The Private Journals of Isaiah Watts
Volume II

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 9
The War Years

“Everyone has some sort of special gift, talent, or skill. I just have to discover what it is and use it to advantage!” 

(The Private Journals of Isaiah Watts) 

The night sounds of the farm, an occasional lowing of the cattle and milk cows, the noisy, soft grunting of the pigs in their pen and the sometimes-banging noise of the hog self-feeders, and a nicker every now and then from Betts in her corral, in addition to those noises, the bullfrogs, a coyote, a fox barking, and the constant hum of mosquitoes and other night insects, invaded, yet soothed Isaiah’s thoughts as he sat on the screened in porch.

Night time is when Isaiah missed Gio the most. Just having him close to touch or not to touch or to see him was enough to settle Isaiah’s thoughts and the anxieties he might have from a busy day or not a busy day. Sometimes, during their relationship, showing him something or telling him of an experience he’d had during the day seemed to deepen and strengthen their love. Now, it wasn’t possible! Only a month was passed since Gio left and after sending the obligatory letter to his grandparents announcing his safe arrival, including a note to Isaiah, he’d not been heard from. Yet, Isaiah had written several times, numbering the letters as they’d decided, and slipping in codes for Gio to understand what really was going on and how much Isaiah loved him.

Isaiah wasn’t overly concerned since he knew Gio’s days would be full and tiring. No matter, he still wondered, worried, and missed him! Gio could light up his day or night just by being Gio. Chuckling to himself, Isaiah wondered if Gio had relieved his fellow recruits and others of their money yet.

“I’ll bet he did,” he whispered to the night air and sounds.

The boys were in bed, sleeping soundly, and the house was relatively quiet, save Tommy, Conley, and Ramos snoring. The boys generally had no problem falling asleep since they were busy with chores and, with the addition of Betts and the cart to the mix, visiting with their “cousins” on the Watt’s side of the family. Isaiah couldn’t sleep however, rolling over in his mind the commitment he’d made earlier in the day.

He knew the Wilson Family and had a passing acquaintance with Jimmy through an older brother in his class at school. While in high school he wasn’t a particular friend of the older brother, even though they were in the same grade and graduated the same year, so he could only speak from what he knew of the family from what others spoke of.

The family farm consisted of one hundred-sixty acres of good farm land north of Logansport and after attending the local country school, all of the kids went to Logansport High School. Feeding and clothing ten kids on a hundred and sixty acres, even good, productive acres, wasn’t the easiest task and as a result they really didn’t have a great deal extra, hence clothes were hand-me-downs, homemade, and cared for. Rationing during this war didn’t make it any easier either.

They may not have much in material things, but one thing was for certain- those kids all had brains! Smarter than smart; sharper than a dozen English steel blades.

“If Jimmy is anything like his older brothers,” Isaiah mused to the darkness, “he’s fucking smart! Not bad looking either, but has glasses thicker than the bottom of a Coke bottle!”

Isaiah had no idea how he and Tommy hooked up, but he’d reckoned one of the boys would soon find out or perhaps knew already.

Montgomery Dodd, on the other hand presented certain challenges. According to his Grandmother Lovell, Montgomery was “slow,” but how slow, other than being held back a couple of years in the lower grades, was unknown to Isaiah. Montgomery was shy as well! Was that because he was “slow” or by nature? Raised on a farm is one thing, but doing the work on a farm is an entirely different matter. Was he strong, big, tall, small, weak, or what? Could he operate the equipment on a farm?

There were many questions regarding Montgomery needing answering. Isaiah did know his grandmother wouldn’t steer him wrong. He also knew everyone has special talents or gifts and skills so all he really had to do was discover those Montgomery had and develop them.

******* 

In the morning, after finally falling asleep, during morning chores, he informed the boys they’d be having company, permanently and told them who’d be joining Ravenwood.

“We’ll move one of the single beds from the spare bedroom, put it in yours, Eddie and Cordell, for Montgomery to use, and move Tommy’s bed from Ramos’ room to the spare room and put Jimmy and him together in there.”

“Probably only need one bed in that room,” allowed Cordell. “They’ll be playing English Bus most the time.”

Furling his forehead, thinking he just might know the answer, Isaiah asked cautiously, “So, what’s playing English Bus?”

“Double-decker,” snickered Eddie, “you know-one on top of the other.”

“And Tommy won’t be the top deck,” laughed Andres.

“So,” Isaiah queried, “did you guys know about Tommy and Jimmy?”

All four nodded!

Carlito started the conversation and before it was over, Isaiah learned Tommy and Jimmy hooked up on a shopping trip to Logansport Ramos and Tommy made. In a hardware store, Tommy and Jimmy spotted each other and took an instant liking to both physical and personal attractions. Before the left the store, they decided they needed to use the restroom and “up his ass went Jimmy do-a-lot,” he offered.

“What the hell is a do-a-lot?” questioned a confused Isaiah.

“Opposite Doolittle; you know the airplane guy, but he messes with airplanes while Jimmy does a lot up Tommy’s butt. Perfect place to drop his bombs!” laughed Eddie.

When asked about Montgomery, Isaiah could say little since he really didn’t know much. He did caution the boys Montgomery might take some patience since, even though fifteen years old, he’d not been away from the home he had with his grandparents, and “wasn’t the best student” so he might need some help.

He really wasn’t concerned with Montgomery’s acceptance by the boys since they too were from different backgrounds and had baggage to carry as well. Isaiah did confide in Eddie, Montgomery was Romany was well and could probably speak the language and was hoping Eddie could be a great assistance to Montgomery.

******* 

The slamming of car doors brought everyone in the house to the front porch. Breakfast was hardly over and the early arrival of Bill and Zoe Lovell with their passenger was unexpected. Isaiah presumed they’d be arriving mid-morning or close to lunch rather than right after breakfast. He was certain his grandmother would have an explanation

He stood on the porch, flanked by Cordell and Eddie, while Tommy and Ramos stood together with Andres and Carlito standing slightly behind Ramos and to his side, and waved a greeting to his grandparents before settling his gaze on Montgomery Dodd standing sort of alone, a battered, but serviceable brown suitcase near his right leg and a canvas bag duffle secured with a tie rope by his left.

Montgomery Dodd was dark-haired, dark-eyed, lightly tanned in complexion much like Isaiah and Eddie (sort of Mediterranean), slight in build, maybe five foot five inches or so in height and maybe a buck ten in weight. The teen boy was dressed in a short-sleeved tee shirt, relatively new jeans, tennis shoes, a light jacket tied around his waist, and a baseball cap on his head.

Closer scrutiny revealed Montgomery’s lower lip quivering ever so slightly, his eyes were pooled in unshed tears, and he was frightened! Thrust into a strange place, with strange people, and leaving the only person now alive who’d cared for him, loved him, sheltered him, protected him, and expected him to do his best no matter his limitations! His grandmother told him he’d be safe, well-taken care of, and be among people who’d accept him for what he was and could be. She promised she’d write often since she loved him so very much and only wanted the best for him. She’d have to print her letters however, since Montgomery had such a difficult time reading “real” writing.

All that was well and good, but now, at this time and place, he was all alone and so, so frightened and hungry!

Isaiah saw the look, knowing it well, and thought “He is, as Conley would put it, scared shitless!”

He stepped from the porch, followed by Cordell and Eddie, extended his arms as he approached Montgomery, when making contact, hugged him!

“Welcome to Ravenwood, Montgomery. I’m Isaiah Watts, Bill and Zoe Lovell’s grandson, who brought you here. I promised them and through them, your grandmother, I’d protect you and care for you the best I know how.”

“I know you’re scared and I don’t blame you. I would be too. You don’t know anyone, it’s a strange place, and I’ll bet you’re tired and hungry.”

Turning slightly, he introduced Eddie and Cordell. “You’ll be sharing a bedroom with them and I think you’ll enjoy being with them.”

Montgomery sort of frowned as he looked the duo over. He was most careful in looking Cordell over. He’d seen black people before (grandma made it clear over the years it was wrong to use the “n” word as a lot of people did), but not this up close and personal.

“I’m Eddie,” Eddie said speaking Rom, “Uncle Isaiah, you, and me, are the only Rom who live here, The rest are Gaje, including Cordell, my best friend,” and pointed to Cordell who could only grin a wide grin at the mention of his name. He couldn’t understand much of what Eddie said, but was quickly learning the language.

“Hi-ya, Monty,” he grinned and much to Monty’s surprise, hugged him! It didn’t upset Monty, just surprised him, deciding black people hugged just like other people. “Where yah from?”

Monty hesitated, sort of searching for an answer, before replying slowly, “Near Council Bluffs where I lived on Grandpa and Grandma’s farm on the Nishnabotna River until he died and then it was Grandma’s farm.”

Isaiah intervened at that point, deciding it was a good time to meet the rest of the residents.

“You boys can visit later. Monty, lets meet everyone else who lives here.”

Monty reached over and clasped Isaiah’s hand, not unlike a small child, seeking guidance and security, and the two of them headed toward the porch and the rest of the waiting residents. Cordell grabbed the duffle bag and Eddie the suitcase, following Isaiah and Monty up the walk to the house. Bill and Zoe kept a respectful distance back, watching and hoping the introductions and the relative shock of a new home would be lessened.

Monty did hesitate when he saw Eddie grab his suitcase, swiveling his head from Eddie to looking up at Isaiah.

“Grandma told me to watch my suitcase and duffle so someone don’t steal it,” he announced anxiously, concerned all of his worldly positions would disappear!

“Not to worry, Monty,” Isaiah responded reassuringly, “they’ll go with us and, if you look back behind us, Grandma Zoe and Grandpa Bill are following us. Your suitcase and duffle are safe. Cordell and Eddie will take care of them for you.”

His reassurance didn’t stop Monty from making worried glances back at Cordell and Eddie, making certain his luggage was still nearby and hadn’t been purloined.

On the porch, Isaiah introduced him to Ramos, Tommy, Carlito, and Andres, explaining Ramos was their cook, Tommy was his helper, and Carlito and Andres came to Ravenwood with Ramos and Tommy. Monty eyed them carefully, trying to assess them as best he could.

Before Isaiah could introduce Conley, Monty, using his free hand, reached up a little, pulled on Isaiah’s upper sleeve indicating he wished to say something privately to him. Isaiah obliged, bent over, and heard Monty whisper, eyes wide,

“Are they Japs?”

“No, Monty, they’re Filipinos. The Japanese are their enemy and attacked their home so they came here to live along with Ramos and Tommy.”

Monty still frowned, but seemed to accept them. He’d never seen an Asian before except pictures in the newspaper. He’d heard a great deal, but never seen any. Never-the-less, his grandmother raised a polite boy, so he introduced himself.

“My name is Montgomery Dodd and I used to live with my Grandpa and Grandma Dodd on their farm along the Nishnabotna River.”

“So, Montgomery Dodd who used to live on a farm along the Nishnabotna River, my name is Bill Conley and am the owner of this place,” Conley said with a big grin. “Welcome to Ravenwood Farm and our family. I think you’ll be most comfortable here and safe!”

Ramos leaned over as Tommy whispered something in his ear. Nodding he understood, he raised up and declared, “I’ll bet, Montgomery, you haven’t had breakfast and are hungry!”

Montgomery nodded his head several times indicating he was and, at Isaiah’s beckoning, followed him inside to the kitchen.

Tommy and Ramos busied themselves fixing a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, applesauce, and milk topped with a fresh, large, homemade cinnamon roll lightly iced with frosting. Isaiah poured coffee for Conley, his grandparents, and himself. Additionally, knowing how much they loved Ramos fresh rolls, prepared a plate of those and put on the kitchen table. Carlito and Andres quickly scurried around and plopped their butts on Bill and Zoe’s laps, knowing full well they’d receive some as well.

Isaiah smiled noting Carlito and Andres lauded in the attention they received from his grandparents. Since they had none of their own, they “adopted” Bill and Zoe, Sabrina and Agostino, Dorothea, and his own parents, David and Claire as their grandparents. For that matter, so did Tommy, Cordell, and Eddie.

“Montgomery and his grandmother boarded the train in Council Bluffs quite late last evening,” Zoe explained, sipping her coffee, “and it was delayed a couple of times so I’m certain Montgomery is quite hungry. His grandmother continued on to just outside of Chicago where she’ll live with a sister.”

When served his breakfast, Monty looked around, sort of waiting to see if the others would be eating as well.

“We’ve already eaten,” Isaiah explained, “so please feed yourself. If that’s not enough, we can certainly fix more!”

Montgomery smiled, the first since he arrived, and tucked into his breakfast.

Isaiah watched him while his grandparents visited with Conley and Ramos. The teen was hungry, yet he was careful, almost deliberate in his consuming his breakfast. He slowly chewed and savored every bite, spoke to no one as he ate, but his eyes moved from one person to another, resting a moment on each as if to take their measure and how they might treat him. Montgomery didn’t mix his foods as he ate like many, but would eat one item and take a sip of milk before eating another item. He didn’t finish the entire item before eating another, but he still separated his food. His table manners were excellent and he ate at a slow rate. Montgomery definitely was a slow eater. Isaiah thought that might change as he became comfortable at Ravenwood and associated with the rest of the boys.

He saved the cinnamon roll until the end, pulled it apart, and took small bites. Clearly, it was a treat to be enjoyed to the fullest. Finished, he stacked up his dishes and started to raise from the table, a question on his face wondering where he was to take them.

“I’ve got ‘em, Monty,” Eddie said interceding and gathering up Monty’s dishes and carted them to the sink. He then turned to Isaiah, asking, “Uncle Isaiah, can we take Monty to our room so he can get settled?”

“Would you like that, Monty?” Isaiah inquired.

Monty answered with a slow nod of his head, somewhat uncertain.

“Go ahead, I’ll be up shortly to see how things are going, okay?”

The boys taking Monty to their room and getting him settled would also give Isaiah time to visit with his grandparents without embarrassing the lad. All of the boys, except Tommy assisting Ramos, chattered and scattered up the stairs, Eddie and Cordell carrying the luggage while Carlito and Andres, each holding one of Monty’s hands, led him up to the bedroom.

Zoe listened a moment before reaching into the canvas bag she used when visiting holding items she generally thought would be needed and useful, and extracted two large envelopes.

“This one,” she began sliding it across the table to Isaiah, “contains Montgomery’s personal records such as his birth certificate, ration books and registration, medical records including any shots or diseases he’s had, and a copy of the names and birthdays of his immediate family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and so forth. There’s also a copy of his grandmother’s will and burial instructions for her in case any other members of her family should forget. You’ll also find guardianship papers and health care permissions naming me or your grandfather since you’re not of age yet, but does name you as a secondary, guardian should either of us be unable or unwilling to. She used a local attorney from Red Oak to execute the documents and had copies sent to the county. Any other documents down the line we think or you think we might need, your grandfather can provide since we have documents with her signature and handwriting on them.”

The second envelope contained Monty’s school records, including report cards, comments from his teachers, his eighth-grade diploma, and a letter recommending Monty not be sent to high school since “it could be more difficult for him to handle and would be frustrating.” The report cards indicated he received high marks in deportment and civics (behavior and being a good citizen) and that he was held back two times for “additional instruction in basic grade level learning.”

In a nutshell, the report cards and the written comments or anecdotal records, indicated he wasn’t a good student, was well-behaved and amiable, but easily led. It was frustrating to Isaiah nothing was in the records concerning the incident which caused such a hull-a-boo or the fate of the teacher found poking him up the butt. There wasn’t even a sheriff’s report- nothing!

“I’m no teacher,” cautioned Zoe, “but I’d bet a dollar to a donut, he has a big problem in reading and is not as ill-equipped as the teachers say in these reports.

“The real reason Monty is here,” continued Zoe, “is basically this; one of his uncles is taking over the farm and his uncle’s wife didn’t want Monty anywhere near her family. His grandmother couldn’t take him with her to the Chicago area, knowing he’d just be lost, and he can’t be on his own, just yet. He’d be gobbled up, used, abused, and probably end up dead sooner than later.”

“In a nutshell, Isaiah; he has no place else to go!”

“I think he’ll thrive here, Isaiah. You and Mr. Conley will watch after him, give him every opportunity, find his strengths and improve his weaknesses, and he’ll have the chance to be around a bunch of delightful and happy boys. We just have to help him find himself and use what he has. He’s such a delight and so eager to please and be praised for it. His grandparents were so loving, so I’m certain the first few days will be most difficult for him. He’s never been away from his grandparents before.”

 *******

Zoe and Bill needed to leave in order to take care of some other errands they had to do, but wanted to see Montgomery before they left. Isaiah headed up the stairs to the bedroom Monty would share with Cordell and Eddie. He arrived just as Cordell was taking Monty to the upstairs bathroom.

“He’s been holding his crotch,” sighed Eddie from the bedroom, knowing full well what a tight grip on a cock ofttimes meant, as Cordell and Monty stepped into the bathroom. “Cordell said he’d take him since he had to pee also.”

It also gave Cordell the opportunity to scope out what Monty had concealed beneath his jeans. After a couple of minutes, radiators drained, both boys exited the bathroom. Isaiah noticed Monty’s eyes were wide with wonder and newly obtained knowledge.

“Monty,” he said, “why don’t we show you the farm after you see Bill and Zoe off. They have to go and wanted to see you before they left.”

Isaiah and the rest of the boys waited patiently while Zoe and Bill took Monty aside and visited with him. They both gave him a hug, said their goodbyes, and left. Isaiah motioned for Monty and the rest of them to follow him as he headed toward the farmyard. He noticed Eddie held Monty’s right hand and Cordell his left as they walked toward the barns and poultry house. Eddie chattered as they walked explaining, with help from Cordell, Carlito, and Andres, who ordinarily did what chores and why, giving Monty insight why Cordell and Eddie took care of the livestock and did the milking and Carlito and Andres took care of the chickens, ducks, and geese.

“Chicken stink,” Monty said off-hand as he listened carefully.

No one contradicted him!

“Everyone helps in the garden,” Cordell explained.

“And everyone helps keeping their rooms and the rest of the house clean,” chimed in Andres. “After the cleaning ladies are here on laundry day, we fold and put our clothes away too.”

At the barn, Monty was well impressed with the burro, Betts.

“Any horses?” he inquired.

“Over at Grandpa Watt’s,” volunteered Cordell. “Uncle Isaiah has a Morgan saddle horse there for his younger brothers to ride. You’ll like them! They’re lots of fun! Ain’t that right, Uncle Isaiah?”

“Must,” mused Isaiah, “at least you boys seem to enjoy yourselves when you get together,” noticing Cordell leaning close to Monty and whispered something in his ear.

Monty responded, “Really?” looked at Isaiah and back at Cordell who answered with a nod of his head and a grin.

Nothing more was said although Isaiah did notice Monty taking a long and careful inspection of his crotch, before reaching down and adjusting his own growing erection.

As they walked, the information provided by Isaiah was centered mainly on the duties of the four boys already at Ravenwood with suggestions how Monty may be included in various chores. Monty asked no questions, apparently satisfied or understanding what was expected of him and explained. The only really comments, and those nonverbal, made by Monty occurred when they walked past the machine shed. He spotted the two tractors, a Farmall and a Fordson or Ford, walked over to them, walked around them, nodding his head as he did so.

“Know how to run a tractor?” Carlito asked.

Monty smiled and nodded.

“We’re too young and small,” Carlito explained.

Monty looked over at Eddie and Cordell.

Both shook their heads “no.” 

“We’re too young too,” Cordell said, “at least someone,” pointing at Isaiah, “seems to think so.”

“Someday,” Isaiah said with a smile, “In the meantime, we’ll leave it up to Monty and the other lad coming soon, to do that.”

Isaiah and his troupe finished the tour of the barnyard and headed toward the garden. Carlito and Andres took over at that point, obviously proud of the garden since they seemed to spend so much time there.

“But,” Isaiah interjected, “everyone helps with the garden. It takes a lot to feed all of us so we all help in caring for it, harvesting, planting, and preserving what is in it.”

******* 

After lunch, the boys, excluding Tommy who wished to stay behind and finish readying the bedroom upstairs for occupancy by Jimmy and him.  hitched up Betts to the donkey cart and, with Isaiah’s permission, took Monty down to the landing on the river and on a tour “around the neighborhood.” There was no doubt in Isaiah’s mind, the tour would include a trip to Grandpa Watt’s farm for no other reason than to meet his brothers and give Monty the opportunity to check out the horseflesh there.

“Don’t forget chores,” he reminded as the boys left the farm yard.

******* 

Conley and Isaiah were deep into a discussion concerning some property coming up for sale Isaiah wished to purchase. It was nearby Conley’s and separated only by a one-hundred sixty-acre tract. They agreed Conley would purchase the property, advancing any money needed until Isaiah could repay it, in his name and Isaiah’s. Isaiah insisted on Gio’s name be included in the purchase and on the deed with joint survivorships on all. Conley just announced he’d have his business agent handle the purchase and the paperwork, when they were interrupted by an older pickup truck pulling into the farmyard.

Isaiah and Conley stepped to the porch. Isaiah recognized Brad Wilson climbing out the driver’s door and their new house guest, exited from the passenger side. He reached around back into the pickup bed and fetched two canvas duffle bags from it. One bag, the larger was heisted over his shoulder and held in place with his right hand while the other, the smaller of the two, was lifted and held by his left.

Jim Wilson was an ordinary looking young man; not strikingly handsome but not unattractive, of normal height and weight, although a bit on the lean, sinewy side, dark hair, skin tanned from working outdoors, work shoes, tee-shirt, relatively new jeans, baseball cap on his head, and glasses on his face. Even from a distance, Isaiah could discern the glasses were a strong prescription. If not for the glasses, Jim Wilson would go unnoticed in a crowd.

His arrival certainly didn’t go unnoticed at Ravenwood. A high-pitched squeal of “Jimmy!” resounded from behind Isaiah and Conly as Tommy shot between them, bounded down the porch steps, ran to Jimmy, who dropped his bags and opened his arms, to accept the leaping hug! Tommy wrapped his arms around Jimmy’s neck and his legs around his waist. The smaller teen, some five to six inches shorter than Jim, and his light weight, caused no difficulty for Jim to handle.

“Guess Tommy’s happy to see him!” mused Ramos from the doorway to the house.

“Guess so!” responded Isaiah. “Hope Jimmy doesn’t fuck him right here in the yard!”

To be continued...

Posted: 05/27/2022