Change of Season

"Thanks for the talk Dad. You and Mom are great. Well, if I expect to be in Arizona by the tenth, I'd better get moving. Tell Mom I'll see both of you for dinner on Tuesday". John Karris waved to his father went out the front door.

Paul Karris waved to his son. As he watched him leave, he thought, "This is his big move. He has a chance for a rewarding career. It's a turning point in his life. I remember the turning point in my life and John's arrival in this world played a big part in it."

Young Paul Karris sat on his front porch watching the leaves swirl in the air with each passing car. They seemed to be blowing the past right into the future. "Autumn," he grumbled, "Another summer is gone. I hate cold weather, especially in Pinebridge. The mountains of Pennsylvania keep the chill in till May." He sat for another moment admiring the lines of a brand new 1972 Chevy Corvette as it roared up the street, then he stood. The action of pulling himself out of the old chair made him resemble a man closer to forty than one of twenty-one years.

Once inside Paul could hear Sharon on the phone. Paul's young wife was as big as a house and due any day. Their first-born toddled to his father and was rewarded with a swing into the air that made him giggle. Paul hugged his son and gave him a mock warning. "Paul junior, you've been an only child for twenty months now, but that's all about to change. Soon you'll have a little brother or sister. Are you ready for a healthy sibling rivalry? "

"Paul, don't tell him that. You'll make him jealous of the baby." Sharon admonished him as she hung up the phone.

Paul walked in the kitchen carrying Paul Junior. "If this kid knows what the phrase sibling rivalry means, he's a wizard. Half the people in this town don't know what it means."

"Oh come on, Paul, let's not start Pinebridge bashing before dinner, OK? You know, just because you ended up with this super IQ, it doesn't mean the rest of us are that dumb."

"OK, OK, who was on the phone?"

"Oh, that was Linda. I don't know if they're coming in for the holidays this year. Sam is doing well in his new company, but he has a lot of work to do and Linda thinks Jenny is too young to be dealing with mountain winters."

"Well I don't blame your sister a bit. If I had a choice, I'd be in northern Virginia rather than northeastern Pennsylvania for the winter."

Instead of defending their hometown again Sharon changed the subject, "I called Jimmy Rogers. I told him that fifty dollars was too much for a used lawn mower. I offered him twenty-five and he took it. Really Paul, I whish you would be a little more aggressive when you deal with people. We can't afford to waste that kind of money. By the way, Dad's coming for dinner; please don't wander off like you always do."

Paul didn't respond. Instead he went to the stove to stir the simmering stew.

After dinner, Paul sat quietly on the couch holding his son in his arms. Sharon and her father chatted merrily. Knowing he wouldn't be asked his opinion any time soon, Paul began to think. He remembered the trip they took to visit Sharon's sister, and he remembered how he hated to come home. Sam's new company was an engineering firm that worked under contract with the Navy. They were just starting and still willing to take chances on things and people. Paul wanted to tell Sam that he'd be willing to work cheap if the company would train him to be a computer programmer, but he knew better. Having a wife, a small child, and one on the way does not allow for bold career moves. The vending machine factory wasn't exciting, but it was a paycheck. He couldn't trade a sure paycheck in Pinebridge for a chance in Virginia. Paul sat for another twenty minutes; then he did wander off. As he headed for the kitchen and the telephone, he thought to himself, "Damned the sure paycheck. I may not get another chance."

"Paul," Sharon called, "Paul, where did you go?"

Paul quickly hung up the phone as Sharon entered the room.

Sharon reacted to the look of guilt on Paul's face. "Who were you talking to?"

"Charley, I wanted to see if he could give me a ride to work tomorrow. Jake is going deer hunting." Paul hated to lie but this wasn't the time to discuss the call.

Sharon spoke in a raspy whisper, "Paul, I asked you not to go off. You make Dad think you don't like him. He's done a lot for us. You could show a little appreciation."

Paul answered in the same tone; "I had to make sure I had a ride for tomorrow. Charlie goes to bed early. Look, I like your father just fine, he knows that."

"We'll talk about this later, now come in here. Dad is leaving. He told me that he's going to make an extra big turkey for Thanksgiving this year. It looks like my Aunt Peggy and her family will be joining us at Dad's house."

The days of October marched relentlessly toward another cold winter. Paul was at his position at the drill press. He drilled holes in stainless steel cola syrup tanks. His old school buddy, Jack, brought a cart full of tanks and took a cart the finished ones away. As he passed, he stopped, "Hey, Paul, Are you in the football pool? I finally got a decent set of numbers. I have seven and zero, what did you get?"

"I got crap, just like I usually get."

"We're a little touchy today aren't we?"

"Yeah, a little; I asked my sister-in-law's husband to send me a job application from his company. It's probably going to arrive today. When Sharon sees it, she's going to freak out."

"Are you really thinking of moving to Virginia? That's a big step especially with kids."

"Well Jack, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Sharon's not going to move away from her father. She couldn't live without daddy showing up a couple times a week."

Come on Paul; don't be so hard on her. I knew her a lot longer than you did. Sharon was in seventh grade when her mother died. Since then, her father has been everything to her. The rest of her family lives in New Jersey. You know Linda is her half-sister. She lived with her own mother in Covington. All Sharon's relatives tried to help out, but most of the time it was just she and Big John.

"I know, I know, and my father-in-law has been just great. He didn't raise a fuss or anything when we got married. It's just that it's been two and a half years now, and I think I deserve a say at some point. I'm sick of this factory. I know I can do more and now I just might have a chance to try."

"Paul, I wouldn't push it."

"Yeah, yeah I'm sure I'll wimp out. I'll be around for the Christmas party. Don't get too worried about it."

"Just be around for poker-night my friend. I need your money." Jack slapped his friend on the back and pushed the cart of finished tanks to their next station.

Paul's prediction was correct and Sharon was waiting at the door when he got home. "You got something in the mail today. I saw the return address and opened it before I noticed it was addressed to you. How dare you make this kind of plan behind my back? Do you really think I would take my babies away from their families just because you think you're too good for Pinebridge? You have your mother and your brothers here in Pinebridge. I've called Linda and told her to forget it. Sam can look somewhere else for cheap labor. You have a job. It might not meet your lofty standards, but its good honest work."

"What do you know about factory work? You don't have to do it. I can do better and I'm going to do better. And don't give me this crap about your babies needing family. When was the last time my mother or any of my family saw Paul junior? It must be at least three weeks now. It's you that needs. It's you that wants. I know how much your dad means to you, but I can't live my entire life waiting for you two to let go."

"You will wait a life time and a lot longer. My relationship with my father will never change and you have no right to expect it to. My children and I aren't going anywhere." To make her point, Sharon tore the job application in half and threw it in the trash.

Paul watched the torn pieces drop into the old trashcan. They seemed to float in slow motion taking his future with them. He looked up at Sharon who glared right back at him. Without another word, he turned and walked back out the front door.

It was dark and a chilly breeze rustled the dry leaves around Paul's feet. He could almost see the job application print on them as the drifted down the street. Paul sat on the wall in front of his old high school. Music from the pre-game show drifted to him from the stadium. He listened and remembered when he first met Sharon. Jerry Summers caught the long bomb from Jack Caster and raced down the field for the winning score. Sharon had gotten so excited that she jumped in the air and tumbled forward. Paul caught her and when he looked in her eyes he knew he'd always love her. "And I do love her, more than anything." He thought to himself. At that point an argument began in his mind.

"Well then, why are you making her so miserable? With the baby due, she needs your support. She doesn't need your grief. Get back home and beg for forgiveness. Forget this computer programmer crap. People have lived very happy lives right here in Pinebridge."

"I know I have to go home. I just have to think a little, if she could only see how much better it would be for all of us if I could get started in a real career. Her dad could visit. It's only five hours away by Greyhound."

"She's not going to by it, so forget it. These dreams of yours are not worth losing Sharon over. Don't make her choose between you and her father. You know you'll lose."

An old 63 Chevy Impala careening around the corner and stopping short in front of him interrupted his inner struggle. Paul looked up to see his old buddy Jack staring at him through the open window. "Hey Paul, I thought I'd find you here. Look, there's something important going down. Make sure you show up early for work tomorrow. I heard the big boss is in town. He's going to have some kind of meeting."

"Great, more crap. Any idea what it's about?"

"Nope, just be there early. Hey, are you all right? Sharon just said you were out, but she sounded mad enough to chew nails and spit rivets. She found that job application, didn't she?"

"Yeah, it was a really bad scene. I had to get some air."

"Do you want a ride home?"

"No thanks Jack, I'll walk. I need a little more time."

"OK, just make sure you're there early tomorrow."

When Paul walked in the door the house was dark and quiet. Paul junior was sleeping and Sharon sat alone in the living room. Sharon spoke, "Where did you go?" She sounded tired. He could tell she'd been crying. He hated himself for that.

"Just up to the school."

"Sitting on the wall?"

"Yep."

"Old habits die hard don't they?"

"I guess so."

"You couldn't go up and sit on the school wall if you lived in Virginia. You can't walk anywhere there. Even the grocery stores are miles away. Damn it Paul, you don't even drive."

"I know Sharon. OK. I'm sorry. I really am. I know this is not a good time to think of these things, but Sam told me that his company was about to get a new contract and it would be a great time to take a shot at it. I imagined myself working with those big computers and watching all those lights flash. I guess I got carried away. I love you, Sharon. You and the kids are my world."

"Then you'll stop all this moving talk for a while?"

"Yes, but I know I can't be happy in the factory for the rest of my life."

"Paul, we've got a lot of time. Please just give our family time to grow."

"I will Sharon. Come on let's go to bed. I have to be up early tomorrow."

Everyone gathered in the factory warehouse. The old veterans knew exactly what was happening, but they didn't have the heart to break it to the young guys. The man with the tie appeared and climbed onto a properly positioned forklift. His message was short and not so sweet. He praised the worked being done for the company. He told workers that they could be proud of their skill and loyalty. Then he came out with it. The production volume wasn't needed in a slow economy. In other words, the man was talking about layoffs. Paul, and most of the guys his age were told they had one more week to work. Then it was over.

Paul shook his head, "Why tell us first-thing in the morning? Why not wait till the end of the day. Doesn't he know how tough he's made it for us to work today?"

Jack answered, "Hey, the big guy probably has to be back to New York City. He probably has a hot lunch date with a Broadway show girl or something."

Paul looked at his friend, "Jack, what am I supposed to do now? Sharon's ready to deliver and I'm out of a job. How do I feed my family?"

"Relax Paul. Our family has been through this a million times. You collect unemployment, you get food stamps, and you look for work. Something turns up eventually."

"That's easy for you to say. You're single. You just have to cut back on a few dates."

Jack looked back at Paul and said, "You know, you're right, and that's why I intend to stay single. No one counts on me. You won the girl my friend. It's the life you chose."

All through the day and during the ride home Paul thought and thought. Then a firm statement appeared in his head as if implanted by a mysterious being. "I will never work in a factory again." The statement gave no room for compromise. It was outrageous. Was he really going to say this out loud to Sharon? How could he possibly do that? He just promised her he'd forget all this talk about careers, but she's got to see. This can be a great stroke of luck.

Sharon's face dropped when she heard the news. She toyed with the pasta on her plate trying to avoid Paul's eyes. She didn't want him to see the fear on her face. She began slowly, "I suppose we could get along. We will have the state check, and I know your mom and my dad will do all that they can. If some bills have to wait, then they'll have to wait. The insurance is still good, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Paul mumbled trying equally hard to avoid looking at his pregnant wife. " We should be OK through delivery and the first few weeks or so. After that it might get touchy."

"Well surely the factory will rehire you soon, and the union will help you find temporary work. We'll be OK."

Paul looked up to make his grand statement and saw tears rolling down Sharon's cheeks. Instead he came around the table and hugged his wife. "You're right. Everything will be all right. Jack said his family has gone through this a million times. I guess we'll get used to it after a while."

They didn't have long to agonize over their problems. Four days later Sharon was in the hospital delivery room. Paul sat in the waiting room. His knees were moving like they were trying to shake off flies. It was a nervous trait his inherited from his father. The door opened and Paul looked up to see Big John Conner walk in the room. This doubled Paul's knee speed. Paul realized that in the four years that he had known John Connor that they never were alone together. When Paul junior was born his family got there ahead of Big John. Paul wondered what was keeping them this time.

Big John started right in, "I would have been here sooner, but the foreman wouldn't let me off the line. How's she doing?"

Paul tried to keep his voice steady. Even though his was twenty-one, he felt like twelve when he was close to his father-in-law. "Well, the doctor said she was just about fully dilated. He expects delivery very soon now."

"Good." Big John announced, "I don't want my baby having too tough of a time. She went nine hours last time that was long enough." Then John paused to change the subject. "I hear you're one of the crew that Patton is laying off. Tough break. Don't worry kid, these things happen. I'll back you up, and I'm sure your family will help out to."

Paul just muttered, "Thanks."

"There's something else though. Isn't there?"

Paul looked up. For the first time Paul looked into the big man's eyes. "What do you mean? What else could there be? My wife is giving birth to our second kid and I'm unemployed."

"You're also stuck in this one horse town with nothing to look forward to but more factory work. That's driving you crazy isn't it?"

"OK, so you heard about our little fight. I told Sharon that I would forget those ideas and get back to reality, and I will. You don't have to worry about it."

The lack of conviction in Paul's voice was clear. Big John stared at his young son-in-law and said, "No, you're not. The wheels are turning in that head of yours as we speak. Well, I want to tell you something. I . . ."

Before the older man could finish, Paul jumped to his feet. With courage he never knew he possessed, he said his piece, "Look Mr. Conner. I know how much you love your daughter and I know you want her near you, but we can't live like this town forever. Linda and Sam are willing to help us start a whole new life. I know it means taking your daughter and your grandchildren away from you and I'm sorry about that. But I just think that I will regret it the rest of my life if I don't call them up and ask for their help." With his speech complete Paul felt his courage ebbing. He started something, and now he wasn't sure he could finish it. He held his breath waiting for a reaction.

"Well, that was some speech you made my young friend. Are you through now?"

Paul nodded and quickly sat.

It was John's turn to stand. His massive form reminded Paul of Goliath from his old storybook. "OK Paul, so you are fed up with Pinebridge. I can't say that I haven't been fed up with this place myself now and then. I never left and do you know why?"

Paul just shook his head.

"I never left because this is the best I can do. I work the line. I'm good at it, but I'm not good at anything else. I know that and I'm not ashamed of it. I make a decent living and that's what is important. You, on the other hand, are different. You can do something else and you should be given it a shot."

"What!" Paul couldn't believe his ears. "Are you saying that you agree with me? Are you saying that we should go to Virginia?"

"Of course I am. I'm not talented, but I'm not totally stupid. I want my daughter to have a good life. I'll miss my little girl. It'll about kill me, but I'll get over it. You're smart as a whip. You always have been. That's why I never got around to talking with you. I was always afraid that you'd get off on some subject and I'd end up feeling like an idiot. Paul, you're a good man. And you're very good for my daughter. Oh and don't worry about calling Linda and Sam. I've already done that. They're on their way."

"What about Sharon, she's not going to take this very well."

"Oh she'll take it all right. I'll tell you a little secret. I happen to know that Sharon has wanted to leave Pinebridge since Paul junior was born, but she was just like you. She underestimated her old man. She thought to move away would be some sort of traitorous act and that I would never forgive her. I set you straight, and I'll set her straight too."

Paul stood and reached out his hand, "Thanks, Dad."

John smiled and shook his hand firmly. At that moment the nurse opened the door. "Mr. Karris, you have a new son." Paul looked at his father-in-law and announced, "And his name is John."

Paul was brought back to the present by his wife's voice. "Paul." Sharon called from the foyer. She continued to call as she entered the family room. "Paul, oh there you are. What are you doing, dozing in here?"

"No love." Paul answered as he pulled his wife to him. "I was just remembering what a great guy your dad was."