Chapter 49

Jarrick was having a ball camping with all the guys! Jack, Tom, and Jarrick put the canvas tent up so everyone could put their sleeping bag in. William was watching very carefully. He asked, is there anything I can help with? Jack replied, you can get the coffee pot off my backpack and go down to the stream behind us and fill it up with water. On it, William said. He unclipped the coffee pot and done as Jack asked. He got to the stream but there was mud in between him and water. He looked at his shoes and then back at the mud. He turns around and starts to ask how he was supposed to get around the mud but decided not to. He says to himself, I guess I just walk through it. Just as he was fixing to step in, Jack comes up behind him and says, don't step in that or you will lose your boots. That mud is thicker than all get out. Jack shows him the way around it. William says, thank Jack! Your welcome! William followed Jack around the mud and shows him where to get the water. Jack says, always make sure you get the water from a running stream. If you get it from water that is still, it might have bacteria growing in it. Water purification comes from the rocks that it flows over. William says, good to know. This is a learning process for me Jack. Thanks for allowing me to come with you! You're quite welcome William! There is plenty to learn. I want to learn it all if you'll teach me? Jack replies, I don't mind at all but you can't learn it by coming out just 1 time. That's fine. I'll come as many times as you'll let. William you are welcome anytime we come. I'm teaching Jarrick so you can learn right along with him. Alright then, let's get to it! William filled the coffee pot and followed Jack back to camp. Tommy had the fire going so Jack showed William how much coffee to put in the water and set the pot on a rock next to the fire. Everyone had their chairs out around the fire. William was quiet for a bit. Jarrick asks, grandpa are you having a good time? He looks at him and says, why yes I am! Jack gets their dinner out of his backpack and puts it in the frying pan. William asked, what is that? Well for tonight we'll have stew I brought from home and in the morning we'll have bacon and eggs. Then for lunch we'll all go fishing and catch our lunch. William says, I was wondering if we going to fish. Yes Jack says. We'll show you that tomorrow but for now we'll just have this stew. Jarrick if you get everyone's plate I'll dish this up. Oh Jarrick don't forget the biscuits from my pack. Tom and Tommy we're sitting back and watching Jack with Jarrick. Tommy laughs. What's so funny bro? I was just watching you and Jarrick. It reminded me of the time dad brought us here when we were pretty young and dad said the same thing to me about the biscuits! Yeah he always had to tell us not forget the biscuits, Jack said. Tom spoke up and said, if I didn't tell you boys you would forget and have to go back and get them every time! They all had a good laugh! Jarrick came back with the biscuits and asked, what's so funny? Jack replies, Tommy was remembering when Pop would tell us not to forget the biscuits! Pop you told them the same thing? Yes I did, every time. Hey dad, how old was you the last time you and Pop came camping? Oh I was what, about 18? Tom shakes his head yes and says, that was the year you dad told me he was going to college in California at Berkeley. He said the he and your mom was excepted at the same college. If my memory serves me correctly, I asked why you had to go so far away to college? And I said, that was the only college that excepted Jenny and I, Jack said! What did you say Pop? I asked him if he was going to college to learn or to be with Jenny. Dad what did you say? I told him both and that you're mom and were going to get married after we got out of college. We didn't want to have a long distance relationship so we went to the same college and true to my word we got married right after college. We moved to Vail and got jobs and bought a house a year or so later. Tom seen his son starting to get choked up so he changed the subject by asking, hey Jarrick did your dad teach you how to make s'mores yet? Yes sir he did the last time we came. That was one of my favorite things after dinner! Jack set his plate down on the rock and walked away. William noticed and did the same. He followed behind him. Jack stopped just out of hearing range. William says, Jack you have nothing to be ashamed of. She was your first love and always will be. It's ok to talk about her to your son. That's how he learns about her. If you never talk about the old days how is he ever going to learn what kind of woman she was. I understand he never knew her so he has to get to know her through you and from your family. She's his roots. It defines who he is and is going to be. Yes Lizzy is his mother now and she will teach him the things that your first would have if she had lived. It's alright to show your emotions to him because that shows him that you truly loved his mother. Thank you sir. I didn't want to upset you. Upset me? Why on earth would that upset me? Because I'm married to your daughter now and I didn't want you to think that I lived Jenny more than I love Beth. Son there is no way I would think that because you will always have a place in your heart that carries your love for Jenny. You will never stop loving her. She part of that son of yours! Thanks William. I appreciate your understanding. Always my boy, always! Jack wiped his face and turned to go back to the fire and asks, who's ready for...Jarrick says, s'mores! He jumped up and went to get them out of his dad's pack. After the s'mores were ate Jarrick asked, grandpa how did you like them? They were different but good! You never had them either? No son I've never had them. Today is filled with a lot of firsts for me. All enjoyable! Jarrick takes the plates and cup down to the stream to wash them. William asked him, what are you doing son? I'm washing the dishes so the bears and wild animals don't come into camp! Wild animals, William asked? Yes sir we have to keep the camp free of food so the smell don't bring them into camp. Dad says that a clean camp is a happy camp! Well then you had better let me help you there! We all want to be happy, don't we? Yes sir we do! After they got back to camp Jarrick put the dishes back in everyone's pack. Jack took the skillet down to the stream and washed it out real good making sure there wasn't any food left in it. Then he brought it back and set it next to the fire to dry. They all got the camp back into shape. Jack told Jarrick it was about bedtime. Jarrick said, yes sir. He went around the camp say good night and hugging everyone. Jack walked him into the tent and after Jarrick was in his sleeping bag Jack bent over and kissed him good night and said, I love you Bud! I love you to dad. Jack got up and went back to his chair. They all sat around the fire reminiscing about the old days. William didn't have any camping stories so he told stories about him as a young boy at home with his father. His father was a businessman just as he was. Around midnight they all decide to turn in. Jack, Tom, and Tommy get up and start preparing the camp for the night. Jack tells William that the fire has to be put out just in case the wind picks up and blows the sparks everywhere and starts a forest fire. We put out chairs back on our backpack and take everything in the tent. That way if a wild animal happened to come into camp they won't get into it. Animals are very curious creatures. So the only thing they see is our tent and they don't usually come in it because it zips up. Jack poured the remainder of the coffee on the fire to put it out. Tom and Tommy had taken everything inside the tent leaving Jack to put out the fire. Inside the tent Tom had lit the lantern. He hun it on the hook on the post in the middle of the tent. After Jack made sure the fire was out he and William went in the tent. Jack waited until William was in his bag before he blew out the lantern and got in his bag.

Back at the house the ladies were all sitting around on the back porch talking. Jack had cooked extra burgers so Beth did have to worry about feeding the ladies. Lizzy went to get up but asked Charlotte to help her. Charlotte set her glass down and got up to help Elizabeth up. She told the ladies that she needed to go lay down for awhile and asked that they watch the little one please. They all shook their heads yes. Grace got up and wrapped her arms around her daughter and said, Lizzy, please let me know if you need anything. I love you so much! I love you to mother! Please keep an eye on the little ones mother. I will she said. You go rest and we will be here when you get up. Charlotte helped Elizabeth into the house and into her bed. Charlotte? Yes dear. Will you please make sure the extra beds are made up? I think they only have the bedspread on them. Put mother at the end of the hall, my sisters in the middle unles you want to sleep in Jarrick's room then they can each have a room but make sure they make their beds in the morning because they've always had a maid to do it for them. You are not their maid. No ma'am I'm not. So please just make sure they do that. Yes dear I will. You just take care of you. We'll take care of everything else! Charlotte grabbed some diapers for the little one. When Charlotte came out of the nursery Elizabeth said, hey Charlotte, Beckie's food has to be still puréed. I remember Elizabeth. Don't worry. We've got this. You just rest. Alright, thanks for being here Charlotte. I love you so much! I love you to Elizabeth! Charlotte walks out of the room and closes the door behind her. She walks out to the back porch. She asked, do you want to help me get these little ones changed Grace? I sure do, Grace said. She got up and walked over to where Charlotte was in the play area. She knelt down and changed Beckie. Charlotte had finished with Daniel and was finishing up with Charlie. Grace picked Beckie up and stood to go sit in the rocking chair. Julie asked if she could get Daniel? Grace nodded. Julie reaches in and picked him up but he didn't want to be held. So she let him down. He went straight for the steps. She told him no no Daniel. You can't go down the steps by yourself. She held his little hand and helped him down the steps. His little short legs weren't quite long enough so she picked him up and gently set him on the grass. He started walking everywhere. Julie just kept laughing. The more she laughed the more he walked. She said, boy you don't ever stop do you? He say, no no no! Charlie wiggles to get up. She wanted to go with Daniel! Charlotte stood to take her down the steps. Once on the ground she waddles over to where Daniel and Julie was. She plops down several times but gets back up and starts again, laughing every time she plops! Charlotte takes her phone out and starts videoing. Julie was chasing both of them by walking because they couldn't run yet! She keeps telling them that she's going to get them! Both of them were screaming and laughing saying, no, no, no! The ladies were laughing so hard at them! Beckie just sat on Grace's lap leaning against her chest. As Grace swung Beckie started falling asleep. Charlotte swung her phone around and kept videoing Grace and Beckie.

Grace asked Charlotte, do you know how to put her breathing treatment on her? Charlotte replies, I do. Charlotte stops videoing and puts her phone in her back pocket. She walked over and gently took Beckie from Grace. She quietly walked into the nursery and laid her in her crib. She straps her in and put the medicine in and put the mask on Beckie's face. She leans over and turns the machine on. She sits down in the rocking chair and pulls out her phone and sends the video to Jack.

The next morning at camp the guys were cleaning up breakfast. They all get their fishing poles out and Tom shows William how to put the lure on his line. They all grab their fish basket and head to the stream. Tom shows William how to cast. William did it right the first time. Jack says, just make sure you don't hook any of us and laughs! Just as Jack starts to cast his phone pings. He sets his pole down and pulls out his phone and says, I hope nothing is wrong! He sees he has a text from his mom. He says, it's a text from mom! He opens the attachment and says, it's ok! It's a video of Daniel and Charlie playing with Julie in the yard. He closed it and stuck it back in his back pocket and says, we'll watch it later before we pack up! He casts his pole out. Jarrick says, I got on dad! Jarrick reels it in real carefully as to not lose it. He brings his pole over to Jack and asks, can you get the hook out? Jack sets his pole down and takes the hook out of the fish mouth. Jarrick holds the trout up and shows the guys! Wow, William says! Jack, about how much does it weigh? Jack guesstimates about 3lbs ! Jarrick puts it in the basket. Just as Jack went to stand back up and pick up his pole he caught a fish but the fish took his pole out into the water. It came right by Tommy so he picked it up and handed it to Jack as to not disturb the fish. All of a sudden William yells, I think I got one! Tom is closest to him and says, I got it! He lays his pole down and goes to help him. Tom tells him, reel it in real careful. That's it! E.a.s.y do.e.s i.t! Tom sticks the net in and scoops it up. William is so happy! Tom shows him how to take the hook out. William holds the fish up and Tom takes his picture! William is on cloud nine! After a couple hours of fishing they decided to call it quits. They takes the fish back to camp. Everyone pulls out the fish that they caught. William had 3, Jarrick had 4, Tommy had 4, Tom had 4, and Jack had 3. Jack says, we had a pretty good haul! What do you all think about taking them back to the house and cook them. It's almost 2:00. There's enough for everyone! They all agree. So they all decided to pack up and head back to the house. Jarrick asks, can we see the video first? Jack replies, oh I forgot. He pulls out his phone and shows the video to they guys! They all laugh at the video! After it was finally over he shuts it down and put it back in his pocket. They load the truck up and Jack says, to William, we always leave the camp the same way we found it. We never leave anything here. He asks, why not leave the tent up back here? Jack replies, because we don't want squatters living back. We always make sure the fire is completely out too. William says, good to know. Hey Jack, I want to thank you for letting me come with you all! I had a really good time! I'm glad you did. That was the whole purpose! Everyone have fun! Next time maybe we can figure on staying all weekend! Everyone agreed!

Back at the house Beth was still in her room. Charlotte had the monitor with her in her room. She woke to the little ones jabbering to one another! She hit the video button. She seen Daniel and Charlie standing in their crib. Beckie had rolled over and scooted out of her strap and sitting up playing with her doll. Charlotte put her robe on and went downstairs to the nursery. She opened Elizabeth's door real quiet. She stuck her head in and seen her deep in prayer. Charlotte went into the nursery and quietly shut the door. Daniel and Charlie started jumping up and down in excitement! Beckie just watched. Charlotte reaches over and picks up Beckie. She got changed and dressed. Then she put her on the floor to play with her doll. About that time Grace came in and asked, would you like some help? Charlotte nods her head and says, please! Grace got Daniel and Charlotte got Charlie. Together they got them changed and dressed. Grace carries Charlie and Beckie our to the kitchen while Charlotte brought Daniel out. They put them in their high chairs and put their bibs on them. Grace asked, what do they get for breakfast? Charlotte says, I guess I'll fix some oatmeal but we'll have to feed them. Ok Grace says. I'll go get the girls up while you do that. Grace went upstairs and woke the girls up. She tells them that they need to help feed the little ones. They both agreed. They put their robe on and followed her back downstairs to the kitchen. By this time Charlotte had the oatmeal ready. She put a little bit of milk in it to cool it down. She put Beckie's in the baby ninja to purée it. Charlotte fed Beckie, Grace fed Charlie, and Julie fed Daniel. Viola was at the bar having coffee. Charlotte tells Viola that if she'll finish feeding Beckie that she would get breakfast started for them. Viola didn't hesitate. She jumped right in and took over for her. Charlotte asked, bacon or sausage? They replied, sausage please. Then she asked, scrambled or fired? They replied, scrambled please. That was easy she said! Just as she was finished making breakfast Grace and Julie were finished feeding Daniel and Charlie. Beckie ate a lot slower. Grace and Julie cleaned them up and fixed them a cup of milk. Charlotte fixed everyone's plate and sat them on the bar in front of them. She asked, who wants coffee? They all said, I do! So she sat the sugar and cream on the bar and went to get their coffee. They all said thank you. She ask if they wanted orange juice? They said please. She poured them each a small glass of orange juice and sat it in front of them. She sat a plate of butter toast down to. She took her seat and ate her breakfast. After breakfast Grace went into Lizzy's room to check on her. Lizzy was at her desk reading her Bible. She looked up and said, yes mother! Just checking on you dear. Grace said. When does your fasting end dear? Tomorrow mother! Have you got your answer yet? Not quite, Lizzy said. I'm more at peace though. That great dear. I'll leave you to it. I love you Lizzy! I love you to mother! Lizzy gets up and hugs her mother tight. Oh Lizzy, I'm praying that they find nothing! Me to mother, me too! I'm glad you're here, Lizzy said! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else at this time in your life Lizzy! Grace and Lizzy let go and Grace steps out of the bedroom and heads for the back porch where no one can see or hear her. She walks out into the yard crying and asking God, why Lord? Why Lizzy? You have brought her here and brought her and Jack together. I don't understand why you are letting her suffer with this unknown. I know all things happen for a reason but Lord that is my little girl in there. I can't stand to see her in the shape that she's in. You give her and Jack 3 beautiful babies. Please don't take her away from them. You took Jack's first wife. Please I'm begging you to spare Lizzy's life for them. I don't think Jack could take it again. Lord I'm asking that when Lizzy has those test that they find nothing serious. I pray that they find what's causing the dizziness. Lord we gave her back to you when she was 3 months old to protect and care for her. Please keep protecting her now. In Jesus name. Amen. Grace leans on the back fence crying. Charlotte comes out and puts her arms around her and says, I know how hard this is for you but I believe that she is going to come out of this a stronger God fearing woman! We have to hold on to that! Grace said, it's so hard to watch my child go through this. Not knowing is just as hard as knowing and can't do anything about it. Grace pulls a hanky out of her shirt sleeve and wipe her eyes and nose. Charlotte I don't know if I can make it if God takes her. You will be just fine because I don't believe He is. We don't know what His plan is but we just have to trust Him! You're right but it's still hard. They walk back into the house and in the den. Charlotte says, ok girls how about we go make our beds and get dressed. Then we can take these little ones outside for some fresh air! Grace says, Charlotte and I will stay with them while you 2 go straighten up your rooms and get dressed. Then when you come back downstairs, we'll go do the same. Viola and Julie go do as they were told . After about an hour they came back.

After all the cleaning was done they took the little ones outside. They let them play until lunchtime. Then they took them in and was feeding them when the guys came in. Beckie blew her carrots out of her mouth when she saw her daddy. Charlotte says, hey little missy and tried not to laugh. About that time Beckie started reaching for him. Jack tells her, just a minute Princess daddy needs to check on mommy. He kisses the top of her head. Just as he went to walk away Beckie started to cry. He comes back and says, I'll be right back Princess! Beckie isn't having it. She's reaching for him. Ok Princess! He wipes her mouth and picks her up and carries her with him to check on Beth. He opens the door easy and sees she's asleep but he wants to her to know he's back. So he bends down next to the bed and rubs her cheek with his thumb gently. She opens her eyes and sees him. She says, well hello Love! How was your trip? It was great, he says! Who is this you have with you? Jack says, she cried when I went to come check on when we got back. Wow that isn't like her to cry. I know that's why I brought her with me. She stopped crying as soon as I picked her up. She hugged me so tight like she hadn't seen me in a long time. Beckie leans over and says, momm momm! Yes sweetie I'm your mommy! Jack went to set her on the bed next to Beth but she grabs his shirt and holds on for dear life. Jack and Beth laughs and says, I guess you will have a new hip ornament for awhile. I guess I will but I don't mind. I missed them. Mom sent me a video of Daniel and Charlie playing chase in the backyard. She's telling them she going to get them and they are say no no no! That's sweet of Julie. Julie is really starting to love them. Yes she is Sweetheart! I'm going to let you get some rest but I just wanted to let you know I was back. We caught so many fish that we decided to bring them back and have fish for dinner this evening! That's nice. Did father have a good time? He did. He thanked me for letting him come along! That's great Love. Jack gently kisses her lips and says, I love you Sweetheart! I love you too, Love! He leaves her and takes Beckie into the nursery and changes her diaper. Then goes back to the kitchen and tries to put her back in her high chair but she didn't want to go. So he sat down at the bar and finished feeding her her lunch. Daniel and Charlie were out back playing with Jarrick and having a ball! Jack asked, what have you been doing while daddy was gone, Princess? After she swallowed her carrots she touches her finger to his lips and says, dada dada. He says, yes Princess daddy has you.

Later Charlotte makes some potato salad while Jack fires up the grill to grill the fish. They all sat around the picnic table eating and telling stories about their camping trip. Charlotte and Grace help Jack get the little ones a bath in the upstairs bathroom. Jack bathed them and handed them one by one to Charlotte and Grace to get them dried if and dressed. Beckie was last. She wouldn't go to anyone else. So he got her dried off and got dressed for bed. They took them in the nursery and put them in their crib. Grace and Charlotte kissed them and said sweet dreams little ones! Jack kisses Daniel and Charlie good night and then takes Beckie to put her in her crib. She starts crying. So he fixes her breathing treatment and puts her mask on her and sits down in the rocking chair. He rocks her until she falls asleep. Then when her treatment is done he takes the mask off and puts her in her crib. He straps her in. He kisses his fingers and places them on her cheek. He says, good night Princess, daddy will see you in the morning!