Читать книгу The Reincarnation of Clara - Kevin J. Todeschi - Страница 23

Everett Stuart had built his two-story log farmhouse in 1920. At the same time, he had constructed a barn, a wood-shed, an outhouse, and a chicken coop. Since then he had added some more fencing for the cows, goats and sheep, as well as a penned duck enclosure. Sweet potatoes, wheat and corn were his main crops, but Mabel insisted on a steady supply of tomatoes for canning, and no farm was complete without peach, cherry, apple and apricot trees. The oak tree he had planted after the house had been completed had grown a great deal in the last ten years—big enough to support a swing for the children, and Mabel had done her best to dress up the house with lace curtains, an annual flower box outside the kitchen window, and several Dorothy Parker rosebushes leading up to the front door.

Out in the wheat field, Everett Stuart appeared a good ten years older than his mid-fifties—rugged and worn from his years in the sun. He walked behind the plow and enormous horse, listening to his father, Grandfather Stuart, who walked beside him. The elderly man smoked his ever-present pipe and spoke as the two followed behind the horse.

“Son, I think you need to start thinking about Clara’s education. She’s got a lot of talent, that girl, and I’m certain Samaria City ain’t gonna have the resources that child needs. We got to figure out how to help her now so that things are set before she graduates.”

Everett shook his head, the sweat dripping from his brow; “Dad, she’s only eleven. We don’t have to worry about it right now. Why aren’t you worried about Benjamin or Jason, or Christ, even Emily—Emily’s three years older than Clara!”

“It ain’t the same, son,” the elder man spoke between draws on his pipe, “the boys will find their own way, and Emily is strong enough to do whatever she sets her mind on. It’s Clara we gotta be thinking about.”

Everett shook his head again; “Dad, the truth is Clara has always been your favorite . . . always!” Everett turned to look his father in the eye. “Clara will do just fine. After she graduates, she’ll find herself a good husband and have her own family. You’ll see.”

“It might turn out a little differently than you’re planning.” Grandfather Stuart stared out over the field and sighed.

“What’s the hurry, anyway? We can talk about this a few years from now when Clara’s older.”

“I ain’t gonna be around for that, son. I was just hoping to get things settled before I’m gone.”

“Oh, Dad, you’ll be here.” Everett turned back to the plow and his mind returned to what he had been doing.

Grandfather Stuart had no reply.