sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you dear Pac.
Story Over the River and Through the Woods
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
momengineer
Senior Member
Fabulous story! Don't know how you do it- but thank you!!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#48d
Because they had received such a fright, Tess and Mandy were together 24/7. They depended upon each other for support, and emotional balance. They were in the back courtyard when the all consuming fright hit them and they cried.
Milo and Benny and Cody were coming from the barn when they chanced on their sisters. Cody shook his head no and motioned for the boys to support their sisters and he went to the house to tease Lemmie. Cody really needed to talk with Hank, and they went to the Atrium.
Milo bent over and hugged Mandy, wondering why the heck the short woman hadn't grown taller. Benny found himself hugging Tess and asking what was the matter. It was the silent, weeping that hurt the Linderman men. They didn't know what to say, or how to comfort, so they patted the ladies backs and let them cry.
Tess was crying especially hard, and Ben was getting worried. "I'm sorry," he heard Tess say, "So very, very sorry." and she grabbed a handful of his shirt to wipe her eyes. Ben looked at Milo and raised his eyebrows, they sure didn't have a clue.
Tess took a big sniff of Ben; this would be the closest she would ever get, and dreams and unattainable fantasy's die hard when you need that hope in your heart. The scent of him made her want to cry harder, and Tess was ashamed of herself. At sixteen, she had problems no person of any age should bear. Tess was sixteen going on ancient, as she had fallen in love with a brother that was no relation to her. A severe complication for the both of them.
Ben was having his own problems. Tess felt pretty good tucked into his shoulder, and he heard her sniff, taking in his scent as a lover would do. Before he could help himself, he did the same in response. Tess smelled very good. Ben, the future minister was having improper and impure thoughts the same as Tess; and he had to stop right away.
Grabbing Tess by her upper arms, he moved her away and she kept her head down, not looking at him. If Ben had thought about it, he would have brought her inside to her room. But he was as inexperienced as Tess in such emotions, so he had to walk away.
Milo shot him a perturbed look, and Mandy hiccupped and said "Thank you Milo" and went to get Tess.
Ben went to the barn to talk to Lady the horse, and Tess and Mandy went to the house. Milo walked them in.
Rennie was watching from the cabin window, thinking, so that's the way the wind is blowing., and she had to shake her head. A rough, tough time for a young lady that wasn't young in her mind.
Rennie was sitting there thinking about her life. It hadn't been smooth, or without deep pits of despair, but now......now was the best that had ever been. Maybe it would happen that way for Tess, someday.
Toby came in the cabin with the sleeping TJ and laid the boy in his bed. Rennie was standing at the window feeding Duncan and there were tears in her eyes. Toby walked over and kissed his wife, his need as protector the same as the lions rubbing noses when a lost one returned to the pride.
Toby put his arm around Rennie, shielding her and the child from what the expanse of window represented, the outside world.
"Toby, do you have a minute to talk?"
"For you, I have hours." he replied. It wasn't corny, it was the true measure of him. He was loving and generous, solid with a dignity of spirit and purpose. A man tested, a man jubilant for meeting the test and winning.
"I have been thinking very strongly about the baby. Duncan is not the right name for him. It doesn't fit him and I would like to talk to you about changing it." Rennie said out of the blue.
"I do agree Duncan seems an awkward name and doesn't suit him. What did you have in mind?"
"Barrett Tobias Linderman."
"Barry Linderman?" Toby said hopefully, "that's a mouthful with Barrett. Barry is a good shortened name for a kid.
I was going to ask you if we should start paperwork to adopt him and we can do a name change at the same time. Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
"Then OK, will you have time to work on that? And I need to ask you if you want to work? You're a smart lady and deserve to be what you want to be."
"That will be a good project for me. Would you be disappointed if I wanted to stay home and be Barry and TJ's mother for a while?"
Toby gathered up Rennie for another kiss. "I would like that very much. What makes you happy is what makes me happy. Cause when you are happy........" And Rennie laughed.
Bruce put Julie down in her bed and covered her gently. Such a wild and hurting child, he was thinking and he sat down on the side of the bed and tipped over yawning.
Hank and Cody had a long, informative talk. Cody expressed his fears that Christiana's parents and relatives would look down and snub Lemmie and he wanted to protect her as much as possible.
"Cody, the only way to truly protect your Grandmother would be to choose a woman that didn't come from that type of life. Now hold up," Hank stopped the protest. "People who make fun of other people do not have proper breeding, no matter how they tell you they are some of the best. I think of you as my grandson Cody, and as an old man, I can say she is not the best woman for you. I am simply passing along a life time of experience with people and their problems, and you are free to use or discard as much of it as you want."
"Mark said the same thing. What is it that you see, that I don't?"
"It's what we don't see Cody, that concerns us the most. There is no passion in your voice or your face when you talk about her. Your eyes don't light up and there are no secret smiles for remembering what she has said or done. Your not any more excited than a business deal, and son, that's not what it's about." Hank had said his piece and he waited for Cody to think on what he said.
Cody nodded and got up and wandered off. Hank looked at Lemmie and waved her into the atrium. If Cody had looked back, he would have seen Hank and Lemmie sharing a kiss that reaffirmed what it was all about.
Because they had received such a fright, Tess and Mandy were together 24/7. They depended upon each other for support, and emotional balance. They were in the back courtyard when the all consuming fright hit them and they cried.
Milo and Benny and Cody were coming from the barn when they chanced on their sisters. Cody shook his head no and motioned for the boys to support their sisters and he went to the house to tease Lemmie. Cody really needed to talk with Hank, and they went to the Atrium.
Milo bent over and hugged Mandy, wondering why the heck the short woman hadn't grown taller. Benny found himself hugging Tess and asking what was the matter. It was the silent, weeping that hurt the Linderman men. They didn't know what to say, or how to comfort, so they patted the ladies backs and let them cry.
Tess was crying especially hard, and Ben was getting worried. "I'm sorry," he heard Tess say, "So very, very sorry." and she grabbed a handful of his shirt to wipe her eyes. Ben looked at Milo and raised his eyebrows, they sure didn't have a clue.
Tess took a big sniff of Ben; this would be the closest she would ever get, and dreams and unattainable fantasy's die hard when you need that hope in your heart. The scent of him made her want to cry harder, and Tess was ashamed of herself. At sixteen, she had problems no person of any age should bear. Tess was sixteen going on ancient, as she had fallen in love with a brother that was no relation to her. A severe complication for the both of them.
Ben was having his own problems. Tess felt pretty good tucked into his shoulder, and he heard her sniff, taking in his scent as a lover would do. Before he could help himself, he did the same in response. Tess smelled very good. Ben, the future minister was having improper and impure thoughts the same as Tess; and he had to stop right away.
Grabbing Tess by her upper arms, he moved her away and she kept her head down, not looking at him. If Ben had thought about it, he would have brought her inside to her room. But he was as inexperienced as Tess in such emotions, so he had to walk away.
Milo shot him a perturbed look, and Mandy hiccupped and said "Thank you Milo" and went to get Tess.
Ben went to the barn to talk to Lady the horse, and Tess and Mandy went to the house. Milo walked them in.
Rennie was watching from the cabin window, thinking, so that's the way the wind is blowing., and she had to shake her head. A rough, tough time for a young lady that wasn't young in her mind.
Rennie was sitting there thinking about her life. It hadn't been smooth, or without deep pits of despair, but now......now was the best that had ever been. Maybe it would happen that way for Tess, someday.
Toby came in the cabin with the sleeping TJ and laid the boy in his bed. Rennie was standing at the window feeding Duncan and there were tears in her eyes. Toby walked over and kissed his wife, his need as protector the same as the lions rubbing noses when a lost one returned to the pride.
Toby put his arm around Rennie, shielding her and the child from what the expanse of window represented, the outside world.
"Toby, do you have a minute to talk?"
"For you, I have hours." he replied. It wasn't corny, it was the true measure of him. He was loving and generous, solid with a dignity of spirit and purpose. A man tested, a man jubilant for meeting the test and winning.
"I have been thinking very strongly about the baby. Duncan is not the right name for him. It doesn't fit him and I would like to talk to you about changing it." Rennie said out of the blue.
"I do agree Duncan seems an awkward name and doesn't suit him. What did you have in mind?"
"Barrett Tobias Linderman."
"Barry Linderman?" Toby said hopefully, "that's a mouthful with Barrett. Barry is a good shortened name for a kid.
I was going to ask you if we should start paperwork to adopt him and we can do a name change at the same time. Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
"Then OK, will you have time to work on that? And I need to ask you if you want to work? You're a smart lady and deserve to be what you want to be."
"That will be a good project for me. Would you be disappointed if I wanted to stay home and be Barry and TJ's mother for a while?"
Toby gathered up Rennie for another kiss. "I would like that very much. What makes you happy is what makes me happy. Cause when you are happy........" And Rennie laughed.
Bruce put Julie down in her bed and covered her gently. Such a wild and hurting child, he was thinking and he sat down on the side of the bed and tipped over yawning.
Hank and Cody had a long, informative talk. Cody expressed his fears that Christiana's parents and relatives would look down and snub Lemmie and he wanted to protect her as much as possible.
"Cody, the only way to truly protect your Grandmother would be to choose a woman that didn't come from that type of life. Now hold up," Hank stopped the protest. "People who make fun of other people do not have proper breeding, no matter how they tell you they are some of the best. I think of you as my grandson Cody, and as an old man, I can say she is not the best woman for you. I am simply passing along a life time of experience with people and their problems, and you are free to use or discard as much of it as you want."
"Mark said the same thing. What is it that you see, that I don't?"
"It's what we don't see Cody, that concerns us the most. There is no passion in your voice or your face when you talk about her. Your eyes don't light up and there are no secret smiles for remembering what she has said or done. Your not any more excited than a business deal, and son, that's not what it's about." Hank had said his piece and he waited for Cody to think on what he said.
Cody nodded and got up and wandered off. Hank looked at Lemmie and waved her into the atrium. If Cody had looked back, he would have seen Hank and Lemmie sharing a kiss that reaffirmed what it was all about.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#48e
After supper, Cody approached Lemmie and asked if she would talk with him. He had concerns and wanted her opinion. Lemmie had looked at him hard and then the three of them went to the atrium. That was the favorite place to talk. It was private, yet a person wasn't hidden if for some reason they were needed.
Cody started the hard, awkward conversation. "Hank has given me some advice that I've been thinking on, and I'd like to get your opinion Grandma."
"I have a couple of ground rules I want to put down," Lemmie looked steadily at Cody. "First of all, when one of my people whom I love, asks me my opinion, they get my truth as I see it."
Cody nodded, it had always been that way, and he said so.
"I don't lie or sugarcoat the truth. The truth is just that, the truth."
Cody agreed again.
"Now what is it that you want this old woman's opinion on?"
Cody had to clear his throat. "I want to know if you agree with Mark and Hank about my engagement."
Lemmie looked at him with out blinking. "I don't want to run you off Cody, I don't know if you want my truth. What happens between us if you don't agree?" She was worried.
"I guess I'll know that I have a plain talkin Grandma that says 'raccoon snot' at the drop of a hat." Cody looked at Lemmie.
"You do that." she conceded with a slight smile. "OK, .......Cody from what I could see in that picture, she doesn't love you. There's no love in her eyes, nor yours either. There's none of the softness that surrounds a couple in love, I'm the one that told Hank it looked more like a business deal. You were chosen on the basis of looks, height and physical stature. Pretty much the same way a breeder selects a stallion for his racing mares."
Cody had to cough, and then cough again.
"Ahhhgh," he floundered, looking for something to say.
"You may think me wrong, but I dare you to prove me not right. Has she ever done anything to excite you? Secret things between the two of you. A naughty touch or has she stolen kisses or wanted to keep her hands on you when it would be better if she kept them to herself. Has she ever driven you to the brink and then given you a look that would take you over the edge. Cody these are the things that need to happen for passion, and I don't see any of it in you. My heart is crying that you can't do this, you deserve better, you deserve more." Lemmie was having a difficult time expressing herself so Cody would understand, and Cody was having the same difficult time listening to it.
"Christiana is very calm and coolly controlled," Toby said looking out at the stars.
"Sounds to me like she's drugged," Lemmie said tartly.
Cody choked this time, then he coughed.
"I ain't but a simple hill woman. I didn't attend a fancy college and learn to sip tea and make polite conversation. But I know what it takes to make a life, and carry a man and woman through for however many years they got together. There are real rough patches in life and it takes the wanting and the passion to get ya through. Cody, when times get as bad as they can get in a marriage, and the way is so rocky Ya can't walk and ya gots to get on your knees and crawl, God and passion will gets ya to the other side iffs ya can help each other." Lemmie was slipping into her drawl and slang, she was so worked up.
"Ya gotta remember wanting that woman or man, so bads ya does anything fer them soes they'd love ya. Me and Louie and Hank and his wife had that. Now me and Hanks gots it. It's the glue Cody, it's the glue that holds ya together."
Cody nodded. He didn't entirely understand, but Grandma was sure worked up about it.
"You go back to that fancy woman and touch her, caress her, try to mess her hair, try to get a red blooded response from her, 'n iffs ya can, then marry her." Lemmie decreed. "She won't give it to ya Cody, she ain't got it in her."
"Thanks, Grandma. I got to think on this, that's much different than Christiana acts." Cody opened the door and walked down to his room.
Lemmie turned sorrowful eyes on Hank. "I'm glad you got passion Hank, your a good and fine man to help me with this."
Hank nodded and patted Lemmie's hand.
It was Hank that took Cody and Milo back to school. Toby was needed as legal council for the immediate law suit slapped on them by Charley's parents. School wasn't very darn easy either, until several of the local young ladies came forward with stories about Charley and his methods. And then the sting made more sense.
As Mark and Toby researched for the truth, they discovered Charley was Ronnie's twin, not Milo's. It was Milo and Teddy that were twins.
Clora breathed a prayer of thanksgiving for the Lord's Devine grace, and stood strong for her family.
The days marched on and the lurid story captured the attention of the media and individuals. The Linderman's stayed quiet, letting the Burtons rant and rave, eventually hanging themselves in the court of public opinion.
Then came the trial over the lawsuit that had been amended many times to include as much in damages as the Burtons could manage to request.
First up was Milo's testimony that he had been approached by the law for having relations with an underage girl. School records were positive proof Milo had never been off campus during the time the girl had been molested. Milo had a job in the kitchen and he had perfect time cards plus attendance records.
Charley Burton on the other hand had his limit of citations concerning missing bed checks and attendance cards.
It went on and on, degrading to the point the opposition demanded Tess and Mandy be examined to prove they had not been molested by their brother and this was a cover up. So disgusted to the point of being sick to his stomach, Toby got up and delivered a blistering oration concerning the dirty tricks used by Charley's parents.
He appealed to the older Judge who had granddaughters, Tess and Mandy's age. Asking if he thought that was a reasonable request that he would grant to his family. Toby reminded the Judge for every accusation, Milo was proved innocent and Charley was not.
Then Toby got down to very specific, body identifying characteristics, going over each testimony from the victims for a very distinct and precise point. All the young ladies agreed and then Toby proved it was not Milo by reason of physical differences.
The Burtons lost. But so did the Linderman's in terms of privacy and notoriety. Because of Toby's careful preparation, Milo was exonerated and Charley charged with nine counts of vile misdeeds with minors. It was one of those rough patches Lemmie had talked about.
Milo stuck out the rest of the school year and then he came home to pray and do nothing but pray for a week. He and Benny went for walks, talking and praying, working themselves through with God's help.
Tess had asked to go to a girl's boarding school, after she told Clora what had happened with Benny. "I love him Ma, and it's so I can't be here any longer. He is such a fine person I can't do this to his life. He is working hard to become what he wants to be, and I can't get in his way."
Clora sighed hard, spoke to Mark and Tess got her wish. To say Mark had been astounded, was not the half of it.
"I didn't think it was Benny. I thought it was Milo," he said lamely. "There things go again, right under my nose and I don't have a clue." Clora had encouraged both Tess and her Daddy and they had a talk with Benny.
Ben had hunched forward with his head in his hands, so he didn't have to look at his parents. "It's not her fault," he had said with anguish, "it's mine. I've had an interest in Tess ever since I can remember, watching her grow and shine with intelligence. She's a perfect woman that shouldn't have to leave the family, she hasn't done anything wrong. It's me that should leave, I don't deserve the faith and trust you have had in me. I betrayed that trust and I am so deeply sorry. I'll go whenever you tell me too."
"Ben, we aren't saying anything of those things." Clora told him softly. "Tess needs more growing up and a couple of years away from here will make a big difference to her, and to you. Now you are free to study, work and pray without distraction. If that is your goal, work for it. Tess seems to know her mind, and more maturity won't change that if it is meant to be. You are both very young in the scheme of life. Get done what you need to do and then go discovering. We aren't condemning you or Tess, simply asking you to wait."
Benny had lifted his face and thanked them, letting Clora give him a very gentle hug and Mark the arm clasp. Ben had gone to his room to pray, and pray and pray.
Clora was afraid the one that got shortchanged was Mandy. Thanksgiving had come during the trial and she and Robert had been married the next day. They had worked hard to make it a joyous occasion, and Mark had surprised them with an older pickup that would run, to haul the hope chest full of new life to their new apartment. The couple was in as much love as they could be, and Gary and Lou waved them off with long faces.
Suddenly, Benny, Gary and Lou, Liz and Luke were the only kids home. It was like having a huge Pennsylvania Dutch two story barn to house a rabbit.
Clora healed slowly but well. They all were sad for Cody when he and Christiana's engagement was nullified, he was a casualty of Milo's trial. The press and notoriety more than the parents could take, and Cody's ring was returned.
At least Lemmie said she was sad, but she wasn't. She and Hank went to Cody's graduation and yelled the loudest when Cody got his diploma. He had a smile on his face, he could hear Grandma above every one else in the crowd. Grandma had passion.
Toby and Rennie broke ground on their house, building a modest, functional and easily expandable shelter. Abbigale came from Australia to finish her schooling and help care for TJ and Barry, while Rennie continued to work for Toby and take cases that interested her.
Luke and Liz continued their climb to the stratosphere, there seemed no limit to their abilities. It was Gary, as usual that threw the monkey wrench into the quiet healing time the Linderman's were experiencing.
Gary was determined to take his GED and join the Marines, yet that afternoon. Mark and Clora made him stick out the last of his junior year, but he made life difficult with his attitude. Gary's hero was Robert and Robert was doing well in the Marines.
Clora and Mark tried to tell Gary that they were two separate personalities, but he was convinced. He joined the conditioning club that met after school, supervised by the Marine recruiter and ran his heart out. He did so well running, he was a track star, and interest in his abilities was starting to come in from several schools for their track program. Nope, Gary wanted to be a Marine. When he qualified, he and Mark went to the recruiting office and Gary signed up and was on his way.
Now it was Benny, Lou, Liz and Luke, at home.
It was the start of spring break and Tess asked to come home for a visit, and Benny asked to be the one to go get her.
After supper, Cody approached Lemmie and asked if she would talk with him. He had concerns and wanted her opinion. Lemmie had looked at him hard and then the three of them went to the atrium. That was the favorite place to talk. It was private, yet a person wasn't hidden if for some reason they were needed.
Cody started the hard, awkward conversation. "Hank has given me some advice that I've been thinking on, and I'd like to get your opinion Grandma."
"I have a couple of ground rules I want to put down," Lemmie looked steadily at Cody. "First of all, when one of my people whom I love, asks me my opinion, they get my truth as I see it."
Cody nodded, it had always been that way, and he said so.
"I don't lie or sugarcoat the truth. The truth is just that, the truth."
Cody agreed again.
"Now what is it that you want this old woman's opinion on?"
Cody had to clear his throat. "I want to know if you agree with Mark and Hank about my engagement."
Lemmie looked at him with out blinking. "I don't want to run you off Cody, I don't know if you want my truth. What happens between us if you don't agree?" She was worried.
"I guess I'll know that I have a plain talkin Grandma that says 'raccoon snot' at the drop of a hat." Cody looked at Lemmie.
"You do that." she conceded with a slight smile. "OK, .......Cody from what I could see in that picture, she doesn't love you. There's no love in her eyes, nor yours either. There's none of the softness that surrounds a couple in love, I'm the one that told Hank it looked more like a business deal. You were chosen on the basis of looks, height and physical stature. Pretty much the same way a breeder selects a stallion for his racing mares."
Cody had to cough, and then cough again.
"Ahhhgh," he floundered, looking for something to say.
"You may think me wrong, but I dare you to prove me not right. Has she ever done anything to excite you? Secret things between the two of you. A naughty touch or has she stolen kisses or wanted to keep her hands on you when it would be better if she kept them to herself. Has she ever driven you to the brink and then given you a look that would take you over the edge. Cody these are the things that need to happen for passion, and I don't see any of it in you. My heart is crying that you can't do this, you deserve better, you deserve more." Lemmie was having a difficult time expressing herself so Cody would understand, and Cody was having the same difficult time listening to it.
"Christiana is very calm and coolly controlled," Toby said looking out at the stars.
"Sounds to me like she's drugged," Lemmie said tartly.
Cody choked this time, then he coughed.
"I ain't but a simple hill woman. I didn't attend a fancy college and learn to sip tea and make polite conversation. But I know what it takes to make a life, and carry a man and woman through for however many years they got together. There are real rough patches in life and it takes the wanting and the passion to get ya through. Cody, when times get as bad as they can get in a marriage, and the way is so rocky Ya can't walk and ya gots to get on your knees and crawl, God and passion will gets ya to the other side iffs ya can help each other." Lemmie was slipping into her drawl and slang, she was so worked up.
"Ya gotta remember wanting that woman or man, so bads ya does anything fer them soes they'd love ya. Me and Louie and Hank and his wife had that. Now me and Hanks gots it. It's the glue Cody, it's the glue that holds ya together."
Cody nodded. He didn't entirely understand, but Grandma was sure worked up about it.
"You go back to that fancy woman and touch her, caress her, try to mess her hair, try to get a red blooded response from her, 'n iffs ya can, then marry her." Lemmie decreed. "She won't give it to ya Cody, she ain't got it in her."
"Thanks, Grandma. I got to think on this, that's much different than Christiana acts." Cody opened the door and walked down to his room.
Lemmie turned sorrowful eyes on Hank. "I'm glad you got passion Hank, your a good and fine man to help me with this."
Hank nodded and patted Lemmie's hand.
It was Hank that took Cody and Milo back to school. Toby was needed as legal council for the immediate law suit slapped on them by Charley's parents. School wasn't very darn easy either, until several of the local young ladies came forward with stories about Charley and his methods. And then the sting made more sense.
As Mark and Toby researched for the truth, they discovered Charley was Ronnie's twin, not Milo's. It was Milo and Teddy that were twins.
Clora breathed a prayer of thanksgiving for the Lord's Devine grace, and stood strong for her family.
The days marched on and the lurid story captured the attention of the media and individuals. The Linderman's stayed quiet, letting the Burtons rant and rave, eventually hanging themselves in the court of public opinion.
Then came the trial over the lawsuit that had been amended many times to include as much in damages as the Burtons could manage to request.
First up was Milo's testimony that he had been approached by the law for having relations with an underage girl. School records were positive proof Milo had never been off campus during the time the girl had been molested. Milo had a job in the kitchen and he had perfect time cards plus attendance records.
Charley Burton on the other hand had his limit of citations concerning missing bed checks and attendance cards.
It went on and on, degrading to the point the opposition demanded Tess and Mandy be examined to prove they had not been molested by their brother and this was a cover up. So disgusted to the point of being sick to his stomach, Toby got up and delivered a blistering oration concerning the dirty tricks used by Charley's parents.
He appealed to the older Judge who had granddaughters, Tess and Mandy's age. Asking if he thought that was a reasonable request that he would grant to his family. Toby reminded the Judge for every accusation, Milo was proved innocent and Charley was not.
Then Toby got down to very specific, body identifying characteristics, going over each testimony from the victims for a very distinct and precise point. All the young ladies agreed and then Toby proved it was not Milo by reason of physical differences.
The Burtons lost. But so did the Linderman's in terms of privacy and notoriety. Because of Toby's careful preparation, Milo was exonerated and Charley charged with nine counts of vile misdeeds with minors. It was one of those rough patches Lemmie had talked about.
Milo stuck out the rest of the school year and then he came home to pray and do nothing but pray for a week. He and Benny went for walks, talking and praying, working themselves through with God's help.
Tess had asked to go to a girl's boarding school, after she told Clora what had happened with Benny. "I love him Ma, and it's so I can't be here any longer. He is such a fine person I can't do this to his life. He is working hard to become what he wants to be, and I can't get in his way."
Clora sighed hard, spoke to Mark and Tess got her wish. To say Mark had been astounded, was not the half of it.
"I didn't think it was Benny. I thought it was Milo," he said lamely. "There things go again, right under my nose and I don't have a clue." Clora had encouraged both Tess and her Daddy and they had a talk with Benny.
Ben had hunched forward with his head in his hands, so he didn't have to look at his parents. "It's not her fault," he had said with anguish, "it's mine. I've had an interest in Tess ever since I can remember, watching her grow and shine with intelligence. She's a perfect woman that shouldn't have to leave the family, she hasn't done anything wrong. It's me that should leave, I don't deserve the faith and trust you have had in me. I betrayed that trust and I am so deeply sorry. I'll go whenever you tell me too."
"Ben, we aren't saying anything of those things." Clora told him softly. "Tess needs more growing up and a couple of years away from here will make a big difference to her, and to you. Now you are free to study, work and pray without distraction. If that is your goal, work for it. Tess seems to know her mind, and more maturity won't change that if it is meant to be. You are both very young in the scheme of life. Get done what you need to do and then go discovering. We aren't condemning you or Tess, simply asking you to wait."
Benny had lifted his face and thanked them, letting Clora give him a very gentle hug and Mark the arm clasp. Ben had gone to his room to pray, and pray and pray.
Clora was afraid the one that got shortchanged was Mandy. Thanksgiving had come during the trial and she and Robert had been married the next day. They had worked hard to make it a joyous occasion, and Mark had surprised them with an older pickup that would run, to haul the hope chest full of new life to their new apartment. The couple was in as much love as they could be, and Gary and Lou waved them off with long faces.
Suddenly, Benny, Gary and Lou, Liz and Luke were the only kids home. It was like having a huge Pennsylvania Dutch two story barn to house a rabbit.
Clora healed slowly but well. They all were sad for Cody when he and Christiana's engagement was nullified, he was a casualty of Milo's trial. The press and notoriety more than the parents could take, and Cody's ring was returned.
At least Lemmie said she was sad, but she wasn't. She and Hank went to Cody's graduation and yelled the loudest when Cody got his diploma. He had a smile on his face, he could hear Grandma above every one else in the crowd. Grandma had passion.
Toby and Rennie broke ground on their house, building a modest, functional and easily expandable shelter. Abbigale came from Australia to finish her schooling and help care for TJ and Barry, while Rennie continued to work for Toby and take cases that interested her.
Luke and Liz continued their climb to the stratosphere, there seemed no limit to their abilities. It was Gary, as usual that threw the monkey wrench into the quiet healing time the Linderman's were experiencing.
Gary was determined to take his GED and join the Marines, yet that afternoon. Mark and Clora made him stick out the last of his junior year, but he made life difficult with his attitude. Gary's hero was Robert and Robert was doing well in the Marines.
Clora and Mark tried to tell Gary that they were two separate personalities, but he was convinced. He joined the conditioning club that met after school, supervised by the Marine recruiter and ran his heart out. He did so well running, he was a track star, and interest in his abilities was starting to come in from several schools for their track program. Nope, Gary wanted to be a Marine. When he qualified, he and Mark went to the recruiting office and Gary signed up and was on his way.
Now it was Benny, Lou, Liz and Luke, at home.
It was the start of spring break and Tess asked to come home for a visit, and Benny asked to be the one to go get her.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Growing pains indeed,and in more ways than one. Pooh on the Burtons. lol
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Wow thank you for all of the new chapters Pac, you are truly Blessed and I thank you for taking the time to share your Blessing with us. Praying God's Will for You and Yours Pac.
Wayne
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#48f
Benny took off at the crack of dawn. He was excited and nervous, sure he would get lost or drive off a cliff or some other huge tragedy. Mark equipped him well, and Ben had a renovated VW bug that got excellent mileage that he had restored to glory. It was Ben that looked dashing. Tall, dark haired with hair styled after Marks, and handsome with impressive muscles that he tried to hide, tan from working outside, he flashed his pearly whites in a rakish grin and went to see if his lady was still interested.
"I don't think Tess or her school friends will ever be the same," Clora laughed as she waved goodbye. "There goes Lancelot after his lady fair." She happened to look at Mark who was having Daddy nerves.
"Was this really a good idea?" he questioned for the eighth time, "if it is, why an I so nervous?"
"Because your a Daddy," Clora whispered against his lips and if Mark was nervous, he got over it.
"That was a deliberate method to distract me, I'm not sure it worked." Mark looked calm and a bit wolfy.
"Really." Clora looked puzzled. "That must be my first failure. I'm terribly sorry, would you allow a second try?"
They played back and forth, easing the strain they had been under. Ben had been an electrified wire all week, creating so much tension that the adults were jumpy and more than ready to see him leave.
Lemmie had collapsed laughing against the kitchen island. "Oh my, will we ever recover?"
"I'm not sure I will," Cody came from the atrium. "That guy was wrapped tighter than a copper wired generator." Just then Abbigail came in with Barry and TJ, and Cody stood up straighter and cast a critical eye on the cheeky, freckled miss with the Australian accent and strawberry blonde hair.
Abbi was bouncy, friendly and mostly ignored Cody. That may have hurt his feelings, but he was an older man getting ready to accept his commission and go out and be amazing to the world. The morning he left, Abbi kissed him full on the lips and winked at him and Cody raised his eyebrow and grabbed the saucy little miss and gave her a kiss to remember.
Lemmie was elbowing Hank and hooting under her breath, and Clora smiled indulgently. Life was never dull.
"How old are you anyway?" Cody had demanded, and then then stared when Abbi said twenty two. "What?" he said, "I thought you were a teenager."
"That's what you get for doing your own thinking." she laughed and walked away, leaving Cody standing there, wondering what the heck just happened. He had to go, couldn't stay any longer, and suddenly wasn't sure he wanted to leave. Sauvé and man of the world, he had a taste and wanted more, she had passion. Suddenly he had a inkling of what Grandma had been talking about.
Hank was coughing, Lemmie kept elbowing him in the side so fast he couldn't catch his breath.
Benny took off at the crack of dawn. He was excited and nervous, sure he would get lost or drive off a cliff or some other huge tragedy. Mark equipped him well, and Ben had a renovated VW bug that got excellent mileage that he had restored to glory. It was Ben that looked dashing. Tall, dark haired with hair styled after Marks, and handsome with impressive muscles that he tried to hide, tan from working outside, he flashed his pearly whites in a rakish grin and went to see if his lady was still interested.
"I don't think Tess or her school friends will ever be the same," Clora laughed as she waved goodbye. "There goes Lancelot after his lady fair." She happened to look at Mark who was having Daddy nerves.
"Was this really a good idea?" he questioned for the eighth time, "if it is, why an I so nervous?"
"Because your a Daddy," Clora whispered against his lips and if Mark was nervous, he got over it.
"That was a deliberate method to distract me, I'm not sure it worked." Mark looked calm and a bit wolfy.
"Really." Clora looked puzzled. "That must be my first failure. I'm terribly sorry, would you allow a second try?"
They played back and forth, easing the strain they had been under. Ben had been an electrified wire all week, creating so much tension that the adults were jumpy and more than ready to see him leave.
Lemmie had collapsed laughing against the kitchen island. "Oh my, will we ever recover?"
"I'm not sure I will," Cody came from the atrium. "That guy was wrapped tighter than a copper wired generator." Just then Abbigail came in with Barry and TJ, and Cody stood up straighter and cast a critical eye on the cheeky, freckled miss with the Australian accent and strawberry blonde hair.
Abbi was bouncy, friendly and mostly ignored Cody. That may have hurt his feelings, but he was an older man getting ready to accept his commission and go out and be amazing to the world. The morning he left, Abbi kissed him full on the lips and winked at him and Cody raised his eyebrow and grabbed the saucy little miss and gave her a kiss to remember.
Lemmie was elbowing Hank and hooting under her breath, and Clora smiled indulgently. Life was never dull.
"How old are you anyway?" Cody had demanded, and then then stared when Abbi said twenty two. "What?" he said, "I thought you were a teenager."
"That's what you get for doing your own thinking." she laughed and walked away, leaving Cody standing there, wondering what the heck just happened. He had to go, couldn't stay any longer, and suddenly wasn't sure he wanted to leave. Sauvé and man of the world, he had a taste and wanted more, she had passion. Suddenly he had a inkling of what Grandma had been talking about.
Hank was coughing, Lemmie kept elbowing him in the side so fast he couldn't catch his breath.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Had to check, lolol on Cody.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#48g
Ben got to the school, drove in and walked up the stairs to the office to request Tess. He was the object of a lot of lady type interest, but he was looking for one lady with long brown hair and hazel eyes that were green, brown or both.
Tess came running, Ben picked her up and twirled her around before giving her a hug. As Tess was heads taller, bigger and less feminine than most of the girls, Ben strength was commented on.
"Miss Tess, would you like a kiss, right here in front of everyone?" He devilishly teased.
Tess looked him in the eye and said "yes," calling his bluff.
"Oh Tess, did you think I was teasing?" Benny started toward her with a glint in his eye, Tess blushed and held her ground. She got kissed with a lot of pent up passion. "I've been thinking of doing this ever since I heard you were coming home to visit. You're mighty tasty, I might have to have another after a while to remember the feel."
As there was a herd of girls coming their way, Ben picked up Tess's backpack and threw it in the back seat and seated the fair lady in his chariot. Off they went toward home.
There was a park close to the school that had huge shady trees and a parking spot for a Volkswagen that contained two people who desperately needed to talk to one another.
"Tess, when you left I was the loneliest man on earth. I had never realized how much I looked for you during the day, and just looking was a pleasure for me. When I held you when you were crying, I had never had the feeling you gave me. I have been tied up in knots, whirled around like a hula hoop, and plumb crazy for you." Ben grabbed her hand to hold.
"Ben, before you go any further, I have a confession to make. I made Teresa want to go out with Chilly and Vic that night. I have been so sorry for doing that, the guilt has been a plague to me."
"Let me get this straight, you think you caused Teresa's death by making her want to go out and party?"
"Yes."
"And when did you cause this desire?"
"In the afternoon, when Vic and Chilly were talking about it," Tess had her head down so Ben couldn't see her through her curtain of hair. She was teary with remorse and almost broken hearted.
"Tess, Teresa had been talking about going with them since the day before. I didn't want her to go, and we had a big fight over it. That's when she told me she was pregnant with another man's baby. A man that liked to party. I took back my ring and my promise and turned her loose. There was no way you were involved Tess." Ben's hand brushed back her hair and he saw the tears.
"Please don't cry, this is such a happy time for me, please be happy too." he whispered. "Miss Tess, I'm gonna kiss you again, are you ready?" Neither one was prepared for the electrical current that sizzled.
This time Ben got a salty tasting kiss from a young lady that kissed him back. Ben threw his head back to rest on the headrest and closed his eyes and drew a shaky breath. "You taste so good you should be illegal." he whispered. "I've got to drive, or I won't be able to stop kissing you."
They did stop for hamburgers, and a couple more kisses. Ben asked with curiosity, "what made you think you could make Teresa go out partying?"
"You know the ability Ma has to be aware of things?"
"Yeah."
"I have that too. That's how I knew you were at the school, without being paged."
"Cool."
"It doesn't scare you, if I want to, I can tell what your thinking?"
Ben laughed and Tess said "I don't have a red nightie."
"I need two questions answered. One, will I get to be a minister, and two, will you be there with me?"
"Yes," Tess whispered.
"That's all I need to know." Ben tugged on some of her hair. "God will do the rest."
They drove the rest of the way and got there about the time Mark had allotted them to drive the distance. Mark nodded. So far, so good.
Ben opened Tesse's door and handed her out. There in the golden sunlight of a wondrous spring afternoon, Ben put his hands on either side of Tess's face and kissed his Lady a welcome home. It didn't take the lady long to reach up and touch his face. "That's the last one, I can't do any more." he was breathing hard, so was Tess.
Clora and Mark came hurrying out to greet the daughter they missed so much. Both young people had clear eyes and Clora could tell by touching them that they had behaved and she smiled. Since Clora smiled, Daddy relaxed and smiled and Ben looked at Mark with humor. Old lions, he was thinking.
Ben got to the school, drove in and walked up the stairs to the office to request Tess. He was the object of a lot of lady type interest, but he was looking for one lady with long brown hair and hazel eyes that were green, brown or both.
Tess came running, Ben picked her up and twirled her around before giving her a hug. As Tess was heads taller, bigger and less feminine than most of the girls, Ben strength was commented on.
"Miss Tess, would you like a kiss, right here in front of everyone?" He devilishly teased.
Tess looked him in the eye and said "yes," calling his bluff.
"Oh Tess, did you think I was teasing?" Benny started toward her with a glint in his eye, Tess blushed and held her ground. She got kissed with a lot of pent up passion. "I've been thinking of doing this ever since I heard you were coming home to visit. You're mighty tasty, I might have to have another after a while to remember the feel."
As there was a herd of girls coming their way, Ben picked up Tess's backpack and threw it in the back seat and seated the fair lady in his chariot. Off they went toward home.
There was a park close to the school that had huge shady trees and a parking spot for a Volkswagen that contained two people who desperately needed to talk to one another.
"Tess, when you left I was the loneliest man on earth. I had never realized how much I looked for you during the day, and just looking was a pleasure for me. When I held you when you were crying, I had never had the feeling you gave me. I have been tied up in knots, whirled around like a hula hoop, and plumb crazy for you." Ben grabbed her hand to hold.
"Ben, before you go any further, I have a confession to make. I made Teresa want to go out with Chilly and Vic that night. I have been so sorry for doing that, the guilt has been a plague to me."
"Let me get this straight, you think you caused Teresa's death by making her want to go out and party?"
"Yes."
"And when did you cause this desire?"
"In the afternoon, when Vic and Chilly were talking about it," Tess had her head down so Ben couldn't see her through her curtain of hair. She was teary with remorse and almost broken hearted.
"Tess, Teresa had been talking about going with them since the day before. I didn't want her to go, and we had a big fight over it. That's when she told me she was pregnant with another man's baby. A man that liked to party. I took back my ring and my promise and turned her loose. There was no way you were involved Tess." Ben's hand brushed back her hair and he saw the tears.
"Please don't cry, this is such a happy time for me, please be happy too." he whispered. "Miss Tess, I'm gonna kiss you again, are you ready?" Neither one was prepared for the electrical current that sizzled.
This time Ben got a salty tasting kiss from a young lady that kissed him back. Ben threw his head back to rest on the headrest and closed his eyes and drew a shaky breath. "You taste so good you should be illegal." he whispered. "I've got to drive, or I won't be able to stop kissing you."
They did stop for hamburgers, and a couple more kisses. Ben asked with curiosity, "what made you think you could make Teresa go out partying?"
"You know the ability Ma has to be aware of things?"
"Yeah."
"I have that too. That's how I knew you were at the school, without being paged."
"Cool."
"It doesn't scare you, if I want to, I can tell what your thinking?"
Ben laughed and Tess said "I don't have a red nightie."
"I need two questions answered. One, will I get to be a minister, and two, will you be there with me?"
"Yes," Tess whispered.
"That's all I need to know." Ben tugged on some of her hair. "God will do the rest."
They drove the rest of the way and got there about the time Mark had allotted them to drive the distance. Mark nodded. So far, so good.
Ben opened Tesse's door and handed her out. There in the golden sunlight of a wondrous spring afternoon, Ben put his hands on either side of Tess's face and kissed his Lady a welcome home. It didn't take the lady long to reach up and touch his face. "That's the last one, I can't do any more." he was breathing hard, so was Tess.
Clora and Mark came hurrying out to greet the daughter they missed so much. Both young people had clear eyes and Clora could tell by touching them that they had behaved and she smiled. Since Clora smiled, Daddy relaxed and smiled and Ben looked at Mark with humor. Old lions, he was thinking.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Nice chapter before bed 
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thanks for the great chapters PAC.
Wayne
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#49
Ben and Tess were very careful to stay in sight of another adult, as Ben carefully explained he wanted no hint of improper behavior to touch their names. Ben understood Milo was still having problems with the 'look alike' fiasco fostered by Charley.
Ben, Milo and Mark had several conferences about how Milo's chances for a good commission might be hurt by the scandal, but it was done; so they had to work around it. "I urge you to stand tall, be more than exemplary in your behavior, look your superiors in the eye with honesty and soldier on. That will be the best revenge against those that would whisper, and seek to drag your name through the mud." Mark had counseled.
Milo was working on it, but it was hard and there were several that were friends of Charley's that kept stirring the pot. Milo happened to have one of the more vocal men as a sparring partner during the boxing practice. As a way to release pent up anger, Milo knocked the man out with his first blow.
The director had looked at Milo and said quietly, "it helps if you mash them around first, it makes the knock out much sweeter."
Milo couldn't restrain himself, as his opponents rotated through the line up and he got to the men harassing him, again and again, he simply took them out with the first punch. Soon, the men got the hint and as Milo continued to shut out the lights, they stopped talking; but Milo didn't top punching. There was a lot of anger in the tall red headed man over the situation and he used boxing as a legitimate outlet.
Benny and Tess talked about how hurt Milo had been that he was not taken at his word, the Linderman men truthful to a painfully honest degree. "Something inside Milo has been damaged," Ben had said. "When his word was doubted, and he was called a liar; his pride has prevented him from healing. A man has to have pride, especially a Linderman, but it can block the way God wants you to conduct your life."
"Or a woman, I see examples of rampant snobbery in school, and I am glad I am plain, but it can go too far the other way also. Ma has told me, growing up is a full time job. And was she ever right." Tess looked off toward the horizon. Sometimes she couldn't look at Ben, he was so handsome that he made her want to throw herself at him. Tess knew Ben didn't want that, he wanted restraint and obedience to God's laws, and she had to cry with frustration.
"What are you thinking?" he would occasionally ask when Tess had a plaintive, hurting look on her face.
"I can't tell you Ben, it would not be good to have that between us." Tess had started telling him, and he had accepted her answer.
Ben had looked at Tess, they were sitting quietly on the patio in the sunshine, taking a few minutes before he had to get ready for work. She was working her fingers in a white knuckled grip.
"Ben," Tess had whispered, "would you do something for me?"
"Certainly, what do you need?" Tess looked so upset, he wondered what it could be.
"Tomorrow morning when you come to breakfast, would you please dress first?" It was Ben's habit to come to breakfast in his lounge pants and tee shirt. The threadbare shirt was too small and worn out to cover his muscles, and the lounge pants rode low on his hips, leaving a great deal of Ben on display.
"Ahh yeah I can, bothers you, does it?" he teased.
"You make me so hungry I can't eat breakfast," Tess told him plainly, she wasn't teasing.
Ben understood, swallowed hard, and told Tess, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to make this harder than it is, and truth be told, it's way harder than I thought it would be." Ben raked his hand through his hair, and blew his breath out.
"I have thoughts and dreams of you day and night. Is that what your thinking of when you get that look on your face?" he asked.
Tess raised her eyes to look straight at Ben. "Wilder dreams, fantasies and cravings than you'll ever be able to imagine."
Now it was Ben's turn to swallow hard. "I'm glad you don't tell me that plain, often," they were both shaking and Tess said "I have to go to my room, Benny I can't handle thinking about this without wanting to rip your clothes off. That's as plain as I can say. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast." and Tess hurried to her room.
Ben was sitting with his head bowed, he was praying that he resist temptation." and it wasn't working.
Mark came out to sit in the chair Tess vacated. He looked at Ben and then off to the horizion where Tess had been looking. "I could tell you to not think about it, not talk about it and certainly not act on it, but the truth is, when your so close, it's impossible. When I first really interacted with Ma, I was sick in the hospital when Clora came to see me. I was mentally sick, incapable of liking myself to the point I had contemplated suicide. She offered me her heart, no strings attached, no conditions, no false declarations, just plain love without any guarantees for her." Mark had to rub his face. Yet to this day, the enormity of what she had done, humbled him to his knees.
"No one on God's earth had cared for me that way. No one had ever loved... the me, inside me. She was a life line God was sending to me, love that I didn't have to return, I could take and take and take, and she had more; all the love I needed or wanted. I threw myself into that love and have never regretted a second of it."
Mark had to stretch and control himself. "I see the same love that Clora has, in Tess. It's a terrible responsibility Ben, to know a woman loves you so much she would love with no assurances that love would be returned. I want you to understand, once these women give you their heart, they cannot and will not ever love another. Be very sure you are prepared and are honest and true."
"It's the intensity that scares me so bad. She is so sure, so secure, in what she feels that I am frightened I won't measure up. Is that because they 'know'?" Ben looked at the same cloud Mark was staring at.
"I believe so, and if she has mentioned that to you, she must feel you are trustworthy." Mark smiled.
"Tess has said she wouldn't read me, unless I sent her distress thoughts. Can they really do that?" Ben was trying to sort himself through the mine field.
"Yes, they can. That's another responsibility, you can't think the words, they have to hear that you love them. It's like a good portion of what you do in life; the more you put into it, the more you can take out."
That was worth another jagged breath on Ben's part. "I don't feel worthy of such a gift," he said quietly. Mark agreed, "it's been almost twenty years now, and I am still not worthy, but there is no way I wouldn't take it."
"I feel the same way," Ben noticed the time. "I've got to get to work."
"I came out here to tell you that Gary and a few of his friends will be here tonight on leave. He said there would be six of them that needed the break but didn't have anywhere to go."
"Yeah, Tess already told me to clean up my act at breakfast, or I'd be sorry."
Mark laughed. "That's what Clora sent me out here to tell you."
Ben and Tess were very careful to stay in sight of another adult, as Ben carefully explained he wanted no hint of improper behavior to touch their names. Ben understood Milo was still having problems with the 'look alike' fiasco fostered by Charley.
Ben, Milo and Mark had several conferences about how Milo's chances for a good commission might be hurt by the scandal, but it was done; so they had to work around it. "I urge you to stand tall, be more than exemplary in your behavior, look your superiors in the eye with honesty and soldier on. That will be the best revenge against those that would whisper, and seek to drag your name through the mud." Mark had counseled.
Milo was working on it, but it was hard and there were several that were friends of Charley's that kept stirring the pot. Milo happened to have one of the more vocal men as a sparring partner during the boxing practice. As a way to release pent up anger, Milo knocked the man out with his first blow.
The director had looked at Milo and said quietly, "it helps if you mash them around first, it makes the knock out much sweeter."
Milo couldn't restrain himself, as his opponents rotated through the line up and he got to the men harassing him, again and again, he simply took them out with the first punch. Soon, the men got the hint and as Milo continued to shut out the lights, they stopped talking; but Milo didn't top punching. There was a lot of anger in the tall red headed man over the situation and he used boxing as a legitimate outlet.
Benny and Tess talked about how hurt Milo had been that he was not taken at his word, the Linderman men truthful to a painfully honest degree. "Something inside Milo has been damaged," Ben had said. "When his word was doubted, and he was called a liar; his pride has prevented him from healing. A man has to have pride, especially a Linderman, but it can block the way God wants you to conduct your life."
"Or a woman, I see examples of rampant snobbery in school, and I am glad I am plain, but it can go too far the other way also. Ma has told me, growing up is a full time job. And was she ever right." Tess looked off toward the horizon. Sometimes she couldn't look at Ben, he was so handsome that he made her want to throw herself at him. Tess knew Ben didn't want that, he wanted restraint and obedience to God's laws, and she had to cry with frustration.
"What are you thinking?" he would occasionally ask when Tess had a plaintive, hurting look on her face.
"I can't tell you Ben, it would not be good to have that between us." Tess had started telling him, and he had accepted her answer.
Ben had looked at Tess, they were sitting quietly on the patio in the sunshine, taking a few minutes before he had to get ready for work. She was working her fingers in a white knuckled grip.
"Ben," Tess had whispered, "would you do something for me?"
"Certainly, what do you need?" Tess looked so upset, he wondered what it could be.
"Tomorrow morning when you come to breakfast, would you please dress first?" It was Ben's habit to come to breakfast in his lounge pants and tee shirt. The threadbare shirt was too small and worn out to cover his muscles, and the lounge pants rode low on his hips, leaving a great deal of Ben on display.
"Ahh yeah I can, bothers you, does it?" he teased.
"You make me so hungry I can't eat breakfast," Tess told him plainly, she wasn't teasing.
Ben understood, swallowed hard, and told Tess, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to make this harder than it is, and truth be told, it's way harder than I thought it would be." Ben raked his hand through his hair, and blew his breath out.
"I have thoughts and dreams of you day and night. Is that what your thinking of when you get that look on your face?" he asked.
Tess raised her eyes to look straight at Ben. "Wilder dreams, fantasies and cravings than you'll ever be able to imagine."
Now it was Ben's turn to swallow hard. "I'm glad you don't tell me that plain, often," they were both shaking and Tess said "I have to go to my room, Benny I can't handle thinking about this without wanting to rip your clothes off. That's as plain as I can say. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast." and Tess hurried to her room.
Ben was sitting with his head bowed, he was praying that he resist temptation." and it wasn't working.
Mark came out to sit in the chair Tess vacated. He looked at Ben and then off to the horizion where Tess had been looking. "I could tell you to not think about it, not talk about it and certainly not act on it, but the truth is, when your so close, it's impossible. When I first really interacted with Ma, I was sick in the hospital when Clora came to see me. I was mentally sick, incapable of liking myself to the point I had contemplated suicide. She offered me her heart, no strings attached, no conditions, no false declarations, just plain love without any guarantees for her." Mark had to rub his face. Yet to this day, the enormity of what she had done, humbled him to his knees.
"No one on God's earth had cared for me that way. No one had ever loved... the me, inside me. She was a life line God was sending to me, love that I didn't have to return, I could take and take and take, and she had more; all the love I needed or wanted. I threw myself into that love and have never regretted a second of it."
Mark had to stretch and control himself. "I see the same love that Clora has, in Tess. It's a terrible responsibility Ben, to know a woman loves you so much she would love with no assurances that love would be returned. I want you to understand, once these women give you their heart, they cannot and will not ever love another. Be very sure you are prepared and are honest and true."
"It's the intensity that scares me so bad. She is so sure, so secure, in what she feels that I am frightened I won't measure up. Is that because they 'know'?" Ben looked at the same cloud Mark was staring at.
"I believe so, and if she has mentioned that to you, she must feel you are trustworthy." Mark smiled.
"Tess has said she wouldn't read me, unless I sent her distress thoughts. Can they really do that?" Ben was trying to sort himself through the mine field.
"Yes, they can. That's another responsibility, you can't think the words, they have to hear that you love them. It's like a good portion of what you do in life; the more you put into it, the more you can take out."
That was worth another jagged breath on Ben's part. "I don't feel worthy of such a gift," he said quietly. Mark agreed, "it's been almost twenty years now, and I am still not worthy, but there is no way I wouldn't take it."
"I feel the same way," Ben noticed the time. "I've got to get to work."
"I came out here to tell you that Gary and a few of his friends will be here tonight on leave. He said there would be six of them that needed the break but didn't have anywhere to go."
"Yeah, Tess already told me to clean up my act at breakfast, or I'd be sorry."
Mark laughed. "That's what Clora sent me out here to tell you."
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thanks for another great chapter of your story Pac,
Wayne
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#49b
Gary and his friends got there about 5:30, just in time for supper. Lemmie had made a large baked spaghetti and with bread sticks and fresh leaf lettuce from the garden, the kids ate every bit of the food and all of the chocolate cake for dessert.
Clora was unsettled by the group. There was Gary, Mos, Marla and Anita. Tagging along in miserable looking condition was a small girl named MariAnn.
To Clora, it looked like they had already paired off as boyfriend and girl friend, and she wasn't having any of that in her house. The girls were assigned rooms on the girls side, and the boys on the other. She gave the 'Mother eye' to Gary and he smirked.
Lou seemed properly impressed with Gary's swagger and adult mannerisms, but he wasn't interested in hanging out with them. The small girl, curled up in a corner of the couch and didn't budge or say a word. Lou, when he got ready to milk, asked MariAnn if she wanted to go see the cow and the goat and she reluctantly got off the couch and followed him.
When the two young people were out the door, Clora had a furious look on her face and she went hunting Mark. He and Hank were finishing shelves in the basement, and Clora waited until they were done and asked Mark to come upstairs please.
The way Clora was speeding down the hall, Mark had trouble keeping up with her. "Do you know what Gary has done, he brought that little girl here to be a 'girlfriend' for Lou. First of all, I can't believe that child is eighteen. There is no way she should be in the Marines. I don't like this one bit." A mad Clora was a force to be reckoned with, and Mark was quickly looking for solutions.
"They have to have birth certificates or ways to substantiate the year that they were born, but I have to agree, she surely doesn't look eighteen. Lets find out her story, maybe we are jumping to the wrong conclusions."
There was a knock on the office door and it was Lou, so scared and white faced that his freckles looked like measles. "Dad," he croaked, "can I talk to you?"
Clora arched her eyebrow at Mark, and went sailing out the door, more than highly perturbed. It wasn't long before Mark was clearing his throat in the kitchen to snag Clora's attention. Back to the office they went.
"Oh, you were so right." Mark said grimly. "Lou said the gal seemed surprised when they got to the barn that Lou really did have a cow and goat to milk. Lou said she was shaking so hard that she couldn't stand and had to sit on a hay bale. That's when she told Lou she was supposed to be his girlfriend, in exchange for a bed and food while she was here. He didn't understand what she meant and then she told him, he got so scared he dropped the goat's milk pail. He wants to eat supper in his room and I told him it would be OK."
Clora had a pinched set of lips and a dark scowl on her face. "I can't believe it," she stormed, "what kind of children are these? Would it be alright if I brought that girl in here and talked to her?"
"Sure. From what Lou said, she's as much in the dark as he was, but she was supposed to tell him that."
"Humph!," was all Clora said.
Clora and MariAnn went to the office in a hurry, MariAnn shaking so hard she almost passed out. Clora sat down on the couch and had MariAnn sit next to her. "Please tell me how old you are MariAnn, and don't tell me eighteen. I can see that you are not."
The young girl wanted to shrink away from Clora, and Clora said "sit." in a firm voice.
"I'm fifteen." came the whisper.
"Why for heaven's sake are you in the Marines?" Clora pressed. When Clora had the story, she could only think...unbelievable.
Marla and Anita and MariAnn came from an orphanage. The two older girls were eighteen and could join. the Matron of the overcrowded house had falsified documents so the older two would take, tag along MariAnn.
The young girl was so exhausted by trying to keep up the intensive physical conditioning program, that she was sick; physically and mentally. While the older four were downstairs playing pool in the makeshift Rec room, Clora took MariAnn across the compound to Rennie's and asked if they could keep the girl out of sight.
"MariAnn, we will take care of you, but you can't go back to the Marines. You simply aren't old enough for that."
The girl had nodded with tears in her eyes and Abbi had taken a good hard look and said "she belongs in bed." and put the slight figured and cropped hair youngster in her own bedroom and shut the door.
"She's just a baby," Abbi had protested. "I'll bet she's not fifteen either."
"I don't believe she is," Clora sighed hard. "Maybe twelve or thirteen at the most. When is Toby due home, we may need his help. The kids she is with, have her in the Marines, in boot camp no less."
Abbi thought soon, for both Toby and Rennie. "His highness 'Barry the starving', will be tuning up shortly, needing his supper. Rennie usually manages to come skidding in, just in time."
Mark was on the phone with someone and he waved Clora in the office. He thanked whomever he was talking with and hung up. "OK, she's on extended leave until a review can be completed. I need her number and full name. She was on the list to be sent back because she lost too much weight in the conditioning program."
"Mark, I don't believe she's much older than twelve, maybe thirteen. What were those idiots downstairs thinking?"
"Speaking of idiots, it's been awfully quiet down there; the wrong kind of quiet." he remarked. "I believe it's time for a parental inspection."
The four idiots were sprawled out around the pool table, on the floor, sleeping. If Mos hadn't forgotten to zip his pants, Mark wouldn't have been so suspicious.
When he was back up stairs, Mark raised his eyebrows letting Clora know what they feared had happened, had happened. Clora was ready to bar be que all of them right then.
"I'll take them down town to the shelter, but that's as much as I will do. Gary is not welcome back with them, we need an apology and he needs to become more responsible to ever put a foot inside our front door again." Mark went to the basement door and yelled a sound that had all four kids up and standing at attention.
They got in the carry all and went out the gate in a cloud of dust.
Clora was at the table with a cup of super strong tea and sugar, when Tess came wandering in, a batch of papers in her hand. "Ma, your not going to believe this. Teddy has an offer for me, from MIT."
Gary and his friends got there about 5:30, just in time for supper. Lemmie had made a large baked spaghetti and with bread sticks and fresh leaf lettuce from the garden, the kids ate every bit of the food and all of the chocolate cake for dessert.
Clora was unsettled by the group. There was Gary, Mos, Marla and Anita. Tagging along in miserable looking condition was a small girl named MariAnn.
To Clora, it looked like they had already paired off as boyfriend and girl friend, and she wasn't having any of that in her house. The girls were assigned rooms on the girls side, and the boys on the other. She gave the 'Mother eye' to Gary and he smirked.
Lou seemed properly impressed with Gary's swagger and adult mannerisms, but he wasn't interested in hanging out with them. The small girl, curled up in a corner of the couch and didn't budge or say a word. Lou, when he got ready to milk, asked MariAnn if she wanted to go see the cow and the goat and she reluctantly got off the couch and followed him.
When the two young people were out the door, Clora had a furious look on her face and she went hunting Mark. He and Hank were finishing shelves in the basement, and Clora waited until they were done and asked Mark to come upstairs please.
The way Clora was speeding down the hall, Mark had trouble keeping up with her. "Do you know what Gary has done, he brought that little girl here to be a 'girlfriend' for Lou. First of all, I can't believe that child is eighteen. There is no way she should be in the Marines. I don't like this one bit." A mad Clora was a force to be reckoned with, and Mark was quickly looking for solutions.
"They have to have birth certificates or ways to substantiate the year that they were born, but I have to agree, she surely doesn't look eighteen. Lets find out her story, maybe we are jumping to the wrong conclusions."
There was a knock on the office door and it was Lou, so scared and white faced that his freckles looked like measles. "Dad," he croaked, "can I talk to you?"
Clora arched her eyebrow at Mark, and went sailing out the door, more than highly perturbed. It wasn't long before Mark was clearing his throat in the kitchen to snag Clora's attention. Back to the office they went.
"Oh, you were so right." Mark said grimly. "Lou said the gal seemed surprised when they got to the barn that Lou really did have a cow and goat to milk. Lou said she was shaking so hard that she couldn't stand and had to sit on a hay bale. That's when she told Lou she was supposed to be his girlfriend, in exchange for a bed and food while she was here. He didn't understand what she meant and then she told him, he got so scared he dropped the goat's milk pail. He wants to eat supper in his room and I told him it would be OK."
Clora had a pinched set of lips and a dark scowl on her face. "I can't believe it," she stormed, "what kind of children are these? Would it be alright if I brought that girl in here and talked to her?"
"Sure. From what Lou said, she's as much in the dark as he was, but she was supposed to tell him that."
"Humph!," was all Clora said.
Clora and MariAnn went to the office in a hurry, MariAnn shaking so hard she almost passed out. Clora sat down on the couch and had MariAnn sit next to her. "Please tell me how old you are MariAnn, and don't tell me eighteen. I can see that you are not."
The young girl wanted to shrink away from Clora, and Clora said "sit." in a firm voice.
"I'm fifteen." came the whisper.
"Why for heaven's sake are you in the Marines?" Clora pressed. When Clora had the story, she could only think...unbelievable.
Marla and Anita and MariAnn came from an orphanage. The two older girls were eighteen and could join. the Matron of the overcrowded house had falsified documents so the older two would take, tag along MariAnn.
The young girl was so exhausted by trying to keep up the intensive physical conditioning program, that she was sick; physically and mentally. While the older four were downstairs playing pool in the makeshift Rec room, Clora took MariAnn across the compound to Rennie's and asked if they could keep the girl out of sight.
"MariAnn, we will take care of you, but you can't go back to the Marines. You simply aren't old enough for that."
The girl had nodded with tears in her eyes and Abbi had taken a good hard look and said "she belongs in bed." and put the slight figured and cropped hair youngster in her own bedroom and shut the door.
"She's just a baby," Abbi had protested. "I'll bet she's not fifteen either."
"I don't believe she is," Clora sighed hard. "Maybe twelve or thirteen at the most. When is Toby due home, we may need his help. The kids she is with, have her in the Marines, in boot camp no less."
Abbi thought soon, for both Toby and Rennie. "His highness 'Barry the starving', will be tuning up shortly, needing his supper. Rennie usually manages to come skidding in, just in time."
Mark was on the phone with someone and he waved Clora in the office. He thanked whomever he was talking with and hung up. "OK, she's on extended leave until a review can be completed. I need her number and full name. She was on the list to be sent back because she lost too much weight in the conditioning program."
"Mark, I don't believe she's much older than twelve, maybe thirteen. What were those idiots downstairs thinking?"
"Speaking of idiots, it's been awfully quiet down there; the wrong kind of quiet." he remarked. "I believe it's time for a parental inspection."
The four idiots were sprawled out around the pool table, on the floor, sleeping. If Mos hadn't forgotten to zip his pants, Mark wouldn't have been so suspicious.
When he was back up stairs, Mark raised his eyebrows letting Clora know what they feared had happened, had happened. Clora was ready to bar be que all of them right then.
"I'll take them down town to the shelter, but that's as much as I will do. Gary is not welcome back with them, we need an apology and he needs to become more responsible to ever put a foot inside our front door again." Mark went to the basement door and yelled a sound that had all four kids up and standing at attention.
They got in the carry all and went out the gate in a cloud of dust.
Clora was at the table with a cup of super strong tea and sugar, when Tess came wandering in, a batch of papers in her hand. "Ma, your not going to believe this. Teddy has an offer for me, from MIT."
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Amazing story Pac.,when one thing is dealt with 2 more pop up. Thank you for your time and for sharing the story with us.
Wayne
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#50
Clora's phone rang. In her pocket and so seldom used, she almost missed the chiming tone. It was Gary. "Ma,?" he sounded scared. "I'm sorry I messed up big time. Dad really scared us, he was powerful mad and I wanted to know if I would be able to come home?"
"Gary, I told you a long time ago; where we lived would be your home. But you have to be responsible and treat that home and the people with respect. I have to hope that you knew your actions wouldn't be approved of, and there will be complications with that little girl. Gary, that child isn't much more than twelve or thirteen. Do you have any idea what happens to a young man that is suspected of being with a minor?" Clora was exasperated, and Gary could tell.
"Yeah, Dad told us."
"You'll be lucky to be able to stay in the Marines. I believe Dad told you that Marla and Anita will not be able to come here again. You may not return until you apologize. I want you to get your Bible and look up where you shouldn't behave this way and send those passages to us with your written apology."
"I forgot to bring my Bible," Gary mumbled slowly, all the fun gone out of his illicit encounter.
"Then you save your money, buy one and then write your letter. This is no joke Gary, you were directly defiant of our family rules, like everything you are going to encounter, there are consequences for bad behavior."
"OK Ma, and I'm sorry. Thank you for talking to me, I will do as you say."
"God speed to you Gary, be brave and do your best." Clora finished and hung up. "ugggh, that child may never learn."
Clora looked at the papers Tess was holding. "Humm, this might be a big break for you Tess. Tell me what you are thinking?"
Tess had good reasons both pro and con; but Clora could see the interest that flared in her eyes. "Lets talk to Dad later on. He won't be happy when he gets home, it will take a while for Gary's disobedience to fade away. This just might be the way for you to school and gain maturity and remove your self from such temptation as walks around here scratching himself. He's totally unaware of his power, isn't he?" Clora had smile crinkles around her eyes.
"I guess you know it," Tess said forcefully. "I had to tell him yesterday if he didn't stop it, I was going to have to jump his bones. He acted totally shocked I would say something like that, but that man wants to be careful, I wasn't kidding."
Tess had to get a drink of water and she handed the papers to Clora to read.
Clora's phone rang. In her pocket and so seldom used, she almost missed the chiming tone. It was Gary. "Ma,?" he sounded scared. "I'm sorry I messed up big time. Dad really scared us, he was powerful mad and I wanted to know if I would be able to come home?"
"Gary, I told you a long time ago; where we lived would be your home. But you have to be responsible and treat that home and the people with respect. I have to hope that you knew your actions wouldn't be approved of, and there will be complications with that little girl. Gary, that child isn't much more than twelve or thirteen. Do you have any idea what happens to a young man that is suspected of being with a minor?" Clora was exasperated, and Gary could tell.
"Yeah, Dad told us."
"You'll be lucky to be able to stay in the Marines. I believe Dad told you that Marla and Anita will not be able to come here again. You may not return until you apologize. I want you to get your Bible and look up where you shouldn't behave this way and send those passages to us with your written apology."
"I forgot to bring my Bible," Gary mumbled slowly, all the fun gone out of his illicit encounter.
"Then you save your money, buy one and then write your letter. This is no joke Gary, you were directly defiant of our family rules, like everything you are going to encounter, there are consequences for bad behavior."
"OK Ma, and I'm sorry. Thank you for talking to me, I will do as you say."
"God speed to you Gary, be brave and do your best." Clora finished and hung up. "ugggh, that child may never learn."
Clora looked at the papers Tess was holding. "Humm, this might be a big break for you Tess. Tell me what you are thinking?"
Tess had good reasons both pro and con; but Clora could see the interest that flared in her eyes. "Lets talk to Dad later on. He won't be happy when he gets home, it will take a while for Gary's disobedience to fade away. This just might be the way for you to school and gain maturity and remove your self from such temptation as walks around here scratching himself. He's totally unaware of his power, isn't he?" Clora had smile crinkles around her eyes.
"I guess you know it," Tess said forcefully. "I had to tell him yesterday if he didn't stop it, I was going to have to jump his bones. He acted totally shocked I would say something like that, but that man wants to be careful, I wasn't kidding."
Tess had to get a drink of water and she handed the papers to Clora to read.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thank you Pac for all of the chapters.
Wayne
Wayne
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you Pac