When my cousin Shane invited me out to his property for a week and said I could bring my friends and that their significant others were welcome to come along I eagerly accepted the invitation. I always had gotten along with my cousin, I have fond memories of us playing in the backyard of my grandmothers house and of going on hikes and adventures in the woods on his property. I always enjoyed spending time on the farm as he called it. I loved how it made me feel fresh; somehow being out in the country with out the lights and sounds of the city where you can hear and feel nature thriving around you there was nothing else that I have yet experienced that is anything like it. To say I was looking forward to a small road trip to visit my cousin would be an understatement.

I contacted all my friends to make sure they could all come and they could, the boys unfortunately have weekend plans and would have to stay behind and join us at my cousins place later.

Friday morning we all pile into Tracy’s VW bus. Kelsey and Raquel sat up front with Tracy and Hallie sat in the back bench seat with Draya and me. On the way up to Shane’s we sang songs and played the alphabet game and I was pointing out different land marks; most notable being pecks farmers market and the big green bridge we cross going over the Wisconsin river. We were trying to find the letter Y in the alphabet game when the VW bus started making whining and grinding sounds then it slowed and eventually came to a stop. Tracy got out to check the engine after awhile I heard her swear loudly. I get out to see what’s wrong. Tracy is leaning against her bus arms crossed and a scowl on her face

“So what’s wrong?” I asked

“Alternator is shot it’s going to need to be replaced”

“Is it normal for it to go out suddenly like that?” I asked

“Yeah it can happen for any number of reasons but we’re not going anywhere until someone picks us up”

I take out my cell phone and hold it up to look at it “I got a signal I will give Shane a call and he can tell us who to call for a tow” I say scrolling through my contacts until I find Shane’s number and I call it, it only rings once before he answers it “Hello?” says Shane’s deep voice

“Hey Shane” I said

“Hey how’s my favorite cousin? You and your group nearly here?”

“Yeah about that we ran into some car trouble Tracy thinks it’s the alternator so we need someone to come pick us up”

“Say no more I’ll come get you just tell where you’re at”

“HWY 14 going into Gotham”

“Kay I will come get you so just hang tight till I get there and then we’ll call a tow truck”

“Alright see you soon Shane” I said hanging up my phone “Shane is on his way well call a tow truck when he gets here”

It took Shane about half an hour to get us and then another hour for the tow truck to get there. After they they had the VW all hitched up they gave Tracy a card of the auto garage they would be taking it to.

It was almost dusk when we got to Shane’s house and we were all hungry. Luckily Shane had made a big pot of chili for us. He had started making it right away that day. Most of the vegetables it had in it had been grown in his own garden. He left the pot on simmer so it would be nice and hot when we got there. He dished up a bowl for each of us and we all caught up with Shane as we ate.

Shane was very interested in my relationship with Draya and there were the usual questions “How did we meet? How long have we been together? Where was our first date and our first kiss?” and of course there was the “You better be nice to my cousin and treat her well or else” threat but it was all good natured and Draya didn’t seem to mind the questions so if she didn’t mind I guess I didn’t either.

As night fell we blew up the three air mattresses we brought and we all turned in for the night. I could hear an owl somewhere outside the house and even the high pitched sounds of a fox some where in the distance. I took comfort in the fact that I was safe and secure in my cousins log house and having my angel Draya laying in my arms beside me. I snuggled closer to her and settled in letting the sounds of nature and the nighttime wildlife lull me to sleep.

THE END story continues in the story titled Tree House ( Week In The Country)