Honey Tree Farm

by Brenda Spalding

  “Dad, I think that’s great! No, it's wonderful even.” Katy jumped up and hugged her dad around the neck. He was startled by her reaction and let out a moan. “Oh, too tight? Sorry." She took his hand. "That’s the very best news ever!"

  "Then you're pleased?"

  "Pleased! Of course! I had no idea. I... uh, well gosh, now I won’t have to worry about you when I'm not around. Oh my gosh." She heard herself stammering and took another breath. "This is so exciting. Can I be a bridesmaid? Can I wear a long dress and maybe flowers in my hair? Would you ask her, please? Please...?”

  Jim lifted Katy and swirled her around. “You’re the best daughter a man could ask for.” He beamed from ear to ear. Now all he had to do was ask Malinda, but he already knew she’d say yes.

  Katy chattered all the way back to the house, and the grin on Jim’s face told Malinda that all had gone well.

  “Now to make this all formal like,” Jim got down on one knee and took Malinda’s hand. “My dear, it would make me the happiest man alive if you would marry me... and my daughter.”

  “Get up, you old fool. Of course, I’ll marry you.”

  "Jim took Malinda in his arms and kissed her right in front of his daughter. Then he danced her around the kitchen to music only they could hear.

  Katy burst into laughter. It was exciting, if not a little embarrassing.

  Melinda motioned for Katy to come to join them. “I think I am the lucky one. I get two people to love.” She embraced them both tightly and kissed Katy lightly on the head.

  A couple of hours passed as Jim tried to focus on various things around the house, but he couldn’t contain himself. Now all he wanted to do was to introduce Malinda to the Sullivans. Over the years they had become a part of his life. They would have to come to the wedding. Maybe they'd stand up for them.

  Melinda said she was feeling tired and wanted to take a nap.

  "I'll take Katy and visit the Sullivans and tell them the news." He kissed her again, and she went up to the stairs.

  Jim and Katy drove straight to the Sullivan farm. They jumped out of the truck, ran to the house. Ted and Doris had heard them pull up.

  "Is everything all right?" Tom asked.

  Jim took Tom's hand and shook it vigorously and started to hug Doris, but thought better of it. Instead, he took a deep breath trying to calm down, but that wasn't going to happen.

  "I did it," he said. "I did it! I and Melinda... I mean Melinda and me... you know. I had to speak to Katy first, to be sure it's what she wanted, too. But then I did... and she said yes, and I couldn't wait to tell someone... and of course that had to be the two of you." He caught his breath again. “I would like to bring her out to meet you sometime, and of course you're invited to the wedding.

  Jesse came running down the stairs carrying his boots and trying to put them on at the same time. He finally gave up and threw them down. "What is it? Is everything all right? I heard you pull up and all the excitement. What's wrong?"

  "Nothing is wrong. Everything's right! There's going to be a wedding." Jim grabbed his hand and pumped it.

  "Jim and his friend Melinda are getting married," Katy said.

  "Why don't I fix us drinks, and you can tell us all about it," Doris said, and went back inside. Ted slapped Jim on the back as they followed her into the kitchen.

  "Married, huh? That's good news. I was afraid it might be something else." he told Katy.

  "No, it's all good."

  "Oh, good."

  Katy started to go in when Jesse took her hand.

  "What?"

  He pulled her away from the door, took her face gently with both hands and kissed her. It was so good he kissed her again.

  “Are you coming?" asked Jim, who was now standing at the screen door.

  "Yes, sir," said Jesse and sidestepped Jim as he went into the kitchen. "What just happened?" he said to Katy. "I guess we'll have plenty to talk about on the way home.” He was trying to sound annoyed, but a smile played around his lips. It was a good day, and he was a happy man.

  Chapter 11

  The sound of the phone ringing startled them all.

  “I’ll see who it is.” Mrs. Sullivan got up from the rocker and, dodging the dogs, went to answer it.

  “You know I don’t mind this waiting, I’m enjoying her story.” Josh took another bite of his sandwich.

  “Me too,” Maggie replied. "I wonder what it was like living back then. No television, no cell phones. No Interstates."

  "No condos. The women dressed like flappers."

  "No!" she said, with a chuckle. "Flappers were in the twenties. Remember the movie. It's a wonderful life? That's how they dressed."

  "Hey, what do I know? That was something like seventy years ago."

  "I love stories like this, where the pace of life was calm and kids played outside, and kissing a boy was thrilling and innocent."

  "Do you think kissing me is innocent?"

  "Well, no. Not you, of course. You're a stud muffin if ever I knew one."

  "Studmuffin! What's that, something like the Pillsbury Dough Boy?"

  "No, I didn't mean that." She's laughing now. He gets out of his chair and moves toward her with a menacing look in his eye.

  They hear footsteps, and he turns just as the screen door squeaks. Mrs. Sullivan is back.

  "Oh, let me take those dishes away. I just hate dirty dishes, don't you?" She snatched up the empty plates and silverware and hurried back inside.

  “Josh, what are we going to do? What if the tow truck gets the car out, but we can’t drive it?”

  Josh paced. “I‘ve been thinking about that too. The tow truck will bring the car here if we can drive it. If not, he might be able to take us into Bradenton, and my folks can pick us up from there. Or we’ll get a hotel and worry about things in the morning.” He sat down, took Maggie’s hand and kissed her wrist. “Things have a way of working out for the best.”

  “Sometimes you make me so mad,” Maggie said withdrawing her hand. “You never worry, and things do work out somehow.”

  Josh smiled. “You worry enough for both of us, sweetheart.”

  Mrs. Sullivan returned. “Good news. That was Barry. As soon as he can drop off the other car, he’ll come to get yours. It shouldn’t be long now.”

  “It’s getting chilly out here. Would you like to come into the kitchen? We'll leave the pesky dogs outside.”

  “Mrs. Sullivan, we really appreciate your hospitality,” Maggie said, as she picked up the empty tea pitcher and they followed her into the kitchen. Josh brought in the rest of the things left on the table.

  “Nonsense,” Mrs. Sullivan said. “Having you here is a treat. Maybe Jesse will get back before you have to leave.”

  "Josh, would you mind bringing the rocker inside?"

  "Certainly, Mrs. Sullivan."

  Maggie took a seat at the kitchen table."Just put it there by the stove," she instructed him when he returned. She reached in a tall free-standing metal cupboard cabinet and brought out a basket of yarn, then sat down in the old wooden rocker.

  "What have you got there?" Maggie asked although she thought she knew.

  "I've been working on this for months." She pulled out a colorful knitted piece. "It's an afghan for Jesse. I hope to have it finished in time for his birthday. He gets chilled sometimes, even on the warmest nights."

  "It's going to be beautiful. Look at those stitches. Where did you learn to do this?"

  "I don't know for sure. It seems like I've been knitting all my life. I may have learned from Malinda, but I think I could knit before that."

  Maggie thought she saw a wistful look in the old woman’s eyes, but then it was gone.

  “What happened to Janice? I have a feeling that Brice did something to her.”

  The sound of knitting needles could be heard as Katy began...

  Chapter 12

  Jesse went to school on Monday. He didn't see them in the halls and didn't have a chance to look for the girls unt
il after History class. He figured that when he found one, the other was there too. It was in the cafeteria when he finally saw Cora sitting with Hank. They were deep in conversation. He hurried through the lunch line keeping an eye on them in case they might leave. After paying at the register, he rushed to join them.

  “Hey, you two,” Jesse said, putting his tray down and taking the seat beside Hank. “Have you seen Janice today?”

  “She called in sick,” said Cora. “I was just talking to Hank about it. I tried to call over the weekend, but her mom said she had a headache. I even went over there, but I was told Janice didn’t want to see anyone. Something is wrong. I just know it.”

  Jesse felt something was wrong too, and he was sure it had to do with the fight with Brice. Brice had been furious, and from things he had heard around school, he could be mean. He had to find out if Janice was okay. “I agree with Cora, something has happened. Let's go see her after school.”

  “How did it go with Katy on the way home?” Cora asked, concerned. “She looked pretty upset.”

  “Brice scared her with his talk, but we talked, and she’s okay now.

  “Oh good, I like her a lot, Jess.”

  “Me, too. Maybe we can go out again sometime but without Brice!" said Hank.

  “Good idea,” Jesse said.

  Just then Hank got Jesse’s attention and nodded at a group of boys standing by the lunchroom door. Brice! Whatever he was saying, made the other boys laugh. He was acting cocky, as usual.

  “That’s not good,” Hank said “He’s up to something. Jesse, you’d better be careful for the next few days.”

  “I intend to. I'll see you after school.”

  The day seemed to drag until the last bell finally rang and school was over for the day. Hank and Cora were outside when Jesse came out. It didn't take long to reach Janice's house. As they approached, they saw her mother coming down the steps.

  “Her Mom’s leaving. Now’s our chance to talk to Janice,” Jesse said. “Cora, why don't you go and see if you can get her to open the door.”

  “Sure, maybe she’ll see us if her mother's not around.” She walked quickly to the front door and knocked. When she got no response, she knocked again. Cora was ready to give up when the front door opened a crack, and Janice peeked out.

  “What are you doing here?” She asked Cora could see Janice’s face. Her eye was swollen, and her lip was split.

  “Never mind that,” Cora exclaimed. “What happened to you?” Cora waved to Hank and Jesse.

  “Please, go away,” Janice cried. “I don’t want anyone seeing me like this.”

  "Don't be silly. We're your friends. Now let us in." Cora pushed the door as Jesse and Hank approached.

  “Janice, my God, what happened?” Hank asked.

  Janice turned away. “Come in and close the door. There's no point telling the whole neighborhood.” She went to the couch and curled up. She kept her hand over her eye, but that couldn't hide her embarrassment.

  They waited for Janice to speak first, but she only sat there crying. Cora went over, knelt in front of her and took her hand.

  “Jan, we're only here to help.”

  "Please, tell us what happened," Jesse said.

  Janice couldn’t look at them. “Brice happened to me!” She burst into great uncontrollable sobs.

  Hank jumped to his feet. "That son of a ...! He hit you? Did you tell the police? Does your mother know?” It was like an exclamation mark to his question when he punched his fist into the palm of his hand.

  “Hank’s right. You have to report to him. He can’t get away with this,” said Jesse.

  “No!" She held her hands out pleading. "And you can’t tell anyone either. My mom thinks we had an accident, and that’s how I want to leave it.”

  Cora walked over to them. "Maybe you should wait for me outside. I don't think she'll say anything while you guys are here, but she might talk to me along.”

  They left reluctantly. Cora sat on the arm of Janice’s chair and put her arm around the crying girl.

  “Now tell me what happened. It'll make you feel better. I promise not to tell anyone if you don’t want me to.”

  Janice angrily swiped tears from her eyes, took a deep breath and began.

  “After Brice and I left, we drove around. He was ranting about how he would get even with Jesse and that girlfriend of his. He drove up at the point near the river and stopped. You know the place. He got out of the car and paced along the shore, kicking at stones. He came back to the car and told me to get out. I was afraid not to do what he said, so I did. We were just walking, not really talking when he grabbed me. He kissed me really hard. I told him he was hurting me, tried to push him away, but he slapped me and split my lip. I could taste the blood. I tried to run, but he caught me and tore my blouse. He threw me on the ground. He was fumbling with my skirt, trying to get it up. I screamed at him to stop. He told me to shut up that it wasn't anything I haven’t done before. I tried to tell him I'm not like that, but he wouldn't stop. I told him I’m still a virgin, but he hit me with his fist. He said he would fix that problem. Oh, Cora, he raped me! He was so rough. It hurt... but he wanted to hurt me. When he was finished, he told me to stop crying and get in the car. Then he drove me home. He reached over, opened the car door and pushed me out into the street. He said that’s what all bitches get, and then he drove away. He left me there, crying in the street.

  “I told my mother we had a car crash and I had hit the dash. She was just glad it wasn’t worse and that I was alive. Oh, Cora, It was awful. I feel dirty. How could he do something like that?” She wiped her eyes with the palm of her hand. “Please don’t tell anyone. I don't want people to know what he did. How could I face the kids at school if they knew?" Her voice rose. "Cora, I can't tell the police. Oh my god, what would he do if he knew I told the police?” The tears came back, but this time it was fear she felt.

  "I don't like it that you aren't calling the police and you should at least tell your mother," Cora said. "But I understand, and I won't say anything, except...

  "No, you must promise!"

  "Janice, we have to tell Jesse and Hank."

  "No, no, you can't!"

  "They have to know. Someone has to keep an eye on Brice and what he's up to. Besides, they're a part of this too. They won't tell anyone, but they have to know."

  "How can I ever hold my head up again? Oh, Cora, I'm so ashamed."

  “Honey, you didn't do anything wrong."

  "But people will think it's my fault."

  "The boys won't tell anyone. You get some rest and get better. I have to go, but I'll call you later.” Cora said. “And please, call me if you need anything. If you decide to go back to school - you know, when you’re ready - Hank and I will walk you to class every day, if we have to.”

  “I... oh, not tomorrow. That's too soon. Look at me; there would be too many questions. Mom can call and get my assignments. Let's wait and see, maybe next week.” She took a deep breath and seemed to relax a little. “Okay, maybe next week. I’ll call you. I promise.”

  Janice walked Cora to the door. They hugged, and Cora said, “Please think about telling your mother. She loves you.”

  Cora told Hank and Jesse about what Brice had done to Janice.

  “That creep. We need to do something about Brice!” Hank said. He punched his palm, once, then twice. "That makes me so mad!"

  "It makes me mad, too, but we can’t do anything right now, and we can't tell anyone. Let's keep an eye on him.”

  “We should ask around,” said Cora. “Let's find out if he’s done this to any other girl.”

  “If I know Brice, he'll be bragging to his buddies. Some of them are on the football team too. I might be able to get some of them to tell me." Hank shook his head. "I just can't believe anyone could be so cruel."

  “Be careful, you two. I have to go, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Chapter 13

  Outside the dogs began barking and Mr
s. Sullivan got up to check.

  "What is it?"

  They looked back at her and then as if on command, they raced off into the grove yapping.

  “They’re after something,” the old lady said. “I sure hope it’s nothing that will chase back.” She chuckled. “One time they chased a skunk into the grove. I bought out all the tomato juice the grocery had to clean the smell off. We tried everything, but those dogs had to sleep in the barn for more than a week.

  Maggie walked over to the door and stood by Katy.

  "Mrs. Sullivan, I would like to know how you make that ice tea. It isn't a family secret or anything like that, is it?" Maggie asked.

  "Heavens no, dear. I'd be happy to show you." She walked over to the sink and Maggie followed. Katy rinsed the pitcher and sat it on the counter and turned on the heat under the tea kettle. From the cupboard, she brought down a large glass measuring cup and then opened a canister marked tea. She spooned out several tablespoons of the loose product and dropped it in the measuring cup.

  "Oh, you use loose tea?"

  "Why, yes. Then I use cheesecloth."

  "Cheesecloth? Can you still buy that?" Maggie asked with a chuckle.

  "Oh yes. Would you use anything else?"

  "I guess not!" said Maggie, and gave Josh a wink.

  "Pour the tea into the cheesecloth, like this," she said. "Give it a twist and knot it. I've been doing it this way forever so long."

  "None of the tea falls out?"

  "No." She dropped the cloth of tea into a saucepan and reached for the tea kettle. "Pour about 3 cups... I don't usually measure anymore, but this is how you would want to do it when you begin. About 3 cups of water over the bag of tea and put it on the stove to boil. Boil it about a minute, then let it steep for about 10-12 minutes."

  "Oh, isn't this exciting, Josh!" she said turning back to him. "This is how we'll make real iced tea from now on."

  "While the tea is steeping we get the honey." From the cabinet, Katy brought out a big crock with a tight-fitting lid. "You don't refrigerate honey, you know. That would change the color and most certainly the flavor. When the time is up, we'll remove the tea bag and add a half cup of honey to the water."