Second Stringers

"All this, as far as you can see," Tee spread his arms out for Michael. They’d ridden up on the high ridge where you could see nothing but Glenridge Station.

"Wow, that’s a lot of land. Will it be yours someday?"

Tee gave Michael a look, "No, he’s my Uncle Travis, not my Dad."

"Oh, I knew that I just thought, oh well."

"And he’s got Cole now." Tee screwed his mouth around and flicked his hair back. "Still, he said he would look after me and he does. Have you talked to your Dad about staying here?"

"Sorta," Michael answered. "I’ve got to do some serious talking before long. I need to get the school thing figured out first."

"You’re probably closer to Coffs Harbor than Nana Glen. I don’t know much about where they draw the line."

"Who would know?"

"Um, gosh, I don’t know for sure. Ah maybe the girl that has the kindy. Her name is Amanda Cochren, she’s Miss Peeg’s niece."

"Ok, cool. I can walk up there from Dad’s office. I think it’s good to get all the questions answered before I go and present my case to Dad."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. What about your mom?"

"If I get Dad convinced he’ll talk Mom into it. He’s a good talker."

As often as was possible, Michael Roberts got his Dad to drop him off at Glendridge so he could spend the day on the station. He was learning from Tee and Jimmy Kelp who kept an eye on them when they were out hearding.

Tee’s Uncle Travis was still away on his honeymoon and so he was playing host to Michael. His Grandma Sarah and Tomalee and Lee were all busy with Cole. Kyle was also away so it was pretty much left to Jimmy and Grandpa Bill who spent a lot of his time in The Glen at the Butcher’s Hook.

It was summer vacation for Michael but school time for Tee. He rushed home each day and met up with Michael on the station. Sometimes Jimmy would give them a ride into Coffs or to The Glen.

Today it was The Glen, he was taking Michael home after they’d cooked some hamburgers on Jimmy’s grill.

"Is your Dad still at the office?" Tee craned his neck looking out of Jimmy’s truck.

"Yeah, wanna come in and see him?"

"Sure, if it’s okay." He looked over at Jimmy.

"I’ll be at Andy’s for a bit." He wanted to stop by and see Nell.

Richie placed a few papers on Miss Peeg’s desk and looked out of his front windows. Michael was back he noted.

"Hey Dad, here’s Tee."

Richie smiled, "Hey Tee, how’s it goin’?"

"Going good, Mr. Roberts."

"Are you boy’s hungry, I thought about a pizza from Andy’s?"

"Um," Michael looked at Tee.

Tee looked back, they’d been fed well by Jimmy, "Sure, Mr. Roberts." Tee grinned.

"Yeah, Dad, we can always eat."