Write On!

              ~ 8 ~ Berry Patch Incident
THE BERRY PATCH INCIDENT
Phyllis Kosik, Darwell W. I.
1st Place, Memoir, 2002
" I'm going to go check on the blueberries west of Elliot Lake today,"
said Joe over his morning coffee. " I could take David with me, that would give
you a bit of a break."
" Sure, that would be great!" I answered." That would help a lot! I have
plenty to do if we're moving out to the bush next week. I'll pack you some
lunch. David will need it even if you don't."
At that time we lived in a small town east of Elliot Lake and we
wanted to get our berries picked as soon as they were ready. We had several
crews of pickers anxious to join us in the bush. Picking had been our main
income in the summer, since Joe hurt his back.
David was four and very active. I had been complaining about the
constant strain of keeping up with him while trying to watch the two younger
ones, so I was looking forward to having a day off from running after him.
I packed a good sized lunch and filled a couple of thermoses with
cool drinks, and warned David to do everything Daddy told him because the
bush can be dangerous. When they drove off, I sighed with relief.
I did up all my chores along with spending some quality time with
Donnie and Dwaine. About five p. m. I started getting supper ready and I was
surprised to hear the truck pull into the driveway. I didn't expect Joe and David
back for at least another hour. When they walked in the house I could tell
David was excited about something, but Joe was white as a ghost.
" What's wrong?' I inquired of Joe. David wanted to answer, but Joe
admonished him with, " Remember what we talked about on the way home
David!" Then he sent him to play with Donnie in the other room.
" Come on Joe. You cant fool me. You're as white as a sheet.
Something happened, now give!"
" I'll tell you, just give me some time to calm down a bit, will you?" He
started to shake.
" All right. Would you like a coffee? I just made a fresh pot. I'll get on
with making supper. You take your coffee into the living room and try to get
yourself together."
Supper was almost ready when Joe came back into the kitchen. He
sat down, and asked me to do the same.
Joe started, " We stopped at four or five places and found lots of
berries. We stopped up at that little lake behind Dennison Mine and had our
lunch at the picnic grounds there. The berries are really ready. It's a bit early in
the season to have them so ready, but that's good. We need the money!"
He stopped to get up and fill his coffee cup again. When he sat down,
he began again. " I stopped at one more place. The bush was just blue with
berries. They were hanging like grapes! So I sat David in the middle of a good
patch with his pail about half way up a hill. I wanted to tramp around some to
check how good the berries were in the immediate area. I told David to stay
put