April 2010

            "Ben, is Marian home yet?"

            "No Mother, she stayed after school to practice with all the spelling team members."

            "Oh yes!  I just haven't gotten used to the idea that Marian is in the sixth grade already and I completely forgot that she is on the spelling team."

            "She has been talking about winning that prize for weeks.  But it would be nice if she and her team members could go and take part in that big celebration.  That is something they would all remember for the rest of their lives."

            "I wish I could go too, but Mr. Steele said only the one spelling team, the winners, could go."

            "I know Ben, but in a few years you will be old enough.  If you study your spelling words every day and become a very good speller, maybe you will be picked for one of the teams for the spelling bee, like Marian."

            "I know, I know!  I do study my spelling words every day."

            "Then you will probably have a good chance to get on the team.  But, right now, I have to look at the chicken boiling away in the pot.  It should be almost cooked.  Come on along with me, Ben.  I would like to ask you a question after I look at the chicken."

            "All right Mother.  Let's go."

            After the chicken was checked, they went to the parlor, Ben sat down and leaned against the pillows in Father's big chair while Mother walked over to her huge fern.

            She carefully checked the fronds as she talked.

            "Ben have you asked your Father about looking at our lanterns?  You know we'll need them next Tuesday evening when we go to the spelling bee."

            Grandfather walked in from the kitchen, just then.

            "Ben, did Mr. Steele say anything today about some new exciting news?"

            "No Grandfather.  We worked very hard on some new arithmetic numbers, worked on the science project and the essays we've been writing.  What new news are you talking about?"

            Grandfather smiled and said, "Let's come back in here after supper.  I have some papers, so we can find out about this new news."

            Soon everyone was out near the table ready for supper.  Father and Grandfather talked quietly together. The whole family was eager to eat the mashed potatoes, the carrots, Mother's baked bread and the chicken they had been smelling since they had come to the kitchen.  Ben was waiting expectantly for two things:  Mother's chocolate pie and Grandfather's news.  Ben was just licking his lips as he anticipated the chocolate pie with topping.  Mother always knew just how much to bake the pie and then spread the pure white topping to cover the chocolate.  And of course, this was the pie de resistance.  They all sat down.  Just as soon as the chairs had stopped scraping the floor as they all sought to be comfortable, a loud stomping was heard on the porch, through the screen door. John Gifford stood there, panting and all out of breath, yelling "Jonathan Deuel's barn is a burnin'!  It's a burnin' like fury."  Grandfather and Father each grabbed a pail and a broom which they always kept handy. John was still yelling.  He quickly motioned for Grandfather and Father to follow him.  The three of them disappeared off the porch and were gone.

            The silence was deafening.  All of them began to eat. Not a word was said.  Their eyes were fixed right on their plates.

            Ben was the first to look up.  He circled all his relatives with his gaze.

            "Oh gosh, now we won't see the papers Grandfather has...We won't find out the special news he was about to tell us."

            Ben mumbled and looked down at this plate.  When Mother saw the sad, forlorn look on his face, she went around, put her hands on his shoulders and looked right into his eyes.

            "Ben"  she said, "Don't worry.  I'm sure Grandfather will tell you all about this exciting new news very soon."

            Ben looked up, tried to muster a faint smile on his face, and said, "But Mother, what can it be.  We don't have anything around here that would make exciting new news.  What can it be?  What can it be?"

            As he finished talking a dark figure could be seen just outside the screen door.

            Father stood there, but grandfather was not back from the fire.  Ashes and soot covered fathers' clothes.

            "Patience, patience my boy."

            Father had heard Ben's remarks just as he came in.

            "Grandfather will be exhausted when he comes back from the fire.  Just wait.  I'm very sure you will find out what that new news is all about, very soon.  Yes, very soon."