Free Jordan's War - 1861 by B.K. Birch

Jordan’s
mouth watered.
    “I appreciate that
Jim, but we’ve put you out enough already,” Pa said. “We got a long ride ahead
of us. Much obliged for all your hospitality.”
    “Anytime,” Jim
said and followed them outside. “What’s this?”
    A crate was
sitting on the porch and he was sure it wasn’t there earlier. Jordan recognized
it as one from Eamon’s wagon.
    “Bess sent you and
Gunner some preserves,” Pa said. “Ain’t much. You got some last year’s corn,
green beans, and there’s some dried butter beans too. Willow packed some
strawberry jam and some of her syrup. I threw in a plug of tobacco. It don’t
cost so much back home.”
    It sounded like a
lot to Jordan.
    “Aw, she didn’t
have to do all that,” Jim said. “I do appreciate it though. Gunner’s going to
be shocked when he comes home to all this. It’ll feel like Christmas.”
    “Boys, take that
inside for Jim,” Pa said.
    Jordan grabbed one
side of the crate and Eamon grabbed another and carried it inside.
    “What’d Ma put in
this thing anyway?” Jordan asked when they were inside.
    “I don’t know, but
the dang thing sure is heavy,” Eamon said. “Me and Pa almost dropped it twice
carrying it up here.”
    They left it on
the floor next to the hearth in the kitchen.
    “I hope the floor
don’t fall in,” Eamon said.
    “I hope the house
don’t fall in,” Jordan added.
    Goodbyes were said
and within minutes Pa, Eamon, and Jordan were riding through the pasture.
Jordan waved at Jim until he lost sight of him behind the tall grass. The wagon
dipped as they crossed the ditch to the main road. Jordan watched the sun peek
out in the east and foreboding dark clouds roll in from the west. The chill of
the night air dissipated with the light.
    “You hungry?” Pa
asked and handed him a piece of cornbread. Jordan took it and didn’t eat any.
    “What’s the matter
with you?” Pa asked.
    “I feel bad about
Gunner and Jim.”
    “They seem happy
enough,” Pa said. “They’ll be alright.”
    “But look how they
live,” Jordan said. “Their house is falling down, they ain’t got no food, and
their bed got bugs in it.”
    “They ain’t
bothered by it. Why should you be?”
    “I don’t know,”
Jordan sighed and flopped against the backrest. It wasn’t right. Jordan didn’t
see a fishing pole lying around or a creek anywhere close by to swim in. He bet
Gunner never stepped foot in a schoolhouse and that was a shame. He felt a
little guilty because he had all those things.
    “It’s not fair!”
Jordan cried out. “Gunner has to get up every day and go to work like a
grown-up. I’ll bet he never gets to have any fun. He said Jim’s back’s all bent
because the roof in those mines is so low. What if that happens to Gunner?”
    “Probably will,”
Pa said.
    Jordan stuffed the
cornbread in his mouth and brushed the crumbs off his shirt. He looked straight
ahead, but his insides were shaking. He couldn’t hold it in any longer.
    “Why don’t you do
something?” Jordan hollered.
    Pa jumped and just
stared at him.
    “You always talk
about family sticking together and helping each other. He’s family ain’t he?”
    “You heard him
last night at dinner,” Pa said, in a calm tone. “He don’t want help. Ma packed
that whole crate full of food. Hell, she even hid the flour and the sugar at
the bottom so he wouldn’t see it. It should hold them until we pass by on the
way home.”
    “Why wouldn’t you
want him to see it?” Jordan asked.
    “Because if we
gave him too much he’d see it as charity,” Pa explained. “Giving a little is
just being gracious.”
    “Why wouldn’t he
take the food?” Jordan said. “Anyone can see they’re starving.”
    “There’s a thing
called pride, son,” Pa said. “And good or bad, this family’s full of it.”
    “What happens when
the food runs out?” Jordan asked. “Will we bring them more on our way home?”
    “Nope,” Pa said.
    “Why not?”
    Pa took a