Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch - 24 ______ Preparation for Thanksgiving

Few days after Labor Day, Catherine and John needed to get outside and get some exercise. Catherine says, “Let’s walk to Taco Bell.” It’s a beautiful evening. The temperature is in the lower 70s and a nice breeze is blowing. They walked hand in hand down the street. They took the long way to the eating place. It felt good walking. They should do this every day. John’s leg is almost as good as new.

They arrive at Taco Bell and order a chicken burrito for Catherine. John has a Taco salad, large size. They ate out on the deck. Iced tea was their beverage. When finished, they were still hungry. John says, “Let’s walk to Twisted Tail for some frozen yogurt. I hope they have the black cherry one.” Catherine says, “I’ll have the butter pecan.”

John and Catherine were sitting on the patio relaxing. It was starting to get dark out. You could begin to see the stars.

John says, “Do you ever think about other life out there? There must be other living things out there. It is so huge. Just look at the stars. Millions of them! Maybe when we die we go to another planet?”

John was rubbing his leg. Catherine asked him why he was doing that.

He said it was tight. “I have to rub it to loosen it up. I must be doing something wrong.” Catherine says, “You need to relax more. Sitting in a warm tub of water would be good for you. Otherwise, you will end up in physical therapy again.”

John says, “Am I doing too much?”

Catherine says, “When does it tighten up?”

John says, “About 2 or 3 o’clock.”

Catherine says, “Does it help to sit down and put the leg up? Try the hot bath. If possible, sit as much as possible. Was it bothering you when you walked?”

John says, “It started at the farm.”

Catherine says, “Why didn’t you say something?”

John says, “I thought it would go away. Am I in big trouble? I don’t want to go back to the limp.”

Catherine says, “We’ll just have to see how hot water works. No keeping secrets from me.”

End of the month, they decide to go to a bed and breakfast place. They wanted to see the changing of the leaves now that fall was here.

John was feeling better about the leg. It seemed strange to share the room. Catherine is reluctant to go. She preferred having separate bed rooms. This place was for married people. She had a big tabby cat in her room. He slept at the foot of the bed.

John asked Catherine what she felt about his brother. He didn’t like the way he was looking at her.

Catherine says, “He’s just young and probably looks at all girls that way. I’m more concerned about the attitude of my mother towards you. Father likes you a lot. Mother is more reserved and protective. She wants me to have a peaceful life. I feel I love you. I don’t want to lose you. She wants my life to be better than hers.”

John says, “You aren’t going to lose me. I feel the same about you.”

*Several weeks later*

After their trip they decided to go shopping for clothes to wear at Catherine’s family home. They both liked to clothes shop. They decided to split up and shop separately.

 Catherine says, “I always take a long time to decide about something. Meet me back here maybe an hour or so.”

John says, “It shouldn’t take you long. You look good in anything. See ya.” He goes to the men’s department and looks at leather jackets. He finds one that fits like it was made for him. Now I need a shirt and pants. He decides on a white linen shirt and new narrow legged jeans. Now all he needs is a Harley. Wonder what Catherine would think about that.

Catherine couldn’t decide if she wants the one for fall or should she get a summer dress. They were on sale for half off. The weather has been quite warm, yet she could wear a sweater if it gets cool. John comes to see what she purchased. He liked both dresses. He says, “Why not get both if you can afford it.”

“I want to purchase some house plants as all mine on the balcony are dried up. I thought I’d get some African violets. There is a nice flower shop in the mall. I’d like to go there.” She decided on the summer and fall dress. She could eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches all week.

Catherine got her plants and they decided to get fish and chips at a small fish store. Everything, especially the cole slaw, was very good.

They put their purchase in the car, walked around the mall and window shopped. They went to the sweet shop and got some candy. They purchased some almond bark for John and some pieces of mint chocolate for Catherine.

John says maybe they better go home. They walked to the car, put the candy in the trunk. They didn’t want to eat it all at one time. John wanted to drive. Catherine says, “Okay. Home is not that far from the mall.” So they drove home. The traffic was light. John asked Catherine what she would think if he got a motorcycle. She just looked at him. it was a look that told him the answer would be a big NO.

“Why not?” says John.

Catherine says, “It’s too dangerous. They are made to use in open spaces, not in a city. You can’t be watching every driver. End of discussion!”

They arrived at the home parking lot. John says, “That wasn’t too bad for me.” After parking, John says, “I just wanted to see what you would say. No more driving for a while.”

They get out of the car and lock it. The packages got taken from the trunk. They walk to the apartment. John says, “I have to make some phone calls. Then I’m going to soak my leg. Is it okay if I don’t see you until tomorrow?”

Catherine says, “That’s fine. I have some chores to do also.”

They give each other a kiss. It was nice. John says, “Bye. See you in the morning. How about breakfast at my place?”

John opens the apartment door and put the packages on the table. He goes to other room and checks the answering machine. There is a message from brother to call him. John dials the number for the farm and Brother answers.

John says, “What’s up, Brother?”

Brother says, “Papa is not feeling well. He went to the doctor and the doctor says he has high blood pressure and gout in his ankle. He eats too much potatoes and meat. He has to stop using salt and red meat. He needs more vegetables and fruits. You know what a bear he can be when it comes to eating. We have to find someone to help with the work around here. Don’t know how long before he can work again. He can supervise, but he has to give the ankle a rest. It’s mostly pain that bothers him.”

John says, “Should I come out there?”

Brother says, “No, we will be fine. Our big problem will be to get Papa to change his eating habits.”

John says, “Where are Mama and Papa?”

Brother says, “They are getting his prescription filled at the drug store. The pills are for pain and high blood pressure. Not to change the subject, but how is my girlfriend Catherine?”

John says, “You just keep on wishing. It’ll never happen for you. She only loves me.”

“Call me if anything changes. I’ll call tomorrow night and see how things are. I’ve got some calls to make. They are work-related. Remember, I’ll call tomorrow night and talk to both Mama and Papa. Good bye Brother. Take Care.”

John hangs up and sits and thinks about the situation. Hope things aren’t too serious. He needed to soak his leg. He went to put water in the tub, undressed and got in the tub. It felt good when he was done.

John put on shorts and T-shirt. He made his phone calls. Everyone he called was home. That makes everything simple. He would see the people Monday morning.

He felt like relaxing by watching a movie about the Civil War. The movie he selected was called “Trouble between the North and the South”. He would talk to Catherine about Mama and Papa and their problem. I’ll know more after I’ve talked to them. Soon he was dozing.

Meanwhile, Catherine was thinking about her mother. She shouldn’t be worried. Her mother will get used to him. He was a good man. I think I’m going to knit my father a nice warm scarf for him when he’s outside this winter. He likes to be out in all kinds of weather. It will keep my mind relaxed.

She turns on the TV and finds a comedy program called “Last Man Standing”. She had to find her knitting needle that fell to the floor.

By G & G