Elements and Elephants

Chapter 1 Jack watched the miniature sun through smoked glass while carefully guiding it in a circular motion. He concentrated intensely, taking care to ensure the molten steel formed a perfect seal, binding edges in a seamless line. He may have taken a bit longer to complete a job, usually measured in minutes, but he’d never had to re-do his work, nor did he have to chip excess slag from the joints he merged. Pride led him to master his trade as a welder and his father’s constant criticism drove him to do even better. With each connection of the welding rod to metal his machine increased its effort to generate sufficient power to allow the finishing touches on another masterpiece. Jack was sure his sigh was louder than the generator with which he worked. He knew his father was nearby and would try to find some flaw in his work. Kneeling upright he raised his visor and smiled to see the perfect line of his work. His machine reduced its RPMs with a sound almost like an audible breath of relief. Standing to stretch his tight muscles before disconnecting the lead and coiling the cables in the back of his truck, Jack groaned to see his father marching over to inspect his work. His older brother, Jeff, walked beside. He shut down his machine and leaned against the tailgate waiting for the criticism. “Well, he got it straight but that doesn’t mean the deep weld is tight. Maybe we should just run a quick X-ray to make sure. This is an important customer and we can’t afford to tick him off.” Jack’s father stood with hands on his hips. “Come off it, Dad. You know as well as I that Jack’s an even better welder than you. I’d think we’d have to check your work before his. Cut the man some slack. He’s the reason we have so much repeat business. Competition is tough but they know they’ll get consistent quality from us. Besides, it’d take an hour to get the gear set up and the customer is waiting to get on with business.” Jack and Jeff worked for their father, Carl. He’d started the welding gig years ago as a single proprietor business. Bisson’s Welding did well while the boys went through school. Their mother was the bookkeeper, dispatcher, and did pretty much everything else except for the welding. With all that she was even able to manage their household. Jack nodded when his father looked his way. “Don’t forget to get the work order signed. That’s the only way we’ll get paid you know.” Jeff rolled his eyes. “You don’t give up, do you? He’s never once, in the three years doing this, neglected any part of his job.” He shook his head as he walked towards his younger brother. “He’s got a mean streak today, ignore him.” He grinned. “That, brother, is the finest bit of welding I’ve ever seen anywhere.” When he’d completed his training at the technical college, Jeff was hired at the shipyard in Halifax on the east coast as a welder. He’d worked his way up to supervisor, but gave it all up when his father’s business got to be too much for a one-man show. He and Peg moved back west with their two young kids. He was proud when Jack aced his training and joined the family firm fresh out of school. Jack smiled at the pride his brother showed in his work. “I like what I do and despite what Dad thinks I’m good at it. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that he’ll never accept that I’m gay. It hurts when he treats me like something he stepped in, but even if I could I’d never change to suit his idea of right.” Jeff clapped his shoulder. “Are you joining us for dinner tonight? It’s in honour of your birthday. Peg already baked a cake and the kids are planning to give you twenty-four spanks followed by a pinch to grow an inch.” He was sure Jack would decline, especially since their dad would be there and after a few drinks would go on and on about how Jack killed their mother. Still, he wanted to offer and didn’t take rejection personally. He knew how much of an asshole their father could be. Jack smiled. “I appreciate the thought but I’ve got plans. Tell Bryan and Lucy I’ll drop by over the weekend. They can beat me up then.” He finished stowing his gear and left to get the client’s signature on the work order. Jeff watched as his brother drove off. He heard his father approach. “He isn’t coming—doesn’t want to deal with your bullshit on his birthday. Peg, the kids, and I would celebrate while you’d curse the day he was born. If you don’t smarten up, Dad, you’re going to lose the best welder you’ve got.” Without another word, Jeff walked to his own truck and left for home.