As the Eagle Flies. J. D. Oliver

said.

      “What about Teddy, he’s only been dead for not even a year; don’t you think that it’s a little fast?”

      Jake spoke up, “Uh, Alona, I know my brother; he usually doesn’t do things on the spur of the moment. If they are going to get married, knowing him, I’m sure it’s forever.”

      “Well, I guess so, it’s just that it took me by surprise.” She turned to look at Jake, their eyes met, she forgot all about us.

      As the four and half of us went into the hall setting room, we seen Dad and Felicia setting there, sipping Margarita’s. Felicia turned to us and said, “Would you like a drink, I can ring for one?”

      I said, “Just some Ice Tea for me and the Mrs. The kids there might like some soda pop.”

      Felicia, looked at Faith, “Ah, I thought so. Karl and I have just been discussing your up coming marriage. Would you like to make it a double wedding?”

      I thought my announcement would take them by surprise, but they had turned the tables on us. All four of us stood there dumbstruck. Alona said, when she found her voice, “you mean you two are getting married also?”

      “Yes, we weren’t in as big of a hurry as Clay and Faith, but since they are getting married, we might as well do the same. No use to have two big weddings; when one will do.” Dad said. Then he took Felicia’s hand and kissed it. Her eyes were just as happy as my new wife’s were.

       Felicia looked at Alona and Jake, “I’m sorry, but you two will just have to wait, you’re way to young to get married.”

      “Huh, Uh,” Jake stammered, “we hadn’t even thought about getting married, have we Alona?”

      “Well…no, not yet. But I do like you Jake. But marriage at this time, no, I guess not.” She took Jake’s hand, “We can wait, can’t we Jake?”

      “Yes, of course, we both are too young, you sixteen and me only seventeen.”

      Dad said, “Damn right you will wait. Even though your hormones are in high gear right now. Oh I know Clay and Faith aren’t a very good example. But hey, they’re a lot older than the two of you. They have waited their turn. The same goes for Felicia and me, we’re almost three times your age, so I guess we have the right.”

      Felicia said, “That’s right Karl, I can remember my Grandfather saying, ‘just because I have a little snow on the roof, that’s no sign the furnace has gone out’.”

      Alona said, “Really Mom, that’s gauche, I’ve never heard you talk that way, for heavens sake act your age.” Felicia, stuck her tongue out at her daughter, Faith giggled and took Alita from me and handed her to Felicia, “Here Felicia, hold your Granddaughter; Clay and I have to set the table for dinner.” Then she took my hand and hustled me out of the room.

      As soon as we got out of the room, she plastered herself against me and kissed me. She pulled away and looked into my eyes. I guess I broke the spell when I said, “Uh, Honey, you just left two wet spots on my shirt, don’t you have a nursing bra to absorb some of that?”

      “Oh you, of course I do.” Then she kicked me lightly in the shins. Of course it didn’t hurt, she was still barefoot. I pulled her back against me and kissed her, for a long time…I didn’t care if my whole shirt got wet.

      “We broke and she said, “I don’t know why I’m making so much milk, I have enough milk for three babies. I guess I should donate some; is there some place that can be done?”

      “I don’t know, maybe you could ask your doctor, he might know?” I said.

      “Yeah, I guess I will call her tomorrow. I’ll have to use the breast pump again tonight, I think I have a lot of bottles in the refrigerator. No use to waste it, I guess.”

      How did I go from a care free bachelor to a husband and father, in a matter of hours? It wasn’t as if I didn’t like it, because I did. But it sure was mighty fast.

      “The dishes are in the cupboard, over there. You set the table, I’m going to call my Doctor, she said I could call her anytime.” Then she went to the phone in the hall. Set the table? I had never sat a table before in my entire life. “Hey, how many places do I set?” I called after her.

      “Eight,” she called back, “Miguel and Ester eats with us.” I went to the cupboard, all of the time trying to remember how my Mother used to set the table. I had just finished when Faith came back. “She said we could come in tonight, she would meet us in her office. She said there was a shot she could give me; to cut the flow down a little bit. Will you drive me in?”

      “Of course, blow in my ear and I’ll follow you anywhere.” I said.

      “Oh, I’ll do more than that, after we’re married.” Then I got another kiss…

      After supper, Faith fed Alita, then left her in the care of Alona and Grandma. We went out to the five car garage. In one of the spots was a restored 50 Ford Pickup. It was cherry apple green in color. Faith said, “This was Teddy’s pride and joy, it looks stock, doesn’t it? But it’s not, there’s a fairly new Mustang V-6 under the hood; he said it was supercharged. I haven’t driven it, in fact I’ve never even rode in it. He had just finished it the week before he was killed in that plane crash. Do you want to take it?”

      “Yes, of course. I would love to, I’ve always been a little bit of car nut myself.” I said, as I slid behind the wheel. Of course that was after I helped Faith in the passenger side. It did have seat belts and after market airbags.

      The transmission was a dragsters dream, it was one of the sidebar shifts, it wasn’t just a three speed though, it was a five speed. It took me a few seconds to get the hang of it. The motor just sat there and growled. Oh yeah, there was one other thing that wasn’t stock; a built in child restraint seat. I guess he was thinking ahead.

      I felt a little funny, it was like stepping into another man’s shoes. I guess I shouldn’t worry, Faith sure wasn’t. We couldn’t set side by side; cause of the child seat in the middle. I guess that was okay, we were buckled in anyway.

      I idled out of the garage and down the lane. When I hit the county road, which was paved. I goosed it, it fish tailed from side to side before I could get off of it. “Whew, this is one hot rod,” I said, Faith said,

      “Isn’t it though. Oh, you were talking about the truck, yes it is too.” She said with a smile. I looked at her, “Patience, my love, patience.” I said with a leer.

      We pulled up in front of the clinic. I went around and opened the door for Faith. I reached in to help her out, she grabbed me and pulled me down and kissed me. Of course I put up a fight, NOT!

      She was leaking again, that cut our kiss short. “Damn, that sure puts a damper on my ardor,” she said.

      “Yeah, mine too. But I guess that’s good, at least till we get married. I sure hope that shot the Doc is going to give you works.” I said.

      The Doctor was waiting for us. She was a young Navajo girl. Turned out this was her first practice. She looked at me, “Sioux?” She said.

      “Uh, no, Northern Cheyenne. Close, but no cigar.” I said.

      “I hope you don’t smoke!” She said.

      “Uh, that was a joke, of course I don’t smoke.”

      “Good. Because second hand smoke is bad for babies, well really for anyone.” She said.

      I was starting to think she didn’t have a sense of humor, that was till I caught the twinkle in her eye. “Oh, you were just pulling my leg.” I said.

      “Well Duh, I was starting to think you didn’t have a sense of humor. Come on in, we’ll give you a quick once over Faith, then we’ll see about that shot.”

      I followed her in. The Doc glanced at me, then said to Faith, “Where did you pick him up?”