Harvard Comes To Montana

"Harvard Comes To Montana" - Chapter Fifteen

By Griz

umgriz@protonmail.com

Hi, Gents;

I think I'm back in my groove, or I've had a superfluity of caffeine or something; Chapter Fifteen was begun last night and finished tonight. Longer chapter, too.

I appreciated the responses I received from you boys reading Chapter Fourteen. There were some good points made about keeping things clear, and also moving forward. I take those to heart, and I thank you guys for them.

Enough yakkin' from me; read Fifteen and, I hope, enjoy it. Let me know.

Thanks;

Griz

*** The following story is a work of erotic fiction. If you are under the age of 18 or if this type of fiction is prohibited in the location where you are reading this, do not read any further.

All characters and names are creations of the author. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Please show your support for Nifty, a great organization that gives opportunities to all types of authors to express themselves. To find out how you can contribute, go to donate.nifty.org/donate.html ***

I napped underneath the noble old maple tree, lulled to a restful sleep by the leaves waving around in the breeze above me. If I dreamed, I don't remember any of it. Maybe I was lucky, and my mind was truly devoid of care or concern for half an hour or so. Nothing to worry about; nothing to prioritize. No one to grieve; no one to be anxious about. Just a moment of genuine, unhurried sleep.

Wait.....did I say unhurried?

I was awakened to find OC standing on my chest and sending a very loud `MEOW!' at my face.

"Hey, Old Cat; what're you doing here?"

I sat upright immediately. What WAS he doing here, when he had twelve newborn puppies to nanny?! I was up on my feet and running the short distance to the barn. OC wanted me to be aware of something in there, and on my way in, I could see both Bolt and Stan looking over their stalls at Lola Cola and her pups. The horses were all right, obviously. I looked at the ceiling from one end of the barn to the other. I neither saw nor smelled smoke. OC meowed at me again as he jumped up onto his bale of straw, looking down at the new family.

I picked up each pup. They all moved, all making baby sounds, and no one had been moved away from the others by Lola Cola. She was not separating The Weakest from the rest, and in fact, none of us could tell who The Weakest would even be among them. At that moment, though.....I saw who the weakest was. Lola Cola.

Her head was down on the barn floor. She was breathing rapidly. She gave me a half-hearted attempt at a wag. Not at all like the most extroverted dog ever born's typical behavior. I didn't know enough about dog health to observe symptoms for even a cursory diagnosis. I knew, though.....something wasn't right. OC brought that to my attention, bless him.

I was fumbling with my phone to call Anders, but of course the battery was dead. `New phone' was mentally added to my list. I stood and gave a shrieking whistle toward the house, followed by shouting my brother's name as loudly as I could. I turned back to Lola Cola. I don't think I was doing anything to help her feel calm and cared for, but I needed her primary human there with us. A second later, I heard running steps coming toward the barn. Not just Anders, but Mom, too.

They saw right away that Lola Cola was in distress. Anders was over the straw bale and on his knees, giving Lola Cola a kiss and ear rubs. Her tail wag was only slightly more pronounced, but she obviously was relieved to see him. At the same time, Mom was on her phone to Sally. LeVar answered, and Mom told him what we were seeing with Lola Cola and the pups. Mom put LeVar on speaker phone, and he walked us through a superficial examination, from nose to tail. No obvious broken bones, no vomit, eyes clear, mouth, nose and tongue wet; LeVar's voice took on a new, deeper and even more serious tone.

"Anders, where is Lola Cola's tail?"

"Tight against the back of her legs."

"Oh. All right, take care when you do this, because even though you're her alpha, she won't like you checking where you need to check. Get her trust, and then slowly move the tail away from her legs, so it's a straight extension of her spine."

"It's okay, Girl.....just need to help you.....just hold on with me, Lola Cola.....LeVar, there's a fair amount of blood coming out of her."

"She's hemorrhaging. Throwing a litter that large, particularly her first litter, is taking a toll on her uterus. Is there someone among you who can bring her in? I have no one in the clinic right now, patient-wise. Sally will be back from her run to the Pangburn ranch any moment."

"I will bring Lola Cola. Is she going to freak out about leaving the pups?"

"Yeah, big time. Serious separation anxiety she doesn't need right now. She's still nursing them. Listen, for her sake, put them in a box and bring them, too. She'll see they're with her, and that'll help calm her down and keep her pulse lower."

"Mom just nodded at me. She's coming with me. We'll find a box and towels for the pups. On our way. Fifteen minutes?"

"For most people. I bet you'll be here in ten. Drive carefully, and I'll have a room ready for Lola Cola and her pups."

"Is this as serious as it looks?"

"Yes. Won't lie. But I can't prognose, especially over the phone. That's up to Sally. Still: don't waste time, all right?"

"On our way."

Anders ended the call and put his phone in his pocket. I wasn't going with them, but I wasn't entirely useless.

"Anders, where's the key to your rig?"

"Kitchen counter, next to the coffee thing."

"On it. There's that huge egg crate box the Hutterites brought some of their food in. Easily fit all the puppies and Lola Cola in it, in the cargo area. That work?"

"Heck, yeah."

I raced off to get the keys, and on my way back, install the box in the rear of his Explorer. I revved it to life and backed it up to the barn door closest to the little family. Mom had a dozen towels ready to line the box. She quickly picked up four puppies and held them so Lola Cola could see what was going on. She barked, but wasn't fighting us. Anders and I would be picking up Lola Cola. She weighed somewhere between 80 and 100 pounds, Anders thought.

With her in the box, Anders got in the driver's seat, and Mom and I got the remaining puppies in the box with their mama dog. Mom crawled right up in the cargo area next to the box, no seatbelt to keep her safe. Right now that was no one's concern; the priority was a five year old Swiss Bernese Mountain Dog who was possibly bleeding to death. Farmers are a strange breed, ourselves. We'll risk our own lives quite often to save an animal's. Weird, I know. Or it's not. It's not weird.

I pulled the hatch down, and Anders, Mom and the little family were racing toward Sally's clinic. Fifteen minutes for normal people. Ten minutes for an emergency. If Anders took longer than seven minutes, I'd be very surprised. I sat on the straw bale. OC again stood up on me, watching them tear off. I gave him a few strokes, which he responded to. Geez, OC; a dozen little creatures come to share your barn, and you not only welcome them, you keep them safe 24 hours a day. And now you're letting me share an emergent moment with you. Yeah, I love you, Old Cat.

I took that opportunity to completely clean Lola Cola's nursing area. I raked, swept and scrubbed the floor clean. I got three fresh bales of hay down from the loft, and moved these back up. OC supervised from atop the wall separating the dogs' stall with Stan's. Stan, of course, had to nuzzle OC, himself something of a care-giver. Before installing the new straw bale safety barrier, I drew inspiration from an old movie I'd seen once: "Birdman Of Alcatraz".

In it, the main character finds the birds in his cell are dying. Using hot water, lye and heavy-duty brushes, he does his best to sanitize the area. Whether from that or whatever else might've done the trick, the birds lived and got healthy. This might not do anything for Lola Cola and her daughters and sons, but it was making OC and me feel a lot better and more useful.

The concrete floor was ancient, and right at the foot of the stall posts were little handprints and initials of my great-grandfather and great-great uncle and aunts. A full concrete floor was poured in the barn when they were all little kids. Mom used to joke the barn was our own Grauman's Chinese Theater. Maybe Anders and Eva, and just maybe Marc and myself, could repeat that honor with our own kids' handprints and initials in concrete somewhere. Right then, though, our focus was on twelve even littler kids and their own mom.

`Dad, I'm asking for the obvious here. I think I've asked more of you this week than I have in the last year. Growing up with you and Mom, I just did what you did; I didn't need to ask for anything, really. Life was easy. Now my uncertainty runs through every aspect of me. I wonder if I question myself because I don't have my full parental unit to learn from. Maybe that has nothing to do with it. Only Mom, and also Anders, are no compromise. They have a lot to teach me, and I just have a lot to learn in general.

I never thought I would not have more time with you to continue to learn and grow to be a good man and a good farmer. It's cliche, but people always say, `the moment right before you die, you relive your entire life'. Who knows what really happens. I can say, though; when I saw the note on the fridge that you were in the hospital, my memories were immediately of you and me, throughout my life. I'm still recalling bits and pieces of my seventeen years here with you. I want that to happen until I'm down there with you, Dad.

Mom says she was just getting to know you when you died. Anders has his own thoughts and feelings about you, which as far as I'm concerned, are between him and you only. For now, I'm asking the obvious: be with Lola Cola. OC and I will love the pups with all our might as uncles, but please get Lola Cola through this so she can show the World to her kids when they open their eyes. I'll owe you one, Dad. One more, I mean.'

I was satisfied with The Swiss Bernese Nursing Home's refurbishment. OC jumped from the wall to the straw bales, to the freshly-cleaned floor. He sniffed around, not once giving me the side-eye for missing a spot. I was either thorough or he was forgiving. Whatever works. My phone buzzed in my Levis, and I pulled it out, curious why it would ring now when it seemed dead earlier. I really want a new phone.

Mom got the three of us replacement phones only when the extended Apple Care warranties expired. Dad didn't care what he had, as long as he could reach and be reached. Mom wanted anything that was pink. I wanted whatever had the biggest screen so I could stream Sketchy Sex porn and Netflix. Shhhh.....don't tell Mom. She can still put a parental lock on mine, at least for a few more months. Really, though.....who needs porn anymore? Have you seen studly, running-in-next-to-nothing Harvard professors lately?

Marc had sent me a text. What is UP with the battery charge on this thing?!

"I've eaten three meals today. Just roll me down the hill."

"Oh, yeah? Good thing for you I'm versatile and can move into `Chubby Chaser Mode' quickly."

"I'm not quite there yet.....give me twenty more years."

"I'll give you a two-for-one deal and give you forty more years."

"God, we'll be old!"

"I wouldn't say OLD, but you'll always be older than me!"

"I think you need to look into next year for the first available Sunday, ya handsome hayseed. Ain't nothin' gonna happen before then, the way you run your mouth."

"Whatever. At your age, your mind is starting to go', and you'll think it's 2030 already. By then, we'll have worked through that 55 gallon drum of Gun Oil I'm about to buy from Costco, and we'll still be in this year. The joke's on you, teacher. Or.....is it safe to say, one-step-closer-to-Superintendent'?"

"It's safe to say, Jeff. I move onto Round Three next week. Emil said he'll email the other board members today to announce a candidate for in-person interview. You want to go running with me, say sixteen hours a day until then? I have a suit I need to fit into."

"Fuck, Marc! I'm so glad. This is great news! It certainly goes a long way to balance the past hour. Lola Cola is not doing well. Anders and Mom rushed her and the babies to the vet clinic just before you called. She's bleeding out of her Puppy Factory."

"Oh.....I'm sorry."

"OC actually came and woke me up from a nap to alert me. We all sprang into action. I have no clue what happened, or why, or anything else. I'm sure Anders or Mom will call. That breed is predisposed to cancer. I'm not diagnosing, but I'm not ruling that out, either."

"Will you please let me know how she is? And how you, Marie and Anders are, regardless?"

"I will, Marc. I'm really happy to hear your news. If I may ask, though: Emil moved you to the next round. Are you going to move the school board to the next round, too?"

"Do you mean, was I content with what I learned about the job?"

"Yeah, that."

"I'd rather tell you that in person, but I'll say this much: whether it's me or someone else, that person will be earning every penny of the salary. There's a lot of work that needs to be done for this school district. I'm not saying Emil hasn't been doing his job; he definitely has.

If I want to move this school district into the 21st Century, though.....well, it's not `if', Jeff. I want to move the school district forward. Between now and next week, I'm going to work with Emil more to learn the areas of inefficiency, and have two or three proposals ready for the inevitable questions in the interview."

"You really want the job.....god, I'm happy to hear that, Marc. I was honestly kinda concerned that you'd end the lunch and interview with a bad taste in your mouth....about either or both. If you didn't want it, what would happen then?"

"Well, that's not something to dwell on; I do want it. Believe me, Babe. I want the job, I want you, I want Lola Cola to live well all the way to grandmotherhood, and right now, I want to attempt digestion of what was the largest Cobb Salad I've ever eaten. And one of the best, too. I like that place. We'll have to get a membership."

"Already have one, Boyfriend. I'll get you added. That is, if it's okay with you, and if you don't want your own."

"We'll talk about it. We have a lot to talk about."

"Agreed. Can I tell you one piece of good news from Farm W?"

"Of course!"

"I got a call from the state director of the 4H organization. She heard from the livestock judge for the county fair that Sebastian took a purple ribbon. She invited him and me to show at the State Fair in Great Falls."

"No way! He's a celebrity! You, too! Are you going to do it?"

"I want to, but it'd be two nights and three days away from here, and we're in the middle of harvest. I need to talk with Mom and Anders, but I hope we can do it. It'd be a first for us, but a first for the county, too. The director made sure I knew that. And because it's a purple ribbon, there's no entry fee. Top prize with the state-level purple ribbon is $500.00."

"So both Sebastian and I move onto the next round. I'm in good company."

"Well, you COULD be in good company, but you just had to go and have this evening all to your selfish self, now doncha?"

"Yes. I need to begin my homework for the interview with the board, and good news or bad, your family will want you with them after the vet determines what's up with Mama Dog."

"You and your logical boundaries....."

"Okay, I'll tell you the truth. I WANT to see you, to be with you, but that Cobb Salad was loaded with Bleu Cheese and garlic, and I ordered more on the side. Only gargling with Drano will help. If you walked into this house right now and I breathed in your direction, your skin would melt."

"Fuck me! How'd you get invited to the next round?! Did you kill Emil?"

"He ordered the same thing."

"AHAHAHA! Okay, well, regardless of history homework or halitosis, you get your evening all to yourself!"

"Can we still talk later?"

"Could you stop me?"

"Hmmm.....I can't even think of a reason why I'd want to stop you. Oh-----where in town do you buy fuel? I see different places, but they're all the same price."

"We gas up at Wrangler Mart. It's not even four blocks from your house. We drove by it to and from the fairgrounds. Dee will be working there this time of day. She's the sister of the owner."

"Are she and Lu Barney friends?"

"HAHAHAHA!!! You're scared because I'm not there to protect you!"

"Welllll.....let's just say my Virtue is still intact, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"Your Virtue will remain intact only because you want an evening alone. It's not Lu or Dee you have to worry about....."

"Shanna?"

"Nope. By now she has met at least three Carnies or Tim from Wheatgrass County. He's her male equivalent. She's already forgotten your name, but if you stick around and once the week's over, you'll be fair game again."

"Hmmm.....so my challenge is to keep Tim in town, sounds like."

"I'm not certain he wouldn't find you as hot as Shanna does."

"Anyone with sense thinks I'm hot."

"I'm fine with Shanna, Tim or anyone else thinking you're hot. I'd just prefer it not being reciprocated thinkin'."

"That's not something you will need to have cross your mind. You cross my mind so much, I don't have time or interest in anyone else up in there doing it, too."

"Well, that's about as jealous as I get, Boyfriend."

"Good to know. I'd rather not test your limits with it, knowingly or not."

"Knowing' is the result of successful communication. That's what Mom says. Suspecting' is being lazy, and opening oneself up to self-destruction. Words and Wisdom from `Marie's Almanac'."

"Who am I to disagree? Her wisdom is like her Gazpacho; `ne plus ultra'. Her son is like no one I've ever met."

"Yeah, he's unique. Snores, goofy-looking and an insufferable know-it-all. You DID mean Anders, right?"

"You're close. We'll just let that rest for now."

"Boyfriend, I am liking this conversation, but we can't have one later if we don't end this one first. And I have horses to feed, a prize-winning steer to attend to, and I should go through my closet and decide what I'm going to wear tomorrow when we go to the fair with the other two `Power Couples of Fergus County'."

"I suppose the dress code is more like Hee-Haw' and less like Downton Abbey'?"

"Somewhere in between. And the only leather should be your boots and belt."

"I guess I packed my harness, chaps, jock, gloves, spats, hat and cock ring for nothing."

"Not for nothing; just not for the fair. You'll have more than ample opportunity---as well as requests---to cover yourself with all that leather."

"Oh! The school board interview!"

"You'll definitely make the news if you do that.....I can just see you smacking the chalkboard with your riding crop and growling to the board members, `You WILL submit to my budget requests!!! SUBMIT!!! And FUCK your safe words!'"

"I thought you had animals needing your immediate and undivided attention."

"Meh. Practicing a little self-restraint will only benefit them in their quest to drop a pound or two. But I do need to plug this phone in, Marc."

"Mine, too, Jeff. I'm glad we got an opportunity to talk, but I'm sorry to hear about Lola Cola. I hope she and the pups will be okay."

"As far as the farm is concerned, there's nothing I want or need more at this moment. So thank you. Tomorrow evening, I can maybe have a few moments in the plum orchard behind the exhibition barn to convince you that as far as I am personally concerned, I both want and need something else entirely. Someone else."

"Is it Saturday evening yet?"

"We're getting closer, just like this battery is getting closer to....."

For the sake of being silly, I slid the call closed with a smile on my face. And then, yeah, I did go into the house to plug the daggonned nuisance in for some much-needed voltage.

It was so silent in the house, all alone. For years, I was never alone. Mom and Dad might go somewhere, but Gus or Anders were always with me. And then it was just Anders. Over the past ten or so years, my brothers weren't there. I always hoped Anders would come home, but I think there were only three times that happened---that I could remember. After awhile, I gave up asking Dad and Mom to get Anders to come back to the farm. After awhile, I just gave up having brothers I thought I'd ever see again.

There could be a psychologist or two who might peer deeply in my noggin and find an abandonment issue or two, but both Mom and Dad were so involved in my life, as were Tom and Kristi, that I didn't really feel any longer that Gus' or Anders' absence was my fault. During the early years when I did think that, though.....I lived a dark little life.

A letter to me from Anders would rescue that sinking ship for months. I read them over and over, and to this day, I have every letter Anders ever sent me, stored in a box in my dresser. Between you and me: until this past Sunday, I would still read them. I'm glad I saved them, I'm glad I read them; but I'm glad for the opportunity going forward to enjoy a life with my brother and business partner, and each conversation between us another letter to cherish and save for Eternity.

I noticed in the kitchen Mom had the ingredients assembled for fried chicken. Yum. I never get tired of it, nor does Anders; but `tired' was in my head thinking about today. Right now, Uncle Jeff has it easy; Mom and Anders are in the stressful situation. The chickens were already cut up, and I conspired to lift this task from Mom. I wasn't foolish enough to think I could replicate her success with a recipe, but I'm no slouch in front of a barbecue grill.

I did what I could to prep for that, and went out to check on the horses and Sebastian. I chose to walk out to the pastures to see the cattle, rather than ride the ATV, and take Bolt and Stan along with me. It occurred to me that there's a possibility only the pups will return this afternoon. Damn. I hoped not, of course; but that hope had more to do with how Anders, Mom and I would feel than instant orphanhood for twelve unweaned little dogs. Work your magic, Dad.

I spent another hour in the little pasture, checking on the pregnant cows. They like to graze, but I know the little pasture isn't rich with a variety of grasses. Note to self: bring them alfalfa. Sebastian sidled up to me with his nose at my pocket.

"You don't love me anymore, Sebby. You're just into me for all the carrots and apples you can get. I know how you are. I'll make you a deal: you can have an apple AND a carrot, but you have to promise me you'll help me convince Mom and Anders to let us go to the fair."

I thought I could make a compelling argument for a day or two, but not the entire week of the state fair in Great Falls. I also needed to talk with Ross Sweeney at the Yogo Inn about it. His purchase might be most convenient for him at the same time as the fair, and whether I like it or not, it would take priority. Damn. I'm doing too much `growing up' this Summer.

Once I was satisfied the bigger mammals were all fat and happy, I headed back to the barn and house. OC was curled up on the bale of straw, catching a sunbeam just right. Probably the only really decent rest he's had since he became midwife and uncle on the same night. Good for you, OC; get it while you can. There's a duck heart in your near future, just because.

I heard my phone ring in the house, so I tore off across the barnyard for it. At least my teenaged agility didn't grow up too much that Summer. I still got it answered before the call when to voicemail.

"Hey, Mom; hi."

"Hi, Jeff. Long story short, Lola Cola is in recovery after surgery. She has been spayed and is still under the general anesthesia Sally and LeVar gave her. LeVar performed the operation himself with Sally guiding. Anders and I kept the puppies fed and warm. LeVar gave each of them some time in examination, too. He's happy with their progress and feels confident there is no runt of the litter."

"Wow.....great news all the way around. When does the Farm W Ambulance return with everyone?"

"Anders is staying until Lola Cola wakes up. Her first concern is going to be her pups, and if they're not there, their mom will go ballistic. I'm coming back. Do we need anything from town?"

"No, I don't think so. I'm gonna grill your chickens and give you a rest from the excitement of today. I have the pieces marinating in the fridge now."

"What a good son you are. Thank you."

"I'd like someday for you to say that in front of Anders, and then just glare at him and shake your head while you walk out of the room."

"HA! You two! Okay, I'm on my way back from the clinic. I'm stopping to see Eva for a moment. Since you're such a `good son', I might bring you a treat from there."

"Thanks! Please say `hi' for me. Marc and I are looking forward to going with her and Anders to the fair tomorrow evening. Tommy and Kristi are coming, too."

"Oh; a `triple date'. Good for all of you. I'll tell her you yodeled at her."

We ended the call and I remembered to connect with my boy Tom again.

"What do you want, ya Polish Pickle?"

"I forgot now. You made me want a pickle."

"Yeah, more like you want to give yer pickle. I know you. Uh, kinda serious, though: you doing all right? Ned hasn't been gone all that long yet."

"Thanks. I'm all right, I think. Miss Dad like crazy, though. There hasn't been an hour passed that I haven't wanted to go find him and ask him something. Mom, Anders and I have fallen into our own little routine, though. It works."

"That's good. Must be nice to have your brother back. And he's going to stick around?"

"That's what he says. Said he's not a fan of teaching at all college level. Also, I think he and Eva have reconnected. No one saw that coming. Wish Dad could've seen it, though."

"Kristi and I are looking forward to the fair tomorrow night with them and you and Marc. Didn't meet him Wednesday, but that day wasn't really for saying hello. More about saying goodbye."

"We're looking forward to it, too. Your brother's gonna be pissed you're not going to see him in the rodeo, though."

"Actually, Kristi and I are going to see him. Talked with him a long time today, about our farm. He was pissed he didn't really know much what was going on."

"Did you tell him your folks talked with us?"

"Nope. Don't want to get his hopes up. You know how some people get: the switch is on or it's not, and once it's on, you have to fight it to turn off again. He's trippin' twice as much now, though. His loan didn't go through to buy that little 500 acre place down by Ryegate."

"Heck, he's been talking about that for over a year now. That sucks. What's he gonna do now?"

"Dunno. I think he thought he'd just come back the way Anders came back to your place. Now there's nothing certain about that."

"Yeah.....I get that. Hmmm..... Hey, how's your shoulder?"

"Still sore, but not as much as it was."

"That's good. Hey, um, Sebastian and I got offered to show at the State Fair in Great Falls. Next weekend."

"Heck, yeah! You gonna?"

"I want to. Depends on harvest and everything. Lola Cola got rushed to Sally today. She was bleeding quite a lot."

"Uterine hemorrhaging, probably. Twelve puppies for a first litter, and the bitch is a little underweight for her breed, too. What'd Sally say?"

"You called it, exactly. Sally walked LeVar through his first spay. Lola Cola will be fine now. The pups are all doing great, too. No runt, all alive and healthy. How did you do that?"

"Do what? Diagnose?"

"Yeah."

"I got online and looked up the Bernese breed, and typical health problems. Turns out they're prone to cancer around age five. I'm sure Sally knows that, and probably took some blood to analyze. Lola Cola might be anemic for awhile after this."

"Tom, you were born to be a vet."

"Yeah, well, Mom and Dad agree with you. They're pushy about it, too. I can't really see school happening at this point, Bud. Maybe someday."

"Tommy, I need to go; Mom is coming down the drive now. Anders is staying with the dogs at Sally's for awhile. Listen, I want some `alone time' with you tomorrow."

"Wait, I thought you met someone. Also, sorry, but you're not exactly my type....."

"You fucker! That's hilarious! You're not my type, either! Anyway, we'll talk, all right? Tell your family `hi' from me. Talk later, Bud."

"Later, Freak."

"Fuck off."

I smiled and ended the call. Mom pulled up at her usual parking place at the side of the barn. OC ran out the barn door and to the end of Anders' rig. He stood up on his hind legs, sniffing at the hatch door. Amazing.

"Hey, Mom. What's the outlook?"

"Fairly good for now. Lola Cola got some blood back in her. Her birthing days are over, though. Anders wanted to have her spayed, anyway. That day came. Sally says everything and everyone is okay. Anders is staying with them until Lola Cola wakes up and nurses the pups again. They'll decide if she can come home, or needs to stay the night. What'd I miss here?"

"Not a lot. You weren't gone that long. Oh, is that for me?"

Mom handed me a very tall drink and half of a sandwich.

"Huckleberry Italian Soda with cream, and Eva is once again experimenting. That's a garden sandwich. Cream cheese, sprouts, tomato, lettuce, Greek olives and both lemon juice and fresh oregano."

"Holy damn! Where's the other half?"

"I said you're a GOOD son. I didn't say you're PERFECT. The other half is digesting quite nicely."

"HAHAHA! Okay!"

I took a bite and rolled my eyes in my head. Fuck, yeah, Eva; we will gladly be your lab rats for your experiments. Sounded like Anders and I needed to get busy on the remodel job in her shack. She had a gold mine at the side of the road.

"Mom, you know Tommy's older brother, Trace?"

"Oh, Trace. I haven't seen him in awhile. What's he been up to?"

"He was selling crop hail insurance down Roundup and doing all right, but he's been trying to buy a little 500 acre operation near Ryegate. Bank turned him down. I suspect news got out that the bank here won't take on Jon's farm for another year, so Trace got denied, too."

"I'd like to say you're wrong, but I don't think you necessarily are. If a bank smells someone failing in bankruptcy, word gets around. They'll shut off someone else just to prevent assets like implements suddenly disappearing to other property, whether the C-12 people have a connection with the other land or not. So what's he going to do? Did Tom tell you this?"

"Yeah. We were talking while you were gone. I don't know what he has planned, but it doesn't seem feasible for Trace to come back to his folks' place for work. Trace is bronc riding Saturday. Tom says they really have to watch their money right now, and initially wasn't even going to watch his brother ride. I think I'll treat the six of us to the rodeo. Marc has never been to one, and I don't know if Kristi or Eva have, either. We can take the rodeo in and then wander around the fairgrounds after."

"That's nice of you, and generous. The Sangers have run into a wall, that's for sure. Jeff, I haven't given up thinking about how we could be helpful to them. Trace's situation adds another layer to it."

"Good or bad layer?"

"Wellllll.....good, I think. Tell you what. I'm going to do some reading this afternoon. Might have an idea. And I'm going to give you a homework assignment: Without taking into account what your dad or I would do or think of doing, you come up with a viable plan for the Sanger acreage. Just for one year. Planning for more without seeing their books or crop yields would be a nightmare. Just figure out what to do with their land for a year, and what you'd do if you were running the show."

"Yeah? This sounds like a blast. What's the deadline?"

"Same time tomorrow. I'd caution you not to talk with Tom about any of this; I don't think we should commit to anything right now, particularly on a preliminary basis. Let's just see what would make sense. So; what did you think of the sandwich?"

"Effing incredible. I wasn't prepared to like a vegetarian sandwich, probably because I hadn't had one before. Now I want more! Is Eva gonna run with sandwiches, too?"

"She thinks, and I don't disagree, that she's using the kitchen equipment for baking only a few hours a day. Offering sandwiches, she thinks would sell both afternoons and evenings. She'd need more than this, but I can see it working. I liked it, too. Enough to think I'd have one at least once a week, just of this kind. Who knows what else she'd come up with. Right now, everything is an experiment with that woman."

"Sooo.....do you think there's some experiment thoughts going on in her mind outside of her shack? Because I think Anders would not take any amount of convincing to ask her out on a date, just the two of `em."

"Keep this to yourself?"

"What? And yeah."

"Okay. Eva asked about Anders today. How he's doing. Is he happy to be back. Does it seem like he's going to stay. I've come to the same conclusion you have, but I didn't feed the flames, so to speak. I kind of laid it all on you; I told her I doubted you'd let him leave, now that he's here. You're the scapegoat."

"NICE! No pressure there! Well, for one thing, that's true; he and I are going to get this operation harvested and planted, calves born, equipment maintained and possibly make a non-drastic change or two along the way. We are already talking `business partner' stuff, and thinking years out. So no, he's going nowhere on my watch!

For a second thing, he can't be here for you, me and the farm only. There's a serious gleam in his bright-and-shiny eyes when Eva's name comes up in conversation, or just the words muffin' and coffee' are mentioned."

"You know what? The same with her! When she was asking about him, her smile was so wide and bright, I thought her face would crack and fall apart."

"You think she's okay after the whole Junior Disaster? I don't doubt there's a lot of PTSD trauma she suffered."

"That's not anything we can ask her, nor should we. I know Anders. If they were to ever talk about anything other than puppies and pie, I'd bet an acre of yield that one or both of `em will bring her recent history up. That affected not only Eva, but Anders. He has never talked about it. He has always been the boy in your generation to keep things to himself, no matter how much Swiss cheese it made him emotionally."

"Well, I'll go on record with saying I hope they can at least talk and resolve their connected past, regardless of anything coming of it or not. I WON'T go on record saying to anyone but you: I'd like very much to see a full reunion, resumption of plans for a future together, and as soon as physiologically possible, the Seventh Generation to appear on the scene. We need kids while Anders, you and I still have time to raise them into this operation so there'll someday be an Eighth Generation."

"Jeffrey! Just so we're clear: get it out of your head right now that Eva is going to repeat Lola Cola's progeny proliferation! Next thing you'll say is that she should not only be pregnant in the kitchen, but barefoot, too!"

"Well, you've been in her `Common Grounds' shack kitchen! It's mighty warm in there from all the baking! She'd probably find great relief for her bare feet on a cold tiled floor! I'm just thinking of Eva!"

"HAHAHAHAHA!!! My youngest is a misogynist! Holy fuck, you're silly! HAHAHAHA!!! Just remember: you can put your thinking cap on and figure out a way to bring your own generational contribution to the family farm, too."

"Hmmmm.....well, I'm not seeing any lightbulb going off over my head. Unless Marc hasn't been entirely forthcoming, I don't think we could produce any wee kiddy between just the two of us. I'll have to ask him."

"ASK him'?? You were past the asking stage' on Monday!"

"MOM! Oh, my god!"

"WHAT??! Am I wrong??"

"Well.....no. But I HAVE seen him in running gear, and I'm fairly certain, even in the dark, he wasn't keeping his wallet, keys and bottle of suntan lotion in there....."

"JEFFREY!"

"WHAT??! Am I wrong??"

We both laughed and laughed and tears appeared. We were saved when the house phone rang. Mom reached behind her and answered, a laugh still in her voice.

"Farm W. Marie here. Oh, hi, Lu; how're you? We're all right, thank you. What's going on? Did one of my boys leave another hat or something at the Empire? Oh! Well, that's fine, of course. When are you thinking? Sure, this afternoon is fine. Why don't you just plan on staying for dinner. Jeff is grilling some marinated chicken. No, just bring yourself! Come whenever; we'll be here. Okay; see you, Lu!"

Mom hung up the phone. I was on the edge of my seat with THAT call. To my knowledge, Lu Barney has never called here. And while everyone loves Lu and are friendly with her, she rarely does much outside of work, caring for both of her ailing parents in their home.

"Well, isn't that something. Lu wants to come out and talk with us about.....'something'. Wouldn't say what; sounded like she was still at the Empire. You heard the rest; she's coming out here, and staying for dinner. Your homework assignment has been postponed."

"Has Lu ever been here?"

"Years ago. She and your dad were in school at roughly the same time, and after he and I married, we had a huge shivaree and party right here. That was over 30 years and 30 pounds ago for Lu. She used to be able to hide behind a Number Two pencil. I think she looks great now; you see her and you just think, `That's Lu!' Well, whatever her reason for coming, it'll be good to have her out. Are you marinating all the chicken?"

"Yeah, I am. Those three birds wouldn't last forever in there, and I figured what we don't eat tonight, we can offer The Team a cold lunch tomorrow during their first day. I saw a lot of baby reds in the cellar; I'd help you make a fuck-ton of potato salad, too, if you want."

"Exactly how much is a `fuck-ton', My Youngest? And yes, that's a good idea about including The Team. I like that you think of other people; buying rodeo tickets, feeding hard-working men, picking up lost tourists on the side of the road.....although I suspect that last one was less about kindness and concern and more about your teenaged farm boy hormones. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!"

I stood up from the table and turned to walk outside. I stopped at the kitchen door to the barnyard, turned and said, "You're definitely not wrong."

Mom shrieked and threw her hands over her mouth, and stomped her feet on the floor. We were both laughing so hard, we almost didn't hear Mom's cell ring. We calmed down enough so she could answer, but she was still laughing in her voice, like she did with Lu's call.

"Anders! Hi!"

We were back to sober quiet and anticipation. Over the past week, the three of us had grown accustomed to cell phone conversations and medical emergencies. I was watching Mom's face to register something.....anything.....that would indicate the news she was hearing. She let out a heck of a sigh and looked at the ceiling with obvious relief.

"That's the best news, Anders! Was she all over the puppies when she woke up? HA! I'm not at all surprised! So what goes on now? Okay, of course. Your little brother actually scrubbed out the stall and brought down some new straw. We can make all thirteen of them comfortable, if that's where she'll recover. Lots of towels still here. How are you getting back out on your own? I have your truck. Oh! Well, that's awfully kind and generous! Well, I know you can, but I also know you're going to be worried about them back there in that box. Well, if you change your mind.....oh, right now? Fine. Okay. Hey, on your way back, or call her now, why don't you see if Eva would like to join us for grilled chicken for dinner. Yes. Lu Barney called and is coming out here, too. I don't know yet. Okay, Honey; this is great news! I'm so relieved and glad! See you soon!"

Mom ended the call. I was going to go out and see Sebastian, but I'll catch up with him after dinner. I thought this would be a good opportunity over dinner to mention our offer to show at the state fair. I turned back into the kitchen and headed down to the cellar. I called back to Mom upstairs.

"Do we need anything else from down here, besides the potatoes?"

"Yeah. Grab another jar of mayonnaise, a few yellow onions, and everything else I'll get out of the kitchen garden. Actually.....your potato salad is better than mine. You know, with the dill and lemon vinaigrette you invented. I'll help you instead of the original plan; sound okay?"

I smiled from halfway down the stairs. It was nice to know she really did like my spontaneous potato salad from back in May. Dad said he liked it, too; but I thought they were just being polite. I grabbed the potatoes, some shallots and onions this time, and the little jar of capers I got just for repeating this salad recipe.

This would be an enjoyable project, cooking with Mom. It used to be that we'd all get in on dinner preparation. Some of my earliest memories were of me on the kitchen stool in the corner, watching my brothers and parents laughing and everyone doing something. Then it was just Anders and us, and then just Mom and Dad and me. And finally: Mom, Anders and me, but I knew for a fact we were going to laugh just as much, if not more so, and balance the Silence visited on this house since Sunday.

I went out and got some fresh dill and saw two red bell peppers ready to come in. I'd add those, too. Back in, we got busy. Only a few minutes into the process, we heard Anders coming down the drive in one of Sally's mobile vet trucks. We both stopped and ran out to the barn to help him unload Lola Cola and the pups. Mom got an armful of towels from the barn bathroom and came back to the stall. OC was beyond ready for the Bernese Bunch to return to his diligent watch. Considering this was all possible because he came out to wake me up from my nap, it was clear he was capable of being in charge.

LeVar had driven Anders and the dogs back while on his way to another minor call. Between the four of us, we made Lola Cola and her brood comfortable. She was famished, and made quick work of the calve's liver Mom brought with her from the barn fridge. I got her some fresh water, and Lola Cola was wagging her tail non-stop. She wasn't a fan of the cone collar around her, but if she hadn't figured out yet why it was there, she would soon enough.

Once they were settled in and we were all smiling watching OC nuzzle each of the pups to make sure they were all present and accounted for, LeVar continued with his calls. Mom sent him off with a soft drink from the barn fridge, and as he drove up to the gate, Lu Barney drove in. Her timing was good; we really needed to let Lola Cola and the pups alone for awhile, and with Lu here, we could afford them exactly that.

Lu parked her ancient Willys Overland, once her parents', next to Mom's rig. Lu took very good care of that 65 year old vehicle, and had standing offers from folks to buy it, cash on the spot. Her answer was always the same:

"I can hog-tie and fit five single men in the back of that thing! I can't give it up now! I'm bound to run into all five of `em someday!"

She was all smiles as we welcomed her. She hadn't seen Anders since his return, but as always with Lu, Time has never passed since she last saw someone. She gave him a monster-sized hug, which he accepted and returned gladly. Her fun and flirtatious demeanor was for show only; when she wasn't working, she wasn't exactly playing like most of us see her. The fact that Lu came all the way out here to see us-----for something-----meant `the show was over' for the time-being.

We were still an hour away from me even beginning to get charcoal fired up, which was fine. Mom and I could still get the potato salad going, and talk with Lu while we were at it. And being a farm house, everything and everyone was in the kitchen. Lu didn't even ask; she saw potatoes getting ready to boil. She asked Mom if she could chop the onions.

"Jeff's the chef for this salad, Lu; he'll get you set up."

And I did. A sharp knife, a smaller bowl and a cutting board at the kitchen table. By the time I had everything arranged for her, she was back from washing her hands at the kitchen sink. I showed her the size of the dice was hoping for, and gave her both shallots and yellow onions. I resumed washing and cutting the peppers and dill, and Mom got busy with the brush and potatoes. Anders was playing host, of sorts.

"Lu, since you've been forced into indentured servitude, can I get you something cold to drink?"

"Heck, yeah. A six-pack of Lucky Lager! Orrrr.....some iced tea, if you have it!"

We all laughed, and Anders pulled out four glasses and filled them with ice, pouring tea for all of us. Anders also helped break the ice, too.

"Lu, how was the Empire today? Fair Folk keeping it busy?"

"Oh, my, yes! Since the fair doesn't have breakfast or even much for lunches beyond burgers, we get people from five counties around coming in. I like it when I see people standing and waiting for a table to open up. Dottie's grandkids were helping bus the tables. No one was standing for long. Driving out here and now sitting down are the first I've been off my feet since five this morning.

So, I should tell you why I wanted to come talk with you.....and just be patient with me, because I don't quite understand it all, myself. Wednesday at the funeral, the guy the priest introduced as the bishop? Do you know him?"

Mom, Anders and I shook our heads no'. This was already getting interesting. Just then we saw Eva's car park next to Lu's. Lu waited to continue so Eva didn't walk into a conversation. She bounded through the door with another beer flat box and a broad smile on her face. She greeted everyone, but had a particularly lyrical hi' in her voice when she looked at Anders. Oh, geez. Just hand me the insulin now.

Eva dropped the box off on the stove. We could see what appeared to be a two-layers-tall strawberry shortcake on a platter.

"Marie, can I pop this in your fridge? I just made the whipped cream, and I don't want it to melt."

Mom smiled and nodded.

"Now THAT can't be an experiment, Eva! Are you planning on offering real whipped cream fresh strawberry shortcake?!"

"Only to the people in this room! Remember the croissant catastrophe? The whipped cream was WORSE! I forgot I don't have mixer! I did that with a whisk! NEVER AGAIN!"

We all laughed, and Eva came to the sink to wash her hands. Anders poured her an iced tea, too. Sly fox.....he also pinched off a leaf of mint from Mom's windowsill herb garden and floated it on top of Eva's glass.

"What's my job here? Looks like you're prepping for potato salad!"

I had nothing for her to do, really, so I motioned Mom to sit at the table by Lou, since she's the one who answered the phone when Everyone's Favorite Waitress called. Eva took over scrubbing and cutting the potatoes into quarters, skin intact.

"Lu, we don't know the bishop. That's actually the first time I've seen him. I was familiar with his predecessor."

Eva stopped cutting potatoes and turned around, wide-eyed.

"Wait! What about him?! Did he talk with you, too, Lu??"

"YEAH! You, too!? Wasn't the weirdest thing?!"

"It WAS! I mean, what do you wear to something like that? What are the rules?"

Anders, Mom and I were perplexed, to say the least. Whatever these two were talking about, we had no clue.

"And then when he said it was in a few months, I was like, `how do I do this?! I can't just take time off for a week in Italy! I don't even have a passport! And like you said: what do you wear? Can you like borrow something from one of those guys in the red gowns always floating around in that Vatican? I barely slept that night! I still don't know what to think! That's why I'm here, Marie. What do you think??"

"What do I think about what?! You and Eva are in on something I can't begin to figure out! So the bishop talked with both of you?"

"Yeah, but he got Lu, first, I think; I was outside and headed to my car when he called over to me."

"I didn't even make it out the door and he was on me like white on rice! I mean, it was flattering and all, but really; I have no idea what to do! Do you, Eva?"

"Heck, no! A bishop wanting one of us is one thing, but wanting both of us together?? I've never heard of this before!"

Mom was so thoroughly confused.

"One of you has to start at the beginning here.....all I can figure out is something excited both of you, and you both have sharp knives in your hands, waving them around. Get something out before one of us gets something cut off!"

Lu took a deep breath and looked at Eva, who just shrugged and smiled. Lu was off and running.

"Okay, sorry; I thought I was being clear about it, but you're right, I'm excited. So, the bishop caught up with me after the funeral and I was about to head out the door and run across the parking lot to the Empire. He wanted to tell me he liked the pieces Eva and I did. Well, that was nice, and I thanked him for saying so. Then he asked me where I perform. I told him I sing to a sold-out, standing-room-only crowd every day-----in my shower. Well, THAT turned him red, so I brought it back down.

Long story short, he was impressed. Not just me, but both of us, Eva and me. Right. So, anyway, he's part of some bishop club or something that's putting on a show to take to the Vatican for Christmas. I don't think he means a touring Broadway show, either! He pulled his business card out of a pocket and handed it to me, and asked me to please call him to talk more about this. So, I did. Yesterday. Eva, is that how it went for you, too?"

"Almost exactly! Apparently he's in charge of getting singers and other musicians organized for this shin-dig over in Rome. I don't know what it's about, but since it's late December, I suspect it's something Christmas-related. Anyway, he wants Lu and me to go with the others from America. TO SING FOR THE POPE! Can you believe that?!"

Mom, Anders and I just sat there with our mouths open. Two women from a small town, but with huge talent, were being requested to perform at the Vatican for the new pope, and those two women were cutting up vegetables for a salad that all of a sudden seemed like it had taken on epically holy proportions. In OUR kitchen; like it was the new manger scene or something. Wow.

"So, that's why I called, Marie; I can't begin to put this together. Yeah, I don't know what to wear, but I can figure that out. This bishop guy wants us to perform the same pieces we did for Ned's funeral. That part makes sense. We have time to practice, but we'll have to find a place; I don't have a piano. Do you, Eva?"

"No.....but I bet we could do it at St Leo's, since that's where we did it the other day. I can work around your schedule, I'm sure."

"We can figure that out. But my problem isn't really with the music or what to wear; it's about the whole religious thing! I don't know anything about any of it, really! My parents were Quakers, and there's not a lot of instruction that goes on in it. Lots of meditation and reflection, and that's all good and well, but I think it's like the old saying: `When in Rome.....'

We'll be IN ROME, so I need to know some things. For instance: Jesus, I know who that is, had a mom, but not a dad? God was the dad, but he didn't have sex with his wife?"

Mom had a look on her face like she wanted to help, but doing so might require crayons and lots of paper. Mom very carefully and slowly gave Lu a rudimentary explanation about how it all went down. Lu didn't judge, disagree or anything, but move her head up and down like she was trying to picture it in her mind.

"Um, okay.....and then there's something I saw at Ned's funeral. The priest and the bishop were behind that big table, right, and then they held up the big, gold wine glass and also what looked like a smaller pizza crust. Something about, this wine is the blood of Christ.....' I was like, that was a long time ago! How'd they keep it fresh, and why doesn't it run out after so long?'

Anyway, the next part is what kinda threw me. So.....Jesus is the bread, right?"

Mom paused a moment and responded.

"Yes. That is what we believe."

"And he rose?"

"Also yes."

"Was that from the yeast.....?"

I had been taking a drink of tea at that moment, but it didn't stay in my mouth; oh, no! Not at all! It went flying across the space between Anders and me, and I douched him properly with it. Holy fuck, I hadn't heard anything so hilarious in my life, and it wasn't supposed to be funny! Poor Lu Barney.....now Mom, Eva, Anders and myself were roaring with laughter, and Lu just looked around at us like she just discovered a booger had escaped her nose and was dangerously close to sliding into her mouth.

Because there was nothing else to do but join us, Lu began laughing. She has a very unique and singular laugh, and hearing it just made the rest of roar more. It was all a chain reaction, and in only a moment, Mom had the box of Kleenex from the counter behind her, passing it around to five people who truly needed the benefit of its contents.

After we finished laughing and all started breathing normally again, Mom leaned forward and pulled Lu into a hug.

"Lu Barney, bless your soul, you've suddenly made this day perfect! Let's continue with this potato salad, and we'll try to answer what we can. I promise you, though: you are being given an honor that not even big Las Vegas celebrities could dream of. Both of you. Whether you realize it or not, you're Montana's own Susan Boyle."

"Oh! I remember her! I saw that show! HOLY FUCK! I need to get my eyebrows done!!!"

Again, we lost it. May we never get it back!

The rest of the afternoon and evening went well. The potato salad and chicken were good, if I may say so myself. After we ate and relaxed, and before diving into that incredible short cake, we took Lu over to see the puppies. She was enrapt and of course wanted to adopt all of them-----until Anders told her they'd all grow to be as large or larger than their mom.

"Oh. I'll stick to my little fish tank, I think....."

A breeze picked up, indicating the Sun was waning in its influence on the weather. The dessert Eva brought was incredible. She sprinkled rum on the shortcake before topping with strawberries and another layer of each. It was a perfect treat. We ended the evening with Mom assuring both Eva and Lu that she'd be happy to assist with guiding them in something appropriate to wear, although it would be possible they'd both be in choir robes supplied by St Peter's Basilica.

It would be worth a call to the bishop, and since both of them had his card, they shouldn't hesitate to call him with any logistical questions. Mom also offered to help with the application process for passports. All of us in the family had them, and both Dad and Mom believed they were a good thing for all Americans to have.

With hugs all the way around, Lu Barney got back in her big, ancient Willys and drove back to the county road, honking and waving once off the property. My gosh. This was the real Lu; not the caricature of herself she presents at the Empire. Here was brilliant and brilliantly humble talent, being whisked across the planet to sing for the new pope, without ever having had a lesson. Don't let anyone tell you nothing happens in Fergus County.

Eva stayed a little longer, talking about how well Kim was doing running `the front end' of the shack, as Eva called it.

"Right now, we're sharing the big bedroom at the back end of the trailer, but I need to figure out how to either make that her place alone, or find her something in town that's her own space. She's magic! I don't want her to run back to Helena because she was getting crowded working with me."

I gently kicked Anders under the table, and then looked up at the kitchen ceiling like I'd just spotted a butterfly or something. I looked over at him and he just glared at me, but with that tiny little glint in his eyes that told me he knew what I had just done, and `got it'. I hoped he did. FOUR BIG ROOMS UPSTAIRS, Anders! TWO BIG BATHROOMS TOO, Anders! Geez! Would I have to take a sledgehammer upside his head to whack some sense into him?!

The kitchen was clean, and the potato salad and grilled chicken were on big platters in the barn fridge, ready for The Team tomorrow. Eva just never stopped smiling, and as it were humanly possible, she doubled her dazzlin' whenever she looked at Anders. That made Mom smile. Yeah, yeah, yeah.....big whoop. All I cared about, really, was the dogs being okay. We walked Eva to her vehicle. We all got hugs, but of course, she saved the best for my big brother. She got in, but before turning the motor on, she shared an offer.

"If you'd like to, call your harvesters and tell them the best drip coffee in the county and fresh-baked muffins are my treat tomorrow on their way out here. I think they'll be good repeat business while they're working this part of the county!"

Anders agreed and smiled, and told her he'd call them in a few minutes.

I forgot to mention Sebastian at dinner, but considering how the conversation went, mentioning my big guy would've been disappointingly out of context. I'll save him for just the three of us. I was going out to the barn to secure the net around the stall, just in case Barn Owl could sense injury and think that gave her additional opportunity. Thus far, we had detente between her and Old Cat. May it ever be thus, You Two.

Walking back, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I answered while seeing the Sun begin its kiss with the horizon. `That late already?', I thought. What a day. And what a perfect time for my boyfriend to call.

"Hi, Babe."

"Oh! I like that even more than `Boyfriend', although I'll answer to both. At least, when YOU call me either or both of those."

"Hmmm.....I could save time with `Babefriend', although that sounds like a Disney movie sequel title. How're you doing? I didn't expect to hear from you this evening."

"Why not?"

"Well, you said you wanted some time to yourself in your new old home. And I said I understood. And then you said,"

"I KNOW what I said, Jeffrey!"

"STILL NO!!!"

"Oh, c'mon. It's cute! Almost as cute as you are!"

"Please. Nothing is that cute. I think even Shanna and Tim would agree."

"Ugh.....those two again. So how was your day?"

"It was a good day. Oh: Lola Cola is fine. She was spayed, the injury repaired, and she's back here with her pups. They're all doing well, according to Sally and LeVar. God, that was scary.....I was having anxiety flashbacks with that piggybacking on top of Dad's emergency Sunday."

"I don't doubt that. I'm glad your day went well."

"How has yours been? Were you able to loosen your belt after eating three meals so early in the day?"

"Oh, yeah. I was fine, really. I didn't eat much for breakfast. I just wanted coffee. Marie's pre-lunch lunch was perfect. The Cobb Salad was big and very good, but we talked throughout and after lunch. I digested that while we digested the job responsibilities. Lots of digesting today."

"Sounds like a good day. What are you listening to on that old radio? I can hear something....."

"`The Divas' playlist I created. Singers from the 30s to the 70s, all women, all good vocalists. I'm sure you'd recognize some of them. It's a nice way to unwind and relax. My shoes are off, and my feet are up on the coffee table. Only a soft light or two are on in the den. Oh, and the one at the front door."

"You said you wanted a nice, quiet evening, and I'll be danged, you definitely got one. Good for you."

"It's a quiet evening, but not a nice, quiet evening."

"What? Why not `nice', too?"

"Because the coffee table is crowded with feet, a glass of root beer, and another glass of 7-Up. And I don't drink 7-Up."

"Then why'd you pour it?"

"Because my Babefriend drinks it."

"Wait.....are you....."

"Waiting for you? I am."

"I.....oh, wow. Geez. Marc....."

"Jeff.....one last thing, though."

"What?"

"Bring your toothbrush."