The Old Chestnut Tree
An Iron Age Media Prompt - The Companion
We walked the fields and brooks playing adventure, you were the pirate and I was the chivalrous knight. Together we stormed the tillerman’s garden shed seeking treasures long lost. Our newest adventure was to keep Billy Clementine and his stooges away from harming the old chestnut tree down by the river, so we started to build a wall around it to protect it. Mama thought it humorous saying she had a companion as such, but Papa was vexed, saying I was too old for such pointless games, so I would keep our play secret.
Then one morning I awoke and you weren’t there. I searched our usual haunts, the abandoned church, the old chestnut tree, but no matter where I looked, I couldn’t find you. Mama said you’d show up somewhere, so I kept hope and continued to build the wall alone.
One day I was talking to Henrietta the hen, trying to get some information out of her but she was stubborn. Papa caught me, saying “Child, no matter how long you talk to that hen, you’d sooner get more sense out of a donkey. Why don’t you make real friends to talk to and play with, you’d find their company better than an animal.”
I wiped the tears from my eyes and as stubborn as that hen, I stood up to my father “Papa, these are my friends and I can do no better nor should I expect to. Who are you.”
After that I spoke no more to Papa, and I grew sullen and abandoned the wall at the old chestnut tree. Broken and scattered, its rocks were strewn about but I no longer cared. Kicking around one of the walls fractured pebbles I came across Billy alone, he was on his way to the store to get supplies for his mother. He saw me and look proud of his handiwork but to my surprise he spoke kindly to me.
“Where have you been, Eugenia? We have not seen you playing outside of school.”
I was reticent, wary of some sort of deception. “Billy, I’ve been busy, Mama and Papa have errands that need running and I’ve given up on those types of games.”
Billy’s face looked frustrated and I caught a mean look in his eyes.
“You’ve always been stuck up, thinking you’re better, playing alone, talking with yourself and not others.”
“Some keep better company than others.” I said, and before I knew it Billy had pushed me over onto the rocks and run off.
After that day Billy was meaner than usual, even inside of school, him and his stooges kept at me, but I kept my guard up and would have at them if needed.
I kept mostly to the house, alone, not even the animals had much to say anymore. Papa would watch me in between his work and I would pretend like I was cleaning, but I think he knew. There was a time he stayed up all night in the sewing room with the doors closed and not even Mama knew of his doing.
The next morning, I woke with Papa standing at my door, smoking his pipe. I looked at him and he smiled and turned away, walking downstairs. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I peered to the foot of my bed, Papa had made a new doll. Getting up I lifted him up and saw in his wide mischievous smile and button eyes, it was Francis, he was back. Joy overtook me and I ran, carrying Francis down to Mama and Papa who I hugged.
“Thank you, Papa.”
“You’re welcome, child. But there is more happy news.”
I looked to Mama who was holding her stomach and I almost dropped Francis. “I am to have a sister or brother?”
“Yes.”
If you liked this post and want to Tip / support me without the obligation of yet another subscription, consider buying me a coffee on ko-fi - ko-fi.com/montestaubyn