ATOW Chapter One

Jefferson, Ohio 1934

Chapter One

Nothing is quite more satisfactory than the knowledge of a job well done. Good, honest work, no matter how backbreaking it may be, is the one thing in the world that can give a man a good night's rest, not to mention a truly ravenous appetite. There must be something in the knowledge that a duty has been done and done well to make a man feel that he is a man. And Robert Hayes felt just that as he surveyed his newly-planted fields with a feeling of satisfaction.

It was a good spread, although small, but still adequate for what he needed. It was hard times, no mistake about that, but God had been good to them and in their own little corner of the world, things were beginning to look up. The new Agriculture Reduction Act, though still met with opposition, was more successful than anyone had believed it would be. It took no more than his own labor and that of one hired hand to keep the little farm running. The crops were now planted, the cows and hens producing well, the hogs just beginning to be fattened for market… what more could a man ask? Nothing much… except the light of home, the mouthwatering aromas of dinner bubbling on the stove… and Myra waiting eagerly to welcome him in.

Robert Hayes was a tall man with green Irish eyes, a strong and determined chin, and a smile that put anyone instantly at ease. The fact that he had walked with a severe limp since the Battle of Amiens back in 1918 hardly altered his ability to work hard and he was well-known and well-loved throughout the nearby town of Jefferson for his quick wit, helping hand, and generous heart.

Just three years prior, Myra Cooper had moved back to the little, one-horse town of Jefferson, unmarried still, although her blue eyes were brighter than ever and her hair like the gold of ripe summer wheat just as he had remembered when she had bid him farewell seventeen years before, on the platform of the Jefferson train station. She had promised to marry him when he returned and he had gone off to war with a light and happy heart. War had changed that fast. When he returned, feeling tired and old and grey, she was gone. Her family had left Jefferson during the war to live with her mother's brother in Connecticut, after her father had been killed overseas. Robert had lost track of her and moved on in despair. But he had never married. And when Myra returned to Jefferson after her mother's death to take up the little class of first-graders, he felt as if he had been handed the moon. They were married within the month.

"Why, we've already lost seventeen years of our lives," he had cried when she had hesitated on his hasty proposal. "I don't want to lose a moment more! Anyway, I shouldn't even have to propose again, seeing as the engagement was never broken in the first place." And she had laughed and said yes. He had brought her home to his family's farm and the last three years had been all they should be, in spite of the Depression that raged in the background.

Parking the ancient and rickety old tractor in the barnyard, the weary man set his sights toward the tall white farmhouse with its cheery green shutters and window-boxes of bright red peonies. And as always, warm yellow candle light flickered through the windows. Rob had long wanted to install electricity, but the expense made it impossible. And Myra was glad. She always had looked back with longing on past generations and "the beauties of our history," as she often said dreamily. “No need to spoil it with modern… inconveniences.” 

As Robert paused to open the little white picket gate, the door suddenly flung open wide and Myra, in her apron and with wooden spoon still in hand, came flying down the gravel path to throw herself into his arms.

"Now this is the welcome I'd like to get every day!" Robert laughed when he could finally speak. "Perhaps you set the stove on fire and are throwing yourself at my mercy? Is that it? Or do you want a new hat?"

"Don't be silly, Rob!" Myra slapped at him playfully. "I'm just glad you're home, that's all. It's been a long day and I've been lonely."

"What… the dog isn't company enough?" he teased. But she ignored this as she grabbed his arm and was already dragging him toward the house.

"I made your favorite tonight," she was saying. "Pot roast and mashed potatoes, with apple pie for dessert. Finally used up the last of those apples I stored last winter… I'm looking forward to a bountiful new harvest!"

"Well, now I'm certain it couldn't be a hat. It must be a dress, at least. Or maybe a fur coat?" Rob grinned. But he wasn't getting quite the reaction he had expected out of Myra, for she seemed hardly to hear his words. Scarcely had she gotten him into the house and seated him at the table, she turned to take a little box from the counter.

"I know you're hungry," she began, laughing. "I can hear your stomach growling already. But I've got something for you… and I want you to open it first."

"Really? All gift-wrapped and everything. Is there an occasion I've forgotten?"

"Your birthday," Myra grinned and shrugged.

"But my birthday is… six, seven… eight months away!"

"I know," Myra laughed. "But I couldn't wait. I have to give it to you now. Open it!"

"Yes, Ma'am." He opened the box slowly, for he could see she was nearly bouncing up and down in her impatience. Pulling off the silver bow, he reached over and plopped it on her head. He took his time with the wrapping paper, acting as if he was afraid to tear it. She was biting her lip and her eyes were wide. Funny. A simple gift couldn't possibly have gotten her that excited… could it? At last he lifted the lid and raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"What is it?"

"You can't tell?" Myra leaned forward expectantly as he pulled the bit of white fabric from the box.

"It… it looks like… a… a diaper?!" Frowning, he turned the little scrap of cotton over and suddenly felt his heart skip a beat. Carefully embroidered on the fabric in Myra's careful little stitches were the words, "You're going to be a father!"

For a moment he stared in shocked silence. When he lifted his head, Myra was staring fixedly at him with all the hope and love in her heart shining in her eyes. 

"What do you think?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

As the realization suddenly sank into his mind, he jumped from his chair with a whoop, catching her up and spinning her off her feet till she was breathless with laughter.

"What do I think? Myra, I…" he couldn't finish and simply kissed her instead. Smiling, she took his hand in hers and laid it on her stomach.

"There it is," she murmured. "Our little one. Oh, Rob, I can't believe it!"

"If it is a girl," Rob answered, grinning, "She'll have her mother's golden hair. And we'll call her Myra, after the most wonderful woman in the world."

"But if it is a boy, we'll name him Robert Joshua. After the two most wonderful men in the world. You… and my father." this last she added softly, with a sudden faraway look in her eyes.

"Better make it Joshua Robert. Don't want too many Roberts in the family. After all, I am the third in a long line!"

"Does that make you Robert Hayes Jr. Jr.? Or is it Robert Hayes the Third?"

"Call me whatever you want, just don’t call me late for dinner! I’m dying for a chance at that pot roast!"

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