Page 11 of Ginjuh

Grandpa started down the steps. “Well, sir, if you don’t know the way to my farm, you ain’t got the sense God gave geese. Only been here nearly fifty years.”

Mr. Mankins laughed loudly.

“Well, sir, I’ve never been out here myself.” He stepped away from the car to shake Grandpa’s hand firmly.

I was still standing on the porch as Grandpa and Mr. Mankins shook hands, then finally came back to myself and walked down the steps. Taking my turn, I reached out to shake Mr. Mankins’ hand.

“Ginjuh?” He asked with a smile.

“This is my grandson, Zach.” Grandpa corrected him firmly yet jovially.

“Of course.” Mr. Mankins corrected himself. “It’s nice to meet you, Zach. Mr. Pelton talks about you every time he comes into the office.”

“The office?” I smiled crookedly as my hand slid from Mr. Mankins’.

“Insurance office?” He cocked his head. “We sell homeowners, auto, life, pretty much anything to fit your needs.”

“You’re not hustlin’ a client, Mankins.” Grandpa chided him. “Your sharks ain’t gotta be circlin’—ain’t no blood here.”

Mr. Mankins’ laughed heartily. I glanced over at Austin. He was still gazing out at the fields. His notebook was tucked under his arm.

“Well,” Grandpa interjected again, “we’ll take good care of your boy. Zach here knows this farm like the back of his hand and won’t let him get hurt.”

“Thank you, sir.” Mr. Mankins’ nodded before turning his head to Austin. “I’ll be back at dark to pick you up, Austin.”

Austin didn’t turn to look at his father, nor did he respond verbally. He just nodded and shut the door and continued looking out at the fields.

“Don’t you go doin’ all that.” Grandpa slapped Mr. Mankins on the back. “Zach will be happy to run him home when they’re done for the afternoon, John.”

That made me want to turn to my grandpa and groan. But, instead, I just smiled at Mr. Mankins.

“You sure that’s okay, Zach?” He asked.

“Yes, sir.” I nodded tightly. “I’d be happy to.”

No, the fuck I will not.

I’ll do it but I won’t be “happy”.

“Well, all right then.” Mr. Mankins smiled widely. “Thank you, Zach. Mr. Pelton. See y’all around next time.”

Grandpa and I stepped away from the car as Mr. Mankins got back into his car, closed the door, and turned the car around, headed away again, waving the entire way. Grandpa and I waved back until Mr. Mankins was out of sight, then I turned to my Grandpa with pleading eyes. He gave me a frown that let me know that there was to be no discussion about what had just been promised. I gave him a nod and we both turned towards Austin, who was still looking out at the fields like he forgot we were there.

“Well,” Grandpa said loudly, making Austin start and turn slightly towards us, “Austin, it is? Your dad says you ain’t never had a job before, let alone on a farm, but Zach here has plenty he can teach you.”

He slapped me on the back firmly.

“Okay.” Austin gave a slight nod, his expression not changing.

Grandpa watched Austin for a minute, and I knew why, but Austin wasn’t picking up on it. After a few moments, Grandpa realized that this just was the way it was and patted me on the back again.

“All right.” He sighed. “You boys get to work. Do me proud, son.”

“Yes, sir.” I smiled at him.

I followed him with my eyes and a smile as Austin turned to look at me. When Grandpa was up the porch and into the house, the screen slapping shut behind himself, I turned on Austin with a frown. I looked him up and down. He had worn black, skinny leg jeans and a black t-shirt. To work on a farm.

“My grandpa’s name is Mr. Ernest Pelton,” I said evenly. “You may call him ‘Mr. Pelton’. When you answer him, you say ‘no, sir’ or ‘yes, sir’. Saying ‘okay’ is how you talk to friends. He is not your friend. Even if you two become friendly, and he lets you call him something else, you still add a ‘sir’ to whatever answer you give him.”