"That would be just fine, Betty," Mary said as she gazed down at the three little boys, Sam, Danny, and Ted.
"We would be glad to watch them for you," Lizzy said.
"Thanks, Mary and Lizzy," Grandma replies.
"Oh, don't thank us just yet," giving a rueful smile, "Oh no," as they looked at each other.
"You have been very mischievous, sneaking off like you did last time without telling us where you were going, even if it was for a good cause," Mary replied, and Lizzy looked sternly down upon her, placing their hands on their hips.
"That's why you are not leaving here when you get back. You will have plenty of work to do. Oh, yes. We will have a nice little cottage built just for you and Granny. She's been looking for a roommate; we have one right here," Mary said.
"Wouldn't you say, Lizzy?" Mary asked.
"Oh, yes, most definitely," Lizzy said, taking the suitcase out of her hands.
"Now, Betty, take these three ladies out and have a good time. Oh, I wouldn't buy any of the boys' clothes; it's been taken care of right down to their shoes," Lizzy said, handing Martha a list of the items the boys and Pa had already received.
Martha reads the list, then gasps with a tear in her eye at the bottom: one pony for EJ and a saddle. She gives the list to Grandma to read; she smiles, putting her arm around Martha. "He's doing just fine." Taking the list, she puts it in her purse. "Alright, girls, let's go shopping," as they get into the car, heading down to Provo. Martha checked the tires, and Grandma laughed, "They're fine, dear, no funny business. Besides, I'm all out of strangers, and the stranger I know is off having a good time, where we should be. Now then, let's have a good time of our own, shall we?" She said.
They shopped all day, trying on all sorts of nice fancy dresses, dancing dresses, work and play dresses, and school dresses. They bought some of each kind. They even bought a pair of jeans, something they had seen ladies and Aunty M. wear. "What do you think, Ma? If our boys can dress like cowboys and Aunty M., why not us?" Julie said as they laughed. They bought a hat, shirt, and belt with a matching buckle.
Grandma, laughing, said. "Heck, why not?" She bought her a set, too, and a new pair of leather pants, one for Richard, a leather jacket and boots to match, and a long white scarf as a surprise present for later.
Martha laughed, seeing the items Grandma was getting. "You are planning something, aren't you, Grandma?" She asked.
"Just a little windstorm, that's all, dear, to help Danny and the boys."
Martha nods, imagining what she has in mind of a little storm, nearly making her gasp and giggle at the mere thought of a little windstorm she could have in mind. They continued to shop throughout the day, buying this and that, buying toys for the boys, some material to sew to make more things, and some play clothes for the three little boys.
They stopped for a bite to eat at their favorite café. Martha remembered when Grandma let the air out of the tire just so they all could have a nice night out, ending with a big surprise. What memories they would miss from that old farmhouse. Just think of the new ones they will create with the new one. She wonders yet still how they will fill it. She sighs, gazing at her two girls and Grandma, thinking of her family. She can't wait to see, knowing the house will be filled with love and more.
Will it be big enough, she wonders. To hold it all, and this may yet be the extra heart, she might need a third or more, thinking of all the little bare feet running through it, patting her stomach, looking at her two girls, thinking about her boys. "Yes, I wouldn't trade none of them for the world. I love every single one and every moment." They did a little more shopping before returning home.
* * * *
"Jim, I cannot believe that woman, the nerve," Linda replies. "Would you like to come in to have some tea so we can get acquainted?" she said, "as I watch your child play with my kids." Ooooh, first, she thought she could steal one from me, and now the other is right under my nose in plain sight. They only let me in the house in the first place because he wasn't there.
"Oh, no. You won't believe this: he was out seeing the world on a pleasure cruise at some lumber mill, sheep, and cattle ranch for a week in his condition. Some mother she is, I can't believe they would even think she would make a better mother than me.
"It's just not fair, I tell you. Jim, the State's got to be out of their minds making them foster parents, allowing these stupid guidelines. Why do you think we need to be supervised?"
Linda says, rereading the letter. "After all this time and by them. We did nothing wrong. It's all those bad genes, I tell you. If only they had just left things alone." Linda punched the pillow, "This is all your fault; you know it," then tossed the paper at him.
"If you had just found him in the first place and brought him home, we could have avoided this whole mess, and he would have learned to keep his mouth shut and stop running away. Then we wouldn't have all these problems. It's those bad genes. Why couldn't he be more like his sisters?" She sighed. "My two angels, yes, Jim, this is your fault, and those bad genes are up to me to fix it again. She wants a war. Well, this spider is the queen of war, and I'm spinning my web now; leave me alone. I've got work to do."
* * * *
Pa and the boys return to New Downing to find that the town has increased in size. Unlike Downing Villa, it resembles a town with little shops with wooden sides. In fact, they built a second-story bridge that went across and over to the other side, with miniature shops and cottages on the roofs. There were hitching posts along the street for the horses and buggies, and the streetlights were just being placed. It was like a little wooden boardwalk square with little wooden signs dangling from the shops and painted windows storefronts showing off their wares.
The people would wave and congratulate them as they passed, yelling. "Welcome back, Sheriff," and tipping their hats to them. Soon, the word was out that they were back, and music started to play in the street. A parade started with the new Mayor and Sheriff of New Downing leading the way. The Sheriff and his boy were all decked out in their new duds, the Sheriff, of course, wearing his best Kitenge.
Oh, how it glistened when the sun hit it and when he moved with all his necklace and beads. His two sons, Frank, and Mark, are at his side, and his wife, Renee, is marching alongside him on the other side. The Mayor is dressed as a farmer in a nice pair of overalls, his wife is beside him, and Mrs. Collins and the grandson are dressed as simple farmer boys beside her. Yes, it was a welcome home parade, that's for sure, but aren't we missing a few people?
"Oh, there they are, Pa, over there," EJ points on the stand, waving as the people clear the way. Pa, the boys can see Ma and their two sisters, Danny, Ted, and Sam, sitting with Mary and Lizzy, but where are Doc, Grandma, and Steve? Robert and Will helped EJ with his crutches up on the stand. Danny, Sam, and Ted rush up and give him a big hug.
Danny gives him an extra one. Whispers in his ear. "Grandma's still here, but I'm not supposed to tell," and then runs back to his seat by his aunts, looking sheepish.
The Mayor of New Downing brings everything to order, banging his gavel on the podium. The Mayor raises his arms to hush the crowd, pulls his notes from his breast pocket, and unfolds them. "We are all gathered here today," he said as he gazed over at Wayne and his boys in their seats.
"We all know why, to welcome you home, that's why," someone yelled from the crowd.
"Yes. Yes, of course," he and the mayor laugh. Everyone laughs with whistles in the crowd. The Mayor bangs his gavel to bring order to the crowd, raising his arms and pauses. He waited for them, and he went on. "On this auspicious occasion, we would like to give an award, the key to this here town, to Sheriff Downing and his family.
"We'd like to thank them for their generosity, hospitality, and kindliness to all our simple farmer folk. May our love and devotion for them in our hearts never waver." The Mayor placed and handed a plaque with a key to Sheriff Downing and gave each a medal of honor. His wife put it around their neck with a firm handshake while striking up the band playing chicken in the straw. "Let the festivities begin," as fireworks and canons shoot off in the air, little, tiny paper ribbons and banners unfold from the balcony of the second-story buildings and bridges.
People shouted everywhere. "Welcome home, Sheriff Downing, Will, Robert Richard, and EJ."
There were so many people there that they couldn't begin to count them all. EJ looked into the crowd, trying to find Grandma and Doc; Danny said she was still there, but where? Pa picked him up and put him on his shoulders to keep him from getting knocked around. Trying to find a safe place to set him up, where he could watch and still be a part of the celebration. Pa decided the best place to put him was on the pony.
So Robert went to the stable and retrieved him. Pa sat him on the pony while Robert and Will led him around the crowd, placing Danny beside him and having Sam and Ted ride on Robert's and Richard's shoulders. Ma is right beside Pa, with her arms around his waist, and EJ's two sisters, Julie, and Anna, are on the other side.
What more could a boy ask for than this? EJ was home, and this was his family; he knew where he belonged. "Pa was right. It was time to stop running," as EJ looked down the road. "There may be a storm coming, but I trust him. If Pa says they can handle it, then they can."
Pa and Ma lead them home to their little cottage. It was not as nice as their farmhouse, but it was nice enough. When they arrive at the cottage, they find Grandma, Steve, and Doc waiting inside. Stringham is just finishing up setting things up with some of the local boys from New Downing and a little extra surprise.
Stringham said. "Just adding onto the cottage, making it bigger," as Ma wiped tears from her eyes, seeing all the beds, the extra bedroom, and a small kitchen. It wasn't much, but it was enough for them and will get them by at least until the house is built and they all have beds to sleep in.
The boys are all in bunk beds, and Ma still won't let the three little ones in those. They have them sleeping, sharing one big bed, and the girls share a bed. It may be crowded and hardly have any privacy, but they don't mind as they climb into bed, drawing the curtain between them for their rooms.
"Now then, EJ, what do you say we have a look at you? Can we remove those stitches and put those crutches away?" Doc asked.
"Yes, Doc, that would be nice," EJ said, looking at those stupid crutches. Ma and Grandma draw the curtain. Doc looks him over and starts to remove the stitches. "Not bad, not bad at all, just a little infection, but I think it will clear up," he said. "Martha, I still want him to wear that Kitenge at night but other light clothing during the day. We need to let that skin breathe a bit more," Doc said, looking at the red mark patches where the clothes had been rubbing. "Now, does this hurt when I press here?" Doc asked.
"No," EJ replies.
"Good, how about here?" Doc asked.
"Ooooh, just a little bit," EJ replies.
"Still tinder well, that's expected, other than the bruises are fading and a few scars, which will fade in time. Let's get you back on your feet and put those silly things away, but I still want you to take it easy for a while. I'll see you in a few days. Now then, Martha, how're my other two patients doing?" Doc asked, turning to face Martha, then looked at her and her stomach.
"Just fine, Doctor Hatfield."
"You have been drinking lots of fresh milk?" he asked. Martha nods yes. "Eating plenty, I hope?" he asked.
"Yes, Doc, we're all fine."
"Good, then I'll see you in a few days, too," as he picks up his bag and leaves. Ma helps EJ with his clothes, puts on the cotton Kitenge,
"Thanks, Ma," as she kissed his forehead, hugged him, and placed his shoes under the bed. "Ma, what did he mean by the two patients?"
"Oh, I thought you knew, EJ," Ma replies. We are going to have a baby," she hugs him one more time. Now, I say let's go down to supper, shall we?" Helping him off the bed and handing him his crutches, EJ hands them back to her, stands, and looks her right in the eye.
"Ma, I am done running," he hugs and kisses her cheek and starts to head for the door, leaving her standing there as he limped a little out the door with his brothers at his side and little Danny holding his hand. Ma and Pa were right behind them with a tear in her eye because she was so happy to have everyone home at last. What more could a mother ask for?
As they walked, they could hear music ahead towards the celebration; people were everywhere. Marty and Aunty M. cleared a spot for them to sit and join them at the table. "Come on, folks, let them through, let them through," yells at the top of her lungs over the crowd. After she got everyone at the table, she was happy as a clam seeing all of them together: all three aunts, one grandmother, and both uncles. She won't mention the third; they all disapproved of him.
All six brothers and two sisters—yes, sir, they were a group. Especially when you count one more due sometime next spring, EJ thinks, looking over at Ma and Pa. And if you are good at counting sheep and lumber like EJ was, they might need a pretty big table for Thanksgiving.
Yes, sir'ery Bob, because that makes it a total of seventeen, counting on his fingers and toes because he left his shoes at home right where they belong. Come to think of it, they all did, even Pa. That's strange, EJ said, looking under the table and seeing two more pairs of shoes where Marty and Steve were sitting. I guess there is a little simple farmer in all of them.
"Well, EJ, are you just going to sit there all day, or are ya going to dance?" Aunty M. asked, taking EJ by the hand.
"No, ma'am, let's dance."
They danced for a while, taking it slow; it was hard not to stumble now and again. Of course, they all understood. Ma watched him closely, with her hand on her chest most of the time, when he came close to falling.
Pa whispered. "Don't worry, he'll be fine, dear," kissed her and hugged his wife every time, with eyes watching and smiling at how proud he was of his son. Each of his aunts and his grandma danced with him. Then, his two sisters, Julie, and Anna, got to do so. That was more than they could ever hope for. Leaning down, giving him a hug and kiss, he hugged them back, and whispered in their ear, "I love you, sis," kissing them on their cheeks, making them blush with a tear in their eye. What more could a sister ask for than this?
Then it was Ma's turn to dance, the dance he was waiting for all night. To make this night complete and special for a lifetime of memories and more as he takes Ma by the hand across the dance floor. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he looked into her loving eyes as they sparkled like diamonds in the moonlight; oh, how much he had grown to love and trust her. This is his mother, and he could think of no other. "Ma, I've made my decision, and I believe I am ready; let's do it," he said.
"Do what, son?" she asked him.
"Those papers you were talking about. Let's make me a Downing because I love you. This is where I belong," he said with a kiss and hug and left her standing there.
Ma watched her son go with a tear in her eye and whispered back. "I love you, too, son." With tears rolling down her cheeks, he was already her son. She already loved him with all her heart as her own.
The hard part comes in the war between the lion and the beast because she wants her cub for her own when a beast known as his mother doesn't want him at all. She knew she had given him away so many times and only wanted him as a piece of property so others like herself couldn't have him. Not because she loves him but because she and her husband, Jim, cannot stand to let him be happy.