YEAR 4 - SUM/22/FRI
SUNNY
9:00PM
I just got back from the clinic after passing out today.
I should have known something was wrong when I kept making mistakes at the farm. I just couldn't keep focused. All I could think about was what Kai said yesterday. That newness feeling. Should I miss feeling it? Is it wrong that I'm content? I definitely am now but…I mean, I got bored of city life and moved here. What if the same thing happens? How could I leave the farm? Bess, Puff, Versace, Beau, Dog, Horse, Mac, Hija, Rice, Prada—all my babies. Could it really happen?
Maybe this is why Dad is upset with me?
Calm down. Calm down. More on that later.
Anyway, it was unusually hot today (or maybe it just seemed that way) and I was working from early in the morning doing my routine. All the usual stuff. But like I said, I made a lot of mistakes. I squeezed Versace's udders too tight and just missed getting kicked. I almost hit Bess with my hammer while repairing the fence. I dropped a glass of honey and a few eggs and an ear of corn. It was a mess. And I was so tired of thinking too much.
Then I remembered that Popuri and I were throwing a birthday party for Kai today. Another surprise. And I was supposed to bring some pineapples around 3 and meet Popuri in front of his cafe. So, since it was almost 3 already, I grabbed the pineapples and rushed over to Kai's.
I didn't see Popuri on the bench like I expected, but Kai was there instead. He saw me and the pineapples (probably the pineapples first, then me), waved, and said, "Yo, Tammie. Are those for me?"
Then… I'm waking up in a bed at the clinic.
"She's awake!" That was Kai's voice, I thought. And I looked over to see him next to me. I sat up, slowly since he looked worried (When does he ever look worried?), and that was when I realized we were in the clinic.
"What am I doing here?" I asked and that's when Doctor came over. Kai blurted out that I fainted and that he never saw anyone faint before and that "it's way more scary in real life."
(I agree! I really can't remember being brought here. Did Kai carry me? Did he try to wake me up? Did he call Doctor over? Did anyone else see? Won? I should have asked!)
Doctor said it happened because of heat exhaustion and that it was unusually hot this summer. He also said that I should try not to overwork myself and make sure to stay hydrated (I always remember to eat but it's always water I forget about!).
After some more details and suggestions, he said I could go. "Take care of yourself. Both of you." He said. He looked sincere and I felt embarrassed for making him have to say that.
"Thanks, Doc." Kai said and Doctor smiled and bowed his head a bit before he left. Then Kai looked to me. "You had me worried there, Tam. Luggin all those pineapples just so I could have a happy birthday?"
I grinned. "Sorry to make you worry."
"It's cool. Just don't work so hard. You deserve to take it easy every now and then."
I nodded.
It was a moment before he spoke. And then, while touching his pocket, he said, "Oh! I've been meaning to give this to you. It's a good luck charm. It's from one of the towns I visited. They fish a lot there."
He handed me a peach clamshell. "Is there a pearl?" I asked while taking it. It had a comfortable weight in my hand.
"Haha! That's the first thing I asked when I bought it. And it wasn't cheap, ya know, and it doesn't open. The shop owner said not knowing if there's a pearl in there or not is what makes it lucky."
I raised a brow and Kai laughed again, putting his hand behind his head. "I know, I know what you're thinking. But just don't say it or I'll feel ripped off, aight? Anyway...you ready to get outta here? I'll walk you to your farm."
"I'll make it okay. Thanks though. And thanks for the charm. Popuri's probably waiting for you at the cafe."
"Oh?"
I winked and replied, "Enjoy your party."
He smiled and waved before leaving.
And then I realized I probably should have asked him about that newness speech he gave yesterday. But, it wasn't bothering me as much (thankfully) as finding out I fainted. I said goodbye and thanks to Doctor and Elli before I left and carefully made my way home.
YEAR 4 - SUM/23/SAT
SUNNY
4:40PM
Anna taught us how to make pudding:
Pudding a la Anna
- Ing: Egg, Milk (opt. Fruit, Corn Flakes)
- Utn: Pot, Oven
On my way, home from the lesson, I ran into Cliff.
Remember. Hi. How. Bye, I thought, remembering Ann's advice.
He asked how I was and he heard about me fainting yesterday and I kinda panicked for a second wondering if everybody knew (You can't be a good farmer if you're letting yourself faint! Especially for silly reasons!). Cliff said he came to the farm earlier to check on me but I wasn't there. I told him I just came from Anna's.
"And I'm on my way home now. Got a lot of farm work to do so...I'll catch you later." I said and hurried away from him.
I heard him yell, "O-okay! Don't work too hard!" And I left. I hope he blames the brush off from my collapsing the other day.
Now, I really do have farm work to do and I should stop writing and take care of it.
After a big glass of water!
YEAR 4 - SUM/25/MON
SUNNY
6:00AM
The newsman said what he says every summer at this time: "Summer is almost over."
Those words don't usually make me feel...I'm not sure how to describe it...it's not sad but it's close to it.
Maybe.
... ... ...
I watched the fireworks with Kai and Popuri yesterday. (I managed to evade Cliff). We sat in the back with a rocky wall at our backs while everyone was in the front.
The fireworks sounded like huge popcorn popping. And the lights were so strong, everything and everyone were covered in them.
At one point, Popuri grabbed both of our hands (she sat in the middle of us) and said how exciting the fireworks were. Kai agreed and said, "They make me feel energetic." I smiled and leaned my head back against the wall.
The fireworks continued to pop and flood the beach in colorful lights. And after a moment, I felt eyes on me.
I turned my head and beyond Popuri's cotton candy pink hair I saw Kai looking my way. We just look at each other for a short while until he turned back to the fireworks. After a moment, I did the same.
That's when I remembered that summer was almost over.