Since Herkamer's boss would confuse him by telling him to do a certain thing and then not do that same thing, Herkamer decided to leave work and speak with Brother Hadley about it. Brother Hadley had just told him that he believed if he didn't blow his balloon so tight, it wouldn't make such a racket when it busted. The story continues with Brother Hadley speaking.
“Herkamer, have you ever asked your boss to explain what he means when he says sell something, but don't sell something?” Brother Hadley asked inquisitively. “No” Herkamer answered, “he's intimidating, and doesn't like when anyone questions him about anything.” Brother Hadley sat back in his rocker and pondered for a moment, “Well, why don't you quit?” Brother Hadley asked. “Quit?” Herkamer responded with a fret on his brow as if to say “are you crazy?” “That's what I asked” continued Brother Hadley, “seems to me that you have a better way of doing things than your boss, so why don't you quit, start your own company, and run it the way you want to?”
Without another word being spoken, Herkamer got the message. One of the wonderful parts of going to see Brother Hadley is that he never really told everything, but the way he would share would allow a person to fill in the blanks that were unspoken. Herkamer realized that either he was going to have to make adjustments on his job like talking with the boss when he was unclear, living with the double bind, or just stop working for the boss at all.
Herkamer stood as Brother Hadley picked up his piece of wood and began whittling again. “Thank you, Brother Hadley. You have helped me again.” Herkamer said as he stood to leave. “You know I'm here for you anytime, Herkamer. Just stop by anytime, anytime.” Brother Hadley smiled as he watched Herkamer walk to his car and leave. “That boy will always need instruction.” Brother Hadley whispered as he watched Herkamer's car roll down the dusty road.
Herkamer drove home, and Gertrude met him at the door. After a brief greeting and a kiss, Herkamer began to tell Gertrude all about his day. The double bind, the trouble in his understanding, his trip out to see Brother Hadley were all part of his story, and just when he was going to continue, Gertrude interrupted him and said, “Herky, would you mind taking the garbage outside, but don't take the garbage outside?” Herkamer stopped, and Gertrude smiled like a shy little girl. Herkamer got the message, and they walked into the kitchen to prepare some dinner.
Stay tuned for more Herkamer and Gertrude stories. Same Blog Time. Same Blog Time. Until tomorrow...Why Say More?
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