120309.fb2 1634: The Ram Rebellion - читать онлайн бесплатно полную версию книги . Страница 17

1634: The Ram Rebellion - читать онлайн бесплатно полную версию книги . Страница 17

Another sip. “I can live with it.”

Yet another sip. “I think, ladies, I may last out the winter, after all.”

* * *

“Umm . . . Johan, do you think he’s going to hurt himself doing that?” Flo asked. “Throwing himself against the fence that way looks like it would hurt pretty badly. He shook the corner post, that time.”

“He will be okay, Flo. He is just mad. He can smell time to breed. We only keep him just in case. One more year, maybe. If good lambs and no rams die, I will see if someone wants him. Maybe Grange can use him.” Johan was not sentimental about his stock.

“It’s kind of a shame, Johan. He’s a really hardy sheep.” They started to walk away. “That wool, though, it’s awful. In a way, I wish we could use him. It’s silly to be sentimental, but he was our only hope for a while.”

“Will be useless, probably, Flo. Only need few rams. Need many ewes.”

* * *

The next morning, Flo was ready to personally castrate the Ram From Hell. The fence was down and Brillo had been found wandering through the breeding flock. There was no way to tell which ram had impregnated which ewe. They’d have to wait for spring.

* * *

“Flo, we’ve got to do something.”

Flo and J.D. were getting ready for bed. J.D.’s tone caused Flo to look up quickly. J.D. was usually a relaxed, casual sort of person. He rarely sounded upset, no matter what happened.

“What’s the problem, J.D.?”

“It’s Mother, Flo. I’ve had Price Ellis, Charlotte Green and Hope Underwood on the phone today. They insist that Mother has to be convinced to leave Prichard’s. It’s getting pretty crowded and they’ve got a lot of people with real problems now. Mother doesn’t need to be there. Her only problem is the arthritis. She’s taking up space they could really use. What are we going to do?” J.D.’s voice cracked from stress.

“We had the same kind of day, J.D. In my case it was Mary Jo, Claudette and Joellen. They must all be using the same list. They all know we’ve tried to move her in with us for two years, now. It’s Lena who objects. Every time I visit her she says the same thing. No.”

“I know. I talked to Wallace today. The ‘Adopt-an-Elder’ people are calling him, too. They interrupted meetings all over town today. We’ve got to get Mother to see reason, Flo,” J.D. said. “We could give her my den. It’s closest to the bathroom.”

“Heavens, J.D. You’re going to give up the boys club?” Flo exclaimed in mock surprise. “Will wonders never cease?”

“You’re a real smart aleck, when you want to be, aren’t you, woman?” J.D. smiled. “I’ll be happy to give up the den, now that I don’t have to listen to you and the girls talk. How could any man sit and listen to five women talk about that kind of stuff? You could make a statue blush.”

Trying to keep from snickering, Flo said, “Okay, big fella. You and Wallace bring her bedroom and living room furniture here. In fact, empty her storage unit. Clyde probably needs the space. We’ll get the room ready, and make it as private as we can. Then I’ll tackle Lena.”

* * *

Lena Richards was a strong, independent woman. After being widowed at thirty-one, she had raised two strong, decisive, competent men. She didn’t want to give up her own independence, but she refused to “be a burden” to her sons. At seventy-five, when housekeeping had become more than she could deal with, Lena had sold her house. She had used the proceeds, as well as her savings and Social Security payments, to continue living as she chose.

Prichard’s hadn’t been a nursing care facility prior to the Ring of Fire. Now, due to the war, it had become more and more crowded and had truly needy patients. Lena with her sharp mind, sharper tongue, and ability to get around with a walker, didn’t need that kind of care.

* * *

“So, that’s the situation.” Flo had finished her explanation to Anna, Ilsa and Maggie. “What do you think?”

“We should get busy. Lena should kom heim und be with family. Ilsa, we get to see the ‘secret room.’ What treasures we will find, eh?” Anna laughed.

“Oh, ja, Anna. Flo, is full of gold und silver, yes?” Ilsa grinned.

The “boys club” had become another standing joke in the household. Anna and Ilsa were appalled at the idea of a room in a private home dedicated to avoiding family. That was, after all, what taverns were for. The one time all the men had tried to sneak away, Anna had called in the troops. With ten of the eleven children lining the walls and staring, the men had given up and returned to the living room. In truth, they were all usually too tired to spend time talking when they could be sleeping.

The den had yielded very few secrets. Old papers and catalogs were just about the extent of the treasure. J.D.’s desk had been moved to the bedroom, along with a few boxes of odds and ends.

“Where can we put this ugly old thing, Anna?” Flo wondered aloud. “It’s really an awful old chair.”

Catching a flicker of Anna’s Oh, you rich Americans look, Flo said: “Come on, Anna, it’s not a throne. It’s just on old fake-leather recliner. It takes up too much space. There must be dozens in Grantville. Lena won’t want it in her room.”

“Is good of J.D. to give room to mama, yes? J.D. should not have to lose favorite chair. Is sturdy. Where can we put it?”

“You do have a point.” Flo admitted. “I suppose it can go back in the living room. I warn you, Anna, anyone who sits in it will fall asleep. J.D. used to nap in front of the television. Just wait until you hear the snores.”

The room was finally ready. Lena’s furniture had been arranged to provide both a sleeping and sitting area. Her books and pictures were placed on the built-in shelving of the former library. There was even a door that opened onto the porch, where Lena could enjoy good weather.

“Well, ladies, we’ve done the best we can. It looks just fine.” Flo commented. “Tomorrow, I’ll ride to town with J.D. It’s time to bring Lena home.”

* * *

Fortified with a pot of chicory-laced coffee, Flo felt ready to tackle Lena. Riding into town with J.D. had given them a brief time alone. While killing a few hours until Lena would be ready for visitors, Flo had visited with friends and walked the length of Main Street. The changes in the once dying town were amazing. It was wonderful to see all the activity and people.

After she reached Prichard’s, Flo stopped in to see Price Ellis. She told him her plans and received his quick agreement.

“I’m going to try again, Price. You know I’ve tried before. There’s no guarantee that she’ll agree this time, either. If she doesn’t, I expect you to get Hope and her crew off of J.D.’s back. They can call me, but they’ve got to leave him alone. J.D. had enough to worry about. Agreed?” Flo asked.

“Agreed, Flo. They are a little overzealous, aren’t they?” Price nodded. “Hope even came to see Lena. Maybe that will help. Lena just doesn’t need skilled nursing care. I’m sure she’ll be happier out at your place.”

I hope Lena isn’t angry about Hope’s visit, Flo thought as she walked toward Lena’s room. A mad Lena isn’t going to make this any easier.

“Good morning, Lena,” she said as she entered the room after knocking.

“I’m not going, Florence. I know why you’re here, and I’m not going.” Lena definitely had her back up. No one ever used the name “Florence” unless they were trying to irritate Flo.

“Hope Underwood was here yesterday.” Lena continued. “She had me walk up and down the hall and look into all the rooms. So don’t try that one either.”

“Lena, would you just stop being so stubborn? Honestly, if you don’t want to be a burden, come home with me. Hope and her merry crew of nags are driving the town crazy. They’ve got J.D. and Wallace all upset. They’re burning up the phone lines.”

“I’m not giving them the satisfaction, Flo. No one has any business butting in. They’ve been after me for a week now. I’m sick of it and I told her so.”

“I can just imagine that conversation. I’d have liked to have seen it. Still, Lena, it’s not just the space issue. We could use your knowledge out at the house. You lived through the Depression and you went through the rationing of the war years. With so many people out there, one more isn’t going to be a problem. Besides, I’d like to be able to speak English to someone. Having to learn German, eat soup every day and put up with the coffee shortage is getting on my nerves.”

Flo laughed, “Come on, Lena. The German women have eleven kids between them. You like kids.

“Besides,” Flo continued, “the only good thing about the Ring of Fire is that so many people have rediscovered the importance of family. We need you. I miss Jen, the girls are busy, and Mom has her own concerns. I’m outnumbered and overwhelmed. You wouldn’t believe the mess I made, trying to add lanolin to a batch of soap. Come out and join the circus. Help me keep my sanity.”

Lena and Flo had always gotten along well. Hearing the description of an average day had Lena and Flo laughing within a short period of time.

“You really do need me, don’t you, Flo?” Lena said. “I can’t imagine how you’ve stood it. Eleven kids, five or six other adults, a husband and a lunatic ram. Are you sure you don’t want to just move in here with me?”