Page 15 of Forever with the Farmer's Daughter
“Good thing we all like pickles because I have a feeling there’ll be plenty in the cellar.”
“Is Jane already starting her canning?” Theresa asks as she returns with our order.
Kenny smiles as he takes his plate from her. “She is and she’s teaching Aubrey how to as well.”
“How is that sweet girl of yours?”
I smile as Theresa places my plate in front of me. Seems Aubrey has made an impression on everyone she’s met.
“She’s doing great. Six weeks until she reaches her due date.”
As Theresa places Craig’s meal in front of him she says, “Well you say hi to her and your folks for me. You boys enjoy and let me know if you need anything.”
Each of us offers Theresa our thanks before digging into our meal.
While the guys and I eat lunch, several people stop to say hello, but on our way out of the diner, we run into the man who started me on the path I took after graduation. Sergeant James Franklin, the father of one of my classmates and my recruiter. Sergeant Franklin had spoken to our class about the benefits of joining the service. I was so excited about everything he said, I went home that night and talked to my parents and brother about enlisting after graduation. It was one of the most serious discussions we had ever had as a family, but in the end, they could see it was exactly what I needed to do. Yes, being in the military took me away from them, but the skills I learned and the opportunities I had are something I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else.
As Sergeant Franklin approaches he smiles and offers me his hand. “Cam Hutchinson.”
I grip his hand returning his greeting. “Sarge, it’s good to see you.”
“You too,” he says as he takes on his military stance, feet grounded, arms crossed over his chest. “You in on leave?”
“No sir, I’m home for good.”
“Is that so?
“Yes, sir. How about you? You still running the recruitment office?”
He waves his hand. “Nah, I officially retired a couple of years ago. The wife and I spend most of our time travelling to see the kids and grandkids.”
“Good for you. Say hello to them for me next time you see them.”
“I will,” he says before moving the conversation along. We talk for a little while catching up on family and things that have happened in both of our lives. “It was good to see you, Cam. If you get a chance, stop by the American Legion sometime, I’m sure there are plenty of guys there who’d like to see you.”
I smile at his invitation. “I just might do that. You take care, Sarge.”
“You too. Cam, boys,” he says as he throws Craig and Kenny a wave.
As Sergeant Franklin steps inside the diner, Kenny, Craig, and I climb back into the truck and head back to the farm.
Sittingon the front porch I move the rocking chair back and forth at a leisurely pace as the sun begins to set in the western sky. The screen door creaks as Craig steps outside and joins me taking a seat in the empty rocker on my left. We sit silently for a few minutes, each taking time to reflect on the day in our own way.
“You know, I’ve seen the sun rise and set in different places all over the world in the last eight years, but there’s nothing quite like watching it from our front porch.”
Craig nods in agreement. “Can’t argue with you there.”
After much internal debate, I ask Craig the one question that’s been on my mind lately. “So, you and Samantha never…” I let the question linger in the air unfinished as he tilts his head, brow raised in question.
“Dated?” Not exactly what I was thinking, but I give a single nod of my head, and he continues. “No. I’ve gone out with her a few times when she needed a plus one for an event or someone to keep guys in check when she wanted to go out for a drink or listen to the local band, but it was all perfectly innocent. Are you thinking of asking her out?”
“Maybe, but I wanted to make sure there wasn’t anything between the two of you first.”
Craig shakes his head. “Nothing to worry about there.” We sit a few more minutes in silence before Craig gets to his feet. “I think I’m going to turn in.”
“Yeah, I’m not far behind you.”
As Craig pulls open the screen door, he stops. “Hey Cam, if you do decide to ask Sam out, be good to her, she’s had a rough couple of years.”
