JD
Dear Mr. Buck Oh, you too Mr. Chris,
Ms. Nettie's helping me write this.
Today we went to the Farmers Market, lest that's what Ms.
Nettie called it. You know Mr. Buck. I looked everywhere, I mean everywhere. I
looked in the bathrooms and behind every booth and I never seen (oops) never saw
not one no Mr. Buck not one farmer. Mr. Buck / Mr. Chris you should see all the
fruit and vegetables they had. I think Uncle Nathan and Aunt Rain would really
like that place. Vin thought on it and told me I couldn't find any farmers
because they shop before any little kids come. They do it so they don't have to
answer any questions from little kids.
Good night Mr. Buck, Oh you too Mr. Chris.
Ms. Nettie wants me to take a bath before I go to sleep.
After supper we had ice cream with strawberry syrup and whip cream. I tell you
Mr. Buck it was sooo good with I could have some more. Ms. Nettie can't figure
it out, some how I got the ice cream and syrup all over me and in my hair.
Ms. Nettie's taking us to see a bridge today. It's called
The Golden Gate Bridge, and Ms. Nettie told Vin and me that people walk and
drive across the bridge.
Hi Mr. Buck Mr. Chris, we just got back and I saw it, I saw
it Mr. Buck Mr. Chris and people were walking and riding on it. Can you believe
it, the people were riding and walking on a bride of Gold. Gold, a Gold
bridge. You know people here sure like to hide things. This time I looked
everywhere and I couldn't find the Gate. You know the one to the bridge. I been
thinking that someone broke it and it's getting fixed. I promise Mr. Buck, Mr.
Chris I didn't do it, I didn't break it nope it wasn't me.
After thinking awhile, Vin said if he had a bridge made of
gold he'd be rich. He'd take all of us out to eat. Then he buy us what ever we
wanted. Only thing I want is a hat. I want one just like that that guy on TV.
It's round and looks like a bowl and this guy wears clothes like Uncle Ezra.
He's all fancy and plays cards for money he also plays shoot em up and cowboys
and Indians.
It's been a long day. Ms. Nettie asked Vin and me to play
quietly. She's taking a nap again. Boy o boy, Mr. Buck she sure does sleep a
lot. When I get as old as you will I have to take naps again? I sure hope not. I
hope it takes me a long time to be as old as you. He, he, he, he, Vin just said nobodies
as old as you and Mr. Chris. Giggle he, he, he , he, he. Got to go Ms. Nettie is
calling.
After dinner Ms. Nettie told us a sad story. Bout a little
girl name Casey. Her mommy and daddy went to heaven without her. She's all a
lone now. Ms Nettie told us she Ms. Nettie is her only living relative. Ms.
Nettie come to take Casey home. Ms Nettie fore she can take Casey, has to get a
man or lady like that nice man who let you and Mr. Chris take us home say ok.
Vin keeps telling I have to say Good-Bye now. Know what Mr.
Buck Mr. Chris, I think Vin's fraid he won't have nothin to tell you. Fraid I'll
tell you it all.
ure do miss you Ms. Nettie said we be home in two days.
That's this many ( he draws a hand holding up 3 fingers ) oops he cross off 1
finger.
Good Bye
Love
JD
PS don't believe what Vin tells 'bout me ok Mr. Buck and Mr. Chris.
Vin
Dear Mr. Chris / Mr. Buck,
Ms. Nettie said we taking a plane to California. JD an me never been
on one afore. WOW, Mr. Chris / Mr. Buck the plane sure is fun, we get to
to eat and watch a movie. So's we can hear, they give us somethin' to put in our
ears. Now Mr. Buck we know "DON'T PUT ANYTHING IN OUR EARS." Ms.
Nettie, she said it's OK this time.
We just got to the Hotel and BOY, Mr. Chris / Mr. Buck it sure
is a neat Hotel. We have one room and they fit everything in it, 'cept the
toilet and tub. They got their own room. Even the pool got it's own room. We can
even wash our clothes. Not in the pool. They'd got a machine we can use. We even
get to watch some lady come and clean our room. Mr. Chris / Mr. Buck, she
cleaned THE BATHROOM...YUK. I don't get it!!!!! Whey would anyone want to
clean someone else's BATHROOM. Sure wish we could bring her home. I'd been
think an ifn' she came home with us, she could have my room.
Tomorrow Ms. Nettie's takin' us where Farmers Shop. I can't wait
to see what kind of things they buy. Mr. Chris / Mr. Buck they had rows and rows
of stuff ta eat. There was fruit, vegetables, plants even meat. Ms. Nettie let
us have one piece of fruit. We shopped shopped and shopped, boy never knew a
girl could spend so much time shipping for nothin'. Boy, thought we'd never get
out of there. If it weren't for JD fallin' and hurtin' his knee I just bet we'd
still be there. Oh, sorry Mr. Chris / Mr. Buck forgot JD didn't tell you 'bout
that did he? Well he tripped over his own feet, the Doctor said he'd be ok just
needs to sleep some. Now don't you worry Ms Nettie an me, we takin' real good
care of him. We promise.
JD's wakin' up, finally. Boy, he sure slept a long, long, long,
long, time. Ms Nettie said, "with all the crying he did it's a wonder he
didn't sleep til tomorrow.
While we waited for Ms. Nettie, JD an me talked it over an ifn'
it's alright with you an Ms. Nettie we'd like to call her Grandma.
Now we don't want to upset anyone, so ifn' you all don't want us
to we just keep callin' her Ms. Nettie. Oh, no JD just started cryin'. Here
comes Grandma oops I meant Ms. Nettie.
Honest, Mr. Chris / Mr. Buck we were just stittin' and talkin'
JD was gettin' tired an started suckin' his thumb, he fell back on the bed his
thumb popped out and out come his TOOTH. Well JD he cried, he did till Ms.
Nettie gathered him up into a hug. They sat there rockin' back an forth
and Ms. Nettie she told him it was ok, said it's just a baby tooth. JD
all a sudden is mad as anything, he starts yelling, "I'M NOT A BABY, I'M A
BIG BOY.'' Ms. Nettie she fix's it good, she tells him, "JD I know your a
big boy, but some big boy's like him still have their baby teeth." I guess
he was thinking on it some, cause later he ask me if I think that maybe Mr. Buck
still has any of his baby teeth.
Well Ms. Nettie's ready and were goin' out to eat. Bye.
Boy Mr. Chris / Buck, Ms Nettie sure is fun.
Last night we went ta a place called "The Beach." Me
an' JD never been ta the beach b'fore. It sure is pretty there. It got a lot of
dirt. Ms. Nettie calls it sand and WATER enough ta take TEN BATHS a DAY. Ms.
Nettie she explain that the water is called an' Ocean an' that water was no good
for drinkin'. Seems that it got a lot of salt and that's not good for you Ms.
Nettie said. Just as Ms. Nettie finished we heard JD thrown' up "DON'T
WORRY." The Doctor said JD will be alright. He just needs to be CALM and
NOT RUN. Me. an' Ms Nettie we just tried soooo hard not ta laugh. JD NOT run
around? Boy oh boy. I think we'll have ta tie him down. Ha Ha Ha.
Ok. Mr. Chris / Mr. Buck have ta go now, but I'll be back. Ms
Nettie promised, she wants a turn too. Bye.
Love,
Vin
P.S. Is it ok ta say I love you ta another guy?
Miss Nettie
To: Ranch LWTD
From: Feisty Lady
Dear Chris and Buck,
I want to thank you both for allowing the boys to accompany me on my trip to San Francisco. They have made this a truly memorable experience, one I shall treasure.
I was very proud of Vin and JD, and the way they helped by carrying their own luggage. I do believe they were surprised at the size of the plane. As we approached the plane, Vin stopped walking and JD didn't say a word. I was beginning to think they were frightened until JD started to jump and dance around. I'm certain he would have gone through the ceiling had we been on the plane. As for Vin I felt that at point I would need to put his eyes back in his head. The boy stared so hard I thought his eyes would pop out.
Upon our arrival, and after checking in at our hotel, which I believe the boys would like to stay in for the entire trip, I placed my call to the authorities concerning my little Casey. It was then I found out Judge Goodwillie had been called out of town due family business.
While we wait for the Judge's return, we shall see some of the sights. Tomorrow, we will be seeing the Farmers Market, have dinner and go for a swim in the wonderful pool. Then I think the following day we will see the Golden Gate Bridge. After that, if the Judge has not returned we will go to the beach and have a picnic.
I promised the boys they each could say something before I close.
Hi Mr. Buck you too Mr. Chris, boy oh boy I'm telling you Miss Nettie's niece is a real pest she just won't leave me alone. Her name's Casey, Casey that's a boy's name and she follows me everywhere even to the BATHROOM. Sure can't wait to get home Miss Nettie says that Casey is going to live with her, that means I won't have to see her all the time and be nice. Well, got to go Vin wants ta tell you something too. See you soon. I love you Mr. Buck and you too Mr. Chris.
Hey Mr. Chris Mr. Buck, sure having a good time and don't you listen to JD he loves Casey following him around. She's so tiny and cute. I like her, almost like having a little sister, I think it's kind'a nice. I missed you awful lot. Is it ok for guys to cry? Miss Nettie wants to get this in the mail today so she wants me to say good- bye. Bye Buck. Bye, I love you Dad.
Well again, I thank you for their company. Oh yes, the flight information is United Airlines flight number 777 arriving 7am tomorrow morning. See you then.
Yours truly,
Nettie Wells
PS. Aren't these computers wonderful.
Epilogue
It is 10:00 am Saturday morning and for Chris
Larabee and Buck Wilmington today is going to be the best of all days. The two
small boys in their charge are coming home. Although it’s been two weeks, for
Buck and Chris, it has felt like a lifetime.
While the boys were away, the men worked late
every night. They found this was better than going home to an empty house. When
Ms. Nettie Wells approached them concerning the possibility of the boys
accompanying her to San Francisco, they thought it was a great idea. That way
the boys would have a great vacation and they wouldn’t have to worry about
babysitters. However, they didn’t realize how alone they would feel without
the boys.
Every letter, every postcard the men received
they read over and over. Why, if you were to look at them, you would swear they
were put through the washer more than once.
Well, as I said before today is the best day for
all of them. You see, today is the day they will be back together as the family
they had grown into. And so, here they wait for the plane to land that is
carrying their boys.
When the plane landed, JD and Vin flew off the
plane in search of their dads. Ms. Nettie and Casey were not far behind. Since
boarding the plane in San Francisco, JD
never stopped telling everyone about Buck and Chris. Vin tried to get JD to
hush, but JD would have none of that. 'Thank the Good Lord,’ Ms. Nettie kept
saying, 'it’s only a short flight home.’ So when the doors opened everyone
waited for the cute little tyke with the long black hair and his silent friends
to depart.
It was a sight to see, two small boys and two
grown men running to each other. The men scooped the boys up into their arms and
hugging them close. As JD saw Buck he yelled daddy right up to being picked up.
Vin held back, it was not until he was in Chris’ arms did he allow himself to
call Chris daddy. Chris Larabee and Bucklin Wilmington gathered their little
family and headed home.
END
