Thread: Dangers of Divorce (Casket & TMT)

William Billy Eastman was 17 years old and already stood at almost 6'2 with the rippling muscles that only a life of strenuous farm work could give you. He was working the fields today, walking behind the trailer that the tractor was pulling, stopping every so often to pluck heavy hay bails from the ground and toss them up onto the wagon. His father, Reverend Henry Eastman was driving the tractor and with summer just getting started there was plenty of work for them both to do. But the tractor came to a stop and his father dismounted and walked back toward him. What's up Pa? It ain't lunch already is it? Billy asked, wiping the sweat and hay seed from his tanned brow. No not yet, we'll need to clear this hole side of the hill before we stop for lunch, I actually wanted to talk to you about something. Hank said as he walked up put his arm around his son's broad shoulders. Billy winced, his father was a man of few words, unless it was during one of his sermon's on Sunday that is, and so when he said he had to talk to him Billy was worried he'd screwed something up. Your sister will be coming to stay with us for the summer, I spoke with your mother and she seems to believe that we've done you and your sister a disservice by keeping you separate all these years. She'll be staying in the spare room so you'll need to clear it out by tomorrow, when I go an pick her up at the bus stop. Hank said matter of factually. You talked to Ma? I thought you two haven't spoken in years. Billy asked, confused more than anything. He'd only had just the briefest foggy of memories of his mother, who'd left him and his father when Bill was just two years old. His sister you was just a newborn at the time and he had no real memories of her. Growing up he'd asked about them from time to time, but his father had always answered begrudgingly. Billy knew from one of the few times he'd seen his father drunk, that his parents had met in college and fell in love quickly. Hank had grown up in this very same small town, while his mother had come from the city and although they had different backgrounds they were madly in love. When his mother unexpectedly got pregnant with Bill, Hank had insisted that they both drop out of college, get married and start their family. Bill's mother didn't like the idea but agreed to appease her love's traditional values. But shortly after Billy was born the trouble in the marriage started. Hank's wife had it in her pretty little head that she was going to go back to college finish her degree and get a career, but of course Hank despised the idea and thought a life of raising children and cooking and cleaning for the family should be enough for the woman he loved. The problems intensified and soon Hank's mother was stepping out and going down to the bar, where in this very small town, people began to gossip. Hank had assumed that all she needed was another bun in the oven and nine months later Bill's little sister was born, but by this time their marriage had dissolved and Bill's mother had packed her things and left with her new born daughter to move back to the big city. Hank was left with his father and that's just how things were. I haven't talked to that whore in almost a decade, nor did I want to, but she called your grandmother and sent a message through her. I suppose she's raised your sister up in the same sinful ways that brought our marriage to an end, so we must be diligent in our faith son. Maybe, just maybe we can show her that country living and being a servant of the lord is the way a person should live their lives, but I have my doubts. Hank said as he gave his son a brief squeeze and then stepped away. Alright Pa, whatever you say, but the house isn't that tidy, It's been just us fellas for years, you think a girl is gonna be comfortable staying in the house the way it is? Billy asked, taking off his John Deere hat and scratching his curly brown hair. We'll tidy up just fine, don't you fret. Geez your hair is getting as shaggy as a dog, we're gonna have to get you down to the barber and get you a crew cut before Sunday. You don't want Prudence Sweet seeing you looking like a damn hippy do you? Hank asked, giving his son a playful punch in the arm. Aw....come on Pa, it ain't that long, I kinda like it this way anyhow. I wish you'd stop trying to fix me up with Pru, she's not really my type. Billy said, slicking his curly mop back and tucking it back into his hat. What's wrong with Prudence? The Sweets are a good God fearing family and Prudence is a wonderful young woman. You're gonna be 18 this year and you should start looking for a nice girl to settle down with and start a family. Hank said, but the scolding tone in his voice sounded more like a preacher than the boy's father. She's ok and all, but she's really stuck up and kinda mean to some of he other kids at school. Besides, I think I might want to go to college after school, I'm pretty sure I can get a scholarship from wrestling, so it won't even cost you nothing. Billy said, but didn't bring his eyes up to meet his father's when he told him. College? Son.....You don't need college, you need a career or a farm and to start a family with a good woman who won't turn tails on you and run when the going gets tough. In college you might meet a girl but she'll be one of those liberal empowered woman like your mother, and look at what she did, she up and left us like a common whore. NO....No son, I'll have a better life for my son than I had and I can tell you what, You're going to take Prudence Sweet out on a date after church on Sunday. I'll arrange it, don't you worry. Maybe a movie at the drive-in and some ice cream after. Understand me? Hank said and squeezed his son's shoulder. Yessir. Billy answered and dropped his head down. Hank nodded and walked back to the tractor and the two started haying again.