Simply Given

By Xlibris US

Someone in need of a friend after our lives are faced with unexpected changes may be unbarring for many to be facing it alone. As for youngClaude Estowe his journey begins after the death of his Father. Sending him on a religious journey bringing faith into his Life.

Along with friend and family, he finds out a secret that has been kept from him all these years. His real father is still alive. So, setting faith as his guiding star he learns to overcome his fears and faces acceptance brought to him by a family friend- a familypriest who teaches young Claude that God leads our lives on many different paths. As wegrow in ourLife with God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499011944

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Andy Andrus.

Library of Congress Control Number:         2014907940

ISBN:                  Hardcover                        978-1-4990-1195-1

                      Softcover                         978-1-4990-1198-2

                      eBook                              978-1-4990-1194-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date:08/21/2014

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

CHAPTER 1

Let’s get them hooked and lined up, Claude! shouted Claude’s father. Quick speed got Claude there right before the horse was hitched in front of the plow.

What’s the next thing to do and how? he said with a kindhearted and stern voice, still keeping faith in young Claude.

One day, Claude, you will use what is shown to you like faith, use it throughout your life, guiding you straighter than the plow that creates the row while also humbling you to be stronger than the horse which pulls it. Now then, gather ’round here son, but be careful. Try not to frighten Sandy.

It was early spring, and the day was beautiful out in the countryside of Raleigh, North Carolina. The clouds were bold and as white as fluffs of cotton as they drifted with the slight breeze in the air. Forests of newly lush leaves stretched across the horizon as birds flew in high sight. The cool streams ran calmly. At the beginning section of the field to be plowed, the fitting sight of each one of the straightened rows, in the early morning sunrise, broadened one’s perception.

Keep beside me, son, I have a task for you to do for me.

Mr. Estowe pulled the harness strap over his shoulder and held up the plow. He was a stern man who owned his own prospects. Broad in shoulder, he was nothing in comparison to young Claude, who was the eldest of two boys with hazel eyes and light brown hair trimmed down to his ears. Claude appeared much like a young boy as he nervously stood beside his father, but he looked ready to learn.

Claude, hard work is always appreciated. Pausing for a moment, he then continued.

Tell you what, as soon as you’ve asked your mother if she has anything for you to do, I’ll let you meet me out in the field.

With a smile on his face, Claude whisked one foot in front of the other as fast as his feet would let him. Sprinting away from the field, past the old oak tree and, running beside the white picket fence, he scattered all the chickens as he passed. Claude stopped to see his favorite hen.

Hello, Henrietta! Good day we’re having! She glanced up at him then returned to picking seed off the ground.

Walking up the steps and opening the door, Claude noticed his mother in a little section of the kitchen trying to keep it tidy. His mother turned and saw Claude walking in.

Close the door behind you, Claude.

Yes, Mother. The day looks great!

It sure does, Claude.

Joyful and full of excitement, Claude stood nearby, close to his mother’s hip.

She was humming an old scripture verse he recognized with delight in her voice.

Claude felt certain of that his mother had had something for him to do.

Did your father need you for anything today, Claude? his mother said with a gentle voice. Since his eyes had such an excited look, she calmly assumed to herself that she had already the answer for the question.

Father said I could help him with the fields today, as long as I helped you first. He said, overwhelmed with high spirits.

Thank you, Claude. Do the small chores to start. During the morning, the chuck wagon needs to be filled with a few stacks of hay. And also, Henrietta and the rest of the chickens need to be fed.

"Once you’re through with your responsibilities, feel free to go see your father.

I’m sure he could use your help. Now hurry along."

Claude headed out the door with an early start.

Seeing him, Claude’s mother felt deep admiration. She wouldn’t say it outright, but Claude was already showing insight with his responsibilities, not only to the family but also to himself. She tried catching him before he left to give him a handkerchief.

Have a good day, Claude! she shouted, just catching his attention.

Yes, Mother was all he said.

She was proud of Claude. She handed a handkerchief as he walked through the door and onto the front porch to what was first light.

Dawn brought a slight mist to the air. Claude took a deep breath and looked out to the fields. The corn rows were already built up and they needed to be planted. Item one to begin his day, he decided, was the chickens he needed to feed. That was in the barn. He reached the the barn and opened the doors. The feed was beside the horse’s pin. Picking up the heavy sack of feed was hard enough, so he grabbed the wheelbarrow close by, lifted up the sack, and pushed it over to the fence line.

Henrietta! Claude shouted.

Each handful of seed was spread throughout the yard as each one of the chickens gathered around for their early morning feed. Claude felt calm with the chickens; he knew not to startle them before the feed could get to the ground. Claude would gather another handful for those coming closer and toss it as they came.

He had gotten very little sleep the night before, so Claude walked and stood in the shade of the old oak tree. Leaning with his arms crossed, Claude knelt down so that he could sit with his back against the trunk and the sun shining on his body.

There was a slight breeze, and with the sun almost at high noon, Claude quickly realized he could take a nap for a few minutes before his mother called him in for lunch. Claude fell asleep in the shade of the old tree.

He dreamed of adventure He was always curious about having adventures. It didn’t matter what it was. He loved where an adventure could take him.

Going fishing was always his favorite adventure. Claude’s father would bring him and his younger brother, Jacob, to the Marie River. They would wake up an hour before dawn, load up the wagon, and travel down the road. It was usually cold, and they had to wear coats. Only a few miles down the road, they had to travel by wagon or horse. There were a few creeks to cross that were shallow in depth. The bridges, as Claude remembered, were older and, as his father said, were built from the local trees that were nearby. As early as he can remember, the townspeople helped build the bridges. The local grocery shop owner, Mr. Little, was once a good friend of the Estowes. Claude would watch his father cut planks and beams alongside others. His younger brother hadn’t been born yet, so only Claude loved to watch them, but was still too young to help. Claude was very curious as most children are, and would sit, watch, and learn whatever his father taught him.

Further down was the Marie River embankment, which was just a ways down an old walking path that started from the road. In the summer, from the river, one could see trees leaning over the cool white water and see the reflection of a few trees that branched out over the flowing water which was full of white bass, perch, and minnows. Sometimes a person could see the school in spring if they found the right spot on the bank. The Estowe family would be there all day—just fishing. This was one of Claude’s favorite memories.

Oh, Claude, his mother said as he jarred him from sleep.

Just like your father, I see. It’s lunchtime, go and let your father know please.

Claude sat up, dusted his overalls off, and, full of dashed off for the fields. Hunger and eagerness to do what his mother said made him run faster, and faster, and farther than ever before. While Claude stood at the edge of the fields with the wind at his back, he could see his father was still plowing.

Father, Father! he called, waving his arms, jumping, and trying to make himself visible.

Hey, there you are, Claude! his father shouted back with one hand waving in the air.

Claude put both hands up again.

Lunchtime, Father. Claude wanted to run to his father, but he figured he could not because of the rows. He did not want to go marching into the field without permission.

Thanks Claude. Now did we finish our chores? What did we do?

Claude normally had the look of a nervous young lad when his father spoke to him.

spoke to him. He was always trying to pay close attention to every word his father had to say. Now this was his chance to impress him; Claude was excited to tell his father what was told to him by his mother.

Mom said I was just like you!

Oh yeah? Well, what did you do? Impress me.

Pausing for a moment, the built up excitement in him almost burst and he finally came out with it.

I fell asleep feeding the chickens! Isn’t that great?

Claude’s father started to laugh. Nothing could’ve made him happier at that moment.

Eh oh, just like me there, son! Here, hop up on to my shoulders. Let’s go get something to eat.

Pulling Claude up onto his shoulders, Mr. Estowe started toward the house.

You know, Claude, you’re starting to become a big help around the house.

Claude looked around at the fields, noticing every row was straight and perfectly aligned. The town’s first storms were starting to appear on the blue canvas background that grabbed his attention. Each cloud shifted its soft white silhouette as it overlapped the other. A person looking up could see this for miles in the Carolinas. The rolling streams that started at the foothills drew birds, deer, and many other wild creatures. Rains fed these rivers and streams, along with an underground water reservoir that brought ice-cold water to the townsfolk. Nights were cold, sometimes chill, with calm winds, and every star brought only twinkling serenity that accented each to its brother. A straight picket fence outlined the front of the yard which was wide and open. As Claude’s father walked with him upon his shoulders, they passed Henrietta clucking away and picking at the feed he’d thrown down early in the day.

Hello, Henrietta. How are you today?

Seems like you and Henrietta have gotten to be good friends?

Yes sir. She’s my favorite.

Mrs. Estowe was just walking onto the porch as the two arrived. She gathered them around to let them know lunch was served.

Boys’ lunch is ready! she said with a wave of the hand.

Claude’s father looked up and politely said, Yes, dear, thank you. Then he slid his son gently down.

All right Claude. Let’s wash up for lunch before it gets cold.

Claude leisurely walked to the sink, grabbed the washrag, and wiped his eyes, hands, and face. Jacob was his younger brother, and most of his duties involved helping his mother. He never was able to tie his left shoe correctly. His laces always dragged the ground, and Claude was nervous about him grabbing the food from the kitchen counter, and slowly bringing it to serve at the table. Claude always told him that he would fall down, but Jacob never listened. His mother and father were the only people Jacob would listen to. Being the older brother, Claude thought respect for one’s elders was supposed to be inherent. That way he could tell his brother what to do. Jacob just snuffed and snorted, letting Claude know how his bossiness didn’t affect him just because he was older. He was their son and was equal to Claude, and he wanted to be viewed as such.

Setting the food on the table was complete in a few minutes. The steaming string beans and mashed potatoes were set in the middle. Stuffed chicken breast was the main course. It was Claude’s favorite. Claude finished putting the chairs in order, and the family sat down together to enjoy the meal.

Both boys sat in their chair, with Mr. and Mrs. Estowe following right behind them. Jacob had to put a few books in his chair so he could reach.

Now, boys, Mr. Estowe said with sternness in his voice, Let’s say our grace.

He reached out his hands and held them together, Claude and Jacob followed suit. The family bowed their heads down as Claude’s father continued.

Dear Heavenly Father, we humble ourselves in thanks for this wonderful lunch you have given us in your faith. We are thankful for your righteousness and only ask for your grace and forgiveness for our sins, so that we may follow your every move in faith. Amen.

Now then, keep in mind boys. Faith can give you anything you want, and the greatest thing you can do is believe because it believes in you.

Claude’s father had the undivided attention of the boys. Both had their eyes fixed on their dad and listened to what he had to say. The meal continued on, as if the boys were in a play and their father was the center of attention. The only thing young Claude wanted most was to hear his father talk about