Deb_s family farm training
Jake Spear
CHAPTER ONE
Deb worked as she hummed, packing for her family's summer vacation. She had started a week ago but, with 4 children and a husband to pack for, it seemed like a never ending task. "Just one more load of wash and I'm finished," she thought to herself.
Deb's husband Mike had spent the last two nights, after work, packing the mobile home with supplies for their trip. Tonight Mike would load the last of the clothes and supplies into the mobile home, and tomorrow they would be on their way to the Grand Canyon. This would be the family's first vacation since… well since Deb's and Mike's honeymoon 17-years ago.
The 34-year-old mother of four watched out the window above the sink, as she finished the dishes.
Cathy, the oldest daughter, was just 16 and the desire of every boy in her high school. Cathy laughed as she push her 12-year-old sister Anna on the tree swing in the back yard. Cathy's twin brother Chris was wrestling with his younger brother Bobby, a typical 14-year-old, if there ever was one, in the grass next to the porch. It was evident that Chris was letting his younger brother Bobby win, although Deb didn't think that Bobby was aware of that fact.
The front door bell rang and Deb grabbed the dish towel wiping her hands as she walked through the living room. Deb opened the front door. "Mrs. Johnson, can please sign here?" Deb took the pen and signed for the letter. She closed the door as the postman stepped off the front porch.
The return address on the envelope was from her aunt and uncle's farm, but the handwriting was not familiar. Deb's aunt and uncle (Martha and Joe) had raised her from the age of four till she married Mike (her husband) one year out of high school. She knew her parents, only from the few pictures her aunt and uncle had shown her.
Deb opened the letter and read it quickly. Her hands shook as she reread the letter again. The letter was from Jeff, the new hired hand at her aunt and uncle's farm. Jeff's letter said he had gotten her address from the return address on a letter he had found in the trash. The letter went on to explain that Martha had been diagnosed with cancer and had only a short time to live. He knew how much Deb and her family meant to Martha, and so, Jeff had decided he should write and inform her even though he knew her aunt and uncle had decided not to tell her the bad news.
Jeff's name had been mentioned in the last few letters she had received from her aunt and uncle. Jeff had been hired six months ago to help finish the large cellar under the barn, that Aunt Martha had always wanted for her canning. The new cellar was basically finished but needed the electricity connected, shelves made, things Uncle Joe didn't have time for while still working the farm.
Mike arrived home early to pack the last essential items into the motor home and plan their drive for the umpteenth time. He sat hunched over in the living room chair, elbows on his knees, reading the letter several times. Mike got up and walked into the kitchen where Deb was leaning back against the counter with her arms folded on her chest.
"Well Deb, it looks like were going to the farm. I think we can stop by on the way back from the canyon." Deb almost cried as she hugged and kissed her husband.