Chapter 41
Tom's reflections were interrupted by Frank's voice telling him it was time to hit the green houses. Tom suddenly realized how tired he was from the morning as his back was slow to straighten.
“Do you have anything I can put over my blisters,” asked Tom? “I don't want them to get infected.”
Patty walked over at looked at his hands, shaking her head slowly, she said, “I feel like this is my fault. I should have gotten him a pair of gloves before we started this morning.”
“No harm done,” said Janet, “Tom, why don't you go ahead and go to the greenhouse, but just observe and try to learn all you can about how our system works.”
“Yes Ma'am,” Tom replied, anxious to spend the afternoon in the company of Patty.
“Patty, I will need you to help me here in the house this afternoon, we need to put all the jars away and straighten up the storage,” said Janet.
“Come on, Tom,” said June, “I will show you we start plants and care for them.”
To say Tom was disappointed was an understatement, but he was determined to do as well as he could and to learn all he needed to know. He was going to fit in if it killed him. For the first time in his life, Tom knew he was with good people.
“Terry,” said Frank, “What do you think of teaching Tom some basic rifle skills as well as a little hand to hand combat training. We may need every available person at some point?”
“Are you sure you want to teach him about firearms,” Terry replied? “It may come back to bite you in the bottom.”
“I have thought about that and I set up a little test for him the other night, but he passed with flying colors. I think he can be trusted, maybe not to carry everyday, but I think he will help defend us.” said Frank.
“Go and get him out of the greenhouse before Mother talks his ear off. I am sure getting his butt kicked by you would be a relief by now,” Frank laughed.
“Tom”, Frank's voice boomed through the greenhouse.
Tom nearly fainted, sure that Terry was coming to kill him. His first thought was to run out the back door, but he realized it was hopeless.
“Here, Sir” said Tom's wavering voice, “I am back here.”
“Come on, boy, I haven't got all day,” Terry said.
Tom was certain he was a dead man but found it in himself to stand tall and accept his fate like a man. He marched up to Terry and looking the big man in the eye, he said, “Come on then, let's get it over with.”
“Get what over with,” asked Terry?
“You are here to kill me aren't you,” asked Tom?
“No, lad,” Terry replied, “I am here to give you a little rifle training, and if there is time this afternoon, a little hand to hand combat training. Why in the name of all things holy would I be killing you?”
The relief was apparent on Tom's face as he answered Terry, “I thought maybe you folks decided I wasn't worth trying to save and I know you just can't let me go.”
“Whether you stay or go isn't my call,” said Terry, “I am just an invited guest, not a family member. Now let's go out back and get you started on the rifle.”
While Tom was not a natural, he started his lessons with no pre conceived ideas about shooting and he no bad habits to correct as he had never shot a fire arm before. He listened intently and after an hour or so, Terry praised his efforts and told him he would make a fine rifleman someday. Tom reached out to shake Terry's offered hand and no sooner made contact than he found himself on the ground looking up. Terry explained that the move was Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and his training had just begun. Terry was a patient instructor and Tom was pretty good at getting off the ground so the lessons were going well when all of a sudden Terry said in a gruff voice, “That's enough.”
“Did I do something wrong,” asked Tom.
“No lad, it's supper time.” Terry laughed.