The Life of Jack Morgan

“Jack! Jack!” Mr. Potter screamed from the barn door, to an eight year old boy, who was climbing the cow fence with his dog, Sonny, following below. “Yes?” Jack said while running up and into the barn. “How you feeling today, boy?” Mr. Potter asked while messing up Jack’s hair. “Good Mr. Potter, why me and Sonny were just fooling about,” Mr. Potter smiled at this and grabbed a huge feed bag, that was filled to the ends, “Well then follow me, strong boy, I’ll teach ya how to feed the pigs.” Mr. Potter was the neighbor of Jack’s parents, The Morgans, and he always had something for the neighboring kids to learn; it could be painting a fence, or grooming the animals on his small farm. Jack was the most interested, he was a curious and active child, most of the time and dreamed of someday owning his own farm. Jack’s parents, Lucas Morgan and Susan Morgan, were watchful parents, always making sure Jack had his jacket and rest. This was because Jack was sick for most of his beginning childhood, doctors couldn’t explain, but it made his parents and Mr. Potter, look after him a little differently than the other children in uptown Walton. Walton was a fairly sized town of mostly farms and open fields. Mr. Potter finished his chores and sat on his porch, with Jack scratching Sonny’s tail. “Mr. Potter, you think I could ever have a farm of my own?” Jack asked. “I don’t see why not , you know, it makes me happy to hear you say, you want a farm. It’s good for a young boy to have fun and all, but having a dream ain’t bad, ain’t bad at all.” The Autumn came and cast layers of warm hues over the fields. Jack became ill once more and was bedridden. “It looks like the typical flu,” the doctor said as he packed up his medical bag. “ How long will it run its course?” Susan inquired while patting Jack’s hand, “It shouldn’t be long, keep him warm and make sure he drinks plenty of fluids.” The doctor left and Jack’s dad came up the stairs “That’s my son, how are you feeling?” “Just sleepy dad,” Jack said, while rubbing his eye. “Well you just get some rest and we’ll be down stairs if you need us, alright?” Lucas said. Jack nodded off to sleep, he awoke sometime later, hearing voices from the bottom of the stairs, voices that sounded urgent, so he crept out of bed and down to the third step from the top. It was Mr. Potter, and his parents, standing at the door, his mom looked weary with worry and his dad looked angry, he did often when Mr. Potter was around. “Mom, Dad, can I come downstairs?” “Hey what are you doing up?” Lucas said, while Susan picked him up. “Susan let the boy down, he can walk.” Lucas whined. “Why I agree, I bet the doctor said you’d be fighting tigers and racing cheetahs in no time,” Mr. Potter said while rubbing Jacks hair and smiling. “The doctor said,’ drink fluids, like Lemonade mom,” Jack said sleepily, “hmm, we’ll see Jack,” Susan said with a smile.