Ch. 21: A busy week

They get back to the house, leaving everything in the trucks but the food. Renee noticed when they went inside, they did not have a table set up yet. She sat the bags down on the counter and started pulling all the food out, they ordered 16 burgers, 6 baskets of fries, a family size of onion rings, 3 dozen chicken wings, and everyone had a drink. Everyone got their helpings and found a spot to relax on the porch and ate, Renee could not help but be grateful for these 3 men who were helping her, and her boys start a new life. As the day ended, she started to make plans for the week and a list of things that she wanted to do while she had help, mostly handy work after all the furniture was in place. Renee realized the day had passed her buy when a hungry LJ asked for dinner, "what time are we going to eat mom, I am hungry and tired." Renee decided she was going to just go buy pizza for dinner and remembered Jake mentioning a diner around here with the best pizza, "hey Jake where is that pizza place at? We all need food and sleep soon" she laughed nodding to LJ who was now acting as if his own feet weighed a ton. Renee was laughing at LJ and Nate who were joking and running around the house being boys, turning back to Jake. He had grabbed his keys and was talking to Oscar and Benny, "let's go, I will show you" Renee told the boys what they were doing and left with Jake. As they drove there Renee could not help but ask, "how long has it been since you been to this diner?" asking, knowing he has been here before but wondered how long it has been. "It's been almost ten years, but I can remember the taste like it was yesterday, you will love them." He smiled with a quick glance, keeping his eyes on the road. Renee figured it had to be good if he remembered it that well, "we shall see, as long as they have cheese sticks or garlic sticks, I will be happy" Renee laughed. They pulled up to the diner, a small shop, but smelled so good, even better than the big chain pizza stores, "oh they smell amazing" she said stepping out of the truck. Jake held the door for her as she walked in, inhaling the aroma of pizza, bread, pasta, even burgers and French fries. Renee was shocked when she seen the menu, there were so many options she had to send a picture to her kids, "I do not know where to start, oh my" she said looking through the bread choices. Jake laughed, "you should try this one, I think you will like it" he pointed to one that said "triple cheese stuffed, double dipped garlic sticks with homemade marinara and garlic dip" Renee smiled, she thought it sounded good.



They got their order placed and decided to go to a store that was a few streets down and look at some plants for a garden, "I wonder if I should start small since storm season is so close" Renee said. Her and Jake walked around looking at plants, while Renee was looking at some flowers Jake had found a few that were perfect for the season, "come check these out, they say this time of the year is perfect for them maybe they can stand the rain" he said picking up one that had pretty white flowers on them. They spent the next 45 minutes picking out some plants, garden beds and water hose attachments before they went back to the diner to pick up their order. Nate and LJ of course settled on a meat monster pizza, which was like meat lovers but with double the meat and each a burger and fries, while Oscar and Benny settled with a Hawaiian pizza and 2 double burgers each. Renee and Jake ordered everything extra because they knew they had a lot to get done before the night ended. Even though they had gotten all the kids' furniture sat up she knew she was going to want to unpack and try to do her living room, "whatcha thinking about?" Jake asked as Renee noticed they were close to the house. "I was just thinking about what I wanted to get done tonight before going to sleep" she did not notice how quiet she had been. She felt Jakes hand on her leg, "you do not need to get it all done this week, take time to relax and explore while you wait to start working." She felt so calm just having him around right now. They finally got back to the house to find that they had put together the new kitchen table and chairs and had started on the living room furniture, "you guys have been busy I see," she said with a giggle, setting the food down. Everyone gathered around the table, thanking Renee and Jake for the food and started eating, "you know Renee," Oscar said swallowing his food, "I think I will have to bring my family out here one day and see what they thing of the farm life" he said smiling, Benny laughed, "that is because you fell in love with the damn horse out there and don't want to leave it" they hit each other in a joking way. Everyone laughed and continued eating.



Nate was the first one to turn in for the night, "goodnight mom, and everyone I am tired and stuffed." He laughed and strolled upstairs, "I love you, brush your teeth and shower first please" Renee yelled up to him hoping he heard her. Renee could not help but laugh, "LJ make sure when you're ready to go to bed you do the same okay?" he nodded working on his 5th slice of pizza and his second burger, "this is so good mom thank you" he said with a mouth full and a smile. Renee once again laughed, she knew her boys ate more than they asked for and still could not figure out where they put all this food being tall and slender young men. About 30 minutes had passed when LJ decided he was done eating and talking and felt the side effects of the food known as sleepiness, "good night, everyone, love you mom see you in the morning" he went upstairs to head for bed. Renee and the men enjoyed their food, they took their time eating, "would anyone like a drink? I think today was a good day and this week will be too." Renee asked, getting up and heading to the refrigerator. Benny finishing his food, "I would like one yes please, and I agree today was a good day I think we have gotten a lot done." He smiled at her, "Thank you for everything" she said handing Oscar and Benny a drink, then pouring one for herself and Jake. They spent the rest of the night like they did the week, putting everything together and in the proper rooms, eating, drinking, and talking. By the time Friday had come Oscar and Benny had said their goodbyes and headed for home while Jake stayed, "I will see you when I come back guys, thanks again." he said, waving them off. So much had been done over the week Renee just wanted to enjoy her weekend, "Well you 3, what are we going to do since we got a lot done and not much left to do? We need a weekend of fun" she said walking to the house. They went out to enjoy some lunch and a day out, and something she thought the kids would love, animal searching. Renee figured they could find some more farm animals in the area or meet someone who can help them, and she did just that. A woman overheard Renee telling the kids she had wanted to look into some more animals like cows and maybe goats and had approached them as they were about to leave the restaurant, "miss, I think I can help you with finding some animals, there are a few ranches around here who breed cows and horses, great people and I know a rescue that is out of state that transports them for free when they are bought, they are also nice people." Renee was stunned, forgetting she was in the country, and everyone around here had farms, "thank you so much." They exchanged information and Renee took down the information for the places she mentioned before leaving.



They made calls and arranged to visit that farm before the day was over, "mom, how many do you plan on getting?" Nate asked. Renee had not thought too much about it but knew she had wanted some of everything, "well let's start with two or three each, over time we can get more if we want." LJ jumped with excitement, showing he was happy to hear that, "we really need cows for milk so I can have chocolate milk forever" he laughed and ran to the truck. Renee tossed the keys to Jake, "want to drive?" she asked with a smile, they got in the truck and headed to the farm. Once there after an hours trip, they got out stretched their legs and was greeted by a familiar person, the kid from the restaurant they visited their first night in Oklahoma, "well hey guys, I did not know that was you" he said, "my mom will be out in a moment she was making ice tea for you all."