PART 3
The next day was Sunday, and everyone headed off to church. Everyone, that is, but Becky and Rob. Becky agreed to stay at Plumfield and take care of Rob since Dr. Mike said that he should stay inside the house for a few more days. After church, Jo thought it would be a great idea to have a picnic out at Walden’s Pond. Everybody went out to the pond for the afternoon, again except Rob and Becky.
It was quite a group that included Mike, Sully, Matthew, Colleen, Brian, Katie, Jo, Meg, Demi & Daisy (Meg’s twins), Laurie, Amy, Nick, Franz, Nan, Nat, Dan, Bess, Tommy, Emil, and the rest of the boys.
When everybody had finished eating, the children went down to the pond to skip rocks while the adults talked.
Matthew, Colleen, and Franz were away from the other adults, so they began a conversation of their own.
"So, Colleen," Franz began. "Nan tells me you’re going to be a doctor like your mother."
"Yes, I am. Once a medical school accepts me, of course."
"They will," older brother responded confidently. "She’ll be going off to medical school in no time." Colleen blushed.
"It’s amazing what women can do now days. Have to respect a woman for doing something that ambitious." Colleen blushed again. Franz continued, "So Matthew, what are you doing?"
"I’m hoping to become a lawyer."
"Becky’s father is a lawyer. In fact, William Laurence is the town lawyer here at Concord, and a very respected one at that."
"Really? Maybe I’ll have to pay him a visit. Get some advice from a real lawyer." Matthew said.
"I’m sure he’d be happy to give you any advice you want."
"What about you, Franz?" Colleen spoke up. "I know you teach. Have you ever been to college?"
"Nope. My Uncle Fritz, Aunt Jo’s late husband who died last year, taught me how to be a teacher. I was accepted to Harvard, but I couldn’t leave here. I love teaching at Plumfield."
"Andrew went to Harvard," Colleen said sadly.
"Who?"
"Dr. Andrew Cook, Colleen’s boyfriend, went to Harvard Medical School. However, I think they are going through a rough spot in their relationship at the moment." Matthew explained.
"Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure things will get better."
"Yes, I suppose," Colleen said, amazed at how kind Franz was. He kind of reminded her of Andrew.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Monday morning rolled around and it was time for school again. At 9 a.m. sharp, Franz rang the school bell. All of the children ran to get to school on time. Brian was with them.
"Here, you can sit behind me, Brian," Nat offered.
"Thanks, Nat."
"OK, kids. Settle down." The room slowly got quiet. "Brian, welcome. Your mother told me that you are just going to sit in on classes while you are here. Is that correct?"
"Yes, but I would love to join in as much as I can. I like school," Brian said, excited to be there.
"You’re kidding. You really are like Nat," Emil told him.
"Nothing wrong with enjoying school, Emil," Franz said. "Alright, let’s begin class…"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Wow, what a day," Brian said, after school was dismissed. "Franz is a great teacher. Just as good as my teacher, Mrs. Moralis…um, I mean Slicker. She just got married. I haven’t quite gotten used to her new name yet." Brian laughed at his own mistake.
"Yes, he is a good teacher. We all enjoy him," Nat agreed. The kids walked up to the house to get ready to do chores.
"Hey, Colleen," Brian yelled up to his sister, who was sitting on the porch with Katie.
"Hi, Brian. How was school?" she asked as Brian got up to the porch.
"School was great. Franz is a wonderful teacher."
"Is he really?" Colleen seemed interested.
"Sure is. I have to go help with chores. See you, Colleen."
"Bye, Brian," her mind not on her little brother. She stood on the porch for a minute staring at the schoolhouse.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Inside the house, Becky was sitting on Robby’s bed listening to him read her a story. Matthew was passing by Rob’s room when he looked in and saw Becky.
"Becky?" Matthew said as he peeked through the open door. "What are you doing?"
"Hi, Matthew. Rob’s reading me a story." Then she looked over at Rob. His eyes were closed and the book had fell onto his chest. She looked back up to Matthew. "Well, he was reading me a story." She grinned.
Matthew laughed, "He must have read himself to sleep." Becky laughed with him. She sure is beautiful, he thought to himself.
Becky took the book out of Rob’s hands and set it down on the table beside Rob’s bed. She gave him a light kiss on the forehead, and then joined Matthew out in the hallway.
"So, how is he feeling," Matthew asked.
"Better, but still tired. Care to join me in the kitchen for a cup of coffee?"
"I’d love to," Matthew eagerly agreed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Franz had just dismissed school about five minutes before, when Colleen appeared in the doorway of the schoolroom.
"Hi, Franz," Colleen said, as she walked inside.
"Oh, hi, Colleen," Franz said, secretly wishing that that had been Becky coming in to see him.
"I hope I’m not interrupting anything."
"No, of course not. I was just getting some papers graded."
"Oh."
About a minute passed. "So, did you want something." Franz asked her.
"Want something?" She was staring at Franz. "Oh, yeah, I uh, kind of wanted to see the school. I’ve never seen one in a barn before." She quickly made up an excuse.
"Oh, well, then feel free to look around. I assure you there’s not much to it."
"It’s about the size of our school in Colorado Springs. Only it’s not in a barn."
"Not many schools are."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I must say, the kids seem to be enjoying themselves here," Dr. Mike said to Jo while they were sitting on the porch later that week.
"Yes, they do. My kids seem to enjoy having them here."
"You’ve been so nice to us." Sully said. "How do we repay you?"
"You already have. Think nothing of it." Jo replied.
"Are you sure?" Dr. Mike asked.
"Positive. How much longer will you be staying?"
"Maybe another week, and then we’ll head back to Boston." Dr. Mike answered.
