Ch. 1: Tragedy often makes life go forward
I was just you're average townsfolk. I was shy; I was also a bit nerdy some would say. I was what they would call, "A nice guy". They say I look like my parents with my light brown hair...it was a bit messy and long though, and brown eyes...just like theirs. I even wear a blue an orange hat like my dad, Jack does. I just don't dress or act like a farmer, I wore a short sleeve blue shirt and long black pants...I didn't even carry a backpack. My mom, Elli, she spoils me and treats me like a kid still. I'm eighteen and I can take care of myself. Who would have thought that the future events would bring out the true me? Who would have thought that this would be my fate?
One night, my dad broke into a serious fever. Mom looked insanely worried. The doctor had to come to our farm because Jack couldn't move. It was a horrible night. I kept thinking he was dying, but I kept a straight face, my dad is too strong for something like this to take him down. We stayed up all night trying to help him. My mom was once a nurse she says, but even she hadn't known what was wrong with him. He kept muttering something about Billy Hatcher (Which was his prized chicken who died a little bit after I was born), which made me think that he was not all right after all...
This is when my story begins. My dad still had a fever the next morning but he managed to get a few hours of sleep. My mom said sleep was necessary for a fever to go down. Suddenly, I heard a knock on our door. My mom went to open it, and at the doorstep was the Doctor.
"We found what is wrong with you're husband, Elli." I had heard him say. I became curious so I continued to listen.
"I-Is he dying?" My mom asked. Her tone was unlike any other I heard from her.
"Not yet, but he will if he keeps working like he has. You see, he appears to have been born with a weak heart that cannot take the pressure that is put upon it when working on a farm. I am surprised he's held out this long. His heart is finally getting the better of him and well...if he continues working he could die."
"B-but my Jack's been working on this farm for a very long time! How could anything possibly be wrong with him?"
The doctor cleared his throat. "You'd better heed by words unless you want a dead husband. His father had a weak heart as well and we did not have the technology to acknowledge it back then. That is what lead to his downfall, heck, you're son might even have a weak heart."
I had never heard the doctor this serious either. I mean, he was always serious, but this time, he was...I have no other word but extremely serious. Could I have a weak heart like my dad? I hate to believe it, but I'm pretty sure he will say I do. Unlike most guys, I have little muscle, I'm pale and skinny because I spend my days indoors all the time, and I rarely get enough exercise. I guess that condition must run in the family. I don't want to die young...
They had to take an X-ray of my heart at the clinic...I was more tense here then I was last night. This X-ray freaked me out. Finally it was over and I went home. When I got there, I read a book about an outside fantasy world. Enough about that, A few hours later, there was another knock on the door! This time it was May and Stu, who were the Doctor's apprentices, they were just a bit older than me, and they were engaged. They came to bring me my results. "Well, here it comes..." I thought.
"You are normal. No problems were found." Said Stu.
"W-What?! Really?" I asked in shock.
"It's true. The family's illness has passed you completely. Congratulations." May replied.
"That's a relief..." I sighed. They then waved and went back to the clinic. I closed the door and went to my dad. My mom was neeling on the large bed my dad was lying on. Before I could say anything, my dad coughed, "Ivan...I want you to...take care...take care of our the legacy...f-for me..."
Wait, wait, wait a second! Me? Take over the farm?! "But dad, I'm not strong enough."
"You must...You know all there is to know...I believe in you...I know you can do it...my dear Ivan..."
"I-I...Ok Dad!" I said with slight confidence. "I will work on this farm, I will keep it lively! I will...make you proud!"
"That's my boy..." He chuckled and closed his eyes.
"Is he...dead?" I whispered sadly.
My mom looked over at Jack and grabbed his wrist to check his pulse. "He's still alive." She smiled.
"Good. Just hang on Dad, I promise I will show you what I can do!"