03/27/13
Wagon Wheel

I Love You Just the Way You Are


I Love You Just the Way You Are

Scene: A dusty wagon road leading from Mankato to Walnut Grove, MN. / / Scenario: Chester Barnes, returning to Walnut Grove after a long day working in Mankato, reflects on the past and the present. / / Visit www.twitterhouse.org for more "Twitter House on the Prairie" stories!

Storified by Twitter House Archives· Wed, Apr 10 2013 10:01:16

Book opening…….Prairie Stories *TH*
Chapter 16. Story title "I love you just the way you are." Starring @Chester_Barnes @Willa_Barnes @Rolf_Barnes @Seth_Barnes_ @Mark_Barnes_Prairie Stories *TH*
@Chester_Barnes looks up at the sky, all gray, a storm ahead. Glad he and his older son @Rolf_barnes were up on the house roof last weekPrairie Stories *TH*
hammering it’s wood shingles. The roof safe and secure, he is relieved that his family will be warm and dry now. Chester has had along dayPrairie Stories *TH*
and is tired, with a long ride home. Mankato is a big place. Large, filled with many diverse people. An enjoyable place but it can also bePrairie Stories *TH*
dangerous at times for the younger men that can fall prey to those with wrong intentions and disrespectful practices. It’s gambling hallsPrairie Stories *TH*
always active and filled with people trying to hit it big. Many men are poor and lose what little they have to it’s money making machine.Prairie Stories *TH*
Chester thinks of his own father now passed. He thinks of the times he had. His father was a good man with drinking troubles and a low selfPrairie Stories *TH*
image. His father and mother raised 4 sons. Chester being the second oldest. While being raised in a not so stable household, ChesterPrairie Stories *TH*
promised himself that once he had his own family, he’d try to correct the deep void his own father left in him. Even upon his fathers deathPrairie Stories *TH*
Chester longed to hear the simple words uttered from his dying father….. "I love you just the way you are." But never did.Prairie Stories *TH*
He in his rig, now riding home from a long day of brick and mortar, thinks about these things. The rain is holding out for now. His coveredPrairie Stories *TH*
wagon rocking on the dirt roads to his beloved homestead brimming with activity. His wife, @Willa_Barnes preparing supper just about now.Prairie Stories *TH*
And now a father of 3 sons, @Rolf_Barnes ,@Mark_Barnes_ @Seth_Barnes_ A proud accomplishment he thinks to himself. They are well behaved.Prairie Stories *TH*
As Chester rides home along the dusty road. Meanwhile back at the Barnes home, his wife Willamina calls to her boys to wash up for supper.Prairie Stories *TH*
Rolf dear would you round up your brothers in the field. Seth is running wild and he’ll surely need a bath before nights end.Willamina Barnes*TH*
@Willa_Barnes Sure ma. I’ll tackle Mark. He’s been chasing Seth around with a big rotten turkey egg. If that breaks, we’ll all need a bath!Rolf Barnes *TH*
@Rolf_Barnes Thank you Rolf and watch out for the muddy wagon tracks! (She calls out at the door to him wiping her hands on a small towel.)Willamina Barnes*TH*
For @Willa_Barnes depends on young @Rolf_Barnes "the man of the house", as his father calls him, to look after his younger brothers.Prairie Stories *TH*
Willa backs up and looks at the large wooden table set for supper. The food on the wood stove in cast iron pots, hot and ready to serve.Prairie Stories *TH*
The kitchen is modest with some modern conveniences like a small icebox and sink pump purchased from a catalog in Oleson’s Mercantile.Prairie Stories *TH*
Chester has a good stable business. A strong stone mason. He works on his own most of the time. Once in a while when a larger job is added,Prairie Stories *TH*
he will call on fellow mason and good friend @Phil_Brinkman to work along side him. He recalls the civil war not too long ago rememberingPrairie Stories *TH*
Phillip as a younger man in his early 20′s. For he and Phillip were in the same infantry back then so long ago. They often recall warPrairie Stories *TH*
stories as they work together. Most of them painful memories and the sheer loss of their union solder brothers in horrific Andersonville.Prairie Stories *TH*
As Chester continues on homeward, he ponders and carries the past in him. It is difficult to eradicate. Some things can never really bePrairie Stories *TH*
healed over. Not even by time. His heart is heavy. He passes various homesteads on his ride home. Sweet cottages with children playingPrairie Stories *TH*
and climbing trees. A lady gathers in her wash in as a stormy dry breeze flutters the clothing wildly on the lines.Prairie Stories *TH*
Chester recalls his Willa, the mother of his 3 sons. In the beginning it was all sweet. They married young, very young as a matter of fact.Prairie Stories *TH*
They went through rough times in their marriage, sometimes almost to the brink of divorce due to Chester’s long work hours & far distances.Prairie Stories *TH*
He feared in those times that he’d have to raise the boys alone if Willa threatened to leave. He would not let her have custody of them.Prairie Stories *TH*
Their arguments were bitter. Only Rolf the oldest boy can recall some of them. The others, Mark and Seth were too young at that time.Prairie Stories *TH*
But he and Willa managed to stay together and work things through, for the sake of the children and their family.Prairie Stories *TH*
Chester works hard, many long hours. Sometimes dragging himself back home very weary and sad inside. He doesn’t know what he would havePrairie Stories *TH*
done if it were not for his oldest son Rolf looking after the boys while he was away long days and evenings. Even weeks sometimes far away.Prairie Stories *TH*
For Rolf had grown into a fine strong young man. He is proud of him and all his boys. They are his life and they brig him great joy.Prairie Stories *TH*
He thinks of the funny things that @Mark_Barnes_ would do. Tricks and shenanigans on his brothers. His strong furry abdomen jitters a bitPrairie Stories *TH*
as he rides home softly laughing under his breath. Little @Seth_Barnes_ always into mischief, is adorable and can charm His dad easily.Prairie Stories *TH*
Seth has his father wrapped around his little finger. A sheer handful at toddler stage, Seth can wear even a strong man like his dad out.Prairie Stories *TH*
Riding past the outskirts of Green River, a grin appears on his bearded strong face. Up ahead..Prairie Stories *TH*
he sees the hill & farmland being prepared by himself and Rolf. A slow process but the potential for a great harvest is surly there.Prairie Stories *TH*
His wagon wheels are strong, the rig covered in heavy brown canvas begins to lightly dot with scattered raindrops from the above clouds.Prairie Stories *TH*
His house in view and there at the front are Rolf and Mark are chasing after Seth trying to catch him to bring him in before the skies open.Prairie Stories *TH*
His wife Willa, shooing chickens and tending to the horses as to close the barn doors preparing for the storm ahead. Thunder rumbles above.Prairie Stories *TH*
Rolf scoops up a giggling Seth. He and Mark help haul him inside, Seth wriggling like a caught fish holding onto the doorway as the pullPrairie Stories *TH*
him in. Seeing their father, they all run towards him, as he pulls up the big rig and locks the the break with a heavy strong hand.Prairie Stories *TH*
Chester grins and beams seeing his sons. Willa walks toward him from the barns. His dusty boots thump as he hops down, tired and sweating.Prairie Stories *TH*
The rain drops collecting on his face now, his beard wet from it. He puts his big arms over his sweet boys shoulders. They tell him aboutPrairie Stories *TH*
their day and the schooling and homework they’ve battled through. Chester smiles listening and is proud of his sons, all of them.Prairie Stories *TH*
I’m glad you did well on the test today Rolf. I know you studied hard son. Add You! (Picks up little Set in his strong arms laughing.)Chester Barnes *TH*
(Kisses @Willa_Barnes on the cheek and smiles to her. His heart grateful that she’s endured his long trips away to make a mason’s living.)Chester Barnes *TH*
Something smells good mom! (He sweetly says to his Willa. Feels Seth grab him around his neck tightly.) Thank you boys for helping your mom.Chester Barnes *TH*
Even after working Chester is strong and lifts Seth with ease. The rain begins to fall now as they get to the front porch of the house.Prairie Stories *TH*
Willa with her arm around his waist as they all enter in. The kitchen warm and filled with the scent of a wonderful meal for the family.Prairie Stories *TH*
He is grateful for the companionship she gives him. His loving wife, to help with the proper raising of his sweet adorable sons.Prairie Stories *TH*
The 3 apples of his eye. Chester places Seth down as Willa seats them in their places at the table in a noisy but orderly scurry.Prairie Stories *TH*
Chester walks to the window. He breathes in deeply with closed eyes & exhales out strongly as if to release the sadness inside that easily.Prairie Stories *TH*
No it will always be with him. The missing words not uttered by his father, the void left in his heart will always be there to some degree.Prairie Stories *TH*
Willa walks to him from behind and hugs his large strong frame, seeing he is deep in thought. He turns to hold her gently, the boys look on.Prairie Stories *TH*
He gazes at his 3 sons gathered at the table over Willa’s head at his chest. With tears in his eyes and whispers in their direction…Prairie Stories *TH*
and in an affirming way….. "I love you just the way you are."Chester Barnes *TH*
Scene fades to black………Prairie Stories *TH*
02/20/13
Locked Trunk

Matters of Faith: Part I


Matters of Faith: Part I

Scene: The Brinkman homestead near Walnut Grove, MN. / / Scenario: Aaron Brinkman searches for a missing object, and discovers a piece of his past. / / Visit www.twitterhouse.org for more "Twitter House on the Prairie" stories!

Storified by Twitter House Archives· Sat, Feb 23 2013 18:35:07

Book opening…….Prairie Stories *TH*
Chapter 14 "Matters of Faith" Part 1Prairie Stories *TH*
On an early Saturday morning, @Aaron_Brinkman a successful lumberman on the outskirts of Walnut Grove searches for his pocket knife.Prairie Stories *TH*
It is the pocket knife his only son @Nolan_Brinkman had given to him for his birthday over the summer. It is special to him because it wasPrairie Stories *TH*
a gift his son had saved for over a course of time. Aaron had always carried it with him since Nolan had given it to him. The breakfast isPrairie Stories *TH*
being prepared by his wife @Gloria_Brinkman . A spirited lady with deep southern roots. Aaron had met Gloria when she was doing businessPrairie Stories *TH*
for her ailing father Colonel Radcliffe of the confederate army. Well anyway that’s how the southern gentleman liked to refer to himself,Prairie Stories *TH*
even though the civil war was long over. He was a prideful man and was not in love with the fact that her sweet southern belle went offPrairie Stories *TH*
to the land of the enemy and married herself to a yankee rebel. It took time for she and her father to make amends over several years.Prairie Stories *TH*
As Aaron served his term fighting for the men in blue, as did his twin brother @Phil_Brinkman . Aaron had put the war behind him andPrairie Stories *TH*
moved his life forward to forget about all the bloodshed and tragedy he witnessed while fighting. He was grateful that he and his brotherPrairie Stories *TH*
Phillip survived such a difficult time in American history. As Gloria prepared their breakfast, Aaron searched about in their bedroom forPrairie Stories *TH*
the little red and silver pocket knife. Aaron opened his son’s bedroom door just a crack to check in on him. He was still asleep.Prairie Stories *TH*
Aaron shut the door gently as to not wake him. He continued looking in the bedroom under the tall dresser, the vanity and the large bed.Prairie Stories *TH*
His thick fingered hand went far under the bed feeling about even though he could not see under it. He was getting worried. he hoped hePrairie Stories *TH*
did not drop in while working or perhaps in the tall grass someplace. "How stupid" he thought to himself. Feeling bad about it being lost.Prairie Stories *TH*
He did not have the heart to tell his son Nolan that it was missing and would not say a thing until it was found or at least replaced.Prairie Stories *TH*
Aaron opened up the rustic wood closet door in the bedroom. There was his wife’s hope chest, grand and gilded in Southern artistic elegance.Prairie Stories *TH*
He crawled to the back of the closet reaching for his old army chest. It contained his personal memorabilia from his youth and the war.Prairie Stories *TH*
Aaron dragged the beat up trunk out and placed it at the foot of the bed with a thud. He sat before it on the floor and opened the lid.Prairie Stories *TH*
His big calloused hand lifting the lid gently. The scent of old clothing wafted into his nostrils. The scent of his past. Why Aaron wouldPrairie Stories *TH*
look for his son’s pocket knife here "was a mystery to him". He thought. For Aaron had not opened the army trunk for many years.Prairie Stories *TH*
Aaron’s eye spots something he had not seen for a long time. It’s a precious gift from old. His thick brow puckers a bit.Prairie Stories *TH*
Aaron reaches into the trunk and in a way reaches into his past once again……Prairie Stories *TH*
(To be continued)Prairie Stories *TH*
Book closing……….Prairie Stories *TH*