The Cow-Pie Chronicles by James L. Butler

Author:James L. Butler [Butler, James L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: kids, animals, brothers and sisters, cow pies, farm animals, farm adventures, adventures, bulls, sisters, city life, farm life
Publisher: Publishing Syndicate
Published: 2013-09-02T07:00:00+00:00

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Chapter 14

The next day after school, Tim and Dana sprinted to the house as soon as they got off the school bus. They were so concerned about their mom that they didn’t even say goodbye to Mr. Horner.

Bursting through the back door, they found their mom sitting at the kitchen table, peeling potatoes for supper. They ran to her and each gave her a big hug.

“Are you okay, Mom?” both kids asked at the same time.

“Yes, yes. I’ll be fine. Sit down and I’ll get you a treat.”

Mom walked slowly to the freezer as Dana and Tim took their usual seats at the table. They sensed bad news was coming.

Mom returned, holding two Popsicles. “Who wants cherry and who wants grape?”

“Grape,” Dana said.

Grape was Tim’s favorite and Dana knew it, but Tim took the cherry Popsicle without complaining. Dana stared at him, confused because she expected him to whine. Mom sat down at the end of the table.

“Grandma said you can’t work anymore,” Tim said.

“Not until after the baby is born.”

“How long is that?” Dana asked.

“Middle of February. Uncle Jack will help us finish the harvest.”

Tim’s melting, untouched Popsicle began to drip on his hand. He was afraid to ask the next question, but had to. “Then what?”

His mom grabbed a dish towel and reached over to wipe Tim’s hand. “Then we sell the farm.”

Tim and Dana sat still, waiting for her to say something different. But she did not. With sad eyes, Mom looked at her two children.

“We’re going to move into town?” Dana finally asked.

“Not right away. We can’t sell the land until spring, so we’re going to sell all the equipment and crops we just harvested at auction to keep us going until then.”

“Sell everything in an auction? Can’t Dad hire somebody to help him like the neighbors do?” Tim asked.

“We don’t make enough money to support ourselves as it is, especially with another mouth to feed and one less person doing the work.”

“I can do the work,” Tim said.

“This isn’t your future anymore, Tim,” Mom said. Then she spoke to both children. “Don’t worry about things right now. Keep doing your chores and we’ll work through it one step at a time as a family. Okay?”

Tim turned his head to hide his tears. Dana sat quietly watching Tim, and then she started crying, too. They got up and walked slowly out of the kitchen and to their bedrooms to change clothes. It was time to do chores.

Tim heard Dana sniffling. “What’re you crying for? Your dream came true—you get to move to town.”

“But I didn’t want to sell our farm,” Dana said.

“That’s stupid. How could we live in town and still have the farm?”

Anger replaced her tears. “Mom never asked me how I would feel about selling our farm!” Dana said.

“It’s too late now, isn’t it, Dee-Dee?” Tim said as he headed to his room.

Dana clenched her fists and screamed at Tim’s back, “Poop Slinger!”

Tim stopped and slowly looked back over his shoulder at his sister.

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