Slices of the turkey and roast beef fell like sheets of carnivore bedsheets. The cheese did the same at the sub shop.

“Make sure it’s Delaware’s Delight. Thanks.” Felton Sheltham reminded the woman behind the deli.

“Of course,” she replied. Her mousy hair and weak chin took away from intense, bold eyes and olive skin. With a mix of vinegar and other spices, she sprinkled the two medium sized sandwiches. After wrapping them like Christmas gifts, and with the same care, she totaled the order. The man bought some salty soda chips. Sheltham paid.

“You’re more than welcome,” she responded with glittering white teeth.

Sheltham drove over to his son Burton’s school. It had been privatized in the revamping of the state like every other school and served the bright minds bent on learning. The twelve-year-old boy excelled on his last report card, besting his other brothers by earning all A+ marks. In the school, he donned a visitor’s pass and notified Burton’s sixth grade homeroom class. The office assistant, Kate Dove, at the school seemed pleasant. A bit round, she still possessed a comeliness despite her age of sixty-one-years-old.

“Burton Sheltham to the principal’s office,” the PA announced just to his room. Kids being kids, oohed and pointed, “You’re in trouble.”

“Class,” Miss McGonagle reminded, “Please focus on your lesson.” She turned to Burton. “You’re excused. Take this hall pass.” Burton, mixed with a bit of trepidation and wonder ambled down the hallway to see what could possibly be in store. When he turned the corner, he saw the glint of Miss Dove’s glasses. Her grin let him know he should have no worries. Then, he saw his adoptive father. He kept a straight face.

Kate’s face frowned. “Why don’t you give your dad a hug?”

Burton complied and gave Sheltham a side hug and frowned a bit.

“Come on, we’re going to go down by the Bay.”

In the car, the two of them sat in the rear passenger seats. 

“You’re doing so well in school. I thought you needed a break from the norm.”

“It’s supposed to be sunny and cool around the water.”

Burton looked out the window as if no words had been uttered at all.

When the vehicle had arrived at their destination, they exited to find empty rows of seats.

“Sit wherever you like,” Sheltham suggested. The boy walked around the rows of benches and tables and plopped down closest to the wall of the pavilion. A semi-frown plastered the boy’s face. His clothes, neatly pressed, frumpled somewhat as he rested his elbows on the table. 

“Hey, elbows off the table, Burton,” Sheltham admonished. He then sat the sandwich, chips, and sparkling water with electrolytes in front of his son. “We can sit here for the rest of the day,” he chimed. With no blessing stated, Sheltham took a bite out of his sandwich. The Delaware Delight dazzled on the tongue and engaged his umami tastebuds. 

“Come on, now,” Sheltham encouraged after finishing a bite. “Your food is getting warm. You don’t want that mayonnaise getting warm, it’ll make you sick,” Sheltham chided, knowing it would have to be hours before his sandwich would be spoiled. The young man didn’t flinch. By sitting there with his back inclined a bit, he folded his arms.

“Alright, I know what this is about…at least I think I know. Your mama and I have been together for almost a year now. You and your two brothers mean to me as much as my three boys. You all play together. You even help my youngest with his lessons. Boy, you’re a Sheltham. Though I’m not your biological father, I’m supposed to provide for you and make sure you continue to excel at school and home.”

Burton relaxed and inclined a bit. He still showed a wry, hard face. He pushed the food away, however.

“I’m not hungry,” Burton finally blurted out to the song of the ospreys around them. 

“Then give your food to the birds. They’ll like it,” Sheltham responded.

Burton leaned closer to the food and took a bite of his sandwich. He chewed with his mouth closed and sat erect.

“But you are…all of you are mine and I will put myself on the barricades to fight for your safety and overall well-being.”

“Your dad ran out on you and your mom. When she crossed that Pennsylvania state line, she had been by herself cradling your siblings and walking hand-in-hand. Your so-called father didn’t want to leave his state out of fear. Your mother possessed the strength and resolve to counter his cowardice.”

“That’s not what happened,” Burton pointed out and ate some chips. He washed it all down with sparkling water.

“That’s what your mama told me and she didn’t lie,” Sheltham explained.

Burton looked at Sheltham. His gaze appeared as though he might shove Sheltham or just get up and walk away. In his eyes, he wanted to jump up and down and run around the benches, but there existed a modicum of respect for Sheltham. He took in his father’s words like the beverage he used to clear his mouth. With this last tidbit of truth, he wished to express himself, but kept eating. Sheltham had a few bites remaining. He sipped as well and then looked at Burton.

“You are a part of me. I know we share no genes. I am however your legal guardian. It’s more than that. I’m Dad now. I know how you don’t see it that way, but that’s the reality, son,” Sheltham imparted.

Burton’s leg began to shake a bit under the table.

“Stop that,” Sheltham commanded. The boy abided. Upon receiving this latest instruction, Burton seemed to relax a bit more. He felt the sting of the words but knew they came from not just a grown up but the only man in his life who truly gave a care about him.

“Why’d you have to come to my school? Everybody thinks I got expelled or something,” he said.

“Why’d I come to your–it’s a celebration of your intelligence and character. Let them feel whatever about you. Know that you have someone who can go off his job for a few hours and share lunch with you. Know that you have a man who can provide.”

Burton cracked a rare smile. This didn’t seem forced or malicious or dry. A genuine smile, he grinned with a splendid sense of satisfaction. He continued to eat.

Sheltham polished off his sandwich and chips and still had some sparkling water left. He looked at his watch.

“It's almost time for us to get back to the city,” Sheltham announced. “Your mama will be wondering where we were,” he added.

“I kind of want to stay here. It’s peaceful.”

“Yes, we can look around for  a while but then we’ve gotta get back home.”

Burton didn’t rush. He savored the morsels of the sandwich while Sheltham looked at the boy. He beamed with a sense of pride that never failed. He just sat with an elbow on the table and watched the young man enjoy his food.

There seemed to be that idea that Burton could tell his other brothers how great Sheltham was despite not being related to him by blood. The sound of the water produced a tranquil kind of feeling for them both. Sheltham could have remarked, “I’m done, so you’re done, let’s go.” Instead, he just waited for the young man to sate his appetite. Burton even let out a little chuckle as the bubbles fizzed in his nose. Sheltham let out a clean, hearty laugh. “Those carbonated beverages will get you every time,” he noted.

“I know I’ve been cold. I don’t mean to be that way. I just wish I could see my real dad.”

“But I am your real dad, I think I know what you mean, though. My father was a strong man from the North. He was a military man who didn’t do things like we’re doing. I imagined he loved me. He always found time to go to the local bar before work and came home almost drunk and belligerent. But he loved my mama. He didn’t care too much for my sisters and me. When he died, I cried. They weren’t crocodile tears or anything like that. They were real tears that meant I barely knew the man. I don’t want that for all of you boys. I want to do better than that.”

Burton finished his meal. “That’s sad. I still remember calling you ‘Mr. Felton’ if I mentioned you at all,” he admitted. “At this point, I might have to upgrade you to another level of address.”

“Boy, you speak properly. It’s no wonder you get such high marks at school.”

“No, keep your head up, my son. Always look at the light glimmering in your spirit. Never let anyone, including me, diminish that light.”

“I know what you’re saying. I appreciate you doing this. I know you could be making a lot more money working, but you thought of me.”

“It’s no sacrifice. It’s integrity. I had to show you that your greatness in academics supersedes all dollars I could accumulate. I’ll earn funds anyway. Technically, I’m making bank as we sit here.” Sheltham alluded to the fact he had invested in his company and received dividends despite whether he engaged in labor or not. Except he never called it passive income, he remained active in the markets.

“The same goes for me,” Burton acknowledged. “I’ve been saving up in the markets as well.”

A look similar to a salute from a general to a warrior who had just been awarded the highest medal for valor crossed over Sheltham’s face. “I’m so proud of you,” he said to the boy.

“I just hope my brothers will not look down upon me and say you’re playing favorites….” Burton posited.

“Don’t worry about that. Once they get their grades to where yours are, I’ll treat them to lunch at school as well.”

“I know you’re doing this to get closer to my mom….”

“No, no, no. This is between you and me. We’re out here just mano-y-mano enjoying ourselves. None of them have to know unless you tell them. That’s why I wanted to get by the water where they would not even be around us or wonder what happened. I’ll just say I picked you up today and that’ll be that.”

Burton shrugged. He got up from the table and pushed his trash into the wastebin. Sheltham did the same.

In the car ride back to Smartystan, the two sat and watched as the bay began to fade from view.

“You know if you tell your brothers, this might actually spur them to increase their scholastic performances,” Sheltham thought again. “Your mama might even be astonished at how well you all might do in the future.”

“Every time I think about the way I acted, I get sort of bummed,” Burton confessed. “You are my dad. I should’ve shown it early on when you first embraced my mom.”

Sheltham chuckled softly. “It’s quite alright. You just stay focused on learning and I’ll continue to be the man in your life that will set you on the path to righteousness.” Sheltham uttered these words not out of haughtiness but a bold declaration of his role as the sole male adult figure in Burton’s life.

“Remember, you are no longer a Shankman but a Shetham. They seem close, but they’re worlds apart.”

The autonomous vehicle brought the two Shelthams to their home. It parked itself in their garage. They exited the car and entered the house where Mala cared for Edgar. She chased the toddler and finally grabbed the little guy.

“How was both of your days?” Mala asked.

Sheltham looked down at Burton and responded, “Rewarding.”

Mathew Schwartz

Smartystan

Song of the Ospreys

Slices of the turkey and roast beef fell like sheets of carnivore bedsheets. The cheese did the same at the sub shop.

“Make sure it’s Delaware’s Delight. Thanks.” Felton Sheltham reminded the woman behind the deli.



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Song of the Ospreys

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Song of the Ospreys

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