19 comments/ 56404 views/ 12 favorites You Gave Me a Mountain Ch. 01 By: DG Hear Thank you to my editors LadyCibelle and Techsan for making this story a much better read. * I was sitting there in the restaurant in the quaint small town where I used to live. They had one of those tabletop jukeboxes and I was looking through the song titles. I remembered how so many songs seemed to be a pathway for me. I slipped in a few coins and pushed the buttons. The song started to play and I could hear Marty Robbins singing a song that sounded like it was about my life. At least it paralleled my life. It was, 'Lord, You Gave Me A Mountain.' I sat back in the chair and began to reminisce as the song started. Born in the heat of the desert. My mother died giving me life. Deprived of the love of a father. Blamed for the loss of his wife. Yep! That's how my life began. My parents were from the Midwest. It could have been any country town USA. My dad worked the farm for his dad. Farming was all my grandparents knew. My mom and dad grew up in the same area. They were out of high school and in love. According to my grandparents, they lived in a trailer out back next to the barn. They didn't care much about material things as long as they had each other. They were John and Martha Evans. My mom became pregnant with me. She had my name all picked out. I was to be Joshua John Evans. I was told she went through hell with morning sickness and then was bed ridden through most of the pregnancy. My dad was worried about her. She was his life and she was having a very hard time carrying me. My grandma said something went wrong in her eighth month and she was rushed to the hospital. They were able to save me but my mother didn't make it. She died while giving me life. I was left in the hospital for a few extra days due to being born early. My dad wanted nothing to do with me. As in the song, he blamed me for his wife's death. My grandparents on my dad's side raised me. I don't think I was overly loved. My mom's parents hated my dad and, basically, disowned my mother when she married my father. After her death, they blamed dad seeing he got her pregnant. Of course, that brought it back to me. As far as I know, they never came to see me. When I was young, all I can recall is working on the farm. I did live in the house and my dad still lived in the trailer out back alone. I can't ever remember any love for me from him. My grandma was probably the only one that I can remember showing any love toward me at all. Unfortunately, my grandfather always told her to stop coddling me. As I got older, I remember getting up early, feeding the animals and going to school. I was a troublesome student. I didn't get along very well with anyone. In grade school, I found out other kids talked about me and it really hurt. I was told by some bullies that I killed my mother. I didn't take it and, of course, like always I'd end up in fights. I'd then go home and get it from my granddad for fighting. No one ever cared what I had to say. I didn't have the material things the other kids had. I basically worked the farm and read books. I guess I was considered a real loner. My teen years weren't much better. Farm work and school were my life. My dad had even moved away to the big city. He wanted nothing to do with me. I think I was about ten when he left. I remember him arguing with grandpa one night. I don't think they knew I was listening. "What about your fucking kid?" I heard grandpa say. "I don't want anything to do with him," said dad. "He killed my Martha. I'm just getting the hell away from this farm and that boy. I don't ever want to see him again." I remember crying. How was I responsible for the death of my mom? I never even got to know her. I had often wondered what she was like and if she would have liked me. I think I sat there crying for the longest time. I remember hearing my dad tell my grandpa, "If you don't want him, turn him over to the state." That's when I heard my grandma walk in. "What? You'll do no such thing, Harold," said my grandma. "If you send Josh away, I promise you, I'll leave too. That poor boy didn't ask to be born." It was the only time I every heard my grandma talk back to my grandfather. Bottom line is I stayed and worked the farm. I also felt just a little closer to my grandma after that day. Life at school didn't get any better. When word got around about my dad leaving me, the stories began to fly again. It's funny that whenever I was picked on it was at least three against one. Whenever I got any of them on a one-on-one basis, I usually won the altercation. I had a few friends. They were kind of the outsiders which every school has a few. That is all except Sherry. We were in grade school together and then high school. We would meet over at the pond and just talk. She knew just about everything about me. She was like my only real friend. One day we were at the pond and talking when I leaned over and kissed her. It was more of a peck but it was the first time I had ever kissed anyone. To me it was great. Unfortunately, her little brother witnessed it and told their parents. Sherry was forbidden to ever see me. Her parents told her that I was trash and came from trash. I cried. "God, why do I have all these mountains to climb? What did I ever do that was so bad?" This time, lord, you gave me a mountain. A mountain that I may never climb. It isn't a hill any longer. You gave me a mountain this time. I turned sixteen. I still met Sherry from time to time on the sly, hoping we would never be caught. We never did anything but kiss, but I really liked her a lot. One day after school I noticed one of the bullies had Sherry cornered and was trying to kiss her. I could hear her telling him to stop, but he wouldn't. I went up to him and let him have it. I beat him to a miserable pulp. I didn't care anymore. He deserved it and I was dishing it out. I could hear Sherry yelling for me to stop but I wasn't listening. I had all this hatred and was taking it out on this asshole. It took three teachers to pull me off of Buck. He was taken to the hospital and I was taken to juvenile jail where I would spend the next two years of my life. The last thing I remember was Sherry crying into her hands and Buck being taken out on a stretcher. I remember the judge telling me that he wished he could lock guys me up for good and throw away the key. He said I was nothing but a burden to society. I guess that I was lucky - I was a juvenile and they would be letting me out when I turned eighteen. I didn't learn much in jail. I spent most of my time showing how bad I was. Deep inside, I really wasn't that bad; I hurt more than anything else. It's just that my life sucked so bad that I wanted to get even with the world. When I got out, I called my granddad. He told me that he didn't want anything to do with me. I asked to talk with grandma and he told me no, that she had nothing to say to me. I knew it was probably a lie and decided to just forget about them. For the next couple of years, I was kind of a bum doing odd jobs. I went from state to state looking for work. One day I went by this feed store and asked if they needed any workers. I was told by the manager that he didn't have any work but that there was a middle aged couple needing help on their farm, and that I might check there. I knocked on the door and an older woman came to the door. She must have been in her fifties. I asked her if she needed any farm work done and she told me that was her husband's department. I could find him out at the barn. I headed out to the barn and saw a man feeding his horses. "Excuse me, sir. I'm looking for any kind of farm work; would you have any work available?" "What's your name, son?" "Josh, Josh Evans, sir." "What do you know about farming?" he asked. "I've been around farming all my life, sir. My grandparents owned a farm in Idaho. I worked for them most of my life." "Why don't you work for them now?" he asked as he stared at my eyes. I looked down and figured I would tell him the truth, even though I'd figure he wouldn't hire me. "I was incarcerated for fighting, sir. I was in jail for two years and my grandparents didn't want me back. I'm a good worker. Just give me a chance to prove it," I pleaded. "Do you need a place to stay as well?" he asked. "It would be nice but I'll find a place in town if necessary," I replied. He stared at me for what seemed the longest time. I figured he was wondering whether to take a chance on me. "How old are you, son?" he asked. "I just turned twenty-one, sir," I replied. "Well, Josh, I'm Floyd Patterson and the woman you met is my wife Betty. We have a pretty good size spread here and could use another hand. I have five men who work for me now. There's a bunkhouse you can stay in out back. There are two other men who stay there. The other men have families and have their own homes. We'll try you out for a month and see how you do. "There's a stove and fridge in the bunkhouse. Most of the time the men eat at the restaurant but you're welcome to use the facilities. We'll knock off twenty-five bucks a week out of your check for the bunkhouse living." I thanked him and told him he wouldn't be disappointed. I really wanted to make this work. I began work the next morning. Pete was the foreman who gave us our work orders for the day. The work was easier than when I worked for my granddad. The Patterson's had all the latest equipment and were very nice to work for. They even supplied lunch for us. I felt like I was finally part of something. I got along pretty good with the other guys. Three were married and the other two were single like me. We would usually go into town and have dinner at the local diner. The cooking wasn't as good as Mrs. Patterson's but it was better than anything I'd cook up. Sometimes I'd buy some luncheon meat and make a few sandwiches. On the weekend I'd go into town. Joe and Fred both had trucks so I didn't need a vehicle, at least for now. I easily made it through my trial period and everything was fine. I worked hard and even worked longer hours whenever Pete asked me to. I wanted to make a good impression. This was as good as I'd had it for as long as I could remember. I started spending my weekends in town. I would hang out at the Red Robin. It's where I met Cindy Lou. She was sort of the bartender waitress in the place. Pete and Joe both warned me about Cindy. They said she was kind of a wild one. She began flirting with me. I would stay later and help her close up and she would drive me back to the bunkhouse. She had a trailer of her own in walking distance of the bar. One night instead of driving me back to the bunkhouse, she drove to her place. Needless to say, we made love. I know this is hard to believe but it was my first time with a woman. God, was she ever something else. She stripped and pulled off my trousers, and climbed up and lowered herself onto my shaft. I couldn't believe how good it felt. She was squealing and squalling, moving her ass all over the place. I couldn't help it as I shot my first load into a woman. It was great! It was just a matter of minutes when she let me get on top, and I made love to her again. She was so hot. I lasted a lot longer the second time. After that, we rested and had a couple of beers before going again. Thank God, the next day was Sunday. Other than feeding the animals, we didn't have to work all day in the fields. When Pete saw me the next morning he laughed. It didn't take much to figure out that I got laid. Being honest here, I have masturbated for years but being with a woman and making love was awesome. There was no comparison. I ended up going to see Cindy at least twice during the week and every weekend. I couldn't get enough of her. I figured I was in love. It was about two months later when Cindy told me she was pregnant. She told me after one of our love sessions. I told her it would be fine. We would get married and we would start out at her trailer. I had saved up some money and after the baby was born, we could maybe look for another place. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson had given me a permanent job and a small increase in pay. Pete, Joe and Fred didn't seem too happy when I told them that Cindy and I were going to get married. ------------------------------ I was sitting listening to the jukebox and playing the song over and over again. I kept thinking back about my time with Cindy and realized I never really loved her. She was just my first piece of ass. I wanted to be loved so bad that I got married to the first woman I was with. After slipping some more coins into the jukebox, I thought some more about my past. I kept playing, 'You Gave Me A Mountain' over and over. We were married within a few months. At first, life seemed pretty good. Cindy kept her job at the bar and worked up till it was time to deliver the baby. We had a little baby boy. I was there for the delivery. There couldn't have been a more proud papa. Cindy wanted to name him Jerrold; I wanted Joshua Jr. Cindy won out. I didn't care that much. Now I had a real part of me in this world. I'd never leave or forsake him like my dad did to me. Over the next few months, Cindy was getting stressed out. She said she had to do everything. Take care of the baby. Work and help support us, and that I wasn't making enough. She didn't have time for fun and spent all her extra time at home with the baby and me. I didn't understand her. I gave her my paycheck other than a few dollars I held back for myself for spending money. I didn't go out with the guys anymore. I came home to be with my wife and baby every night. I honestly couldn't understand what she wanted. She even went out at night at least twice a week with her girlfriends while I watched Jerrold. I didn't mind watching my son; it was Cindy that I couldn't understand. We went on like this for at least six months. I worked the farm, hard, all day. I worked any extra hours I could to bring in some extra money. I came home and watched my son. That was pretty much my life. Since the birth of Jerrold, we hardly ever made love. Cindy always told me she was too tired from working all day. Then it happened on a fateful Saturday afternoon. She took my one ray of sunshine. She took my pride and my joy. She took my reason for living. She took my small baby boy. I was working all the extra overtime I could for the money. On Saturday, I usually worked late since the single guys had dates. I was trying to earn money for my family. Pete came up to me around noon and said the combine broke down and needed to be repaired so I could go on home. I got to our trailer and saw a car I didn't recognize in front of our trailer. I didn't pay a lot of mind to it because Cindy had a lot of girlfriends. As I walked into the trailer, there was Jerrold in the living room in for his nap. I heard sounds coming from the bedroom. I walked in and there was my wife with only her dress on with no under panties. She had her legs spread with this man pumping his cock deep inside of her. She screamed when she saw me. It only took me a second to grab the bastard, throw him on the floor and start beating him to a pulp. "Josh, don't! Stop please! I love him," cried Cindy. Hearing that made me only hit him harder. He tried to fight back but wasn't doing a very good job as I kicked and hit him some more. My hands were covered with blood. I had no idea if any of it was mine. "You motherfucker," I screamed. "You come in my house and fuck my wife with my little boy not twenty feet away." Cindy screamed more. "Josh, Stop! He's Jerrold's father. Please don't hit him again." I stopped, I froze. Did I hear her right? Did she say that Jerrold wasn't mine and that this piece of shit was his father? Cindy froze on the bed. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Jerrold was my old boyfriend and left after an argument. I was pregnant and scared. I didn't mean to hurt you." I couldn't help it but I reached up and backhanded her across the face and knocked her sorry ass clear off the bed. Hearing all the screaming, our neighbors called the police. When they arrived, they saw the bloody body of my wife's boyfriend and the side of my wife's face swelling up. In the crib was a crying Jerrold. I was cuffed and arrested. One of the neighbor women took baby Jerrold to her house while Cindy and her boyfriend were whisked off to the hospital. I called Mr. and Mrs. Patterson from the jail and told them that I was sorry. They were like parents to me but I didn't want them wasting any money on me and posting bond. There was no question in my mind that I was going to prison. I spent the next few months in jail awaiting trial. During this time, I had a DNA done and little Jerrold wasn't mine. My lawyer found out that Cindy dated me just to get Jerrold mad. He was playing around on her. I guess the two of them deserved each other. The hardest thing for me was giving up little Jerrold. He was my son, my little man and now I find out he was never mine to begin with. I knew I would miss him more than life itself. Thinking back on the few months he was my son, I was the happiest. I did worry about his future with parents as bad as his. At the trial, Cindy made me out the bad guy. I guess in a sense I was. I was charged with assault on Cindy and attempted murder on her boyfriend Jerrold. Geez! No wonder she wanted to name our son Jerrold. The jury upheld the charge of assault on Cindy. She showed a picture of her face after I backhanded her; me smiling when I saw it didn't help my case much. I must have really hit her hard. The attempted murder charge was reduced to assault with intent to maim. My lawyer explained that I walked in on them having sex. I used no weapons other than my hands and feet. Of course, we were divorced shortly after and I left with nothing. My lawyer was able to get some of his money from our little bit of savings. That part in the song that said I went to jail for something I never done wasn't exactly the truth. I did it and if I had to do it all over again I would have hit them both more. I disagree with hitting a woman, I really do. Cindy was no woman. She was a bitch who used me, gave me promises of a family, and then took it all away. I laid in my cell nightly thinking that I could have been a daddy. Now I wasn't much better then my own father. ------------------------------------------- I was in prison for five years. For the first year, I lay around and felt sorry for myself. One day one of these groups that wanted to help prisoners came in. This guy talked to me and told me that he read my file and knew I had a pretty rough life. He told me I was still young enough to change and lead a better life. I would be out in five years and I could either waste these years and probably be back in, or do something about it and learn from my mistakes. The first couple of times I kind of chased him away. While lying in my cell I thought about our discussions and decided to give it a try. I was put in the rehabilitation program. I asked about schooling and was enrolled in classes to get my GED. (It's equivalent to a diploma). I was surprised how easy the learning came to me. Maybe it was because now that I was an adult and wanted to learn, that made it much easier for me. After receiving my GED, I wrote to my grandparents whom I hadn't spoken to in years. I explained that I received my GED and decided to study farming. I never realized it before but after working for the Pattersons, I really liked farming. I now had the thought that maybe someday after getting out of prison that I could start saving up to have my own little farm. I loved working the ground and watching things grow. I loved animals; they were something that needed me. The day-to-day feedings and I guess like Dr. Doolittle, I talked to the animals. Unlike the good doctor, they never talked back to me. You Gave Me a Mountain Ch. 01 I was now planning for my future. It did make prison life go by much faster and a bit easier. I always remembered how people would say, "There's a man outstanding in his field." It made me think differently than most. Now, when they looked out in the field, they would see me. Joshua John Evans, tending to his crops. That was my new goal in life. I had two months to go before my parole hearing. My lawyer explained that I needed a place to stay and a job to go to if we were to be granted a release. I was a little worried. My record in prison was pretty clean and the parole board would be able to see that I was really trying. I said to myself, "God, please no more mountains. I don't think I could climb another one." I couldn't believe it the next day when I received a letter back from my grandmother. I was almost afraid to open it. She wished me well and said my lawyer's people had been out to see them. She said my grandfather's health was somewhat failing and she had something she had to tell me. She asked me to call her and that she would accept the charge. I called the next day. It was so nice to here her voice. "Grandma, why is it you needed me to call." "Josh, your father was killed in a truck accident in Kansas last month. I know you two weren't close but he listed you as his beneficiary on his insurance. The insurance company sent you a check to our house and we deposited it for you in a savings account in your name. When you get out you can come and get it." "Grandma, why me? Why did he leave it to me?" I asked. "I don't know. Maybe in someway he really loved you but couldn't face life with the hurt of Martha's death. Anyway, I wanted you to know it's here for you." "Grandma, how's grandpa and the farm doing?" "Not so well lately. Grandpa had a minor stroke and we had to hire someone to help with the farm. We're thinking of selling it." "No, Grandma! Don't sell it. I've been studying farming and if you and grandpa let me come back, I can work it for you. Please talk to grandpa." My grandmother said to call her again in a few days to give her a chance to talk to grandpa. God, I hoped they would let me come back. Just maybe things would change for me. It occurred to me that grandma never mentioned how much insurance money my dad left for me. At the time, it really wasn't important to me. I wondered if it would be enough to help me get on my feet if I got paroled. When I called Grandma back a few days later, she said that she and grandpa would be at my parole hearing. She told me grandpa agreed that I could come back, and help work the farm. He just hoped I had really changed. At the parole hearing, I cried when I saw my grandmother. I hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. I could see she had tears in her eyes also. I shook hands with my granddad. He wasn't the hugging sort. He did back me up at the parole hearing though. He told the board that I had a job waiting for me, and that I had a room to stay in. He told the board that my dad had died and left me some money so that I would be able to get back on my feet. I still had no idea how much money I had in my account. I asked my lawyer when we left the courthouse and he told me my father left me two-hundred thousand dollars. I couldn't believe it. "Where did dad get that kind of money?" I asked. "He was a truck driver and the company carried a policy on each driver for a hundred thousand dollars. His death was accidental and paid double indemnity." "Who paid for dad's burial and stuff?" I asked. "Your grandparents did. They had a small policy on your father and they always kept it up. They didn't want to use your money. They figured you've been through enough." I did get my parole and moved back to the farm. I had a great talk with my grandparents. I told them I wanted to invest in their farm. I would use most of my savings to upgrade the equipment and help fix up the place. In turn, they had to promise me that they wouldn't sell the farm. It was the first time I ever saw tears in the eyes of my grandfather. He had always wanted to keep the small farm in the family but my dad wasn't interested in being a farmer. Life was finally going better for me. ---------------------------------- There I was sitting in the little cafe listening to 'You Gave Me A Mountain' for the fourth time. The waitress walked up and said, "Josh, don't you think you listened to it enough times?" I looked up and there stood Sherry, my best friend from the past. She had tears in her eyes when she looked at me. Me, I was damn near in shock. * Look for Chapter 2 in the next couple of days Thank you for reading my story. Comments are always welcome. Let me know what you think of this story. DG Hear You Gave Me a Mountain Ch. 02 Thank you for all the feedback. Thanks goes out to my editors, LadyCibelle and Techsan, for their making my story a much better read. There I was sitting in the little cafe listening to 'You Gave Me A Mountain' for the fourth time. The waitress walked up and said, "Josh, don't you think you listened to it enough times?" I looked up and there stood Sherry. My best friend from the past. She had tears in her eyes when she looked at me. Me, I was damn near in shock. When I had first come into the cafe, the waitress poured me a cup of coffee, said they were changing shifts and it would be a minute. I had told her that it was no problem and I would sip my coffee and listen to a few tunes till the new waitress arrived. I had been back in town for two weeks now. I met with the banker and set up an account that both my grandparents and I could draw on for the farm business if needed. Grandpa said he wouldn't take something for nothing and made me half owner in the farm. He said when he and grandma passed on that it would all go to me. I can't tell you how good that made me feel. We kept on the farmhand that grandpa had hired. He was doing a pretty a good job and with the both of us working it made the job a lot easier. I didn't want grandpa putting in so many hours. We never talked much 'bout the past unless it was about the farm. I guess none of us wanted to bring up bad memories. The farm life is one that a person has to love. It's all about growing something from nothing and raising animals. When I was a kid, I would have never thought that this would be what I wanted to do with my life. I bought myself a used pickup to get around. I was headed to the feed store; before I left, I had told my grandma that I was going to look around the town a little. Even though I hadn't been around for ten years, the town didn't change much. Sure, there were a few new buildings and a few of the older ones torn down, but as a whole it pretty much looked the same as I remembered it. I decided to stop in at the cafe for lunch. When I saw the waitress was Sherry, I was nearly shell-shocked. The last ten years never hurt her a bit. She was still as cute as I had always remembered. "How have you been, Josh? I heard you were moving back into town." I just stared at her for a few seconds. "Hi, Sherry; if there was anything I ever missed from this old town, it was you. I'm sorry; I was just saying what I was thinking. It was rude of me." "It's okay. I thought of you a number of times throughout the years also. Funny how lives are changed in an instant. If that asshole Buck would have left me alone, you might have never moved away and... Never mind, it's all in the past now. We both have our new lives now," said Sherry. "What can I get you to eat? The meat loaf is today's special. It's pretty good." "That's fine. If you recommend it, I know it will be good," I smiled. She left to wait on other people. It was lunchtime so I knew I wouldn't have time to talk with her. I wanted to know more about her. She didn't have a wedding ring on but I had a hard time believing that someone as pretty and nice as her wasn't hitched. I wondered what she meant when she said new lives? She still lived here and was working in the cafe. Damn, I wish I knew what she meant by that! When she brought my lunch, I asked her if we could talk some time, like we used to. She smiled and walked away. Later she stopped by my table with the bill and handed me another piece of paper. It had her phone number on it. She said, "Call me any evening and maybe we can get together and talk. There's a lot I want to tell you and I want to know all about why you ended up in a prison. Yes, I heard about it and know you would have to have a good reason." I didn't know what to think. She knew I was in prison, but still wanted to talk with me. I wondered what she wanted to tell me about her life. So many questions, but I had to finish my lunch and get back to the farm. I waved goodbye as I left the cafe. She was busy serving customers. She waved back and smiled. She put her hand up to the side of her head as though she was on the phone. I could read her lips when she said, "Call me." When I got back to the farm I found out the tractor had broken down. Jed, our farmhand, and I spent the afternoon repairing it. We got it running and had to work late to catch-up on some of our work. We ate dinner and had to get back out and tend to the animals. By the time I got back inside it was too late to call Sherry. I tossed and turned all night thinking about her. I don't really know why, but I figured there were so many unanswered questions. I didn't make it into town the next day to talk to her. I wanted to let her know that I was extremely busy the night before and figured it was too late to call her. As soon as I tended to the animals, I went back in the house and called her. I don't know why but I was very nervous when the phone rang. I heard someone finally answer. It sounded like a very young boy. "Hello, Mikey here, who's this?" said the youngster. I wasn't sure whether to say something or maybe I got a wrong number. "Hi, Mike, is there a Sherry there?" I asked rather quizzically. I heard him yell through the phone, "Mommy, it's for you. It's a man." "Hello, can I help you?" came the reply. "Sherry, it's me, Josh. You said it was alright for me to call." "Of course, silly. I thought you might call yesterday. I figured you might have changed your mind." "The stupid tractor broke down and by the time I got in for the night I figured it was too late to call. Sherry, you're not married, are you? A little boy answered the phone and I heard him call you mom." "That's one of the things I wanted to tell you about. Mikey's one of my pride and joys; he's five and thinks he's the man of the house. Molly's the other love of my life, she's three. Before I scare you, my husband was in the service and was killed over a year ago." "I'm sorry to hear that. I know what it's like not to have a father - or a mother, for that fact." "Josh, I didn't want to spring my kids on you. If you would just like for me to leave you alone, I'll understand." "No, I like kids; I had one of my own for awhile. I really miss him." "I don't understand," said Sherry. "Did he die, Josh?" "No, it's a story I would prefer to tell you in person. It's pretty complicated; I really would like to see you. Would you like to get together at our old meeting hole, say Saturday around noon? You can even bring the munchkins and they can play while we talk." "I'll have mom watch the kids Saturday, but I do want you to meet them. They're my life and I think they'll like you," said Sherry. I laughed. "Yeah, your mom even hates me if I remember correctly. Wait till she hears you're going to come and meet with me." "Mom never hated you. Dad did," laughed Sherry. "He's mellowed some and besides, I'm an adult woman with my own kids now. I make my own decisions and friends. You were always my best friend, Josh. I still feel at fault for you getting sent away in the first place." "Bullshit! You weren't at fault for anything. If I had it to do all over again, I'd kick his sorry ass even farther." "Thank you, Josh. I have two little ones to attend to now, so I'll see you at noon Saturday. It was nice talking to you, Josh." "You too, Sherry. See you Saturday." I had to wonder why she was so friendly to me. I've been stung so many times in my life since I last saw her that it was hard for me to trust anyone. I had to wonder if she knew about my inheritance. Besides grandma and grandpa, the only person who knew was the banker. Sherry was never that kind of person but I haven't seen her for over ten years either. I guess I would just have to be cautious. Grandpa and I went to get some money to update some equipment and get extra money for planting extra crops.. We only needed a few thousand dollars. Instead of withdrawing the money, grandpa suggested to just borrow the money and use my inheritance as collateral. The banker agreed it was a wise idea. We could use income from the farm to pay back the loan and never have to touch the savings. I knew grandpa didn't want to use any of my money if he didn't have to. He was a really proud and honest person. I worked hard getting things done on the farm the next couple of days. Jed turned out to be a really good worker. I was happy to have him employed on the farm with me. I knew gramps was happy with his work ethic also. In the evenings, I thought about Sherry. I knew I really liked her when I was a teenager and I wondered just how much she had changed. Apparently, she was widowed and had two kids. I would just have to wait till Saturday. I did ask Jed if he knew her and he said that all he knew was she worked in her aunt's café. That was something new to me. I never knew her aunt owned the restaurant. Of course, as a kid, I really never went there. He did mention that the few times he was in the café, guys would try to flirt with her but she always told them nicely that she wasn't interested. I didn't mention it but Jed was married and had a daughter who was a teenager. He and his wife just moved here about six months ago, so he wasn't really familiar with too many people in the area. At noon on Saturday, I was walking along the pond and spotted Sherry sitting there on our old boulder. Even after all these years, this area never changed. I waved at a smiling Sherry as she waited for me at the big old rock. She climbed off the rock and we hugged each other. "How have you been?" I asked Sherry. "Okay, I guess. What about you? Are you back for good?" she asked me. "Yeah, I think so," I said. I really didn't know what to say. "What's the matter, Josh? You look like something's bothering you." "I've been wondering why you wanted to meet me. Is it because of the money?" I asked. "Money? What money are you talking about?" asked Sherry. "My dad's insurance money. I was wondering if you knew about it." "Wait a minute! You think I wanted to see you because of some damn insurance money. I can't believe you! I can't believe I came all the way out here to see you and you accuse me of wanting some damn money." "I'm sorry. It's just that..." She was mad and had tears in her eyes. "I can't believe you thought that of me, of all people. I didn't know anything about your damn money. I saw you at the café listening to that song over and over and I remembered how much I used to care for you. "You can just kiss my ass, Josh Evans! I never want to see you again." She had tears in her eyes as she jumped up and ran across the field "Sherry! Sherry, please let me explain. I'm sorry, God, I'm so stupid." By then she was out of hearing range. I didn't know what to do or think. I made such a mistake in ever thinking that she would be less than honest with me. When I got home, I tried to call her over and over, but I kept getting the answering machine. I tried all day Sunday also, but she wouldn't answer. I left message after message but she never called back. I didn't know where she lived for sure. If she still lived with her parents, I knew I couldn't go there under these circumstances. I rode by the café, but it was closed on Sunday. My grandma asked me what was wrong and I told her what I had said to Sherry. "You always liked that girl, didn't you? She would ask me about you whenever I saw her. Of course there wasn't much I could tell her until the day I told her you were coming back to the farm to help grandpa." "So she never knew about Dad's insurance check, did she?" "No, no one knew except Bob at the bank and of course me and your grandpa. She must have wanted to see you just for you. Why don't you go see her at the café tomorrow and explain that it was just a misunderstanding? She really is a lovely girl," said grandma. I remember her starting work near lunch time; I figured that she usually worked the afternoon lunch crowd, so I went in after I felt her shift had started. When she saw me come in she didn't come to my table. She sent over the other waitress. I told the girl that I wanted Sherry but she said Sherry had no desire to talk to me. I went ahead and ordered lunch just so I could watch Sherry. How could I ever have been so stupid? Even mad she was such a pretty woman. I could tell she was talking a little flirty to a couple of the customers. I knew it was for my benefit. It did work a little, as I was a little agitated when I left. I was back to the restaurant everyday to see Sherry. Everyday she acted about the same. I know I was getting to her. I could just feel the tension between us. Every time I would catch her looking at me, I would smile at her. She would quickly look away. I decided not to go there on Thursday. I just stayed on the farm and worked. Grandma told me that I should not go there one day. She did say that she thought I should go on Friday and see if Sherry acted differently. When I walked in on Friday, I saw Sherry take a quick look at me and just as quickly turn away. Sandra, the other waitress, whom I got to know seeing she waited on me all week, asked where I was yesterday. "Who wants to know, you or Sherry?" I asked. She didn't answer, but she did look over at Sherry. "Listen Sandra, would you go and tell Sherry that I want to speak to her for a minute? Tell her if she doesn't want me here after today, I won't be back. She can bring me a bowl of chili with lots of crackers. If you bring me the chili, I'll have my answer." Sandra waved to Sherry and they both went into the kitchen. It was a minute later when Sherry came out and set down a bowl of chili in front of me and reached into her apron pouch and pulled out a handful of crackers. "What do you want, Josh?" "I just want a chance to apologize. I was wrong! I was really wrong! I still have feelings for you after all these years and I misjudged you. Please talk with me!" Sherry took a deep breath. "Can you come back here at six? We close then and we can talk. Right now I have customers to take care of." "I'll be here, I promise," I smiled. When it was time to get my bill, Sandra brought it to me. "She likes you, you know? Don't hurt her; she's been through a lot. She's my best friend and has been for years." "Sandra, believe me when I say this. She's the last person in this world that I would ever want to hurt." I said it loud enough that I was sure Sherry heard me. I saw her smile at the lady she was waiting on. The woman wasn't even looking at her but was staring at the menu. I came back at six, sat down and waited for the remaining customers to leave. Sherry got in my truck and we drove out to our rock. "I'm so sorry for even thinking that you would use me in any way. It's just that you have always been so nice, pretty and sweet, and I guess I've always been me. Please forgive me." "You did hurt me, Josh. You just seemed so sad and lonely listening to that song over and over." "You Gave Me A Mountain?" I asked. "Yes! It's so pretty yet so sad," said Sherry. "It describes my life. I guess that's why I always listen to it. Right now, I want to hear about your life. I thought of you so often through the years. I often wondered what became of the cute little girl that I liked so much." We climbed up on our boulder and sat side by side, just like we did when we were teenagers. "Where do you want me to start?" asked Sherry. "Anywhere, I just want to know all about you." "Promise not to judge me? I've made a few mistakes in my life too." "Me? Judge you? You've got to be kidding. So, what happened after high school? I figured you graduated. I remember you always saying how you wanted away from the little town and to make your splash in the big city; yet here you are still here." "I left for awhile. Let me begin after high school. I began working for Aunt Ruth at the café. I went to community college during the morning and worked part-time at the café. It really is a nice place to work. Maybe because my aunt owns it," smiled Sherry. "I dated a few guys that came in the cafe back then. We even got a few out-of-towners. That's where I met Joe Crawford. He came in from Boise at least once a month and we dated. He was a few years older than me, and of course was from the bigger city. "Well, I made the mistake of having unprotected sex with him and Mikey was the result. Of course, he offered to marry me so we had a small wedding, just family, and I moved to Boise with him. "He worked in an insurance agency with his father. I should say that his parents weren't overly fond of me. You know, the small town girl trying to trap their businessman son. Of course, it wasn't true. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have ever married him." "What do you know now and didn't you say he was killed in the service overseas. I guess I'm pushing ahead too far aren't I?" "First, I should mention that he belonged to the National Guard. He joined before I met him. He and his dad figured it would keep him home and look good for business at the same time. He didn't get that lucky. They called up the National Guard from his troop. He was surprised as hell that he would be going overseas. I'm getting a little ahead of myself here. "I had Mikey and about eleven months later I was pregnant with Molly. Shortly after she was born, Joe got his papers that he would be going overseas. He went away for a few months of extra training and then was sent overseas. He was supposed to go for less than a year. About six months into his tour of duty, he was killed when a roadside bomb blew up the vehicle he was in. "I don't think I mentioned that besides being a mother at home with the kids, I also worked part-time for his dad's insurance company. I had gotten my Associate Degree in secretarial work and I did most of my work when the kids were sleeping or playing. "I was devastated when I received the call about his death. Here I was in a strange city with my two little kids. The only people I really knew were his friends and relatives. I wasn't close to any of them." "My God, you climbed a few mountains of your own. I feel so sorry for you," I told Sherry. "The biggest mountain is yet to come," Sherry told me. I had to wonder how much worse it could get than beeing in a strange town, almost alone with two small children. "Life in the big city was nothing like I imagined when I was growing up. The bright lights and big parties and going out dancing all the time wasn't on my itinerary. It might look good on the TV but wasn't that great in real life. I was afraid to go out and my husband was away in the service. Before that, he was gone all the time. I might have been in a larger city but I was very lonely. "I thought about you often and how it must be in a prison. Probably a hundred times worse than I had it. I even felt bad like I was cheating on Joe by thinking of you. I was married and thinking about another man. Now looking back, that probably helped me survive. "Okay, here it goes. You have to promise me that you will never, ever, tell another soul what you are about to hear. Do you promise?" "Of course I promise. If you want me to keep it a secret, I can do that," I told Sherry. "I just want you to know the truth. The only other people I've told are my parents and Susan." "I promise, Sherry; may God strike me down if I ever tell a soul." "I was at Joe's funeral. Of course, I had Mikey and Molly with me. After all, it was their dad that was killed. The funeral home had a nursery and watched the kids most of the time. I would go in every once in a while to check on them. Of course, you have to realize the circumstances of how I felt. I had no idea what I was going to do. You Gave Me a Mountain Ch. 02 "Anyway, when I was checking on my kids, a woman, a very pretty woman dropped off her baby in the nursery. Her son was about three or four months younger than Molly. After she walked out of the nursery, I asked one of the sitters who she was. They told me her name and one of the women said she was Joe's old girlfriend and that the baby was Joe's son. "She said, 'Oh, my God! You're Joe's wife; I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have been the one to tell you.' I just froze on the spot. I can't even remember what I did directly after that. If this was true, then he had made love to her while I was pregnant with Molly. "I went out to the visiting room and she was talking with Joe's parents. I knew right then that they knew. Everyone was whispering; I figured it was about me. I felt like I was totally naked. I wanted so badly to go strike her but I didn't. Instead, I asked her if it was true. Was her child Joe's son? With tears in her eyes, she said yes. "I walked up to the casket and spit on Joe and told my parents to take me home. I went and got my kids and left. I didn't even return for the funeral the following day. Dad called Mr. Crawford and told him off. I never saw dad so furious. We rented a U-Haul and loaded what I knew was mine and the kids' and left the apartment. It was owned by Joe's dad anyway and my dad told him as far as he was concerned I owed him nothing. "You know dad's an attorney didn't you? He does legal documents and things like that. Everyone always thinks lawyers are rich, but they aren't. Dad makes a good living and we have always lived a nice life. We were always far from the high class that people hear about. "Anyway, dad told Mr. Crawford that he had better make sure that none of the expenses fell into my lap or he would drag his son's name, which is the same as his through the courts. We never got any of the bills; dad saw to that. We didn't get any personal insurance checks either. I figured his dad changed the beneficiary to take care of Joe's other son and mistress. "The payment from the government came to me and of course the social security got split since they proved Joe had fathered the other child also. A DNA test had been done to prove Joe was the fathered the little boy. I moved back home and in with mom and dad. Of course, my brother Bill had moved out a couple of years ago and is married and has a family of his own. "I get a monthly check to help support my kids. Mom watches them while I work at the café. I haven't dated since I moved back fourteen months ago. The day I saw you come into the restaurant, my heart just fell." She was crying and I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to my chest. She felt so soft and warm. I could have held her forever. Once she stopped crying she smile at me and said, "Okay, now it's your turn to spill the beans." "I don't know where to start. You know I was in juvie detention till I turned eighteen. After that, I wandered around the midwest looking for any kind of jobs to support myself. I guess I was kind of a bum. I called home and grandpa said he didn't want me back until I changed my ways. I was young and thought I knew everything. Truth be known I didn't know shit. "When I was around twenty-one this family named Patterson took me in and gave me a good job. It was farming and I really tried hard. I went into town and began to drink. I hung around with this woman named Cindy Lou. To make a long story short, she got pregnant and we got married. I was happy; I had a son named Jerrold. I thought my life was finally going in the right direction. "One day I came home and found Cindy screwing a guy on our bed with Jerrold in the next room. I began to beat the living shit out of this guy until Cindy yelled out that the piece of slime was Jerrold's real father. His name was Jerrold too. I couldn't help it. I have never hit a woman but I turned and backhanded Cindy as hard as I could. It knocked her clean off the bed. "The police came and took me away. I did find out that Jerrold wasn't my flesh and blood. I did five years for assault on Cindy and assault with intent to maim on her boyfriend. "I'm not going to tell you about prison life, except to say it's not pretty. I did get my GED and studied the new farming techniques. Shortly before I was released, I got the call from grandma that my dad had been killed. That was when I asked them if I could come back home and work on the farm. "They showed up at my parole hearing and told the board that I had a job waiting and a place to stay. That brings us up to date except for the check." "I don't want to know about the check. It already came between us once. Maybe in good time you can tell me about it. What I need to know is if you want to meet my munchkins?" said Sherry. "Of course I want to meet them. Why don't you bring them over to the farm Sunday and I'll show them the animals and maybe take them for a ride on the tractor." "Do you think your grandparents will mind?" "No, besides I'm part owner now. It's partly my farm too." Sherry looked at me oddly but didn't say anything. I drove her back to the café, gave her a light kiss and she got in her car and went home. I did let grandma know that they would be coming over to visit Sunday after church. Sherry took her kids to church most every week. Grandma even asked if she should make a dinner but I told her not this time. I was just going to show them the farm. Sherry pulled up in her car and I watched as she unbuckled the kids. The little boy walked up to me and said, "Hi, I'm Mikey. Are you mommy's boyfriend? My dad was a hero and was killed in a war." "Hi there, Mikey. Nice to meet you." I put my hand out and shook his little hand. "Sorry to hear about your dad. Your mommy did tell me about him. Your mommy and I have been friends for many years." Sherry came over walking with the cutest little girl. "This is Molly. She's still in her dress because she didn't want to change into her playclothes after church. She said she wanted to meet you all dressed up." I reached down and picked her up. "My Lord, you're the prettiest little girl I've ever seen. You look just like your mommy. I love your pink dress too." "I'm Molly. You have animals - mommy said we could come and see them." "Yes, we do and you can see them all. Cows, chickens, a couple of dogs and even horses." "Can we go see the horses?" asked Mikey. We spent the day showing them all the animals. I even let them feed the baby chicks and the horses. They were having a great time. I kept glancing at Sherry who kept smiling at her kids having such a good time. "I wish I could have a horse," said Mikey. "I'll get you one on your tenth birthday," I said. "Really? That would be neat," said Mikey. He was petting the horses when Sherry told me I shouldn't have said that to him. He has a great memory and would probably expect one now. "I have a good memory too and I will get him one on his tenth birthday," I said. "But... What if... we aren't..." I cut her off. "Sherry, I promised him a horse and I will get it for him if he still wants one when he's ten. If you aren't with me he can keep it here in the barns and come and see it whenever he wants. The only thing is he has to learn to take care of it." Sherry didn't question it any further; she just smiled that beautiful smile. The time flew by and the kids didn't want to leave. I told them they could come by every week and we could ride the tractor and play in the fields. They were so happy and made their mom promise to bring them back. Life went on like this for a couple of months. Sherry would bring the kids every weekend to see the animals and ride on the tractor. We even had a couple of picnics. I really liked the kids and knew I was in love with their mother. I was just taking it slow. I stopped by the restaurant at least twice a week to have lunch but mainly to see Sherry. I figured it was about time to go see her parents again. One night after work, I showed up at their house. Sherry answered the door. "Josh! What are you doing here?" Right then Mikey came to the door with Molly right behind him. "Hi, Josh. You come to see us?" he asked. Molly came up to me and I picked her up like I always do and she gave me a hug. I was holding her and I said to Sherry that I came over to see her parents. She seemed a little surprised but invited me in. We went into the family room where her parents were sitting. "Mr. And Mrs. Warren, I don't know if you remember me but I'm Josh Ev..." "We know who you are, Josh. We've known you since the day you were born. How is everything?" said Mr. Warren. "Life is pretty good. Of course, you know that I'm working back on the farm. Things have really improved. We're looking into buying more acreage and expanding. The reason I stopped by is because I want to see Sherry more. I love the kids," I said as I set Molly down to go play with Mikey. "I know that in the past I was a hothead and pretty much a no-account. That's all changed. I own half the farm and as I mentioned we're expanding and hiring more workers. I guess what I'm asking is for your permission to see Sherry regularly." "Sherry's a grown woman and can make her own decisions," said Mrs. Warren. "That's true and I know that. I just want you to know that I really care for her and would never hurt her or the kids in anyway." "Josh," said Mr. Warren. "It takes a hell of a man to admit his errors and I know it took a lot for you to come here and talk with us. If it's our blessing you want to date our daughter, then you have it. Of course it totally depends on Sherry." Sherry had tears in her eyes as she went over and hugged her father. I then asked Mrs. Warren if she would mind watching the kids on Saturday night. I wanted to take Sherry to a dance in town and out for dinner. When I promised to have her home early, everyone laughed. I tried to explain that I always went to bed early because of the farm. They laughed again. ----------------- Our dating went on for about another month. We never did anything but light kissing. I was just afraid to make the first move. I went over and visited with Sherry's parents and played with the kids at least once a week. Every weekend Sherry would bring the kids out to the farm. For all intents and purposes, people considered us a couple and neither of us was dating anyone else. One night I was lying up in the hayloft looking out on the blue star-studded sky and a three-quarter moon. I heard a noise and looked over and coming up the stairs was Sherry. "Did you bring the kids with you?" "No, I'm alone. Grandma told me I would find you up here," she said as she lay next to me on the blanket I had over the hay. "So, what brings you here this beautiful evening?" I asked. "I came here for you to make love to me," said Sherry. "What?" "I've waited for you and apparently you aren't going to make the first move. I'm tired of waiting. I love you and I know you love me. Is your equipment in working order?" "Of course it is. I just wasn't sure if you were ready." "Well, I'm ready! Please make love to me, but be gentle. It's been a long time since I've been with a man." I leaned over and gently kissed her. She put her arms around my neck and kissed me harder. I started unbuttoning her blouse and opened it wide revealing her bra. Thank God for front clasps, I thought, as I undid the clasp and pulled it wide open. I leaned forward and took a nipple in my mouth while squeezing her other breast. "Easy now, Josh. Squeeze gently; it feels so good." I figured I would just follow her lead as to what I would do. I wanted her to totally enjoy our being together. I loved it just being together. I kept gently sucking and squeezing her breasts until she pushed my head lower onto her belly. I started kissing her tummy with wet sloppy kisses. She felt so good. I quickly sat up and undid her jeans in record time and was pulling them off while I had hold of her panties at the same time. With her legs lightly spread I pushed them further apart and put my head between her thighs and started kissing her lower belly, just above her muff. I moved my face lower onto the hair of her muff and pushed down hard burying my face. I could smell her sex as I lowered my face to her already moist pussy. "Oh, God, if feels so good. Don't stop, please don't stop," she cried out as I continued to maul her pussy with my tongue and face. I was tongue fucking her and she kept pumping against my face while her hands were holding my head against her. I felt her come and her pussy going from moist to extremely wet as she was screaming out with glee. I got up and stripped my shirt and jeans off as fast as I could. I got back down between her spread thighs and began rubbing my stiff cock against her. "Push it in, Josh. I've waited so long for this." With my cock lined up, I pushed it deep into the folds of her pussy. She felt so good and her pussy felt so hot. Then it occurred to me. "Sherry, I'm not wearing any protection." "It's okay. The day after we talked at the park, I knew this would happen some day and I started on birth control. I just didn't understand what took you so long. I got tired of waiting and that's why I'm here tonight and will be here many more nights. After that night, Sherry came by at least twice a week. I knew it was time to ask her to marry me. I just hoped she was ready to say yes. Thank you for reading my story. Chapter 3 will be out shortly Please comment and let me know what you think. DG Hear You Gave Me a Mountain Ch. 03 This is the third and final chapter of this story. You may want to read the previous chapters before reading this one. Thank you to my editors LadyCibelle and Techsan for their editing. * My life has done a complete turn around. Our farm business has been growing. My grandfather and I have thought of expanding. He told me that I was doing such a good job that he couldn't be prouder of me. Nothing could have made me feel better. Grandpa told me the Brady farm next to his was going up for sale. He said old Jack Brady was just getting tired and was ready to sit back and relax. He owned three hundred and eighty acres of land. Gramps said he thought it would be the perfect home for me. We could put the farms together, hire some more help and I would have a place to live and still be on the farm. "Grandpa, are you telling me I have to move?" He laughed. "Josh, you and that lady friend need a place of your own. Her kids love it out here and she would make a mighty fine wife." "We haven't talked marriage yet, Grandpa. I love her but I don't know if she would want to be the wife of a farmer." "Why the hell not? This is a great life and the outdoors are great for kids..." "Don't get mad, Grandpa. Sherry's the most wonderful woman I've ever known. It's just that maybe her plans don't include living on a farm. I wouldn't want her to marry me and then regret living out here. We both know that farming isn't for everyone; it's got to be in your blood. Just like me and you, Grandpa." "Well, you better get to asking her. You should consider buying the Brady farm anyway. We sure could use the extra acreage. We can sell all the corn and hay we can grow, plus we can get some more livestock and it takes grain to feed them also. You have the makings of being a big-time farmer, Josh. One day I will want to sit back and watch you make this farm grow even bigger. Grandma and I will just sit back, relax and get a paycheck." "I'll go look at the place, Grandpa. Even if I don't get married, the acreage would still be needed if we were to get any bigger. The Brady property would be perfect for us." I had talked to the Bradys the next day. They told me they wanted out as soon as possible and were moving to a retirement home in Florida. They asked their kids if they wanted the farm but none wanted to continue with farming. I got the figures and would go talk to the bank and see if I could qualify for the loan. We came up with two figures: one just for the house, property, and another for all its equipment. He set a nice price for the house and land. He was selling his equipment dirt-cheap. We really didn't need it but Grandpa was a pretty shrewd old farmer. He figured we could buy the equipment and take it down to the farmers' auction and sell whatever we didn't need. Grandpa knew his equipment and we would have money to reinvest from the sale of the excess equipment. I wanted to show Sherry the old house. It was a big old two-story with lots of bedrooms. It needed some work but it could be fixed up. If she didn't want any part of the farm life, I didn't know what I would do. Maybe date her for the rest of my life and rent out the house. I didn't have to wait too long for an answer. On Sunday, Sherry came over with the kids. While we all sat on the porch and watched the kids chase the chickens, my grandpa asked Sherry a few questions. "Sherry, do you like it out here in the country?" "Yes, Grandpa, I do." She always called my grandparents Grandpa and Grandma; so did the kids. "Do you think you could be married to a farmer the rest of your life?" "Grandpa, what are you doing?" I asked. "Asking the questions you're afraid to ask. Go ahead and answer, Sherry. We just need to know." "Well, yes, I could marry a farmer if I loved him," she said as she looked over at me. "So, do you love my grandson, here? In case you didn't know he's in love with you." She was blushing. "Yes, I love him and, yes, I would marry him if he ever asks me," said Sherry with tears in her eyes. "Well, Josh!" said Grandpa. "I did all the hard work. Do you need to get hit by a Mack truck? Get on you knee and propose." I was totally dumbfounded. I didn't notice but during the conversation between Sherry and Grandpa, my grandmother had disappeared and returned. "Did I miss anything?" said Grandma. "Not yet," said Grandpa. "We're waiting on Josh to propose." I was so embarrassed but happy as well listening to Sherry's answers. I got up and walked over to where she was sitting on the porch and kneeled on one knee. Mikey and Molly saw me and came up on the porch. Sherry put a finger to her lips to show the kids to be quiet. They just stood there and watched me. The words finally came out. "Sherry, I've loved you most of my life. I know you know that. Since Grandpa did the hard part, I would like to ask you to be my wife. To love, honor and cherish for the rest of my life. I don't have a ring to give you since..." "Josh," my Grandma interrupted me. "Here, take this, it was your mother's wedding ring. She gave it to me before she died and asked me to give it to you if I ever thought you met the right girl. I know that your mom would have loved Sherry." Grandma was crying, Sherry was crying, and I had some big tears in my eyes as I continued. "In the presence of my grandparents, your children who I hope to be my children, and in the presence of the Almighty God will you marry me?" We were now both crying when she said, "Of course I'll marry you. What took you so long to ask me?" as I slipped my mother's ring, which I had never seen before, onto Sherry's finger. It was the perfect fit. That in itself was something. "I was afraid you wouldn't want to be married to a farmer. I guess I was too scared to ask. You see, farming is my life and it's all I know. I could never give it up." "Mommy, is Josh going to be our daddy? Are we going to live on the farm and be farmers like Josh? This is so awesome," smiled Mikey. Then he turned around and began to explain it all to Molly. He never even waited for an answer. Sherry and I kissed and I asked her to go for a walk with me. I picked up Molly and took Josh by the hand as we headed down the road to check out the Brady House. "Sherry, Grandpa and I talked about buying this house and the acreage that goes with it. We're going to adjoin the two farms together and hire some more help and build on our investment. If you approve, this can be our house. It's not the newest and needs some work, but I believe it would make a great home for us and the kids." ------------------------ Everything went great with the Brady property. We, that's grandpa, Sherry and me, went to the bank and bought the property and equipment. It was the first time that Sherry found out that my inheritance was two-hundred thousand dollars. I've only spent fifteen thousand when I first got out of prison to get me some clothes and my used truck. I gave Grandma five thousand for good will. I wanted them to know that I was sincere in my efforts to help work the farm. Of course, we borrowed money using my inheritance as collateral and had already paid some of it back. The Bradys promised to be out in a month. We knew we would be busy getting the farms in order and Sherry was planning a small wedding. I did go see her parents and ask for her hand in marriage. Her dad smiled and her mom cried, out of joy, I hope. Her dad and I got along a lot better now. We were from different backgrounds with him being an attorney and me a farmer. We had one thing in common; we both loved Sherry and the kids and wanted the best for them. I promised him that I would give my all to taking care of them. We were married a month later. We actually got married on our flat bed trailer on the farm among the hay barrels. Sherry said if she was going to be a farmer's wife she was going all the way. We did dress up and she looked beautiful in her gown. I rented a tuxedo and looked like a penguin, at least that's how I felt. We had mostly Sherry's friends and relatives and, of course, Grandma and Grandpa invited the area neighbors. They were all really good people and mostly small town farmers. Jed brought his family and we had a nice talk after the wedding. We told him about our expansion and that we were going to hire some more farm workers and he would be the head foreman. He was a good man and started looking for men who he thought would be good workers. He asked if he could hire a few family members that were thinking of moving to our area. We told him as long as they were as good workers as he was. Just a small point here. We did hire two of Jed's brother's and their families moved to our state. They both turned out to be good workers and good family men. Back to the wedding. Sherry's Aunt Ruth catered the wedding. She wanted to do it for nothing but we couldn't accept that. We did however accept a discount. Aunt Ruth asked if she could invite some of her best customers who liked Sherry. I wasn't too sure about it but I had to get over the hang-up of my jealousy. I told her she had to go over the list with Sherry. I didn't want to be having to fight anyone at my own wedding, I told her. We had a local band play at the wedding. Everything was great. I asked Sherry about some of the customers that her aunt had invited seeing I really didn't know any of them. She told me most were married and brought their wives. A few were single and, yes, they had asked her out but were refused. "Josh, I love you with all my heart. I would never jeopardize our relationship for anyone." We danced a lot that night. She danced with other men that night but no-one more than once, except for her dad and my grandpa. I did dance with her best friend Sandra a couple of times. She told me that she had never seen Sherry happier than she had been lately. It was almost enough for me to tear up. I knew that I had never been happier either. We couldn't go on a honeymoon due to getting the farm and house in order. Besides I was a daddy now and wasn't about to leave my kids for long. A few people chipped in and got us the Honeymoon Suite at the Sheridan Inn for the weekend. We said our goodbyes to everyone and left for our weekend romantic short but great honeymoon. The kids were staying with Sherry's mom and Jed said he would see that the place was cleaned up and the animals were fed over the weekend. When we got to our room, I told Sherry that I intended to make love to her all weekend. If she got hungry, she could call room service. She laughed and told me she had no intentions of leaving the room either. I don't want to bore you with a lot of our lovemaking but I have to give you an example of how good it was. As soon as we got to our suite, we wasted no time in disrobing each other. We poured a glass of complimentary champagne that was sent up, and sipped it as we climbed on the king size bed. We set our glasses down and started kissing. She was so soft and warm and I could not get enough of her. I took my Champagne and poured some on her belly, and started licking it off. She was laughing as I kept doing it. I poured some on her breasts and taut nipples and sucked away on them also. I put my fingers inside my glass and got them all wet with champagne, and kept rubbing them on her trimmed mound and pussy. I got between her legs and was doing my best licking it up, until she took her glass and poured it lightly over her mound and down into the valley of her pussy. I was lapping and she was laughing, at the same time we were both getting very turned-on. It wasn't long before I entered her and started with a slow in and out motion and then speeded up. She kept telling me how good it felt when I released my first spurts of my cum into her. I held my cock tight against her till I felt her spasms subside. I lay on top of her until we could both regain our breath. We got up and got into the hot tub, and relaxed till she started teasing me by grabbing my cock. She even went under the water and sucked my cock for a few seconds. It wasn't long before we had our first of many hot tub sexcapades. Thank God, this tub had a good filter system. Our weekend went on and on like this. We did each other orally, and she let me have her butt one time. It hurt her some and that was the last thing I wanted to do but we did say we were going to try everything two people could do together. The biggest turn-on for me was turning her on orally and her asking me, no, make that pleading with me to make love to her. The sex was super but I do believe it's because we loved each other so much and had that kind of trust knowing we were there for each other. Our weekend ended way too soon. Of course, we knew we could make love at home but we had to be a lot more quiet and careful. We decided that every once in a while, we would come back to the motel to really let ourselves go again. We were glad to get back and see the kids. Jed stopped by and let us know that everything was fine at the farm and that his two brothers would be there the next afternoon to be interviewed by me and Grandpa. Sherry was taking the next few days off from her job. She wasn't sure how long she was going to work. She thought she would play it by ear. Once we got underway with the adjoining of the farms, we would need a good bookkeeper and Sherry said it was right up her alley. It's what she had her degree in and did at the insurance office. I had often talked with Mikey on what it took to be a farmer. Every time I saw him, he told me he wanted to be a farmer just like me. I explained to him that you had to love animals and getting your hands dirty. One of the hardest things to do was getting up in the wee hours of the morning, even before the sun came up. We had to take care of the animals and see that they were fed and gather any eggs that the chickens had laid. There were other duties also which I had explained to him. I explained that it was hard getting out of a warm bed and go outside in the dead of winter, but that's what a farmer had to do. It didn't knock his desire. Sherry said he was a strong-willed little boy. I had to love him; he often brought back the thought of Jarrold. I always wondered how he was doing. Our first night at home we played with the kids and rested from our weekend. After putting the kids to bed, we went to bed ourselves. It wasn't but a few minutes before I was making love to Sherry. She laughed and told me I had to be quiet with the kids in the rooms next to ours. I woke up in the middle of the night to take a piss and when I returned I saw Sherry's butt right there all uncovered. She was fast asleep but I slid up behind her and started rubbing my cock against her pussy from behind. It woke her up. "Don't you ever sleep?" she asked, and laughed at the same time. She didn't deny me; instead she raised her leg so I could enter her. It didn't take long before we both came. "Now, get some sleep; you have a farm to run in the morning," laughed Sherry. When the alarm when off I was dead tired. I had three choices. Go back to sleep, make love to the fine looking ass that was still there in front of me, or get up and go do my job. Unfortunately, the work had to be done. I got up and patted the beautiful ass, and started getting dressed. As I was getting dressed I looked up and there was little Mikey wiping his eyes. "What's the matter fella? Having trouble sleeping?" I asked. "No, I heard the alarm go off and I'm a farmer now and have to go to work," said Mikey. I swear it brought tears to my eyes. The little guy was determined to be a farmer. I wanted to tell him he could go back to bed but I knew he was determined. "Okay, go get your jeans and boots on. You might want to put a jacket on over your shirt. It gets pretty cool even on these summer mornings." I watched him go to his room to get dressed. I looked over and saw Sherry smiling at me. She pulled the covers up around her neck. She had no intention of getting up. After getting dressed, I went to get Mikey and he was in Molly's room. I stood back and listened to them talk. "Get up, Molly, we're farmers now. We have chores to do," said Mikey. "I don't want to get up," said Molly. "I'm tired and want to sleep. I'll be a farmer later." Mikey was a little mad at her and uncovered her and she grabbed her doll and walked into our room and got in bed with a smiling Sherry. I turned off the light and Mikey and I headed outside. "Well, Mikey, you tried. Let's go take a walk and check out the animals," I smiled. When we got to the back door, I picked Mikey up and gave him a ride on my shoulders. It was funny how the morning air woke you up. Mikey and I fed the animals together and went and got on the tractor, and rode it up to the house. Jed had just gotten there and would finish what we started. The sun was coming up and it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. I told Mikey we would go eat some breakfast. When we went into the house, Sherry was sitting at the table drinking a cup of coffee. I glanced at the clock; Mikey and I had been outside for an hour and a half. "Hi, Mom, breakfast ready? Josh, I mean Dad said it's time for breakfast." "You tell your dad that if he wants me to have his breakfast ready in the morning that he will have to see that I get a full night of beauty sleep," smiled Sherry. Mikey had no idea what she was talking about, thank God. I told Mikey to go watch some TV and I'd make us some pancakes. He got up and went into the TV room. Molly must have heard the TV on and went and lay on the couch, and watched it with Mikey. I sat down and poured a cup of coffee and when we looked into the TV room, both kids were asleep. It made both Sherry and me smile. In the following days, I told Mikey that we hired more help on the farm so he wouldn't have to get up early every morning. If he liked, he could get up on Sundays and help me with the animals. Our farm hands had Sundays off. Life was going great and about three months into our marriage, Sherry told me she was expecting. She said she stopped taking birth control the day I proposed. I bet I was the happiest man on the planet. Sherry said that she was going to work for a couple of more months so her aunt could find a decent replacement. One afternoon I had to go to the feed store and stopped off to see Sherry. She didn't see me enter the cafe. She was busy arguing with a man. "Please leave me alone. I've told you a thousand times I'm married and have no interest in you. I love my husband." She was saying it somewhat low but I could hear her. Sandy saw me come in but didn't say anything. The man said, "A woman like you needs a real man. What your husband doesn't know won't hurt him," he laughed. "You're disgusting, you pig. Get out of the restaurant. We don't need customers like you," said Sherry. The guy responded, "And who's going to put me out little lady? Your husband?" he laughed. I had heard enough and walked across the cafe and Sherry noticed me. "Josh, what are you going to do? No, Honey, please." "It's okay, Sherry. I have my senses. I'm just answering this gentleman's question." Walking up to the table, I looked down on the bastard. "Look, you worthless piece of shit. You wanted to know who's going to throw your sorry ass out. Me, her husband, just like you said. We can do this one of two ways. You can get up, leave a healthy tip and get your fat ass out of here, or there's the other way where I kick your fucking ass till you stop breathing. "I'm sure enough patrons in here heard you proposition my wife. By the way her father is a lawyer. You have ten seconds to make your choice. The clock is ticking." The jerk quickly got up to leave until I stepped in front of him. "Where's the healthy tip for putting up with your sorry ass?" You Gave Me a Mountain Ch. 03 He laid down a five until I looked him in the eye and he replaced it with a twenty. He went straight for the door. I felt good that I was able to hold my temper. Sherry came up to me and hugged me. "I was so worried you would do something stupid and I'd lose you again." "It's okay, baby. I'll always be here for you and our family," I said as I rubbed her belly. Any chance of getting some lunch?" Six months later, I was at the hospital to help deliver my babies. Yes, I said babies. We had twin girls. There I was the big proud daddy. Sherry's parents were there also. I know people say all babies are beautiful but mine really were. Mikey and Molly were almost as happy as we were. It was funny that there was no animosity toward the babies. Both Mikey and Molly pitched in and helped their mother whenever she asked. Mikey had started school and we put Molly in a daycare a couple of days a week since she wanted to go to school too. It also gave Sherry a break with the two babies. --------------------- It's been four years since the twins were born. Sherry is a wonderful mother and still a great lover. We do make love whenever given the chance. We are also content with cuddling and holding one another. Mikey's tenth birthday came and we did get him his horse. He looked at me and said, "You kept your promise. I always knew you would." Molly asked if she was getting one when she turned ten and I told her only if she promised to take care of it. It's a big responsibility. I had a feeling we would be getting her one. About six months had gone by and I came in from the fields and saw Mikey playing with another boy. I figured it was one of his schoolmates. Molly was out there with them. The twins were playing in the house. "Who's the boy playing with the kids out there?" I asked. It wasn't uncommon for the kids to have other kids over but I usually knew them. "Josh, I have something to tell you. Please don't be mad at me," said Sherry. "What is it? What's the matter?" I asked. "I kept a secret from you for about six months now." "Secret, what secret?" I asked. "The boy out there is Jerrold." "What? You mean my Jerrold? I don't understand. What is he doing here? Where did he come from?" "Let me explain. I know every time you do things with Mikey you have wondered about Jerrold. I asked dad if he could find out anything about him so I could hopefully ease your mind. I didn't intend on bringing him here." "Where's his parents? Cindy Lou and her boyfriend, husband or whatever?" "Dad said he looked up the records and they were both arrested for using and dealing drugs. Children's Services took Jerrold away from them four years ago. There weren't any living relatives who would take him, so they put him in foster homes for short periods of times. He is a ward of the state. He has no home." "So what is he doing here?" I asked. "I want you to talk to him. He's somewhat of a troubled youth. We could be a foster home for him or adopt him if you want," said Sherry. "Honey, we have four kids already. Are you sure you would even want to consider this?" I asked. "Go talk to him. He doesn't have any idea who you are, or that you ever existed. Talk with him and then decide. Children's Services will be by tomorrow to pick him up." I walked out to see the kids. "Dad, this is my new friend Jerrold. He's eleven. He came out here to see what farm life is like. Molly and I have been showing him around." I said hi to him and listened to him tell me how nice the farm was. He had never been on a farm before. He always lived in the city and it was kind of rough. When I asked what he remembered about his parents he told me that when he was about seven the police came and arrested them. He said since then he was placed in either orphanages or foster homes. We all went inside and ate dinner. I couldn't stop watching Jerrold. After dinner, I asked him to walk outside with me. "Jerrold, what's the matter. I can see you're really troubled." "I'm sorry, the case workers said maybe if you guys like me I could live here awhile." He started crying. "What is it, Jerrold?" "I don't understand. Why does God hate me? I never did anything wrong." "Believe me, Jerrold, God doesn't hate you." "Why can't I have a family like Mikey and Molly. It was my parents who did bad things. Why do I have to pay for it?" He kept crying. I couldn't help putting my arms around the young boy. I knew exactly what he felt. My life was just like his. I figured God kept giving me mountains to climb. "Maybe a nice family will adopt you, Jerrold." "That's what the case worker says but whenever I go to foster homes, it's always the same. They think I'm nice and all, but they want a much younger child or a baby. All I want is to be wanted, live in a nice home with people who might love me." Sherry was listening at the door. I could see she was crying along with Jerrold. I could see myself in him. I could almost tell you everything that would happen to him until he turned eighteen. He was just one of the unlucky boys that would fall through the cracks of society. "Jerrold, what do you think of the farm? You know animals. What it would be like living out in the country, that sort of thing?" "Oh, this is the nicest place I've ever been. I can't believe how far I can see without a bunch of buildings blocking my view. I love it out here." "I'll tell you what. Let's enroll you in school here and we'll give it a few months to see how it works out. You'll have chores to do just like the rest of the kids, and you will have to listen and do whatever Mrs. Evans or I ask you to do. Do you think you can do that?" He started crying again. "You mean it? I can live here and have friends and everything?" "Let's go and call a family meeting and let everyone know that you're part of the family now." Sherry kissed me as we walked in the house. "He's like a little you, isn't he? I knew you wouldn't let him fall through the cracks. Besides, it helps fill that little void you've always had in your heart. To make a long story short, we took Jerrold as a foster child for six months. During that time, we had Sherry's dad start adoption papers. When the adoption went through there wasn't a happier boy in the world unless it was Mikey who now had a brother. On the name change form, Jerrold asked if he could just be called Jerrod Evans. When we asked him if he wanted a middle name, he asked for John, after me. He was Jerrod John Evans. I now had to buy two more horses. Both Molly and Jerrod got one for their birthdays. It's fun to watch the boys always protecting the girls. As always Mikey was Molly's protector, whereas the twins looked to Jerrod when they wanted something. All the kids including Jerrod called me dad and Sherry mom. A few more years had passed and we had our family and joint farm. The farm was thriving better than we could have hoped. The boys and even the girls had their farm chores. Sherry was our bookkeeper. I often counted my blessings having Sherry as my wife. For all the mountains I climbed, it was worth it to have her by my side. One day we were all at Grandpa's celebrating his eightieth birthday. Once I really got to know him, I found out, he had a lot to say. I remember Susan's dad asking him what he thought the problem with society was today. He said, "We don't have enough private farms anymore." "Grandpa," I asked. "What do farms have to do with family values, crime and the fast pace in which people live today?" He said, "Many years ago when we had more farmers and private farms, families spent more time together and ate breakfast, lunch and dinner together. "The dinner table was a place where everyone told of their day's activities. The kids had a chance to speak to their parents and told them what went on at school. "If they got in trouble at school, they were in bigger trouble when they got home. Don't misunderstand me here. The kids were punished for wrongdoing but were loved. It really did hurt a parent more when they had to punish their kids. "Evenings were spent around a radio listening to good stories or we all sat around the table and played board games. It wasn't kids going in their bedrooms with a computer and no one knowing what they were doing. The music back then was songs that had words that everyone could understand and sing to," laughed Grandpa. "People learned early in life that you had to earn respect and life is a bumpy ride, but it's worth it, if at the end is home...a loving spouse, happy kids and a dog. "Farmers loved their work and the idea of accomplishment. Being able to pass their life's work down to the next generation. Most families now sell out their farms to big companies and the following generations spend the money. "We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system if our kids got their exercise walking to school with other kids, from whom they learn how to get along. Now we coddle them and make sure they get driven to school. "There was less crime in our streets when we had more farms. You could spot strange cars pretty easy and criminals didn't walk to rob or rape if they knew they'd be welcomed by a lot of barking dogs and a farmer with a double barrel shotgun aimed at them. Our values seemed better when we had more farms. People really seemed to care about other people, always helping the neighbor. Now people don't even know their neighbors; how sad. "I remember when going to town was a treat on the weekends. We'd all get in the car or truck and head into town. Stop and get some feed and maybe even take in a movie. At least once a month there was a good old fashioned barn dance. All the neighbors would show up for a good time. The food was always homemade and plentiful. "There was nothing better than to finish the chores and head over to the nearest fishing creek or a swimming hole. Life just seemed so much simpler back when we had more farms. "Now, families congregate to the big cities and really don't take the time to smell the roses and look up at a beautiful country sky. There is nothing prettier or more beautiful than taking a ride through the country and seeing miles and miles of golden grain or the tall green corn stalks," said Grandpa with a tear in his eye. We all learned more about Grandpa that day. He was a proud man who held a lot in. I guess growing up I never really got to know him. That ended up bad for both of us. I remember grandpa telling me the day when I asked him if I could come back home after being locked-up as a juvenile and he said "No" that it was one of the hardest decisions he had ever made. I'm so glad I had that second chance and things worked out for us. My grandpa said he made a lot of mistakes. One being that I was a lot like my father and that he took it out on me instead of working with me. For that, he would always be sorry. He told me that now he couldn't be prouder of me as he handed me some papers in front of everyone. "Josh, the farm is legally and totally yours. Here are the documents. Grandma and I still hold ownership of our house. We expect to be here and watch the farm grow. Besides, we love watching the kids play on the farm. It's been a lot of years since we've been this content." My Grandpa began to cry. I got up and just hugged him. "I know you don't like to be hugged Grandpa but this time you don't have a choice." Sherry came over and hugged him also. Life went on and we did our day-to-day chores. It was nice to see Grandma and Grandpa sitting on their porch enjoying the kids who would often go over and sit with them. As for me, I have a great family, a beautiful wife and five kids. I do love them all equally but I do have to say that I'm proud of the two boys who will someday be part owner of this farm. As for Sherry, there is not a better and more loving person on the planet. I'm the luckiest man alive. This time, Lord, you gave me a mountain. A mountain I know I can climb.With Sherry as my wife and my lover, I can climb any mountain, anytime. * Thank you for reading my story. Comments are always welcome. DG Hear