Jamie looks at the Reverend and says, “JJ come by and purchased my entire load of wood for you. If I had been dishonest and not came here…”
Reverend Akins chuckles and says, “It’s good that you’re an honest man then. If you would’ve stayed out longer you would a lost a toe, or more. Some people have been known to die from the infections that frostbite can produce. It’s good that you came here I may be one of the only people in town that know the symptoms.”
Jamie says, “Thank you Reverend and remind me to thank JJ.”
The Reverend chuckles again and says, “I can get away with saying this, I swear the man must have an Angel on his shoulder. He seems to help with just what and when it’s needed. He’s a real godsend some days.” Jamie just shakes his head yes as he warns his feet.
I arrived home to warm kiss from Kathryn and Sam. There’s nothing like the feeling of warmth when you’re cold. Maybe that’s why I decided to share the firewood. The coach chuckles before he says, “There’s a rumor going around town that you were giving out wood for a hug.”
Chuckling I say, “I was giving out the wood, but I didn’t charge a hug for it. I didn’t refuse the few I got. Mostly the grandmother types, if they were younger than that I told them my wife wouldn’t understand.”
The Coach chuckles, Reverend Akins just called Jamie dropped the wood off. He has a very mild case of frostbite. Jamie will lose some of the skin on his toes and probably the toe nails but he’ll keep his toes. It’s a good thing you sent him there.”
I chuckle and say, “It’s a good thing Jamie is honest, I left him as he was getting in his truck to drive off. He could just drove around the corner or out to the mall and try to still sale the wood on the back of his truck.”
The coach jokes, “If he had his karma would’ve frostbit him.”
The whole family groans, Kathryn rubbing her Dad’s shoulder says, “It’s a good thing you’re a good coach, because if you try comedy you’ll lose that billion you have.”
Dad hugs Kathryn warmly and says, “Okay, I’ll give up on comedy.”
The Red Cross needs plenty of donations, and the family helps quite a bit seeing all the damage done by super storm Sandy. Our hearts go out to the families whose homes are lost, to those who lost loved ones our deepest respects. We hope for the rapid recovery of the region.
It takes a few weeks later everything returns to normal around here, although people seem to be a little better prepared now, many have gotten firewood and other heat sources ready for the next power outage.
Solar power contractor finished his proposal, when the school board says; they didn’t have the funds for such an expensive project.
I ask, “If money wasn’t an issue would the school board authorize the addition of the solar cells.”
The president of the school board says, “Of course we would but money is an issue.”
As I write out the check I say, “Not today, with your approval I’ll donate the solar project to the school district.”
The seven member board nearly turns down the free solar project with a 4 to 3 vote just passing. It’s no wonder people do not trust politicians, when they even want to turn down a free project that will reduce the power cost of running the school, and provide emergency power in case of another prolonged blackout.
Fortunately the weather turned better, the solar contractor began his installation and would need very little time. Only as small storage room converted for battery storage. A week after he began the project was completed. There weren’t enough storage batteries to run the school all night, so he had engineered a hybrid system. The system would provide most of the power needed for lighting all night from the batteries, recharge the batteries plus run the excess back to the grid. Power from the grid would make up any shortcomings the solar system could not provide. The contractor grinned at me he said, “During the fall winter and spring this system should actually provide more energy than the school needs ninety percent of the time. They will actually get a return from this system.”
We stood by the power meters and he showed me the input and the output meters. The input meter completely stop, and the output meter turn steadily and already reads several kilowatts only after half a day operating.
That Friday, I ran into the school board members at the game the four members who voted yes asked me how the power system was working. Smiling I told them, “Since it was turned on the school hasn’t used any power from the grid, matter-of-fact we’ve sold over nine hundred and thirty kilowatts back to the grid. These lights draw a lot of power the batteries may be just big enough to last throughout the game.”
The board members ask me, “What do you think that will mean in the long run?”
With a grin I tell him, “No more power bills for the high school for the duration of the school year. If you run summer school the air-conditioning systems use more power than solar cells we installed can provide, and those months you may break even or have to pay a small power bill.”
The chairman of the board who voted yes looks at one of the other board members who voted no and says, “I’ll take that resignation on my desk Monday. Remember you’re the one who bet your job that he would cost the school more than save it.”
The board member says, “We haven’t even got our first month’s power bill after the installation of the solar cells. How do we know for sure that this teacher isn’t lying to us?”
The chairman of the school board says, “Because Mister Meyer has never lied to me, or anyone that I know of.”
The school board member stomps off, chairman of the school board chuckles and says, “The idiot has so much power stock that he should have accused himself and not voted due to conflict of interest. When I asked him about it he lied of course.”
The game has gone well for us, and we will win 17 to 7 as the final seconds clicking by. Even with this win the couple losses we had beginning of the season will knock us out of going to state this year. This is the final game of the year for the team.
The night is cool not so cold that it’s terribly uncomfortable but Kathryn hold Sam close to keep each other warm. There in a blanket and the site of them warms me as I watch them enjoy the game. A lot of the family is setting close together, Kara cuddles with Daniel under a blanket. Karen sits with her Mom and Michelle. Maria, Mark, and Eddie are still off at college and won’t be coming home until Thanksgiving. Michael Junior is taking some post grad school and will be home for Thanksgiving with his new wife. They ran off and eloped it was a big surprise because he had a wedding planned out for June of next year.
Last seconds click off in the game is over, coach Edwards and I walk out to the center of the field and shake the hands of the visiting coaches and their team. I congratulate a few of them on their great moves and wish them luck on their next game.
Takes another twenty-five or thirty minutes before I can leave and I find Kathryn and Sam waiting for me. We go off and have hot chocolate at our favorite coffee shop. Cookies are not quite as good but Sam still enjoys one with her hot chocolate.
Ron will be here tomorrow, he decided to drive, and he’s moving his own personal items instead of having the government do it. With the amount of trouble Reese had getting her stuff delivered I don’t blame him.
Reese must’ve vacuumed her bedroom a dozen times this week that I know of. I guess some habits die hard and she will have the room in inspection order when the captain arrives. I bet he’ll not even notice anything but Reese. The only thing Ron wants to inspect is her body.
With him deciding to drive they only have to wait till Monday for the marriage license. We arranged a church for the following Friday, it will be another simple wedding, like Marshall’s and Misty’s. Reese already gotten a wedding dress, and everything seems to be going well. But I swear Reese would go in three different directions at one time if she could.
Arriving home we find a moving truck with a car on a trailer parked on the side of our driveway. The car has Texas tags and I can guess who’s here. It’s a long drive from Texas, and he had to make really good time considering he didn’t get to leave until yesterday.
We know Reese would be very excited to see Ron, Kathryn and I both doubted we would see the two of them for the rest of the weekend. Maybe just to come out, grab something to eat and drink and then back into the bedroom.
As the car comes to a complete stop Sam is the first to get out open door I can hear her call to Ron. Kathryn and I are surprised when Ron met Sam at the door, Reese a half step back. Kathryn and I go and join Sam to welcome Ron back. Ron holds Sam with one arm as he shakes my hand. Kathryn gives him a hug, but step back quickly and puts her hand over her mouth as she heads towards the nearest bathroom. I follow Kathryn and do what I can for her, but Ron does have a strong body odor that’s upset Kathryn stomach.
When Kathryn gets herself under control again we come back into the hall, but Kathryn doesn’t get too close to Ron. Ron gets a puzzled look and he asks, “Did I do something wrong?”
Reese says, “My love you stink, and a month or two if you stink that bad I’ll be in the bathroom just like Kathryn was. I think I’m going to have to run you into the shower and scrub you clean.”
Sam begins to squirm in Ron’s embrace, with a giggle she says, “You do smell kind of bad Ron.”
Ron chuckles and says, “If you drive a big old truck all the way from Texas and you didn’t stink it would be a miracle.”
I chuckle, “Reese, go wash him. Don’t forget we have breakfast tomorrow at Alyssa’s cottage.” Sam reaches for me and Ron passes Sam back to me. Reese begins the pull Ron back to the suite she is staying in.
Ron chuckles, “That’s what I get for driving without even taking time for a shower just to get next to you.”
Reese giggles and says with a sexy grin, “My love you’re not even touching the soap, but you’ll get clean.” Ron’s eyes show his happiness as he realizes Reese will be washing him. The door closes behind them.
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