When the economy has a downturn, the people that survive are the ones that adapt. These nice folks were about to lose the farm that had been in their ...amily for over two hundred years back when the housing market crashed. Those who used to go to Whole Foods and farmer's markets traded their hydroponically grown vegetables and hormone free meats for what Walmart, Kroger's, Publix, and Piggly Wiggly offered. Everyone must still eat. Instead of being lucky to get three hundred bucks for a. Jules and I had been friends since we met in kindergarten when we were five. Her mother made no secret that she was only willing to bear one child. Jules father raised her like the boy he had always wanted and taught her what he knew of working with his hands. Being rich seemed nice to me, but I remember Jules saying she wished she could live in my house with me more than once.I tried to recall the first time I'd met John. I must have been ten or so the summer we had a family reunion at the. "I will not neglect my studies. It is just that I want to be available if he should need me. There is something about him that calls out to me. I cannot really explain it any better."That last statement caused Galt to stop and stare with apprehension but he gave her permission to move her books and things into the apprentice's quarters where she could keep a watch on the unconscious man and not have it interfere with her studies.The following day was more of the same for Galt; heavy work in the. ”“Okay, just for the report, will you blow in to this bag, please” It was negative, of course. And we were sent on our way. Erica didn’t even make a rude remark until we were out of earshot. She had had three Camparis; she was half-cut.“Jumped up little Hitler!”“Actually, Erica, he was quite nice; apart from getting me soaking wet. Seems your Grandad is known by everyone! ... Atishhoo!”I couldn’t be getting a cold already from being in the rain five minutes ago. But when we got home, Toni ran.