Free The Mine by John A. Heldt Page B

time, asking questions about Montana, his family, and ranch life. Joel surprised himself by handling each query with aplomb. In his new, tightly written biography, he was not a free-spirited geology student who lived in an apartment complex ten blocks away but rather a restless rancher's son seeking something bigger and better in the big city.
    He sensed from the start that Mel didn't buy his BS, or at least all of it. But he didn't sweat it. Joel suspected the boss would render his verdict after seeing how well he worked and played with others at Carter's Furniture and Appliance.
    Sandy, a slender woman with a pleasant face, oval eyes, and steam-curled locks, was similarly accommodating. She asked Joel what his parents thought of his gallivanting, asked if he had a girl back home, and said he looked nice in Tom's green shirt. Brenda rolled her eyes at the first question, sighed at Joel's reply to the second, and nodded in agreement with the compliment but did not say a word.
    Tom spoke only a few. Apparently grateful to be eating dinner at home and not in a hospital, he mostly kept to himself. He had told his family how two men had taken his wallet and tried to beat him to a pulp but not why. He seemed pleased that the questions around the table had been directed at someone else.
    Joel did not need long to figure out the Carters of 4125 Baltic Avenue. They were good people, and he was grateful for their kindness and hospitality.
    He had more difficulty assaying their other guest. Ginny, Tom's girlfriend of two months, spoke often about articles she had written for the student newspaper and of plans to move out of her sorority and into an off-campus house with three of her friends. But she left the questioning of the Montana man to others. Until dessert, that is.
    "Have you lived on a ranch all your life, Joel?"
    "I have. Why do you ask?"
    "Oh, I was just curious how you managed to keep such soft, clean hands," Ginny said, sticking forks into two objects.
    "I'm a firm believer in soap, ma'am."
    Tom smirked and leaned toward his new friend.
    "You weren't yesterday," he whispered.
    Joel smiled at the observation and wondered if anyone at the table could read lips. He turned back to Ginny, who seemed as interested as ever.
    "You're a charmer, Mr. Smith. And ma'am? Wherever did you find him, Tom?"
    "In front of the Mad Dog."
    Ginny laughed.
    "Two comedians under one roof. I may have to keep both of you!"
    "Would you care for more cake, Joel?" Sandy asked.
    "No, thank you."
    "You're very articulate," Ginny said. "I like that. It's the mark of an educated man. Why is an intelligent-sounding person like you not attending college?"
    "I never had the money," Joel replied. My parents spent it on a condo . "I value education as much as anyone, but I'm kind of a self-learner."
    "I see," Ginny said. "And what do you hope to learn here in Seattle?"
    "Armchairs, sofas, maybe toasters."
    Laughter filled the room.
    "Dad gave Joel a job at the store," Tom said. "He's going to try his hand at sales."
    "Well, I hope you succeed and stay for a while," Ginny said with a warm smile. "You've made quite an impression on Tom. Any friend of his is a friend of mine."
    A moment later Joel finished his coffee and put his cup on a saucer. Sandra got up and started pulling dinnerware off the cloth-covered table. No one rushed to assist her.
    "Would you like some help with the dishes, Mrs. Carter?" Joel asked.
    The matron of the house stopped in her tracks and smiled at her husband.
    "I like this boy!" She grabbed two more plates and then looked at her questioner. "Thank you for offering, but I think I can manage with a little help from Brenda."
    The teen frowned.
    "Can't I stay?"
    "No," Sandra said. "Leave your brother to his friends."
    "I think that's my cue, too," Mel said. "I'll go check on the trailer. If you are going to stay here, Joel, we might as well make you comfortable."
    "I appreciate that, sir," Joel said, thankful that he had left Candy in