Chapter 2

My grandparents definitely helped to shape me into the person I would become. They taught me many things, especially how to be a good worker, connect with the land through working it in the spring and summer, hunting in the Fall, tapping trees in the Spring, and picking strawberries in the Summer again. But most importantly, they taught me to never give up. No matter how bad things got, I had to keep pushing through and complete the task at hand.

When Dad and I reached my grandparents’ place, Dad took Grandpa aside and talked with him for a long time while Grandma took me inside for a glass of milk and a piece of apple pie.

Some minutes later, Grandpa entered the house and told Grandma, “Red is staying with us for some time. John has things to sort out at home.”

Grandma nodded, interrogating Gramps with her eyes.

“Later,” was all he said.

During the next days, Grandma pampered me with special foods, cuddles and kisses. I had a great time with my grandparents. Somehow I managed to put the situation at home in the back of my mind. Every day when I woke up, my breakfast was already prepared; then I worked with Grandpa on the farm, and lunch was ready made when we returned. After doing some homework (Grandma made me call a classmate on the phone to know what they were doing) I was free to do whatever I wanted.

There were a lot of hushed conversations between my grandparents and over the phone. After a couple of days, there were some ‘wrong calls’ too.

One day we heard the distant roar of a car approaching from the main road.

“Take Red to the shed, Agatha,” said Grandpa. He took his Remington Lever Action .223 and went out.

Running, Grandma and I made it to the shed, just in time, before hearing the car pull to a stop in front of the house. I peeped out the slightly ajar door.

It was my mom with some guy I’d never seen before.

“What are you doing here, Ginger?” Grandpa roared. His rifle was pointing to the ground.

“I came to see my son, Ed, please. I know he is here,” pleaded my mom.

“He doesn’t want to see you.”

“I don’t believe you.” She said, anguish in her voice.

“I’m not a liar like you. Red was the one who found your love letters, you cheating slut. He doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

Mom gasped and took a step toward the house. “I want to see my son.”

Grandpa’s rifle was up in a second. “That’s close enough, Ginger.”

Mom stopped.

“Please, I need to explain it to him!” Mom pleaded.

“Explain what? That you spread your legs for this asshole and you threw away a good man and a good marriage?”