Halversham Read online

  There was only one option. He rose, walked back into the hut, and exited through the back. Corrine was crouching on the ground, blowing air into her makeshift stove.

  “What would you like me to do?” he asked.

  The fire finally caught with a whoosh and flames snaked around the pot. Satisfied, Corrine looked up and smiled at Andy.

  ***

  It was almost four when the rabbit stew was finally ready. Corrine and Andy sat in opposing corners of the hut, enjoying their respective meals. She held her hot bowl with a bunched-up rag while he ate the buns from Aunt Magda. Both hadn’t said much since Corrine started cooking, and they were quiet now, each lost in their own thoughts.

  “Your mother was a good person. She was sweet,” Corrine said suddenly. “And I’m sorry she’s gone.”

  “Thanks. Your mother is a wonderful person too,” Andy said cautiously. He licked his lips when Corrine didn’t say anything. “I don’t understand why you hate her so much.”

  She scoffed. “That’s one way to put it.”

  Andy shook his head. “What is it about her that makes you go all weird? All she wants is for you to be happy. She works so hard despite Uncle Matt being what he is, and I’m sorry to say this about your father, but he is, in fact, a dead weight saddled to Aunt Magda. I mean, she’s trying. Can’t you give her a break?”

  Corrine’s face broke into a wide grin. “I like the way you describe him.” She stuck a spoonful of stew into her mouth. “Anyway, I hate them both,” she said with her mouth full.

  “I understand why you don’t like Uncle Matt. Seems like half the town hates him. But why Aunt Magda?”

  “Well, she insists on staying with him, doesn’t she?”

  “I’d say the better approach would be to talk to her.”

  “Yeah.” She snickered. “That would work.”

  “How did you get so smart if you dropped out of school, anyway?”

  “I’m not stupid. I go to the town’s library every now and then. Keep the mind sharp.”

  “Well then, you should have an idea how much she wants to talk to you, Einstein.”

  “So?” She continued eating. Andy shook his head in disbelief. There it was again: her complete and utter indifference. She smiled. “You know what I did once?”

  “What?”

  “I told my dad that my mom had been selling bread behind his back.”

  “Are you kidding? Why would you do that?” Andy was horrified. “The whole town’s trying to keep it a secret for her and you…”

  Corrine laughed heartily. “Boy, you should have seen his face. He wanted the money and she kept saying she didn’t sell anything. So he picked up her rolling pin and whacked her to a pulp. Her eyes and face were so swollen, she couldn’t do anything for days. Just lay in bed.”

  “You’re sick,” Andy spat, and Corrine smiled. “How could you do that to your mother? To anybody?”

  “I didn’t lie, did I? Anyway, I felt like killing him with my bare hands afterward, if it makes you feel better.”

  “Feel better?” Andy was incredulous. “I’m supposed to feel better at that? We’re talking about your parents. And your psychotic pleasures. What’s wrong with you?”

  Corrine placed her empty bowl on the floor and rolled her eyes. “There you go again, getting all preachy and self-righteous.”

  Andy didn’t know what to say. She never used to hate her mother like that. So what happened in the last three years? “How come she’s still selling? It looked like he didn’t know this morning.”

  “Three days after he beat her up, I told him I lied about her selling stuff secretly. He got pissed and welted me, of course, but whatever. I’m used to it.”

  By the time they finished, it was almost five and Andy was desperate to leave. It hadn’t been a good day, and he was exhausted.

  “Remember, don’t tell anyone about this place. Especially my folks. Can I trust you?” Corrine asked as he picked up his bag to leave.

  “Yeah.”

  Andy left her alone but he didn’t head for the farmhouse. Instead, he went to Aunt Magda’s. He had to be careful about what he told the poor woman, now that Corrine expected him to keep her secrets. But when the time was right, he’d tell her everything.

  When Andy reached the front yard, a cold shiver ran up his spine. The house was dark and the front door ajar. Had thieves broken in? Jetta and Toddy were fast asleep in the yard. He walked up to the front door and pushed it. The hinges squeaked.

  “Hello?” he said tentatively. “Aunt Magda?” He went in, flipped the switch, and the hall came to life. Immediately he heard someone whimpering from one of the bedrooms, and he quickened his pace through the hallway, his heart racing.

  There were two bedrooms in the Curds’ home. The first was Corrine’s, the one he saw the other day, and then further down to the right was Uncle Matt and Aunt Magda’s. There was one more room in the back, but it was locked, and no one went in there except Aunt Magda to clean. It was a store room of sorts, full of broken radios, rusty paint cans, Corrine’s baby clothes, and other worthless junk. There was also a toolshed in the backyard where they kept their farming equipment, and that was the place the family raided whenever they needed a tool or some other item.

  Corrine’s bedroom was empty, so he crept to the next one. “Aunt Magda,” he said again and heard someone sniffling. “Are you there?”

  At long last, he stood in the doorway of Uncle Matt and Aunt Magda’s bedroom. The door was open and the light off, but he made out Aunt Magda’s silhouette in the dark. She sniffled again. Andy reached in, ran his fingers along the wall, and found the switch. He flicked it and Aunt Magda appeared on the bed, crying. She had bruises on her arms and neck, and there was a Band-Aid on her nose.

  “Aunt Magda, what happened?” Andy said, rushing to her side as she struggled to sit up. “It’s okay, you don’t have to get up.”

  She settled back. “It’s uh… your Uncle Matt.”

  “He hit you?”

  “He figured your father gave me money when he came to drop you off,” she said, sniffling. She wouldn’t look at Andy’s face. “And he did. Your father…” She paused and smiled weakly. “Your father is a very thoughtful man, always giving me money. But your Uncle Matt...” She closed her eyes and her face contorted. “He beat me up and took it all.”

  Andy’s eyes welled as she winced in pain. It was fast becoming the worst day of his life since his mother’s death.

  A moment later, she opened her eyes and wiped her cheeks. Andy handed her his handkerchief and she blew her nose. “Did you talk to Corrine? Did she say anything?”

  Andy sighed and a dull throb hit his temples. “Yes, we talked. But it’s not important right now. We’ll talk about it when you feel better, okay? I promise.” He remembered the money and reached into his pocket. “Here’s the money from this morning’s sale,” he said, adding a few bills of his own. “Do you want to keep it somewhere he can’t find?”

  She took the money and pulled her pillow out from under her. She slid off the pillowcase halfway, and a short zipper appeared on one side. She unzipped it, tucked the money in, zipped it back up, and readjusted the pillowcase.

  “Thanks.”

  “Why don’t you rest and I’ll come see you in the morning?” She nodded and lay down on the bed. “Can I get you anything before I leave? A glass of water?”

  “Water would be fine, Andy.”

  Andy went to the kitchen, poured some water in a jug, got an empty glass, and returned to her room. Her eyes were closed now and she rested an arm over her forehead. Andy placed the jug and glass on the nightstand and she opened her eyes.

  “You’re such a good boy. I wish my daughter was like you,” she said as he poured her some water. She took a sip, and Andy placed the glass right next to the jug. “Listen, I want you to promise me you won’t tell your father about this.”

  “Aunt Mag—”

  “No, Andy. You mustn’t. And no going to the police
, either. I know how you city kids are fiery and itching for justice, but he has friends in the police. They won’t do anything and he’ll find out. If that happens, it’ll only get worse for me. You mustn’t go to the police.”

  “But…”

  “No buts. Promise me on your mother’s grave that you will not tell your father or report this to the police.”

  Andy dropped his head and nodded, hating himself for it.

  Chapter 4

  Andy’s night was filled with nightmares of his father drowning in the sea over and over again. The clock on the wall said seven when he woke up with his skin coated in sweat. He closed his eyes, and the violent memories from the day before resurfaced, reminding him of how dysfunctional Aunt Magda’s family really was. When he opened his eyes again, Aunt Magda’s warning rang in his ears.

  He rose from the bed, took a shower, and went to the kitchen for breakfast. Piffy was making pancakes, and the smell of coffee helped clear his muddled brain.

  “Good morning, Andy. Would you like some pancakes?”

  “Yes, please. I want lots of them. And lots of maple syrup with it,” Andy said, much to Piffy’s amusement. He was ravenous, having slept early last night. Piffy prepared a pan to fry some bacon and eggs while he poured coffee. It tasted fantastic, and he said so to the beaming housekeeper.

  Five minutes later, she heaped four pancakes onto Andy’s plate and refilled his coffee. Another minute and the eggs and bacon were ready. Andy took his time chomping down everything on his plate and added one last pancake before pushing the plate away with a belch.

  “That was amazing. It’s just what I needed this morning,” he said, and Piffy smiled as she cleared the table.

  He remained at the table for a little longer, staring out the window. Mort was not around today, probably out getting supplies. Andy’s palms turned moist and clammy at the thought of visiting his aunt, but he had to do it. There was so much pain in the family that he had no idea how to help. Minutes later, Andy picked up his bag and left, planning to slip out before Uncle Matt or Corrine woke up. While Andy was on his way, his phone rang. It was his father.

  “Dad?” Andy asked, his voice a little high.

  “Why do you sound so surprised?”

  “Nothing.” Andy hesitated. “It’s just, you called two days ago. You never used to call me before.”

  There was silence on the other end of the line, and Andy feared his father had hung up.

  “I just thought I’d check up on you,” Paul said finally. “How’s everything there?”

  Andy remembered his promise to Aunt Magda and gritted his teeth. “Everything’s okay. Nothing special,” he said, closing his eyes, feeling like a coward.

  “Did you make any new friends?”

  “Dad, it’s been what? Two days?”

  Paul chuckled. “Alright. Did you meet Corrine?”

  “Yeah, I did. We talked.”

  “How is she?”

  “The same, I guess.”

  “Where are you now?”

  “I’m on my way to Aunt Magda’s. How are things there?”

  “It’s still too early to tell.” Andy was now approaching Aunt Magda’s place. “Did you Google any interesting places to visit?” Paul asked.

  “I haven’t. I’ll do that soon.”

  “Good. I’ve got to go now. Send my love to your Aunt Magda.”

  “Bye, Dad.”

  Andy entered the yard to the excited barks of Jetta and Toddy, circled around the goat pen, and pushed open the unlocked back door. The house seemed to exude bad energy now compared to three years ago. Uncle Matt wasn’t very warm even back then, but Andy had never seen Aunt Magda beaten up like that. Even Corrine had become cruel, bordering on evil. He entered the kitchen and found Aunt Magda working as usual, kneading a large batch of dough. She looked tired, and the bruises on her arms and neck were an angry shade of purple.

  “Hi, Aunt Magda.”

  She started and clutched at her heart with a gasp. “Andy,” she said when she realized it was him.

  “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “That’s okay. I thought… Never mind. Can I get you breakfast?”

  “No, thanks. Piffy just made me a huge breakfast. How are you feeling?”

  She smiled. “I’m fine.” She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel. “Listen, I’m sorry about last night. It shouldn’t have happened, I agree, but it doesn’t happen all the time. I promise it isn’t as serious as it seems.”

  Andy wanted to say a lot of things to her. He wanted to tell her that it was serious. That she should do something about it. That he couldn’t keep bullying her. That her silence would only encourage him to get more violent. And then one day, it might get so bad that she didn’t survive. But he kept quiet.

  “Mr. Doyne ordered some buns for breakfast. Can you help deliver them?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you know the way? Want me to wake Corrine up?”

  “No, that’s okay. I know where Mr. Doyne lives,” he said, a bit too desperately.

  “Good.” Aunt Magda handed him a brown bag full of warm buns.

  “Just Mr. Doyne? No one else?”

  “Yes. I couldn’t…” she stammered and massaged the back of her neck. “I wasn’t up to baking a lot of stuff this morning. I’m still… a little sore.”

  “I understand.” Andy nodded. “Dad called a few minutes ago. He sends his love to you.”

  “You didn’t tell him anything, did you?” Her eyes were round and anxious.

  “No, I didn’t.”

  She breathed easy and closed her eyes. “Thanks.” Andy stared out the window, and Aunt Magda caught his forlorn eyes. “What’s the matter?”

  “What?”

  “You look sad. What’s wrong?”

  Andy sighed. “Nothing. It’s just... I don't understand my dad sometimes. He doesn’t care about anyone or anything but his business. He wasn’t even there when my mom slipped away, did you know that?” Aunt Magda shook her head. “And he didn’t mind it. He went straight to business the minute they buried her. He didn’t care that my birthday was coming up when he decided to leave town again. It’s been years since I celebrated my birthday with him.” Aunt Magda watched Andy’s face as he poured his heart out. “And then right before he dropped me off the other day, he asked me to make a list of places I’d like to go with him on vacation when he returns. Now he calls me every two days when he’s never called before.”

  Aunt Magda took a deep breath and rubbed her nephew’s back. “Maybe he’s trying to change.”

  “It’s too late for that. And I’ll never believe him if he says so.”

  Aunt Magda sighed. “Andy, your father has never been good at showing his feelings. He’s a hard man raised in a harsh environment. But he loved your mother very much and he loves you. I know that much. If he’s reaching out to you, and it sounds like he is, then you must bury the past and give him a chance.”

  It was Andy’s turn to sigh. “I don’t think I can anymore. He’s disappointed me and Mom way too many times.”

  “I know. But you can’t let it fester inside you. Just enjoy your father’s attention when he’s willing to give it, and things will eventually get better. I promise.”

  Andy nodded reluctantly, picked up the delivery for Mr. Doyne, and left. His aunt didn’t get it, but it wasn’t worth debating over especially when he had other things to think about. Two days ago, he had been glad he had the option of coming to Halversham instead of staying alone in the city, wallowing over his dead mother. He thought Halversham would remind him of the happy memories he and his mother had once shared. And just two days ago, he thought the town hadn’t changed at all. Boy, was he wrong.

  Now he wasn’t sure what he’d do in Halversham for the rest of his time here. Leaving town was an option, but he had promised Aunt Magda he’d try and help Corrine. And he had promised his father he’d look out for Aunt Magda. After last night, he was stoked to put an end to th
e way Uncle Matt treated his aunt. Only problem was, he didn’t know how. Corrine, on the other hand, probably needed professional help, which he was sure the family wouldn’t be able to afford. Should he tell his father and let him intervene? Even if he did agree to help, Corrine would hate Andy and never trust him again. In the end, he didn’t have much choice. All he could do was keep talking to Corrine until she trusted him enough to open up. That might help a little. But it’d take time, and he had no idea how he’d stay sane while watching the drama of Corrine and Uncle Matt unfold. Andy sighed.

  What if he took that job with old man Milton? It might save him from losing it up there. If the hours were short, Andy could talk to Corrine every morning or evening, and work the rest of the time to keep his mind off things until his father returned.

  Fifteen minutes later, Andy was knocking on Mr. Doyne’s front door, staring out at the green meadows. He checked his watch; it was ten. Corrine might be awake and heading for her secret place, but he needed some time away before he could face her again. Perhaps he’d visit the scrawny dog since he didn’t have the chance yesterday.

  Mr. Doyne opened the door, said hello, and accepted the package from Andy. He went back in to get the money while Andy waited outside. A moment later, he handed him the cash and Andy turned to leave.

  He had barely taken ten steps when he saw something in the fields. It was the familiar face of a guy with dirty blond hair. He was crouching, his steel-grey eyes fixed on Andy as he rose slowly, exposing a sleeveless t-shirt and a pair of dirty pants.

  “Hi,” Andy said, walking over. “You’re the one I saw the other day from my father’s car, aren’t you?” He nodded. “My name is Andy.”

  “I know who you are,” he said, his voice surprisingly deep. “I’m sorry about your mom.”

  “Oh, thanks,” Andy said, a little surprised. “Did you know her?”