Andy - 1. Chapter 1

I was returning home from my office in a downpour of rain. You could see the lightening from a distance, followed by the resounding noise of thunder. It had been a very dry season, I knew the farmers in the area would welcome the rain. As I was driving, my mind was on a particular Grange bid for the season’s corn crop. I’m a lawyer and the local Farmer’s Grange is one of my clients. Most buyers like to settle the price before the crops come in. Something about their fiscal planning if they can agree on a price early, not sure I understood that business philosophy, but if that’s what they wanted, I’d be glad to accommodate them.

As I rounded the bend, I noticed someone walking in the rain. I couldn’t understand why anyone would be out in this rain, let alone be walking along the side of the road. I stopped the car, rolling down the window. “Hey, can I give you a lift?”

“Uncle Scott”

“Andy, is that you? Get in and out of the rain. What were you doing walking in the rain and where are your parents?”

“I’m alone Uncle Scott.”

With that Andy began to cry. I knew then something was seriously wrong. I gave him my handkerchief, “Dry your tears, everything will be ok.”

He continued to sniffle following a bad case of hiccups. I drove into the garage, helping Andy out of the car. “Andy, go and take a hot shower. Leave your wet clothes here, I’ll get you a towel. I think you may have some clothes from last summer in your bedroom. I’ll fix us something to eat while you get showered and into dry clothes.”

I couldn’t figure out why he was here and walking in the rain. Andy was the only child of my sister. They live in Arizona, which meant Andy had to be on the road for at least four days. I started to prepare hot food and hot chocolate for him. I kept trying to think of why he was here. He spent the summers with me for the last four years. I liked the boy, he was a good lad. I always enjoyed his time with me, and in fact I looked forward to his visits.

“Sit here Andy, I have some soup and a hot chocolate for you. While you eat, I’ll hang your clothes to dry.” I could see that there were tears in his eyes, he had been crying. “Andy, tell me.”

“Uncle Scott, I can’t if I tell you, you’ll throw me out.”

“Andy, there isn’t anything in this world, short of murder, that would cause me to do that. Even if it was murder, I’d stand by you. Now tell me.”

“I had an argument with my dad. He told me I had to leave. I packed my duffle bag, Mom gave me some money and I left.”

I knew there was more, I could guess but I needed to talk to my sister. “Well, don’t worry about that. Just consider this as your home. I like you Andy and there isn’t anything that would turn me against you. Your dad shouldn’t have forced you out. But his foolishness is my gain, I like sharing the farm with you. So don’t worry, you’re home.”

Finishing eating, “Uncle Scott, I think I’m going to bed. I’m tired.”

“You know which room is yours.”

I cleaned up the kitchen. Checking on the wet clothes, I came to the conclusion that they would take a week to dry. I put them in the washer doing a quick wash then the dryer. The more I thought about Andy being tossed out, the madder I got. Making sure that Andy was asleep, I took a duvet and place it over him. I knew he’d be warm and hopefully not catch a cold. Sitting at the table drinking a cup of coffee, I stewed over what my sister did. I decided to call her.

“Hello, Sis how are you?….I’m glad to hear that everything is ok. I wonder if I could speak to Andy, I have a chance to be in your area and I wondered if he wanted to take in a game with me….What do you mean he isn’t there?…..Well, where is he? Maybe you could have him call me back when he comes home?….Why wouldn’t he come home?…. What the hell is going on?…. He did what?….And what did you do?…..Nothing, what’s the matter with you, this is your son and if I remember you can’t have any more children…..I don’t care if he got in arguments with Ed, that’s no reason to turn him out…. I can’t believe that you would do that, he’s your only child. I’ll find him but you and Ed will never speak or see him again. I’ll contact my lawyers and have them draw up papers that relinquishes your parental responsibility. I’ll also have my accountants check his trust fund, and it better be in good shape. If you or Ed have taken any money from the trust, you better redeposit it in the next twenty-four hours, or I’ll have both of you in court. Mom and Dad set that trust up so he’d have money for college. I’ll find him, but you and that husband of yours will never see him again. And Sis, don’t call me, lose my number, you are no relation to me. Know this, if you try and contact me or Andy, you can expect the police. Andy is only fourteen which means your abandonment is illegal.” Hanging up I didn’t feel any better. I still was mad and I was sure Mom and Dad were turning over in their grave. I had things to do.