The Beginners

On a Fall Friday afternoon, I was in the kitchen waiting for Robbie to get home from school. Eventually he came running into the house all excited.  

  “Why Are you so excited?”

 “I want to join the ballet at school” he told me.  “Is it ok….can I….  I really want to join the ballet.”

   

 “Sure you can Robbie.” “Is there anything that I have to do for you in order to get started?”

  He stated, “You have to sign this piece of paper saying it is alright.”As he handed me  the piece of paper.  “Will you sign it Uncle Jim?”

   

“Yeah Rob,  I’ll sign you up.”  “Is there anything else I need to get for you?”

  “Yes, there is.” “We have to go and buy all the stuff on this piece of paper she gave me.”

 I started to read everything that was on the paper.-  

“Three pairs of shoes!”

“Yes three pairs, she said one has to white and one has to black. The third one didn't matter what color as they will only be used for practice.”

 “Two half tights or leotards. They can be any color. Use those only for practice.”

  “Three full length leotards or tights. One has to be White and one has to blue (Blue) and one has to be Black.”

 “T-Shirts for practice. They have to be white (Nothing at all on them pure white only)”

 “When do you need to have all of this stuff?”

“By Monday she told me.”

 “We will go tomorrow to get everything you need for the ballet.”

 He asked me if Mark could come and spend the night with him.

 “Sure he can spend the night with you.”

 He rushed off to call Mark if he could come and spend the night.

 

In less than an hour Mark showed up at the door. His Mom waved from the car. I gave a thumbs-up that the boys would be fine in my care. For an uncle, it was never any trouble caring for Robbie or his guests. They had a good dinner and slipped off to Robbie’s room to entertain themselves as teen boys would normally do. I never heard a noise at all after 10:00 o’clock.

In the morning, the boys laid up in bed until about 9:00. I heard one of them in the bathroom. I crept down the hall to the kitchen. Behind me the bathroom door opened, a figure emerged. It was Robbie, he stumbled back to his room in a t-shirt and apparently no undies.

So I continued on my mission, started Breakfast. Robbie always liked Oatmeal with Cinnamon toast. So I knew he would want us to treat Mark to a nice hearty breakfast of Robbie’s faves, with fresh farm milk and Juice.

They timed it perfectly arriving at the table the instant it was all hot from the stove. They were quiet as they devoured every plate I sat before them. I said, “Fellas you sure slept up an appetite, I can put you guys out in the garden to harvest the Fall crops with all the energy you guys will be having.”

Robbie and Marks eyes met, and I think I saw a wink. Rob said they were up a bit late, and didn’t fall asleep until 1:00 AM. I didn’t challenge the reason since it was a week-end, but I was puzzled what they could find to entertain themselves with since Robbie didn’t have a TV, or Game console in his room.

I told ‘em it was fine, and they could do what-ever they wanted today. I turned to start washing the pans and dishes. Robbie reminded me that we needed to go shopping for his Ballet stuff. I heard some feet shuffling and then muttering quietly between themselves. Mark excused himself to go to the rest-room.

As soon as Mark was out of the room. Robbie blurts out, “Uncle Jim Mark’s Mom is poor and she said he can’t join Ballet because they can’t afford all the Ballet stuff”. Can you hire him to do some work here at the farm, and help pay for his things. I just want him to be with me in Ballet more than anything in the world Uncle Jim……Please. Mark can’t help it that his Daddy up and left them.

His little heart was breaking, over his friend, and the misfortune of their broken family. “Robbie, I have some extra saved for things like this, we can make this work for Mark too”. Robbie looked up slowly from staring at his plate, and said although they are poor, his Momma is very proud and won’t take no charity.

“Well all right, If his Momma wants him to earn it…then you can show him how to milk in the mornings before School.” “That leaves afternoons all clear for Ballet practice, and you fellas can still relax and have fun on your week-ends.”  “Let’s see if he is up to it.?”

 Just then Marks little face peeked around the kitchen door with a huge smile on his face. He said “I’ll milk every day at Sun-up!!”

 Robbie saw him and they plowed into each others arms, Robbie hugged Mark tightly. I stood there and relished how much they appreciated each other at this sweet moment.

(To be continued.)  

Farm Boy