The Private Journals of Isaiah Watts

By: Nicholas Hall
(© 2021-2022 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

nhall@tickiestories.us

Chapter 12
The Growing-up Years 

“The short time Uncle Ben and Uncle Darius and their families lived with us were interesting to say the least. My uncles and aunts got a short course from Grandma Watts on our family history, cousin Stephen found out it was okay to piss outside, learned what a “gaje” is, discovered Gio spoke three languages, and the Watts boys heard from Gio all about Walter the Goat Fucker.”

(The Private Journals of Isaiah Watts) 

Isaiah and Joshua helped David clean up after milking while Darius and Benjamin carried the full milk cans to the spring house to cool and stay fresh.

“I think it’s best we keep our own family secrets, secret, boys,” David advised his sons. “Don’t want someone, even family, saying the wrong thing when it shouldn’t be said at all. Okay?”

Both boys understood very well what their father was talking about and agreed. They’d make certain the younger ones understood as well. Thomas was the only one who had any inkling since he was in the beginning stages of learning the family trade from his mother. Joshua was beyond the beginning stage and quite capable. Over the years, however, no matter how hard they tried, they never quite reached the level of expertise and skill Isaiah had. Oh, they were good, damned good, but Isaiah was better!

Repairs progressed on the farms Ben and Darius were to occupy, the gardens planted, and crops put in, along with cutting and stacking hay for winter forage on those farms as well at the home place. Grandma Watts kept tabs on the various household sales and foreclosure auctions in the area so David and his brothers could make periodic trips to furnish the two homes. David did find a gasoline engine powered washing machine they put on the porch at Grandma Watts. It made for easier laundry days.

Only once did Ben and Darius ask how David could afford everything. He answered, “Saved the money I made while horse trading.” He didn’t mention his games of chance or the lucrative business Claire, Isaiah, and Joshua engaged in. He received the money from the sale of the necklace Agostino sold for him. Agostino was unable to get gold coin so he settled for paper money. The money David received was over three times what he paid for both farms and equipment.

There was no spring house at either of the new farms, but milk houses with concrete tanks filled with water from the well to temporarily keep milk cold. The tank was filled when the windmill worked and water was diverted to it. As it overflowed, the water drained out to stock tanks, filling them as well. Joseph worked on the windmills to make certain they were operating properly.

During the several weeks before Ben and Darius and their families moved into their new homes, amidst all of the planting, cutting hay, chores, and remodeling, Ben, Ann, Darius, and Carol spent some time learning the Watts and Turner Family history from Dorothea and David. As Dorothea told them, just as David did, how they informed their own children was up to them, but at some time or another, someone would either outright tell them or bully them because of their heritage.

“Or,” she said quietly, “you can just ignore or deny your heritage as I did for many years while married to your father; whatever makes you most comfortable.”

David taught Isaiah and Joshua how to harness up a burro to the donkey cart and drive it. Working around animals was second nature to the two boys since while living with Grandpa and Grandma Lovell, they were around horses all of the time. Learning how to manage a burro pulling a cart was no problem. They preferred using Ida rather than Brutus since she wasn’t as easily distracted as he was. Stephen was just as interested, although with little experience around animals, was hesitant to try his hand at it, watching and observing closely instead. David assumed, and rightly so, it wouldn’t be long until Isaiah taught Stephen and Patrick how to manage a team or a single burro.

Receiving permission from their parents, after assuring them their chores were done, the four boys (Isaiah, Joshua, Stephen, and Patrick), ensconced in the donkey cart, Ida harnessed up and Peanut frolicking by her side, and Isaiah handling the reins, set out down the lane and the county road the short distance to Gio’s house. Gio was gone for a week with his Uncle Freddy and Isaiah was anxious to see him now he was back home.

Stephen asked, while hooking up Ida to the cart, why Isaiah harnessed her instead of Brutus.

“See Brutus?” Isaiah asked.

“Yeah.”

“See that long stiff cock hanging down from him?” Isaiah pointed at Brutus’s male appendage.

Stephen swallowed, noting the size and length of the burro’s penis. “It’s big!”

“Got that right! Sometimes he decides he wants to fuck and it makes it hard to handle him.”

Patrick’s mouth opened, his eyes widened, amazed at the daring of his cousin, hearing him use the word “fuck.” They didn’t dare use words like that around the house. Soap tasted terrible!

“Be careful,” Joshua said mischievously, with a glint in his eyes, to Stephen and Patrick, “don’t bend over in the corral when Brutus has that monstrosity hanging down and ready for business, or bingo,” illustrating the effect by fisting his hand and making a shoving motion up with his arm, “up the old poop chute it goes.”

Isaiah couldn’t be certain but he thought he saw a shudder of fear wiggle through Stephen! Patrick, on the other hand, just squinted his eyes shut, silently vowing not to be anywhere near Brutus. He could just imagine the damage such a thing could do to his little boy butt. They were having a difficult time using the outhouse, being used to indoor plumbing, after Joshua told them sometimes there were spiders down in the hole. “Never saw any rats however, so no need to worry about them biting your balls or pecker.”

Both boys peered judiciously and cautiously down the hole before sitting to shit!

While helping Isaiah harness up Ida, Stephen kept a close eye on Brutus, wary of getting too close to him. Patrick opted to help Joshua fill up a feed bag with oats and corn and put an empty water bucket in the cart so Ida and Peanut could drink. “Have to keep good care of them,” Joshua said, “Daddy says they’re what we use to make a living and help us; besides they’re fun to have around. Saves walking.”

Trotting along, Ida seeming anxious to get out and move, Stephen commented, “I bet Arthur, Jonathon, and Adam would enjoy this. They’ve never ridden in a cart like this before.”

“Yeah, just like us,” Patrick giggled, thoroughly enjoying himself.

“So, how did you guys get around?” Isaiah asked, pulling back on the reins slightly to slow Ida down.

“Usually by Daddy’s car,” answered Stephen, “or if went downtown, usually with Momma since she wouldn’t think of us going alone, by street car.”

“How about school?”

“It was close enough we could walk.”

“We’ve never been to a real school,” Joshua confessed, “but we’ll go to one this fall.”

“So,” Stephen asked cautiously, wanting to pursue the subject, “you still read and write and all don’t you?”

“Yeah,” Joshua answered, “Momma, Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa Lovell taught us. All of the kids in our camp had to go to classes every day. We had to be able to read, write, and do arithmetic Grandma Lovell said, if we were going to survive in the ‘gaje’ world.”

“Watch it, Joshua,” Isaiah advised. “Don’t say too much.”

“Okay, what’d you say, Isaiah?” Stephen asked exasperated and somewhat angry since he had idea what his cousin said, upsetting him. “And what’s this ‘gaje’ you talk about and call us?”

Ida slowed down to a leisurely pace, but it wouldn’t be long until they were at Gio’s. Isaiah decided he had time enough to give his cousins a short lesson explaining to them, some of the life they were raised in, the Lovell Band, and the ‘gaje’ were non-gypsies, usually white people.

“Our people have been murdered, driven from our homes, had the shit beat out of them, and sent into exile for centuries. We have to be especially careful outside our own bands and people or we could get our ass in a jam, especially around some white people.”

“You speak a different language sometimes.”

Isaiah nodded, “Mashkar le gadjende leski shib si le Romeski Zor.”

“Surrounded by the Gaje, the Rom’s only defense is his tongue.”

It was quiet in the cart, the only noise was the clip, clop, clip, clop of Ida’s hoofs as she walked down the road and an occasional nicker from Peanut. Stephen pondered his next question carefully, wanting to know, yet really not wanting to know the answer.

“Are we gypsy?”

Oh boy, thought Isaiah hesitating to answer the question. Nobody said anything to them.

He pulled on the reins, stopping Ida and the cart in front of Gio’s house. “That’s something you’d have to ask your mom and dad.”

Gio bounded out of the house shouting his greetings to Isaiah and the others. As he approached the cart, Ida whinnied at him, begging for a treat. He reached in his pocket, extracted a carrot and fed her. Peanut nudged his pocket seeking a treat as well.

“Watch what you’re nosing, Peanut,” Gio scolded and reached in his pocket and offered the colt a sugar cube. When Peanut begged for another, Gio extended his hands, palm up, saying, “That’s it, no more.”

“Isaiah,” he said, looking up in the cart, smiling, almost giddy with seeing Isaiah. “Grandma wanted me to make a delivery before you came. Could we do it now?”

“Where to?”

“Up the road about two miles to Mrs. Lorenz. Grandma says her youngest son usually sends her money every month to help out, but he’s out of work and she needs some help.”

“I’ll water Ida and Peanut while you get what we have to deliver,” Isaiah announced, motioning Joshua to jump down and help Gio.

Gio was particularly careful about his greeting and show of affection for Isaiah. He’d met the new relatives living with Isaiah and understood they’d be moving in a short while once the other farms were ready, but he was uncertain about their attitude toward boys loving boys and accepting him.

To him, they appeared to be unfamiliar, unacquainted with country life and small towns in general. Somewhat innocent in the way others, especially boys like Isaiah and him, and uncorrupted by the darker sides of life, sheltered from the “wickedness” of the world, unlike most boys and girls in Decker’s Corner who not only knew the wickedness, but were active participants in most of the various types. Living in Decker’s Corner was really going to be different for them; they’d lose their gullibility rather quickly he hoped. They’d have to get used to this life if they wanted to survive in it.

Hearing this Mrs. Lorenz’s son was without work was familiar sounds to Stephen and Patrick. They understood quite well what it meant to be without work and without money. Both overheard their parents discussing what they’d do to provide food and shelter for their boys. When Grandma Watt’s letters arrived inviting them to come to her place to live, it was a god-send, according to their mom and dad. Little did Stephen and Patrick realize how changed their lives would be.

She’d also invited their Uncle Darius to live with them as well. 

It was decided by the two brothers and their wives the option of living back home would be the best alternative, given there were few other options. The farm and river would provide enough for them to live, even though the living arrangements might be a bit crowded. Their discussion and journey took place before they knew their oldest brother purchased two more small farms with the intention of providing a house and property for them to use. He certainly adhered to the notion and belief in Decker’s Corner you not only took care of your own but each other as well.

Stephen and Patrick were aware of the seriousness of their situation and how fortunate they were to have an older uncle who really cared. No way would they do or say something which might just screw it all up, even if they both were a little uncertain about some things they saw or heard, even if it seemed strange, totally wrong, or wickedly naughty. Nope, better to keep their mouths shut and hold things secret. They were wise, schooled by their father to keep their own counsel, as they were to discover, most Watt’s boys did as well. They now lived in a different world, a world of the strange and unfamiliar customs and living conditions, unlike the life they led before everything went to shit!

Gio and Joshua returned with two filled wooden peach crates and handed them up to Isiah. Sabrina Russo, standing on the porch, shouted out in German, “Gio, make certain her wood box is filled near the cook stove and tell her if she needs anything else to let me know!”

“Okay, Grandma.” Gio replied.

From the side of the house, Agostino, talking Italian, raising his voice, said, “Tell Isaiah to let his dad know the items he ordered are here waiting for him to pick up.”

“Okay, Grandpa!” Gio returned in Italian.

Stephen and Patrick looked at each other in disbelief, amazed and confused with brows furrowed, trepidation showing in their eyes when their cousin’s friend answered in two different languages. Were they the only ones who spoke just English? Perhaps this place was even going to be more different than they imagined to begin with.

“What languages were you speaking?” Stephen asked.

“Italian and German,” Gio responded. “Grandma is German and Grandpa is Italian so I learned to speak both.”

Changing the subject, Isaiah asked, “What’s in the boxes?”

Gio peered in each and ticked off the contents. There were two loaves of fresh baked break, a pint of honey from Sabrina’s hives, a slab of bacon weighing about three pounds or so he thought, three pints of green beans from last year’s crop, small paper bag of new peas, a jar of strawberry jam, two dozen eggs, a small crock of butter, a small bunch of fresh green onions from the garden, small bunch of asparagus, jar of grape jelly, a rhubarb pie, and a bottle of Agostino’s grape wine.

“You know,” he said sadly, “she’s really got nothing; no family close by. Grandma hopes her son will move home to help take care of her.”

As an afterthought, “We have to check and make sure she has ice in her ice box. If not, Uncle Freddy will take some up from our ice house.”

Ice boxes were new to Stephen and Patrick, although not uncommon in parts of the city they used to live in. They were fortunate to have an electric refrigerator (and electric lights) until they were forced to move for lack of a job and money. There were other things they lacked in Decker’s Corner at Grandma Watts farm, but they were adapting to this different life.

“I have to pee,” announced Patrick.

“Me too,” echoed Stephen.

Isaiah reined Ida to a halt on the road, turned to his cousins; “You can either stand up and pee over the side of the cart or climb down and pee alongside the road.”

“Here? On the road?’ squeaked Patrick.

“Yep! Anybody else?”

Only Gio decided his bladder was full or maybe he might get a peek at what sort of tackle Stephen and Patrick had tucked away in their britches. He stood near the cart, his pecker pointing toward the side of the road while Stephen and Patrick, backs to the rest of their traveling companions, stood on the side of the road, unleashing yellow streams into the weeds.

“Want me to hold them for you?” volunteered Gio, feigning seriousness, anxious to see their reaction.

“NO!” Stephen and Patrick shouted, their heads jerking to look over their shoulders trying to ascertain whether Gio was heading their way intent on grabbing their peckers. Concerned with their modesty and protecting their boy cocks, they both hunched their shoulders farther forward, gripped their cocks protectively, and finished their business as quickly as possible. There was no danger of him making a lunge for them, by the time they finished he was already in the cart, all smiles, as was Isaiah and Joshua.

With a “giddy-up” and a flick of the reins, their journey began again. Mrs. Lorenz’s small house was about a quarter of a mile past the school. As the cart rattled by the wooden, one-room school, Gio pointed out that’s where they’d all go to school in the fall.

“All of us?” asked Stephen.

“Yep; grades one through eight. Be considerable more this year with all you Watt’s kids going there too.”

Stephen and Patrick were used to a brick elementary school with separate classrooms and teachers for each grade. The older kids were separated from the younger, definitely at recess, when the lower grades were together.

“Sure will be different,” sighed Stephen somewhat fearful of what older boys could do to younger ones. Playground time could be catastrophic if an older boy tried bullying him or his brothers.

“Won’t it be great?” Joshua exclaimed excitedly, “A real honest to god school!”

Mrs. Lorenz heard the boys laughing when they arrived in the donkey cart and stepped out to greet her guests. She recognized Gio, but the other four were unfamiliar. They all clambered down, Isaiah unhooked and tethered Ida, put the feed bag on her so she’d be content, and Peanut could nurse. The boys carried the two boxes to the house and as the contents were being unloaded and put away, she asked them to introduce themselves.

Isaiah started, giving his name and his father’s name, Joshua next, then Stephen, and finally Patrick. As each said their name, she gave them a very warm welcome.  All four stood, sort of expectantly wondering what would happen next.

“So,” she said, “you’re all Dorothea’s grandsons. How pleased she must be. I heard from Gio’s grandmother Dorothea’s kin was moving back home.”

She sighed, “I remember when your daddies lived here and went to the school down the road,” pointing in the direction of the one room school. She looked at Isaiah and a sadness crossed her face.

“So, you’re Isaiah. I’m sorry for what you went through when your grandfather died, but, not to speak ill of the dead, he was a wicked and mean man! Bless you for your courage. You’re quite a hero, you know!”

Isaiah didn’t know and Stephen and Patrick were confused about what she was referring to. They hoped he’d say something and he did. “Thank you,” and added nothing else.

Isaiah and Gio filled her wood box and Gio checked her ice box, noting there was a good-sized block of ice in there, emptied the drip pan, and put it back.

“Grandma said I was supposed to check your ice and if you needed some Uncle Freddy would bring it up.”

“Thanks anyway,” she replied, “but Walter, up the road, brought me some when he brought me some goat milk earlier this morning.”

All of the boys, except Gio, wrinkled their nose, and frowned, not particularly interested in trying any and hoped she didn’t offer, but said nothing.

“We gotta go, Mrs. Lorenz,” Gio announced.

She expressed her thanks, telling him to express it to his grandmother and grandfather.

It didn’t take long to re-hitch Ida and the boys started down the road toward home.

Gio pointed over his shoulder, up the road from Mrs. Lorenz’s. “About three miles that way is Walter’s place. He’s called the Goat Man. Has goats all over the place.”

“What’s he do with them all?” Joshua asked, never hearing of the man before now.

Isaiah turned a suspicious glance toward Gio. He smelled a rat or a prank in the lead up and Gio’s eyes, not his very serious face and thoughtful, pondering look, twinkling with mischief, said it all.

“Well, I’ve heard, some of the goats he milks, some he eats, and his favorites, he fucks!”

Stephen, Patrick, and Joshua’s mouths gaped in both disbelief and trepidation at such perversion wondering if perhaps it was true. After all, almost anything goes in Decker’s Corner.

“Really?” gasped Stephen.

“Nah,” snickered Gio, “I’m just shitting you,” and began to laugh aloud.

It was a giggly, snickering ride back to Gio’s grandmother’s house. He hopped down, empty peach crates in one hand, gave a wave with the other, and Isaiah gave a flick of the reins, starting Ida toward home.

Amidst the clip, clop of the burro’s feet, he overheard Patrick ask his brother, “Does this Walter guy really stick his--- you know—in a goat’s butt?”

To be continued...

Posted: 02/11/2022