Crafting A Parent

Crafting a Parent

Designing the traits of an unborn character in a novel is exhilarating.  In a sense it’s like experiencing a shadow of how the Almighty feels having created and knowing the child in the mother’s womb. There are so many influences to consider.  

In my novel, Baggage burdens., I created a substitute parent for Joseph to lean on in troubling times. Joseph is in his early twenties when he inherits part of his Uncle Mike’s farm. He was an only child who had lived on a farm with his grandparents because his parents died when he was young. Those circumstances dictate some personality traits for Thomas, parent-like friend to Joseph. Knowing Thomas before Joseph meets him sets the stage for Joseph to value his connection to Thomas.

Who is Thomas? He is an experienced farmer and Joseph’s go-to coach. To compliment Joseph’s grandparent’s old school values Thomas is part of a rural, conservative orthodox religious community. Thomas models a family man, a father of six children. More important, when Mike was dying, Thomas cared for him like Mike was his father. Mike even willed part of his land to Thomas. While Joseph benefits from tapping Thomas’ carpentry and farmer’s market skills, it is Thomas’ role as father and husband that Joseph most frequently looks to for leadership. While the church community is slow in accepting Joseph and later Jill, Joseph’s wife, Thomas models a more liberal accepting nature.

Meet Thomas  

Thomas and several neighbors were rebuilding a workshop for Joseph. The old one had burned down. A truck carrying lumber spilled its load. Butch, Joseph’s dog, was found beneath it. “You were devastated,” said Thomas looking at Joseph. He had nodded momentarily reliving the event.

“Two years earlier I lost Uncle Mike. Then Butch. All I had left was you and Rebecca,” he said still sad.

Thomas sat with Joseph while the other men picked up the lumber. Then Thomas and Joseph dug a shallow grave for Butch near the spot where he died. After temporarily marking the grave with a stick, Thomas sat with Joseph by the grave as Joseph talked about his lost friend.

Joseph’s attempts to engage Jill in conversation result in one or two word responses. Once again in desperation Joseph shares his concerns about Jill’s low-level energy with Thomas and Rebecca.

 “I think she still can’t get over losing Christine,” he tells Rebecca.

 “Could be. Be patient.” Rebecca reaches out to comfort Joseph. In a lower voice she hints that perhaps it might be time to take Jill to her doctor. “It’s been more than four months.”

“It’s so maddening! It’s like she’s stuck in the mud, spinning her wheels and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“Maybe there is.” Thomas’ comment drifts out slowly as if he is thinking of a possibility, but hasn’t worked out the details.

“What do you mean?” Joseph studies his friend.

“All I can think of is,” he pauses, “end her brooding; get her mind out of the past. Excite her about something in the future. You know, give her something to look forward to.”

Joseph and Thomas pull up to the market at the same time. Thomas’ normal greeting stops short when he sees Jill step out of the truck. Instead of unloading, he welcomes Jill, Amber and Sarah. Jill announces that she and Amber have come to help Joseph for the morning. He glances at Joseph to see if he heard her words correctly. When no clarification comes, Thomas praises Jill for her offer. Thomas glances at his watch then looks at Joseph.

“Shall we?” he asks, pointing to the back of Joseph’s truck.

Joseph nods.

The two men slip into their efficient routine. Purpose-driven movements require no verbal instructions. Smiles and warm greetings from vendors portray a communal atmosphere. Every now and then Jill and Amber pitch in.

The bustle of activity leaves Jill feeling a little out of place. With Sarah resting on her hip, she admires the silent communication between Joseph and Thomas. The speed at which they set up the table’s display is like watching a silent movie at accelerated speed. Jill abandons the idea of volunteering to help.

Thomas is my character, in whom I’m well pleased.

haiku capsule:                 

complex character     

farmer, carpenter, salesmen

father roll in each

Next blog: Life Goes On