A Dream. A Hope. A Scar. A Mission
Chapter 7: So Tell Why
Fall was upon our Flower Bud village, and with its coming everything seemed to slow down. The only thing that didn't seem to slow down was Church, which was dreadfully slow anyways. The only seeds that Lillia had coming in now were eggplants now. They were kind of a hodge podge of all the crops that I had grown so far. The had the growing length near that of cabbage, the replanting effect that tomatoes had, and sold for the price near potatoes. I didn't like it one bit.
" But really, what did the apostles see when Christ transfigured on top the mountain?! We don't really know, and lets face it folks, they probably didn't know themselves. But, it is said that they stood in awe at what came upon them" Pastor Brown preached.
Pastor Brown's homily awoke me from my trance. I had realized I was day dreaming for a good ten minutes at least. I felt a little embarrassed. Everyone was sitting down, but I was still standing from the liturgy. I quietly sat down while feeling my face go red.
Once the mass was over people flooded out the doors to get on with their daily lives. I had to say, the religious life was growing on me. I always felt a little bit better about myself when I left then when I came in. But now I had work to do. Most of my profit was coming from my animals, but eggs didn't sell for very much money and I could only sheer my sheep every so often. Egg plants, like I said, didn't sell very well for their growing time. It just seemed that I was working harder than ever before, yet reaping less rewards.
...
The Cow Festival came around on the 8th of Fall, and while not very exciting, I was planning on buying a calf while at the festival. The festival was to be held at the Green Ranch, which was rather surprising. It made sense though, they had all the buildings needed to operate just about any festival to do with animals.
I strolled the tables and tasted some of the milk samples, which was what would be primarily used to judge the cows. Some were good and some were bad. But the cow the Green farm entered gave excellent milk. It was the undecided victor.
I was curious that Ann was nowhere to be found. I had a hard time thinking of anything Ann would rather do than something like this on a day like today. I curiously strolled around the farm looking for her, weaving in between people. I looked in the barn, but to no success. I looked out the paned window on the far side of the barn out into the horizon, wondering where the heck Ann could be. I looked straight down the window now out of despair and saw exactly what I was looking for. Well not exactly, but it was Ann nonetheless!
Ann was snuggling up next to my best friend. I felt astonished, I never though that Cliff, of all people, would make a physical display of affection. I suddenly rembered a song called "My Best Friend's Girl" by The Cars back in the city. For a moment a realized how much I missed that band, but was more affixed to watching Cliff try to woe a girl. I figured that I was invading their privacy, so I just headed out to watch the rest of the festival.
The Green cow, of course, won the competition. I would have complained otherwise. Now they were bidding on three calves. I wanted the one from the Green farm most of all, which was going to be the last one to bid on. The other two calves easily went for a fair price, but I figured that this next calf would be pricier.
" Now, may I introduce the newest calf of the Green farm!"? Doug, Ann's father announced. " Bids start at 2000G!"
" I'll bid on your calf for that price!" announced one man from the crowd.
" That's hardly a fair price! 2400G!" announced another.
" Pfft! 2700G!" shouted a third.
" 3000G then!" yelled the first man.
" 3500G is my bid!" shouted the third. I saw the second man back off, a little flustered.
" 3800G!" the first man reinstated. The third man seemed to back off as well. The first man had a triumphant look on his face. He seemed to be dressed in very noble clothes. But what was he going to use it for? Make money off of it at other festivals? I could actually use it. I decided to take a gamble. A big gamble.
" 4000G!" I yelled!
" Well son, you're a high roller aren't you?" said the man from across the crowd. " 4100G!"
I didn't want to play this silly game. I wanted the cow. " 4500G!" I shouted in defiance. At that my opponent just shut up and left. I felt good about myself, like I had just beat the bad guy.
" Sold to Jack Munich of Munich farms down the road!" Doug shouted out. He seemed to have a happy face, which was excellent. He was one of my biggest opposers against me running the farm.
Doug jumped of the stand and walked up to me. " Excellent boy! With this calf you can start your own ranch!" Doug had a pleasant look on his face.
" Now wait just a minute Doug!" roared a man from behind me. " You don't honestly think he can handle this calf do you?" came Karen's father.
" Donavan, we've had this discussion before!" Doug was defending me, much to my astonishment. " I've had my doubts about him, but he can do it. He's part of our community now!"
"I agree, he's made a man of himself" came the voice of Basil. " I want to see him be part of our village, be welcomed in by our family, marry our children, have our grandchildren. Don't you get it Donavan?" Basil inquired. " This boy is the future of this village! We can't stop him from being human. We can't stop him from living here."
Karen's father just stalked off the Green farm. I turned around to meet my defenders with a smile.
" Thank you. Thank you both!" I hugged them around their necks, finally feeling like I belonged here.
" Its alright boy, you've made it here, you deserve it. Just loosen up a little!" Doug gave with a chuckle.
" Just head on home son. Everything's going to be fine" Basil reassured me.
I walked home with my new calf, feeling a little bit better about myself.
...
The next few days in the field were easy. I just had to water my eggplants and tend to my animals. I was now vigorously training for the upcoming horse race, however. The days were getting a bit colder for the Fall weather, but I didn't mind. This farm made me as tough as a rock.
Rick and Ann even decided to visit one day for lunch to talk about the Harvest Festival.
" So, you have a date yet?" Rick questioned as he gulped down a sandwich.
" I'm supposed to try and find one?" I said sarcastically.
" Who're you going to ask? Huh? Huh? Huh?" Ann prodded as if I was planning on asking someone.
" I didn't really plan on it Ann. What about you?" I gave her a sly look.
" Oh yeah, about that. Um. Cliff is going to take me. He's so great, isn't he?" Nothing seemed to phase Ann. " Why don't you try asking Karen?" What was with her trying to get me together with Karen?
" Ann, we already had this discussion," I said as I turned my tone more serious. " I think I'll just solo it this time," I told the cousins.
" Ok, if you say so Jack, but if you keep waiting they're won't be any girls left!" Ann told me with a wink.
" I don't know what to tell ya' buddy. It just seems there isn't anyone here for you." Rick looked glum.
" Don't say that!" Ann shot out like Rick had just said a horrible curse. " But how is Jack going to find out if he doesn't try and ask some people?" Ann reasoned.
" I'll dance with a few people there and see where it goes from there, Ann. Deal?" I bargained with her.
" Deal!" she said like a firecracker.
...
The Harvest Festival came around quickly, but I was ready for it. I had to be ready for it. Ann wouldn't leave me alone about it. I strolled up the main street as what Ann entitled as "the magic day that I would find someone." I wasn't sure who though. Perhaps Maria, she always seemed like a nice girl. Somewhere in my mind floated around some thoughts of Karen. Shallow thoughts, but thoughts none the less. I just wished she would open up to me.
I made my way the square and saw that most people we're already there. I always seemed to be almost late for these festivals. They were already trying to pick a 'King' out of cakes that Elli was handing out, but no one had found the winning token in their cake yet. I strolled up and got my own piece of cake and sat down next to Popuri. I might as well try to find someone to dance with today.
" Oh hey Jack!" Popuri was rather excited to see me, apparently.
" Hey Popuri" I replied, beginning to nibble away at my cake. " Will you have the first dance with?" I decided to go for it bait, line, and sinker.
" Sure Jack! I was really hoping you'd ask this time. I didn't get to dance with you last Spring!" Was Popuri on a sugar rush, or was she always like this? It startled, almost disturbed me, that she was keeping track since the Flower Festival.
" Ouch!" I yelped as I bit into something hard. I pulled a gold coin out of my mouth. That meant the I was 'King', unfortunately. I did make a scene though about being 'King' but I didn't bother gloating about it to my friends or anything.
Several people congratulated me, but soon the first dance was underway. Popuri was a respectable dancer, but sometimes she seemed to get ahead of herself out of excitement. She stared deep into my eyes and never let up, which was a little scary. I realized that this girl was not the way to go if I was looking for a long-term relationship.
Soon the first dance was over, so I thanked Popuri and looked to find a different girl to dance with. Maria seemed like a fine partner, so I walked over and sat next to her.
" Hey Maria. What's going on?" I asked.
" Oh. Hi Jack" Maria responded with her usual shy tone.
" Would you like to accompany me in this next dance, my fair lady?" I asked her as properly as I could. It was tough though. I never said anything that complex in my life outside of Mr. Brent's Physiology class in High School.
Maria was just as good as, or possibly better dancer than Popuri. She moved in sync with me, but she seemed just the opposite of Popuri. She fell behind occasionally, probably from her timid attitude, but proved to be a fun partner otherwise.
The second dance was over just as quickly as the first. Maria was a truly great person, but the spark just wasn't there to get things going. I looked at her more like a friend than anything else.
" This next song is for that special person of yours," said one of the musicians, trying to levitate the mood for the next dance.
I tried to think of asking someone else to dance, but I couldn't. I had two options. Dance with Karen or dance with no one. I decided to go with the former rather than the later. I looked around to find Karen from my bench but I couldn't seem to find her anywhere. All I could really see was the big mass of people. Worst of all, Ann and Cliff we're dancing not ten feet in front of me. I humored myself with it, but they were just rubbing salt in the wound.
Out of nowhere I felt a tug on my arm. The next thing I knew I was part of the big moving mass of people, having my arms adjusted around someone's neck. I wasn't even sure of what was really going on.
" Hey Jack" came a docile note from a familiar voice.
" Karen?" I asked in astonishment.
" You got it Jack" Karen said, her eyes drifting around the crowd, only meeting mine when she said something to me.
" Err. this is a surprise" I said in astonishment.
" Would you rather sit back down?" Karen shot at me, but it was almost like she was trying to annoy me.
" Nah, that's ok," I told her as calmly and as naturally as I could.
Karen turned out to be an excellent dancer. Far better then any of the other girls I had danced with over the course of the day. I was silent during the whole dance, but in the back of my mind thoughts were flying around my head a mile a minute. Too soon the dance was over, and I figured I had my run of luck for the day.
" Thanks" was all I said as I moved to sit down on one of the benches.
" Oh no you don't!" Karen called from behind me. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me back towards her.
" Just for the rest of the day? That's all" Karen bargained.
" Ok, but you'll have to answer a question," I reasoned.
" Sure, I guess" Karen replied.
" Why are you dancing with me?" I said, sounding perplexed.
" For a couple of reasons" Karen said with a smirk. " You've left me alone for awhile now. Grey keeps asking me to dance with him. Cliff- err. mentioned about you in his cave" Karen answered. " Don't get any funny ideas, either, bub. We still don't know each other to well."
" Of course" I reassured her. I still thought there was more to it then what Karen said, but I didn't care all that much at the moment. I was living in the minute, and I realized something. Fall is a great season.
...
Author's Note: There's chapter 7, entitled after the best song in the world. Really. I hope that's enough romance to keep you folks at bay for a little while, as I'm planning on drifting away from it for a chapter or two. Thanks for reading. Hope you liked this one, as its taken up a whole morning of a snow day off from school.
Chapter 7: So Tell Why
Fall was upon our Flower Bud village, and with its coming everything seemed to slow down. The only thing that didn't seem to slow down was Church, which was dreadfully slow anyways. The only seeds that Lillia had coming in now were eggplants now. They were kind of a hodge podge of all the crops that I had grown so far. The had the growing length near that of cabbage, the replanting effect that tomatoes had, and sold for the price near potatoes. I didn't like it one bit.
" But really, what did the apostles see when Christ transfigured on top the mountain?! We don't really know, and lets face it folks, they probably didn't know themselves. But, it is said that they stood in awe at what came upon them" Pastor Brown preached.
Pastor Brown's homily awoke me from my trance. I had realized I was day dreaming for a good ten minutes at least. I felt a little embarrassed. Everyone was sitting down, but I was still standing from the liturgy. I quietly sat down while feeling my face go red.
Once the mass was over people flooded out the doors to get on with their daily lives. I had to say, the religious life was growing on me. I always felt a little bit better about myself when I left then when I came in. But now I had work to do. Most of my profit was coming from my animals, but eggs didn't sell for very much money and I could only sheer my sheep every so often. Egg plants, like I said, didn't sell very well for their growing time. It just seemed that I was working harder than ever before, yet reaping less rewards.
...
The Cow Festival came around on the 8th of Fall, and while not very exciting, I was planning on buying a calf while at the festival. The festival was to be held at the Green Ranch, which was rather surprising. It made sense though, they had all the buildings needed to operate just about any festival to do with animals.
I strolled the tables and tasted some of the milk samples, which was what would be primarily used to judge the cows. Some were good and some were bad. But the cow the Green farm entered gave excellent milk. It was the undecided victor.
I was curious that Ann was nowhere to be found. I had a hard time thinking of anything Ann would rather do than something like this on a day like today. I curiously strolled around the farm looking for her, weaving in between people. I looked in the barn, but to no success. I looked out the paned window on the far side of the barn out into the horizon, wondering where the heck Ann could be. I looked straight down the window now out of despair and saw exactly what I was looking for. Well not exactly, but it was Ann nonetheless!
Ann was snuggling up next to my best friend. I felt astonished, I never though that Cliff, of all people, would make a physical display of affection. I suddenly rembered a song called "My Best Friend's Girl" by The Cars back in the city. For a moment a realized how much I missed that band, but was more affixed to watching Cliff try to woe a girl. I figured that I was invading their privacy, so I just headed out to watch the rest of the festival.
The Green cow, of course, won the competition. I would have complained otherwise. Now they were bidding on three calves. I wanted the one from the Green farm most of all, which was going to be the last one to bid on. The other two calves easily went for a fair price, but I figured that this next calf would be pricier.
" Now, may I introduce the newest calf of the Green farm!"? Doug, Ann's father announced. " Bids start at 2000G!"
" I'll bid on your calf for that price!" announced one man from the crowd.
" That's hardly a fair price! 2400G!" announced another.
" Pfft! 2700G!" shouted a third.
" 3000G then!" yelled the first man.
" 3500G is my bid!" shouted the third. I saw the second man back off, a little flustered.
" 3800G!" the first man reinstated. The third man seemed to back off as well. The first man had a triumphant look on his face. He seemed to be dressed in very noble clothes. But what was he going to use it for? Make money off of it at other festivals? I could actually use it. I decided to take a gamble. A big gamble.
" 4000G!" I yelled!
" Well son, you're a high roller aren't you?" said the man from across the crowd. " 4100G!"
I didn't want to play this silly game. I wanted the cow. " 4500G!" I shouted in defiance. At that my opponent just shut up and left. I felt good about myself, like I had just beat the bad guy.
" Sold to Jack Munich of Munich farms down the road!" Doug shouted out. He seemed to have a happy face, which was excellent. He was one of my biggest opposers against me running the farm.
Doug jumped of the stand and walked up to me. " Excellent boy! With this calf you can start your own ranch!" Doug had a pleasant look on his face.
" Now wait just a minute Doug!" roared a man from behind me. " You don't honestly think he can handle this calf do you?" came Karen's father.
" Donavan, we've had this discussion before!" Doug was defending me, much to my astonishment. " I've had my doubts about him, but he can do it. He's part of our community now!"
"I agree, he's made a man of himself" came the voice of Basil. " I want to see him be part of our village, be welcomed in by our family, marry our children, have our grandchildren. Don't you get it Donavan?" Basil inquired. " This boy is the future of this village! We can't stop him from being human. We can't stop him from living here."
Karen's father just stalked off the Green farm. I turned around to meet my defenders with a smile.
" Thank you. Thank you both!" I hugged them around their necks, finally feeling like I belonged here.
" Its alright boy, you've made it here, you deserve it. Just loosen up a little!" Doug gave with a chuckle.
" Just head on home son. Everything's going to be fine" Basil reassured me.
I walked home with my new calf, feeling a little bit better about myself.
...
The next few days in the field were easy. I just had to water my eggplants and tend to my animals. I was now vigorously training for the upcoming horse race, however. The days were getting a bit colder for the Fall weather, but I didn't mind. This farm made me as tough as a rock.
Rick and Ann even decided to visit one day for lunch to talk about the Harvest Festival.
" So, you have a date yet?" Rick questioned as he gulped down a sandwich.
" I'm supposed to try and find one?" I said sarcastically.
" Who're you going to ask? Huh? Huh? Huh?" Ann prodded as if I was planning on asking someone.
" I didn't really plan on it Ann. What about you?" I gave her a sly look.
" Oh yeah, about that. Um. Cliff is going to take me. He's so great, isn't he?" Nothing seemed to phase Ann. " Why don't you try asking Karen?" What was with her trying to get me together with Karen?
" Ann, we already had this discussion," I said as I turned my tone more serious. " I think I'll just solo it this time," I told the cousins.
" Ok, if you say so Jack, but if you keep waiting they're won't be any girls left!" Ann told me with a wink.
" I don't know what to tell ya' buddy. It just seems there isn't anyone here for you." Rick looked glum.
" Don't say that!" Ann shot out like Rick had just said a horrible curse. " But how is Jack going to find out if he doesn't try and ask some people?" Ann reasoned.
" I'll dance with a few people there and see where it goes from there, Ann. Deal?" I bargained with her.
" Deal!" she said like a firecracker.
...
The Harvest Festival came around quickly, but I was ready for it. I had to be ready for it. Ann wouldn't leave me alone about it. I strolled up the main street as what Ann entitled as "the magic day that I would find someone." I wasn't sure who though. Perhaps Maria, she always seemed like a nice girl. Somewhere in my mind floated around some thoughts of Karen. Shallow thoughts, but thoughts none the less. I just wished she would open up to me.
I made my way the square and saw that most people we're already there. I always seemed to be almost late for these festivals. They were already trying to pick a 'King' out of cakes that Elli was handing out, but no one had found the winning token in their cake yet. I strolled up and got my own piece of cake and sat down next to Popuri. I might as well try to find someone to dance with today.
" Oh hey Jack!" Popuri was rather excited to see me, apparently.
" Hey Popuri" I replied, beginning to nibble away at my cake. " Will you have the first dance with?" I decided to go for it bait, line, and sinker.
" Sure Jack! I was really hoping you'd ask this time. I didn't get to dance with you last Spring!" Was Popuri on a sugar rush, or was she always like this? It startled, almost disturbed me, that she was keeping track since the Flower Festival.
" Ouch!" I yelped as I bit into something hard. I pulled a gold coin out of my mouth. That meant the I was 'King', unfortunately. I did make a scene though about being 'King' but I didn't bother gloating about it to my friends or anything.
Several people congratulated me, but soon the first dance was underway. Popuri was a respectable dancer, but sometimes she seemed to get ahead of herself out of excitement. She stared deep into my eyes and never let up, which was a little scary. I realized that this girl was not the way to go if I was looking for a long-term relationship.
Soon the first dance was over, so I thanked Popuri and looked to find a different girl to dance with. Maria seemed like a fine partner, so I walked over and sat next to her.
" Hey Maria. What's going on?" I asked.
" Oh. Hi Jack" Maria responded with her usual shy tone.
" Would you like to accompany me in this next dance, my fair lady?" I asked her as properly as I could. It was tough though. I never said anything that complex in my life outside of Mr. Brent's Physiology class in High School.
Maria was just as good as, or possibly better dancer than Popuri. She moved in sync with me, but she seemed just the opposite of Popuri. She fell behind occasionally, probably from her timid attitude, but proved to be a fun partner otherwise.
The second dance was over just as quickly as the first. Maria was a truly great person, but the spark just wasn't there to get things going. I looked at her more like a friend than anything else.
" This next song is for that special person of yours," said one of the musicians, trying to levitate the mood for the next dance.
I tried to think of asking someone else to dance, but I couldn't. I had two options. Dance with Karen or dance with no one. I decided to go with the former rather than the later. I looked around to find Karen from my bench but I couldn't seem to find her anywhere. All I could really see was the big mass of people. Worst of all, Ann and Cliff we're dancing not ten feet in front of me. I humored myself with it, but they were just rubbing salt in the wound.
Out of nowhere I felt a tug on my arm. The next thing I knew I was part of the big moving mass of people, having my arms adjusted around someone's neck. I wasn't even sure of what was really going on.
" Hey Jack" came a docile note from a familiar voice.
" Karen?" I asked in astonishment.
" You got it Jack" Karen said, her eyes drifting around the crowd, only meeting mine when she said something to me.
" Err. this is a surprise" I said in astonishment.
" Would you rather sit back down?" Karen shot at me, but it was almost like she was trying to annoy me.
" Nah, that's ok," I told her as calmly and as naturally as I could.
Karen turned out to be an excellent dancer. Far better then any of the other girls I had danced with over the course of the day. I was silent during the whole dance, but in the back of my mind thoughts were flying around my head a mile a minute. Too soon the dance was over, and I figured I had my run of luck for the day.
" Thanks" was all I said as I moved to sit down on one of the benches.
" Oh no you don't!" Karen called from behind me. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me back towards her.
" Just for the rest of the day? That's all" Karen bargained.
" Ok, but you'll have to answer a question," I reasoned.
" Sure, I guess" Karen replied.
" Why are you dancing with me?" I said, sounding perplexed.
" For a couple of reasons" Karen said with a smirk. " You've left me alone for awhile now. Grey keeps asking me to dance with him. Cliff- err. mentioned about you in his cave" Karen answered. " Don't get any funny ideas, either, bub. We still don't know each other to well."
" Of course" I reassured her. I still thought there was more to it then what Karen said, but I didn't care all that much at the moment. I was living in the minute, and I realized something. Fall is a great season.
...
Author's Note: There's chapter 7, entitled after the best song in the world. Really. I hope that's enough romance to keep you folks at bay for a little while, as I'm planning on drifting away from it for a chapter or two. Thanks for reading. Hope you liked this one, as its taken up a whole morning of a snow day off from school.