Chapter 7

Bales of hay and a sheet of plywood made a temporary table and seats for the large gathering of families. Richard asked Sam what life was like when they were leaving Jerome. He said how the depression and drylands had led to crop failures, and the bank foreclosed on their farm and several others in the area. “Who knows how many more farms and ways of life were lost to the depression?”

“I don’t mean it in a bad way, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise for you to lose your farm and move here. I can’t possibly imagine the hardships you and the family endured.”

The two pregnant women brought out plates and utensils for their meals. As the steaks sizzled on the grill and the potatoes baked, they continued to enjoy a feast of corn on the cob smothered in butter with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Richard turned over the sizzling steaks, and they could smell the inviting aroma emanating from them.

Donny and David felt stuffed after six corn cobs each and said they still had room for a steak. Richard gave the steaks a final check, and then, as was the family custom, he served Pearl first.

Everyone dove into their meals, with Sam, Ellie, Donny, and Sarah savouring the taste of their delicious beef steaks.

The delicious meal was completed with apple pie and homemade vanilla ice cream. Mary asked Ellie to join her as they helped the two women wash and dry the dishes. “Everyone does their little bit to make life easier for us all,” Mary remarked, standing close to Ellie.

“The story Pearl told us of her life as a slave and escape from General Lee leaves me feeling awkward towards negros, sort of feeling guilty for being white,” Ellie mentioned.

“Who knows if there will ever be a time when we aren’t looked upon as second class citizens?” One of the women said.

“This is our third season picking crops for Mr. Richard. He pays us well, and no farm owner treats us better,” the other added.

Mary gave them a gentle hug and thanked them for their help today.

“I could use a good walk to help wear off that delicious dinner,” Ellie remarked. Mary made them another drink, and they relaxed on the porch, joining Sam and Richard.

Richard talked of plans for the farm and prompted Sam to offer any ideas he had to improve their livelihood. They enjoyed their drinks, then Mary prompted Ellie’s suggestion to enjoy a walk down to the lake. She unfastened another button on her dress, then took Ellie’s hand.

Sam and Richard trailed behind, commenting on their similar-sized, small rumps. Mary smiled several times at Ellie, enjoying her noticeable cleavage and the gentle sway of her breasts. The four sat under the bamboo covering, watching the setting sun. Mary passed around a small flask of straight corn whisky to drink.

“This stuff will have me drunk in no time; then Sam had better watch out,” Ellie joked.

The calming effect of the water was broken by the odd fish jumping to catch a bug floating on the surface.

“This sure is a far cry from what we left behind,” Sam remarked, standing and skipping a flat stone over the water.

“I wonder how Kathy and Sally are doing,” Ellie remarked.

The evening flying bugs were making their daily appearance, forcing them to head back to the farmhouse. They found the porch empty, with Pearl having gone to bed. Mary went inside and soon returned with another round of whisky drinks.

“I’m not used to drinking this much in one day,” Ellie commented as Mary sat beside her on the porch swing.

“It’ll help you relax after such a hard journey. Maybe I want to get you drunk so I can take advantage of you,” Mary said, running several strands of Ellie’s hair through her fingertips.

Richard knew Mary’s intentions with Ellie and whispered to Sam, “I imagine this isn’t the sort of welcome you expected from us. Have you ever seen two women make love?” Sam looked at his brother. “I have, and it’s so beautiful and tender. I hope you don’t mind if my Mary loves your Ellie.”

Sam looked on as Mary made her moves on his wife.

“I love your long hair. I love long hair on a woman. Would you keep it long for me?”