The combine was stored back in the southeast corner of the machine shed. A few bale stood along the edge of the alfalfa field, waiting to be hauled to the top of the hill for the winter. The cows and their babies still enjoyed the long summer days under the old cottonwood trees.
Lyle had found a small upstairs apartment in town. He had promised to come out once a day to clean the liter box and make sure Skitz had food and water. Of course he would amble down to the horse barn and give them a love pat or two.
Mark had spent yesterday afternoon grinding pig feed. He wanted to make sure the self feeders were full. Each held a ton of grain so it took awhile to get it all ground. I had spent the afternoon baking up some chocolate chip cookies and a number of other things to take to Butch, while Kate was putting in her last day of work for the summer
Now the car was finally packed and Kate was getting her last minute things from the bedroom down stairs. We were heading to see Bret and to meet his Emma! We were planning to leave Kate with Bret and Butch for the weekend while Mark and I went on up north for a couple days.
"All set?' Mark asked as he put the car into gear and we drove out the drive way and headed east.
It would be so special to see where Bret was spending his time. It was a beautiful state, according to Bret. Lots of hiking trails, which we all enjoyed. As we drove out of one state into another and another, across the rivers, and through the big cities, I thought of Bret coming this same way all alone two months ago now. There was a lot of farm land so Mark enjoyed that. Kate liked driving so she did a lot of it. She was a whiz in big cities.
It was getting late afternoon when we drove north into a small town. "Do you have the address Bret sent us?" asked Mark
"Yea....lets see....295 W Maple" Kate said from the back seat.
We slowly drove down Main and then turned west at Maple Street. "OK he said to look for a two story house on the hill. It will be on the right." came more instructions from an excited sister in the back seat.
"There it is." I said with excitement.
We made a right turn into Butch's drive way. Just ahead sat Bret's car setting cattywampus in front of the little white garage. It was a cute little white house trimmed in black. Mark pulled up past the back porch and parked just behind Bret's car. We were here. How cute. How homey! So this was where Bret called home. Now to meet Butch.
We walked up to the back door and rang the door bell. It didn't take long before we heard footsteps coming hurrying to the door. It flew open and there stood Bret. He looked so good!
"Well you made it without any trouble I see. Come in. Butch is still making his deliveries." Bret said kicking a pair of old boots out of the way.
What a cute little kitchen! On the counter sat a cherry pie, just out of the oven. A crock pot sat not far away with supper inside. It looked like a bachelor's kitchen. A small table set along one wall. On it was the newspaper, some loose napkins, and some bags of peanuts. Beyond the kitchen was the living room and off the the left was the washer and dryer. Butch's bedroom set off to the left of the living room. It fit Bret just perfect!
"Did you make the pie?" I asked going over to it and taking a smell.
"Yea just got it out of the oven." Bret said taking the lid off the crock pot and stirring the chili. Boy did it smell good.
"We have some frozen things we should get into the freezer/" Mark said,
"Oh OK. Just let me rearrange a few things then I'll be out." Bret said slipping on his tennis shoes.
Mark and I made our way to the car, as Kate went with Bret to check the freezer. I just stood there looking around. The landscape was beautiful. You could smell the fresh mowed grass. A car would go past once in awhile, otherwise it was quiet. Birds sang their evening song from the big maple and walnut trees.
After stocking the freezer and hauling the suitcases upstairs, Bret took us for a hike on the trail. How beautiful. It wound back through the trees and around the bend and down into a valley. In some places the cliffs rose up into the sky. It was a paved path that we followed until we came to a lake. Here we turned around and made our way back to Butches. It was so relaxing just walking along. Of course Mark, Bret and Kate were ahead of me, but I didn't care.
As we walked in the back door, a tall thin man with black glasses and black hair stood at the kitchen sink. He had cleared the table and was setting it. He turned around and gave us all his big smile. "Well so this is Bret's mom, dad and sister. I'm Butch." he said sticking out his hand in a firm handshake.
"So glad to get to finally meet you Butch." Mark said holding out his hand.
That night around the table was talk, laughter, and story telling. It felt so good to once again be at the table with Bret.
"Have you met the new little Miss yet?" Butch asked with a chuckle.
"No we haven't. But we are sure anxious to" I answered looking at Bret for an answer.
"Emma will meet us at the Ledges tomorrow evening for a picnic." Bret said "She gets off work at the dental office around 5:30."
After supper Butch and I did the dishes while Mark, Kate and Bret went to the garage to check on the motorcycle and Butch's mower. It was special to get to know Butch and I was liking him more all the time. Just an easy going fellow who loved to talk! So common and I knew why Bret liked it here so well. It all made me smile.
At the breakfast table the next morning Bret asked if we wanted to see where he worked.
"Oh course we do!" was our answer.
"Well I have to be there at nine so why don't you follow me and I'll give you a tour of the plant then you can come back here. I'll get home around five and then we will go to the Ledges."
"Sounds great. We'll be ready," I said jumping up to clear the table and do the dishes.
It seemed that I was having a hard time getting away from Butch. He was so easy to talk to and there was so much to talk about. I heard the back door slam shut and shortly Bret's motorcycle start up. Looking out the kitchen window, I saw he and Kate take off down the road, Kate's ponytail flying out from under her helmet.
"Well we are going to miss the tour if we don't get started" Mark said coming in the kitchen.
"You go on," Butch said taking the dish cloth from me. "I don't have to leave until about noon so I'll finish these and put in a wash real quick."
The plant was big! We walked through some glass doors and we were in the office. There were a number of small cubicles lining the east wall.
"Hi Jack, This is my dad, mom and sister Kate," Bret said to a short little man with gray hair. "They are here for a visit so do you mind me showing them around?"
"Not at all. You know the ropes around here I'm sure. Glad to met you folks. We are enjoying Bret." He said with a smile.
"Hi Joe," Bret said to a young man in the second cubicle as we passed on the way to his.
Bret stopped at the last one and we stepped inside. "Well this is where I spend most of my time." he said walking to the desk and looking at a note left there under a paperweight.
There set a big desk, and a big black leather chair on rollers. On the desk was a phone with all kinds of buttons, some lite up and some not, a computer and a number of papers in a basket. I just stood there with my mouth open. Our little country boy, who used to love running the back 40 with holes in his jeans, was now a grown man and this was his responsibility. To me it looked important, but to Bret it was just his job, like all the other men and women working here.
"Now we'll tour the plant," Bret said as he lead us out a side door into an huge open room. "It's going to be noisy, I warn you."
And it was! In this plant they assembled cotton harvesters. There were harvesters setting in a line in all different stages. There was noises from impact wrenches, and drill's. Every once in awhile a fork lift would buzz past you, carrying an engine, or wheels to the harvester that needed it. There were bolts, screws, tires, and engines lined along the walls. By some harvesters, a man was bent over with a welding helmet over his face. Sparks were flying around him as he welded I beams together making the frame.
It was special for me to stand and observe. There was Bret, taller than his dad by now. He was pointing out all the things and explaining this and that, as Mark and Kate stood there taking it all in. It wasn't to many years ago that Mark was the one explaining things, and Bret was the one learning. Oh how the clock can change things!
When Mark, Kate and I got back to Butch's, he was just coming out of the house heading to the city to make his deliveries. His old white Pontiac sat there by the back porch, its back door open.
"Well you just caught me. I'm heading to do my deliveries. Kate could come with me if she wants or Mark. I'll be home in good time. It is a short day." Butch said slamming the back door shut.
Kate hopped in the front seat and off the went. Mark and I made our way inside and as I finished cleaning up the kitchen and seeing what there was for lunch, Mark read the newspaper. After lunch we walked down to the little country store for hot dogs, buns, chips and some ketchup. We fast put them in the house and headed to the trail head. It really seemed different to have so much time without chores to do or something that needed fixed.
Everyone was home by 5:30 so we loaded the food, some small pieces of firewood, and some sticks Mark made earlier for roasting hot dogs. Bret drove us northwest out of town. We were on our way to met Emma. The highway made its way past rolling hill after rolling hill of green corn and bean fields. It was amazing how these farmers planted on these hillsides. The grader ditches were all mowed nice and neat, and someone trimmed around the mailbox setting at the end of a long lane.
After traveling some 25 miles, Bret turned off the main road onto a ribbon of blacktop making its way through tall oak and ash trees. Sandstone cliffs reached up into the blue skies. We went down into a valley and there in front of us was a large beautiful picnic area. There were acres of mowed grass among huge oak trees. Picnic tables set here and you could see the river running the length on the west edge. We pulled in and parked.
"This is beautiful Bret." I said looking around me. "I'll walk down to the river while we wait for Emma if you don't mind." It was obvious that no one minded!
I sat there in the sand, the warmth of the sun falling on my back and legs. I just sat there for a while throwing a leaf into the water and watching it float free until it was out of sight. How relaxing it was here beside this lazy river!
After a little bit, I heard a car and looked up and sure enough someone had just drove up and parked. I saw a young girl get out and at first thought it could be Kate. She was the same size as Kate, but it wasn't because Bret soon let me know who it was! Smile!
I got up and made my way toward them. I could hear soft talking and a laugh once in awhile.
"You must be Emma," I said coming up behind them.
A small petite young lady turned around to face me. Her warm smile lighting up her soft eyes. "I'm Emma and you must be Bret's mom."
"Yes I am. I have been sitting down by the river, throwing leaves in the water,"
"Oh I love to do that very thing sometimes," she answered me back.
"Do you come here often?'
"Not as much as I would like. I just live over the hill really."
As we sat at the picnic table closest to the river eating our hot dogs, we got better acquainted with Emma. She was working at a dental office as she waited to get into dental hygiene college. She and her brother also had a detasseling business. Because farmers sell a lot of their corn for seed, they hire young people to remove the pollen producing flowers from the tops of the corn. A corn field sure looked different after the tassels were off. It was hot work. You definitely were tired at the end of the day. Bret actually worked for them in the evenings and on week ends.
After cleaning up and putting things back in the trunk, Bret suggested we take a hike so off we went. We climbed up through the trees, walked along the ledge, looking down on the river that looked like a ribbon winding itself among the trees and green lawns. It was beautiful, standing there. We made our way down and for a long time sat there on the bank of the river, our feet in the water, as the sun sat turning the perfect day into dusk. With sad good byes we watched as Emma got in her car and us in ours.
The next morning, Bret headed for work and Kate hopped into the car with Butch and headed to the city. Mark and I packed up and headed north. It was nice to spend a couple day alone. Sometimes a husband and wife needs this. Time away from life's responsibilities. We hiked through forest and along the Mississippi. What a huge river! So wide! Sometimes we were back in the wilderness so long that we wondered if we would ever see people again. It was just us, the birds, and trees!
All good things come to an end though and Sunday evening found us back at Butch's. We were going home tomorrow morning. Kate had to get ready for her junior year, and Mark was sure the hogs were getting out of feed. Home was calling!
The suitcases were packed and loaded back into the car. After a breakfast of eggs, bacon and homemade toast. we told Bret and Butch good bye. It was a bit hard to do. We had fallen in love with Butch and Emma. It had been special spending time in Bret's new world. He was perfectly happy. It seemed to us that he was right at home. Once again we were speeding home.
"You guys should of taken a ride in Butch's car," Kate said from the back seat, yawning.
"Why do you say that?" Mark asked looking into the rear view mirror.
"He doesn't have a key to start it with. He used a screwdriver! And his whole back seat is out. That is where he keeps his trays of crackers, candy bars and other things he sells. He is quite a fellow, I'll tell you."
"Well you sure had lots of time with him for sure." Mark answered. "I think he enjoyed having you along."
"Well I enjoyed it. Sure beat staying at the house alone." Kate said snuggling down in the back seat. She was a bit tired with all the going and I'm sure she and Bret didn't get to bed very early.
I really didn't have much to say. It always takes me a little "alone time" when I have to leave someone behind. It did make me happy to know that Bret was happy. I was happy to be heading home too. It was always good to go but was always good to head the car homeward.
Lyle had found a small upstairs apartment in town. He had promised to come out once a day to clean the liter box and make sure Skitz had food and water. Of course he would amble down to the horse barn and give them a love pat or two.
Mark had spent yesterday afternoon grinding pig feed. He wanted to make sure the self feeders were full. Each held a ton of grain so it took awhile to get it all ground. I had spent the afternoon baking up some chocolate chip cookies and a number of other things to take to Butch, while Kate was putting in her last day of work for the summer
Now the car was finally packed and Kate was getting her last minute things from the bedroom down stairs. We were heading to see Bret and to meet his Emma! We were planning to leave Kate with Bret and Butch for the weekend while Mark and I went on up north for a couple days.
"All set?' Mark asked as he put the car into gear and we drove out the drive way and headed east.
It would be so special to see where Bret was spending his time. It was a beautiful state, according to Bret. Lots of hiking trails, which we all enjoyed. As we drove out of one state into another and another, across the rivers, and through the big cities, I thought of Bret coming this same way all alone two months ago now. There was a lot of farm land so Mark enjoyed that. Kate liked driving so she did a lot of it. She was a whiz in big cities.
It was getting late afternoon when we drove north into a small town. "Do you have the address Bret sent us?" asked Mark
"Yea....lets see....295 W Maple" Kate said from the back seat.
We slowly drove down Main and then turned west at Maple Street. "OK he said to look for a two story house on the hill. It will be on the right." came more instructions from an excited sister in the back seat.
"There it is." I said with excitement.
We made a right turn into Butch's drive way. Just ahead sat Bret's car setting cattywampus in front of the little white garage. It was a cute little white house trimmed in black. Mark pulled up past the back porch and parked just behind Bret's car. We were here. How cute. How homey! So this was where Bret called home. Now to meet Butch.
We walked up to the back door and rang the door bell. It didn't take long before we heard footsteps coming hurrying to the door. It flew open and there stood Bret. He looked so good!
"Well you made it without any trouble I see. Come in. Butch is still making his deliveries." Bret said kicking a pair of old boots out of the way.
What a cute little kitchen! On the counter sat a cherry pie, just out of the oven. A crock pot sat not far away with supper inside. It looked like a bachelor's kitchen. A small table set along one wall. On it was the newspaper, some loose napkins, and some bags of peanuts. Beyond the kitchen was the living room and off the the left was the washer and dryer. Butch's bedroom set off to the left of the living room. It fit Bret just perfect!
"Did you make the pie?" I asked going over to it and taking a smell.
"Yea just got it out of the oven." Bret said taking the lid off the crock pot and stirring the chili. Boy did it smell good.
"We have some frozen things we should get into the freezer/" Mark said,
"Oh OK. Just let me rearrange a few things then I'll be out." Bret said slipping on his tennis shoes.
Mark and I made our way to the car, as Kate went with Bret to check the freezer. I just stood there looking around. The landscape was beautiful. You could smell the fresh mowed grass. A car would go past once in awhile, otherwise it was quiet. Birds sang their evening song from the big maple and walnut trees.
After stocking the freezer and hauling the suitcases upstairs, Bret took us for a hike on the trail. How beautiful. It wound back through the trees and around the bend and down into a valley. In some places the cliffs rose up into the sky. It was a paved path that we followed until we came to a lake. Here we turned around and made our way back to Butches. It was so relaxing just walking along. Of course Mark, Bret and Kate were ahead of me, but I didn't care.
As we walked in the back door, a tall thin man with black glasses and black hair stood at the kitchen sink. He had cleared the table and was setting it. He turned around and gave us all his big smile. "Well so this is Bret's mom, dad and sister. I'm Butch." he said sticking out his hand in a firm handshake.
"So glad to get to finally meet you Butch." Mark said holding out his hand.
That night around the table was talk, laughter, and story telling. It felt so good to once again be at the table with Bret.
"Have you met the new little Miss yet?" Butch asked with a chuckle.
"No we haven't. But we are sure anxious to" I answered looking at Bret for an answer.
"Emma will meet us at the Ledges tomorrow evening for a picnic." Bret said "She gets off work at the dental office around 5:30."
After supper Butch and I did the dishes while Mark, Kate and Bret went to the garage to check on the motorcycle and Butch's mower. It was special to get to know Butch and I was liking him more all the time. Just an easy going fellow who loved to talk! So common and I knew why Bret liked it here so well. It all made me smile.
At the breakfast table the next morning Bret asked if we wanted to see where he worked.
"Oh course we do!" was our answer.
"Well I have to be there at nine so why don't you follow me and I'll give you a tour of the plant then you can come back here. I'll get home around five and then we will go to the Ledges."
"Sounds great. We'll be ready," I said jumping up to clear the table and do the dishes.
It seemed that I was having a hard time getting away from Butch. He was so easy to talk to and there was so much to talk about. I heard the back door slam shut and shortly Bret's motorcycle start up. Looking out the kitchen window, I saw he and Kate take off down the road, Kate's ponytail flying out from under her helmet.
"Well we are going to miss the tour if we don't get started" Mark said coming in the kitchen.
"You go on," Butch said taking the dish cloth from me. "I don't have to leave until about noon so I'll finish these and put in a wash real quick."
The plant was big! We walked through some glass doors and we were in the office. There were a number of small cubicles lining the east wall.
"Hi Jack, This is my dad, mom and sister Kate," Bret said to a short little man with gray hair. "They are here for a visit so do you mind me showing them around?"
"Not at all. You know the ropes around here I'm sure. Glad to met you folks. We are enjoying Bret." He said with a smile.
"Hi Joe," Bret said to a young man in the second cubicle as we passed on the way to his.
Bret stopped at the last one and we stepped inside. "Well this is where I spend most of my time." he said walking to the desk and looking at a note left there under a paperweight.
There set a big desk, and a big black leather chair on rollers. On the desk was a phone with all kinds of buttons, some lite up and some not, a computer and a number of papers in a basket. I just stood there with my mouth open. Our little country boy, who used to love running the back 40 with holes in his jeans, was now a grown man and this was his responsibility. To me it looked important, but to Bret it was just his job, like all the other men and women working here.
"Now we'll tour the plant," Bret said as he lead us out a side door into an huge open room. "It's going to be noisy, I warn you."
And it was! In this plant they assembled cotton harvesters. There were harvesters setting in a line in all different stages. There was noises from impact wrenches, and drill's. Every once in awhile a fork lift would buzz past you, carrying an engine, or wheels to the harvester that needed it. There were bolts, screws, tires, and engines lined along the walls. By some harvesters, a man was bent over with a welding helmet over his face. Sparks were flying around him as he welded I beams together making the frame.
It was special for me to stand and observe. There was Bret, taller than his dad by now. He was pointing out all the things and explaining this and that, as Mark and Kate stood there taking it all in. It wasn't to many years ago that Mark was the one explaining things, and Bret was the one learning. Oh how the clock can change things!
When Mark, Kate and I got back to Butch's, he was just coming out of the house heading to the city to make his deliveries. His old white Pontiac sat there by the back porch, its back door open.
"Well you just caught me. I'm heading to do my deliveries. Kate could come with me if she wants or Mark. I'll be home in good time. It is a short day." Butch said slamming the back door shut.
Kate hopped in the front seat and off the went. Mark and I made our way inside and as I finished cleaning up the kitchen and seeing what there was for lunch, Mark read the newspaper. After lunch we walked down to the little country store for hot dogs, buns, chips and some ketchup. We fast put them in the house and headed to the trail head. It really seemed different to have so much time without chores to do or something that needed fixed.
Everyone was home by 5:30 so we loaded the food, some small pieces of firewood, and some sticks Mark made earlier for roasting hot dogs. Bret drove us northwest out of town. We were on our way to met Emma. The highway made its way past rolling hill after rolling hill of green corn and bean fields. It was amazing how these farmers planted on these hillsides. The grader ditches were all mowed nice and neat, and someone trimmed around the mailbox setting at the end of a long lane.
After traveling some 25 miles, Bret turned off the main road onto a ribbon of blacktop making its way through tall oak and ash trees. Sandstone cliffs reached up into the blue skies. We went down into a valley and there in front of us was a large beautiful picnic area. There were acres of mowed grass among huge oak trees. Picnic tables set here and you could see the river running the length on the west edge. We pulled in and parked.
"This is beautiful Bret." I said looking around me. "I'll walk down to the river while we wait for Emma if you don't mind." It was obvious that no one minded!
I sat there in the sand, the warmth of the sun falling on my back and legs. I just sat there for a while throwing a leaf into the water and watching it float free until it was out of sight. How relaxing it was here beside this lazy river!
After a little bit, I heard a car and looked up and sure enough someone had just drove up and parked. I saw a young girl get out and at first thought it could be Kate. She was the same size as Kate, but it wasn't because Bret soon let me know who it was! Smile!
I got up and made my way toward them. I could hear soft talking and a laugh once in awhile.
"You must be Emma," I said coming up behind them.
A small petite young lady turned around to face me. Her warm smile lighting up her soft eyes. "I'm Emma and you must be Bret's mom."
"Yes I am. I have been sitting down by the river, throwing leaves in the water,"
"Oh I love to do that very thing sometimes," she answered me back.
"Do you come here often?'
"Not as much as I would like. I just live over the hill really."
As we sat at the picnic table closest to the river eating our hot dogs, we got better acquainted with Emma. She was working at a dental office as she waited to get into dental hygiene college. She and her brother also had a detasseling business. Because farmers sell a lot of their corn for seed, they hire young people to remove the pollen producing flowers from the tops of the corn. A corn field sure looked different after the tassels were off. It was hot work. You definitely were tired at the end of the day. Bret actually worked for them in the evenings and on week ends.
After cleaning up and putting things back in the trunk, Bret suggested we take a hike so off we went. We climbed up through the trees, walked along the ledge, looking down on the river that looked like a ribbon winding itself among the trees and green lawns. It was beautiful, standing there. We made our way down and for a long time sat there on the bank of the river, our feet in the water, as the sun sat turning the perfect day into dusk. With sad good byes we watched as Emma got in her car and us in ours.
The next morning, Bret headed for work and Kate hopped into the car with Butch and headed to the city. Mark and I packed up and headed north. It was nice to spend a couple day alone. Sometimes a husband and wife needs this. Time away from life's responsibilities. We hiked through forest and along the Mississippi. What a huge river! So wide! Sometimes we were back in the wilderness so long that we wondered if we would ever see people again. It was just us, the birds, and trees!
All good things come to an end though and Sunday evening found us back at Butch's. We were going home tomorrow morning. Kate had to get ready for her junior year, and Mark was sure the hogs were getting out of feed. Home was calling!
The suitcases were packed and loaded back into the car. After a breakfast of eggs, bacon and homemade toast. we told Bret and Butch good bye. It was a bit hard to do. We had fallen in love with Butch and Emma. It had been special spending time in Bret's new world. He was perfectly happy. It seemed to us that he was right at home. Once again we were speeding home.
"You guys should of taken a ride in Butch's car," Kate said from the back seat, yawning.
"Why do you say that?" Mark asked looking into the rear view mirror.
"He doesn't have a key to start it with. He used a screwdriver! And his whole back seat is out. That is where he keeps his trays of crackers, candy bars and other things he sells. He is quite a fellow, I'll tell you."
"Well you sure had lots of time with him for sure." Mark answered. "I think he enjoyed having you along."
"Well I enjoyed it. Sure beat staying at the house alone." Kate said snuggling down in the back seat. She was a bit tired with all the going and I'm sure she and Bret didn't get to bed very early.
I really didn't have much to say. It always takes me a little "alone time" when I have to leave someone behind. It did make me happy to know that Bret was happy. I was happy to be heading home too. It was always good to go but was always good to head the car homeward.
ANOTHER inTeRsting, heaRT WARMING STORY COUSIN KEEP THEM COMING
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