Freedom in Iowa

Freedom In Iowa

 

Charles and Theodore (Charlie and Ted)  had a small spread in western Iowa. They alternated  wheat and soybeans and kept a few layin’ hens for eggs.  They bartered their few acres of hay for milk and butter from neighbor’s Holsteins.

Theodore took care of the lime and septic tablets for the outhouse and composted, while Charlie did most of the cooking . They both went to town for supplies together in their Ford pickup they had bought with a small inheritance Charlie got from the passing of his Grandmother. They shared a small house with no “pretend” second bedroom. Their old iron bed probably made a hell of a racket but there were no neighbors for miles so twern’t no concern. It was a sparsely furnished but a clean home.  The prized possession was a large framed copy of an Ansel Adams photograph hanging over their fieldrock fireplace. Oh and their Crosley Harko radio that sat on the trestle table next to Theodore’s rocking chair

Neither was much for church, but they always went to the Grange meetings and county fairs where nobody at all believed they were brothers, cousins ,or nephews. . . or cared a whit.  They didn’t ever hit the town saloon,  but Theodore did like both his “chew” and his beer.  Charlie made Concord wine every year from the grapevines that grew next to the side fence along with hollyhocks and petunias . Both loved horseshoes and on the rare days work was done before sunset, they’d play together and end up tussling over each other’s accusations of cheating.  That wrestling most often turned to hugging and then kissin before they’d go inside.

After Charlie got their simple meals on the table and Theodore did the few dishes, They’d sit a spell in their parlor .  If not just thinking, then there was “Fibber Magee and Molly”  or “The Shadow”  on the radio.  Both liked the news and read the Des Moines Register . While there was sometimes a tussle over who got the “comics” first , they both read the editorials and had discussions about them.. They felt a part of the world and had interest in what the far corners were up to.

Charlie also liked Zane Gray stories and really was vexed when he had to put them down knowing the cock crow would come earlier than he wanted the next morning.

A hard life forced them to be easy with one another.  Rarely did they fight and when they disagreed usually Theodore would let Charlie have his way. That was just the way he was.   They fully realized   they had a “different” relationship,  but didn’t talk much about it much because it made them uneasy. But they were also in a time and place where privacy protected them.  And it didn’t stop the flow of affection they had for one another.

 Both knew about laws, but the most discrimination they heard was from town ladyfolk lamenting the fact that they would never have a chance in hell of having the shoes of these strapping young men next to their beds.  (embarrassed giggles) If the farmer men or townsfolk  harbored an opinion, they kept it to themselves.   It was pretty much “live and let live”  This was a case of true and constant love.  As normal and fast as could be. Two men makin a life together.  Good people  just incidentally that were gay. It worked for them. Fact was that the word  “gay” wasn’t even in their vocabulary.

 Reverend Thomas’  preaching was confined pretty much to gospel and prayers for bounty .  Oh yeah, there was gossip as usual, but it didn’t carry any of the winds of hatred. Theodore and Charlie were “let be” to love as they wanted and should.  They were a curiosity more than a concern.  A time that things that were,  just were. Folks got along . Theodore and Charles found freedom in Iowa .