Starting Over

Catching up

Mom was still speaking to dad about everything they had accomplished. She explained how Jaq came here often to help with planting schedules, getting fields ready, and animal husbandry lessons. She was teaching the women how to cook from scratch how to make lye, soap, how to butcher a cow, how to milk a cow. The list went on and on. She's got to be older than she looks.

Then my world collapsed with moms next words "She is absolutely amazing for a 17 year old. Clair and Jaq just turned 17 four months ago." NOOOOO, NO, NO, NO. SHE CANT BE. Why? I can't be attracted to a minor. f**k! "Bobby, you should think about dating her." WHAT!! Why is she trying to get Bobby to date her.

"Mom, she's a minor still." he says "Besides Brian would kick my ass if I tried anything with the Dutchess." The what? I'm not hearing this, right? "When we were kids, she never wanted to be the princess she always said she was a dutchess. We were her knights protecting her. Who would have thought she would become the knight protecting and teaching us all. Lessons in humanity."

Once we got mom calmed down. The ladies that hadn't heard from their own families started to approach us asking questions. Eight other men came home with us. The others were staying till we returned. The only casualty in the area was Carol's husband and 4 members of Franks militia.

The ladies explained that they communicate with the Muller community with radios. Especially if there was anything important needed. The Muller's also reported updates as they came in to help alleviate the ladies' concerns. I am getting more and more indebted to the Muller's.

We were all talking around the dining room table when radio communication came through.

"This is Jason is Mrs. Gains there, over. "

"This is Timothy, I have Mrs. Gains here, over. "

"Jaq brought to our attention that you have a chuckwagon and a bunch of outdoor cast iron cookware. over"

"Yes, I do...." She stops,"Mrs Gains, say over." I tell her "ohh..over"

"Mrs. Gains we would like to buy all your equipment. For the war effort. Would you sell it to us. Name your price? over"

She looks at me for a second. "I couldn't charge you for that. it's wasting away in that barn. I will give all my equipment to Jaq for all she has done for us. over. " She smiles broadly, feeling more confident with the 2 way radio.

Then that husky voice comes over the line. "Mrs. Gains, that's too much. over. " Holy s**t I'm in trouble. I tune everything out because my thoughts are in total chaos. I can't get away from her, thoughts of her. I zoned out for a bit when I looked at Mrs. Gains, she has a beaming smile on her face and says, "They are going to get everything. I'm so glad that it will be useful." What did I miss? Are they done?

"Are you done, Mrs. Gains?" I asked her

"Yes, dear." she smiled and kissed my cheek, then walked off.

"If you need our help, let us know. over" I finish the radio conversation and get back to catching up with mom.

.......

When I sit down moms talking about all the projects they had accomplished. She was telling dad she had learned how to weld, she helped build the animal pens, and she was learning how to rope cattle. "Jaq taught us how to drive the tractors. Clair has been teaching us other things like rendering tallow and lard, soap, and candle making. It has been great fun." Mom seems like a completely different person.

"Mom, you have done and learned so much." it's amazing

"Oh dear, there's still so much more when spring comes. We are going to learn how to can vegetables, fruits, and jams. We are going to learn about the birthing of cows, goats and sheep, and how to milk them." Mom was beaming with pride. "This has been such a great experience. It helped keep me busy." The last statement nearly broke our hearts. We never thought about what we were leaving behind. We were concentrating on serving a purpose. Being a part of, or changing history. Not about what or who was waiting for word through a call or a letter that we were safe.