The Lighthouse Road

“We’ll be finished when I say so.”

“Just hurry.”

All Odd heard for the next five minutes was the click and snap of Hosea’s camera and flash. When Hosea said, “That’s enough for now,” Odd jumped to his stockinged feet. He ran to the dark end of the hallway and crept quietly back upstairs. He slid into his bed, the flashing lights from Hosea’s office stayed with him until he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Hosea was stirring the hash when Odd came down for breakfast the next morning.

“It’s Sunday, right?” Odd said.

Hosea startled at the sound of Odd’s voice, turned from the stovetop to see the lad. “There’s tea in the kettle, boy-o. Grab a cup. Eggs and hash in a jiffy.”

“Why are you awake? Why are you making breakfast?”

“There was business to attend to last night. I missed my frolic. Here I am full of vigor. We’ll be off to church after breakfast.”

“I don’t want to go to church.”

“Why not?”

“Why would I?”

Hosea poured the bowl of whisked eggs into the hash. He sprinkled salt and pepper over it and turned to face Odd. “Why would you, huh? That’s what you want to know, is it, boy-o?” He turned back to the hash, stirred it for a few minutes, then took the skillet off the stovetop and brought it to the table, where he set it on a trivet. He spooned a plateful for Odd, then a plateful for himself, then sat down across the table from Odd. “You might want the Lord on your side, son.”

Odd said nothing, only stared back at him.

“For the fight.”

“What fight?” Odd said.

Hosea blew on his plate of steaming hash. He forked it around his plate. “‘What fight’? Good Christ, what’s wrong with you this morning?”

Odd picked up his own fork and held it before him. “I’m tired out. Couldn’t sleep last night.”

Hosea’s eyes shot up and into Odd, who didn’t flinch. Hosea stared at the boy for a long minute. He smirked. “The fight, boy-o, is this life of ours. I don’t know if you’re equipped to tussle with the big boys, that’s why I say you should have the Lord on your side.”

“I’m ready to fight,” Odd said.

“I’m only speaking as an impartial observer, Odd, but you don’t inspire confidence.”

“I can fight!”

Hosea shook his head. “Eat your breakfast. Then we’ll go to church. And let’s refrain from these boasts, this backtalk. Your virtue is in your tractability. Let’s be a good boy.” He flashed Odd a condescending smile, took a large bite of his hash, then a big swill of his hot tea.

Odd did not go to church. After he finished his hash, Hosea told Odd to make a plate for Rebekah, told him to put it on the stove and to get his church clothes on. Hosea then went to ready himself. When he returned fifteen minutes later, Odd still sat at the table, his legs crossed, a week-old newspaper spread before him as though he were actually vested in the happenings of this town. Hosea said nothing, only walked down the staircase. Odd heard the bell chime and the front door slam shut. He pushed himself back from the table and walked to the sitting room window. He watched as Hosea marched up Wisconsin Street. He watched until he turned north, toward the hillside church, and disappeared.

Odd stepped to Rebekah’s bedroom door then. He put his ear to it to hear if she was awake. After a minute, content that she was still sleeping, he went down to the second floor. All of the excitement of the night before was gone. His heart beat slowly and his sight was steady and clear.

He walked down the hallway and stood before the locked door that had emitted Hosea’s and Rebekah’s voices the night before. He tried to shoulder it open, then took a few steps back and glowered at the door.

It was only a minute before Rebekah came downstairs. He turned to watch her walking toward him. She looked sleepy, still wore her nightdress.

“What are you doing down here, Odd?” she said. Her voice was soft, gentle. It always was with him.

All the balky instincts that had arisen with Hosea that morning were gone now. He felt boyish again. Shy. He looked down at her feet. “What’s a bub?” he said.

Rebekah’s eyes widened and she couldn’t help but laugh. “What? “

“A bub. What’s a bub?”

“Where did you learn that word?”

He turned away. Looked back at the door. “How ’bout a pervert? What’s that?”

“Oh, my,” she whispered.

“How come you and Hosea were up in the middle of the night?”

Rebekah sat down. She sat down right on the floor and crossed her legs. She took Odd’s hand and pulled him down, so they were each sitting cross-legged, their knees touching. She looked right at him with her sleepy eyes.

“I couldn’t sleep last night, so I went exploring. I heard you two down here.”

“Did you see anything? Did you look into this room?” Rebekah nodded at the door without taking her eyes from Odd.

“Last time I tried to get in there Hosea caught me. He gave me the strap.”

“Did you look into this room last night?” she repeated.

“No. I did not. I only saw the lights flashing and heard you talking.” He looked away. “Will you tell me what a bub is?”

“Oh, dear,” she said. She bit her lower lip and took a deep breath. “Let’s see. Do you and Danny ever talk about girls?”

Odd looked back at her. “What do you mean?”

She took his hands, held them over the tangle of their feet. “You know, are there girls in school that you talk about? Pretty girls?”

“Danny says Sarah Veilleux’s pretty.”

“Do you think Sarah Veilleux’s pretty?”

“I don’t know. She’s not as pretty as you.”

Rebekah blushed.

“Danny says you’re pretty, too. Everyone thinks you’re pretty.”

At this the blush washed from her cheeks. “Yes. Well.” She paused, bit her lip again. “People don’t know much.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re only ten years old,” she said.

Odd knew she was just thinking out loud, something she did all the time.

“Ten years old, raised by a misfit and me.” She put her hand on his chin and raised his face. “You hardly have a chance, do you?” She shook her head.

“Why do you and Hosea keep saying things like that?”

“You’re a very fine young man. And so sweet. Maybe too sweet, I think that’s what I mean.”

“You still haven’t said what’s a bub.”

“You’ll learn about bubs soon enough.”

“What’s in there?” Odd said. Again he pointed at the door. “Why ain’t I allowed to see it? How come you can go in there?”

Rebekah stood up, she offered Odd her hands and pulled him to his feet also. “For once I agree with Hosea. You don’t need to see the grown-up things in these rooms. Not now. Not yet.”

“That’s stupid,” he said. He was angry and confused and tired of all the roundabout talking.

“Trust me, sweetheart. It’s not dumb.”

“Quit acting like I’m stupid and a kid.”