Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch -22 ______ Labor Day Weekend

            John and Catherine decided to pack the car that night before. Then it wouldn’t be a big rush in the morn. They were leaving at 5 o’clock. It would be cool and not much traffic.

            Catherine wakes up with a start. What was it that made her wake up so fast? She’d been dreaming of John. I can’t remember what it was about. I don’t like I can’t remember the dream. She may as well get up being she was awake. She goes to the kitchen to put water in the tea kettle and lights the burner. She was talking to herself, “I’ll have some wheat toast with strawberry jam. We can stop along the way for a snack.” She decides to call John in case he overslept. He answers after a while. He said he was still sleeping. “Thanks for the call.”

            Catherine gets showered and dressed. She has to get the cooler ready. She eats her toast and drinks her tea. She hopes everything goes well at the farm. She will be glad to see his family.

            She puts the ice packs in the cooler and adds the water bottles and some yogurt and spoons. Some small containers were filled with watermelon, cantaloupe, and strawberries in them. She checks the apartment, windows, stove, and refrigerator. She turns off the lights and takes the cooler and purse and goes to John’s apartment. He had unlocked his door. Catherine let herself in. He was getting dressed. She makes him a cup of tea. He didn’t want toast or scone. They check the apartment. Everything seems to be in order. They lock up and go to the car.

            Catherine and John carry the cooler to the car and put it in the back seat. Catherine is going to do the driving. John says he is still tired.

            Catherine says, “Does this happen very often?”

            John says, “Once or twice in a week.”

“Are you doing more things at work?”

            He says, “Yes, we are getting busy.”

            “If that continues, you let me know about it, okay?”  They decided to get some stretching for their muscles.

            They stop at a road side café, where they order some breakfast. Catherine orders scrambled eggs, tea, and a muffin.

            John gets biscuits and gravy only a ½ order. He has to watch his weight. Catherine could eat anything and not gain an ounce.

            Catherine says, “Do you realize it’s the last summer holiday? Where did it go? Time goes by too fast. Remember when we met that rainy day? The BBQ we organized? You helped on the BBQ.” Catherine says she moved to Chicago for her job. My girlfriend had a better job, makes fifty percent more.”

            “Where is your friend?” He moved closer to his job.”

             She has butterflies in her stomach. I thought I’d feel better after eating. John says, “Don’t get yourself all upset. There is nothing to worry about.”

            Catherine says, “I know but I still feel that way. I have a tendency to worry about things I don’t know about.”

            John says, “What is not to know? They like you. That’s the important thing and you like them. Don’t you?”

            Catherine says, “Yes, I do.”

            “I’ll feel better in a little while.” They were getting closer to the farm. John takes her hand and holds it. She feels better.

            When they arrive at the farm, Mama greets them. She was feeding the chickens and getting eggs from the nests. Mama says to John, “Will you go to the sheds and get Papa and Brother to come in for lunch? You don’t have to rush them as we have time before lunch.”

            Catherine and Mama go into the house. Mama puts the eggs in the cool basement. Mama asks, “Catherine, how have you been?”

            Catherine says, “I’ve been fine, how about you?”

            Mama says, “Very busy.”

            Catherine is excited about coming here. “I like it very much here. You have so much going on. Is it always this way?”

            Mama says, “The reason we are busy is because we got behind when we had so much rain.”

            John finds Brother and Papa in the avocado groves. They were glad to see him.”

            Papa says, “I have to rest my ankle and foot. I don’t want to overdo it. It seems to be getting better.”

            John says, “Did you hire some more help?”

            Papa says, “Yes, we did. They worked out real well.”

            They wanted the weekend off. “I need you to take my place in the shed, sorting the avocados. I’m going to rest my ankle and foot. Mama is very strict with me.”

            John is quiet all through lunch. He doesn’t know what he was thinking when he asked Catherine to stay the night. He knows better than that. She’s not that kind of girl.

            Catherine and Mama clear the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher. Papa went to the porch and lied down on the couch. John and Brother go out to the sheds.

            Mama says, “Let me show you to your room.” It was a nice sunny room on the south side of the house. “John can sleep downstairs in that bedroom.”

            John has to check the trucks as they come in with avocados, so they don’t crush them. Brother is out in the groves.

            Catherine lies on the bed for just a few minutes. It feels so good. I’ll be glad when John can drive again.

            Mama calls to Catherine if she wants to help her take refreshments to the workers. Coffee, iced tea, sandwiches and cookies are served. They all gather in the shed and have their break.

            Catherine asks, “John how he is hold up?”

            “He says not bad. I’ll rest now for ½ an hour. They can spare me that long. I should be okay.”

Mama says to brother, “Will you bring the pots and coolers up to the house when you come in. Catherine and I are going to the garden.” They pick tomatoes, squash, peppers and zucchini. For supper they will use all of them vegetables. Mama likes to make stir fry.

They brought the vegetables to the kitchen. “Will you help clean them?” Mama asks.

Catherine says she would be glad to help. It always goes faster with two people.

Mama chops the vegetables and puts them in containers and in the fridge. We will have chicken to go with the vegetables.

It was getting close to supper time. Mama says, “If you will set the table, then I’ll start the chicken first and then add the vegetables.”

The men were ready to come up to the house. The ladies washed up at the room off the back of the house, took off aprons and combed their hair. They were all tired tonight. Papa didn’t come down to the shed after lunch. Hope he is alright. Brother says he sometimes takes a long nap. Sometimes he has trouble sleeping.

Supper was on the table when they were in the kitchen. Everyone sat down and grace was said by John.

They ate quietly. Each one is thinking their own thoughts. John thought he was glad to be a social worker than a farmer. They talked about the price of fruit. Papa says it will be a good year. Rain didn’t hurt the crop.

When everything was finished in the kitchen they went to the family room and visited.

John told how his leg gets tired. He still can’t drive. That’s the worst of it. John asks, “Brother, why has he been so quiet?” Brother says, “I’ve been thinking how we’re going to get along without Papa not working.”

Papa says, “You will take my job and you can hire someone for your job. Don’t dismiss me so fast. I’m still boss.”

They all said, “We know Papa.”

They decided to call it a night. Catherine gave Mama a big hug. Papa got one also. Brother was a little bit embarrassed when she gave him one. They all said see you in the morning. John waited at the bottom of the stairs. He wanted to talk to Catherine. She gave him a hug and a kiss. He did the same for her. “See you in the morning.” She went up the stairs to her bedroom. John went to his bedroom off the kitchen. He’ll talk to her when they go for a walk.
By G & G

Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch -21 ______ Agree

            John and Catherine decide to go out for dinner and some shopping. It’s a week before they go to the farm. The weather is just warm enough to be comfortable. They decide on Chinese food.

            John says, “Do you want to go to the mall or city shopping?”

            Catherine says, “Let’s go to the mall. I don’t want to be out too late. I have an early meeting in the morning.”

            John drives to the mall. That’s about as far as he can drive. He can feel the leg tightening up. It feels a little better every day. They arrive at “The Wok” which is a small pa and ma restaurant. Food is made as you wait for it. It takes a little longer but it is worth the wait. They decide on sweet and sour pork and Mo Gu Gay Pan.

            The place mats have Chinese zodiac symbols on them. John’s symbol is the year of the rat. Catherine is year of the monkey.

            John thought hers was funny being the monkey. It suited her. John didn’t like the rat. Catherine found it quite funny.

            Their food came so they each took a bite of each other’s meal. It was so delicious. When they ate their fortune cookie, John’s fortune was “You will go places”. Catherine’s fortune was “Love is very important.” They paid the bill and left. The first thing they did was go to the feed store and get work aprons for Brother and Papa. They went to a specialty store and got an apron for Mama. They got a rawhide bone for Buster. A box of Annie’s candy was purchased for everybody. That should be everything, now they can go home.

            As they drove home they held each other’s hands. It felt right to be with John. John felt the same with Catherine. “We have to double check that we have Friday off. We will be leaving early in the morning for the farm. I want to beat the traffic,” says Catherine. “You know I have to drive.”

            John doesn’t say anything.

            Catherine says, “You know it’s for your own good.”

            John says, “That doesn’t make it any easier. I like to be in control of things.”

            Catherine says, “No one is taking your control from you. Don’t put your disappointment on my shoulders, okay?”

            John and Catherine arrive at home. They park the car and walk to the entrance. John holds the door open for Catherine. John walks Catherine to her apartment. Catherine unlocks the door and says, “Good night.” He holds her and gives her a long kiss. He goes to his apartment.

            At work the next day, the workers ask John about Catherine. “Is she nice? What does she look like? Does she like being a physical therapist? How serious are you towards her? What does a city girl think about a farmer?”

            John says, “I’m not a farmer. I’m a social worker.”

            “She’s very nice and looks like the prettiest girl on earth,” John continued, “How serious I am is none of your business. Parents think she’s wonderful.”

            Catherine tells the girls at work about John. They’ve seen John in the parking lot. The girls liked what they saw. “He is very kind and patient. Thinks I’m the most wonderful thing that ever happened to him. We share the same sports interests so there are no argument about what to watch on TV.”

            John invites Catherine over for supper. He felt like cooking some barbeque ribs. They talked about how their co-workers talked about John and Catherine. Did it show that they were in love?

            The ribs and potatoes were delicious. After cleaning up the kitchen, they watched the movie “Sound of Music”. It didn’t matter what they put on the TV as they were thinking of each other. John’s so content with Catherine by his side he didn’t know what he would do if something happened to her.

            John says, “Are you ticklish, Catherine?”

            Catherine replies, “No.”

            John says, “That means you are ticklish. Let’s find out.” John starts to tickle Catherine. Catherine tries to get away from John. She laughs so hard she almost throws up. John stopped when she couldn’t get her breath anymore.

            John says, “Are you anxious about going to the farm?”

            Catherine says, “Yes, I am. I don’t know why as I’m comfortable when I’m with your parents.”

            John says, “You have nothing to worry about. They think you are special, which you are. Come over here, I won’t tickle you. I just want you to come and sit so I can nibble on your ear.”

She says, “It’s getting late, I have to go home. I’d be crabby as a bear if I don’t get enough sleep.”

            John says, “Why don’t you stay the night?”

            Catherine says, “How can you even say such a thing? You know I don’t believe in that sort of thing. Good night!”

By G & G

Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch -20 ______ Back to Work

            John punched in numbers for the doctor’s office. He asked for an appointment for his leg. He wanted to get back to work.

            His appointment was for Monday the 23^rd. It wasn’t until 3 o’clock. He would drive himself there. I feel fine. Leg doesn’t hurt anymore.

            Monday, day of his appointment, he showered and brushed teeth, put on a pair of khaki trousers and a yellow polo shirt. He had butterflies in his stomach. He felt foolish. Doctor is going to check leg and let him go back to work.

            Once in the doctor’s office he felt better, no more butterflies. He gets put in examining room and waits. Nurse comes in and gets his vital signs written down. She leaves and says, “The Doctor will be in shortly.” He looks at a sports field magazine. Doctor knocks on door and John says come in. They shake hands and doctor says, “How are you?”

            John says, “Better than ever.”

            “Let me look at leg,” Doctor says, “I don’t want to brag but my stitching is getting pretty good.”

            “I’m guessing you want to go back to work. I want to see how you walk.”

            He remarked, “You can walk very well. Catherine will be impressed.”

            John says, “I’m ready and able to go to work.”

            Doctor says, “Okay, I’ll write out a slip saying you can go back to work. Are you happy with the results of the surgery?”

            John says, “Very much so. I get a twing of pain once in a while, nothing I can’t handle.”

            Doctor says, “That will be your arthritis. I can’t do anything about that. Good luck. I’ll see you in three more months.”

            That evening Catherine and John were sitting on the patio. There was a nice breeze blowing from the south.

            Catherine was saying to John that he shouldn’t get over tired. “It will stiffen your muscles up in leg.” Then he would have to have therapy.

            The next morning John was dressed an hour ahead of time, turned on TV to listen to the morning news and weather. He had another cup of hot tea and scone.

            John arrives at work. He sees a huge sign saying, “Welcome back John”.

            One of the women workers gave him a kiss on the cheek. John had come to the company at the same time as she did.

            John’s boss says, “Come into my office.”

            “I wanted to tell you that we miss you and your work. Your clients all missed you too. I appreciate you working at home while you were recuperating. Keep up the good work. Nice to see you back.”

            Catherine cooks a nice meal in honor of him going back to work. She made beef stroganoff and noodles, green salad and fresh fruit for dessert.

            John tells Catherine how his day went. “Everyone was glad to see me. Had the welcome sign out. I got a little tired by the end of the day. Each day will be better.”

            Catherine said she had an interesting day. “A young man from India came in for physical therapy. His accent was very thick. We had to do it by pantomiming. Otherwise I didn’t understand him. He had pulled a hand muscle and it wasn’t getting any better. I think we can help him.”

            John says he had some new cases. “It’s good that I did work at home.” John was tired so he left after doing the dishes with Catherine.

            Catherine was thing about what had to be done if they were going to the farm. They had both asked for Friday off. Maybe John and I could shop together for gifts for the family. I hope I made it clear he shouldn’t drive for any long distances with his leg.

            Next day, John and Catherine are on patio enjoying the breeze. John is saying he will call tonight to see what his parents are doing this weekend. See if they want company.

            John says, “How are you, brother?”

            Brother says, “I’m fine. Are you married yet?”

            John says, “What makes you think she would want me?”

            Brother says, “I’m on my way out the door. I’m late already. It makes for a bad image. Bye.”

            Papa says, “It’s good to hear from you, son. What’s on your mind?” Papa calls out the back door to tell Mama that John’s on the phone. Papa asks John if he can help with the cutting of the grain.

            John says, “Yes. Can I talk to Mama?”

            The first thing she says is “How is that nice friend of yours? I hope you are still keeping company with her.”

            John says, “Calm down, Catherine and I are still friends.”

            Mama says, “Just friends? I expected something more than that. Are you in trouble?”

            John says, “Are you busy this weekend?”

            Mama says, “We will be home harvesting.”

            John says, “Catherine and I would like to come to the farm.” There was no problem, they just want to visit.

            Mama says, “You are more than welcome to come. We’ll have a barbeque on one of the three days.”

            Catherine told John that she had called her parents. Her mother was slightly disappointed that they were going to the farm. She says hi to John from mother and father. “They want us to come for Thanksgiving and spend the weekend with them.” She asked her father what he thought about John.

“I liked him and I think he would make a loving husband. Why did you want to know?”

Catherine says, “I like him a lot. We’re getting to be great friends. It’s too early yet to think about engagement.”

Mother says, “I’ve got the speaker phone on so Father can hear also.”

Catherine says, “He’s special to me and I hope you like him as he is. No changes.”

By G &G

 

Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch -19 _______Nightmare

            As Catherine opened her eyes, sunshine was just beginning to come into her bedroom window. She looked at the clock, it was time to shower and get ready for work. After showering and brushing teeth and French braiding her hair, she went to the kitchen and thought she would stop at a drive thru for coffee. She needed something stronger to drink today.

            Arriving at work she felt better than when she awoke. There was a patient waiting for her already. She had ten minutes before she had to start. She went to get some coffee. Her patient was an older gentleman who had pulled a muscle in his shoulder, so went the day. She was busy but not rushed.

            When she got home from work she sat and thought about John. My how I liked him. I hope he likes me as I like him. She decides to call him on cell phone. He answers phone and says he was thinking about her.

            He meets her at his door and she gives him a big smile. They are so happy to see each other. John says, “Can you stay for supper? You worked all day so you must be tired. I have some cold chicken and potato salad, brownies for dessert. I’m going to have to make you a meal. I enjoy doing it. What else have I got to do…”

            They eat and then Catherine and John do the dishes together. John asks Catherine if 2 weeks is suitable to her to go to the parents’ home. She says, “As far as I know, it will be suitable. It’s getting late. I have to go to bed.” She hugs John and then goes home. She gets ready for bed, brushes teeth and brushes hair for 50 strokes. She opens window a few inches for fresh air, turns off light and says her prayers. Soon she falls asleep and dreams that Catherine’s parents don’t like John. They kept telling her he wasn’t a good enough man for her. She didn’t know what to do. She would have to go against her parents’ wishes. She wakes up and is crying. Why would she dream such a bad dream? Feeling limp, she looks at the clock and says, “I may as well wake up.” She goes to kitchen and puts tea kettle on burner, goes to the bathroom and takes a shower, does her teeth and hair. She got a heavy weight work week ahead of her. She puts tea in hot water in tea pot. She makes toast and then gets peanut butter and jelly out of a cupboard. She goes to the refrigerator and gets some yogurt for lunch. I think I’ll call John during my lunch time, she thinks. Drinks tea and eats toast. Gets her purse and keys and goes to car and drives to work. She has some errands to do after work.

            She calls John at lunch time. He says, “You didn’t call me this morning. I felt lost.”

            Catherine says, “I was testing you. Wanted to see if you would notice. I had a bad night sleeping.”

            John says, “You aren’t sick, are you?”

            Catherine says, “I had a night mare.”

            John says, “I’ve got good news for you and me. I’m thinking of returning to work next week. I’m feeling good.”

            Catherine says, “Good for you. I’m happy for you. I have to return to work. I’ll talk to you this evening.” She says bye.

            Catherine calls John when she gets home from work and says, “How about we go for pizza at Pizza Hut? Let’s walk, it will relax us.”

            She meets him by his apartment. “Let’s go the long way. I feel like strolling tonight.” They talk about this coming Monday when he is going to work. His leg is almost as good as new.

            They arrive at Pizza Hut and find a table and sit down, order and drink their iced tea. They got the veg pizza, all bubbly with mozzarella cheese. They were hungry, so they ate in silence. After having eaten several pieces, John asks Catherine if she was busy this Saturday. She says no. John says, “The forecast was for sunshiny weather. How about going to the beach? The temperature should be in the 80’s. My leg is healed enough that I can swim.

            Catherine says, “I think it’s a good idea. Shall we make a picnic lunch or do you want to get hot dogs and ice cream at the concession stand?”

            John says, “Let’s rough it. We’ll have hot dogs, chips, peanuts, and cracker jacks.”

            Catherine says, “We will have to get an early start and beat the crowd. I’ve be thinking about my parents and you. I’m sure they liked you. I know my sister Rita did. She is very athletic, reminds me of myself when I was that age.”

            John says, “You know, in another week, it’s Labor Day weekend. What would you like to do? Or are you busy? If you’re not, I think it would be nice to go to the farm. Maybe stop at antique shops and second hand places.”

            They finished eating and went out and walked home.

            Saturday morning was a bright sunshiny day. They swam until they tired. Laid on the beach and soaked up the sunshine. They had a huge appetite so went for hot dogs and lemonade.

            They put on some more sun tan lotion and went in for some more swimming. It was so refreshing. It would be nice if they lived closer to the beach. Then they could go more often. By 6 o’clock, they were ready to go home. Traffic would be heavy. Catherine was still doing the driving. John wanted to drive, but she said, “It’s too long a distance. You can drive to work. That would be long enough to start with.”

            As they were driving home, John asked Catherine if she still wanted to go to the farm next weekend.

            Catherine says, “Have you called them to see if they will be home?”

            John says, “I’m going to call Sunday evening and ask if we can come there.”

            “I’ll get a list of antiques and second hand stores,” says Catherine.

            They arrived home tired and a little sun burned. Catherine was tired and hungry. She asked John if he was hungry. He said, “Yes. Come to my place as I have a hot dish in the fridge.”

            John went to his apartment and checked answering machine. His mother had called. He thought he’d call her Sunday night. Went to bedroom and got out of swimsuit. Put some shorts and t-shirt. Opened door and locked door and went over to Catherine’s. She asked him if he would put silverware and plates on the table. She set the iced tea and glasses on the table. She said, “The hot dish should be hot by now.”

            He said, “Give me some pot holders. I’ll set it on the table.” There was some bread in the oven. It was ready also. You could smell the garlic on it. Everything tasted so good. Catherine was a good cook.

            John said, “If we go to the farm, I’m driving my truck.” They had a discussion about that.

            Catherine says, “I’ll think about it and we’ll discuss it.”
  By G&G   2011-12,