A young couple had scrimped and saved, their business finally being successful enough to buy a permanent house. Nikolai and Anyaka Skerritt had come to America with only enough money to afford renting a shack out. With a bit of modification, they turned the dingy three room house into a small bed and breakfast. It was a risk though, as they had to take loans from unforgiving people with high interest rates. It seemed like all was doomed, but then the bed and breakfast became a success. Now they were buying a new nice house with a lot of room. This time, however, they were not going to modify it into an overnight resort, but this was going to be their family house.
Away from the grit and cold of the old country, in the new country, they were ready to start their family. It was not too soon either, as Anya had learned at her doctor’s visit the last time she went. Nikolai was doing most of the work, due to not wanting his wife to los the child. The stallion was no craftsman, and admitted that much to his mare when they married and began their first project. There would be no problems to be had here, however, the home was pre-furnished and the only thing they needed to bring in was a few amenities and some food.
It was a surprise how the salesman brought this property to their attention. Despite most other salesmen talking about how much the return on the spending the building would get them, this one had thrown them for a curve by playing on their emotions. He did not negatively affect them, but it was a positive place to plan their future.
That night they had a dinner of a stew made when they were still poor but had made money. It consisted of potatoes, carrots, onions, celery and barley. As they cooked, they sang an old Yiddish song.
“Anya,” he chuckled, “we are beginning to be like an old couple from back there.”
“No we are not,” she giggled, “I am not old, nor are you, Niko. But even when we are old and gray, I will still love you.”
“And I will love you always too,” he replied and put his arms around her. Before he could kiss her however, the timer went off and the stew had to be taken off the heat or it would be ruined. With a sigh, the loving couple turned off the heat between them and under the pot to have their dinner. Though many other people observing them may have been considered it a humble peasant dish, to them it had become a meal of celebration. The meal was slow and savored, the two horses sitting side by side in the new house they had bought with their own money.
Yes indeed, this would be a great house to grow their future and their family in. The old country philosophy of finding a place to call home was here. Between hard work and luck, the Skerritts had gone from obscure horses to young entrepreneurs with a nice house.
