Haley Moon
Haley's POV
There had always been that desire in my heart for as long as I can remember, to have my own farm. My parents didn't mind, they were just happy I didn't want to do something stupid with my life like become an artist or a singer. 'That's crazy stuff, Haley. You get no privacy, you get bad pay, and what happens when you lose your artistic motives? You disappear and no one hears of you again.' My parents had said. I was so, so glad that I was an adult. There was this cute little selection of islands far off the coast from where my uncle used to live. He said that there was an abandoned ranch and that I should look into it. Well, I did look into it. The ranch was mine now. Sure, I was kind of broke... But things were going my way! My parents were so proud of me, even though my sisters both went to college and got 'real paying jobs'. This was the life for me. My mom used to work on a ranch in the summers with her siblings, so of course she supported me once she knew that I was going to buy an island. Did I forget to mention that? That my new ranch is on its own private island? Sure it's really close to the other ones, but it's like my own little world! Sadly, even though my family was letting me use my college fund to help me start my new life, there was no plane to get there. I had to spend forever in a boat just to get to my paradise. My family would never be able to visit, not unless my sisters' jobs actually did give really good pay. We're not exactly the rich kind of family, you know. Maybe that's why I want to be a rancher and not a lawyer or a doctor. To the point, I was spending my first night on my island. It was so late, I knew it would be a bad idea to wake anybody up on the islands. There was a sign on my island, near the bridge to the village, that said something and then 'island'. I guess it had a name before-hand. But they did say it was abandoned... The house was small, but it was clear that the villagers had it ready for me. Or at least I thought.
"Wh-where's the bathroom? The kitchen? The washer and... oh god." There were no other doors in the house! There was a nice looking bed, a table, a calendar, and a phone. But that was it! Where was I going to cook? How would I shower? Where was I going to do... my 'business'? Surely there must have been, an out house maybe? It's pretty dark out, so I'm not all that sure. "I-it's fine Haley. The showers and toilet are probably somewhere outside. A-and I just have to cook on a fire from now on. This is real ranching, right?" I was trying to convince myself that I wasn't totally freaked out. I mean I never had 'the good life', but at least where we lived everything was inside! I've even been to several farms and ranches before, but none like this. Sighing, I walked over to the window. I looked out, staring at the full moon. "The full moon is always good luck. It's bright, pretty, and white. It shines with stars... and wow are there so many stars out here. I've never seen... so many little lights. This place is nothing like the other farms I've been to." My fear vanished at the sight of the night sky. There was nothing more beautiful than a full moon with sparkling lights on a dark blue canvas of air.
I got on my knees, sighed, and put my hands together, "Alright, okay... I know I haven't really been all that faithful for the past... 3 years or so, but just hear me out." I closed my eyes, "Dear, God, holy spirit... Jesus... uh, I know I haven't prayed in a while, but I just want to ask for one thing. I would really appreciate it if you could make my first few days here alright. I don't know, just a little shove in the right direction? I'm not asking for you to smite all of the bugs off of my stuff or anything like that. Well it's just that I need this to go well for me. For my mom, and my dad. They were so upset to have me leave, they're missing me right now. And my uncle, he had to get the okay on me buying this ranch. My sisters too. They have to know that I didn't just throw my life away for a silly dream. They wanted to be singers and artists... I want to live out my dream, so that most of all, they know that one day they can live theirs with no regrets." I slowly opened my eyes but then squinted them shut again, "Ah, AMEN!" And I opened them again. Just to see, out the window, a star crossing the midnight sky.