Chapter 22: A BIG FAVOR

The construction site was prepared the evening before the trip to town. Using the backhoe, Skeet scraped two slit trenches deeper than the frost line. In the bottom, she set forms and poured six small concrete pads, three in each trench. She used the last of their old cement, counting on finding more in town. Separation dimensions for the column pads, is correct for the playhouse’s footprint. The playhouse will weld on top of the columns to be erected on the pads.

Skeet’s Grandfather bought the playhouse cheap at auction. It is heavily constructed for use as a ten by twelve portable field office. All steel, built on a stout steel sled, designed to withstand being dragged around by a bulldozer. There are lifting eyes built in, for crane hoists to higher elevations. Grandpa did little, other than towing it home, replacing the broken glass, cleaning, adding some gingerbread in the same style as the main house, and a fresh coat of matching paint.

Afternoon of day one of the project, Skeet and companions arrive home with a truck load of masonry supplies. A little new lumber was found, a few sheets of thick heavy plywood, and several sixteen foot long two by twelves. Most of the sackcrete and all the pallets they could find, wire mesh, rebar, and dozens of cinder blocks are in this initial load. Other eventually needed items only earmarked, postponed until a future trip. With Tom and Skeet laying block, and Morgan running the mixer, feeding them mud, the six column’s are erected and core poured in that same day. Morgan disassembled pallets waiting on the mixer batches.

Before finishing for the day, in the evening, they nailed up a shallow six inch deep box, plywood floor on two by twelve joists, pallet wood sides, four foot wide and sixteen feet long. Filled it with mesh, rebar, and a dense concrete mix. Around midnight, Skeet re-visited the setting slab, just long enough to give it a stiff broomed surface.

Day two. The early morning, beginning at dawn, was spent foraging and cutting scrub samplings. With strongly veed crotches for braces. Steel beams welded to the rebar protruding from the top of the core poured columns, begins tying the structure together. Later in the day, the well set up but uncured slab, is tilted up and braced with a forest of sampling poles beneath. Lifted into it’s place as a ramp, secured to and between two columns. Stair risers of pallet wood spanning the ramp are added. Tacked to the sides of the ramps wooden form by cleats, they mold the cement steps the Franklins pour, ascending and bonding to its rough broomed surface.

Day three. The trenches are back-filled. The playhouse is lifted by the backhoe into it’s elevated position, then welded to the column’s cross beams. First stage? Complete.

Now, waiting for the upper level to cure, lower level construction may commence to grow. Just as soon as adequate materials are located. Skeet plans to investigate suitable small structures, like garages, that could be demolished for salvage of their materials.

Skeet and Alma already moved their things and are temporarily camping in the tack room, waiting on the cure. Skeet hands over her former bedroom to Morgan who is reluctant to accept it so soon. A deal is a deal, Skeet insists. She proposes another trip. Tomorrow. Morgan and Stephanie are enthusiasts for the adventure. Alma whiningly less so.

Stephanie has never in her life, seen people work so hard, accomplish so much, in such a short amount of time, and with a minimum of chatter. She is more than impressed. Inspired, she hopes she and Morgan can become an equally cohesive team. And raise a family to be in the same mold as the Franklins. As Morgan’s wife, she too will become a Franklin! What thought could be more joyous than that?

Mrs Franklin insists Stephanie call her Mom now, every since they announced their someday plans to marry. When she expressed her admiration for the family’s teamwork, Mom had a startling revelation for her. It’s time she grew up!