“How much is it?”
“I don’t know. I couldn’t hear through the door.”
“Then, I’ll speak louder next time,” my Pa said. I turned to the kitchen entrance. “If I were feeling better, I’d tan your hide for listening.” He entered, then paced back and forth before continuing, “What does it matter? Suppose it’s best you know so you can prepare. Bank’s taking the farm in ninety days. Thirty-Three thousand, four hundred dollars, and nine-two cents.” He blinked once. “That’s what you didn’t hear through the door.”
He breathed in deep. Chest muscles bigger than mine pushed against his flannel top. “Five generations and I’m the one that lost it.”
That wasn’t true. The farm was okay until the Volardi arrived. Pa had the rotten luck of selling cattle in a bad market. Folks were still buying from farms, like grain. It was cheap enough and folks like Nate’s dad promoted it as ‘All Natural’. Pa just wasn’t a marketer.
His fingers tapped the side of his jeans. “We’ll talk later.” He jerked his head toward the stove sizzling with a thick hamburger in a black cast-iron skillet. “Don’t worry about dinner. I lost my appetite… like the farm.”
We watched him shuffle off again.
Becky whispered fast once he was far away. “We wouldn’t be in this situation if you got a job. You’re nineteen.”
“I can’t make that much in the coal mines. What about you?”
She jerked her head back. “Me? I’m not an adult. What can I do?”
The words came out without thought. “Marry Nate.”
“What? The guy’s an asshole.”
“A rich one.”
“Yeah, and he’ll move on when he’s tired. For now…”
“… you’ll fuck him and get what you want.”
She held up a fist, and I backed up. Even if she was a girl, she was stronger than me.
I took two more steps away for the next part. “He’d marry you if you… you know…” My hands went out and I mimed a pregnancy belly.
Her eyes widened and face reddened. “I’m not getting pregnant, so you can stay and leach off Pa or Nate’s dad.”
I stiffened as I waited for a hit or a spoon. Instead, she strolled past me – although she shoved my shoulder. “Hamburger’s yours.” She turned. “Finishing getting ready for my date tonight.” Her voice curled into a smile. “And I will be fucking Nate… but we’re using protection. Lots and lots of protection…”
With that she turned, and the hamburger sizzled behind me.
I stood there while I thought lingered in my head amid the grease pops. Instead of denying it, I let it in.
What if you weren’t using protection?
***
Chapter Two
The Ocean Planet of Augo
MATROS
Deeper. Down into the black.
I dove into the murky underwater canyons near my island castle. A long trail of bubbles pointed a downward path to my regular seclusion spot. It wasn’t an escape from my duties. I’m king, not a coward. This was a momentary spot of reflection. A time to think and ponder upon my duties so I might make the best decision.