CHAPTER 2 – A DAY IN THE FARM
John´s point of view – We woke up early the next morning to hearing both Patrick and Conner cheering with excitement, which made me very happy. We all went down to the dining room to see a banquet of breakfast foods, plus some freshly made baby food for Colleen. Hank and Sue helped us all into our chairs and we began to eat the food. It was delicious which made keeping Marley away from the bacon a tot harder. As we ate our breakfast we spoke with Hank and Sue about the activities my boys and I wanted to do. Jenny, though haven't eaten a whole lot for breakfast, agree with Sue to take Colleen to the pool to have her splash around while Hank planned on taking me and my boys towards their barn.
I was taken aback at the many animals that I forgot that Marley had never seen a chicken and before I could stop him, he had already jumped over the fence and began to chase the chickens.
"Dad," one of my kids had caught my attention as I lost sight of Marley. "Get Marley. He's scaring the chickens!"
I didn't give myself any second thoughts when I jumped over the fence landing heavily on the dirt. I felt something jump on my back and before I could clear my head of what happened I was face to face with a particular chicken that did not seem too happy to be disturb. I quickly jumped to my feet and searched the area looking for Marley who, as it turned out, had already jumped out of the pen and was looking confused at me. I turned to look at the chickens that came and surrounded me. I swallowed and took off trying to get away from the chickens, who began to attack me, before I managed to jump over the fence landing hard on my back.
Both my boys and even Mr. Ness stood around me laughing. I felt my hand being gripped by the older man who lifted me off the ground effortlessly. "Well, the famous John Grogan being chased by a chicken." He snickered again. "Now that's news to be proud of. Now you alright?"
"I'm just fine." I said brushing the dirt off my pants and shirt. "Just one question. Why do you think I'm famous?"
"Oh I read your articles in the Florida's Newspapers. I believe it's the Suns correct?" I nodded my head. "But I know I never get them. My daughter does and has given me a link so that I can read your articles online."
"Well, thank you for the compliment." I laughed and clamped my hands wanting to get away from the chicken coop. "Well, boys lets go see what the girls are doing at the pool shall we?"
"Yay!" My boys screamed and taking Marley ran off towards the area of the pool.
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As we reached the pool Marley grew excited and jumped into the water followed closely by my boys. Jenny, Colleen and Sue were talking about something but changed the subject once I sat down beside them. "My goodness, John." Jenny said grabbing my shirt. "What happened?"
"Daddy got chased by chickens." Patrick laughed form inside the pool.
"Yeah, I did while I was chasing after Marley." I finished with a chuckle.
"Well, I'm glad you didn't hurt yourself." Sue smiled politely. "Well, I'll leave you five to relax while Hank and I help make lunch." Hank helped his wife up from the table and both of them left.
''what are you two were talking about?'' I asked
''women things'' Jenny said ''now, let´s get some swimming, you need to get out of this chicken smell, otherwise, I will be very embarrassed to have you sleeping in that bad'' I couldn´t help but laugh at that.
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Spending time alone with my family is one of the best feelings of all. It was a few minutes after Hank and Sue had left Jenny and I took turns swimming with our kids, and we took turns playing with Colleen who happily splashed in the shallows. We also took turns trying to stop Marley from chasing Ziggy who appeared to keep us under watch and to stop him from eating a towel. I kept looking over at Jenny who became angry when I asked her if she was alright. But her anger was quickly squashed by my boys retelling my chase with the chicken. A few minutes later Hank and Sue walked by carrying a tray full of turkey sandwiches, which I had to prevent Marley to eat and some lemonade.
"Are you sure there aren't any sports that we can play here, besides soccer?" Patrick asked as he took a large bite from his sandwich.
"Well, actually there's an amusement park not far from here that is in town for a few days." Hank said looking at me. "If it's alright with you two I would love to take your two boys to the amusement park. There's a climbing wall and some rides. Unless you want to take them."
Jenny slowly shook her head. "I don't want to give you any headaches Mr. Ness." She said her voice losing her strength but I kept my mouth shut. "Besides you two are too young to be doing anything like climbing walls."
"Please?" Both Conner and Patrick pleaded. "Please Dad? We'll be good we promise."
"I'm sorry kids." I said not wanting to contradict my wife. "If mom said no, then its no."
"Oh they won't be any trouble I can assure you." Sue offered. "We do have grandkids of our own." But Jenny shook her head once again. Sue and Hank nodded and they didn't press the subject anymore.
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After our lunch I decided to go horseback riding with Colleen and the boys, while Jenny went inside to rest. While we were riding Marley kept close to the horse and didn't try and run off. My guess it was because the horse was so large he felt intimidated with the large animal. I glanced over at my two boys who looked down about not being able to go to the amusement park. I hated seeing my kids sad but I hated seeing Jenny upset and in her weaken state of body I didn't want to overexert herself.
"Dad, why couldn't we go to the amusement park?" Patrick asked the pony he was riding stirred slightly as Marley took his place beside him.
"Maybe we can go tomorrow." I said whistling getting Marley away from the pony. "But right now, your mother isn't feeling well and she shouldn't have to stress about you two." Colleen squealed with joy as the horse snorted and shook his mane. I smiled at seeing the joy cross the face of my youngest.
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The horseback ride did not take long, as Colleen started to whimper and I knew it was time for nap. I motioned for Hank to help us turn around and while back Colleen had fallen fast asleep. Once we got back to the stables, Hank gently took Colleen from me allowing me to get off and helped Conner and Patrick in putting the horses inside the stables. "Dinner should be ready around 6 this evening. We got some fun things planned for tonight."
"That sounds wonderful." I said rubbing Colleen's back as she slept. "Thank you for your help."
"Don't mention it." Hank smiled and I walked inside the house.
The house was already smelling nice from the preparations for dinner as I made my way up the stairs. I could hear Marley and my boys playing outside so I knew everything will be okay for me to lay down and to check on Jenny.
I walked in holding Colleen as I saw Jenny sitting at the edge of the bed watching the small television that sat in the corner. She smiled at me as I placed Colleen in the portable crib we brought. "How was horseback riding?" Jenny asked as I placed the light blanket over Colleen who slept peacefully.
"It was great." I said with a smile. "The boys, Colleen and Marley really enjoyed it." But Jenny didn't seem to believe me.
"They really wanted to go to the Amusement park today didn't they?" I sadly nodded my head and she nodded back. "I'm sorry. I really didn't mind them going but...I...They can go to the Amusement Park tomorrow."
I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. Kissing the top of her head and rubbing her back I said, "Don't beat yourself up Jen." I said smiling at her. "The boys understand and Hank and Sue understand. Nobody is blaming you." She looked sadly up at me and I sighed trying to think of what to do. "How about this, tomorrow I'll take the boys fishing and when we get back, I'll see if Hank and Sue would like to join us to the Amusement park. That sound okay?"
Jenny smiled and nodded hugging me closely to her. "You certainly are incredible." She said as we laid down in bed to take a nap. "Thank you very much for this trip."
"You're welcome, beautiful." I said kissing the top of her forehead. We fell asleep in each other arms. We woke up to Patrick waking us up telling us that dinner was ready.
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In the end, only the boys and I went down to dinner, Jenny was not feeling very well, so we let her rest for a bit and talked to them, my plan to go fishing the next day, to my relief, they loved the idea. I was happy though, when she managed to eat the little food I took her afterwards. After that, I took Marley out, fed Colleen, and put the boys to sleep. Once I finally got to bed, I soon fell asleep, eager to start the new day.