Reunions & a Package From Europe
15
Sunday morning the first truck arrived from Kidmans Lumber with Sam Lee driving, in the cab with him was his wife Chris and their 2 children Mary and Jessie. "We managed to get out ahead of the snow last night but the rest should be here soon. Joe said there's probably 3 or 4 more trucks and he and his family will be driving the last 1 out. He says he hopes you're prepared for around 20 people, mostly families, though some of the singles are driving down together in their cars." he said hugging everyone. "Roy put the Lee's in one of the trailers and help them get settled in. Sunday service is about 4:30 and Dinner starts as soon as its over but there'll be breakfast sandwiches and hot drinks in the commisary in a few minutes, I said as Lizzie started for the Community hall with some of the women. The second truck pulled up about 20 minutes later. By the time the service began 2 more trucks had arrived. One of the men said Joe and Lonnie were finishing up when they'd left and shouldn't be much longer if the roads stayed open. The rest of those who were coming were following them. ***** After an unusually high number of footstomping hymns David had just begun his sermon with a promise it would be a short one when the doors opened and the rest of Kidman's people filed in quietly. "We're Glad you all made it safe and sound, please come sit down. Joe your family saved you a seat up here". "Thanks David but since we've already interrupted can I say something first?' "When I went by the house this morning there was a letter waitng for Dad - you know what they say; neither wind, nor rain, nor-----anyway it was postmarked from back East so I thought it might help shed some light on what's going on in the world and he would want to share it with you so I brought it along" he said handing an envelope to his Dad as he stood up. Joe winked at David and said, "Oh and there was also a package waiting." "OH MY GOD! WES." Trisha screamed as he walked in. "I think we're finished here so let's close with How Great Thou Art On page 137 of the All Faith Hymnal and go eat." David said. ***** "You guys knew about this didn't you?" I said "Alright I admit it. Sam told Joe when he got here but swore him to secrecy and Joe came to me so I could be ready and go along. They actually had to park around the bend and wait 10 minutes until they got the cue to come in. I thought Joe was going to cave a couple of times." "I just thought he was getting nervous because it was getting late." "I was." Joe said walking up with Sue and the kids and setting their trays down on the table. "I was beginning to think they weren't going to make it. I didn't hear the trucks." "Is it alright if we take something back with us for Wes and Trish when we go, we've convinced the kids they need some alone time." ***** It was about 8:00 when Trisha came in with Wes; she glowed as they walked up to our table and hugged the kids. "Everyone this is my son Master Sgt Wesley Kidman. He is/was an intelligence operator in Bejing and managed to make it home on one of the last military flights out of Europe. He has a lot to tell you but give him a couple of days with his family first - he's been gone a long time." "Honey, I'll introduce you to everyone later but for now just know these are the people who have made me believe in miracles." "Dad we're going to grab some plates and go back to the house; you guys can come anytime you're ready - but Wes wants the kids to come now if they're done eating." "We'll be right there Sweetie." He said and yelled for Little Joe. "How many trailers you got left?" he asked . "4, two 4 bedroom and 2 three bedroom do you have any suggestions?" "Take care of it Joe, the ones who got here before church are already settled in for the night. Then send the rest who are married or have children to Ms Jo at the house; the others can hit the bunk house tonight. Take care of it now so she can relax." "Have everyone gather here after breakfast and we'll get them settled in permanently somewhere and into a work routine and then we'll see about getting some housing built." "Goodnight." ***** I was leaving to go back to the house when David came back in. "Where'd you take off to?" I asked. "Bobby and I walked Cora and Mother Judy over to the cabin . They insist they're staying in their own place tonight. To quote them; it's warm, it's safe, it's comfortable, and it's their home." "But they didn't get the electric hooked up did they, and what about the water?" "Water's on; it still works from when your parents turned it into a play house when you were a kid and had a bathroom put in for your sleep overs and Cora confiscated a couple of lanterns. The boys can finish up everything else tomorrow." "Good as long as they're happy. Find Lizzie and meet me at the house will you and let whoever's on patrol know they're over there." "Done and Done. Come on I'll walk you home." ***** "Lizzie says she's taking care of everything upstairs and she put fresh sheets on your bed too, I took an old tea pot with some tea and cookies over to the cabin for the ladies and checked to make sure they had everything they needed so you can relax. Mike is checking the fire in the smoke house and then he''ll be on in, he says if you come in or I decide to go to bed before he gets back to tell you we want to talk to you guys tomorrow and everyone else has already called it a night." "Thanks Starr." "You know, you really need to slow down woman. You make me tired just watching you." "I think it would take an act of God or The Goddess to slow either one of you down. I'm going up and help Lizzie - I assume that's what you had in mind when you brought me over here - you just weren't planning on Lizzie starting without you." I poured some coffee and sat down by the fire for a minute then went in to my room to bathe and change. By the time I came out everyone seemed to have gone to their beds for the night. Mike had come in and he and Starr had gone upstairs. Lizzie and David had also left. ***** After a couple of hectic days everything seemed to be settling down into a routine. Starr and Lizzie and of couple of the wives in Joe's group had switched everyone around and all the families with children were now in the trailers. Penny had moved her things over to the house as had several other women from the coven freeing up 2 more 4 bedroom trailers. The outside stairs were finished and Andy had brought some non skid strips down to make them and the bridge safer. They had also covered the bridge for Cora and Mother Judy to help keep the snow and rains off and the electricity had been connected. The bunkhouse was finished, we now had 20 private rooms opening into a common hall like a college dorm and the men were working on the houses. I was sitting in the office with Starr and Penny on Thursday when Cora came in. "I need to go over to the store to pick up some things like soup and stuff so Mother Judy said I should stop in here first and get a voucher. She also said I need to send Penny upstairs to get herself and that room all prettied up; she's got company coming today." "Well you heard the lady, Penny. Go. We'll finish up here and tell your Mom and Lizzie."
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