Pa and the boys finish their morning chores, and the woman in the house cleans up the morning prep for the day. The boys headed back to work on the house in the back, but only after Aunty M. came out. "Wayne, boys, not so fast," she said, giving them a stern look and then putting her foot down. "We need to go to town, boys; we have business to be done there," Aunty M. said, taking the hammer out of Wayne's hand and setting it on a workbench with the boys' belts. "Ya are not ready yet," she said, pushing them towards the front of the house. "March, boys, single file, git' hopping," she replied, with her right behind them.
Aunty M. pulled out her white handkerchief from her purse and waved it in the air. Yells for the girls, "Martha, girls, let's go, we're burnen daylight, now get out here." Then she muttered to herself, "Where are those boys?" Then, putting her two fingers to her mouth, Aunty M whistles loudly. The boys cover their ears and stare at her, watching her wave her handkerchief again in the air wildly.
Carriages of small horses and tiny buggies are pulling into the farm, causing a cloud of dust to be seen in the distance. "Now that's more like it," Aunty M said, giving them each a stern look.
"Sorry, Aunty M.," the men replied.
"That's alright, boys," she said, waiting for Martha and the girls to come out of the house. "We all are a little slow this morning. It must have been all that celebration last night, I guess," she said as she smiled back at them as they all laughed.
"Yes, ma'am."
Martha, Wayne, Richard, and the children could not believe their eyes when they saw the miniature horses and buggies right in front of the house. "Aunty M, I thought you said we were going to town?" Martha replies.
"We are, Wayne, Martha, children, we are." The boys helped them into the buggies with Aunty M. in the lead. Everyone had a driver except Aunty M.; she'd preferred driving hers herself. "Come on, Wayne, Martha, ya ride up here with me. The children will be fine," she said, looking back at them, smiling, laughing. "Shall we?" she said, putting on her riding gloves and tightening down her hat. She smiled at Wayne. "Hold on tight, dear," she said, laughing.
With a flick of the wrist, the miniature horses come to life with a hard start and jump, leaving the front of the house. Then they galloped, everyone hanging on tight as they went past the house and down the road a few paces. Martha hung on to Wayne, laughing like a schoolgirl in his arms as they headed toward the field. The children are behind them in their own buggy, laughing, having the time of their lives, and waving at the people as they go by them.
Things have changed since last night. Tents have sprung up everywhere, all around them, like a little village square. Robert and Will laughed, pointing to a sign nailed to a post. They pointed this way to Downing Villa Square, this way to Downing Villa Market, this way to Downing Villa Business, this way to Downing Sheriff's Office and Post Office, this way to Downing Chapel Drive.
The children could not believe their eyes, nor could their parents, as they turned around the bend, following Aunty M. down the little street, which used to be their hay field just days ago. Just yesterday, they held a picnic here and danced the night away. Turning left, then a right following the signs, the Downings and children's eyes filled with adventure as they gazed along the little shops in a row, selling their wares.
There were rug weavers with looms making rugs, and they were hard at work. And smithy making metal works and tools, horseshoes, and wagon wheels. Candy makers, toy makers, carpenters, painters, dressmakers, and others produced pots and pans of all sorts and sizes, different kettles, gizmos, and gadgets of this and that, spinners of cotton for cloth, guns, and new rifles for hunting pelts, and displayed hanging furs of all kinds. Coffee beans of fresh or ground as Aunty M. took a long pause. Someone tossed her a bag. She waved thanks" with a nod of her head.
Wayne laughed. Martha jabbed him with her elbow as he smiled. Aunty M. makes another right, turning down Downing Market Street. Finding more little shops of fresh vegetable stands and fruit stands of different types. Some Martha has seen, some she never heard of. Aunty M pointed. "Dear, give it a try." Martha made a face at yellow spinaches or a strange-looking piece of fruit as Aunty M. smiled. Meat markets and dry meats, fish shops, spices shops of all kinds, and the smells were heavenly going by, including soaps and waxes, fresh honey and jams, and jelly preserves.
You name it. You can find it at Downing Market because more stores may change or add later. Aunty M. made another left around the next block, a sign pointing to Downing Villa Business, Doc's office across the way with a dentist's office beside it. On the other side of the street, Stringham Hardware and Goods and the Mayor and Judge's office are next to it; further down the lane, the post office and Downing Sheriff's office are soon to be open. On the corner, a bakery and a little cafe were still being set up. Aunty M. pulled up to Stringham Hardware and Goods, "Woo."
The men helped her, Martha, and Wayne out of the buggy. "Thanks, boys, Martha, me, and Wayne have some business to attend to here. Why don't ya and the children here go and explore a bit?" She said, grabbing Wayne's arm, "We'll see all y'all about an hour," she replied and left them standing there.
The driver helped Martha into the buggy, with the children begging her. "Please, Ma, there's lots to see," they all said, looking all around them, excited at all the possibilities that could await them. Ma looked back towards her husband; he looked back puzzled, as Aunty M. dragged him along inside the large tent of Stringham Hardware and Goods. Martha shrugged her shoulders. "Alright, kids, why not? Let's go have some fun," she said.
* * * *
Aunty M. walked into the tent, waving, "Hello, boys."
"Hello," they replied. Aunty M. pulled up a stool around the table. "David, you know how neat and black I like it," she said.
"Yes, ma'am," pouring her a hot cup of fresh Joe. Aunty M. took a sip, "Ah, that's better," Aunty M. said, looking over at Wayne still standing. "Sit, boy," she said, pulling his arm down and grabbing a stool next to her. "I believe ya know everyone here," she said as Wayne nodded. David (Mr. Stringham), Brad (Judge Parker), Gus (the Payson Mayor), and of course Doc Hatfield. "Now then, boys, let's get down to brass tacks, shall we?" Aunty M. said, unfolding a map across the table. Wayne could see his farm, property, and the surrounding area.
He looked at them with bewilderment; Aunty M. paid him no mind. "The lumber arrived last night, Margaret," Brad said as he pointed to the location where Wayne and the boys placed it for the moment.
"Good, how are we doing on finding this poor boy some help? I want strong young lads now," Aunty M. replied, squeezing Wayne's arms.
"That's being posted as we speak, and Doc's Hatfield and Whitmore are checking them out before they send them over to you," Brad said.
"Good, and everything else?" Margaret asked, looking at the map.
"Just like you requested, trade routes are being established, and it looks like we're going to have to clear this field as well," Stringham replies.
Margaret points her finger to a spot on the map, "And builds another barn to over here," she said, taking another sip of joe and wiping her mouth with her sleeve.
"Yes, ma'am, our thoughts exactly," the men replied. Aunty M. asked Wayne. "What do you think, Wayne?" She asked as she slapped him on the back, knocking the wind right out of him. Speak up, boy," she said. "Cat got your tongue, man?" Wayne nodded as she laughed. "Gus, what was the last count at?" She asked.
"Three hundred best guess, and more are still coming," he said.
"Good, need lots of young bucks. I think there's plenty of work to be done around here. Don't ya think, Wayne?" Slapping him on the back, not as hard this time, so that he can get his second wind. Aunty M. pulled a tissue out of her purse and dotted her eye. "Mike would have loved to see this, that old fool. Yes, sir, make sure you have a look, Doc, every last one of them. He would have wanted that," she said, dotting her eye.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied. "Wayne, I noticed there is not a single cow on your farm, not one. Shame on you. David, I want two of them; those boys need fresh milk; they have a baby on the way," she said, giving Wayne a stern face. "Strong bones and meat for those muscles are what those boys need and more. Martha's just not giving them enough; we need something to stick to those ribs," she said as she jabbed Wayne in the ribs with her finger. "One of those boys, a scrawny little fella, got our work cut out for that one. Can't get him out of the starting gate," she said, shaking her head.
Doc Hatfield said. "I think I might know where to get a couple of cows for ya. I'll have them to ya by the end of the day," Doc replies.
"Thanks, Doc," she said. Aunty M. finished her cup of Joe, wiping her mouth with the back of her sleeve, "Aha, just what I needed. Nice job, boys, a little slow this morning all and all, but all considering good work," she said to them with a smile and just a nod of her head. "Oh, David, I need this filled," Aunty M. said before leaving and pulling the list out of her pocket. "Just drop it by the house. Thanks, boys," she said. "Well?" pulling Wayne off the stool. "Let's get cracken, find those children of yours," she replied, shoving him towards the door. Wayne looked back at the boys in the tent. They smile and wave as Aunty M. grabs his arm. "Come on, boy, we're burnen daylight," she replied, looking at the sky as the man opened the buggy door for them.
* * * *
Ma and the children headed back down Downing Villa Market to look at all the different shops; the driver handed them each a small basket to carry. They see vendors selling their goods, passing them with eyes wide of homemade trinkets, quilts, rugs for the floor, pots, and pans, and different-sized kettles they've never seen before. They stopped and looked at the arts and crafts and paintings to hang on a tent wall. Woodworking catches Robert and Will's eye, and then the little toy store for Sam and Danny.
This place was a magical wonderland of sorts. Around the corner is a flower shop with many roses, daisies, and daffodils. The girls stop to smell the flowers and feel the soft petals of the flowers. A woman and young lass give each girl a flower to wear in their hair. The girls give him a peck on the cheek, thank him, batting their eyes at him. Their brothers just rolled their eyes and laughed at their sister's foolishness. Ma smiles, thanking the woman and the boy for their kindness as they give her a red rose. They find the candy shop, picking up some penny candy, homemade salt taffy, and string on the line of long red and black lickerish whips.
"Look, Ma." The boys looked down the street. Four tents down. Renee and her boys were just setting up a shop. They waved and ran to greet them. "Hello, Frank, Mark, watcha doing?" Robert and Will asked.
"Helping our Ma set up shop to sell Kitenge gowns and sandals," Frank replied.
"Neat, we love ours; they're really cool," Will replies. Renee gave each of the boys a pair of sandals. Within seconds, the boys were sitting on the ground, undoing their laces, pulling off their shoes, tossing their socks and shoes into the buggy, and slipping the sandals on their feet.
Ma and Renee laughed, Richard, cracking up as he placed his sandals in his basket for later. "We make a little extra money; it comes in handy now and then," Renee whispers in Martha's ear, watching her silly boys try to walk in sandals and spin just like Frank and Mark.
"Can't wait to try it with the Kitenge?" Will said, trying to spin around, almost falling and tripping over his own two feet. The kids were smiling and laughing when Aunty M. pulled up.
"Look, Pa?" Showing them their new sandals and things, they found so far.
"Looks like you've been having fun," Pa replies.
"Yes, Pa, tons," the children said.
"Hello, boys, Renee, things going well for ya?" Wayne asked
"Yes, Wayne."
"I'm glad, say, why don't you and your boys come by the house? We'd love to see ya. In fact, we'll set a place for you for supper."
The boys jumped up and down with excitement. "That's a wonderful idea, Renee. My husband and I would love it if you and the boys came. Your husband can tell us some more about you and your country, and the boys can play and get to know each other better," Martha said.
"Will, see," she replied.
"Oh, Ma, can we?" Frank asked.
"Alright, but let's get set up first."
"Thanks, Ma," Frank said.
"Alright, children, we have one more stop to make before we head back to the farm," Aunty M. replies.
"Yes, Aunty M.," with a sigh. Children getting back into the buggies waved goodbye to Renee and the boys.
Aunty M. is in the lead, making a left and a right for a sign that says Downing Chapel Drive pulled in front of a tent, "Woo," in front of an empty lot. Mary and Lizzy come out of the tent. "Alright, children, front and center," Aunty M. said, lining them up, "now then, I want you to meet your new schoolteacher, Lizzy, children,"
Aunty M. said as she looked at the empty lot. "They have informed me that your school will be ready in a couple of days, and they have already ordered your books and supplies, Lizzy," she replied, taking it all in. "These are your students, some of them anyway. The docs are still putting together a list of children. Mary here will give it to you soon since she will make the rounds with the Docs."
Aunty M. walks behind Julie. "And this, Lizzy, is your assistant," she said. Julie looks at her dumbfounded. "Oh," Aunty M. slapping her head, "it must have slipped my mind. Sorry, dear, oh well, anyway, you'll do just fine. Besides, your mother can't do everything; of course, she'll be helping, but there's no way she can be a full-time schoolteacher and mother and have a baby with everything else going on, no, sir," she said. "I know school doesn't start for a couple more weeks, but it doesn't hurt to get a leg up, I always say, especially for these little ones," patting Sam and Danny on the head.
"Now then, children, we really need to get back and stop all this lolly gagan; we have work to do, ya know," she said, pointing the children back to the buggies, heads bowed. Ma and Wayne, almost feeling sorry for them, watching summer coming to an end, give a little sigh and help them back in. Aunty M., watching, whispered to Wayne and Martha. "They'll be alright," she said smiled, poked them in the ribs, and gave the driver a nod and whispered.
"Yes, ma'am." Returning to the farm, they waited until they reached the open road.