Rachel's step-son worked hard on their farm, usually 12 hours daily. Rachel lost her husband when her step-son was young. She raised him alone. One day, he was cleaning out a stall in the barn when he stepped on a rake; it flew up and hit him in the crotch. He bent over in pain. He thought it would subside but it became worse. John stumbled to the house, calling out for his step-mother.