Sea Changes

Nod is play'n on the porch of the community kitchen

The aromas from inside were sweetly bewitch'n.

The women were can'n apple pie fill'n...

TT approached

"Daughter!... Where ye be? We need to talk!"

Dixie walks out, damp curls ring her face,

"Whew!... that kitchen is one hot place!

Feels good out here." she dries her hands on a towel.

"You wanted to see me?

Let's sit for awhile."

"Dixie...I'm afraid what I have to tell you will not make you smile."

Dixie smiled over at Nod

"Best gather up that yarn an get to your chores.

Your Uncle will be back soon, an you'll be want'n to help the men curry their horses."

"Oh! Golly Ned!... Aunt Dixie!.. I promised Theo I'd weed the beets!"

And off she ran... barely touch'n the ground with her feet!

Dixie looks up at TT... she pats his hand.

"What was it you have to tell me, Pappy?... I promise, I won't get mad."

Judge Rivers hugged his daughter-in-law so tight...

"I'll need to be move'n into town soon"...

Dixie stumbled as her legs gave way...

"but not tonight!. dear, child not tonight!

"Your success with PHA has reached the ears of our Alma Mater.

They are interested in the Economic Development of Prairie Settlements

... and they want me to write a paper.

It will be much more convenient for me to reside at the Market in town...

Besides, my dear, I find I'm slow'n down. "

"Don't be ridiculous!" Dixie wept,

"You're just like Hugh! You are both bulls...

not an ounce of strutter in either of you!"

TT gently dried her tears, "There, there, now... my little Dixiebird...

I need somethin more than the honey... I'm miss'n my Maribelle...

it will help to immerse myself in a world of words."

Fiercely, Dixie wiped her face with the hem of her apron,

Squared her shoulders

And said, with a smile an a shudder,

"I'm gonna go kill a fat hen for supper."

Later that night, after supper was over,

Dixie wandered out to the road.

She pondered the long lane -

the trail she had taken.

She heard, above the song of the peepers,

Wink sing'n... he'd be a fine beekeeper.

She saw a light flicker in the windmill window...

a small shadow flitted from Alice Springs to the stable.

She jumped as a strong arm grabbed her round the waist...

muffled her scream with a calloused hand,

an felt his hot breath as he growled

"calm down."