Prelude
INNOCENCE LOST
Prelude
The snow was lightly falling on the gently rolling hills and fields of the Smith family farm. The farm itself was a modest spread in upper state New York. It was New Years day 1936.
The Smiths were the typical American family, respected and liked by their neighbours, they attended church faithfully every Sunday, but were not obnoxiously pious. Their world view was a small one, The farm, Church on Sunday and a trip to town for supplies on Saturdays. Anything outside that cocoon was "out there".
The Patriarch of the Family, Grampa John, was ensconced in his favourite chair and blowing smoke rings up towards the ceiling while pulling his scruffy robe tighter about him to ward off the slight chill. A gruff old coot who was best known for having won a medal for loosing a leg in the great war.
He claimed it was earned saving a famous General's life, but no one believed that, least of all Gramma Smith his wife, who sat accross the room effecting repairs to a pair of his red britches. She thought he probably had an open rat bite on his leg and fell into a latrine ditch. The relative peace of this scene was suddenly interrupted, by the front door slamming shut, and the pounding of running feet down the hall to the sitting room.
A blur flashed around the corner and suddenly Grampa John had a wiggling 10 year old boy in his lap. Grampa, Grampa, Dad says I can go into town with him on Saturday. "Easy Johnny, easy" Grampa John managed to stammer out.
"Where is everyone else, Johnny" Gramma Smith asked. "Well, Charlie is helping Dad with fixing the tractor and Derek is bringing in the Cows. Is dinner almost ready". "Yes dear, your Mom and Carolyn are just putting the final touches on the turkey. I noticed you did not mention little Lisa, you know you are supposed to be keeping an eye on her." The glare she directed at Johnny while speaking left do doubt he had better have the right answer. Unfortunately for Johnny he was distracted watching Grampa John's smoke rings and completely missed the look. "Ah Gramma, She is off playing with her stupid dolls somewhere."
Placing her sewing carefully in her lap Gramma Smith Snapped her fingers and Shook them pointing at Young Johnny. "You young sir will gather yourself up right now and find your little sister and you better pray she is okay! or there will be no trip to town for you!"
Johnny leaped from his perch on Grampa John's knee, started to dash out of the room but was frozen with a "Wait!" shout from Gramma Smith. "Find her and gather your brothers as well, then let your father know it is time to clean up for dinner." "Yes mame" Johnny replied quickly with a bob of his head, all the while thinking that if that little brat of a sister had ruined his trip to town he was going to kill her.
