Read Renewal 5 - an Untimely Fall for Free Online

off. Dad didn’t want to invade their barn in the middle of summer, disrupting whatever farming the Carrolls were doing. Dad hiked out one late morning, under dark, rapid clouds, and a biting wind from the northwest. He was heading for the Carroll’s house to talk to George and Martha, in hopes of making an arrangement. As usual, George responded like a saint. An hour after Dad returned, George showed up with his tractor, pulling a rusty old hay wagon.
    “Howdy, folks. Thought we’d get going on the move, if you’re up for it. I know we said two days, but Martha wouldn’t leave me alone about the children living out here in the cold.” George smiled, and stuck his pipe back between his teeth.
    Knowing my dad, he had spent the walk back building an intricate, organized system for the move, and I could practically see him tearing that plan off his mental notebook, and watching the page flutter away in the wind. All organization was abandoned. We simply took down the tents, packed up everything that would fit in a bag, and if it wasn’t attached to the tree, it went onto the wagon. The food and weapons in the pit took the longest portion of time, due to the narrow and slippery steps and the fact that each item came up one at a time. Finally, after less than two hours of work, the water barrels were drained and added to the pile on the wagon.
    When everything was loaded, I had a sobering moment at the sight of all our worldly possessions, stacked on less than half of a hay wagon. I expect it was even worse for my parents. We jumped up on the wagon, hoisting Tommy and Jimmy up with us, and rumbled slowly away from our home of ten weeks.
    Lucy felt much the same as I did as we looked back. She had tears in her eyes, and said the strangest thing.
    “Look at the trees. The trees are confused.”
     
    Chapter 5 – 6
     Charlie Bell eased open the door to Bill’s hospital room, interrupting the story. He looked cautiously around, like everyone does when they enter someone’s hospital room, saw that Bill was wide awake, and broke into a huge grin.
    “Damn, Bill Carter,” Charlie said, sticking out his hand, and then switching to his left when he noticed the bandage on Bill’s right shoulder. “When I send you to do a job, you do a job!”
    “Hey Charlie,” Bill responded with a grin of his own, giving Charlie a brief squeeze with his good hand. “You remember Terry Shelton?”
    “Of course Mr. Shelton, Reclamation Engineer, and superhero, from what I’ve been told.” Charlie responded with his boundless energy, shaking the life out of Terry’s hand.
    Terry yanked his right hand free, and unconsciously rubbed it with his left. “Hi, Mr. Bell. I got a few lucky breaks. I had no idea what I was doing, really.”
    “A modest hero. Can’t beat that with a stick.” Charlie said, still smiling.
    “Don’t listen to him, Charlie. Terry did great work all the way around,” Bill said, which finally pulled Terry into the smile fest. “And I’ll be honest, Charlie. Of all my men, I was the least useful one there. I got cocky and nearly left the land of the living.”
    “Well, my friend, that’s how leadership works. Bring the best, and work their butts off,” Charlie said, settling into one of the typically uncomfortable hospital chairs.
    “In that case, I was good wasn’t I?”
    “You bet! I’ve got seventeen cops and four other families, who would happily kick the chief out and put you in his place, this very day.”
    “No thanks. I’ve got an easier job already.”
    “Somehow, I doubt that. Anyway, the State owes you a great deal, and I personally owe you even more,” Charlie said, completely serious now.
    “So, we brought your son back?” Bill asked. “We never had time to check.”
    “You did indeed. He was badly wounded, still unconscious, but the doctor says he’ll be ok.”
    “Thank goodness for that.”
    “Amen, brother.” Charlie added, with misty eyes. “His mother is half hysterical with