Chapter 3
Mara had just gotten through drying some towels and sheets. She began to wonder why did she stay in the house? Ever since her husband had walked out on her she had tried to make a go of the farm.
Buying the house had been Ben's idea. She hadn't really wanted to live in the country, preferring urban living instead; but she had been in love with Ben and had been willing to live wherever he wanted. At first things were okay. The first four years the land had produced good crops. The fifth year though a drought hit and ruined the crops. Ben owed a lot of money and they eventually had to sell some of the equipment to help pay off the debt, but it wasn't enough. He went into town to find work. The money was enough to keep them above water, but it began to wear Ben down. He was thinking that perhaps it was best he just get away. One day he left to go to work, but never came home.
Mara divorced him a month later. She knew she could never farm it so she decided to rent the land. So far she had done well. She had been in the middle of folding when she heard the thunder and then the heavy patter of rain on the roof. It was shortly after she heard pounding on her front door. Wondering who would be out in this storm, she answered the door to see a tall man and two small boys, all soaked to the skin.
"Get in here right now, she said without hesitation. She looked at the boys, who looked just like the man. "What are you doing out in this storm?"
"My car broke down a half mile from here. I was wondering if I could use your phone to call a tow truck?"
"Yes, by all means, but first you and the boys need to get out of those wet clothes."
Mara went to the laundry room and brought back several large towels, giving them to Mark. She looked at him. Her ex-husband had been tall, but not as tall as him. "There's a bathroom just down the hallway. Get the boys and you out of those wet clothes and dry yourselves off. Here are some extras to wrap around you and them. I'll see what I can find for you to wear," she said to Mark.
She showed them to the bathroom. He undressed the boys and dried them off, wrapping fresh towels around them. Mara stood outside the bathroom door. When the door opened, she had to turn her head. Mark had undressed but still had his underwear on. Mark was embarrassed and quickly shut the door.
E-mail Lady B at taker123@yahoo.com.
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