Sherman was now 14 years old, he held hard against moving to the growing town of Big Springs but it eventually became his town that he loved just as much but not quite as Hannibal. His Uncle Tommie became as close a father as he ever had and like his mother had said, he went to work at his veterinary office and at first it was little things like keeping the office tidy and running errands around town. Sometimes his uncle would let him go with him out to a farm with him to help with a crusty old cow or bull or horse. He did learn even more about horses, how to take care of them health wise and he remembers one day that he'll never forget.
He was sweeping the office and watching the dirt fall through the cracks on the old wooden floor mostly out of boredom, he was thinking that there is nothing as boring as being in that old animal hospital right now, only good thing was getting to go with his Uncle out to the farms with the horses and cows but that was...just then the door swings open and in walks in Uncle, a tall man like his brother was but that was almost the only thing like them that there was.
Another man was behind him holding a young calf, The man looked to be about 40 something and the calf was a carrying on braying like a stuck mule and another man was behind him, he was dresses in fine city clothes and carrying a medical bag then Tommie Potter says, "Sherman, this is Mitchell Blake and Dr. Gerald Hamilton. The cow belongs to Mitchell, once in a while they bring in a calf or a young cow for me to do some operating on.." Dr. Hamilton then says, "We do that young man in hopes that when we do some research on these animals we can help human beings"
Sherman looks into the young, soft eyes of the little calf and sees that it is begging for help and Sherman asks, "What's wrong with him?" His uncle says, "Look at his ankle" Sherman looks down and sees the puffiness around the hoof then says:
"Poor little fella" Mitchell Blake shakes his head and says, "We've tried the most usual routes to take and nothin' will work, do you think you can help doc?" Tommie shakes his head then says, "Going to give it my best shot Mitchell, just hold tight" Tommie takes the young calf from him then says to Sherman, "You're going to have to help me Sherman, my usual helper Berstein had to stay home with his ailing mother" Sherman shakes his head then says, "Coming!"
Sherman thinks, 'I'm going to help in a operation! Things are looking up!' Sherman throws the old broom against the wall and goes running down the hall to the room that his Uncle uses to do operations.
{
A few days later, Sherman was in a good mood. He was doing more it seemed since the calf operation, his uncle gave him more responsibility and Sherman felt prouder than a horse winning first prize at the fair. That day he was going to the hospital for people, Big Springs Health-wise hospital . It was a much bigger hospital than the one in Hannibal...it actually had two floors! Sherman went in and looked around at the nurses running around, doctors with their charts or conferring with another and he smells the medicine in the hall and somehow he feels right at home for some reason.
He goes up to a large wooden desk and he asks a nurse, "I'm here to see Dr. Hamilton. I got some papers for him" She then says, "Dr. Hamilton's office is down the hall but he might not be in there, he's due to do surgery in 30 minutes" Sherman shakes his head then says, "I understand" He turns and goes down the hall and knocks on the first door that has a sign that says 'Dr. Hamilton' and it opens and there stands Dr. Hamilton and he says..."Oh...Sherman?" "Yes sir, my uncle wanted me to bring these papers over to you" Dr. Hamilton takes the files, opens it and reads it and smiles then says, "Sherman, I've been meaning to talk to you...walk with me, I'm due in surgery in a little bit and I want to talk" Sherman walks right with him and he says, "You were very good helping your Uncle the other day and you are just a good boy all around, you do your duties...how would you like to work around here? Sherman starts to say something but then Dr. Hamilton says, "Oh, I know you still work for your Uncle and I respect that but I just mean for a few days around here...just doing odd and ends"
Sherman smiles and says, "Yes sir! I would like that" "Good, good, I got to go now. You take care of yourself and say hello to your Uncle" "Yes sir" Dr. Hamilton walks on down to surgery and Sherman stands in pride and looks around.
[
Back in the first week of November of 1965, a voice brings Sherman out of his memories...Jerry who was playing cards with them the other night, comes running up and yells, "Walter! Walter!" Radar comes out on the porch, looks around then asks his friend, "What is it Jerry?" "I thought I would come get you and Sunshine if she wants to come see. The house across from me just opened up...the real estate lady is still there if you guys want to come see. Were you serious about moving here?" "Yeah, I guess we better since I took that job at the station" "Well, come on!"
Radar turns around and calls, "Sunshine! Come out here please!" Just then Sherman stands up from the swing and says, "Jerry, could you excuse us please?" "Yeah, sure"
Jerry walks to the end of the walk and Sunshine and Mildred comes out just as Sherman asks Radar , "Um, I would consider it a honor Radar...Walter...if, uh, you would call me 'Pop'. You don't have to if you don't won't to but ..."
Radar looks at Sunshine who smiles and tears are in Mildred's eyes and Radar says, "Why, it would be the best thing to do...Pop" They all smile and cry while Radar and Sherman shake hands and hug then Mildred says, "And you best call me mother" They all laugh and Sunshine says, "We wouldn't have it any other way" Radar then says, "Well, the reason I called you out there is, well, Jerry came over to tell us that the house across from him is up for sale now and well, we can go take a look" Sunshine smiles and says, "Oh, Walter! Let's go see! Our own home!" Radar laughs and says, "We ain't even looked at it yet !" Mildred then says, "Oh hush, all women want there own homes, someplace to put a nail in any place they will see fit!" They all laugh and Radar says, "Come on Pop! let's go see! Jerry, lead the way!"
All five of them go across the street and around the corner to see Radar's new home in Hannibal.
A/N-Please leave reviews ! That leads me to write the next chapter even quicker !
