Aunty M., with a quick nod, gave a quick flick of the wrist. The miniature horses came to life with a hard start and a jump, leaving the Downing Villa behind, and then they galloped. Everyone hung on tight as they passed the little tent houses and a few paces down the road. Martha hung onto Wayne, laughing like a schoolgirl in his arms as they headed toward their farm. The children were right behind them in their own buggy, laughing, having the time of their lives, and waving at the people as they went by. As they pulled up to their farmhouse in the yard, the drivers put the horses in the field with Wayne's horses and buggies in front of the barn for later.
"Martha, dear, I wouldn't plan on dinner here; we're eating out tonight. Wayne, keep those shoes polished, dear; ya will need them," she said, then gave them both a swift kick. "Well, let's get a move on it," she laughed. "We have work to do." Aunty M. said. "And times a wasten."
Everyone headed back into the house to change back into their work clothes. Ma and the girls started preparing lunch for the boys while they returned to work on the house, or so they thought. Aunty M. came out of the house. "Boys, no, sir-y, we are not ready yet," she said as they turned to look at her, all dressed up in her riding clothes.
She was all decked out from head to toe, wearing a tarnish brown old five-gallon cowgirl's hat with a drawstring around the neck and some bone that looked like a steer horn wrapped around it. Calf leather jeans, chaps tied to the sides, and kicked-down cowgirl boots with a loop of rope by her side. Her big old belt buckle flashed in the sun. She slings her rider's pack over her shoulder. "Well, boys, don't just stand there gawking at me. We have work to do. I assume yuv rode a horse or two," she pointed to the field. "Well, we've got fences to build and cattle to pin boys," she replied.
"Yes, ma'am, we know how to ride a horse, Aunty M, just we never―?" Will and Robert tried to reply.
"Son, ya haven't done a lot of things. Now git inside, change those clothes, ya silly boys," she said, giving each a swift kick, and pointing them back towards the back door. "Ya to Wayne, the duds are in your rooms, yours too, son," Aunty M. said, looking down at EJ.
"I can't ride Aunty M; I've never been on a horse," EJ replied, holding his one crutch.
"Heck, son, y'all be riding with me; now, hop to it," she said as she helped him down from the saw bench.
"Yes, ma'am," he said, hobbled back into the house after his brothers.
Each boy found a new hat, a pair of boots, and a pair of western jeans. EJ, of course, could only wear his hat and pair of boots for now. They looked spiffy like cowboy ranchers as they each looked in the mirror laughing. "Howdy, partner," they said to each other as they tipped their hats. They walked down the hall into the kitchen to their sisters as they giggled at the sight of them as they all said, "Howdy, ma'am," to their ma and sisters and winked. Julie, Anna, and Ma laughed Even more when Pa came out of the room, flashing his big old belt buckle.
"Evenen,' darlen, watcha got cookin'," he said, picking her up for a quick kiss. Then he set Ma back down on the floor, walked bull leg over to his daughters, gave them each a twirl, and sat them on his knee, asked each one, "Plan on doen some sparken' by the fire?" he asked in his best cowboy accent.
"Oh, Pa," they laughed. Ma hands them a sack lunch and waves goodbye, telling EJ to be careful, and Pa carefully helps him onto the horse with Aunty M.
"Martha, he'll be just fine; stop your fussen'. This old horse here is as gentle as they come. Besides, Doc won't be far if we need him, and we won't, will we, boy?" she said as she tightened down his hat. "Now the steers, however, are not so gentle. They have a mind of their own," she said as she waved goodbye with a "Giddy up" and quick turn of the hand, yelling, "Ye haw, boys, let's head out."
Martha's face nearly hit a wall when she said that. She watched her boys leave the farm at a trot with her in the lead, and yelled, "Aunty M., you come back here with him," but all she got was the wind and dust in her face.
Coming up the road, a farmer with two cows turned into the farm. "Mrs. Downing, here's these cows you needed. I'll just put them in the pasture over yonder. This one is here with black spots; her name is Clementine, and the other is Rose. You'ds takes real good care of them, they'll takes real good cares of yous and your family. Thanks for giving them a good home, ma'am," he said with a tear in his eye. "We weres afraid we were gonna have ta leave them ta strangers."
Martha watched this sad farmer put his cows in the pasture and say goodbye to them as they mooed back to him and patted them on the side. She could only thank him, even though she did not know him or why. He nodded. "It's my pleasure, ma'am." He walked on out of the farm and back down the road.
The girls, Sam, and Danny heard them mooing and saw the cows in the field. "Ma where did those come from?" they asked.
"I do not know," she replied, looking where the farmer had come from and looking at the cows as the children raced over to get a better look at them.
Danny, with his eyes wide fixed on the cows, said. "I've never seen one this close before, except on TV. Do you think it bites?" He asked, watching them chew on the grass below. Julie shrugged as Sam and Danny looked underneath the cow and pointed, whispering in each other's ear, "It's a strange-looking cow; I've never seen one of those before."
Anna and Julie giggled, watching the boys with new wonders in their eyes. Tells them that's where the milk comes from. The boys looked at them like they were nuts. "No way!" watching them take another second look. "I thought it came from a store?" Danny said as Julie and Anna started cracking up and watching these two boys trying to figure out how the cow works to make milk.
The cow moos back at them, swishing its tail as it chewed the grass. After a while, the two boys got bored watching the cows and went back to playing around the house while the girls and Ma worked on other things while the boys were away.
* * * *
Aunty M. kept the boys busy as they rode through the pastures and fields down the sides of the roads and tents that had sprung up around them. She would wave and call out, "Howdy, boys," along the way. Stopping to meet and greet a few she hadn't seen in a while, she catches up on the news and introduces them to Wayne and the boys.
Picking up a few stragglers, they now had more hands to help them along the road. With Pa, Aunty M, and his four boys, including Richard, now considered part of Wayne's family, we set off from the farm that afternoon, and our group grew larger as we journeyed. Until Betty expressed a different perspective, Aunty M. didn't concern herself with the biological connection between Richard, EJ, and Danny. For her, family meant more than just DNA; it was about the love and support that transcended bloodlines. Wayne Downing had welcomed Richard with open arms, making him an integral part of their family.
Looking at the group riding along, EJ counted as he bounced up and down in the saddle beside his Aunty M. They had about twenty-five rugged men and boys with horses heading up the road across the fields. They were a rugged group, laughing as we rode, and EJ bouncing along, his legs flared at the sides of the horse with his Aunty M. She kept him tucked under her arms so he wouldn't fall off the horse as he bounced in the saddle along the trail. Occasionally, she stopped to make sure he was alright.
Pa would check his stitches, ensuring they were still intact and letting them stretch their legs a bit. Pa had to remove his boots and put them back in the pack as Aunty M. laughed, but that was alright. She understood as she looked at his poor, blistered feet that EJ wasn't quite ready for them yet. The constant bouncing in the saddle made it impossible for him to keep his sandals on his feet. With a silent determination, he went on his way, a smile playing on his lips and a glint of nostalgia in his eyes.
Akin to Aunty M, her late husband Mike had a strong dislike for the sensation of shoes and socks on his feet, especially on sweltering summer days, or even more so, shirts. With a widening smile, she imagines the sensation of diving into the pond, feeling the water caress her naked skin and providing a soothing escape from the scorching temperatures. Yes, there is nothing like the sensation of the water caressing your bare skin as you glide through its embrace. Her sigh breaks the silence, an obvious recognition that they cannot afford the luxury of time for such indulgence. We can go later, once we finish the work if everyone wants to.
Upon arriving at the designated spot on the map, she shouted. "Woo, boys, this looks like the spot," pulling out her map, looking at some trees, and turning left and then a right. "Yes, sir, this is the place," she said as she climbed down from the horse. "Over there, boys, find some fence polls, shovels, barbwire, and everything else we need. We have cattle comen,' boys, let's give them a place to put them. Well, boys, don't just stand there. Let's get crackin'," she replied.
Wayne and the boys climb down from the horses toward the trees. "Pa, isn't this Mr. Wilson's farm?" Robert asked as he looked towards the farm clear down the road.
"Yes, Robert, it is," Pa said as he picked up a shovel, found a marker, and started digging post holes. Richard and the boys set EJ up a place to work measuring and sawing polls for the holes.
The men and boys worked all afternoon building fences while a wagon from the nearby farm brought them all cool refreshments. Aunty M. was no slouch either. She could wrap barbwire tighter than a spring coil mattress. Yes, sir, they had that fence up in no time at all. One and a half miles that day one way and down the other side with a loud whistle from Aunty M. and a wave of her hand. "Alright, boys, bringer on in, boys, it's quittin' time," she said.
"Yes, ma'am," they all reply.
"Let's call it a day. We'll all meet back here in the morning, boys," she said, sending them on their way. Aunty M. climbed back on her horse, and Pa hoisted EJ back up to her. The boys and Pa climbed back on theirs and returned to the farm.
Seeing the boys riding back into the farm, Ma dashes out of the house. Seeing EJ bouncing up and down in the saddle with a big dirty grin on his face, she sighed with relief. "See, Ma, I was just fine," he said as Pa helped him down from the horse and he hobbled back into her arms. Ma checked him out from head to toe, then kissed his cheek and hugged him. "Ma, I can't breathe," he said as she pressed him against her so tight, giving Pa and Aunty M. a hard, stony stare.
"He's alright, Martha," Aunty M. laughs. I told ya there was no need to fuss and worry; he was safe as mother's milk. Oh, good, the cows have arrived," Aunty M. said, looking into the pasture. Martha, we're going to have fresh milk of the freshest kind," she replied, dusting off her duds. Robert, Will, I bet you've never milked a cow before either," she asked.
"No, ma'am," they said, seeing the cows in the pasture.
"Well, there are a lot of things you haven't done before," Aunty M. said as she laughed and climbed down from the horse. "You boys mind putitn' the horse away, thanks," handing them the reins, walked into the house down the hall to change.
The boys put the horses away, talking about the day Renee and the boys arrived at the farm. "Hi, Frank, hi, Mark," Robert said, seeing them all still dressed up in their western cattle gear. We just got back a few minutes ago," Robert said, telling them what they did and saw. Frank and Mark looked at them, laughing as they removed their sandals before entering the house.
Renee smiles, looking at the four boys, two as western cowboys and two boys in Kitenge gowns; what odd four these boys were. "Hi, Mrs. Whitmore," the boys replied.
"Hello, boys. Your mother said you just got back and had a busy day, I hear," she replied.
"Yes, ma'am," they said.
"Robert, Will, go ahead and change, and you boys can play. Julie is just cleaning up EJ and changing his bandages, and then he can join you," Ma said, seeing the boys.
"Thanks, Ma," Robert said, changing their clothes, putting on their Kitenge, which they had wanted to do all day, slipping on their sandals, and doing a quick spin. The boys laughed, watching them go around and around. "Lots more fun, I must say, and easier on the feet, too. Thanks a lot," Will replies.
"You're welcome. Ma doesn't like us to wear them in the house anymore; leaves too many black marks on the floor," Frank said. As Robert sees where he just made one,
"Oops," he slips his back off. Will laughed, "I see what you mean." He slaps Robert on the back, then takes a piece of sandpaper from EJ's box and puts it in a little wax shaving. "Shush, we won't tell her."
The boys laughed, putting the sandpaper back and carrying the sandals in their hands down the hall. The boys set the sandals outside the front door while they waited for EJ. EJ hobbling down the hall with Julie behind him. "Alright, Ma, he's as good as new. Not one stitch is out of place, a couple extra bruises, but other than that, just fine," she said.
"Thanks, Julie," giving EJ a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks, sis," EJ replied with a smile and hobbled over to Will, Robert, and the boys.
"Alright, boys, go on now. Dinner will be ready in a while," Ma replies.
Aunty M. walked in, "Martha, I told ya, dear, we're eating out tonight, dear," seeing things going on the stove. Lifting lids on the kettles, "Looks like we'll be taking it with us," she said, shaking her head and opening the oven door. Aunty M. looked at the boys still in the living room, "You heard your Ma, go on," she laughed, "git, I've worked ya enough for one day," she said.
"Yes, ma'am."
"You, too, girls. I bet you have been in this house all day. Well, there are lads out there just dying to meet ya. Now git down that hall, change those clothes, girls," giving them each a shove. Aunty M. yells, "Wayne? Where's that husband of yours? Oh, there you are," turning around, "fine-looking man, I must say, Martha. Wayne, these ladies of yours need a ride. Mind pulling up a buggy, take them down to the square? I'll be along in a while," she said, looking around the kitchen. "And bring the boys down later after they burned off some of that steam and finish their chores," she replied. She was just about to shove him towards the door; he was already on the move. "Yes, sir, Martha, he's a keeper," gives him a wink and swift kick.
"I'm moving,' I'm moving,' Aunty M.," he said.
"I know you are, son; I just like to see ya hop, that's all," laughs.
Martha and Renee laughed, watching Wayne go out the door towards the barn. "Are you sure you'll be alright?" Martha asked.
"Martha, stop fussen already; the boys and I will be just fine. Now you and the girls have a good time," she said, opening the buggy door for the ladies, Wayne helping them all in. Aunty M. waved them down the road as Wayne returned them to Downing Villa Square. Aunty M watching Sam and Danny playing in the yard with the rest of the boys. "Now that's more like it," taking in a deep breath of country farm air. "Yes, sir," pulled out a tissue, dots her eye, "Mike, you would like this, you old fool."
Aunty M. returned to the house, kicked off her shoes, and put on a pot of Joe. She pulled out a list of things that needed to be done. She put a checkmark by the ones that were done, put the list back in her purse, and poured herself another cup. "Ah, that's better. It's just not natural," she said, shaking her head. The English can keep that old, weak stuff. Yes, sir."
Taking another sip, Aunty M. picked up the phone. "Hello, Marty. We are right on schedule, yes, sir. Just send them this way. We'll be ready for them; the last count was three hundred, best guess. We need at least seventy to a hundred heads to do it. Tell the boys down there to start the next one. Thanks." Aunty M. hung up the phone.
"Now let's see what Martha has done," tasting the sauce, "needs salt." Opening the cabinet, adding a pinch, tasting it. "That's better."
* * * *
Wayne and the girls headed to Downing Villa Square. Martha said, "Wayne, I just can't believe that this used to be our hay field just days ago, now lined with tents," as people waved as they went by. "Oh, look, there's your husband, Renee." Who could miss him in a bright green Kitenge?
"Hi, dear," Renee said as she passed by him. "Are you almost through for the night?" Renee asked.
"Hello, Wayne, Martha. Yes, dear, just finishing up. Where are the boys?" he asked.
"There, back at the Downing farm, they are with Margaret. She said she would bring them back with her later," she replied.
"Oh, that's fine, dear," he said.
"We are just heading over to the square for some fun," she replied.
"Well, then, that sounds like a wonderful idea. You fine ladies, have a good time; I'll wrap things up here and join you. I understand it's going to be another humdinger tonight; lots of young lads for these young misses to dance with." In the distance, someone fires a gun high in the air. Martha nearly comes flying out of her buggy seat. "Yep," Doc laughed, seeing the look on Martha's face. "It will be a humdinger, alright; there will be a wedding."
Renee pulled a tissue from the purse. "I always cry at weddings," she said.
"See you later, dear," he said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek with a quick spin of his gown and walking down the lane.
Martha looked at Wayne with a worried look on her face. Wayne whispered. "Dear, don't sweat the small stuff." With a small flick of the wrist, they were off to Downing Villa Square.
When they arrived at where there once was an open field, three large canopy tents were in the middle, with picnic tables set up, tablecloths set for the vittles, and a large cook tent on the side. Women and girls were setting the tables, and mounds of food were being placed along the sides of the corner. Everyone was busy helping each other going on about their work. A band was setting up in another corner, music starting for the night. Children play in the field, having the time of their lives. Some were wearing Renee's Kitenge, some were still simple farmers, and some were even Indian boys. Martha laughed, thinking she had the only ones. Little girls and boys played while older people prepared for the night festivities.
Yes, sir, it was going to be another humdinger, just like Doc said, and there was going to be a wedding tonight. Wayne ties off the horses, puts up the buggy, and joins his wife and daughters. When he comes back, all he finds is his wife and Renee. Julie and Anna have already run off with a couple of nice lads. Pa watched Julie walking with a lad in the corner. "That was quick," he said.
Martha grinned. "Oh, him? Yes, dear, she danced with him last night; his name is Bill or was it, Ted? I can't remember. He's a nice boy. Anna is over there as well. She couldn't decide, so she went with both of them, a silly girl playing hard to get, I guess. Not to worry, dear; I have my eyes on them. They won't go too far; you can trust your daughters," she said.
"Not my daughters I'm worried about, dear. It's if they can handle them," he replied.
"Now, dear, what are you implying, dear?" She bats her eyes at him, falling into his arms.
"Exactly, dear," he said. Renee laughed at his foolishness. Seeing her husband, she waved.
"There you are, dear," wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Wayne, where are your daughters?" Wayne points. Doc smiles. "Young love, there's nothing like it; in fact, that's how I met Renee. Remember that first week we met? We just knew," he said.
"Yes, dear, I remember. It was so romantic," she giggled. "I was Julie's age, I think. Now look at us. Where has the time gone?" She said as she watches the children play in the field.