Going Home, Staying Home

by Mariate Mae 

Chapter 1

“Now boy, I thought I told you to get me some milk!” Cook yelled at Riley.

“Yes sir. Would you like me to bring it to you or Mrs. Carter?” Riley asked hoping Cook would say to give it to Mrs. Carter so he could see his friend Andi.

“Bring it to me boy, and don’t dawdle!” Cook yelled.

Riley sprinted to the dairy cow, disappointed. As he started milking, Licorice the kitten started meowing for some milk. “Here you go Licorice,” Riley said as he dipped his hands into the milk bucket and let Licorice lap it up. Once Riley finished milking, he picked up the pail and started carrying it to Cook. Since milk pails are heavy, it took him quite some time to get back to Cook. This gave him time to think about his mother who had fallen ill.

I wonder when she will be better, I hope soon. But his thoughts were soon interrupted by ear-splitting screams.

“Riley! Riley, where are you?  Come out, come out whereever you are. Riley? Where are you? Ril-”

“Andi, I’m right here.” Riley said emerging for the barn.

“Oh good! I was wondering if you wanted to go riding,” She stated.

“Sure,” Riley answered. “Just let me give this milk to Cook, then I’ll meet you in the stable.”

On his way to the stable, Riley saw a buggy pull up, but couldn’t see the driver. He stepped into the barn and called, “Andi, I don’t think we’ll get to go riding today.”

“But why!” Andi whined.

“Some fancy buggy just pulled up,” he told her.

“Yikes! You don’t think it’s Aunt Rebecca, do you?” She asked Riley, her eyes wide.

“I don’t know who it is, and I don’t intend to find out. Now quick, up to the hay loft and I’ll read you my new dime novel,” he ordered in a hush.

“But if it is Auntie I’ll be in big trouble,” she said. “But if it’s not Auntie…”

She didn’t get to finish because someone started calling Riley’s name, “Riley? Where are you boy?”

“It’s Chad. What do you suppose he wants?” Andi asked.

Riley just shrugged his shoulders and left the barn. “Whatever he wants, it’s better to give it to him, then not,” Riley thought out loud. “Yes Chad?” Riley asked.

“Someone came to take you home,” Chad said with a mysterious grin on his face.

“What do you mean by take me ho…”

“Hello, Riley,” said a deep voice with a familiar tone.

Riley responded with a growing grin and outstretched arms, “Father!”

“How ‘bout going home, son?” He asked Riley.

“Yes! Oh yes! Please take me home father! Please!”

“You go pack your bags while I thank everyone for watching you.” He told Riley.

Chapter 2

After Riley packed bags and said thank you to everyone, was the time he dreaded most.

He had to say goodbye to Andi. This was hard because saying goodbye is not one of his strong points. Plus, he had to think of the right thing to say. “Uh… um… well, I guess this is goodbye, Andi. I’ll miss you a lot. Maybe if you visit your Aunt you can visit me?” Riley said, trying to make her smile.

“I guess. But this might by the last time we get to see each other,” she said starting to cry. “Bye, Riley,” she said between sobs.

“Thank you again Elizabeth. Thanks Sid. We better go, we don’t want to miss our train,” Father said kindly.

“Don’t cry Andi. We’ll see each other again; I promise we will. Please don’t cry Andi. Please!” Riley pleaded. 

“She’ll be all right Riley. Now run along and catch your train,” Mrs. Carter said with a sad smile.

“Wait!” Andi called. “I have a photo for you Riley.” She handed Riley a photo of Midnight, Taffy, herself, and Riley.

I remember when that photographer took this. Riley felt tears well up in his eyes. “Thank you,” Riley said.

Riley and Andi started to hug when Riley’s father said, “We must go or we will miss our train, Riley.” Then, Riley and his father climbed into the buggy. Riley kept waving until he couldn’t see the Circle C anymore.

An hour later, Riley and his father arrived in Fresno. They stopped by the livery stable to drop of the buggy and horses and began to walk to the train depot. “So, did you help Cook?” Father asked.

“Yep. I also learned how to stand up on Midnight’s back! Oh, father, I loved my time at the Circle C,” Riley exclaimed.

“Sid should have never let you do that, Riley. Andi probably saw you do it and wants to do it too. You could have seriously injured yourself!” he scolded Riley. “Why did you do it, Riley? Your mother will hear about this.”

“I’m sorry father!” Riley responded. “I just… we saw it in the circus… I thought I could do it… it looked so fun… I’m sorry.” Riley started to cry, “I shouldn’t have done it father. I wish I didn’t do it. I’m sorry! I s’pose you want to tan my hide right in the public street! I’m sorry father, I really am! Can you forgive me? Oh, I’m sorry; very sorry father!”

“Oh, Riley. I’m sorry. I don’t want to tan your hide. I shouldn’t have barked at you. I’m sorry.” He pulled Riley into a tight reassuring hug. “Come on, let’s go see your mother,” he said with a smile.  “We can get some penny candy from the boy who walks up and down the coach.”

Chapter 3

When Riley and his father stepped on to the train a young boy escorted them to their seats. “Where are your parents?” Riley asked the boy.

“Well, uh… they’re, um… dead,” the boy answered gloomily. “I work here to pay off the debt they left me,” he said with fire blazing in his eyes.

“Oh! That’s so sad,” Riley responded quickly, avoiding eye contact. “How long do you have to work here?” He inquired.

“Well, it looks like ten more years, but could be more if I’m not careful.”

“Gosh!” Riley exclaimed. “What is your na…”

A large, mean looking man interrupted in an annoyed tone, “Boy! Get over here. Now!”

“Yes sir.” The boy said, walking over to the man.

I wonder why people must pay debts, especially a kid like me? Riley continued to ponder this thought as the train chugged softly from the station. “Father?” Riley asked.

“Yes, Riley.”

“Why do people have to be in debt?” 

“Oh! Um… well, people become in debt when they can’t pay for something. Like, if you owed me a penny candy, but you don’t have a penny to buy the candy, you would owe me. Being in debt is another way to say you owe me. Does that make sense?”

“Yes… but how do children get in debt?”

“Well that happens when the child’s parents perish, and the parents owe someone a debt.”

“Will I be in debt if you and mother die?” Riley asked, with a sudden urge of curiosity. He didn’t want to be like the boy.

“No. Your mother and I have no debts that you would have to pay off,” Riley’s father answered gently. “Why are you asking these questions about debt?”

“Well, that boy who took us to our seats is working here because he is in debt.”

 “Oh, I see.” Riley’s father said, his eyes twinkling.

 “Do I still owe you a penny candy?” Riley asked.

His father laughed, “No, Riley. But I believe I told you that I would get us some penny candy. Why did you ask?”

“Because the candy man is here!” Riley said happily. Riley’s father just laughed and waved the candy man over. 

“Two penny candies, please,” Father told the candy man as he dropped two shiny pennies into the candy man’s hand. The candy man gave him the two candies, and with a tip of his hat, he left to the next costumer.

Riley’s father handed Riley a candy, which Riley opened hastily. He let the sweet candy melt in his mouth and listened to the soft chugging of the train wheels. 

Chapter 4

Riley didn’t remember the rest of the time on the train very well, or the ferry across San Francisco Bay, or much of the ride home from the dock. All he really remembers is his mother standing at the end of their driveway, waving her arms happily upon seeing her son finally returning home after a long time away.

“Riley! How are you my darling, darling boy? Did you and Andi have a good time? Did you obey Uncle Sid? Did you help cook?” his mother called out.

“Yes, to all of them. How are you mother?” Riley responded.

“I’m fine,” she said as they embraced. “Now, did your father tell you?”

“Tell me what!” Riley demanded.

“That we’re all going to the Cliff House for dinner!” she exclaimed. Riley couldn’t do anything but stand there, stunned.

Riley’s family hired a rig to take them to the Cliff House. Near six o’clock in the evening, they reached the Cliff House. Riley noticed the beautiful sky and gasped, “It’s so stunning! I didn’t see anything like this at Circle C!”

His mother smiled. “This is why I made reservations at the Cliff House,” she said, still smiling.

When they stepped inside, a kind man greeted them, “Bon jour, welcome to the Cliff House,” he said in a thick French accent. “Please, follow me,” and he showed them to their seats. “I will return in a moment to take your orders.”

“What do you want to eat, Riley?” his father asked him.

“Well, it’s been a long time, I think you should order for me,” Riley responded.

Soon enough the food came, and they began to eat. Riley’s parents both ordered the crab cakes; Riley got the salmon and potato dish. “Riley, there’s something your mother and I have been discussing,” his father began. “We have decided to send you…”

“To the San Francisco school for young boys,” his mother finished.

“No!” Riley yelled.

Ignoring the outburst, the waiter returned to the table and asked, “Dessert?”

“No, thank you. We are ready for our check,” Father answered.

“Why, of course. Here you are,” and the waiter handed Father the check, which he quickly paid.

“Shall I escort you out?” the waiter asked.

“Thank you, but we can find our way,” Riley’s mother replied.

Upon returning home from dinner, Riley was sent to bed. When he awoke the next morning, he saw his mother struggling down the steps with a large trunk in her arms.

“Let me help you with that,” Riley offered, before recalling their conversation from the night before. “Is…is…is this for boarding school?” Riley stammered.

“Yes, now how about we go and pack?”

“Alright,” Riley said with a hint of ice in his voice.

“Now, Riley, I know that you don’t want to go. But it’s just for Fall term,” said his mother. “Now we need to pack your trunk and go get you settled in at school.”

“Yes ma’am.” Packing a trunk and going off to school the day after I get home; outrageous!  Why can’t my mother and I spend some more time together?  He touched the photo that Andi gave him. I sure do miss you Andi.

His thoughts were interrupted by his father’s somber farewell, “I shall see you later, dear. Have a good time at school, Riley. Sorry I can’t be there to see you off, I’ve got a meeting with the Corps.”

 “I understand,” Riley said, disappointed.

Chapter 5

After they were finished packing, it was time to head to school. Upon arrival, they saw two beds in Riley’s room.

I wonder who my roommate is? Riley didn’t have to wonder long, because soon enough a boy with fiery red hair who looked a few years older than Riley, appeared in the doorway. He arrived unaccompanied by his parents.

“Are you all set Riley? I have a women’s aid meeting later this afternoon and a doctor’s appointment. I’ll miss you,” she said with an unreadable smile. She gave Riley a hug and a kiss and left through the doorway.

Riley and the strange boys’ eyes met each other’s, but only for a second. “My name is Eli Grant. What’s your name?” the boy asked Riley.

“Riley. Riley Prescott,” Riley answered uncomfortably.

“Do you live here in San Francisco?” Eli questioned.

Riley nodded his head, and asked Eli the same question.

“I live in Tacoma. That’s in Washington territory.” Eli replied. “It doesn’t look like you want to be here anymore than I do. Let’s escape tomorrow night, right after dinner,” Eli said with a grin.

“I guess. But how will we get out?” Riley asked, worrying of what his parents would think.

“Easy. There’s a big window in the hall. We can get out through that window if we tie bed sheets together,” Eli said with a sly grin.

“I’m in. Hand me that bed sheet Eli, let’s get started,” Riley said, pushing his worry’s away.

                                                                        ****

The next night, the two boys slid down their makeshift rope. Their feet barely touched the ground when they parted ways. Eli dashed toward the docks; Riley headed for home.

Upon reaching his neighborhood, Riley ran the rest of the way home. Out of breath, he knocked on the door.

“Yes?” His mother answered the door. She looked down and was aghast to see Riley standing there. “Riley! You should be at school! Shame on you.”

Riley burst into tears. “I’m…sorry…mother!” he said in-between sobs. “I…I…I missed…you!”

“What in the world?” his father said suddenly, emerging in the doorway.

“I…just…wanted…t-to…see you more,” Riley blubbered.

“Oh Riley,” his parents said, sinking to their knees.

His mother pulled him into a tight hug. “Your father will go talk to the directors to see if you can go to day school,” his mother kindly offered.

“For now, you go sleep with your mother,” his father caringly told Riley. His mother scooped him up and took Riley to bed. The next morning Riley’s parents allowed him to stay home from school to spend a bit more time with his mother.

Riley wrote a letter to Andi. It went something like this:

Dear Andi,

How are you? How is Cook coming along without me? Have you started school yet? I was going to go to a boarding school, but me and my roommate took off at night because we both did not like it! 

How are the kittens? How is Taffy? Is she bigger? Just so you know, I put the picture you gave me on my bedside table. Visit your Aunt, then please come visit me!

                          Your friend who misses you a lot,                                

                 Riley