Wake up

Dolph woke up, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin and the gentle noises of the creek. His chest was bare, and he smelled more than usual. Maybe it was the beauty around him, but he felt happy. Content and, for some reason a little sad. Did he really sleep by the creek? He could barely recall what had happened to him. It didn't matter. What did matter was that he needed to get back home, before his Dad whooped his ass. He stripped.

Dolph went into the creek, letting the cold water wash the dirt and sweat off of his body. He shivered slightly. The coldness and the gentle rush of the creek comforted him. Small tears fell down his cheeks. He didn't understand why, but he felt a deep sadness. He let the feelings linger, then focussed on scrubbing his body with his hands, making sure the dirtiest parts were acceptable. He stood in the sun, patiently waiting for each drop to dry.

Why was he crying? Is it because of his Dad? Well, he was a man. He had been so for several months. He could leave the miserable old bastard and find work as a farmhand, maybe join the military. There were options. Better than crying and sleeping in a creek bed.

He put his clothes back on, and started walking towards the farm. A gentle breeze cooled him from the sun.

When Dolph arrived at the farm, he was shocked to see his father, calmly waiting on the porch. He felt immense fear, but he waved, asking Dolph to sit with him.

"No need to flinch, boy. I'm not angry." He held up a piece of paper. "Let me show you" he said. Dolph looked, seeing the title of the document.

LAND GRANT AND DEBT FORGIVENESS APPLICATION

"We're free now. No more debt. We even get some money for ourselves. I can afford to hire a few farmhands and really make this land work for us."

"Wow" Dolph was astonished.

This was huge. If his father wasn't working so hard, maybe things would get better. But Dolph remembered his tears in the creek. He couldn't stay here. He had to make his own path. He had to get out of here.

"I'm leaving" Dolph said.

"Why the hell would you leave? I'm still gonna need your help. Things 're gonna be easy."

"You have the money. I need to..."

Dolph considered his words. As much as he hated his father, he did still love him.