Tall Pauley

Tall Pauley

Written and Illustrated by

M.R. Hyde

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 M.R. Hyde

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Contents

Pauley Stratton

The Grangian Quest

The Rabbit Man and the Apple Tree

The Lion Mountain

The Dunes

The Messenger

The Hole

Mr. Mac

The City of Promise

All Things Changed

The Healer

Separate Ways

Rescue from the Sky

The Old Woman

The Great Grangian War

Voyages

The Way Back

Home

Maoleen’s Mother

Never Alone

The Spies

For or Against

Set In Motion

The Rabbit Man’s Message

The City Gate

Pauley's Plan

Dismantling and Returning

The Land

The Letter

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

~Psalm 139:14

Pauley Stratton

Pauley had been born tall. But in infancy they called him long. Such a long boy, Ezra! his neighbors would exclaim to his father. And Ezra would beam with joy. His first and only offspring would be the center of the universe during his remaining days. Pauley's father was older when he had married Willow. The middle-aged crippled woman from across the sea had taken pity and married him. At least that is what Pauley's father thought. What he did not understand, through his cheery disposition, was that she was desperate and poor. It was said that she was poor enough to marry the village idiot. Although Pauley's father was no idiot, a simplistic approach to life made him appear so. Several women in town became furious because that foreign woman had taken advantage of that dear man. After some time, though, the couple appeared to make a go of it, so the town's women settled down to their usual routine of ignoring anyone who would not or could not be a source of gossip.

Pauley rapidly transitioned from long to tall when his legs unfurled and his feet were planted on terra firma. Pauley eventually grew to be as tall as a tree. Although this was completely out of the ordinary, he had grown up among them so no one seemed to mind. His height did cause some considerable difficulties as he grew. But his parents and his town made the adjustments that were necessary. Most town gatherings were held outside, as the weather in that region was generally temperate. It was always comical to see the children’s performances where Pauley was seated in the back row and yet still towered over his classmates. A shock of black hair would never stay down, despite his mother's insistence that the hair grease did the trick. The school master had a barn door installed on the north side of the school building so that Pauley could be included. They simply slid the door open and Pauley would lie on his stomach in the grass outside and do his lessons along with the other children. Ezra and Willow, along with the help of the town carpenter Marcus, eventually had to build their house up to three stories and all the doors were made to reach all the way up to the roof. Smaller inset doors of normal height were cut into the larger ones so that Ezra and Willow did not have to labor too much in their coming and going.

Pauley, long and tall, was a delight to his friends, parents and neighbors. He was genuinely joyful, rarely angry—although frequently at injustice—and always very helpful. When tree limbs could not be reached by the owners of cats that got stuck, Pauley was sure to help. The times when he was most useful were when small children fell down wells. Although this was infrequent, the events were most memorable. While several men would work hard at gripping Pauley’s sturdy ankles, being careful not to get struck by his enormous and flailing feet, Pauley would stretch deep into the hole, speaking gently to the trapped and frightened child the entire time. Some said they could hear him singing quietly as he descended for the rescues. With the child clinging desperately to his long neck Pauley would emerge covered in grime, his teeth flashing an absolutely brilliant smile in contrast to his dirt-covered face. Later that night or the next day Pauley's family would be indulged with pie or some other freshly baked treat—a small price for the gracious rescue.

Life started to narrow for Pauley and his family when the Grangians came to town. The Grangians—a surly breed from across the sea—poked their noses into the business of other people on a regular basis. It always seemed like the sea was their sole reason for doing this. Perhaps they got bored on their flat, inarable land. Some called them the sea peoples. But, anyone who could tolerate their raucous tales got a true sense of their origins in heat, grit and cactus. The sea just gave them an excuse to work out their drive for dominion and money.

So when the Grangians entered Pauley's town everyone knew they were in trouble. Doors were locked, windows shuttered, children were not allowed to play in the streets. The Grangian water tanks rumbled down the streets shaking the walls and causing rings to dance in every pool of liquid from the coffee in the cups on the café tables to the fish ponds on the outskirts of town. These machines, so different than anything anyone would ever see elsewhere, were amphibious-to-land war machines. They had great, round shields interlocked over the entire exterior that spun and roared as they drove them. These shields could be quickly moved by those beneath them to get in and out and to shoot their weapons. One could never know from which shield a Grangian or his weapon might emerge. A great clacking sound was always heard before they could be seen. Those hiding from the Grangians could only guess that the great clacking sound must have been underbelly of the machines that enabled them to travel by sea and by land. Bartenders and waitresses took deep breaths and prepared for the onslaught of abusive language and opportunistic groping. On a good day that was all that would happen.

Pauley bent over his breakfast while his father told stories of the last campaign of the Grangians. He said it had been just after Pauley was born. He had slipped his three-person family off into the night to wait out the reckless and ruthless Grangian rampage.

Why didn't you stand up and fight? A dab of oatmeal clung to Pauley's chin and a raisin plopped back into his bowl spattering milk around his toast.

Your mother is Grangian. Pauley’s father said this as if he had just made a comment about the weather. Willow smiled a bit sadly as she came around the table to mop up the milk spots.

Mama, you were Grangian?

Yes, mah boy. I ees Grangian. She reached up and patted him on the shoulder. Vinish yur ootmeal, mah dear. Her r’s rolled softly off of her tongue, one of Pauley’s favorite characteristics of her unusual speech patterns.

Pauley sat stunned at this news. Are we going to leave tonight, too?

I'm not sure, Pauley. We are in a bit of a different situation now.

It will be dark soon. I can carry Mama.

Yes, indeed you could. But it would be hard to disguise you. The Grangians have glasses that can see at night and they would be sure to spot you anywhere we went.

Oh, Papa. This is my fault!

No fault to be made, Pauley. It's just a fact.

Pauley's mind reeled with ideas. He was trying to figure out how to make himself short—hiding in the back of the wagon, crawling on the ground, slipping inside of a bag. But every idea was smothered by the reality that he could not hide.

The Grangian Quest

The predawn stillness was ripped to shreds by what sounded like thunder. But the screams that immediately followed outside told a different story. Pauley could hear his parents moving quickly down the hall toward his room. The familiar shuffle-bump of his mother’s step was unusually rapid and it amazed him she could move so quickly. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and sat up in bed. The small door flew open and he saw the stark outline of his parents against the yellow-grey hall light.

As Pauley got out of bed, his father spoke with great urgency and in a hoarse whisper. Pauley, my son, you must go! His parents ran up to the side of his bed. His mother shoved a burlap bag into his gangly arms. Pauley could smell the cheese. They both peered up into his face with a terrifying combination of love and panic. He could also see streams of tears running down his mother's face.

Oh, Mama! What is the matter?!

Deh are looking at yoo, Pauley! Deh are looking at dah tall vone!

His father grabbed Pauley's wrist and he leaned back trying to leverage his small frame against Pauley's enormous height. We must go now!

Pauley, careful to avoid stepping on the feet of his precious parents, got out of bed and slid into his clothes which had been hanging on the peg near the ceiling. His mother clung to his pinky finger as they hurried him down the hall. His father spoke quietly and incessantly.

Go straight to the woods, Pauley. Stay as near the tallest trees as you can. If you hear anything, stand as still as a stone. They will just think you are one of the trees. And when you get past the white rock ridge stay under the great stone bridge we found last summer, but just for the night. It will be cramped so don't let your feet hang out. Be as still as you can all night. When the morning comes, listen carefully to everything outside. If it is still quiet, go carefully out past the corn fields. You’ll have to walk bent over, but the height of the corn will help to hide you. Once you get to the mountain shaped like a lion—you know the one you love so much?—stay close to the trees. You will have to cross the sand dunes—do that at night so you won't burn your feet. Then go right around the eastern side until you get to the sea.

At this Pauley stopped with a stunned stare at his father. Papa? That's where the Grangians come from!

I know, I know, Pauley. But they'll think you are heading east. So going west will trick them.

But Papa, you said that it's never good to trick people.

I know. I know I've always told you that. But, Pauley, this time it's different. They want to steal you!

Pauley's jaw dropped open and his mother started to sob. Pauley spoke in a whisper, Papa, stealing is bad.

Yes, Pauley it is. So, to keep you safe you will need to play this trick one time. And Pauley—

Yes, Papa— Pauley's voice broke.

We will always love you—no matter what!

Pauley put one great hand on each of his parent’s heads while they hugged the calves of his legs. Two great tears fell on the floor between them. Pauley angled himself out of the door and swung out into the great darkness. He could feel the rumble of the Grangian war machines vibrate the ground beneath his long feet.

The Rabbit Man and the Apple Tree

So, you're not from here, are ya? The man, who looked like a lop-eared rabbit, was leaning jauntily against a dead tree trunk. His ears were really the long ear coverings of a winter hunting cap, stiff and filthy from sitting precisely on the same head for who knows how long. A few strands of bright blue hair snuck out from under the cap. The stiffened ears would have done him no good in the real cold.

No, I'm not from here. Pauley felt as if he should be cheerful, but he could not bring himself to it. He was sad—sad, tired and hungry. His cheese had run out that morning and he did not know what to do next.

You lookin’ for work? The rabbit-man’s eyes darted back and forth as if he was wary of something following him.

I guess. I need some lunch and I'd be willing to work for it.

The rabbit man surveyed Pauley's height from the tip of his toes to the stiff, black hair nearly sticking up into the clouds. His long stare made Pauley very uncomfortable.

Well, lessee here. My name is Mr. Kilpatrick and I think I got a mighty big tree that needs trimmin’ His eyes kept darting around despite the fact that his voice was calm and steady.

Pauley broke out in a real grin. I could sure help you with that, Mr. Kilpatrick! I've done that lots of times.

I imagine you have. I do imagine so. The rabbit man slowly straightened up, stretched broadly and sauntered toward the road were Pauley stood. Come along with me, friend.

Pauley thought it was odd that the stranger called him a friend. He was quite sure he was not such a person.

After some time they reached a gate precariously clinging to its hinges. There was no fence on either side. The rabbit man pushed through the gate and held it open for Pauley, bowing deeply at his waist. Pauley lumbered through, his toe catching on an old brick buried in the deep grass.

Come this way, son.

You're not my father. Pauley said this as a statement of fact.

Sure not. The man had an odd grin on his face.

Pauley was feeling more uncomfortable by the moment, Where's that tree, mister?

Oh, it's not too far away now.

Pauley looked as far as he could see and there were no trees in sight. The rabbit man started whistling and Pauley slowed his step letting the distance grow between them. When the rabbit ears appeared to be no longer than the tip of his little finger he turned around and headed back to the road feeling badly that he had played another trick. But his feeling of uneasiness far outweighed any feeling of guilt—whether false or true.

A long way down the road and over the brow of a steep hill, Pauley saw something wonderful. It was a tree taller than he had ever seen before glowing in the mid-morning sunshine. On its limbs hung beautiful yellow apples, shining and inviting. He was so hungry he immediately started to run, his long legs spanning great lengths of sod. He could smell the apples as he raced forward. He stopped at the base of the tree, closed his eyes and breathed in deeply the sweetness of the fruit. When he opened his eyes he saw the sign at the base of the tree. Big, red letters painted on in thick paint spelled out: Take what you need. Leave some for others.

Pauley grasped the apple at the highest point of his reach. He wanted to leave the lower apples for the shorter people. The apple was almost as big as his fist. He gently pulled it from its branch. When he bit into