Adam's Story

I had never seen a Ford Model A before and was fascinated when a brand new black one pulled up to the general store where I was loitering. There were two men inside, one driving and the other sitting in the back seat. I watched intently as the driver opened the door for the passenger and held it open as he got out. The man was older with gray hair underneath a black satin hat and beady dark eyes. He wore a suit, shiny shoes and a large warm coat that I would have traded everything I owned to wear for just a minute. He carried a black cane with a silver eagle on the handle.

I heard him ask the driver to stay with the car and avoided his gaze as he entered the store then went back to staring at the black beauty sitting in the gravel drive. The driver noticed me and gave me a warning look. I wondered if I could sneak past him and just touch it for a second. I inched closer, and the driver gave me another look.

“Haven’t you ever seen an automobile before, boy?” he asked, causing me to jump.

“Not like that one,” I replied pointing.

To my great surprise, he smiled. “Of course not. It only came out last year. Are your hands clean?”

I looked down at my grimy palms in despair as the driver laughed and took a handkerchief from his breast pocket. He dampened it slightly in a puddle and wiped my hands until they were moderately clean. He then motioned for me to touch the car. I smiled as I ran my hand gently over the curved fender, then frowned when I saw I had left a streak of pale dirt behind.

I backed up quickly and blurted out an apology as the driver again laughed and wiped the spot clean.

“I see you’ve made a friend, Tom.”

I spun and stared in horror as the owner of the car walked calmly toward me. My heart was pounding as thoughts of a boy’s home filled my head.

“Adam, isn’t it?” I nodded too scared to speak. “The shopkeeper tells me you’ve been out here all day. Why aren’t you at home?”

I stuttered and tried to think of a good lie as the man looked at me with a patient gaze that made me think he knew everything about me. The next words he spoke made me sure he did.

“You are not a very good liar are you, Adam?”

My face turned scarlet and my ears burned and I looked at the ground. “No, sir.”

“I was just on my way to Ann’s for lunch,” he said, naming the local eatery. It was really called “The Railway Cafe,” but everyone called it by the owner’s name. “Why don’t you join me?”

I looked at him as though I had misunderstood. “Sir?”

“You must be hungry, a boy your size. Come and have dinner with me. I’ll even let Tom join if it makes you more comfortable.”

I looked from one man to the other. Neither seemed dangerous, and I was very hungry so I said sure. Tom opened the door and after a minute’s contemplation, I got in and sat easily and still in the back seat. The man got in beside me. Tom got behind the wheel and started the engine. I watched him with great interest.

“Robert J. Sullner.”

I looked at the man and realized he was introducing himself. I shook his hand.

“Adam Benjamin Calloway.”

Mr. Sullner smiled. “That’s quite a name. You must be a very remarkable young man.”

“Not really, Mr. Sullner.” I was never asked to call him Robert and never did. “I can’t even read that good.”

“‘Well’,” he corrected me and I felt like a fool. “It’s never too late to learn.”

We arrived at the diner and Tom opened the door for Mr. Sullner and me. As we went in the heat warmed me through my ragged overalls and patched flannel jacket and made me feel like I belonged there.

A chubby waitress with a kind smile asked me what I wanted, and I looked at Mr. Sullner with embarrassment. I had no money. He told her to bring me a hamburger, fries, and a Dr. Pepper and got only coffee for himself and Tom.

When the waitress left, I whispered Mr. Sullner’s name. “I don’t got no money, sir.”

He raised his eyebrow at me. “You haven’t got any money, Adam.”

I lowered my eyes, mumbling an apology.

“Sit up, Adam.” I did as I was told. “Eye contact is an important way of conveying respect when speaking with someone. And no one can understand you if you do not speak clearly. As for money, you are my guest and I will be paying.”

For some reason, I felt like crying and had to force myself not to. It wasn’t because Mr. Sullner had corrected me and scolded me but because he had taken the time to pay attention to me and notice my shortcomings. I had never had anyone take an interest in me before and the feeling was indescribable.

“How old are you, Adam?”

“Thirteen, sir.”

Mr. Sullner looked at me critically. “You’re tall for thirteen. Where are you from?”

“Miss’ippi, sir.” I cringed expecting another lecture but Mr. Sullner just smiled.

“That explains your accent.”

I wasn’t sure how to take his comment, so I just ask where he was from since he had an accent as well.

“I was born in London,” he said. “I lived there until after college when I moved to the States. I am currently residing in New York.”

My mouth dropped, and I knew my eyes must have gotten huge because Mr. Sullner gave me a look of reproach. I pulled myself together and told him that’s where I was going forgetting my resolve of failure less than a month ago.

“Indeed,” he said as the server brought my food.

I ate in virtual silence so that I couldn’t be accused of being rude again. Inside, I was dying to ask Mr. Sullner to tell me everything about the city.

When I was finished eating, Mr. Sullner began to question me about my upbringing. I told him what I could about my life in Mississippi leaving out any mention of my father. He gazed at me inquisitively, but did not inquire about the omission.

“Your caregiver, Sister Williams, is she not concerned with your well-being?”

“I don’t think so,” I replied. “She don’t like me much.”

Mr. Sullner stared through me, lightly caressing the handle of his coffee cup with one thumb, and quietly stated, “Yet she remains your custodial guardian.” Then focusing on me, “Adam, how were planning on completing the last leg of your journey to New York?”

“I dunno,” I answered. “I was gonna take the train, but I don’t got - haven’t got any money.”

“What is it, young Mr. Calloway, that New York harbors which you are so desperate to obtain?”

I chewed the end of my straw, wondering how to put the dreams of a teenage boy who didn’t even know who he was into words. Feelings of hope are not easily defined in any language. Even with my limited vocabulary, I knew there were no words to describe adolescent fantasy.

I could only shrug.

Mr. Sullner looked at me in silence for a long time, then smiled kindly exhibiting the deep lines around his mouth and eyes. “Adam, would you like to accompany Tom and myself to New York?”

I grinned wildly. “You bet I would!”

He held up a finger. “Hold on. I would only take you if you are willing to agree to some conditions.”

Eyeing him hard I asked Mr. Sullner what the conditions were.

“Well for starters, you would require new clothing. Which I will provide for you. You can’t travel first class on a train wearing rags. Also, you will have to agree to stay with me at Sullner Manor until you can find better accommodations. You will remain in my charge and I cannot have you wondering the streets of New York and causing undue mischief. Understand?”

“I understand.” I did understand his conditions, but I could not understand why he was willing to do all this for me. I could offer him nothing in return.

“Mr. Sullner?”

“You are wondering why I have taken an interest in you.” It was not a question, but I nodded. “That is one of the things that makes you such a bright boy. I am an old man. I have no offspring. No heir to my legacy. No willing young soul eager to carry on my life’s work when I am gone. I am a scientist. I am in need of an apprentice. With the proper training, I believe you would make a fine assistant. Do we have a deal, Mr. Calloway?”

He stuck out his hand. Knowing my whole future was about to change, yet unaware of the magnitude, I shook it.