Hello Trouble

Chapter 13

Bear in Lane

JB becomes indispensable to Carol Parker on the farm – but he is still as explosive as napalm and dynamite. Fireworks are appropriate for the bicentennial in 1976.

Hello trouble come on in

Well you talk about heartaches

where the world you have been

I ain't had the mis'ry

since you've been gone

Hello trouble trouble

trouble welcome home --

Eddie Mcduff / Orville Couch - Hello Trouble Buck Owens - Buck’em! The Music of Buck Owens

Hello Trouble

“I got that pump working and I should be able to get water runs along all the raised beds. It will save a lot of time. I made them easy to drain out when the season is over.”

“Thank you JB, your mechanical skills are so valuable to the farm. That old ford seems to run as smoothly as a Singer sewing machine. I think that was Grandpa Parker’s phrase.”

“Old tractors are easy to keep running if you keep up with the small maintenance items.”

“You have put in so many hours you are well beyond rent. As the season gets going, I should be able to cut you a check and get us back to even.”

“Not worried you never cheated me on hours, your word is as good as any contract. I’ve been working here so much I haven’t had time to throw away my money on booze and fast women.”

“You look better without that constantly hungover look you used to have.”

“Well sometimes when you’re a young fool you think a case of beer is nothing. But drinking like I was, caused me some health issues. Mr. Parker had encouraged me to fish as long as there was ‘no drink’n’. I rarely went; I couldn’t imagine even an hour without a beer in my hand. I feel much better now up there on a quiet morning or afternoon. Sober can be a good thing.”

“I suppose I’m the local bitch now that I filed a complaint against all those kids. We have a liability issue, and they were leaving a mess. Also, I knew my grandparents wishes ought to be respected.”

“The big shots didn’t want their kids’ names in paper, but it seems to have stopped the trespassing. Keeps it quieter and I am liking quiet more now."

“Also thank you for agreeing to help get us to the New Harmony Farmer’s Market. We’ll have several crates of berries this year. We’ll take everything else we can get ready to go, usually sell it all out.”

“Can’t pull a trailer with those rice eater trucks the hippie chicks drive.”

“Oh, and thank you for not calling me a girl, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a slip up.”

“No, I usually go with bra burning hairy pitted man-eater because I know calling you a girl ticks you off.”

“JB when you’re all sober, you can charm a woman right out of her steel panties. Either those fast women are track stars or you’re awful slow, I haven’t seen you catch too many.”

“I tell you truth Ms. Parker, most everyone around here thinks I’m one of those Viet Vet timebombs. I can’t blame them all those fights and being drunk more hours of a day than sober. I can see why folks are leery. I am better now. Working here has helped.”

“I haven’t been much of a counselor; I think my Dad thought I was something of a timebomb myself.”

“I have seen how hard you work to make a go growing vegetables and apples. I feel like a Donaldson helping a Parker is continuing an old friendship, keeping faith with your grandfather. “

“JB you can call me Carol I guess or Hippie Chick. I've been working with you for a year now.”

“Ah don’t know Ms. Parker, I didn’t call your grandfather Eldon, but I think Hippie Chick fits.”

“Did anyone call grandpa, Eldon?”

“My Dad didn’t, but I suppose your grandma did."




Photo Lynne Jensen