It didn’t surprise me at all that he and Uncle Norm were now walking out into the pasture, for something was troubling him and it was there that he seemed to find relief. Something was up, for although Uncle Norm was coming around more often these days after the stress caused by the purchase of the corner lot had settled, it was always Saturdays between ten and eleven that he would arrive. Father would just be rising from his morning nap. The two of them would take a walk through the creamery and end up sitting on the patio chatting over coffee.
Now, as I listened, I could hear the odd word here and there, but try as I might, I couldn’t make out a single complete sentence. Finally, there was a long silence. Then I heard my Uncle Norm say as clear as day, “What will you do?” What! I thought to myself! Father always knew what to do! He was the one that was asked about what he thought about planting this or that and when! He had the answers! He always knew! How could it be that he didn’t know or couldn’t decide!
Just about the time I thought they had walked further away I heard my father say quietly, “Please ask if I can keep forty cows.” I was kneeling down beneath the window when I heard him say that and felt the blood drain from my head and the room swim about me! It could only mean one thing! Minutes later I heard a car start and saw its headlights sweep across the field
