LITMIR.BIZ

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headed for the tall double doors. “Let’s go Toby.” He turned to look at his dog and chuckled. “You don’t want me to close the doors with you inside, do you?” Toby ran around him and was out the door ahead of Charlie and practically ran into the chickens wandering the yard and pecking at bugs in the dirt. The dog quickly gained his composure and turned around and gave a bark. “Okay, I’m hurrying,” Charlie laughed as he closed the doors.

      Life was difficult at times for Charlie without his Pa. He dearly missed the man who was an incredible influence in his life. His Pa was a hard worker who taught Charlie the necessity of being responsible and taking on one’s duty with a willing heart. He could still hear his Pa’s words in his mind. “Always remember that taking care of others is a privilege and honor. Do your responsibility with a willing heart and you will find pleasure in what you do.”

      Charlie understood those words of wisdom, for he took pleasure in helping his widowed Mum. The thought of her brought a smile to his face. All morning, she’d pretended to forget that today was his birthday. But Charlie had smelled the chocolate cake baking while doing his chores. And yesterday, he’d gotten a quick look of a neatly wrapped package before his Mum dashed into her room. He was sure that she had made him a new Sunday suit for church. When they were at the local merchant’s last month, he observed her looking at the material and whisper to Mr. O’Malley, the owner.

      His stomach growled as he hurried to the house with Toby close at his heels. It’s a long time from breakfast till lunch for a young lad. When he opened the kitchen door, his Mum greeted him with a big hug. “Happy Birthday, luv.” Maggie McGee grinned and ruffled her son’s red ringlets. “I couldn’t go another moment with you thinking that I forgot your birthday.” She pointed towards the dry sink holding a ceramic bowl and pitcher. “Get yourself washed for lunch. We’ll celebrate your birthday tonight at supper when Dr. Dixon and Chelsea arrive. You know they wouldn’t miss this for anything. After all, you are their godson.” She sighed. “They love you like you were their own lad.”

      She turned to go toward the cast iron wood burning stove, stopped and turned back again. “Oh yes, Colin sent a note saying that Mr. O’Hara can’t spare him today. They have an overload of shoes to get done. He felt terrible about missing your birthday but said that he’ll see you Sunday at church and for his usual Sunday lunch with us.” She threw her hands up in the air. “Where’s my blooming mind? Father Flanagan is waiting in the parlor. He said that you told him that he could come and get that calf at his convenience. It seems that he has the butcher lined up first thing tomorrow morning.”

      Charlie gestured with his hands. “Well, I’ll have to postpone my wash for a bit.” He hurried toward the parlor where Father Flanagan was waiting. As he entered the parlor, he found Father Flanagan seated in one of the Queen Anne chairs with cabriole legs. The priest was so engrossed in reading the family Bible that he almost dropped it as Charlie entered the room. He let out a heavy sigh and quickly blessed himself. “I thought that while I was waiting, I would use the time wisely and read my scripture text for Sunday’s Mass.” He placed the Bible down on the oval top trestle table with a key-tenoned center rail and turned spindle supports. When he stood up, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pouch of money. “Here’s the price that you asked for the calf. I hope this hasn’t proven to be an inconvenient time for you.” He bit the hangnail on his left thumb. “It seems that I forgot today was your birthday, until your Mum reminded me. However, I will at this time give you a birthday blessing.” He reached into his other pocket and pulled out a vial of oil and proceeded to give Charlie the blessing. “In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, I ask you Blessed Savior to bless this birthday as no other.”

      “Thank you, Father,” Charlie said as he shook the priest’s hand, “a blessing is always welcomed.” He gestured with his hands. “Well, I guess that we had better go get that calf. He’s a hefty one, that’s for sure. I believe that he’s put on about ten more pounds since you saw him. The butcher won’t have any problem getting plenty of meat from him.”

      After Charlie had taken care of Father Flanagan, he hurried into the kitchen. “Sorry, Mum, I hope everything didn’t get too cold. But I didn’t want to seem like I was rushing Father Flanagan. He’s a busy man, and I know that he has to do what he can when he can.” He chuckled. “Besides, I really like him. I look forward to hearing his sermons about Bible stories. He makes everything so interesting.”

      Mrs. McGee smiled. “I kept it all on the stove to keep warm. Everything is fine. Besides, your responsibility had to be carried out. I had asked Father Flanagan to stay for lunch, but he had some appointments this afternoon.” She wiped her face with her apron. “That priest has been a godsend since he arrived from Ireland about thirty years ago. This was his first parish as a young priest. The old folks say that he’s not like the priests that were here before; he’s always looking for ways to help the people. I do believe that he truly goes the extra mile when it comes to helping. Never has he seen anyone in need and not done all that he can to help. He’s what I call a real saint.” She started to set the scrolled trestle table of key-tenon design and turned to look at Charlie. “Don’t forget that your godparents will be here for supper. So, you will have extra pressure to get the feeding and other chores done because of the time lost this afternoon. I know that it will not be the same without Colin, but that boy has a heavy load on his shoulders also.” She motioned to the dry sink. “I think you can finally wash for lunch.” She chuckled. “We will have to eat a little faster than normal, but I think that my hunger will require a little speed.”

      Charlie nodded and headed to the dry sink holding the bowl to wash. He poured water from the pitcher into the bowl and began to wash his hands. He’d be glad to see Dr. Dixon and Chelsea, but he will miss Colin. Charlie’s Pa and the doctor had been friends most of their life. In honor of that friendship, Rory McGee named his son Charles Dixon McGee. Colin Coyle, on the other hand was Charlie’s best friend. Although Colin was seventeen, they’d been like brothers ever since Charlie could remember. Colin with his straight black hair and hazel eyes contrasted with Charlie’s curly red hair and sky-blue eyes. Although they looked like opposites, they were alike in being hard workers doing all that they could to help their widowed Mums.

      Whenever Charlie thought that he had a lot of responsibility with the farm, Colin would come to his mind. Colin was the eldest of six children. He had four sisters ages fifteen, thirteen, eleven, nine and a younger brother age seven who was only a year old when Colin’s Pa died. With so many mouths to feed, Colin worked at Olney Junction in Kade County, the next county over, for Shawn O’Hara, the shoemaker. The ironic thing to Charlie is that they both lost their Pa’s at eleven years of age.

      Charlie’s thoughts were interrupted by his Mum’s voice. “Are you going to wash all day? I have your place set.”

      Charlie grinned as he sauntered over to the table and sat down at the opposite end of the table on his Governor Carver arm chair. “I knew you didn’t forget my birthday. Did you really think that you could bake a cake and I wouldn’t get a whiff of it?”

      Maggie giggled. “I should have known. Your Pa was the same. I couldn’t put anything past his nose.” She took on a haunted look. “He would be so proud of you. I sorely miss him.” She straightened up. “He would not want me being melancholy when we are supposed to be celebrating your birthday.”

      Charlie tilted his head. “I think I heard a horse ride up. We’re not expecting anyone are we?”

      Maggie was about to pour their milk, paused, and put the pitcher down. “I believe it may be Marvin with mail, but he’s late today.” She shrugged her shoulders with a sigh. When she went outside, she greeted the carrier who was sitting on his horse with a satchel hanging on each side. “Hello, Marvin, you’re late today. Is everything okay?”

      “I’m fine, Mrs. McGee, outside of a little gout acting up. Can’t complain though, I’m doing just fine.” He reached into the satchel on his right and pulled out an envelope. “Here’s one for Charlie. It must be a card or something.”

      Maggie smiled. “Yes, today is Charlie’s sixteenth birthday.”

      “Well,

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