Chapter 3
As a ten year old, Jed loved playing on his grandfather's farm. Away from his always angry father, he could be just a child, a child with no restrictions and could allow his imagination to run wild. He could make mistakes without fearing the punishment. He loved the freedom and the happy memories that the farm brought.
He had two favorite spots. The pond down by the lower pasture was always a safe haven where he could play pirates and act as if he owned the world. Iced over in the winter, he could then skate to his heart's delight and dream one day of maybe Olympic glory. Well maybe not a gold medal, but maybe he would be good enough to skate for his beloved Boston Bruins.
His other favorite spot was the barn and its sweet smelling hay. In the fall with fresh hay in the loft, he would lay for hours dreaming of his future life. He wanted to be a teacher, just like his Dad. But in his world he would be loving and encouraging to his students and would give them every opportunity to grown into adulthood under his tutelage. Not like his father who bullied and yelled at anyone who didn't achieve the goals he had set for them.
Some days he would share his secret places with his older brother but most of the time he used the farm as an escape.
"Jed! JED! Come here."
"Right away, Grandma. I'm coming!"
Jed slid down the ladder in the hayloft and ran back to the farmhouse. He quickly took the steps and fell into his grandmother's waiting arms. "Sorry, Grandma. I was just daydreaming in the barn."
Grandma Bartlet ran her hands through her young grandson's blonde hair. "I know that's your favorite place, isn't it?"
"Yeah. I just feel like myself there. The smells, the feeling of the hay against my skin. Yeah, that and the pond are absolutely the best places here."
"Josiah, should my feelings be hurt? I would have thought that my kitchen would have been your favorite place. Especially when those chocolate chip cookies are coming out of the oven and they're hot and gooey?"
"Well, maybe the kitchen under those circumstances."
Grandma grinned. "And that big feather bed upstairs, don't you like that as well?"
Jed grinned. He knew his grandmother was teasing him and he loved her all the more for that. "Well-ll, now come to think of that, yeah I love that big feather bed."
"Good. Josiah, listen to me."
Jed raised his eyes to her wrinkled face. "Yes ma'am?"
"You know that you're safe when you come here? You don't have to pretend here. Grandpa and I know what your life is like in town and I want you to always feel free here to be you. To do whatever you want. Do you understand me?"
Jed wiped the smile off his face as he nodded. "Yes, ma'am. And I thank you for that."
"Well, then let's go have some of those chocolate chip cookies you like. I just happen to have some fresh out of the oven."
Jed and Grandma walked silently into the kitchen, still holding onto to each other. Jed knew he would always be safe here. Always.