The Awakening Read Free

surrounding area were much younger. She felt alone.
      Saddened and cold, she got up, pulled on her flannelette pajamas and crawled back under the covers.

 
    Chapter 3
     
     
         As time passed Ryan was going a bit crazy with all Adele’s complaining. It bothered him so much he decided to look for part-time work outside his workshop. Frances and young Jan weren’t complaining, but Adele never let up.
          One day in town, Ryan overheard Birdie, the owner of the one and only restaurant, tell a customer how badly in need Bentley Quad was. Seemed as though Birdie knew a lot about everybody’s business and felt the need to share what she knew to anyone who took the time to listen to her. And she was often correct in her speculations.
          Ryan decided to pay the old man a visit and see for himself exactly what was what. Perhaps he’d find an extra income there. If not, what harm was there in asking? Extra money in pocket would mean he could afford a bit more for Frances and the girls.
         That weekend he headed off to town with the intent on meeting Mr. Quad.
          Bentley’s place was a mansion, just as Adele had claimed. Ryan couldn’t help wonder how the old man managed to survive the long, cold winters living alone. The path leading to the front door was knee deep in snow and looked as if it hadn’t been shoveled in weeks. Ryan knocked on the door and waited. Minutes later the door opened a crack, and an older gentleman, with a pleasant smile greeted him.
        “Good afternoon,” Bentley said. “What can I do for you?”
          “I’m a neighbour. Name’s Ryan Martin.” He glanced around the immediate area. “I heard from someone in town that you need help.”
          “A neighbour?” The old man grinned.
          “Yes. Hope I’ve come to the right place.” Ryan was uncomfortable.
      “You sure have.”  Bentley smiled. “C’mon in.” He motioned to Ryan to come inside. “Old Birdie tell you?”
          “How did you know?” Ryan asked stepping inside the front door.
          Bentley winked. “She’s the only gossiper that I know. No big deal, everybody knows about my arthritis. Been acting up something awful lately.”
         Bentley led him into the living room, over to the fireplace where he had a fire burning in an effort to take the chill off the house. The room was opulent, spacious, and Ryan had only imagined homes like this existed. All the furniture was solid oak-wood, and expensive pictures adorned the walls.
         “Quite the place you have here ─” Ryan skimmed the room. “How do you manage with this cold weather?”
         “I don’t. Really feel the cold this year. Darn arthritis. And my short term memory seems to have flown out the window along with the soot and ashes.”
         “Sorry to hear that.”
         “Me too. Sure could use some help with the wood ─ can’t split it anymore.” Bentley nudged Ryan’s arm. “Iffin you’d like the job, I sure would be grateful.”
         “That it? Just the wood?”
         “No. I need help with the groceries, too. Embarrassed to admit it, but I can’t seem to carry those things like I used to. My sister Eva has gone to help a friend and she won’t be back for a month. And my nephew won’t be here for another month as well. Jefferson’s a good lad. I’m kind of in a bind with all this snow.”
    “I thought you lived alone. Guess Birdie doesn’t know everything.”
     Bentley chuckled. “Just thinks she does.”
     Ryan looked at Bentley’s hands and noticed him rubbing them together as if he was in great pain.
         “I’d be more than happy to help you out,” Ryan said. “I have plenty of things to do at home, but there never seems to be enough money to go around. I have a teenager, if you know what I mean.”
          Bentley gave him a pat on the back. He stooped forward, shook