After a tiring two-day trip, the Brandon caravan of a new pickup truck and Peter’s Cadillac pulled into the cabin’s parking area. The workmen were gone. Even the extensive repairs to the six foot, black chain-link fence enclosing the cabin and ten acres was finished.

Everyone helped unload the vehicles. The Nguyens delayed any food preparation until Mrs. Nguyen got the kitchen scrubbed down. Bernadette tried to help but got chased away. She then took charge of getting the tent set up down by the creek. Terry walked around the cabin, noting where floodlights and sensors should be installed. Rip and Jack went into exploring mode and soon had covered the cabin and fenced grounds. The small creek was the best. Rip and Jack romped and splashed in the creek and made enough noise to scare wildlife miles away. Peter and Bernadette stopped the setting up of the campsite to watch the now full-grown Bouvier and Jack frolic in the brook.

Bernadette said, “Why can’t it stay like this? Watching them makes me want to have a baby sister for Jack.”

“If we can get through one more year and get you away from the IRA, who knows. With luck maybe your wish can come true.”