Linda crumples up a citation and throws it at Jim. "Look what you've done," she said, waving the paper in his face. "Just look what they've done to us, what your mother has done to us, and it's all your fault, Jim." Jim walks out of the room and goes to the bedroom, closing the door and refusing to listen to her as she rants. Linda follows him and bursts into the room. "Who do you think you are, dear, closing the door on me? How dare you shut me out when I'm talking to you?" Jim tries to say something, but Linda cuts him off. "Tell me, Jim, how will you clean up this mess now?" she said, throwing the crumpled paper at him.
Jim's face goes red, and he yells. "Linda! That's enough! I can't take it anymore," he said, sitting on the bed. "You're always whining and complaining even worse most days. You're just as bad as the children, yet all you can do is blame me when things go wrong. We both did this, and you know it, so stop putting it all on my shoulders and do something about it." He hands her a box of tissues and uncrumples the paper so he can read it. "It says here, Linda," he points to the spot where the Doctor's name is, "we need to seek help. You need it, dear, and so do I because we can't live like this anymore. Unless, of course, you feel like going to jail and never seeing your children again," he said with anger in his voice.
Linda is horrified at the thought of not seeing her children again, and fear shows in her eyes. Her first thought is. "What would the neighbors think?" She sat on the bed and asked, "What would our relatives think?"
"And unless you prefer having those people raise them as their own?" Jim asked.
"No, Jim, I don't!" Linda screams.
"Then we must do something about it and stop moping around here. Let's get some help and avoid going to Jail," he said. Linda wipes her eyes and nods in agreement.
They find a doctor assigned to their case, Doctor Jasper Main. Linda picked up the phone and dialed the Doctor's office. "Yes, we'd like to set an appointment, please, with Doctor Main."
"Who is the appointment for, ma'am?"
"Me and my husband Jim."
* * * *
The Whitmores were happy to be back home. They took a deep breath and savored the fall air. The temperature was perfect, and the leaves were beginning to fall from the trees, creating a soft blanket of leaves that the boys could play in. Although the boys were sad that summer was over, they were excited for new adventures in the upcoming months.
After moving out of Downing's cottage, the Whitmores went to Peter's grandmother's farm. Martha and the girls helped Renee prepare the farm while Wayne and the boys moved things from their old home to the farm. Each boy had their own room, and Wayne and Kollie set up their beds. The boys set up their rooms with the help of their friends. Meanwhile, Martha and Renee took inventory of what they needed from the store.
Richard and Robert set up a chicken pen and some chickens for the rooster. Kollie watched as the boys put the rooster in his new home. When Wayne told her that they were going to have fresh eggs, Kollie didn't believe him at first. But Wayne explained that every farm needs a good rooster and some chickens. They brought in some eggs for Renee and left them on the table. Kollie thanked Wayne and admired the new addition to the farm. Wayne then gave Renee the fresh eggs from their chickens.
They spent the entire day cleaning up and organizing things on the Whitmore farm while Martha and Renee headed to New Downing to get some supplies. Meanwhile, the men explored the farm and discussed what crops to grow and how Kollie could balance his profession as a doctor with being a farmer. Kollie watched his three boys play on the farm and realized that he missed spending time with his family. He thought about how he preferred helping people in the community over working at the hospital and decided that it was time for a change. However, since he had no experience in farming, he turned to his friend Wayne for help.
Wayne reassured Kollie that, as his friend, he was more than willing to help him learn how to farm. They laughed as they looked at the overgrown weeds and broken fences in the open fields. While they prepared for the viewing, they made last-minute arrangements and ensured that the boys had nice suits to wear. However, most of the boys' suits had been destroyed in a fire, and the Whitmores did not have any either. So they left a note for the women to shop for new suits.
We have gone to Provo, but I will be back soon. Needed suits for tomorrow
but would be back in time for the boys to study.
-The boys.-
It was decided that they would take Richard's and Whitmore's cars, and they went to Provo to buy some last-minute items and flowers for the funeral. While shopping with Martha and the girls, Renee thought about her husband. "Martha, what's it like to have Wayne at home most of the time?" Renee asked.
"Why do you ask?" Martha questions.
"Oh, no reason, really, just wondering," Renee replies.
Martha thought about how to answer Renee's question. "When he is home, it's like we share everything, the good and the bad, together. He's never far away when there's a problem. I know where he is at all times, and he knows where I am at all times. It makes our lives easier and richer. I think the kids are happy, too, because they have both of us all the time instead of just one. That's the best way I can describe it. Our love is greater for it and our children."
Renee looked down at her hands and said, "I don't know how to be a farmer's wife. I'm just a doctor, that's all. And he always comes home so tired. I hoped he would take up farming and become a country doctor, like Doctor Hatfield. He has been so happy ever since he has been down here, and I want it to stay that way, that's all."
"Renee?" Martha put her arm around her. "That's what friends are for. Now let's finish this shopping, go back to the farm, and cook a nice dinner in your new home."
* * * *
"I don't understand, Doctor. We were doing well raising our kids. It's all lies. We never hurt them. We love them and want them back. We wouldn't be here if we didn't. What do you mean we have a problem? It's Jim who has the problem. I'm fine. It's their bad genes that keep getting them into trouble all the time. If someone needs help, help him, Doctor," Linda said as she folded her arms across her chest, refusing to believe that she was part of the problem and had no regrets about anything she had done.
"Why should I be part of the problem? It's those kids, Doctor, and those nosy neighbors and their meddling grandmother. No, I don't have an anger problem; he does," Linda said as she pointed her finger at Jim. "He got us into this mess and always expects me to clean it up. Well, I'm done cleaning up his messes," and she got up and left, slamming the door behind her.