Story Clora's House of Gathered Up Children
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
Dosadi
Brown Coat
thank you Mrs. PAC
Funny you would bring in the "long pork" story. Just a day or so ago I was talking with my youngest and he had run up on the story about that plane that crashed in the Ande's mtns. and was asking me about it and did Cannibalism still exist.
One thing led to another and I told him that sailors at sea who resorted to it called it long pork. As if that made it more acceptable.
Then we got off talking about if we knew we were next on the menu if we would jump into the ocean and swim off or just let ourselves be eaten.
Thanks again
Dosadi
Funny you would bring in the "long pork" story. Just a day or so ago I was talking with my youngest and he had run up on the story about that plane that crashed in the Ande's mtns. and was asking me about it and did Cannibalism still exist.
One thing led to another and I told him that sailors at sea who resorted to it called it long pork. As if that made it more acceptable.
Then we got off talking about if we knew we were next on the menu if we would jump into the ocean and swim off or just let ourselves be eaten.
Thanks again
Dosadi
Nature_Lover
Wait! What?
Thank you Pac! 
steamroller
Contributing Member
Thanks for the great story, I have been following it from the beginning and it is the first place I go when I get on my computer. Please keep up the GOOD work.PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#86
Because Clora knew the circumstances, she got out the black solar shower bags, filled them and let them heat in the sun. Men that had sweat, adrenalin and the smells from the bodies smothering their senses, needed to be clean. Six gallons to a man, meant a quick wet down, a soaping and then a rinse. Such a small thing, but it helped restore their humanity.
Everyone had a wife to help them but Gary, and that thought, sat heavy on his mind all afternoon. He was sitting at the table after his shower, having a cup of coffee and watching Jainey in the atrium, as she supervised the older children at play. Leaned back in his chair, deep in thought, Gary almost missed when Jainey turned around and gave him one of those looks.
It was obvious to him that she thought he had his eyes closed; but Gary saw every second of that deep hungry look. As a child fussed about something, Jainey turned around and her attention went back to the problem in the atrium.
Milo was sitting a chair away from Gary and he said in a low voice, "did you see that?"
Gary nodded briefly, still staring at his coffee mug like it held the keys to the universe.
"That look wasn't meant for me," Milo said again in the same low voice.
"It shouldn't be for me," Gary finally spoke, rubbing his chin in frustration.
"Why? It makes the earth shake and the heavens thunder," Milo's deep bass voice cracked to a whisper. He looked over into the kitchen to find Honey, and as if she felt his eyes, she turned to stare at him with the same intensity Jainey had used.
Honey was thinking the same thoughts as Jainey had let slip. A Linderman man was about as prime a man as a woman could ask for. Red haired, hard muscled, tall and fit Milo, with his smooth shaven cheeks and droopy mustache and brilliant blue eyes was a primal animal. Just the way she liked him.
All over the house, the same thing was going on, and Clora was shaking her head in disbelief. That was, until she caught sight of Mark coming down the hall. Her hands stilled on the bowl she was drying and let her eyes feast.
Mark was rolling up the sleeves of his chambray shirt as he walked toward the kitchen, his attention focused on the task. His jeans were old and fit like a glove, his white hair and moustache shiny from his shower. Clora could smell the Bay Rum he had used and suddenly there was a big lump in her throat. With the exercise Gary had punished them with, Mark was walking without his cane. "Thank you God," she whispered as her eyes filled with tears. The head of the Linderman clan was as totally magnificent now, as the first time she had seem him.
Mark walked into the kitchen, his eyes automatically locating Clora the very first thing. His beautiful wife had tears and one of 'those' looks in her eyes. Mark could feel the force of it from across the room. Without a word, Mark walked to Clora's side, put his hand on her waist and they walked back down the hall.
All over the house couples disappeared. Jainey was the only one left out, and she sat with her back to Gary. The boys stopped playing and looked at her, and Gary watched her shake her head no.
Gary hadn't moved, content to watch her with hooded eyes.
"Uncle Gary, have you seen my Mom?" Robbie was suddenly standing next to Gary and the table. "Sumthin is awful wrong with Miss Jainey, she's crying hard and we don't know what's wrong."
"I'll take care of it Robbie. Thank you for telling me." Gary stood up and walked into the atrium, gathering up Jainey before she could protest, and letting her cry against his chest. Jainey's emotional release of fright for a man she loved, melted the last of Gary's frozen heart.
His arms around the too thin woman, gave Gary a peace and feeling of rightness he didn't know he wanted, or needed.
"Is she gonna be alright?" Robbie wanted to know, the other boy's listening anxiously.
"When ladies have a bad fright or scare, sometimes they cry a little to help their emotions get over it." Gary explained. "They need hugs like this."
Gary nodded. "Sometimes when they cry, they cry for things that happened that they didn't have time to cry about then."
"Yeah," Robbie said with a big sigh, "I understand now."
"That looks like more than just a little," Robbie observed, sounding just like Milo.
Because Clora knew the circumstances, she got out the black solar shower bags, filled them and let them heat in the sun. Men that had sweat, adrenalin and the smells from the bodies smothering their senses, needed to be clean. Six gallons to a man, meant a quick wet down, a soaping and then a rinse. Such a small thing, but it helped restore their humanity.
Everyone had a wife to help them but Gary, and that thought, sat heavy on his mind all afternoon. He was sitting at the table after his shower, having a cup of coffee and watching Jainey in the atrium, as she supervised the older children at play. Leaned back in his chair, deep in thought, Gary almost missed when Jainey turned around and gave him one of those looks.
It was obvious to him that she thought he had his eyes closed; but Gary saw every second of that deep hungry look. As a child fussed about something, Jainey turned around and her attention went back to the problem in the atrium.
Milo was sitting a chair away from Gary and he said in a low voice, "did you see that?"
Gary nodded briefly, still staring at his coffee mug like it held the keys to the universe.
"That look wasn't meant for me," Milo said again in the same low voice.
"It shouldn't be for me," Gary finally spoke, rubbing his chin in frustration.
"Why? It makes the earth shake and the heavens thunder," Milo's deep bass voice cracked to a whisper. He looked over into the kitchen to find Honey, and as if she felt his eyes, she turned to stare at him with the same intensity Jainey had used.
Honey was thinking the same thoughts as Jainey had let slip. A Linderman man was about as prime a man as a woman could ask for. Red haired, hard muscled, tall and fit Milo, with his smooth shaven cheeks and droopy mustache and brilliant blue eyes was a primal animal. Just the way she liked him.
All over the house, the same thing was going on, and Clora was shaking her head in disbelief. That was, until she caught sight of Mark coming down the hall. Her hands stilled on the bowl she was drying and let her eyes feast.
Mark was rolling up the sleeves of his chambray shirt as he walked toward the kitchen, his attention focused on the task. His jeans were old and fit like a glove, his white hair and moustache shiny from his shower. Clora could smell the Bay Rum he had used and suddenly there was a big lump in her throat. With the exercise Gary had punished them with, Mark was walking without his cane. "Thank you God," she whispered as her eyes filled with tears. The head of the Linderman clan was as totally magnificent now, as the first time she had seem him.
Mark walked into the kitchen, his eyes automatically locating Clora the very first thing. His beautiful wife had tears and one of 'those' looks in her eyes. Mark could feel the force of it from across the room. Without a word, Mark walked to Clora's side, put his hand on her waist and they walked back down the hall.
All over the house couples disappeared. Jainey was the only one left out, and she sat with her back to Gary. The boys stopped playing and looked at her, and Gary watched her shake her head no.
Gary hadn't moved, content to watch her with hooded eyes.
"Uncle Gary, have you seen my Mom?" Robbie was suddenly standing next to Gary and the table. "Sumthin is awful wrong with Miss Jainey, she's crying hard and we don't know what's wrong."
"I'll take care of it Robbie. Thank you for telling me." Gary stood up and walked into the atrium, gathering up Jainey before she could protest, and letting her cry against his chest. Jainey's emotional release of fright for a man she loved, melted the last of Gary's frozen heart.
His arms around the too thin woman, gave Gary a peace and feeling of rightness he didn't know he wanted, or needed.
"Is she gonna be alright?" Robbie wanted to know, the other boy's listening anxiously.
"When ladies have a bad fright or scare, sometimes they cry a little to help their emotions get over it." Gary explained. "They need hugs like this."
Gary nodded. "Sometimes when they cry, they cry for things that happened that they didn't have time to cry about then."
"Yeah," Robbie said with a big sigh, "I understand now."
"That looks like more than just a little," Robbie observed, sounding just like Milo.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Pac excellent as always, many THANKS for your devoted work!!!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Aw yes good . Thank you.
. Thank you.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
WOW!!!! fantastic Pac Thank You and may God Bless you and all of Yours.
Wayne
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#87
Gary couldn't help it, he started to laugh at Robbie's words. The rumbling amusement in his chest, rippling under Jainey's face. It made her cry harder. It was like a swan song for all her hopes and dreams, Gary was laughing at her and it hurt. It hurt from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, where it dripped like acid into her heart. Each spatter, fizzing and boiling a small hole. Her heart was well and truly broken by his laughing at her.
She hurt so bad, it was hard to breathe; and yet when she tried to get free, Gary wouldn't let her go.
"Hey guy's, why don't you take a snack time and let me talk to Miss Jainey for a moment," Gary suggested and all that was heard was the thunder of running feet for the cookie jar. Gary reached over and bumped the atrium door closed, and pulled out Jainey's chair, sitting down and putting Jainey on his lap.
"I know what you are thinking," he used his low voice. "And you're wrong, I'm not laughing at you. Far from it Jainey." Jainey struggled to get loose and Gary held her tight.
Jainey was like a small bird in his cupped hands as she fluttered and tried to move away. It was clear she had no more strength than a wet tissue, and he used his other hand to smooth the hair away from her face and wipe the tears his left thumb could reach.
Jainey was in such misery, she couldn't hear Gary talking. All she knew was, that there was no putting her heart together after this. Struggling against his arms that held her prisoner, she expended what little energy she had to spare.
Gary could feel what was happening. Jainey was in such a fright or flight mode, she wasn't comprehending a word he said. She finally collapsed, unable to resist any longer.
"Listen to me," he had to rumble three times before she gave a tiny nod of her head. "I am not making fun of you. I wouldn't do that Jainey," his voice was plaintive. "I did before and I'm so terrible sorry for humiliating you. I am ashamed for treating you so bad. Will you believe and forgive me?"
Gary kept repeating that over and over, until he finally got an acknowledgement from her.
"Jainey, I don't know when you got to be so important to my heart, but I woke up one morning and you were there. In the beginning, I didn't want you being that essential to me." Gary was honest. "When I sat by your bed watching you try to die, I knew then; if I lost you, a part of me would die with you. I can't let you go Sweetheart.
You mean so much to me, but Jainey, I don't know if I know how to love. Would you teach me?"
Jainy had gone very still and stiff in his arms; and he waited patiently for her to process what he had said. He felt her relax and nod slightly. "Would you please stop crying, that hurts me to hear you and know I was the cause."
Jainey nodded that she would stop crying and it didn't happen. Gary sat quietly, holding her and let her cry out the emotion she was feeling.
Gary couldn't help it, he started to laugh at Robbie's words. The rumbling amusement in his chest, rippling under Jainey's face. It made her cry harder. It was like a swan song for all her hopes and dreams, Gary was laughing at her and it hurt. It hurt from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, where it dripped like acid into her heart. Each spatter, fizzing and boiling a small hole. Her heart was well and truly broken by his laughing at her.
She hurt so bad, it was hard to breathe; and yet when she tried to get free, Gary wouldn't let her go.
"Hey guy's, why don't you take a snack time and let me talk to Miss Jainey for a moment," Gary suggested and all that was heard was the thunder of running feet for the cookie jar. Gary reached over and bumped the atrium door closed, and pulled out Jainey's chair, sitting down and putting Jainey on his lap.
"I know what you are thinking," he used his low voice. "And you're wrong, I'm not laughing at you. Far from it Jainey." Jainey struggled to get loose and Gary held her tight.
Jainey was like a small bird in his cupped hands as she fluttered and tried to move away. It was clear she had no more strength than a wet tissue, and he used his other hand to smooth the hair away from her face and wipe the tears his left thumb could reach.
Jainey was in such misery, she couldn't hear Gary talking. All she knew was, that there was no putting her heart together after this. Struggling against his arms that held her prisoner, she expended what little energy she had to spare.
Gary could feel what was happening. Jainey was in such a fright or flight mode, she wasn't comprehending a word he said. She finally collapsed, unable to resist any longer.
"Listen to me," he had to rumble three times before she gave a tiny nod of her head. "I am not making fun of you. I wouldn't do that Jainey," his voice was plaintive. "I did before and I'm so terrible sorry for humiliating you. I am ashamed for treating you so bad. Will you believe and forgive me?"
Gary kept repeating that over and over, until he finally got an acknowledgement from her.
"Jainey, I don't know when you got to be so important to my heart, but I woke up one morning and you were there. In the beginning, I didn't want you being that essential to me." Gary was honest. "When I sat by your bed watching you try to die, I knew then; if I lost you, a part of me would die with you. I can't let you go Sweetheart.
You mean so much to me, but Jainey, I don't know if I know how to love. Would you teach me?"
Jainy had gone very still and stiff in his arms; and he waited patiently for her to process what he had said. He felt her relax and nod slightly. "Would you please stop crying, that hurts me to hear you and know I was the cause."
Jainey nodded that she would stop crying and it didn't happen. Gary sat quietly, holding her and let her cry out the emotion she was feeling.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Very well stated, OldArcher I agree !!!!
Thank you Pac for all that you give to us.
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#87b
Gary thought they might have been in the atrium for an hour. The children hadn't returned, so he supposed he had a few minutes more to sit and hold a woman that loved him. She hadn't said anything, but slowly Jainey's hand was creeping up the row of buttons on his shirt. When she got to the collar, her hand slipped inside the material and rested lightly on his neck.
Gary held still, as nervous and shy as Jainey normally was, he figured she would skitter away if he moved or said something. She rubbed her cheek on his chest and he listened to her sniff, taking in his scent. Gary closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.
"Am I hurting you?" Jainey whispered, her eyes watching his face. Gary felt her muscles tense, like she was ready to jump and run.
"No," he whispered back, and moved his head so his cheek was resting on the top of her head. "Jainey, would you marry me?" The words poured out of Gary. Words and pledges and plans and love. He had no idea he had them, or where they had been stored; but they were the only thing of value he had to give her.
Jainey listened to him talk, her ear against his chest, and his arms snugged around her. When Gary stopped to draw a breath, Jainey simply said "yes."
Gary tightened his arms and rubbed his cheek on her forehead. They sat, talking quietly, until Mark tapped on the door. He stuck his head in; "supper," he announced, and in the dim light stared hard at Gary.
"Dad, would you ask Ben if he would marry us. Right now before supper." Gary looked at Mark with calm, clear eyes. Mark nodded and twenty minutes later Gary and Jainey were married.
Gary thought they might have been in the atrium for an hour. The children hadn't returned, so he supposed he had a few minutes more to sit and hold a woman that loved him. She hadn't said anything, but slowly Jainey's hand was creeping up the row of buttons on his shirt. When she got to the collar, her hand slipped inside the material and rested lightly on his neck.
Gary held still, as nervous and shy as Jainey normally was, he figured she would skitter away if he moved or said something. She rubbed her cheek on his chest and he listened to her sniff, taking in his scent. Gary closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.
"Am I hurting you?" Jainey whispered, her eyes watching his face. Gary felt her muscles tense, like she was ready to jump and run.
"No," he whispered back, and moved his head so his cheek was resting on the top of her head. "Jainey, would you marry me?" The words poured out of Gary. Words and pledges and plans and love. He had no idea he had them, or where they had been stored; but they were the only thing of value he had to give her.
Jainey listened to him talk, her ear against his chest, and his arms snugged around her. When Gary stopped to draw a breath, Jainey simply said "yes."
Gary tightened his arms and rubbed his cheek on her forehead. They sat, talking quietly, until Mark tapped on the door. He stuck his head in; "supper," he announced, and in the dim light stared hard at Gary.
"Dad, would you ask Ben if he would marry us. Right now before supper." Gary looked at Mark with calm, clear eyes. Mark nodded and twenty minutes later Gary and Jainey were married.
Siskiyoumom
Veteran Member
Sweet.......thank you dear lady.
Nature_Lover
Wait! What?
What Ted said, 'grammer' and all.
Thank you Pac.
Tugged on my heartstrings.
Thank you Pac.
Tugged on my heartstrings.
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
I hope Clora lets Jainey borrow Grandma Evie's Griswold. She may need it.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Great chapter Pac thank you for sharing your fantastic story with us.
Wayne
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#88
Gary and Jainey got married exactly as they were; her sitting on his lap because she didn't have the strength to stand by herself. Gary carried her to the table and made TJ change chairs with him so he could sit next to the tall, thin waif, Jainey had become.
He dished up a small meal for her, thumped her plate down and expected her to eat. It wasn't much, but it was way more than Jainey had been eating. Honey was about to come to Jainey's defense, when Milo shook her shoulder and then his head. He was clearly warning her to leave them be, and Honey bristled a little.
When supper was over, Gary picked up Jainey and they went down the hall to his room. The opposite direction of Milo and Honey's apartments. Later that night, Milo and Honey were having a slight argument.
"She's my friend, there are things about Jainey he needs to know." Honey sputtered with anger. "So help me, if he hurts her, I'll....I'll do something bad to him. She's the sweetest person I know. But also the most naïve."
"Honey, that's their business," Milo warned.
"But she won't tell him," Honey insisted.
"They have to start talking to each other, sooner or later. That's something they have to work out. Remember how mad you were at Jillian the first date we had?" Milo was that infuriating calm man, Honey would have liked to have kicked in the shin. "Don't be a meddling Jillian." he finished, looking at her with steady eyes.
"Pffffttt," Honey made a rude noise and then she happened to look at Milo and he was laughing. Honey hated to give up, but soon she was laughing also. Milo crooked his finger at her, drawing her closer. Sitting on Milo's lap as Jainey had been sitting on Gary's, pretty quick there was a little kissing going on. Then some rubbing noses together, then the light was blown out.
Down the hall in the other direction, Gary carried his exhausted bride to bed, climbed in with his clothes on and covered them up. Snuggled together, both of them slept, for the first time in months.
Gary and Jainey got married exactly as they were; her sitting on his lap because she didn't have the strength to stand by herself. Gary carried her to the table and made TJ change chairs with him so he could sit next to the tall, thin waif, Jainey had become.
He dished up a small meal for her, thumped her plate down and expected her to eat. It wasn't much, but it was way more than Jainey had been eating. Honey was about to come to Jainey's defense, when Milo shook her shoulder and then his head. He was clearly warning her to leave them be, and Honey bristled a little.
When supper was over, Gary picked up Jainey and they went down the hall to his room. The opposite direction of Milo and Honey's apartments. Later that night, Milo and Honey were having a slight argument.
"She's my friend, there are things about Jainey he needs to know." Honey sputtered with anger. "So help me, if he hurts her, I'll....I'll do something bad to him. She's the sweetest person I know. But also the most naïve."
"Honey, that's their business," Milo warned.
"But she won't tell him," Honey insisted.
"They have to start talking to each other, sooner or later. That's something they have to work out. Remember how mad you were at Jillian the first date we had?" Milo was that infuriating calm man, Honey would have liked to have kicked in the shin. "Don't be a meddling Jillian." he finished, looking at her with steady eyes.
"Pffffttt," Honey made a rude noise and then she happened to look at Milo and he was laughing. Honey hated to give up, but soon she was laughing also. Milo crooked his finger at her, drawing her closer. Sitting on Milo's lap as Jainey had been sitting on Gary's, pretty quick there was a little kissing going on. Then some rubbing noses together, then the light was blown out.
Down the hall in the other direction, Gary carried his exhausted bride to bed, climbed in with his clothes on and covered them up. Snuggled together, both of them slept, for the first time in months.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you so much Pac.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thank you Pac, great chapter
Wayne
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#89
It was like the whole house powered down that night and went, 'phew, I'm glad that's settled.' On guard duty Toby and Lou felt anything but calm.
There was a disturbance in the air, despite no breeze of any kind. A growing discord that became so palatable, it could almost be seen and tasted. "Go get Dad and Milo," Toby directed and Lou ran for the house. He hit Milo's door first, and the lanky redhead jumped from bed.
Mark was asleep without his hearing aids in, and he was harder to wake. Clora sat up in bed in response to Lou's knocking and put her hand over her heart. It felt like danger with a capital D. Carefully she shook Mark awake, that was one man you didn't grab ahold of when he was sleeping.
Mark dressed in the dark and went fumbling for his hearing aids. Putting them in, he could hear Clora dressing.
"This is a big one Mark, all I feel is total and overwhelming danger. I'm going to get everyone else up and dressed." Between Clora and Lou, they awakened the clan and put the danger plans into motion.
Both Tess and Tricia were up for the 2am. feedings and Ben and Bruce were more or less awake from the crying and bustle in the room. Clora saved Gary for last, but smiled in the dark, when he answered the door fully clothed. Jainey would be in good hands.
Now that they were up, each adult could feel the disturbance and thick feeling of danger that flowed like ocean waves. Relentlessly advancing, never diminishing and in fact enlarging and expanding.
Clora and Lemmie made gallons of coffee and it was hastily gulped to caffeine wake wobbly nerves. The house with it's boarded up windows was stuffy, sticky in the July heat and humidity, adding to the general unease.
Clora felt her way to the atrium with a mug of coffee and sat in the chair, looking upward toward the glittering stars in the night sky. Praying, she opened her heart to God and asked for His peace and understanding. She got neither.
Mark had Toby come in from the far outpost, the clan gathering together, when Ben felt moved to pray. With his head bowed, Mark and Clora's son prayed that God was merciful to the small clan gathered in his name.
It was like the whole house powered down that night and went, 'phew, I'm glad that's settled.' On guard duty Toby and Lou felt anything but calm.
There was a disturbance in the air, despite no breeze of any kind. A growing discord that became so palatable, it could almost be seen and tasted. "Go get Dad and Milo," Toby directed and Lou ran for the house. He hit Milo's door first, and the lanky redhead jumped from bed.
Mark was asleep without his hearing aids in, and he was harder to wake. Clora sat up in bed in response to Lou's knocking and put her hand over her heart. It felt like danger with a capital D. Carefully she shook Mark awake, that was one man you didn't grab ahold of when he was sleeping.
Mark dressed in the dark and went fumbling for his hearing aids. Putting them in, he could hear Clora dressing.
"This is a big one Mark, all I feel is total and overwhelming danger. I'm going to get everyone else up and dressed." Between Clora and Lou, they awakened the clan and put the danger plans into motion.
Both Tess and Tricia were up for the 2am. feedings and Ben and Bruce were more or less awake from the crying and bustle in the room. Clora saved Gary for last, but smiled in the dark, when he answered the door fully clothed. Jainey would be in good hands.
Now that they were up, each adult could feel the disturbance and thick feeling of danger that flowed like ocean waves. Relentlessly advancing, never diminishing and in fact enlarging and expanding.
Clora and Lemmie made gallons of coffee and it was hastily gulped to caffeine wake wobbly nerves. The house with it's boarded up windows was stuffy, sticky in the July heat and humidity, adding to the general unease.
Clora felt her way to the atrium with a mug of coffee and sat in the chair, looking upward toward the glittering stars in the night sky. Praying, she opened her heart to God and asked for His peace and understanding. She got neither.
Mark had Toby come in from the far outpost, the clan gathering together, when Ben felt moved to pray. With his head bowed, Mark and Clora's son prayed that God was merciful to the small clan gathered in his name.