On the Country Road
Eb had come to pick them up as soon as he found out that Lisa was allowed to come home. They were now making their way back to the farm. Eb was driving and Oliver was sitting with Lisa in the back seat.
"Oh, Dahling, I'm so glad to be going home." Lisa said excitedly.
"I'm glad you're going home, too." Eb responded with a smile.
"I believe she was talking to me." Oliver said.
"Oh, sorry, I thought she was talking to me." Eb replied.
"Since when are you called Darling?"
"Since Darlene and I started going steady!"
"Oh brother!" Oliver said good-naturedly. "Just keep driving."
"How are things on the farm?" Lisa piped in, trying to change the subject.
"I don't know. I haven't been there for days. I can imagine what a wreck it is." Oliver said.
"Not at all, Mr. Douglas. Your farm is no more a wreck then when you left it!" Eb said.
"What do you mean by that!" Oliver asked.
"I mean that while you were gone, we took care of it for you."
"Who's we?" Oliver inquired.
"Me and basically everybody else in town."
"Are you serious?" Oliver asked incredulously.
"Yeah! Mr. Haney, Mr. Ziffel, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Kiley would come over and we would do all of the farm chores and some of their wives would come over and do all the household chores. Mr. Drucker kept your refrigerator stocked with food. Arnold even came over and kept Mignon company!"
"And they did all that vithout being asked?" Lisa asked.
"Yeah! I didn't even ask them to do it!" Eb replied.
"Olivah, vasn't that sweet of them?" Lisa asked.
"It sure was! See, what did I tell you about farm people! They really care about you and are always willing to lend a hand." Oliver said proudly.
"Look, Olivah, ve're almost home!" Lisa said excitedly.
Oliver looked up to see that she was right. They were driving through the gates that led to their farm. Within minutes, they pulled up in front of their home. Oliver got out first and held his hand out for Lisa to help her out of the car.
"Be careful, honey. Remember what the doctor said. Don't get up too quickly." Oliver said.
"Yes, dahling." Lisa said, compliantly, touched by his concern. Lisa took Oliver's hand and stepped out of the car gingerly. Oliver smiled, looped arms with her and escorted her to the house.
Just then, Eb ran past them and into the house. "I wonder why he's so anxious to get in." Oliver said to Lisa. They arrived at the door, opened it and stepped into a dark room.
"What the…" Oliver began as he turned out the lights. He was interrupted by his friends jumping out from the hiding places.
"Surprise!" they all yelled simultaneously. Oliver nearly jumped out of his skin in surprise.
"Happy Birthday!" Mr. Kimball added.
"No, you dum-dum! It's not a birthday party. It's a welcome home party!" Mr. Drucker said.
"Oh, well, that's a different story. Who left?" Mr. Kimball asked with a dumbfounded expression.
"No one left, it's for…oh never mind!" Mr. Drucker said exasperated. He turned his attention back to Oliver and Lisa. "We're all so glad you're better, Mrs. Douglas."
"Oh, my goodness. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." Lisa said. She took a look around at all they had done for her. There were balloons and streams hanging from every corner of the room. A banner hung over the door that led to the kitchen which read, "Welcome Home, Mrs. Douglas!" There was punch and snacks neatly set up on the table. Everyone wore party hats and had noise makers.
"You all did this, just for my wife?" Oliver asked.
"Of course! We were all so glad that she was coming home and we had to celebrate some how!" Mrs. Ziffel said.
Mr. Drucker walked over to Lisa and place a tiara on top of her head. "And this is for the guest of honor!"
"I…I…I don't know vhat to say!" Lisa said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I do." Oliver spoke up.
"Of course you do!" Mr. Ziffel said teasingly. Everybody laughed.
Oliver smiled, knowing perfectly well that they were referring to the numerous times he made speeches about the American farmer. "I just wanted to say that I appreciate all that you did for my wife and me. And I'm not just talking about the party; I'm talking about taking care of our farm and our home as well. You're selfless acts of kindness have shown how much you really care about us and we are truly touched. My wife and I wouldn't trade your friendships for anything. We love you all, very, very much."
Silence followed Oliver's touching speech. No one knew what to do in those kinds of situations, but there was not a dry eye in the place.
Finally, Alf spoke up. "Well, are we going to have a party or not?"
Everybody laughed and that seemed to break the ice again. Lisa began walking around the room, greeting and hugging her guests, and everyone began having conversations with one another. Oliver stood back awhile, not quite ready to converse with the others yet, he was still too taken back by what just occurred.
Oliver just couldn't believe how much his neighbors really cared about them. He couldn't believe that they would sacrifice their own time to take care of his farm, and topping it off by throwing a surprise party for his wife. He just couldn't get over the shock.
Oliver looked around the room at his friends talking and laughing with one another. He smiled, and then got up to join his wife amongst his friends.
Ahhh, that was really nice of the Hootervillians! They really care about Oliver and Lisa! Anyway, stay tuned! The party is about to take a dramatic turn!