Hi, My Name is Tessee

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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#149.

At dark, Willie and Toby came dragging in with their huge fishing expedition haul. Four small sunfish about the size of their palms. Lainey gave them the proper encouragement and fried the fillets for their supper. Two bite of fish per side and then they filled up on spaghetti to fill in the empty space.

"That's not really a lake, is it?" Toby finally asked as he finished his mouthful. Mark shook his head no, "From the way you described it, it's a stock pond that someone has thrown some planted fish in. Perhaps as a kiddie fishing spot. The younger kids will get a thrill fishing in there, and we might give it a try on Sunday afternoon."

"Do we have permission to follow the creek tomorrow? I'd like to see if it leads to any fishing. It's so small up here, that I don't suppose it would support fish." Toby was anxious to contribute to the clan's well being.

"Make you a deal," Mark carefully rubbed his forehead. "Help us with the trees in the morning and then go exploring in the afternoon. Tonight however, we need to sneak back to the hornet's nest and see if we can cap the boiling hole as Clora suggested."

Armed with flashlights and glass quart jars, the fearless hunters went back to the downed trees. The vibration of walking on the ground caused the hive to hum and buzz, but the darkness kept most of the hornet's from flying. The winged stingers had repaired the hive entrance and it was easy to see where it was. Mark quickly popped the jar over the hole and immediately could feel the buzzing vibration.

"We do need to check for one or more openings, the ground feels spongy, like there is a huge hive under here." Mark sent the boys back to the house for more empty jars. They found five more entrances over a six yard area. "This must be a massive, deadly problem. I tell you what we need to do. Smoke them out. Let's pour gas into the hole and set it afire."

It sounded like such a sensible, reasonable way to deal with the problem. They poured in the gas, saturating each hole, lit the liquid a fire and watched the resulting explosion. The ground collapsed under their feet, leaving them scrambling to get back on solid footing.

When it was all over, there was a 10 foot circle that was 2 feet lower than the surrounding land. Here and there individual hornet's escaped and buzzed around until they flew into the smoke and tumbled back into the burning duff.

Wayne held back, afraid of the fire, but excited about destroying the potential killing swarm. "That would kill a human if they all landed on him, animals too," he observed as he fanned the smoke away from his face. "I've never seen such a phenomenon as this."

Lainey and Cheryl were standing on the porch anxiously watching the boy's play with fire and gas, hoping that none of them got hurt. Clora was standing at the bedroom window with her fingers crossed, her sincere prayers for their safety going skyward.

Ben was laughing, until a stray hornet drilled him on the arm. Slapping the offending critter, he clenched his teeth against the sting and resulting burn. "I'm glad their gone. I wonder how many years they have been building up to get that much of a hive?"

"That's been undisturbed for years, maybe 10 or so I would guess." Mark guessed. "Just think what would have happened if they would have swarmed one of the kids." That gave all of them the shudders.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#149b

Everyone trooped back to the kitchen for cookies and milk. The empty milk jugs were carefully rinsed and turned up side down to dry, they would be useful as water jugs when the men were out in the field. "I think I'd better concentrate on finding us a cow," Mark said as he dropped the last drips of milk into his coffee.

"Or any one of you, if you prefer. I don't mean to be taking over," he amended quietly to the family. "I noticed there are a couple of dairies along the way to town, one looked like a Holstein outfit and the other maybe Brown Swiss. I know for my own preference, I'd like another Jersey, but I think beggers can't be choosers."

"It wouldn't be hard to frame up a milking shed and use slabs from the timbers we are cutting for walls, for me I guess the main question would be, do we have enough time to properly take care of a cow?" Ben thoughtfully swirled the last of his coffee in his mug.

"Just let me say one thing as we debate this,....." Mark said ruefully, "That's over twenty bucks worth of milk we went through in two days. I don't know if that should make a difference, but it's getting expensive."

Mark felt bad that he had to bring up the cost of their subsistence, but lately he had felt like the pocket book for the whole outfit. He was the one they sent to town for supplies, as he usually paid without a mention later. Like it or not, he didn't have an inexhaustible source of money, and it looked to him like there were two teen boys about ready to hit higher education and three more coming up after them.

There were nods all around the table, understanding the fact that a cow was a necessity. Ben and Wayne at once felt the remorse of Mark's words, it was so handy to send him for supplies cause he had money and they had very little, but the situation needed to even out.

"I vote for a cow," Wayne said purposely. "I volunteer to milk as much as possible, as I have about eighty bucks to put in the kitty for the purchase price." Right away he pulled out his wallet and put four wrinkled, crinkled and creased twenties on the table.

Ben was slower to get his wallet, but he had sixty dollars, and Ev made noises for Cheryl to get money from his old stained brown leather. Nobody pretended to notice that Cheryl fished out the only money left in Ev's wallet and laid the forty on the table. As a group they weren't flush with money, and finally Ben said, "Dang it, that won't get us much of a cow."

"Let me see how much we might have to pay," Mark laid a couple of hundred's on top of the pile. "We might be able to trade work for a portion of the price and with five of us to do chores, we are a mighty impressive work force. That is...." he looked at Toby and Willie, "if you guy's are willing to pitch in and go with us?"

"For all the milk I can drink," Toby smarted right back as Willie chimed in his agreement.


Early the next morning, Mark and Wayne went scouting for a milk cow. By mutual agreement, they tried the Brown Swiss dairy first. The owner didn't have any cows or heifers he wanted to sell, but he did know of a Guernsey dairy that was shutting down. The only catch, it was quite a ways away. Getting the directions, they drove away from their mountain home and toward South Portland.

She was exquisitely beautiful, shapely, and had a month old calf by her side. She was also the owner's favorite and very expensive.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#149b

"Well, she sure is a beauty, I can see why she is your favorite," Mark remarked casually. "What's her name?"

"Sally, and her calf is Sally May. She's three and this is her first calf; she is the 5th times daughter of our original cow. So me and Ma are kinda partial to her." The stooped and gnarled knuckled farmer patted the cow more affectionately than he glanced at his wife. The equally stooped, aged woman with a old country babushka tied around her hair, shrugged her shoulders and spit along side the path she was traversing.

"You are interested in buying her?" the strong middle European accent gave away the old lady's lineage. She snapped the bail on the bucket she was carrying and the cow gave a loud moo and without a backwards look, abandoned the farmer to run to the old woman. "You come milk her, then we talk if you do a good job."

Following the two into the milk shed, Wayne grabbed the one legged stool and locked the station bar. A quick look gave him the location of the grain and he dished a canful into the manger.

He used the warm water the old woman had brought out to clean the udder, and then looked for the milking pail. She pointed to the pail he was using, and Wayne frowned. Clora would have torn a strip of hide from them if they didn't use a clean pail for the milk, so he looked helplessly at Mark.

"Is there another pail?" Mark interrupted the other man's silent plea, and then turned to look at the farmer's wife as she cackled gleefully.

"City folk" she said in her strong brogue, as though it were a disdainful idea.

Mark motioned to Wayne to start milking and both made a mental note to not drink any milk while they were there. Sally milked like a dream, had dainty barn manners and batted her eyes at them when they were finished. Mark had a turn, but his big hands had difficulty holding on to the smaller teats.

"Is she done growing?" he asked, not knowing which old Soderstrom was going to answer. "No," Helmer replied. "She will grow another year. The calf is also a heifer, that make's the package more expensive," he said craftily, moving the friendly calf toward them. Sally mooed, wanting to keep track of her baby.

"How much are you going to ask for the package," Mark asked, biding the time honored business dealing of haggling for the value of an item.

"Oh, she's so special I think she outta be worth Two thousand," the bidding commenced as Helmer set the first price.

"She is special," Mark allowed, "but her teats are too small to be a standard size, and she isn't totally standard color."

"Possible," Helmer allowed. "You know much about Guernsey's?"

"Not everything, but she's supposed to be larger than a Jersey, and she's not. I think she's worth a thousand." Mark set the lower price.

Wayne found a brush and went over the cow, checking that she was a gentle as being represented. Sally had been dehorned in a botched operation, and there was a shiny black horn growing in the shape of a hook. Wayne pointed to the defect and Mark nodded, it was additional fuel. It took an hour to settle on the price of $1200, with the five clansmen working two days to pay off the bovine pair.

The old man shook hands with them both and said "when can I expect you to come,"

Mark and Wayne exchanged looks, and Wayne said, "we can start tomorrow at 8am."

"Kinda late ain't it?" the old woman said contemptuously, looking down her nose at them.

"We have our own chores to do," Mark said quietly, "we won't neglect them."

Chastised, Helga said nothing and just turned away, her fingers lingering on the beautiful cow.
 
sssarawolf

sssarawolf

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you pac, I also know how it feels to let an old friend of the family go. We also had to let our milk cow go it was a hard choice but had to be. I know you had to do the same with your animals also.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#149c

"Wayne?" the men were on their way back to the lodge and Mark was watching the shops as they passed. "Let's stop at this place, it looks like a good second hand shop."

"Sure," the bushy haired man was all for a little diversion. "I can always look," he referred to the fact that he had put his money on the table last night for the cow pool.

"If you find something good, I can always float you a loan," Mark grinned as he got out the door. Mark's interest had been snagged by the colorful array of baby items arranged in front of the store, and he knew how to make Clora's little heart beat faster.

Asking for a volume discount by the time they were ready to leave, Mark heaped his treasures in the back seat. Once again they used their purchasing power to the max, selecting good used items. The teen and young boys needed clothes the most, they were hard working and playing critters that used their clothes to the utmost.

The two wood cradles that he discovered were going to be a surprise. He would refinish his, and Ben could work on the other. There were baskets of clothes that were slightly more used than the 'select' items, and Mark negotiated a bulk rate on a mountain of clothes.

"Pretty good pickens for a couple of hundred bucks," he was satisfied, and one glance at Wayne showed the brother was in good spirits. A pair of pricey, not even broken in yet boots sat on the floor by Wayne's feet, and every once in a while his foot snuck over and rubbed the boots to make sure they were still there.

Mark stopped the pickup at the store and plunked down another hundred bucks for groceries. As much as he believed in buying local, they were going to have to find another store with lower prices. Another five gallons of milk, bread, and all the roasts the owner had in stock, were sacked to take to the lodge. And of course, cookies.


The cradles were spirited away before the ladies reached the pickup, Ben opening his eyes wide at the sight. For some reason, Mark held his tongue about the clothes he had bought, understanding that perhaps Lainey hadn't yet told her husband about the windfall. Ben had more than his share of pride, and a pretty thin skin when it came to accepting help for his family, considering any gift an affront to his ability to provide.

Mark looked up once when Ben walked by, and the man had a thin set to his lips. Anne was chattering excitedly about a pink jacket and dress that Mark had bought, and she was running around in circles. Lainey was thankful and the young men were happier than they cared to show about the changes of clothes. Cheryl and Christy disappeared into Clora's room with several armfuls of clothes and a happy attitude.

Milo and Teddy had no interest in clothes, their eyes were glued to the sack of cars that they discovered on the floorboard. Ev was grinning as he rolled his beat on the porch, not forgoing his duty to join in the festivities. As the commotion died down, Wayne took Ben aside and they disappeared out the back door for a little walk and talk.

Lainey promptly slid several roasts in the huge ovens to cook, along with potatoes, carrots and onions. She had seen Wayne snag a thunderous looking Ben and wheel him around outside, and she was so thankful that the one brother was running interference for her.
Once again Ben, had his sensibilities hurt and was acting like a spoiled kid.

Ben and Wayne stayed outside for a long time, in fact supper was held for them and finally the family ate, holding back plates heaped with the delicious meal. Clora smiled at Milo and Teddy, as they had cars stuffed in each pocket. Daddy was their hero, he came home with more cars than they had ever seen. Clora ate her supper propped in bed, feeling aggravated by her restrictions.

It was bothersome that the cramping aches had not stopped, and Clora supposed that Tessee would be coming early. Later that night she mentioned the fact to Mark as he did his exercises. Milo and Teddy were sound asleep against the wall in their sleeping bags, so they were speaking softly.

"Thank you Mark for the clothes and shoes. However did you find such a shop, just driving by?"

"Yeah," he said between push ups, "Caught the sign out of the corner of my eye, and wheeled right in." he panted slightly. "I must be getting old, these are getting harder."

"It didn't go over well with everybody," he tried to say noncommittally, but Clora could see that his feelings were hurt by Ben's sullenness.

"It may never change," she said quietly, "he's an adult and entitled to his own opinion and if he doesn't like your largesses, there's nothing we can do."

"I didn't do it for Ben," Mark said evenly. "You ladies need to have supplies in place fairly quickly, time is getting short."

"Yes it is, and ours maybe shorter than we think. I haven't stopped having contractions, so I'm not sure how long this goes on." Clora reported her state of affairs.

"We have two days of work for the Soderstroms for the price of the cow, then we will be here constantly. So don't you go getting antsy and squeezing on Tessee. She can just incubate a while longer," Mark admonished as he finished his set. Wiping his forehead with a towel, he sat on the edge of the bed and gathered up Clora's hand.

"I know we weren't supposed to all leave at the same time, but it's the only way to get the work done in a timely manner. So honestly, do you think it would be OK to leave?" Mark questioned anxiously.

"Ask me in the morning," Clora shifted uncomfortably. "I sure hope this gets over soon."
 
K

kaijafon

Veteran Member
who is gonna stay with Clora?? I dread her being by herself, every time that "most" everybody leaves, bad things happen to their homes!!! I'm getting all tensed up wondering what is going to happen!!!!

did they already go and get Ev's cows??? did I miss it??
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#150

Ben, had Lainey choose the bedroom furthest from Mark and Clora's room, and get that one ready for them. At bed time he stomped and moped around like he had never come to the conclusion that Mark only wanted to help. It seemed everyone was against him. Wayne had pulled him aside and really gave him a talking too, Ben listened, or at least he pretended to listen to the cold hard facts.

Finally Wayne in frustration challenged Ben not to be a 'A.' "You complain and gripe about how much money he has, and what has he done with that money? At every turn he spends it generously on the family; only to usually loose it right away due to some major catastrophe. I was with him today when we bought the clothes. Mark worked hard to get the best deal possible and bring needed supplies to the clan." Wayne was totally disgusted with Ben's muley attitude.

"He brought up the subject that in 3 months, we have to have winter supplies laid in. How much money do you have put back to buy the necessities, plus pay for the child that's coming. Crank your head around straight and get with the program," Wayne demanded harshly.

"Listen up Ben, you have always wanted to be a minister, and a good portion of a minister's compensation comes in the form of donations, gifts and church charity. You can't even be straight with a family member, how are you going to accept from a stranger?"

That one hurt Ben. He hadn't considered Mark's generosity in that light, and it made him feel shameful. But by the time they had finished supper and got ready for bed, he was seething all over again.
 
K

kaijafon

Veteran Member
oh Ben Ben Ben! what ARE we gonna do about you??? you mule headed, ungrateful, little boy! LOL!

I have to wonder if there is a chip in him making him so so so SO angry!!

thank you so much Pac! :)
 
stjwelding

stjwelding

Veteran Member
Thanks for the new chapters Pac I hope Tessee holds on till the men are around, and Ben needs to get over being an ass.
Wayne
 
K

kaijafon

Veteran Member
I wonder if I could volunteer to whoop Ben's butt!???

He has a bad attitude
bad+attitude.jpg


maybe I should send over my adjustor?
Attitude-adjustment.jpg
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
Oh I really like the attitude adjustment ideas.

Ben has been a hot headed, poor man so far in his life. He has convinced himself that all he has left is his pride; and he wears that pride like a suit of armor. Our elders cautioned against the sin of pride, and it can sneak up on a person when they don't want it, need it, or least expect to have to deal with the consequences.

We went fishing today! June used her walker to go to the end of the dock and sit in a chair. Our misters did the same. We caught some small bass that we had to throw back on account of size, a couple of trout and a couple of triploids that were pretty good sized, 14". We all have a bit of sunburn on our noses, enjoyed ourselves to the up most, and had the fun of catching our supper.

The dishwasher hose that broke actually did quite a bit of damage, so we are waiting on new carpets . It's a perfect time to paint, and fix the moldings around the floor.

Happy Father's Day to all who read, I hope your day was relaxed and fun.
 
Sully

Sully

Veteran Member
Pac, sounds like you all had a wonderful Fathers Day. Fishing is such a relaxing way to spend the day and catch your food too...what more could one ask for?

Sully
 
P

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#151

Kent accepted the envelope full of money and furtively tucked it inside his jacket pocket. Casting shifty eyes around the area, he looked to see if anyone had noticed the exchange. Almost sighing in relief at the absence of prying eyes, he shuffled back to his old car and checked to see if his tools were secure. Drawing a stained and oily sheet over the contents of the back seat, he drove carefully to the outskirts of the lodge parking lot and shut the car off and doused the lights.

There were few lights on inside, and Kent was amazed that most of the family went to bed so early. He didn't have the energy to run day and night as he used to do, running on smokes and cold coffee and adrenalin, so Kent decided to sleep another night in his car. Lainey had cleaned a room for him inside, but he didn't feel particularly welcome and avoided the communal living they enjoyed.

The money crinkled inside his pocket and that made Kent smile as he draped a blanket over himself and got as comfy as possible among the heaps and piles of his life.
 
R

Rabbit

Has No Life - Lives on TB
The clan has posted guards are they going to swoop down on Kent? Wouldn't Ben love to do the honors!
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#152

Willie and Toby had the first guard duty watch, and they were well aware that Kent's old Cadillac pulled into the lot and parked for the night. They made note of the time and the fact the older man chose to sleep in his car for the night.

Later that night away from the house, the boys discussed Kent's obvious disassociation with the group. "He's kinda a strange old duck," Toby mentioned softly. "He's sure different than Auntie L, I don't like the way he has such shifty eyes and boy howdy he gives me the creeps."
 
Kaydee

Kaydee

Veteran Member
Thanks Pac!

I really wish that Kent would turn to the side of good, maybe the exposure to his granddaughter Anne and the new baby coming had an effect? Could he be chipped and that is part of the problem? Maybe he did something to get the tools the family needs to work on the resort, like chainsaws and all, or maybe he had an old hobby of woodworking before his newspaper career took off? I'm just not ready to give up on him yet--guess it's 'cuz I like Lainey and would like to see her have a Dad, a real Dad. Isn't there something he can do to redeem himself?

Same with Wade. He keeps wavering, the force of good is strong in that family. On one side he has evil people and trouble and a socialite wife who only cares about her position. On the other side is a son and grandkids and a loving family.

Will is chipped, and in it deep. Not sure if he can be saved anymore, poor Willie.

And what ever came of the property they still own? Never did get an answer really on the farm Evie chose (with the huge crater in it). Plus they still have property in Evergreen and then they own a chunk of burned out valley farm where presumably Gertie is still roaming?
 
P

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#152b

Wayne relieved the boys at 11pm., and they reported that Kent was back. Wayne just nodded and agreed that it was best to avoid the man. "the less dealings the better" he told Willie and Toby.

Wayne told Ben when he came on duty at 2am. Ben just grunted in a noncommittal way and knocked on his chest with his fist to indicate the subject gave him heart burn. "Lainey chooses to ignore him, but I wouldn't let him stay at the farm," Ben confided to Wayne. "I want him here where I can somewhat keep an eye on him, plus the fact if we have another ambush we can push him out first." Ben was serious, but Wayne laughed.

"Good reasoning," Wayne approved, "say, did you ever get a look at the cradle, it will be real pretty when you get it refinished."

"Yeah," Ben drug the syllable out with a long sigh. "Wayne,....I...don't want to be this way. I've been praying and praying and not getting any answers. I sure feel out of luck and like God has turned me loose with out a road map. I understand that Mark doesn't deserve the way I've been treating him, I just can't make myself stop."

"Hey man, I've sure got no answers," Wayne shook his head as he started for the house.

Mark came on duty at 5am, with Ben giving him the rundown on the quiet night. They talked softly and Mark didn't bring up any of the difficulties between them, or act harsh towards Ben, and if anything that made Ben feel worse. Mark enjoyed the early morning shift. Walking among the forest as the dawn started streaking the sky, listening to the morning birds sing their hearts out, smelling the sharpness of the sudden temperature drop as the day got started.

Mark was thinking about Clora and how she was trying to be so brave in the situation they were in. She wasn't happy at the thought of him leaving to work all day for the old dairy farmer, but she also understood the need for the cow they were trading labor to buy.

"We need some solar panels to charge items like the cell phones" she had said. Both Lainey and I have dead phones and no way to get in touch with you, so this really isn't good." Clora was realistic with her estimation. "Especially now, we need to have a way to keep in touch. Tessee hasn't dropped down yet, and I guess I don't know how long after she descends that she may be born. I keep neglecting to ask the important questions," she sighed impatiently.

Mark was weighing the problem in his mind when he came upon a doe and her twin fawns. Rather than explode with fright, she stood there watching him with her huge brown eyes. The fawns had bright copper color, many white spots and they were frozen in motion.
Stopping himself, Mark watched then for minutes. Finally the doe gave a low snort and the three of them melted into the brush.

From somewhere inside himself, Mark suddenly understood that this was God's way of telling him that Clora and their baby would be OK. He had no idea where that notion came from, or why he would think such a thing, but the relief and washing of peace that filled his heart was beyond anything that another human could provide. Filled with a renewed energy and purpose of spirit, Mark bowed his head and gave a prayer of thanksgiving.

Clora's faith was changing him, and Mark welcomed it.

The first day at the dairy farm was long and tedious. Forced out of farming by the encroaching urban pressure, the old man had to clean up the farm or face heavy fines. Even the right to farm laws couldn't help his position, he hadn't been a good steward of his land and animals because of ill health and age.

The second day was equal to the first. The men brought the pickup and trailer to transport the cow back to the lodge, and before they left, Mark had bought Bill and Bob the Belgian pulling team, and several horse drawn implements, including a logging arch for dragging trees out of the woods.

There was a box of indignant hens and a rooster that was singing his outrage at being disrupted.

The men were in great spirits as they headed for home, Mark saying, "you know guys, we always seem to get the cart before the horse; only this time their both together" that was worth a good laugh.
Hans had promised driving lessons with Bill and Bob, if Mark would come and get him. "The misses," Hans had said softly, "she needs to come and see that Sally is being taken care of. Sally was her cow."

Mark agreed, they had room for guests at the lodge.

Clora was in a great deal of pain by the time they got back and while Mark and Clora headed for the hospital, the rest of the clan unloaded the stock and wondered what in the world they were going to do for their care.
 
stjwelding

stjwelding

Veteran Member
Thanks for the new chapters I'm glad to see that Mark is becoming aware of the peace that God can and dose bestows on us if we are receptive to his gift. This has to be my favorite story, thanks for the time and for sharing your gift with us.
Wayne
 
P

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#153

It was a hard time for Clora and Tessee. Doctor's conferred, and Tessee was born Cesarean at 2:42 on a Friday morning. Daughter was fine, Mother was having complications. They took Clora right to cardiac surgery and repaired not one but three valves in her heart. Clora looked like they had installed a zipper in her, from top to bottom.

Mark stood at the nursery window staring at his beautiful daughter, praying for the life of his wife. It was hell on earth for three days, touch and go for Clora. Mark prayed hard, steadfastly believing in the sign that God had permitted him to see. He called Ben's cell and asked for prayers, and visited the chapel when he wasn't holding Tessee and telling her about her beautiful mother.

Mark was holding Tessee and softly talking to her, when Wade showed up looking otherworldly in the paper gown and cap that they were required to wear. The small bottle contents disappearing rapidly into the hungry baby, as he sat in the rocking chair.

"Good morning, what a beautiful baby girl," he enthused as he bent over Mark to get a good look at pink and plump, sandy haired Tessee. My word, look at the size of her feet," he exclaimed in astonishment, "she's going to be one very big girl."

"Just like her mother," Mark said proudly, rearranging Tessee on his shoulder for a burping session. Tessee for her part, responded with a big, deep sounding reward for her Daddy's efforts.

Wade had to laugh and Tessee tried to locate the sound of the new voice that wasn't her Father's. "Oh, look how alert she is," bragged Wade, "she's just perfect."

"Would you like to hold her?" Mark asked his Dad, understanding now the old comment about babies setting wrongs to rights in the fabric of a family.

Wade was eager but said," I know nothing about babies, I never got to hold you, you know."

"Give it a try," Mark urged as Tessee sighed and closed her eyes for a nap. Wade sat gingerly in the rocker and accepted the armful of Tessee. "She's solid like a chunk," he reported to Mark, noting his son's wide grin. "And Clora?" the white haired attorney asked, "how is she doing?"

Mark's smile faded instantly. "She's very weak, and still on oxygen. We had no idea her heart was so bad. It pains me to think of all the times she worked so hard, never feeling well. It haunts me, that I never noticed." Mark shoved his hands in his pockets and stared unseeingly down the row of bassinets of babies.

"If I may, I would like to pay the hospital bill," Wade said hesitantly, not sure of Mark's reaction to his offer.

"No," Mark said firmly, "my wife, my child, my responsibility."

"And my daughter in law and granddaughter," Wade repeated as firmly. "I missed all this in your life, and I desperately want to experience being a Grandfather as I wasn't there for you as a Dad."

"You are welcome in our life," Mark told his father, "and we don't demand money to do so."

"I feel that is honest," Wade remarked in surprise, "but this is something I really want to do."

The two carbon copies were huddled over sleeping Tessee, simply enjoying the bright promise of a new baby when Bonita marched into the room with fire in her eyes.
 
juco

juco

Veteran Member
Uh oh. Something tells me Wade isn't going to tolerate any outbursts from Bonita.
He might be bunking with the clan soon.
 
C

cheyennep

Contributing Member
Ah, Mrs. Pac, beautiful chapter of healing, forgiveness, acceptance and love. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful talent with us.
 
P

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#153b

"What's going on here?" the Nancy Regan look alike demanded. Small, elegantly petite to Wade's tall lankiness, Bonita Henderson had gotten suspicious of her husband's pre occupation away from the house and immediately suspected another woman. Not in her wildest dreams did she ever think the 'other woman' might be all of 6 days old.
 
J

Jeepcats 3

Contributing Member
PAC,

What a cliff!!!!!!!!!
If Bonita doesn't keep it down, the Nursery Staff will surprise her and throw her butt out!
You don't upset the babies!

Thanks for the new chapter, can hardly wait for the next great chapter!

Jeepcats3
 
R

Rabbit

Has No Life - Lives on TB
There is always a Bonita or a Betty or...... I'm sure we can all fill in a fitting name. Great chapter Pac.

The reference to Nancy Regan really made me laugh and reminded me of a funny line from the old TV show Designing Women.
"Nancy was wearing that over-the-shoulder white dress and a string of pearls, and she looked stunning. ...and Julia said, "Wilma Flintstone's been wearing that outfit for years!'" ...

I forgot to mention how good it is to welcome Tessee to the story and I hope you allow Clora to recover.
 
K

kua

Veteran Member
Maybe she just doesn't like babies or children, after all they do grow up to take the limelight off of those who expect it to never leave them. Or maybe she will do an about face and became part of the family. (an optimism I don't really believe in)

Great story Pac, keeping us guessing and coming back for an update all the time.
 
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