Chapter 1

Linda 22, started it all, this story I’m about to relate. She hitched-hiked from New Jersey to Brattleboro, Vermont and was heading for Arlington on the other side of the state to live with her Grandmother. Her roots were here though, long before she was born. That was because Linda was born in New Jersey of parents from Vermont. Some people move away, but then their roots stir and call for them to come home. That’s it ... Vermont is home.

I was headed up Route 9 out of West Brattleboro, Vermont to buy a sandwich at the Subway shop. Across from the Dollar General store where I worked, a woman darted through traffic in front of me. I had to slam on my breaks, which kind of pissed me off. She was easy to see because of the backpack she wore. It was of a distinctive color. She went into the woods and started up the bank. I was going to shout at her, but knew it would have been a futile effort.

I had errands to do and it was two hours later before I reached home on Carriage Hill Rd. I had purchased a water hose at the hardware store for an outside water faucet. When I came around the rear of the house, there was a backpack on the ground under the bedroom window. The window was open and not difficult to get through. The cellar bulkhead was directly under the window and if the window were open, a person would have no trouble reaching it and climbing in.

I knew there was someone in my house and I knew it was the woman who had crossed the road in front of me earlier. The backpack was a bright neon green color with red trappings. I had seen one like it only a couple of hours earlier. I picked the pack up and carried it inside on entering the house from the breezeway. I doubted the woman inside would be armed. She hadn’t looked the type, although she was moving fast across the road.

There weren’t many places for someone to hide inside the house and I knew she would have to show herself soon. I laid the backpack on the table and opened it. Just then my cat rubbed against my leg and went back through the living room into the bedroom I used as a computer room and office.

There wasn’t much in the pack but a pair of jeans and two tops. There was some grungy underwear, one snickers bar, a comb, and a decent pair of shoes. It also contained one small blanket. There was a clutch purse and I didn’t hesitate to open it. In it there was a New Jersey vehicle license with a picture of a young woman by the name of Linda Lewis, age 22. The change purse held 47 cents and three folded one dollar bills. There were a couple of letters from her grandmother in there too.

I left all this on a chair beside the table and went about fixing something to eat. The sandwich I had purchased wouldn’t feed the two of us so I put it into the fridge. I didn’t leave the kitchen, just going about preparing a meal. I put potatoes with skins on to boil, took a steam-pack of broccoli and a pack of frozen strawberries out of the freezer at the same time.

I grabbed two big pork chops, dusting them with salt, pepper, and flour. I browned them and they began to cook. I turned the heat up high so the fat would try out to flavor the gravy and still leave the chops tender. I’d mix the drippings with mushroom soup.

Twenty-five minutes later the potatoes were done and I had the chops out of the fry pan, making a flour-gravy from the fat and brown residue stuck to the bottom. It flavored the mushroom soup just the way I liked it. I set the table for two. I filled a pitcher with water and two glasses. Now it was time to see what my guest looked like. I knew the woman trapped in the front bedroom closet was worried how she would get out of the house without being discovered.

I shouted, “Linda, dinner is ready. Bring Porky and let’s eat.” My back was to the living room when I heard Porky, my cat, jump down and yowl. Apparently he had found a new friend. I knew this because always when I came home he would meet me at the door. Today he didn’t so he had to be in someone’s arms. He was the most sociable animal I had ever come into contact with. He loved everyone, stranger or friend.

The first words from this unknown woman were, “Stanley Rider, what right do you have to paw through my personal things?” Linda had poked around enough to know my name. Well, I knew hers after doing some pawing around of my own.

“I consider I have license for whatever when I find someone breaking into my home. I notice my change jar sitting right beside some of your personal items stacked on the table. It was hidden in a drawer when I left earlier. Eat and we’ll talk later.” Linda’s eyes went to the food on the table. I almost expected her to drool.

Her comment, “That fat gravy is deadly.”

“Maybe, but my Grandpa was eighty-two when he died. He ate it three or more times a week all his life. Don’t eat it if you think it will kill you.” I went about preparing my plate, making sure I left more than half the gravy for her to pour over her potato and chop. The gravy bowl was soon empty. I ate faster than she and when I stacked my plate in the sink, she was still savoring what was still on her plate.

“I’ll make a smoothie with the strawberries while you’re finishing. Save Porky a bite. My donation is on my napkin. Put it in his dish while I’m doing this.”

When Linda rose from the table, I took a good look at her. She was wearing cargo pants and a sweat shirt. Pretty damned trim, especially when she bent over to feed Porky. I knew her bra size from looking in her pack. Nothing exceptional, but adequate.

The strawberries were picked and bagged with sugar and frozen less than hour from the field, trapping in the freshness. I knew this for a fact because it was me who did the picking and processing. The berries were now only half thawed. I added milk and some instant vanilla pudding mix when it all went into the blender. I spooned the smoothie from the blender into tall glasses. It was stiff from being still half frozen.

Just as she took the last spoonful of strawberries, she asked, “Are you going to let me go?”

“Nope. Breaking and entering is a crime. You should go to jail.”

“Not for the first offence, I won’t. That only calls for a fine if I plead guilty and say I regret it and won’t do it again. Save yourself the hassle of going to court.”

“You know the court system pretty well.”

“I do. My father is in prison for breaking and entering, burglary, and resisting arrest, which he didn’t do. My Mom is a working prostitute and is in and out of jail. I know the system all too well.”

“I’m thinking they taught you well and here you are following in their footsteps.”

“No, please don’t think that. This is the first time I ever did anything like this. Honest.”

“So you say. Why then?”

“Hungry, I guess. I was saving my money for my last meal before I was totally busted. It wouldn’t have been much of a lunch either. Christ, you just fed me a twenty dollar meal. I haven’t had a meal like that since before I went on the road heading for Vermont.”

“I guess I had better hear your story before I call the cops. At least you will go into a cell with a full tummy.”

“You wouldn’t do that to me, would you?”

“We’ll see. How is your grandmother going to feel about you being in jail? Will she back you up and pay your fine and go your bail?”

“Oh, you read her letters didn’t you? She won’t know. She has been terribly disappointed in my mother so I won’t tell her and you had better not either. I know you read her letters to me so you know where she lives. Please don’t contact her.”

I ignored her entreaty. “So tell me about yourself?”

“You know most of my problems already about my father and mother. I’ve tried to be a good person and mostly succeeded. Breaking in here was an act of desperation. I was just going to rest in the woods, but then I figured no one would spot me if I broke into some house from their back yards. I tried to enter one when I came out of the woods, but it was locked up tight. Then I saw your window open a crack so I came in.

“Stanley, you aren’t much of a prize either. You have no money, just a pile of bills. You don’t have much furniture in any of your rooms. One bedroom is empty and the other two just have a mattress on the floor. There is no living room furniture except a sideboard and a recliner to sit on. The kitchen has a table and two chairs. The closet I hid in just has a blanket for the cat to lie on. God, I didn’t see him at first and how he made me jump when he rubbed up against my leg?”

“You aren’t telling me much about yourself.”

“I know, but there isn’t much to tell. I mostly brought myself up since I was fourteen. I worked whenever I could find something to do. You know, baby-sitting and stuff until I got older. I lost the last two jobs in factories I’ve worked in and that is within the last six months. Both, because they downsized. I wasn’t warned it could happen when hired that they might. I could find other kinds of jobs, but men want more than I’m willing to give.”

“So, if I said I could have your body and not call the cops, you’d agree?”

“No way! Call the police. I’m not selling myself. My mother does and see where she is? I did fib a little. Mother has never been in jail and Dad never resisted arrest.

“Let me be clear about you? You’d rather spend a few days in a cell than have someone make love to you?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Maybe if it was love I’d do it in a minute, but what you are suggesting isn’t love.”

“I’ll concede that point and I will agree.”

“Stanley, are you working? I found your bank and check books, but you’re almost as tapped out as I am.”

“I am about on the edge, but my prospects are better than yours. I have a job as manager of that Dollar General Store right near where you ran across the road in front of me. Remember the car making a guy slam on his breaks to keep from hitting you?”

“That was you? Hell, you weren’t even close to hitting me. You’ve never lived in the city have you? I’m pretty adept at dodging across traffic.”

“That was me. Tell me where you were heading for? That is if I don’t turn you into the police?”

“I guess I had better stop and look for work. I have promised I would live with my grandmother this winter. She lives in some town up state called Arlington. Do you know where that is?”

“I’ve been through the town.”

“So, are you calling the cops on me?”

“I’m thinking. Don’t push me.”

“You’re not calling the police are you? Oh, I’ll love you forever if you don’t.”

“What are you going to do if I don’t? You’re more broke than I am. This house needs some work I know. You could help with that. To be honest, I’ve just moved here and am not fully moved in yet. Being a store manager isn’t the best paying job either.”

“Stanley, I’d pay rent for one room if I can find work. I’d help you get settled when your furnishings come.”

“Could I trust you? I mean after all...”

“I know, but I promise to never do you another wrong. Can I work where you do?”

“No you can’t. I’m not allowed to hire relatives and you’re a distant cousin living at the same address. But I will give you a good reference if I’m called on. There are several places that serve food and two or three gas stations nearby. There are a couple of other businesses that might hire you for a clerk or saleslady. They are close enough to ride or walk to if that is your thing. Come to think of it, there is a bicycle in the garage you can use.”

“Oh, I get it I’m your pretend cousin. You’ve got it all figured out, have you? So I’m your cousin and I guess I can live with that.”

“Yeah, I figured it out after I went through your backpack.”

“You mean you were never going to call the police?”

“Nope. I don’t believe in kicking someone when they are down. Let’s go find something presentable for you to go job hunting in tomorrow. Your shoes will work, but that’s about all.”

“How am I going to pay for anything new?”

“I have a card. You didn’t find out everything about me. Besides I need your rent money. You can pay me back a little at a time for what I’ll advance you. I expect you to do some cooking too. There is another larger freezer in the cellar that is full of food so we won’t starve for awhile. You aren’t just renting a room, you’re my new housemate.

“Can I take a shower? I want to be clean if I’m trying on clothes.”

“Be my guest. Oops, you already are aren’t you?”

“Can I have one of those robes to wear I saw hanging in your closet?”

“Geezus, did you poke into everything?”

“Sure did. I was looking for money and my dad knows all the places people hide cash. I didn’t find any except your change jar. Is there a lock on my door?”

“Nope, no need for one. If your door is closed, I won’t enter. I would ask for the same consideration.”

“You have it. I’m going to rinse out a couple of things in the bathroom. Would you dry them for me in the dryer while I’m taking a shower?”

“Can do.” Linda snatched her clothes off the chair and went down to the bedroom where she had come through the window. She went into my room and got the robe out of my closet. I saw her next with it on when she brought out her underwear all balled up for me to put into the dryer. Her face was a little flushed. I guess if you are a young woman and handed your intimates to a strange man, you might be a little embarrassed.

Linda had rinsed out her delicates and when they were dry I folded them and took them down to the door of her room and laid them on a towel at the entrance. She almost immediately came out of the bathroom drying her hair. “Oh you could have put them in the room. You knew I wasn’t in there.”

“Door was closed.”

She stared at me. “What you are telling me is that I can trust you, aren’t you?”

“That’s about it.”

“Thanks, I do trust you.” A few minutes later she came out fully dressed. She was wearing her jeans and one of the tops that I had found in her backpack. Her good shoes were on, too. She looked nice except for her wrinkled top.

“Where are you taking me?”

“We’ll start at the store I manage. Be selective by buying just things you will wear. I’ll wait out here.” I dug out my wallet and handed Linda a $100 bill.

“No, you come with me. Your workers need to know you have a cousin living with you.” Linda smiled as she said this, keeping up the farce of her being a cousin of mine.

I went inside and there were only three clerks scheduled. I said hi and stopped to talk. Kate, my oldest clerk asked after seeing me talking with Linda, “Did that young woman come in with you?”

“Yeah, she is a distant cousin of mine. She will be with me for the summer.”

“She’s pretty.”

“Pretty women and handsome men run in the family. Well all except for me, of course.”

“You’re handsome enough. You’re too young for me, though. Sammy thinks you are a good catch. Watch out Stanley, or she will have you in her bed.”

“That will never happen just because of company policy. No fraternizing among the help. Besides I’m a divorced man and gun shy.”

“Policy won’t stop Sammy and she will think being divorced will make it easier to catch you. I don’t know whether she thinks you are handsome or not, but she has stated she would like to be involved in your life. Maybe it is because you earn more than she.”

“This manager won’t be getting into bed with anyone. As far as my salary is concerned, I’ll bet mine isn’t that much more than she makes.” I circled around the store. The aisles were hard to get through with the carts loaded with goods were waiting to be stocked on the shelves. We didn’t have enough area for storage and we were always dodging the loaded carts. Everyone was working as fast today as they could and I was satisfied.

Linda found most of what she needed and the items were as reasonable as Walmart. I asked, “How are you doing?”

“Fine, I think. Good enough for now. My size and shape is about average so unless things are out of stock I can find what I need in about any clothing store.”

“Did you buy a sweater or jacket? It can be cold here in Vermont in May.”

“I bought a hoodie. There was several times lately when I felt I was freezing to death.”

“Guess you have it covered. I have to stop at the hardware store for a key. That way you can come in through a door and not have to crawl through the window.” Linda giggled.

I came out of Leader Home Center and handed Linda two keys, one for each door. “There is a spare key in the garage and I’ll show you where it is in case you forget or lose yours.”

“You really do trust me don’t you?”

“The world would be a sad place without trust. I know that for sure. When you put your trust in someone, it hurts if it isn’t there. But then, I guess I lean more to believing in someone until the trust is destroyed.”

“How old are you, Stanley?”

“Twenty-seven.”

“You haven’t told me much about yourself. I didn’t find out too much when I was searching your things looking for money either. Recap your life if you would. Curiosity, you know.”

“Okay, I can do that. I grew up in a small town in the middle of the state. I graduated from Manchester High school nine years ago. I went to the University of Vermont, majoring in business. I was not an exceptional student, but did a little better than average. I met and married a woman named Bonny Dinsmore from St Johnsbury just before graduation.

“Then I went to work for United Parcel Service as an intern and I would move into management someday. Two years later Bonny left me for another man who had better prospects.

“I got drunk, lost my position with UPS, and stayed that way for most of three months. My father straightened me out, but sad to say he didn’t live very long after that. I made a promise to him before he died to straighten up and it made me decide I had better reorganize my life. I took care of my mother, Susan ‘till a year later when she went out to California to live with my sister, Betty. I’ve just turned twenty-seven a couple of weeks ago. What else do you want to know?”

“Tell me about your wife?”

“Ex-wife. We did all right the first year we were married, but she wanted to carry on like she was still in college. I was putting in long days and this gave her a chance to be out with her friends. Some of them were wild and then she met some rich guy. I guess I came out of the divorce fairly well. She settled for a third of our assets and I didn’t get hit with alimony.

“If I hadn’t drunk up a lot of what assets I was left with, I would be in good shape now. I’m just trying to rebuild my life. Needless to say, I’m starting near the bottom. Being manager of this store isn’t that outstanding, but I’m making the most of it. It really is a good company and their outlets are spread all over the country. They never will be another Walmart and truth to tell, I think that is a good thing.”

“Did you ever think about having children?”

“Of course. It will be sometime in the future, though.”

“I take it you aren’t soured on married life?”

“Nope, but I’ll look more carefully at the next woman I fall for before I commit, you can be assured of that.”

“Wow, that really was a recap of your life. You don’t seem bitter about what has happened to you.”

“I’m not. Most of the pain I had could have been avoided if I had been smart and thought things through. That is except for losing my father when I did. I saw I was wasting my life and looked to my father. His choice had already been made for him and no one could do anything about that. A person looks to his parents for values. I think I can say I received some good values from mine.”

“I can’t say that.”

“You have a grandmother. From what I read in the letters she has some great values, so you aren’t entirely left without someone to model your life on.”

“That’s true. Maybe you can meet her someday.”

“I’d like to. So, you think you would like to stay with me for awhile. We can look around the village and I’ll show you what there is here for work prospects.”

“Would you? I’m in your debt and I have to pay you some way.”

“I guess I could forget that you owe me. You can move on and I wouldn’t say anything.”

“No, it is a dept and I should pay.”

“Okay, I’ll take you up to the edge of the village. There are some farms beyond there. That’s difficult work and I can’t imagine you doing chores. I’ll turn around at the veterinary clinic. They are always busy. That would be good if you like dealing with small animals.”

I turned around in the parking area and pointed out a sugar house next door. “This is mostly seasonal. They sell donuts and maple syrup. I’ve never been inside so don’t know much about it. They do make syrup in season.”

“What is maple syrup?”

“In the spring, maple trees produce sap and if you drill a hole and put a spigot in the tree the sap will run out. You collect it and boil it down until it becomes syrup. I have some at home and we can have pancakes tomorrow morning. Next spring, we’ll visit a sugaring operation and you can learn all about it.”

“I don’t believe I’ll be with you next spring. I’m going to live with my grandmother during the winter.”

“True, but we might become friends and Arlington isn’t that far away. Sugaring happens all over Vermont.”

“I don’t have many friends and I’ll look forward to seeing you.”

“Good. Next, we come to a greenhouse and florist, but again that is seasonal. I’ll buy flowers for my yard there. They have a nice selection and his plants are sturdy. When we get down around the corner, you will see the Chelsea Royal Diner. They do a good business. The diner once was named the Royal Diner and was originally down on Main Street in the center of town. Many years ago, it was moved up here when a bank bought the Main Street property. It is an iconic landmark.

“Across the road is some low income housing. I believe much of it is subsidized. There might be openings in the office or in maintenance. Next is a tool rental store where they rent out small tools, construction and gardening equipment. They also rent out tables and chairs for parties etc. They fill propane tanks for grilling.

“There is the state police unit and then you can see cement ornaments next. I’ve never traded there. I have no idea how well they do. Next there is the filling station. The Subway franchise and convenience store is inside. The Duncan Donut franchise has a bakery owned by the same outfit. Across the road is the Cumberland Farms filling station and convenience store. Sleepy’s Bed and Mattress is next. Back across the road, you see Dutton’s farm stand and bakery.

“Then there is the New England House, a fine restaurant. I’ve eaten there. Not bad. That is enough for you to remember for now. You know if you don’t find something you like and aren’t hired, there is a dozen and more places going back toward town. There are offices of lawyers, insurance, doctors, and dentists. To eat, there is a pizza parlor and an Asian restaurant. Someone will be hiring.

“I’ll give you a reference, but I’ll have to state that you are a family member. You’ll be trading on my position as manager of a local store. I’m sure you have a work history they could check. I have the feeling that there isn’t anything in it to cause them to turn you down if they find you qualified.”

“I wonder why you have faith in me, but I’ll accept it. I’m sure I can find a job now that I am presentable. Stanley, do you have more bedding for the mattress?”

“There is a blanket chest with bedding and stuff in the cellar. The sheets and blankets may be too big. I think your mattress is a full size and all my wife and I had were queen size beds.”

“That’s better than the other way. I know I will be comfortable. I was in the woods last night beside the road. I think the place was called Bernardston in Massachusetts. I got a ride first thing this morning. Some old lady picked me up. She was really nice.”

“You were lucky. People don’t pick up hitchhikers much anymore.”

“I’ve found that out. Stanley, would you give me the details about your ex-wife and your breakup?”

“Not much to tell. We lived in Burlington renting an apartment. Bonny was recruited by a law firm about the same time I went as an intern for management with UPS. She had plenty of time in the evenings where I didn’t. Her hours were nine to four-thirty. The drivers for UPS work long hours and I was basically learning the business so my hours were determined by where I was needed. Being a gopher comes to mind.

“I don’t know anything about the person who seduced her. I say seduce, but it might have been the other way. I came home at 10:30 one night and found a note. It just said she had found someone who would make her happier than I ever could.

“So I got drunk and stayed that way. Three days later I received the papers suing me for divorce. They were made out by one of the lawyers where Bonny worked. I went charging over there to confront the guy. He wasn’t one of the lawyers that worked with her. It turned out he was a brother to one of the partners she married. I never met him and I never saw Bonny again either.

“I was a mess and my father lined me up a lawyer. My attorney looked over what Bonny would settle for and he advised me to grab it. I figured if I settled, I would be able to pay her off and still have money to stay drunk for a long, long time. That was the plan until my father stepped in and tongue-whipped me. He made me promise that I would never take another drink as long as he was alive.

“Unfortunately he didn’t live very long and even though his death happened suddenly. I have never taken another drink. I made him a promise and as long as I stay sober, I know I can keep the memory of him with me. I’m afraid if I took just one drink I would go crazy. Now, not breaking the promise is what brought me out of those days and keeping it now is just as important.”

“So what happened to your ex-wife?”

“I have no idea. My lawyer said she was living in Pennsylvania. There was an address on record when the final papers were delivered by the court. He checked.”

“Weren’t you ever curious about her?”

“Nope. I can say I didn’t dwell on her, but I suppose I did. My father said to put her out of my mind or I would be dragged back into alcoholism. Anything he said that would help keep my promise to him was worth listening to, so I did.”

“You loved your father didn’t you?”

“Yes. I hadn’t for a long time, but I needed him and he came through. I had never shown him much respect because he was older and I knew everything until I found out he knew more than me. He was more of a grandfather to me and his life had been hard. We had different values because of the age difference. That changed when I finally sobered up. There isn’t a person that I respect more now than I did him. Even now, I pause and wonder when I have to make a decision if he would approve. I live by that now.”

“Is that why you are so kind to me?”

“Nope.”

“Why, then?”

“Can’t tell you yet, but I will someday.”

Linda said she wanted to try out my bike. It was top of the line and she had ridden one a lot. “I’m going to ride up to that diner and get a creamee. That will give me an idea how long it takes me to get there and how long it will take me to get up the hill after I come off the main road.”

“That’s Route Nine. There is a bike lane most of the way.”

“I’ll be home soon.” She stopped and looked at me. “You know, I’ve never had a home where I want to come back to it like I do this one. I’m not sorry I broke in and you caught me. You won’t regret it either.” I watched her hit the street and away she flew.

I hurried into the phone and dialed a number in Arlington, Vermont for one Mildred Eaton. The phone was answered by a woman. “Aunt Mildred, this is Stanley Rider.”

“Stanley, I was thinking about you the other day and wondered what had happened to you. You dropped off the face of the earth when your mother moved out west. How are you?”

“I’m fine. I have a decent job and making my way up after I went wrong. I’m living down in Brattleboro and managing a store. I’ve just moved into a small modular.”

“That’s nice. You’ll be getting some of your mother’s furnishings then. They are still in the barn. Those you didn’t cover are pretty dusty, but they are dry and can be cleaned up.”

We spent more than a half hour talking about people we both knew. I had to tell her about my sister and how well my mother was dealing with living in a place other than Vermont. Our ancestors in mother’s family went back to Ira Allen.

Mildred asked, “So, you’re living all alone now?”

“I was up until today, but then I’ve taken on a housemate. She is a woman without a stable home. I’ve been telling her we are distant cousins, just for propriety’s sake.”

“How did you come up with that idea?”

“Because she really is a distant cousin. One I never knew I had.”

“What’s her name?”

“Linda.”

“Is her name Linda Lewis? I’ve given up on my daughter, but I’ve been writing to Linda. She owes me a letter and I’ve invited her to live with me.”