Sunday, 23 June 2013

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, 

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