Caleb's Story Read Online Free

Grandfather more questions.
    â€œI like Grandfather, too,” I said out loud in the empty room. “I do.”
    Outside, Sarah reached out and put her arms around Papa. But after a moment Papa walked off to the barn, leading Bess. Sarah stood still for a moment, then she pulled her coat around her and followed Papa into the barn.
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    I could hear Cassie’s voice down in the kitchen, going on and on like the wind. Sometimes Grandfather would say something, his voice low, his sentences short. Slowly I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.
    â€œI am almost four and a half years old, you know,” said Cassie.
    â€œYou told me that,” said Grandfather.
    â€œI was born here.”
    â€œSo was I,” said Grandfather grumpily.
    â€œAnd I was very little,” said Cassie.
    â€œI was little,” said Grandfather.
    Cassie took a breath.
    â€œI was very little. So little,” said Cassie, “that I had to sleep in a little box by the stove. And I ate every hour. And I cried. And I threw up.”
    Grandfather grunted. “You win,” he said.
    â€œIt will be nice to know my grandfather,” I said.
    Grandfather looked at me, his eyes so sharp and blue. He walked to the door and put on his coat.
    â€œI’m not nice,” he said. “Don’t go thinking that, Caleb.”
    The kitchen door opened and Sarah came in.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me who you were?” she said to Grandfather.
    â€œI didn’t know if I would be welcome in your house,” said Grandfather.
    â€œYou are Jacob’s father,” said Sarah. “Of course you are welcome.”
    â€œDoes Jacob welcome me?” he asked.
    Sarah didn’t answer. She walked to the stove to pour a cup of coffee.
    â€œThat’s what I thought,” said Grandfather. He put on his hat.
    â€œWhere are you going?” asked Sarah.
    â€œTaking a walk,” said Grandfather.
    â€œI’ll go with you,” said Sarah.
    â€œNo,” said Grandfather. “I know the farm. It was once mine, you know.”
    â€œI’ll go,” I said. “I’d like to.”
    â€œAren’t you late for school?” asked Sarah.
    â€œThere is no school,” I said. “Remember?”
    â€œThen help Jacob with the chores, Caleb.”
    â€œWhat about me?” asked Cassie.
    Grandfather peered at all of us for a moment. Then he turned and went out the door.
    â€œGrandfather doesn’t like us,” said Cassie.
    â€œNo. He doesn’t,” I said.
    Sarah sighed and walked to the window to watch Grandfather walk down the road by the paddock fence.
    â€œHe doesn’t know you,” she said softly. “He will like you.”
    â€œDoes he like Papa?” asked Cassie.
    Sarah didn’t answer.
    â€œDoes Papa like him?” asked Cassie.
    Sarah turned from the window.
    â€œHave you brushed your hair, Cassie? Chores, Caleb,” she said briskly.
    I knew there wouldn’t be any more questions. Or answers.
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    Papa was in the barn, but he wasn’t cleaning the stalls. He was standing in the open doorway, looking out over the meadows and the slough, filled with snow. He was also watching Grandfather walking down the road.
    â€œPapa?”
    Papa didn’t answer me right away.
    â€œThe paddock gate needs fixing,” he said, his voice soft.
    â€œPapa? Cassie wonders . . .”
    I stopped as Papa looked straight at me.
    â€œCassie wonders what?” he repeated.
    I took a breath.
    â€œCassie wonders why you aren’t happy to see your father. If you thought he was dead.”
    Papa knew I was asking for me, too.
    â€œCassie’s life is simple, Caleb. She thinks life is good and fair. And everyone does the right thing.”
    We both watched Grandfather walk away down the road.
    â€œBut life is good and fair,” I said. “Isn’t it?”
    Papa sighed.
    â€œSometimes, Caleb. But sometimes people do the