Chapter 11

It was mid-December when they released him. He was already officially withdrawn from school. From the house, his mother brought some of his clothing. Archie was swimming in his pants and shirt after recovery and three months of skipping school lunches. He seemed oblivious, silent through the ride home. Jessie greeted him warmly, but noted his gaunt look and subdued mien. He picked at his favorite dinner and retired early to his bed.

A few days later, nothing much had changed at the Dawes’ home. Archie ate little and said even less. Mother and sister still received those minimal hugs with little other emotion being shown. He limped to the kitchen for dinners, spending most all of the day in his room. Bettie had picked up some work as a stocking clerk and cleaner. But money was excruciatingly tight.

One day she opened some mail and fainted. The children found her on the floor, clutching a statement from the County Medical Center. A horrifying total due was showing: over six hundred forty thousand dollars.

Archie nearly joined his mother on the floor. This was devastating news. Knowing nothing of the government and financial world, he thought his mother would lose their lease on their little home, her car, and all other assets. He assumed Jessie would be extracted and kept in some kind of workhouse or orphanage, since they had no other known relatives. The same for him but for his being nearly 18. He couldn’t handle it, returning to his bedroom. Jessie would take care of Mom, he hoped.