Chapter 22-3

Chapter 22-3

They feasted well that night as the town came together for the first time in a long time. They had a new Sheriff running New Downing as they all cheer as Nathaniel gasp nearly choking as Mayor handed him his badge and Mayor’s wife and Granny made him a new shirt and one for Ned.

Nathaniel laughed slapping his son on the back whispered. “Don’t sweat the small stuff” as he looks at a bunch of gal’s clustered in a corner he pushed him over there with a swift kick. Granny winks at Nathaniel, he winks back as they went behind a haystack in the back. “Sorry folks.” As Doc stands his ground. “He’s kinda of busy and I believe his dance card is all full,” as he watched Nathaniel go out the back heading home with his wife.

The gals sob and cried, hoping they had a chance with new Sheriff of New Downing. Considering he’d been kept a secret that he and Granny are married, but that only leaves poor Ned.

Round and round he goes from one gal to the next as they take his hand down the row. Hands held high in the air and then another grabs him cheek to cheek. Doc laughed so hard he fell off the stool watching the gals spin him like a top. By the time he went home he had so many kisses of red lipstick on his face and so tired he could drop as he went through the door.

Nathaniel helped him to bed while Granny removed his shoes covered him with a quilt and grinned. “My poor boy,” shaking her head. Nathaniel smiles as he leans down stokes Ned’s hair whispers “goodnight my son,” then kisses his cheek with a fathers love for his boy and turned out the lights.

Nathaniel sits outside on the porch with Granny looking over the horizon.  Soon they will be leaving almost wishing he was going with them. Granny could feel the uneasiness inside him. Granny placed her arm around him so he could feel that he was not alone. Which he will be most of the time? It wasn’t long before Whitmore’s pulled up in front of Nathaniel house with Lenny, Doc, and Mayor with the boys in the back.

For this was a special ride before they say goodbye for a season as Nathaniel climbed in sits next to Kollie. Granny wiped a tear as she gives each one a hug and kisses and thanks you, before going back to her chair wiping her eyes dry; for it is not really goodbye for them, as she watched the wagon head down the road towards burnt fields and dead trees.

The Whitmore’s have a journey and task all there own as she watches from afar, as new life springs forward across the fields once more. Doc and the Mayor watch the Whitmore’s as the family took hands in a circle in the middle of a field as a warm soft breeze flows by them. Life springs around them from the ground then outwards among the trees through the orchards of their town. What was once dead is alive once more, the air crisp and fresh after a morning rain. Mayor and Doc bend down picking up the soil rubs it through their fingers. It was rich and new if it had never been used. It lasted for several minutes before they all break the circle collapsing on the ground where they stood as Mayor, Doc and Nathaniel run over to the Whitmore’s making sure they were alright.

Kollie nods as he tries to stand up out of breath. “Give us a moment.” Doc and Mayor nod as they watched in awe around them of things coming to life. Then they were ready as they carried the boys back to the wagon, while their parents took a moment to regain their strength before walking back to their boys who were completely exhausted.

Doc and the Mayor were astounded as they looked out towards the fields around their town and the outskirts where life is now present and more vibrant than before. It was more than enough as they both watched the Whitmore’s tonight.

For in their heart of hearts they will be a part of them forever, for now, it was their turn to say goodbye. As the Mayor and Doc looked down upon the three sleeping boys, they wanted to hold them so tight but knew they had let them go. They whisper “goodbye my dear boy to each one,” placing their hands on their shoulders. Then giving a hug and pat on the back to Kollie and Rena as tears rolled down their cheeks. Nathaniel opens the gate with Lenny in the back watching over his boys. With one last wave to the Mayor and Doc, the Whitmore’s were gone.