sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
LOl Wyatt is going to learn a few new things it looks like.
Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#94
Rennie wasn't pleased that Toby would be gone and the chores and horses would be hers to do. "There is also our problem of TJ's behavior," she reminded Toby. "We need to get a handle on that before he 'contaminates' the other children."
Toby thought 'contaminate' was a strange word to use in describing TJ's behavior, and he said so.
"Tell me," he frowned, "what made you choose that word to describe TJ?"
"Barry and Lyric do very well together," Rennie said tartly, "add TJ and all three of them loose sense and their brains to do stupid stuff."
"Humm, I had thought TJ had gotten over his odd man out feeling." Toby scratched his chin in consternation. "I'll have a talk with him, this puts a different spin on me leaving."
"Remember the other day I told you that he was teasing and bedeviling the daylights out of Lyric and you said you would speak to him, well you shelved my request, and the situtation has only gotten worse. Teasing is one thing, the constant haranguing is entirely another. Poor Lyric can't get away from TJ's mouth, and now he has started on Barry. Frankly, I cannot get him to stop, I have asked for your help and for some reason, you are brushing me off. I'm telling you this is serious and it needs to be stopped."
Trust Rennie to be frank and outspoken, Toby was thinking. She cuts no one any slack.
"Come here and listen," Rennie pushed him toward the downstairs playroom. The only child speaking was TJ, relentlessly teasing and picking on Lyric. Lyric waited until TJ got in arms reach and thumped him with her fist.
"Didn't hurt, didn't hurt," TJ mimicked in a sing song voice, "you're a girl and didn't hurt me, but I can hurt you, and don't you go tattling to Ma ad Dad. You will wish you hadn't, cause I will make you sorry." and TJ turned around and pulled on Lyric's braid until he made tears come to her eyes.
"You just wait," Lyric threatened. "Some day I'm gonna be bigger and beat the snot out of you."
That got her braid pulled harder.
Toby walked in the playroom and grabbed TJ by his hair. Taking a good sized handful, he steered the young man out the front door and out to the barn. TJ was yelling in pain and half sobbing about his rough treatment.
"Ow, Ow, Dad, what is that for?"
"For being a bully. It's not fun getting your hair pulled, is it?" Toby demanded.
Toby and TJ had a long talk, while Toby didn't let go of his son's hair. "I have instructed Ma to walk in and pull your hair every time you start to berate Lyric and Barry. I want this type of behavior to stop, do you understand? We have already had several talks about this, and I'm beginning to believe that harsh punishment is the only way to get through to you. Is that what's happening?"
TJ didn't answer, and the grip on his hair got tighter and tighter until the boy gasped out, "yes, I'll be good."
For once, Toby didn't consider the matter taken care of, when TJ promised to be good. Instead he kept a snug grip on TJ as they both walked around and Toby outlined the chores TJ was to do as a consequence of his behavior.
"But I don't wanna," he whined and felt Toby's grip get tighter. "Yes sir, I will," were the next words out of TJ's mouth.
Clora and Mark were sitting at the table enjoying an after breakfast cup of coffee. "Toby is on his way up here to ask if I will keep TJ, while the two of you are gone. The answer is no." Clora stated forcefully. "I do not want TJ around Tess's boys."
Rennie wasn't pleased that Toby would be gone and the chores and horses would be hers to do. "There is also our problem of TJ's behavior," she reminded Toby. "We need to get a handle on that before he 'contaminates' the other children."
Toby thought 'contaminate' was a strange word to use in describing TJ's behavior, and he said so.
"Tell me," he frowned, "what made you choose that word to describe TJ?"
"Barry and Lyric do very well together," Rennie said tartly, "add TJ and all three of them loose sense and their brains to do stupid stuff."
"Humm, I had thought TJ had gotten over his odd man out feeling." Toby scratched his chin in consternation. "I'll have a talk with him, this puts a different spin on me leaving."
"Remember the other day I told you that he was teasing and bedeviling the daylights out of Lyric and you said you would speak to him, well you shelved my request, and the situtation has only gotten worse. Teasing is one thing, the constant haranguing is entirely another. Poor Lyric can't get away from TJ's mouth, and now he has started on Barry. Frankly, I cannot get him to stop, I have asked for your help and for some reason, you are brushing me off. I'm telling you this is serious and it needs to be stopped."
Trust Rennie to be frank and outspoken, Toby was thinking. She cuts no one any slack.
"Come here and listen," Rennie pushed him toward the downstairs playroom. The only child speaking was TJ, relentlessly teasing and picking on Lyric. Lyric waited until TJ got in arms reach and thumped him with her fist.
"Didn't hurt, didn't hurt," TJ mimicked in a sing song voice, "you're a girl and didn't hurt me, but I can hurt you, and don't you go tattling to Ma ad Dad. You will wish you hadn't, cause I will make you sorry." and TJ turned around and pulled on Lyric's braid until he made tears come to her eyes.
"You just wait," Lyric threatened. "Some day I'm gonna be bigger and beat the snot out of you."
That got her braid pulled harder.
Toby walked in the playroom and grabbed TJ by his hair. Taking a good sized handful, he steered the young man out the front door and out to the barn. TJ was yelling in pain and half sobbing about his rough treatment.
"Ow, Ow, Dad, what is that for?"
"For being a bully. It's not fun getting your hair pulled, is it?" Toby demanded.
Toby and TJ had a long talk, while Toby didn't let go of his son's hair. "I have instructed Ma to walk in and pull your hair every time you start to berate Lyric and Barry. I want this type of behavior to stop, do you understand? We have already had several talks about this, and I'm beginning to believe that harsh punishment is the only way to get through to you. Is that what's happening?"
TJ didn't answer, and the grip on his hair got tighter and tighter until the boy gasped out, "yes, I'll be good."
For once, Toby didn't consider the matter taken care of, when TJ promised to be good. Instead he kept a snug grip on TJ as they both walked around and Toby outlined the chores TJ was to do as a consequence of his behavior.
"But I don't wanna," he whined and felt Toby's grip get tighter. "Yes sir, I will," were the next words out of TJ's mouth.
Clora and Mark were sitting at the table enjoying an after breakfast cup of coffee. "Toby is on his way up here to ask if I will keep TJ, while the two of you are gone. The answer is no." Clora stated forcefully. "I do not want TJ around Tess's boys."
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#94b
"So you are telling me, Toby is not a good choice, he needs to be at home to parent his children."
"Correct."
Mark sat thinking about the other choices he had. "So Milo is out also." Mark was thinking about the problems Milo had with his boys, and a wife close to delivering,
"Correct."
"Who's left," Mark was almost crabby in his thoughts. "Bruce, Seamus, Gary, George, that Chuck guy, Andy and Donny. I'm not pleased to think they would be a good choice."
"None of those," Clora said quietly. "The fathers need to be here to parent. For far too long the men of this clan have depended on their women to discipline and keep order. We are raising a generation of boys that have nothing but feminine views in their upbringings. Our grandchildren are whiners, slackers, basically untrustworthy, and incapable of handling defense of the family. Just think about what I have said and bring me proof that I am wrong."
"That's harsh," Mark said mostly to himself. But, running his mind over the behaviors of his grandchildren, Mark couldn't refute Clora's claims.
"I'm very sorry to say, I think you're right. There are none of the grandkids I would trust with a gun to defend us in an attack. They don't listen, they will not obey an order, they whine and need a reason to perform any task; good heavens Clora, how did we slip into such shoddiness.?"
"This is not any one person's fault. By life and safety security, you men have had to be gone away from the family for long stretches of time. Not your fault, not the women's fault; but a problem that needs to be corrected immediately."
"Our boy's didn't act this way, and I was gone a lot." Mark kinda growled.
"Yes you were, but those were different times, different problems and a different mother."
Clora's harsh truth pinched. She went to do the dishes and let Mark think on what she had said.
In about an hour, both Toby and Milo were at the door with bad news they were bringing their father.
"Dad, we have decided we can't go and leave our families. I'm ashamed to say that my kids need me here to provide structure and discipline." Toby spoke up first.
"I'm in the same place," Milo echoed, "especially with Honey so close to having our baby,"
Mark was disappointed, but nodded his agreement. Giving a deep sigh, he asked the 64k dollar question. "Do you men have a recommendation?"
"Tess," was the unanimous reply.
"So you are telling me, Toby is not a good choice, he needs to be at home to parent his children."
"Correct."
Mark sat thinking about the other choices he had. "So Milo is out also." Mark was thinking about the problems Milo had with his boys, and a wife close to delivering,
"Correct."
"Who's left," Mark was almost crabby in his thoughts. "Bruce, Seamus, Gary, George, that Chuck guy, Andy and Donny. I'm not pleased to think they would be a good choice."
"None of those," Clora said quietly. "The fathers need to be here to parent. For far too long the men of this clan have depended on their women to discipline and keep order. We are raising a generation of boys that have nothing but feminine views in their upbringings. Our grandchildren are whiners, slackers, basically untrustworthy, and incapable of handling defense of the family. Just think about what I have said and bring me proof that I am wrong."
"That's harsh," Mark said mostly to himself. But, running his mind over the behaviors of his grandchildren, Mark couldn't refute Clora's claims.
"I'm very sorry to say, I think you're right. There are none of the grandkids I would trust with a gun to defend us in an attack. They don't listen, they will not obey an order, they whine and need a reason to perform any task; good heavens Clora, how did we slip into such shoddiness.?"
"This is not any one person's fault. By life and safety security, you men have had to be gone away from the family for long stretches of time. Not your fault, not the women's fault; but a problem that needs to be corrected immediately."
"Our boy's didn't act this way, and I was gone a lot." Mark kinda growled.
"Yes you were, but those were different times, different problems and a different mother."
Clora's harsh truth pinched. She went to do the dishes and let Mark think on what she had said.
In about an hour, both Toby and Milo were at the door with bad news they were bringing their father.
"Dad, we have decided we can't go and leave our families. I'm ashamed to say that my kids need me here to provide structure and discipline." Toby spoke up first.
"I'm in the same place," Milo echoed, "especially with Honey so close to having our baby,"
Mark was disappointed, but nodded his agreement. Giving a deep sigh, he asked the 64k dollar question. "Do you men have a recommendation?"
"Tess," was the unanimous reply.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
A big hugging thank you Pac. Yes, Tess will do fine.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#94c
"Ahhh, Tess?" Mark was a little astounded and then apprehensive. "Umm, I don't know about that, why do you say that?"
"Because out of all of us, she is the best qualified," Toby interjected. "She can leave her boys here with Ma, 'cause I happen to know they mind better than anyone's kids."
"Dad, I'm really surprised at you not thinking of Tess right away. I also think you had better sit down and have a long over due chat with my little sister." Milo wisely added. "You might find you don't know her at all."
"Really," Mark retorted, "I'll think about it."
Toby and Milo each took a fistful of cookies to fuel the long walk back to their places, "you never know what might happen between here and there," Toby joked.
"Yeah, we need to be prepared for anything. Say we were waylaid by a varmint, and had to take cover; we might starve to death right in the sight of our own homes. That would be a pity beyond measure. Hey, where do you suppose Tess was this morning? Haven't seen her at all." Milo said around a mouthful of cookie.
Toby shrugged. "Dunno, I have enough problems of my own. I have kids acting up, that need a Dad's guidance, maybe on the seat of their pants."
"If you have only one, you're blessed. I've got two." Milo grumbled. "Plus a wife that thinks I should be a little more hands on around home."
"Yeah, sounds like my place." and Toby started down his driveway. "See ya," he told Milo. "Walk softly and carry a big stick." and he laughed hard.
Toby thought it was real funny until he walked inside the kitchen. TJ was bottom side up over a kitchen chair and Rennie was vigorously applying a wooden spoon to the seat of knowledge.
Lyric was leaning over the sink and Barry was slowly pumping cool water on the side of her face and scalp, One of Lyric's braids was hanging limply by a few hairs, the main braid pulled from her scalp and bleeding.
"Whaaat?" Toby roared. He strode over to the sink to inspect the damage. "Did TJ do this?" the second roar filled the room. Barry nodded, and Lyric started crying anew.
"I'll take over," Toby walked to Rennie's side. Rennie had been popping TJ on the butt with the cupped side of the wooden spoon. It made a lot of noise, but wasn't much of a deterrent.
TJ was almost laughing, yelling every time Rennie swatted him, to make the punishment sound good.
The first wapp with Toby's belt had TJ singing a different tune. "Hey, that hurt," and the second was applied with more pressure. In his mad, Toby almost went overboard, and by the seventh and eighth slap with the belt, TJ was hollering for real.
"You were warned," Toby emphasized, "now I am making good on my promise."
TJ was standing beside the chair rubbing his bottom, sobbing with real tears. His lower lip stuck out, and he watched his shoes with devout fascination. "I hate you, I'm gonna go live with Grandma." he announced, once he blew his nose.
"No you're not." Toby laid down the law. "You are going to stay right here and learn to mind. This won't be your only spanking, if something like this happens again. I want you to go to your room and stay there until I call you down."
Barry was staring with huge eyes at Dad, who had never given them more than a spat on the rump. He was pumping water on Lyric with such force that she was sputtering and gasping for breath.
"Stop Barry," Toby demanded, "I want to know what happened."
Rennie brought a towel and was drying Lyric off, and Barry explained to his best ability. "You left and TJ came storming in and grabbed ahold of Lyric's braid and pulled really hard. That was so mean, he really hurt her." Barry was sobbing. "TJ does so many mean things."
That was news to Toby and Rennie, they hadn't realized the extent of TJ's bullying.
"Come sit in the chair," Rennie coaxed Lyric. "We need to cut your hair into a pixie cut so the empty spot will be covered up." Snip, snip and the second braid hit the floor.
"Ahhh, Tess?" Mark was a little astounded and then apprehensive. "Umm, I don't know about that, why do you say that?"
"Because out of all of us, she is the best qualified," Toby interjected. "She can leave her boys here with Ma, 'cause I happen to know they mind better than anyone's kids."
"Dad, I'm really surprised at you not thinking of Tess right away. I also think you had better sit down and have a long over due chat with my little sister." Milo wisely added. "You might find you don't know her at all."
"Really," Mark retorted, "I'll think about it."
Toby and Milo each took a fistful of cookies to fuel the long walk back to their places, "you never know what might happen between here and there," Toby joked.
"Yeah, we need to be prepared for anything. Say we were waylaid by a varmint, and had to take cover; we might starve to death right in the sight of our own homes. That would be a pity beyond measure. Hey, where do you suppose Tess was this morning? Haven't seen her at all." Milo said around a mouthful of cookie.
Toby shrugged. "Dunno, I have enough problems of my own. I have kids acting up, that need a Dad's guidance, maybe on the seat of their pants."
"If you have only one, you're blessed. I've got two." Milo grumbled. "Plus a wife that thinks I should be a little more hands on around home."
"Yeah, sounds like my place." and Toby started down his driveway. "See ya," he told Milo. "Walk softly and carry a big stick." and he laughed hard.
Toby thought it was real funny until he walked inside the kitchen. TJ was bottom side up over a kitchen chair and Rennie was vigorously applying a wooden spoon to the seat of knowledge.
Lyric was leaning over the sink and Barry was slowly pumping cool water on the side of her face and scalp, One of Lyric's braids was hanging limply by a few hairs, the main braid pulled from her scalp and bleeding.
"Whaaat?" Toby roared. He strode over to the sink to inspect the damage. "Did TJ do this?" the second roar filled the room. Barry nodded, and Lyric started crying anew.
"I'll take over," Toby walked to Rennie's side. Rennie had been popping TJ on the butt with the cupped side of the wooden spoon. It made a lot of noise, but wasn't much of a deterrent.
TJ was almost laughing, yelling every time Rennie swatted him, to make the punishment sound good.
The first wapp with Toby's belt had TJ singing a different tune. "Hey, that hurt," and the second was applied with more pressure. In his mad, Toby almost went overboard, and by the seventh and eighth slap with the belt, TJ was hollering for real.
"You were warned," Toby emphasized, "now I am making good on my promise."
TJ was standing beside the chair rubbing his bottom, sobbing with real tears. His lower lip stuck out, and he watched his shoes with devout fascination. "I hate you, I'm gonna go live with Grandma." he announced, once he blew his nose.
"No you're not." Toby laid down the law. "You are going to stay right here and learn to mind. This won't be your only spanking, if something like this happens again. I want you to go to your room and stay there until I call you down."
Barry was staring with huge eyes at Dad, who had never given them more than a spat on the rump. He was pumping water on Lyric with such force that she was sputtering and gasping for breath.
"Stop Barry," Toby demanded, "I want to know what happened."
Rennie brought a towel and was drying Lyric off, and Barry explained to his best ability. "You left and TJ came storming in and grabbed ahold of Lyric's braid and pulled really hard. That was so mean, he really hurt her." Barry was sobbing. "TJ does so many mean things."
That was news to Toby and Rennie, they hadn't realized the extent of TJ's bullying.
"Come sit in the chair," Rennie coaxed Lyric. "We need to cut your hair into a pixie cut so the empty spot will be covered up." Snip, snip and the second braid hit the floor.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I hope TJ can be cured of this and not that the meanness some of old uncles and great grandfather Pete had.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
I am confined to the house with the affects of a heat stroke. Can you tell? LOL.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
NOT to be trifled with! You need to follow medical advice AND common sense to recover; if not for yourself, think of your loyal readers!
Kidding!
But you do need to pay attention to recovery -- heatstroke can really be a long term issue for those of us who see 55 in the rear view mirror.
I thought something might be up as today's output was pretty substantial.
Thanks for that.
Take care.
G.
Sammy55
Veteran Member
I agree with Griz, Pac! Heat stroke is nothing to fool around with! I had it MANY years ago when I went camping with a bunch of church ladies. I got it walking through a very hot and humid wooded area. I vaguely remember I knew to just keep walking, keep on the path, until I got to the state park site. When I stumbled in, I disrupted the whole thing! I had the staff and ladies left and right trying to cool me down. I was close to being brought to the hospital and I don't remember the rest of the weekend. To this day, I still can't handle heat very well.
Thanks for the chapters! It was a wonderful surprise to come in and find them!!
Thanks for the chapters! It was a wonderful surprise to come in and find them!!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#94d
When Milo opened the kitchen door, his youngest was learning. as it was applied to Ricky's seat of knowledge. Honey was furious. Ricky had attempted to operate the treadle sewing machine, running the platform back and forth and making a huge bollox of tangled thread and chewed up material.
Ricky had asked to use the machine, and Honey had denied. "But I wanna," the 7 year old had whined. "I wanna try, it looks like fun."
"No, I have a lot of sewing to do and I don't want you to cause problems with the machine." Honey explained carefully, "I don't get enough time to sew, to work out problems. So I am telling you to stay away please."
Ricky had skipped out of the room, not agreeing and later Honey reflected on her mistake. Ricky disobeyed because she hadn't extracted his verbal agreement, and Honey used a flat piece of kindling to wallop her youngest on his plump bottom.
Honey finished the morning dishes and set her bread sponge, then went to her sewing room in time to see Ricky streak out of the room with a scared look on his face. Honey had a highly emotional, pregnant lady meltdown, as she spied the nickel sized thread mess under the presser foot.
It had taken a half hour to get Ricky back downstairs, and the longer he stalled the madder she got.
"Ricky, you are a stinker for not minding. I told you specifically not to touch the sewing machine. I am giving you a spanking for every word I said."
"And how many is that?" Ricky sneered.
"Six, do not touch the sewing machine." and Honey swung her arm in a very purposeful way.
"Oww Ma, that hurts," Ricky laughed before Honey connected with his pudgy rear. "Oh that hurts," he was snickering.
When she connected, his laughing stopped. "Ma, that hurts," he protested, "don't do that." Honey said that was "do."
Milo got there in time for "sewing," and then "machine."
Robbie was more than willing to give Milo the complete rundown on Ricky's sins, and when Honey finished, Milo told his youngest, "don't bother getting up."
Ricky got six good licks from Milo's leather belt. All the fun of sneaking into Mom's sewing room vanished by the time Milo had finished.
"I want you to apologize to your mother, and the next time you misbehave, what ever Mom gives you, I am going to double. Is that clear?"
The "yes sir," was meek and sounded properly chastised.
"Now, do you have any questions?" Milo thundered, and Ricky shook his head no. "The same applies to you," Milo scowled at Robbie. "Your not so old that I can't spank you."
"No questions Sir," Robbie replied instantly. "I understand."
"Both you boys, the barn needs cleaning. Get to it." Milo ordered, and there was no sass and back talk.
When Milo left the house to walk up to Mark's that morning, he had indicated to Honey that he was probably going to go with his father to the convention. When he sat down at the table and he and Honey came down from their angry response.
"I'm not going, and that young man is one of two reasons why. Milo and I feel we need to be here, with a 'hands on approach."
"Thank you Lord," Honey said heartfully. "I am astounded that Ricky would so blatantly defy me, he has been a handful, but not so in my face defiant as he has started."
Honey stood up, "I don't think it will be a long wait, I'm getting a tightness in my back, so please don't go far without telling me that you are leaving."
"What's that stuff on the counter, can I do something with that?" Milo stretched his neck to look in the bread dough bowl.
"Yeah, it still needs to double in size, and then I'll have you knead it and shape into loaves."
"Hey I'm willing, but you will have to tell me what to do." Milo smiled at his oversized wife who looked crabby and very uncomfortable. "What shall we do for lunch."
Honey said distinctly, "ugh, who cares," and it made Milo laugh.
Pricilla and Reva were introduced to their families and showed the kitchens, which were stacked with dirty dishes.
Reva gathered up the dishes from the table, and Tony and Eddy offered to bring their dirty dishes down from their rooms.
"Yes please, you young men shouldn't be eating up in your rooms," Reva chided, "that's a sure fire way to encourage mice."
"Yeah, Ok," came the obvious insincere smooth over, and Tony and Eddy grinned all the way upstairs.
Trish was busy with a farmer that had a deep cut on his arm, and she called Reva in to press the two jagged edges together so she could stitch them.
When Reva went back to the dishes, there were as many on the counter as she had in the pan. The boys had brought down the first load, and gone back for the second.
"What's for lunch?" Tony asked as he unloaded an armful of obviously well aged dirty dishes.
'lunch," Reva snorted, "I don't think so."
"Well it's eleven and I don't see nuthin cookin. Dad has to eat real regular, on account he's still recuperating. So do we, cause we're hungry, and soes Don. He's almost healed." Tony was a fountain of information, and no help.
Reva waded into the dishes, finding most of them had to soak before they would come clean. For sure she was gonna have dish pan hands, and she had blood on her sleeve.
Over at Phoebe's, Pricilla was in the same circumstance. Little kids were coming out of the woodwork, and she could hear the cries of the newborn twins. The father was running around in a skirt, and the mix of children was astounding. Pricilla had yet to meet Phoebe, and she was so far behind in the work that needed to be done, that she almost quit before she got started.
Gary scratched his belly as he woke up. He didn't care what time it was, sometime in the morning, he supposed. He could hear singing outside, and he reasoned that's the reason he was awake.
Even though that consarned woman was all the way the other side of Chuck's place, she was singing loud enough to bother him. Thinning his lips in irritation, Gary pulled the ratty looking pillow over his ears and closed his eyes. It didn't work.
When Milo opened the kitchen door, his youngest was learning. as it was applied to Ricky's seat of knowledge. Honey was furious. Ricky had attempted to operate the treadle sewing machine, running the platform back and forth and making a huge bollox of tangled thread and chewed up material.
Ricky had asked to use the machine, and Honey had denied. "But I wanna," the 7 year old had whined. "I wanna try, it looks like fun."
"No, I have a lot of sewing to do and I don't want you to cause problems with the machine." Honey explained carefully, "I don't get enough time to sew, to work out problems. So I am telling you to stay away please."
Ricky had skipped out of the room, not agreeing and later Honey reflected on her mistake. Ricky disobeyed because she hadn't extracted his verbal agreement, and Honey used a flat piece of kindling to wallop her youngest on his plump bottom.
Honey finished the morning dishes and set her bread sponge, then went to her sewing room in time to see Ricky streak out of the room with a scared look on his face. Honey had a highly emotional, pregnant lady meltdown, as she spied the nickel sized thread mess under the presser foot.
It had taken a half hour to get Ricky back downstairs, and the longer he stalled the madder she got.
"Ricky, you are a stinker for not minding. I told you specifically not to touch the sewing machine. I am giving you a spanking for every word I said."
"And how many is that?" Ricky sneered.
"Six, do not touch the sewing machine." and Honey swung her arm in a very purposeful way.
"Oww Ma, that hurts," Ricky laughed before Honey connected with his pudgy rear. "Oh that hurts," he was snickering.
When she connected, his laughing stopped. "Ma, that hurts," he protested, "don't do that." Honey said that was "do."
Milo got there in time for "sewing," and then "machine."
Robbie was more than willing to give Milo the complete rundown on Ricky's sins, and when Honey finished, Milo told his youngest, "don't bother getting up."
Ricky got six good licks from Milo's leather belt. All the fun of sneaking into Mom's sewing room vanished by the time Milo had finished.
"I want you to apologize to your mother, and the next time you misbehave, what ever Mom gives you, I am going to double. Is that clear?"
The "yes sir," was meek and sounded properly chastised.
"Now, do you have any questions?" Milo thundered, and Ricky shook his head no. "The same applies to you," Milo scowled at Robbie. "Your not so old that I can't spank you."
"No questions Sir," Robbie replied instantly. "I understand."
"Both you boys, the barn needs cleaning. Get to it." Milo ordered, and there was no sass and back talk.
When Milo left the house to walk up to Mark's that morning, he had indicated to Honey that he was probably going to go with his father to the convention. When he sat down at the table and he and Honey came down from their angry response.
"I'm not going, and that young man is one of two reasons why. Milo and I feel we need to be here, with a 'hands on approach."
"Thank you Lord," Honey said heartfully. "I am astounded that Ricky would so blatantly defy me, he has been a handful, but not so in my face defiant as he has started."
Honey stood up, "I don't think it will be a long wait, I'm getting a tightness in my back, so please don't go far without telling me that you are leaving."
"What's that stuff on the counter, can I do something with that?" Milo stretched his neck to look in the bread dough bowl.
"Yeah, it still needs to double in size, and then I'll have you knead it and shape into loaves."
"Hey I'm willing, but you will have to tell me what to do." Milo smiled at his oversized wife who looked crabby and very uncomfortable. "What shall we do for lunch."
Honey said distinctly, "ugh, who cares," and it made Milo laugh.
Pricilla and Reva were introduced to their families and showed the kitchens, which were stacked with dirty dishes.
Reva gathered up the dishes from the table, and Tony and Eddy offered to bring their dirty dishes down from their rooms.
"Yes please, you young men shouldn't be eating up in your rooms," Reva chided, "that's a sure fire way to encourage mice."
"Yeah, Ok," came the obvious insincere smooth over, and Tony and Eddy grinned all the way upstairs.
Trish was busy with a farmer that had a deep cut on his arm, and she called Reva in to press the two jagged edges together so she could stitch them.
When Reva went back to the dishes, there were as many on the counter as she had in the pan. The boys had brought down the first load, and gone back for the second.
"What's for lunch?" Tony asked as he unloaded an armful of obviously well aged dirty dishes.
'lunch," Reva snorted, "I don't think so."
"Well it's eleven and I don't see nuthin cookin. Dad has to eat real regular, on account he's still recuperating. So do we, cause we're hungry, and soes Don. He's almost healed." Tony was a fountain of information, and no help.
Reva waded into the dishes, finding most of them had to soak before they would come clean. For sure she was gonna have dish pan hands, and she had blood on her sleeve.
Over at Phoebe's, Pricilla was in the same circumstance. Little kids were coming out of the woodwork, and she could hear the cries of the newborn twins. The father was running around in a skirt, and the mix of children was astounding. Pricilla had yet to meet Phoebe, and she was so far behind in the work that needed to be done, that she almost quit before she got started.
Gary scratched his belly as he woke up. He didn't care what time it was, sometime in the morning, he supposed. He could hear singing outside, and he reasoned that's the reason he was awake.
Even though that consarned woman was all the way the other side of Chuck's place, she was singing loud enough to bother him. Thinning his lips in irritation, Gary pulled the ratty looking pillow over his ears and closed his eyes. It didn't work.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you Pac.
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Pac,
Be careful with the heat stroke for you will be more susceptible to heat stroke for a considerable number of years. During college and afterwards, I worked outside in the sun during the hotest months and never had heat stroke, but I kept my head and hat wet from the water can. Keep your head cool and in heat a hat will not do it by itself.
Thanks for the chapters.
Texican....
Be careful with the heat stroke for you will be more susceptible to heat stroke for a considerable number of years. During college and afterwards, I worked outside in the sun during the hotest months and never had heat stroke, but I kept my head and hat wet from the water can. Keep your head cool and in heat a hat will not do it by itself.
Thanks for the chapters.
Texican....
Thank you for your story, but we would rather have you well instead of extra chapters.
Cool, cinnamon tea, with a touch of raw sugar or honey will settle your stomach. That will help you hydrate. Watery drinks such as lemonaid, orangeaid, or summacaid are good. If you have any ice pops for the grands, they help cool, hydrate, and sugarfy your system.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Thanks everyone for the advise. This is not my first heat stroke, and as I age, it's seems I 'catch' it easier.
I came up short on the heat stroke, or would like to think so, 23-24 years ago and I've never been the same. Use to ride my H.D. when it was over 100. Not any more!
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PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#95
All over town, people discussed the upcoming leave of absence that Mark was going to take to represent them in the newly forming government congress.
Seamus had been asked to fill in as the minister/counselor and he had agreed. It was naturally assumed that Milo or Toby would be the second delegate and whichever one of them that didn't go, would be in charge of security. Gary was always there to be a second in command, and good soldiers of George, Bruce, Andy and Donny and Chuck.
Wyatt, Tess and her boys clopped along the road, as Wyatt watched the landmarks to signify how large Tess's new pastures would be. "To the best of my ability, I estimate your Northern fence line will be about here," and he motioned to a line of trees extending back West of the road. "I don't think we can drive back there overland, no road, you'll have to check it out sometime on a horse. I'd be pleased to show you approximately where your West line would be," Wyatt offered politely.
"I think the caves and the spring are well within the boundaries, I'd just have to locate them and check." The Sheriff gestured with his arm.
"What you have showed me is a nice mix of open grazing land, creeks, timber and deer cover." Tess was thoughtfully examining the land to the left of the road. "Tell me about the spring, is it flowing well, or an artesian, and how far from the caves do you think it's located?"
"It comes to the top of the ground in a stream about as thick as my arm. I don't believe it's artesian, and it must be a couple hundred feet to the mouth of the small cave. The large cave is another couple of hundred feet to the Northwest of the small one," Wyatt spoke his piece and looked around.
"That's funny," he remarked, "there's no bird noise and the air is deathly still." As hemmed in by the trees on either side of the road, as they were, the approaching cloud front couldn't be seen.
"I believe we should turn around, this feels out of place to me."
Tess nodded, and unobtrusively fingered the strap off her pistol as it was hidden in the folds of her skirt. She could feel the uneasiness, but couldn't 'feel' the source of her discomfort.
The return trip was uneventful until they got to the more open terrain of the town. "Look at that cloud coming," Tess breathed. "Sheriff, I want to go right home; I have work that needs to be done."
Agreeing with her estimate of the situtation, Wyatt sat as she trotted the team back to her driveway. Wyatt jumped out to unlatch the barn door, and the shadowy coolness was welcome.
"Ma can we eat?" the boys each had a hand on the picnic hamper. The cookies wrapped in a napkin were foremost on their mind, and the sweet treats were calling to them.
"Excellent idea," Tess approved. "Why not sit right in the wagon and have a sandwich, then if you're still hungry, how about a cookie?"
It was easy to see that it wasn't quite the timeline the youngsters wanted, but they sat in the wagon and Paul opened the hamper.
Tess went right to work unharnessing her horses and brushing the one that Wyatt wasn't working on. "What else can I do to help?" he inquired.
"Pump the tanks full please," and Tess took the manure fork down to clean the stalls of the work horses still out in the pasture. So much like her father in the economy of motion and abilities, Tess finished her work before Wyatt had the tanks full.
"Boy's," Tess addressed her three. "I'm going to call the horses. What are you to do, when I whistle them in?"
"We have to be in the wagon and be very still and don't spook them." Peter intoned as all three watched their mother carefully.
"Very good," Tess praised, "I believe that will be worth another cookie when I'm done."
"Yeah," three little boys breathed out, that's what they were hoping for.
Tess went to the open back door and let out with one of the shrillest whistles Wyatt had ever heard. Huge feet could be heard trotting for the barn. Every mare knew there would be a treat waiting, and their colts were catching on to the program.
All over town, people discussed the upcoming leave of absence that Mark was going to take to represent them in the newly forming government congress.
Seamus had been asked to fill in as the minister/counselor and he had agreed. It was naturally assumed that Milo or Toby would be the second delegate and whichever one of them that didn't go, would be in charge of security. Gary was always there to be a second in command, and good soldiers of George, Bruce, Andy and Donny and Chuck.
Wyatt, Tess and her boys clopped along the road, as Wyatt watched the landmarks to signify how large Tess's new pastures would be. "To the best of my ability, I estimate your Northern fence line will be about here," and he motioned to a line of trees extending back West of the road. "I don't think we can drive back there overland, no road, you'll have to check it out sometime on a horse. I'd be pleased to show you approximately where your West line would be," Wyatt offered politely.
"I think the caves and the spring are well within the boundaries, I'd just have to locate them and check." The Sheriff gestured with his arm.
"What you have showed me is a nice mix of open grazing land, creeks, timber and deer cover." Tess was thoughtfully examining the land to the left of the road. "Tell me about the spring, is it flowing well, or an artesian, and how far from the caves do you think it's located?"
"It comes to the top of the ground in a stream about as thick as my arm. I don't believe it's artesian, and it must be a couple hundred feet to the mouth of the small cave. The large cave is another couple of hundred feet to the Northwest of the small one," Wyatt spoke his piece and looked around.
"That's funny," he remarked, "there's no bird noise and the air is deathly still." As hemmed in by the trees on either side of the road, as they were, the approaching cloud front couldn't be seen.
"I believe we should turn around, this feels out of place to me."
Tess nodded, and unobtrusively fingered the strap off her pistol as it was hidden in the folds of her skirt. She could feel the uneasiness, but couldn't 'feel' the source of her discomfort.
The return trip was uneventful until they got to the more open terrain of the town. "Look at that cloud coming," Tess breathed. "Sheriff, I want to go right home; I have work that needs to be done."
Agreeing with her estimate of the situtation, Wyatt sat as she trotted the team back to her driveway. Wyatt jumped out to unlatch the barn door, and the shadowy coolness was welcome.
"Ma can we eat?" the boys each had a hand on the picnic hamper. The cookies wrapped in a napkin were foremost on their mind, and the sweet treats were calling to them.
"Excellent idea," Tess approved. "Why not sit right in the wagon and have a sandwich, then if you're still hungry, how about a cookie?"
It was easy to see that it wasn't quite the timeline the youngsters wanted, but they sat in the wagon and Paul opened the hamper.
Tess went right to work unharnessing her horses and brushing the one that Wyatt wasn't working on. "What else can I do to help?" he inquired.
"Pump the tanks full please," and Tess took the manure fork down to clean the stalls of the work horses still out in the pasture. So much like her father in the economy of motion and abilities, Tess finished her work before Wyatt had the tanks full.
"Boy's," Tess addressed her three. "I'm going to call the horses. What are you to do, when I whistle them in?"
"We have to be in the wagon and be very still and don't spook them." Peter intoned as all three watched their mother carefully.
"Very good," Tess praised, "I believe that will be worth another cookie when I'm done."
"Yeah," three little boys breathed out, that's what they were hoping for.
Tess went to the open back door and let out with one of the shrillest whistles Wyatt had ever heard. Huge feet could be heard trotting for the barn. Every mare knew there would be a treat waiting, and their colts were catching on to the program.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Very good, nice find coming in from late chores.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#96
The horses taken care of, Tess and the boys closed up the barn and headed for the house. "Thanks for pointing out where my boundaries will be. I enjoyed your company." Tess said as a way to dismiss Wyatt back to her parents. "I want to get some food cooked ahead and get the boys through the bath." Tess smiled and waved at Wyatt, leaving him standing in the area between the barn and the house.
Feeling a little foolish and well dismissed, Wyatt ambled over to the fence to cross the pastures back to Marks.
Clora and Mark were standing at the kitchen sink window, watching Wyatt looking back at Tess's door.
"Clora, I'm confused. I thought from the other night, that Tess kinda liked him. That seemed like a cold way to treat someone you like."
"Humm, well, perhaps something happened during the drive. Wyatt is very,....." and Clora searched for a word, "self assured in a arrogant way. Besides, you know Tess, she's exactly the same way."
"Speaking of Tess," Mark had a frown on his face. "Did you know both boys were going to suggest Tess?"
"No, I didn't. However, I don't see any problem with it. Tess has a good head, has good logic and is not given to emotional outbursts. She knows her history and understands what would be required of her, should she go. I would certainly be willing to keep her boys, as not interested in caring for either Milo's or Toby's kids." Clora was calm and most definite in her estimation of her grandkids.
They watched as Wyatt stopped several time and looked for the west.
"I wonder what he is doing?" Mark muttered and stepped to the back door to have a look around.
"Oh what a cloud," he exclaimed, beckoning to Clora to come see.
"Excuse me," Clora reached around Mark to grab the doorknob. "I want to check the cellar, make sure it's stocked."
"OK, I'll hold the door for you." Together they went to inspect the shelter. "That's probably why Tess sent Wyatt packing. She didn't want to be caught in the storm shelter with him," Clora said as she reached in her pocket for her paper and pencil stub.
"What do you think about bringing the horses in, and maybe we should ring the bell and alert everyone." Clora gave Mark a job as she could see the dead calmness of the weather was starting to make him fidget with concern.
"Will do," and he laid the cellar door open and went to ring the bell by the back door. Heads started popping out the doors, as the clan responded to the warning.
Mark went to the barn, getting there the same time as Wyatt.
The horses taken care of, Tess and the boys closed up the barn and headed for the house. "Thanks for pointing out where my boundaries will be. I enjoyed your company." Tess said as a way to dismiss Wyatt back to her parents. "I want to get some food cooked ahead and get the boys through the bath." Tess smiled and waved at Wyatt, leaving him standing in the area between the barn and the house.
Feeling a little foolish and well dismissed, Wyatt ambled over to the fence to cross the pastures back to Marks.
Clora and Mark were standing at the kitchen sink window, watching Wyatt looking back at Tess's door.
"Clora, I'm confused. I thought from the other night, that Tess kinda liked him. That seemed like a cold way to treat someone you like."
"Humm, well, perhaps something happened during the drive. Wyatt is very,....." and Clora searched for a word, "self assured in a arrogant way. Besides, you know Tess, she's exactly the same way."
"Speaking of Tess," Mark had a frown on his face. "Did you know both boys were going to suggest Tess?"
"No, I didn't. However, I don't see any problem with it. Tess has a good head, has good logic and is not given to emotional outbursts. She knows her history and understands what would be required of her, should she go. I would certainly be willing to keep her boys, as not interested in caring for either Milo's or Toby's kids." Clora was calm and most definite in her estimation of her grandkids.
They watched as Wyatt stopped several time and looked for the west.
"I wonder what he is doing?" Mark muttered and stepped to the back door to have a look around.
"Oh what a cloud," he exclaimed, beckoning to Clora to come see.
"Excuse me," Clora reached around Mark to grab the doorknob. "I want to check the cellar, make sure it's stocked."
"OK, I'll hold the door for you." Together they went to inspect the shelter. "That's probably why Tess sent Wyatt packing. She didn't want to be caught in the storm shelter with him," Clora said as she reached in her pocket for her paper and pencil stub.
"What do you think about bringing the horses in, and maybe we should ring the bell and alert everyone." Clora gave Mark a job as she could see the dead calmness of the weather was starting to make him fidget with concern.
"Will do," and he laid the cellar door open and went to ring the bell by the back door. Heads started popping out the doors, as the clan responded to the warning.
Mark went to the barn, getting there the same time as Wyatt.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you, ack a storm a comin.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#97
In their respective houses, both Reva and Pricilla had a thousand questions concerning the bell ringing. "What's going on, what's happening? What does that mean, why are the bells ringing?"
Finally Don had to get up and shake Reva by the arm.
"If you'd just shut up for a moment, we might be able to tell you." he acerbically spit out. "The bells are a danger signal, something is happening and Bruce and I need to open the door and check it out.
You notice that I did not invite you to bust your butt to get to the door before us," and Don spun Reva around and sent her toward the sink.
Reva stomped her foot and sent the recuperating man a snapping, angry stare. "Get your hands off me," she spit out.
"Then stay the hell out of the way. Like it or not lady, there are men that are warriors here, and if you don't want to be disciplined, get back."
Don opened the back door a crack, sweeping his eyes around the periphery and noticing Seamus was gesturing to the west. Don waved in acknowledgement at the Scot and both ducked back into their houses.
"What a cloud," he said aloud. Backing into the kitchen, he spun around and said loudly, "severe weather coming, everyone to the basement. Everyone but you," he grabbed Reva by the arm again and prevented her from bumping into Dr. Bruce.
"Get your self busy making sandwiches. We need cookies, cake or such and jerky if you have it." he ordered roughly. "C'mon Reva, don't just stand there like a bump on a log, get busy. I'm going to tell Doc Tricia and find the boys." Don gave Reva a little shove toward the counter.
Reva had a thin stubborn line to her lips. "The boys are upstairs." she finally said.
"Thank you," Don was curt, as he trotted for the stairs. He hollered the boys down, and then sent them back to their rooms for shoes. "Protect your feet, we will probably have broken glass and unless you want to walk on that barefoot...…." he left the thought open ended, as both boys shook their heads no.
Bruce was hastily shuffling toward the basement stairs with his rifle in hand. Don went speeding into the clinic to find Trish and the boys would be heard clattering down the stairs.
In their respective houses, both Reva and Pricilla had a thousand questions concerning the bell ringing. "What's going on, what's happening? What does that mean, why are the bells ringing?"
Finally Don had to get up and shake Reva by the arm.
"If you'd just shut up for a moment, we might be able to tell you." he acerbically spit out. "The bells are a danger signal, something is happening and Bruce and I need to open the door and check it out.
You notice that I did not invite you to bust your butt to get to the door before us," and Don spun Reva around and sent her toward the sink.
Reva stomped her foot and sent the recuperating man a snapping, angry stare. "Get your hands off me," she spit out.
"Then stay the hell out of the way. Like it or not lady, there are men that are warriors here, and if you don't want to be disciplined, get back."
Don opened the back door a crack, sweeping his eyes around the periphery and noticing Seamus was gesturing to the west. Don waved in acknowledgement at the Scot and both ducked back into their houses.
"What a cloud," he said aloud. Backing into the kitchen, he spun around and said loudly, "severe weather coming, everyone to the basement. Everyone but you," he grabbed Reva by the arm again and prevented her from bumping into Dr. Bruce.
"Get your self busy making sandwiches. We need cookies, cake or such and jerky if you have it." he ordered roughly. "C'mon Reva, don't just stand there like a bump on a log, get busy. I'm going to tell Doc Tricia and find the boys." Don gave Reva a little shove toward the counter.
Reva had a thin stubborn line to her lips. "The boys are upstairs." she finally said.
"Thank you," Don was curt, as he trotted for the stairs. He hollered the boys down, and then sent them back to their rooms for shoes. "Protect your feet, we will probably have broken glass and unless you want to walk on that barefoot...…." he left the thought open ended, as both boys shook their heads no.
Bruce was hastily shuffling toward the basement stairs with his rifle in hand. Don went speeding into the clinic to find Trish and the boys would be heard clattering down the stairs.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you, I always hated those storms as a kid. I sure can see it that you can see rolling in. Don't like them much as an adult either lol.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#98
Trish was coming from the clinic when she was almost run over by Don rounding the corner. "Good, your here," he reversed momentum. "Really severe looking weather coming, I'm sending everyone to the basement."
Trish nodded and raised her one eyebrow in slight worry. She knew Bruce was in the kitchen, so the two men must be calling the shots together. Bruce was still totally capable of conducting family business as the head of the household, so there must be a reason Don was elected second in command.
Reva was hustling around making sandwiches and filling water jugs, and Trish hid a smile. Evidently Don was able to get a little more speed out of Reva than she had displayed before. The woman was muttering under her breath, and the sharp knife slammed on the counter when she was finished slicing the bread.
"I'll take over filling the jugs," Trish stepped to the pump handle and started the up and down motion.
"Our sandwiches are going to be bread and butter," Reva snarked. "Someone has been in the pantry and eaten all the roast from last night.
Trish sighed hard. "It must have been the boys. Lately it has been impossible to fill them up. If that's what there is, then that's what we work with."
Reva nodded and went back to slathering the bread with the whiteish butter. The cookie jar was empty, and there was nothing but a pitiful amount of jerky leavings in the bowl that had held the seasoned and dried meat.
Don breezed through the kitchen several times, taking rifles and defense items to the basement. He pointedly looked at the astonishing small stack of bread sliced Reva had on the plate and made a noise of disgust.
"I take it that you are on a diet and not eating?" he sniped at Reva, and then felt the censure as Trish turned around to stare at the arrogant man.
"That's all there is," Trish stiffened her back and gave her patient a 'look' that made him shiver.
"Oh."
"Yes 'oh,' when everyone raids the pantry day and night, we make do with what's left." Reva added to the silence.
"We'll discuss the changes that need to be made while we are all in the basement. There is no meat, no jerky, no cookies and we are missing a loaf of bread." Trish sounded mad, and Don was wise enough to shut up and back off.
George and Millie rolled down the shutters, turned the stove off and went to check the 'necessary items' in the basement. Compulsory neat and organized Millie had the tornado area of the basement set up with all the comforts of home. They relaxed in chairs and talked in the low light of the barn lantern that Millie had hung from a nail in the support beam.
Toby and Rennie were the same in their snug shelter, and cooped up with his children gave Toby the insight as to why Rennie was angry at TJ for his behavior. Three times, Toby had to stop TJ from bedeviling Lyric with a non stop barrage of criticisms, and the fourth time was worth several spats on the bottom.
TJ sat sullenly in the corner as far away as he could get in the cramped and secure shelter. Lyric was hiding on the opposite side of Rennie, understanding that TJ would 'get even' with some sort of physical retaliation.
Barry said nothing to call TJ's attention to him, and soon he was with Lyric, as far away as they both could get from the fuming TJ. Rennie raised an eyebrow at Toby and mouthed, "believe me now?"
Toby nodded and sat in the chair that blocked his oldest from moving. Toby happened to be watching TJ as the boy raised his head and shot a look of pure hatred at his brother and sister. Shuttered immediately as he caught Toby looking at him, TJ stared at the wall, not acknowledging the rest of the family.
Toby sat deep in thought. He finally decided he needed to get Ma to come lay her hands on TJ and 'see' what might be the matter with the unusual child.
Trish was coming from the clinic when she was almost run over by Don rounding the corner. "Good, your here," he reversed momentum. "Really severe looking weather coming, I'm sending everyone to the basement."
Trish nodded and raised her one eyebrow in slight worry. She knew Bruce was in the kitchen, so the two men must be calling the shots together. Bruce was still totally capable of conducting family business as the head of the household, so there must be a reason Don was elected second in command.
Reva was hustling around making sandwiches and filling water jugs, and Trish hid a smile. Evidently Don was able to get a little more speed out of Reva than she had displayed before. The woman was muttering under her breath, and the sharp knife slammed on the counter when she was finished slicing the bread.
"I'll take over filling the jugs," Trish stepped to the pump handle and started the up and down motion.
"Our sandwiches are going to be bread and butter," Reva snarked. "Someone has been in the pantry and eaten all the roast from last night.
Trish sighed hard. "It must have been the boys. Lately it has been impossible to fill them up. If that's what there is, then that's what we work with."
Reva nodded and went back to slathering the bread with the whiteish butter. The cookie jar was empty, and there was nothing but a pitiful amount of jerky leavings in the bowl that had held the seasoned and dried meat.
Don breezed through the kitchen several times, taking rifles and defense items to the basement. He pointedly looked at the astonishing small stack of bread sliced Reva had on the plate and made a noise of disgust.
"I take it that you are on a diet and not eating?" he sniped at Reva, and then felt the censure as Trish turned around to stare at the arrogant man.
"That's all there is," Trish stiffened her back and gave her patient a 'look' that made him shiver.
"Oh."
"Yes 'oh,' when everyone raids the pantry day and night, we make do with what's left." Reva added to the silence.
"We'll discuss the changes that need to be made while we are all in the basement. There is no meat, no jerky, no cookies and we are missing a loaf of bread." Trish sounded mad, and Don was wise enough to shut up and back off.
George and Millie rolled down the shutters, turned the stove off and went to check the 'necessary items' in the basement. Compulsory neat and organized Millie had the tornado area of the basement set up with all the comforts of home. They relaxed in chairs and talked in the low light of the barn lantern that Millie had hung from a nail in the support beam.
Toby and Rennie were the same in their snug shelter, and cooped up with his children gave Toby the insight as to why Rennie was angry at TJ for his behavior. Three times, Toby had to stop TJ from bedeviling Lyric with a non stop barrage of criticisms, and the fourth time was worth several spats on the bottom.
TJ sat sullenly in the corner as far away as he could get in the cramped and secure shelter. Lyric was hiding on the opposite side of Rennie, understanding that TJ would 'get even' with some sort of physical retaliation.
Barry said nothing to call TJ's attention to him, and soon he was with Lyric, as far away as they both could get from the fuming TJ. Rennie raised an eyebrow at Toby and mouthed, "believe me now?"
Toby nodded and sat in the chair that blocked his oldest from moving. Toby happened to be watching TJ as the boy raised his head and shot a look of pure hatred at his brother and sister. Shuttered immediately as he caught Toby looking at him, TJ stared at the wall, not acknowledging the rest of the family.
Toby sat deep in thought. He finally decided he needed to get Ma to come lay her hands on TJ and 'see' what might be the matter with the unusual child.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes, they need to know what's wrong with TJ or is it the family insanity? Thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#98b
When Reva got to the basement with the towel covered plate, there were howls of outrage, from all the men.
"Too bad," Trish spoke up during a momentary lull in the protest. "Somebody completely cleaned up the roast from last night, all the cookies, all the jerky and the last loaf of bread. So congratulate yourselves for cleaning out the pantry. What you stole from us all, for your satisfaction last night, you will share in the hunger tonight. There are five of us and six slices of bread and butter. Everyone will get a slice and the men will divide the last slice." Mama had spoken.
Four masculine faces gritted their teeth and stared angerly at the rest of the family. Eddie and Tony were pointing at one another, baring their teeth and snarling. Bruce and Don were licking tightened lips and casting glances out of the side of their eyes.
"Well what about HER?" Tony accused. "What if SHE is the one to eat all the food?" meaning Reva.
"Tony," Trish said patiently, "Reva goes home at night, and I personally saw the food after she left.
I imagine the person or persons who ate the food are down here in the basement, and I'm not asking for confessions. But starting with the next meal, everyone will be required to eat a large bowl of mixed rice and beans, BEFORE, they get the rest of the meal. ALL three meals". Mama had spoken.
"Yuk,"
"Gross,"
"Trish, you can't be serious."
Don said nothing. His fingers had been in the jerky bowl along with others in the family.
"No problem Mrs. Ammons, I'm going up to check on the weather, and I'll put beans on to soak," Reva promised. She needed a fast trip to the outhouse and she didn't want to embarrass herself.
"No," Don said, stepping in her way.
Reva unfolded her penknife with a flick and leaned in to get very close to Don. Shortly, he got to feeling something sharp poking him in the belly and the pressure kept increasing.
"Excuse me," Reva said sweetly, "you are in my way." The "you are in my way," was punctuated with a jab with the knife for each word.
Reva made her 'point,' and Don stepped aside. She felt her way upstairs and into the waining daylight. The rolling black cloud was coming closer and closer, and Reva didn't care, she had important business to conduct.
Dory was out behind her house, hoeing in the garden and singing at the top of her voice.
"You stupid woman, didn't you hear the bell ringing. Your caterwauling is driving me crazy." Gary loomed up behind Dory and she straightened up and whirled around with the hoe in her hand for defense.
Gary was so close she bumped him with the hoe, and he sorta jumped back. "Hey," he protested, "don't be so wild."
"Stay out of my personal space," Dory snapped, her heart thumping in fright. "You scared me and it's a wonder that I didn't shoot you."
Gary belatedly thought of the new world and the manner in which people had to live.. "Uh, sorry," he said lamely.
"Sorry nothing buster, just who the hell are you, and why are you sneaking around like some pervert?"
"You foolish woman, can't you see that black cloud coming?" Gary looked to the west, and discovered he couldn't see the cloud, the closeness of the house prevented it.
"Uh, there's severe weather coming, you had better get to your shelter." The last was said as Gary was hurrying away. He figured he wasn't a public service announcement, so if she got caught in the weather, too bad.
Dory put her hoe away and went to the house. Looking to the west, she saw the top of the black cloud starting to appear over the roof of the church building and clinic.
"Well Ms. Honey, are you going to have our baby during the storm?" Milo teased, "I think we need to get you to the basement, sweetie."
"Ok, let me get a pillow, will you bring me a chair please?"
"Do you want to go to the basement or the storm cellar?" Milo asked.
"Basement. Do you think Robbie and Ricky are old enough to stay by themselves in the storm cellar. Otherwise, they maybe in the room when I give birth."
"Oh Honey, surely not," Milo blanched white under his suntanned face. "I don't know what to do?" Milo was in a panic, and the first thing that came to mind, "do you want me to boil some water?"
When Reva got to the basement with the towel covered plate, there were howls of outrage, from all the men.
"Too bad," Trish spoke up during a momentary lull in the protest. "Somebody completely cleaned up the roast from last night, all the cookies, all the jerky and the last loaf of bread. So congratulate yourselves for cleaning out the pantry. What you stole from us all, for your satisfaction last night, you will share in the hunger tonight. There are five of us and six slices of bread and butter. Everyone will get a slice and the men will divide the last slice." Mama had spoken.
Four masculine faces gritted their teeth and stared angerly at the rest of the family. Eddie and Tony were pointing at one another, baring their teeth and snarling. Bruce and Don were licking tightened lips and casting glances out of the side of their eyes.
"Well what about HER?" Tony accused. "What if SHE is the one to eat all the food?" meaning Reva.
"Tony," Trish said patiently, "Reva goes home at night, and I personally saw the food after she left.
I imagine the person or persons who ate the food are down here in the basement, and I'm not asking for confessions. But starting with the next meal, everyone will be required to eat a large bowl of mixed rice and beans, BEFORE, they get the rest of the meal. ALL three meals". Mama had spoken.
"Yuk,"
"Gross,"
"Trish, you can't be serious."
Don said nothing. His fingers had been in the jerky bowl along with others in the family.
"No problem Mrs. Ammons, I'm going up to check on the weather, and I'll put beans on to soak," Reva promised. She needed a fast trip to the outhouse and she didn't want to embarrass herself.
"No," Don said, stepping in her way.
Reva unfolded her penknife with a flick and leaned in to get very close to Don. Shortly, he got to feeling something sharp poking him in the belly and the pressure kept increasing.
"Excuse me," Reva said sweetly, "you are in my way." The "you are in my way," was punctuated with a jab with the knife for each word.
Reva made her 'point,' and Don stepped aside. She felt her way upstairs and into the waining daylight. The rolling black cloud was coming closer and closer, and Reva didn't care, she had important business to conduct.
Dory was out behind her house, hoeing in the garden and singing at the top of her voice.
"You stupid woman, didn't you hear the bell ringing. Your caterwauling is driving me crazy." Gary loomed up behind Dory and she straightened up and whirled around with the hoe in her hand for defense.
Gary was so close she bumped him with the hoe, and he sorta jumped back. "Hey," he protested, "don't be so wild."
"Stay out of my personal space," Dory snapped, her heart thumping in fright. "You scared me and it's a wonder that I didn't shoot you."
Gary belatedly thought of the new world and the manner in which people had to live.. "Uh, sorry," he said lamely.
"Sorry nothing buster, just who the hell are you, and why are you sneaking around like some pervert?"
"You foolish woman, can't you see that black cloud coming?" Gary looked to the west, and discovered he couldn't see the cloud, the closeness of the house prevented it.
"Uh, there's severe weather coming, you had better get to your shelter." The last was said as Gary was hurrying away. He figured he wasn't a public service announcement, so if she got caught in the weather, too bad.
Dory put her hoe away and went to the house. Looking to the west, she saw the top of the black cloud starting to appear over the roof of the church building and clinic.
"Well Ms. Honey, are you going to have our baby during the storm?" Milo teased, "I think we need to get you to the basement, sweetie."
"Ok, let me get a pillow, will you bring me a chair please?"
"Do you want to go to the basement or the storm cellar?" Milo asked.
"Basement. Do you think Robbie and Ricky are old enough to stay by themselves in the storm cellar. Otherwise, they maybe in the room when I give birth."
"Oh Honey, surely not," Milo blanched white under his suntanned face. "I don't know what to do?" Milo was in a panic, and the first thing that came to mind, "do you want me to boil some water?"
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you, Milo panic, lol