Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#117
"Have you thought about what you will do if you encounter the wolf or wolves?" Clora asked quietly.
"Other than have my pistol in hand, and the yarn tied to my wrist . that's the only solution I've come up with. Clora, you will have the door open and will have to be careful about an animal rushing the door. And then, if you shoot, you might be shooting right at me, the darkness preventing you from locating my position."
"I suppose they would be practically in the door before I would see them," Clora looked out at the darkness.
"This is risky business, I wouldn't consider going to the barn, except I'm sure the horses will be out of water. How are we going to unravel the yarn, or do we need to hold it in something?"
Clora pulled up the beginning hank of yarn from the center of the ball. "It should unwind smoothly. What about a way to signal each other?" and they discussed a series of tugs and what they would mean.
"Is the darkness any less dark during the day, or the same as the night?" she asked.
"I can't tell any difference, but it has a gritty feeling and it can't be good to breathe." and Mark tied a bandana over his face. "I know approximately how many steps it is to the barn, and I will have the lantern." he mumbled behind the bandana. Mark patted the fixed blade on his belt and had his 1911 in hand.
"I'd really rather have my 40, but I think I'm getting to much to carry. If you'll tie the yarn to my wrist, I'm going to walk off the porch and then try following the yarn back here to the door."
"Take Ivory with you, she should growl if you meet any predators." Clora instructed.
The test worked, and Mark set off for the barn. Clora held the yarn loosely as it fed out from the ball, but alert to the tautness and any possible jerks from Mark.
The yarn kept unrolling and unrolling, until Clora seriously wondered if they were going to have enough. The ball was down to the size of a grapefruit, when the pulling stopped.
Mark had said he was going to tie the yarn inside the barn, where he could find it, and close the door, so he could tend to the horses.
Waiting in the house, Clora sat and repeated all of the Bible passages she could remember. It was close to forever before she felt the ten tugs that signaled that Mark was coming back.
The tension on the yarn was considerable, and she prayed that the old yarn would hold, Clora heard Mark before she could see him, he was talking loudly, pinpointing his location, so Clora wouldn't shoot him.
"I'm stopping on the porch, to tie a rope to the standard. It will be on the driveway side of the stairs. so be aware if you come outside." It was so strange to hear his voice and not be able to see his shadow. Clora could hear the sounds of the rope being pulled around the post.
"I don't have enough rope to tie it tight," Mark was talking to himself, "I guess I'll have to use the yarn to tie from the top step post to the house. Clora," he called loudly, "will you start winding the yarn again?"
"Yes," Clora yelled out the door, surprising herself with the loudness of her voice. She was loud enough that Wyatt woke up and jumped up in alarm, reaching for his weapon.
"What," he demanded. "Is something wrong?"
"Everything's fine," Clora soothed, "Mark is out on the porch and is coming back in. "Hello Ivory," and the big dog came trotting in, not trusting the Sheriff's burley tone near her favorite person.
In the dim light, Clora motioned for Ivory to lay out of the way, and busied herself to rewinding the yarn as rapidly as possible, She came to a tight place and called out to Mark that there was a problem.
"I think I'm standing on a portion of it, don't pull. I'm almost done out here, and I am trying to walk toward the door. Talk will you Clora, the yarn is all tangled up and I can't use it."
Clora was overjoyed to start repeating the 23 Psalm at the top of her voice, and soon she felt the pressure as Mark's hand was on the outside door knob and he pulled the door open. Three feet away from the light, and she could barely see him.
"Hoo, am I glad to be back in the house. I got the horses watered and fed, but I need to go back and shovel manure; it's bad in there."
"You went to the barn?" Wyatt was sleepy eyed and thick tongued. "Why didn't you wake me?"
"Don't worry, you're going with me the next go around. I need a strong back and a weak mind and a nose that can't smell. The barn is ripe." Mark chuckled as he stared at the sheriff.
Wyatt sat down and rubbed his mouth, chasing away the lingering sleepiness. "Have I been asleep long?" he asked contritely, "I don't know what got into me."
"Not long," Clora mentioned, "Wyatt, would you move the coffee pot over to the first eye and it will reheat. I want to keep rewinding the yarn before it becomes any more entangled than it is."
"Sure, I'll put more cookies on the table, if you tell me where they are," he said helpfully but with a grin.
"The second top cupboard door to the right of the sink." Clora gave away her secret hiding spot for the bowl of cookies that Wyatt was hunting for.
"How are things in the barn, any problems?" the men started talking, and Clora kept winding.
"Have you thought about what you will do if you encounter the wolf or wolves?" Clora asked quietly.
"Other than have my pistol in hand, and the yarn tied to my wrist . that's the only solution I've come up with. Clora, you will have the door open and will have to be careful about an animal rushing the door. And then, if you shoot, you might be shooting right at me, the darkness preventing you from locating my position."
"I suppose they would be practically in the door before I would see them," Clora looked out at the darkness.
"This is risky business, I wouldn't consider going to the barn, except I'm sure the horses will be out of water. How are we going to unravel the yarn, or do we need to hold it in something?"
Clora pulled up the beginning hank of yarn from the center of the ball. "It should unwind smoothly. What about a way to signal each other?" and they discussed a series of tugs and what they would mean.
"Is the darkness any less dark during the day, or the same as the night?" she asked.
"I can't tell any difference, but it has a gritty feeling and it can't be good to breathe." and Mark tied a bandana over his face. "I know approximately how many steps it is to the barn, and I will have the lantern." he mumbled behind the bandana. Mark patted the fixed blade on his belt and had his 1911 in hand.
"I'd really rather have my 40, but I think I'm getting to much to carry. If you'll tie the yarn to my wrist, I'm going to walk off the porch and then try following the yarn back here to the door."
"Take Ivory with you, she should growl if you meet any predators." Clora instructed.
The test worked, and Mark set off for the barn. Clora held the yarn loosely as it fed out from the ball, but alert to the tautness and any possible jerks from Mark.
The yarn kept unrolling and unrolling, until Clora seriously wondered if they were going to have enough. The ball was down to the size of a grapefruit, when the pulling stopped.
Mark had said he was going to tie the yarn inside the barn, where he could find it, and close the door, so he could tend to the horses.
Waiting in the house, Clora sat and repeated all of the Bible passages she could remember. It was close to forever before she felt the ten tugs that signaled that Mark was coming back.
The tension on the yarn was considerable, and she prayed that the old yarn would hold, Clora heard Mark before she could see him, he was talking loudly, pinpointing his location, so Clora wouldn't shoot him.
"I'm stopping on the porch, to tie a rope to the standard. It will be on the driveway side of the stairs. so be aware if you come outside." It was so strange to hear his voice and not be able to see his shadow. Clora could hear the sounds of the rope being pulled around the post.
"I don't have enough rope to tie it tight," Mark was talking to himself, "I guess I'll have to use the yarn to tie from the top step post to the house. Clora," he called loudly, "will you start winding the yarn again?"
"Yes," Clora yelled out the door, surprising herself with the loudness of her voice. She was loud enough that Wyatt woke up and jumped up in alarm, reaching for his weapon.
"What," he demanded. "Is something wrong?"
"Everything's fine," Clora soothed, "Mark is out on the porch and is coming back in. "Hello Ivory," and the big dog came trotting in, not trusting the Sheriff's burley tone near her favorite person.
In the dim light, Clora motioned for Ivory to lay out of the way, and busied herself to rewinding the yarn as rapidly as possible, She came to a tight place and called out to Mark that there was a problem.
"I think I'm standing on a portion of it, don't pull. I'm almost done out here, and I am trying to walk toward the door. Talk will you Clora, the yarn is all tangled up and I can't use it."
Clora was overjoyed to start repeating the 23 Psalm at the top of her voice, and soon she felt the pressure as Mark's hand was on the outside door knob and he pulled the door open. Three feet away from the light, and she could barely see him.
"Hoo, am I glad to be back in the house. I got the horses watered and fed, but I need to go back and shovel manure; it's bad in there."
"You went to the barn?" Wyatt was sleepy eyed and thick tongued. "Why didn't you wake me?"
"Don't worry, you're going with me the next go around. I need a strong back and a weak mind and a nose that can't smell. The barn is ripe." Mark chuckled as he stared at the sheriff.
Wyatt sat down and rubbed his mouth, chasing away the lingering sleepiness. "Have I been asleep long?" he asked contritely, "I don't know what got into me."
"Not long," Clora mentioned, "Wyatt, would you move the coffee pot over to the first eye and it will reheat. I want to keep rewinding the yarn before it becomes any more entangled than it is."
"Sure, I'll put more cookies on the table, if you tell me where they are," he said helpfully but with a grin.
"The second top cupboard door to the right of the sink." Clora gave away her secret hiding spot for the bowl of cookies that Wyatt was hunting for.
"How are things in the barn, any problems?" the men started talking, and Clora kept winding.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Aw so nice, thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Folks,
we are having some long days with field work, it was 9: before we got home last night; and today looks the same. See ya Fri. Pac.
we are having some long days with field work, it was 9: before we got home last night; and today looks the same. See ya Fri. Pac.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Take care Pac. May many hands help with the work 
.
.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Most of us know what you're talking about and we know how dangerous it can be SO do us all a favour & stay focused on that!
Then, worry about the story; we'll be fine.
C U soon (or some chapters) NO rush.
THX.
G.
Sneaker 11
RECONDO
If your heat and humidity is as bad as ours is here...... please stay hydrated and keep track of all of your fingers. Thanks again for the time you spend to entertain us.
11
11
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#118
Well, (big sigh) both tractors are broke down. Parts ordered for the first one, and we're still tearing into the second.
The Linderman family that was having the worst time during the blackout, was Toby and family. TJ was acting completely out of control, regressing to scratch and growl like a wild animal. Toby and Rennie had to take the drastic step of shutting TJ in a room by himself, to keep Barry and Lyric safe.
Toby had to stop several times while he was installing a hasp and turnbuckle on the door, to wipe his sad eyes on his sleeve. He and Rennie were heartsick, unable to reach TJ with talk, and the youngster was throwing himself against the door, as Toby locked him in.
Leaning against the door, Toby tried for hours to get TJ to respond to him, talking to TJ about the times of the boy's life, that were positive and worth remembering.
Nothing calmed the frantic self destruction of the youth, and each slam against the door was like a knife to Toby's heart.
Rennie had strong tea with sugar on the table and the four of them sipped the scalding hot beverage cautiously.
"I don't want you to let TJ out," Rennie gave a order in her strong accent. "Look what he has done to Barry and Lyric." Deep fingerprint bruises on both the children's arms were evidence that was undeniable.
"He tried to bite Barry and Barry was fast enough to twist around and kick TJ in the knee and get away." Lyric tattled to her Mum. Rennie shot a fierce look at Toby and her mother tiger attitude toward her children was very apparent.
"How long has this been going on?" Toby asked wearily, "why didn't you kids tell us, so we could do something about it before it got so out of hand."
"Because he's a rotten bugger," Lyric almost shouted her five year old outrage. Lyric was a mini-me Rennie, right down to the Australian accent and terms of speech.
Rennie gathered up Barry and Lyric and had her arms protectively around them. Toby felt the deep heart pain of a parent that can't prevent their child from going down the wrong path. "We, as you're parents need to know immediately when behaviors go bad, that is your job as a good brother and sister."
"Is there anything else we should know about TJ?" Rennie had a flash of intuition. From the instant reaction and look between Barry and Lyric, she understood that there was indeed 'something else.;
"I think you had better tell us, it is our job to keep you safe and we have to be aware of ALL the problems." Toby said gravely.
There was another look between Barry and Lyric and the brother started to speak. "TJ always told us he had a knife, a big sharp one and one day he was going to cut us, because we deserved it."
It was a good thing Toby was sitting down, his knees felt as wobblily as they ever had. His son, the child his mother had brought back to life and the whole family had worked so hard to include as a valued member of the clan; was for all intents and purposes mentally unbalanced.
A clear danger to himself, the immediate family and the clan's children, there had to be something they could do to help TJ.
"He told us he was your boy and the rest of us didn't belong here," Barry finally spoke up. letting the emotional hurt out. "We are your kids too, aren't we?"
"Yes you are our children," Toby's deep voice affirmed to the youngsters as he gathered them up to sit on his knees. "We are a family and as a Mum and Dad, we love all of you, even TJ. We love him enough to want him to change, and we will do our best to make him change. In the mean time, we want to keep Barry and Lyric happy and healthy and feeling safe in their own house." Toby hugged both kids hard.
"Dad," Lyric protested, "you are squishing us."
"Humm," Toby said seriously, "if I squeeze you hard enough, will you throw up?"
"Dad," Lyric was scandalized, "that would be gross."
"Well, I was just wondering," and he sent a wink to Barry to reassure the normally quiet and reserved boy, that he was teasing.
"I saw that," Lyric protested, "you boys must think we Sheila's don't notice such things. Terrible."
That started Rennie laughing, "I think maybe we should make some cookies before this talk gets completely out of hand. You kids go wash and we'll get started."
As the kids ran to the bathroom to wash, Rennie gave a stern look at Toby. "I think we had better do a very complete inspection of TJ's room, do you want to do it while I keep Barry and Lyric busy baking cookies?"
"Yes," Toby sighed heavily, "I'll do it."
He found not one knife, but three. Cleverly wired to the L shaped angles of the metal bedsprings, they would be unseen, even by someone changing the sheets. Toby sat on the bed, staring at the three knives in his hand.
His son, the ache cut deep in Toby's heart. Something had happened to TJ, and he needed to move heaven and earth to help the boy in every way possible. The doctors, he supposed, would be the first step. Toby thought about Ma; but he wasn't sure he wanted to ask her what the outcome would be; if he didn't know, there was always hope.
Walking into the kitchen, Toby felt it was his duty to take the proffered cookie from each child and enjoy the warm, sweet goodness. "Ummm, just right, you kids have done a good job." and Toby put both cookies in his mouth at the same time.
That got him a little girl scolding, and a laugh from Barry. Toby was struck by the fact that it had been a long time since he had heard Barry laugh. A sad commentary on their life.
Toby put the knives on the top of the upper cabinets. "We need to put up all the knives, keeping one for you to use in the kitchen. It should be easier to keep track of just one. At the moment, I don't know what else to do."
Rennie might have been ready to protest the loss of her knives, but Toby was right. They needed to do a very in-depth search of the house to keep them all safe; and knowing how many knives were available, was the first step.
Well, (big sigh) both tractors are broke down. Parts ordered for the first one, and we're still tearing into the second.
The Linderman family that was having the worst time during the blackout, was Toby and family. TJ was acting completely out of control, regressing to scratch and growl like a wild animal. Toby and Rennie had to take the drastic step of shutting TJ in a room by himself, to keep Barry and Lyric safe.
Toby had to stop several times while he was installing a hasp and turnbuckle on the door, to wipe his sad eyes on his sleeve. He and Rennie were heartsick, unable to reach TJ with talk, and the youngster was throwing himself against the door, as Toby locked him in.
Leaning against the door, Toby tried for hours to get TJ to respond to him, talking to TJ about the times of the boy's life, that were positive and worth remembering.
Nothing calmed the frantic self destruction of the youth, and each slam against the door was like a knife to Toby's heart.
Rennie had strong tea with sugar on the table and the four of them sipped the scalding hot beverage cautiously.
"I don't want you to let TJ out," Rennie gave a order in her strong accent. "Look what he has done to Barry and Lyric." Deep fingerprint bruises on both the children's arms were evidence that was undeniable.
"He tried to bite Barry and Barry was fast enough to twist around and kick TJ in the knee and get away." Lyric tattled to her Mum. Rennie shot a fierce look at Toby and her mother tiger attitude toward her children was very apparent.
"How long has this been going on?" Toby asked wearily, "why didn't you kids tell us, so we could do something about it before it got so out of hand."
"Because he's a rotten bugger," Lyric almost shouted her five year old outrage. Lyric was a mini-me Rennie, right down to the Australian accent and terms of speech.
Rennie gathered up Barry and Lyric and had her arms protectively around them. Toby felt the deep heart pain of a parent that can't prevent their child from going down the wrong path. "We, as you're parents need to know immediately when behaviors go bad, that is your job as a good brother and sister."
"Is there anything else we should know about TJ?" Rennie had a flash of intuition. From the instant reaction and look between Barry and Lyric, she understood that there was indeed 'something else.;
"I think you had better tell us, it is our job to keep you safe and we have to be aware of ALL the problems." Toby said gravely.
There was another look between Barry and Lyric and the brother started to speak. "TJ always told us he had a knife, a big sharp one and one day he was going to cut us, because we deserved it."
It was a good thing Toby was sitting down, his knees felt as wobblily as they ever had. His son, the child his mother had brought back to life and the whole family had worked so hard to include as a valued member of the clan; was for all intents and purposes mentally unbalanced.
A clear danger to himself, the immediate family and the clan's children, there had to be something they could do to help TJ.
"He told us he was your boy and the rest of us didn't belong here," Barry finally spoke up. letting the emotional hurt out. "We are your kids too, aren't we?"
"Yes you are our children," Toby's deep voice affirmed to the youngsters as he gathered them up to sit on his knees. "We are a family and as a Mum and Dad, we love all of you, even TJ. We love him enough to want him to change, and we will do our best to make him change. In the mean time, we want to keep Barry and Lyric happy and healthy and feeling safe in their own house." Toby hugged both kids hard.
"Dad," Lyric protested, "you are squishing us."
"Humm," Toby said seriously, "if I squeeze you hard enough, will you throw up?"
"Dad," Lyric was scandalized, "that would be gross."
"Well, I was just wondering," and he sent a wink to Barry to reassure the normally quiet and reserved boy, that he was teasing.
"I saw that," Lyric protested, "you boys must think we Sheila's don't notice such things. Terrible."
That started Rennie laughing, "I think maybe we should make some cookies before this talk gets completely out of hand. You kids go wash and we'll get started."
As the kids ran to the bathroom to wash, Rennie gave a stern look at Toby. "I think we had better do a very complete inspection of TJ's room, do you want to do it while I keep Barry and Lyric busy baking cookies?"
"Yes," Toby sighed heavily, "I'll do it."
He found not one knife, but three. Cleverly wired to the L shaped angles of the metal bedsprings, they would be unseen, even by someone changing the sheets. Toby sat on the bed, staring at the three knives in his hand.
His son, the ache cut deep in Toby's heart. Something had happened to TJ, and he needed to move heaven and earth to help the boy in every way possible. The doctors, he supposed, would be the first step. Toby thought about Ma; but he wasn't sure he wanted to ask her what the outcome would be; if he didn't know, there was always hope.
Walking into the kitchen, Toby felt it was his duty to take the proffered cookie from each child and enjoy the warm, sweet goodness. "Ummm, just right, you kids have done a good job." and Toby put both cookies in his mouth at the same time.
That got him a little girl scolding, and a laugh from Barry. Toby was struck by the fact that it had been a long time since he had heard Barry laugh. A sad commentary on their life.
Toby put the knives on the top of the upper cabinets. "We need to put up all the knives, keeping one for you to use in the kitchen. It should be easier to keep track of just one. At the moment, I don't know what else to do."
Rennie might have been ready to protest the loss of her knives, but Toby was right. They needed to do a very in-depth search of the house to keep them all safe; and knowing how many knives were available, was the first step.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
TJ needs to be taken out of the house and not be around the other children. Thank you Pac. Ack on the tractors breaking down.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Two tractors down so its Double Ack, I think.
What's chances the wolfen creature prowling & howling about is some sort of were wolf & TJ was nipped as very young child?
Hmmm -- we never know what Ms Pac has bubbling away on her back burners so......
I guess time will tell.
G.
What's chances the wolfen creature prowling & howling about is some sort of were wolf & TJ was nipped as very young child?
Hmmm -- we never know what Ms Pac has bubbling away on her back burners so......
I guess time will tell.
G.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#119
Mark and Wyatt went to the barn, tied together with yarn. "I don't want you to be lost, and as long as we go together, we will use the rope as a guide."
"Lordy, you weren't kidding about the barn being ripe, it really stinks." Wyatt's opinion fell on Mark's deaf ears. "How many horses do you have in here anyway?"
"Thirty mares and their colts. That's why our saddle horses are penned in stalls.; it's for their own protection. I'm going to start penning mares three to a stall with colts, they will be crowded, but it's only until we can get the manure shoveled."
Wyatt looked over his flashy, sorrel gelding; anxious that nothing had happened to the trusted companion. Wyatt found a scoop shovel, and cleaned the three inch layer of manure from Joe's stall. "What do we do with the manure," he questioned loudly, as Mark was way down aisle and the horses that were still free, were making a lot of noise.
His question went unanswered, and Wyatt took a look around the huge barn interior.
Reva was muttering under her breath. Every time she turned around, Don was there watching her in a supervisory manner. When he started to comment on her hap hazard manner of washing dishes, Reva snapped and picked up the closest knife and stalked over to the smug faced man.
"Hit a nerve, did I?" the infuriating man parodied, "I've tried to tell you several times how to economize and do things better.'
Don had obviously forgotten the little incident when Reva wanted out of the basement, and this time before he realized that fact, Reva was once again poking him in the belly with a eight inch butcher knife.
"I believe you said that you had urgent business elsewhere, correct?" Reva was shorter than Don but she was mad, and that made the difference. "I'm telling you, that if you want to eat in this house, you will get out of the kitchen and stay out. I don't need, want or appreciate your presence.
"Now Missy," Don was patronizing, "Don't get huffy, I'm only trying to instruct you how to be efficient. I can really increase your work output, so you are working up to and past your potential."
"I don't care," Reva spoke carefully, "I am not going to listen to you, as you are leaving. Do I make myself clear?" with each word, she poked the knife with more force. "If you don't leave and stay out of my kitchen; I am going home and you will be responsible for creating meals with your blasted efficiently.'
"Oh, you don't mean that," Don scoffed, carefully pushing aside the knife blade.
"Watch and learn," Reva backed away and took her apron off and threw it on the floor. Stomping across the kitchen, Reva jerked the kitchen door open and stepped out into the black void, She hadn't gone two steps out the door, before Don's good hand closed around her upper arm and she was jerked back into the room.
"Don't be foolish, I'll leave. You would get lost trying to get to your place." Don apologized quietly.
Mark and Wyatt went to the barn, tied together with yarn. "I don't want you to be lost, and as long as we go together, we will use the rope as a guide."
"Lordy, you weren't kidding about the barn being ripe, it really stinks." Wyatt's opinion fell on Mark's deaf ears. "How many horses do you have in here anyway?"
"Thirty mares and their colts. That's why our saddle horses are penned in stalls.; it's for their own protection. I'm going to start penning mares three to a stall with colts, they will be crowded, but it's only until we can get the manure shoveled."
Wyatt looked over his flashy, sorrel gelding; anxious that nothing had happened to the trusted companion. Wyatt found a scoop shovel, and cleaned the three inch layer of manure from Joe's stall. "What do we do with the manure," he questioned loudly, as Mark was way down aisle and the horses that were still free, were making a lot of noise.
His question went unanswered, and Wyatt took a look around the huge barn interior.
Reva was muttering under her breath. Every time she turned around, Don was there watching her in a supervisory manner. When he started to comment on her hap hazard manner of washing dishes, Reva snapped and picked up the closest knife and stalked over to the smug faced man.
"Hit a nerve, did I?" the infuriating man parodied, "I've tried to tell you several times how to economize and do things better.'
Don had obviously forgotten the little incident when Reva wanted out of the basement, and this time before he realized that fact, Reva was once again poking him in the belly with a eight inch butcher knife.
"I believe you said that you had urgent business elsewhere, correct?" Reva was shorter than Don but she was mad, and that made the difference. "I'm telling you, that if you want to eat in this house, you will get out of the kitchen and stay out. I don't need, want or appreciate your presence.
"Now Missy," Don was patronizing, "Don't get huffy, I'm only trying to instruct you how to be efficient. I can really increase your work output, so you are working up to and past your potential."
"I don't care," Reva spoke carefully, "I am not going to listen to you, as you are leaving. Do I make myself clear?" with each word, she poked the knife with more force. "If you don't leave and stay out of my kitchen; I am going home and you will be responsible for creating meals with your blasted efficiently.'
"Oh, you don't mean that," Don scoffed, carefully pushing aside the knife blade.
"Watch and learn," Reva backed away and took her apron off and threw it on the floor. Stomping across the kitchen, Reva jerked the kitchen door open and stepped out into the black void, She hadn't gone two steps out the door, before Don's good hand closed around her upper arm and she was jerked back into the room.
"Don't be foolish, I'll leave. You would get lost trying to get to your place." Don apologized quietly.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Lol Don best learn quicker than that. Thank you.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Generally never, if they're good at what they do. Yes, voice of experience; fortunately, I can be educated or my relatives would have been divvying up my kit long ago.
G.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#120
Reva whirled around, shook Don's hand off her arm and snarled. "Get out of the kitchen, stay out and leave me alone. I won't repeat myself."
Don let his hand fall as he stepped back. "I'm sorry, I...…. I was only trying to help." he finished lamely.
"You are not helping," Reva enunciated carefully. "The time I spend arguing with you is time I should be using to work. I am paid for my housekeeping, cooking and cleaning; you interfere with my duties every time I turn around. I don't want to lose this job, I need it. I can't make it any clearer, do you understand?"
"Yes, I do." Don was a picture of contriteness. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"You can find a way to lock the pantry door so we can have our food secure. I don't care how much food I have to cook, my job is to feed hungry people and make them comfortable. I like to do that," Reva stressed, "but if Doc Trish and I expect food to be available, and it's not there, it takes a long time to cook and make more. That upsets everyone and it especially makes me look bad , as an incompetent cook."
Reva was all fired up, and Don felt a moment of shame. He hadn't looked at the problem from her point of view, and she was reasonable and spot on with her assessment. Incompetent was exactly the way he had first thought of her.
Reva went over to stir the pot of cooking rice, moving it to a slightly cooler spot on the stove. She had to watch it closely as she was trying to evaporate out the excess water, to make the rice more firm. From the pot of bones set on the back of the stove, Reva ladled out several scoops of bone broth and placed it in a saucepan, stirring together flour and cold water, she added it to the pan of heating broth.
Tasting the gravy with a small spoon, she added salt and pepper, a cut up onion and a sliced clove of garlic. Adding more bone broth as the mixture began to thicken, keeping it on the runny side until it naturally thickened, repeating, until there was quite a pan full of gravy.
Don was watching silently, finally understanding that Reva was far more accomplished in her craft than he gave her credit for. Nodding to himself, he stared at the pantry door, running several ideas for a secure closing through his mind.
Reva set the table, and turned to ask Don if he would call the family up to eat; and help Doc Bruce up the stairs.
The bowls of rice with gravy were oddly satisfying, more filling than some of the other meals had been. Tony and Eddie seemed to be full, had to rest before finishing the over large bowl of food. Don himself felt very full, a surprise to him.
While the family was eating, Reva was busy with the enormous pile of dirty dishes. Bruce looked at the dishes and asked the unwanted question. "Where did all these dishes come from?"
Tony and Eddie were pictures of innocent boyish charm. "Gosh Dad, from our room I guess. We didn't realize we had so many up there. Miss Reva told us not to do that, that it would draw mice." Tony hastened to be the picture of regret, and hopeful promise that he and Eddie would do better.
Bruce felt the cold chill of a young boy snow job and shook his head no. "The next time that happens, you two will do the dishes," he firmly declared. "In fact, both of you grab a dish towel and start drying."
Tony hopped too, smart enough to know they were getting a light sentence. Ton y had to whine a little and suddenly Bruce said, "Tony, for trying to weasel out of work tonight, you will dry dishes for the rest of the week."
Tony went to pucker up and let out a big whine, and Bruce said, "say one word and that's another week's worth."
Tony snapped his mouth shut.
"If any dishes break, that's gonna be a whipping," Bruce added, correctly reading the look on Tony's face.
Tony puckered up his lips, but went silently to take the dish towel Reva was holding out for him.
Trish sat back in her chair with her cup of tea and sighed in weariness. Reva was a heaven sent answer to a problem, and it looked to Trish, that the housekeeper had managed to straighten out Don's notions for the better.
Don was silent, not offering any opinions or snide remarks; and Trish appreciated the harmony. "I don't believe we need to sleep downstairs, this darkness isn't the usual severe weather event. This is something else. I wish I had Clora's intuition, it would be handy to know where this is going."
Bruce nodded, helping himself to another couple of spoonful's of rice and gravy. Eating quietly, Bruce ate almost all the rice with the venison based gravy. "Good grub," he called out to Reva, "thank you for making so much, I have been so hungry, and now I'm full."
"You're welcome," Reva smiled, "I like to cook for hungry people." she turned back to the dishes and felt happiness for the calm, normal after supper talk around the table.
Toby and Rennie listened to TJ scream and cry for hours. The two adults looked at each other, understanding that the reaction was not normal. "He's deeply disturbed," Rennie spoke up. "Toby, what kind of help can we get for him. I'm definite that he can't stay here with Barry and Lyric. The only solution I can come up with, is that you will have to stay with TJ, away from us."
"I had thought of that, but didn't want to suggest it. I don't like the idea, but I have no other solution." Toby sighed hard, as he listened to TJ lie on the floor and kick his feet hard on the door..
Reva whirled around, shook Don's hand off her arm and snarled. "Get out of the kitchen, stay out and leave me alone. I won't repeat myself."
Don let his hand fall as he stepped back. "I'm sorry, I...…. I was only trying to help." he finished lamely.
"You are not helping," Reva enunciated carefully. "The time I spend arguing with you is time I should be using to work. I am paid for my housekeeping, cooking and cleaning; you interfere with my duties every time I turn around. I don't want to lose this job, I need it. I can't make it any clearer, do you understand?"
"Yes, I do." Don was a picture of contriteness. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"You can find a way to lock the pantry door so we can have our food secure. I don't care how much food I have to cook, my job is to feed hungry people and make them comfortable. I like to do that," Reva stressed, "but if Doc Trish and I expect food to be available, and it's not there, it takes a long time to cook and make more. That upsets everyone and it especially makes me look bad , as an incompetent cook."
Reva was all fired up, and Don felt a moment of shame. He hadn't looked at the problem from her point of view, and she was reasonable and spot on with her assessment. Incompetent was exactly the way he had first thought of her.
Reva went over to stir the pot of cooking rice, moving it to a slightly cooler spot on the stove. She had to watch it closely as she was trying to evaporate out the excess water, to make the rice more firm. From the pot of bones set on the back of the stove, Reva ladled out several scoops of bone broth and placed it in a saucepan, stirring together flour and cold water, she added it to the pan of heating broth.
Tasting the gravy with a small spoon, she added salt and pepper, a cut up onion and a sliced clove of garlic. Adding more bone broth as the mixture began to thicken, keeping it on the runny side until it naturally thickened, repeating, until there was quite a pan full of gravy.
Don was watching silently, finally understanding that Reva was far more accomplished in her craft than he gave her credit for. Nodding to himself, he stared at the pantry door, running several ideas for a secure closing through his mind.
Reva set the table, and turned to ask Don if he would call the family up to eat; and help Doc Bruce up the stairs.
The bowls of rice with gravy were oddly satisfying, more filling than some of the other meals had been. Tony and Eddie seemed to be full, had to rest before finishing the over large bowl of food. Don himself felt very full, a surprise to him.
While the family was eating, Reva was busy with the enormous pile of dirty dishes. Bruce looked at the dishes and asked the unwanted question. "Where did all these dishes come from?"
Tony and Eddie were pictures of innocent boyish charm. "Gosh Dad, from our room I guess. We didn't realize we had so many up there. Miss Reva told us not to do that, that it would draw mice." Tony hastened to be the picture of regret, and hopeful promise that he and Eddie would do better.
Bruce felt the cold chill of a young boy snow job and shook his head no. "The next time that happens, you two will do the dishes," he firmly declared. "In fact, both of you grab a dish towel and start drying."
Tony hopped too, smart enough to know they were getting a light sentence. Ton y had to whine a little and suddenly Bruce said, "Tony, for trying to weasel out of work tonight, you will dry dishes for the rest of the week."
Tony went to pucker up and let out a big whine, and Bruce said, "say one word and that's another week's worth."
Tony snapped his mouth shut.
"If any dishes break, that's gonna be a whipping," Bruce added, correctly reading the look on Tony's face.
Tony puckered up his lips, but went silently to take the dish towel Reva was holding out for him.
Trish sat back in her chair with her cup of tea and sighed in weariness. Reva was a heaven sent answer to a problem, and it looked to Trish, that the housekeeper had managed to straighten out Don's notions for the better.
Don was silent, not offering any opinions or snide remarks; and Trish appreciated the harmony. "I don't believe we need to sleep downstairs, this darkness isn't the usual severe weather event. This is something else. I wish I had Clora's intuition, it would be handy to know where this is going."
Bruce nodded, helping himself to another couple of spoonful's of rice and gravy. Eating quietly, Bruce ate almost all the rice with the venison based gravy. "Good grub," he called out to Reva, "thank you for making so much, I have been so hungry, and now I'm full."
"You're welcome," Reva smiled, "I like to cook for hungry people." she turned back to the dishes and felt happiness for the calm, normal after supper talk around the table.
Toby and Rennie listened to TJ scream and cry for hours. The two adults looked at each other, understanding that the reaction was not normal. "He's deeply disturbed," Rennie spoke up. "Toby, what kind of help can we get for him. I'm definite that he can't stay here with Barry and Lyric. The only solution I can come up with, is that you will have to stay with TJ, away from us."
"I had thought of that, but didn't want to suggest it. I don't like the idea, but I have no other solution." Toby sighed hard, as he listened to TJ lie on the floor and kick his feet hard on the door..
Sammy55
Veteran Member
Agreed.......with double thanks!!
Rest, Pac! We're glad you're back, but you need time to rest and recuperate, too.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you so much.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#121
In desperation, Toby went back to the room holding TJ and tried once more to reason with his child. TJ tantrum got louder and louder, the groaning, shrieking and howling; almost otherworldly sounding.
The next sound that Toby heard was the return howl by a wolf, not so very far away. Soon, both the boy and the animal were trying to out do one another with their inhuman sounds.
Rennie had her hands over her ears and she was taking Barry and Lyric downstairs to get away from the screams.
Toby held on, trying to talk and reason with TJ, and noted with a heavy heart that he was getting no where. There was the sound of glass breaking, and Toby fumbled with getting the door unlocked, so he could see what was happening.
The room was covered in bloody hand prints, TJ had a knife that Toby wasn't aware of, and he had used it on himself. The window was shattered by the straight chair, and was half in and half out of the window frame.
TJ was shrieking outside and the wolf was baying and growling. Then there was silence. Toby raced out of the door and into the kitchen, drawing his pistol and slamming open the back door.
The total darkness was unnerving and frightening. The wind picked up, the whistling, rush of breeze was a long drawn out moan that was freezing to the blood.
Toby stood in the darkness and listened to the screaming, shrieking sounds that seemed to be surrounding him, it felt like long. strong fingers were pulling at him with icy touches.
There was a long, drawn out scream from TJ and a snapping, growling sound from the wolf.
The wind increased until Toby felt himself being blown back against the house wall. Staggering against the pressure, and trying to keep his balance, Toby watched in amazement as the total darkness started to streak, break up and patches of sunlight began to show through.
The harsh force of the wind, kept Toby pinned, imobilized against the house, as the darkness was pushed away and the afternoon sun illuminated the land.
There was the bloody sight on the ground. TJ's lifeless body was in a crumpled heap. Toby went running toward TJ and skidded to a halt before he got to his child's body. TJ's throat had been ripped open and bloody wolf tracks were smeared all over the lifeless child.
The most unsettling part of the scene, was the ring of scorched and burned grass around TJ"s body that reeked and stunk of Sulphur.
Toby started to cross the circle, and found he couldn't move. An invisible force was holding him from entering the area.
Toby backed away, running back to his porch and ringing the bell, to alert the family to come help him.
Mark and Wyatt came from Mark's barn, Milo from his place, Seamus and Bruce poked their heads out their doors, George walked out on his deck to see what was the matter.
"Seamus, Seamus, please come help," Toby called to the Scot; "no kids, no kids," he yelled at Milo who had started walking toward Toby's place.
Milo had instructed Robbie and Ricky to stay in the house, and when he looked back, Ricky was hot footing it across the pasture. Something in Milo snapped. He stopped and waited for Ricky to reach him, and then Ricky got a spanking. Jerking his youngest sons pants down, Ricky got a bare bottom walloping with his dad's hand.
Milo had seen the body of a child and the bloody ground, and it was something Ricky didn't need to see. When Milo had finished, Ricky was very convinced that he had better mind his Dad. Sent back to the house with his long walk of shame.
Seamus and Milo walked over to Toby, getting there about the same time as Mark and Wyatt. The men stood in silence, staring at the corpse and it's horrific manner of death.
"What in God's name happened here?" Wyatt all but shouted, the scene making him sick to his stomach.
Toby couldn't take his eyes off TJ's body, and his anguished word's came whispering out. The explanation was one Wyatt couldn't accept and he angrily challenged the oldest son on his story.
Two hours later, Toby hadn't changed his story one word. Seamus had cautioned the men to not go near the child's body; and finally impatient, he shouted over Wyatt's badgering of Toby and demanded the men drop to their knees and pray.
In desperation, Toby went back to the room holding TJ and tried once more to reason with his child. TJ tantrum got louder and louder, the groaning, shrieking and howling; almost otherworldly sounding.
The next sound that Toby heard was the return howl by a wolf, not so very far away. Soon, both the boy and the animal were trying to out do one another with their inhuman sounds.
Rennie had her hands over her ears and she was taking Barry and Lyric downstairs to get away from the screams.
Toby held on, trying to talk and reason with TJ, and noted with a heavy heart that he was getting no where. There was the sound of glass breaking, and Toby fumbled with getting the door unlocked, so he could see what was happening.
The room was covered in bloody hand prints, TJ had a knife that Toby wasn't aware of, and he had used it on himself. The window was shattered by the straight chair, and was half in and half out of the window frame.
TJ was shrieking outside and the wolf was baying and growling. Then there was silence. Toby raced out of the door and into the kitchen, drawing his pistol and slamming open the back door.
The total darkness was unnerving and frightening. The wind picked up, the whistling, rush of breeze was a long drawn out moan that was freezing to the blood.
Toby stood in the darkness and listened to the screaming, shrieking sounds that seemed to be surrounding him, it felt like long. strong fingers were pulling at him with icy touches.
There was a long, drawn out scream from TJ and a snapping, growling sound from the wolf.
The wind increased until Toby felt himself being blown back against the house wall. Staggering against the pressure, and trying to keep his balance, Toby watched in amazement as the total darkness started to streak, break up and patches of sunlight began to show through.
The harsh force of the wind, kept Toby pinned, imobilized against the house, as the darkness was pushed away and the afternoon sun illuminated the land.
There was the bloody sight on the ground. TJ's lifeless body was in a crumpled heap. Toby went running toward TJ and skidded to a halt before he got to his child's body. TJ's throat had been ripped open and bloody wolf tracks were smeared all over the lifeless child.
The most unsettling part of the scene, was the ring of scorched and burned grass around TJ"s body that reeked and stunk of Sulphur.
Toby started to cross the circle, and found he couldn't move. An invisible force was holding him from entering the area.
Toby backed away, running back to his porch and ringing the bell, to alert the family to come help him.
Mark and Wyatt came from Mark's barn, Milo from his place, Seamus and Bruce poked their heads out their doors, George walked out on his deck to see what was the matter.
"Seamus, Seamus, please come help," Toby called to the Scot; "no kids, no kids," he yelled at Milo who had started walking toward Toby's place.
Milo had instructed Robbie and Ricky to stay in the house, and when he looked back, Ricky was hot footing it across the pasture. Something in Milo snapped. He stopped and waited for Ricky to reach him, and then Ricky got a spanking. Jerking his youngest sons pants down, Ricky got a bare bottom walloping with his dad's hand.
Milo had seen the body of a child and the bloody ground, and it was something Ricky didn't need to see. When Milo had finished, Ricky was very convinced that he had better mind his Dad. Sent back to the house with his long walk of shame.
Seamus and Milo walked over to Toby, getting there about the same time as Mark and Wyatt. The men stood in silence, staring at the corpse and it's horrific manner of death.
"What in God's name happened here?" Wyatt all but shouted, the scene making him sick to his stomach.
Toby couldn't take his eyes off TJ's body, and his anguished word's came whispering out. The explanation was one Wyatt couldn't accept and he angrily challenged the oldest son on his story.
Two hours later, Toby hadn't changed his story one word. Seamus had cautioned the men to not go near the child's body; and finally impatient, he shouted over Wyatt's badgering of Toby and demanded the men drop to their knees and pray.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wyatt has no idea what has gone on before. Thank you Pac.
steamroller
Contributing Member
Did not see that coming.
Shotgun Willy
Contributing Member
I was expecting a grain of rice somewhere on the boy, not demonic possession.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#122
"I don't care if you're a constable er not. Be closing yer mouth, we have serious prayin to do." Seamus bullied his size next to Wyatt and took command of the situtation.
Wyatt wasn't happy so Seamus got his mentors above to send a couple of lightening bolts to land nearby, to emphasize his demands. All the men cringed, as the sizzling electricity hit the dirt just outside the burned circle.
"Be getting on yer knees to honor me Father;" Seamus's beefy hand pushed hard on Wyatt's shoulder, and the considerably thinner and more lanky man crumpled to the ground.
"You be stayin there, until our prayers be done," intoned Seamus, not moving from Wyatt's side.
Seamus lifted his voice to the heavens, his thundering tone fairly echoing among the houses and barns. His strong Scottish brogue prayed a hedge of protection around the clan and friends.
The longer Seamus prayed, the fainter and fainter the overpowering stench of Sulphur dissipated until most of it was gone. The sounds of 'AMEN' filled the air, as especially strong points of Seamus's prayers hit home to the men of the clan.
Toby had glistening water on his cheeks, he had lost so many to the works of the devil. Meg, Mandy Claire, and now TJ.
"I don't care if you're a constable er not. Be closing yer mouth, we have serious prayin to do." Seamus bullied his size next to Wyatt and took command of the situtation.
Wyatt wasn't happy so Seamus got his mentors above to send a couple of lightening bolts to land nearby, to emphasize his demands. All the men cringed, as the sizzling electricity hit the dirt just outside the burned circle.
"Be getting on yer knees to honor me Father;" Seamus's beefy hand pushed hard on Wyatt's shoulder, and the considerably thinner and more lanky man crumpled to the ground.
"You be stayin there, until our prayers be done," intoned Seamus, not moving from Wyatt's side.
Seamus lifted his voice to the heavens, his thundering tone fairly echoing among the houses and barns. His strong Scottish brogue prayed a hedge of protection around the clan and friends.
The longer Seamus prayed, the fainter and fainter the overpowering stench of Sulphur dissipated until most of it was gone. The sounds of 'AMEN' filled the air, as especially strong points of Seamus's prayers hit home to the men of the clan.
Toby had glistening water on his cheeks, he had lost so many to the works of the devil. Meg, Mandy Claire, and now TJ.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Big thank you.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Well there's nothing to say a demon didn't help plant a grain of rice but TJ was in turmoil because his body and psyche were rejecting it. Just saying......
steamroller
Contributing Member
Very good, thank you.