RAWLINS WAS HAPPY TO SEE COURTNEY

Feeling someone touch his back, Rufus open his eyes seeing the sun peeping into the room, Looking around wanting to know who was it, that touch him, but there wasn't anyone in the room.

Closing his eyes once more thinking, 'Was I dreaming Courtney again, it seems to be all I have been dreaming lately.'

When the knock came and the door open and Oliver step in, he was holding his tray.

As he rest it down hearing him saying, "Sir, I had forgotten to tell you, the Grand Master said the supplies were sent a few day ago to your grandparents.

And he said the generator is giving some trouble again, so he will get someone to fix it today."

"Oliver, can you help me to stand up? I am tired of lying down and I have lost track of the days, and can you tell me the date today?"

"Sir, today is the twenty-eight of August."

"My God, I have been away from the plantation a month and a half already."

"Sir, we have to thank God you are alive, that's what important."

Oliver help him to reach the washroom, seeing the maid enters the room and began cleaning.

Removing his sheet and putting fresh one on then sweep. When she went to get the mop bucket, I set his tray on his bed and lay out his clothes.

Pondering in his heart as he ease himself, 'Next month she will be fifteen weeks, I must make an extra effort to exercise, I have to start moving, I miss her so much and I will have to be fit when she needs me.

Whispering a silent prayer for her, knowing it's she alone now, and when that evil force comes she alone have to battle. Hearing the knocking Rufus said, "I am fine Olive, just give me a few minutes again."

Hurrying he brush his teeth then sits on the chair and shower. Using the brace dad had the men install for him to use as a support when he is in the wash room.

'I should get them to build one near the bed so I can use it to hold and do his exercise. With that on his mind he knock the door .

When Oliver came and help him to reach his bed. "Oliver will you tell dad to ask Gus to come during the day please."

"Yes Sir!" When he leave the room Rufus pull on the vest and boxers Oliver rest on the bed for him. He eat then relax on the bed, when Oliver return an hour later to take the tray, Rufus asks him, "Oliver, did you ever get the chance to meet Martha?"

"No Sir, the few times I visited the market, I asked around, but it seems no one has seen her after the storm."

"I wonder if she is unwell?"

"Don't worry Sir, I knows you worry about everyone so I will check around for her." Standing by the window Oliver said, "Well Sir, I see your Pappie van driving towards the plantation."

Thinking, 'Have they return, I am glad she will get some company,'

When Oliver left Rufus he was sitting by the window looking out.

Rufus thought, 'If it is Courtney that was driving Pappie van, she should be retuning soon.

Observing his Mom's car leaving, about an hour later wondering, 'Where is she going, I only hope she doesn't see Courtney, because she will want to stop and speak with her, I know she will asks about grandmother and Pappie.'

When she turns of going towards the cottage, sighing, 'Good, she won't meet her, and the place will be lock up.' Looking at his time, 'she has gone an hour and a half already, where could she be?'

****

Returning from her search slowing down by the mill seeing Uncle, Courtney stop, "You look tired, Uncle."

"Oh child, it is good I see you, did you went by the service station?"

"No, no, I was doing some sight seeing, hoping to see if there were a Church anywhere close by."

"The Church is inside the street before the market."

"Thanks Uncle, when I was home I never missed my Church service. Now you seem concern, is something wrong Uncle?"

"I need some help, and was wondering if you can help me out for a few hours?"

Pulling aside, parking up Courtney came out, "Whatever help you need, tell me."

"I need you to overseer this truck they are loading, and next hour another two trucks will be here, this is the orders, and the number of the truck so the orders won't get mix up.'

"Okay Uncle, its' not a problem, I will hold on for you."

"Thank you, I have to check the men in the orchard, we have two big orders to send-off."

Holding his hand, "Uncle, how is Rufus doing?"

"I can't say child, I haven't seen him in a week, the place is so busy I could barely think straight, with the mill and orchard."

"Will it be okay if I stop and visit him when I leave here?"

"I am sure he will like that very much."

"Okay, just let the manager know that I am helping out, and I will handle everything."

Seeing him walk to the office, then wave as he leaves, calling out to him, "You take your time and don't worry about anything."

Watching him leave, 'He looks so tired," then walk towards the truck, reading the orders and looking on as the men load the truck, checking to ensure all was correct.

The truck that supposed to come second, came first, and that was half an hour later, when they did reach, they wanted an extra order to take with them one time.

Asking the foreman to get the person in charge to come, as they complete loading the first-order.

When the supervisor came, "Did someone sends for me?"

"I did Sir, it is I that Uncle leaves to overseer the loading of these truck."