The Home - 41. Chapter 41

Amo got his Doctorate and a teaching position at the University. He also met a young lady who is studying to be a veterinarian. He had invited her to the farm several times. Amalia and I approved. For his graduation gift, we bought him a car. Charlie said it was a sensible car, a family car, and was very reliable, Charlie’s exact words. Amo was very happy.

Amalia said she thought we would have another wedding soon. She was right. When Amo’s intended graduated, they were married. Another wedding party at the Italian club. For their honeymoon, they flew to Italy.

I bought the land next to the farm. I wanted to build a home for them. Upon returning from their honeymoon, they stayed with Amelia and me while their house was being built. I hired an architect and introduced him to Amo and his wife, Clair. Amo knew where the money to finance his home construction came from. When he mentioned cost, I just winked.

Life is a continuous cycle. We are placed here on earth from love, so they say, but not all. A boy in Vic’s class was having problems. Vic said he studies and does well in class, but he is very thin, and there are bruises on his body. I told Vic. he needs a friend.

The next day when Vic left for class, he had two lunches. He knew who would get the second lunch. The rest of the week, Vic had two lunches.

On Saturday, during our walk, to check the grapes, “How is your friend?”

“Papa, he said he would do my homework if I keep sharing my lunch with him.”

“What did you say?”

“I told him I’d keep sharing if he would be my friend.”

I love my son as I hugged him. “Why don’t you invite him over Sunday when we take the carriage out?”

“It will have to be next week.”=

“That’s okay.” That night, lying in bed, I told Amalia what Vic had said, and I had invited him over Sunday for a ride in our carriage. Her smile was her reply.

All week when Vic came home from school, he would tell me about his friend. “Vic, what is his name?”

“His name is Francis, but he asked me to call him Frank.”=

I had one question that I didn’t want to ask or know the answer, did he still come to school with bruises.

Sunday after church, Vic gave me Frank’s address. He and I went to pick him up. I was shocked when I saw where he lived. The house was a shack. My animal sheds were in better shape than this house. The roof was only boards, and I’m sure they leaked. There was one window. No glass, but it was covered with a cloth. Vic went and knocked on the door, a woman came dressed in dirty rags, and I was being kind. When she saw Vic, she called Francis. The boy came to the door in short pants, a T-shirt, and no shoes.

“Vic, I can’t go with you.”=

“Why not?”

“The only good clothes I have are what I wear to school. If I wear them and they get dirty or torn, then I can’t go to school.”

“Come like that. My dad doesn’t care. You are my friend. Wait a moment.”

Vic went to the car, “Dad, he said he couldn’t come because of his clothes.”

“Here, give this to him. It’s for his mother.” I had two dozen eggs and four sausages. “Tell him you have play clothes you will be wearing as well.”

“Dad, he said his mother told him they couldn’t accept the food .”

I was amazed. She let pride get in the way of feeding her family. “Vic, tell him he can work on the farm to pay for the food.” I watched, and evidently, that was okay.

Over the rest of the term, Frank was a frequent visitor to our home. He did chores side-by-side with Vic. After two months, he began to come home after school with Vic. I let him use a set of Vic’s work clothes; that was what Vic called the clothes he wore when he did his chores. At the end of the day, Vic and I drove Frank home. He had his pay and food every time.

It was toward the end of the term when Victor came home. He was very upset. “What happened at school that has upset you?”

“Frank said he would have to leave school.”

“Why?”

“His mother is ill, and some people came and took her to the hospital. They asked him if he had any relatives close by, he told him no. They said they would find a place for him. They are coming tomorrow morning.”

“Let’s go.” Arriving at Frank’s place, the house looked vacant. Vic went and knocked on the door, calling his name. About 20 minutes later, I saw Frank come out of the small woods behind the house. When he saw my car, he ran to the car.

Vic saw him running to the car and joined him as Frank reached my car. “Frank, anything you want to take with you, get it now, Vic, you go and help him.

“Dad, there wasn’t much, books, some clothing, and a photo.”

“Frank, you are going to stay with us until I find out what’s happening to your mother.”

I saw tears, and I knew why he was in the woods. Arriving home, ”Vic, show your friend to one of the bedrooms. Then come down for something to eat.”