Forsaken World:Coming of Age by Thomas A Watson Read Free Book Online

dirt.”
    “Let’s build the damn thing aboveground,” Jennifer groaned, moving to the next tire.
    “We don’t have the supplies for that,” Ian said, moving to the front. “We are going to make lumber, but we don’t have the other stuff we need and would still have to level out an area by hand.”
    “Shit, let’s plant a garden,” Jennifer said, getting up.
    “Don’t have the pesticides to grow on the outside or the acreage to produce enough till next year’s crops,” Lance said and looked over at her. “We worked on a farm last year for merit badges.”
    “We have like ten years’ worth of food now; we can grow a garden and work on the greenhouse,” Jennifer said with a shrug.
    Ian shook his head, stepping back to look at the buggy. “We don’t have the time to do that along with everything else we still have to do,” he said, nodding at the buggy. “Looks like a bush with wheels.”
    “Then we’ve done our job,” Lance said and started gathering what was left over. Jennifer darted forward and started grabbing anything—be damned if they were picking up again without her.
    When they walked in, they found the girls working in the kitchen. “We’re making supper,” Allie beamed.
    Carrie looked up with a grin. “You’ll like it.”
    “Yes, we will,” Lance said, walking over and kissing each on the head, followed by Ian and Jennifer.
    As Lance and Ian walked to their room, Ian leaned over to Lance’s ear. “They are making hamburgers to put in Hamburger Helper,” he whispered.
    Looking at Ian, Lance shrugged. “I think that’s kind of smart myself.”
    Ian laughed as they hung up their rifles. “Allie should’ve been your sister,” he said and looked at his clothes basket. “Hey, I’m going to shower; will you wash my clothes with yours?”
    “Sure,” Lance said, pulling off his boots. After Ian left, Lance looked at the baskets. “It can’t be that hard,” he mumbled, dumping Ian’s clothes in his basket. As he passed through the kitchen, he saw Jennifer “helping” the girls with supper. Allie and Carrie where arguing as they broke up the hamburger patties they had made.
    She waved at him as he headed down to the basement. Taking a deep breath, Lance walked over to the large, stainless steel washer and dryer. He looked at the top at the switches and dials then shrugged, opening the door on the washer. He looked inside then back at the instruments. “Where are the lines to tell me how much I’m putting in?” he mumbled, sticking his head inside the washer again.
    “How do you know what’s large, medium, or small? I know what an extra-large load is,” he snapped, pulling his head out. Looking for instructions, he moved his head around the outside of the washer then looked up and saw the detergent. Pulling the box down, he started reading.
    “Is this supposed to be some innate knowledge you’re supposed to have?” he snapped, slamming the detergent down. Seeing a handle on the top, he lifted it, finding a little door that covered three small boxes. “Instructions, thank you,” he beamed, seeing writing on the inside of the small lid.
    Jennifer came down the stairs to see Lance leaning over the washer, studying something intently. “I’ve never found something that interesting on a washer before,” she mumbled, coming down the stairs. As she walked over, she saw Lance was reading a very tiny set of instructions. “Haven’t you washed clothes before?”
    Lance jumped a foot off the washer. When he landed, he spun to face her. “I’m putting a damn bell on your little ass!” he snapped.
    Jennifer laughed as Lance calmed his breathing. “Sorry,” she giggled. “But haven’t you washed your clothes before?”
    “Ah,” Lance stuttered and glanced around. “No.” The giggle left Jennifer as she stared at him. “What, Ms. Penny or Mom washed my clothes,” he mumbled. “But I do know how to iron,” he said proudly.
    Shocked, Jennifer looked down at the