Story The Truck the Witch and the Blacksmith
- Thread starter gonewacky
- Start date
gonewacky
Veteran Member
One Year Earlier
The morning was cold for a spring day, so cold you could see your breath. Jim pulled his jacket tight as he walked to the truck. The frozen grass crunched under his feet as he passed the old oak tree. Looking back at the barn he whispered, “You might get new life today. That’s if we’re lucky.”
Jim started the old one ton Dodge, and did one last walk around just to be sure. It all looked good, so he climbed up into the cab. Jim put on the lap belt and slipped the truck into gear. With a squeak and growl the old truck rolled forward, and he was off for a once in a lifetime adventure.
Jim drove the seventy miles to the next county. Getting close he saw the sign with an arrow. Turning right he headed down the old country road. He was having some strange feelings. It was like excitement and fear mixed up in a jumbled mess. He felt short of breath and it was like looking through a fog. Then he saw it. The sign said, “Estate auction 10:00 AM.”
Jim turned down the driveway to the old farm house. He could see about a dozen cars and a group of people by the house. One man said to another, “Look he’s got a trailer. Bet he thinks he’s getting the tractor.”
Then he saw it. It was parked next to the old 1947 Farmall Cub. Jim questioned himself, “That old tractor was about $500 new. Wonder if it will go for ten times that today.”
Jim looked at the 1945 Diamond T 968 4-ton 6x6. It was a mess. The trucks tires where flat and half rotted away. The windshield was busted with a big hole through it. There wasn’t a place on it that didn’t have rust. Jim’s hart started to pound hard in his chest. He had five thousand with him, but this wasn’t what he had expected. He got out of his truck to take a better look.
Jim stepped up on the running board and looked inside the cab. The seat wasn’t gone, but all that was left was the frame and springs. The speedometer had a cracked glass, but the rest all looked intact. He got down and walked out in front of the truck. By then a group had gathered around the tractor. Pulling his phone from his pocket he saw it was 9:55.
That’s when he saw her. She was all dolled up, and looked out of place for this event. She had long wavy auburn hair and the greenest eyes he had ever seen. Her dress made her look like she just stepped out of a 1950’s magazine. The dress was aqua with little white harts all over it a white belt, white lace around the neck, sleeves, and hem.
Jim broke out of his trance when he heard, “The next item up for bid is this 1947 Farmall Cub. As you can see it has been completely restored. It’s as nice as you will ever find for a post WWII tractor. We’ll start the bidding at $5000. Do I have 5? Right over there I got 5 do I hear 6.”
Jim stared at the auctioneer in the black cowboy hat as bids went up. Then a man yelled, “12-5!”
It went quiet then the auctioneer called out, “I have 12-5 do I hear 13?” After three calls it sold for $12,500.
Jim could feel his skin tingle as his heart raced. The auctioneer stepped in front of the truck and called out, “What we have here is a 1945 Diamond T 968 4-ton 6x6. Its seen better days, but it’s a rare find.”
A man in a red plaid shirt yelled out $500. The auctioneer smiled and said, “Come on folks the front bumper is worth that.”
Jim blurted out, “Thousand.”
The Man quickly responded, “Five thousand.”
Jim’s heart pounded hard. All he had was Five thousand, and all seamed lost. That’s when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned his head. It was the hot chick in the green dress. Slipping her hand in his jacket pocket she yelled out, “Ten thousand.”
It went quiet as the auctioneer called out, “I have 10 from the man in the brown jacket do I.”
The Man quickly responded, “Eleven thousand.”
The auctioneer called out, “I have 11 do I hear 12?”
She yelled out again, “15!”
The auctioneer called out, “I have 15 do I hear 16?”
The auctioneer called out two more times. Then he called out sold to the man in the brown jacket. That’s when she whispered in his ear, “The check is in your pocket. Just do what’s right.”
The crowd started to disperse and Jim just stood there in a daze. Then he snapped out of it thinking, What just happened.
He turned to look for her, but she was gone. He couldn’t see her anywhere. The auctioneer walked by and said, “See you inside to settle up.”
Jim walked to the farm house thinking. What is going on here? He pulled the check from his pocket. Looking it over it was blank with Suzy White’s signature on it. Shaking his head he thought, “This must be some kind of scam or something.”
Walking in the door he saw a folding table with two chairs. One had an older lady with white hair sitting behind a box of file folders. The other had the auctioneer doing the bill of sales receipts. Jim got in line behind the other people.
One by one they paid, and got a receipt. Then it was Jim’s turn.
The auctioneer announced, “Oh yes the truck.” Turning to the lady next to him he requested, “Margret I need the bill of sales and title transfer paper work for the truck.”
She pulled a folder from the box and laid it on the table. The auctioneer pulled out two pages and said, “Sign here by the X on both of the bill of sales.”
Then he laid down the title and instructed, “Fill out this part where you want the title mailed to and sign at the bottom. Then I need to see the 15 thousand.”
Jim stood there looking at the paper work as the auctioneer questioned, “Is there a problem?”
Jim was feeling strange about this whole thing. It just didn’t seem right. With a shaky voice Jim proclaimed, “I only have 5 thousand in cash.”
The auctioneer questioned, “Then you will be writing a check for the rest?”
Jim pulled the check from his pocket and replied, “This is the only check I have, but it’s not mine.”
The auctioneer snatched the check right out of Jim’s hand. He looked at it. Then he laid it on the table. Filled it out for ten thousand, and stamped the auction company name on the pay to line. Then he looked at Jim and questioned, “The cash?”
Jim pulled the envelope from his inside jacket pocket, and handed it to him. The auctioneer opened the envelope and thumbed through the money. Handing it to Margret as he requested, “Take care of this and make the man a receipt. Then pulling another page from the folder he proclaimed, “Fill this out with the address you want it delivered to, and a phone number in case we need to contact you. We will deliver the truck as soon as the check clears. The title should come in the mail in about six weeks.”
Jim just stood there as a lady stepped up and announced, “I got the bedroom set.”
Then he turned and slowly walked through the door. Stepping outside he saw a Trail-Eze low boy backing up to the truck. Jim thought No! That’s my truck.
He looked on the truck door and saw. Anderson Equipment Hauling Co. Jims mind raced thinking he just got scammed out of five grand. He took his phone from his pocket. He saw three bars. Relief falls over him and he did a search. Sure enough it was a real company.
The morning was cold for a spring day, so cold you could see your breath. Jim pulled his jacket tight as he walked to the truck. The frozen grass crunched under his feet as he passed the old oak tree. Looking back at the barn he whispered, “You might get new life today. That’s if we’re lucky.”
Jim started the old one ton Dodge, and did one last walk around just to be sure. It all looked good, so he climbed up into the cab. Jim put on the lap belt and slipped the truck into gear. With a squeak and growl the old truck rolled forward, and he was off for a once in a lifetime adventure.
Jim drove the seventy miles to the next county. Getting close he saw the sign with an arrow. Turning right he headed down the old country road. He was having some strange feelings. It was like excitement and fear mixed up in a jumbled mess. He felt short of breath and it was like looking through a fog. Then he saw it. The sign said, “Estate auction 10:00 AM.”
Jim turned down the driveway to the old farm house. He could see about a dozen cars and a group of people by the house. One man said to another, “Look he’s got a trailer. Bet he thinks he’s getting the tractor.”
Then he saw it. It was parked next to the old 1947 Farmall Cub. Jim questioned himself, “That old tractor was about $500 new. Wonder if it will go for ten times that today.”
Jim looked at the 1945 Diamond T 968 4-ton 6x6. It was a mess. The trucks tires where flat and half rotted away. The windshield was busted with a big hole through it. There wasn’t a place on it that didn’t have rust. Jim’s hart started to pound hard in his chest. He had five thousand with him, but this wasn’t what he had expected. He got out of his truck to take a better look.
Jim stepped up on the running board and looked inside the cab. The seat wasn’t gone, but all that was left was the frame and springs. The speedometer had a cracked glass, but the rest all looked intact. He got down and walked out in front of the truck. By then a group had gathered around the tractor. Pulling his phone from his pocket he saw it was 9:55.
That’s when he saw her. She was all dolled up, and looked out of place for this event. She had long wavy auburn hair and the greenest eyes he had ever seen. Her dress made her look like she just stepped out of a 1950’s magazine. The dress was aqua with little white harts all over it a white belt, white lace around the neck, sleeves, and hem.
Jim broke out of his trance when he heard, “The next item up for bid is this 1947 Farmall Cub. As you can see it has been completely restored. It’s as nice as you will ever find for a post WWII tractor. We’ll start the bidding at $5000. Do I have 5? Right over there I got 5 do I hear 6.”
Jim stared at the auctioneer in the black cowboy hat as bids went up. Then a man yelled, “12-5!”
It went quiet then the auctioneer called out, “I have 12-5 do I hear 13?” After three calls it sold for $12,500.
Jim could feel his skin tingle as his heart raced. The auctioneer stepped in front of the truck and called out, “What we have here is a 1945 Diamond T 968 4-ton 6x6. Its seen better days, but it’s a rare find.”
A man in a red plaid shirt yelled out $500. The auctioneer smiled and said, “Come on folks the front bumper is worth that.”
Jim blurted out, “Thousand.”
The Man quickly responded, “Five thousand.”
Jim’s heart pounded hard. All he had was Five thousand, and all seamed lost. That’s when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned his head. It was the hot chick in the green dress. Slipping her hand in his jacket pocket she yelled out, “Ten thousand.”
It went quiet as the auctioneer called out, “I have 10 from the man in the brown jacket do I.”
The Man quickly responded, “Eleven thousand.”
The auctioneer called out, “I have 11 do I hear 12?”
She yelled out again, “15!”
The auctioneer called out, “I have 15 do I hear 16?”
The auctioneer called out two more times. Then he called out sold to the man in the brown jacket. That’s when she whispered in his ear, “The check is in your pocket. Just do what’s right.”
The crowd started to disperse and Jim just stood there in a daze. Then he snapped out of it thinking, What just happened.
He turned to look for her, but she was gone. He couldn’t see her anywhere. The auctioneer walked by and said, “See you inside to settle up.”
Jim walked to the farm house thinking. What is going on here? He pulled the check from his pocket. Looking it over it was blank with Suzy White’s signature on it. Shaking his head he thought, “This must be some kind of scam or something.”
Walking in the door he saw a folding table with two chairs. One had an older lady with white hair sitting behind a box of file folders. The other had the auctioneer doing the bill of sales receipts. Jim got in line behind the other people.
One by one they paid, and got a receipt. Then it was Jim’s turn.
The auctioneer announced, “Oh yes the truck.” Turning to the lady next to him he requested, “Margret I need the bill of sales and title transfer paper work for the truck.”
She pulled a folder from the box and laid it on the table. The auctioneer pulled out two pages and said, “Sign here by the X on both of the bill of sales.”
Then he laid down the title and instructed, “Fill out this part where you want the title mailed to and sign at the bottom. Then I need to see the 15 thousand.”
Jim stood there looking at the paper work as the auctioneer questioned, “Is there a problem?”
Jim was feeling strange about this whole thing. It just didn’t seem right. With a shaky voice Jim proclaimed, “I only have 5 thousand in cash.”
The auctioneer questioned, “Then you will be writing a check for the rest?”
Jim pulled the check from his pocket and replied, “This is the only check I have, but it’s not mine.”
The auctioneer snatched the check right out of Jim’s hand. He looked at it. Then he laid it on the table. Filled it out for ten thousand, and stamped the auction company name on the pay to line. Then he looked at Jim and questioned, “The cash?”
Jim pulled the envelope from his inside jacket pocket, and handed it to him. The auctioneer opened the envelope and thumbed through the money. Handing it to Margret as he requested, “Take care of this and make the man a receipt. Then pulling another page from the folder he proclaimed, “Fill this out with the address you want it delivered to, and a phone number in case we need to contact you. We will deliver the truck as soon as the check clears. The title should come in the mail in about six weeks.”
Jim just stood there as a lady stepped up and announced, “I got the bedroom set.”
Then he turned and slowly walked through the door. Stepping outside he saw a Trail-Eze low boy backing up to the truck. Jim thought No! That’s my truck.
He looked on the truck door and saw. Anderson Equipment Hauling Co. Jims mind raced thinking he just got scammed out of five grand. He took his phone from his pocket. He saw three bars. Relief falls over him and he did a search. Sure enough it was a real company.
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Jim walked over to the truck. The driver was back at the trailer pushing a lever. The back axels where sliding forward making the back end drop to the ground. Jim stood next to the driver not saying a word. When the driver finished he turned and asked, “Can I help you?”
Jim replied, “That’s my truck.”
Looking Jim over the man replied, “Is that the paper work in your hand.”
Jim nodded as the driver asked, “Can I see it?”
Jim handed him the bill of sale. Looking it over the driver handed it back and said, “OK then. I’ll put some slack in the winch line, and you can hook it to whatever you think is best. I’d say the bumper, but looking at this thing it might pull it off.”
Jim walked to the back of the trailer mumbling, “Pull the bumper off my ass.” Then Jim pulled on the hook as the driver let out some cable. He wrapped it around the bumper. And yelled, “Go ahead.”
Standing back Jim watched as all the tires skidded over the ground. Not one rim was turning. This was one of Jim’s worst fears, and he ran to the other side of the truck. Sure enough not one rim was turning on that side ether.
The hydraulic winch didn’t miss a beat. It just dragged the truck onto the trailer. Then the driver pulled out some chains and stopped to talk to Jim, “I will deliver this tomorrow. I’m taking this load to the yard, and picking up another trailer. I have a road-grader I have to deliver this afternoon.”
Jim replied, “They told me I had to wait for the check to clear.”
The driver instructed, “Let me check on that.” Then he headed for the house.
Jim went to his truck, and sat with the window down. Soon the truck driver came back out, and walked over to Jim’s truck. Looking at Jim he commented, “It all looks good. They gave me the delivery address and told me they already got confirmation on the check. See you tomorrow.” Then he walked back to the truck, and started chaining the truck down.
Jim sat in his truck for a few. Them he pulled out heading home. It did worry him that he just spent five grand and had nothing to show for it. He thought about his wife Autum and what she would say about this kind of thing. Don’t pay for it until you have it in hand.
Well he didn’t have it in hand, but it was the best he could do. Then there was the ten thousand from the check. What was that? He was starting to feel like he just stepped into The Twilight Zone. He knew there might be a catch, but what could it be. He remembered Autum saying, You have to chase your dreams. No matter how hard it gets or how far you have to go. Never give up on a dream!
This was Jim’s dream and had been all his life. It goes back to when he was a kid playing with army men in the sandbox. With Autum gone, now was the time to chase that dream, and this was the start of it. Jim pulled in his driveway, and backed the trailer next to the barn. Dropping the safety chains he flipped the hitch latch. Then He cranked the trailer up as he looked at the barn and whispered, “Tomorrow my friend. That’s the day our dream starts.”
In the house he talked as if his wife was still there, “I’m home. I got a truck today and it’s a peace of shit. We’re going to have to strip it to the frame and rebuild every part. Just wanted you to know I’m chasing that dream.”
Jim then pulled two pot-pies from the freezer and put them in the oven. Then he got a beer from the fridge and went to the living room. Sitting in his chair he turned on the TV, and started thumbing through the channels.
Jim thought about how lonely the house was without Autum. Thinking he should get a dog or something, but he knew the truck was going to take up all his spare time. Then he drifted off to sleep until three AM. That’s when he smelt something burning. It was the pot-pies, so Jim just turned off the oven. Looking in the oven he mumbled, “Damn, looks like I made hockey pucks again. I need you Autum I can’t even cook a damn pot-pie. Hell I just miss you so much.”
Jim went to bed and fell into a deep sleep. Slipping into dream land he saw Autum in the kitchen. She looked at him and said, “You have the capacities to telepath messages through the vast unknown. I’m glad you listen to me and do that, I hear it all. Now I must tell you it’s time to move on. I will always be here listing to you, but you have to live your dream now. Don’t let it slip away.”
Then Jim heard a pounding sound that echoed through his dream. Autum faded away and Jim slowly awoke to the sound of knocking on his door. Jumping from his bed he grabbed his house coat. Peeking out the living room window he saw her. Fear came over him as he thought, “Oh shit! It’s that gal. Now what…”
Jim yelled, “Just a minute.” He ran to his room and put on some clothes and walked to the door. Pulling it open there she stood with her hair up in a bun, blue work shirt, blue jeans, and boots. Everything looked new like a construction worker on his first day of work.
Suzy blurted out, “What! You’re not ready? Our truck is ten minutes away.”
Stepping back Jim replied, “Come in and have a seat. I’ll get my boots.”
Jim went to his room, as Suzy had a seat on the couch. Jim picked up his boots from the side of the bed. That’s when it hit him. Our, she said, “Our truck!” Damn this must be the catch I was worrying about. Now what?
Walking out with his boots Jim sat in the chair across from the couch. Looking at Suzy he questioned, “I noticed you said our truck,”
She responded, “Did you look at the back of the check?”
Jim said, “No.”
She leaned forward, “Then you don’t know. On the back was a lone agreement to the bearer of the check.”
Jim tied his boot lace in a knot and sat straight up, “Lone agreement? I can’t pay that! Hell, the bank owns everything around here. The house, the land, the barn, and the tractor they own it all. It’s all I can do to keep this place now. I’m just one crop failure away from losing everything now.”
Suzy smiled, “Then it’s our truck.”
Jim worked on the knot as he talked, “The only reason I used the check is this is my dream, and if I don’t chase it I’ll never get it.”
Suzie responded, “Me too, this is my dream, and I’m chasing it right now. You see when I was a little girl I use to sit in that truck with my grandpa. We would pretend we were driving somewhere, and he’d tell me stories. He’s gone now and the truck is all I got.”
Jim got his boot tied and stood up replying, “Then why didn’t you keep it instead of auctioning it?”
Suzy informed, “I couldn’t. It was in the will that everything must be sold, and the money be split between the heirs. Thing is I’m the only heir. Grandpa always talked about restoring it, but never got to it. Then there’s that guy Jack you were bidding against. He owns a wrecking-yard of old military stuff. He had been trying to buy the truck from my Grandpa for years. Jack just wanted it to sale parts off it. I knew if Jack got it. Soon all that would be left was the rusting skeleton of what it once was. I could never let that happen.”
Jim was stunned by her story, but how would this ownership work? He was snapped out of his thoughts by the raddling sound of a diesel engine. Jumping up Suzy yelled, “It’s here!”
Jim headed out the door with Suzy right behind. He waved at the driver and pointed to the barn. Then he went and slid the barn door open. The driver backed the trailer to the door. Then the driver got out and walked over to Jim. Suzie stood behind Jim as the driver explained, “The best I can do is hook a block to the back of the trailer. Then run the cable under the truck through the block, and then back up to the front bumper. That will get the truck off the trailer, but the front will still be hanging out the door. You and I both know it won’t roll, But once it’s on the ground my job is done.”
The truck skidded off the trailer the same way it went on. Jim signed the drivers invoice, and looked at the truck. Suzy questioned, “You have a plan to get it in there?”
Jim Responded, “Yep, but I need to make some coffee first. I had a bad night last night, and I need a jump start bad.”
Suzy Replied, “Mind if I join you?”
Jim smiled, “Why not. You jumped on my dream like a bum jumping on a train. You might as well enjoy the ride.”
Suzy replied, “Jim you and I both know when opportunity knocks. You have to answer the door or it’s gone. This is my dream and now that I’ve jumped on this train I’m holding on for dear life. I think you will find me an admirable opponent.
Inside Suzy asked, “What’s next Jim?”
Jim replied, “I guess we should get the truck in the barn so we can close the door. I’ve been thinking about that, and I think I’ll use the tractor. The best I could come up with is to pull it in with the tractor. There is no door on the back of the barn, so I was thinking about pulling a board off the back of the barn. Then I could run a chain through the back and hook it up to the tractor. Then pull it in that way. I think I have enough chain to do that. Then I’ll spend the next three weeks disking and planting from dawn to dusk. ”
Suzy’s eyes lit up as she blurted, “But we just got started! Now you want to stop for three weeks. Can’t we just hire someone to drive the tractor for you?’
Jim chuckled, “I can’t afford that. I would have to get insurance, pay income tax, and somehow come up with payday money. I’ve only got Three hundred sixty acers, and that just keeps my head above water. That’s not an option at this point in my life.”
Suzy snapped back, “You sound like my grandpa. He always had an excuse too. In the winter it was too cold. Then there was the planting time, and the harvest, or fix one of the tractors. It was always something, and where did that get him. Yep, that got him nowhere. The truck just sat out there until the tires rotted off the thing. I’m telling you Jim opportunity is knocking, and you need to jump on the train.”
Jim poured the coffee and spoke softly, “You just don’t know. It’s hard for me right now. I just lost my wife last fall. She was the strong one that kept me going. Autum was everything to me. She encouraged me in everything. No matter what it was she always gave me support, confidence, and hope in everything I did. Now that is gone. I guess after we get the truck in the barn. We can spray the wheels and hubs down with penetrating oil. They will need to soak for a time anyway.”
Suzy sipped her coffee quietly. Then she whispered, “Sorry Jim I didn’t know.”
Jim responded, “Its ok Suzy. I was chasing this dream hard, and I knew there was going to be a catch for using that check. Like you I jumped on that train not knowing where it was going. Now I’m just along for the ride, and have no control. We’re just going to half to work this out.”
They spent the rest of the day getting the truck in the barn, and soaking the lug nuts and hubs down with penetrating oil. Then Jim waved as Suzy got into her little Neon and headed out.
Jim thought about Suzy, Little read headed firecracker is what she is. She never gives up on anything. Then it hit Jim that was the way Autum was. Always pushing him to be better, and do it now not later.
Jim replied, “That’s my truck.”
Looking Jim over the man replied, “Is that the paper work in your hand.”
Jim nodded as the driver asked, “Can I see it?”
Jim handed him the bill of sale. Looking it over the driver handed it back and said, “OK then. I’ll put some slack in the winch line, and you can hook it to whatever you think is best. I’d say the bumper, but looking at this thing it might pull it off.”
Jim walked to the back of the trailer mumbling, “Pull the bumper off my ass.” Then Jim pulled on the hook as the driver let out some cable. He wrapped it around the bumper. And yelled, “Go ahead.”
Standing back Jim watched as all the tires skidded over the ground. Not one rim was turning. This was one of Jim’s worst fears, and he ran to the other side of the truck. Sure enough not one rim was turning on that side ether.
The hydraulic winch didn’t miss a beat. It just dragged the truck onto the trailer. Then the driver pulled out some chains and stopped to talk to Jim, “I will deliver this tomorrow. I’m taking this load to the yard, and picking up another trailer. I have a road-grader I have to deliver this afternoon.”
Jim replied, “They told me I had to wait for the check to clear.”
The driver instructed, “Let me check on that.” Then he headed for the house.
Jim went to his truck, and sat with the window down. Soon the truck driver came back out, and walked over to Jim’s truck. Looking at Jim he commented, “It all looks good. They gave me the delivery address and told me they already got confirmation on the check. See you tomorrow.” Then he walked back to the truck, and started chaining the truck down.
Jim sat in his truck for a few. Them he pulled out heading home. It did worry him that he just spent five grand and had nothing to show for it. He thought about his wife Autum and what she would say about this kind of thing. Don’t pay for it until you have it in hand.
Well he didn’t have it in hand, but it was the best he could do. Then there was the ten thousand from the check. What was that? He was starting to feel like he just stepped into The Twilight Zone. He knew there might be a catch, but what could it be. He remembered Autum saying, You have to chase your dreams. No matter how hard it gets or how far you have to go. Never give up on a dream!
This was Jim’s dream and had been all his life. It goes back to when he was a kid playing with army men in the sandbox. With Autum gone, now was the time to chase that dream, and this was the start of it. Jim pulled in his driveway, and backed the trailer next to the barn. Dropping the safety chains he flipped the hitch latch. Then He cranked the trailer up as he looked at the barn and whispered, “Tomorrow my friend. That’s the day our dream starts.”
In the house he talked as if his wife was still there, “I’m home. I got a truck today and it’s a peace of shit. We’re going to have to strip it to the frame and rebuild every part. Just wanted you to know I’m chasing that dream.”
Jim then pulled two pot-pies from the freezer and put them in the oven. Then he got a beer from the fridge and went to the living room. Sitting in his chair he turned on the TV, and started thumbing through the channels.
Jim thought about how lonely the house was without Autum. Thinking he should get a dog or something, but he knew the truck was going to take up all his spare time. Then he drifted off to sleep until three AM. That’s when he smelt something burning. It was the pot-pies, so Jim just turned off the oven. Looking in the oven he mumbled, “Damn, looks like I made hockey pucks again. I need you Autum I can’t even cook a damn pot-pie. Hell I just miss you so much.”
Jim went to bed and fell into a deep sleep. Slipping into dream land he saw Autum in the kitchen. She looked at him and said, “You have the capacities to telepath messages through the vast unknown. I’m glad you listen to me and do that, I hear it all. Now I must tell you it’s time to move on. I will always be here listing to you, but you have to live your dream now. Don’t let it slip away.”
Then Jim heard a pounding sound that echoed through his dream. Autum faded away and Jim slowly awoke to the sound of knocking on his door. Jumping from his bed he grabbed his house coat. Peeking out the living room window he saw her. Fear came over him as he thought, “Oh shit! It’s that gal. Now what…”
Jim yelled, “Just a minute.” He ran to his room and put on some clothes and walked to the door. Pulling it open there she stood with her hair up in a bun, blue work shirt, blue jeans, and boots. Everything looked new like a construction worker on his first day of work.
Suzy blurted out, “What! You’re not ready? Our truck is ten minutes away.”
Stepping back Jim replied, “Come in and have a seat. I’ll get my boots.”
Jim went to his room, as Suzy had a seat on the couch. Jim picked up his boots from the side of the bed. That’s when it hit him. Our, she said, “Our truck!” Damn this must be the catch I was worrying about. Now what?
Walking out with his boots Jim sat in the chair across from the couch. Looking at Suzy he questioned, “I noticed you said our truck,”
She responded, “Did you look at the back of the check?”
Jim said, “No.”
She leaned forward, “Then you don’t know. On the back was a lone agreement to the bearer of the check.”
Jim tied his boot lace in a knot and sat straight up, “Lone agreement? I can’t pay that! Hell, the bank owns everything around here. The house, the land, the barn, and the tractor they own it all. It’s all I can do to keep this place now. I’m just one crop failure away from losing everything now.”
Suzy smiled, “Then it’s our truck.”
Jim worked on the knot as he talked, “The only reason I used the check is this is my dream, and if I don’t chase it I’ll never get it.”
Suzie responded, “Me too, this is my dream, and I’m chasing it right now. You see when I was a little girl I use to sit in that truck with my grandpa. We would pretend we were driving somewhere, and he’d tell me stories. He’s gone now and the truck is all I got.”
Jim got his boot tied and stood up replying, “Then why didn’t you keep it instead of auctioning it?”
Suzy informed, “I couldn’t. It was in the will that everything must be sold, and the money be split between the heirs. Thing is I’m the only heir. Grandpa always talked about restoring it, but never got to it. Then there’s that guy Jack you were bidding against. He owns a wrecking-yard of old military stuff. He had been trying to buy the truck from my Grandpa for years. Jack just wanted it to sale parts off it. I knew if Jack got it. Soon all that would be left was the rusting skeleton of what it once was. I could never let that happen.”
Jim was stunned by her story, but how would this ownership work? He was snapped out of his thoughts by the raddling sound of a diesel engine. Jumping up Suzy yelled, “It’s here!”
Jim headed out the door with Suzy right behind. He waved at the driver and pointed to the barn. Then he went and slid the barn door open. The driver backed the trailer to the door. Then the driver got out and walked over to Jim. Suzie stood behind Jim as the driver explained, “The best I can do is hook a block to the back of the trailer. Then run the cable under the truck through the block, and then back up to the front bumper. That will get the truck off the trailer, but the front will still be hanging out the door. You and I both know it won’t roll, But once it’s on the ground my job is done.”
The truck skidded off the trailer the same way it went on. Jim signed the drivers invoice, and looked at the truck. Suzy questioned, “You have a plan to get it in there?”
Jim Responded, “Yep, but I need to make some coffee first. I had a bad night last night, and I need a jump start bad.”
Suzy Replied, “Mind if I join you?”
Jim smiled, “Why not. You jumped on my dream like a bum jumping on a train. You might as well enjoy the ride.”
Suzy replied, “Jim you and I both know when opportunity knocks. You have to answer the door or it’s gone. This is my dream and now that I’ve jumped on this train I’m holding on for dear life. I think you will find me an admirable opponent.
Inside Suzy asked, “What’s next Jim?”
Jim replied, “I guess we should get the truck in the barn so we can close the door. I’ve been thinking about that, and I think I’ll use the tractor. The best I could come up with is to pull it in with the tractor. There is no door on the back of the barn, so I was thinking about pulling a board off the back of the barn. Then I could run a chain through the back and hook it up to the tractor. Then pull it in that way. I think I have enough chain to do that. Then I’ll spend the next three weeks disking and planting from dawn to dusk. ”
Suzy’s eyes lit up as she blurted, “But we just got started! Now you want to stop for three weeks. Can’t we just hire someone to drive the tractor for you?’
Jim chuckled, “I can’t afford that. I would have to get insurance, pay income tax, and somehow come up with payday money. I’ve only got Three hundred sixty acers, and that just keeps my head above water. That’s not an option at this point in my life.”
Suzy snapped back, “You sound like my grandpa. He always had an excuse too. In the winter it was too cold. Then there was the planting time, and the harvest, or fix one of the tractors. It was always something, and where did that get him. Yep, that got him nowhere. The truck just sat out there until the tires rotted off the thing. I’m telling you Jim opportunity is knocking, and you need to jump on the train.”
Jim poured the coffee and spoke softly, “You just don’t know. It’s hard for me right now. I just lost my wife last fall. She was the strong one that kept me going. Autum was everything to me. She encouraged me in everything. No matter what it was she always gave me support, confidence, and hope in everything I did. Now that is gone. I guess after we get the truck in the barn. We can spray the wheels and hubs down with penetrating oil. They will need to soak for a time anyway.”
Suzy sipped her coffee quietly. Then she whispered, “Sorry Jim I didn’t know.”
Jim responded, “Its ok Suzy. I was chasing this dream hard, and I knew there was going to be a catch for using that check. Like you I jumped on that train not knowing where it was going. Now I’m just along for the ride, and have no control. We’re just going to half to work this out.”
They spent the rest of the day getting the truck in the barn, and soaking the lug nuts and hubs down with penetrating oil. Then Jim waved as Suzy got into her little Neon and headed out.
Jim thought about Suzy, Little read headed firecracker is what she is. She never gives up on anything. Then it hit Jim that was the way Autum was. Always pushing him to be better, and do it now not later.
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Chapter Two
That night as Jim slept Autum came to him in a dream. “Jim! You just had to tell Suzy your point of view. I don't mean to make you frown, but you just need to slow down and find comfort from inside. I’m here for you, but she can help you now.”
Then Jim found himself pounding on the alarm clock. He saw five thirty through the blur, and headed to the kitchen. He pulled out his thermos and started a pot of coffee. Then he jumped in the shower, and got dressed. With his to-go cup in one hand and his thermos in the other he headed to the tractor. Then he hooked up the plow, and started his day.
An hour and half away Suzy was on her own mission. She stopped at the parts store and got a case of penetrating oil. The clerk argued with her about needing that much, but Suzy had her mind made up. There was nothing the clerk could ever say that would change her mind. Then it was off to the temp agency. What a waste of time she thought as she walked out the door. Then she was off to her next stop.
At the feed and seed store just fifteen minutes from the farm. She talked to Bruce Anderson about a driver for the tractor. He gave her Steve’s number. Then told her this was the busy time of the year, and he might not be available.
She then went down the street to a little place called The Cow Girl. She got ham and cheese sandwiches, chips, and two Cokes. At the car she put the lunch in a basket on the passenger seat. Then she headed to the farm.
At the farm she got the penetrating oil from the trunk of the car, and headed to the barn. Setting the oil on the ground she pushed the door open enough to get in. Looking up she saw someone sitting in the truck. She stared trying to make them out, but with the broken windshield there was no way to tell. Reaching her arm in the door she flipped on the light. Then they vanished as if they were never there.
Suzy set the oil by the truck, and stepped up on the running board. Looking in the cab she saw nothing. She felt strange, but tried to shake it off.
Then she went back out and got the basket, and walked out into the field. She could see Jim down the field coming around on another lap.
Looking up ahead of him Jim could see something bright yellow in the field. As he got closer he could see it was Suzy wearing a bright yellow dress. She was all dolled up like when he first saw her. Slowing down Jim brought the tractor to a stop. Jim opened the door as she yelled, “Lunch!”
Jim shutdown the tractor and climbed down from his high perch. On the ground he smiled, “Suzie you’re to kind, but I don’t have time to stop. If the tractor isn’t going around the field I’m not making money, and believe me I need every penny.”
She smiled back and replied, “I understand about money. I was an accountant until my grandpa passed away. There was a time when I was in a hurry just like you. Then there was a day when I knew I just had to do what was best for me. No more hurrying around trying to do everything. I just had to do what I wanted to do. This is what I want to do.
I might have found a driver for the tractor. I’ll pay all the expenses whatever the cost. Don’t worry I’ll pay it all. Then we can spend the next week working out a plan. If we can’t, then I’ll give you your five grand and take the truck.”
Jim was stunned and didn’t say a word he just look at her as she handed him a sandwich and bag of chips. Pulling a Coke from the basket she added, “I hope Coke is ok. Now take your lunch and climb back up on that thing. You can eat as you drive. I don’t want you losing any more time.”
Then she picked up her basket with her lunch and headed for the car. Jim just stood there watching her walking away. He thought, Well I screwed that up pretty good. What do I do now?
Back up in the tractor Jim cried out, “Oh Autum what do I do now? I just keep screwing things up.”
Jim pushed the cd in the player, slipped on his head phones, and started the tractor for another lap. Taking a bite of the sandwich Jim slipped into his thoughts of what was happening. He remembered Autum saying, “You have to chase your dreams. No matter how hard it gets or how far you have to go. Never give up on a dream!”
Jim thought, Suzy’s right this is my one shot. If I don’t grab it then I might never get another chance.
Rounding the end of the field Jim was headed back to the barn. Getting close he could see Suzy’s little car was still parked by the house. Excitement filled Jim as he yelled, “Yes!”
In her car Suzy was thinking what her grandpa had once told her. “When chasing a dream it’s all or nothing, it’s like a drag racer, you have to push the gas pedal to the floor and go for it. If the pedal isn’t on the floor you’re not racing.”
Jim stopped the tractor and shut it down. Opening the door he jumped to the ground almost falling on his face. Then he ran across the field and by the barn. He slowed as he got close to Suzy’s car. She stepped from the car as Jim put his hands on his knees and gasped for air.
Taking a big breath Jim hissed, “You were right.”
Suzy looked strange at Jim as she commented, “Jim you sound like a sixty year old man.”
Catching his breath Jim responded, “I’m only thirty one. At least I don’t look like an eighteen year old girl.”
Suzy snapped back, “I’m twenty seven mind you. I’m college educated with an accounting degree. I managed a crop dusting company, a Five thousand acre wheat farm, and a propane delivery company.”
Jim replied, “Sorry I dint mean it that way. You were right I’ve been following not chasing it. It’s time to stop looking at it and start making it.”
Inside Suzy was jumping up and down yelling yes! Outward she whispered, “Thank you I think.”
Jim pulled his phone from his pocket and questioned, “You got that guy’s number. I’ll give him a call. That is if you can afford it for sure. You know it’s going to cost over a hundred a day. That will be well over two thousand.”
Suzy just smiled and pulled the card with the number from her pocket, and handed it to Jim. Jim called the number, “Is Steve there? I heard you might be free to do some disking and planting. I have three hundred acres. You want fifteen an hour?” Jim looked at Suzy. She nodded for approval, so Jim gave him directions to the farm. Ending the call Jim affirmed, “He will be here at six tomorrow morning.”
Suzy announced, “I have to go.”
Jim Exclaimed, “Wait! I thought we could work on a plan for the truck.”
Suzy responded, “I don’t have time. I have to take out an insurance policy, get a W-4 form, and an employment contract. You know what if he falls off the tractor and it runs him over? We would be ****ed!”
Jim just stared as she jumped in her car and drove off. Thinking, “You mean I’d be ****ed. Well that went nothing like I thought it would.”
Going in the house Jim called out, “Autum, I quit early today. I must be out of my mind. It’s this hot little redhead. She’s got me all mixed up in the head. I thought chasing this dream would help me not miss you so much. Well it’s not working. I’m just getting more mixed up than ever. Suzy is like you too. She knows what she wants and how to do it, and she’s stubborn as a mule too.”
Jim poured some coffee into his cup and put it in the microwave. After it heated he took his cup and went to his chair. Taking a sip he thought about the truck, “The first thing we should do is block it up and get the wheels off. It has split rims that are illegal now, so I can’t restore them. Ten tires at four hundred each is four grand. I’ll need rims Jim thought as he looked them up on his phone, and found they started at $130 each. That’s over five grand just to get tires on this thing.
The scope of this project was starting to become overwhelming. Jim drifted off to sleep in his thoughts. Then he was transported to a beach, where he was watching a Diamond T 6x6 driving off a landing craft onto the beach.
Next thing he knew gun shots and explosions where happening all around him. Then he heard a voice say we have to move, this area’s too hot. Then everything went to a blur and the explosions sounded like pounding echoing in his head. Slowly Jim opened his eyes. It was Suzy pounding at the door and yelling his name. Opening the door Suzy smiled and declared, “You look like crap. Have you been up all night?”
Jim confessed, “No, I fell asleep in the chair. Just had a bad night is all.”
Suzy ordered, “You get in the shower, and put some clean clothes on. I’ll get things ready for the hired hand.”
Jim didn’t say a word. He just staggered down the hall. Suzy laid out the W-4 form, and employment contract on the dining room table. Looking around she saw pictures of Jim and Autum on the wall. Looking at one of them standing in front of the tractor when it was new she thought, Damn, he married Barbie blond hair and all. Then over by the end of the coach was a basket with needle work in it. Suzy’s head started to spin. She was thinking. Oh no look at this place it’s like she’s still here. It has her touch on everything. Jim hasn’t changed a thing. That’s so sad.
Then there was a knock at the door. It was Steve, so Suzy had him do the paper work. By the time Steve was done Jim had appeared looking much better. Jim put out his hand and announced, “Pleased to meet you Steve. You ready to start?’
Steve gave Jim a firm shake and replied, “Sure.”
Jim took Steve out to get him started, and Suzy picked up the paper work and looked it over. With everything looking good she put the papers in a folder. Then she looked over at the couch. There sat Autum with an embroidery hoop staring at her as she smiled. A strange freaky feeling came over Suzy as she watched the image fade away. Chills ran up Suzy’s spine as she tried to comprehend what just happened.
Shaking her head she tried to convince herself it wasn’t real. Heading to the door she could smell perfume, but she couldn’t determine what kind it was. By now Suzy couldn’t wait to get out of the house. She slipped out the front door, and eased down the porch steps.
That night as Jim slept Autum came to him in a dream. “Jim! You just had to tell Suzy your point of view. I don't mean to make you frown, but you just need to slow down and find comfort from inside. I’m here for you, but she can help you now.”
Then Jim found himself pounding on the alarm clock. He saw five thirty through the blur, and headed to the kitchen. He pulled out his thermos and started a pot of coffee. Then he jumped in the shower, and got dressed. With his to-go cup in one hand and his thermos in the other he headed to the tractor. Then he hooked up the plow, and started his day.
An hour and half away Suzy was on her own mission. She stopped at the parts store and got a case of penetrating oil. The clerk argued with her about needing that much, but Suzy had her mind made up. There was nothing the clerk could ever say that would change her mind. Then it was off to the temp agency. What a waste of time she thought as she walked out the door. Then she was off to her next stop.
At the feed and seed store just fifteen minutes from the farm. She talked to Bruce Anderson about a driver for the tractor. He gave her Steve’s number. Then told her this was the busy time of the year, and he might not be available.
She then went down the street to a little place called The Cow Girl. She got ham and cheese sandwiches, chips, and two Cokes. At the car she put the lunch in a basket on the passenger seat. Then she headed to the farm.
At the farm she got the penetrating oil from the trunk of the car, and headed to the barn. Setting the oil on the ground she pushed the door open enough to get in. Looking up she saw someone sitting in the truck. She stared trying to make them out, but with the broken windshield there was no way to tell. Reaching her arm in the door she flipped on the light. Then they vanished as if they were never there.
Suzy set the oil by the truck, and stepped up on the running board. Looking in the cab she saw nothing. She felt strange, but tried to shake it off.
Then she went back out and got the basket, and walked out into the field. She could see Jim down the field coming around on another lap.
Looking up ahead of him Jim could see something bright yellow in the field. As he got closer he could see it was Suzy wearing a bright yellow dress. She was all dolled up like when he first saw her. Slowing down Jim brought the tractor to a stop. Jim opened the door as she yelled, “Lunch!”
Jim shutdown the tractor and climbed down from his high perch. On the ground he smiled, “Suzie you’re to kind, but I don’t have time to stop. If the tractor isn’t going around the field I’m not making money, and believe me I need every penny.”
She smiled back and replied, “I understand about money. I was an accountant until my grandpa passed away. There was a time when I was in a hurry just like you. Then there was a day when I knew I just had to do what was best for me. No more hurrying around trying to do everything. I just had to do what I wanted to do. This is what I want to do.
I might have found a driver for the tractor. I’ll pay all the expenses whatever the cost. Don’t worry I’ll pay it all. Then we can spend the next week working out a plan. If we can’t, then I’ll give you your five grand and take the truck.”
Jim was stunned and didn’t say a word he just look at her as she handed him a sandwich and bag of chips. Pulling a Coke from the basket she added, “I hope Coke is ok. Now take your lunch and climb back up on that thing. You can eat as you drive. I don’t want you losing any more time.”
Then she picked up her basket with her lunch and headed for the car. Jim just stood there watching her walking away. He thought, Well I screwed that up pretty good. What do I do now?
Back up in the tractor Jim cried out, “Oh Autum what do I do now? I just keep screwing things up.”
Jim pushed the cd in the player, slipped on his head phones, and started the tractor for another lap. Taking a bite of the sandwich Jim slipped into his thoughts of what was happening. He remembered Autum saying, “You have to chase your dreams. No matter how hard it gets or how far you have to go. Never give up on a dream!”
Jim thought, Suzy’s right this is my one shot. If I don’t grab it then I might never get another chance.
Rounding the end of the field Jim was headed back to the barn. Getting close he could see Suzy’s little car was still parked by the house. Excitement filled Jim as he yelled, “Yes!”
In her car Suzy was thinking what her grandpa had once told her. “When chasing a dream it’s all or nothing, it’s like a drag racer, you have to push the gas pedal to the floor and go for it. If the pedal isn’t on the floor you’re not racing.”
Jim stopped the tractor and shut it down. Opening the door he jumped to the ground almost falling on his face. Then he ran across the field and by the barn. He slowed as he got close to Suzy’s car. She stepped from the car as Jim put his hands on his knees and gasped for air.
Taking a big breath Jim hissed, “You were right.”
Suzy looked strange at Jim as she commented, “Jim you sound like a sixty year old man.”
Catching his breath Jim responded, “I’m only thirty one. At least I don’t look like an eighteen year old girl.”
Suzy snapped back, “I’m twenty seven mind you. I’m college educated with an accounting degree. I managed a crop dusting company, a Five thousand acre wheat farm, and a propane delivery company.”
Jim replied, “Sorry I dint mean it that way. You were right I’ve been following not chasing it. It’s time to stop looking at it and start making it.”
Inside Suzy was jumping up and down yelling yes! Outward she whispered, “Thank you I think.”
Jim pulled his phone from his pocket and questioned, “You got that guy’s number. I’ll give him a call. That is if you can afford it for sure. You know it’s going to cost over a hundred a day. That will be well over two thousand.”
Suzy just smiled and pulled the card with the number from her pocket, and handed it to Jim. Jim called the number, “Is Steve there? I heard you might be free to do some disking and planting. I have three hundred acres. You want fifteen an hour?” Jim looked at Suzy. She nodded for approval, so Jim gave him directions to the farm. Ending the call Jim affirmed, “He will be here at six tomorrow morning.”
Suzy announced, “I have to go.”
Jim Exclaimed, “Wait! I thought we could work on a plan for the truck.”
Suzy responded, “I don’t have time. I have to take out an insurance policy, get a W-4 form, and an employment contract. You know what if he falls off the tractor and it runs him over? We would be ****ed!”
Jim just stared as she jumped in her car and drove off. Thinking, “You mean I’d be ****ed. Well that went nothing like I thought it would.”
Going in the house Jim called out, “Autum, I quit early today. I must be out of my mind. It’s this hot little redhead. She’s got me all mixed up in the head. I thought chasing this dream would help me not miss you so much. Well it’s not working. I’m just getting more mixed up than ever. Suzy is like you too. She knows what she wants and how to do it, and she’s stubborn as a mule too.”
Jim poured some coffee into his cup and put it in the microwave. After it heated he took his cup and went to his chair. Taking a sip he thought about the truck, “The first thing we should do is block it up and get the wheels off. It has split rims that are illegal now, so I can’t restore them. Ten tires at four hundred each is four grand. I’ll need rims Jim thought as he looked them up on his phone, and found they started at $130 each. That’s over five grand just to get tires on this thing.
The scope of this project was starting to become overwhelming. Jim drifted off to sleep in his thoughts. Then he was transported to a beach, where he was watching a Diamond T 6x6 driving off a landing craft onto the beach.
Next thing he knew gun shots and explosions where happening all around him. Then he heard a voice say we have to move, this area’s too hot. Then everything went to a blur and the explosions sounded like pounding echoing in his head. Slowly Jim opened his eyes. It was Suzy pounding at the door and yelling his name. Opening the door Suzy smiled and declared, “You look like crap. Have you been up all night?”
Jim confessed, “No, I fell asleep in the chair. Just had a bad night is all.”
Suzy ordered, “You get in the shower, and put some clean clothes on. I’ll get things ready for the hired hand.”
Jim didn’t say a word. He just staggered down the hall. Suzy laid out the W-4 form, and employment contract on the dining room table. Looking around she saw pictures of Jim and Autum on the wall. Looking at one of them standing in front of the tractor when it was new she thought, Damn, he married Barbie blond hair and all. Then over by the end of the coach was a basket with needle work in it. Suzy’s head started to spin. She was thinking. Oh no look at this place it’s like she’s still here. It has her touch on everything. Jim hasn’t changed a thing. That’s so sad.
Then there was a knock at the door. It was Steve, so Suzy had him do the paper work. By the time Steve was done Jim had appeared looking much better. Jim put out his hand and announced, “Pleased to meet you Steve. You ready to start?’
Steve gave Jim a firm shake and replied, “Sure.”
Jim took Steve out to get him started, and Suzy picked up the paper work and looked it over. With everything looking good she put the papers in a folder. Then she looked over at the couch. There sat Autum with an embroidery hoop staring at her as she smiled. A strange freaky feeling came over Suzy as she watched the image fade away. Chills ran up Suzy’s spine as she tried to comprehend what just happened.
Shaking her head she tried to convince herself it wasn’t real. Heading to the door she could smell perfume, but she couldn’t determine what kind it was. By now Suzy couldn’t wait to get out of the house. She slipped out the front door, and eased down the porch steps.
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Jim came around the corner of the barn to see Suzy wondering around in a daze. As he got close he could see she was staring at the house, as she slowly moved side to side. Seeing Jim walking up Suzy blurted out, “Your wife’s in there! I saw her!”
Jim stepped next to her and whispered, “I know. I talk to her all the time.”
“No!” Suzy responded, “You don’t understand I saw her, I smelled her, and I felt her. She is in that house!”
Jim tried to comfort Suzy’s distress as he continued, “It’s not just the house. I see her everywhere, in the barn, at the mailbox, even out here. Don’t worry she won’t hurt you. In fact she likes you.”
With a shaky voice Suzy responded, “Likes me! What the hell are you talking about? How do you know she likes me?”
Jim smiled as he replied, “Autum told me.” Then Grabbing Suzy’s hand he informed “Let me show you something.”
When Jim touched her a tingling rushed through her entire body. Then a strange calmness came over her and she felt safe. Suzy’s mind raced trying to take in what was happening, but it didn’t matter she had no control. Jim led her back into the house.
In the house Jim picked up Autum’s embroidery basket by the couch. Then he took it down the hall to the closet. Setting the basket on a shelf he closed the closet door. Then he looked at Suzy and pointed out, “You saw me put the basket in there, right.”
Suzy just nodded as Jim pulled her back down the hall. In the living room Jim instructed, “Look by the couch.”
A strange feeling came over Suzy as she saw the basket was there. It was as if it was never touched. Suzy thought, How can that be I saw Jim put it in the closet.
Jim explained, “All of her things are just as they were the day she died. She won’t let me change anything. She keeps telling me it’s to keep me safe.”
Suzy questioned, “Safe from what?”
Jim smiled, “That’s a story for another time. You just have to except Autum and everything will be fine. You can talk to her. Just don’t get freaked out when she answers you.”
Suzy became angry and insisted, “No! I want to hear it now. This is starting to piss me off!”
Jim’s eyes opened wide as he started, “It’s a curse on my family. It all started back in the 1870’s. My great great grandfather Earl homesteaded here. Times where hard and a lot of homesteaders gave up and sold their land and moved to town or left. He traded and got the land around him for next to nothing. He was a cattle man and built up a big heard. By the time his sons were 10 and 12 he had over 100 head, and was one of the richest men around here.
My great great grandmother Edna was a Witch. I don’t mean a bitch. She was a real Witch casting spells and incantations. They say that was why my great great grandfather was so successful. The day George turned 13 Earl took the wagon and went to town. He got drunk and came home with a saloon girl, and tried to take her to bed with Edna. At that point Edna became enraged, and she chased the saloon girl.
My great grandfather Charles watched from the top of the stairs, as he saw Edna stab the saloon girl in the eye. The saloon girl collapsed to the floor. Charles ran back to his bed and covered up his head. He heard strange things happening downstairs, but he never moved. Then he heard a gurgling sound and Edna cry-out, “I curse you and all your ancestors that you may never have happiness in love.”
Then he heard his dad yell out, “Edna no!” Charles knew his father was dead, and hid under the covers until daylight. Then he went down stairs to find the house looking like nothing happened. Peeking in the kitchen Charles saw his mother at the stove. Looking up Edna insisted, “You need to go help George milk the cow, and unhitch the team. The team came back with the wagon last night. Who knows where your father went. Now go. I’ll have breakfast ready when you’re done.”
A few days later the saloon burnt to the ground, and they never heard from their father again.
It was when George was 19 that that Edna sent him to sale some cattle. George hired two men to help him drive about 30 head to market. That was the last time anyone ever saw him.
This enraged Edna and she demanded that Charles find a wife. With that Charles married 15 year old Cora at the age of 17. Edna treated Cora like a slave, and made her do everything for her. Cora’s life had turned into a living hell. Then Cora got pregnant and died giving birth to my grandfather Roy. Enda laughed at Cora as she died. Making Charles hate her, and forever seek revenge.
Charles refused to seek another wife, and made Edna care for Roy. Edna now in her fifties had a tuff time caring for Roy, but he was all she had to carry on the curse. When Roy was 9 or 10 Edna disappeared without a trace. Roy married my grandmother Emma. Her first child was Clara then two years later she had my dad John. When John was 15 Clara left home, and was never heard from again. When John was 19 his mother Emma was found in the kitchen with a knife stuck in her eye socket. His dad was found in the barn hanging from the rafters. No-one knows for sure what happened.
Then at 22 my dad married Margaret 19 at the time. When she was 20 she had me, and I grew up on the farm. That is until that dreaded day when I was 14. It was early spring, and my dad was out plowing the field. I was walking home from the school-bus. I saw my mom on the porch shaking out a rug, and then go back in the house.
When I went into the house I saw my mom on the kitchen floor. She had a kitchen knife sticking out of her eye socket. They charged my dad with murder and sent him to prison. Even though I testified that I saw him on the tractor out in the field.
I was sent to live with our neighbors the Carlson’s. In return they farmed our land to pay the taxes and my keep. When I was 16 my dad was stabbed and killed in prison.
Then at 19 I graduated high school, and took over the farm. Mr. Carlson had farmed wheat, but dad had farmed barley for feed. I had no combine to harvest wheat. I had a swather for cutting, a baler, a harrow bed to pick up the bales, and a tractor.
What I had was lots of different equipment to have things go wrong, and go wrong it did.”
Suzy could smell the perfume again as she heard Jim repeating, “Suzy, Suzy are you OK?”
Opening her eyes she was laying on the dining room floor looking at Jim. Suzy mumbled, “What happened?”
Jim replied, “I don’t know what happened. I just came in and found you on the floor with the perfume bottle knocked over.”
Suzy was trying to comprehend what had just happened, was it all a dream, was it real, or something else? She just sat there looking at Jim wide eyed.
Jim acknowledged, “You have a big red spot on your head, and it looks like a lump is starting to form. I think I should take you into the clinic to get it checked out. He took her hand, pulled her to her feet, and walked her to his truck.
Suzy felt strange as Jim walked her. Her hart pounded hard and her body tingled, as she thought, Am I falling for Jim or is it the bump on my head doing this to me?
Jim helped her up into the truck, and shut the door. Climbing in the driver seat Jim started the old truck and slipped it into gear. With a squeak and growl the old truck rolled forward, and he was off for the clinic.
Jim looked at Suzy and smiled as he noted the lump getting bigger. To keep her calm Jim talked to her about things around them on the road. That barn over there is over a hundred years old. This curve up here is Connors corner. Back when this was a dirt road he made people go around his corn field to get to town. Ever since then it’s been known as Connors corner. They were now heading down the hill into town.
At the clinic Jim helped her from the truck, and walked her in. Inside the nurse saw Jim and Suzy and went right over to help walk her in.
Jim announced, “Hi Pam. Suzie hit her had.”
Pam took Suzy’s arm and helped her to a chair. Sitting her down she commented, “That is quit a bump on your head.” Then she questioned, “How did that happen?”
Jim stepped next to her and whispered, “I know. I talk to her all the time.”
“No!” Suzy responded, “You don’t understand I saw her, I smelled her, and I felt her. She is in that house!”
Jim tried to comfort Suzy’s distress as he continued, “It’s not just the house. I see her everywhere, in the barn, at the mailbox, even out here. Don’t worry she won’t hurt you. In fact she likes you.”
With a shaky voice Suzy responded, “Likes me! What the hell are you talking about? How do you know she likes me?”
Jim smiled as he replied, “Autum told me.” Then Grabbing Suzy’s hand he informed “Let me show you something.”
When Jim touched her a tingling rushed through her entire body. Then a strange calmness came over her and she felt safe. Suzy’s mind raced trying to take in what was happening, but it didn’t matter she had no control. Jim led her back into the house.
In the house Jim picked up Autum’s embroidery basket by the couch. Then he took it down the hall to the closet. Setting the basket on a shelf he closed the closet door. Then he looked at Suzy and pointed out, “You saw me put the basket in there, right.”
Suzy just nodded as Jim pulled her back down the hall. In the living room Jim instructed, “Look by the couch.”
A strange feeling came over Suzy as she saw the basket was there. It was as if it was never touched. Suzy thought, How can that be I saw Jim put it in the closet.
Jim explained, “All of her things are just as they were the day she died. She won’t let me change anything. She keeps telling me it’s to keep me safe.”
Suzy questioned, “Safe from what?”
Jim smiled, “That’s a story for another time. You just have to except Autum and everything will be fine. You can talk to her. Just don’t get freaked out when she answers you.”
Suzy became angry and insisted, “No! I want to hear it now. This is starting to piss me off!”
Jim’s eyes opened wide as he started, “It’s a curse on my family. It all started back in the 1870’s. My great great grandfather Earl homesteaded here. Times where hard and a lot of homesteaders gave up and sold their land and moved to town or left. He traded and got the land around him for next to nothing. He was a cattle man and built up a big heard. By the time his sons were 10 and 12 he had over 100 head, and was one of the richest men around here.
My great great grandmother Edna was a Witch. I don’t mean a bitch. She was a real Witch casting spells and incantations. They say that was why my great great grandfather was so successful. The day George turned 13 Earl took the wagon and went to town. He got drunk and came home with a saloon girl, and tried to take her to bed with Edna. At that point Edna became enraged, and she chased the saloon girl.
My great grandfather Charles watched from the top of the stairs, as he saw Edna stab the saloon girl in the eye. The saloon girl collapsed to the floor. Charles ran back to his bed and covered up his head. He heard strange things happening downstairs, but he never moved. Then he heard a gurgling sound and Edna cry-out, “I curse you and all your ancestors that you may never have happiness in love.”
Then he heard his dad yell out, “Edna no!” Charles knew his father was dead, and hid under the covers until daylight. Then he went down stairs to find the house looking like nothing happened. Peeking in the kitchen Charles saw his mother at the stove. Looking up Edna insisted, “You need to go help George milk the cow, and unhitch the team. The team came back with the wagon last night. Who knows where your father went. Now go. I’ll have breakfast ready when you’re done.”
A few days later the saloon burnt to the ground, and they never heard from their father again.
It was when George was 19 that that Edna sent him to sale some cattle. George hired two men to help him drive about 30 head to market. That was the last time anyone ever saw him.
This enraged Edna and she demanded that Charles find a wife. With that Charles married 15 year old Cora at the age of 17. Edna treated Cora like a slave, and made her do everything for her. Cora’s life had turned into a living hell. Then Cora got pregnant and died giving birth to my grandfather Roy. Enda laughed at Cora as she died. Making Charles hate her, and forever seek revenge.
Charles refused to seek another wife, and made Edna care for Roy. Edna now in her fifties had a tuff time caring for Roy, but he was all she had to carry on the curse. When Roy was 9 or 10 Edna disappeared without a trace. Roy married my grandmother Emma. Her first child was Clara then two years later she had my dad John. When John was 15 Clara left home, and was never heard from again. When John was 19 his mother Emma was found in the kitchen with a knife stuck in her eye socket. His dad was found in the barn hanging from the rafters. No-one knows for sure what happened.
Then at 22 my dad married Margaret 19 at the time. When she was 20 she had me, and I grew up on the farm. That is until that dreaded day when I was 14. It was early spring, and my dad was out plowing the field. I was walking home from the school-bus. I saw my mom on the porch shaking out a rug, and then go back in the house.
When I went into the house I saw my mom on the kitchen floor. She had a kitchen knife sticking out of her eye socket. They charged my dad with murder and sent him to prison. Even though I testified that I saw him on the tractor out in the field.
I was sent to live with our neighbors the Carlson’s. In return they farmed our land to pay the taxes and my keep. When I was 16 my dad was stabbed and killed in prison.
Then at 19 I graduated high school, and took over the farm. Mr. Carlson had farmed wheat, but dad had farmed barley for feed. I had no combine to harvest wheat. I had a swather for cutting, a baler, a harrow bed to pick up the bales, and a tractor.
What I had was lots of different equipment to have things go wrong, and go wrong it did.”
Suzy could smell the perfume again as she heard Jim repeating, “Suzy, Suzy are you OK?”
Opening her eyes she was laying on the dining room floor looking at Jim. Suzy mumbled, “What happened?”
Jim replied, “I don’t know what happened. I just came in and found you on the floor with the perfume bottle knocked over.”
Suzy was trying to comprehend what had just happened, was it all a dream, was it real, or something else? She just sat there looking at Jim wide eyed.
Jim acknowledged, “You have a big red spot on your head, and it looks like a lump is starting to form. I think I should take you into the clinic to get it checked out. He took her hand, pulled her to her feet, and walked her to his truck.
Suzy felt strange as Jim walked her. Her hart pounded hard and her body tingled, as she thought, Am I falling for Jim or is it the bump on my head doing this to me?
Jim helped her up into the truck, and shut the door. Climbing in the driver seat Jim started the old truck and slipped it into gear. With a squeak and growl the old truck rolled forward, and he was off for the clinic.
Jim looked at Suzy and smiled as he noted the lump getting bigger. To keep her calm Jim talked to her about things around them on the road. That barn over there is over a hundred years old. This curve up here is Connors corner. Back when this was a dirt road he made people go around his corn field to get to town. Ever since then it’s been known as Connors corner. They were now heading down the hill into town.
At the clinic Jim helped her from the truck, and walked her in. Inside the nurse saw Jim and Suzy and went right over to help walk her in.
Jim announced, “Hi Pam. Suzie hit her had.”
Pam took Suzy’s arm and helped her to a chair. Sitting her down she commented, “That is quit a bump on your head.” Then she questioned, “How did that happen?”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Suzy responded, “I fell down and hit my head.”
Pam informed, “Let me get an icepack for that, and see if I can get you in to see the Doctor.”
Pam quickly returned with the icepack and advised, “Here hold this on your head, and come with me.”
Looking at Jim Pam commented, “Have a seat Jim this shouldn’t take long.”
With that she led Suzy through a door. In the treatment room Pam questioned, “What are you doing with that guy? Do you know about his family? All the women die from strange things.”
Before Suzy could answer the doctor came in. standing next to Suzy he pulled a little flashlight from his pocket and shined it in her eyes as he questioned, “Did you lose consciousness?”
“I think so,” Suzy replied
“I assume you don’t know how long?” The doctor questioned.
Suzy hypothesized, “It happened right after Jim went out to the field, and I didn’t come to until he got back. I would guess about 15 minutes.”
“Blurred vision?” The doctor questioned.
“No,” Suzy replied
Lifting up the icepack and looking at the lump on her head the doctor commented, “I’m sure you have a concussion. I think this is going to need a cat-scan.” Looking at Pam he instructed, “Call over to the hospital in Lambert and tell them we’re sending her over.”
In the waiting room Jim was getting impatient, he needed to know something. Then Pam came out and told Jim, “The Doctor is sending Suzy over to the hospital in Lambert. You will half to go there to see if they find anything.”
Looking out the window Jim saw the ambulance backing up alongside the clinic. Seeing the look on Jim’s face Pam assured, “She’ll be fine Jim. This is just transport to the hospital, so they can do some tests. I would suggest… Well you know. Everyone knows what happens to Hanson women.”
Jim snapped back, “It’s not like that! Pam!” Then he headed for the door. In his truck he followed the ambulance to the hospital. He parked the truck and went inside to wait. Jim sat in the E.R. waiting room for about an hour and a half. Then a doctor came in and announced, “Jim Hanson.”
Jim stood up and the doctor walked over and insisted, “I think she’s going to be fine. All of the test we did look fine, but she has a concussion. I wanted to keep her overnight, but she insisted you would stay with her. She needs you to wake her up every two hours. You need to make sure she is alert before you let her go back to sleep. If she won’t wake or seams disoriented call 911 or get her back in here right away. Think you can do that?”
“Sure,” Jim replied.
The doctor insisted, “Then drive around to the entrance, and we’ll bring her out.”
Jim nodded and headed for the door.
In the truck he thought about the curse, and wondered if he was getting to close to Suzy. Was this all happening because of him? “I half to tell her,” Jim told himself.
Jim pulled the truck up in front of the door. Soon a nurse came out pushing a wheelchair with Suzy. She helped Suzy in the truck and shut the door.
Jim’s heart pounded with anticipation as he thought of telling Suzy about his history.
Before he could get out a word Suzy blurted out, “You’re going to half to spend the night at my place. I don’t think I’m ready to go back to yours yet.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Jim replied.
Suzy snapped back, “Don’t say a word! Now is not the time. Just go out to Walnut and hang a right. Then go down to 35th and turn left. It’s the third house on the right.”
Pam informed, “Let me get an icepack for that, and see if I can get you in to see the Doctor.”
Pam quickly returned with the icepack and advised, “Here hold this on your head, and come with me.”
Looking at Jim Pam commented, “Have a seat Jim this shouldn’t take long.”
With that she led Suzy through a door. In the treatment room Pam questioned, “What are you doing with that guy? Do you know about his family? All the women die from strange things.”
Before Suzy could answer the doctor came in. standing next to Suzy he pulled a little flashlight from his pocket and shined it in her eyes as he questioned, “Did you lose consciousness?”
“I think so,” Suzy replied
“I assume you don’t know how long?” The doctor questioned.
Suzy hypothesized, “It happened right after Jim went out to the field, and I didn’t come to until he got back. I would guess about 15 minutes.”
“Blurred vision?” The doctor questioned.
“No,” Suzy replied
Lifting up the icepack and looking at the lump on her head the doctor commented, “I’m sure you have a concussion. I think this is going to need a cat-scan.” Looking at Pam he instructed, “Call over to the hospital in Lambert and tell them we’re sending her over.”
In the waiting room Jim was getting impatient, he needed to know something. Then Pam came out and told Jim, “The Doctor is sending Suzy over to the hospital in Lambert. You will half to go there to see if they find anything.”
Looking out the window Jim saw the ambulance backing up alongside the clinic. Seeing the look on Jim’s face Pam assured, “She’ll be fine Jim. This is just transport to the hospital, so they can do some tests. I would suggest… Well you know. Everyone knows what happens to Hanson women.”
Jim snapped back, “It’s not like that! Pam!” Then he headed for the door. In his truck he followed the ambulance to the hospital. He parked the truck and went inside to wait. Jim sat in the E.R. waiting room for about an hour and a half. Then a doctor came in and announced, “Jim Hanson.”
Jim stood up and the doctor walked over and insisted, “I think she’s going to be fine. All of the test we did look fine, but she has a concussion. I wanted to keep her overnight, but she insisted you would stay with her. She needs you to wake her up every two hours. You need to make sure she is alert before you let her go back to sleep. If she won’t wake or seams disoriented call 911 or get her back in here right away. Think you can do that?”
“Sure,” Jim replied.
The doctor insisted, “Then drive around to the entrance, and we’ll bring her out.”
Jim nodded and headed for the door.
In the truck he thought about the curse, and wondered if he was getting to close to Suzy. Was this all happening because of him? “I half to tell her,” Jim told himself.
Jim pulled the truck up in front of the door. Soon a nurse came out pushing a wheelchair with Suzy. She helped Suzy in the truck and shut the door.
Jim’s heart pounded with anticipation as he thought of telling Suzy about his history.
Before he could get out a word Suzy blurted out, “You’re going to half to spend the night at my place. I don’t think I’m ready to go back to yours yet.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Jim replied.
Suzy snapped back, “Don’t say a word! Now is not the time. Just go out to Walnut and hang a right. Then go down to 35th and turn left. It’s the third house on the right.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Chapter Three
Jim turned the corner and saw it right away. It was a quaint little green cottage on a tree-lined street in Lambert. He helped Suzy into the house. Inside it was a mess with boxes stacked everywhere.
Suzy explained, “Sorry about the mess, but I had to move out of grandpa’s house. I rented this place, and had everything moved here. I haven’t had time to even open a box. I put my clothes and bed in the bedroom. Other than that I haven’t done a thing. Every box has some kind of memory, and I just can’t face it right now.”
Jim whispered, “Sorry,” As he looked around the connected living-room and dining-room. One recliner chair and two end tables was the only furniture he saw. The rest was boxes stacked 5 or 6 feet high with a path down the middle. Suzy sat in the chair and let out a sigh of relief. Jim moved some boxes off one of the end tables and sat looking at Suzy.
Suzy spoke softly, “Through that gap over there is the bathroom, and the door at the end of the path is the kitchen. The bedroom is off the kitchen. I know it’s kind of weird, but I was just looking for a place to put the stuff and sleep. This works for that until I find a home.
Jim responded, “It’s way past noon and I’m kind of hungry. How about you? You want something?”
Suzy replied, “There’s a pizza joint just a few blocks away. That’s if pizza’s ok with you?”
“Sounds good,” Jim agreed.
Suzy got up from the chair as she announced, “Let’s do it Jim”
After eating Suzy confessed, “I feel a little queasy to my stomach. I think I should go home and laydown.”
Jim got a box for the leftover pizza, and took Suzy home. Where she took him to her bedroom and laid down in the middle of the bed. She patted her hand on the edge of the bed for Jim to sit. Now staring into her green eyes he was hepatized, as she began to speak. She told Jim all about her dream when she was knocked-out.
Jim snapped back to reality insisting, “I’ve never told anyone about that except Autum. How do you know that?
“I don’t know,” Suzy replied, “But I think Autum is trying to warn me of an impending or possible danger. Then again she could be trying to just tell me something. I don’t believe in Witches, magic powers, evil things and such. What I have learned is if you don’t know what you’re doing. Hire someone that dose. Like if you need electrical work done, and you don’t know how to do that. Hire an Electrician so you don’t burn your house down.”
Jim was confused and questioned, “Just what are you saying?”
Suzy replied, “I want to hire a psychic or spiritual medium to fix this.
Jim let out a sigh and whispered, “I’ve tried that. They all said the same thing only the Witch that cast the spell can remove it.”
Suzie insisted, “It came after me and I won’t let it happen again. I’m not giving up my dream! I already know you’re not a quitter, and you will do whatever it takes to make this dream come true. I can see us driving across the country in that truck. We both jumped on the train and were riding it to the end of the line. You got that?”
Suzie laid back and closed her eyes as Jim mumbled, “It takes money I don’t have.”
Suzy grabbed the collar of his shirt, and pulled him so his ear was next to her lips. Then she whispered, “I’m rich. I inherited millions. I’ll buy everything just tell me what we need and I’ll get it. Now wake me up in two hours.”
She let go of Jim as he whispered, “OK”
Jim was in shock. He didn’t know what to think. He wandered back out to the recliner chair and set the alarm on his phone then leaned back.
In the bedroom Suzy was having a dream about Autum. They were sitting at a table in a Saloon. That looked like something out of an old western movie. There was a man playing a piano and a Saloon gal hanging all over a cowboy. Autum told Suzy that’s Jim’s great great grandfather.
Suzy took a hard look at the cowboy. His face had about a weeks’ worth of growth on it, and his black hair hung to his shoulders. He was a big muscular man with a deep voice and a jolly laugh. Looking back at Autum Suzy could see two men playing cards at the table behind her. Past that was stairs going up to a balcony for the upstairs rooms.
Then Autum instructed, “Take it all in Suzy. You might need to remember this someday. Now listen as you look, Jim might need a little guidance. Don’t be afraid to push him a little. He’ll do whatever you need with a little push, but give him time. He’s not a jump all in kind of guy. He needs to test the waters first.”
“Beep, Beep,” The phone alarm was going off. Jim slowly opened his eyes. Pulled the phone from his pocket, and turned off the alarm. Setting up in the chair he rubbed his eyes and headed to Suzy’s room. Sitting on the edge of the bed he gave her a gentle shake, as he whispered, “Suzy.”
Slowly her eyes opened as she moaned, “It’s time?”
Jim whispered, “You need to sit up, so I can make sure you’re all here.”
Slowly Suzy sat up and insisted, “You’re the man of my dreams and my knight in shining armor. You’ve come to rescue me from the wicked witch.”
Jim insisted, “Get up and get dressed. I have to take you back to the hospital you’re not thinking right.”
Suzy laughed, “You just want to get rid of me so you can have the truck to yourself. Now let me get back to that good dream I was having. See you in about two hours, OK”
Jim nodded and left, and went back to the chair. He set the alarm on his phone and leaned back. He did this all night. Then in the morning he awoke to the sound of running water. He walked over to the bathroom door and yelled, “You Ok in there?”
She yelled back, “Just give me a minute.”
Jim sat back in the chair as Suzy appeared wearing a big fluffy green robe and a towel wrapped around her had. She winked and said, “You can pee now. I left a towel and stuff in there. You can do what you want with it.”
Jim cleaned up the best he could, and put back on the same clothes. Coming back out of the bathroom he saw Suzy setting in the chair. She was dressed in a blue work shirt, blue jeans, and boots. Just like the first day he saw her at his house.
Suzy jumped up and said, “Put your boots on so we can get out of this place.”
Jim put on his boots and they went to a pancake house for breakfast. Sitting at a booth Suzy surfed the web then made a call, “Is this the psychic? Good I need you to check out a haunting. How much will that be? OK if I’ll have a ticket waiting for you can you fly out tonight? Good I’ll have a rental car and room waiting for you.”
Suzy smiled as she exclaimed, “Just like that the ghost is gone.”
Jim took a sip of his coffee and mumbled, “It’s not a ghost.”
Suzy replied, “Ghost, Witch what’s the different their both spirits.”
Jim shoved a big bite of pancake in his mouth and smiled. He knew it was a curse, and there was nothing that could be done.
Suzy went on, “About the truck. I need you to make up a list of everything we need.”
Jim looked up taking a big gulp as he push down the pancake in his mouth. Then he informed, “I looked up the tires and rims. It will be about five grand on the cheap side. I think this is going to be more than I ever thought.”
Suzy smiled and replied, “Well don’t go cheap get the best, but it has to be right to the truck. This isn’t about money. Didn’t you hear me last night?”
Jim gulped, “I just thought it was the bump on the head. After all you thought I was a knight in shining armor.”
Suzy couldn’t hold it and sprayed coffee out her mouth. Wiping her face she snickered, “I see why Autum loved you. You’re one of a kind Jim.”
Jim just smiled as Suzy continued, “We need to build a shop to put the truck together in. I was thinking something like a 30X40 steel building with a concrete floor. The dirt floor in the barn would never work. What do you think Jim?”
Jim questioned, “Where are you putting this shop?”
Suzy looked surprised as she responded, “Why the farm of course. I don’t have any land to put it on. Then we could take it apart in the barn, and take the parts over to the new shop. Does that sound good to you?”
Jim questioned, “Just what is this going to cost me?”
Suzy answered, “Friendship Jim just friendship. Isn’t it nice to have a rich friend? Don’t answer that. Let me tell you something that happened back when I was 17. It was almost 10 years ago I lost my best friend to suicide. I spent years wracking my brain trying to figure out what I could've done or said differently. It all just came out of the blue. Finally, I had to just settle my mind with the fact that it's not my place to decide how much is too much for another to cope with. My only recourse was to have done pretty much what I did with the knowledge I had. Which in my case is what I did, and that was nothing at all.
I know I’m pushing this fast and hard, but I need this right now, so if I’m going to fast let me know.”
Jim got a serious look on his face and responded, “Then you do what you do, and I’ll do what I know. I’ll take the truck apart, and make a list. You use your college degree to take care of the importin stuff. Then we can meet in the middle and have a truck.”
Jim turned the corner and saw it right away. It was a quaint little green cottage on a tree-lined street in Lambert. He helped Suzy into the house. Inside it was a mess with boxes stacked everywhere.
Suzy explained, “Sorry about the mess, but I had to move out of grandpa’s house. I rented this place, and had everything moved here. I haven’t had time to even open a box. I put my clothes and bed in the bedroom. Other than that I haven’t done a thing. Every box has some kind of memory, and I just can’t face it right now.”
Jim whispered, “Sorry,” As he looked around the connected living-room and dining-room. One recliner chair and two end tables was the only furniture he saw. The rest was boxes stacked 5 or 6 feet high with a path down the middle. Suzy sat in the chair and let out a sigh of relief. Jim moved some boxes off one of the end tables and sat looking at Suzy.
Suzy spoke softly, “Through that gap over there is the bathroom, and the door at the end of the path is the kitchen. The bedroom is off the kitchen. I know it’s kind of weird, but I was just looking for a place to put the stuff and sleep. This works for that until I find a home.
Jim responded, “It’s way past noon and I’m kind of hungry. How about you? You want something?”
Suzy replied, “There’s a pizza joint just a few blocks away. That’s if pizza’s ok with you?”
“Sounds good,” Jim agreed.
Suzy got up from the chair as she announced, “Let’s do it Jim”
After eating Suzy confessed, “I feel a little queasy to my stomach. I think I should go home and laydown.”
Jim got a box for the leftover pizza, and took Suzy home. Where she took him to her bedroom and laid down in the middle of the bed. She patted her hand on the edge of the bed for Jim to sit. Now staring into her green eyes he was hepatized, as she began to speak. She told Jim all about her dream when she was knocked-out.
Jim snapped back to reality insisting, “I’ve never told anyone about that except Autum. How do you know that?
“I don’t know,” Suzy replied, “But I think Autum is trying to warn me of an impending or possible danger. Then again she could be trying to just tell me something. I don’t believe in Witches, magic powers, evil things and such. What I have learned is if you don’t know what you’re doing. Hire someone that dose. Like if you need electrical work done, and you don’t know how to do that. Hire an Electrician so you don’t burn your house down.”
Jim was confused and questioned, “Just what are you saying?”
Suzy replied, “I want to hire a psychic or spiritual medium to fix this.
Jim let out a sigh and whispered, “I’ve tried that. They all said the same thing only the Witch that cast the spell can remove it.”
Suzie insisted, “It came after me and I won’t let it happen again. I’m not giving up my dream! I already know you’re not a quitter, and you will do whatever it takes to make this dream come true. I can see us driving across the country in that truck. We both jumped on the train and were riding it to the end of the line. You got that?”
Suzie laid back and closed her eyes as Jim mumbled, “It takes money I don’t have.”
Suzy grabbed the collar of his shirt, and pulled him so his ear was next to her lips. Then she whispered, “I’m rich. I inherited millions. I’ll buy everything just tell me what we need and I’ll get it. Now wake me up in two hours.”
She let go of Jim as he whispered, “OK”
Jim was in shock. He didn’t know what to think. He wandered back out to the recliner chair and set the alarm on his phone then leaned back.
In the bedroom Suzy was having a dream about Autum. They were sitting at a table in a Saloon. That looked like something out of an old western movie. There was a man playing a piano and a Saloon gal hanging all over a cowboy. Autum told Suzy that’s Jim’s great great grandfather.
Suzy took a hard look at the cowboy. His face had about a weeks’ worth of growth on it, and his black hair hung to his shoulders. He was a big muscular man with a deep voice and a jolly laugh. Looking back at Autum Suzy could see two men playing cards at the table behind her. Past that was stairs going up to a balcony for the upstairs rooms.
Then Autum instructed, “Take it all in Suzy. You might need to remember this someday. Now listen as you look, Jim might need a little guidance. Don’t be afraid to push him a little. He’ll do whatever you need with a little push, but give him time. He’s not a jump all in kind of guy. He needs to test the waters first.”
“Beep, Beep,” The phone alarm was going off. Jim slowly opened his eyes. Pulled the phone from his pocket, and turned off the alarm. Setting up in the chair he rubbed his eyes and headed to Suzy’s room. Sitting on the edge of the bed he gave her a gentle shake, as he whispered, “Suzy.”
Slowly her eyes opened as she moaned, “It’s time?”
Jim whispered, “You need to sit up, so I can make sure you’re all here.”
Slowly Suzy sat up and insisted, “You’re the man of my dreams and my knight in shining armor. You’ve come to rescue me from the wicked witch.”
Jim insisted, “Get up and get dressed. I have to take you back to the hospital you’re not thinking right.”
Suzy laughed, “You just want to get rid of me so you can have the truck to yourself. Now let me get back to that good dream I was having. See you in about two hours, OK”
Jim nodded and left, and went back to the chair. He set the alarm on his phone and leaned back. He did this all night. Then in the morning he awoke to the sound of running water. He walked over to the bathroom door and yelled, “You Ok in there?”
She yelled back, “Just give me a minute.”
Jim sat back in the chair as Suzy appeared wearing a big fluffy green robe and a towel wrapped around her had. She winked and said, “You can pee now. I left a towel and stuff in there. You can do what you want with it.”
Jim cleaned up the best he could, and put back on the same clothes. Coming back out of the bathroom he saw Suzy setting in the chair. She was dressed in a blue work shirt, blue jeans, and boots. Just like the first day he saw her at his house.
Suzy jumped up and said, “Put your boots on so we can get out of this place.”
Jim put on his boots and they went to a pancake house for breakfast. Sitting at a booth Suzy surfed the web then made a call, “Is this the psychic? Good I need you to check out a haunting. How much will that be? OK if I’ll have a ticket waiting for you can you fly out tonight? Good I’ll have a rental car and room waiting for you.”
Suzy smiled as she exclaimed, “Just like that the ghost is gone.”
Jim took a sip of his coffee and mumbled, “It’s not a ghost.”
Suzy replied, “Ghost, Witch what’s the different their both spirits.”
Jim shoved a big bite of pancake in his mouth and smiled. He knew it was a curse, and there was nothing that could be done.
Suzy went on, “About the truck. I need you to make up a list of everything we need.”
Jim looked up taking a big gulp as he push down the pancake in his mouth. Then he informed, “I looked up the tires and rims. It will be about five grand on the cheap side. I think this is going to be more than I ever thought.”
Suzy smiled and replied, “Well don’t go cheap get the best, but it has to be right to the truck. This isn’t about money. Didn’t you hear me last night?”
Jim gulped, “I just thought it was the bump on the head. After all you thought I was a knight in shining armor.”
Suzy couldn’t hold it and sprayed coffee out her mouth. Wiping her face she snickered, “I see why Autum loved you. You’re one of a kind Jim.”
Jim just smiled as Suzy continued, “We need to build a shop to put the truck together in. I was thinking something like a 30X40 steel building with a concrete floor. The dirt floor in the barn would never work. What do you think Jim?”
Jim questioned, “Where are you putting this shop?”
Suzy looked surprised as she responded, “Why the farm of course. I don’t have any land to put it on. Then we could take it apart in the barn, and take the parts over to the new shop. Does that sound good to you?”
Jim questioned, “Just what is this going to cost me?”
Suzy answered, “Friendship Jim just friendship. Isn’t it nice to have a rich friend? Don’t answer that. Let me tell you something that happened back when I was 17. It was almost 10 years ago I lost my best friend to suicide. I spent years wracking my brain trying to figure out what I could've done or said differently. It all just came out of the blue. Finally, I had to just settle my mind with the fact that it's not my place to decide how much is too much for another to cope with. My only recourse was to have done pretty much what I did with the knowledge I had. Which in my case is what I did, and that was nothing at all.
I know I’m pushing this fast and hard, but I need this right now, so if I’m going to fast let me know.”
Jim got a serious look on his face and responded, “Then you do what you do, and I’ll do what I know. I’ll take the truck apart, and make a list. You use your college degree to take care of the importin stuff. Then we can meet in the middle and have a truck.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Suzy agreed, “Yes!”
Then that is how it went. Jim started taking apart the truck, Suzy found a contractor to build the shop, and Steve plowed up the field.
The next day Jim tried to break the lug nuts lose, but not even one would budge. He screamed out, “You bastard! I’ll fix your ass.” He grabbed a can of penetrating oil and emptied the entire can on one wheel yelling, “Take that you rusty bastard!”
Then he emptied 3 more cans on the other wheels. Then Jim started to feel light headed. He thought wow this is bad I need to open the door, so he pushed the barn door open about 3 feet and passed out. Suzy drove up seeing Jim laying half in and half out of the barn. Throwing the car in park she ran to Jim’s side. She gave a sigh, “Oh good he’s breathing.”
Then the smell of the penetrating oil hit her, and she thought. I got to get you away from this. Taking his arms she pulled with all of her might, and drugged him about five feet. Kneeling next to Jim she shook him vigorously yelling, “Jim, Jim! Don’t do this to me. She slapped his face as a tear came down her cheek. Then she whimpered, “Damn it Jim.”
His eyes slowly opened as Suzy cried out, “Thank God!”
Then she wiped the tears from her face and scolded, “Don’t you ever do something like that again. I can’t take losing another part of my life right now. You see how I live. I’m basically living in a storage unit with a bed and chair. I have no friends because I was the boss. I like to think I was nice, but you can’t be friends with your employees. All I have right now is you. That’s it no more working on the truck unless I’m here. You got that?”
Jim mumbled, “It’s going to take longer that way.”
Suzy snapped back, “So, if you keep doing this kind of stuff. It won’t get done at all. Without you I have nothing. Everything is in your name. Hell you don’t even have any heirs. The state will get everything.”
Suzy took a deep breath and apologized, “Sorry Jim. You just scared the hell out of me and I lost it.”
Jim took her hand and gave it a squeeze. With a smile he assured, “I’m going to be fine. I just went stupid for a moment.”
Suzy got up and pulled Jim up by his hand. They stared at each other for a moment. Then she let Jim’s hand slip away.
Just then a car pulled in the drive way. Suzy exclaimed, “It’s the psychic. She’s here.”
Jim saw her through the windshield. It was Malinda. Jim had had her try to help when Autum was still alive. Malinda stopped in front of the house, got out and leaned back against the car, and stared at the house. Then she turned her head and greeted, “Hi Jim. See you’re still alive. I heard about Autum. I’m sorry about that.”
Suzy questioned, “You know her Jim?”
Jim replied, “Yep, Autum and I had her out here when she was alive, but she couldn’t help us.”
Malinda questioned, “You must be Suzy?
Malinda looked at Jim as he spoke up, “It’s not like that. We’re just friends.”
Malinda continued, “Sorry Jim there won’t be a charge for this. I thought you passed or sold the place and Suzy was the new owner. So what can I do for you?”
Suzy demanded. “You can get that thing out of this place.”
Malinda dropped her head and mumbled, “I can’t. I can’t even go in the house the Witch won’t let me in. I’m so sorry”
Jim asked, “Do you see Autum?”
Malinda perked up and replied, “I sure do Jim. She’s standing next to Suzy. Her aura is surrounding Suzy now. Autum’s giving her a shield of protection.”
Suzy requested, “Isn’t there anything we can do”
Malinda hypothesized, “I don’t know this for sure, but there is a story about a man. He built a covered wagon, and took it back to the 1800’s. Ware he saved a boy that had fail through the ice in a pond. It’s said that he had to build the wagon all by himself. Then the spell had to be performed by someone on the other side.
The witnesses mostly children say Anthony walked out to check the ice and fell through. Then a wagon with a team of horses came out of no ware. A man jumped from the wagon as a woman tossed him a rope. He tossed the rope out to Anthony, and pulled him up on the bank. Then he jumped back on the wagon and road off fading away until the wagon disappeared.
There’s another one about a guy that built a helicopter, and went back to World War II. Then he flew a wind talker in to save a group of soldiers. There are others, but they might be stories too.”
Jim looked at Suzy as she said, “You would have to build the truck by yourself. All I could do is watch and get stuff.”
Jim looked at Malinda and questioned, “Do you think we can do this?”
Malinda replied, “Autum is telling me that if you build it. She’ll cast the spell.”
A big smile came to Suzy’s face, and she exclaimed, “Now we have a plan, and the train is picking up speed.”
Malinda insisted, “These are just stories no one knows if there true are not. It would take a lot of time and money to find out.”
Suzie smiled as she replied, “That we have. I just never dreamed it would turn out this way. This is going to be the best truck ever.”
Malinda yelled out, “Autum stop! I’m sorry, but Autum is telling me a lot of stuff. I just can’t keep track of this and her at the same time.”
Jim questioned, “What’s she saying?”
Malinda replied, “I got it Autum. Later Jim now I want you to understand this might not even be possible even with the spell. Autum’s not a Witch and spells are complicated, but things are different on the other side. Time is something that doesn’t exist over there. Don’t ask me how that works. I just know time is for the living.”
It was quiet for a little bit then Jim asked, “What is Autum telling you?”
Malinda dropped her head and mumbled, “Its private Jim. When we’re alone I’ll tell you.”
Suzy looked at Malinda and questioned, “It’s about me isn’t it.”
Malinda replied, “The ones on the other side know all about us.”
Suzy took a deep breath and urged, “Then let me tell him.”
Malinda nodded her head and affirmed, “Autum said go ahead.”
Suzy took Jim’s hands and stared straight into his eyes and confessed, “I’ve known about you for a long time. I drove by here a few times to see if I could catch a glimpse of you. My grandpa told me about you when your mom died, and told me all about the curse. You see my parents died in a bad car wreck when I was 7, so my dad’s parents raised me.”
Squeezing Jim’s hands Suzy disclosed, “Clara Hanson was my mother’s maiden name.”
Jim stepped back staring at Suzy as she continued, “I’ve seen you a few times over the years, but couldn’t bring myself to talk to you. Then when you showed up at the auction it was like a dream come true. I had to act fast and told the auctioner to auction the truck last. That gave me time to put a lone agreement on the back of the check. You know the rest from there.”
Jim was dumb founded, and didn’t know what to say. He just stared at Suzy. Then he questioned, “You’re my cousin?
Suzy replied, “Well we both have the same grandmother and grandfather so I’d say so.”
Jim continued, “There is so much I want to tell you, but it’s not safe for you to be here.”
Suzy laughed, “Jim, I’m not a Hanson. I’m Suzy White and this curse can’t touch me.”
Malinda interjected, “You’re right the curse can’t, but the Witch can. She knows who you are, and that you’re here. That’s why Autum is protecting you now. The Witch sees you as a threat, and has power here because this is where the curse was cast.”
Jim started to look sad as he questioned, “The truck was just a way to get to me?”
Suzy sympathize, “Oh no Jim. The truck is my dream. I remember it just like it was yesterday. I was 9 sitting in the truck with my grandpa. That’s when he told me the truck would take me places I never dreamed. He told me this was the kind of truck he landed on the beach in Normandy with. I think that’s why I want this so much, because it’s a part of him.”
Jim’s eyes opened wide and he exclaimed, “I think I was there in a dream when he drove the truck on the beach.”
Jim put his hands on his head and walked around mumbling, “What the hell is going on. Damn, what the hell.”
Suzy walked over and put her arms around Jim, and squeezed him tight whispering, “Its ok Jim. We’re together now, and that’s all that matters. We got each other, and we have this.”
Then that is how it went. Jim started taking apart the truck, Suzy found a contractor to build the shop, and Steve plowed up the field.
The next day Jim tried to break the lug nuts lose, but not even one would budge. He screamed out, “You bastard! I’ll fix your ass.” He grabbed a can of penetrating oil and emptied the entire can on one wheel yelling, “Take that you rusty bastard!”
Then he emptied 3 more cans on the other wheels. Then Jim started to feel light headed. He thought wow this is bad I need to open the door, so he pushed the barn door open about 3 feet and passed out. Suzy drove up seeing Jim laying half in and half out of the barn. Throwing the car in park she ran to Jim’s side. She gave a sigh, “Oh good he’s breathing.”
Then the smell of the penetrating oil hit her, and she thought. I got to get you away from this. Taking his arms she pulled with all of her might, and drugged him about five feet. Kneeling next to Jim she shook him vigorously yelling, “Jim, Jim! Don’t do this to me. She slapped his face as a tear came down her cheek. Then she whimpered, “Damn it Jim.”
His eyes slowly opened as Suzy cried out, “Thank God!”
Then she wiped the tears from her face and scolded, “Don’t you ever do something like that again. I can’t take losing another part of my life right now. You see how I live. I’m basically living in a storage unit with a bed and chair. I have no friends because I was the boss. I like to think I was nice, but you can’t be friends with your employees. All I have right now is you. That’s it no more working on the truck unless I’m here. You got that?”
Jim mumbled, “It’s going to take longer that way.”
Suzy snapped back, “So, if you keep doing this kind of stuff. It won’t get done at all. Without you I have nothing. Everything is in your name. Hell you don’t even have any heirs. The state will get everything.”
Suzy took a deep breath and apologized, “Sorry Jim. You just scared the hell out of me and I lost it.”
Jim took her hand and gave it a squeeze. With a smile he assured, “I’m going to be fine. I just went stupid for a moment.”
Suzy got up and pulled Jim up by his hand. They stared at each other for a moment. Then she let Jim’s hand slip away.
Just then a car pulled in the drive way. Suzy exclaimed, “It’s the psychic. She’s here.”
Jim saw her through the windshield. It was Malinda. Jim had had her try to help when Autum was still alive. Malinda stopped in front of the house, got out and leaned back against the car, and stared at the house. Then she turned her head and greeted, “Hi Jim. See you’re still alive. I heard about Autum. I’m sorry about that.”
Suzy questioned, “You know her Jim?”
Jim replied, “Yep, Autum and I had her out here when she was alive, but she couldn’t help us.”
Malinda questioned, “You must be Suzy?
Malinda looked at Jim as he spoke up, “It’s not like that. We’re just friends.”
Malinda continued, “Sorry Jim there won’t be a charge for this. I thought you passed or sold the place and Suzy was the new owner. So what can I do for you?”
Suzy demanded. “You can get that thing out of this place.”
Malinda dropped her head and mumbled, “I can’t. I can’t even go in the house the Witch won’t let me in. I’m so sorry”
Jim asked, “Do you see Autum?”
Malinda perked up and replied, “I sure do Jim. She’s standing next to Suzy. Her aura is surrounding Suzy now. Autum’s giving her a shield of protection.”
Suzy requested, “Isn’t there anything we can do”
Malinda hypothesized, “I don’t know this for sure, but there is a story about a man. He built a covered wagon, and took it back to the 1800’s. Ware he saved a boy that had fail through the ice in a pond. It’s said that he had to build the wagon all by himself. Then the spell had to be performed by someone on the other side.
The witnesses mostly children say Anthony walked out to check the ice and fell through. Then a wagon with a team of horses came out of no ware. A man jumped from the wagon as a woman tossed him a rope. He tossed the rope out to Anthony, and pulled him up on the bank. Then he jumped back on the wagon and road off fading away until the wagon disappeared.
There’s another one about a guy that built a helicopter, and went back to World War II. Then he flew a wind talker in to save a group of soldiers. There are others, but they might be stories too.”
Jim looked at Suzy as she said, “You would have to build the truck by yourself. All I could do is watch and get stuff.”
Jim looked at Malinda and questioned, “Do you think we can do this?”
Malinda replied, “Autum is telling me that if you build it. She’ll cast the spell.”
A big smile came to Suzy’s face, and she exclaimed, “Now we have a plan, and the train is picking up speed.”
Malinda insisted, “These are just stories no one knows if there true are not. It would take a lot of time and money to find out.”
Suzie smiled as she replied, “That we have. I just never dreamed it would turn out this way. This is going to be the best truck ever.”
Malinda yelled out, “Autum stop! I’m sorry, but Autum is telling me a lot of stuff. I just can’t keep track of this and her at the same time.”
Jim questioned, “What’s she saying?”
Malinda replied, “I got it Autum. Later Jim now I want you to understand this might not even be possible even with the spell. Autum’s not a Witch and spells are complicated, but things are different on the other side. Time is something that doesn’t exist over there. Don’t ask me how that works. I just know time is for the living.”
It was quiet for a little bit then Jim asked, “What is Autum telling you?”
Malinda dropped her head and mumbled, “Its private Jim. When we’re alone I’ll tell you.”
Suzy looked at Malinda and questioned, “It’s about me isn’t it.”
Malinda replied, “The ones on the other side know all about us.”
Suzy took a deep breath and urged, “Then let me tell him.”
Malinda nodded her head and affirmed, “Autum said go ahead.”
Suzy took Jim’s hands and stared straight into his eyes and confessed, “I’ve known about you for a long time. I drove by here a few times to see if I could catch a glimpse of you. My grandpa told me about you when your mom died, and told me all about the curse. You see my parents died in a bad car wreck when I was 7, so my dad’s parents raised me.”
Squeezing Jim’s hands Suzy disclosed, “Clara Hanson was my mother’s maiden name.”
Jim stepped back staring at Suzy as she continued, “I’ve seen you a few times over the years, but couldn’t bring myself to talk to you. Then when you showed up at the auction it was like a dream come true. I had to act fast and told the auctioner to auction the truck last. That gave me time to put a lone agreement on the back of the check. You know the rest from there.”
Jim was dumb founded, and didn’t know what to say. He just stared at Suzy. Then he questioned, “You’re my cousin?
Suzy replied, “Well we both have the same grandmother and grandfather so I’d say so.”
Jim continued, “There is so much I want to tell you, but it’s not safe for you to be here.”
Suzy laughed, “Jim, I’m not a Hanson. I’m Suzy White and this curse can’t touch me.”
Malinda interjected, “You’re right the curse can’t, but the Witch can. She knows who you are, and that you’re here. That’s why Autum is protecting you now. The Witch sees you as a threat, and has power here because this is where the curse was cast.”
Jim started to look sad as he questioned, “The truck was just a way to get to me?”
Suzy sympathize, “Oh no Jim. The truck is my dream. I remember it just like it was yesterday. I was 9 sitting in the truck with my grandpa. That’s when he told me the truck would take me places I never dreamed. He told me this was the kind of truck he landed on the beach in Normandy with. I think that’s why I want this so much, because it’s a part of him.”
Jim’s eyes opened wide and he exclaimed, “I think I was there in a dream when he drove the truck on the beach.”
Jim put his hands on his head and walked around mumbling, “What the hell is going on. Damn, what the hell.”
Suzy walked over and put her arms around Jim, and squeezed him tight whispering, “Its ok Jim. We’re together now, and that’s all that matters. We got each other, and we have this.”
Dumb Blonde
Contributing Member
Maybe this should read "I curse you and all your descendants"?
Interesting story, looking forward to reading more.
Lake Lili
Veteran Member
Thanks @gonewacky !
Lili
Lili
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Chapter Four
Just then the door to the house flew open with a bang, and everyone looked at the house. The curtains flew and the Witch appeared in the doorway laughing. Then she faded away.
Malinda questioned, “Did you see that or was it just me?”
At the same time Jim and Suzy replied, “Oh yah we saw that.”
Malinda exclaimed, “I think we pissed her off. Not good, not good at all.”
Then it got cold and an eerie fog moved in. It was so thick everything started to fade away. Malinda jumped in her car. Backed it up and turned it around. Then she sped down the driveway. Her taillights disappeared as Jim insisted, “Let’s get out of here.”
Suzy agreed as they got in her car and took off. On the road they drove out of the fog and saw Malinda up ahead. They followed her to town where she stopped at the Keyhole bar and grill.
Inside they sat across from Malinda in a booth. Malinda ordered a double Mudslide as Jim questioned, “Why did you take off like that?”
Malinda took a deep breath as she confessed, “I see and hear things other people don’t even know about. Autum would not stop talking and it was making it hard to think. Nothing felt right to me. Autum has a strange magic about her. I have never experienced anything like it before.
Then when the Witch appeared Autum raised her hand and a ball of bright swirling energy appeared. Then she threw the ball of bright flashing colored light at the Witch. The ball exploded surrounding the Witch with flashes of light like a sparkler. It was like the Witch was surrounded by millions of tiny flickering stars.”
The waitress set the Mudslide on the table with a smile. Malinda picked up the drink and chugged half it down. Wiping her face with a napkin she continued, “As the Witched laughed Autum threw two more of the bright swirling balls. Then Autum looked right at me and yelled go! The sound echoed through my head, and I knew I had to get out of there.”
Malinda took another drink as Suzy stared at her intensely and Jim mumbled, “What the…”
“I know Jim. That’s what I’m thinking,” Malinda replied.
Drinking down the last of her Mudslide Malinda questioned, “When did you move out Jim?”
Jim replied, “I’m still living there Malinda.”
Malinda insisted, “No! No! Get out of there. Don’t go back in that house. When I found out Suzy wasn’t the new owner and you hadn’t passed or sold the place. I didn’t know what to think, but I can tell you this. I won’t go back there, and you should stay out of the house too. Don’t remove any of Autum’s stuff. Just leave everything as it is.”
The waitress came and picked up the empty glass. Then she questioned, “Can I get you anything else?”
Malinda questioned, “Can I get one of you to take me back to the Hotel?”
Jim replied, “Sure.”
Then Malinda looked at the waitress and informed, “I’ll have another double please.”
Looking at Jim and Suzy the waitress question, “And what will you have?”
Jim replied, “Just coffee for me.”
Suzy insisted, “The same for me.”
With that the waitress left and Malinda continued, “The house is where everything comes from. I do believe that’s where the spell was cast. In fact I believe a lot of spells were cast there. I’m putting that house on my top ten places to never go.
However there is one thing I wanted to warn you about. If you build the truck there will be consequences if you succeed. It will send a wake through the time passages. I know nothing about this kind of thing, but I do know everything comes at a price.”
Then the waitress set down their drinks, and Jim questioned, “You said Autum would not stop talking. What was she telling you?”
Malinda acknowledged, “It was about Suzy. She was telling me that Clara was Suzy’s mother, and how she died. Autum told me that that Clara and her husband had come to see your mom and dad. On their way home they went off the road at that same curve where Autum was killed. A fencepost came through the windshield and when the car hit the tree it drove the post into Clara’s head killing her. Then the car flipped up on end. This made a branch go through the driver’s window and into John’s head.”
A tear ran down Suzy’s face as Malinda mentioned, “Oh Suzy I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”
Suzy whimpered, “No, I just knew that they died in a car crash, but not how or why.”
Jim wiped a tear from Suzy’s cheek as he whispered, “We got each other.”
Malinda continued, “It’s the alcohol. I tend to ramble on when I drink, but it’s the only time I’m free of them. Let me see if I can help you a little. This is what will work.
Like garlic and salt, water is one of the common substances widely held to have special powers. Among other things, this means it can be used to protect you against various, and anything evil cannot cross water such as a bad witch. Almost always, the water must be moving. Rain, the ocean or, a lake may or may not qualify.
There are Water Demons that can only move around in water, but you don’t have that. What you should do is run a hose around the house and overlap it at the ends. Turn the water on and let it run. This will trap the Witch in the house. To keep it from flooding the place you might get a circulation pump to pump the water around the house.
Then put a thick layer of salt around the house. If you do this it should be safe to go there, but not in the house. Unfortunately if Autum is in the house she might be trapped too. I’m not sure about that because Autum’s not evil. I believe she is here out of love for you Jim. It’s that love bond that is keeping her here, and it’s you Jim that has to set her free.
I’m sorry. I’m feeling the alcohol and rambling on, but you need all the weapons you can use. It might not hurt to ware garlic around your neck when you’re there. Now I think it’s time to go. I need to sleep this off.
Jim drove Malinda and the rental car to the hotel, and Suzy followed in her Neon. Then Suzy took Jim back to her house. On the way Suzy divulged, “I’m cooking us some dinner tonight.”
Jim was silent and didn’t say a word. He was drowning in his thoughts of what Malinda had told him. Suzy stopped at the store, and Jim stayed in the car thinking, I miss Autum so much. Malinda told me love was keeping her here. Is it me, is it her, or is it both of us? Is our love just that strong, or am I not letting go?
Just then the car door opened, and Suzy put a bag in the backseat. Getting in she commented, “Hope you like vegetables.”
Jim snapped out of his thinking and replied, “I like most of them.”
At Suzy’s house Jim set at the kitchen table, as Suzy took the vegetables from the bag. She piled them up across from Jim. Then pulling out a bag of coffee she commented, “You’ll love this.”
Then she started looking through the cupboards and cursed, “Damn it no filter. Paper-towel it is then.”
Pushing a paper-towel in the coffee pot she poured some coffee on it. Then put in the water. Pulling a knife from a drawer she pointed it at Jim and demanded, “Tell me your deepest darkest secrets.”
Looking at the dark black and blue spot on her head Jim replied, “You already know all of them. Just look in the mirror and you can see what kind of person I am.”
Suzy snapped back, “Don’t even go there Jim. You had nothing to do with this. It was the Witch and you know it. Didn’t you hear Malinda when she said your love was keeping Autum here? I want that kind of love in my life. Why do you think Autum is trying to protect me? I’ll tell you why. It’s because I’m a part of you and her love for you is that strong.”
Suzy pulled the cutting board from the counter, and sat across from Jim. Chopping the vegetables as she continued, “My grandpa had that kind of love. He would do anything for me, and he did. He taught me when too much is happening to fast. You have to step back and slow down a little. What he would tell me is, “It’s time to put the top back on the beehive and let them calm down a little.” That’s what time it is now Jim. We need to put the top back on the beehive.”
Jim said, “We need to go slow or I’ll be left behind. I got all this stuff in my head, and it takes time to know what’s right.”
Suzy cutup the chicken as she insisted “Put the lid on the beehive Jim. We’ll take it one thing at a time.
Suzy put a large cast-iron pan on the stove, and poured in some oil. Then she added the chicken. When it was done she put in the vegetables, and poured in a bottle of stir-fry sauce. Looking at Jim she explained, “The trick is not to cook it too long. If we let that happen it turns into soup.”
Jim smiled and proclaimed, “Anything would be better than the burned up pot-pies I’ve been eating.”
Just then the door to the house flew open with a bang, and everyone looked at the house. The curtains flew and the Witch appeared in the doorway laughing. Then she faded away.
Malinda questioned, “Did you see that or was it just me?”
At the same time Jim and Suzy replied, “Oh yah we saw that.”
Malinda exclaimed, “I think we pissed her off. Not good, not good at all.”
Then it got cold and an eerie fog moved in. It was so thick everything started to fade away. Malinda jumped in her car. Backed it up and turned it around. Then she sped down the driveway. Her taillights disappeared as Jim insisted, “Let’s get out of here.”
Suzy agreed as they got in her car and took off. On the road they drove out of the fog and saw Malinda up ahead. They followed her to town where she stopped at the Keyhole bar and grill.
Inside they sat across from Malinda in a booth. Malinda ordered a double Mudslide as Jim questioned, “Why did you take off like that?”
Malinda took a deep breath as she confessed, “I see and hear things other people don’t even know about. Autum would not stop talking and it was making it hard to think. Nothing felt right to me. Autum has a strange magic about her. I have never experienced anything like it before.
Then when the Witch appeared Autum raised her hand and a ball of bright swirling energy appeared. Then she threw the ball of bright flashing colored light at the Witch. The ball exploded surrounding the Witch with flashes of light like a sparkler. It was like the Witch was surrounded by millions of tiny flickering stars.”
The waitress set the Mudslide on the table with a smile. Malinda picked up the drink and chugged half it down. Wiping her face with a napkin she continued, “As the Witched laughed Autum threw two more of the bright swirling balls. Then Autum looked right at me and yelled go! The sound echoed through my head, and I knew I had to get out of there.”
Malinda took another drink as Suzy stared at her intensely and Jim mumbled, “What the…”
“I know Jim. That’s what I’m thinking,” Malinda replied.
Drinking down the last of her Mudslide Malinda questioned, “When did you move out Jim?”
Jim replied, “I’m still living there Malinda.”
Malinda insisted, “No! No! Get out of there. Don’t go back in that house. When I found out Suzy wasn’t the new owner and you hadn’t passed or sold the place. I didn’t know what to think, but I can tell you this. I won’t go back there, and you should stay out of the house too. Don’t remove any of Autum’s stuff. Just leave everything as it is.”
The waitress came and picked up the empty glass. Then she questioned, “Can I get you anything else?”
Malinda questioned, “Can I get one of you to take me back to the Hotel?”
Jim replied, “Sure.”
Then Malinda looked at the waitress and informed, “I’ll have another double please.”
Looking at Jim and Suzy the waitress question, “And what will you have?”
Jim replied, “Just coffee for me.”
Suzy insisted, “The same for me.”
With that the waitress left and Malinda continued, “The house is where everything comes from. I do believe that’s where the spell was cast. In fact I believe a lot of spells were cast there. I’m putting that house on my top ten places to never go.
However there is one thing I wanted to warn you about. If you build the truck there will be consequences if you succeed. It will send a wake through the time passages. I know nothing about this kind of thing, but I do know everything comes at a price.”
Then the waitress set down their drinks, and Jim questioned, “You said Autum would not stop talking. What was she telling you?”
Malinda acknowledged, “It was about Suzy. She was telling me that Clara was Suzy’s mother, and how she died. Autum told me that that Clara and her husband had come to see your mom and dad. On their way home they went off the road at that same curve where Autum was killed. A fencepost came through the windshield and when the car hit the tree it drove the post into Clara’s head killing her. Then the car flipped up on end. This made a branch go through the driver’s window and into John’s head.”
A tear ran down Suzy’s face as Malinda mentioned, “Oh Suzy I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”
Suzy whimpered, “No, I just knew that they died in a car crash, but not how or why.”
Jim wiped a tear from Suzy’s cheek as he whispered, “We got each other.”
Malinda continued, “It’s the alcohol. I tend to ramble on when I drink, but it’s the only time I’m free of them. Let me see if I can help you a little. This is what will work.
Like garlic and salt, water is one of the common substances widely held to have special powers. Among other things, this means it can be used to protect you against various, and anything evil cannot cross water such as a bad witch. Almost always, the water must be moving. Rain, the ocean or, a lake may or may not qualify.
There are Water Demons that can only move around in water, but you don’t have that. What you should do is run a hose around the house and overlap it at the ends. Turn the water on and let it run. This will trap the Witch in the house. To keep it from flooding the place you might get a circulation pump to pump the water around the house.
Then put a thick layer of salt around the house. If you do this it should be safe to go there, but not in the house. Unfortunately if Autum is in the house she might be trapped too. I’m not sure about that because Autum’s not evil. I believe she is here out of love for you Jim. It’s that love bond that is keeping her here, and it’s you Jim that has to set her free.
I’m sorry. I’m feeling the alcohol and rambling on, but you need all the weapons you can use. It might not hurt to ware garlic around your neck when you’re there. Now I think it’s time to go. I need to sleep this off.
Jim drove Malinda and the rental car to the hotel, and Suzy followed in her Neon. Then Suzy took Jim back to her house. On the way Suzy divulged, “I’m cooking us some dinner tonight.”
Jim was silent and didn’t say a word. He was drowning in his thoughts of what Malinda had told him. Suzy stopped at the store, and Jim stayed in the car thinking, I miss Autum so much. Malinda told me love was keeping her here. Is it me, is it her, or is it both of us? Is our love just that strong, or am I not letting go?
Just then the car door opened, and Suzy put a bag in the backseat. Getting in she commented, “Hope you like vegetables.”
Jim snapped out of his thinking and replied, “I like most of them.”
At Suzy’s house Jim set at the kitchen table, as Suzy took the vegetables from the bag. She piled them up across from Jim. Then pulling out a bag of coffee she commented, “You’ll love this.”
Then she started looking through the cupboards and cursed, “Damn it no filter. Paper-towel it is then.”
Pushing a paper-towel in the coffee pot she poured some coffee on it. Then put in the water. Pulling a knife from a drawer she pointed it at Jim and demanded, “Tell me your deepest darkest secrets.”
Looking at the dark black and blue spot on her head Jim replied, “You already know all of them. Just look in the mirror and you can see what kind of person I am.”
Suzy snapped back, “Don’t even go there Jim. You had nothing to do with this. It was the Witch and you know it. Didn’t you hear Malinda when she said your love was keeping Autum here? I want that kind of love in my life. Why do you think Autum is trying to protect me? I’ll tell you why. It’s because I’m a part of you and her love for you is that strong.”
Suzy pulled the cutting board from the counter, and sat across from Jim. Chopping the vegetables as she continued, “My grandpa had that kind of love. He would do anything for me, and he did. He taught me when too much is happening to fast. You have to step back and slow down a little. What he would tell me is, “It’s time to put the top back on the beehive and let them calm down a little.” That’s what time it is now Jim. We need to put the top back on the beehive.”
Jim said, “We need to go slow or I’ll be left behind. I got all this stuff in my head, and it takes time to know what’s right.”
Suzy cutup the chicken as she insisted “Put the lid on the beehive Jim. We’ll take it one thing at a time.
Suzy put a large cast-iron pan on the stove, and poured in some oil. Then she added the chicken. When it was done she put in the vegetables, and poured in a bottle of stir-fry sauce. Looking at Jim she explained, “The trick is not to cook it too long. If we let that happen it turns into soup.”
Jim smiled and proclaimed, “Anything would be better than the burned up pot-pies I’ve been eating.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Suzy joked, “Hang with me kid and you’ll learn what a one-pan meal is.”
Suzy put a hot pad on the table and set the cast-iron pan on it. Then she put two plates and forks on the table. “That’s it dig in Jim,” Suzy demanded.
Eating Suzy explained, “You’re sleeping in my bed tonight, I need the chair. I have to spend some time with grandpa. That was his chair, and yes I lied and said it was mine. Like the truck I had to keep it. It was a part of him I wanted to remember. After a day like today I need some thinking time. Tomorrow we’ll get you a bed and move some boxes so you can stay here. I’m not letting you go back to that house.”
Jim questioned. “What about the truck?”
Suzy smiled, “Nothing has changed Jim. We just need to put the hose around the house, and the salt. We have to keep track of Steve too. He’s going to want to get paid on Friday. I’ m thinking about all the stuff we need to do. You just need to do the truck, and I’ll take care of everything else.”
Jim divulged, “I’ve been thinking about Autum. If we do this what will happen to her? If she’s trapped in the house can she cast the spell from there?”
Suzy squinted her eyes and replied, “I’m working on it Jim. You just worry about the truck. I have Malinda’s number and we will have a plan for that.”
After they ate they did the dishes, Suzy went to the chair, and Jim went to the bed room. Looking around Jim saw the bed, a dresser, and a desk with a computer. He thought, this doesn’t look like a person that just inherited millions.
Looking at the TV on the dresser he saw the remote setting in front of it. Taking it he turned on the TV. After thumbing through a few channels he turned it off. He was just to wound-up to sit still, so he turned on the computer.
Looking at the password screen he yelled, “What’s the password?”
“Your Name,” echoed from the other room.
Jim shook his head and typed Jim, nothing, so he tried typing Jim Hanson and nothing again. He yelled again, “It’s not working.”
“What did you type?” echoed from the other room.
Jim replied, “I tried Jim and Jim Hanson, but neither worked.”
Suzy hollered, “I said your name! You know Y O U R N A M E.”
“Ok I got it,” Jim replied.
Jim found some replica split rims they were expensive. Jim thought, she said she was a millionaire. He printed the page, and looked for the right tires. Soon he had a stack of things he needed. Looking at the time Jim saw it was 3:00 AM. With a yawn Jim got in bed.
In the chair Suzy was dreaming about her grandpa. They were sitting in the truck going to a magical place. He told her it was a place time had long forgotten. Everything moves slower here. That’s what you need to do now is take it slow. One thing at a time is how you do it. It’s ok to have a bunch of pokers in the fire, but like the blacksmith you only pull out one at a time to work on.
Then the next thing she knew. She was back in the Saloon with Autum sitting at the table. Autum insisted, “Look around Suzy. You’ll need to fit in. Everything will need to be to the period. You can’t have anything out of place, and you need a plan. I can’t give it to you, so you’ll have to work it out to change as little as possible. Remember every change will send a ripple through the time passages.”
Then like the flip of a switch Suzy was awake. Sitting up in the chair she mumbled, “Thanks grandpa. I got the lid on the beehive and it’s one thing at a time. Autum I’m not sure about what to do with what you’re telling me, but be assured I’ll figure it out.”
Jim felt his head moving around and awoke. Opening his eyes he saw Suzy bent over him rubbing his head. With a towel wrapped around her head, and her face in front of his. She exclaimed, “Wake up sleepy head. It’s time to go to work.” Stepping back she continued, “I see you printed some stuff out.”
Jim yawn, “Just some things I need for the truck.”
Suzy informed, “I’ll get the coffee going, and you can get ready.”
In the kitchen Suzy poured the leftover coffee from the night before in a pan. Then put it on the stove. Then hearing Jim in the shower she went to her room. She grabbed her messenger bag from next to the desk, and picked up what Jim printed out. Back in the kitchen she poured a cup of coffee and sat at the table. Then she opened the case and put in the pages Jim printed, and pulled out a note book. Then she started making a list.
Looking up as Jim came in and poured a cup of coffee. Then he sat at the table as Suzy commented, “Dang Jim we need to fix your clothing. You can’t go back to your house and change your clothes, and you can’t wear the same stuff every day. We’re going shopping first thing today.
That was what they did. They went to Wall-Mart and Suzy got him ten or more of everything. Socks, underwear, shirts, and pants were in the cart. Suzy looked at Jim and asked, “Anything else?”
Jim smiled, “How about a tie?”
Suzy punched him in the shoulder and joked, “You might hang yourself with that. After the penetrating oil incident I’m not letting you tie something around your neck.”
Suzy put her arm around Jim and leaned her head on his shoulder. Then she whispered, “Thank you Jim after yesterday I needed that.”
At the register the guy in front of them thought, Look at that dirty scrungy guy with that hot redhead. Why do that kind of people always get the good looking chicks.
Jim told Suzy, “You shouldn’t get so close to me the penetrating oil from yesterday might get on your dress.”
Suzy laughed, “Heck Jim you think I can’t smell it. You stink, but you’re family. Besides I can buy a new dress if I wreck this one.”
Just then Jim’s phone went off, “Hello, Oh I see, OK I’ll take care of it.”
Suzy questioned, “Who was that?”
Jim replied, “It was Steve. When he filled the tractor this morning he check the level in the tank, and I need to get some more diesel delivered.”
There next stop was the furniture store. They got a twin bed and a dresser for Jim, and made arrangements for delivery.
“Where now,” Jim asked,
“To your bank to add me to your account,” Suzy replied.
Jim blurted, “What!”
Comely Suzy proclaimed, “It’s OK Jim. This is just business. I’m not trying to take your money or something. When we get there just introduce me as your accountant. I’ll take care of the rest, and you don’t have to sign anything you don’t want to.”
Jim mumbled, “Whatever.”
Suzy questioned, “What bank is it?”
Jim mumbled,” It’s the First Trust in Dention.”
Suzy replied, “OK then it’s back to your little hick town.”
They walked into the bank and Jim took Suzy to the account manager’s desk. Then he announced, “Kim this is my accountant Suzy. Suzy this is Kim.”
They both had a seat as Suzy requested, “I need a copy of the payoff for the loan, and his account balance.”
She typed some on the computer. Then pages were printing across the room. Walking over she pulled the pages from the printer. Then she came back to her desk. Using her pen she put a circle on the page, and handed it to Suzy. Then doing the same to the other page she handed it to Suzy.
Suzy commented, “Why Jim you have a bunch of money in your account.”
Jim replied, “For gas, seed, and pot pies.”
Suzie pulled the strap of her messenger bag from her shoulder and announced, “I see the lone is a little over $273,000. We’ll be paying that off today.”
Jim sat straight up in his chair, and Kim’s eyes opened wide as she responded, “I’ll get the paper work.”
Suzy pulled her check book from her messenger bag. Then looking at Jim Suzy suggested, “I’m going to put $10,000 in your account for paying Steve and whatever. We need to order some checks, and get a few counter checks to pay Steve with.”
Kim laid down the paper work and picked up the check. Then she went back to the other side of the bank by the tellers. Then she got on the phone as the tellers whispered and pointed at Jim.
Just then Suzy’s phone went off. She smiled at Jim as she answered, “Hello, Yes I did. I’m here now. Thank you.” Looking at Jim she informed, “Making sure I wrote that check.”
Kim came back and informed, “It all looks good. Just need Jim to sign where I put the marks.”
Jim told Kim he needed a few counter checks and to order some new checks. Kim told him they came four to a page. Then she asked, “Do you want me to take Autum’s name off the account Jim? You still haven’t done that yet.”
Suzy spoke up, “No, she’s a part of this as much as any of us.”
Looking at Jim Kim said, “But…”
Jim held his finger to his lips to say quiet.
Then he said, “Add Suzie to the account. She will be doing all my business from now on.”
Kim looked shocked and agreed, “I’ll do that.”
Then she went back to the other side of the bank by the tellers. They all gathered around as Kim pulled the paper work. One teller commented, “Looks like Jim found a rich one.” Another added, “Maybe he thinks if he doesn’t merry her the curse won’t happen.”
Kim scolded, “Get back to work.”
Walking out of the bank Jim remarked, “You know this is going to send shockwaves through this whole town. Within a week everyone will know about you.”
Suzy stopped Jim right there. With the tellers looking out the window Suzy insisted, “Jim you were over a quarter million in debt. Now you’re free of that. Doesn’t that deserve a hug?”
Jim wrapped his arms around Suzy as she held him tight. She watched the tellers over Jim’s shoulder as she whispered, “I must tell you I’m selfish. I want this to happen so bad I can taste it.”
Jim slipped away and stared at Suzy. Then he questioned, “Are you coming on to me?”
Suzy socked Jim in the shoulder and questioned, “Is that all guy’s think of? Just think about it Jim. If we succeed the curse will be gone. All the people it killed will live on. My mom and dad, your mom and dad, and of course Autum will all still be here.”
Suzy pulled the strap up for her messenger bag, as Jim put his elbow out. She took his arm and Jim walked to the car holding his head high. At the car he waived at the tellers as they scattered. Looking over the car he insisted, “I need to go see Fred about delivering some more diesel fuel.”
Suzy replied as she got in the car, “Then we can go see the contractor well we’re in town.”
Jim agreed, “Works for me.”
Suzy looked at Jim and a tear was running down his cheek. Tenderly she questioned, “What’s happening Jim?”
Jim whimpered, “I just wanted the truck. Then you took me on this wild crazy ride. So much is happening, and now you open the door to what will be if we succeed. It’s just all too much.”
Suzy took a deep breath and said, “Put the lid back on the beehive Jim. Remember one thing at a time.”
They stopped and Jim ordered the fuel then went to the construction company. Walking in the door a man said, “Hi Suzy.”
Suzy replied, “Hi Dan. This is Jim Hanson.”
Dan replied, “Oh good the check cleared and I have the contract right over here. You know Jim she’s hard to bargain with. The contract is just as you wished. Do the job in six weeks and get a ten thousand bonus then there’s a thousand a day penalty for every day after that.”
Suzy put a hot pad on the table and set the cast-iron pan on it. Then she put two plates and forks on the table. “That’s it dig in Jim,” Suzy demanded.
Eating Suzy explained, “You’re sleeping in my bed tonight, I need the chair. I have to spend some time with grandpa. That was his chair, and yes I lied and said it was mine. Like the truck I had to keep it. It was a part of him I wanted to remember. After a day like today I need some thinking time. Tomorrow we’ll get you a bed and move some boxes so you can stay here. I’m not letting you go back to that house.”
Jim questioned. “What about the truck?”
Suzy smiled, “Nothing has changed Jim. We just need to put the hose around the house, and the salt. We have to keep track of Steve too. He’s going to want to get paid on Friday. I’ m thinking about all the stuff we need to do. You just need to do the truck, and I’ll take care of everything else.”
Jim divulged, “I’ve been thinking about Autum. If we do this what will happen to her? If she’s trapped in the house can she cast the spell from there?”
Suzy squinted her eyes and replied, “I’m working on it Jim. You just worry about the truck. I have Malinda’s number and we will have a plan for that.”
After they ate they did the dishes, Suzy went to the chair, and Jim went to the bed room. Looking around Jim saw the bed, a dresser, and a desk with a computer. He thought, this doesn’t look like a person that just inherited millions.
Looking at the TV on the dresser he saw the remote setting in front of it. Taking it he turned on the TV. After thumbing through a few channels he turned it off. He was just to wound-up to sit still, so he turned on the computer.
Looking at the password screen he yelled, “What’s the password?”
“Your Name,” echoed from the other room.
Jim shook his head and typed Jim, nothing, so he tried typing Jim Hanson and nothing again. He yelled again, “It’s not working.”
“What did you type?” echoed from the other room.
Jim replied, “I tried Jim and Jim Hanson, but neither worked.”
Suzy hollered, “I said your name! You know Y O U R N A M E.”
“Ok I got it,” Jim replied.
Jim found some replica split rims they were expensive. Jim thought, she said she was a millionaire. He printed the page, and looked for the right tires. Soon he had a stack of things he needed. Looking at the time Jim saw it was 3:00 AM. With a yawn Jim got in bed.
In the chair Suzy was dreaming about her grandpa. They were sitting in the truck going to a magical place. He told her it was a place time had long forgotten. Everything moves slower here. That’s what you need to do now is take it slow. One thing at a time is how you do it. It’s ok to have a bunch of pokers in the fire, but like the blacksmith you only pull out one at a time to work on.
Then the next thing she knew. She was back in the Saloon with Autum sitting at the table. Autum insisted, “Look around Suzy. You’ll need to fit in. Everything will need to be to the period. You can’t have anything out of place, and you need a plan. I can’t give it to you, so you’ll have to work it out to change as little as possible. Remember every change will send a ripple through the time passages.”
Then like the flip of a switch Suzy was awake. Sitting up in the chair she mumbled, “Thanks grandpa. I got the lid on the beehive and it’s one thing at a time. Autum I’m not sure about what to do with what you’re telling me, but be assured I’ll figure it out.”
Jim felt his head moving around and awoke. Opening his eyes he saw Suzy bent over him rubbing his head. With a towel wrapped around her head, and her face in front of his. She exclaimed, “Wake up sleepy head. It’s time to go to work.” Stepping back she continued, “I see you printed some stuff out.”
Jim yawn, “Just some things I need for the truck.”
Suzy informed, “I’ll get the coffee going, and you can get ready.”
In the kitchen Suzy poured the leftover coffee from the night before in a pan. Then put it on the stove. Then hearing Jim in the shower she went to her room. She grabbed her messenger bag from next to the desk, and picked up what Jim printed out. Back in the kitchen she poured a cup of coffee and sat at the table. Then she opened the case and put in the pages Jim printed, and pulled out a note book. Then she started making a list.
Looking up as Jim came in and poured a cup of coffee. Then he sat at the table as Suzy commented, “Dang Jim we need to fix your clothing. You can’t go back to your house and change your clothes, and you can’t wear the same stuff every day. We’re going shopping first thing today.
That was what they did. They went to Wall-Mart and Suzy got him ten or more of everything. Socks, underwear, shirts, and pants were in the cart. Suzy looked at Jim and asked, “Anything else?”
Jim smiled, “How about a tie?”
Suzy punched him in the shoulder and joked, “You might hang yourself with that. After the penetrating oil incident I’m not letting you tie something around your neck.”
Suzy put her arm around Jim and leaned her head on his shoulder. Then she whispered, “Thank you Jim after yesterday I needed that.”
At the register the guy in front of them thought, Look at that dirty scrungy guy with that hot redhead. Why do that kind of people always get the good looking chicks.
Jim told Suzy, “You shouldn’t get so close to me the penetrating oil from yesterday might get on your dress.”
Suzy laughed, “Heck Jim you think I can’t smell it. You stink, but you’re family. Besides I can buy a new dress if I wreck this one.”
Just then Jim’s phone went off, “Hello, Oh I see, OK I’ll take care of it.”
Suzy questioned, “Who was that?”
Jim replied, “It was Steve. When he filled the tractor this morning he check the level in the tank, and I need to get some more diesel delivered.”
There next stop was the furniture store. They got a twin bed and a dresser for Jim, and made arrangements for delivery.
“Where now,” Jim asked,
“To your bank to add me to your account,” Suzy replied.
Jim blurted, “What!”
Comely Suzy proclaimed, “It’s OK Jim. This is just business. I’m not trying to take your money or something. When we get there just introduce me as your accountant. I’ll take care of the rest, and you don’t have to sign anything you don’t want to.”
Jim mumbled, “Whatever.”
Suzy questioned, “What bank is it?”
Jim mumbled,” It’s the First Trust in Dention.”
Suzy replied, “OK then it’s back to your little hick town.”
They walked into the bank and Jim took Suzy to the account manager’s desk. Then he announced, “Kim this is my accountant Suzy. Suzy this is Kim.”
They both had a seat as Suzy requested, “I need a copy of the payoff for the loan, and his account balance.”
She typed some on the computer. Then pages were printing across the room. Walking over she pulled the pages from the printer. Then she came back to her desk. Using her pen she put a circle on the page, and handed it to Suzy. Then doing the same to the other page she handed it to Suzy.
Suzy commented, “Why Jim you have a bunch of money in your account.”
Jim replied, “For gas, seed, and pot pies.”
Suzie pulled the strap of her messenger bag from her shoulder and announced, “I see the lone is a little over $273,000. We’ll be paying that off today.”
Jim sat straight up in his chair, and Kim’s eyes opened wide as she responded, “I’ll get the paper work.”
Suzy pulled her check book from her messenger bag. Then looking at Jim Suzy suggested, “I’m going to put $10,000 in your account for paying Steve and whatever. We need to order some checks, and get a few counter checks to pay Steve with.”
Kim laid down the paper work and picked up the check. Then she went back to the other side of the bank by the tellers. Then she got on the phone as the tellers whispered and pointed at Jim.
Just then Suzy’s phone went off. She smiled at Jim as she answered, “Hello, Yes I did. I’m here now. Thank you.” Looking at Jim she informed, “Making sure I wrote that check.”
Kim came back and informed, “It all looks good. Just need Jim to sign where I put the marks.”
Jim told Kim he needed a few counter checks and to order some new checks. Kim told him they came four to a page. Then she asked, “Do you want me to take Autum’s name off the account Jim? You still haven’t done that yet.”
Suzy spoke up, “No, she’s a part of this as much as any of us.”
Looking at Jim Kim said, “But…”
Jim held his finger to his lips to say quiet.
Then he said, “Add Suzie to the account. She will be doing all my business from now on.”
Kim looked shocked and agreed, “I’ll do that.”
Then she went back to the other side of the bank by the tellers. They all gathered around as Kim pulled the paper work. One teller commented, “Looks like Jim found a rich one.” Another added, “Maybe he thinks if he doesn’t merry her the curse won’t happen.”
Kim scolded, “Get back to work.”
Walking out of the bank Jim remarked, “You know this is going to send shockwaves through this whole town. Within a week everyone will know about you.”
Suzy stopped Jim right there. With the tellers looking out the window Suzy insisted, “Jim you were over a quarter million in debt. Now you’re free of that. Doesn’t that deserve a hug?”
Jim wrapped his arms around Suzy as she held him tight. She watched the tellers over Jim’s shoulder as she whispered, “I must tell you I’m selfish. I want this to happen so bad I can taste it.”
Jim slipped away and stared at Suzy. Then he questioned, “Are you coming on to me?”
Suzy socked Jim in the shoulder and questioned, “Is that all guy’s think of? Just think about it Jim. If we succeed the curse will be gone. All the people it killed will live on. My mom and dad, your mom and dad, and of course Autum will all still be here.”
Suzy pulled the strap up for her messenger bag, as Jim put his elbow out. She took his arm and Jim walked to the car holding his head high. At the car he waived at the tellers as they scattered. Looking over the car he insisted, “I need to go see Fred about delivering some more diesel fuel.”
Suzy replied as she got in the car, “Then we can go see the contractor well we’re in town.”
Jim agreed, “Works for me.”
Suzy looked at Jim and a tear was running down his cheek. Tenderly she questioned, “What’s happening Jim?”
Jim whimpered, “I just wanted the truck. Then you took me on this wild crazy ride. So much is happening, and now you open the door to what will be if we succeed. It’s just all too much.”
Suzy took a deep breath and said, “Put the lid back on the beehive Jim. Remember one thing at a time.”
They stopped and Jim ordered the fuel then went to the construction company. Walking in the door a man said, “Hi Suzy.”
Suzy replied, “Hi Dan. This is Jim Hanson.”
Dan replied, “Oh good the check cleared and I have the contract right over here. You know Jim she’s hard to bargain with. The contract is just as you wished. Do the job in six weeks and get a ten thousand bonus then there’s a thousand a day penalty for every day after that.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Setting the contract on the counter Dan instructed, “Just sign it down here Jim.”
Suzy looked it over then requested, “I need a few more things like a porta-potty out there.”
Dan smiled, “Already there. The dozer was there this morning and the gravel should be there. The forms for the concrete pad should be done today. Is there anything else?”
Suzy explained, “I need a pump hooked to a tank so I can pump water through a hose and back into the tank. Can you get something like that?”
Dan assured, “Sure, is this for a fish pond or something.”
Suzy replied, “Something like that Dan. No cheap stuff . Get the best. Call me as soon as you get it and I’ll bring in a check.”
Not a problem. You folks have a good day,” Dan said as they went out the door.
At the store the rumor had already spread. One clerk was telling, “He went into the bank looking like a bum that hadn’t changed his clothes in a week. He was acting like he was a millionaire with some knockout gorgeous chick.”
Suzy pulled into the feed and seed. Bruce saw Jim and Suzy coming up the stairs to the loading dock. Looking at his wife he exclaimed, “Kim come look at the bruise on this gal’s head.”
Kim replied, “You think it’s the curse?”
“Hi Jim,” Bruce announced.
Jim replied, “Hi Bruce.” Looking at Kim standing behind Bruce Jim acknowledged, “Kim.” Then he introduced Suzy.
Bruce Questioned, “You here to put in your seed order.”
Jim replied, “That and I need some salt.”
Walking back into the warehouse Bruce questioned, “Like a salt block.”
Suzy looked at Kim and insisted, “Let’s go do the seed order,”
Suzy and Kim walked to the office as Jim continued, “No I need rock salt.”
Bruce stopped in his tracks, “Hell Jim winter’s over. What do you need that for?”
Jim dropped his head and mumbled, “I need a pallet.”
“What!” Bruce shouted. “That’s 49 50 lb Bags and over a ton of salt. What in the hell you doing with that? Never mind I don’t want to know. I sale it for $10 a bag let’s say $500 and I deliver it. I think I can get it here next Wednesday if that works for you.”
Jim replied, “Works for me.”
In the office Kim questioned, “Same barley order as last year?”
Suzy Insisted, “No wheat. We need 500 bushels of seed.”
Kim commented, “Jim doesn’t have a combine, and you can’t bail wheat.”
Suzy opened her messenger bag and pulled out her check book.
Out in the warehouse Bruce questioned, “So who’s the good looking gal Jim.”
Jim replied, “That’s my Accountant.”
Bruce replied, “Oh good. I just didn’t want to see you be hurt so soon after what happened to Autum. You know with the curse and all.”
Jim confessed, “Not a chance of that happening now.”
Bruce admitted, “We heard that someone seen you at the bar with that psychic from the TV,”
Jim nodded, “Yep.”
Walking in the office Bruce announced, “Add another $500 to Jim’s bill.”
Kim tolled up the bill and Suzy made out a check. After Jim and Suzy went out the door Kim whispered, “What did you find out from Jim, Bruce?”
Bruce replied, “He told me she was his accountant, and he did meet with the psychic. He’s tight lipped about whatever is going on. What did you get from that red head?”
Kim divulged, “Nothing, she’s very professional and all business.”
In the car Suzy questioned, “Is that it for this hick town?”
Jim replied, “As far as I know.”
Suzy looked it over then requested, “I need a few more things like a porta-potty out there.”
Dan smiled, “Already there. The dozer was there this morning and the gravel should be there. The forms for the concrete pad should be done today. Is there anything else?”
Suzy explained, “I need a pump hooked to a tank so I can pump water through a hose and back into the tank. Can you get something like that?”
Dan assured, “Sure, is this for a fish pond or something.”
Suzy replied, “Something like that Dan. No cheap stuff . Get the best. Call me as soon as you get it and I’ll bring in a check.”
Not a problem. You folks have a good day,” Dan said as they went out the door.
At the store the rumor had already spread. One clerk was telling, “He went into the bank looking like a bum that hadn’t changed his clothes in a week. He was acting like he was a millionaire with some knockout gorgeous chick.”
Suzy pulled into the feed and seed. Bruce saw Jim and Suzy coming up the stairs to the loading dock. Looking at his wife he exclaimed, “Kim come look at the bruise on this gal’s head.”
Kim replied, “You think it’s the curse?”
“Hi Jim,” Bruce announced.
Jim replied, “Hi Bruce.” Looking at Kim standing behind Bruce Jim acknowledged, “Kim.” Then he introduced Suzy.
Bruce Questioned, “You here to put in your seed order.”
Jim replied, “That and I need some salt.”
Walking back into the warehouse Bruce questioned, “Like a salt block.”
Suzy looked at Kim and insisted, “Let’s go do the seed order,”
Suzy and Kim walked to the office as Jim continued, “No I need rock salt.”
Bruce stopped in his tracks, “Hell Jim winter’s over. What do you need that for?”
Jim dropped his head and mumbled, “I need a pallet.”
“What!” Bruce shouted. “That’s 49 50 lb Bags and over a ton of salt. What in the hell you doing with that? Never mind I don’t want to know. I sale it for $10 a bag let’s say $500 and I deliver it. I think I can get it here next Wednesday if that works for you.”
Jim replied, “Works for me.”
In the office Kim questioned, “Same barley order as last year?”
Suzy Insisted, “No wheat. We need 500 bushels of seed.”
Kim commented, “Jim doesn’t have a combine, and you can’t bail wheat.”
Suzy opened her messenger bag and pulled out her check book.
Out in the warehouse Bruce questioned, “So who’s the good looking gal Jim.”
Jim replied, “That’s my Accountant.”
Bruce replied, “Oh good. I just didn’t want to see you be hurt so soon after what happened to Autum. You know with the curse and all.”
Jim confessed, “Not a chance of that happening now.”
Bruce admitted, “We heard that someone seen you at the bar with that psychic from the TV,”
Jim nodded, “Yep.”
Walking in the office Bruce announced, “Add another $500 to Jim’s bill.”
Kim tolled up the bill and Suzy made out a check. After Jim and Suzy went out the door Kim whispered, “What did you find out from Jim, Bruce?”
Bruce replied, “He told me she was his accountant, and he did meet with the psychic. He’s tight lipped about whatever is going on. What did you get from that red head?”
Kim divulged, “Nothing, she’s very professional and all business.”
In the car Suzy questioned, “Is that it for this hick town?”
Jim replied, “As far as I know.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Thanks DB I' do that.
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Chapter Five
Suzy pulled out onto the street as she informed, “Not bad for a half a day’s work. Now it’s back to the house to clear out a spot for your bed.”
On the drive back to Lambert Jim questioned, “What’s on the schedule for tomorrow?”
Suzy replied, “First thing we need to do is go to the farm and pay Steve. I was thinking we should give him a bonus. We don’t want to lose him, and he’s been running the whole show by himself.”
Jim agreed, “That sounds good to me. Then what after that?”
Suzy responded, “Then we could go to the Cow Girl’s for breakfast. I would also like to check out the Museum in town.”
Jim replied, “You mean Miss Tomson’s boarding house? That’s what it was for almost 100 years. If you haven’t been there then you should go. I’d like to see it again too. I haven’t been there since I was young.”
Suzy questioned, “Which things do you need first from the stuff you printed out?”
Jim replied, “I would have to say the tires and Rim’s. I need to be able to move the truck around. The shredded pieces of rubber and rims on there now won’t work.”
Back at the house Jim and Suzy picked out a place for Jim’s bed. Jim started moving and stacking boxes. Suzy suggested, “You can clean out this spot and wait for the bed, and I’m going to go see about getting the tires for the truck.”
Jim agreed, “Go down to that big place on Grand.”
Suzy nodded and left.
At the tire store Suzy showed the sales clerk the tires and rim’s she wanted. He looked on the computer and disclosed, “It’s going to take about two weeks to get the tires. I have to have them shipped out of Texas. The rims don’t look any different. Looks like I can get some from Portland and the rest out of Seattle.”
Suzie questioned, “Can’t we get them like 2 or 3 day shipped?
The clerk questioned. “Do you have an account?”
Suzy replied, “Check Jim Hansion.”
He typed on the computer and disclosed, “You’re not going to like it. It looks like it will be over $500 for shipping the tires and close to that for the rims.”
Suzy slipped her messenger bag from her shoulder. Then she announced, “I’ll expect them mounted and balanced by next Wednesday.”
The clerk Insisted, “I’ll need a large deposit on a special order like that.”
Suzy responded, “I’ll pay for it all. Just give me the price.”
The clerk’s eyes opened wide “Let me call the warehouse in Taxes.” After spending a few on the phone he went back to the computer. Then some paper work started printing out. Pulling the documents from the printer he walked to the counter. Then pointing at the price he disclosed, “This is it right here.”
Pulling out her checkbook she added, “I’m putting another $500 on the account. I need a truck out to the farm tomorrow. We can’t get the old wheels off, and I need your guy to do it for us.”
The clerk questioned, “Do you know when they were last off?”
Suzy smiled, “World War Two maybe”
The clerk replied, “Oh, I’ll tell him, so tomorrow and Wednesday it is.”
Walking out the door Suzy called Jim. “Hello,” Echoed over Suzy’s phone.
“Did the bed come yet?” She questioned.
“I’m putting it together now.” Jim replied.
Suzy inquired, “How about pizza for something to eat?”
Jim replied, “That works.”
Then Suzy was off to get the pizza and head home.
At the house Suzy held the pizza in one hand, and turned the knob with the other. Giving the door a kick with her foot she yelled, “Pizza’s here!”
Stepping through the door she could see Jim sitting in grandpa’s chair looking at his phone. Jumping up from the chair Jim took the pizza, and headed to the kitchen. Suzy slipped the messenger bag from her shoulder, and took it to her room.
Coming in the kitchen Suzy saw the pizza box open on the table, and Jim was already eating a slice. Suzy exclaimed, “You wait like one hog waits for another.”
With his mouth full Jim mumbled, “I was starving and the only thing in the refrigerator was that outdated milk and water bottles. I already ate the last of your cookies.”
Suzy picked up a peace of pizza and spoke, “I know we need to do shopping. After we eat we’ll get your clothes out of the car. I can’t stand the smell of that penetrating oil. I don’t think I’ll ever get that smell out of the car. Then we need to go to Home Depot and get the hose to put around the house. After that we can stop at the store and get some food for the house. Dose that work for you?”
Jim responded, “Sounds good to me.”
Suzy added, “When you take off your clothing put it in the trash-can outside.”
The next morning Jim and Suzy pulled into the farm about 6:00 AM. Steve was by the barn fueling the tractor. They could see the ground across from the house was leveled and graveled. The concrete forms were in, and the porta-potty was by the barn.
Jim walked up behind Steve and commented, “It’s looking good Steve. You should be done plowing next week.”
Steve replied, “I’m thinking I should be done with this next Tuesday or Wednesday. Then I’ll start disking it. I can do that in a little higher gear, and should be done with that Monday or Tuesday the following week. Then I can get on to seed.”
Jim informed, “Suzy ordered the seed. We’ll be planting wheat. You know how to set up the seeder for that?”
Steve assured, “I got it under control.”
Suzy handed Steve the check. Looking it over he questioned, “You sure this is right?”
Suzy replied, “Just a little bonus for doing a good job. We just want you to keep it up.”
Steve smiled, “No problem I got your back on this. I did want to take off for a couple hours this afternoon to take the check to the bank. That’s if that’s OK?”
Jim chuckled, “You’re the boss Steve. Just get the crop in is all we ask.”
Steve laughed, “OK Boss, by the way that’s a killer stereo you put on that thing.”
Jim smiled, “I know.”
Just then a truck pulled in, and Jim saw it said B&B Construction. Then Dan got out and walked over to Jim and Suzy. Jim questioned, “You come to check your job Dan?”
Dan replied, “Nope, meting the inspector this morning. We’re going to pour the footings and slab this afternoon.”
Jim responded, “Wow that was fast. You don’t waste any time do you?”
Dan continued, “I can’t afford to with Miss want it done yesterday there. That and I have to wait two weeks for the concrete to cure before we can build on it. By the way I sent a guy to Boise to get the pump today. He should have it mounted to the tank sometime Monday afternoon. If you want you can swing by the shop and pick it up.”
Jim agreed, “Sounds good to me.”
Then the service truck from the tire store pulled in with the county truck right behind him. Jim walked over to the barn, as Dan went to meet the inspector. He pushed the barn door open, and the service truck parked in front of the truck. A young kid about 20 or so jumped from the cab. Looking at the old 1945 Diamond-T he commented, “I take it this is the beast?”
Jim replied, “Yep, I have some blocking over here for when you get them off, and there is more alongside the barn,”
The young man confessed, “I might have to use a nut splitter, and I’ll most likely break off some studs.”
Jim assured, “Whatever it takes. I’m going to replace all the studs anyway.”
The young man questioned, “You want me to go ahead and order new studs for you.”
Jim replied, “Sure.” Then Jim turned to Suzy and questioned, “You ready to go get something to eat?”
Suzy’s eyes opened wide and she blurted, “Oh my god I just saw the witch watching me from the window.”
Jim turned and looked, but saw nothing. Then looking at Suzy he declared, “Let’s go.”
Suzy wasted no time getting in the car. She couldn’t wait to get away from the farm. At the restaurant Suzy told Jim about the dream she had last night. She told him how Autum took her on a tour of Dention in the 1870’s. She told him how she went to the stables and saw the stable master. Next to it was the Black Smith shop run by Albert. Across the street was the dress shop run by Mable. We went to the treading post and store.
That’s where Emily works as a store clerk. Then Autum pointed out Albert going into the store, and told me he was the sheriff.
Like a flash I was sitting at the dinner table in the boarding house. The Seamstress, Black Smith, store clerk, and stable master were all having dinner. There was this eccentric named Benjamin. He was telling some wild story, and everyone was laughing. There was this other woman Rebecca. She was a news reporter and columnist for the Lambert Times.
Suzy gasped, “Then I heard Autum say remember. With the word remember echoing in my head I woke.”
Jim just stared at Suzy. Then he spoke, “How come you get all the good dreams?”
Suzy smiled, “I don’t know Jim, but I won’t lie it was a cool dream. I do know it was Autum because the dream was so real. She’s showing me things for a reason.”
Suzy pulled out onto the street as she informed, “Not bad for a half a day’s work. Now it’s back to the house to clear out a spot for your bed.”
On the drive back to Lambert Jim questioned, “What’s on the schedule for tomorrow?”
Suzy replied, “First thing we need to do is go to the farm and pay Steve. I was thinking we should give him a bonus. We don’t want to lose him, and he’s been running the whole show by himself.”
Jim agreed, “That sounds good to me. Then what after that?”
Suzy responded, “Then we could go to the Cow Girl’s for breakfast. I would also like to check out the Museum in town.”
Jim replied, “You mean Miss Tomson’s boarding house? That’s what it was for almost 100 years. If you haven’t been there then you should go. I’d like to see it again too. I haven’t been there since I was young.”
Suzy questioned, “Which things do you need first from the stuff you printed out?”
Jim replied, “I would have to say the tires and Rim’s. I need to be able to move the truck around. The shredded pieces of rubber and rims on there now won’t work.”
Back at the house Jim and Suzy picked out a place for Jim’s bed. Jim started moving and stacking boxes. Suzy suggested, “You can clean out this spot and wait for the bed, and I’m going to go see about getting the tires for the truck.”
Jim agreed, “Go down to that big place on Grand.”
Suzy nodded and left.
At the tire store Suzy showed the sales clerk the tires and rim’s she wanted. He looked on the computer and disclosed, “It’s going to take about two weeks to get the tires. I have to have them shipped out of Texas. The rims don’t look any different. Looks like I can get some from Portland and the rest out of Seattle.”
Suzie questioned, “Can’t we get them like 2 or 3 day shipped?
The clerk questioned. “Do you have an account?”
Suzy replied, “Check Jim Hansion.”
He typed on the computer and disclosed, “You’re not going to like it. It looks like it will be over $500 for shipping the tires and close to that for the rims.”
Suzy slipped her messenger bag from her shoulder. Then she announced, “I’ll expect them mounted and balanced by next Wednesday.”
The clerk Insisted, “I’ll need a large deposit on a special order like that.”
Suzy responded, “I’ll pay for it all. Just give me the price.”
The clerk’s eyes opened wide “Let me call the warehouse in Taxes.” After spending a few on the phone he went back to the computer. Then some paper work started printing out. Pulling the documents from the printer he walked to the counter. Then pointing at the price he disclosed, “This is it right here.”
Pulling out her checkbook she added, “I’m putting another $500 on the account. I need a truck out to the farm tomorrow. We can’t get the old wheels off, and I need your guy to do it for us.”
The clerk questioned, “Do you know when they were last off?”
Suzy smiled, “World War Two maybe”
The clerk replied, “Oh, I’ll tell him, so tomorrow and Wednesday it is.”
Walking out the door Suzy called Jim. “Hello,” Echoed over Suzy’s phone.
“Did the bed come yet?” She questioned.
“I’m putting it together now.” Jim replied.
Suzy inquired, “How about pizza for something to eat?”
Jim replied, “That works.”
Then Suzy was off to get the pizza and head home.
At the house Suzy held the pizza in one hand, and turned the knob with the other. Giving the door a kick with her foot she yelled, “Pizza’s here!”
Stepping through the door she could see Jim sitting in grandpa’s chair looking at his phone. Jumping up from the chair Jim took the pizza, and headed to the kitchen. Suzy slipped the messenger bag from her shoulder, and took it to her room.
Coming in the kitchen Suzy saw the pizza box open on the table, and Jim was already eating a slice. Suzy exclaimed, “You wait like one hog waits for another.”
With his mouth full Jim mumbled, “I was starving and the only thing in the refrigerator was that outdated milk and water bottles. I already ate the last of your cookies.”
Suzy picked up a peace of pizza and spoke, “I know we need to do shopping. After we eat we’ll get your clothes out of the car. I can’t stand the smell of that penetrating oil. I don’t think I’ll ever get that smell out of the car. Then we need to go to Home Depot and get the hose to put around the house. After that we can stop at the store and get some food for the house. Dose that work for you?”
Jim responded, “Sounds good to me.”
Suzy added, “When you take off your clothing put it in the trash-can outside.”
The next morning Jim and Suzy pulled into the farm about 6:00 AM. Steve was by the barn fueling the tractor. They could see the ground across from the house was leveled and graveled. The concrete forms were in, and the porta-potty was by the barn.
Jim walked up behind Steve and commented, “It’s looking good Steve. You should be done plowing next week.”
Steve replied, “I’m thinking I should be done with this next Tuesday or Wednesday. Then I’ll start disking it. I can do that in a little higher gear, and should be done with that Monday or Tuesday the following week. Then I can get on to seed.”
Jim informed, “Suzy ordered the seed. We’ll be planting wheat. You know how to set up the seeder for that?”
Steve assured, “I got it under control.”
Suzy handed Steve the check. Looking it over he questioned, “You sure this is right?”
Suzy replied, “Just a little bonus for doing a good job. We just want you to keep it up.”
Steve smiled, “No problem I got your back on this. I did want to take off for a couple hours this afternoon to take the check to the bank. That’s if that’s OK?”
Jim chuckled, “You’re the boss Steve. Just get the crop in is all we ask.”
Steve laughed, “OK Boss, by the way that’s a killer stereo you put on that thing.”
Jim smiled, “I know.”
Just then a truck pulled in, and Jim saw it said B&B Construction. Then Dan got out and walked over to Jim and Suzy. Jim questioned, “You come to check your job Dan?”
Dan replied, “Nope, meting the inspector this morning. We’re going to pour the footings and slab this afternoon.”
Jim responded, “Wow that was fast. You don’t waste any time do you?”
Dan continued, “I can’t afford to with Miss want it done yesterday there. That and I have to wait two weeks for the concrete to cure before we can build on it. By the way I sent a guy to Boise to get the pump today. He should have it mounted to the tank sometime Monday afternoon. If you want you can swing by the shop and pick it up.”
Jim agreed, “Sounds good to me.”
Then the service truck from the tire store pulled in with the county truck right behind him. Jim walked over to the barn, as Dan went to meet the inspector. He pushed the barn door open, and the service truck parked in front of the truck. A young kid about 20 or so jumped from the cab. Looking at the old 1945 Diamond-T he commented, “I take it this is the beast?”
Jim replied, “Yep, I have some blocking over here for when you get them off, and there is more alongside the barn,”
The young man confessed, “I might have to use a nut splitter, and I’ll most likely break off some studs.”
Jim assured, “Whatever it takes. I’m going to replace all the studs anyway.”
The young man questioned, “You want me to go ahead and order new studs for you.”
Jim replied, “Sure.” Then Jim turned to Suzy and questioned, “You ready to go get something to eat?”
Suzy’s eyes opened wide and she blurted, “Oh my god I just saw the witch watching me from the window.”
Jim turned and looked, but saw nothing. Then looking at Suzy he declared, “Let’s go.”
Suzy wasted no time getting in the car. She couldn’t wait to get away from the farm. At the restaurant Suzy told Jim about the dream she had last night. She told him how Autum took her on a tour of Dention in the 1870’s. She told him how she went to the stables and saw the stable master. Next to it was the Black Smith shop run by Albert. Across the street was the dress shop run by Mable. We went to the treading post and store.
That’s where Emily works as a store clerk. Then Autum pointed out Albert going into the store, and told me he was the sheriff.
Like a flash I was sitting at the dinner table in the boarding house. The Seamstress, Black Smith, store clerk, and stable master were all having dinner. There was this eccentric named Benjamin. He was telling some wild story, and everyone was laughing. There was this other woman Rebecca. She was a news reporter and columnist for the Lambert Times.
Suzy gasped, “Then I heard Autum say remember. With the word remember echoing in my head I woke.”
Jim just stared at Suzy. Then he spoke, “How come you get all the good dreams?”
Suzy smiled, “I don’t know Jim, but I won’t lie it was a cool dream. I do know it was Autum because the dream was so real. She’s showing me things for a reason.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Chapter Six
The curator was setting at a little table just inside the door. Standing up she announced, “Welcome to Miss Tomson’s boarding house. The admission is $5 each.”
Jim handed her a twenty, and she gave Jim his change. Then she instructed, “You need to sign the guest book.”
After that the tour began. The curator announced, “I’m Isabella and I’ll be your guide on this journey back through time. Miss Tomson’s father purchased this property about 1860. His daughter being 19 and not married made her father fear for her wellbeing. To solve this he commissioned the building of the boarding house for his daughter. He had hoped it would get her a husband, but she never married. The first boarders could rent a room for about $5 per month with meals. She ran the boarding house from its completion in 1864 until her death in 1902.
$30 was a lot of money back then! The average person made about a dollar a day, and that might have been a ten or twelve hour day. At that time, milk would have been about 8¢ a quart, which was also fairly expensive because dairy operations had not been modernized to optimize production. You could rent a room for about $5 per month, coffee was 12¢ a pound, sugar was 7 to 10¢ a pound, and flour was $3 per barrel or 4¢ a pound.
This first room is the Parlour what we would call the living room today. It was rarely used back in its day. This room was for birthday parties, Sunday guests, and Special Occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas. This is where they would put the Christmas tree.
Now we continue down the hall to the Great Room. This is where they would spend most of their time in the cold months. As you can see the kitchen and dining room was all one big room. The heat from the wood cook stove kept the room warm all winter long. We’ve restored the kitchen to the 1800’s, but the dining room wallpaper is from the 1920’s.
Suzie asked, “What’s this picture here on the wall.
The curator replied, “It’s a picture of the bed from Miss Tomson’s boarding house. They knew it had been there since the 1870’s, but there have been some dating problems. It has some signs of modern machinery being used on it. Some say it could have been from a repair, and others say it’s a fake,
About the bed itself it’s an Empire style and takes its name from the rule of the Emperor Napoleon I in the First French Empire. It flourished between 1800 and 1815 during the Consulate and the First French Empire
periods, although its life span lasted until the late-1820s. It’s from France and it spread into much of Europe and the United States. How one got into Miss Tomson’s boarding house no one knows, but there is pictures of it there in the 1920’s. If we just step down the hall you can see it in Miss Tomson’s room.”
Looking at the bed Suzy questioned, “What about how they lived, and the clothing they wore?”
The curator replied, “You might want to talk to Roy. He’s around here somewhere, and knows all about how people lived back then. Y
ou can look through the rooms. Each room has things from that time period. Everything is marked with a card or plaque identifying its name and date. That’s about it for my part. Feel free to wander around and enjoy yourself.”
At the end of the hall a man came walking up and announced, “I’m Roy Isabella said you had some questions.”
Suzy spoke first, “I see all the women’s clothes are dresses that are long heavy and bulky. Did women ever ware pants?”
Roy informed, “Most women usually wore long skirts that felt heavy, looked bulky, and limited their range of motion. Some women, embracing the concept of “rational dress,” wanted the option to wear pants in public. Some wanted it for purely practical reasons, such as for comfort and ease of movement. For others, the freedom to wear pants was tied to the women’s rights movement, a radical and controversial crusade at the time.
Most women that wore pants worked in mining camps, logging camps, horse or cattle ranches, and as a Pony Express rider carrying the U.S. mail. They would be seen riding horses, and had a habit of dressing like a man. They had the reputation for being able to handle a horse better than most men and shoot like a cowboy. Most of these women carried a rifle or wore a hand gun.
Jim questioned, “What kind of gun was used at the time?”
Roy responded, “The revolver of the day was the Colt Peacemaker. It was popular with ranchers, lawmen, and outlaws alike. As for the rifle of the time the Model 1873 Winchester was one of the most successful rifles of its day.”
Then Roy questioned, “Anything else?”
Suze questioned, “How hard was it to get thigs like a wagon and horses.”
For a person to get a wagon in this part of the country, you would need to hire a carpenter, a blacksmith, and a wheelwright. Then it would take about two to two and half months to get it built, at a cost of around $250.
People around here most likely traveled in a single farm style four-wheeled wagon capable of carrying at least 2,500 pounds. This wagon would have been covered with water-proofed canvas (likely not pristine white as in the movies) and pulled by two horses. The farm wagons were light and had good clearance, practical considerations when fording rivers and traversing mountain passes.”
Suzy asked, “Is there a place I can get a list of what things cost in the 1870’s.”
Roy replied, “I have a list like that done by decade. I’ll make a copy of the list for the 1870’s and leave it with Isabella. You can pick it up on your way out.”
Suzy commented, “Thanks Roy.”
Roy smiled and walked down the hall.
Suzy looked out the back window and commented, “Look Jim. There’s a little building out back.”
Jim responded, “It’s the bath house. I’ve been out there before. It’s like a wash room with a tub. You can wash your clothes and take a bath out there.”
Suzy responded, “Oh, bet it was cold in the winter.”
Jim replied, “No. it has a little wood cook stove on the back wall.”
Then they noticed one room on the back of the house had been split into two bathrooms. They both had a claw-foot tub, sink, and toilet with the tank mounted up high on the wall.
Jim commented, “They must have added this in the early 1900’s”
Then they finished their tour, and picked up the list from Isabella on their way out.
At the car Suzy confessed, “Boy do I have my work set out for me.”
Jim questioned. “What do you mean?”
Suzy replied, “We just can’t drive that beast of a truck down Main Street. Then jump out run in the Saloon, and drag our great grandpa out to the truck. What then, we drive out of town like a bat out of hell. You have any idea what that will do to the Time Passages?”
Jim slapped his hand to his head and gasped, “Oh hell, I haven’t even thought about what to do once we get there.”
Suzy assured, “Don’t worry about it Jim that’s not your job. I’ll take care of getting us clothes, money, guns, and whatever else we need. You just do the truck. That is all you have to worry about is the truck. I’ll do the rest whatever it takes. You need parts, tell me, you need a tool, tell me, you need food, or anything else just tell me. That’s my job. You got that?”
Jim laughed, “I understand, I’m the slave doing all the work, and you runaround spending money. Sounds like you get the dream job, and I get to put the bolt in the hole and turn the wrench. I need something right away.
Suzy whined, “What now Jim.”
Jim replied, “Food! It’s past lunch time.”
There next stop was the Museum.The curator was setting at a little table just inside the door. Standing up she announced, “Welcome to Miss Tomson’s boarding house. The admission is $5 each.”
Jim handed her a twenty, and she gave Jim his change. Then she instructed, “You need to sign the guest book.”
Miss Tomson’s boarding house museum
After that the tour began. The curator announced, “I’m Isabella and I’ll be your guide on this journey back through time. Miss Tomson’s father purchased this property about 1860. His daughter being 19 and not married made her father fear for her wellbeing. To solve this he commissioned the building of the boarding house for his daughter. He had hoped it would get her a husband, but she never married. The first boarders could rent a room for about $5 per month with meals. She ran the boarding house from its completion in 1864 until her death in 1902.
$30 was a lot of money back then! The average person made about a dollar a day, and that might have been a ten or twelve hour day. At that time, milk would have been about 8¢ a quart, which was also fairly expensive because dairy operations had not been modernized to optimize production. You could rent a room for about $5 per month, coffee was 12¢ a pound, sugar was 7 to 10¢ a pound, and flour was $3 per barrel or 4¢ a pound.
This first room is the Parlour what we would call the living room today. It was rarely used back in its day. This room was for birthday parties, Sunday guests, and Special Occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas. This is where they would put the Christmas tree.
Now we continue down the hall to the Great Room. This is where they would spend most of their time in the cold months. As you can see the kitchen and dining room was all one big room. The heat from the wood cook stove kept the room warm all winter long. We’ve restored the kitchen to the 1800’s, but the dining room wallpaper is from the 1920’s.
Suzie asked, “What’s this picture here on the wall.
The curator replied, “It’s a picture of the bed from Miss Tomson’s boarding house. They knew it had been there since the 1870’s, but there have been some dating problems. It has some signs of modern machinery being used on it. Some say it could have been from a repair, and others say it’s a fake,
About the bed itself it’s an Empire style and takes its name from the rule of the Emperor Napoleon I in the First French Empire. It flourished between 1800 and 1815 during the Consulate and the First French Empire
periods, although its life span lasted until the late-1820s. It’s from France and it spread into much of Europe and the United States. How one got into Miss Tomson’s boarding house no one knows, but there is pictures of it there in the 1920’s. If we just step down the hall you can see it in Miss Tomson’s room.”Looking at the bed Suzy questioned, “What about how they lived, and the clothing they wore?”
The curator replied, “You might want to talk to Roy. He’s around here somewhere, and knows all about how people lived back then. Y
ou can look through the rooms. Each room has things from that time period. Everything is marked with a card or plaque identifying its name and date. That’s about it for my part. Feel free to wander around and enjoy yourself.”At the end of the hall a man came walking up and announced, “I’m Roy Isabella said you had some questions.”
Suzy spoke first, “I see all the women’s clothes are dresses that are long heavy and bulky. Did women ever ware pants?”
Roy informed, “Most women usually wore long skirts that felt heavy, looked bulky, and limited their range of motion. Some women, embracing the concept of “rational dress,” wanted the option to wear pants in public. Some wanted it for purely practical reasons, such as for comfort and ease of movement. For others, the freedom to wear pants was tied to the women’s rights movement, a radical and controversial crusade at the time.
Most women that wore pants worked in mining camps, logging camps, horse or cattle ranches, and as a Pony Express rider carrying the U.S. mail. They would be seen riding horses, and had a habit of dressing like a man. They had the reputation for being able to handle a horse better than most men and shoot like a cowboy. Most of these women carried a rifle or wore a hand gun.
Jim questioned, “What kind of gun was used at the time?”
Roy responded, “The revolver of the day was the Colt Peacemaker. It was popular with ranchers, lawmen, and outlaws alike. As for the rifle of the time the Model 1873 Winchester was one of the most successful rifles of its day.”
Then Roy questioned, “Anything else?”
Suze questioned, “How hard was it to get thigs like a wagon and horses.”
For a person to get a wagon in this part of the country, you would need to hire a carpenter, a blacksmith, and a wheelwright. Then it would take about two to two and half months to get it built, at a cost of around $250.
People around here most likely traveled in a single farm style four-wheeled wagon capable of carrying at least 2,500 pounds. This wagon would have been covered with water-proofed canvas (likely not pristine white as in the movies) and pulled by two horses. The farm wagons were light and had good clearance, practical considerations when fording rivers and traversing mountain passes.”
Suzy asked, “Is there a place I can get a list of what things cost in the 1870’s.”
Roy replied, “I have a list like that done by decade. I’ll make a copy of the list for the 1870’s and leave it with Isabella. You can pick it up on your way out.”
Suzy commented, “Thanks Roy.”
Roy smiled and walked down the hall.
Suzy looked out the back window and commented, “Look Jim. There’s a little building out back.”
Jim responded, “It’s the bath house. I’ve been out there before. It’s like a wash room with a tub. You can wash your clothes and take a bath out there.”
Suzy responded, “Oh, bet it was cold in the winter.”
Jim replied, “No. it has a little wood cook stove on the back wall.”
Then they noticed one room on the back of the house had been split into two bathrooms. They both had a claw-foot tub, sink, and toilet with the tank mounted up high on the wall.
Jim commented, “They must have added this in the early 1900’s”
Then they finished their tour, and picked up the list from Isabella on their way out.
At the car Suzy confessed, “Boy do I have my work set out for me.”
Jim questioned. “What do you mean?”
Suzy replied, “We just can’t drive that beast of a truck down Main Street. Then jump out run in the Saloon, and drag our great grandpa out to the truck. What then, we drive out of town like a bat out of hell. You have any idea what that will do to the Time Passages?”
Jim slapped his hand to his head and gasped, “Oh hell, I haven’t even thought about what to do once we get there.”
Suzy assured, “Don’t worry about it Jim that’s not your job. I’ll take care of getting us clothes, money, guns, and whatever else we need. You just do the truck. That is all you have to worry about is the truck. I’ll do the rest whatever it takes. You need parts, tell me, you need a tool, tell me, you need food, or anything else just tell me. That’s my job. You got that?”
Jim laughed, “I understand, I’m the slave doing all the work, and you runaround spending money. Sounds like you get the dream job, and I get to put the bolt in the hole and turn the wrench. I need something right away.
Suzy whined, “What now Jim.”
Jim replied, “Food! It’s past lunch time.”
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gonewacky
Veteran Member
Chapter Seven
The next morning Jim awoke to the smell of bacon cooking. Putting on his pants he staggered into the kitchen.
Suzy announced, “Good morning sleepy head.”
Jim replied, “I was out like a light the moment my head hit the pillow. I haven’t slept like that… Oh well, not for a long time.”
Flipping a pancake Suzy question, “Two or three pancakes?”
Jim mumbled, “Three.”
Tossing some bacon on Jim’s plate Suzy set a stack of pancakes on the table. Then she sat across from Jim. Stabbing a pancake with her fork she announced, “I had another dream last night. I dreamed I was in that bathhouse behind the boarding house. There were three other women in there with me, and we were washing our clothes. The wood stove was going, and there was a big pot of water on it.
We were taking turns taking a bath and going to the well for water. Every time I went to get water I could see you digging a ditch for something. The women thought I was your wife and I just let them think that.”
Jim stuffed a bite of pancake in his mouth and stared at Suzy. Then he revealed, “The bruise on your head looks better today.”
Suzy replied, “I know I put some makeup on it.”
Jim questioned, “What are we doing today.”
Suzy informed, “You’re going to spend the day at my desk making a list of everything you need. Look it up on the internet and print it out. I’m going to go shopping for things I know we’ll need.”
Jim questioned, “What if this doesn’t work then what? You’re spending a lot of money, and it’s all on me. If it doesn’t work what do you get out of this?”
Suzy looked wide eyed at Jim as she stood. Grabbing the back of the chair, she slid it over next to Jim’s chair. Then she sat next to him putting one arm over his shoulder and the other arm around his waist.
Leaning her head on his shoulder she whispered, “Jim, I would have paid off the farm no matter what. With what you must have went through finding your mother on the kitchen floor. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to see her like that.
Then what you went through with Autum. I’m just at a loss to comprehend a thing like that. You’re all the family I have Jim, and I’d do anything for family. I wasn’t there to comfort you then, but I’m here now.
Besides I’m doing it for me to. As to your question what if it doesn’t work. Then promise me we’ll take a trip in the truck. We’ll go across the top part of the country, down the east coast, through the southern states, and up the west coast. In Montana we can sleep in the back of the truck and watch the stars. Then we can sleep on Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, and eat southern food in New Orleans. Then that would be the dream Jim. Just promise me that.”
With a shaky voice Jim replied, “Sure, we can do that.”
Suzy wiped a tear from Jim’s cheek, and moved her chair back. Sitting down she spoke softly, “My grandpa was a workaholic and saved every penny he ever made. The only thing I ever seen him get just for himself was the truck.
I know you want to know how rich I am, so I’ll tell you this. The crop dusting company, the wheat farm, and a propane company, sold for 30 million. My grandpa had bought US savings bonds religiously for fifty years. I was cashing in $25 saving bonds for over $100. Yep they keep growing after they mature. I decided I would spend a million on the truck if I had to. Then I was going to enjoy life a little and who better to do it with than family.”
Jim took his plate to the sink, and announced, “You probably shouldn’t have told me about your money. Now I will worry about everything you buy. I’ll be thinking things like what if she thinks I’m taking advantage of her.”
Suzy barked, “Put the lid back on that beehive and don’t take it off again. If that happens I’ll know. Remember when I told you I wanted love like that. Well I’ve had a few men in my life some were like that, and some that just wanted to parade me around like some trophy. If you do that I’ll know, and be on you like flies on a cow-pie. Don’t worry about it Jim.”
Leaving the kitchen Jim mumbled, “I’m going to work.”
Suzy did the dishes and wiped things up. Then she went to her bedroom to get her messenger bag. Putting her hand on Jim’s back she requested, “Can you hand me that stack of papers I printed out last night.”
Picking up the pile Jim questioned, “The ones with pictures of old time clothes.”
Putting the stack in her messenger bag Suzy mentioned, “I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Then she was off. Her first stop was Western Gun Works. Inside she met with Paul and questioned, “Are you a gunsmith Paul?”
Paul replied, “Sure am, what do you need.”
Suzy informed, “I need to have a couple guns made. There called Colt Peacemaker if you know what that is. There from the late 1800’s.”
Paul smiled and revealed, “They still make them. It was sold as a .44-40 Winchester Center Fire. The gun is still in production today, and I can get it in about any Caliber. If it was me I’d go for a 357 Magnum with a 7-1⁄2 inch barrel. I could get one for about $200.”
Suzy replied, “I’ll take two in 44-40. This one might be tuff to get; I need a Winchester Model 1873.”
Paul laughed, “The Model 1873 Winchester with a 24-inch barrel rifle was one of the most successful rifles of its day. I can get a replica at a cost of about $2,500. You want the real thing its $20,000 to $30,000 depending on what shape it’s in. I’ thought you had something hard to do.”
Suzy replied, “So did I Paul. I’ll take two of the $2,500 replica if that’s ok.
Paul assured, “Sure, just let me wright up a ticket. I’ll do a background check, and you can give me some money.”
Walking out the door Suzy thought, Wow that was a lot easier than I thought.
Her next stop was Turners Coin Shop pulling up the sign said, “Turners Coin Shop, Coins, Precious Metals, and Jewelry”
Inside she went to the counter and saw a man with a name tag that said Oliver. He was looking through a box and looked up at Suzie and informed, “I’ll be right with you.”
Soon the chubby gray-haired man came to the counter.
Suzy explained, “This might sound weird.”
Oliver butted in, “Lady you have no idea what weird is. I’ve heard stories no one would believe, but they come in here and tell me anyway.” Oliver took a deep breath and said, “So go ahead.”
Suzy continued, “I need the face value of $250 in coins that date pre 1870.”
Oliver started laughing and questioned, “Dose this look like Tiffany’s to you?”
Suzy got a serious look on her face and insisted, “Isn’t this a coin shop?”
Oliver calmed down and informed, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Here look at that 1885 silver dollar there in the case. It’s in fair condition and its $350. Say I get a hundred of those it would be 35 thousand dollars. That’s if I could even get them, and that’s not even half of what you want or as old.
Then there is the fact this is just a little coin shop, and I don’t have the means to acquire that much.”
Suzy requested, “Maybe I can give you some money to get the coins a little at a time. Then pay you a finder’s fee.”
Leaning over the counter Oliver whispered, “Are you a time traveler?”
Suzy laughed, “You’ll never know. How about I pay you a ten percent finder’s fee?”
Oliver hypothesized, “I could look around for what they call junk silver. I can get 1860 Liberty Quarters for about $30 each and dimes for $15 or $16. That would be about $120 for $1 face value verses $350 for a silver dollar. That would still be about 30 to 40 thousand instead of 70 to a 100 thousand.
I’ll tell you what, Nickels never were silver. I can get Nickels, or what they call Shield Nickels for $2 to $3 each. I might be able to get a deal for $125 or $130 for $5 face value. If we mix a chunk of those in it would cut down the cost. How about we meet every Friday and you give me a 15 percent finder’s fee?”
Suzy chuckled, “Oliver you’re a tricky old man, ok 15 percent it is.”
Suzy put out her hand and they shook on it, then she slipped her messenger bag from her shoulder and made out a check for 10 thousand.
Suzy’s next stop was “One Stech at a Time.”
In the dress shop Suzy talked to the dress maker Wanda. Pulling out the picture of the dress she wanted she informed, “I would like this dress with a petticoat.”
Wanda looked at the dress and said, “I’m almost sure I can get a pattern for that. It’s going to take about six weeks to make it. That’s if we don’t get too busy.”
Suzy pulled out another picture and questioned, “How about this outfit with cotton shirts, wool trousers, vest with pockets, and canvas jacket?”
Wanda informed, “That might take a bit longer. I know I can get the pattern for the cowboy jacket, but I might have to wing it for the other stuff. I can tell you the zipper ha
d not been invented yet, so do you want me to use any zippers?”
Suzy continued, “I need them all to be as real to the time as possible. I’ll need two jackets, one for me, and one for Jim. Then I’ll need two shirts for me, and two for Jim. It will be the same for the trousers two for me and two for him. Then I need just one vest for Jim.
Wanda replied, “I can take your measurements today, but you’ll have to have Jim come in so I can get his. Let’s get your measurements, so we can do some paperwork, and get a deposit.”
The next morning Jim awoke to the smell of bacon cooking. Putting on his pants he staggered into the kitchen.
Suzy announced, “Good morning sleepy head.”
Jim replied, “I was out like a light the moment my head hit the pillow. I haven’t slept like that… Oh well, not for a long time.”
Flipping a pancake Suzy question, “Two or three pancakes?”
Jim mumbled, “Three.”
Tossing some bacon on Jim’s plate Suzy set a stack of pancakes on the table. Then she sat across from Jim. Stabbing a pancake with her fork she announced, “I had another dream last night. I dreamed I was in that bathhouse behind the boarding house. There were three other women in there with me, and we were washing our clothes. The wood stove was going, and there was a big pot of water on it.
We were taking turns taking a bath and going to the well for water. Every time I went to get water I could see you digging a ditch for something. The women thought I was your wife and I just let them think that.”
Jim stuffed a bite of pancake in his mouth and stared at Suzy. Then he revealed, “The bruise on your head looks better today.”
Suzy replied, “I know I put some makeup on it.”
Jim questioned, “What are we doing today.”
Suzy informed, “You’re going to spend the day at my desk making a list of everything you need. Look it up on the internet and print it out. I’m going to go shopping for things I know we’ll need.”
Jim questioned, “What if this doesn’t work then what? You’re spending a lot of money, and it’s all on me. If it doesn’t work what do you get out of this?”
Suzy looked wide eyed at Jim as she stood. Grabbing the back of the chair, she slid it over next to Jim’s chair. Then she sat next to him putting one arm over his shoulder and the other arm around his waist.
Leaning her head on his shoulder she whispered, “Jim, I would have paid off the farm no matter what. With what you must have went through finding your mother on the kitchen floor. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to see her like that.
Then what you went through with Autum. I’m just at a loss to comprehend a thing like that. You’re all the family I have Jim, and I’d do anything for family. I wasn’t there to comfort you then, but I’m here now.
Besides I’m doing it for me to. As to your question what if it doesn’t work. Then promise me we’ll take a trip in the truck. We’ll go across the top part of the country, down the east coast, through the southern states, and up the west coast. In Montana we can sleep in the back of the truck and watch the stars. Then we can sleep on Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, and eat southern food in New Orleans. Then that would be the dream Jim. Just promise me that.”
With a shaky voice Jim replied, “Sure, we can do that.”
Suzy wiped a tear from Jim’s cheek, and moved her chair back. Sitting down she spoke softly, “My grandpa was a workaholic and saved every penny he ever made. The only thing I ever seen him get just for himself was the truck.
I know you want to know how rich I am, so I’ll tell you this. The crop dusting company, the wheat farm, and a propane company, sold for 30 million. My grandpa had bought US savings bonds religiously for fifty years. I was cashing in $25 saving bonds for over $100. Yep they keep growing after they mature. I decided I would spend a million on the truck if I had to. Then I was going to enjoy life a little and who better to do it with than family.”
Jim took his plate to the sink, and announced, “You probably shouldn’t have told me about your money. Now I will worry about everything you buy. I’ll be thinking things like what if she thinks I’m taking advantage of her.”
Suzy barked, “Put the lid back on that beehive and don’t take it off again. If that happens I’ll know. Remember when I told you I wanted love like that. Well I’ve had a few men in my life some were like that, and some that just wanted to parade me around like some trophy. If you do that I’ll know, and be on you like flies on a cow-pie. Don’t worry about it Jim.”
Leaving the kitchen Jim mumbled, “I’m going to work.”
Suzy did the dishes and wiped things up. Then she went to her bedroom to get her messenger bag. Putting her hand on Jim’s back she requested, “Can you hand me that stack of papers I printed out last night.”
Picking up the pile Jim questioned, “The ones with pictures of old time clothes.”
Putting the stack in her messenger bag Suzy mentioned, “I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Then she was off. Her first stop was Western Gun Works. Inside she met with Paul and questioned, “Are you a gunsmith Paul?”
Paul replied, “Sure am, what do you need.”
Suzy informed, “I need to have a couple guns made. There called Colt Peacemaker if you know what that is. There from the late 1800’s.”
Paul smiled and revealed, “They still make them. It was sold as a .44-40 Winchester Center Fire. The gun is still in production today, and I can get it in about any Caliber. If it was me I’d go for a 357 Magnum with a 7-1⁄2 inch barrel. I could get one for about $200.”
Suzy replied, “I’ll take two in 44-40. This one might be tuff to get; I need a Winchester Model 1873.”
Paul laughed, “The Model 1873 Winchester with a 24-inch barrel rifle was one of the most successful rifles of its day. I can get a replica at a cost of about $2,500. You want the real thing its $20,000 to $30,000 depending on what shape it’s in. I’ thought you had something hard to do.”
Suzy replied, “So did I Paul. I’ll take two of the $2,500 replica if that’s ok.
Paul assured, “Sure, just let me wright up a ticket. I’ll do a background check, and you can give me some money.”
Walking out the door Suzy thought, Wow that was a lot easier than I thought.
Her next stop was Turners Coin Shop pulling up the sign said, “Turners Coin Shop, Coins, Precious Metals, and Jewelry”
Inside she went to the counter and saw a man with a name tag that said Oliver. He was looking through a box and looked up at Suzie and informed, “I’ll be right with you.”
Soon the chubby gray-haired man came to the counter.
Suzy explained, “This might sound weird.”
Oliver butted in, “Lady you have no idea what weird is. I’ve heard stories no one would believe, but they come in here and tell me anyway.” Oliver took a deep breath and said, “So go ahead.”
Suzy continued, “I need the face value of $250 in coins that date pre 1870.”
Oliver started laughing and questioned, “Dose this look like Tiffany’s to you?”
Suzy got a serious look on her face and insisted, “Isn’t this a coin shop?”
Oliver calmed down and informed, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Here look at that 1885 silver dollar there in the case. It’s in fair condition and its $350. Say I get a hundred of those it would be 35 thousand dollars. That’s if I could even get them, and that’s not even half of what you want or as old.
Then there is the fact this is just a little coin shop, and I don’t have the means to acquire that much.”
Suzy requested, “Maybe I can give you some money to get the coins a little at a time. Then pay you a finder’s fee.”
Leaning over the counter Oliver whispered, “Are you a time traveler?”
Suzy laughed, “You’ll never know. How about I pay you a ten percent finder’s fee?”
Oliver hypothesized, “I could look around for what they call junk silver. I can get 1860 Liberty Quarters for about $30 each and dimes for $15 or $16. That would be about $120 for $1 face value verses $350 for a silver dollar. That would still be about 30 to 40 thousand instead of 70 to a 100 thousand.
I’ll tell you what, Nickels never were silver. I can get Nickels, or what they call Shield Nickels for $2 to $3 each. I might be able to get a deal for $125 or $130 for $5 face value. If we mix a chunk of those in it would cut down the cost. How about we meet every Friday and you give me a 15 percent finder’s fee?”
Suzy chuckled, “Oliver you’re a tricky old man, ok 15 percent it is.”
Suzy put out her hand and they shook on it, then she slipped her messenger bag from her shoulder and made out a check for 10 thousand.
Suzy’s next stop was “One Stech at a Time.”
In the dress shop Suzy talked to the dress maker Wanda. Pulling out the picture of the dress she wanted she informed, “I would like this dress with a petticoat.”
Wanda looked at the dress and said, “I’m almost sure I can get a pattern for that. It’s going to take about six weeks to make it. That’s if we don’t get too busy.”
Suzy pulled out another picture and questioned, “How about this outfit with cotton shirts, wool trousers, vest with pockets, and canvas jacket?”
Wanda informed, “That might take a bit longer. I know I can get the pattern for the cowboy jacket, but I might have to wing it for the other stuff. I can tell you the zipper ha
d not been invented yet, so do you want me to use any zippers?”Suzy continued, “I need them all to be as real to the time as possible. I’ll need two jackets, one for me, and one for Jim. Then I’ll need two shirts for me, and two for Jim. It will be the same for the trousers two for me and two for him. Then I need just one vest for Jim.
Wanda replied, “I can take your measurements today, but you’ll have to have Jim come in so I can get his. Let’s get your measurements, so we can do some paperwork, and get a deposit.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
At the car Suzy called Jim, “Hay Jim how dose Chinese food sound. Good, I’ll pick it up on my way.
At the house Jim pulled the door open the moment Suzy hit the porch. Then he followed her into the kitchen. They were eating dinner when Jim asked, “What are we doing tomorrow?”
Suzy gulped, “It’s Sunday, and we’re going to Church. I never work on Sunday. That’s Gods day, and we give it to him.”
The next morning Suzy came from her room waring a purple dress. It had fancy lace around the neck, sleeves, and hem. Her long wavy red hair hung down over her shoulders. Jim took one look and commented, “You look simply gorgeous. That dress looks stunning on you.”
Suzy replied, “Why thank you Jim. Are you about ready to go to the Church?”
The Church was quite old with a high steeple, and paint that was weathered and peeling. The windows were leaded glass in a star pattern. The double doors were propped open wide to invite all that came.
Inside big beams reached up to the peak of the ceiling. Suzy took Jim’s hand and led him to a seat near the back. Thin this skinny old gray haired shabby looking man in old worn and tattered clothes sat next to him. Looking down he could see his shoes were worn with holes. He couldn’t stop looking at the holes in his shoes. He could see his socks in some places and skin in other holes. Jim knew his socks must have holes in them for him to see that.
Then a man asked everyone to stand and open their hymnal to some page. Suzy pulled Jim’s arm and held the book in front of them. The old man left his book in the pocket and stood. Behind the pulpit was a band with drums, guitars, horns, and a keyboard. As the music started the old man was certainly loud. He sounded proud as he sang. His hands were raised high, and his voice lifted the rafters. There was no doubt the Lord could surely hear the old man's voice from the sky.
Even with the old man’s voice so loud. Jim could hear Suzy singing like an angel. Her voice was soft and sweet. It flowed through the air like the sweet smell of a pie cooking. Jim was having sensory overload.
The sermon was on Matthew 7:1. The Preacher told how one should have a positive outlook for oneself, and how one should also have a positive opinion of others. Telling a story, “One day Dave and his friend were strolling along a riverbank. They stopped by the river for a moment to gaze at the water.
Seeing fishes, Dave exclaimed, “Look at those fishes. Oh, how they are enjoying themselves!”
“How can you say that?” asked his friend. “How would you know if they are having a good time? You are not a fish.”
Dave replied, “You aren’t me either. So how would you know that I don’t know the fish are having fun?”
Jim thought he understood the story, but wasn’t sure. As they stood Jim put out his hand and spoke to the old man, “Hi I’m Jim.”
The old man took Jim’s hand his grip was firm and confident as he replied, “I’m Carmen. I haven’t seen you here before, but I’ve seen the little lady since she was a little girl.”
Suzy took Jim’s arm and Carmen stepped back so they could pass. Outside Jim questioned, “You think we could take the old man to lunch?”
Suzy questioned, “Did that sermon get to you Jim?”
Jim mumbled, “I think so. He makes me feel for him.”
Suzy replied, “Then what are you waiting for? Better catch him before he leaves.”
Without hesitation Jim took off. Soon he returned with Carmen and they went to lunch.
At lunch Jim admitted, “I’m not sure I understood the meaning of the fish story.”
Carmen replied, “I think it means no one knows if it’s a blessing or a curse. No one is wise enough to know; only God knows.”
Jim laughed, “Ok Carmen, don’t answer anymore if my stupid questions. What did you do for a living?”
Carmen looked at Jim and replied, “Do you want to know? Or is that another stupid question?”
Suzy sprayed pop out her mouth trying not to laugh as Jim informed, “No, I was serious.”
Carmen disclosed, “Well I always liked working on cars, so after WWII I joined the Army in 48. I was 18 at the time and got lucky. I worked in the motor pool fixing all the old broke down stuff after the war.
When I was 22 and got out of the Army. I started fixing cars. One day I was in my driveway working on a car for this gal Linda. She followed me around the entire time I was working on the car. She would say things like, “That looks good, boy you’re doing a good job, that’s wonderful.”
After I pulled her radiator, fixed it and put it back I said, “That will be 10 bucks.”
She said, “How about a date instead.”
Six months later we were married and her dad rented me a shop to work out of. I ran an automotive shop for 40 years. Then they started putting computers on everything. Hell I couldn’t work on that stuff, and I was too old to go to college for it. I had no choice I had to shut down.”
Jim felt sad and didn’t know what to say, so Jim explained, “I’m restoring an old Diamond T 6x6.”
The old man’s eyes lit up as he boasted, “I know that 2 1/2-ton truck well. It had a 131 horsepower Hercules Engine with a 2 range 5 speed Transmission, and 60 gallon gas tank. That truck was a monster and would climb about anything.”
Carmen paused for a moment then he apologized, “I’m sorry I shouldn't have behaved like that. I just got carried away.”
Jim smiled and revealed, “Me too.”
They took Carmen home after lunch, and headed back to the house.
Back at Suzy’s house Jim questioned, “I have some concerns about the truck motor. It needs to be rebuilt, but that’s not something I can do. It would take a machine shop with about a million dollars of machinery, and the knowledge to use them. Even if you got us a machine shop, it would take years for me to learn to use the machinery.”
Suzy squinted her eyes and replied, “Let’s call someone that knows about this.”
Suzy pulled out her phone and made a call, “Malinda this is Suzy”
Malinda bubbled, “Hi Suzy what do you need.”
Suzy replied, “Let me put you on speaker so Jim can here. Now what we need is does Jim half to do the machine work on the motor, or can we have a machine shop do it.”
Malinda hypothesized, “Remember I said it was just a story, but I would think Jim would just have to put it together. I don’t think the guy that built the helicopter machined any parts. He built it from the ground up. Did that help?
Jim replied, “I got it I just have to build it not make it, right?”
Malinda answered, “That’s my thinking Jim, so how have you two been doing. Have you been staying out of that house?”
Suzy replied,” Sure have, and we’re having a pump made. We should be able to pick it up tomorrow. Jim ordered a pallet of rock salt, and it should be here Wednesday.”
Malinda assured, “I’m sure you’re going to do just fine. Just do what I said. Most people don’t listen to me and think I’m a quack. Then they can’t understand why things keep happening to them. I’m just glad you listened and are doing well. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
Suzy spoke up, “No that does it for now.”
Malinda ended, “Tell next time.”
The phone went dead and Suzy exclaimed, “There is your answer Jim. If you have anything like that again just let me know. I’m sure we can work it out. I have some of my own problems like that. There not as important as your truck question, but don’t worry about it I’ll work it out.”
Jim looked puzzled and questioned, “Like what?”
Suzy smiled, “Like toilet paper, it wasn’t available yet. It wasn’t around for another ten years, unless you lived in New York. Then there’s that time of the month kind of thing. I’ve been thinking about a chamber pot too. You’re a guy and don’t think about things like that. You just find a tree.”
Jim got quiet and responded, “Oh.”
The next morning Jim complained, “I need to shave. The whiskers on my face itch like hell.”
Suzy yelled from her room, “There’s a razor under the sink.”
Coming into the kitchen he saw Suzy making pancakes again. Jim commented, “You’re spoiling the hell out of me.”
Suzy replied, “You’re building a truck for me, so how did the shaving go?”
Jim said, “That was like trying to use a spaghetti noodle on a Weed-Eater to cut grass. I need to get some bathroom stuff.”
Suzy agreed, “We can do that today. Then I need to go to Dention Vital Records office, so I can see if I can find Grandpas death certificate. I need to take you to the farm to get your truck, so we can pick up the pump.”
Jim added, “We can get all the hoses out of your trunk at the farm.”
At the farm they saw the slab had been poured. In and excited voice Suzy blurted, “Oh Jim your shop is going to be nice.”
At the house Jim pulled the door open the moment Suzy hit the porch. Then he followed her into the kitchen. They were eating dinner when Jim asked, “What are we doing tomorrow?”
Suzy gulped, “It’s Sunday, and we’re going to Church. I never work on Sunday. That’s Gods day, and we give it to him.”
The next morning Suzy came from her room waring a purple dress. It had fancy lace around the neck, sleeves, and hem. Her long wavy red hair hung down over her shoulders. Jim took one look and commented, “You look simply gorgeous. That dress looks stunning on you.”
Suzy replied, “Why thank you Jim. Are you about ready to go to the Church?”
The Church was quite old with a high steeple, and paint that was weathered and peeling. The windows were leaded glass in a star pattern. The double doors were propped open wide to invite all that came.
Inside big beams reached up to the peak of the ceiling. Suzy took Jim’s hand and led him to a seat near the back. Thin this skinny old gray haired shabby looking man in old worn and tattered clothes sat next to him. Looking down he could see his shoes were worn with holes. He couldn’t stop looking at the holes in his shoes. He could see his socks in some places and skin in other holes. Jim knew his socks must have holes in them for him to see that.
Then a man asked everyone to stand and open their hymnal to some page. Suzy pulled Jim’s arm and held the book in front of them. The old man left his book in the pocket and stood. Behind the pulpit was a band with drums, guitars, horns, and a keyboard. As the music started the old man was certainly loud. He sounded proud as he sang. His hands were raised high, and his voice lifted the rafters. There was no doubt the Lord could surely hear the old man's voice from the sky.
Even with the old man’s voice so loud. Jim could hear Suzy singing like an angel. Her voice was soft and sweet. It flowed through the air like the sweet smell of a pie cooking. Jim was having sensory overload.
The sermon was on Matthew 7:1. The Preacher told how one should have a positive outlook for oneself, and how one should also have a positive opinion of others. Telling a story, “One day Dave and his friend were strolling along a riverbank. They stopped by the river for a moment to gaze at the water.
Seeing fishes, Dave exclaimed, “Look at those fishes. Oh, how they are enjoying themselves!”
“How can you say that?” asked his friend. “How would you know if they are having a good time? You are not a fish.”
Dave replied, “You aren’t me either. So how would you know that I don’t know the fish are having fun?”
Jim thought he understood the story, but wasn’t sure. As they stood Jim put out his hand and spoke to the old man, “Hi I’m Jim.”
The old man took Jim’s hand his grip was firm and confident as he replied, “I’m Carmen. I haven’t seen you here before, but I’ve seen the little lady since she was a little girl.”
Suzy took Jim’s arm and Carmen stepped back so they could pass. Outside Jim questioned, “You think we could take the old man to lunch?”
Suzy questioned, “Did that sermon get to you Jim?”
Jim mumbled, “I think so. He makes me feel for him.”
Suzy replied, “Then what are you waiting for? Better catch him before he leaves.”
Without hesitation Jim took off. Soon he returned with Carmen and they went to lunch.
At lunch Jim admitted, “I’m not sure I understood the meaning of the fish story.”
Carmen replied, “I think it means no one knows if it’s a blessing or a curse. No one is wise enough to know; only God knows.”
Jim laughed, “Ok Carmen, don’t answer anymore if my stupid questions. What did you do for a living?”
Carmen looked at Jim and replied, “Do you want to know? Or is that another stupid question?”
Suzy sprayed pop out her mouth trying not to laugh as Jim informed, “No, I was serious.”
Carmen disclosed, “Well I always liked working on cars, so after WWII I joined the Army in 48. I was 18 at the time and got lucky. I worked in the motor pool fixing all the old broke down stuff after the war.
When I was 22 and got out of the Army. I started fixing cars. One day I was in my driveway working on a car for this gal Linda. She followed me around the entire time I was working on the car. She would say things like, “That looks good, boy you’re doing a good job, that’s wonderful.”
After I pulled her radiator, fixed it and put it back I said, “That will be 10 bucks.”
She said, “How about a date instead.”
Six months later we were married and her dad rented me a shop to work out of. I ran an automotive shop for 40 years. Then they started putting computers on everything. Hell I couldn’t work on that stuff, and I was too old to go to college for it. I had no choice I had to shut down.”
Jim felt sad and didn’t know what to say, so Jim explained, “I’m restoring an old Diamond T 6x6.”
The old man’s eyes lit up as he boasted, “I know that 2 1/2-ton truck well. It had a 131 horsepower Hercules Engine with a 2 range 5 speed Transmission, and 60 gallon gas tank. That truck was a monster and would climb about anything.”
Carmen paused for a moment then he apologized, “I’m sorry I shouldn't have behaved like that. I just got carried away.”
Jim smiled and revealed, “Me too.”
They took Carmen home after lunch, and headed back to the house.
Back at Suzy’s house Jim questioned, “I have some concerns about the truck motor. It needs to be rebuilt, but that’s not something I can do. It would take a machine shop with about a million dollars of machinery, and the knowledge to use them. Even if you got us a machine shop, it would take years for me to learn to use the machinery.”
Suzy squinted her eyes and replied, “Let’s call someone that knows about this.”
Suzy pulled out her phone and made a call, “Malinda this is Suzy”
Malinda bubbled, “Hi Suzy what do you need.”
Suzy replied, “Let me put you on speaker so Jim can here. Now what we need is does Jim half to do the machine work on the motor, or can we have a machine shop do it.”
Malinda hypothesized, “Remember I said it was just a story, but I would think Jim would just have to put it together. I don’t think the guy that built the helicopter machined any parts. He built it from the ground up. Did that help?
Jim replied, “I got it I just have to build it not make it, right?”
Malinda answered, “That’s my thinking Jim, so how have you two been doing. Have you been staying out of that house?”
Suzy replied,” Sure have, and we’re having a pump made. We should be able to pick it up tomorrow. Jim ordered a pallet of rock salt, and it should be here Wednesday.”
Malinda assured, “I’m sure you’re going to do just fine. Just do what I said. Most people don’t listen to me and think I’m a quack. Then they can’t understand why things keep happening to them. I’m just glad you listened and are doing well. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
Suzy spoke up, “No that does it for now.”
Malinda ended, “Tell next time.”
The phone went dead and Suzy exclaimed, “There is your answer Jim. If you have anything like that again just let me know. I’m sure we can work it out. I have some of my own problems like that. There not as important as your truck question, but don’t worry about it I’ll work it out.”
Jim looked puzzled and questioned, “Like what?”
Suzy smiled, “Like toilet paper, it wasn’t available yet. It wasn’t around for another ten years, unless you lived in New York. Then there’s that time of the month kind of thing. I’ve been thinking about a chamber pot too. You’re a guy and don’t think about things like that. You just find a tree.”
Jim got quiet and responded, “Oh.”
The next morning Jim complained, “I need to shave. The whiskers on my face itch like hell.”
Suzy yelled from her room, “There’s a razor under the sink.”
Coming into the kitchen he saw Suzy making pancakes again. Jim commented, “You’re spoiling the hell out of me.”
Suzy replied, “You’re building a truck for me, so how did the shaving go?”
Jim said, “That was like trying to use a spaghetti noodle on a Weed-Eater to cut grass. I need to get some bathroom stuff.”
Suzy agreed, “We can do that today. Then I need to go to Dention Vital Records office, so I can see if I can find Grandpas death certificate. I need to take you to the farm to get your truck, so we can pick up the pump.”
Jim added, “We can get all the hoses out of your trunk at the farm.”
At the farm they saw the slab had been poured. In and excited voice Suzy blurted, “Oh Jim your shop is going to be nice.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Suzy pulled back by the barn and parked. Jim opened the trunk and grabbed two hoses, as Suzy opened the barn door and peeked inside. Seeing a shadowy figure in the truck she spoke loudly, “Hi Autum.”
Jim dropped the hoses in front of the Diamond T, and went for another load. After putting all the hoses in the barn He went to his truck. Pumping the gas a few times he turned the key. With a rumble and a growl it came to life. Picking up his phone he called Steve, but the call went to voice mail. Jim laughed as he thought; He’s got the headphones on jamming out. The tractor looked no bigger than a matchbox car out in the field, so Jim left a message that he took the truck.
Suzy pulled out and Jim followed. Suzy parked in front of the Vital Records office, and Jim parked next to her. Getting out Jim announced, “I’m going to walk down the street and get a haircut well you do this. Suzy just waved as she walked in the door.
In the Dention Vital Records office Suzy announced, “Hi I’m looking for information on when Earl Hanson died. I know it was sometime in the 1870’s.”
The clerk informed, “Fill out this card with what you know, and we’ll see what we can find.”
The clerk came back with a large brown book. Took the card and opened the book. After flipping a few pages she looked up and said, “I’m not finding anything.
Suzy questioned, “You sure? You only checked that one page.
The clerk replied, “Sorry sweetie, but there were only about 30 deaths recorded for that entire decade.” Turning back a page she exclaimed, “Oh, I have a Marriage recorded for Earl Hanson and Edna Perkins on June 10, 1861, but there is no death listed for either one of them. You might check the newspaper of the time. The Lambert Times would be the best for around here as Dention never had a paper until the 60’s. If you can’t find it there you might try the State Vital Records office in Boise”
Suzy thanked her and left. Waiting in her car for Jim her phone rang, “Hello.”
Oliver questioned, “Is this Suzy?”
Suzy replied, “Yah go ahead Oliver.”
Oliver informed, “I got a guy in her right now that came in with ten silver dollars. There in the range you’re looking for. Some have the date wore off, but the ones you can read are from 1866 to 1870. I think I can get the lot for $2,000. That would be $200 a coin. You want me to get them? You know my 15% would be $300 on top of that.”
Suzy assured, “Go ahead Oliver. If you think it’s a deal do it.”
Oliver replied, “You got it little lady.”
Seeing Jim walking down the sidewalk Suzy hollered from the car window, “Jim over here.”
At the car Jim questioned, “What’s up?”
Suzy replied, “Get in we have to go to Lambert and look there. We’ll come back for the truck.”
Looking Jim over as he got in Suzy Inquired, “I thought you were getting a haircut?”
Jim replied, “It was over an hour wait, so I gave up on it.”
In Lambert they stopped at the library, and inquired about old newspapers. Jim was almost sure the curse happened in the fall of 1874. They decided to start in September and work from there. The first paper they pulled up was Thursday September 3, 1874. The paper was one page with three columns.
After looking through the paper they moved to the next issue Thursday September 10, 1874, but found nothing. Then when they got to the next issue Suzy exclaimed, “Oh my god Jim do you see this.”
The Lambert Times Thursday September 17, 1874
Rebecca’s Corner in Dention
On Friday Earl Hanson a prominent cattle man and the Saloon girl Margret Spaner went missing. Their disappearance comes at the same time that Suzan and James White left for Texas. It is rumored that they may be traveling with the white’s.
On Sunday the 13 when everyone was in church the Giddy Up Saloon burned to the ground. By a miracle Turners Guns and Hardware store next door only had some scorched spots.
Monday morning old man Person’s cow got loose and was found eating flowers in Miss Dudrow’s flower garden. Some school boy’s rounded up the cow, and returned it to its home.
Suzy slid her chair back and stared intensely at Jim as she mumbled, “Could it be?”
Jim read it again and questioned, “You think?”
Suzy questioned, “Do you think Suzan and James White is us?
Jim’s head was spinning as chills ran through his body. Suzy started looking through back issues of the paper for James and Suzan. Then she called out, “Oh crap! No way! That’s over two months.”
The Lambert Times Thursday July 16, 1874
Rebecca’s Corner in Dention
The White family donated and installed a hand pump for the kitchen in Miss Tomson’s boarding house. James and Suzan have become a welcome addition to the boarding house. The eccentric Benjamin Belvedere claimed Jim and Suzy are a rare find, and are out of place for these times.
Jim read it again and again. Then he took Suzy’s hand and gave it a squeeze as he questioned, “What now?”
Suzy squeeze Jims hand tight and softly affirmed, “Nothing has changed. You build the truck, and I buy what we need. It’s just that I got a lot more to do.
The ride back to Jim’s truck was quiet as thoughts ran through Suzy’s head. She thought about all the things she would need. She needed a Wood worker and a black smith. She would need to have a wagon built to the standers of the time. She would also need barrels made of the sizes of the time. Then she thought, Oh Crap I need horses. I don’t know anything about horses. What do I need to know about buying a horse? I’ll have to learn that.
Back at the truck Jim told Suzy, “I’ll pick up the pump and then I’m going to the house. I’ll have Steve help me put it in on Wednesday.”
Suzy informed, “I have a stop to make then I’ll bring something home for dinner.”
Jim Replied. “See you then”
Suzy drove to a wood shop outside of Lambert.
It was an old barn, but she had heard Dave was a master and artist. His wood working was made with an eye for detail. This was the kind of work she would need.
Pounding on the door to the barn she heard some machinery stop. Then the door slid open. There stood a tall man out of place for this time. His hair was long and hung over his shoulders. He had a well-trimmed beard and mustache. Looking down at Suzy he question, “How can I help you.”
Suzy replied, “I would like to commission the construction of a wagon. It needs to be true to the times of the 1800’s. I will have to find a blacksmith to make the hardware. Do you think you can build it?”
Dave pinched his chin and assured, “I can do it, but not the wheels. I’m no wheelwright, but we can buy them from a place in Ohio. I have a blacksmith friend down the road. Let me give him a call.”
Dave pulled his phone from his pocket, “Tim all the hard ware for a Covered Wagon. How much? OK I’ll get back to you.”
Looking at Suzy Dave replied, “I was thinking about $5,000 for the wood work, and Tim said $2 to 3,000 for the hardware. Then with the wheels I’d guess about $10,000. You still interested?
Suzy smiled, “Can we get this in writing?”
Dave insisted, “I get 50 percent upfront on all custom orders.”
Suzy slipped her messenger bag from her shoulder and insisted, “Let’s do it.”
Dave instructed, “Step in my office.” Then he led Suzy to a dresser he was working on, and said, “We can do it here.”
Then he went to his workbench and got a work order. Dave explained, “It’s just a standard contract. With things like if you don’t pick it up within 60 days of completion you’ll be charged storage. All prices are estimates and can be more or less. I’m writing one 1800’s wagon for $10,000. Is that OK?”
Suzy pulled her checkbook from her messenger bag, and wrote a check for $10,000.
Seeing the check Dave insisted, “I said I only need half.”
Suzy explained, “I know but I have another project I want you to make. I also need an Empire style bed. There is one in Miss Tomson’s boarding house in Dention. Maybe you could drive by there and look at it and give me a price to make one. It needs to be made right down to the last detail.”
Dave assured, “That’s my specialty. I’ll drive down and look at it tomorrow.”
Writing her address and phone on the work order Suzy informed, “Just call me anytime. I want the bed true to the time.”
Dave replied, “Believe me you’ll be happy.”
Picking up the receipt Suzy headed back to the car.
Dave slid the barn door shut then threw his fist down and yelled, “Yah!”
Opening the car door Suzy smiled as she heard Dave yell. Then she went to get dinner.
At the Chinese restaurant her phone rang, “This is Suzy.”
“Suzy this is Wanda at One Stitch at a Time. I need Jim to come in tomorrow so I can get his measurements.”
Suzy informed, “I’ll see he gets there.”
Wanda replied, “Thanks Suzy.”
Jim dropped the hoses in front of the Diamond T, and went for another load. After putting all the hoses in the barn He went to his truck. Pumping the gas a few times he turned the key. With a rumble and a growl it came to life. Picking up his phone he called Steve, but the call went to voice mail. Jim laughed as he thought; He’s got the headphones on jamming out. The tractor looked no bigger than a matchbox car out in the field, so Jim left a message that he took the truck.
Suzy pulled out and Jim followed. Suzy parked in front of the Vital Records office, and Jim parked next to her. Getting out Jim announced, “I’m going to walk down the street and get a haircut well you do this. Suzy just waved as she walked in the door.
In the Dention Vital Records office Suzy announced, “Hi I’m looking for information on when Earl Hanson died. I know it was sometime in the 1870’s.”
The clerk informed, “Fill out this card with what you know, and we’ll see what we can find.”
The clerk came back with a large brown book. Took the card and opened the book. After flipping a few pages she looked up and said, “I’m not finding anything.
Suzy questioned, “You sure? You only checked that one page.
The clerk replied, “Sorry sweetie, but there were only about 30 deaths recorded for that entire decade.” Turning back a page she exclaimed, “Oh, I have a Marriage recorded for Earl Hanson and Edna Perkins on June 10, 1861, but there is no death listed for either one of them. You might check the newspaper of the time. The Lambert Times would be the best for around here as Dention never had a paper until the 60’s. If you can’t find it there you might try the State Vital Records office in Boise”
Suzy thanked her and left. Waiting in her car for Jim her phone rang, “Hello.”
Oliver questioned, “Is this Suzy?”
Suzy replied, “Yah go ahead Oliver.”
Oliver informed, “I got a guy in her right now that came in with ten silver dollars. There in the range you’re looking for. Some have the date wore off, but the ones you can read are from 1866 to 1870. I think I can get the lot for $2,000. That would be $200 a coin. You want me to get them? You know my 15% would be $300 on top of that.”
Suzy assured, “Go ahead Oliver. If you think it’s a deal do it.”
Oliver replied, “You got it little lady.”
Seeing Jim walking down the sidewalk Suzy hollered from the car window, “Jim over here.”
At the car Jim questioned, “What’s up?”
Suzy replied, “Get in we have to go to Lambert and look there. We’ll come back for the truck.”
Looking Jim over as he got in Suzy Inquired, “I thought you were getting a haircut?”
Jim replied, “It was over an hour wait, so I gave up on it.”
In Lambert they stopped at the library, and inquired about old newspapers. Jim was almost sure the curse happened in the fall of 1874. They decided to start in September and work from there. The first paper they pulled up was Thursday September 3, 1874. The paper was one page with three columns.
After looking through the paper they moved to the next issue Thursday September 10, 1874, but found nothing. Then when they got to the next issue Suzy exclaimed, “Oh my god Jim do you see this.”
The Lambert Times Thursday September 17, 1874
Rebecca’s Corner in Dention
On Friday Earl Hanson a prominent cattle man and the Saloon girl Margret Spaner went missing. Their disappearance comes at the same time that Suzan and James White left for Texas. It is rumored that they may be traveling with the white’s.
On Sunday the 13 when everyone was in church the Giddy Up Saloon burned to the ground. By a miracle Turners Guns and Hardware store next door only had some scorched spots.
Monday morning old man Person’s cow got loose and was found eating flowers in Miss Dudrow’s flower garden. Some school boy’s rounded up the cow, and returned it to its home.
Suzy slid her chair back and stared intensely at Jim as she mumbled, “Could it be?”
Jim read it again and questioned, “You think?”
Suzy questioned, “Do you think Suzan and James White is us?
Jim’s head was spinning as chills ran through his body. Suzy started looking through back issues of the paper for James and Suzan. Then she called out, “Oh crap! No way! That’s over two months.”
The Lambert Times Thursday July 16, 1874
Rebecca’s Corner in Dention
The White family donated and installed a hand pump for the kitchen in Miss Tomson’s boarding house. James and Suzan have become a welcome addition to the boarding house. The eccentric Benjamin Belvedere claimed Jim and Suzy are a rare find, and are out of place for these times.
Jim read it again and again. Then he took Suzy’s hand and gave it a squeeze as he questioned, “What now?”
Suzy squeeze Jims hand tight and softly affirmed, “Nothing has changed. You build the truck, and I buy what we need. It’s just that I got a lot more to do.
The ride back to Jim’s truck was quiet as thoughts ran through Suzy’s head. She thought about all the things she would need. She needed a Wood worker and a black smith. She would need to have a wagon built to the standers of the time. She would also need barrels made of the sizes of the time. Then she thought, Oh Crap I need horses. I don’t know anything about horses. What do I need to know about buying a horse? I’ll have to learn that.
Back at the truck Jim told Suzy, “I’ll pick up the pump and then I’m going to the house. I’ll have Steve help me put it in on Wednesday.”
Suzy informed, “I have a stop to make then I’ll bring something home for dinner.”
Jim Replied. “See you then”
Suzy drove to a wood shop outside of Lambert.
It was an old barn, but she had heard Dave was a master and artist. His wood working was made with an eye for detail. This was the kind of work she would need.
Pounding on the door to the barn she heard some machinery stop. Then the door slid open. There stood a tall man out of place for this time. His hair was long and hung over his shoulders. He had a well-trimmed beard and mustache. Looking down at Suzy he question, “How can I help you.”
Suzy replied, “I would like to commission the construction of a wagon. It needs to be true to the times of the 1800’s. I will have to find a blacksmith to make the hardware. Do you think you can build it?”
Dave pinched his chin and assured, “I can do it, but not the wheels. I’m no wheelwright, but we can buy them from a place in Ohio. I have a blacksmith friend down the road. Let me give him a call.”
Dave pulled his phone from his pocket, “Tim all the hard ware for a Covered Wagon. How much? OK I’ll get back to you.”
Looking at Suzy Dave replied, “I was thinking about $5,000 for the wood work, and Tim said $2 to 3,000 for the hardware. Then with the wheels I’d guess about $10,000. You still interested?
Suzy smiled, “Can we get this in writing?”
Dave insisted, “I get 50 percent upfront on all custom orders.”
Suzy slipped her messenger bag from her shoulder and insisted, “Let’s do it.”
Dave instructed, “Step in my office.” Then he led Suzy to a dresser he was working on, and said, “We can do it here.”
Then he went to his workbench and got a work order. Dave explained, “It’s just a standard contract. With things like if you don’t pick it up within 60 days of completion you’ll be charged storage. All prices are estimates and can be more or less. I’m writing one 1800’s wagon for $10,000. Is that OK?”
Suzy pulled her checkbook from her messenger bag, and wrote a check for $10,000.
Seeing the check Dave insisted, “I said I only need half.”
Suzy explained, “I know but I have another project I want you to make. I also need an Empire style bed. There is one in Miss Tomson’s boarding house in Dention. Maybe you could drive by there and look at it and give me a price to make one. It needs to be made right down to the last detail.”
Dave assured, “That’s my specialty. I’ll drive down and look at it tomorrow.”
Writing her address and phone on the work order Suzy informed, “Just call me anytime. I want the bed true to the time.”
Dave replied, “Believe me you’ll be happy.”
Picking up the receipt Suzy headed back to the car.
Dave slid the barn door shut then threw his fist down and yelled, “Yah!”
Opening the car door Suzy smiled as she heard Dave yell. Then she went to get dinner.
At the Chinese restaurant her phone rang, “This is Suzy.”
“Suzy this is Wanda at One Stitch at a Time. I need Jim to come in tomorrow so I can get his measurements.”
Suzy informed, “I’ll see he gets there.”
Wanda replied, “Thanks Suzy.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Chapter Eight
At home Suzy found Jim passed out in front of the computer. She went to the kitchen and put the food on the table, and went back for Jim.
The next morning Jim awoke to the smell of bacon cooking.
As Jim came in the kitchen Suzy announced, “Good morning sleepy head.”
Like every morning three pancakes were sitting on Jim’s plate.
Flipping a pancake Suzy question, “What are you doing today?”
Jim mumbled, “Going to check out a motor shop”
Setting the bacon on the table Suzy insisted, “I want to go.”
Jim assured, “No problem. I kind of need some time with you anyway. Autum came to me last night.”
Suzy questioned, “What did she tell you?”
“Nothing really,” Jim explained, “We just cuddled and she whispered let Suzy do it. I tried to ask what, but every time she would put her finger over her lips and go shhhh. I never did find out what she meant.”
Suzy assured, “Don’t worry about it Jim whatever it is I‘ll do it. Just build the truck Jim.”
After breakfast they went to Lambert Performance & Machine. Inside Jim talked to the owner about the Hercules Engine, and Suzy walked off with the owner’s son Gene.
She told Gene about the shop they were building, and asked, “What would you recommend for a shop like that?”
Gene informed, “The heart of this place is the overhead crane, and the air compressor I would say it’s a must have. What kind of motor is he having built?”
Suzy replied, “I don’t know. It’s in an old 1940 something army truck. Jim’s stripping it down to the frame, and rebuilding everything.”
Gene exclaimed, “Oh yah an overhead crane is a must. He will need it to take the cab off and put it back on. He’ll need it for the box, motor, and even the bumpers. He’d love it so much just for moving something from one side of the shop to the other. Let me show you the heart of any shop.”
Then Gene took Suzy out back of the shop. He opened the door to a small building, and pointed to the air compressor. We keep it out here because it’s noisy.”
Just then the compressor kicked on and Gene yelled, “See what I mean.”
Gene shut the door as Suzy commented, “I see what you mean.” Then she opened the flap on her messenger bag, and pulled out her note pad. She was writing down the name on the compressor.
Then Gene said, “We can head back to the office. I’ll pull the invoice for the compressor purchase, and make you a copy and one for the crane too. Do you know when you’ll bring in the motor?”
Suzy replied, “No time soon, but we’ll have it here as soon as we can.”
At the office Suzy looked over the invoice for the air compressor, “20 HP Air Compressor, 3 Phase, 120 Gallon Tank, Horizontal, Industrial.”
Suzy questioned, “Gene this compressor is $5,000 you sure we need something this big? This is a big shop with a lot of machines. Ours is only going to be a quarter this size.”
Gene insisted, “I know, but with that rusty old stuff you do a lot of sandblasting. It takes a lot of air for that, and the last thing you want is to have to keep stopping for the compressor to catch-up.”
Jim and Gene’s dad Bill came into the office. Bill exclaimed, “Looks like you’re going to do your first Hercules Engine Gene.”
Jim looked at Suzy, “They can’t order or do anything until they get the motor took apart, and see what they got. I guess when we get tires the motor is my next job.
Suzy replied, “Tomorrow is your big day. You have to put in the pump, do the salt, and pick up the tires.”
Jim shook his head, “Let’s go.”
Suzy slipped the papers in her messenger bag, turned her head, and said, “Thanks Gene.”
Gene just nodded as she went out the door.
At the farm down the road from Dave’s Wood Working. Dave was talking to Tim. “The check was good, so I need you to help me come up with plans for a covered wagon. I believe I can build the wagon in two months or so. That means I have to get you ponding iron as soon as possible.
Tim assured, “We should be able to buy plans on the internet, and download them today.”
In the car Suzy exclaimed, “Oh I almost forgot you need to go to One Stitch at a Time. They need to get your measurements.”
Jim questioned, “Can we do it now?”
Suzy replied, “We’re on our way, and after that we need to get holsters for our guns.”
Jim questioned, “What guns?”
Suzy smiled, “Why the Peacemakers I’m getting us of course.”
Jim just shook his head and rolled his eyes.
At home Suzy found Jim passed out in front of the computer. She went to the kitchen and put the food on the table, and went back for Jim.
The next morning Jim awoke to the smell of bacon cooking.
As Jim came in the kitchen Suzy announced, “Good morning sleepy head.”
Like every morning three pancakes were sitting on Jim’s plate.
Flipping a pancake Suzy question, “What are you doing today?”
Jim mumbled, “Going to check out a motor shop”
Setting the bacon on the table Suzy insisted, “I want to go.”
Jim assured, “No problem. I kind of need some time with you anyway. Autum came to me last night.”
Suzy questioned, “What did she tell you?”
“Nothing really,” Jim explained, “We just cuddled and she whispered let Suzy do it. I tried to ask what, but every time she would put her finger over her lips and go shhhh. I never did find out what she meant.”
Suzy assured, “Don’t worry about it Jim whatever it is I‘ll do it. Just build the truck Jim.”
After breakfast they went to Lambert Performance & Machine. Inside Jim talked to the owner about the Hercules Engine, and Suzy walked off with the owner’s son Gene.
She told Gene about the shop they were building, and asked, “What would you recommend for a shop like that?”
Gene informed, “The heart of this place is the overhead crane, and the air compressor I would say it’s a must have. What kind of motor is he having built?”
Suzy replied, “I don’t know. It’s in an old 1940 something army truck. Jim’s stripping it down to the frame, and rebuilding everything.”
Gene exclaimed, “Oh yah an overhead crane is a must. He will need it to take the cab off and put it back on. He’ll need it for the box, motor, and even the bumpers. He’d love it so much just for moving something from one side of the shop to the other. Let me show you the heart of any shop.”
Then Gene took Suzy out back of the shop. He opened the door to a small building, and pointed to the air compressor. We keep it out here because it’s noisy.”
Just then the compressor kicked on and Gene yelled, “See what I mean.”
Gene shut the door as Suzy commented, “I see what you mean.” Then she opened the flap on her messenger bag, and pulled out her note pad. She was writing down the name on the compressor.
Then Gene said, “We can head back to the office. I’ll pull the invoice for the compressor purchase, and make you a copy and one for the crane too. Do you know when you’ll bring in the motor?”
Suzy replied, “No time soon, but we’ll have it here as soon as we can.”
At the office Suzy looked over the invoice for the air compressor, “20 HP Air Compressor, 3 Phase, 120 Gallon Tank, Horizontal, Industrial.”
Suzy questioned, “Gene this compressor is $5,000 you sure we need something this big? This is a big shop with a lot of machines. Ours is only going to be a quarter this size.”
Gene insisted, “I know, but with that rusty old stuff you do a lot of sandblasting. It takes a lot of air for that, and the last thing you want is to have to keep stopping for the compressor to catch-up.”
Jim and Gene’s dad Bill came into the office. Bill exclaimed, “Looks like you’re going to do your first Hercules Engine Gene.”
Jim looked at Suzy, “They can’t order or do anything until they get the motor took apart, and see what they got. I guess when we get tires the motor is my next job.
Suzy replied, “Tomorrow is your big day. You have to put in the pump, do the salt, and pick up the tires.”
Jim shook his head, “Let’s go.”
Suzy slipped the papers in her messenger bag, turned her head, and said, “Thanks Gene.”
Gene just nodded as she went out the door.
At the farm down the road from Dave’s Wood Working. Dave was talking to Tim. “The check was good, so I need you to help me come up with plans for a covered wagon. I believe I can build the wagon in two months or so. That means I have to get you ponding iron as soon as possible.
Tim assured, “We should be able to buy plans on the internet, and download them today.”
In the car Suzy exclaimed, “Oh I almost forgot you need to go to One Stitch at a Time. They need to get your measurements.”
Jim questioned, “Can we do it now?”
Suzy replied, “We’re on our way, and after that we need to get holsters for our guns.”
Jim questioned, “What guns?”
Suzy smiled, “Why the Peacemakers I’m getting us of course.”
Jim just shook his head and rolled his eyes.
gonewacky
Veteran Member
After getting Jim measured they were off to Tan and Hide Leather. In the show room Suzy talked to the salesmen, “I need to have two 1800's old west gun holsters.
The salesmen replied we have them in stock. Let me get a brochure. He showed Suzy the picture. Then informed, “The holster has floral tooling and a snap closure. Produced in Mexico by skilled craftsmen, this south-of-the-border original was ubiquitous in the 1800's Southwest. You can fill up the loops of your belt with 44/40 caliber rounds. Pictured here with our Nickel Plated Colt "Peacemaker" replica, sold separately. The belts are sized by "hip" size, not waist size, so measure your hips at the point you intend to wear the belt. For most folks, this means 4 inches larger than their waist size. This holster is right-hand draw, and sized for standard frame revolver up to a 6 inche barrel. Number of loops may vary. The holster features a leather leg tie strap, and also an adjustable leather hammer loop to secure your revolver. The holster is adjustable for a good fit on your revolver. It comes in Chocolate Brown Tooled Leather. Its $149.95, and I have them in stock. If I don’t have your size I can have it here in two weeks.”
Suzy blurted, “Jim’s a 32 and I’m.” Then she cupped her hand around the salesmen’s ear and whispered.
The salesmen replied, “OK I’ll just add 4 inches to that and see what we have.”
Soon the salesmen appeared with two Old West Leather Gun Belts. Jim and Suzy tried them on. Jim looked at Suzy, did a fast draw, and said, “Yours is hanging low like a gunslinger.”
Suzy smiled, “Jim, I’m wearing a dress you silly guy. It will be fine with pants and a belt.”
After paying with her bank card they went to the car. Opening the car door Suzy’s phone rang, “Hello.”
Oliver replied, “Hay little lady. I got you some nickels. I got a coffee can full for $1,500. The dealer I got them from said there is 2,000 nickels in the can. That’s a $100 face value. Not a bad deal if I say so myself. The only thing is its heavy. I would say you should get a metal box to put your coins in.”
Excited Suzy bubbled, “Way to go Oliver. You ok on money?”
Oliver insisted, “No worries for now little lady. I’ll just put this in the safe with your other money. Have a nice day.”
Suzy’s phone went off again, “Hello.”
Dave questioned, “Is this Suzy?”
Suzy replied, “Yes.”
Dave continued, “This is Dave and I’m down here at Miss Tomson’s boarding house looking at that bed. It’s a work of art, but I’m sure I can copy it for about five grand. I would need half that up front.”
Suzy replied, “I’m glad you called Dave. I have another job for your Blacksmith friend. I need a metal lock box. I’ll send a picture to your phone. Go ahead with the bed, and get me a price for the box.”
Dave replied, “You got it Suzy.”
Jim commented, “Your busy today.”
Pulling into B&B Construction Suzy replied, “It seems everything I do gives me two more things to do.”
Jim just smiled. Then they went in to talk to Dan. Inside Suze told Dan that he needed to hire an Electrician. Suzy explained. “We need a 3 Phase Electric service on its own meter for the shop, and we need the shop wired”
Dan rolled his chair back from his desk, and questioned, “This is separate?”
Suzy assured, “Don’t worry Dan this is a different contract, but needs to be done as soon as possible. I also need to get an overhead crane put in the building.”
Then Suzy opened her messenger bag and retrieved the paperwork for the air compressor and overhead crane. Then she laid them on Dan’s desk. Rolling his chair back up to his desk Dan looked them over.
Suzy continued, “I need another building built behind the shop for the air compressor. I would like you to order the crane and compressor as soon as possible”
With a smile Suzy requested, “Please.”
Dan looked at Jim and commented, “You see that smile Jim? It’s dangerous.”
Jim replied, “I’m not touching that.” Then he got up and left.
Through the window Jim saw Suzy and Dan shaking hands. Then she came out to Jim with a big smile on her face, “I see you got the pump loaded, and I got you an 8X10 building for your compressor.”
The next morning at 4:00 AM Jim’s alarm went off. He got up and got dressed. Then went to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. Suzy slept peacefully in her room, as Autum came to her. Autum took Suzy to a place in the woods, and whispered, “This is where you have to do it. You have to kill them both here they can’t live. You understand that you have to do it not Jim. Look around Suzy this is the place you have to kill them, or it will send a wake through the time passages.
Autum smiled as she told Suzy she liked the truck. You made a good choice Suzy I like it a lot. I’ve been sitting in it every day and it’s perfect. Edna would follow me at first, but now she thinks it’s nothing. That’s when you have to trap her when I’m in the truck. I know you can see me in the dark, so I trust you. Now wake! Wake up Suzy Jim needs you! Then the bed started to shake and Suzy fell to the floor.
Sitting up trying to gather her thoughts she exclaimed, “Dang Autum I heard you. You didn’t have to throw me out of the bed.”
Suzy got up and walk to the bathroom. Passing Jim’s bed she saw he was up. Returning from the bathroom she hollered, “Jim!” There was no answer, so she looked out the window. Jim’s truck was gone. She thought, oh crap he went to meet Steve at the farm.
She raced to her room, threw on some work close, and ran to the car. Pulling in the drive way she saw Jim and Steve by the barn. They were doing something to the tractor. She parked in front of the slab for the shop, and walked over to Jim and Steve.
Jim informed, “Were putting the hay forks on the tractor, so we can unload the salt.”
Suzy questioned, “Why didn’t you wake me?”
Jim replied, “I got up at four so I could meet Steve at five. I knew you were coming here, so I just let you sleep.”
Suzy inquired, “So now that I’m here what can I do?”
Jim replied, “You can get the hoses from the barn, and carry them over by the pump house.”
Suzy slid the door open a crack and looked at the truck, but she did not see Autum. Pushing the door open a little further she went in and got a hose in each hand. Then she carried them to the pump house.
Steve commented, “You know Jim at first I thought that was your wife. Then I thought it was your girlfriend, because you spend all your time at her place. Now I’m not really sure. You kind of act that way but not really. I will tell you though, if I wasn’t married. I’d go for her in a hot second. She’s one gorgeous woman, and always seems happy.”
Jim laughed. “I know what you mean Steve. I’d go for her too, but she’s my cousin.”
Steve commented, “Looks like we’re both out of luck.”
Walking by Suzy slapped Jim on the butt and scolded, “Get to work were not paying Steve to stand around and talk to you”
Steve snickered, “Guess we got told.”
After putting the forks on the tractor Jim and Steve got the pump off the truck. Then using the tractor Steve drove the pump over by the pump house. Jim and Steve unloaded the pump, and started screwing the hoses together. They used one hose to hook two the pump house and the other end to the pump. He plugged the pump in to the outlet on the pump house, and turned on the water. When the tank was full he turned on the pump, and ran it until water came out of the hose. Then he turned the pump off and looked at Suzy.
Suzy divulged, “It’s not time yet Jim I don’t know what’s going on. She might be waiting for the salt to arrive.
Jim announced, “I’ll call Bruce and find out when it will be here.”
Jim pulled his phone and made a call. After talking to Bruce he found it wouldn’t be until afternoon, so he told Suzy that he would take Steve to get the tires. Then we can meet at the Dirty Cow Girl. Suzy agreed. Then Jim and Steve left in Jim’s truck.
On the way to the tire store Jim confessed, “Steve there’s something that I half to tell you. There’s a curse on that property, and the spirit of a witch is in the house. What we’re going to do is try to trap the witch in the house. If you don’t want to help me do this tell me now, and I’ll let you go home when we get back. I’ll just pay you for the rest of the day, and we can start fresh tomorrow.”
Steve replied, “I’ve heard the stories, and they don’t scare me. I think everyone around here knows about that. When I was a kid in school we used to sing a nursery rhyme. It went, Edna, Edna quite contrary, how does your Knife glow? In Emma’s eye you know. The blood made her head red, and then she was dead.
Jim was taken back by Steve’s candor, and was quiet for a while. After some time Jim replied, “I just wanted you to know what you were getting into Steve. I don’t fear for my own safety, because if the witch kills me the curse end’s.”
Steve replied, “I never was worried anyway. As I understand it the witch only kills women. I would think if anyone is in danger it would be Suzy.”
Jim informed, “Suzy isn’t a Hanson, so I think she’s protected from that part of the curse. However I do believe the Witch sees Suzy as a threat. I just don’t know why. I do know that Autum is protecting her when we’re at the farm.”
Steve was quiet and didn’t say a word the rest of the way to the tire shop, as Jim explained the plan to him.
After picking up the tires Jim and Steve headed back to meet Suzy. At the Dirty Cow Girl they found Suzy drinking coffee. Taking a seat next to Suzy Jim questioned, “You ready for this Suzy?”
Suzy replied, “No not really, but it has to be done. I don’t see any way around it. I’m sure the witch knows we’re up to something, but I don’t think she knows what. If she figures that out she’ll do everything she can to stop us.”
Steve took a seat across from Suzy and Jim, as the waitress came to the table. Steve spoke up, “I’ll have a burger and a coke.”
Jim announced, “Same for me.”
Looking at Suzy the waitress question, “How about you ma’am?”
Suzy replied, “The coffee is fine for me.
As the waitress walked away Jim questioned, “You OK Suzy?”
The salesmen replied we have them in stock. Let me get a brochure. He showed Suzy the picture. Then informed, “The holster has floral tooling and a snap closure. Produced in Mexico by skilled craftsmen, this south-of-the-border original was ubiquitous in the 1800's Southwest. You can fill up the loops of your belt with 44/40 caliber rounds. Pictured here with our Nickel Plated Colt "Peacemaker" replica, sold separately. The belts are sized by "hip" size, not waist size, so measure your hips at the point you intend to wear the belt. For most folks, this means 4 inches larger than their waist size. This holster is right-hand draw, and sized for standard frame revolver up to a 6 inche barrel. Number of loops may vary. The holster features a leather leg tie strap, and also an adjustable leather hammer loop to secure your revolver. The holster is adjustable for a good fit on your revolver. It comes in Chocolate Brown Tooled Leather. Its $149.95, and I have them in stock. If I don’t have your size I can have it here in two weeks.”
Suzy blurted, “Jim’s a 32 and I’m.” Then she cupped her hand around the salesmen’s ear and whispered.
The salesmen replied, “OK I’ll just add 4 inches to that and see what we have.”
Soon the salesmen appeared with two Old West Leather Gun Belts. Jim and Suzy tried them on. Jim looked at Suzy, did a fast draw, and said, “Yours is hanging low like a gunslinger.”
Suzy smiled, “Jim, I’m wearing a dress you silly guy. It will be fine with pants and a belt.”
After paying with her bank card they went to the car. Opening the car door Suzy’s phone rang, “Hello.”
Oliver replied, “Hay little lady. I got you some nickels. I got a coffee can full for $1,500. The dealer I got them from said there is 2,000 nickels in the can. That’s a $100 face value. Not a bad deal if I say so myself. The only thing is its heavy. I would say you should get a metal box to put your coins in.”
Excited Suzy bubbled, “Way to go Oliver. You ok on money?”
Oliver insisted, “No worries for now little lady. I’ll just put this in the safe with your other money. Have a nice day.”
Suzy’s phone went off again, “Hello.”
Dave questioned, “Is this Suzy?”
Suzy replied, “Yes.”
Dave continued, “This is Dave and I’m down here at Miss Tomson’s boarding house looking at that bed. It’s a work of art, but I’m sure I can copy it for about five grand. I would need half that up front.”
Suzy replied, “I’m glad you called Dave. I have another job for your Blacksmith friend. I need a metal lock box. I’ll send a picture to your phone. Go ahead with the bed, and get me a price for the box.”
Dave replied, “You got it Suzy.”
Jim commented, “Your busy today.”
Pulling into B&B Construction Suzy replied, “It seems everything I do gives me two more things to do.”
Jim just smiled. Then they went in to talk to Dan. Inside Suze told Dan that he needed to hire an Electrician. Suzy explained. “We need a 3 Phase Electric service on its own meter for the shop, and we need the shop wired”
Dan rolled his chair back from his desk, and questioned, “This is separate?”
Suzy assured, “Don’t worry Dan this is a different contract, but needs to be done as soon as possible. I also need to get an overhead crane put in the building.”
Then Suzy opened her messenger bag and retrieved the paperwork for the air compressor and overhead crane. Then she laid them on Dan’s desk. Rolling his chair back up to his desk Dan looked them over.
Suzy continued, “I need another building built behind the shop for the air compressor. I would like you to order the crane and compressor as soon as possible”
With a smile Suzy requested, “Please.”
Dan looked at Jim and commented, “You see that smile Jim? It’s dangerous.”
Jim replied, “I’m not touching that.” Then he got up and left.
Through the window Jim saw Suzy and Dan shaking hands. Then she came out to Jim with a big smile on her face, “I see you got the pump loaded, and I got you an 8X10 building for your compressor.”
The next morning at 4:00 AM Jim’s alarm went off. He got up and got dressed. Then went to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. Suzy slept peacefully in her room, as Autum came to her. Autum took Suzy to a place in the woods, and whispered, “This is where you have to do it. You have to kill them both here they can’t live. You understand that you have to do it not Jim. Look around Suzy this is the place you have to kill them, or it will send a wake through the time passages.
Autum smiled as she told Suzy she liked the truck. You made a good choice Suzy I like it a lot. I’ve been sitting in it every day and it’s perfect. Edna would follow me at first, but now she thinks it’s nothing. That’s when you have to trap her when I’m in the truck. I know you can see me in the dark, so I trust you. Now wake! Wake up Suzy Jim needs you! Then the bed started to shake and Suzy fell to the floor.
Sitting up trying to gather her thoughts she exclaimed, “Dang Autum I heard you. You didn’t have to throw me out of the bed.”
Suzy got up and walk to the bathroom. Passing Jim’s bed she saw he was up. Returning from the bathroom she hollered, “Jim!” There was no answer, so she looked out the window. Jim’s truck was gone. She thought, oh crap he went to meet Steve at the farm.
She raced to her room, threw on some work close, and ran to the car. Pulling in the drive way she saw Jim and Steve by the barn. They were doing something to the tractor. She parked in front of the slab for the shop, and walked over to Jim and Steve.
Jim informed, “Were putting the hay forks on the tractor, so we can unload the salt.”
Suzy questioned, “Why didn’t you wake me?”
Jim replied, “I got up at four so I could meet Steve at five. I knew you were coming here, so I just let you sleep.”
Suzy inquired, “So now that I’m here what can I do?”
Jim replied, “You can get the hoses from the barn, and carry them over by the pump house.”
Suzy slid the door open a crack and looked at the truck, but she did not see Autum. Pushing the door open a little further she went in and got a hose in each hand. Then she carried them to the pump house.
Steve commented, “You know Jim at first I thought that was your wife. Then I thought it was your girlfriend, because you spend all your time at her place. Now I’m not really sure. You kind of act that way but not really. I will tell you though, if I wasn’t married. I’d go for her in a hot second. She’s one gorgeous woman, and always seems happy.”
Jim laughed. “I know what you mean Steve. I’d go for her too, but she’s my cousin.”
Steve commented, “Looks like we’re both out of luck.”
Walking by Suzy slapped Jim on the butt and scolded, “Get to work were not paying Steve to stand around and talk to you”
Steve snickered, “Guess we got told.”
After putting the forks on the tractor Jim and Steve got the pump off the truck. Then using the tractor Steve drove the pump over by the pump house. Jim and Steve unloaded the pump, and started screwing the hoses together. They used one hose to hook two the pump house and the other end to the pump. He plugged the pump in to the outlet on the pump house, and turned on the water. When the tank was full he turned on the pump, and ran it until water came out of the hose. Then he turned the pump off and looked at Suzy.
Suzy divulged, “It’s not time yet Jim I don’t know what’s going on. She might be waiting for the salt to arrive.
Jim announced, “I’ll call Bruce and find out when it will be here.”
Jim pulled his phone and made a call. After talking to Bruce he found it wouldn’t be until afternoon, so he told Suzy that he would take Steve to get the tires. Then we can meet at the Dirty Cow Girl. Suzy agreed. Then Jim and Steve left in Jim’s truck.
On the way to the tire store Jim confessed, “Steve there’s something that I half to tell you. There’s a curse on that property, and the spirit of a witch is in the house. What we’re going to do is try to trap the witch in the house. If you don’t want to help me do this tell me now, and I’ll let you go home when we get back. I’ll just pay you for the rest of the day, and we can start fresh tomorrow.”
Steve replied, “I’ve heard the stories, and they don’t scare me. I think everyone around here knows about that. When I was a kid in school we used to sing a nursery rhyme. It went, Edna, Edna quite contrary, how does your Knife glow? In Emma’s eye you know. The blood made her head red, and then she was dead.
Jim was taken back by Steve’s candor, and was quiet for a while. After some time Jim replied, “I just wanted you to know what you were getting into Steve. I don’t fear for my own safety, because if the witch kills me the curse end’s.”
Steve replied, “I never was worried anyway. As I understand it the witch only kills women. I would think if anyone is in danger it would be Suzy.”
Jim informed, “Suzy isn’t a Hanson, so I think she’s protected from that part of the curse. However I do believe the Witch sees Suzy as a threat. I just don’t know why. I do know that Autum is protecting her when we’re at the farm.”
Steve was quiet and didn’t say a word the rest of the way to the tire shop, as Jim explained the plan to him.
After picking up the tires Jim and Steve headed back to meet Suzy. At the Dirty Cow Girl they found Suzy drinking coffee. Taking a seat next to Suzy Jim questioned, “You ready for this Suzy?”
Suzy replied, “No not really, but it has to be done. I don’t see any way around it. I’m sure the witch knows we’re up to something, but I don’t think she knows what. If she figures that out she’ll do everything she can to stop us.”
Steve took a seat across from Suzy and Jim, as the waitress came to the table. Steve spoke up, “I’ll have a burger and a coke.”
Jim announced, “Same for me.”
Looking at Suzy the waitress question, “How about you ma’am?”
Suzy replied, “The coffee is fine for me.
As the waitress walked away Jim questioned, “You OK Suzy?”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Suzy whined, “No! Something just doesn’t feel right about this. I can’t understand why I couldn’t see Autum. Do you think the witch knows what is going on?”
Jim hypothesized, “I think the witch is from a different time, and might not understand about motors and electric pumps. The things of our time are strange to her. Then again she might know we’re trying to trap her.”
Steve butted in, “I think we should do it fast. Take the hose by the middle and drag it halfway around the house. Then turn on the pump, and I’ll run the end of the hose around the house as fast as I can. Then we can do the rock salt.”
They all agreed on Steve’s plan and ate lunch. Then they headed back to the Farm.
Jim took the middle of the hose and stretched it halfway around the house. Steve turned on the water and pump. Suzy stood at the door of the barn. Looking at the truck she saw Autum sitting inside, and gave Steve the thumbs up.
Steve took the end of the hose and ran like a bat out of hell around the house. Jumping over the hose coming out of the pump he yelled, “Woohoo got ya.” Then he hooked the end to the tank. He felt a chill go up his spine, as it got eerily cold.
The sky started to cloud up, and Jim yelled, “I think we pissed her off.” Then a lightning bolt came down right in front of them. In the flash Jim could see Autum holding a dome of protection around Suzy, as she threw a ball of bright flashing colored light at the house. Jim fell to his knees in disbelief as he stared at Autum and Suzy. He could see Autum with every flash. The thunder echoed in his head, and made his body shake with each flash.
Then Jim looked at the porch and saw the witch, as the ball exploded surrounding the Witch with flashes of light, and millions of tiny flickering stars. A chair flew off the porch, and burst into flames, as it landed on the hose. Steve ran and kicked the chair. It flipped off the hose, and Steve raised about three feet in the air. Then he flew backwards landing on his butt. The Lightning stopped, and the clouds started to part.
Jim got up and ran to Suzy as he exclaimed, “Damn Suzy the witch tried to kill you. I saw Autum protecting you.”
Suzy stuttered, “I, I know. I saw her standing next to me the whole time.”
Steve walked over, “Hay did you see the witch on the porch?”
Jim nodded and Suzy replied, “Oh ya I saw her. Boy did I see her.”
Steve disclosed, “I’m shaking a little. That was the most intense thing I’ve ever done. Too bad no one will ever believe me that it happened.”
Just then they all turned and looked. Bruce was coming down the driveway with the rock salt.
Jim announced, “Time to start phase two. Everyone act normal.”
Steve mumbled, “Like that’s going to happen.”
They all gathered around the truck as Bruce climbed down from the cab. Jim insisted that Bruce see the new slab for his shop. As they walked around the slab and talked Steve blurted, “A lightning bolt hit right in front of me, and blew me back ten feet.”
Bruce exclaimed, “I saw the thunderstorm pass over just before I pulled in. Really Steve are you sure?”
Pointing Steve insisted, “See that burning chair over there. I was standing right next to it.”
Bruce questioned, “You pulling my leg Steve?
Jim divulged, “Well I saw a flash and looked up. Steve was flying backwards and the chair was on fire. I sure didn’t set it on fire.”
Bruce thought, “Damn bad things do happing here.” Then he announced, “I need to get going.”
Jim went over and got the tractor as Bruce turned around the truck. No sooner than Jim picked up the pallet Bruce pulled the truck forward, and sped down the driveway. They all just stared as Bruce drove out of sight.
Jim drove around the house and Steve unloaded two bags about every ten feet. Then Jim parked the tractor, and started pouring out the salt. Steve worked on the bags going one way, and Jim worked on the others going the other way. Suzy was picking up the empty bags when it happened.
Edna called out, “I call upon the Ancient powers, to mask us now and in future hours. Hide us well and thoroughly. Like a chameleon I now change to Autum.”
Jim watched the rock salt pour to the ground from the bag, as he heard, “Jim help me… Help me Jim…”
Looking up he saw Autum was trapped on the other side of the hose. His mind raced, how could this happen? I saw you with Suzy. Drawn like a magnet to metal Jim dropped the bag, and headed for Autum. “I’ll get you out,” Jim assured.
Seeing Jim step over the hose Suzy yelled, “Jim No!”
She ran to Jim and grabbed his hand yelling, “It’s not Autum Jim she’s out here!”
Giving Jim a jerk they both flew backwards away from the hose, as the Witch let out a loud laugh.
Suzy whispered, “Don’t be tricked Jim. The witch is a deceiver and can put thoughts in your mind.”
Edna called out, “I call on the Serpent. Mingle with the living, and bend them to your way.”
Steve poured out his last bag and headed to the porta-potty. Opening the door he let out a yell, and jumped backwards. Falling to the ground in the process he crawled on his hands and knees.
Suzy called out, “What is it Steve?”
Making it to his feet he exclaimed, “Its Snakes! The out-house is full of Snakes! There are thousands of them in there.”
Suzy went to the porta-potty and opened the door. Looking inside she exclaimed, “Nothing in here but the seat and a roll of TP.”
Steve argued, “I swear it was full of hissing Snakes!”
Suzie nodded, “The witch! She is doing all she can to deceive us.
With the rock salt ring done they gathered by the tractor. Jim looked to Steve and questioned, “You sure you want to keep working here? I’ll understand if you don’t want to come back.”
Steve replied, “Look Jim this is the best job I’ve ever had. I have a kickback boss that’s letting me run the show. Heck it’s like I’m the boss. The pay’s good, I don’t have anyone riding my ass, and I got a hell of a benefit package.”
Jim questioned, “Benefit package? What benefit package?”
Suzy spoke up, “Oh yah I gave Steve a ten percent crop share for when we’re gone. You know for when you finish the truck, and we go on vacation. Someone has to watch over the place well we’re gone.”
Jim just shrugged his shoulders and explained, “I thought now would be a good time to pull the motor out of the truck. I have the forks on the tractor and I can use them to pull the motor. I think Steve and I can do it by the end of the day, and have it loaded on the truck.”
Suzy barked at Jim, “Jim you have to do it all.”
Jim smiled, “I’m not building anything. I’m tearing it apart.”
Suzy laughed, “Oh yah. We got this. Go ahead Jim.”
Suzy watched as Jim and Steve pulled the motor and put it on the truck.
The next morning Jim awoke to the smell of bacon cooking. Putting on his pants he staggered into the kitchen to find Suzy sitting at the table eating. Like every morning three pancakes were sitting on Jim’s plate with bacon. Taking a seat Jim questioned, “You in a hurry or something this morning?”
Suzy replied, “No, you’re just late getting up.”
Jim mumbled, “I know. I just hurt this morning. I haven’t done a day’s work like that in a while, and it took its toll on me.”
Suzy questioned, “You dropping off the Motor today?”
Jim responded, “I called Gene yesterday and told him I would try to get it in today.”
Suzy responded, “Good, I want to talk to Gene about something.”
Jim smiled and questioned, “You hot on him or something?”
Suzy smiled, “Maybe, after all his dad dose own a high-end Machine Shop worth millions. He’s smart, good looking, and nice. I really just want to talk to him about the truck.”
Jim insisted, “Me to.”
After eating they headed to Lambert Performance & Machine. In the office Gene told Jim to pull around to the first rollup door and back in. Pulling around the side of the building Jim lined up the truck with the door and started backing it up. The door opened and there stood Gene guiding him in. Gene waved for Jim to stop, so Jim set the break and turned off the truck.
As Jim walked back Gene got up on the truck and exclaimed, “Oh good it still has the lifting hooks on it. Grabbing the chains hanging from the overhead crane Gene hooked them to the motor, as Jim undid the come-along holding the motor down. Climbing off the truck Gene grabbed the remote for the crane. Pushing a button the motor lifted off the truck.
Gene looked at Jim and commented, “You’ll be able to unload it with one of these when you get it back.”
Then Gene moved the motor across the shop to the teardown bench. Setting the motor on the bench Gene announced, “Sweet, you’re going to love yours Jim. Let’s walk to the office.”
They walked through the shop to the office where Suzy was waiting at the counter.
Jim stood next to Suzy and Gene went behind the counter. Jim questioned, “Could you recommend a place to have the brake drums turned Gene. The brake shoes were frozen to the drums, and I had to use a sledgehammer to get them off. ”
Gene replied. “Just bring them in and I’ll send them out for you.”
Suzy questioned, “How much Gene?”
Gene rolled his eyes, “I have no idea what this would cost. I need to find out what we can get and what we need to make. If I was to guess I would say ten grand, but don’t hold me to that. It’s just a guess.”
Jim hypothesized, “I think the witch is from a different time, and might not understand about motors and electric pumps. The things of our time are strange to her. Then again she might know we’re trying to trap her.”
Steve butted in, “I think we should do it fast. Take the hose by the middle and drag it halfway around the house. Then turn on the pump, and I’ll run the end of the hose around the house as fast as I can. Then we can do the rock salt.”
They all agreed on Steve’s plan and ate lunch. Then they headed back to the Farm.
Jim took the middle of the hose and stretched it halfway around the house. Steve turned on the water and pump. Suzy stood at the door of the barn. Looking at the truck she saw Autum sitting inside, and gave Steve the thumbs up.
Steve took the end of the hose and ran like a bat out of hell around the house. Jumping over the hose coming out of the pump he yelled, “Woohoo got ya.” Then he hooked the end to the tank. He felt a chill go up his spine, as it got eerily cold.
The sky started to cloud up, and Jim yelled, “I think we pissed her off.” Then a lightning bolt came down right in front of them. In the flash Jim could see Autum holding a dome of protection around Suzy, as she threw a ball of bright flashing colored light at the house. Jim fell to his knees in disbelief as he stared at Autum and Suzy. He could see Autum with every flash. The thunder echoed in his head, and made his body shake with each flash.
Then Jim looked at the porch and saw the witch, as the ball exploded surrounding the Witch with flashes of light, and millions of tiny flickering stars. A chair flew off the porch, and burst into flames, as it landed on the hose. Steve ran and kicked the chair. It flipped off the hose, and Steve raised about three feet in the air. Then he flew backwards landing on his butt. The Lightning stopped, and the clouds started to part.
Jim got up and ran to Suzy as he exclaimed, “Damn Suzy the witch tried to kill you. I saw Autum protecting you.”
Suzy stuttered, “I, I know. I saw her standing next to me the whole time.”
Steve walked over, “Hay did you see the witch on the porch?”
Jim nodded and Suzy replied, “Oh ya I saw her. Boy did I see her.”
Steve disclosed, “I’m shaking a little. That was the most intense thing I’ve ever done. Too bad no one will ever believe me that it happened.”
Just then they all turned and looked. Bruce was coming down the driveway with the rock salt.
Jim announced, “Time to start phase two. Everyone act normal.”
Steve mumbled, “Like that’s going to happen.”
They all gathered around the truck as Bruce climbed down from the cab. Jim insisted that Bruce see the new slab for his shop. As they walked around the slab and talked Steve blurted, “A lightning bolt hit right in front of me, and blew me back ten feet.”
Bruce exclaimed, “I saw the thunderstorm pass over just before I pulled in. Really Steve are you sure?”
Pointing Steve insisted, “See that burning chair over there. I was standing right next to it.”
Bruce questioned, “You pulling my leg Steve?
Jim divulged, “Well I saw a flash and looked up. Steve was flying backwards and the chair was on fire. I sure didn’t set it on fire.”
Bruce thought, “Damn bad things do happing here.” Then he announced, “I need to get going.”
Jim went over and got the tractor as Bruce turned around the truck. No sooner than Jim picked up the pallet Bruce pulled the truck forward, and sped down the driveway. They all just stared as Bruce drove out of sight.
Jim drove around the house and Steve unloaded two bags about every ten feet. Then Jim parked the tractor, and started pouring out the salt. Steve worked on the bags going one way, and Jim worked on the others going the other way. Suzy was picking up the empty bags when it happened.
Edna called out, “I call upon the Ancient powers, to mask us now and in future hours. Hide us well and thoroughly. Like a chameleon I now change to Autum.”
Jim watched the rock salt pour to the ground from the bag, as he heard, “Jim help me… Help me Jim…”
Looking up he saw Autum was trapped on the other side of the hose. His mind raced, how could this happen? I saw you with Suzy. Drawn like a magnet to metal Jim dropped the bag, and headed for Autum. “I’ll get you out,” Jim assured.
Seeing Jim step over the hose Suzy yelled, “Jim No!”
She ran to Jim and grabbed his hand yelling, “It’s not Autum Jim she’s out here!”
Giving Jim a jerk they both flew backwards away from the hose, as the Witch let out a loud laugh.
Suzy whispered, “Don’t be tricked Jim. The witch is a deceiver and can put thoughts in your mind.”
Edna called out, “I call on the Serpent. Mingle with the living, and bend them to your way.”
Steve poured out his last bag and headed to the porta-potty. Opening the door he let out a yell, and jumped backwards. Falling to the ground in the process he crawled on his hands and knees.
Suzy called out, “What is it Steve?”
Making it to his feet he exclaimed, “Its Snakes! The out-house is full of Snakes! There are thousands of them in there.”
Suzy went to the porta-potty and opened the door. Looking inside she exclaimed, “Nothing in here but the seat and a roll of TP.”
Steve argued, “I swear it was full of hissing Snakes!”
Suzie nodded, “The witch! She is doing all she can to deceive us.
With the rock salt ring done they gathered by the tractor. Jim looked to Steve and questioned, “You sure you want to keep working here? I’ll understand if you don’t want to come back.”
Steve replied, “Look Jim this is the best job I’ve ever had. I have a kickback boss that’s letting me run the show. Heck it’s like I’m the boss. The pay’s good, I don’t have anyone riding my ass, and I got a hell of a benefit package.”
Jim questioned, “Benefit package? What benefit package?”
Suzy spoke up, “Oh yah I gave Steve a ten percent crop share for when we’re gone. You know for when you finish the truck, and we go on vacation. Someone has to watch over the place well we’re gone.”
Jim just shrugged his shoulders and explained, “I thought now would be a good time to pull the motor out of the truck. I have the forks on the tractor and I can use them to pull the motor. I think Steve and I can do it by the end of the day, and have it loaded on the truck.”
Suzy barked at Jim, “Jim you have to do it all.”
Jim smiled, “I’m not building anything. I’m tearing it apart.”
Suzy laughed, “Oh yah. We got this. Go ahead Jim.”
Suzy watched as Jim and Steve pulled the motor and put it on the truck.
The next morning Jim awoke to the smell of bacon cooking. Putting on his pants he staggered into the kitchen to find Suzy sitting at the table eating. Like every morning three pancakes were sitting on Jim’s plate with bacon. Taking a seat Jim questioned, “You in a hurry or something this morning?”
Suzy replied, “No, you’re just late getting up.”
Jim mumbled, “I know. I just hurt this morning. I haven’t done a day’s work like that in a while, and it took its toll on me.”
Suzy questioned, “You dropping off the Motor today?”
Jim responded, “I called Gene yesterday and told him I would try to get it in today.”
Suzy responded, “Good, I want to talk to Gene about something.”
Jim smiled and questioned, “You hot on him or something?”
Suzy smiled, “Maybe, after all his dad dose own a high-end Machine Shop worth millions. He’s smart, good looking, and nice. I really just want to talk to him about the truck.”
Jim insisted, “Me to.”
After eating they headed to Lambert Performance & Machine. In the office Gene told Jim to pull around to the first rollup door and back in. Pulling around the side of the building Jim lined up the truck with the door and started backing it up. The door opened and there stood Gene guiding him in. Gene waved for Jim to stop, so Jim set the break and turned off the truck.
As Jim walked back Gene got up on the truck and exclaimed, “Oh good it still has the lifting hooks on it. Grabbing the chains hanging from the overhead crane Gene hooked them to the motor, as Jim undid the come-along holding the motor down. Climbing off the truck Gene grabbed the remote for the crane. Pushing a button the motor lifted off the truck.
Gene looked at Jim and commented, “You’ll be able to unload it with one of these when you get it back.”
Then Gene moved the motor across the shop to the teardown bench. Setting the motor on the bench Gene announced, “Sweet, you’re going to love yours Jim. Let’s walk to the office.”
They walked through the shop to the office where Suzy was waiting at the counter.
Jim stood next to Suzy and Gene went behind the counter. Jim questioned, “Could you recommend a place to have the brake drums turned Gene. The brake shoes were frozen to the drums, and I had to use a sledgehammer to get them off. ”
Gene replied. “Just bring them in and I’ll send them out for you.”
Suzy questioned, “How much Gene?”
Gene rolled his eyes, “I have no idea what this would cost. I need to find out what we can get and what we need to make. If I was to guess I would say ten grand, but don’t hold me to that. It’s just a guess.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Suzy questioned, “How about tools Gene? When taking out the motor Jim was bitching the whole time. He wished he had this and that. He was cussing because he didn’t have an impact. Whatever that is?”
Gene and Jim laughed. Then Gene replied, “A friend of my dad’s was just in the other day. Ray and my dad have been doing business for thirty years. Ray owns a small auto shop and is retiring. He was telling my dad he would sale all his tools for ten thousand. I would say it was a good deal for what he has.”
Jim questioned, “What does he have?”
Gene assured, “He’s got just about everything automotive. He’s got Ratchets, Sockets, Extensions, Adapters, Breaker Bars, Torque Wrenches, Screwdriver Sets, Wrench Sets, Plier Sets, Chisel & File Sets, the list just goes on. There is over ten thousand pieces. He also has air tools. He has air Ratchets, air Impacts, air chisels, grinders, and more. Everything has been well taken care of, and is like new. I would guess it would cost twice that to get it new.”
Suzy looked at Jim and commented, “Well Jim? What do you think?”
Jim replied, “If it has everything he said it has, and is for automotive. I would say it’s just what we need.”
Suzy slipped the messenger bag from her shoulder and set it on the counter. Looking at Gene Suzy informed, “I’m going to wright a check for ten thousand on the motor. Then if you can get a hold of Ray and setup a time for us to meet that would be great.”
Gene made out a receipt, and Suzy slid him the check.
Dave was at Tim’s watching him pound iron. Shoving the hot peace of iron in the fire Tim dumped another bag of briquettes on the fire. Looking up at Dave Tim question, “What brings you by Dave?”
Dave replied, “It’s the plans for the wagon. Have you seen how the wheel connects to the axle?”
Tim replied, “I’ve looked them over and saw that. Why don’t we just put some bearings on it and be done with it. They would last forever and no greasing.”
Dave snapped back, “Oh hell no! I have a reputation, and I’m not going to throw that away on this. She said it had to be made to the time, and that’s what I’m giving her. She’s rich and if I need more money I just ask. It’s in the agreement and she understands that.”
Tim pulled the white hot peace of iron from the fire with tongs. He laid it over the anvil and started pounding.
Dave question, “What are you making Tim?”
Tim responded, “It’s that box for that same lady. This is what you have to do when you have to make your own angle-iron.”
Suzy’s list kept growing and she kept having things made. Then she would buy what she could on online auctions. Jim’s shop went up, the field got planted, and Steve was helping take apart the truck. Jim had got his Peacemaker and spent an hour a day practicing his quick draw, and shooting can’s.
Four weeks had passed, it was late at night, and Jim was lying in bed. Suzy was sitting in grandpa’s chair having some time with her thoughts. Then out of the blue Jim questioned, “Suzy how come you’re still driving that old Neon? You could be driving any new car your hart desires.”
Suzy questioned, “You hinting you want a new truck Jim?”
Jim replied, “No, I love that old truck. I know every squeak, knock, and rattle it has. I’m a part of that truck when I drive it.”
Suzy whispered, “I thought about a Mercedes or a Lamborghini Huracán. I even looked at a Ferrari Testarossa online, but what I really wanted was a Truck. Now go to sleep Jim so you can build it for me.”
Suzy’s phone lightly lit the room as Jim started to drift off. Then Suzy yelled, “Yes”
Snapped awake Jim questioned, “What now?”
Suzy replied, “I just won an auction for an 1850 Chamber Pot.”
Jim Joked, “For making Pee soup?”
Suzy mumbled, “Go to sleep silly guy.”
The next morning at breakfast Jim questioned, “Are you doing alright?”
Suzy questioned, “Why do you ask?”
Jim went on, “Well you haven’t been out to the farm for weeks. You get up and cook me breakfast every day. I go to work in the truck, and you do who knows what all day. I get home and you have dinner waiting for me. You sit in the chair and talk me to sleep. It’s like I’m living with Autum.”
Suzy spoke softly, “I know Jim. Autum told me to do it this way. She’s with me all the time. She tells me you don’t talk to her much anymore. As for what I do all day. Well three days a week I spend half a day with the horse trainer learning about horses. I spend a lot of time looking for things on line, and bidding on auctions. I go visit with Oliver, and I check over the books. By the way I saw you wrote a check for $300 to Western Gun Works. What was that for?”
Jim stuttered, “Bullets, I’ve been practicing shooting my gun behind the barn every day.”
Suzy shook her head, “Well let me do that next time. That account is just for the farm and paying Steve. When you spend out of that account I have to pay your Tax on that money. I already paid the Tax on this money when I inherited it. I don’t want to just give the government money.”
Then taking Jim’s hand across the table she looked deep into his eyes and said, “If you want some pocket money just let me know. I won’t even question what it’s for. When I said I’ll do anything for you I meant it. Now finish your pancake and go work on my truck.”
Shoving a bite of pancake in his mouth Jim thought, “Our Truck.”
Gene and Jim laughed. Then Gene replied, “A friend of my dad’s was just in the other day. Ray and my dad have been doing business for thirty years. Ray owns a small auto shop and is retiring. He was telling my dad he would sale all his tools for ten thousand. I would say it was a good deal for what he has.”
Jim questioned, “What does he have?”
Gene assured, “He’s got just about everything automotive. He’s got Ratchets, Sockets, Extensions, Adapters, Breaker Bars, Torque Wrenches, Screwdriver Sets, Wrench Sets, Plier Sets, Chisel & File Sets, the list just goes on. There is over ten thousand pieces. He also has air tools. He has air Ratchets, air Impacts, air chisels, grinders, and more. Everything has been well taken care of, and is like new. I would guess it would cost twice that to get it new.”
Suzy looked at Jim and commented, “Well Jim? What do you think?”
Jim replied, “If it has everything he said it has, and is for automotive. I would say it’s just what we need.”
Suzy slipped the messenger bag from her shoulder and set it on the counter. Looking at Gene Suzy informed, “I’m going to wright a check for ten thousand on the motor. Then if you can get a hold of Ray and setup a time for us to meet that would be great.”
Gene made out a receipt, and Suzy slid him the check.
Dave was at Tim’s watching him pound iron. Shoving the hot peace of iron in the fire Tim dumped another bag of briquettes on the fire. Looking up at Dave Tim question, “What brings you by Dave?”
Dave replied, “It’s the plans for the wagon. Have you seen how the wheel connects to the axle?”
Tim replied, “I’ve looked them over and saw that. Why don’t we just put some bearings on it and be done with it. They would last forever and no greasing.”
Dave snapped back, “Oh hell no! I have a reputation, and I’m not going to throw that away on this. She said it had to be made to the time, and that’s what I’m giving her. She’s rich and if I need more money I just ask. It’s in the agreement and she understands that.”
Tim pulled the white hot peace of iron from the fire with tongs. He laid it over the anvil and started pounding.
Dave question, “What are you making Tim?”
Tim responded, “It’s that box for that same lady. This is what you have to do when you have to make your own angle-iron.”
Suzy’s list kept growing and she kept having things made. Then she would buy what she could on online auctions. Jim’s shop went up, the field got planted, and Steve was helping take apart the truck. Jim had got his Peacemaker and spent an hour a day practicing his quick draw, and shooting can’s.
Four weeks had passed, it was late at night, and Jim was lying in bed. Suzy was sitting in grandpa’s chair having some time with her thoughts. Then out of the blue Jim questioned, “Suzy how come you’re still driving that old Neon? You could be driving any new car your hart desires.”
Suzy questioned, “You hinting you want a new truck Jim?”
Jim replied, “No, I love that old truck. I know every squeak, knock, and rattle it has. I’m a part of that truck when I drive it.”
Suzy whispered, “I thought about a Mercedes or a Lamborghini Huracán. I even looked at a Ferrari Testarossa online, but what I really wanted was a Truck. Now go to sleep Jim so you can build it for me.”
Suzy’s phone lightly lit the room as Jim started to drift off. Then Suzy yelled, “Yes”
Snapped awake Jim questioned, “What now?”
Suzy replied, “I just won an auction for an 1850 Chamber Pot.”
Jim Joked, “For making Pee soup?”
Suzy mumbled, “Go to sleep silly guy.”
The next morning at breakfast Jim questioned, “Are you doing alright?”
Suzy questioned, “Why do you ask?”
Jim went on, “Well you haven’t been out to the farm for weeks. You get up and cook me breakfast every day. I go to work in the truck, and you do who knows what all day. I get home and you have dinner waiting for me. You sit in the chair and talk me to sleep. It’s like I’m living with Autum.”
Suzy spoke softly, “I know Jim. Autum told me to do it this way. She’s with me all the time. She tells me you don’t talk to her much anymore. As for what I do all day. Well three days a week I spend half a day with the horse trainer learning about horses. I spend a lot of time looking for things on line, and bidding on auctions. I go visit with Oliver, and I check over the books. By the way I saw you wrote a check for $300 to Western Gun Works. What was that for?”
Jim stuttered, “Bullets, I’ve been practicing shooting my gun behind the barn every day.”
Suzy shook her head, “Well let me do that next time. That account is just for the farm and paying Steve. When you spend out of that account I have to pay your Tax on that money. I already paid the Tax on this money when I inherited it. I don’t want to just give the government money.”
Then taking Jim’s hand across the table she looked deep into his eyes and said, “If you want some pocket money just let me know. I won’t even question what it’s for. When I said I’ll do anything for you I meant it. Now finish your pancake and go work on my truck.”
Shoving a bite of pancake in his mouth Jim thought, “Our Truck.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Then Suzy added, “Oh yah. Dan at B&B Construction called yesterday. He said they were putting in your overhead crane today, and the Electrician would be there in the afternoon.”
After Jim left Suzy got a call, “Hello.”
“Hi this is Dave, is this Suzy?”
Suzy replied, “Go ahead Dave what do you need?”
Dave continued, “We need to have a cover made for the wagon. They made them out of hemp back then. The only ones I could find were made out of canvas. You told me it had to be true to the time, so I’m kind of not sure as what to do here.”
Suzy replied, “I’m glad you called Dave. Yes it has to all be true to what would be made in that time period. I need to have a mattress, so I’ll see if I can get the cover made at the same time.”
Dave continued, “That would be great. The bed had tightly strung ropes that had to be tightened regularly that supported the mattress, but by the mid-1800s, wooden slats were used. It wasn’t until the 1860s that box springs were used. The one at the bording house has ropes and wooden slats with the springs on top of that. I found a set of metal bed springs for that time period. It’s in Ohio and he wants $500 for it. I have no idea what it will cost to have something like that shipped. Oh, and he said that they squeak.”
Suzy laughed, “I don’t know if that is a good thing or not.”
Dave replied, “I think they all were that way.”
Suzy insisted, “Just get it Dave. How is the bed coming along?”
Dave exclaimed, “It’s done except for the springs and mattress. It has a hand rubbed finish, and I think I’m going to put on another coat. Other than that it’s ready to go.”
Suzy assured, “I’ll have the cover for the wagon delivered to the shop. If there is nothing else I’ll stop by tomorrow to see the bed.”
Dave ended with, “That’s fine see you tomorrow, and I’ll send you a picture I took a few weeks ago.
Suzy cleaned up the kitchen, and went to see Oliver. In the coin shop Oliver saw Suzy at the counter. “Good morning little lady how are we today?
I need to find someone to do some upholstery.
Oliver recommended, “I’d try Grant over at Perfect Stitch on 33st. he dose good custom work.”
Suzy smiled, “I knew you’d know Oliver.”
Oliver chuckled, “Your stuff is starting to take up a lot of room in the safe. I was thinking I should charge you rent for keeping it in there.”
Suzy laughed, “You tricky old man. You told me you’d keep it in there for me.”
Oliver replied, “I told you to get a metal box to put it in to.”
Suzy lit up and pulled out her phone, “Here look at this. It’s the box I had made.”
Oliver exclaimed, “Wow! You put your money in that and you won’t be able to pick it up. It is a nice looking box. Custom made?
Suzy replied, “Yep, had a blacksmith make it for me.”
Oliver confessed, “You did good little lady.”
Just then a customer came in. Suzy turned an announced, “Give me a call if you need anything Oliver.”
Suzy drove to Perfect Stitch and met with Grant. She told him what she needed.
Grant explained, “Mattresses in the 1870’s were made from cornhusks, straw or other lumpy materials that were stuffed into a cloth bag. Some were Cotton-stuffed or a mix. If you want me to make a cover for a mattress it won’t look right. I would have to stuff some batting and muslin around the sides. Then it wouldn’t look squared off on the edges. You’ll have to bring in a mattress for me to cover.
Now the wagon cover is another story. I’ll have to order the hemp for the cover. That might take a week to get here and two or three days to put it together. I just need to know the measurements for the cover.”
Suzy instructed, “I’ll have Dave give you that information. You can work with him for both the mattress and cover. I’ll stop and buy a mattress today and have them deliver it here.
Suzy left a deposit then went to where she got Jim’s bed. She picked out a mattress, and had it delivered to Perfect Stitch Upholstery.
She thought about Jim and wanted to go by the shop, but that would enrage the Witch. Like every other day she just stayed away and went home. Then she spent some time looking for a quilt for the bed. Trying to find a hundred year old quilt for the bed was more of a challenge that she imagined. Soon it was 9 PM and no call from Jim. Worried she gave in and called. “Hay Jim just starting to worry if you were OK.”
Jim replied, “Just finished prepping the frame for painting, and lost tract of the time. I’m cleaning up now. I’ll be on my way in about five.”
Suzy suggested, “I can start dinner if you want? I was waiting for you.”
Jim assured, “I be home in about a half hour.”
Suzy ended with, “See you then.”
Jim came in the door and went right to Suzy. All excited he announced, “Look at this it’s the overhead crane. They put it in today and it works great. Thank you so much Suzy. This is going to make things go so much faster.
Here look at this. I took a picture of the truck frame. I know it don’t look like much, but it’s just put it back together from here. Oh and a little paint.
That night Suzy was sitting in grandpa’s chair talking Jim to sleep like every night. “I’ve come up with a back story for when we get there. We’ll say we’re from Waco Texas and sold our cattle ranch. Then we went to Boise Idaho to settle my aunt’s estate. If they ask, her name is Eva Hanson. I thought we could be husband and wife, and go by James and Suzan white. That way no one would relate us to our great great grandfather.”
I’ve been buying more stuff online. I got you a Straight Razor with a strap for sharping, a Brush, and Soap. I’m looking for a cup for you to put the soap in. Tomorrow I’m going to look at the bed I’m having made for us. I’m still looking for a quilt from that time.”
Looking over Suzy saw Jim was fast asleep. She whispered, “You sleep Jim, and have dreams of love. Remember what makes you who you are, and why you do what you do. Spend some time with Autum and find your path.”
Reclining in grandpa’s chair Suzy softly whispered, “Thanks for protecting me Autum. I’ll go to the farm tomorrow for Jim. I know he needs me there, but it angers the witch so much. I just don’t want to put all that strain on you.”
Then Suzy slipped off to sleep, as Jim dreamed of Autum. He dreamed he was plowing the field with Autum sitting on his leg. Her arms were wrapped around him and she was whispering in his ear. “I can’t ride out here with you every day. I’ll never get anything done.”
Then Jim dreamed about the day he got the best stereo and headphones he could find. Jim thought, New tractor, killer stereo, and a wife that loves me more than I ever could have imagined. I have the best life ever.
Then he dreamed of the day the State Trooper knocked at the door. “I’m sorry to tell you Autum Hanson has been involved in a fatal accident,”
Jim could hear the Witch laughing in his dream, as he sat straight up in bed and yelled, “NO!”
With bacon sizzling in the pan Suzy ran to Jim’s side. Sitting on the edge of the bed Suzy rubbed Jim’s back, “It’s just a dream Jim. I’m right here, and I got you.”
Jim stuttered, “The Witch!”
Suzy spoke softly, “I know Jim we’re going to fix that. We’re working on it. You and me Jim we got this. Get dressed I’m starting your pancakes”
Then she slipped away and went back to the kitchen. After breakfast Jim went to the farm, and Suzy cleaned the kitchen. Then she went to check the things she was bidding on. Looking at the patchwork quilt she saw Linda761 had upped her bid. Suzy threw another $100 at the quilt. Then she left to see Dave.
Walking in the door to his shop she saw the bed. Filled with excitement Suzy exclaimed, “Oh my god Dave it’s gorgeous!”
She ran over and gave Dave a big hug, as she jumped up and down. Stepping back Suzy bubbled, “It looks just like the one at Miss Tomson’s boarding house.”
Calmly Dave replied, “That’s what you commissioned me to do. I wouldn’t accept anything less.”
Suzy insisted, “You do have an eye for detail Dave.”
Dave smiled, “There’s more if you want to step out back.”
She followed Dave back behind the shop, and there it was in all its glory. Suzy’s body tingled all over, as she tried to walk over to it. For some reason her feet wouldn’t move. She just stood there and stared.
Dave snapped Suzy out of her trance as he announced, “It’s OK. You can touch it.”
After Jim left Suzy got a call, “Hello.”
“Hi this is Dave, is this Suzy?”
Suzy replied, “Go ahead Dave what do you need?”
Dave continued, “We need to have a cover made for the wagon. They made them out of hemp back then. The only ones I could find were made out of canvas. You told me it had to be true to the time, so I’m kind of not sure as what to do here.”
Suzy replied, “I’m glad you called Dave. Yes it has to all be true to what would be made in that time period. I need to have a mattress, so I’ll see if I can get the cover made at the same time.”
Dave continued, “That would be great. The bed had tightly strung ropes that had to be tightened regularly that supported the mattress, but by the mid-1800s, wooden slats were used. It wasn’t until the 1860s that box springs were used. The one at the bording house has ropes and wooden slats with the springs on top of that. I found a set of metal bed springs for that time period. It’s in Ohio and he wants $500 for it. I have no idea what it will cost to have something like that shipped. Oh, and he said that they squeak.”
Suzy laughed, “I don’t know if that is a good thing or not.”
Dave replied, “I think they all were that way.”
Suzy insisted, “Just get it Dave. How is the bed coming along?”
Dave exclaimed, “It’s done except for the springs and mattress. It has a hand rubbed finish, and I think I’m going to put on another coat. Other than that it’s ready to go.”
Suzy assured, “I’ll have the cover for the wagon delivered to the shop. If there is nothing else I’ll stop by tomorrow to see the bed.”
Dave ended with, “That’s fine see you tomorrow, and I’ll send you a picture I took a few weeks ago.
Suzy cleaned up the kitchen, and went to see Oliver. In the coin shop Oliver saw Suzy at the counter. “Good morning little lady how are we today?
I need to find someone to do some upholstery.
Oliver recommended, “I’d try Grant over at Perfect Stitch on 33st. he dose good custom work.”
Suzy smiled, “I knew you’d know Oliver.”
Oliver chuckled, “Your stuff is starting to take up a lot of room in the safe. I was thinking I should charge you rent for keeping it in there.”
Suzy laughed, “You tricky old man. You told me you’d keep it in there for me.”
Oliver replied, “I told you to get a metal box to put it in to.”
Suzy lit up and pulled out her phone, “Here look at this. It’s the box I had made.”
Oliver exclaimed, “Wow! You put your money in that and you won’t be able to pick it up. It is a nice looking box. Custom made?
Suzy replied, “Yep, had a blacksmith make it for me.”
Oliver confessed, “You did good little lady.”
Just then a customer came in. Suzy turned an announced, “Give me a call if you need anything Oliver.”
Suzy drove to Perfect Stitch and met with Grant. She told him what she needed.
Grant explained, “Mattresses in the 1870’s were made from cornhusks, straw or other lumpy materials that were stuffed into a cloth bag. Some were Cotton-stuffed or a mix. If you want me to make a cover for a mattress it won’t look right. I would have to stuff some batting and muslin around the sides. Then it wouldn’t look squared off on the edges. You’ll have to bring in a mattress for me to cover.
Now the wagon cover is another story. I’ll have to order the hemp for the cover. That might take a week to get here and two or three days to put it together. I just need to know the measurements for the cover.”
Suzy instructed, “I’ll have Dave give you that information. You can work with him for both the mattress and cover. I’ll stop and buy a mattress today and have them deliver it here.
Suzy left a deposit then went to where she got Jim’s bed. She picked out a mattress, and had it delivered to Perfect Stitch Upholstery.
She thought about Jim and wanted to go by the shop, but that would enrage the Witch. Like every other day she just stayed away and went home. Then she spent some time looking for a quilt for the bed. Trying to find a hundred year old quilt for the bed was more of a challenge that she imagined. Soon it was 9 PM and no call from Jim. Worried she gave in and called. “Hay Jim just starting to worry if you were OK.”
Jim replied, “Just finished prepping the frame for painting, and lost tract of the time. I’m cleaning up now. I’ll be on my way in about five.”
Suzy suggested, “I can start dinner if you want? I was waiting for you.”
Jim assured, “I be home in about a half hour.”
Suzy ended with, “See you then.”
Jim came in the door and went right to Suzy. All excited he announced, “Look at this it’s the overhead crane. They put it in today and it works great. Thank you so much Suzy. This is going to make things go so much faster.
Here look at this. I took a picture of the truck frame. I know it don’t look like much, but it’s just put it back together from here. Oh and a little paint.
That night Suzy was sitting in grandpa’s chair talking Jim to sleep like every night. “I’ve come up with a back story for when we get there. We’ll say we’re from Waco Texas and sold our cattle ranch. Then we went to Boise Idaho to settle my aunt’s estate. If they ask, her name is Eva Hanson. I thought we could be husband and wife, and go by James and Suzan white. That way no one would relate us to our great great grandfather.”I’ve been buying more stuff online. I got you a Straight Razor with a strap for sharping, a Brush, and Soap. I’m looking for a cup for you to put the soap in. Tomorrow I’m going to look at the bed I’m having made for us. I’m still looking for a quilt from that time.”
Looking over Suzy saw Jim was fast asleep. She whispered, “You sleep Jim, and have dreams of love. Remember what makes you who you are, and why you do what you do. Spend some time with Autum and find your path.”
Reclining in grandpa’s chair Suzy softly whispered, “Thanks for protecting me Autum. I’ll go to the farm tomorrow for Jim. I know he needs me there, but it angers the witch so much. I just don’t want to put all that strain on you.”
Then Suzy slipped off to sleep, as Jim dreamed of Autum. He dreamed he was plowing the field with Autum sitting on his leg. Her arms were wrapped around him and she was whispering in his ear. “I can’t ride out here with you every day. I’ll never get anything done.”
Then Jim dreamed about the day he got the best stereo and headphones he could find. Jim thought, New tractor, killer stereo, and a wife that loves me more than I ever could have imagined. I have the best life ever.
Then he dreamed of the day the State Trooper knocked at the door. “I’m sorry to tell you Autum Hanson has been involved in a fatal accident,”
Jim could hear the Witch laughing in his dream, as he sat straight up in bed and yelled, “NO!”
With bacon sizzling in the pan Suzy ran to Jim’s side. Sitting on the edge of the bed Suzy rubbed Jim’s back, “It’s just a dream Jim. I’m right here, and I got you.”
Jim stuttered, “The Witch!”
Suzy spoke softly, “I know Jim we’re going to fix that. We’re working on it. You and me Jim we got this. Get dressed I’m starting your pancakes”
Then she slipped away and went back to the kitchen. After breakfast Jim went to the farm, and Suzy cleaned the kitchen. Then she went to check the things she was bidding on. Looking at the patchwork quilt she saw Linda761 had upped her bid. Suzy threw another $100 at the quilt. Then she left to see Dave.
Walking in the door to his shop she saw the bed. Filled with excitement Suzy exclaimed, “Oh my god Dave it’s gorgeous!”
She ran over and gave Dave a big hug, as she jumped up and down. Stepping back Suzy bubbled, “It looks just like the one at Miss Tomson’s boarding house.”
Calmly Dave replied, “That’s what you commissioned me to do. I wouldn’t accept anything less.”
Suzy insisted, “You do have an eye for detail Dave.”
Dave smiled, “There’s more if you want to step out back.”
She followed Dave back behind the shop, and there it was in all its glory. Suzy’s body tingled all over, as she tried to walk over to it. For some reason her feet wouldn’t move. She just stood there and stared.
Dave snapped Suzy out of her trance as he announced, “It’s OK. You can touch it.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Suzy walked over and rain her hand over the back wheel, and up the side of the wagon. She looked under it as she walked around checking it out. Looking up at Dave Suzy questioned, “True to the time?”
Dave replied, “You bet, right down to the grease can hanging on the back. All that’s left is the cover, and I meeting with Grant over at Perfect Stitch today for that. I’ll put it back inside after you leave. I just thought you might want to take some pictures.”
Suzy retrieved her phone and explained, “I need two chairs like this Civil War Folding Camp Chair. They were common back then and made all kinds of ways. The only thing that needs to be to the time period is the fabric, so I thought you could use the same hemp as the cover for the wagon. You can talk to Grant about that.”
Dave replied. “I got it covered.
After taking some picture’s Suzy was off to the farm to meet Jim. Pulling in she saw Steve working on something. Then she heard gun shots coming from behind the barn. Getting out she walked around the barn to see what was going on. There was Jim shooting at cans. Slipping up behind him she put her arms around him, and whispered in his ear, “So this is how you build the truck”
Jim holstered his gun and explained, “Nope, waiting for paint to dry. I just painted the frame.”
Suzy complained, “If I knew this is what you were doing I would have brought my gun.”
Setting up the can’s Jim insisted, “Use mine.”
Dumping out the empty shells Jim reloaded the gun, and handed it to Suzy. Taking the gun Suzy rapped fired the gun taking out all six cans. Then she blew on the end of the barrel, and slipped it in Jim’s holster. With a smile Suzy exclaimed, “I still got it.”
Surprised Jim questioned, “Where did you learn that?”
Suzy smiled, “Grandpa. Hay Jim looked at this picture I took today. It’s our wagon.
Jim looked at the picture and exclaimed, “Wow that’s nice! Are you trying to make me go faster on the truck? Oh you might want to look at that pile of stuff in the barn. You’ve been buying so much stuff the USP guy and I are on a first name basis.”
Suzy replied, “I’m just about done buying stuff. I’ll be spending more time getting stuff for the truck.”
Jim went on, “Gene called me today. He told me the motor is ready to put together, and the bill was $10,250.”
Suzy put her hand on Jims shoulder as they walked to the barn saying, “I’ll take care of it. Is there anything else we need?”
Jim replied, “Yah, I need to have the seat reupholster.”
Suzy assured, “I know a guy for that. Just load the frame on the truck, and we’ll stop by there tomorrow. Then we can go to see Gene about the motor.”
Walking in the shop Suzy saw a big pile of boxes next to one wall. Suzy asked, “What are all those boxes over there for?”
Jim replied, “Parts for the truck.”
Suzy joked, “No wonder you know the UPS guy by name.”
Jim just laughed, “You ordered every one of the boxes. I just printed out the page, and it showed up here. Just see how fast all that stuff disappears when the motor goes in. this truck well fly together. Then we’ll be on our way to Montana.”
Suzy insisted, “You mean 1874.”
Jim confessed, “That’s your dream. I’ll build the truck, but I expect nothing more. I don’t see how you can be so sure. I don’t even hear Autum anymore. The Witch hasn’t done a thing since we put in the pump and salt. I just think life is going on.”
Suzy thought, Oh no, he has lost the dream. I think I stayed away too long. I need to fix this.
Suzy argued, “I know that’s not true. My grandpa told me the truck would take me places I never dreamed. Well that is a place I never dreamed. I think you need to start talking to Autum again. Then you’ll get the dream back.”
Just then there was a loud boom! The door to the shop flew open and Steve ran in. Taking a deep breath Steve exclaimed, “The Witch is back! A lightning bolt came from the clear blue sky and started a fire.”
Grabbing a fire extinguisher Steve ran back out the door. Suzy went right behind him. Outside Suzy yelled at the house, “Bring it on bitch! You can’t stop us now!”
Just then Suzy flew back into Jim coming out the door. It knocked them both down. Jim had to roll on his side to get out from under Suzy, and Suzy rolled to her hands and knees. Getting up Suzy yelled, “Is that all you got?”
Then there was a bright flash, and Suzy was blinded. Autum appeared in front of Jim and Suzy saying, “I’m moving you to a safer time. I just need you to know I love what you’re doing. Jim you need to hold Suzy tight. She’ll bring you back to me my love.”
Then Autum faded away and slowly the outline of Steve appeared in front of them. Jim questioned, “Why is it so dark?”
Steve pulled his phone from his pocket and announced, “My phone has 11:00 P.M. on it. I think that flash shot us 12 hours into the future.”
Jim looked at Suzy and questioned, “Did you see her?”
Suzy nodded and replied, “I heard her to. I think you got your answer Jim.”
Jim instructed, “You better get going Steve. Your wife is probably freaking out.”
Steve insisted, “I know she is for sure.”
Jim added, “Just take tomorrow off. I’ll give you a call.
Jim and Suzy loaded the frame on the truck, and locked up the shop and barn. Then they headed home. On the way Suzy moved over next to Jim and laid her head on his shoulder. Then she spoke softly, but loud enough for Jim to hear her over the squeaks, rattles, and growl of the old truck. “Autum saved me again today. I’m so glad you picked a strong woman like that.”
The next day Suzy put on her yellow dress and hung her messenger bag over her shoulder. Then Suzy and Jim headed to see Grant over at Perfect Stitch. They dropped off the seat frame, and headed to see Gene at Lambert Performance & Machine. Gene pulled the folder for the Hercules Engine, and came to the counter. Opening the folder Gene questioned. “You sure you don’t want me to assemble the motor? I could do it for $500 and give you a guarantee that way.”
Suzy insisted, “No, I made Jim promise he’d build the truck himself. That means right down to every nut, bolt, and screw.”
Then Suzy leaned over the counter and offered, “How about making me an offer on what you’d charge to instruct and oversee Jim to do the work.”
A spark lit up in Gene’s eye as he offered, “I’ll do it for $500 if Jim dose the work here, and I get to be there for the startup. I’ll even give you the five year fifty thousand mile guarantee.”
Suzy slipped her messenger bag from her shoulder, as Gene retrieved some papers from his desk. Adding them to the stack in the folder Gene announced, “That well be $10,750”
Dave replied, “You bet, right down to the grease can hanging on the back. All that’s left is the cover, and I meeting with Grant over at Perfect Stitch today for that. I’ll put it back inside after you leave. I just thought you might want to take some pictures.”
Suzy retrieved her phone and explained, “I need two chairs like this Civil War Folding Camp Chair. They were common back then and made all kinds of ways. The only thing that needs to be to the time period is the fabric, so I thought you could use the same hemp as the cover for the wagon. You can talk to Grant about that.”
Dave replied. “I got it covered.
After taking some picture’s Suzy was off to the farm to meet Jim. Pulling in she saw Steve working on something. Then she heard gun shots coming from behind the barn. Getting out she walked around the barn to see what was going on. There was Jim shooting at cans. Slipping up behind him she put her arms around him, and whispered in his ear, “So this is how you build the truck”
Jim holstered his gun and explained, “Nope, waiting for paint to dry. I just painted the frame.”
Suzy complained, “If I knew this is what you were doing I would have brought my gun.”
Setting up the can’s Jim insisted, “Use mine.”
Dumping out the empty shells Jim reloaded the gun, and handed it to Suzy. Taking the gun Suzy rapped fired the gun taking out all six cans. Then she blew on the end of the barrel, and slipped it in Jim’s holster. With a smile Suzy exclaimed, “I still got it.”
Surprised Jim questioned, “Where did you learn that?”
Suzy smiled, “Grandpa. Hay Jim looked at this picture I took today. It’s our wagon.
Jim looked at the picture and exclaimed, “Wow that’s nice! Are you trying to make me go faster on the truck? Oh you might want to look at that pile of stuff in the barn. You’ve been buying so much stuff the USP guy and I are on a first name basis.”
Suzy replied, “I’m just about done buying stuff. I’ll be spending more time getting stuff for the truck.”
Jim went on, “Gene called me today. He told me the motor is ready to put together, and the bill was $10,250.”
Suzy put her hand on Jims shoulder as they walked to the barn saying, “I’ll take care of it. Is there anything else we need?”
Jim replied, “Yah, I need to have the seat reupholster.”
Suzy assured, “I know a guy for that. Just load the frame on the truck, and we’ll stop by there tomorrow. Then we can go to see Gene about the motor.”
Walking in the shop Suzy saw a big pile of boxes next to one wall. Suzy asked, “What are all those boxes over there for?”
Jim replied, “Parts for the truck.”
Suzy joked, “No wonder you know the UPS guy by name.”
Jim just laughed, “You ordered every one of the boxes. I just printed out the page, and it showed up here. Just see how fast all that stuff disappears when the motor goes in. this truck well fly together. Then we’ll be on our way to Montana.”
Suzy insisted, “You mean 1874.”
Jim confessed, “That’s your dream. I’ll build the truck, but I expect nothing more. I don’t see how you can be so sure. I don’t even hear Autum anymore. The Witch hasn’t done a thing since we put in the pump and salt. I just think life is going on.”
Suzy thought, Oh no, he has lost the dream. I think I stayed away too long. I need to fix this.
Suzy argued, “I know that’s not true. My grandpa told me the truck would take me places I never dreamed. Well that is a place I never dreamed. I think you need to start talking to Autum again. Then you’ll get the dream back.”
Just then there was a loud boom! The door to the shop flew open and Steve ran in. Taking a deep breath Steve exclaimed, “The Witch is back! A lightning bolt came from the clear blue sky and started a fire.”
Grabbing a fire extinguisher Steve ran back out the door. Suzy went right behind him. Outside Suzy yelled at the house, “Bring it on bitch! You can’t stop us now!”
Just then Suzy flew back into Jim coming out the door. It knocked them both down. Jim had to roll on his side to get out from under Suzy, and Suzy rolled to her hands and knees. Getting up Suzy yelled, “Is that all you got?”
Then there was a bright flash, and Suzy was blinded. Autum appeared in front of Jim and Suzy saying, “I’m moving you to a safer time. I just need you to know I love what you’re doing. Jim you need to hold Suzy tight. She’ll bring you back to me my love.”
Then Autum faded away and slowly the outline of Steve appeared in front of them. Jim questioned, “Why is it so dark?”
Steve pulled his phone from his pocket and announced, “My phone has 11:00 P.M. on it. I think that flash shot us 12 hours into the future.”
Jim looked at Suzy and questioned, “Did you see her?”
Suzy nodded and replied, “I heard her to. I think you got your answer Jim.”
Jim instructed, “You better get going Steve. Your wife is probably freaking out.”
Steve insisted, “I know she is for sure.”
Jim added, “Just take tomorrow off. I’ll give you a call.
Jim and Suzy loaded the frame on the truck, and locked up the shop and barn. Then they headed home. On the way Suzy moved over next to Jim and laid her head on his shoulder. Then she spoke softly, but loud enough for Jim to hear her over the squeaks, rattles, and growl of the old truck. “Autum saved me again today. I’m so glad you picked a strong woman like that.”
The next day Suzy put on her yellow dress and hung her messenger bag over her shoulder. Then Suzy and Jim headed to see Grant over at Perfect Stitch. They dropped off the seat frame, and headed to see Gene at Lambert Performance & Machine. Gene pulled the folder for the Hercules Engine, and came to the counter. Opening the folder Gene questioned. “You sure you don’t want me to assemble the motor? I could do it for $500 and give you a guarantee that way.”
Suzy insisted, “No, I made Jim promise he’d build the truck himself. That means right down to every nut, bolt, and screw.”
Then Suzy leaned over the counter and offered, “How about making me an offer on what you’d charge to instruct and oversee Jim to do the work.”
A spark lit up in Gene’s eye as he offered, “I’ll do it for $500 if Jim dose the work here, and I get to be there for the startup. I’ll even give you the five year fifty thousand mile guarantee.”
Suzy slipped her messenger bag from her shoulder, as Gene retrieved some papers from his desk. Adding them to the stack in the folder Gene announced, “That well be $10,750”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Looking at the folder Suzy commented, “You already had the assembly and guarantee felled out.”
Gene just smiled as he picked up the phone. They could hear Gene’s voice echo in the shop, “Tom would you bring the pallet with the Hercules Engine parts to the assembly room.”
Suzy slid the check across the counter as she questioned, “Would you geve me the keys to the truck Jim? I’m going to go see Oliver. Then to the horse trainer.”
Jim teased, “You sure you can drive that old Beast it’s a stick shift you know.”
Suzy gave Jim a look and demanded, “Please Jim.”
Jim set the keys on the counter and Suzy took then and left.
In the assembly room Gene instructed, “First we will use the swing crane to put the block on an engine stand. Then we’ll put in the cam bearings.”
Walking in the coin shop Oliver commented, “Good morning little lady. You sure look nice today, and I love that yellow dress. What’s up with that big truck? Is your car broke down?”
Suzy smiled, “Nope, the car’s just fine. I’m just using Jim’s truck today.”
Oliver went on, “I had a guy come yesterday with some old bills. I took them over to the computer to estimate their value, and the kid got all freaked out and took off out the door. Normally when that happens I call the cops, but the bills were from the 1860’s and 70’s. I checked the hot sheet, and the Police web page for pawn shops. There was nothing listed. That got me thinking maybe I’ll put them in the safe and see what happens.”
Oliver walked over and opened the safe door. Pulling out an envelope he walked back to the counter. Then set the envelope in front of Suzy and insisted, “Look at this.”
Suzy opened the envelope and peeked inside. Then she exclaimed, “Wow this one has a buffalo on it! Oh this one is cool too.”
Oliver laughed, “Yah just don’t burn your fingers. I’m sure it’s hot as hell, but until I know that for sure I’ll just leave then next to your stuff. I saved the security video just to cover my ass. You know not all money was good back then. The banks were allowed to print their own money, and if the bank failed the money became worthless. This however is printed by the US Mint, so it was good anywhere at any time.”
Suzy looked deep into Oliver’s eyes and questioned, “What would your 15 percent finder’s fee be?”
Taking the envelope Oliver walked back to the safe as he mumbled, “Let me see, there’s $165 in there and I paid nothing. 15 percent of nothing is you owe me a favor little lady.”
Suzy smiled, “I don’t even want to think what that’s going to cost me. I’ve got to go see my horse trainer. I think I’m getting good at handling a horse, and know what to look for when buying one.”
Seeing a car pull up Suzy added, “Looks like you have a customer Oliver.”
Oliver chuckled, “Could be, but you never know what will come through that door. After all you came through it.”
Suzy laughed as the door swung shut.
Suzy met her trainer Rick at the stables. Rick explained, “You’re a star student and it has been a pleasure working with you Suzy, but my time is done. Anything I haven’t taught you will come from experience. You’ll have to give that to yourself, so pick a horse and take a solo ride.”
Suzy replied, “I’ll take Rocket.”
Rick assured, “Oh the high spirited half wild thing. You go for it Girl. I’m sure you’ll do just fine. Well don’t just stand there get him saddled up. This isn’t a luxury hotel. You have to do things yourself around here.”
This was the day Suzy had worried about. To do something anyone could do in the 1800’s. Handling a horse back then was like opening a car door today. Just about anyone could do it.
Rick watched as Suzy rode off with her yellow dress and fire red hair blowing in the wind.
Back at Lambert Performance & Machine Gene questioned, “I noticed your wife signed her name White. Did she keep her maiden name?”
Jim replied, “Suzy’s not my wife. She’s my accountant.”
Gene inquired, “If she’s just your accountant. Why do you let her control every aspect of your life?”
Jim set the oil pan back on the bench and turned around. Taking a deep breath Jim explained, “When I met her I was a quarter million in debt. She paid that off and got me whatever I wanted. I was living off pot pies, and now she cooks me breakfast and dinner every day. She got me the shop, the truck, and even my clothes. Hell if she told me to jump I’d ask how high? She loves me that much as do I love her, but I can’t marry her.”
Gene proclaimed, “Damn if I were you I would marry her in a hot second. What’s wrong with you?”
Jim whispered, “She’s my cousin.”
Gene just stood there looking dumb founded. Then Gene replied, “To bad I’m married.”
Jim’s eyes opened wide, “I don’t see a ring Gene.”
Gene mumbled, “It’s too dangerous to ware around the machinery.”
By the afternoon the Engine was assembled and strapped to a pallet.
Gene question, “When’s your truck coming back?”
Jim replied, “I thought she’d be back by now. Let me call her.”
Jim made the call and told Gene Suzy was ten minutes away. After Suzy arrived Gene loaded the Engine with the forklift, and Jim and Suzy were on their way.
At the farm Jim backed the truck in the shop, and used the crane to unload the Engine. Then they headed home.
Gene just smiled as he picked up the phone. They could hear Gene’s voice echo in the shop, “Tom would you bring the pallet with the Hercules Engine parts to the assembly room.”
Suzy slid the check across the counter as she questioned, “Would you geve me the keys to the truck Jim? I’m going to go see Oliver. Then to the horse trainer.”
Jim teased, “You sure you can drive that old Beast it’s a stick shift you know.”
Suzy gave Jim a look and demanded, “Please Jim.”
Jim set the keys on the counter and Suzy took then and left.
In the assembly room Gene instructed, “First we will use the swing crane to put the block on an engine stand. Then we’ll put in the cam bearings.”
Walking in the coin shop Oliver commented, “Good morning little lady. You sure look nice today, and I love that yellow dress. What’s up with that big truck? Is your car broke down?”
Suzy smiled, “Nope, the car’s just fine. I’m just using Jim’s truck today.”
Oliver went on, “I had a guy come yesterday with some old bills. I took them over to the computer to estimate their value, and the kid got all freaked out and took off out the door. Normally when that happens I call the cops, but the bills were from the 1860’s and 70’s. I checked the hot sheet, and the Police web page for pawn shops. There was nothing listed. That got me thinking maybe I’ll put them in the safe and see what happens.”
Oliver walked over and opened the safe door. Pulling out an envelope he walked back to the counter. Then set the envelope in front of Suzy and insisted, “Look at this.”
Suzy opened the envelope and peeked inside. Then she exclaimed, “Wow this one has a buffalo on it! Oh this one is cool too.”
Oliver laughed, “Yah just don’t burn your fingers. I’m sure it’s hot as hell, but until I know that for sure I’ll just leave then next to your stuff. I saved the security video just to cover my ass. You know not all money was good back then. The banks were allowed to print their own money, and if the bank failed the money became worthless. This however is printed by the US Mint, so it was good anywhere at any time.”
Suzy looked deep into Oliver’s eyes and questioned, “What would your 15 percent finder’s fee be?”
Taking the envelope Oliver walked back to the safe as he mumbled, “Let me see, there’s $165 in there and I paid nothing. 15 percent of nothing is you owe me a favor little lady.”
Suzy smiled, “I don’t even want to think what that’s going to cost me. I’ve got to go see my horse trainer. I think I’m getting good at handling a horse, and know what to look for when buying one.”
Seeing a car pull up Suzy added, “Looks like you have a customer Oliver.”
Oliver chuckled, “Could be, but you never know what will come through that door. After all you came through it.”
Suzy laughed as the door swung shut.
Suzy met her trainer Rick at the stables. Rick explained, “You’re a star student and it has been a pleasure working with you Suzy, but my time is done. Anything I haven’t taught you will come from experience. You’ll have to give that to yourself, so pick a horse and take a solo ride.”
Suzy replied, “I’ll take Rocket.”
Rick assured, “Oh the high spirited half wild thing. You go for it Girl. I’m sure you’ll do just fine. Well don’t just stand there get him saddled up. This isn’t a luxury hotel. You have to do things yourself around here.”
This was the day Suzy had worried about. To do something anyone could do in the 1800’s. Handling a horse back then was like opening a car door today. Just about anyone could do it.
Rick watched as Suzy rode off with her yellow dress and fire red hair blowing in the wind.
Back at Lambert Performance & Machine Gene questioned, “I noticed your wife signed her name White. Did she keep her maiden name?”
Jim replied, “Suzy’s not my wife. She’s my accountant.”
Gene inquired, “If she’s just your accountant. Why do you let her control every aspect of your life?”
Jim set the oil pan back on the bench and turned around. Taking a deep breath Jim explained, “When I met her I was a quarter million in debt. She paid that off and got me whatever I wanted. I was living off pot pies, and now she cooks me breakfast and dinner every day. She got me the shop, the truck, and even my clothes. Hell if she told me to jump I’d ask how high? She loves me that much as do I love her, but I can’t marry her.”
Gene proclaimed, “Damn if I were you I would marry her in a hot second. What’s wrong with you?”
Jim whispered, “She’s my cousin.”
Gene just stood there looking dumb founded. Then Gene replied, “To bad I’m married.”
Jim’s eyes opened wide, “I don’t see a ring Gene.”
Gene mumbled, “It’s too dangerous to ware around the machinery.”
By the afternoon the Engine was assembled and strapped to a pallet.
Gene question, “When’s your truck coming back?”
Jim replied, “I thought she’d be back by now. Let me call her.”
Jim made the call and told Gene Suzy was ten minutes away. After Suzy arrived Gene loaded the Engine with the forklift, and Jim and Suzy were on their way.
At the farm Jim backed the truck in the shop, and used the crane to unload the Engine. Then they headed home.
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Chapter Nine
Suzy was sitting in grandpa’s chair talking to Jim like every night. When Jim informed, “I think I’m going to half to layoff Steve. He has sandblasted about everything there is. It’s just put everything together and paint it. That’s the stuff I have to do myself.”
Suzy insisted, “No way am I letting you do that. We need Steve now more than ever. I need a lot of help getting the stuff I got ready, and I need someone to watch over you. I don’t want you putting all that heavy stuff on with the crane. Unless there is someone there to help you in case something happens. I’ll pay Steve to watch you work, and help me.”
Looking over Suzy saw Jim was fast asleep just like every night. Suzy thought, I hope he’s not working too hard. I better go to the farm with him tomorrow.
The next morning Suzy put on her work clothes, and grabbed her Peace Maker. Riding to the farm with Jim she questioned, “You ready to talk about what Autum had to say?”
Jim replied, “No, but I am ready to talk about what happened. You know we went half a day forward in time.”
Suzy spoke over the roar of the truck, “I know. Does that do anything for you?”
Jim acknowledged, “You bet it does. I now believe that it’s possible to travel through time. What Autum did kicked everything up a notch for me. The motor will be in the truck today.”
With the help of the overhead crane Jim had the motor bolted down by noon. Steve had finished sandblasting the last of the truck parts. Suzy insisted she take them out to lunch. Then after lunch she made Jim shoot his Peace Maker with her. Jim would shoot the can down low to make it fly in the air. Then Suzy would shoot the can as it flew. They enjoyed each other with laughing and trying to out shoot each other. Then Jim insisted it’s time to go back to work.
Steve had cleaned up the shop well Jim and Suzy had their shooting contest. Jim installed the radiator and hooked it up to the motor. Then he stepped back and looked at the frame with the motor in it and thought, Now we’re getting somewhere.
That night when Suzy was sitting in grandpa’s chair talking to Jim. Suzy went over her plan. “You know we’re going to half to pretend we’re man and wife. Share the same room and bed. Otherwise they will never let us share a room. The beds sucked back then, so I had a special bed made for us. I know you like shaving, so I think you should start using that Straight Razor. You’ll have to have that down by the time we go. How much longer do you think it will take for the truck?”
Jim replied. “I’ll paint the cab, gas tank, and running boards tomorrow. Then put them on the next day. Then I have to put in the wiring harness. That will take two or three days. After that its start the truck and put on the hood, fenders, and grille. All that’s left then is the box and canvas cover. I’d say about two or three weeks.”
Suzy exclaimed, “Oh no! I have to get going. I was thinking two months.”
Jim yawned, “I had you buy all new bolts and rubbers for everything. With the crane, air compressor, and fancy tools you got me it goes fast. The air Ratchet and Impact make things just fly together.”
The next morning Jim showed up at the table with bloody toilet paper stuck to his face. Suzy gasped, “What happen?”
Jim joked, “You know the Indians you see in the western movies? Well Chief Straight Razor is in our bathroom. I was lucky to get out with my life.
Suzy snickered, “Sorry Jim, but I got this. They had a barber in town back then, and I got a coffee can of Nickle’s. I think a shave was like 10 or 15¢. I notice you haven’t cut your hair yet, and it’s getting a little long.”
Jim replied, “Thangs just keep coming up, and I gave up on it. I thought it might fit in for the times. If not I could get it cut then.”
As the days went by Jim got the cab on the truck, and put in the wiring harness.
Then Gene came and helped Jim do the startup on the truck. Hearing the truck roar to life Jim felled with excitement. This was a turning point for Jim. He felt it was all downhill from here. A few days later the front wrap was on, and it was starting to look like a truck again.
Steve and Suzy took Jims truck and trailer. They went to Dave’s Custom Wood Working. Pulling in they saw Dave waiting for them. Meeting them at the truck Dave informed, “I put the wagon out back in case you wanted to take some pictures. Suzy took one look at the wagon and yelled, “Yes! Yes! Damn Dave that is perfect.”
Suzy took a picture as Steve exclaimed, “Wow Suzy that’s cool. When you told me we were gettin
g a Wagon I thought like a hay wagon. You know like to pull behind the tractor. I never would have thought of something like this.”
After taking a few pictures they loaded the bed in the Wagon, and put the wagon on the trailer. Back at the farm Suzy and Steve unloaded the wagon. Then they started getting the stuff out of the barn.
Suzy was sitting in grandpa’s chair talking to Jim like every night. When Jim informed, “I think I’m going to half to layoff Steve. He has sandblasted about everything there is. It’s just put everything together and paint it. That’s the stuff I have to do myself.”
Suzy insisted, “No way am I letting you do that. We need Steve now more than ever. I need a lot of help getting the stuff I got ready, and I need someone to watch over you. I don’t want you putting all that heavy stuff on with the crane. Unless there is someone there to help you in case something happens. I’ll pay Steve to watch you work, and help me.”
Looking over Suzy saw Jim was fast asleep just like every night. Suzy thought, I hope he’s not working too hard. I better go to the farm with him tomorrow.
The next morning Suzy put on her work clothes, and grabbed her Peace Maker. Riding to the farm with Jim she questioned, “You ready to talk about what Autum had to say?”
Jim replied, “No, but I am ready to talk about what happened. You know we went half a day forward in time.”
Suzy spoke over the roar of the truck, “I know. Does that do anything for you?”
Jim acknowledged, “You bet it does. I now believe that it’s possible to travel through time. What Autum did kicked everything up a notch for me. The motor will be in the truck today.”
With the help of the overhead crane Jim had the motor bolted down by noon. Steve had finished sandblasting the last of the truck parts. Suzy insisted she take them out to lunch. Then after lunch she made Jim shoot his Peace Maker with her. Jim would shoot the can down low to make it fly in the air. Then Suzy would shoot the can as it flew. They enjoyed each other with laughing and trying to out shoot each other. Then Jim insisted it’s time to go back to work.
Steve had cleaned up the shop well Jim and Suzy had their shooting contest. Jim installed the radiator and hooked it up to the motor. Then he stepped back and looked at the frame with the motor in it and thought, Now we’re getting somewhere.
That night when Suzy was sitting in grandpa’s chair talking to Jim. Suzy went over her plan. “You know we’re going to half to pretend we’re man and wife. Share the same room and bed. Otherwise they will never let us share a room. The beds sucked back then, so I had a special bed made for us. I know you like shaving, so I think you should start using that Straight Razor. You’ll have to have that down by the time we go. How much longer do you think it will take for the truck?”
Jim replied. “I’ll paint the cab, gas tank, and running boards tomorrow. Then put them on the next day. Then I have to put in the wiring harness. That will take two or three days. After that its start the truck and put on the hood, fenders, and grille. All that’s left then is the box and canvas cover. I’d say about two or three weeks.”
Suzy exclaimed, “Oh no! I have to get going. I was thinking two months.”
Jim yawned, “I had you buy all new bolts and rubbers for everything. With the crane, air compressor, and fancy tools you got me it goes fast. The air Ratchet and Impact make things just fly together.”
The next morning Jim showed up at the table with bloody toilet paper stuck to his face. Suzy gasped, “What happen?”
Jim joked, “You know the Indians you see in the western movies? Well Chief Straight Razor is in our bathroom. I was lucky to get out with my life.
Suzy snickered, “Sorry Jim, but I got this. They had a barber in town back then, and I got a coffee can of Nickle’s. I think a shave was like 10 or 15¢. I notice you haven’t cut your hair yet, and it’s getting a little long.”
Jim replied, “Thangs just keep coming up, and I gave up on it. I thought it might fit in for the times. If not I could get it cut then.”
As the days went by Jim got the cab on the truck, and put in the wiring harness.
Then Gene came and helped Jim do the startup on the truck. Hearing the truck roar to life Jim felled with excitement. This was a turning point for Jim. He felt it was all downhill from here. A few days later the front wrap was on, and it was starting to look like a truck again.
Steve and Suzy took Jims truck and trailer. They went to Dave’s Custom Wood Working. Pulling in they saw Dave waiting for them. Meeting them at the truck Dave informed, “I put the wagon out back in case you wanted to take some pictures. Suzy took one look at the wagon and yelled, “Yes! Yes! Damn Dave that is perfect.”
Suzy took a picture as Steve exclaimed, “Wow Suzy that’s cool. When you told me we were gettin
g a Wagon I thought like a hay wagon. You know like to pull behind the tractor. I never would have thought of something like this.”After taking a few pictures they loaded the bed in the Wagon, and put the wagon on the trailer. Back at the farm Suzy and Steve unloaded the wagon. Then they started getting the stuff out of the barn.
Siskiyoumom
Veteran Member
Very interesting story line. Thank you.
gonewacky
Veteran Member
They tried to load all the stuff on the Wagon, but it wouldn’t fit. They unloaded it and loaded it differently, but there steel seemed to be too much stuff. Suzy had Steve push the wagon into the barn and called it a day.
That night when Suzy was sitting in grandpa’s chair talking to Jim. Suzy went over her problem with the wagon. Jim teased her about buying too much stuff. Then he told Suzy he was ready to put the box on the truck. Then all that would be left was hook up the tail lights, and put the canvas on. Then he’d be done except for the seat. Witch he needed to get from Perfect Stitch.
Suzy sat strait up and yelled, “Oh shit! That’s the big crate in the bottom of the wagon. I’m sorry Jim. The seat is already there. I had Perfect Stitch deliver everything to Dave’s shop. Steve and I picked it up today.”
Jim snickered, “I guess that means your stuff will fit in the Wagon now?”
Suzy acknowledged, “Hell yah! Thanks Jim, but now I don’t know where the quilt, bedding, and fabric are.”
Jim mumbled, “I do. That crate’s in the shop. I thought it was truck parts. That is until I opened it this morning.”
Suzy questioned, “Why didn’t you say something Jim?”
Jim continued, “You and Steve seemed to be having a bad day, and I just didn’t want to bother you. Then I got busy and forgot. You know kind of out of sight out of mind thing.”
Suzy took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair. Then she went on, “I need to go see Oliver tomorrow, so I won’t ride with you in the morning. I don’t want Steve to touch a thing when I’m not there. I want him to sit and watch when you put the box on. You know just in case something happens. I’m sure everything will be fine, but you know how I worry. Is that OK with you?”
Jim moaned, “Sure.”
The next morning Suzy met Oliver as he was unlocking the door. Stepping through the door Suzy exclaimed, “I’m picking up my money today.”
Oliver made an about face and locked the door as he announced, “This is a private sale, and we don’t need anyone walking in on this.”
Then Oliver took Suzy around behind the counter to his sales desk. Then he went to the safe and spun the dial a few times. Cracking open the door he pulled a paper out and took it to the desk and announced, “This is what we have acquired to date. We have the 2,000 Nickels for $1,500, 30 Silver Dollars for $12,800, 100 Quarters for $30,000, 50 Dimes for $1,000, and 200 Penny’s for $2,200. For a total of $47.500 for a face value of $162 plus my commission of $7,125 which brings the grand total to $54,625. Leaving a balance of $5,375 of the $60,000 you gave me.”
Then he went to the safe and got the coffee can of Nickels. Dropping it on the desk with a thud Oliver exclaimed, “25 pounds of Nickels.”
Then he went to the safe and got a shoe box and set it on the desk. Oliver opened the lid winked and said, “12 pounds of the good stuff, and oh that envelope mist have fallen in there bring your total to $322 face value little lady.”
Suzy threw herself at Oliver wrapping her arms around him. Giving him a big kiss on the cheek Suzie whispered in his ear, “I love you old man.”
Oliver slipped away as he chastised, “OK that’s enough of that stuff little lady. Someone might see us through the window. You should be checking the shoe box. You know to make sure I’m not ripping you off.”
Suzy looked in the box and questioned, “Should I count the Nickels too?”
Oliver pulled open a desk drawer and pulled out a nickel plated 3.57. Zipped down his windbreaker and pushed the gun in a shoulder holster. Then insisted, “Let me walk you out to your car.”
Putting the lid on the shoe box Suzy question, “Can you get the coffee can Oliver?”
Oliver picked up the can and walked to the door. Holding the can under one arm he unlocked the door. Suzy popped open the trunk and put in the shoe box. Oliver set the coffee can next to it. Then he questioned, “You want me to mail you a check for the rest of the money, or will you come in to pick it up?”
Suzy looked Oliver in the eye and said, “Tip, I can’t spend it where I’m going.”
Then she jumped in her car and left Oliver standing in the parking lot. A tear slipped down his cheek as he whispered, “Love you too little lady.”
Arriving at the farm Suzy found Jim had the box on the truck, and he was bolting it down. Looking to Steve she announced, “Let’s go Steve. Let’s get the wagon out of the barn and unload it.”
As they were unloading the Wagon Steve took Suzy’s arm and pulled her to the side of the Wagon and whispered, “Don’t look but there’s a crow watching us. I noticed it yesterday, but I thought it was just me. It’s watching us I’m sure of it.”
Suzy looked at Steve and insisted, “Let’s go in the shop.”
In the shop with the door closed Suzy called Malinda.
Malinda answered, “This is Malinda.”
Suzy questioned, “You got a minute?”
Malinda replied, “Sure go ahead.”
Suzy explained, “I have a crow watching us. Is this bad?”
Malinda questioned, “You want the good news or the bad news first?”
Suzy took a deep breath, “Give me the bad news.”
Malinda went on, “Well the bad news is it could be the Witch. You see Witches have an extensive knowledge of nature, including animals, so much so that they even managed to discover their magical qualities and used them to their advantage in different ways. As for the crow, the crow’s spirit can fly between the world of the living and that of the dead, probably because of their habit of scavenging dead things. Witches have crows because they see them as a kind of spiritual guide through the world of the dead. Witches generally perform binding spells with the help of birds.
Now the good news is it could be Autum. The black crow can bring a message from a departed loved one; it is a profound confirmation and symbol of "REBIRTH." Loved ones use the crow to tell us they are dwelling in the past, the present, and the future, all at the same time. Their message is beautiful and crystal clear.”
Suzy gasped, “Oh crap! How do I tell witch it is?”
Malinda went on, “You’ll just half to keep one eye on it. If the Crow is bad you’ll know it, but I think it’s a guide sent by Autum. You must be close to trying to go there.”
Suzy replied, “For sure Malinda we’re days away.”
Malinda questioned, “Anything else or are we done here.”
Suzy informed, “Nope that was it.”
Malinda ended with, “Have a safe trip.”
Steve questioned, “Well what did she say?”
Jim rolled out from under the truck and announced, “She said get back to work.”
Suzy replied, “Yep, back to work. That’s what she said alright.”
With that taken care of Suzy and Steve finished unloading the Wagon. Then Suzy had Steve take the crate with the seat in the shop, and they loaded the wagon again. Suzy had Steve measure the load twice and questioned. “You sure it will fit in the back of the truck?”
Steve replied, “I’d bet my pay on it. If we take off the wheels and put them on top it will go.”
Suzy took pictures as they unload it, so they could put it back the same way on the truck. Then she had Steve put the Wagon back in the barn, and stack the stuff in the shop. After that she sent Steve home for the day.
In the shop Jim was sitting in the truck. Suzy climbed up in the passenger side and shut the door. Jim looked at her and sighed, “Done.”
Suzy smiled and explained. “I have a problem. I have over fifty thousand in the trunk of my car. I’m scared to do anything with it. I don’t want to leave it here, and I don’t want to take it home. Heaven forbid I’m not leaving it in the car.”
Jim leaned his head back and whispered, “I thought I would be all excited and drive the truck off into the sunset or something, but it’s nothing like that. It’s more like boy I’m glad that’s done. What about you?”
Suzy insisted, “I can’t get the lid back on the beehive, and the train is going too fast.”
Jim snickered. Then he burst out laughing, “Whatever it is you got it’s bad. Remember you got that box over there you had made. Do you even have a lock for it?”
Suzy assured, “You bet I paid $300 for it. The lock is in the box. Do you want a key?”
Jim insisted, “I promised you this was not for the money. I’m not going back on that.”
Suzy replied, “That don’t fix my problem. It just moves it from the trunk to the box. I need to know what we should do with it.”
Jim popped his door open and looked at Suzy. She opened her door and followed Jim to the car. After opening the trunk Suzy took the top off the shoe box. Picking up the envelope she insisted, “Look in here Jim.”
Thumbing through the bills Jim confessed, “I like the one with the Buffalo on it.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Jim looked at all the old money in the Shoe box, as Suzy explained, “There is $160 in coin’s here and it cost me over $50,000. Then there is another $160 in paper money that Oliver gave us. It might sound like a lot, but it’s only about a year’s worth of wages in 1874.”
Jim picked up the coffee can, “Damn this is heavy. What is this?”
Suzy disclosed, “It’s your shaving money. It’s all nickels in the coffee can. I think you can get a shave from the barber for 5 or 10 ¢.”
Suzy put the top back on the shoe box, and took it inside followed by Jim with the coffee can. Opening the box she had made she put in the shoe box and removed the lock. Jim insisted, “This can isn’t going to fit in there. You had the box made to small.”
Suzy growled, “Just take off the lid and dump them in Jim.”
Jim dumped the nickels in the box. Then Suzy locked the box, and handed Jim a key as she questioned, “Now what do we do with the box?”
Jim insisted, you grab the handle on that side and I’ll take the one on this side. Then we put it on the floor on the passenger side of the truck. Jim opened the door on the truck and took one handle.
Jim complained, “Oh hell you had to have this thing made out of steel. I should have used the crane,”
Suzy scolded, “Quit your wining Jim. Just be thankful I didn’t have it made the size of a steamer trunk.”
Jim grunted swinging his end to the floor of the truck, and helped Suzy slide the box in. Then Jim exclaimed, “That has got to weigh 100 pounds. I think it’s safe in there if we guard it, so I’ll sleep in the cab of the truck with my gun. You can sleep on your mattress with your quilt, and put your peace maker under your pillow.”
Suzy snapped back, “That won’t work! I can’t talk you to sleep that way. It’s not happening that way. I say we bring the mattress and springs over here next to the truck and we both sleep next to the truck.”
Jim knew once Suzy got something in her head she would never give up, so he gave in and did it her way. After the bed was made up Jim opened the shops little refrigerator and informed, “All I have in here is some burritos and a bottle of champagne. I was saving the champagne for when we were done, and the truck’s not loaded yet.”
Suzy replied. “Well put two of the burritos in the microwave, and get our coffee cups by the coffee pot. Pop the cork on the champagne and will celebrate finishing the truck.”
Jim and Suzy ate and drank champagne. They joked, laughed, started the truck, blew the horn, and revved the engine. Suzy sat on Jim’s lap bouncing up and down moving the steering wheel back and forth yelling, “We did it grandpa the dream is coming true.
The next morning Steve pulled into the farm and saw Jim’s truck. He went to the shop door and tried the handle, and found the door was locked. He pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked the door. Jim’s arm was under Suzy, and she had her head on Jim’s shoulder when they heard the door open.
They both scrambled for the peace makers, as they sat straight up in bed. Steve stepped in the door and threw his hands up in the air dropping the key. Stepping backwards out the door Steve exclaimed, “I’ll give you a minute. I’ll just be out here.”
Jim and Suzy looked at each other and smiled as they flopped back on the mattress. Suzy proclaimed, “Shit! We could have shot Steve.”
Jim moaned, “You know the springs squeak.”
Suzy complained, “Hell Jim we just about killed someone and all you can say is the springs squeak.”
Jim mumbled, “Did you make the coffee yet. You always make the coffee in the morning.”
Suzy got up and started the coffee maker as she explained, “You know the percolator over there with our stuff takes about twenty minutes to make coffee.”
Steve looked up at the crow and waved. The crow took flight and landed at Steve’s feet. Then walked in the shop and flew up on top the truck. Suzy looked up and said, “Well good morning.”
The crow squawked back at Suzy.
Suzy answered, “It’s nice to see you too.”
With his boots on Jim went out to see Steve.
Steve blurted, “You slept in your clothes last night.”
Jim replied, “No I passed out in my clothes last night. We drank a bottle of champagne last night to celebrate finishing the truck. The last thing I remember I was sitting in the truck, and Suzy was driving off into cartoon land.”
Steve snickered, “Oh that’s what’s going on. That explains a lot. You don’t want to know what I was thinking.”
Suzy came out not looking much better than Jim. Her work clothes were all wrinkled and her hair was all messed up as she announced, “Enough coffee has run through so you can steal a cup. Then we can load the wagon and all the stuff on the truck, and I’ll take us out to breakfast in the truck.”
Jim went in and opened up the rollup door. Then he pulled out the truck and turned it so the back was pointing to the barn. Then he helped Steve pull the wagon from the barn. Jim commented, “The wagon pulls easier than I thought.”
Steve replied, “That’s what I thought when I pushed it in last night. I think it’s the big wheels, and it’s not that heavy compared to a car.”
Looking at the wagon Jim questioned, “I think we’re going to have to take the tongue off.”
Steve replied. “There’s a toolbox built in in the front. It’s where you would put your feet if driving. I found it the day we picked it up.”
Suzy informed, “It’s called the Jockey box.”
Jim pulled out a wrench and exclaimed, “Wow a hand forged wrench. I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Suzy bragged, “The guy I commissioned hammered all the tools out on an anvil. He made a complete set for every nut and bolt on the wagon. He also told me that the head of every bolt is a different size than the nut. That’s so that you don’t need two of the same size wrenches.”
Jim chuckled, “They don’t make things like that anymore. Steve, let’s get two of the planks alongside the barn, and lean them against the bed of the truck. Then we can push the wagon axel up against it until the wheels come off the ground. Take off the wheels and slide the wagon in.”
Steve replied, “Sounds like a plan.”
Then that is what they did. When the axel hit the planks Jim used a two by four as a lever, and slid the wagon up until the wheels were off the ground. Then Jim took off the wheels and Steve took off the tongue. After handing the tongue out to Jim Steve climbed over the wagon, and out of the truck.
Next they pushed the wagon until the backend popped up. Then they took off the back wheels. Now they pushed as hard as they could, but it wasn’t working. Suzy came and help push, but that wasn’t much better. Then the crow landed on the back of the wagon and it slid right in. Once it was in the truck the crow flew back to the tree.
Suzy disclosed, “Did you see that?”
Jim declared, “I don’t care how that happened. I’m just glad it’s in there.”
With a bewildered look Steve questioned, “Did I miss something?”
Suzy said, “No Steve, Jim just can’t believe how strong I am.”
Then they started loading all the stuff on the wagon. Steve climbed up in the back of the truck then in the wagon. Suzy looked at the pictures on her phone, and pointed out what went on the truck. Jim took it to Steve and he stacked it in the wagon. Steve had to get out and help with a few big and heavy things, but soon they were down to the mattress and wagon wheels.
Soon Jim was tying down the canvas flap on the back of the truck. Then he turned to Steve and questioned, “You can follow us to town then have the rest of the day off.”
Suzy came out of the shop with her messenger bag, as Jim put down the rollup door and locked the other door. Pulling a folder from her messenger bag Suzy handed it to Steve and informed, “Everything you need to run the farm is in there. It has the information on the combine I rented for the harvest. You have the agreement with Jack for the semi-truck to put the grain in. There is information on how to get paid at the bank. I want you to ride with Jack to take in the wheat, and keep track of the scales receipts. You’re in charge of the harvest. If you don’t think you can do it tell me now.”
Steve assured, “I can do this. Don’t worry about a thing.”
With that Suzy went over and got up in the truck. Sliding in she looked at Jim and complained, “What the hell Jim you forgot to put in the seatbelts.”
Jim just smiled, “Didn’t have them back then.”
Suzy mumbled, “Great!”
Jim put the truck in gear and after a few jerks. They were rolling down the driveway with the crow following them. Jim put the truck in high range and started down the road. Soon they were humming along at the top speed of 45 mph. Then they were going around Connors corner and down the hill and over the creek. Going into town Jim stopped at the gas station. Suzy got out and put her bank card in the pump, as Jim opened a bottle and poured it into the tank.
Suzy questioned, “What’s that stuff?”
Jim replied, “STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer it eliminates the need to drain the fuel prior to storage. It keeps fuel fresh for up to two years. It’s for things you only use once in a while.”
Suzy replied, “The pump is ready. Go ahead and fill it up.”
Jim was pumping the gas when Steve walked up and informed, “You know that crazy bird followed you here. It’s on top of the gas sign now.”
Jim looked up and sure enough there it was.
Suzy questioned, “You going to eat with us Steve?
Steve replied, “No, I just think I’ll go home.”
Suzy smiled and waved as Steve turned around and walked away. After getting gas Jim and Suzy went to breakfast followed by the crow. Jim parked in front of the restaurant and the bird landed on top of the truck. At the restaurant Suzy got back on her paranoia kick about the money, so she took out her phone and ordered the food. Jim went in and picked it up, and they ate in the truck. Then they sat there and talked about what to do.
Suzy informed, “I haven’t had a dream with Autum for over a week. How about you Jim have you heard from Autum?”
Jim replied, “Not in a long time. The last time was the nightmare.”
Suzy went on, “I wonder when the crow showed up. I think that was the last time I got anything from her. I don’t know how this is supposed to happen. I guess we just head back. Maybe we forgot something?”
They went out of town and down the hill to the creek. Suzy took the wedding band from her pocket and pit it on her finger. Then there was a bright flash as the bird landed on the back of the truck.
Jim picked up the coffee can, “Damn this is heavy. What is this?”
Suzy disclosed, “It’s your shaving money. It’s all nickels in the coffee can. I think you can get a shave from the barber for 5 or 10 ¢.”
Suzy put the top back on the shoe box, and took it inside followed by Jim with the coffee can. Opening the box she had made she put in the shoe box and removed the lock. Jim insisted, “This can isn’t going to fit in there. You had the box made to small.”
Suzy growled, “Just take off the lid and dump them in Jim.”
Jim dumped the nickels in the box. Then Suzy locked the box, and handed Jim a key as she questioned, “Now what do we do with the box?”
Jim insisted, you grab the handle on that side and I’ll take the one on this side. Then we put it on the floor on the passenger side of the truck. Jim opened the door on the truck and took one handle.
Jim complained, “Oh hell you had to have this thing made out of steel. I should have used the crane,”
Suzy scolded, “Quit your wining Jim. Just be thankful I didn’t have it made the size of a steamer trunk.”
Jim grunted swinging his end to the floor of the truck, and helped Suzy slide the box in. Then Jim exclaimed, “That has got to weigh 100 pounds. I think it’s safe in there if we guard it, so I’ll sleep in the cab of the truck with my gun. You can sleep on your mattress with your quilt, and put your peace maker under your pillow.”
Suzy snapped back, “That won’t work! I can’t talk you to sleep that way. It’s not happening that way. I say we bring the mattress and springs over here next to the truck and we both sleep next to the truck.”
Jim knew once Suzy got something in her head she would never give up, so he gave in and did it her way. After the bed was made up Jim opened the shops little refrigerator and informed, “All I have in here is some burritos and a bottle of champagne. I was saving the champagne for when we were done, and the truck’s not loaded yet.”
Suzy replied. “Well put two of the burritos in the microwave, and get our coffee cups by the coffee pot. Pop the cork on the champagne and will celebrate finishing the truck.”
Jim and Suzy ate and drank champagne. They joked, laughed, started the truck, blew the horn, and revved the engine. Suzy sat on Jim’s lap bouncing up and down moving the steering wheel back and forth yelling, “We did it grandpa the dream is coming true.
The next morning Steve pulled into the farm and saw Jim’s truck. He went to the shop door and tried the handle, and found the door was locked. He pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked the door. Jim’s arm was under Suzy, and she had her head on Jim’s shoulder when they heard the door open.
They both scrambled for the peace makers, as they sat straight up in bed. Steve stepped in the door and threw his hands up in the air dropping the key. Stepping backwards out the door Steve exclaimed, “I’ll give you a minute. I’ll just be out here.”
Jim and Suzy looked at each other and smiled as they flopped back on the mattress. Suzy proclaimed, “Shit! We could have shot Steve.”
Jim moaned, “You know the springs squeak.”
Suzy complained, “Hell Jim we just about killed someone and all you can say is the springs squeak.”
Jim mumbled, “Did you make the coffee yet. You always make the coffee in the morning.”
Suzy got up and started the coffee maker as she explained, “You know the percolator over there with our stuff takes about twenty minutes to make coffee.”
Steve looked up at the crow and waved. The crow took flight and landed at Steve’s feet. Then walked in the shop and flew up on top the truck. Suzy looked up and said, “Well good morning.”
The crow squawked back at Suzy.
Suzy answered, “It’s nice to see you too.”
With his boots on Jim went out to see Steve.
Steve blurted, “You slept in your clothes last night.”
Jim replied, “No I passed out in my clothes last night. We drank a bottle of champagne last night to celebrate finishing the truck. The last thing I remember I was sitting in the truck, and Suzy was driving off into cartoon land.”
Steve snickered, “Oh that’s what’s going on. That explains a lot. You don’t want to know what I was thinking.”
Suzy came out not looking much better than Jim. Her work clothes were all wrinkled and her hair was all messed up as she announced, “Enough coffee has run through so you can steal a cup. Then we can load the wagon and all the stuff on the truck, and I’ll take us out to breakfast in the truck.”
Jim went in and opened up the rollup door. Then he pulled out the truck and turned it so the back was pointing to the barn. Then he helped Steve pull the wagon from the barn. Jim commented, “The wagon pulls easier than I thought.”
Steve replied, “That’s what I thought when I pushed it in last night. I think it’s the big wheels, and it’s not that heavy compared to a car.”
Looking at the wagon Jim questioned, “I think we’re going to have to take the tongue off.”
Steve replied. “There’s a toolbox built in in the front. It’s where you would put your feet if driving. I found it the day we picked it up.”
Suzy informed, “It’s called the Jockey box.”
Jim pulled out a wrench and exclaimed, “Wow a hand forged wrench. I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Suzy bragged, “The guy I commissioned hammered all the tools out on an anvil. He made a complete set for every nut and bolt on the wagon. He also told me that the head of every bolt is a different size than the nut. That’s so that you don’t need two of the same size wrenches.”
Jim chuckled, “They don’t make things like that anymore. Steve, let’s get two of the planks alongside the barn, and lean them against the bed of the truck. Then we can push the wagon axel up against it until the wheels come off the ground. Take off the wheels and slide the wagon in.”
Steve replied, “Sounds like a plan.”
Then that is what they did. When the axel hit the planks Jim used a two by four as a lever, and slid the wagon up until the wheels were off the ground. Then Jim took off the wheels and Steve took off the tongue. After handing the tongue out to Jim Steve climbed over the wagon, and out of the truck.
Next they pushed the wagon until the backend popped up. Then they took off the back wheels. Now they pushed as hard as they could, but it wasn’t working. Suzy came and help push, but that wasn’t much better. Then the crow landed on the back of the wagon and it slid right in. Once it was in the truck the crow flew back to the tree.
Suzy disclosed, “Did you see that?”
Jim declared, “I don’t care how that happened. I’m just glad it’s in there.”
With a bewildered look Steve questioned, “Did I miss something?”
Suzy said, “No Steve, Jim just can’t believe how strong I am.”
Then they started loading all the stuff on the wagon. Steve climbed up in the back of the truck then in the wagon. Suzy looked at the pictures on her phone, and pointed out what went on the truck. Jim took it to Steve and he stacked it in the wagon. Steve had to get out and help with a few big and heavy things, but soon they were down to the mattress and wagon wheels.
Soon Jim was tying down the canvas flap on the back of the truck. Then he turned to Steve and questioned, “You can follow us to town then have the rest of the day off.”
Suzy came out of the shop with her messenger bag, as Jim put down the rollup door and locked the other door. Pulling a folder from her messenger bag Suzy handed it to Steve and informed, “Everything you need to run the farm is in there. It has the information on the combine I rented for the harvest. You have the agreement with Jack for the semi-truck to put the grain in. There is information on how to get paid at the bank. I want you to ride with Jack to take in the wheat, and keep track of the scales receipts. You’re in charge of the harvest. If you don’t think you can do it tell me now.”
Steve assured, “I can do this. Don’t worry about a thing.”
With that Suzy went over and got up in the truck. Sliding in she looked at Jim and complained, “What the hell Jim you forgot to put in the seatbelts.”
Jim just smiled, “Didn’t have them back then.”
Suzy mumbled, “Great!”
Jim put the truck in gear and after a few jerks. They were rolling down the driveway with the crow following them. Jim put the truck in high range and started down the road. Soon they were humming along at the top speed of 45 mph. Then they were going around Connors corner and down the hill and over the creek. Going into town Jim stopped at the gas station. Suzy got out and put her bank card in the pump, as Jim opened a bottle and poured it into the tank.
Suzy questioned, “What’s that stuff?”
Jim replied, “STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer it eliminates the need to drain the fuel prior to storage. It keeps fuel fresh for up to two years. It’s for things you only use once in a while.”
Suzy replied, “The pump is ready. Go ahead and fill it up.”
Jim was pumping the gas when Steve walked up and informed, “You know that crazy bird followed you here. It’s on top of the gas sign now.”
Jim looked up and sure enough there it was.
Suzy questioned, “You going to eat with us Steve?
Steve replied, “No, I just think I’ll go home.”
Suzy smiled and waved as Steve turned around and walked away. After getting gas Jim and Suzy went to breakfast followed by the crow. Jim parked in front of the restaurant and the bird landed on top of the truck. At the restaurant Suzy got back on her paranoia kick about the money, so she took out her phone and ordered the food. Jim went in and picked it up, and they ate in the truck. Then they sat there and talked about what to do.
Suzy informed, “I haven’t had a dream with Autum for over a week. How about you Jim have you heard from Autum?”
Jim replied, “Not in a long time. The last time was the nightmare.”
Suzy went on, “I wonder when the crow showed up. I think that was the last time I got anything from her. I don’t know how this is supposed to happen. I guess we just head back. Maybe we forgot something?”
They went out of town and down the hill to the creek. Suzy took the wedding band from her pocket and pit it on her finger. Then there was a bright flash as the bird landed on the back of the truck.
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Chapter Ten
The next thing Jim knew the truck was bouncing all over the place. Jim yelled, “Oh crap! I ran off the road! Hang on!”
Jim pushed on the break as the truck went over a bump making him push his foot down hard on the pedal. This slung Jim over the steering-wheel up on the dash. Then he fell on Suzy on the other side of the truck. With his left hand hanging on to the steering-wheel. Jim pulled himself back over to the driver’s seat. Finally Jim brought the truck to a stop.
Looking at Suzy up against the dash Jim question, “You all right?”
Suzy replied, “I think so. I told you we needed seatbelts!”
Jim insisted, “Give me a moment I think I ran off the road, and that damn crow is on the hood looking at us.”
Suzy rolled onto the seat and pulled herself up. Then she looked at the crow and out the side mirror. With a gasp Suzy exclaimed, “Jim, look in your side mirror. We ran off a dirt road, and the bridge is gone. Now the dirt road just runs in one side of the creek and out the other side.”
Jim just sat there looking at the crow. Suzy question, “Are you all right Jim? You don’t look so good.”
Jim insisted, “The lid flew off the beehive, and the train is going too fast to jump. I don’t want to believe what just happen. This can’t be true. I feel drugged or something. Please tell me we didn’t just jump through time.”
Suzy assured, “I think that’s just what happened. We just went some ware for sure. Suzy pulled her phone from her messenger bag. She tried to turn it on, but it didn’t work. She revealed, “Well my phone doesn’t work whatever that means.”
Just then the crow squawked and flew over to a tree by the creek. It flew back and squawked again. Then the crow flew back to the tree. Suzy insisted, “I think it wants us to follow it.”
Jim slipped the truck into low range as he exclaimed, “What the hell I guess there’s no turning back now. Let’s do this.”
Jim turned the truck around and headed across the field to the tree. As he got close the crow flew to another tree downstream. This went on for about a mile or so. Then they came to a flat spot. That was next to a place that dipped down into a low flat spot surrounded by trees. The crow landed on the ground and squawked.
Jim questioned, “Do you think this is the spot?”
Suzy replied, “Looks like the crow thinks it is, and that spot down there looks great for hiding the truck.”
Jim turned off the truck and got out. Suzy walked around the front of the truck and sat on the running board. Looking around Jim exclaimed, “It smells like rain to me. What do you think Suzy?”
Jim sat next to Suzy on the running board as she agreed, “I think it looks like rain by the clouds too. You know it’s kind of tight with both of us sitting on this running board, but it feels good right now.”
Jim whispered, “I’m a little scared and I need you now. I don’t know what to do. We’re in the middle of nowhere and I don’t even know what day it is. I don’t want to get all the stuff out and have it start raining.”
Suzy put her arm over Jim’s shoulder and whispered, “We got this Jim. I’ve been preparing for this the whole time. That’s why the wheels for the wagon are on top the cover, and the bed and springs are under that. We take out the wheels and we have the cover to use for a tarp. Then we can sleep on the bed on top of everything. The truck has the canvas cover on it and it will be like sleeping in a tent.
I’ve got some trail mix I made up, and it’s easy to get to. Tomorrow we can go buy a team in Lambert. I know its three miles to the bridge and we’re about a mile down the creek. That means a four or five mile walk at the most. We can do that, but we’ll have to change into our 1800’s clothes first. Oh and we can’t forget the harnesses for the horses.”
Jim confessed, “Wow you got this down. I never would have been that prepared.”
Suzy continued, “You didn’t have to. I told you from the day we thought this could happen this was my job. You just had to build the truck. That should have had seatbelts, and that’s what you did. I’m so thankful to have you Jim. You will never know what you have done for me. I’m the only family you have and you’re the only family I have.”
Jim stood up and looked at where they came from. Seeing the tire tracks in the tall grass made him worry. Suzy looked at Jim and asked, “What’s the matter Jim?”
Jim replied, “It’s the tire tracks. If someone sees them and follows them they lead right to the truck. You don’t have to be much of a tracker to follow this truck.”
Suzy requested, “What do you think we should do Jim.”
Jim replied, “I need to think about it.”
Then Jim felt a rain drop and exclaimed, “We better get the wheels unloaded.”
Jim undid the flap on the back of the truck cover. Then he climbed up and slid out the first wagon wheel. He lowered it to the ground, and Suzy rolled it over by a tree. By the time Jim got out the last wheel it was lightly raining. Suzy ran and jumped in the truck. Jim followed her, and started the truck.
Turning on the heater Jim exclaimed, “I think it dropped ten degrees when the rain started. We need to keep as dry as possible. Bad things happen when you’re cold and wet.”
Suzy explained, “Especially in this time. If we get sick then what? There is no Doctor for only God knows how far. Drug stores are nonexistent in this time. All they have is some Elixirs, Tonics and snake oils on the shelf at the store, and most of them didn’t work. The only drugs in most of them were morphine, and alcohol. I guess you don’t know you’re sick if you’re stoned or drunk. I do have a secret stash of Tylenol, Aspirin, Naproxen, antacid tablets, and a few others. We still need to be careful around sick people.”
Jim bragged, “Suzy I love you more and more, and feel lucky to have you. I never could have been this prepared.”
Suzy boasted, “I know, guys fix things and girls talk about things. Guys call it gossip, but to girls it’s knowledge. We just don’t look at life the same, but you and I understand that. That’s why we get along so well, because you do your thing and I do my thing. That’s why we’re here, and why we can do this. We got this Jim, and I love you too.”
Suzy laid on the seat with her head on Jim’s lap. Jim just stared out the truck window thinking. He was feeling better knowing they were so well prepared, but his emotional state was on a roller coaster ride. Accepting the fact they just did the impossible and went through time. He thought he could be losing touch with reality, and this is all a mythical place existing only in his imagination.
Looking down at Suzy Jim thought, You’re like the sun in the summer sky. You give me that warm feeling all over. When I have indecision you’re there to help me make a decision. No matter what I need you’re there for me just like Autum. You’re so much like Autum you’ll never know. You tell me that Autum tells you to do this and that in your dreams, but I know it’s you. It has to be you, or has this time jump scrambled my mind. Oh shit I have to get my thoughts together.
Jim turned off the truck, and Suzy sat up on the seat. Looking at Jim she questioned, “Is everything all right?”
Jim replied, “Sure, are you dry yet? I know you were out there in the rain the whole time. Most of the time, I was under the cover on the back of the truck. I have no way to tell what time it is, but I think it’s getting late. I don’t know if the clouds are making it darker, or it’s turning to night.”
Suzy reasoned, “Maybe we should go back and make our bed before it gets to dark.”
Jim replied. “Sounds like a plan.”
They got out and ran to the back of the truck. Then they crawled under the canvas. They worked their way to the other end of the truck bed. Then they started rolling the cover for the wagon up. They rolled it like a rug until it was past the end of the mattress.
Then Suzy explained, “We need to drop the tailgate so I can get the guns and quilt.”
Jim whined, “So I have to go back in the rain.”
Suzy replied, “Not if I hold up the flap like an awning, and you put the stuff next to me.”
After retrieving everything Jim closed the tailgate, and slid back up on the mattress. Laying back and taking a deep breath Jim heard the rain pick up. It was pouring now and drops pounded on the canvas like a drum.
Suzy commented, “It’s noisy in here. I hope it don’t rain for days.”
Jim revealed, “There’s no way to know. Hell, we don’t even know what time of year it is. Spring, summer, fall, or winter, we just don’t know. For all we know it could snow tomorrow.”
Suzy snapped back, “I should slap you for even using that word Jim.”
Jim was quiet for a while then fell asleep. Then he woke up to the boom of thunder. He was shivering and Suzy was cuddled up next to him. Jim rolled over to face Suzy and cuddled up as close as he could. Then he heard another Boom louder than before. Then there was a tink and another tink. Hell was hitting the roof of the truck cab. Then it opened up and thunder cracked in the air as the pounding of the hell echoed around them.
Suzy squeezed Jim tight as she whispered. “It’s cold.”
Jim slipped down and rolled the wagon cover up over the quilt, and cuddled up as close as he could to Suzy. The storm raged on for what seemed like hours keeping Jim awake. Finally Jim drifted off to sleep. Then he heard the crow squawking, and thought, Damn thing thinks it’s a rooster.
Jim rolled on his back and rubbed his eyes. Suzy moaned, “What a hell of a night. I’m glad that’s over with.”
Jim slipped down to the foot of the bed and looked out the flap. The sun was just coming up over the top of the trees, and he didn’t see a cloud in the sky.
The next thing Jim knew the truck was bouncing all over the place. Jim yelled, “Oh crap! I ran off the road! Hang on!”Jim pushed on the break as the truck went over a bump making him push his foot down hard on the pedal. This slung Jim over the steering-wheel up on the dash. Then he fell on Suzy on the other side of the truck. With his left hand hanging on to the steering-wheel. Jim pulled himself back over to the driver’s seat. Finally Jim brought the truck to a stop.
Looking at Suzy up against the dash Jim question, “You all right?”
Suzy replied, “I think so. I told you we needed seatbelts!”
Jim insisted, “Give me a moment I think I ran off the road, and that damn crow is on the hood looking at us.”
Suzy rolled onto the seat and pulled herself up. Then she looked at the crow and out the side mirror. With a gasp Suzy exclaimed, “Jim, look in your side mirror. We ran off a dirt road, and the bridge is gone. Now the dirt road just runs in one side of the creek and out the other side.”
Jim just sat there looking at the crow. Suzy question, “Are you all right Jim? You don’t look so good.”
Jim insisted, “The lid flew off the beehive, and the train is going too fast to jump. I don’t want to believe what just happen. This can’t be true. I feel drugged or something. Please tell me we didn’t just jump through time.”
Suzy assured, “I think that’s just what happened. We just went some ware for sure. Suzy pulled her phone from her messenger bag. She tried to turn it on, but it didn’t work. She revealed, “Well my phone doesn’t work whatever that means.”
Just then the crow squawked and flew over to a tree by the creek. It flew back and squawked again. Then the crow flew back to the tree. Suzy insisted, “I think it wants us to follow it.”
Jim slipped the truck into low range as he exclaimed, “What the hell I guess there’s no turning back now. Let’s do this.”
Jim turned the truck around and headed across the field to the tree. As he got close the crow flew to another tree downstream. This went on for about a mile or so. Then they came to a flat spot. That was next to a place that dipped down into a low flat spot surrounded by trees. The crow landed on the ground and squawked.
Jim questioned, “Do you think this is the spot?”
Suzy replied, “Looks like the crow thinks it is, and that spot down there looks great for hiding the truck.”
Jim turned off the truck and got out. Suzy walked around the front of the truck and sat on the running board. Looking around Jim exclaimed, “It smells like rain to me. What do you think Suzy?”
Jim sat next to Suzy on the running board as she agreed, “I think it looks like rain by the clouds too. You know it’s kind of tight with both of us sitting on this running board, but it feels good right now.”
Jim whispered, “I’m a little scared and I need you now. I don’t know what to do. We’re in the middle of nowhere and I don’t even know what day it is. I don’t want to get all the stuff out and have it start raining.”
Suzy put her arm over Jim’s shoulder and whispered, “We got this Jim. I’ve been preparing for this the whole time. That’s why the wheels for the wagon are on top the cover, and the bed and springs are under that. We take out the wheels and we have the cover to use for a tarp. Then we can sleep on the bed on top of everything. The truck has the canvas cover on it and it will be like sleeping in a tent.
I’ve got some trail mix I made up, and it’s easy to get to. Tomorrow we can go buy a team in Lambert. I know its three miles to the bridge and we’re about a mile down the creek. That means a four or five mile walk at the most. We can do that, but we’ll have to change into our 1800’s clothes first. Oh and we can’t forget the harnesses for the horses.”
Jim confessed, “Wow you got this down. I never would have been that prepared.”
Suzy continued, “You didn’t have to. I told you from the day we thought this could happen this was my job. You just had to build the truck. That should have had seatbelts, and that’s what you did. I’m so thankful to have you Jim. You will never know what you have done for me. I’m the only family you have and you’re the only family I have.”
Jim stood up and looked at where they came from. Seeing the tire tracks in the tall grass made him worry. Suzy looked at Jim and asked, “What’s the matter Jim?”
Jim replied, “It’s the tire tracks. If someone sees them and follows them they lead right to the truck. You don’t have to be much of a tracker to follow this truck.”
Suzy requested, “What do you think we should do Jim.”
Jim replied, “I need to think about it.”
Then Jim felt a rain drop and exclaimed, “We better get the wheels unloaded.”
Jim undid the flap on the back of the truck cover. Then he climbed up and slid out the first wagon wheel. He lowered it to the ground, and Suzy rolled it over by a tree. By the time Jim got out the last wheel it was lightly raining. Suzy ran and jumped in the truck. Jim followed her, and started the truck.
Turning on the heater Jim exclaimed, “I think it dropped ten degrees when the rain started. We need to keep as dry as possible. Bad things happen when you’re cold and wet.”
Suzy explained, “Especially in this time. If we get sick then what? There is no Doctor for only God knows how far. Drug stores are nonexistent in this time. All they have is some Elixirs, Tonics and snake oils on the shelf at the store, and most of them didn’t work. The only drugs in most of them were morphine, and alcohol. I guess you don’t know you’re sick if you’re stoned or drunk. I do have a secret stash of Tylenol, Aspirin, Naproxen, antacid tablets, and a few others. We still need to be careful around sick people.”
Jim bragged, “Suzy I love you more and more, and feel lucky to have you. I never could have been this prepared.”
Suzy boasted, “I know, guys fix things and girls talk about things. Guys call it gossip, but to girls it’s knowledge. We just don’t look at life the same, but you and I understand that. That’s why we get along so well, because you do your thing and I do my thing. That’s why we’re here, and why we can do this. We got this Jim, and I love you too.”
Suzy laid on the seat with her head on Jim’s lap. Jim just stared out the truck window thinking. He was feeling better knowing they were so well prepared, but his emotional state was on a roller coaster ride. Accepting the fact they just did the impossible and went through time. He thought he could be losing touch with reality, and this is all a mythical place existing only in his imagination.
Looking down at Suzy Jim thought, You’re like the sun in the summer sky. You give me that warm feeling all over. When I have indecision you’re there to help me make a decision. No matter what I need you’re there for me just like Autum. You’re so much like Autum you’ll never know. You tell me that Autum tells you to do this and that in your dreams, but I know it’s you. It has to be you, or has this time jump scrambled my mind. Oh shit I have to get my thoughts together.
Jim turned off the truck, and Suzy sat up on the seat. Looking at Jim she questioned, “Is everything all right?”
Jim replied, “Sure, are you dry yet? I know you were out there in the rain the whole time. Most of the time, I was under the cover on the back of the truck. I have no way to tell what time it is, but I think it’s getting late. I don’t know if the clouds are making it darker, or it’s turning to night.”
Suzy reasoned, “Maybe we should go back and make our bed before it gets to dark.”
Jim replied. “Sounds like a plan.”
They got out and ran to the back of the truck. Then they crawled under the canvas. They worked their way to the other end of the truck bed. Then they started rolling the cover for the wagon up. They rolled it like a rug until it was past the end of the mattress.
Then Suzy explained, “We need to drop the tailgate so I can get the guns and quilt.”
Jim whined, “So I have to go back in the rain.”
Suzy replied, “Not if I hold up the flap like an awning, and you put the stuff next to me.”
After retrieving everything Jim closed the tailgate, and slid back up on the mattress. Laying back and taking a deep breath Jim heard the rain pick up. It was pouring now and drops pounded on the canvas like a drum.
Suzy commented, “It’s noisy in here. I hope it don’t rain for days.”
Jim revealed, “There’s no way to know. Hell, we don’t even know what time of year it is. Spring, summer, fall, or winter, we just don’t know. For all we know it could snow tomorrow.”
Suzy snapped back, “I should slap you for even using that word Jim.”
Jim was quiet for a while then fell asleep. Then he woke up to the boom of thunder. He was shivering and Suzy was cuddled up next to him. Jim rolled over to face Suzy and cuddled up as close as he could. Then he heard another Boom louder than before. Then there was a tink and another tink. Hell was hitting the roof of the truck cab. Then it opened up and thunder cracked in the air as the pounding of the hell echoed around them.
Suzy squeezed Jim tight as she whispered. “It’s cold.”
Jim slipped down and rolled the wagon cover up over the quilt, and cuddled up as close as he could to Suzy. The storm raged on for what seemed like hours keeping Jim awake. Finally Jim drifted off to sleep. Then he heard the crow squawking, and thought, Damn thing thinks it’s a rooster.
Jim rolled on his back and rubbed his eyes. Suzy moaned, “What a hell of a night. I’m glad that’s over with.”
Jim slipped down to the foot of the bed and looked out the flap. The sun was just coming up over the top of the trees, and he didn’t see a cloud in the sky.
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Jim put his boots on and got out of the truck bed. He looked around and saw his truck tracks were gone. The hell had beaten all the grass down flat. With a sigh of relief Jim thought, At least I don’t have to worry about that any more.
Suzy slipped out from under the flap and questioned. “Do you want to try to find some dry wood and build a fire? Or do you want to start getting ready to go?”
Jim replied, I want to dig a hole and bury the money box, and park one of the trucks dually’s on it. If someone finds our truck they most likely won’t know what it is, and won’t be able to start it or move it. They can steal our stuff but not our money. What do you think?”
Suzy insisted, “That’s a great idea Jim. The shovel is going to take a bit to get to, but other than that I like it.”
Jim gave Suzy a funny look and announced, “This is an Army truck. It has a fold up shovel behind the seat.”
Suzy told Jim to go ahead and dig the hole, and she’d start getting out what they would need. Soon Suzy had all the stuff laid-out on the tailgate, and Jim had dug the hole.
Jim announced, “I’m ready to do the money box.”
Suzy replied, “On my way Jim.”
Suzy took out her key and unlocked the box. Then she took eighty dollars out of the envelope and handed it to Jim. Getting five silver dollars she gave them to Jim along with four quarters, ten dimes, and a hand full of nickels. She exclaimed, “There that’s close to ninety dollars. We should be able to get horses and whatever else we need.”
She put the lock back on the box and Jim helped pull out the box. They carried it to the hole and put it in. Jim covered it up and put the peace of sod he carefully removed on top of it. Then he pulled some grass from another spot and spread it around it. Stepping back and looking at it he questioned, “What do you think Suzy?”
She assured, “Looks great you can’t even tell you did it.”
Jim informed, “I’m going to back up the truck and you tell me when the second set of tires is on it.”
Suzy guided Jim back until the truck was parked on the box. Then he came around to the tail gate. Where Suzy had Jim change his clothes and boots. Then she had him put on his holster and peace maker.
Seeing the bone handle knife Jim questioned, where did that knife come from?”
Suzy replied, “I had the blacksmith make it for you. Go ahead and put it on. I also got you this pocket watch so we could tell time. Hook the chain to your vest and put the watch in your pocket. I set it for ten o’clock I don’t know what time it is, but at least we’ll know how long we’ve been walking. I’ll take the rifle and canteen. You can carry the harness and money.
Jim questioned, “When did you get the rifle out from behind the seat?”
Suzy answered, “I didn’t. This is one I got to trade for a horse. It was cheaper than buying money, and no one will ever know it’s a reproduction. Well the serial number might freak someone out some day, but I don’t think anyone will check that out now. That’s it lets close up the back check the doors are locked and go.”
They walked out the same way they drove in. By the time they got to the road Jim was complaining about his boots, “I should have been breaking-in these boots a month ago. My feet hurt like hell.”
Suzy complained, “My boots are the same way. We are just going to half to tuff it.”
Stopping about half way to rest Jim commented, “At least it’s not hot as hell or raining. After last night I worried about that.’
Suzy insisted, “Let’s go Jim. I’m hungry and need to get something to eat. I hope they have a hamburger joint or something.”
Jim laughed, “I know for a fact the hamburger wasn’t invented until 1885 by a guy in Texas.”
Suzy questioned, “How do you know that?”
Jim replied, “I don’t know. I just looked it up one time and I remembered it. Now if I’d remembered the guy’s name I worry, but I don’t have a clue.”
Suzy blurted, “Look Jim I see town up ahead.”
Jim’s heart started to pound, and he felt fear running through his body. He thought, I’m from Waco Texas and a cattle rancher. This is going to be fine.
As they walked into town Suzy said, “Look at the Hotel. It’s a big two story thing with balconies. I bet they serve food there. Let’s go check it out.”
Stepping in the door they saw the counter for checking into the hotel on the right, and a dining room on the left. They went through the large arched entry, and were met by a man who asked, “Are you here to eat?”
Suzy replied, “We sure are.”
The man replied, “It’s not quite eleven yet, but I’ll check with the cook. The special is a roast beef sandwich and vegetable soup for 15¢.”
Suzy insisted, “That’s what we want two of them. Do you have coffee?”
The man informed, “It comes with the meal. Just pick a table and have a seat, and I’ll be right back.”
Jim set the harness in a chair. Suzy leaned the rifle against the same chair, and hung the canteen over the barrel. Then they sat across from each other. Jim exclaimed, I don’t believe it we walked in waring guns, and you were caring a rifle.
The man came back with two bowls of soup and assured, “I’ll be right back with the coffee. The cook is making your sandwiches and they will be right out.”
The man came right back with an old perk coffee pot and questioned, “Are you riders?
Suzy replied, “No ranchers.”
The man left and Jim asked, “What did he mean by riders?
Suzy replied, “I think he meant like the Pony Express.”
They both took their spoons and tasted the soup. Jim informed, “It’s kind of bland.”
Suzy responded, “At least it has lots of carrots and potatoes.”
Jim revealed, “I’m going to set the watch to eleven o’clock.”
Then the man came out with the sandwiches and set one in front of each of them and left. Then people started to trickle in and take a seat. Jim took a bite of his sandwich and informed, “It’s kind of dry. It’s just two slices of thick bread and a thin slice of roast beef.”
Suzy replied, “I think it’s just the way bread is made in this time. I think I’m going to dunk mine in my soup. That’s what you should do.”
They ate there soup and sandwich. Drank their espresso and Jim left a nickel on the table. Then they paid the 30¢ and left. Walking down the street Jim commented, “That coffee must have been sitting on the stove sense this morning. It was so strong it gave me the jitters.”
Suzy confessed, “I couldn’t drink all mine. I would have to add more milk than coffee to drink something like that.”
After walking to the other end of town they found the livery stables. Suzy walked up to the attendant and informed, “We’re looking to buy a team.”
Let me show you what we have. He took them out back to the corrals with horses in them. Then he took them over to a pear and insisted this is a good team for 100 dollars.
Suzy cocked her rifle and fired a shot off in the ground. One horse reared up and the other jumped in the air, and ran around bucking. Suzy insisted, “Nope!” pointing to the bucking horse she continued, “That one is gun-shy.”
The guy yelled, “Are you crazy lady? You could hurt someone that way!”
Suzy insisted, “Only if I point it at them.”
Suzy slipped out from under the flap and questioned. “Do you want to try to find some dry wood and build a fire? Or do you want to start getting ready to go?”
Jim replied, I want to dig a hole and bury the money box, and park one of the trucks dually’s on it. If someone finds our truck they most likely won’t know what it is, and won’t be able to start it or move it. They can steal our stuff but not our money. What do you think?”
Suzy insisted, “That’s a great idea Jim. The shovel is going to take a bit to get to, but other than that I like it.”
Jim gave Suzy a funny look and announced, “This is an Army truck. It has a fold up shovel behind the seat.”
Suzy told Jim to go ahead and dig the hole, and she’d start getting out what they would need. Soon Suzy had all the stuff laid-out on the tailgate, and Jim had dug the hole.
Jim announced, “I’m ready to do the money box.”
Suzy replied, “On my way Jim.”
Suzy took out her key and unlocked the box. Then she took eighty dollars out of the envelope and handed it to Jim. Getting five silver dollars she gave them to Jim along with four quarters, ten dimes, and a hand full of nickels. She exclaimed, “There that’s close to ninety dollars. We should be able to get horses and whatever else we need.”
She put the lock back on the box and Jim helped pull out the box. They carried it to the hole and put it in. Jim covered it up and put the peace of sod he carefully removed on top of it. Then he pulled some grass from another spot and spread it around it. Stepping back and looking at it he questioned, “What do you think Suzy?”
She assured, “Looks great you can’t even tell you did it.”
Jim informed, “I’m going to back up the truck and you tell me when the second set of tires is on it.”
Suzy guided Jim back until the truck was parked on the box. Then he came around to the tail gate. Where Suzy had Jim change his clothes and boots. Then she had him put on his holster and peace maker.
Seeing the bone handle knife Jim questioned, where did that knife come from?”
Suzy replied, “I had the blacksmith make it for you. Go ahead and put it on. I also got you this pocket watch so we could tell time. Hook the chain to your vest and put the watch in your pocket. I set it for ten o’clock I don’t know what time it is, but at least we’ll know how long we’ve been walking. I’ll take the rifle and canteen. You can carry the harness and money.
Jim questioned, “When did you get the rifle out from behind the seat?”
Suzy answered, “I didn’t. This is one I got to trade for a horse. It was cheaper than buying money, and no one will ever know it’s a reproduction. Well the serial number might freak someone out some day, but I don’t think anyone will check that out now. That’s it lets close up the back check the doors are locked and go.”
They walked out the same way they drove in. By the time they got to the road Jim was complaining about his boots, “I should have been breaking-in these boots a month ago. My feet hurt like hell.”
Suzy complained, “My boots are the same way. We are just going to half to tuff it.”
Stopping about half way to rest Jim commented, “At least it’s not hot as hell or raining. After last night I worried about that.’
Suzy insisted, “Let’s go Jim. I’m hungry and need to get something to eat. I hope they have a hamburger joint or something.”
Jim laughed, “I know for a fact the hamburger wasn’t invented until 1885 by a guy in Texas.”
Suzy questioned, “How do you know that?”
Jim replied, “I don’t know. I just looked it up one time and I remembered it. Now if I’d remembered the guy’s name I worry, but I don’t have a clue.”
Suzy blurted, “Look Jim I see town up ahead.”
Jim’s heart started to pound, and he felt fear running through his body. He thought, I’m from Waco Texas and a cattle rancher. This is going to be fine.
As they walked into town Suzy said, “Look at the Hotel. It’s a big two story thing with balconies. I bet they serve food there. Let’s go check it out.”
Stepping in the door they saw the counter for checking into the hotel on the right, and a dining room on the left. They went through the large arched entry, and were met by a man who asked, “Are you here to eat?”
Suzy replied, “We sure are.”
The man replied, “It’s not quite eleven yet, but I’ll check with the cook. The special is a roast beef sandwich and vegetable soup for 15¢.”
Suzy insisted, “That’s what we want two of them. Do you have coffee?”
The man informed, “It comes with the meal. Just pick a table and have a seat, and I’ll be right back.”
Jim set the harness in a chair. Suzy leaned the rifle against the same chair, and hung the canteen over the barrel. Then they sat across from each other. Jim exclaimed, I don’t believe it we walked in waring guns, and you were caring a rifle.
The man came back with two bowls of soup and assured, “I’ll be right back with the coffee. The cook is making your sandwiches and they will be right out.”
The man came right back with an old perk coffee pot and questioned, “Are you riders?
Suzy replied, “No ranchers.”
The man left and Jim asked, “What did he mean by riders?
Suzy replied, “I think he meant like the Pony Express.”
They both took their spoons and tasted the soup. Jim informed, “It’s kind of bland.”
Suzy responded, “At least it has lots of carrots and potatoes.”
Jim revealed, “I’m going to set the watch to eleven o’clock.”
Then the man came out with the sandwiches and set one in front of each of them and left. Then people started to trickle in and take a seat. Jim took a bite of his sandwich and informed, “It’s kind of dry. It’s just two slices of thick bread and a thin slice of roast beef.”
Suzy replied, “I think it’s just the way bread is made in this time. I think I’m going to dunk mine in my soup. That’s what you should do.”
They ate there soup and sandwich. Drank their espresso and Jim left a nickel on the table. Then they paid the 30¢ and left. Walking down the street Jim commented, “That coffee must have been sitting on the stove sense this morning. It was so strong it gave me the jitters.”
Suzy confessed, “I couldn’t drink all mine. I would have to add more milk than coffee to drink something like that.”
After walking to the other end of town they found the livery stables. Suzy walked up to the attendant and informed, “We’re looking to buy a team.”
Let me show you what we have. He took them out back to the corrals with horses in them. Then he took them over to a pear and insisted this is a good team for 100 dollars.
Suzy cocked her rifle and fired a shot off in the ground. One horse reared up and the other jumped in the air, and ran around bucking. Suzy insisted, “Nope!” pointing to the bucking horse she continued, “That one is gun-shy.”
The guy yelled, “Are you crazy lady? You could hurt someone that way!”
Suzy insisted, “Only if I point it at them.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Jim elbowed Suzy and pointed. She looked and there was the crow sitting on a fence post. It took flight and landed on a red Mustang. Suzy questioned, “How much for the pair of reds over there.”
The man insisted, “80 dollars if it gets your crazy ass out of here.”
Suzy walked down to the Mustangs and handed Jim the rifle and canteen. Then she jumped over the fence, and walked up to the first horse. She checked each leg and hoof then looked in its mouth. Suzy patted it on the neck then she jumped up laying across the horse on her belly. Then she slung her leg over and sat up on the horse. She patted it between the ears as she talked to it. Then she jumped down and checked the other horse.
Suzy walked back and jumped over the fence. Then she exclaimed, “Well one is about 12 years old and the other could be as old as 15. It needs to have its hooves trimmed and new shoes. Then the other one has a loose shoe. I’ll give you $40 and the Winchester. I’ve only shot it twice, and you saw the one time. Hand him the rifle Jim.”
Looking over the gun he replied, “$50 and the gun.”
Suzy offered, “You say fifty and the gun. I say forty and the gun, so say we split it. Two horses for forty five and the gun.”
The man thought for a few and agreed. Suzy insisted she get a receipt, so she went to the office and got a sales receipt. Then Jim gave the man four ten’s and five silver dollars. Then they put the harness on the horses and walk them through town.
Jim questioned, “How much did you save by using the gun?”
Suzy thought for a moment and replied, “Its $300 in our time for a silver dollar. The horse would have been $40, so that is 40 times $300 or $12,000. The Winchester was $2,500 in our time, so I saved $9,500. It’s not just saving money. Money in this time period is hard to find. We were lucky to get the money we got, so we need to spend it wisely. As for the deal, the Winchester cost $50 right now, and he got it for $35. I guess I got took for $15”
Jim inquired, “Have you seen the crow?”
Suzy replied, “Yah it’s down there on the hotel watching us.”
Jim complained, “I need to get off my feet. The boots are killing me.”
Suzy said, “Just climb up on the horse and ride it.”
Jim confessed, “I don’t know how to ride a horse.”
Suzy snapped back, “Damn it Jim! Why didn’t you say something? You knew I was taking horse riding lessons. You could have been doing that too.”
Jim insisted, “I thought I would be riding around on a wagon. Not riding around on a horse.”
Suzy demanded, “Give me the reins and climb up on the horse.”
Jim handed Suzy the reins, and climbed up on the horse. Suzy tied the reins to her gun belt and climbed on the other horse. Then she rode down the road with Jim’s horse tethered to her gun belt. She stopped at the creek to water the horses. Then back to camp. Arriving at camp everything was just as they left it. Sliding off the horse Jim complained, “Now my feet and butt hurt.”
Suzy chastised, “Jim quit your wining. We have to unload the truck so I can get the stuff to make dinner. Then you have to get wood and start a fire so I can cook it.”
Jim inquired, “Can I change into my old boots?”
Suzy ordered, “Well get with it Jim. I’m going to stake out the horses.”
After Jim changed his boots he pulled the wagon cover from the truck. Then he spread it out on the ground, and started putting stuff on it from the truck. Soon the truck was unloaded, and all that was left was the wagon. Jim got a roll of hemp rope from the pile on the tarp and threw it on the back of the wagon. Then he got in the truck and started the engine. He pulled the truck forward then backed it up to a tree. He got out and tied the rope to the tree and the wagon.
Then he had Suzy let him know when the wagon was hanging off far enough for the wheels. He put on the two back wheels. Checking the wagon break Jim went and pulled forward until the wheels dropped to the ground. Then he got in the back of the truck and worked the wagon break and pushed until he could put on the front wheels. After Jim got the front wheels on. He released the break and let the wagon slide off the planks. Pushing the planks in the back of the truck Jim hollered, “Done!”
Suzy answered, “Not with the fire wood. If you want to eat get the wood.”
Jim mumbled, “Crap.”
Then he took the ax and headed into the trees. Soon he returned with the ax and leaned it against the wagon.
Suzy questioned. “Where’s the wood?”
Jim joked, “In the woods of course. I cut off some dead branches and busted them up in a pile. I’m going to get it now.”
Soon Jim had carried and piled the fire wood. Then Suzy setup her cooking pot, and put water in it. Then she got out her dehydrated beef and put it in the pot. She got out a large baking potato and two carrots.
Then she requested, “Jim can I use your knife?”
Jim pulled his knife from the sheath and handed it to Suzy. Then she cut the potato and carrots over the pot without peeling them. Then she got an old tin can and opened it. Taking a pinch of the salt inside the can she put it in the pot.
Jim’s mouth dropped opened as he insisted, “Don’t tell me that’s hundred year old salt.”
Suzy laughed, “You know it, is it did come out of a salt mine somewhere. You silly guy you. That’s it dinner is cooking. It’s time for us to load the wagon and put the cover on it.”
Jim whined, “Don’t you ever stop?”
Suzy revealed, “When I’m sleeping. Now let’s get the tongue on first. Then we can put the springs and mattress in the back of the truck.”
With the wagon half loaded Suzy questioned, “What time do you have Jim?”
Jim pulled out his pocket watch and announced, “4:45 for whatever it matters.”
Suzy revealed, “Well I know from the sales receipt it’s May, 13, 1874. I also know it gets dark about 8:30 or 9:00 o’clock this time of year. I overheard someone at the Hotel say it’s going to be a new moon tonight, so that means it’s going to be dark as hell when the sun goes down.”
Jim replied, “We should be done in an hour or so. I think were fine even if I dig up the box.”
Suzy replied, “No I think we should do the box in the morning before we go.”
Jim questioned, “Are you sure you know how to hookup all the straps, wooden things with steel rings and stuff? It looks complicated.”
Suzy assured, “What do you think I was taking all the horse classes for. I spent the last three months learning this? The wooden things are called doubletrees and the big Collars are called yokes, and yes I know how to put on every strap and part of the rigging. I told you this was my job. You just had to build the truck, and you did the best job of that ever.”
Jim and Suzy finished loading the wagon and putting on the cover. They ate their dinner and washed up the pot in the creek. Then they put the stuff in the wagon.
Lying on the mattress Suzy questioned, “You ready for tomorrow?”
Jim replied, “To be honest today kind of freaked me out a little. I didn’t see anyone waring guns but us. And you were carrying around the rifle, but no one seemed to notice. Then when you shot it off at the livery. That scared the hell out of me. I thought the Sheriff was going to come and put us in jail. I just sucked it up and kept going. I just want you to know this is the adventure of a lifetime even if it is hazardous.”
Suzy informed, I have to teach you to ride a horse. You won’t be able to do things in these times without that knowledge.
The next morning Suzy mixed up a pan bread in a cast-iron frying pan, and got a fire going. Getting Jim’s knife she carved off some of the bacon from the smoked and cured side she got. It was over ten dollars a pound but came in a cloth bag, and didn’t need refrigeration. It fit the times.
Jim dug up the money box and Suzy helped him with the springs and mattress. Then Jim backed the truck down in the hole surrounded by trees. Then he took off the battery cables just in case so the battery wouldn’t go dead.
Back at the wagon Suzy had the chairs out, and had turned over the pan bread. Looking at the bread Suzy thought, Not quite like when I practiced it at home on the stove, but we’ll eat.
Jim came back and sat in a chair, as Suzy dumped the bread on a tin plate. Dropping the bacon in the pan she exclaimed, “It will be ready in just a few. The coffee is perking, and we’re just waiting for the bacon.”
After eating Suzy requested, “Jim take the canteen and frying pan to the creek. Fell the canteen and wash the pan. I’ll hitch up the team. Then we can load the money box, and we’ll be on our way.
It was a slow ride over the ruff field to the road, but Jim turned the wagon on to the road and commented, “Made that turn. I think I’m getting the hang of this.”
With the horses at a walk they slowly moved along. That’s when Jim saw the corn field up ahead.
Coming up on Connors corner Jim announced, “Look it’s the corn field it really was on this corner.”
Going around the corner Suzy insisted, “Stop the wagon! Now pull back on the break handle until it locks. Then wrap the reins around the break handle twice. There you just learned how to park the wagon.”
Suzy jump down off the wagon and walked to the edge of the field. Then she yelled. “Look at that little tree Jim. It must grow up to be the tree that killed my mom, dad, and Autum. Let’s chop it down.”
Then the crow landed on Suzy’s head and her eyes rolled back in her head. She fell to the ground lifeless. Then her mother appeared before her, “Oh my dear child how I love you. You’ve work so hard and given up so much to make it here. It saddens me to bring you this news. You have to understand that no one has ever come back from the other side. If you remove what killed us we will just die another way.
I’m sorry about Autum she’s to drained to come to you now. She used up her energy protecting you, and has to regenerate. That’s why I sent the crow to guide and protect you. I’m also sorry to tell you that you can’t go back home. You can stop the curse, but there is no one in that time for it to help. I’m so proud of what you’ve become. Give Jim lots of love he needs it now more than ever. I love you my dear child.”
Then Clara faded away and Suzy slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Jim knelling next to her she started to sob uncontrollably wining, “I ruined everything”
Jim wrapped his arms around her and whispered, “Whenever you need someone to lay your head on I’ll be there for you. Wherever you go, I'll be with you. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. Whatever it is I’ll do it. Jest let me know. Only love knows why your heart cries. My heart cries here too, but we got each other. Isn’t that what you keep telling me? We got this, you and me girl. Just lean on me and I’ll take you places you could never dream of.”
Suzy just got worse with every word Jim would say. It hurt him so to see her cry. His heart sunk and Jim became saddened by the hurt Suzy was going through.
Then the crow came down and landed next to Suzy. It jumped up on her shoulder and rubbed its head on her face wiping the tears. Jim fell back on his butt staring at the bird in disbelief. Then the crow flew over to Jims shoulder and rubbed its head on his face. Wiping the tears on Jim making him feel all the emotions Suzy was having. Jim filled with, affection, anger, concern, desire, despair, empathy, passion, anguish, grief, regret, and sorrow. It made him so sad he passed out.
Wiping her eyes Suzy moved next to Jim. She called out his name as she shook him. All Suzy’s emotions had put Jim in a trance like state, as her feelings surged through him. His ability to function voluntarily had been suspended. It was as if he was under hypnosis. He could hear Suzy’s voice calling his name but he couldn’t move.
Then the crow started squawking and Jim opened his eyes. Suzy fell on top of Jim as she whispered. “Thank God.”
Jim wrapped his arms around Suzy and squeezed her tight. With a tingling rushing through his body Jim assured, “I’ll get the ax and chop it down.”
The man insisted, “80 dollars if it gets your crazy ass out of here.”
Suzy walked down to the Mustangs and handed Jim the rifle and canteen. Then she jumped over the fence, and walked up to the first horse. She checked each leg and hoof then looked in its mouth. Suzy patted it on the neck then she jumped up laying across the horse on her belly. Then she slung her leg over and sat up on the horse. She patted it between the ears as she talked to it. Then she jumped down and checked the other horse.
Suzy walked back and jumped over the fence. Then she exclaimed, “Well one is about 12 years old and the other could be as old as 15. It needs to have its hooves trimmed and new shoes. Then the other one has a loose shoe. I’ll give you $40 and the Winchester. I’ve only shot it twice, and you saw the one time. Hand him the rifle Jim.”
Looking over the gun he replied, “$50 and the gun.”
Suzy offered, “You say fifty and the gun. I say forty and the gun, so say we split it. Two horses for forty five and the gun.”
The man thought for a few and agreed. Suzy insisted she get a receipt, so she went to the office and got a sales receipt. Then Jim gave the man four ten’s and five silver dollars. Then they put the harness on the horses and walk them through town.
Jim questioned, “How much did you save by using the gun?”
Suzy thought for a moment and replied, “Its $300 in our time for a silver dollar. The horse would have been $40, so that is 40 times $300 or $12,000. The Winchester was $2,500 in our time, so I saved $9,500. It’s not just saving money. Money in this time period is hard to find. We were lucky to get the money we got, so we need to spend it wisely. As for the deal, the Winchester cost $50 right now, and he got it for $35. I guess I got took for $15”
Jim inquired, “Have you seen the crow?”
Suzy replied, “Yah it’s down there on the hotel watching us.”
Jim complained, “I need to get off my feet. The boots are killing me.”
Suzy said, “Just climb up on the horse and ride it.”
Jim confessed, “I don’t know how to ride a horse.”
Suzy snapped back, “Damn it Jim! Why didn’t you say something? You knew I was taking horse riding lessons. You could have been doing that too.”
Jim insisted, “I thought I would be riding around on a wagon. Not riding around on a horse.”
Suzy demanded, “Give me the reins and climb up on the horse.”
Jim handed Suzy the reins, and climbed up on the horse. Suzy tied the reins to her gun belt and climbed on the other horse. Then she rode down the road with Jim’s horse tethered to her gun belt. She stopped at the creek to water the horses. Then back to camp. Arriving at camp everything was just as they left it. Sliding off the horse Jim complained, “Now my feet and butt hurt.”
Suzy chastised, “Jim quit your wining. We have to unload the truck so I can get the stuff to make dinner. Then you have to get wood and start a fire so I can cook it.”
Jim inquired, “Can I change into my old boots?”
Suzy ordered, “Well get with it Jim. I’m going to stake out the horses.”
After Jim changed his boots he pulled the wagon cover from the truck. Then he spread it out on the ground, and started putting stuff on it from the truck. Soon the truck was unloaded, and all that was left was the wagon. Jim got a roll of hemp rope from the pile on the tarp and threw it on the back of the wagon. Then he got in the truck and started the engine. He pulled the truck forward then backed it up to a tree. He got out and tied the rope to the tree and the wagon.
Then he had Suzy let him know when the wagon was hanging off far enough for the wheels. He put on the two back wheels. Checking the wagon break Jim went and pulled forward until the wheels dropped to the ground. Then he got in the back of the truck and worked the wagon break and pushed until he could put on the front wheels. After Jim got the front wheels on. He released the break and let the wagon slide off the planks. Pushing the planks in the back of the truck Jim hollered, “Done!”
Suzy answered, “Not with the fire wood. If you want to eat get the wood.”
Jim mumbled, “Crap.”
Then he took the ax and headed into the trees. Soon he returned with the ax and leaned it against the wagon.
Suzy questioned. “Where’s the wood?”
Jim joked, “In the woods of course. I cut off some dead branches and busted them up in a pile. I’m going to get it now.”
Soon Jim had carried and piled the fire wood. Then Suzy setup her cooking pot, and put water in it. Then she got out her dehydrated beef and put it in the pot. She got out a large baking potato and two carrots.
Then she requested, “Jim can I use your knife?”
Jim pulled his knife from the sheath and handed it to Suzy. Then she cut the potato and carrots over the pot without peeling them. Then she got an old tin can and opened it. Taking a pinch of the salt inside the can she put it in the pot.
Jim’s mouth dropped opened as he insisted, “Don’t tell me that’s hundred year old salt.”
Suzy laughed, “You know it, is it did come out of a salt mine somewhere. You silly guy you. That’s it dinner is cooking. It’s time for us to load the wagon and put the cover on it.”
Jim whined, “Don’t you ever stop?”
Suzy revealed, “When I’m sleeping. Now let’s get the tongue on first. Then we can put the springs and mattress in the back of the truck.”
With the wagon half loaded Suzy questioned, “What time do you have Jim?”
Jim pulled out his pocket watch and announced, “4:45 for whatever it matters.”
Suzy revealed, “Well I know from the sales receipt it’s May, 13, 1874. I also know it gets dark about 8:30 or 9:00 o’clock this time of year. I overheard someone at the Hotel say it’s going to be a new moon tonight, so that means it’s going to be dark as hell when the sun goes down.”
Jim replied, “We should be done in an hour or so. I think were fine even if I dig up the box.”
Suzy replied, “No I think we should do the box in the morning before we go.”
Jim questioned, “Are you sure you know how to hookup all the straps, wooden things with steel rings and stuff? It looks complicated.”
Suzy assured, “What do you think I was taking all the horse classes for. I spent the last three months learning this? The wooden things are called doubletrees and the big Collars are called yokes, and yes I know how to put on every strap and part of the rigging. I told you this was my job. You just had to build the truck, and you did the best job of that ever.”
Jim and Suzy finished loading the wagon and putting on the cover. They ate their dinner and washed up the pot in the creek. Then they put the stuff in the wagon.
Lying on the mattress Suzy questioned, “You ready for tomorrow?”
Jim replied, “To be honest today kind of freaked me out a little. I didn’t see anyone waring guns but us. And you were carrying around the rifle, but no one seemed to notice. Then when you shot it off at the livery. That scared the hell out of me. I thought the Sheriff was going to come and put us in jail. I just sucked it up and kept going. I just want you to know this is the adventure of a lifetime even if it is hazardous.”
Suzy informed, I have to teach you to ride a horse. You won’t be able to do things in these times without that knowledge.
The next morning Suzy mixed up a pan bread in a cast-iron frying pan, and got a fire going. Getting Jim’s knife she carved off some of the bacon from the smoked and cured side she got. It was over ten dollars a pound but came in a cloth bag, and didn’t need refrigeration. It fit the times.
Jim dug up the money box and Suzy helped him with the springs and mattress. Then Jim backed the truck down in the hole surrounded by trees. Then he took off the battery cables just in case so the battery wouldn’t go dead.
Back at the wagon Suzy had the chairs out, and had turned over the pan bread. Looking at the bread Suzy thought, Not quite like when I practiced it at home on the stove, but we’ll eat.
Jim came back and sat in a chair, as Suzy dumped the bread on a tin plate. Dropping the bacon in the pan she exclaimed, “It will be ready in just a few. The coffee is perking, and we’re just waiting for the bacon.”
After eating Suzy requested, “Jim take the canteen and frying pan to the creek. Fell the canteen and wash the pan. I’ll hitch up the team. Then we can load the money box, and we’ll be on our way.
It was a slow ride over the ruff field to the road, but Jim turned the wagon on to the road and commented, “Made that turn. I think I’m getting the hang of this.”
With the horses at a walk they slowly moved along. That’s when Jim saw the corn field up ahead.
Coming up on Connors corner Jim announced, “Look it’s the corn field it really was on this corner.”
Going around the corner Suzy insisted, “Stop the wagon! Now pull back on the break handle until it locks. Then wrap the reins around the break handle twice. There you just learned how to park the wagon.”
Suzy jump down off the wagon and walked to the edge of the field. Then she yelled. “Look at that little tree Jim. It must grow up to be the tree that killed my mom, dad, and Autum. Let’s chop it down.”
Then the crow landed on Suzy’s head and her eyes rolled back in her head. She fell to the ground lifeless. Then her mother appeared before her, “Oh my dear child how I love you. You’ve work so hard and given up so much to make it here. It saddens me to bring you this news. You have to understand that no one has ever come back from the other side. If you remove what killed us we will just die another way.
I’m sorry about Autum she’s to drained to come to you now. She used up her energy protecting you, and has to regenerate. That’s why I sent the crow to guide and protect you. I’m also sorry to tell you that you can’t go back home. You can stop the curse, but there is no one in that time for it to help. I’m so proud of what you’ve become. Give Jim lots of love he needs it now more than ever. I love you my dear child.”
Then Clara faded away and Suzy slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Jim knelling next to her she started to sob uncontrollably wining, “I ruined everything”
Jim wrapped his arms around her and whispered, “Whenever you need someone to lay your head on I’ll be there for you. Wherever you go, I'll be with you. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. Whatever it is I’ll do it. Jest let me know. Only love knows why your heart cries. My heart cries here too, but we got each other. Isn’t that what you keep telling me? We got this, you and me girl. Just lean on me and I’ll take you places you could never dream of.”
Suzy just got worse with every word Jim would say. It hurt him so to see her cry. His heart sunk and Jim became saddened by the hurt Suzy was going through.
Then the crow came down and landed next to Suzy. It jumped up on her shoulder and rubbed its head on her face wiping the tears. Jim fell back on his butt staring at the bird in disbelief. Then the crow flew over to Jims shoulder and rubbed its head on his face. Wiping the tears on Jim making him feel all the emotions Suzy was having. Jim filled with, affection, anger, concern, desire, despair, empathy, passion, anguish, grief, regret, and sorrow. It made him so sad he passed out.
Wiping her eyes Suzy moved next to Jim. She called out his name as she shook him. All Suzy’s emotions had put Jim in a trance like state, as her feelings surged through him. His ability to function voluntarily had been suspended. It was as if he was under hypnosis. He could hear Suzy’s voice calling his name but he couldn’t move.
Then the crow started squawking and Jim opened his eyes. Suzy fell on top of Jim as she whispered. “Thank God.”
Jim wrapped his arms around Suzy and squeezed her tight. With a tingling rushing through his body Jim assured, “I’ll get the ax and chop it down.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Suzy insisted, “NO don’t do it Jim. Let’s just get out of here.”
Jim rolled Suzy off him and got to his feet. Then he pulled Suzy up. Taking her hand they walked back to the wagon. Jim helped Suzy up on the wagon and sat next to her. Jim unwound the reins and gave them a light whip. The horses started walking and Jim whispered, “I’m sorry I haven’t been thinking what you must be going through.”
Suzy knew she had to tell Jim that Autum wasn’t coming back. She explained, “I need to tell you something.”
Jim put his finger to Suzy’s lips and went, “Shhh, I know. It’s going to be all right. We got each other, and that is all we need.
Suzy insisted, “But Jim you need to know…”
Jim put his finger back to Suzy’s lips and went, “Shhh, I’ve got all I need right here beside me.”
Suzy leaned her head on Jim’s shoulder and whispered, “Me too.”
It was quiet as Jim thought about Suzy. He thought, “I knew she was a strong woman, but to hold in emotions like that she must be super human. I never thought what it would be like to grow up without a mother or father. She must have been going through hell for years. There is no words to explain what I felt when the crow touched me, but I now understand Suzy. Thanks crow for opening my eyes. I’ve just been thinking about myself.
Then the crow came down and landed on the wagon. It hopped up on the seat next to Suzy. She looked at the bird and whispered, “Thanks Mom.”
Soon they were coming into town. It was about midday when they rolled by the Livery and Black Smith Shop then into town. Jim and Suzy stared at the homes then Businesses as they passed. Trying to take it all in the best they could. Jim pointed at the General Store and Suzy pointed to the Dress Shop. Then they passed the Hardware Store and Saloon and out the other side of town to the Boarding House.
Parking the Wagon in the street Jim rapped the reins around the break handle, and then he jumped down. Helping Suzy from the Wagon they walked to the front door. Jim knocked and waited. After some time Suzy whispered, “Maybe you should knock again.”
Just then a man came around the corner of the porch and asked, “Can I help you?”
Jim replied, “We would like to rent a room.”
The man replied, “Miss Tomson is around back. Just follow me.”
They followed the man around the wraparound porch to the back of the house. Sitting in a chair under the covered porch was a woman in her thirties. Her brown hair was up on top of her head in a bun. Her gray dress hung to her ankles. It was covered in the front by a full length dark blue apron. The man explained, “This couple is looking for a room Victoria.”
Looking Jim and Suzy over Victoria saw all their clothes were new, and their guns shined as though they had never been used. Victoria thought, Looks like money just walked in.
Victoria questioned, “You married?”
Jim put his arm around Suzy and exclaimed, “I’m James and this is my wife Suzan White.
Then Victoria questioned, “By the week or the month?”
Jim replied, “By the month if we can.”
Victoria informed, “Its $5 a month for the room and an extra $3 for the extra person. The room comes with breakfast and supper. If you want dinner it’s another dollar a month each for that. I’ll pack it if you’re not going to be here for it. I see you both where guns. That’s fine but it’s not allowed in the house. You’ll half to hang them on one of the pegs here on the back porch, or keep them in your room.”
Getting up from the chair Victoria insisted, “Come with me and I’ll show you a room.”
They followed Victoria in the back door to the kitchen. Then they went across the great room where they saw a well-dressed young man in his early twenty’s. He appeared to be writing a letter at the dining room table. Then Victoria took them down the hall to the first room on the left. Suzy knew this room it had the Empire style bed, but not now it had a Cast Iron bed. A stand was against the window with a water pitcher and wash bowl. On the other wall it had an Armoire and a chair.
Suzy questioned, “We have our bed in the wagon. Is it possible for us to use our own bed?”
Victoria replied, “I’ll have Amos put this one in storage. I imagine you have a wagon full of stuff. If you need I can have Amos help you store it in the coach house.”
Suzy elbowed Jim in the side. Jim perked up, “Can I just give you $20 for the first two months?”
Victoria replied, “That would be fine.”
Jim reached in his pocket and pulled out the paper money Suzy gave him. Removing two tens from the top of the stack Jim handed it to Victoria. Pushing the money in her apron pocket Victoria yelled, “Amos!”
Soon the man they first met appeared and Victoria instructed him to put the bed into storage. Then to help Jim unload his wagon into the coach house and there room.
Jim help Amos move the bed to a storage room. The room had all kinds of stuff stored in it from lanterns and coal oil to dried beans. Amos was skinny as could be and most likely in his forties. He was kind of slow both in his thinking and moving, but was as nice as could be.
Walking back through the great room the guy writing the letter spoke up, “You must be moving in, I’m Benjamin. I’ll come give you a hand when I finish here. That is if you want.”
Jim replied, “I’m James, and that would be nice. By the time Jim and Amos got to the coach house Suzy had pulled the wagon around. Jim insisted. I’ll take the cover off first. It will make it easier to unload that way.
Benjamin had finished his letter and was off the side watching. He observed Suzy had taken control and was leading everything. Then he notice how nice their things looked. Everything about them was odd right down to their clothes.
Suzy had taken her dress and covered the money box. Then she piled the rest of their clothes on top of it. With the cover off the wagon, and in the coach house Suzy whispered in Jim’s ear, “The box is under my dress take it to the room.”
Jim picked up the pile of clothes and took them to their room. He put the clothes and box in the Armoire and shut the door. Back at the wagon Amos was helping Benjamin carry the mattress in to the room. Benjamin’s mind raced as he carried the mattress. It didn’t feel like any mattress he had ever seen. Back at the wagon Benjamin recognized the bed as an Empire style. His grandfather had one in England and he knew none had been made for over fifty years. Yet here he was looking at one in perfect condition like it was made yesterday. All kind if thoughts went through Benjamin’s mind.
Jim and Amos returned from taking in the head board. Jim pulled his folding chair from the wagon and sat in it. Wiping the sweat from his head he requested, “Suzy can you get me the canteen?”
Suzy went and got the canteen from the wagon seat and announced, “Break time.” As she pulled the other chair out and sat. Amos sat on the back of the wagon, and Benjamin saw the stack of fabric and went to investigate. Coming from a textiles family Benjamin knew fabrics. He ran his hand a across printed cottons. He inspected the print, and insisted, “I might have made this one. My family owns this print. Where did you get it from?”
Suzy thought, Thank God I studied that when I got it.
Suzy replied, “I special ordered it from England. I want to have a summer dress made from it.”
Enthusiastically Benjamin affirmed, “I knew it. I ran the factory that made that print. You’re lucky Miss Watson the dress maker lives here.”
Amos spoke up, “Yes Mable is nice.”
Suzy said, “We can’t sit here all day Jim.”
Then she went back to the wagon, and handed Jim the fabrics and set the chamber pot on it. Next she gave Benjamin a lamp and a lantern witch he noticed had never been used. Then she had Amos help her with her cooking gear. Jim and Benjamin returned to find the wagon down to the edible provisions.
Suzy looked at Jim and Informed, “I don’t know where to put this stuff. Our meals are pervaded here and we don’t have room in our room for it.”
Benjamin insisted, “Wait here and I’ll ask Miss Tomson.”
Benjamin ran to the kitchen where Victoria was making Bread Pudding. He informed, “Victoria they have a lot of provisions they don’t know what to do with. I’m sure you could use them. What do you want me to tell them?”
Victoria replied, “Well bring the stuff to the kitchen for land's sake. You know we can use whatever we get.”
So like ants at a picnic a study stream of provisions flowed into the kitchen. Suzy saved the best for last, and came in with the bacon. Handing it to Victoria Suzy confessed, “I cut some off it, but most of it’s there.”
Victoria gave Suzy a hug and announced, “Suzy you’re a blessing. Well get a nice potato soup with some of this.”
Then Victoria yelled, “Amos.”
Benjamin announced, “I’m going to show them where things are.”
Victoria proclaimed, “Thanks Benjamin.”
Benjamin took then them down to the well about 200 feet behind the house. Then he instructed, “The well has a hand pump and a bucket, and the waters not that far down. Amos uses the bucket all the time. Victoria makes him keep the barrel on the porch full, so you can get water there. You can see the creek from here. The well water leaches off it.”
Then walking back to the bath house Benjamin pointed to the outhouse behind it. Saying, “That’s where you empty your chamber-pot, and this is the bath house. This is where you can wash clothes and take a bath. You have to bucket your own water for that. That’s about it; you know where the dining room is.”
Jim rolled Suzy off him and got to his feet. Then he pulled Suzy up. Taking her hand they walked back to the wagon. Jim helped Suzy up on the wagon and sat next to her. Jim unwound the reins and gave them a light whip. The horses started walking and Jim whispered, “I’m sorry I haven’t been thinking what you must be going through.”
Suzy knew she had to tell Jim that Autum wasn’t coming back. She explained, “I need to tell you something.”
Jim put his finger to Suzy’s lips and went, “Shhh, I know. It’s going to be all right. We got each other, and that is all we need.
Suzy insisted, “But Jim you need to know…”
Jim put his finger back to Suzy’s lips and went, “Shhh, I’ve got all I need right here beside me.”
Suzy leaned her head on Jim’s shoulder and whispered, “Me too.”
It was quiet as Jim thought about Suzy. He thought, “I knew she was a strong woman, but to hold in emotions like that she must be super human. I never thought what it would be like to grow up without a mother or father. She must have been going through hell for years. There is no words to explain what I felt when the crow touched me, but I now understand Suzy. Thanks crow for opening my eyes. I’ve just been thinking about myself.
Then the crow came down and landed on the wagon. It hopped up on the seat next to Suzy. She looked at the bird and whispered, “Thanks Mom.”
Soon they were coming into town. It was about midday when they rolled by the Livery and Black Smith Shop then into town. Jim and Suzy stared at the homes then Businesses as they passed. Trying to take it all in the best they could. Jim pointed at the General Store and Suzy pointed to the Dress Shop. Then they passed the Hardware Store and Saloon and out the other side of town to the Boarding House.
Parking the Wagon in the street Jim rapped the reins around the break handle, and then he jumped down. Helping Suzy from the Wagon they walked to the front door. Jim knocked and waited. After some time Suzy whispered, “Maybe you should knock again.”
Just then a man came around the corner of the porch and asked, “Can I help you?”
Jim replied, “We would like to rent a room.”
The man replied, “Miss Tomson is around back. Just follow me.”
They followed the man around the wraparound porch to the back of the house. Sitting in a chair under the covered porch was a woman in her thirties. Her brown hair was up on top of her head in a bun. Her gray dress hung to her ankles. It was covered in the front by a full length dark blue apron. The man explained, “This couple is looking for a room Victoria.”
Looking Jim and Suzy over Victoria saw all their clothes were new, and their guns shined as though they had never been used. Victoria thought, Looks like money just walked in.
Victoria questioned, “You married?”
Jim put his arm around Suzy and exclaimed, “I’m James and this is my wife Suzan White.
Then Victoria questioned, “By the week or the month?”
Jim replied, “By the month if we can.”
Victoria informed, “Its $5 a month for the room and an extra $3 for the extra person. The room comes with breakfast and supper. If you want dinner it’s another dollar a month each for that. I’ll pack it if you’re not going to be here for it. I see you both where guns. That’s fine but it’s not allowed in the house. You’ll half to hang them on one of the pegs here on the back porch, or keep them in your room.”
Getting up from the chair Victoria insisted, “Come with me and I’ll show you a room.”
They followed Victoria in the back door to the kitchen. Then they went across the great room where they saw a well-dressed young man in his early twenty’s. He appeared to be writing a letter at the dining room table. Then Victoria took them down the hall to the first room on the left. Suzy knew this room it had the Empire style bed, but not now it had a Cast Iron bed. A stand was against the window with a water pitcher and wash bowl. On the other wall it had an Armoire and a chair.
Suzy questioned, “We have our bed in the wagon. Is it possible for us to use our own bed?”
Victoria replied, “I’ll have Amos put this one in storage. I imagine you have a wagon full of stuff. If you need I can have Amos help you store it in the coach house.”
Suzy elbowed Jim in the side. Jim perked up, “Can I just give you $20 for the first two months?”
Victoria replied, “That would be fine.”
Jim reached in his pocket and pulled out the paper money Suzy gave him. Removing two tens from the top of the stack Jim handed it to Victoria. Pushing the money in her apron pocket Victoria yelled, “Amos!”
Soon the man they first met appeared and Victoria instructed him to put the bed into storage. Then to help Jim unload his wagon into the coach house and there room.
Jim help Amos move the bed to a storage room. The room had all kinds of stuff stored in it from lanterns and coal oil to dried beans. Amos was skinny as could be and most likely in his forties. He was kind of slow both in his thinking and moving, but was as nice as could be.
Walking back through the great room the guy writing the letter spoke up, “You must be moving in, I’m Benjamin. I’ll come give you a hand when I finish here. That is if you want.”
Jim replied, “I’m James, and that would be nice. By the time Jim and Amos got to the coach house Suzy had pulled the wagon around. Jim insisted. I’ll take the cover off first. It will make it easier to unload that way.
Benjamin had finished his letter and was off the side watching. He observed Suzy had taken control and was leading everything. Then he notice how nice their things looked. Everything about them was odd right down to their clothes.
Suzy had taken her dress and covered the money box. Then she piled the rest of their clothes on top of it. With the cover off the wagon, and in the coach house Suzy whispered in Jim’s ear, “The box is under my dress take it to the room.”
Jim picked up the pile of clothes and took them to their room. He put the clothes and box in the Armoire and shut the door. Back at the wagon Amos was helping Benjamin carry the mattress in to the room. Benjamin’s mind raced as he carried the mattress. It didn’t feel like any mattress he had ever seen. Back at the wagon Benjamin recognized the bed as an Empire style. His grandfather had one in England and he knew none had been made for over fifty years. Yet here he was looking at one in perfect condition like it was made yesterday. All kind if thoughts went through Benjamin’s mind.
Jim and Amos returned from taking in the head board. Jim pulled his folding chair from the wagon and sat in it. Wiping the sweat from his head he requested, “Suzy can you get me the canteen?”
Suzy went and got the canteen from the wagon seat and announced, “Break time.” As she pulled the other chair out and sat. Amos sat on the back of the wagon, and Benjamin saw the stack of fabric and went to investigate. Coming from a textiles family Benjamin knew fabrics. He ran his hand a across printed cottons. He inspected the print, and insisted, “I might have made this one. My family owns this print. Where did you get it from?”
Suzy thought, Thank God I studied that when I got it.
Suzy replied, “I special ordered it from England. I want to have a summer dress made from it.”
Enthusiastically Benjamin affirmed, “I knew it. I ran the factory that made that print. You’re lucky Miss Watson the dress maker lives here.”
Amos spoke up, “Yes Mable is nice.”
Suzy said, “We can’t sit here all day Jim.”
Then she went back to the wagon, and handed Jim the fabrics and set the chamber pot on it. Next she gave Benjamin a lamp and a lantern witch he noticed had never been used. Then she had Amos help her with her cooking gear. Jim and Benjamin returned to find the wagon down to the edible provisions.
Suzy looked at Jim and Informed, “I don’t know where to put this stuff. Our meals are pervaded here and we don’t have room in our room for it.”
Benjamin insisted, “Wait here and I’ll ask Miss Tomson.”
Benjamin ran to the kitchen where Victoria was making Bread Pudding. He informed, “Victoria they have a lot of provisions they don’t know what to do with. I’m sure you could use them. What do you want me to tell them?”
Victoria replied, “Well bring the stuff to the kitchen for land's sake. You know we can use whatever we get.”
So like ants at a picnic a study stream of provisions flowed into the kitchen. Suzy saved the best for last, and came in with the bacon. Handing it to Victoria Suzy confessed, “I cut some off it, but most of it’s there.”
Victoria gave Suzy a hug and announced, “Suzy you’re a blessing. Well get a nice potato soup with some of this.”
Then Victoria yelled, “Amos.”
Benjamin announced, “I’m going to show them where things are.”
Victoria proclaimed, “Thanks Benjamin.”
Benjamin took then them down to the well about 200 feet behind the house. Then he instructed, “The well has a hand pump and a bucket, and the waters not that far down. Amos uses the bucket all the time. Victoria makes him keep the barrel on the porch full, so you can get water there. You can see the creek from here. The well water leaches off it.”
Then walking back to the bath house Benjamin pointed to the outhouse behind it. Saying, “That’s where you empty your chamber-pot, and this is the bath house. This is where you can wash clothes and take a bath. You have to bucket your own water for that. That’s about it; you know where the dining room is.”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
Jim announced, “If Suzy will help me unhitch the horses. I’ll take them to the Livery.”
Benjamin inquired, “You minding if I walk with you?”
Jim replied. “Sure.”
Suzy unhitched the horses and put the gear in the coach house. Then she instructed Jim to leave the reins at the Livery for when they bring the horses back. She told Jim she was going to work on their room. Then Jim led the horses out to the road as Benjamin informed, “The stable master is Henry and he lives here too. If you haven’t figured out Amos yet he works for Miss Tomson for room and board.
Then there’s Emily, she’s the store clerk and works for Hank at the General Store. She’s having an affair with Hank that no one knows about. Hank is a lot older and a widower. Then there’s Rebecca, she’s a news reporter and columnist for the Lambert Times. Don’t tell her anything, or you’ll be reading about it in the paper.
Last is Albert, he’s the Blacksmith and did live at the Blacksmith shop but moved here for the cooked miles, and the town pays for his room.”
Jim questioned, “Why doses the town pay for his room?”
Benjamin replied, “Oh he also the town constable. Not that he ever has to do anything, but deal with a drunk once in a while.
Well here we are. “Hay Henry you have a costumer.”
Henry came to meet them and questioned, “What do you need?”
Jim replied, “I need to board my team.”
Henry questioned, “By the day, week, or month?”
Jim inquired, “What is it by the week?”
Henry questioned, “Full care or self-care boarding?”
Jim inquired, “How much is self-care boarding?”
Henry replied, “Five dollars per horse a week.”
Jim said, “Oh crap!”
Benjamin explained, “Oh come on Henry he just moved into the house today. You’re going to half to look at him across the table every night.”
Henry replied, “In that case I want an extra five.”
Benjamin grumbled, “Knock it off Henry.”
Henry offered, “If you can come and help me some, and let me rent out your team once in a while. I might be able to cut that in half.”
Jim offered, “I’ll give you ten for the first week, but I’ll have to talk to my wife for more than that.”
Benjamin exclaimed, “Good luck Hennery she’s a stick of dynamite.”
Jim gave Henry the ten dollars and handed him the rains. Then they started walking back as Jim announced, “I need to stop and get some coal oil for our lamp.”
Benjamin replied, “Good, you can meet Emily when we get that.”
Jim declared, “Thanks for befriending me Benjamin.”
Benjamin replied, “I needed to get out of the house anyway.”
In the store Benjamin announced, “We need coal oil Emily.”
Emily informed, “That’s 15¢ a gallon and 5¢ for the can. Unless you have a can, but I don’t see one.”
Jim replied, “Nope don’t have one.”
Emily replied, “Then 20¢ it is. I’ll go get that.”
Returning with the can Emily set it at the end of the counter. Then she went to the hand crank register.
Jim put four nickels on the counter, as Benjamin informed, “This is James he moved in with his wife today.”
Emily smiled, “Looking forward to meeting your wife, and seeing you tonight.
On the way back to the house Benjamin reviled, “There’s somethings you need to know. Victoria’s boarding house is a hand to mouth operation. It’s all she can do to keep the doors open. She’s kind of stuck. If she tries to charge more people will leave. It’s just the times. Things are hard right now.
Henry’s in a tuff spot right now too. We had a hell storm two nights ago, and it flattened al the grass hay down. If it don’t stand back up the price will go through the roof. That’s if he can even get it, so that’s got him all stressed out. You didn’t catch him at his best today.”
Back at the boarding house Jim set the coal oil can with the others outside the backdoor. Then he went to his room. The bed was made up and everything was put a way. Suzy was sitting on the bed when Jim walked in and questioned, “How did it go at the stables?”
Jim sat in the chair next to the Armoire and explained, “I don’t think we can afford the horses. It was ten dollars a week and we have to go down and care for them. If we pay that we’ll be out of money in no time.”
Suzy replied, “I was afraid of that. We need to find a place to pasture them. We should be able to get that for about five dollars a mouth.”
Patting on the bed Suzy insisted come sit over here. I have something I have to tell you. Jim moved over to the bed and spoke softly, “You don’t need to tell me. I already know from the crow. I just wish I could take it from you. I’m not as strong as you, and I could never bear what you’re going through.”
Suzy insisted, “But Jim…”
Jim put his finger to Suzy’s lips and went, “Shhh…”
Then Jim got up and waked to the door and opened it. So Suzy couldn’t tell him. He didn’t want her to go through that hurt again. Turning back he said, “I’m going to go out and sit in my chair on the porch.”
Jim sat on the porch looking at his and Suzy’s Peace Makers hanging on the peg. It was so quite Jim couldn’t stop thinking about everything. Then Suzy came and sat next to him, she whispered, “It’s quite here.”
Unknown to them Benjamin was just inside the backdoor watching Victoria cooking, and listening to them.
Jim replied, “I know, I’m use to the radio being on in the shop. I never turned it off I just left it on day and night. There was always some kind of noise the air compressor, an air ratchet, the drill, it was always something. Even at night you’d talk to me. Now when I drive the wagon the only sound is the horses. I’m use to my old truck with all the squeaks, knocks, rattles, and. the roar of the engine. There’s none of that here.”
Suzy argued, “I know I couldn’t stop things from going through my head in the room. I thought about everything cleaning up the room. Now I am getting board. I know it’s only been a few minutes, but I always have had something going on.”
Jim informed, “I saw a newspaper on the table maybe I could read some of it to you. It would pass the time.
Suzy agreed, “Let’s do that.”
Benjamin slipped away from the door, and moved to the table.
They sat at the table next to each other, and Benjamin was down at the far end of the table. Jim picked up the newspaper and commented, “Oh look we can get a carriage $49.95. Here yah go BLUINE A 10-cent package will blue the laundry of the average family for four months.”
Suzy elbowed Jim and insisted, “James knock it off!”
With that Jim picked a story, “New Typewriter to hit the Market
Following a demonstration at Remington's offices in New York, the company contracted on March 1, 1873, to manufacture 1,000 machines, with the option to produce an additional 24,000 Although the agreement required Densmore to give Remington $10,000 and royalty rights, a marketing firm to be formed by Densmore and Yost was allowed to serve as the exclusive sales agent. Remington dedicated a wing of its factory to the typewriter, and spent several months retooling and re-engineering the device; production began in September. The machine will enter the market on July 1, 1874. Typewriter production will be largely overseen by Jefferson Clough and William K. Jenne, manager of Remington's sewing machine division. The redesigned machine was sturdier and more reliable than Sholes' model, but it had taken on some of the characteristics of a sewing machine, including a japanned case with floral ornamentation and a stand with a treadle to operate the carriage return.”
Suzy exclaimed, “Wow, I didn’t know Remington made a sewing machine. I thought I heard Singer made then in New York.”
Benjamin spoke up, “Your right Suzan, Singers are made in New York, and my dad has quit a few of them. They coast like $300 each. He uses them for his clothing line.”
Just then Albert came in. he was a big muscle bond man with short brown hair and a mustache Seeing Jim and Suzy Albert question, “Who do we have here?”
Benjamin informed, “This is Mr. and Mrs. White. They moved in today.”
Jim stood up and offered his hand, “I’m James and this is my wife Suzan, Pleased to meet you.”
Taking Jim’s hand Albert apologized, “I’m sorry I’m Albert the town blacksmith. Is that your wagon out there?”
Jim questioned, “Yah is there a problem?”
Albert reviled, “Oh no. I was just looking it over. The blacksmith that did the work for that wagon was good. His eye for detail is almost unbelievable. That has to be the best I’ve ever seen. The carpentry matches the same standers. You have a top line rig out there.”
Suzy spoke up, “Why thank you Albert. I do have a job for you though. One of our horses has a loose shoe, and the other one need’s to have its hooves trimmed and new shoes. There down at the Livery, and you can pick them up anytime.”
Albert replied, “I’ll take a look at them, tomorrow. I need to get cleaned up right now.”
Albert went to his room, and Benjamin informed, “Albert gets five dollars to trim and shoe if he can use the old shoes. Maybe a little more if he has to rework them. If you want news shoes I’m not sure,”
Suzy assured, “That sounds fair.”
Victoria spoke up, “If he doesn’t give you a good deal sweetie. You just let me know. I’ll burn his pancakes.”
Benjamin laughed, “She’d do it too.”
Victoria announced, “Mind your manners the dress maker is home.”
Benjamin looked at Suzy and whispered, “This is the one you want to make your dress.”
A tall slender woman stepped in the door. She had long blond hair, and was wearing a violet dress with long sleeves. It had purple lace around the sleeves, neck, middle, and just up from the bottom. There was a purple belt around the waist that tied in a bow in the back.
Seeing her come in Benjamin announced, “Good evening Mss. Watson.”
Mable, replied, “I keep telling you Mr. Belvedere its Mable. I’ll change and be right back down.” Then she looked at Suzy and Jim as she smiled and said. “Hi,” as she walked away.
Victoria set a stack of bowls on the table and Benjamin announced, “That our clue it’s time to leave.”
With that Jim and Suzy moved out to their chares on the porch. Benjamin followed and sat on a bench along the wall next to Victoria’s chair. Then Albert appeared and sat next to Benjamin commenting, “Looks like stew again.”
Benjamin informed, “Not just stew it has beef in it.”
Albert questioned, “How did that happen?”
Benjamin replied, “Suzan had it in her supplies and donated it.”
Albert declared, “Why thank you Suzan. Guess I’ll have to forgive you for hanging you gun on my peg.”
Looking up at Albert’s gun Jim apologized, “I’m sorry we didn’t know.”
Albert continued, “It’s all right I just hung mine on the other side. I saw you and Benjamin pass the shop with your team today. I didn’t see you waring a gun then.”
Jim explained, “When we got here Victoria told us we couldn’t wear them in the house and to hang them on the peg. I just left it there all day.”
Albert continued, “I could never do that. Walking around without my gun wouldn’t feel right. It would be like walking around without my pants on.”
Looking up Albert announced, “Why Henry we were just talking about you, but we’ll stop now.”
Looking over at Jim Henry nodded and questioned, “That your wagon out there?”
Jim replied, “Yep, is it a problem?”
Henry Joked, “Yah I should have charged you twenty. That thing has money written all over it.”
Jim had to think fast, but Suzy blurted, “It sure doses! That’s why we have to watch every penny because of his pampas ass and that wagon. He tells me, but I can use it to make money.”
Suzy stormed to her room. Henry apologized, Sorry about that James. I was going to ask you about doing some hay hulling for boarding. I guess we can talk about that later.”
Jim assured, “It’s all good Henry. She’ll forget about it in about ten years. I better go see if I can get in more trouble.”
Benjamin snickered, “I warned you Henry. I said she was a stick of dynamite.”
Albert commented, “Something doesn’t feel right about this. Brand new wagon, clothes, guns, and look at the leather on their holsters. Not a mark on them it looks like money to me.”
Benjamin insisted, “I’ve been with James all day. I watched him unload their wagon and everything is new. I mean everything except the chamber-pot and quilt. James don’t act like he’s rich, and the only rich people in this town are Hank and Albert.”
Albert remarked, “Yah right.”
Benjamin went on, “What I think is they lost everything. Maybe a fire burned them out. They had to sale their land. Then got all new stuff and are starting over. James tells me there from Texas, but we all know that wagon never made a trip like that. He also told me he was a cattle man, but I think he was a farmer. He knows a lot about that if you talk to him. He told me it’s early in the growing season, and he thinks the grass will be just fine. He also told me the rain primed the ground and the hell melted slowly. This made the water go more into the ground, and not runoff putting more water in the ground.”
Henry agreed, “Now that sounds like a farmer. Maybe they had crop failures and were forced to sale their land, and used their money to start over.”
Albert noted, “That all sounds posable. One thing for sure is will all will know in time. You can’t live with people and not learn something.”
Emily came around the corner and scolded, “You guy’s should be ashamed of your self’s. Out here gossiping about the new people. You’re worse than a bunch of old ladies at tea party.”
Benjamin announced, “Good evening Mss. Johnson.”
Looking at Benjamin Emily hissed, “You probably started this whole thing.”
Then she went in the back door. Leaning against a porch post Henry could see Emily in the kitchen. Emily was looking in a pot on the stove talking to Victoria.
Henry informed, “She’s in the kitchen talking to Victoria. She’s probably telling Victoria about us right now. Crap she will probably burn one of my pancakes tomorrow.”
Benjamin snickered, “No I think it will be me this time.”
Suzy was lying on the bed when Jim came in and sat in the chair. Looking at Jim she questioned, “You think they bought my acting Job?”
Jim replied. If you want them to think you’re a bitch. I think you succeeded”
Suzy gasped, “No that we don’t have a lot of money silly.”
Jim replied, “You know it. Now they most likely think I’m a jerk, and spent all of our money on stupid stuff.”
Suzy snickered, “Good, you deserve it for spending all of our money on that wagon. How could you do that?”
Jim smartly replied, “Well I might have a job hulling hay for Henry. He asked me after you left. I don’t know if it was because he felt sorry for me, or because of the wagon. I don’t care right now.”
Suzy demanded, “Come over here and lay next to me. Now you see why we had to have a wagon. In this time a wagon is like owning a semi-truck. You can use it to make money. If we just had saddles and got horses we couldn’t have that option, and you wouldn’t be lying in this soft bed.”
Just then there was a knock at the door, and Albert’s voice rang out, “Food.”
Jim and Suzy came in to see everyone at the table, there was two chairs next to each other on the far side of the table. Jim and Suzy took their seats, as Victoria came and set a big pot on the table.
Then Victoria announced, “This is Mr. and Mrs. White. They are our new occupants. You might want to introduce yourself.”
They start going around the table saying who they were, I’m Mable Watson, and everyone knows me as the Seamstress, I’m Albert Blocker the Black Smith, Emily Johnson the store clerk, I’m Henry Zimmerman, I’m Benjamin Belvedere, and I’m Rebecca Hill the one no one talks to because I’m the news reporter. I have a column in the Lambert Times.
Then Jim said, “I’m James and this is my wife Suzan,”
After that Benjamin stood and announced, “I’ll pray, Father we thank you for the food, a roof over our head, and Victoria. I give special thanks for sending us the White’s. Amen. Let’s eat.”
Mable took a dipper of the stew and put it in her bowl. Then Benjamin did the same and took a slice of bread. Then Benjamin pushed the pot and bread plate down the table. They did this until the pot was at the other end of the table by Henry and Rebecca.
After everyone had their fill Amos came and cleared the table. Everyone sat at the table and talked about their day. Then Amos laid out the desert plates and Victoria set the bread pudding on the table with a severing spoon.
Then after everyone had some of the pudding Benjamin read out of the newspaper. He read the same article that Jim read to Suzy. Then told about his dad’s clothing line, and how he had ten singer sewing machines that cost $300 a peace. That he paid to have people run then around the clock making clothes. Then one by one each of them started drifting off to their room or outside,
Jim and Suzy went out to their chairs on the porch. There they found Henry enjoying a pipe. Looking up he announced, “Victoria don’t like smoking inside, so I come out here. There’s nothing like a good smoke before bed.”
Soon it was getting dark and Suzy questioned, “Did you fill the lamp.”
Jim replied, “Oh crap the can is over there.”
Albert insisted, “You best be getting the lamp James.”
Jim ran in the house and got the got the lamp from his room. Removing the glass chimney and screwing off the top Jim poured in the oil.”
Albert instructed, “Looks like a new lamp. Don’t forget to crank out the wick and prim it.”
Jim replied, “Oh yah, Thanks.”
Jim crank out the wick turn it upside down and dipped it in the lamp. Then he turned it over and screwed it on. Albert lit a match and lit the lamp. The lamp flame shot up and Jim turned it down and put on the chimney. Then Jim and Suzy went to their room.
There were lying in bed and Suzy explained, “I don’t know what to do now. Everything has changed. All the hopes and desire I gave you were wrong. None of it is going to happen now.”
Jim sat up and insisted, “You stop right now! I told you I knew. The crow told me everything. We’re stuck here and can’t change a thing. There is that what you wanted to tell me. I’m sorry I got you into this, but we’re here and there is nothing we can do about it. I told you I’d be there for you. Wherever you go, I'll be with you. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. Whatever it is I’ll do it. Jest let me know. I mean that with all my heart. I just wish I could take your sorrow away. All I can do is hold you and share it with you.”
A tear ran down Suzy’s face as she whimpered, “That’s all I need to know James. I love you too. We got this.”
Jim whispered, “We got each other,”
Benjamin inquired, “You minding if I walk with you?”
Jim replied. “Sure.”
Suzy unhitched the horses and put the gear in the coach house. Then she instructed Jim to leave the reins at the Livery for when they bring the horses back. She told Jim she was going to work on their room. Then Jim led the horses out to the road as Benjamin informed, “The stable master is Henry and he lives here too. If you haven’t figured out Amos yet he works for Miss Tomson for room and board.
Then there’s Emily, she’s the store clerk and works for Hank at the General Store. She’s having an affair with Hank that no one knows about. Hank is a lot older and a widower. Then there’s Rebecca, she’s a news reporter and columnist for the Lambert Times. Don’t tell her anything, or you’ll be reading about it in the paper.
Last is Albert, he’s the Blacksmith and did live at the Blacksmith shop but moved here for the cooked miles, and the town pays for his room.”
Jim questioned, “Why doses the town pay for his room?”
Benjamin replied, “Oh he also the town constable. Not that he ever has to do anything, but deal with a drunk once in a while.
Well here we are. “Hay Henry you have a costumer.”
Henry came to meet them and questioned, “What do you need?”
Jim replied, “I need to board my team.”
Henry questioned, “By the day, week, or month?”
Jim inquired, “What is it by the week?”
Henry questioned, “Full care or self-care boarding?”
Jim inquired, “How much is self-care boarding?”
Henry replied, “Five dollars per horse a week.”
Jim said, “Oh crap!”
Benjamin explained, “Oh come on Henry he just moved into the house today. You’re going to half to look at him across the table every night.”
Henry replied, “In that case I want an extra five.”
Benjamin grumbled, “Knock it off Henry.”
Henry offered, “If you can come and help me some, and let me rent out your team once in a while. I might be able to cut that in half.”
Jim offered, “I’ll give you ten for the first week, but I’ll have to talk to my wife for more than that.”
Benjamin exclaimed, “Good luck Hennery she’s a stick of dynamite.”
Jim gave Henry the ten dollars and handed him the rains. Then they started walking back as Jim announced, “I need to stop and get some coal oil for our lamp.”
Benjamin replied, “Good, you can meet Emily when we get that.”
Jim declared, “Thanks for befriending me Benjamin.”
Benjamin replied, “I needed to get out of the house anyway.”
In the store Benjamin announced, “We need coal oil Emily.”
Emily informed, “That’s 15¢ a gallon and 5¢ for the can. Unless you have a can, but I don’t see one.”
Jim replied, “Nope don’t have one.”
Emily replied, “Then 20¢ it is. I’ll go get that.”
Returning with the can Emily set it at the end of the counter. Then she went to the hand crank register.
Jim put four nickels on the counter, as Benjamin informed, “This is James he moved in with his wife today.”
Emily smiled, “Looking forward to meeting your wife, and seeing you tonight.
On the way back to the house Benjamin reviled, “There’s somethings you need to know. Victoria’s boarding house is a hand to mouth operation. It’s all she can do to keep the doors open. She’s kind of stuck. If she tries to charge more people will leave. It’s just the times. Things are hard right now.
Henry’s in a tuff spot right now too. We had a hell storm two nights ago, and it flattened al the grass hay down. If it don’t stand back up the price will go through the roof. That’s if he can even get it, so that’s got him all stressed out. You didn’t catch him at his best today.”
Back at the boarding house Jim set the coal oil can with the others outside the backdoor. Then he went to his room. The bed was made up and everything was put a way. Suzy was sitting on the bed when Jim walked in and questioned, “How did it go at the stables?”
Jim sat in the chair next to the Armoire and explained, “I don’t think we can afford the horses. It was ten dollars a week and we have to go down and care for them. If we pay that we’ll be out of money in no time.”
Suzy replied, “I was afraid of that. We need to find a place to pasture them. We should be able to get that for about five dollars a mouth.”
Patting on the bed Suzy insisted come sit over here. I have something I have to tell you. Jim moved over to the bed and spoke softly, “You don’t need to tell me. I already know from the crow. I just wish I could take it from you. I’m not as strong as you, and I could never bear what you’re going through.”
Suzy insisted, “But Jim…”
Jim put his finger to Suzy’s lips and went, “Shhh…”
Then Jim got up and waked to the door and opened it. So Suzy couldn’t tell him. He didn’t want her to go through that hurt again. Turning back he said, “I’m going to go out and sit in my chair on the porch.”
Jim sat on the porch looking at his and Suzy’s Peace Makers hanging on the peg. It was so quite Jim couldn’t stop thinking about everything. Then Suzy came and sat next to him, she whispered, “It’s quite here.”
Unknown to them Benjamin was just inside the backdoor watching Victoria cooking, and listening to them.
Jim replied, “I know, I’m use to the radio being on in the shop. I never turned it off I just left it on day and night. There was always some kind of noise the air compressor, an air ratchet, the drill, it was always something. Even at night you’d talk to me. Now when I drive the wagon the only sound is the horses. I’m use to my old truck with all the squeaks, knocks, rattles, and. the roar of the engine. There’s none of that here.”
Suzy argued, “I know I couldn’t stop things from going through my head in the room. I thought about everything cleaning up the room. Now I am getting board. I know it’s only been a few minutes, but I always have had something going on.”
Jim informed, “I saw a newspaper on the table maybe I could read some of it to you. It would pass the time.
Suzy agreed, “Let’s do that.”
Benjamin slipped away from the door, and moved to the table.
They sat at the table next to each other, and Benjamin was down at the far end of the table. Jim picked up the newspaper and commented, “Oh look we can get a carriage $49.95. Here yah go BLUINE A 10-cent package will blue the laundry of the average family for four months.”
Suzy elbowed Jim and insisted, “James knock it off!”
With that Jim picked a story, “New Typewriter to hit the Market
Following a demonstration at Remington's offices in New York, the company contracted on March 1, 1873, to manufacture 1,000 machines, with the option to produce an additional 24,000 Although the agreement required Densmore to give Remington $10,000 and royalty rights, a marketing firm to be formed by Densmore and Yost was allowed to serve as the exclusive sales agent. Remington dedicated a wing of its factory to the typewriter, and spent several months retooling and re-engineering the device; production began in September. The machine will enter the market on July 1, 1874. Typewriter production will be largely overseen by Jefferson Clough and William K. Jenne, manager of Remington's sewing machine division. The redesigned machine was sturdier and more reliable than Sholes' model, but it had taken on some of the characteristics of a sewing machine, including a japanned case with floral ornamentation and a stand with a treadle to operate the carriage return.”
Suzy exclaimed, “Wow, I didn’t know Remington made a sewing machine. I thought I heard Singer made then in New York.”
Benjamin spoke up, “Your right Suzan, Singers are made in New York, and my dad has quit a few of them. They coast like $300 each. He uses them for his clothing line.”
Just then Albert came in. he was a big muscle bond man with short brown hair and a mustache Seeing Jim and Suzy Albert question, “Who do we have here?”
Benjamin informed, “This is Mr. and Mrs. White. They moved in today.”
Jim stood up and offered his hand, “I’m James and this is my wife Suzan, Pleased to meet you.”
Taking Jim’s hand Albert apologized, “I’m sorry I’m Albert the town blacksmith. Is that your wagon out there?”
Jim questioned, “Yah is there a problem?”
Albert reviled, “Oh no. I was just looking it over. The blacksmith that did the work for that wagon was good. His eye for detail is almost unbelievable. That has to be the best I’ve ever seen. The carpentry matches the same standers. You have a top line rig out there.”
Suzy spoke up, “Why thank you Albert. I do have a job for you though. One of our horses has a loose shoe, and the other one need’s to have its hooves trimmed and new shoes. There down at the Livery, and you can pick them up anytime.”
Albert replied, “I’ll take a look at them, tomorrow. I need to get cleaned up right now.”
Albert went to his room, and Benjamin informed, “Albert gets five dollars to trim and shoe if he can use the old shoes. Maybe a little more if he has to rework them. If you want news shoes I’m not sure,”
Suzy assured, “That sounds fair.”
Victoria spoke up, “If he doesn’t give you a good deal sweetie. You just let me know. I’ll burn his pancakes.”
Benjamin laughed, “She’d do it too.”
Victoria announced, “Mind your manners the dress maker is home.”
Benjamin looked at Suzy and whispered, “This is the one you want to make your dress.”
A tall slender woman stepped in the door. She had long blond hair, and was wearing a violet dress with long sleeves. It had purple lace around the sleeves, neck, middle, and just up from the bottom. There was a purple belt around the waist that tied in a bow in the back.
Seeing her come in Benjamin announced, “Good evening Mss. Watson.”
Mable, replied, “I keep telling you Mr. Belvedere its Mable. I’ll change and be right back down.” Then she looked at Suzy and Jim as she smiled and said. “Hi,” as she walked away.
Victoria set a stack of bowls on the table and Benjamin announced, “That our clue it’s time to leave.”
With that Jim and Suzy moved out to their chares on the porch. Benjamin followed and sat on a bench along the wall next to Victoria’s chair. Then Albert appeared and sat next to Benjamin commenting, “Looks like stew again.”
Benjamin informed, “Not just stew it has beef in it.”
Albert questioned, “How did that happen?”
Benjamin replied, “Suzan had it in her supplies and donated it.”
Albert declared, “Why thank you Suzan. Guess I’ll have to forgive you for hanging you gun on my peg.”
Looking up at Albert’s gun Jim apologized, “I’m sorry we didn’t know.”
Albert continued, “It’s all right I just hung mine on the other side. I saw you and Benjamin pass the shop with your team today. I didn’t see you waring a gun then.”
Jim explained, “When we got here Victoria told us we couldn’t wear them in the house and to hang them on the peg. I just left it there all day.”
Albert continued, “I could never do that. Walking around without my gun wouldn’t feel right. It would be like walking around without my pants on.”
Looking up Albert announced, “Why Henry we were just talking about you, but we’ll stop now.”
Looking over at Jim Henry nodded and questioned, “That your wagon out there?”
Jim replied, “Yep, is it a problem?”
Henry Joked, “Yah I should have charged you twenty. That thing has money written all over it.”
Jim had to think fast, but Suzy blurted, “It sure doses! That’s why we have to watch every penny because of his pampas ass and that wagon. He tells me, but I can use it to make money.”
Suzy stormed to her room. Henry apologized, Sorry about that James. I was going to ask you about doing some hay hulling for boarding. I guess we can talk about that later.”
Jim assured, “It’s all good Henry. She’ll forget about it in about ten years. I better go see if I can get in more trouble.”
Benjamin snickered, “I warned you Henry. I said she was a stick of dynamite.”
Albert commented, “Something doesn’t feel right about this. Brand new wagon, clothes, guns, and look at the leather on their holsters. Not a mark on them it looks like money to me.”
Benjamin insisted, “I’ve been with James all day. I watched him unload their wagon and everything is new. I mean everything except the chamber-pot and quilt. James don’t act like he’s rich, and the only rich people in this town are Hank and Albert.”
Albert remarked, “Yah right.”
Benjamin went on, “What I think is they lost everything. Maybe a fire burned them out. They had to sale their land. Then got all new stuff and are starting over. James tells me there from Texas, but we all know that wagon never made a trip like that. He also told me he was a cattle man, but I think he was a farmer. He knows a lot about that if you talk to him. He told me it’s early in the growing season, and he thinks the grass will be just fine. He also told me the rain primed the ground and the hell melted slowly. This made the water go more into the ground, and not runoff putting more water in the ground.”
Henry agreed, “Now that sounds like a farmer. Maybe they had crop failures and were forced to sale their land, and used their money to start over.”
Albert noted, “That all sounds posable. One thing for sure is will all will know in time. You can’t live with people and not learn something.”
Emily came around the corner and scolded, “You guy’s should be ashamed of your self’s. Out here gossiping about the new people. You’re worse than a bunch of old ladies at tea party.”
Benjamin announced, “Good evening Mss. Johnson.”
Looking at Benjamin Emily hissed, “You probably started this whole thing.”
Then she went in the back door. Leaning against a porch post Henry could see Emily in the kitchen. Emily was looking in a pot on the stove talking to Victoria.
Henry informed, “She’s in the kitchen talking to Victoria. She’s probably telling Victoria about us right now. Crap she will probably burn one of my pancakes tomorrow.”
Benjamin snickered, “No I think it will be me this time.”
Suzy was lying on the bed when Jim came in and sat in the chair. Looking at Jim she questioned, “You think they bought my acting Job?”
Jim replied. If you want them to think you’re a bitch. I think you succeeded”
Suzy gasped, “No that we don’t have a lot of money silly.”
Jim replied, “You know it. Now they most likely think I’m a jerk, and spent all of our money on stupid stuff.”
Suzy snickered, “Good, you deserve it for spending all of our money on that wagon. How could you do that?”
Jim smartly replied, “Well I might have a job hulling hay for Henry. He asked me after you left. I don’t know if it was because he felt sorry for me, or because of the wagon. I don’t care right now.”
Suzy demanded, “Come over here and lay next to me. Now you see why we had to have a wagon. In this time a wagon is like owning a semi-truck. You can use it to make money. If we just had saddles and got horses we couldn’t have that option, and you wouldn’t be lying in this soft bed.”
Just then there was a knock at the door, and Albert’s voice rang out, “Food.”
Jim and Suzy came in to see everyone at the table, there was two chairs next to each other on the far side of the table. Jim and Suzy took their seats, as Victoria came and set a big pot on the table.
Then Victoria announced, “This is Mr. and Mrs. White. They are our new occupants. You might want to introduce yourself.”
They start going around the table saying who they were, I’m Mable Watson, and everyone knows me as the Seamstress, I’m Albert Blocker the Black Smith, Emily Johnson the store clerk, I’m Henry Zimmerman, I’m Benjamin Belvedere, and I’m Rebecca Hill the one no one talks to because I’m the news reporter. I have a column in the Lambert Times.
Then Jim said, “I’m James and this is my wife Suzan,”
After that Benjamin stood and announced, “I’ll pray, Father we thank you for the food, a roof over our head, and Victoria. I give special thanks for sending us the White’s. Amen. Let’s eat.”
Mable took a dipper of the stew and put it in her bowl. Then Benjamin did the same and took a slice of bread. Then Benjamin pushed the pot and bread plate down the table. They did this until the pot was at the other end of the table by Henry and Rebecca.
After everyone had their fill Amos came and cleared the table. Everyone sat at the table and talked about their day. Then Amos laid out the desert plates and Victoria set the bread pudding on the table with a severing spoon.
Then after everyone had some of the pudding Benjamin read out of the newspaper. He read the same article that Jim read to Suzy. Then told about his dad’s clothing line, and how he had ten singer sewing machines that cost $300 a peace. That he paid to have people run then around the clock making clothes. Then one by one each of them started drifting off to their room or outside,
Jim and Suzy went out to their chairs on the porch. There they found Henry enjoying a pipe. Looking up he announced, “Victoria don’t like smoking inside, so I come out here. There’s nothing like a good smoke before bed.”
Soon it was getting dark and Suzy questioned, “Did you fill the lamp.”
Jim replied, “Oh crap the can is over there.”
Albert insisted, “You best be getting the lamp James.”
Jim ran in the house and got the got the lamp from his room. Removing the glass chimney and screwing off the top Jim poured in the oil.”
Albert instructed, “Looks like a new lamp. Don’t forget to crank out the wick and prim it.”
Jim replied, “Oh yah, Thanks.”
Jim crank out the wick turn it upside down and dipped it in the lamp. Then he turned it over and screwed it on. Albert lit a match and lit the lamp. The lamp flame shot up and Jim turned it down and put on the chimney. Then Jim and Suzy went to their room.
There were lying in bed and Suzy explained, “I don’t know what to do now. Everything has changed. All the hopes and desire I gave you were wrong. None of it is going to happen now.”
Jim sat up and insisted, “You stop right now! I told you I knew. The crow told me everything. We’re stuck here and can’t change a thing. There is that what you wanted to tell me. I’m sorry I got you into this, but we’re here and there is nothing we can do about it. I told you I’d be there for you. Wherever you go, I'll be with you. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. Whatever it is I’ll do it. Jest let me know. I mean that with all my heart. I just wish I could take your sorrow away. All I can do is hold you and share it with you.”
A tear ran down Suzy’s face as she whimpered, “That’s all I need to know James. I love you too. We got this.”
Jim whispered, “We got each other,”
gonewacky
Veteran Member
I'll post more tomorrow. Ned to spend some Wife time to keep things happy around her. Thank you all for the kind words. I was just hoping someone would enjoy it. I'm not a writer I'm a story teller. I was afraid to do this a little. With Love From Our Home To Yours Joe...
