Chapter 02
The sun began to gradually peeked up over the wet horizon. The light of a new day shone upon the rooster. Yawning, he stood up a ruffled his dew covered feathers. The other hens were still sleeping peacefully in the old hen house. The thing he seemed to love about the morning was that it was so peaceful, and beautiful. Quietly, he scurried out of the henhouse, as if surveying the damage of last nights storm. A few branches were strewn about, along with the odd shingle and piece of siding. Not much surprisingly.
By this time, almost half of the sun was above the horizon. He scurried across the barn yard towards the wooden shack. Up the slippery woodpile he ran, until at last, he found himself perched upon the windowsill. He dutifully filled his lungs with the damp air and-
"COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!"
Jack was startled by the sudden shriek emanating from the window, and fell right off the couch.
"Ouch!" came a sudden cry from under him.
"Sorry!" Jack exclaimed as he crawled off from on top of Karen, who had been sleeping peacefully on the floor. Sleeping peacefully that is, until Jack fell onto her legs. "You okay?" Jack asked, kneeling down beside Karen.
She slowly sat up, shivering as she pulled the blankets around her. It was a bit chilly inside the shack. "I'm fine," she replied. "Next time though, watch where you're going. Okay?"
"Right," Jack responded, still thinking this over. He surveyed the room he found himself in. In the far corner, there was a brown, animal skin hammock, which Ann slept in. He didn't get much further surveying the room than that before a knock was heard at the door.
Karen swiftly got to her feet, ran to the door, and opened it.
"Hello Karen," said the man. He was not much taller than Jack, although he looked several years older. He wore a blue mailman outfit, and carried a brown bag with several letters in it. He was obviously a mailman.
"Harris! It's a bit early to be delivering letters, isn't it?" Karen asked.
"Um, have you seen a young man by the name of Jack, have you?" He asked.
"Yeah, as a matter in fact he's right here," she relied, pointing over in Jack's general direction.
"Good. Hello Jack, My name's Harris," the man said as Karen stepped aside, allowing for him to enter.
"Nice to meet you sir," Jack replied as he shook Harris's hand.
"Likewise. I have a copy of your grandfather's will here for you, since you couldn't make it to the meeting last night," he said digging out a large, brown envelope and handing it to Jack. "Everything in the will that regards you has been highlighted for your convenience. Good day sir," said the Mailman. And with that, he left.
"Let's see it!" Karen asked eagerly as she shut the door. Ann yawned and hopped out of her hammock.
Jack tore open the envelope. The will read as follows:
"If you are reading this, It means I have died, and gone to a better place. I leave my possessions to the following people.
Harris, I leave you my mailbox. No, just kidding. I leave to you my horse, since you were the only other soul on this earth he liked. And I've overheard you in the bar on a number of occasions talking about how having a horse would make your life a whole lot easier.
Lillia, I leave to you my prized water melon seeds which are in the cabinet, top shelf to the left in a glass jar.
Mr. Green, I leave to you my cattle which you have spent so much time helping me raise. I know you will take good care of them.
Ann Green, I leave you my chickens, considering you loved them so terribly much.
Sasha Miller, I leave to you my entire collection of wine recipe books (which were lovingly made by my wife), all except for "Great Old Wines Of The East".
Karen Miller, you were like a granddaughter to me, and I leave to you my stuffed rabbit, Mr. Freckles. The one you loved to play with when you were only about as high as my knee. I know it's not much, but I am sure you will still love it as you once had.
And finally, to Jack, my one and only grandson. The farm is yours. The house, the land, and the old buildings out back, and everything left on it. (Yes, even "Great Old Wines Of The East" recipe book your grandmother wrote, and my cat, Toby) I leave the farm to you to run. It is a great responsibility. I pray with all of my heart you will take it over, because that farm has been in the family for almost forever. (Well, since my father anyway. But I built that house)
These are my wishes, and I ask that you all respect them.
Signed: Jack P. Davis"
"Wow," Ann said quietly after reading the letter over. "The farm is."
"Mine." Jack quietly finished.
* * * * * * * * * *
Jack proudly surveyed his farm. It wasn't much to look at, but it was his, and he had the deed in his hand to prove it if anyone dared to challenge him, which of course, no one did. His grandfather had indeed left this farm looking lush and green. Unfortunately, most of the lushness and greenness came from the weeds in the field.
Toby wandered over to Jack and began to rub up against him. "Meow?" Jack grinned as he picked up the cat.
"Well, at least something worthwhile is still alive here," he said. Jack had to be honest with himself. The farm was, as much as he hated to admit it, pretty pathetic. The houses paint was peeling, and badly needed re-shingling. The barn looked a whole lot different than Jack remembered it. In fact, it looked brand new. Jack stepped into his house with his cat.
The interior of the house had hardly changed a bit since he was last here. In fact, the interior was in prime shape. Jack grinned as he tossed his knapsack onto the couch. It was warm and cozy just as he remembered it. "Well, may as well begin unpacking," he said, unzipping his knapsack.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Bang! Bang! Bang! Jack sat up in bed and looked around for a moment. Two days on this island, and every time he woke up, he thought that he was back in the city. He swiftly threw his covers off and went to the door.
"Hello," he said, somewhat groggily as he opened the door. He saw Karen standing there.
"Good morning. I trust you slept well."
"What time is it?" Jack asked.
"It's about eleven or so," she replied.
"Eleven." Jack muttered. He would have to get a clock, and soon. His grandfather seemed to always be able to tell time by the sun. "Well, I suppose I should get used to the idea that people here don't sleep till three in the afternoon. Come in," he said, gesturing to the room.
"Thank you," Karen curtly as she stepped inside.
Jack had entered the room off to the left, leaving Karen in the main room. She looked around at it, as she had done so many times before. Jack had left most of the things as they were, however, several of the objects were gone. There were a few objects that were new. Not much, no. Jack had not been planning to live here when he first came.
He emerged from the room a moment later, wearing his shirt and jeans. He carried his blue pyjamas in his left arm. "So, what brings you here?"
Karen turned away from the black and white photograph of Jack's grandmother, to face Jack. "Well, I suppose that I mainly came here to get Mr. Freckles," she replied guiltily. She rather disliked going to peoples houses just to receive something, it just didn't seem right.
Jack nodded. "Yeah, I'm not sure where he is. If you'd like, we could look for him."
Karen nodded in agreement.
Jack went over to the bedside table and opened it, then proceeded to look under the bed. Karen, meanwhile, checked in the cabinet which a lone cookbook lay. She opened the bottom cupboard door. There was the old, worn, stuffed rabbit. "I found him," she called over to Jack.
Jack got up off the floor, and walked over to where she sat, holding the toy. He smiled broadly as he knelt down beside her. "I remember that rabbit." Jack sighed as he recalled some of his happy childhood memories. "What's this?" he asked as he looked to the floor. There was a brown envelope laying at Karen's feet. He gingerly reached out and picked it up.
Karen looked at it as Jack turned the fat envelope around in his hands, examining it. It was labelled, "TO JACK. FROM YOUR GRANDFATHER." She then looked to Jack. His face had a look of utter disbelief on it. And wonder.
A/N: Well, how was that for chapter 2? Was the cliff hanger any good? Well, coments, suggestions, ect. are more then welcome. Hopefully the next chapter will be underway soon.
The sun began to gradually peeked up over the wet horizon. The light of a new day shone upon the rooster. Yawning, he stood up a ruffled his dew covered feathers. The other hens were still sleeping peacefully in the old hen house. The thing he seemed to love about the morning was that it was so peaceful, and beautiful. Quietly, he scurried out of the henhouse, as if surveying the damage of last nights storm. A few branches were strewn about, along with the odd shingle and piece of siding. Not much surprisingly.
By this time, almost half of the sun was above the horizon. He scurried across the barn yard towards the wooden shack. Up the slippery woodpile he ran, until at last, he found himself perched upon the windowsill. He dutifully filled his lungs with the damp air and-
"COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!"
Jack was startled by the sudden shriek emanating from the window, and fell right off the couch.
"Ouch!" came a sudden cry from under him.
"Sorry!" Jack exclaimed as he crawled off from on top of Karen, who had been sleeping peacefully on the floor. Sleeping peacefully that is, until Jack fell onto her legs. "You okay?" Jack asked, kneeling down beside Karen.
She slowly sat up, shivering as she pulled the blankets around her. It was a bit chilly inside the shack. "I'm fine," she replied. "Next time though, watch where you're going. Okay?"
"Right," Jack responded, still thinking this over. He surveyed the room he found himself in. In the far corner, there was a brown, animal skin hammock, which Ann slept in. He didn't get much further surveying the room than that before a knock was heard at the door.
Karen swiftly got to her feet, ran to the door, and opened it.
"Hello Karen," said the man. He was not much taller than Jack, although he looked several years older. He wore a blue mailman outfit, and carried a brown bag with several letters in it. He was obviously a mailman.
"Harris! It's a bit early to be delivering letters, isn't it?" Karen asked.
"Um, have you seen a young man by the name of Jack, have you?" He asked.
"Yeah, as a matter in fact he's right here," she relied, pointing over in Jack's general direction.
"Good. Hello Jack, My name's Harris," the man said as Karen stepped aside, allowing for him to enter.
"Nice to meet you sir," Jack replied as he shook Harris's hand.
"Likewise. I have a copy of your grandfather's will here for you, since you couldn't make it to the meeting last night," he said digging out a large, brown envelope and handing it to Jack. "Everything in the will that regards you has been highlighted for your convenience. Good day sir," said the Mailman. And with that, he left.
"Let's see it!" Karen asked eagerly as she shut the door. Ann yawned and hopped out of her hammock.
Jack tore open the envelope. The will read as follows:
"If you are reading this, It means I have died, and gone to a better place. I leave my possessions to the following people.
Harris, I leave you my mailbox. No, just kidding. I leave to you my horse, since you were the only other soul on this earth he liked. And I've overheard you in the bar on a number of occasions talking about how having a horse would make your life a whole lot easier.
Lillia, I leave to you my prized water melon seeds which are in the cabinet, top shelf to the left in a glass jar.
Mr. Green, I leave to you my cattle which you have spent so much time helping me raise. I know you will take good care of them.
Ann Green, I leave you my chickens, considering you loved them so terribly much.
Sasha Miller, I leave to you my entire collection of wine recipe books (which were lovingly made by my wife), all except for "Great Old Wines Of The East".
Karen Miller, you were like a granddaughter to me, and I leave to you my stuffed rabbit, Mr. Freckles. The one you loved to play with when you were only about as high as my knee. I know it's not much, but I am sure you will still love it as you once had.
And finally, to Jack, my one and only grandson. The farm is yours. The house, the land, and the old buildings out back, and everything left on it. (Yes, even "Great Old Wines Of The East" recipe book your grandmother wrote, and my cat, Toby) I leave the farm to you to run. It is a great responsibility. I pray with all of my heart you will take it over, because that farm has been in the family for almost forever. (Well, since my father anyway. But I built that house)
These are my wishes, and I ask that you all respect them.
Signed: Jack P. Davis"
"Wow," Ann said quietly after reading the letter over. "The farm is."
"Mine." Jack quietly finished.
* * * * * * * * * *
Jack proudly surveyed his farm. It wasn't much to look at, but it was his, and he had the deed in his hand to prove it if anyone dared to challenge him, which of course, no one did. His grandfather had indeed left this farm looking lush and green. Unfortunately, most of the lushness and greenness came from the weeds in the field.
Toby wandered over to Jack and began to rub up against him. "Meow?" Jack grinned as he picked up the cat.
"Well, at least something worthwhile is still alive here," he said. Jack had to be honest with himself. The farm was, as much as he hated to admit it, pretty pathetic. The houses paint was peeling, and badly needed re-shingling. The barn looked a whole lot different than Jack remembered it. In fact, it looked brand new. Jack stepped into his house with his cat.
The interior of the house had hardly changed a bit since he was last here. In fact, the interior was in prime shape. Jack grinned as he tossed his knapsack onto the couch. It was warm and cozy just as he remembered it. "Well, may as well begin unpacking," he said, unzipping his knapsack.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Bang! Bang! Bang! Jack sat up in bed and looked around for a moment. Two days on this island, and every time he woke up, he thought that he was back in the city. He swiftly threw his covers off and went to the door.
"Hello," he said, somewhat groggily as he opened the door. He saw Karen standing there.
"Good morning. I trust you slept well."
"What time is it?" Jack asked.
"It's about eleven or so," she replied.
"Eleven." Jack muttered. He would have to get a clock, and soon. His grandfather seemed to always be able to tell time by the sun. "Well, I suppose I should get used to the idea that people here don't sleep till three in the afternoon. Come in," he said, gesturing to the room.
"Thank you," Karen curtly as she stepped inside.
Jack had entered the room off to the left, leaving Karen in the main room. She looked around at it, as she had done so many times before. Jack had left most of the things as they were, however, several of the objects were gone. There were a few objects that were new. Not much, no. Jack had not been planning to live here when he first came.
He emerged from the room a moment later, wearing his shirt and jeans. He carried his blue pyjamas in his left arm. "So, what brings you here?"
Karen turned away from the black and white photograph of Jack's grandmother, to face Jack. "Well, I suppose that I mainly came here to get Mr. Freckles," she replied guiltily. She rather disliked going to peoples houses just to receive something, it just didn't seem right.
Jack nodded. "Yeah, I'm not sure where he is. If you'd like, we could look for him."
Karen nodded in agreement.
Jack went over to the bedside table and opened it, then proceeded to look under the bed. Karen, meanwhile, checked in the cabinet which a lone cookbook lay. She opened the bottom cupboard door. There was the old, worn, stuffed rabbit. "I found him," she called over to Jack.
Jack got up off the floor, and walked over to where she sat, holding the toy. He smiled broadly as he knelt down beside her. "I remember that rabbit." Jack sighed as he recalled some of his happy childhood memories. "What's this?" he asked as he looked to the floor. There was a brown envelope laying at Karen's feet. He gingerly reached out and picked it up.
Karen looked at it as Jack turned the fat envelope around in his hands, examining it. It was labelled, "TO JACK. FROM YOUR GRANDFATHER." She then looked to Jack. His face had a look of utter disbelief on it. And wonder.
A/N: Well, how was that for chapter 2? Was the cliff hanger any good? Well, coments, suggestions, ect. are more then welcome. Hopefully the next chapter will be underway soon.