Chapter 18 #2
“That’s right. That boy has given me more sleepless nights than any of my children.
I should have known what a pain in my ass he’d be when I brought him home from the hospital and he got colic before he was even a week old.
I couldn’t eat anything but bananas, apples, and oatmeal for three weeks until his stomach calmed down.
After that he treated me like a buffet every two hours like he had an internal alarm system. ”
“You should have taken him back to the market before his return window expired.”
“I thought about it, but he was awfully cute even though he barely let me sleep for the first three months of his life. You’d think that after raising so many kids I’d be immune to sleep deprivation, but that boy took it to another level.
And then, just as I got him past colic, he started teething, and that was a whole new adventure.
Then he started running, not walking, running, and it never stopped.
If he could climb it, he did. If he could jump off of it, he did.
If he could swing it or throw it, he did that, too, usually aimed at one of his brothers. ”
“Your testimonial would make for a good condom commercial.”
Ma hooted with laughter. “And then the boy up and left me for the Army, and I stopped sleeping again. He finally got home safe, and I was almost caught up on sleep when he got sent to prison and my sleepless nights started all over again.”
“And now he’s stuck in the county jail.”
“How did you find out he was in county?”
“I called and asked if he’d been booked. They said he hadn’t been yet, but they expected to book him soon, which is more information than they had to release since they don’t have to take him in front of a judge for forty-eight to seventy-two hours before they have to let him go.”
“Same with Duke?”
“He’s in there, too, although I’m sure they’ve got them separated.”
“If he gets in trouble for whatever they think he’s done, will you stick around and wait for him?”
I noticed lights coming down the road and watched the car speed closer while I thought about her question. Honestly, it didn’t require much thought. I’d felt it for weeks now, even if I’d never said it aloud.
I, Starla Jean Ready, was head over heels in love with Sarge Brick.
Right now that love was being tested in a way I never imagined, considering both of us had made it our life’s mission to avoid prison. We felt uncomfortable even driving past the huge federal prison Leavenworth was known for, but I wasn’t afraid.
I wasn’t afraid of losing him because deep down I knew I never would.
Even if, God forbid, he was convicted of a crime, I’d still love him with all of my heart, and that would never change.
I had faith in Sarge I’d never had in anyone before, other than Ma, which made sense since they were cut from the same cloth.
“I’m in love with your son, Ma, and no matter where either of us are, that love will stay as strong and steady as it is right now.
I don’t know how he feels about me, especially since we haven’t been together long .
. .” My voice trailed off as I laughed. “We haven’t even been on an official date yet.
Every time we try, something comes up and we push it off for a few days before something else comes up. ”
“That’s the way of this life, Starla, but you’re ready for it.
Between the weather and the animals, along with the critters and insects that want to munch on everything we plant, your lives will always be pulled toward this land.
That’s why it’s important that you love it even more than the life it offers you, which is just a little less than you love the man who stands beside you looking out over it.
Graham wants to do that with you, and it’s only out of sheer stubbornness and dumbassery that he hasn’t dropped to one knee and begged you never to leave him while he professes his undying love for everything about you. ”
“What happened yesterday proved that the life that makes us so full and happy is never guaranteed.”
“And it’s never going to be smooth either, I can attest to that.
I loved Pa more than caramel sauce on my ice cream, but I lost him and had to find a way to go on without him by my side.
Someday you might have to go on without Graham in your life, but just like I was when I lost Pa, I had the family around to hold me up until I could stand up straight and face the world again. ”
“I love your family, Ma. Every one of them is important to me.”
“They’re not just my family, sweetheart. They’re yours, too, and they always will be.”
“I love that, but I still want to have Sarge by my side.”
“He will be, honey. Have faith in my boy. I do, and that isn’t easily won.”
“I’m still shocked that you have faith in me, but not surprised at all that you’re behind Sarge every step of the way.”
“I have faith in you because I see the woman I was years ago, ready to take this land on along with all the responsibilities that come with it. You’ve got ideas to make things run smoother than they ever have, and the brains to make them happen.
Someday, when I’m long gone, you’ll sit on the porch with your own grandchildren laughing beside you and tell them how this farm is in their blood and they should be proud of their history and the life we lived to bring them to that day. ”
Trying to lighten the mood, I said, “You’ll have to get the G’s to settle down soon if you want me to have grandchildren to snap beans with.”
“Dealing with the Brick boys is a lot like working on the farm. Keep your focus on one thing at a time and work through everything that needs your attention until it’s too dark to work anymore.
Right now it seems cloudy because of what’s hanging over our heads, but the sun will shine again soon.
And since you’ve agreed to take on Sarge, I’ll be able to move onto my next task. ”
“And what’s that?”
“I’ve got a few pots simmering on the stove, darlin’. I’ll figure out which one is closest to ready and let you know.”
The car that had been driving down the road didn’t pass the gate. Instead, it turned in and headed down the gravel path to the house.
“Who could that be so late . . . or so early in the morning?”
“I can’t see the car, but I don’t think it’s any of the family. Maybe Sarge or Duke got released and hitched a ride home.”
“I think they had their phones on them when they got taken in, so I’m sure they’d call one of us.”
We stayed seated on the porch steps until the vehicle turned at the curve and parked in front of the main house.
I had just stood and reached for Ma’s hand when she let out a shout of excitement.
“Starla, you’re about to meet a few of my very favorite people, and with them here, there’s no doubt in my mind that Sarge and Duke will be home by dinner. ”