Proofread by Ton8ty. Thank you for all the effort and hard work.
I'd like to thank all my readers for your votes and comments.
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Two weeks had past since the tornado hit the farm and Thanksgiving was only a few days away. Doug and Jake had worked almost around the clock the first seven days to make the house habitable again. The foundation had been checked and was sound. There was some minor wood damage to the walls and floors that needed repairing as well as the replacement of all the windows that had shattered.
Sandy was going through an emotional roller coaster even when they could move back into the house. The budget was tight due to the repairs which meant just a simple dinner for Thanksgiving. Sam's arm was in a sling and she was focused on helping him, and little JD was teething, which meant he was cranky and irritable most of the time. Now, to top off everything else, Millie Thompson had called and politely asked if she could come over. Linda had said 'yes' without consulting any of the family, which had angered not only Sandy, but Jake as well.
Both women were fully dressed and waiting for their guest to show up. Sandy looked over at Linda who was sitting at the table, as calm as could be, sipping on her cup of tea and holding a fussy JD. Linda lifted her head occasionally and smiled at Sandy knowing how much Sandy disliked Millie for the things the woman had said about Linda and little JD. They both heard the car drive into the back driveway, a car door slam and then a knock on the back door.
Linda nodded to Sandy to open the door. "Be nice," said Linda. Sandy gave her a sour look before composing her face. She opened the door and looked out at Millie. "Won't you come in?" asked Sandy.
Millie opened the outer door and walked into the porch enclosure. Sandy showed her into the kitchen and over to Linda. "Hi, Millie!" Linda said cheerfully to her guest.
Millie gazed down at the floor to compose herself before looking Linda in the eyes. "Linda, I want to apologize personally to you and Sandy. What I did to you was malicious and undeserved. I hope you will accept it and forgive me."
To Linda, there was no doubt about Millie's sincerity. "Millie, please have a seat and let's talk." Millie sat down next to Linda. She looked at little JD while Sandy offered her a cup of tea. "Sandy, you sit down since this involves you too." Sandy was surprised that Linda included her, but sat anyway.
"Millie, first of all, why did you do it?" asked Linda.
Millie bowed her head before answering. "I was jealous of you, Linda, and then of Sandy."
Sandy's head snapped to look at the woman. "Me?"
Millie nodded and her eyes misted. "I was envious of Linda for being able to have a baby with the support of her family." Millie hung her head. "My Dad made me abort my baby when I got pregnant at 15. There were complications ... I can't have any children."
Linda moved closer to the distraught woman and put her arm around her while she openly wept. Sandy was floored and looked at Linda. Linda continued to hold Millie until the woman quieted and Sandy handed her a napkin.
"Thanks, Sandy," said Millie. "If JD was old enough, I'd be apologizing to him too. I'll work hard to make things right by you guys." Millie straightened her shoulders and wiped her face. "Linda, if you want to have babies, it's no one's business but your own and from now on you have my support and, hopefully, you'll allow me to be your friend."
Linda squeezed Millie's shoulders lightly. "I'd like that Millie. If we ever need someone to watch the babies..." began Linda, but didn't get to finish.
"Oh! Linda! Can I?" asked Millie. "I'd be very good and give them plenty of love too!" Millie smiled brilliantly. Linda returned her smile.
"Millie?" asked Sandy. Sandy couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "Why me?"
Millie blushed hard before answering. "I often had fantasies about Doc and me. When he married you, I got angry and jealous. I'm sorry Sandy. I was his patient and he was always just my doctor. There had never been anything between us other than that. I just felt that your family had all the luck."
Linda clasped Millie's hand. "Millie, we don't have luck," Linda gave a slight laugh, "if we did, then we wouldn't have been hit by that tornado. What we do have is love. A love we share deeply as a family." Linda turned to Sandy and nodded.
Sandy sighed, knowing what Linda wanted her to do. "Millie?" said Sandy gently. "May I show you something?" Millie turned her attention to Sandy. "Sam was able to look past what the other boys around here wouldn't." Sandy undid the tie on her wrap-around dress, opened it and showed Millie her scarred body. Millie gasped and started to weep once again while Sandy retied her dress.
"My God!" Millie whispered. "Who would do that to you, Sandy?"
"The woman who use to be our grandmother," said Sandy. "She's in prison now, but will be eligible for parole in three years. To this family, though, we consider her as dead."
Millie got up, went to Sandy and put her arms around her neck. "Please forgive me, Sandy."
Sandy looked at Linda over Millie's shoulder and Linda nodded her head. "Sure, Millie. Just remember, what seems like luck to others sometimes comes at a high price to the recipient. There's just one thing I'm going to say before I agree to let you watch the children," and she looked pointedly at Linda, "Jake is off limits, so please don't fantasize about him being interested in you. He already has someone he's interested in and wouldn't give her up for anyone. You might want to apologize to him, too. He's pretty mad at you for bad-mouthing Linda and little JD."
Millie nodded her head in agreement. "You're right and don't worry, I won't be fantasizing about Jake. I'm sure there's someone out there for me somewhere."
Linda smiled and felt good about the situation. "There's only one thing left to mention then, Millie." Millie let go of Sandy and turned back to Linda. "We're nudists. We don't normally wear clothes inside and neither will we force clothing on our children."
Millie made a silent 'Oh' as her eyes got wide. She blushed and then smiled, "All of you?"
"Yes," said Sandy. "Sam included. We prefer the freedom and are not ashamed of our bodies. If this is a problem for you, then please reconsider your offer to help with the children."
Millie shook her head and smiled. "No problem. It might take a little getting used to and I might blush a lot, but I think I can handle it. Also, I won't be telling anyone; it's none of their business."
All three women smiled and settled at the table for refreshments. "How did you guys fair with the tornado?" asked Millie since Linda had mentioned they had been hit. "Did you know that Sam saved my life? So did Jake and your Dad by getting me to the hospital."
"Yes, Sam told me," said Sandy. "We've pretty well fixed the house, but the barn is gone. We won't be able to rebuild it until next spring." Sandy gave a sigh thinking about how sparse the upcoming holidays were going to be.
Millie couldn't help but notice the expression on Sandy's face. "What's wrong, Sandy?"
Linda jumped in before Sandy had the chance to answer. "She's just a bit upset with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up. You see, we need to budget the money in order to rebuild." Linda squeezed Sandy's hand. "We'll make do, Love." Sandy nodded her head and tried to smile.
They all heard the front door open and shut. Jake and Doug walked into the kitchen and looked at the women sitting around the table. Linda got up and went over to them. She explained about Millie's apology to both Sandy and her and, also, her offer to watch the children for them.
Millie got up; Sandy stood and followed her over to the men. "Jake, Mr. Hansen, I owe you both my apology as well. I hope you can forgive me like Linda and Sandy. I, also, want to thank you both for helping to save my life."
Jake looked at Linda first. She nodded her head in approval and then smiled at him. He next looked at Sandy and she did likewise. He drew a deep breath. "I was very angry at you Millie, but I'll accept your apology too."
So will I," said Doug.
"Thank you, both," said Millie. "It's getting late so I'd best get home now. Ah, Mr. Hansen? I was wondering if you'd walk me out? I'd like to ask your advice on a matter."