Diary of a Farmer

Chapter 3

Jack had already decided that he was going to take the day off from work and go into town to do some shopping. He would get some seeds so when the field was clear he would be able to plant as soon as possible and he needed groceries. His parents had left him an envelope with some money in it the day he moved in and Jack now wondered how much money they had left. He opened the envelope and was disappointed to find only 2,000 g. His allowance back home had been at least 10,000 g a week but was on his own now and couldn't expect handouts anymore. He'd be alright, how much did seeds cost anyway?

Jack got dressed, and ate his breakfast before seven o clock and was ready to head to the store. He checked to make sure he had his money and headed for the supermarket. Finding the super market was a little harder than he had thought it would be. Jack was only on the second street and was lost. A man picking grapes in a small vineyard caught his eye, maybe I should ask for directions. "Excuse me." Jack said "Can you help me; I'm trying to find the supermarket." The man turned around. He was older, forties or fifties maybe with black hair with streaks of gray. "You're the new farmer, Mayor Thomas told everybody in town bout you, says we should make you feel welcome." Jack nodded." Where's the supermarket? I need directions."

"Directions?" said the man "A real man don't need no directions." He said laughing. "Its just up the street, ya can't miss it." "Ummmm…Thanks." Said Jack "Oh, Hey!" said the man as Jack had started to walk away. "My name's Duke, meet me at the Inn later tonight, we'll have a drink." Jack nodded and continued walking.

He was still quite lost, the mans directions had left much to be desired so Jack decided he ask someone else. There were three women standing in the middle of what Jack thought must be me town square so he decided to ask them. As he started to approach the women stopped talking and looked at him. "I need directions." Jack said a women with black hair and a blue dress seemed to think something was funny and started laughing. "What do you know, a man know asks for directions." She said "My Duke wouldn't ask for directions if his life depended on it, He says "A real man doesn't need directions." She continued laughing and the other two women joined her. "That sounds just like Duke." Said one of them "Where do you want to go?" said the women with light brown hair. "The supermarket." Jack replied. "I'm Sasha." said the women. "My husband Jeff and I run the Super market, I'll take you there." Jack nodded "Thank you very much."

Jack followed Sasha down the road and past the church to the supermarket. "Thanks again." said Jack as he opened the door to go in. Sasha smiled and headed back to the square. "Welcome." said a friendly voice as Jack entered the supermarket. The voice had come from a small smiling man with black hair and a mustache. Jack smiled and went over to a counter that had bags of seeds sitting on it. Each bag had a picture of what type of seed was in it. Jack picked up a bag with an ear of corn on it. Corn sounds good, he thought.

"No, not that bag." Jack turned around to saw a beautiful brown haired girl in shorts and a vest walking toward him. She took the bag from him and set it back down on the counter. "Corn only grows in the summer." She said "If you plant it now the seeds won't grow. You have to plant the right seeds in the right season to get them to grow. Try Potatoes, Turnips, cucumbers, and Strawberries in the spring. Ok" "Thanks." said Jack "I'm Karen, my parents run the supermarket." "I'm Jack."

Jack finished his shopping and Karen took him to the back of the store where she and her live and they talked until the store closed at six o clock. "It was great talking to you." Karen said as Jack headed out back towards the farm. "Lets get together again, ok." "Ok." Jack hollered back from down the road. Karen sure was great. Could she be the little girl I met? Jack wondered.

Jack was greeted with a big surprise. When he had left the farm house it had been pretty dirty. Dust everywhere because he hadn't gotten around to cleaning it off, the bed unmade, and breakfast dishes still in the sink from yesterday and today. But now there was no dust, a made bed, and clean dishes. There was a delicious looking pie sitting in the kitchen next to a note in girls hand writing.

Dear Farmer Jack,

I hope you don't mind I cleaned the place up a little. I dropped by to give you a welcoming gift and you weren't home. The door wasn't locked so I decided to leave it inside. Like I said I hope you don't mind I came in. I'll visit you later.

Your neighbor at the poultry ranch.

Popuri

Popuri, Jack thought. I'll go thank her tomorrow. Jack then remembered he said he would meet Duke at the Inn for a drink. Jack had spent all of his money at the store on seeds and food except for about 100 g, just enough for a drink.

Jack didn't really feel like going back into town, but he had promised the man. When Jack entered the Inn he was surprised to find it quite full. Duke was there waiting when he arrived and motion for Jack to join him at the bar. Jack walked over to the bar and sat on the stool next to Duke. Jack would have rather been in bed than at the Inn, but just then a girl walked over to where he and Duke were sitting. "What would you two like?" she asked. Jack didn't answer; he just stared at the girl. She had red hair braided tied up in a ponytail, and wore plain overalls; she was very cute. "Two glasses of red wine" answered Duke. The girl nodded and went to pour their drinks.

"You like her?" asked Duke, nudging Jack. Before Jack could answer the girl came back and left their drinks on the bar. "Her name's Ann." said Duke. Ann, Jack thought, what a nice name.

Authors notes: Thank you so much for your reviews and I hope you continue reading.