Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch -18 ____John Meets Catherine’s Parents

            John and Catherine were driving to their apartments. John liked to get away once and a while. It’s so peaceful on the farm.

          “I think your family likes me.” Catherine said.

           “What’s not to like?” John said

           “Is it okay for you to meet my parents?” Catherine asked John.

           “When my leg is healed we can.” John answered.

            They arrived at the apartment building.“Do you want to walk to the front entrance?” Catherine asks John.

           “I think I can walk” John says.

            Catherine parks the car. John unbuckles his seat belt and opens the door putting his feet on the ground. Catherine helps him stand up. His legs are a little tired. Catherine locks the car doors and opens the truck to get out the suit cases. She closes the trunk and walk together to the entrance. A young man opens the door for them. He asks if he can help Catherine with the suit cases.

“Yes please.” Catherine accepts.

            The young man takes the suit cases from her and follows John and Catherine to John’s apartment. She unlocks the door and John thanks the young man for helping. Catherine gives the man two dollars and thanks him for helping them. John decided to turn in early and Catherine decided to go as well.

            In the month of August they were able to see each other regularly. John’s leg was healing nicely, and he could step on it now. It was nice to walk to the beach with each other holding hands. John was back to work again as well. One evening while eating at Red Lobster Catherine began speaking

“Are you up to meeting my parents?”

“Yes I can walk pretty well now.” John said.

“I’m going to go to them this weekend. I’m only going to stay with them for a couple of days. I’m going to tell them about you.” Catherine said.

            Catherine wakes up early to a dreary day. It’s over cast and looks like rain. The temperature is 60 degrees. Cool enough for driving without air conditioning. She takes a shower and brushes her teeth and decides to let her hair dry. Her phone rings, its John. He asks her if she will come over for a cup of tea. She tells him it’ll be 10 minutes. She takes her duffel bag out of the hall closet. She puts a couple of changing clothes in it. She then gets dressed in black caprice and a yellow top. Sandals on her feet, she thought about getting a new pair. Checking everything in the apartment she was ready and turned off the lights, then headed over to John. He answers the door with a big smile on his face.

“Why are you so upbeat?” Catherine asks.

“Nothing I’m glad to see you.” John said.

“I’m happy to see you too.” Catherine said with a smile back to him.

            John had toast and peanut butter on the table. It was Catherine’s favorite.

“I’m trying a new kind of tea. Its ginger based.” He said pouring a cup for each of them.

            Catherine puts peanut butter on the toast she took a sip of tea, and thought it was good.

“I must be going. One never knows about traffic.” Catherine said.

            He tells her not to speed and watch for other cars.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” John says.

“I’ll see you on Sunday night. Keep exercising your legs, bye see you later.” Catherine said as she walked out.

            Catherine walked to the parking lot and got into her car. She got onto the freeway and stopped half way there. She got a glass of iced tea and walked around the outside café. It felt good to walk. She used the rest room and went back to her car and continued the drive. She put on an audio tape to play. Traffic was starting to get heavy. She would be there in 2 hours. The sun came out and now it would be warmer out. She was thinking about her parents. They weren’t as laid back as John’s parents. She thought she would talk to her mother first. Catherine was in San Francisco. Her parents live in the suburb. She would stop at the Jewish deli and get a lemon layer cake. It was her father’s Buds favorite.
When she drove in the drive way of her parent’s home she saw that her mother Marie was pulling weeds from her rose gardens. She came to the car and gave Catherine a big hug. The cake had to get in the fridge before it got warm. They go into the house and Marie was saying how nice it was to see her. Her father would be home shortly. He had an errand to run.
“You’re not sick or in trouble are you?” Marie asked.
“Can’t I come visit you without a reason?” Catherine asked.
“We will eat a crab salad for lunch. I know you like it, and fruit for dessert.” Marie said.
“You can freshen up and come help me with table setting.” Marie ended.
            Catherine went to her old room. How small it looks. When she was younger it looked so big. She got to the bathroom and washes her face and hands. Then she pulls her hair in a bun. Bud, Catherine’s father comes home and gives her a lean hug and tells her how happy he was to see her.
“can we eat in the screen porch room?” Catherine asks.
“Yes you can set the table out there. The plates and glasses are set out. Silver ware and napkins go on next.” Bud said.
            Bud helped by bringing in the food. They sit down at the table and say grace. Marie begins to question Catherine.
“How is your job going?”
“It’s just enough patients to be busy but not rushed. One of the patients was a 8 year old boy who got hurt riding his bike.” Catherine answers.
“Business here has been good for me too. I’ve got some old gems from Europe in an estate sale. It’s very good quality.” Bud says.
            Bud was an international gem dealer.
“I have been busy at the hospital.” Marie says.
            When Marie was younger she was the head nurse at the same hospital. When lunch was over they cleared the table and put the dishes in the dish water.
“I would like to walk with you to the park.” Catherine said to her mother.
“That would be nice.” Mother said.
            Catherine changes her shoes and puts on sneakers. They were better for her feet when walking. They drove to the park, there weren’t too many people there.
Catherine said to her mother.
“I’ve met someone that I want you to meet. I met him at a BBQ at the apartments. He’s a kind considerate person. I like I’m very much. I want father to know him and like him as well. You know how fussy he is.”
“If you like him I’m sure father will like him too.” Mother said.
“Do you want me to talk to him about it? I think you should talk to him. Tell him the same thing you told me. I’m sure he will be happy for you.” Mother added.
            After an hour of walking they went back to the house.
“Let’s sit and visit on the porch.” Bud said.
            Catherine sits down and tells her father about John. She tells him she likes him ver much. He is a kind and gentle man. He wants to start his own business. She told her father that John was a social worker.
“When are we going to meet this young man?” Bud said.
“I will talk to John and see what he says.” Catherine said.
            Rita her younger sister came home from a sleep over. She was happy to see Catherine. She had a year left in high school, and then it was onto college.
            Catherine woke up to a sun shiny day. She would be going home today and seeing John. She got up and took a shower and brushed her teeth and then pulled her hair back for a pony tail. She got her clothes packed up in her bag so she could get an early start. Her parents were in the kitchen drinking coffee. Catherine was given a cup also. Marie had scrambled eggs and some toast and sliced some tomatoes and out some on a plate. She had some cantaloupe and water melons also. Catherine helped to set the table and then they all sat down to eat and say grace. She didn’t realize she was so hungry. It all tasted so good. They cleaned the table when they were done and put the dishes in the dish washer.
“I hate to eat and run but I want to get home early.” Catherine said.
“Drive to the speed limit even if it takes a little longer. It’s better to be safe than sorry.” Father said.
            Mother gives her daughter a hug and kiss.
“We’ll see you in a few weeks. Call us when you get home. Bye.” Mother said.
            Catherine goes to her car and unlocks the door. She puts her bags in the back seat and then she gets in, buckles up and starts the engine. She closes the door and waves good bye as she drives out of the driveway. There isn’t too much traffic. She drives to the speed limit and puts in another cassette tape to play. She gets so much pleasure from these audio books. She stops in a small town and goes to a cafe. She orders hot tea to go and she asks for a doughnut. Chocolate would be fine. She walked around the town for 15 minutes to get the kinks out of her body. She then went back to her car and ate her doughnut. It was luscious. She thought she should use the rest room one more time. She got out of the car and goes back into the cafe. She comes out a few minutes later, unlocks the door and puts on her seat belt. She starts the engine and drives down the road. She arrives home and drives in the parking lot space at the apartment. Then she proceeds to call her mom. 
  By G&G   2011-12, 

Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch -17 ______ Visiting the Farm

             John and Catherine were talking out on the patio. There was a slight breeze blowing and the temperature was 75 degrees. If summer didn’t get any warmer today would be perfect. They were deciding when they were going to go to the farm.

“I think it would be best if we go Friday, then we can stay till Tuesday. John suggested.

“I took Tuesday off I don’t want to drive on Memorial Day. I think I should get some kind of small gift for your parents, Exotic tea for your Mother and candy for your father.”  Catherine said.

“Let’s go into the apartment as I’ve got work to do” John said.

“Okay.” Catherine said.

“Brother likes anything with caramel in it. I think ill get my father a nice summer shirt. Brother also likes caps. I’m sure I could find one that he doesn’t have.” John said.

            Before they knew it, it was Friday. Catherine was feeling anxious. What if they didn’t like her? Just then her phone rang, it was John. He wanted her to know when they were leaving.

“I have to go to work till noon, are you packed yet? I’m half done.” Catherine said.

“Could you help me with my packing?” John asks.

“Yes” Catherine said. She would have to help him when she came back from work. She had to go and she said she would see him at 1:00.

            John got some clothes from his closet and put them on his bed. Catherine will pack the suit case. John couldn’t step on his sore leg. He was afraid that he would trip over standing on one leg. He decided to do more paper work until Catherine came.

            Catherine came home and packed her suit case. She looked for her small cooler which was in her closet and put ice in it with bottles of water and some cans of iced tea. She looked around the apartment and everything looked okay. She went to Johns place.

“I’m sorry I can’t do this for myself.” John said apologizing about his foot.

“It’s no problem I’m happy to help you. Do you want anything to go in the cooler?” Catherin said. 

“Maybe a couple of power bars.. That should do it, now we are on the way.” John said thinking.

            They grabbed their belongings and locked the door on their way out.

“We will walk to the car as the exercise will be good for you.” Catherine said.

            They go to the car and Catherine unlocks the door. She helps John to get in the car. She tells him

“I don’t think you could get in the truck that’s why I’m driving my car.”

            She checks the seat belt and gets into the drivers side and off they go.

            After driving along for some time Catherine said

“Let’s move around a little so we don’t get stiff. I’m nervous already.”

“Don’t be. They will like you. My mother and brother like you already and father will too.”John said.

            They stop at the road side rest area.

“I’m going to use the rest room.” John said.

            Catherine went to the rest room as well. She washed her hands and face with cool water. As they walked around the outside area they both felt better. Then they went back to Catherine’s car.

“Would you like some tea or water?” Catherine asked John as they got in.

“Water and a power bar would be nice.” John said.

            As they drive down the high way Catherine said

“See the deer on the road side?”

            She slowed down as you never know what they would do. They also saw several gophers.

  “Would you like to stop and eat a bit or do you want to wait till we get to the farm?” John asked.

“Let’s wait tiller get to the farm.” Catherine said.

            As they got closer to their destination there were many grooves of trees. Some were apple orchards and road side veggie and fruit stands along the way. They reached the farm and Buster was backing and running after them. Catherine got nervous as she wasn’t too happy with dogs. She didn’t want to get out of the car. When she did Buster jumped in the front seat and licked John’s face. Father came from the front yard and pulled Buster out of the car. Once he settled down everyone was relaxed. Mother came from the house and gave Catherine a warm hug. John was waiting for someone to help him out of the car.

“And to think they wouldn’t like her!” John said

After the greetings they went to the front porch and sat on the swings and lawn chairs.

“You have a beautiful place here.” Catherine said.

“Excuse me I have something on the stove.” Mama said.

“Could I help?” Catherine asked.

“You van put water and iced tea on the table. We are having Swedish meat balls over mashed potatoes. Fresh veggies from the garden, the lettuce and spinach are excellent. Brother went into town for a part for the charcoal grill. He should be back any time now. You can wash up in the powder room.” Mama said.

            John and father came into the kitchen and said they were hungry. Mama told them they could eat, that brother would eat later. John went to the powder room to wash up. They settled at the table and father said grace. Then mama told them to dig in.

“How was the drive?” Father asked.

“It’s nice to have someone drive you around.” John teased Catherine.

            They complimented mama on her meal and they didn’t have dessert. They would have something later in the evening.  Mama took Catherine to the guest room. Father brought up the suit cases, and John would sleep in the down stairs bed room. Catherine got out the gifts from the suit cases and brought them down stairs. John asked Catherine if he would help her with passing them out. John had given mama $100 before and she had bought a new dress. Father opened his gift and he had a nice brown checkered shirt. Catherine gave him the gift of tea.

“Thank you I like to experiment.” Father said.

            After doing dishes they went out to the porch and talked. Catherine wanted to know about the farm. Father explained.

“We have many acres of avocado trees, we also grow wheat. We have a bumper crop this year. We also have chickens and a few pigs, a horse that the boys had when they were growing up, Brother exercises him 3 times a week. Father said.

            Buster was barking up a storm by the drive way. It must have been brother. John gave the cap to brother. He smiled and said thanks to both of them.

“Will you come sit by me?” John asked Catherine.

“I became a physical therapist because of my aunt. She has muscle illness. Living with her parents she had to have therapy every other day. Her mother worked her muscles every day so they didn’t hurt so much. I have always been a care giver and help people.” Catherine said.

            Mama told brother to come and eat. He must have been hungry and tired. She went to warm it up for him. Dessert was blue berry cobbler.

“Lets have our dessert in the kitchen, ill make hot tea. Everyone was tired so after eating they went to their bed rooms. Mama helped John get ready for bed. Everyone said good night to each other and said sleeps tight don’t let the bed bugs bite.
  By G&G   2011-12, 

Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch -16 ______ Shopping

       Catherine and mama were in the kitchen talking. John was in the living room reading the morning paper. Catherine was talking about her family.

“Would you like to know more about my family?” Catherine asked Mama.

“I’d like to know more about your family. Do you have grand parents?” Mama said.

“I have a brother and sister. They are younger than I am. Brother is in college. He has one year left to go. Then he wants to be a hospitality management person. My sister will go to school to become a kind garden teacher. Mother does a lot of volunteer work at the hospital, and my Dad is an international jewel dealer. I have many aunts and uncles. My grandparents are still with us. Grand daddy my father’s dad would give us horse back rides until we were tired. When he would see us he always had dimes. He would give them to us. We had tubes that the dimes fit into. That was our banks.” Catherine said.

“You are very fortunate to have such a big family and that they are still with you. My parents aren’t with us anymore. I have a twin sister that lives in Bandie that’s by Lake Superior in Minnesota. We see each other once a year. This year it’s my turn to go see her. Next year she will come to see me at my farm. You have met my two sons. In papa’s family he has his father who is in assisted living. He has arthritis in his back. We take him to the farm when the weather is nice. Papa’s brother is a banker and lives in Denver, Colorado.” Mama shared.

“Do you remember when I mentioned to you about going to town to shop?” Catherine reminded mama.

“Maybe I can purchase a dressy dress for fancy functions. What about lunch?” Mama asked.

“How about a light snack?” Catherine responded.

“Maybe we can have supper when were done shopping. We will bring something home for John to eat.”  Mama said.

“Mama could you be down stairs in a half hour? Wear something comfortable. The weather man said it’s going to be 85 degrees.  I have a couple of things to do before I go shopping.” Catherine explained.

            Catherine chooses her white caprice and a navy blue top. It was a think cool t-shirt and silver long necklace and a bracelet. She wore shoes that had a half inch heel. Catherine went to her apartment and did her chores. She went to the parking lot. She drove to the entrance and waited for mama. She saw her and stopped the car and got out to open the passenger door. She checked the seat belt, it’s the law.

“They are trying to get the people to use the bus.” Catherine said.

Parking is scares downtown and very expensive. The bus will let them off at Macy's. They went into the store and headed for the women’s petite side. There were lots of clothes in that are. Mama tried on 5 dresses and finally decided to take the first one she tried on.

“I better get some new shoes, white will do nicely.” Mama said.

            They decided to try the shoe stores and didn’t see any that was special. Let’s try J C Penny as they have changed their stores. You might just be lucky. They were lucky. 

“Let’s go to the restaurant on top of that tall building, it’s called the Wise Building, named after Louis Wiser he was a big architect.”  Catherine explained.

            They sat down in the restaurant area and the waitress came over and asked if they wanted drinks or menus. They said both. Catherine had a beer and mama had a Tom Collins. They get their second wind after a drink and something to eat. The waitress took their order. They had a shrimp salad and oriental chicken salad. It looked very good and tested very delicious. When they left the building they saw the new library and new night club. The library was nice and relaxing with windows on one side. You could sit in over stuffed chairs and read or look out the windows and see the ducks and geese in the pond. They had potted plants on top of every section of books.

It was now 3:30. They decided to call John to see how he was. Catherine got out her cell phone and punched his number and he answered. He said he was fine and he had been working on his case work. The messenger had delivered it this morning. He decided to take an hour off and relax a while. He asked them if they had run out of money yet. They said no and if e wanted anything to eat from downtown. He told them he wasn’t hungry and it was too hot to eat that kind of food because it would go bad in the heat. Then they said goodbye.

While they were eating they over heard some girls talking about a soft ball tournament at the local field. Catherine talked about being a star pitcher in high school. She had gone to the state tournament and gotten first place. They decided to go for the bus and head home. It was much cooler on the bus than outside. Both were tired and just wanted to relax. Catherine was thinking about John’s mother she was such a nice lady/ when they arrived at the bus terminal they gotten their packages and headed for the car. Catherine had to press a button on the remote to locate the car. As they drove back to the apartment Catherine asked mama is she had a good time as she did. Mama said she had a lovely time.  When they got to the apartment Catherine said

“I’ll leave you out at the entrance with the packages. Then I will park the car and take you to the apartment.”

            She parked the car and walked to the entrance and they walked to John’s apartment. Mama had the keys to John’s place. They walked into the apartment where John was watching a civil war story. He’s a history buff. Catherine said good night, that she had a full day at work tomorrow.

“I had a lovely day with your friend, I’m going to hit the hay.” Mama said.

            Mama went to the bathroom and washed her face and hands brushed her teeth and put on a night gown. She was thinking about John and Catherine. She likes her. I have to ask her about how she handled the little boy for physical therapy. John and brother like her.
  By G&G   2011-12, 

Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch - 15____Mothering John

            Catherine came home from work and decided to sit down and relax before going over to John’s place for supper. She changed into something more comfortable. I think I’ll wear a shirt and blouse of light blue, with sandals on her feet. She thought to her self.

“Can I do anything to help?” Catherine asks.

“Yes you can put on iced tea and water on the table.” Mother said.

“How was work today?” Mother asked.

“I have a new patient. He is only 8 years old. He fell off his bike when he was on the street ramp. His leg got twisted under him and he is in pain.” Catherine explained.

“That is too bad he being so young.” Mama said.

            They cleaned the table and did the dishes. John asks if they can go outside and sit on the entrance. He has gotten quite good with his crutches. While sitting on the outside bench John starts to speak.

“I am anxious to get working on my case work papers. Tomorrow they will be delivered by messengers to me.” John says.

“Don’t tire yourself by working hard too soon.” Mama says to John.

“Things have been normal for me at work. Summer is normally slow. There are more injuries in snow than ice.” Catherine said.

            The mosquitoes started biting them so they got inside.

“Thank you for supper.” Catherine said.

“I enjoyed meeting you.” She ended with.

            Catherine went to her apartment and continued to read the James Patterson Mystery. Mother and John got ready for bed. John has no problem falling asleep. Mama tucks him in and kisses his forehead.

            Mama goes into the bathroom and washes her face, and hands, brushes her teeth and puts on a night gown. Being in the city brings noises. She heard sirens coming closer and closer. It’s a couple of fire trucks going by on the road. She keeps looking out of the window. I think I’ll put a movie in the DVD player. “Doc Holidays” is a light comedy. While watching it she fell asleep.

            Mama wakes up and checks on John, His blanket was almost on the floor. She tucks it around him, and then goes to the bathroom. After that she went to bed and fell asleep. When she awoke for a minute she didn’t know where she was. She looked at the clock. It was 5:30 am. She decided to lie there for a while. It seems she did her best thinking while relaxing in bed early in the morning.

            Mama was thinking about John and Catherine. She liked her. I liked the way she talked about the 8 year old boy. She is kind and firm. I want to see her in my surroundings at the farm. Mama dozed off again in thought.

            About 9 o’clock Catherine rings the buzzer on the door. Mama gets out of the bed and goes to see who it is. She opens the door and sees its Catherine.

“My goodness I overslept.” Mama said.

            She pouts water in a tea kettle then places it on the burner. Catherine asked mama if she would like to go downtown to do some shopping and have some lunch. The water boiled so they made their tea and coffee. John can heat it up in the microwave during the day. John came into the kitchen and said good morning to them. He asked for coffee. Mama made him oatmeal and cut up fruits for his breakfast. She put the dirty dishes in the sink to soak. Mama offered Catherine breakfast but she said no that she would eat downtown.
  By G&G   2011-12, 

Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch - 14____Mother at John’s

            John’s brother returned to the farm. Mother and father were sitting outside in the lawn chairs having a glass of iced tea, and liver warts sandwiches. Buster was so glad to see brother that he jumped all over him.

“Sit down in a chair and tell us about your visit” Mother said.

“John was in good spirit and operation was a good success. I stayed in John’s guest room, it was very restful. I also went to the capital and the history museum.” Brother went on to tell them about the museum and capital.

            Mother packed her suit case. She didn’t pack too many clothes as she could wash her and John’s clothes at the same time. In the morning she would pack home made bread, pancakes, and avocados to take along, with meat.

“I think I should drive you to Johns place, I’ve been thinking we should bring something from Johns child hood. Remember how he cried if his teddy bear wasn’t in his hands? I think I know which box it is in.” Papa had said to mother.

            They woke up early drank coffee and ate cereal and fruit. Brother cam into the kitchen. He wanted to start harvesting wheat.  Papa instructed brother as to what had to be done. Papa told them he might stay till tomorrow. It depended on how tired he was. They got their suit cases packed and put the food and everything in the trunk. Brother opened the door for his mother but in a flash Buster was in the seat giving them a big dog smile.

“Buster out.” Mama ordered.

“Lunch and supper are in the fridge” Mother continued.

            They hug and kiss and then they are on there way. It’s nice driving in the early morning. It’s the best time of the day. They see a doe and twin fawns at the side of the road. Papa slows down so they can cross. On there way to the city a police man stops them

“Your drivers side signal light isn’t working” he tells them.

            Papa explained that they were going to see their son who had operation, and the bulb must have blown out. The police officer told them to get it fixed when they got there. In John’s parking lot they parked in the visitor space. They went into the building and pressed the buzzer. Telling them she was a friend of Johns they said they would let her in. John introduced Catherine to his parents then she told them she had to go to work. As Catherine told there was tea and juice she went to take it out but mama told her they would serve themselves. Papa went to the car to take out the food. When he came back mama gave John and papa iced tea. They talked about the operation, and John told them how he got tired by the evening. He was still taking pain medicine. Mama asked about Catherine. Papa had a large smile on his face as this topic came about. John then explains how she helped him to get surgery and at the hospital she was most kind.  Papa likes her he teased John about her being a girl friend. At 3 o’clock Papa said he was going to leave. They exchanged hugs and then he left.
  By G&G   2011-12,