When I get down, everybody else starts makin' trips upstairs so I help get lunch ready.

While we're eatin' I feel that somethin' is botherin' me but I can't figure what it is. I notice that once in a while, Gracie lifts her head and her face looks troubled.

I say, "Gracie, I have a feelin' somethin's wrong but I don't know what."

"I know, I feel the same way."

We sit quiet, thinkin' and all we hear is the tractor.

Tom says, "Everything seems all right."

Suddenly Gracie says, "It's the tractor, it ain't movin'."

I listen close, "You're right but it don't sound like the engine is runnin' idle."

Gracie says, "No, it's in gear and but it ain't movin'."

Tom asks, "How can you know it's not moving?"

Gracie tells him, "Cause the sound would change as it moves and turns into different rows and Paw'd be shiftin' gears."

I tell them, "There's somethin' wrong, I'm goin' out there."

Gracie says, "So am I."

I go runnin' towards the sound and the rest are poundin' away behind me.

As I get around the corn field, I can see the tractor. It's up against the fence and the wheels are turnin' free in the soft grass. I can't see Paw. I never felt so scared in my life. I'm standin' there not knowin' which way to turn and Gracie comes up, takes a look at the tread marks and runs between two row of barley.

We hear her yellin' "Paw, Paw."

I follow her in with Tom and Barbara.

Gracie is kneelin' on the ground and I can see Paw's legs stickin' out from where he's lyin' half in the plants.

Paw's face is awful, it looks all gray and pinched. Gracie's rubbin' his cheeks and cryin' and callin' Paw. I start to feel sick when I notice that there's big tire marks on Paw's overalls, just below his knees.

I point to them and Barbara nods. She kneels by Paw and takes his pulse, then feel his head and arms. "Where's the nearest ambulance?" she asks.

Gracie says, "At Rockboro hospital but that's thirty miles away."

Tom says, "There's got to be a State Police helicopter at Lexington."

Barb tell us, "There's no time to lose, Tom, call the sheriff at Rockboro and tell him to get a helicopter here, stat. Junie, go with Tom and bring back some thick blankets and a container of water, not cold, mix it with hot water so it's about body temperature. Wally's in shock and he needs help as soon as possible. Gracie lie down beside Wally and press your body close, I'll do the same on this side. We have to keep him warm."

I go runnin' off behind Tom. I'm not feelin' so sick now 'cause I got things to do and I'm thankful there's somebody here who knows what to do.

I run upstairs for some winter blankets and grab four and get back down with them. I go lookin' in the kitchen cupboard and find Paw's big campin' canteen. I run the hot and cold faucets until the water just feels warm on my wrist and I fill the canteen. Tom's yellin' into the phone about Wally Carvale and a tractor accident and a helicopter but I don't hang around to listen. I'm out the door and headin' back to Paw.

Barbara and Gracie are still lyin' alongside Paw as I run up. I can't say anythin' for puffin'. Barbara takes the blankets and lays two of them over Paw. She tells Gracie to wrap them right around him. She reaches around Paw and sort of half rolls him away from Gracie to she can get the blankets around his back then she tell Gracie to change sides and they do the same thing so Paw is wrapped up tight. Barbara takes another one and real careful, she slips it under Paw's legs and wraps it over. She puts the last one around Paw's head and tells me that the top of the head loses the most heat.

She takes the canteen and opens it. She takes a small sip to test and nods okay.

Barb points to the tractor and shouts, "Junie, can you shut that thing off?"

I tell her I can and as I start to go she calls, "Is there a seat cushion on it?"

I tell her, "Yes."

"Bring it back with you." she says.

I kill the ignition and get the cushion. Barbara takes it and puts it under Paw's head. Barb and Gracie start rubbin' Paw's chest, tryin' to get some warmth in him. I'm kneelin' by Paw's head and his eyelids flutter a little.

First thing he says is, "Cold."

Barbara tells him, "Wally, it's okay, you'll be feeling warmer soon."

He looks up me and his voice is all hoarse. He says, "Junie...my legs are all busted."

I tell him, "It's goin' to be all right, Paw, there's an ambulance comin'."

"Don't know how long I was lyin' here...yellin' for help...tractor makin' too much noise...God, I'm thirsty."

Barbara holds Paw's head up and gives him a small sip from the canteen.

Paw says, "More.".....(cont)