Chapter 7
It ran down the lines of his face as he stood there, caught between two choices.
On one side was the Department of Agriculture inspector, a connection to a better future.
On the other was the son-in-law he had never taken seriously, a man he thought was simple-minded.
Now that same "fool" had become a prize in Victor's eyes.
And his family's future depended on him.
Frank's mind raced.
Behind his cloudy eyes, calculations flickered nonstop, like numbers ticking away on an old cash register.
He rubbed his hands together and forced a smile that looked worse than a grimace.
"Victor, you must be joking.
"James is like half a son to me. How could I ever mistreat him?"
He turned to me, his voice carrying a hint of flattery, mixed with an edge of command.
"James, did you hear that?
"It's your good fortune that Victor thinks highly of you.
"Hurry up and agree. Make whatever he needs, as many as he wants."
Sophia snapped out of her shock as well. Even though she was seething inside, she had no choice but to go along for the sake of her marriage.
"Exactly, James. Victor is an important man. You should make sure to stay on his good side."
She spat my name out like it was poison.
I ignored them and looked straight at Victor.
"I appreciate your offer," I said. "But making these takes time and focus."
Victor understood immediately.
He turned to Frank, the smile on his face fading.
"Frank, did you not hear what I just said?
"Having a craftsman feed pigs and work the fields every day is a waste of talent.
"If that's your attitude, then I think we should forget about Sophia's marriage."
"Wait, no, Victor!" Frank panicked and grabbed his sleeve.
"I understand, I do!"
He let go, clenched his teeth, and stamped his foot as if making a costly decision.
"James!"
He raised his voice, as if declaring his stance to Victor.
"Starting today, you don't have to work in the fields anymore.
"You don't need to feed the pigs either.
"Just stay inside and focus on your woodworking."
As soon as he said it, Linda and Sophia's faces darkened.
A live-in son-in-law who didn't have to work?
That was unheard of in the village.
I shook my head.
Frank's heart jumped into his throat.
"What now?"
"Frank, I need a quiet place to work."
I pointed at the drafty shed we lived in.
"This won't do."
"What do you want then?" Frank asked through gritted teeth.
My gaze shifted slowly to the room on the east side.
It was the best room in the yard, warm in winter and cool in summer.
Frank had planned to fix it up as Sophia's bridal room.
"I want that room as my workshop."
"No!"
Sophia shrieked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"That's my room! Why should you get it?"
Linda stepped in to defend her.
"James, don't push your luck. That's part of Sophia's room!"
"Enough!"
Frank spun around and roared at them.
His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at me, his chest heaving.
On one side was his daughter's room. On the other side was his future.
He struggled for a long moment.
Finally, he forced the words out through clenched teeth.
"Fine. You can have that room."
Sophia burst into tears.
I didn't stop.
"I also need tools and wood.
"I don't have any money right now."
Frank's mouth twitched.
"How much?"
"Fifty dollars to start," I said.
Fifty dollars.
Frank's eyes went wide. That was nearly two or three months of expenses for their family.
Linda opened her mouth to curse, but one fierce look from Frank shut her up.
"I'll give it to you!" Frank practically shouted.
"James, I'm giving you the money, the room, and you don't have to work the fields anymore.
"If you dare ask for anything else, you can get out!"
I smiled.
"Deal."
I looked at Frank. The disdain in his eyes was gone.
Now he looked at me like I was a tool that could produce money, his gaze filled with naked greed.
Emily stood quietly behind me the whole time.
When she looked at me, the fear and confusion were gone.
In their place was a light she couldn't quite explain, something bright and steady.
To her, it felt like the man in front of her had suddenly become someone who could shoulder the weight of the world without breaking a sweat.