight with Tommy Erlich.”

“Why did you do that?”

“He started it. I just wanted to talk to him about you and dad and how it was okay for you two to be together. He called you that bad name again and I told him to shut up and he hit me and I hit him back. Next thing I know we was rolling on the ground going at it good. I got five recess detentions and Dad’s grounded me for two weeks.”

“Eddie, is that Ward on the phone?” Ward heard Tyler’s voice in the background.

“Yes.”

“You need to get to bed. Tell Ward I’ll call him later.”

“Dad says he’ll call you. I have to get to bed,” Eddie said dejectedly.