It was a different Christmas for him as he headed over to the Larson for the supper meal. He felt more like an intruder then part of the family, but Ellen insisted that he was part of their family. Mitch's finance came home early to find a place to live but for now they are staying with his parents. Mitch was supposed to come home by the first of December but stay an extra week to attending some extra classes plus did his Christmas shopping. Just before he was leaving a phone call came to let him know that some friends of theirs were killed in a head on collision and the funeral was set for the following weekend. He phoned his finance to let her know about their friends and that he would attend the funeral. After hanging up she told Gary and Ellen about their friends and that he would be home after the funeral. Come the following week Mitch was home by Wednesday afternoon.

            Knocking on the door, Ellen opened it to see Val standing there and reminded him that he didn't have to knock. Told him everybody was in the living room waiting for him to come.  Mitch came over to give him a brotherly hug and started to introduce his finance to him.

            “Val and I have already met awhile ago for coffee. Had some question to ask him.” said Clara helping Ellen with the supper.

            “Questions.” exclaimed Mitch. “What questions were those.”

            “I mentioned to her that you snore a lot, hog the bed covers and fart.” said Val.

            “Wait a minute, I don't do that.” said Mitch see Val walk away rather quickly. “Val, I'm going to take a round out of you.”

            “Later boys, for supper is ready.” said Ellen “You deserved that.”

            Sitting at the table Gary said grace then after the amen the food was being passed around to enjoy the turkey supper. Mitch's brother and sister were chattering away about their Christmas gifts and learnt that Mitch did snore. The kids claim that you could hear him at night just like a train chugging down the track. This brought a round of laughter for the kids were sound asleep. After dessert the men and kids went to the living while the women started to clean up and put the leftovers away.

            “Thank you for inviting me over.” said Val.

            “Son, you don't have to be invited to have a meal here with us. Told you many times your part of my family.” said Gary.

            “That's right were bros.” said Mitch giving him a playful punch. Beside I need you to be my best man at our wedding in April.”

            “Congratulation. I'll be there.” said Val.

            Rest of the evening they talked, played card games and played with the kids till it was time for bed. The kids were in bed by ten when Val got up to leave to go back to his home. Gary walked him to the door and waiting till he put his coat then Val asked to talk to him privately. So, he put his coat on and stepped out into the cool evening.  Walking toward his truck they got in and Val started it to get it warmed up.

            While it was warming up Val said “I can't stay on the farm much longer because the memories are too much for me to handle. I expect to see my mom coming around the corner or coming out of her bedroom.” said Val “I have thought this over and decided to leave the area for awhile. I talked to Clark about my plan and have drawn up a deed to the place.”

            “When are you planning to leave.” asked Gary looking out the window.

            “Right after Mitch's wedding for I think I can hold out for that long.” said Val.

            “What is this deed?” asked Gary.

            “I'm not selling the farm for one thing. I'm giving it to Mitch and Clara as a wedding present.” said Val “Plan on telling them after the wedding ceremony. The land is already in Mitch's name as well as the house. The deed is in the safe for now.”

            “I really don't know what to say because you have it all planned out. Promise me what ever you do be careful.” said Gary getting out of the truck.

            Watching the boy drive down the lane toward the road and turned left toward his farm Ellen stepped out see if everything was alright. Turning around he walked her into the house telling her that they needed to talk tonight. When whole house settled down for the night Gary told her about Val's plan and when he was leaving. Crying on his shoulder for she didn't want him to leave but saw his reason for going.

            By the time April rolled around he had the place in very good condition for the newly weds. All the outside work was done even the roof of the house but the inside he couldn't bring himself to touch. The inside of the house was left for Mitch and Clara to renovate. The wedding took place in the community hall with Reverend Howard presiding over the ceremony. By midnight the crowd was leaving the hall shouting good wishes and giving advise to the married couple.  As Val was walking toward the door, he gave Clara a hug and shook Mitch's hand then asked them to stop in at the farm when they get back from their honeymoon. Mitch mentioned that they would be back in two weeks for he started his job at the dairy then.

            During those two weeks he did extra work to the barn and looked after all the chores plus pack up his things he was taking with him. Ellen came over with the kids for just a few minutes and told him to be careful. Making a promise to take care of himself then she left before the tears started to flow. Bending down he gave the kids a goodbye hug for it would be the last time he sees them. It was very nice of Gary and Ellen to take in their neighbors’ children after they were killed in an accident then adopted them as their own. The children were only seven and six plus Mitch doted on them and referred to them as his brother and sister. Taking the deed out of the safe he placed it on the table then took his things out to the truck. Put all the Knick knacks that his mom collected in a box which went into the storage room. The pots/pans, eating utensils, cups and his own personal items were put into a box. This box was put into his truck along with his comforter, a few photos of the family, hand towel, bath towels, dish towels and the bed sheets. For a wedding present Mitch and Clara received a pot set, dish set, towels and so on from him. Last thing he did was go into his parent rooms and took the comforter off their bed. Put it in a box along with all of the photos in the room and this went in the storage room with the other boxes. Taking the last box out to the truck as they were driving in.

            “What are you doing.” asked Mitch stepping out of the truck.

            “Please come into the house then I'll explain everything to you.” said Val.

            Once in the house and sitting at the table Mitch said, “Start explaining and it better be good.”

            “I'm leaving the farm for a few years because I can't handle it right now. Need time away to get a few things straighten out. As a wedding present from me I'm giving you the farm and the land. Everything is in your name right now. I have fixed up the barn and all the other buildings plus fixed the house, but I didn't do the inside for I left that for you.  In the storage room there are two boxes with my parent’s items in it and wonder if you could keep it till, I get back.” said Val pushing the letter toward Mitch “This is the deed to my place and the papers to be signed. I have already signed my name.”

            “Val, I don't know what to say.” said Mitch “Thanks seems too simple, but Clara and I will look after the place for you.”

            Opening the envelope, he took the papers out to be signed and there were two sets. Reading the last paper Mitch saw it was a deed of sale and refused to sign but pretended to sign it. Not saying anything because it hit him that he was losing a brother.

            “We are going into town tomorrow to get a few groceries and to pick up the mail. I could drop the envelope off at the law firm for you.” said Mitch.

            “Thanks that would be great.” said Val

            “Val, I don't know what to say but you are a wonderful brother-in-law. We appreciate everything you have down and please take care of yourself. Don't forget to call or write.” said Clara leaving so they could say their goodbye and so she could hide her tears.

            Standing on the pad Val gave him the keys to the house and noticed that he was having some trouble keeping the tears at bay.

            “Goodbye bro and congratulations.” said Val giving him a hug.

            “No, it is not goodbye just see you later.” said Mitch giving him a brotherly hug “Mom told me to give this to you.” handing him a brown envelope.

            Putting it in his coat pocket he climbed into the truck and drove down the lane toward the highway to Lockney. About halfway down the highway he had to pull over to wipe the tears away for it was the hardest thing to do was to leave his home. Watching him drive away Mitch let the tears flow as Clara stood beside him then leaned over to give him a hug.

            “He is not coming home for awhile Mitch.” said Clara “He left everything to us.”

            “No, he is not coming home till he is ready. This will be the last time we see him for awhile. The last paper I didn't sign because I refused to sign it. It was a bill of sale for this place. If I signed that one, he won't be coming back. I miss him already.” said Mitch.

            “Promised me that he would phone or write.” said Clara which he did for a few years then stopped.

            Together they walked into their home to start their married life.