photo #1488409

Bunk had just finished tilling the lower forty for the last time before the new owner took possession. It was a matter of pride, and a final salute to the land he'd loved since he was born on it, and his father before him. He lifted the tiller and started the last trip to the barn when movement at the top of the hill caught his eye. He speeded up a little, then his throat started choking up when he saw the large seabag over a stout man's shoulder. He had no idea Harm was coming. How was he going to explain things to him? The piles of boxes stacked everywhere? The covers Bonnie had put on the furniture? This just became the hardest day in his life, and he was frantically trying to figure everything out as he pulled up next to his son. He jumped off the rusty old tractor, and the two of them hugged unashamedly. Without waiting for the question, Harm told his Dad it was over. Master Chief Petty Officer Higgins had retired from his Navy career and he was home for good. Bunk broke out in tears, and simply said "later". He hefted Harm's seabag onto the tiller, said "jump on", put the old tractor in gear, and headed for the house and barn. This was going to be harder than he thought, for Bonnie, too. How to begin........ After dropping off the seabag on the porch and parking the tractor, they strolled arm and arm to the house. As soon as he went through the door, Harm's mother flew into his arms,sobbing with joy. He looked all around, and his eyes came to his father with a reflective look. His father told him to have a seat while he explained. The family farm had been sold at tax auction last week, and the new buyer was to take possession tomorrow. He hadn't attended, because it would have broken his heart, knowing after four generations he'd failed to keep it. He'd made enough money to put all six of his children through school, but after paying for four weddings and his other son's legal expenses, he was too strapped to pay the reassessment increase in the taxes, which had doubled them. The cost of seed had more than doubled, and the market prices had plummeted in spite of increases to the buyers. Fuel prices were skyrocketing. His brother had gotten a thirty year sentence, and his sisters never even called after they moved away. Bunk and Bonnie hadn't even had so much as a Christmas card from anyone other than Harm. As his voice trailed off, he asked about Harm. Harm had put in his 20 years as a nuclear reactor technician on "Boomer" submarines, which is why he was out of contact so much. He explained that he had a dream in life, and didn't run around with the rest of his shipmates. He just kept saving his money for the day he could start his life after his service. He was turning 38 next month, having enlisted in the cache program. Since he'd mostly concentrated on his courses, and reading books about agriculture, he rarely got ashore, and hadn't met a potential wife yet. He did finish his degree by correspondence courses in agricultural engineering and he'd returned home to help his parents and work the farm. Unbeknownst to his parents, he'd put the taxes, water, and electricity on standby in his name, and he'd been notified about the arrears on the taxes. Knowing about the rest of his siblings, he had set it up to purchase the farm at auction as a blind bidder. That way, there couldn't be any claims down the road. His mother and father broke down crying. The one who hadn't ever asked for anything had single - handedly saved the family farm. And their way of life. Harm reached into his pocket and put the deed on the table. With tears in his eyes, he asked " will y'all please stay and help me with OUR farm?" "And Mother, help me pick out a suitable wife?" Over supper in town, he explained his retirement pension and the safety it provided. Turned out to be the best night of his life so far.