Rick stood up as the door opened

A fine looking woman stepped inside and Daniel ran to greet her

Hey Mom this is Rick he is just out of prison and came here looking for work

Rick held out his hand pleased to meet you mam you have a fine boy here

He is indeed she replied thrusting out her hand my name is Evelyn

Rick noticed her firm handshake and well worn fingers

These are the hands of a hard working woman he thought

Daniel please make some coffee for us I have to go to work shortly

Evelyn sat at the table opposite Rick and looked at him intensely

What kind of work are you looking for Rick

I will do anything that does not involve computers said Rick with an embarrassed shrug

Evelyn understood and said she would ask Mr Jones next time she cleaned his farmhouse

You are welcome to stay for dinner Rick but its only soup

That would be great said Rick who had not eaten all day

Daniel will get it ready while I am working

I will be back in a couple of hours

After she left Rick turned to Daniel and asked 

Why didn’t you tell her I broke in to steal from you

Because I think you deserve a second chance

And I want you to teach me how to be a man

I will do what I can to help you said Rick

What do you want to learn first

Daniel explained that he was being bullied at school

OK said Rick lets step in the yard and I will teach you some self defense moves

Evelyn came home and they all ate dinner together

Daniel went to his room and Evelyn told Rick he could stay over

You can sleep out back in the barn for a few days

While you look for a job and get back on your feet again

Thats much appreciated and I will pay you rent as soon as I earn some cash said Rick 

Evelyn smiled and said Daniel seems to like you but he is still very naive 

He thinks we have no cartridges for the shotgun but I always load it when I go to bed

Goodnight Rick and sleep well we eat breakfast at six thirty