Chapter 22
Tuesday morning, one week to the day, almost to the exact time in which Chris had found the 1985 penny, he was out in his field. He had finished the plowing and harrowing which was simpler than he thought with the fresh rainfall. Now was the back breaking duty of seeding.
He was grateful for the extended credit for the seeds from the mercantile and hoped and prayed that this harvest would be successful so that he may be able to pay the Moyors back. Being in debt immediately after being on his own was not a good start to his new life.
This day was bright and cheery. The sun touched everything with it's outreached beams. A flock of sparrows flew overhead catching Chris' attention. He followed their flight path as they came in from the East, then shot North in one swift motion.
"Oh, to be able to fly." Chris whispered to himself. His mind wondered off on a meandering thought of what that would be like. To fly, to just lift off and soar where ever the wind took you. To be able to look down among the Earth and see it's beauty and splendor from an aerial view.
He looked up to see the flock disappear behind the tree line. A smile stretched across his lips as he turned back to his work.
At that very moment, something glistened in Chris' peripheral vision. Chris whipped his head over to the direction he just turned from. On that very same stump, the old maple tree stump was another shiny object.
“Another penny?” Chris said, immediately dropping his bag of seed and quickly walking over. He reached the stump and picked up the penny.
“1986?”
What was this one supposed to mean? All of the scenario’s he had come up with for the 1985 penny seemed to make sense to him but this one made little to no sense. Nothing significant happened that year except for the continued deterioration of his mom’s love and behavior toward him.
The guess about his grandma being the gift giver seemed to float away with the breeze. This had to be a message from God.
"I don't know what this means." Chris said toward the sky.
He's the only one that knows what happened to me because He's the one who sent me. He's the only one who could produce these items from the future.
"Please tell me what this means.." he pleaded.
Silence. Only the rustle of some leaves and distant bird chirping.
Chris looked toward the house watching a tiny figure hanging linens on the line. Hanna was so smart and strong in her faith. Perhaps she could help him. He would have to divulge the entire story to her before he could even ask for her help. Would she even believe him? The situation was even hard for Chris to believe, how could he expect someone else to?
He walked through the rows of mounded dirt, retrieved his seed bag and began walking back up to the tiny house. He kept his eyes locked on Hanna as she flung the sheets over rope tied between two trees.
When he reached the yard, he called for her causing her to whip around as if he had startled her.
“What’s wrong?” she gasped. “it’s not dinner time already is it? I just put the bread in the oven.” She left her wash, lifted the bottom of her skirt as if she was preparing to bolt into the house.
“Nothing is wrong.” Chris said holding up his hand as if to stop her with supernatural powers. “I just wanted to talk to you.”
“It must be important if you left the fields.” Hanna said with worry spreading across her face. “Shall we sit out here? I can bring out a tray of lemonade and cookies.”
“No, thank you. I just wanted to talk to you about something and get your input on it.” He slowly said.
“Certainly.” Hanna clasped her hands together in front of her and waited patiently for Chris to begin.
“I.. there’s something that I... um.. never...”
Both of their heads bolted over to look in the same direction when the sound of a wagon approached.
“Pa.” Hanna excitedly exclaimed.
Mr. Browley and Mr. Moyor stopped the wagon in front of the house and climbed down from the high bench.
“Nice to see you, Mr. Moyor. Would you gentlemen like some coffee? Lemonade or cookies? I can have them ready in only a few minutes if you’d like to come in.” Hanna graciously offered.
“That would be wonderful, Hanna. Thank you.” Mr. Moyor replied. “Why don’t we all head into the house, we’re here to speak to both of you.”
After they all filed into the door, the men took a seat around the table as Hanna fetched the coffee. Once she was seated, Mr. Moyor began.
“Chris, Hanna. There’s nothing more I’d like to do for you both than to donate materials for another barn. Times are not terribly tough for us right now, but supplying two barns in less than two months is more than we can handle.”
“Oh, we understand. We didn’t expect you to furnish us with another barn.” Chris cut in. “We were hoping to get the supplies we needed for the project depending on the success of the crop. I am still aware that we owe you for the credit you extended us and we are prepared to make good on that.”
“I know you are. I’m not worried about it.” Mr. Moyor said with a smile. “In fact, the town has come together to figure out a quicker way to get the structure back up. We are prepared to furnish you with the supplies but the cost of them will need to be earned. Mr. Kinsley said that he could use some help over at his Livery and you may know by now that he also does some blacksmithing work. I also could use some help at the mercantile. We’re getting a shipment in next week and we surely could use some help sorting, cleaning and stacking the new merchandise.”
Chris’ eyes widened as the information overloaded him. How could he do two jobs and keep up with his own property. If he neglects his work at home, he cannot pay anyone back with a failed crop. He needed a barn, though. He couldn’t leave Gus and Gertie out in the pastor forever. They had talked about getting more chickens and maybe a goat. They needed a home for these animals.
“Now, we realize with the work that you have here, you certainly will not want to take both jobs.” Mr. Moyor continued as if reading Chris’ thoughts. “We are here to extend both opportunities and let you make your choice of one, or if you have another idea or plan, we’d love to hear it. The town is anxious to get your barn back up.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Chris said drifting back into his thoughts.
“Can we have both jobs if that’s what we choose?” Hanna asked taking Chris by surprise.
“Uh, if both jobs can be handled, both Mr. Kinsley and I need the help.” Mr. Moyor responded seeming as surprised as Chris.
Chris threw her a worried glance. ‘What does she expect of me?’ he wondered.
“Not both jobs for Chris, of course.” Hanna said with a slight giggle. “I was thinking that we could pay our debt back faster if Chris could take the work with Mr. Kinsley and I could help you with the mercantile, Mr. Moyor. That job sounds more of a woman’s, anyway.”
“That is certainly an option. We don’t expect an answer right away. You two discuss, pray about it and we can wait until Sunday to hear your answer. Does that sound alright with you?” Mr. Moyor added after receiving a concurring nod from Mr. Browley.
Chris and Hanna exchanged glances then slowly nodded in unison.
“Good, it’s settled then. I will see you both on Sunday in church. Ma’am, thank you for the coffee and the cookies were delicious. Chris?” Mr. Moyor said as he and Mr. Browley stood to leave.
“We’ll talk soon.” Mr. Browley stated, shaking Chris’ hand and giving his daughter a kiss on the forehead.
They waved on as the wagon disappeared around the bend. “Well, I suppose I’d better get back out there.” Chris said turning from Hanna.
“Didn’t you want to talk?” She asked.
“Oh, yeah. Um... Okay, I think it’s a good idea for us both to take the jobs for just a bit to work off our debt to the town. If we can pay off some extra then I won’t be so worried about the
se crops.”
“That’s fine, Chris. We could have answered them right then and there but they are right. We do need to pray about it and see if it is in God’s eyes to do.”
“Oh, yes.” Chris said, but wondering of the point. God didn’t seem to be answering any of his other questions. “we can talk about it when dinner is ready, how long?”
“I’d say a good half hour. I can call you in.. but..” Hanna hesitated. “wasn’t there something else you wanted to talk to me about? The reason you came in from the fields in the first place?”
Chris could hardly believe it slipped his own mind. He had lost the nerve that built up in the field and as he neared the house. He just didn’t quite know how to get the words out.
“Oh, it was nothing. We can talk about it later.” Chris said trying hard to ignore the look on her face that suggested that she did not believe him.
“Call me when dinner is ready? I’d like to get as much done as I possibly can, today.” He gave her a firm but quick kiss, then headed back to the field with his seed bag in hand.
‘Why do I feel like this hole I’m in keeps getting deeper and deeper. Every time it seems that I’m about to climb out, I dig it more myself.’ Chris said within his own mind. ‘The truth is going to come out eventually, am I going to be the one to bring it out or wait until it slips out itself?’