The Apple Tree - 13. Chapter 13

"Take your guitar over to Anna's and I'll explain to Mr. Thomas."

As Jim enters the store, "Where's Tony? He isn't sick is he?"

"No sir he had to go to the bank. I'll fill in till he's back." Mr. Thomas shook his head as if to say ok.

About 9 Tony came back to the store. "Jim, I need you to sign this card and drop it off at the bank."

"What is it that I'm signing?"

"I put the bank account in both of our names. If something happens to me I want you to have the money."

"Nothing is going to happen."

"I know but I feel better knowing your name is on the account. We're partners, 50- 50."

"Ok, I'll see you at 4. I unloaded one of the trucks, you can do the other."

Jim signed the card and dropped it off at the bank. He took a look at the account and realized that the amount was greater than the check. When he asked the man at the desk, he told him that Tony has the interest from his trust deposited to this same account.

Jim stopped at his grandparents looking for his grandfather. "Where is grandfather, Grandmother?"

"I believe he's at the orchard."

Saying thanks, Jim went to find his grandfather. Seeing him in the orchard, "Grandfather, what are you doing?"

"I was checking out the electrical system. Tony asked about the lights and picking apples at night. I told him I'd check them out. This is the main control box and also the fuse box for the shack. So if your lights go out, this is where you'll need to check." Grandfather continued to show Jim how to set the breakers.

"Do they look ok or do we need to replace them?"

"No, they're fine. This case is weatherproof. Since they are copper wires, there's no corrosion. I'm not as sure about the lights. We may have to replace a few bulbs. We can try them out tonight. If you boys are up to it, we might start the farm up again. But you'll have to manage it, I'm too old, but I'll consult."

"Tony deposited the check in the bank this morning and put my name on the account. I'm not sure why. It's his money."

"It seems to me he trusts you a lot. He loves you; you can see it in his eyes whenever he looks at you. Reminds me of your grandmother and me when we were your age."

Jim just looked at his grandfather but his mind was on last night, yes, grandfather was right Tony does love me as much as I love him. Jim smiled.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but it must be good judging by the smile on your face."

Jim just hugged his grandfather and said one word, "Love"

Jim started to get ready for work. He had some shopping to do and wanted to get it done before work. Stopping at the farmhouse, he asked his grandparents if they needed anything from town. His grandmother gave him a grocery list plus some yarn she needed. She was ready to give him some money but Jim refused, saying that they ate there most of the time anyway.

In town, Jim stopped and picked up the yarn and then went to a clothing store. He picked out two light blue jackets and asked if they could stitch their names on them. They could but they wouldn't be ready until tomorrow evening. Jim paid for the jackets. He took his grocery list and went to the store and checked on Tony.

Taking a cart, I began to shop. I was in the aisle where Tony was working. He didn't see me, I sneaked up behind him, "Hey sexy, how about a date?" He jumped as I scared him. I started to laugh as he turned around. He got even; he grabbed me and kissed me. There were other customers in the aisle.

"That'll teach you to scare me." The other customers laughed, one young girl, probably 10 or 11, said 'boo' to Tony. He turned around, grabbed the girl, and kissed her on the cheek. She blushed and her mother laughed.

"I'm shopping for grandmother. I know some things we need, do you need anything? I was thinking of getting a beef roast for Sunday and maybe a ham steak. Grandmother can make ham and bean soup during the week. That's always good."

"I wish we had some evenings off. We could cook ourselves or just go to a movie, like a real date."

"That would be nice. If you're playing tonight, you could bring me dinner and serenade me while I eat."

Smiling I went to finish my shopping, checking out, then driving home. I stopped and gave grandmother her yarn and groceries plus the beef roast and the ham and beans. "Grandfather will love you for the roast. It's one of his favorite. They're generally too big for just the two of us but now there are the 6 of us that'll be just right."

"Six of us, who are the other two?"

"You and Tony"

Laughing, I took the remaining groceries to the shack. I grabbed a protein bar and headed back to work.

When I got to work, Mr. Thomas asked me what I thought about him hiring another cashier. It didn't take me long to think about it. "I think that's a good idea. I could have more time off that'll let me get grandfather's apple orchard working again."

"Are you planning on starting that up again?"

"Yes but on a smaller scale. Some of the trees are pretty old and I'm not sure what is harvestable from them. Who did you have in mind?"

"Before you started, Jane Miller was a cashier here. She left to start a family. I think her youngest is probably 10 or 11. Anyway, she stopped by asking if I was hiring. I told her I was thinking about another cashier. Since you don't have any problems with it I'll let her know. But I still need you for Friday and Saturday nights. I'll work out a schedule and let you see it."

"Thanks, Mr. Thomas."

Now if only we could get another stock boy.