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Chapter 40
Just for today I was going to be a farm hand for the day. The only thing I know about farms was really from t.v. and some internet articles. So, I was a bit lost on how to deal with it. Even the way Angela describe it to me was a bit strange. It basically came down to handling feed for Mr. Baker.
When I came outside to the barn, he greeted me with a good morning. He already backed up his truck to his special trailer. Which happens to be a very long one. I also met Angela by the barn entrance as well. And once again she explains it in much detail to me.
"Hey Mark, so my dad already has his trailer hooked up and backed in."" Now I'm not sure how much he is taking, but I'm sure he'll let know. "" Also, these are regular cube bales of hay are mostly dried compact pressed grass. They have a few strings to keep them together."
"So, these things are they big or small?
"Well I think my dad is taking the 2x4 bales."" So, weight wise they could be anywhere to 40 to 50 pounds each."
"Huh well that doesn't sound too bad."
"Well at first I suppose, but please don't exert yourself too much ok."
"I won't Angela."
"Good then I'll see you by the end of the day."
"Thanks Angela, also try and get in a good day with TJ." As Angela was walking away she did turned around to me and gave me a happy nod in return.
It wasn't too long after that till Mr. Baker came out to greet me. "All right Mark, I'll go easy on you for today since this is your first time."
"That's ok sir, I don't mind the hard work."
"Very well then let's get too it."
For the next hour or so Mr. Baker showed me what to take. We started out taking about ten bags of dried feed. Each of these bags weighed at least 50 to 75 pounds apiece. For every bag Mr. Baker took to get in his trailer, I have already moved two of them with much ease. He did compliment me about my strength and stamina that I displayed with much approval.
But we continued on as usual. Next, he had me stacking his short bales of hay. To me they looked like rectangles. For the most part we moved closed to a few hundred of these things. To me I was amazed at how much of this stuff that he had. But then again, his farm was a really big one to say the least.
Before long we were already on the road heading towards our first stop. It was a bit silence in his truck, while I looked out side seeing the sea of white all around me. It wasn't snowing for today, but it was still cold as can be. It wasn't too long till Mr. Baker broke the silence between us.
"Well Mark I got to hand it to you." "If I was doing this by myself I would be still outside loading up these bales."
"Thank you, sir."
"Hey come on Mark you don't have to keep calling me sir." "You can call me Mr. Baker or Henry if you please."
"All right Mr. Baker."
"Now mark I'll do my best to get these deliveries done, so you can have an ok afternoon."
"So, what do you use these bales of hay for then?"
"Hmm I guess you never really have been on a farm before."" But to answer your question Mark, these bales of hay and feed are use to feed any livestock that might need it."" For the most part usually, horses or cows."
"I see then Mr. Baker, I'll do my best to be expedient and helpful."
"Well I'm glad to hear it."" Our first stop is coming up."
And for once Mr. Baker was right. In about ten minutes we pulled up to another farm just like Mr. Bakers. The only difference was that this place had some elongated barn. I don't how Mr. Baker does it, but he eases the trailer into a perfect position to off load it.
When he finished putting the trailer in position, there was another man standing outside. To me he looked much older than Mr. Baker. Yet he did have one of those large hats that I usually see in those cowboys' pictures on the internet. As well as boots to match. He was a bit skinner than Mr. Baker. Yet from that man's demeanor he looks like he commands a lot of respect.
None the less Mr. Baker disembarks from his truck as do I. I made sure to put on my work gloves and heavy coat. For the most part I see Mr. Baker talking to him in a friendly manor, while I just hang back by the truck. Yet it didn't last long, till Mr. Baker started to motion to me to come on over.
"Mark this is William peters, he's the owner of this livestock farm." In an instant I say hello to him, holding my hand out to shake his hand.
"Nice to meet son."
"Like wise sir."
"Hmm you got pretty strong firm grip there." Before I could say anything, Mr. Peters talks again. "Well son you ready to work today?"
"Yes sir," I said promptly to him.
"Well then follow me."
Basically, in a nut shell Mr. Peters wanted me to move ten bags of feed to his barn in a special refrigerated holding cell. While at the same time he asked me to stack up fifty bales of hay nicely along the walls inside. And just like before for every bag that Mr. Baker got, I had already moved two of them with much ease.
After all, lifting the stuff up was like lifting up a feather. I mean I'm trained to carry a 100 to 150 pounds of gear, ammunition, and weapons on a daily basis at the pit. It wasn't too long till Mr. Baker started to get a bit winded. In which by that time Mr. Peters offered to him to come inside to warm up a bit and maybe conduct some business. He did ask me if I wanted to take break and maybe warm up a bit inside Mr. Peters house.
I declined his offer so that I can focus on finishing the job at hand. By the time I finished moving the bags of feed. I got started on the bales of hay. Again, it's like lifting a feather to me. So, I took two at a time just inside near the entrance of the barn. As I worked on, I kept getting the feeling that I'm being watched. Yet for all I know, it could have been Mr. Baker or Peters watching me to make sure I was working. Which in any case I just double time it to get these bales of hay inside the barn as fast as I can.
Inside the home stead Mr. Peters is conducting his business with Mr. Baker, only to notice how quick that Mark character is moving them bales of hay. "I must say Henry that boy of yours sure knows how to work."" I don't think I ever seen a man move bags of feed and hay like that."" Where did you find him?"
"Well willie he's actually a friend of my daughters that came in for holiday break from the army."" And I can honestly say that the kid is built like a tank."" What normally takes me a couple hours to load the feed, this kid did it in thirty."
"Really, so Angela is still doing the army thing?"
"Yeah pretty much."
"Hmm, well if that Mark guy ever wants a job once he gets out to the army, I'll offer it to him on the spot."" I really could use guy like that."" All matters aside let's get back to business."
Like I said within thirty minutes I got the bales of hay just inside the entrance of the barn. I was basically told by Mr. Baker to put them in one of the empty holding pens near the rear of the barn. As I got started I noticed a few things while I was in here. One it had its normal animal smells to say the least. Two, there were some animals inside. As most of these pens had horses in them. I just glanced at them for a short moment. And three it's fairly warm in here.
I guess they sort of have some kind of heater inside the keep the horses warm I suppose. But none the less as I kept going on with my duties, I started to work up a sweat. Obviously by this point I took off my heavy jacket and hanged it near the front by the entrance.
Again, it didn't take me too long to put up the hay in respective spot. Once I got done I take five by taking a small seat on these bales of hay. Before long I do hear a few noises coming from the horses. A part of me got a bit curious to check one of these horses out. After all I've never seen one up close and personal.
For the most part these animals were eyeballing me I guess in some sort of suspicion. So, I chose a random pen to take a look at one of them. When I come to one, the gate to the pen had a name etched on to it. All it said was rocket. I said Rocket out loud. Soon something heard its name in response and came out to greet me.
It was a horse all right. And a pretty magnificent looking one to say the least. It was a solid brown horse, with a small patch of white near its fore head. To me it was a pretty good size horse to say the least. My head almost comes near its. Needless to say, it did seem to be a friendly type. As it lets me pet it near the top of its head and its hair on the back of its neck. For a second there I thought that I should get it a treat. But then again, I didn't know what kind of treats it likes
So, I opted in get it a little bit of hay from the bales. When I came back I did my best to try and get him to take it, with not much success. I was so preoccupied with the horse that I didn't even notice that someone was coming up from behind me. That is until I heard someone calling to me in a suspicious tone.
"Excuse me can I help you with something?"
I sort froze then and there thinking that I might have done something wrong. Yet I stilled turned around quickly to see who it was. "I'm sorry what was that," Mark said as he turned around. Only to do a bit of a double take seeing that it was young lady.
Of course, the lady in question who stood there a bit annoyed by this stranger also takes a good long look at him. Seeing his well-toned and muscular body of his. She stumbles a bit from her words. "Look I appreciate it, if you don't bother the animals."" And by the who are you?"
"I'm sorry Ms. I didn't mean to intrude, but my name is Mark and I'm with Mr. Baker helping him with his feed deliveries."" It's just that I've never seen a horse before." To Mark this lady started to look at him a bit strangely. Yet to him she did look a bit young. If he had to guess, maybe she would have been in her early twenties. She had a slender body frame. Her hair was brown to say the least, tied in a simple pony tail.
"So, your name is Mark huh? Are you from around these parts, because I have never seen you in Sliver town before."
"No ma'am I'm not from around here, I'm sort of on vacation." "Again, I'm sorry ma'am, but I'll be on my way out," Mark said promptly as headed out. Needless to say, the young lady started to see his way out. Mark only slightly turned his head notice her, but then noticed another.
By the time he reached near the entrance he was about to put on his coat and head outside, till the main door opens up. It turned out to be Mr. Baker and Mr. Peters. Mr. Baker opens up first to me." Ah Mark how are you coming along with stacking the Bales?"
"It's already done sir."
"Already done, "Mr. Peters said unexpectedly. "Dame son you sure work fast."
"Thank you, sir it's in the respective pen that you requested in the back."
Just then I see Mr. Peters looking behind me noticing someone coming. " Ah Mark I see that you have met my daughters Anna, Cathy, and Samantha."
"Uh yes, I sure have."
I take look behind me noticing that once was two, was now three in total. The first one that I met did take a good long look at me, wile the other two were whispering to one another. I would assume about me. "Well only for a short moment Mr. Peters, after all I'm here to help Mr. Baker." Mr. Peters nods his head with approval.
"That's good Mark, you should always focus on the job at hand and not get distracted."
"Well since you're done Mark, why don't go on ahead and back to the truck," Mr. Baker said. "I'll see you in a few minutes." After all that was said on done we off again to another farm, for another delivery.
Meanwhile back at Angela's house, Angela is planning her activities for the day with her little brother TJ. Of course, her mother thought it was a bit strange that she got Mark to go along with her husband to get him out of the house.
"You know Angela I was wondering why you wanted Mark out of the house with your father." As Angela was going over her plans mentally, she did notice that her mom was asking her question.
"I'm sorry mom, what was that."
"I was wondering why you wanted Mark to go along with your father to do more work."" After all he is not a hired hand as you said it before."
"Oh well it just that I needed a favor from him. "" I was planning on spending the day with TJ."" By the way mom, TJ doesn't feel that I have abandon or neglected him, does he."
"Hmm this is new Angela." "But TJ does often miss you from time to time."" But I wouldn't think that you have abandon or neglected him."" I guess he does feel a little bit that way ever since you brought you friend mark to spend Christmas with us."" I'll talk to him about it if you want me to."
"No mom please that's ok."" I just want spend the day with him that's all."" No need to worry ok."
"All right then have a good day sweetie."
Since it was Christmas break, Tj definitely has a few weeks off from school. So, sleeping late into the morning felt really right for him and Angela. Especially when Angela was growing up. So as Angela started to make her way up stairs, she was about to knock on TJ's door to get him awake. But she thought of a different way. Almost the same way that she had to get Mark up to go to pt every morning when he first arrived at the pit.
Instead she cracks open the door, only to notice that TJ was still fast asleep. She did her best to dodge any toys and loose clothes lying on the floor. Good god he is such a messy boy, Angela thought to herself. She creeps down a bit to get into TJ's bed by the edge. In a soft voice she starts to coax him to wake up.
"Come on Tj, time to wake up Angela said softly." At the same time, she starts to nudge him a bit. TJ in response starts to bat off Angela's arm a bit while slightly opening his eyes. Even when he is groggy a bit he still notices that it's Angela bugging him.
"Not now Angela, I'm still tired."" Just a couple of hours more ok."
"Come on TJ wake up."" Beside I got a full day to hang with my little buddy."
"Hang with, why don't you do that with your boyfriend," TJ groggily says.
Angela gave a slight sigh to herself, but in kind said back to TJ nicely. "All right Tj I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that."" Come on now and wake up."" We got a whole day to do whatever you want." Angela then lifts his mattress to get her brother up. TJ on the other hand was just annoyed at it. But still got up.
After an hour passes on by Tj. Finally took a shower, got dressed, and ate breakfast. Soon he sat on the couch to catch a few morning cartoons. That is until Angela jumped from behind and landed on the couch next to TJ. "Tj, don't tell me that you are just going to watch T.V. for the rest of the day."
"That's the plan big sis."
"Awe come on now, why don't you come with me to town."
"Nah that's ok, besides you got your guy friend to hang with."
"I would, but he's helping out dad with a feed delivery."" So, he won't be back till the end of the day." Tj just scoffs at Angela thinking that she's just pulling his chain.
"Yeah right whatever."
"No really, he is." Isn't that right mom," as Angela asked out loud while her mom is in the kitchen.
"That's right T.J., Mark is out with your father."
"You see there you go." "Now what do you say Tj, you want to hang out with your big sis?"
"Oh, all right, if it'll keep you from bugging me."
Angela smiled a bit to T.J. and just said, "ok well you get dressed and I'll see by the car in five." It wasn't too long until Angela warmed up the rental and T.J. made it to the car. Once he got in, Angela was all smiles. "So, I was thinking about taking you to Des Moines so we can catch flick."" What do you want to see T.j."
"I don't know, I haven't really paid an attention to what has came out."
"Hmm, well I guess we'll find out as soon as we get there."
After an hour or so Angela and T.j. finally got to see a movie. They both settle on an action flick. Of course, Angela being the nice one she decided to pay for both. And pay for the popcorn and drinks. After the movie she also decided to treat him to some ice cream. From the looks of it, it seems that everything is going well for the both of them.
While at the malt shop getting some ice cream and milkshakes, Angela takes this time to start a conversation with Tj. "So, what did you think of the movie T.j.?" Tj who was sipping on his straw looks up to answer back.
"It was all right T.j." said plainly. Angela sat there looking at TJ who went back to sipping his malt. In that moment should could feel that something was bothering him. She sighs a bit to herself and chose her words carefully.
"Tj is there is something bothering you or something wrong, you can always talk to me about it."
"No not really Angela, but thanks for the movie and shakes."
"Come on TJ you can talk to me."
"Why would I bother you just be out of here in a week and they cycle will continue next year?"
"Hey come on now, why are you acting like that."" I'm just trying to be nice that's all."" And I just want spend some time with you."
"Yeah well you seem a lot more comfortable hanging out with you guy friend."
"Tj leave mark out of this, now please just tell me what's wrong."
"I like it before you left, the way things were."" Why can't you just leave the army and come back home where you belong." In an instant Tj just got up walked out quickly to get away from Angela. Yet no dice because Angela was already on his tail as laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Tj stop ok."" I don't understand why there's this rift between us."" I guess I'm not allowed in your eyes to have my own life."
"Yeah well why can't you just stay home and be a family like we always have been."" I don't think mom and dad can handle it if we get folded flag."
In that moment Angela knew what her little brother was getting at. So, she took a knee to get to his level. "Is this what this is all about."" The thought of me of never coming back."" You shouldn't think of thoughts like that. "" I'm not going to go away anytime soon. "" Besides you're my little brother and my family."
"But why can't stay or stop doing the army thing."
"Oh Tj, this is just the path that I chose in life, to help people."" And besides you and I got a special friend that will always keep on me."
"You me Mark Angela?"
"Mmm hmm, much like you TJ, he's our little brother amongst my fellow mates in the service."" Now wipe those tears away ok. "" And promise me that you'll be the best little brother in the world."" And I'll be the best big sister to you."" What do you say deal?"
"It's a deal Angela."
"Good, now how about I take you to hobby shop and get you whatever you want, and later we'll pay in the snow like we always did before."
A few hours later, Mark and Mr. Baker finally got done with the days work at hand. We made several stops along the way almost twenty of them. We only had to come back to the homestead twice to reload on bales of hay and bags of feed. At about midday we had lunch in the truck. I never had chicken salad before. It was actually quite tasty to say the least. Mrs. Baker was kind enough to pack us a good size lunch. Mostly of four sandwiches a piece. At least Angela was right about one thing. That this is some rather tough work. It's not like I cant hold any on my own. But the cold weather does bog you down bit.
The only thing that linger in back of my mind, was that I was hoping that Angela was having a good day with her little brother. Yet the end of the day was coming to the end. I did my best to help Mr. Baker back in his trailer to the area where he kept it. I was about to head on in, till Mr. Baker called me over to him. "Mark I would really like to thank you for helping me out today."
"Eh it was really nothing Mr. Baker, it's the least I could do since you are allowing me to stay at your house for the Christmas break."
"Well then here take this, its your share for the hard work you put in today." Mr. Baker handed me four hundred dollars, mostly in twenties.
"Mr. Baker please I…I…I can't this is your money you should have for your family." Mr. Baker nodded his head no to me.
"Mark please just take it. "" It wouldn't be right if I completely pocketed all the money. "" I will not take no for an answer. "" Use it buy yourself something nice or save it."
"Are you sure sir?"
"I am very sure Mark."
"Well thank you then for allowing me to help you today."
It wasn't long till I started to make it back to the homestead and into my room. For the most part some of my muscles did ache a bit. I thought about taking a shower, but instead I just went for my bed. Mrs. Baker greeted me inside for a short moment. I guess she was hard at work making dinner for tonight. At least that's what she told me.
Of course, before I could make it to my bed, I over heard Angela laughing with her little brother Tj. I gave myself a smile of my own. Seeing that at least Angela had a great day with him. I hope TJ feels a little bit better about his older sister after what he told me yesterday. So, I did my best to sneak on by not to disturb them. Once I make it I just literally plop myself face first to my bed.
As for Angela she was sitting there on the floor playing some video games with her little brother. For a short moment she sees a dark blotch from the corner of her eye. She quickly turns her head only to notice that it was Mark. So, in an instant she asked Tj to pause the game. "Hey Tj can you put the game on pause."
"Ok." She gets up and looks out the window only to notice that her dads truck. In an instant she announces to Tj that Dads home.
"Hey dads' home."" Why don't we call it a day Tj?"" And go see if dad needs any help."
"Ok, but what are your going to do Angela?"
"Well I got go and check up on Mark ok."
"Ok, thanks for hanging with me today Angela," as Tj hugged his big sister.
"It's noting Tj, I like it when we hang out together." It wasn't long now when Tj was heading down stairs to say hello to his father.
As for Angela she starts to make her way towards Mark's room. She quietly makes her way inside. She sees him almost in complete exhaustion after today. Oh, I hope he didn't over exert himself today Angela thought to herself. So, she taps lightly on the heal of his boots to get him awake. Mark turns his head to his side looking to see who was bugging him.
Only to see Angela standing near his side.
"Hey."
"Hey Angela."
"So how was it."
"It was ok and little hard I suppose."
"Hmm…., well you do look really bushed."
Mark then changes the subject. "So how was your day with Tj?"
"It was really great, thanks for doing me a solid favor for helping my dad." Mark smiled a bit as started get up a bit. Only to be hinder a bit from some aches on his back side. Angela took notice of this as well and told him to be still. "Hey don't move ok."" Let me check up on you." Angela starts to peal Marks shirt to reveal his bare back. As she started to probe it. That's' when she found the culprit, it was none other than his right shoulder blade muscles that ache. Angela sighs a bit to herself. "I thought I told you to take it easy today."
"I did Angela honestly."
Angela then poked the aching part a bit to get mark to confess. "Really, so it wouldn't hurt if I poked you're here then."
Mark whence in pain as soon as Angela poked the spot. "Ok…ok…ok, maybe just a little."
Angela's sighs again outload. "Ok look just sit tight and I'll be back with some muscle relaxing medication." And for once Angela was right she did come back in a jiff. But not until she asked me to sit up a bit so she could examine my bare back a bit closer.
Whatever she put on my back was cool at first then it started to warm up a bit almost a bit hot. "There you go Mark just try and relax a bit ok and let the medicine do its stuff."
"Thanks, Angela."
"No problem Mark."" Oh, by the way dinner going to be ready in fifteen."
For the most part of the week it was ok. I still got to do the same stuff that I did the last time I was with Angela and her family. It always brought me a smile whenever I did such things. Yet as always when it came time to leave, it was always a sad time. Yet I believe this time Tj would be a bit more ok with seeing her sister go.
And as always, we are riding back home to the pit in our rental across the country. We both sat here listening to some edm while Strike drove for the most part. Yet I had to say something for some odd reason. So, I just lower the volume down. Strike for the most part noticed me, but still kept an eye on the road.
"You know Strike I envy you." Strike who was concentrating on driving only missed a part of what Mark said.
"What was that Reap?"
"I envy you strike."
"You envy me, how come?"
"You have something that I'll never really have."
"Oh…, what's that."
"I envy you because of your loving and caring family you have."
"Hey they like you too."
"I know but the difference is that they are your blood relatives." "I'll never have something like that."
"Hey come on Reap don't talk like that."" We love you just as much as we do each other."" And I know that everyone in the pit cares about you too. "" I like to think that we could be friends and maybe a little bit of family."
"You think so Strike."
"I know so Reap." "Unlike like Tj, I get to hang with you every day." "I guess you're right about that Strike, I'm sorry if I ever thought of such a thought."
"Hey its ok."