Hi, My Name is Tessee
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
Siskiyoumom
Veteran Member
I to am a bit confused.
And I thought that Borg's house was unreachable due to quake damage to the bridges.
And I am really worried about Will and his boy.
Gosh, this is like a soap opera.
I really think you should throw this story towards a TV producer!!!!
It ranks up high on my list with NCIS.
: } Sis
And I thought that Borg's house was unreachable due to quake damage to the bridges.
And I am really worried about Will and his boy.
Gosh, this is like a soap opera.
I really think you should throw this story towards a TV producer!!!!
It ranks up high on my list with NCIS.
: } Sis
quick question about Clora's shawl: in the story, she wraps Teddy up in it several times, my question is "how?" I'm trying to picture it but all I get is those sling things or Moba things for babies. (way to expensive) but I've never seen a shawl LONG enough to sling a kid in.
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PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#48d
"Mark, I need help to the bathroom," Wayne wiped the sweat off his forehead, as he struggled to get up. Mark helped and Wayne emerged washed by a spit bath and fresh blood on his bandage.
"Sit down dude," Mark pointed to the sofa, "I need you capable of shouldering a rifle, so don't go getting overworked and zone out on us."
"Oh not me," Wayne tried to make a small joke and accepted the plate of pancakes from Clora as she passed them out. There were bowls of rice with bouillon gravy if the pancakes didn't fill you up. The water situation was getting critical, and Clora mentioned they need to have a war council, sooner than later.
"I agree everyone needs to be brought up to speed, Hey everyone, grab something to eat and gather round," Mark announced. Lainey had been holding a bowl for Ben as he struggled to eat with his non dominate hand, and hold Anne at the same time.
"Here," Christy came to her rescue, "Let me hold the princess so you both can eat." Anne was carefully gathered up and turned outward so she was staring at her Mother and Father. It was a jolt to her, but it was hard to complain as what she desired was right before her. Anne frowned, unsure of what to do next. Christy jigged the child on her knee, trying to jolly Anne into happy behavior. The crying was getting on everyone's nerves, and Mark could see the tension growing between the adults unused to the fretful sobbing.
"First of all, thank you everyone for the help yesterday. Each of you made it possible for us to be here today, alive. Please understand that this really is a big deal. You are the untrained, up against the highly trained force out to kill us. Your accurate shooting, your willingness to put your self in danger to help the clan, has brought us here to share breakfast together." Mark shook every person's hand, even Milo, Teddy and Anne. "All contributed," he stressed firmly.
" The three men killed in the tree farm were Asian, seemingly the same nationality as those that have tried before. The two men Clora killed yesterday were removed last night by a force of five men, so we are aware of five more problems. I'm going to ask each of you as individual families if you want to stay here in Wayne's house, go to your own homes or group together in the cafe building. That will happen in just a minute." Mark opened the front curtain to let in the natural light. "Let's turn the lamp out, we need to be as conservative as possible.
"Ya'all heard my call to Carsen, and I'm not backing down, but I'm not running this show...you are." Mark noticed the tension lines around Ben's mouth ease away, and he figured he scored a major one there.
"I'm simply saying what we all are thinking," Mark looked at the nodding heads as the clan agreed with him. "I asked Clora if she wanted to go to Gertie's and she raised some good points. First of all, I'm not sure we can physically get there due to down bridges and such. Second, I'm not sure it would be any safer than here, Third, the realistic chances of moving trailers up there is dwindling, and the fact of living in tents seems the only solution. If we can find tents."
Ev mumbled, trying to say something. "Take your time," Mark encouraged, "you have the floor."
Ev looked at Cheryl and said "e-green," and poked his finger in a downward motion.
Cheryl was stumped, as Ev repeated it again and again. It was like playing charades, as they all took turn guessing. "I know," Clora finally said. "Ev are you talking about going to Gertie's by going to Evergreen and then down into the valley from the back side?" she guessed.
Ev nodded fiercely, concentrating intently on trying to communicate. "Yesss," he said with difficultly.
"Possible," Mark checked his notebook. "There is only one bridge East of Camas to the road up and over the hill. But....." and he let the word sink in, "is there a road from the top to the valley that's passable."
Ev shook his head no, and made a pantomime like carrying a load on his back.
"Oh noooo"s" there were groans all around. "We have so much stuff to walk it in would be impossible to do."
"Let's keep it on the table as a possible solution." Mark suggested and there was a majority consensus. "Ok, what about consolidating into the cafe or going back to the individual houses?"
Ben spoke up. "I'd like time for Lainey and me to talk about this privately, nothing against you guys you understand, but we've gotten used to privacy."
"OK, when you have a decision, let us know. Everybody discuss and bring your ideas back in when you're ready." Mark was frustrated big time. He had already planned to take his family away from the farm, before the earthquake. Now...it was a big crap shoot.
There was no way to successfully get to Portland with the bridges torn down or shut down; and no way to know if Borg's house had been looted, burned or shaken apart. So he wasn't going to count on that solution. What they had, was what their life was going to be.
Mark looked for Clora and found her speaking quietly with Wayne as she checked his wound. The bright red had changed to darker brown, telling her that the bleeding had stopped for a while. Clora asked his opinion on what he wanted to do, when Danny got up to 'woof' once and look toward the door.
Mark grabbed his rifle and looked out the window, hiding his shadowy profile behind the curtain. Paula Penderman was riding a horse up the driveway. With what she had tied on the horse, she looked like a mail order bride from yesteryear.
"Mark, I need help to the bathroom," Wayne wiped the sweat off his forehead, as he struggled to get up. Mark helped and Wayne emerged washed by a spit bath and fresh blood on his bandage.
"Sit down dude," Mark pointed to the sofa, "I need you capable of shouldering a rifle, so don't go getting overworked and zone out on us."
"Oh not me," Wayne tried to make a small joke and accepted the plate of pancakes from Clora as she passed them out. There were bowls of rice with bouillon gravy if the pancakes didn't fill you up. The water situation was getting critical, and Clora mentioned they need to have a war council, sooner than later.
"I agree everyone needs to be brought up to speed, Hey everyone, grab something to eat and gather round," Mark announced. Lainey had been holding a bowl for Ben as he struggled to eat with his non dominate hand, and hold Anne at the same time.
"Here," Christy came to her rescue, "Let me hold the princess so you both can eat." Anne was carefully gathered up and turned outward so she was staring at her Mother and Father. It was a jolt to her, but it was hard to complain as what she desired was right before her. Anne frowned, unsure of what to do next. Christy jigged the child on her knee, trying to jolly Anne into happy behavior. The crying was getting on everyone's nerves, and Mark could see the tension growing between the adults unused to the fretful sobbing.
"First of all, thank you everyone for the help yesterday. Each of you made it possible for us to be here today, alive. Please understand that this really is a big deal. You are the untrained, up against the highly trained force out to kill us. Your accurate shooting, your willingness to put your self in danger to help the clan, has brought us here to share breakfast together." Mark shook every person's hand, even Milo, Teddy and Anne. "All contributed," he stressed firmly.
" The three men killed in the tree farm were Asian, seemingly the same nationality as those that have tried before. The two men Clora killed yesterday were removed last night by a force of five men, so we are aware of five more problems. I'm going to ask each of you as individual families if you want to stay here in Wayne's house, go to your own homes or group together in the cafe building. That will happen in just a minute." Mark opened the front curtain to let in the natural light. "Let's turn the lamp out, we need to be as conservative as possible.
"Ya'all heard my call to Carsen, and I'm not backing down, but I'm not running this show...you are." Mark noticed the tension lines around Ben's mouth ease away, and he figured he scored a major one there.
"I'm simply saying what we all are thinking," Mark looked at the nodding heads as the clan agreed with him. "I asked Clora if she wanted to go to Gertie's and she raised some good points. First of all, I'm not sure we can physically get there due to down bridges and such. Second, I'm not sure it would be any safer than here, Third, the realistic chances of moving trailers up there is dwindling, and the fact of living in tents seems the only solution. If we can find tents."
Ev mumbled, trying to say something. "Take your time," Mark encouraged, "you have the floor."
Ev looked at Cheryl and said "e-green," and poked his finger in a downward motion.
Cheryl was stumped, as Ev repeated it again and again. It was like playing charades, as they all took turn guessing. "I know," Clora finally said. "Ev are you talking about going to Gertie's by going to Evergreen and then down into the valley from the back side?" she guessed.
Ev nodded fiercely, concentrating intently on trying to communicate. "Yesss," he said with difficultly.
"Possible," Mark checked his notebook. "There is only one bridge East of Camas to the road up and over the hill. But....." and he let the word sink in, "is there a road from the top to the valley that's passable."
Ev shook his head no, and made a pantomime like carrying a load on his back.
"Oh noooo"s" there were groans all around. "We have so much stuff to walk it in would be impossible to do."
"Let's keep it on the table as a possible solution." Mark suggested and there was a majority consensus. "Ok, what about consolidating into the cafe or going back to the individual houses?"
Ben spoke up. "I'd like time for Lainey and me to talk about this privately, nothing against you guys you understand, but we've gotten used to privacy."
"OK, when you have a decision, let us know. Everybody discuss and bring your ideas back in when you're ready." Mark was frustrated big time. He had already planned to take his family away from the farm, before the earthquake. Now...it was a big crap shoot.
There was no way to successfully get to Portland with the bridges torn down or shut down; and no way to know if Borg's house had been looted, burned or shaken apart. So he wasn't going to count on that solution. What they had, was what their life was going to be.
Mark looked for Clora and found her speaking quietly with Wayne as she checked his wound. The bright red had changed to darker brown, telling her that the bleeding had stopped for a while. Clora asked his opinion on what he wanted to do, when Danny got up to 'woof' once and look toward the door.
Mark grabbed his rifle and looked out the window, hiding his shadowy profile behind the curtain. Paula Penderman was riding a horse up the driveway. With what she had tied on the horse, she looked like a mail order bride from yesteryear.
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PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Kaij,
the shawls I have used are close to 6' long. It goes across the baby's back in a X pattern a couple of times, with the end finishing under the baby's bottom to come up and be tucked into the top of the criss cross. The weight of the baby holds it tight.
The end flap can be easily untied and 'dumped' and cleaned by swishing in water. I have also seen similar African carries.
My baby is 34, so I had to stop and think of how I positioned the ties. I hope it is clear!
PS, I made my 'shawls' from lengths of 60" wide flannel. They have to be longer, the bigger the baby grows. Also, as my kids grew, I often times had to fold the flannel in half and stitch to hold the heavy little critters.
If I had to be horseback, I had a couple of huge blanket pins I used for security.
the shawls I have used are close to 6' long. It goes across the baby's back in a X pattern a couple of times, with the end finishing under the baby's bottom to come up and be tucked into the top of the criss cross. The weight of the baby holds it tight.
The end flap can be easily untied and 'dumped' and cleaned by swishing in water. I have also seen similar African carries.
My baby is 34, so I had to stop and think of how I positioned the ties. I hope it is clear!
PS, I made my 'shawls' from lengths of 60" wide flannel. They have to be longer, the bigger the baby grows. Also, as my kids grew, I often times had to fold the flannel in half and stitch to hold the heavy little critters.
If I had to be horseback, I had a couple of huge blanket pins I used for security.
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stjwelding
Veteran Member
Pac thanks for the chapters but you have us hanging by one finger nail, I hope its not to long. Looks like the family just grew by one and Wayne is going to finally find the sole mate he has been searching for.
Thanks again
Wayne
Thanks again
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#49
"Family, you are not going to believe this," Mark said with choking laughter, drawing Clora to the window to feast her eyes on a genuine 'happening'. "Wayne, I think you had better get ready, you're spoken for man and I don't recommend fighting it as you'll probably get hurt."
Paula got primly down from her one horse tinker wagon and fluffed her clothes, smoothed her hair and knocked firmly on the door. Mark answered and in she marched, grimly determined and intently focused on Wayne.
Wayne, looked like he might die of fright, but Paula was having none of that nonsense. "We have a few things to discuss," she told the family, "I'm sure you can find something else to do for a few moments. We'll let you know when you can come back in the room," dismissed, the clan trooped into the kitchen to talk about anything that wouldn't send them over the edge into laughter.
Lainey fanned herself with a dishtowel and whispered in Ben's ear. That produced a shade of red on the man's face that totally covered the pale hurt lines around his mouth. His eyes got big, his baby blues watered and he swallowed hard. Incredulous, he stared at his wife and then swallowed hard again. Shaking his head to clear what he thought he heard, Lainey threatened to say it again, as Ben grabbed for his hurting arm.
"Christy, could you babysit for a while, Ben and I need to discuss what Mark said." Hauling her husband to his feet in an unseemingly hasty manner, Lainey smiled over her shoulder and off they went out the back door to their place, security and caution forgotten.
Ev and Cheryl departed soon after; not with as much haste as Lainey and Ben, but they were older and needed to use more decorum.
Mark was having a fine morning until Clora whispered in his ear, and then he had to sit down. "I....I think I had better see about moving into the cafe building " he stammered. "Is it awful hot in here, it sure feels awful hot, maybe I'd better go." and he loped out the door, thankful to have made it out without melting.
Clora was snickering as she gathered up the dishes and grabbed Milo by the collar as he was peeking around the corner into the living room. "I think they're gonna kiss," he said disgustedly; his hero Uncle Wayne going up in flames right before his four year old eyes.
"They probably are," Clora said happily. "It's not bad Milo, want to try it?"
"Never," he announced, 'with a girl? Gross, gross, gross."
Clora grabbed up Teddy and made kissing sounds on his cheek, making the boy laugh. Holding Teddy in one arm, she urged Milo to come over and get his share. After much coaxing and a shove from Christy, he got close enough for Clora to grab him and smooch his cheek. Milo laughed a wonderful clear, little boy sound of delight and said,"that tickles, do it again." he invited as he squirmed in her hug.
Christy smooched on Princess Anne and was rewarded with a cross look, it took two or three times until Anne would relent and smile, then she giggled with a tickle on her tummy.
Clora treasured the light hearted moment; they had been so scared and dour with their circumstances, that they were all affected with depression and gloom.
Paula came to the kitchen to tell Clora, "the Minister will be here at noon. We are going to have a wedding."
"Family, you are not going to believe this," Mark said with choking laughter, drawing Clora to the window to feast her eyes on a genuine 'happening'. "Wayne, I think you had better get ready, you're spoken for man and I don't recommend fighting it as you'll probably get hurt."
Paula got primly down from her one horse tinker wagon and fluffed her clothes, smoothed her hair and knocked firmly on the door. Mark answered and in she marched, grimly determined and intently focused on Wayne.
Wayne, looked like he might die of fright, but Paula was having none of that nonsense. "We have a few things to discuss," she told the family, "I'm sure you can find something else to do for a few moments. We'll let you know when you can come back in the room," dismissed, the clan trooped into the kitchen to talk about anything that wouldn't send them over the edge into laughter.
Lainey fanned herself with a dishtowel and whispered in Ben's ear. That produced a shade of red on the man's face that totally covered the pale hurt lines around his mouth. His eyes got big, his baby blues watered and he swallowed hard. Incredulous, he stared at his wife and then swallowed hard again. Shaking his head to clear what he thought he heard, Lainey threatened to say it again, as Ben grabbed for his hurting arm.
"Christy, could you babysit for a while, Ben and I need to discuss what Mark said." Hauling her husband to his feet in an unseemingly hasty manner, Lainey smiled over her shoulder and off they went out the back door to their place, security and caution forgotten.
Ev and Cheryl departed soon after; not with as much haste as Lainey and Ben, but they were older and needed to use more decorum.
Mark was having a fine morning until Clora whispered in his ear, and then he had to sit down. "I....I think I had better see about moving into the cafe building " he stammered. "Is it awful hot in here, it sure feels awful hot, maybe I'd better go." and he loped out the door, thankful to have made it out without melting.
Clora was snickering as she gathered up the dishes and grabbed Milo by the collar as he was peeking around the corner into the living room. "I think they're gonna kiss," he said disgustedly; his hero Uncle Wayne going up in flames right before his four year old eyes.
"They probably are," Clora said happily. "It's not bad Milo, want to try it?"
"Never," he announced, 'with a girl? Gross, gross, gross."
Clora grabbed up Teddy and made kissing sounds on his cheek, making the boy laugh. Holding Teddy in one arm, she urged Milo to come over and get his share. After much coaxing and a shove from Christy, he got close enough for Clora to grab him and smooch his cheek. Milo laughed a wonderful clear, little boy sound of delight and said,"that tickles, do it again." he invited as he squirmed in her hug.
Christy smooched on Princess Anne and was rewarded with a cross look, it took two or three times until Anne would relent and smile, then she giggled with a tickle on her tummy.
Clora treasured the light hearted moment; they had been so scared and dour with their circumstances, that they were all affected with depression and gloom.
Paula came to the kitchen to tell Clora, "the Minister will be here at noon. We are going to have a wedding."
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Great Chapter, Wayne finely met his sole mate.
Thanks for your time & the story Pac.
Wayne
Thanks for your time & the story Pac.
Wayne
bad_karma00
Underachiever
Well, I guess Wayne told her, didn't he!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#49b
"I see, " Clora said softly. "And Wayne, he agrees to this freely?"
Paula fixed a steely eye on her future sister in law and and said "yes he agrees, why shouldn't he?"
"Because he is a man and likes to do things his way, in his time," Clora remarked. "I don't think he has had a date with you, only that other woman, correct?"
"Yes, her name is Judy and she is very bossy," Paula reported, as she cast her eyes toward the living room to see what Wayne was up too. "Do you think we could get him sitting up, I don't want him laying down when we get married."
"Do you think that is enough to build a marriage on?" Clora persisted with her questioning. "Wayne has some....problems you might say, that affect his day to day ability to live life."
"I have no doubt that I can work that out of him. Look," Paula tapped her tiny foot in annoyance, "I appreciate your effort here, but I don't need any of your help. I am perfectly capable of conducting my business, and his, in a responsible manner. Wayne needs a time manager to keep him on track, to work up to his full potential and become more productive. He is going into the wrought iron gate business and I will expect him to turn out a gate every three days. It will be a successful business for us."
"No," Clora said as she stood nose to nose with Paula. "That's not who Wayne is," she tried patiently to explain." When we move, there will not be a client base for that sort of business, it will be farming and hardship and stress and dirt with cold and hunger. Are you sure you want to sign up for all of that?"
"Oh, we won't be moving with you," Paula trilled out the last syllable. "Wayne is going to be moving into our house, where he can work without interruption. My mother and I have have a very nice life planned out for us, right down to the every detail."
"No" the single word came from the living room, shocking Paula as she turned around to stare into the room.
"Paula come in here." the voice issued an order and not a request. "Paula, we have a little bit of talking to do. I thought it was cute and amusing when you came trouncing in here and had our lives in complete order; but and I mean it in every way possible, I will be going with the family when they move. If you wish to marry me, you will follow and be a farm wife." Wayne had said his piece. There was no budging his made up mind.
Paula felt her way to a chair, sat down and promptly burst into tears. "I told Judy this wouldn't work," she sobbed, "and she told me it would without fail."
"I think Judy has some pretty goofy ideas about how a man and woman begin a life together," Clora observed. "Maybe you should talk to Wayne some more, I think it could be pretty important." Clora hauled the petite woman up by the arm and shoved her toward the living room. "We are going up to the future Linderman castle, and will be back after a while."
Christy and Clora took their young charges for a walk to the Cafe. This time Teddy wanted to walk by himself. Hanging onto Milo's hand he tried mightily to walk through the snow. Finally, tired out he said his first clear words. "Up Mama."
"I see, " Clora said softly. "And Wayne, he agrees to this freely?"
Paula fixed a steely eye on her future sister in law and and said "yes he agrees, why shouldn't he?"
"Because he is a man and likes to do things his way, in his time," Clora remarked. "I don't think he has had a date with you, only that other woman, correct?"
"Yes, her name is Judy and she is very bossy," Paula reported, as she cast her eyes toward the living room to see what Wayne was up too. "Do you think we could get him sitting up, I don't want him laying down when we get married."
"Do you think that is enough to build a marriage on?" Clora persisted with her questioning. "Wayne has some....problems you might say, that affect his day to day ability to live life."
"I have no doubt that I can work that out of him. Look," Paula tapped her tiny foot in annoyance, "I appreciate your effort here, but I don't need any of your help. I am perfectly capable of conducting my business, and his, in a responsible manner. Wayne needs a time manager to keep him on track, to work up to his full potential and become more productive. He is going into the wrought iron gate business and I will expect him to turn out a gate every three days. It will be a successful business for us."
"No," Clora said as she stood nose to nose with Paula. "That's not who Wayne is," she tried patiently to explain." When we move, there will not be a client base for that sort of business, it will be farming and hardship and stress and dirt with cold and hunger. Are you sure you want to sign up for all of that?"
"Oh, we won't be moving with you," Paula trilled out the last syllable. "Wayne is going to be moving into our house, where he can work without interruption. My mother and I have have a very nice life planned out for us, right down to the every detail."
"No" the single word came from the living room, shocking Paula as she turned around to stare into the room.
"Paula come in here." the voice issued an order and not a request. "Paula, we have a little bit of talking to do. I thought it was cute and amusing when you came trouncing in here and had our lives in complete order; but and I mean it in every way possible, I will be going with the family when they move. If you wish to marry me, you will follow and be a farm wife." Wayne had said his piece. There was no budging his made up mind.
Paula felt her way to a chair, sat down and promptly burst into tears. "I told Judy this wouldn't work," she sobbed, "and she told me it would without fail."
"I think Judy has some pretty goofy ideas about how a man and woman begin a life together," Clora observed. "Maybe you should talk to Wayne some more, I think it could be pretty important." Clora hauled the petite woman up by the arm and shoved her toward the living room. "We are going up to the future Linderman castle, and will be back after a while."
Christy and Clora took their young charges for a walk to the Cafe. This time Teddy wanted to walk by himself. Hanging onto Milo's hand he tried mightily to walk through the snow. Finally, tired out he said his first clear words. "Up Mama."
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wow wedding, I guess Paula knows her mind alright lol But man she better know what Wayne wants first., thanks Pac.
bad_karma00
Underachiever
Check, and mate.
Clora watching out for her family, and Wayne laying it out nice and clear.
Clora watching out for her family, and Wayne laying it out nice and clear.
What wonderful chapters! I was laughing so hard when she came in and made her announcement!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#49c
"Oh my," Clora was all emotional and teary eyed when she went into the cafe building. Home, I guess I need to call it, she supposed.
"Mark, guess what Teddy just said? He said 'up Mama'. Oh my goodness, that just makes me all teary and emotional. I really am not this way, I just can't seem to help myself. And then Paula, oh my goodness she tried to come across like that Judy woman and now I think she is really not that way, and she and Wayne may get married at noon today. Oh my goodness, somebody shut me up."
Clora finally ran out of breath and stopped on her own.
Mark looked at her and then Christy and then made a big production of wiping the sweat off his brow. "Whizzers Clora, take it easy babe.
He said Mama huh? Well now, that's a pretty big doing for such a short drink of water. Hey Teddy, when are you gonna say Daddy?"
"I can say Daddy, and I can say Mama too, wanna hear me?" Milo was eager to be included.
"Sure Sport, com'on over hear and let me hear you," Mark sat down in a chair and grabbed up both boys. They started gabbering at him fast and furious.
Christy holding Anne and Clora walked around the cafe, looking at the chalk drawings Mark had put on the floor indicating the rooms they could create with bulkheads. Mark joined them with a boy under each arm, carrying the giggling kids like sacks of potatoes. Anne watched the play, holding herself aloof from the hilarity that was happening.
"She's got the good nature of a lemon sucker," Mark observed, she's gonna be a snot when she grows up."
"That's a awful thing to say," Clora tweaked Anne's cheek until she got a fleeting grin.
"Mom says she's a 40 year old baby, gosh she seems never happy or friendly. Look at her now, we really have to work hard to get her to smile," Christy went to tickle Anne and got a cry of protest for her troubles.
"I guess she doesn't want to be happy," Clora said gently, "I really can't imagine why she won't laugh, it is kinda strange. Maybe Lainey has a clue, I'll ask her the next time I think about it."
Lainey and Ben standing in the open doorway heard and knew it was a telling factor in their stressed household. Anne wasn't happy because they weren't happy.
Ben was just about to step up and announce they were looking for Anne, when the wap wap of an approaching helicopter announced the arrival of Carsen and the information Mark had requested.
"Oh my," Clora was all emotional and teary eyed when she went into the cafe building. Home, I guess I need to call it, she supposed.
"Mark, guess what Teddy just said? He said 'up Mama'. Oh my goodness, that just makes me all teary and emotional. I really am not this way, I just can't seem to help myself. And then Paula, oh my goodness she tried to come across like that Judy woman and now I think she is really not that way, and she and Wayne may get married at noon today. Oh my goodness, somebody shut me up."
Clora finally ran out of breath and stopped on her own.
Mark looked at her and then Christy and then made a big production of wiping the sweat off his brow. "Whizzers Clora, take it easy babe.
He said Mama huh? Well now, that's a pretty big doing for such a short drink of water. Hey Teddy, when are you gonna say Daddy?"
"I can say Daddy, and I can say Mama too, wanna hear me?" Milo was eager to be included.
"Sure Sport, com'on over hear and let me hear you," Mark sat down in a chair and grabbed up both boys. They started gabbering at him fast and furious.
Christy holding Anne and Clora walked around the cafe, looking at the chalk drawings Mark had put on the floor indicating the rooms they could create with bulkheads. Mark joined them with a boy under each arm, carrying the giggling kids like sacks of potatoes. Anne watched the play, holding herself aloof from the hilarity that was happening.
"She's got the good nature of a lemon sucker," Mark observed, she's gonna be a snot when she grows up."
"That's a awful thing to say," Clora tweaked Anne's cheek until she got a fleeting grin.
"Mom says she's a 40 year old baby, gosh she seems never happy or friendly. Look at her now, we really have to work hard to get her to smile," Christy went to tickle Anne and got a cry of protest for her troubles.
"I guess she doesn't want to be happy," Clora said gently, "I really can't imagine why she won't laugh, it is kinda strange. Maybe Lainey has a clue, I'll ask her the next time I think about it."
Lainey and Ben standing in the open doorway heard and knew it was a telling factor in their stressed household. Anne wasn't happy because they weren't happy.
Ben was just about to step up and announce they were looking for Anne, when the wap wap of an approaching helicopter announced the arrival of Carsen and the information Mark had requested.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Carsen oh my good.
bad_karma00
Underachiever
Fart Barf and Itch to the rescue!
Never less than a day late and a brain cell short.
Never less than a day late and a brain cell short.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thanks Pac it just keeps getting better and better.
Wayne
Wayne
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh made me look.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#50
Mark went down to get Ev and Cheryl and bring them up to Wayne's. The ladies had to scramble to find enough chairs for everyone to use, and Paula was asked to help bring kitchen chairs from Ev's and Ben's. When she wasn't acting like Judy, Paula seemed like a nice person, willing to help and totally infatuated with Wayne.
Carsen was fidgety and nervous acting, unhappy he had to wait so long for everyone to assemble. Time spent here was time lost, no hope of getting it back, no reward for the time spent other than a warning to these people.
There was plenty of evidence that they had been attacked once more. The shop was burned, the big house was gone, people were doubled up in the smaller houses and nobody acted very friendly.
Finally, David Carsen had the floor and he stopped pacing long enough to look at Mark. "Linderman, I want you to know this whole situation gives me heart burn, and I don't like it."
Mark answered like he and Carsen were the only two in the room. "Tough, you aren't getting shot at, we are."
Carsen said "I risked my whole career this morning by opening your files. For some reason they have been classified, and I disobeyed direct orders and cut the seal. I don't do that lightly, and I don't do it for just anybody. There's been a lot about this that I didn't understand, and still don't." Carsen continued looking at Mark.
"I guess I should start with the diamonds," he paused, making eye contact with the family members. "They are moderate cut, clarity and of no special value. The Cambodians think you as a family still have the 'Eye of Buddha' and they want it. Now I have to ask you please, do you have it?"
Mark went to answer when Clora held up her hand. "In truth I don't know, we don't know. We haven't looked at the last of the money stacks," she said honestly.
"You haven't," Carsen said incredulously, "I find that hard to believe, how could you not want to know?"
"For one thing, every time we get the diamonds out, bad things happen," Clora said with a sigh. "Do you want me to go get them," she offered.
"You have them here," he said once again in disbelief, "I don't believe this" he muttered under his breath, as he sat down. "OK, go get them please."
Clora looked at Mark and he stood up to help her outside. She walked to the woodshed and got a shovel and went to the compost pile. Removing a rock that bordered the pile, Clora pointed to a spot that Mark needed to dig. "One big shovelful right about there," she instructed.
It took three big bites, and the two mason jars were exposed. Rubbing them in the snow to remove as much dirt as possible, Mark carried them into the house and splashed water over them. Grabbing a towel, he walked into the living room and placed the towel on the chair seat. Unscrewing the band, he used the rim to pop up the sealed lid. Mark scooted the chair over to where Clora was sitting and stepped back so all could see.
Clora tipped the jar up and two of the money faced cubes dropped out. She did the same with the second jar and then looked up. Clora opened the first cube and poured the diamonds on the towel. The second, third and fourth cubes were the same. There was no huge diamond or any other large gem. "This is all of them, all that is left." Clora said in the silence. "I guess we do not have the eye as they all supposed. I do not have it hidden back, we do not have it at all."
Carsen stroked his chin, "and there is nothing else, no more paperwork or anything like that?"
"There were two things we saved when we fled, a frying pan and Grandma's diary. The diary burned the other day when the house burned. The pan is on the counter." Clora said sadly, as she picked up the stones and dropped them in the unusual container.
"Do you mind if I look at that money stack?" Carsen asked. He carefully noted Clora looked to Mark and then the rest of the family before she granted consent. Clora picked up the first one and handed it to him. He tested it between his thumb and fore finger, pinching and sliding it between his fingers. The block ends shifted and came apart in his hand, the well folded piece of paper tipped out and rested in his palm.
"Oh," Lainey was closest and saw it immediately. "What is that?"
"If it's what I think it is, it's the code sheet for the papers that were in your Aunt's trunk. The plans are worthless without it, and if there are more, they detail a list of turncoats and spies we have been searching for. May I?" and he indicated the three other stacks. When he finished, David Carsen was somber, shaken to the core. The list of spies was extensive and astounding. No wonder a host of different countries and hit men wanted this information so badly.
"I need to speak to one of my crew, I am going to tell you that you do not want to have these papers, and I am going to fax them out right away. The people that want these lists would and will kill for them. Do you have any questions?" Carsen was half out the door, but waited impatiently for the clan to respond.
"Take them," Clora said as the group nodded their agreement. "We want them gone and the snipers with them." and her hand went protectively to her stomach, shielding their baby from harm.
Carsen did what ever he needed to do out at the copter, spending almost a hour setting up a secure transfer with a trusted aide. He had no doubt he could be assassinated instantly if the opposite side had a clue he had the list.
Mark came out and caught Carsen's eye. "We would like to see the lists, read them and then you may have them back."
Agent Carsen drilled him with the hardest look he could muster. "Alright, make it quick."
Mark grabbed the papers and ran back into the house. He and Clora, Ben and Lainey, Wayne and Ev and Cheryl each got a list to quickly read over. Clora almost had her list read when she came upon a name she knew. At her gasp, to a person they all looked up.
"Who?" said Ben. He was interrupted by Carsen who came running in the door. "There's a incoming car. Give me the lists NOW!" and he was out the door and into the waiting copter.
Stunned, the clan sat looking at each other. There was a knock at the door and a jovial, chubby man poked his head in the door and said, "I'm here to officiate a wedding. Who is the happy couple?"
Mark went down to get Ev and Cheryl and bring them up to Wayne's. The ladies had to scramble to find enough chairs for everyone to use, and Paula was asked to help bring kitchen chairs from Ev's and Ben's. When she wasn't acting like Judy, Paula seemed like a nice person, willing to help and totally infatuated with Wayne.
Carsen was fidgety and nervous acting, unhappy he had to wait so long for everyone to assemble. Time spent here was time lost, no hope of getting it back, no reward for the time spent other than a warning to these people.
There was plenty of evidence that they had been attacked once more. The shop was burned, the big house was gone, people were doubled up in the smaller houses and nobody acted very friendly.
Finally, David Carsen had the floor and he stopped pacing long enough to look at Mark. "Linderman, I want you to know this whole situation gives me heart burn, and I don't like it."
Mark answered like he and Carsen were the only two in the room. "Tough, you aren't getting shot at, we are."
Carsen said "I risked my whole career this morning by opening your files. For some reason they have been classified, and I disobeyed direct orders and cut the seal. I don't do that lightly, and I don't do it for just anybody. There's been a lot about this that I didn't understand, and still don't." Carsen continued looking at Mark.
"I guess I should start with the diamonds," he paused, making eye contact with the family members. "They are moderate cut, clarity and of no special value. The Cambodians think you as a family still have the 'Eye of Buddha' and they want it. Now I have to ask you please, do you have it?"
Mark went to answer when Clora held up her hand. "In truth I don't know, we don't know. We haven't looked at the last of the money stacks," she said honestly.
"You haven't," Carsen said incredulously, "I find that hard to believe, how could you not want to know?"
"For one thing, every time we get the diamonds out, bad things happen," Clora said with a sigh. "Do you want me to go get them," she offered.
"You have them here," he said once again in disbelief, "I don't believe this" he muttered under his breath, as he sat down. "OK, go get them please."
Clora looked at Mark and he stood up to help her outside. She walked to the woodshed and got a shovel and went to the compost pile. Removing a rock that bordered the pile, Clora pointed to a spot that Mark needed to dig. "One big shovelful right about there," she instructed.
It took three big bites, and the two mason jars were exposed. Rubbing them in the snow to remove as much dirt as possible, Mark carried them into the house and splashed water over them. Grabbing a towel, he walked into the living room and placed the towel on the chair seat. Unscrewing the band, he used the rim to pop up the sealed lid. Mark scooted the chair over to where Clora was sitting and stepped back so all could see.
Clora tipped the jar up and two of the money faced cubes dropped out. She did the same with the second jar and then looked up. Clora opened the first cube and poured the diamonds on the towel. The second, third and fourth cubes were the same. There was no huge diamond or any other large gem. "This is all of them, all that is left." Clora said in the silence. "I guess we do not have the eye as they all supposed. I do not have it hidden back, we do not have it at all."
Carsen stroked his chin, "and there is nothing else, no more paperwork or anything like that?"
"There were two things we saved when we fled, a frying pan and Grandma's diary. The diary burned the other day when the house burned. The pan is on the counter." Clora said sadly, as she picked up the stones and dropped them in the unusual container.
"Do you mind if I look at that money stack?" Carsen asked. He carefully noted Clora looked to Mark and then the rest of the family before she granted consent. Clora picked up the first one and handed it to him. He tested it between his thumb and fore finger, pinching and sliding it between his fingers. The block ends shifted and came apart in his hand, the well folded piece of paper tipped out and rested in his palm.
"Oh," Lainey was closest and saw it immediately. "What is that?"
"If it's what I think it is, it's the code sheet for the papers that were in your Aunt's trunk. The plans are worthless without it, and if there are more, they detail a list of turncoats and spies we have been searching for. May I?" and he indicated the three other stacks. When he finished, David Carsen was somber, shaken to the core. The list of spies was extensive and astounding. No wonder a host of different countries and hit men wanted this information so badly.
"I need to speak to one of my crew, I am going to tell you that you do not want to have these papers, and I am going to fax them out right away. The people that want these lists would and will kill for them. Do you have any questions?" Carsen was half out the door, but waited impatiently for the clan to respond.
"Take them," Clora said as the group nodded their agreement. "We want them gone and the snipers with them." and her hand went protectively to her stomach, shielding their baby from harm.
Carsen did what ever he needed to do out at the copter, spending almost a hour setting up a secure transfer with a trusted aide. He had no doubt he could be assassinated instantly if the opposite side had a clue he had the list.
Mark came out and caught Carsen's eye. "We would like to see the lists, read them and then you may have them back."
Agent Carsen drilled him with the hardest look he could muster. "Alright, make it quick."
Mark grabbed the papers and ran back into the house. He and Clora, Ben and Lainey, Wayne and Ev and Cheryl each got a list to quickly read over. Clora almost had her list read when she came upon a name she knew. At her gasp, to a person they all looked up.
"Who?" said Ben. He was interrupted by Carsen who came running in the door. "There's a incoming car. Give me the lists NOW!" and he was out the door and into the waiting copter.
Stunned, the clan sat looking at each other. There was a knock at the door and a jovial, chubby man poked his head in the door and said, "I'm here to officiate a wedding. Who is the happy couple?"
Jeepcats 3
Contributing Member
Oh no, it isn't Will is it?
Jeepcats 3
Jeepcats 3
who who who who who who who oh who could it be!!!!?????? Ev???? or Cheryl?????? oh that would be a twist!!! she could be so sick before because someone was poisoning her for not doing whatever she was suppose to do.....oh this could go so many ways!!!!! and I'm sure nothing like I am imagining! lol!!!
juco
Veteran Member
Oh Noes! And Will is still MIA after the earthquake....
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
OH ggaaddssssssssss who is it?
bad_karma00
Underachiever
Pac, when I'm bald headed from snatching my hair out over these cliff hangers, it will be your fault. Your's and no one else's.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#50b
The minister's happy face fell as he looked at the stunned group. "Do I have the correct house?" The Very Reverend Harry Upton, inquired with a puzzled voice. "Ahh, I see you Miss Penderman, is this the young man?" He hustled over to shake Paula's hand and then extended his hand to Wayne.
Wayne lifted himself as far as he could, and tried to shake the man's hand. "Excuse me," he said cordially, "I happen to have a gunshot wound or I would get up."
It was only then that Rev. Upton looked down to the torn clothes and blood stained bandage. "Oh my goodness," he exclaimed,"oh my, I don't know what to do." he looked very uncertain, suddenly almost afraid.
"It's already been reported and Doc. Penderman was here. That's how Paula found out I had been hurt." Wayne tried to put him at ease by giving him the truth.
"Oh my, Paula are you sure about this?" Rev. Upton was concerned for his long time parishioner. Even in their part of the county they had heard of the farm and it's problems, and it wasn't a good reputation.
"I'm totally convinced," Paula replied with strength in her voice.
"And you young man, what is your belief?" The minister asked Wayne.
Wayne turned his head and looked straight into Paula's eyes. She didn't waiver and he nodded slowly. "I am totally convinced," he said with his strong manly voice, "I am ready."
They had a wedding. The bride wore dirty jeans and a sweatshirt that had a Halloween motif, and the groom wore torn jeans and bloody bandages. The best man had his arm in a sling and the matron of Honor was holding one child and carrying another. Clora thought, only in our family could this happen.
Mark was the only family member that was alert enough to slip the minister a honorarium, and the man excused himself and flew out the door to race back to relative safety, his nerves shaken and his hands trembling.
The ladies started preparing a wedding feast, as special as they could make it under the conditions. Cheryl sent Christy down to their house for a list of items for the feast, a couple of boneless roasts and jars of peaches and pears.
The cook's decided to slice slabs from the roast and pan sear them for supper, a mound of mashed potatoes and fruit salad completed the meal. Lainey had a oatmeal cake and jars of strawberry sauce for topping. Clora had a pan of baked beans and rice casserole and dry reconstituted milk for the kids.
The best present they could give Wayne and Paula was a couple of nights to themselves, so Mark started moving their meager possessions to the cafe building.
The boys tried to help, Clora tried to help and frankly Mark thought they just got in his way, but he gathered up his patience and his headache throbbing noggin and smiled.
When supper was over and the clan relaxed with good food and company, Ben whacked the elephant in the room.
"OK Clora, who's name did you recognize on the list?" he demanded, and the clan agreed.
Clora looked very unhappy, took a huge sigh and said "there's a spy listed as the 'Mint Man' and behind it is the name John George."
Nobody was breathing, the impact was profound.
"Who's John George?" Mark wanted to know, "I've never heard of him."
"He was our minister in Evergreen before he gave up in a terrible snowstorm when the church collapsed. He left, never to be heard from again. It's something I can't believe in," Clora chewed on her lip.
"If what we already know about this "Mint Man" is true, he was the one that beat Inga, and killed, and killed and killed." she said with a wobble in her voice. "So I wonder if he is the one behind the bumps?"
Nobody said anything. Each of them was contemplating hard about the revelation that was so totally unexpected, and wrong feeling to their thinking.
The minister's happy face fell as he looked at the stunned group. "Do I have the correct house?" The Very Reverend Harry Upton, inquired with a puzzled voice. "Ahh, I see you Miss Penderman, is this the young man?" He hustled over to shake Paula's hand and then extended his hand to Wayne.
Wayne lifted himself as far as he could, and tried to shake the man's hand. "Excuse me," he said cordially, "I happen to have a gunshot wound or I would get up."
It was only then that Rev. Upton looked down to the torn clothes and blood stained bandage. "Oh my goodness," he exclaimed,"oh my, I don't know what to do." he looked very uncertain, suddenly almost afraid.
"It's already been reported and Doc. Penderman was here. That's how Paula found out I had been hurt." Wayne tried to put him at ease by giving him the truth.
"Oh my, Paula are you sure about this?" Rev. Upton was concerned for his long time parishioner. Even in their part of the county they had heard of the farm and it's problems, and it wasn't a good reputation.
"I'm totally convinced," Paula replied with strength in her voice.
"And you young man, what is your belief?" The minister asked Wayne.
Wayne turned his head and looked straight into Paula's eyes. She didn't waiver and he nodded slowly. "I am totally convinced," he said with his strong manly voice, "I am ready."
They had a wedding. The bride wore dirty jeans and a sweatshirt that had a Halloween motif, and the groom wore torn jeans and bloody bandages. The best man had his arm in a sling and the matron of Honor was holding one child and carrying another. Clora thought, only in our family could this happen.
Mark was the only family member that was alert enough to slip the minister a honorarium, and the man excused himself and flew out the door to race back to relative safety, his nerves shaken and his hands trembling.
The ladies started preparing a wedding feast, as special as they could make it under the conditions. Cheryl sent Christy down to their house for a list of items for the feast, a couple of boneless roasts and jars of peaches and pears.
The cook's decided to slice slabs from the roast and pan sear them for supper, a mound of mashed potatoes and fruit salad completed the meal. Lainey had a oatmeal cake and jars of strawberry sauce for topping. Clora had a pan of baked beans and rice casserole and dry reconstituted milk for the kids.
The best present they could give Wayne and Paula was a couple of nights to themselves, so Mark started moving their meager possessions to the cafe building.
The boys tried to help, Clora tried to help and frankly Mark thought they just got in his way, but he gathered up his patience and his headache throbbing noggin and smiled.
When supper was over and the clan relaxed with good food and company, Ben whacked the elephant in the room.
"OK Clora, who's name did you recognize on the list?" he demanded, and the clan agreed.
Clora looked very unhappy, took a huge sigh and said "there's a spy listed as the 'Mint Man' and behind it is the name John George."
Nobody was breathing, the impact was profound.
"Who's John George?" Mark wanted to know, "I've never heard of him."
"He was our minister in Evergreen before he gave up in a terrible snowstorm when the church collapsed. He left, never to be heard from again. It's something I can't believe in," Clora chewed on her lip.
"If what we already know about this "Mint Man" is true, he was the one that beat Inga, and killed, and killed and killed." she said with a wobble in her voice. "So I wonder if he is the one behind the bumps?"
Nobody said anything. Each of them was contemplating hard about the revelation that was so totally unexpected, and wrong feeling to their thinking.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you pac there were so many around them who weren't what they seemed to be.
bad_karma00
Underachiever
As I recall the preacher man had a thing for Inga, too.