David C. McLavic - 20. Chapter 20

I was anxious to see Carl. Peter seemed to know his way as we headed west. Chatting about the cabin and Uncle Harry getting a porch built on the front, helped to pass the time.

We made one stop for gas and to have some of Miss Elly’s cookies. After a bathroom break, we were on our way again. I wasn’t paying attention, but when I looked out of the car window, I recognized we were in the village.

“Peter stop the car. I saw someone who will take me to the farm.”

Getting out of the car, Jim was sleeping in a chair on his porch holding a baby. “You seem to have an easy life.”

“Davy, is that you?” I started to laugh.

Peter brought my suitcase to the porch. When Marie came out of the house, I introduced her to Jim. She wanted to know why I was late. “You were supposed to be here last week,” she said.

“My dad booked me to Philadelphia to see my uncle. Peter met me and drove me to his cabin in the woods. But I’m here now.”

“David, here is your suitcase, I need to get going.”

I went and took three cookies from Miss Elly’s bag, letting Peter have the rest.

I gave a cookie to Jim and Marie, I ate the third.

Jim went and got the car, Marie and the baby went with us to the farm

Pulling into the yard, Jim tooted the horn. Carl came out, saw me, opened my door, and yanked me from the car. “Where have you been? You were supposed to be here last week.”

Aunt Martha came out on the porch and seeing Marie and the baby, took them into the house. Aunt Martha was carrying the baby. I didn’t see Uncle Carl, I figured he would be working the farm.

It didn’t take me long to change and quicker than a flash, Carl and I picked up where we left off last summer. The first stop was to see Sir Galahad. I was surprised he remembered me, looking for my carrot.

It seemed that last summer vacation hadn’t ended. We checked out the apple orchards, they had flowers but not apples yet. Checked out the swimming pool and the fishing pond.

“Where is that man that fished here?”

“He has died, passed on they said. The chair and the old rod were left there for anyone to use. Sometimes his daughter would come and sit there but I haven’t seen her for a while.”

Our next stop was the town and especially Mrs. Miller at the library. We had a nice talk and again she welcomed me back. “I have some new books you might be interested in.” And she did.

Our next stop was Mrs. Baker who was glad to see me. She asked about Beth Ann. I told her she went to see some of her friends. I never explained to anyone about Uncle Joe and his reservation. I may have hinted in my earlier letters to Carl. Our last stop was to see Doc at the pharmacy. I paid for two ice cream cones.

It seemed last summer at the farm never ended. I helped with the chores. One day, I was back in the routine.

Lunch, I made sure I didn’t sit next to Jim, I remember his habit of adding more food to my plate. I got to see a lot of Marie and little Marie as Aunt Martha insisted they visit often. I watched Aunt Martha as she held the baby. The tears in her eyes confirmed the loss she felt in not having more children specifically a little girl.

By the end of that week, I truly felt like last summer never ended.