She shrugged. “No. This is the first time I’ve been here.”
He was amused at that. “Everyone hangs out here.”
“Not me.”
“You don’t like greasy food? What did your mama tell you, it’s bad for you or something?”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t have a car, so I don’t come here.”
He leaned over the table and whispered, “What, you don’t have a car? Are you really telling me, the Senator’s daughter doesn’t have a car?” She gave him a look to show she was not amused. He shrugged.
There was a long silence until the waitress came to take their order. The young waitress had obviously taken his order before because she asked, “So how have things been going Joe? I haven’t seen you around here since when, last night?”
He grinned. “Well, I’ve been busy.
“Jenny this is Dolores. Dolores, Jenny.”
The girls smiled at each other. Jenny’s smile wasn’t exactly sincere.
Joseph gave his order then looked at Dolores. “Your turn, tell her what you want.”
Dolores shook her head. “Nothing for me, thank you.” Jenny glared at her.
Joseph sat up straight and said, “Jenny bring her a cheeseburger, fries and a coke. She’s never been here before.” She smiled at him and walked off.
Joseph shook his head, “What do you mean, nothing for you? Are you trying to embarrass me in front of Jenny, or what?” Dolores frowned. “Jenny is lavaliered, you know promised, to one of my frat brothers. She’s just like one of the guys. Try to behave around her.” He laughed to himself.
Jenny brought their food and served him first. This amused him. He asked her,
“When do you get off work Jen?”
She shrugged. “Whenever the last customer leaves.” She winked at him and walked off.
He ignored that and began eating. With a mouth full of food he said, “Awww, you’ve got to take a bite. Mmmm. It’s so good.”
Dolores smiled. A thought crossed her mind of Joe getting paddled by Jen with his frat paddle. She began eating her food. She had to admit the food was delicious.
She ate most of it before he stood up and dropped money on the table and said,
“Let’s beat it.”
By the time she blotted her mouth with the napkin and scooted to the end of the seat he was already to the door. She stood up and walked by Jen who watched her from behind the cash register. Dolores was surprised when she saw Joseph standing there with the car door open waiting for her. She thanked him as she sat down on the car seat. He saluted her and closed the door. When he got in he started the car up and revved the engine.
“You’re something else, you know that don’t you?”
Dolores looked out the window wishing she were somewhere else. He drove her back to campus. He barely stopped at the stop signs. She was grateful to be back in familiar surroundings as soon as she saw the dorms.
Joseph asked, “So where are you staying?”
“Thank you for the dinner. You can just drop me off here and I’ll walk.”
“Oh no you don’t. I’m walking you to your door.”
She looked at him surprised by his sudden concern. She gave him directions to her dorm. He parked, came around and opened the car door for her. He suddenly became a gentleman as he opened the door to the dorm for her. “May I walk you to your room?”
She said he could. The best conversation they’d had all night occurred on the way to her room. When they arrived at her door he thanked her for going out with him. He asked, “May I take you out again?”
Dolores hesitated briefly before she decided she’d go out with him again. “Okay. Thank you for taking me out tonight.”
Joseph gave her a schoolboy grin. “Night.”
“Night.”
He walked backward all the way down the hall. She opened her door, walked halfway in and then peeked at him still walking backward. He smiled, turned around and disappeared around the corner. She and her roommate watched him from the window. He saw them and waved. Dolores waved back and the girls giggled.
Ruthie whispered, “Dolores, you went out with him?” She nodded. “Are you going out with him again?” She nodded again.
He pulled out of his parking space and her roommate’s mouth dropped open. “Nice looking guy, sharp car…. Tell me more.”
Dolores shrugged. “Not much more to tell you yet. We only went out once.”
Her roommate whistled. “Did he kiss you?”
Dolores blushed. “No.”
“Right.”
Dolores shook her head. “He didn’t.”
“Too bad for you. I’d have kissed him.”
Dolores laughed at that comment now. She picked up the plane tickets on the kitchen table. She looked them over, then stood up and walked to the phone to dial her best friend’s phone number. They caught up on the events in their lives before Dolores asked her, “How would you like to travel to Anchorage Pointe with me?” There was a pause in the conversation.
“That little town where you and Joseph have a lake house?”
“That’s the one.”
“Okay, I’ll go. When were you thinking we’d leave?” Then suddenly Ruthie caught on. “What are the dates on the tickets?”
Dolores sighed. She loved her friend. She was always there for her. Dolores closed her eyes and prayed she was available to go. She read the dates.
“That’s tomorrow.”
“Uh huh.” There was a pause.
“Okay I’ll go.” Ruthie laughed and said, “He’s such a pompous jerk…”
Dolores agreed. They made arrangements for Dolores to pick her up before lunch the next day.
Before they hung up, Ruthie said her usual line, “Glad I didn’t kiss that toad. He’s still a toad you know?”
Dolores rolled her eyes and nodded her head in agreement. Teasingly she said, “I know, but remember you said you would have kissed him back in our college dorm room.”
Ruthie laughed. “A woman has a right to change her mind. It’s called momentary insanity. See you tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 6
It was very early when Bev woke him from a deep sleep. She was ready to go extract the honey from the honeycombs. He wiped the sleep from his eyes, sat up and stretched on the edge of the bed. Bev seeing that he was awake left the room. He figured she’d most likely meet him in the kitchen. He finished his routine but did not take a shower. Instead he just washed his face and wet down his hair. He went to the kitchen and found Bev waiting, ready to go. The sun had just started to rise as they made their way to the bee shack. It was a cool, crisp morning. His legs felt like lead and he hoped he wasn’t slowing her down. The walk to the quaint little shack took quite a while.
Carson didn’t like to call it a shack because it sounded like it was an unmentionable building on his farm. It was actually a nice average sized outbuilding. It had all the equipment needed in it, including a living quarters. Usually the only people who stayed there overnight were new farm workers needing a place to live until they could find shelter of their own.
Bev and Charles walked, talking sometimes and silent at other times. During the times of silence he was thinking about beginning his adventure. His mind wandered to Carson and Airabelle. Finally after a long walk they arrived at the shack and entered.
Bev went to the small refrigerator to get them a beverage. They sat at the table and talked while they drank. It tasted cold, wet and refreshing. It was just what he needed to fully wake up.
Charles saw the cabinets were lined with golden jars of honey. The shack was very tidy, but upon her visits Bev always found something to straighten up. Walter arrived at the shack just like clockwork. They took inventory of the honey jars and made note of where she wanted them delivered.
The sun was up, completely above the horizon now and the bees would be buzzing. It was time to get to work. They watched Bev as she worked her magic. When she was finished they made quick work of extracting the
honey from the honeycombs.
Before Charles knew it, they were on their way back home. It was a long walk back. Talking about their experience with the bees that morning passed the time. When the old farmhouse was in sight their pace sped up. They entered through the back door into the kitchen. Once again they sat and had a drink. Charles was parched.
Bev began to prepare breakfast. Carson had gathered the eggs that morning for her. She started by making flapjacks, singing as she worked. It was fun to watch her cook. The menu consisted of flapjacks, bacon, and eggs. Charles poured the orange juice for everyone. Carson came in and helped set the table. Then, everyone sat down to eat. Carson said grace.
They shared their story of the morning events with him. Charles had been stung on the cheek. Carson looked at it and called it a badge of courage. Charles agreed. It didn’t bother him anymore. Bev already doctored it. It had been fun just the two of them spending time together.
It was always interesting to see her with her bees. That was one of the chores she actually wholeheartedly enjoyed doing. As many times as she had gathered the honeycomb, she had only been stung three times. She said she hardly felt it when it happened. Carson refused to go with her. The thought of seeing her surrounded by bees disturbed him. She used to do it more often, but now Walter’s boys handled a lot of the responsibilities. They were good at it too, and like Bev they enjoyed it. It took a special someone to like beekeeping. It could be hazardous, which is the reason Carson had Walter there to watch out for her.
Once they finished breakfast Charles placed his dishes in the sink and asked to be excused. Carson mentioned that Molly had called and the family would come later for lunch. He said she’d asked if Charles was helping out. She wanted to know if they were ready to send him home. Carson asked Charles if he would like to stay on the rest of the summer and continue to help with the farm chores.
“Yes!” Charles answered without hesitation.
Bev smiled. “We’d love that too.”
“Good,” Carson said. “Because your mom and dad already approved it. I just wanted to make sure that is still what you want. Your mother said she would bring the clothes and things that you will need.”
Charles was so glad! He threw his arms in the air and leaned back on the cabinet. “This is going to be the best summer ever! Thank you!” He ran to his room and threw himself on the bed. Before he knew it, he had drifted back to sleep. He was awakened from his nap by a singing robin. Charles sleepily looked over at the alarm clock. He’d taken nearly an hour catnap. He was grateful the robin woke him. He needed to get up and get on with his day. He rose out of bed and made his way to the bathroom to get ready. Then, he went to find Carson.
When he walked in the kitchen, Bev said, “Paw Paw is in his office, go ahead and meet him there when you are ready.”
Charles ran back to his room, gathered his things and walked to the office. When he arrived at the door, he knocked and waited. Carson opened the door and motioned for him to come in the office. Charles entered and set his things on the table. He greeted Airabelle who was perched on the back of the chair. She told him she was glad to see him. She asked him if he enjoyed reading the journal.
“It was amazing!” Charles said. He told her his favorite parts from the journal.
Carson informed her that Charles was now aware who James was in relation to him. Airabelle laughed her distinct laugh. “You are a lot like him,” she said. Charles was pleased with her observation.
Charles turned to his list of notes. He believed the questions he’d written down were thoughtful, and was looking forward to hearing the answers. He believed it was wise of Paw Paw to choose James’ journal for his first reading. It had many important insights from a young man nearly his age; someone he could relate to. Charles hoped Carson would give him the opportunity to start the next journal. He also wondered when he would get his chance to begin his own journal. Now that it was settled he would be staying the summer on the farm, Charles felt more at ease and not as anxious about when he would be able to begin his very own adventures.
Airabelle took flight around the room and landed on Carson’s desk. With his back to Charles, he motioned for him to come to the desk. When he did Carson looked up at him. “Would you like to ask the questions now or later?”
“I think I will wait until later, if that is okay with you,” Charles said.
“What did you want to do today?”
“I want to continue reading.”
“Very well then, choose your next book. I think reading would be a very productive way for you to spend your day. I’m going to make some notes in my journal as well as draft a few correspondence letters to the Council. How does that sound?”
“It sounds like a good day to me. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone later too.”
Charles selected the next journal he wanted to read. He picked the chair farthest from Carson for reading, because he could watch Carson and Airabelle better from that angle. He put on his glasses. After he got situated, he opened the journal and began to read. Just then Airabelle flew to his chair and landed on its back. Charles’ focus was now on the book. Everything else seemed to just fade into the background as he lost himself in time and the adventure. Some parts of the journal were very well written and others left questions in Charles’ mind for him to try to imagine the answers. He tried to envision how he would have chosen to document the events. Still the nagging question in his head was: When will it be my turn? He found the section he was currently reading not as interesting as others. He fought the urge to skip what the journalist was saying. Stay focused he kept telling himself. Stop daydreaming…
Then, all of a sudden something amazing caught his eye in the journal. A hologram of letters appeared. James had sent these letters to the Sojourners’ Council. It had a photograph of the Council members at that time, along with the letters. Charles read each one. He was grateful to receive more information about the Sojourners’ Council. He remembered where the building was located on the map of the Hub. He wanted to go there and see it for himself. Charles made notes on his tablet. He wanted to know how the current Council members were selected to be on the Council. He continued to read and the time passed very quickly. Sometimes he would hear the chime of the cuckoo, and other times he was so engrossed with his reading, he would not.
Airabelle was now pacing the floor. Charles stopped reading for a minute to give his eyes a rest. He watched her walk along the ground. She kind of step-hopped as she walked. Every once in a while she would stop, spread her wings and then bring them back again. He looked over at Carson at the desk. He was very busy.
Charles read for another hour before he heard Sophie’s laughter outside. He put the journal down, and set his glasses on top of it.
Carson scribbled his thoughts on paper, then stood up and stretched. “I hear our little girl outside. They have arrived. Shall we take a break and go to visit?”
“My thoughts exactly,” Charles said. He was anxious to finish the journal entry, but was just as excited to see everyone. He needed a chance to come back to reality; then when he returned to his assignment he would be fresh and renewed. It would make it easier to concentrate when he came back. Airabelle was already in her cage and Carson was latching the door. “Airabelle, we will be back soon,” Charles said.
Carson and Charles left the office and headed to the house. Charles looked around for Sophie but he didn’t see her or anyone else. When he walked up the porch steps he saw Jack sitting in a chair reading a book. His dad marked his place and stood up to greet them.
“Hi Dad,” Charles said.
“Hi Son.” They hugged. Jack turned and shook hands with Carson. Jack continued, “Charles, since you are going to be helping around the farm for the whole summer we brought some things for you we thought you might want. I know they can use a good helper around here. I can’t think of a better worker to have. I’m sure you are learning a lot.”
“He has already been a big help.
Having an extra set of hands around here is invaluable,” Carson said. “This morning he got up early and helped Nana with the bees. That is a big responsibility and not many people are brave enough to help with that chore.”
“I wouldn’t be,” Jack said laughing placing a hand on Charles’ shoulder. “Did you get stung?”
“Yes, but it didn’t hurt much.” Charles laughed thinking of Nana.
Jack and Carson sat down to talk about the farm and the daily chores. They talked about Walter; how he and Carson were making arrangements to set up their own market in town. That was news to Charles. Carson had asked Walter to get the keys to the place.
Listening some more, he learned that Walter’s wife thought she could run it and make extra money for all of them. She knew and talked to many of the local farmers around town. They agreed to bring their crops in and share the proceeds. They also agreed that a percentage of the profits would go to helping the community. It sounded like it was all planned out. Gretchen was good at working with people. Everyone who met her instantly liked her. The farmers respected her opinion and would often come into town just to catch up with Walter and Gretchen at the local diner, and talk shop. They talked about seeds and the crops. Gretchen was very good at things to do with nature.
One year Dale, a local farmer, almost lost his crop. He couldn’t figure out what was happening because he’d never experienced that kind of problem before. Gretchen went to his farm after they finished at the diner. They walked the land and figured out the problem. The farmer was able to save his crops. All of the farmers listened to what Dale had to say. He knew everyone and everything happening around town. Her help gave Gretchen instant respect among the farmers.
Walter also respected his wife’s opinion. He listened to what she had to say. She was part Native American, and was intuitive when it came to things having to do with nature and family medicine. If it was one thing Gretchen knew, and knew well, it was farm life. Last year she filled in for Walter when he became sick. She made a couple of changes, and although things were efficient, she made them even more so. Walter kept the changes and was glad for the insight. After all, it made his life easier.
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 8
