Ten
____________
As
Chickens Grow
Whenever school was
out for the summer it was time to have fun. I really enjoyed the freedom that
farm life gave us, regardless of how hard the work was or the times were. One
doesn’t really know how hard things are at times because that just happens to be
the way things are at the time. And anyway, what is hard to one is normal to
another. It’s all relative to how one is livin’ and how one was raised, I
believe.
Durin’ summers I always loved the growin’ of
vegetables and flowers, the gatherin’ of eggs, and watching the little chicks
grow up. Ma always said, ‘Ya know, Rae Ann, watchin’ things a growin’ is one
of life’s little pleasures’.
All too soon it was time for us to go back to
school. I loved school too, don’t get me wrong, but all youngins seem to prefer
summer and bein’ free to goin’ to school… it’s just the way most young folk
are.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The wind blew so hard against the Charlton
family’s windmill that Mr. Charlton was concerned that it might get blown over.
He decided to secure it with ropes tied to metal stakes in the ground in a
circle around it. The family watched in fear as John Charlton climbed the
apparatus to tie five ropes near its top. All went well and the windmill stood
to face another windy day at another time.
“That was some windstorm,” Mr. Charlton
recounted during lunch later that day. “A day to remember and a day to forget.”
Richard did not quite understand the statement,
but it really didn’t matter to him much, at least while there was a pie coming
for dessert after lunch. Nobody
ever has pie at lunchtime, he thought to himself.
“Them windmill blades was a hummin’,” Rae Ann
commented. “We were sure worried sick over you, Pa.”
Mr. Charlton took a drink from his water glass
then replied, “When I was up there it was like bein’ in the hands of God. It’s
hard to explain, but it was like no other person, force, or nothin’ else in all
creation, could help me if somethin’ were to go wrong. So, youngins, I just
kept a prayin’.”
Rae Ann agreed, “I would have too, Pa, that’s
for sure.”
Mrs. Charlton excused herself from the table
while the quartet of anxious children quivered eagerly for their mother’s fresh
baked pie.
“Anyone for pie?” Mrs. Charlton inquired
jokingly as she set the pie down on the table. “That’s hot!”
“I’ll get the ice cream,” Richard announced with
a smile.
“Ice cream?” Mrs. Charlton asked. She winked at
Rae Ann so her daughter would know it was a joke and join in.
“I’m sorry,” Rae Ann said sheepishly, “I didn’t
mean nothin’ by it when I dropped it on the floor just before lunch. It was an
accident.”
The look on Richard’s face was priceless. It
went from surprise, to shock, then to the commencement of anger. Teddy and Mary
just sat in their chairs with a look of disappointment on their unhappy faces.
“Just kiddin’,” Mrs. Charlton quickly said, “we
got us some mighty fine ice cream. Why don’t you go and fetch it for us now,
Richard.”
With sorrow turning to joy faster than a
frightened dear can run through the forest, Richard was back with the
delectable topping for the pie.
Once lunch was finished and the table and dishes
cleaned up, Mr. Charlton announced, “I think we all need a little break. Your
Ma and me been talkin’ a bit and felt that a couple of hours off from doin’
chores and things wouldn’t hurt anybody.”
The children cheered.
“Your Ma is goin’ to read a poem she found in a
book at a library once. She copied it all down.”
“I love poetry,” Mary commented.
“Me too,” Rae Ann agreed.
Mrs. Charlton walked over to the large wall
cabinet in the corner of the living room and retrieved a paper. Returning she
announced, “This poem is called ‘Through The Darkness’ and I really liked it.”
“Go ahead, read it,” Rae Ann encouraged her
mother.
Hilda Charlton smiled and began…
Through the darkness the Light
shines,
Delineating heartfelt fear;
Enlightening throughout those
passing times.
When enveloped in darkness, a prison
at times,
And all looks hopeless from here;
Through the darkness the Light
shines.
The Light of life is ever so fine,
Wiping away every tear;
Enlightening throughout those
passing times.
The road seems endless, so arduous
at times,
Making darkness encroach very near;
Through the darkness the Light
shines.
Hope for the future can sooth morose
minds,
And help the dusk of fate's day to
clear;
Enlightening throughout those
passing times.
Dread not the darkness which evil
sublimes,
Let not your heart dwell in fear;
Through the darkness the Light
shines,
Enlightening throughout those
passing times.
After Mrs. Charlton finished reading the poem
she smiled and said, “Now, believe it or not, your Pa is going to read you a
story he wrote.”
The four astonishment siblings looked at each
other in amazement. This was a first for them.
“Pa… wrote a story…?” Richard almost doubted.
“That’s right, son. I got inspired that day I
picked up the Model T and then came and got you and Teddy. I called my story
‘The Drugstore Soda Fountain’ after seein’ you and those gawking girls in that
big drugstore picture window.”
“Wow! Go ahead, Pa,” Rae Ann exclaimed.
“Here goes…
He drove up outside of the drugstore in his
brand spankin’ new ‘36 Ford Coupe. All of the eager young females sitting at
the soda fountain turned their heads to stare and dream hopeful dreams as they
gazed in unison out of the large entry picture window. The mysterious stranger
exited his classic mechanical masterpiece and entered the drugstore.
Looking as though he had just walked out of a
picture movie he asked the boy behind the counter, “What’s one got to do to get
a root beer float around this town?”
The girls shuddered with excitement as the
muscular, fine-chiseled young man added, “Good day ladies.”
The young ladies sipped their sodas slowly as
they stared sporadically at the stranger who had taken a seat in the booth
across from where they sat nervously at the counter. Even the soda jerk stared.
The young stranger simply sipped his float, not once engaging the eyes of the
hopeful girls who adorned the tall stools along the drugstore counter.
This young man was well accustomed to young
ladies peering at him. He sort of enjoyed their feathered hats, bobby socks,
nylon stockings, poodle skirts and strap-fastened shoes, along with all of the
other trimmings a young lady needs to be stylish and vogue at any local soda
fountain counter.
The local sheriff stopped outside for a spell to
admire the new vehicle before he suddenly drove off, presumably due to an
urgent call.
One young lady finally built up enough courage
to ask the stranger, “You wouldn't have a spare cigarette, would you?”
The other girls squirmed, not believing their
ears, or the aggressive bravery of their friend. They whispered to one another
in typical girlish fashion.
The man looked over at the young woman and
stated matter-of-factly, “I don't smoke. I don 't believe it looks cool at all,
no matter what the movies make it look like. Sorry doll, I can’t help you.”
Responding quickly, she said, “Oh, I was just
trying to make conversation, mister, none of us girls here smoke either.”
“Well, that’s good,” he replied, before taking a
few sips from his root beer float. “Sort of hot today, isn't it?”
Looking at each other then back at the stranger,
the girls all stuttered, “Y-e-s....”
The gum and hard candy glass jars lined the
store’s shelves as they always had and always would. The stranger departed
while the girls dreamed about romance, love, marriage, and havin’ husbands of
their own one day.
The evening came and the evening went. It was
just another day at another soda fountain in another town; a town filled with
those who will always have another dream.
“That was great, Pa,” Rae Ann praised her
father.
“Yeah,” Richard agreed, “Cool story.”
John Charlton humbly responded, “Well, thanks
everyone. It’s a little rough, but it is the first story I ever did write.”
Hilda Charlton felt happy too, pondering the thought of whether or
not her husband wanted a newer car, it would be nice.
Original Cover Painting by Erlend
Evensen of Kristiansand, Norway
Studies: The Royal Academy of Fine Arts
in The Hague
No comments:
Post a Comment