Benjamin

    The Last Card

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    Barren, desolate, these are the words I know best to describe home if you could call the void that I live in home.  Ah, home... a dirt mound sheltered by a massive sea of wheat that sways to and fro.  Above in the sky, an old crow shrieks her lonely tune as she soars freely in the sky.  Freedom, what a wonderful word, if only it had some meaning…No!  Stop daydreaming; you just got kicked out of the house for trying to get Dad to move. 

            The scene came back to me; very vivid and focused it lay there, repeating several times.  I had asked, “Can we move?  I mean, there are great jobs in...”

    “No, you’ve tried this in the past.  You can ask me from now until I die  the answer will still be no.”  My dad said in a cold, harsh tone.  He glared down his obese nose in a way that stated clearly, “Go away.”

            “And why not?”  My mother’s voice had floated in softly, but to me, it was the sound of the 7^th cavalry’s bugle to the rescue.  “ It makes perfectly good sense to me.  We have never moved, and he never gets to do anything except tend to a crop of wheat while you relax and talk with your friends.  Give it a chance, please.”  By then I had decided that now was the time to exit the room.  I knew that any moment sparks would be flying, and shouts would be heard from miles around.

            The last time I relayed this depressing photoplay, I struck gold.  Dad had said that no matter how many times I said it, the answer would remain no.  If I found a job for him, I could get someone else to ask him.  But what job?  And who would ask?

            I strolled down the desolate “main street.”  I think the reason we have a main street is so that we can have something identical to other towns, something to be proud of.  I was on my way to Mr. Windsor’s house.  Mr. Windsor is the most intelligent person in town.  He is the one that taught my dad and I to read and write.  He would have an answer to my question.  Either that, or no one would.

            When I got to his house, it was almost dark.  Shadows played at the little dirt mounds scattered around the sea of wheat.  The moon was almost full and presented itself in an eerie yellow glow.  I went up to him and inquired, “Mr. Windsor, I want to move.  What job would be good for my dad?”

            Mr. Windsor looked up and frowned.  After a few minutes, he got up and exclaimed, “Eureka!  Your dad would be excellent for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.”

            I was confused, but decided not to ask.  I thanked him a thousand times and left.   I strutted down Main Street as happy as can be.  I went to the hardware store and bought an envelope, stamp, and a pencil.

            The next morning, when I went to work in the field, I took my paper, envelope, stamp, and pencil.  Nothing could go wrong, the sun was out; and there wasn’t a cloud in the robin’s-egg-blue sky.  As I started with the usual irrigation work, Dad came running into the field.  I froze.  As cold sweat engulfed my face in fear, I could see that Dad’s face was as red as a rose in full bloom.  White froth came and danced in the air before it made its voyage to the ground.  Sparks flew from his eyes and sprayed the ground in a rage to great to describe.  “What did you send the governor, you brainless twit?” Dad shouted, “Stop bothering everyone.  Why don’t you listen to me?  If you don’t want to be bothered, don’t bother other people!”

    “But I like attention Dad.  It makes me feel included.”  My voice quavered here, as tears flooded my eyes.  I continued, “Something that I wish everyone would have the decency to give.  But you, never.  I have never gotten even a thank-you from you.  You give me no respect, no comfort, and no praise!  And I’m supposed to be a good kid and follow your orders.”

             I spat these words out and feel the atmosphere get engulfed in a fire no ocean could save.  Only what I ask for, a dad that is kind and considerate to me and will understand me.  Nothing would stop me now.  The letter was already mailed.  In a couple of days, the governor would get the letter and Dad would be helpless.  I mean, a job from the governor is not something that you just turn down.  Either way, I win. He loses or wins, it is his decision, but if he turns it down, mom divorces and we move.  Even with that tensed, shrewd face glaring down at me, I couldn’t help but grin.  He was helpless.  I won and he could win with me, but I hope not.

            A few days later, they came.  It was the most confusing thing that ever happened to me.  Instead of one letter, three letters came.  Two were from the governor, one for dad and one for me.  The other one was from the dean of North Dakota College.   What is a dean anyway?

            Later that night, I opened the letter.  It was the most suspenseful thing that probably happened to the town.  People all around were probably asking why the governor would write to a kid.  I started to read the letter.  It was amazing!  The governor asked me to work for that Department of Agriculture.  He said that Dad would make a good teacher and would be excellent in the agricultural course of North Dakota College.  That would explain the letter.

            The next morning I was extremely nervous.  What if Dad said no and Mom decided to stay.  I had played my last card.  Dad would come in any minute.  I couldn’t eat.  My face was yet again enveloped in a thick sheet of sweat that left my face as pale as death.

Dad came into the room.  Dazed from lack of coffee he wobbled like a top losing momentum.  I waited.  The suspense hung in the air as does the hung criminal.  Within the next ten minuets lay the fate of our relationship.  For better or for worse.

            I’m so glad it worked out.  Dad said yes!  But oddly enough, I feel sad.  I will leave the only place I felt was home, a place where I could find comfort.  I hope that Bismarck will be more comfortable.  Maybe I’ll get a bed!  But I can’t look ahead negatively.  I must go forth positively and remember that I won.   And with a roar, the engines took off and I left home for good.

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