The Apple Tree - 11. Chapter 11

Good morning Grandfather,"

"More like good afternoon. You both have been getting in late the last few nights."

"The store has been really busy. Mr. Thomas won't close the store until all the customers leave. So we have been really tired. Thank grandmother for the soup and biscuits that was just the ticket last night when we got home."

"You can thank her yourself when you come down for dinner. I almost forgot why I came up here. Tony this letter came for you, registered mail. I was going to bring it to you last night but since you came home so late, I thought I'd wait till this morning."

"Thank you, Grandfather."

Tony took the letter and noticed it was from his uncle. "It's from my uncle. Why would he send me a registered letter?"

"Well, open it and find out."

When Tony opened the letter, he was speechless for a few minutes. Jim made a noise as if was clearing his throat. That snapped Tony back to the present. "This is a letter saying 'that as we agreed, the enclosed check represents your half of the house. There's a certified check here for 110,000 dollars."

Jim looked at his grandfather who looked at him and then Tony. "Monday, Tony you must go to the bank and deposit the check. You certainly don't want to lose it."

Grandfather left and Jim finished getting the dirty clothes ready to take down to the grandparent's house to do laundry. Tony just sat at the table staring at the check. Jim smelled something burning. "Tony, didn't you smell the toast burning?'

Looking embarrassed, "I'm sorry I just can't get over having all of this money. What would you do if you got a check like this?"

Jim thought for a moment. "I certainly put it in the bank to start with."

"Ok, then what would you spend it on?"

"Well, I like living here on the farm. I would ask grandfather to sell me the land that contains what was once the apple orchard. Then I would build a nice size bedroom on the shack; replace some of the kitchen appliances. With the new bedroom, I'd add a new bathroom; then removed the bathroom next to the kitchen which would allow me to enlarge the kitchen a little. I'd move this wood cooking stove outside on the porch so when summer comes and it's too hot in here to cook, I can cook outside. Maybe run an electrical line out here so we can put in air condition. These are all dreams right now."

"I think we should head down and get the wash started." Tony took one clothes bag and I took the basket.

Dinner at my grandparents is always good. My grandmother is a great cook. Her food may be simple but it's very good. I would rather have good simple food than what some people call gourmet. I guess I'm just a simple boy at heart. I'm very glad that Tony agrees with me.

"Tony, I heard you got a lot of money from the sale of your grandparent's home. What are you going to do with that money?"

"I'm going to deposit it in the bank on Monday. I was thinking about maybe completing my degree. I'm not in a hurry to spend it."

"That's a good plan, Tony."

After dinner, Jim went to start the wash. "Grandfather, I'd like to buy the shack and the apple orchard for Jim, will you sell it to me?"

Grandfather started to laugh, "No I can't sell it to you because I don't own it." Tony must have a puzzled look on his face. "Tony, the reason I don't own the land is that Jim already owns it. Jim owns the whole farm. He's the only grandson we have. To prevent his mother from being a problem after grandmother and I pass on, I put all of my property in his name. That is how I met the lawyer friend that helped you. Please don't tell Jim, if he knew he'd protest or wish to pay me for the farm."

"Ok I'll keep it a secret, but how about providing electricity?"

"There's electricity there already. During picking season, we used lights to be able to pick late at night. Tomorrow I'll take a walk back there and check the condition of the electrical systems."

"What are you guys talking about?"

"I was asking grandfather about picking apples. He's going to show me how to prune the trees."

"That's a good idea. Then we can have apple pies. I bet we can sell them to Anna for the café."

Laughing, "First you need to learn how to make them."

"That isn't the problem. Grandmother will teach me, right Grandmother?"

Grandmother just smiled and nodded yes,

After the clothes were dried and folded, thanking grandmother for dinner, we headed to the shack.

While making the bed, I looked at Jim; he had a big smile on his face. I knew what he was thinking when he put the tube of lubricant on the nightstand. I wondered what it would feel like. I remembered last night I never felt so close to Jim. I hope he feels the same tonight.

"Grandfather was telling me about the orchard and the men he hired to pick the apples. He said the men worked late at night. We should look around. If they picked at night they'd need lights."

"There were lights. You can see the light poles in the orchard. I think grandfather disconnected all of the electrical systems for safety sake."

"We should ask grandfather about the status. If we're going to pick apples we might need the lights."

"I'll ask him tomorrow while you're at work."

"Kay. Now I'm going to take a shower, want to join me?"

While they were showering together, Jim decided to have some fun. While he was washing Tony's back he soaps up his finger, "I'm going to make sure you are clean." Saying that he stuck a soapy finger in Tony's ass. Tony jumped.

"Hey, stop that."

Jim leaned over Tony, "I got something else I could use."

Tony turned around, looking at Jim, "What makes you think you'll get lucky tonight."

"Cause you love me."

Laughing they finished showering, they race to the bed. This time it didn't matter who won.