CH A P T E R F O U R
…
"I do not want summer to end," Jane replied, looking up in the big blue sky. Lately, there's hardly has been any clouds, but today there were huge cumulous clouds. A nice warm breeze was coming in too, which made Jane's long, shinning hair flow in the wind.
"I know what you mean," Rose replied, giving a nice lick on her pineapple ice cream cone. Rose's hair was kind of short so it ruffled more in the air.
Summer's little childish glee was going to last for two more weeks. Soon, fall's breezes will come by and swift the kids back to school. It's not that they didn't like school, but summer is childhood's true love. It's the time kids are free, free from school and it's exhausting days, free from cold running noses and stuffy jackets, free to play all day with Dearing friends, out in sunny, warm, free full days. Freedom is childhood's true love.
The cattle and sheep are grazing out in the green filled pasture, taking advantage of this beautiful day (it's been very humid). Big, luscious corn, tomatoes, onions, and pineapples are all growing out in the huge garden next to the pasture. Their horse, Jet, is sleeping under the big old apple tree, and old Leo is probably sleeping in his just-as-old-as-him-doghouse. The girls are sitting on the log fence, used to keep the herd inside the pasture, enjoying their freshly churned pineapple ice cream.
"You know, I think my dad proposed to my mom on this very spot," Rose informed.
"Really? I wonder where my father proposed to my mother…" Jane wondered.
"Yeah, my parents told me this long ago, but I can't remember exactly now. I wonder if it's in the diary. My mom had been writing in this diary for almost three or four years. I think it was her second year living in Mineral Town my parents got married. I wonder if I'm in it." Rose pulled out the diary from her book bag.
"No, Rose!" Jane exclaimed.
"What? What's wrong with you?"
"You shouldn't read ahead in a book, it ruins everything for a reader."
"Who cares? It's my mother's life, and she told me the stories already."
"What if she kept some vital information from you? You never know Rose, that Diary can be more then you have realized." Rose never thought of this. What if her parents kept more from her then she thought? She wouldn't be mad if they kept something from her, but it would be exciting to find out what else was there.
…
The kids had another gathering. Of course their usual spot, near the hills. Brightly colored pinkcat flowers are growing along Mineral River. They sit around Rose to hear more of this wildly hilarious story. Rose is hoping for more secrets.
…
Well, spring has finally left us. My house, the barn, chicken coop, and stable are still in ruins, but the pasture never looked so good to me. I just can't believe after all that miserable, exhausted, and chirping rants from Ann could clean this pasture up. Now it's just brown dirt as far the eye can see.
"So, when are going to cultivate it?" Ann asked.
"Me?" I gave her a questioning look.
"Well, yes you. I can't help you forever. I have to get back to cleaning and waiting on tables at the Inn. My dad has been missing me to come back, and so are the customers." She was right. She's not the one who irrationally agreed to buy this land. I needed to start this new farm on my own.
"I'll come by though, to help clean your house, barn, chicken coop, and stable, but not as much as I did with your pasture."
"I understand… And… Ann. Thanks for helping me out. I don't know what I would've done without your help."
"Hey! No problem. Actually, to be honest I only helped because I felt sorry for the town turning this ounce beautiful pastures to a dump."
"It was ounce beautiful?" I always seem to learn something new everyday.
"Yup, the old farmer who lived in this farm was a great man. He knew everything, even more then Barley down at the Yodel farm. There was ounce a lovely little garden he kept, green pastures, cows, sheep, chicken, and a horse or two. Yeah, it was really great, but he died. And before you came, since the old man had no heir, we had to sell all the animals, and auction this land here. Two years later you came. Bring back a future, Belle, when the old man was here the town folk were happy and there seemed to always been travelers. He was a great farmer who brought a lot of consumers. Bring back that great beautiful pride this farm gave Mineral Town. Did you know this was ounce the great pride of this town? This and the mystical lakes we have."
"Mystical lakes?" I never heard such a thing, maybe tales when I was younger, but it sounds extraordinary.
"Yeah! Let me show you!"
Ann took me into the never explored forest. First she took me to a large lake, called Mother's Hill Lake.
"Okay, what's so special?" I asked carelessly.
"There was a legend that if you threw a certain item in the lake, a sea monster will come out! If you do this for ten days, he gives you something special!"
"Oh my gosh!" I said sarcastically.
"Yeah! Isn't it cool!" Ann is still oblivious to my dark humored and sarcastic soul I have, "But the Mayor doesn't want us throwing garbage in the lake because it gets in the river, which gets in the ocean, and so on."
"Okay… Ann, you don't believe in this stuff, right?" I was scared that she lived in fantasyland.
"Hm… I did when I was younger."
"And now?"
"A little…" Ann fiddled with her feet.
"Did you throw stuff in the lake?"
"Hey! Let's go see the other lake… well, spring actually."
Then we ended up at the Goddess Spring. Next to it was a hot spring, and ahead was mine. I got so angry!
"Why didn't you tell me about this place before?" I shouted out.
"Um… why?"
"Because I have been ranking up in stink for the past month and a half! There is no running water in my house, Ann!"
"Oh... I was wondering. I thought you were bathing in the river or fish pond."
"No, Ann! The river is too fast, and the fish pond smells!"
"Oh… Sorry. Anyway…" I interrupted.
"I don't care about your fantasies! I'm going to take a bath!"
"No! Hold on!" Ann tugged on my hand, "I have to show you something first!"
"Okay. Fine. What is it?"
"The Goddess Spring. We fill the Hot Spring with the Goddess Spring water because we believe it has healing powers. The Goddess Spring has the everlasting and beautiful Harvest Goddess. And, somewhere hidden in town is magical Sprites that help the Goddess with her work. We believed that the old farmer was helped much by them, but he told us not to be so silly. Nobody knows how to appear the Goddess though. I remember hundreds of years ago that she lived in another lake, but the people became neglected and started building businesses and selling their farmlands. So she came here because farming is still valid, but we don't make sacrifices to her. But we do have a yearly festival in her honor. The Harvest Festival."
"Ann… Can I take my bath now?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll see you later, okay. Hm… I may come tomorrow; I should show you around town." We said our goodbyes, and I just went straight to those Hot Springs! Yes! Do you know how much I smell right now? My nails are filled with dirt, my hair is greasy, my body odor rinks, and I have mud on my face, inside my mouth, and my socks. Nasty!
Now, going in that Hot Spring was like dipping myself in luxury. I thought to myself. Can I really be successful like him? Can I bring back the town's pride? I have to. What Ann said was inspiring, but does that mean I will die alone like him? I mean, trying not to be rude, but did his work keep him away from having a family. I do hope to settle down soon. Or will I be too busy caring for a farm? Especially when this farm needed a lot of work done. Yes, I have to. I have to bring back the town's pride. I may never be able to bring such a great accomplishment to my life again.
Now that I think more of it, I may need help from the Harvest Goddess. As a symbol of inspiration, and maybe she will bring the Sprites to help me… No… I can't start thinking like Ann. How silly.
When my thinking was done, I finally left the Springs. I looked at the Goddess Spring, and then I walked away, but the strange thing was that I heard giggling. Maybe Ann isn't so silly…
The morning of the last day in spring came faster then I thought, and Ann was waiting for me in the pasture. She was pulling out any new little weeds. She said that I shouldn't be such a mystery to the town folk, and make my big appearance. Also, she needed to show me the store I should go to so I can start planting for the summer.
"Oh, Popuri!" Ann barged in the house where the Poultry Farm is. Wasn't this the place that one chicken boy I bumped in to.
"Ann! My sweet Ann," cried out a curly, pink hair girl, with big, pinkish violet eyes (does all the girls in this town have such bright coloring?), "I have missed you very much Ann!" she whined, "Why haven't you been taking walks with me by the Goddess Spring in so long!"
Now that I look at her, she is fairly pretty. She was wearing a maroon dress that went down to her knees, jet-black ballet shoes, a matching little, black sweater, showing off a lot of cleavage, and a black headband. I couldn't get over that pink hair…
"I have been helping a new friend out," and she pushed me forward to the pink pouf. Even though she lived in a poultry farm she smelled really sweet, like sugar.
"Oh, and what's your name? Mine is Popuri Keigun." Her voice is like a little canary.
"I'm Belle Toscano."
"What a homely name." She giggled out. Behind her was chicken boy. What was his name again?
"Aw, remember me? Rick." He waved his hand at me, and I shook it back.
"Rick! You already met her, and didn't tell me a thing!" Popuri cried out, "All I heard about this girl are rumors from gossiping wives."
"Sorry, maybe you should've taken time from your so called 'bust schedule' to visit her your-self."
"Rick, don't be a meanie!"
"Ah, hello, a new comer." A sweet melodic voice was sweeping down the stairs. I looked up to see more pink hair! But a kind, settle face, but she seemed fragile.
"Mom! Did we wake you?" Popuri looked concerned all the sudden.
"No, I just woke up, and I heard you all talking."
"Hello, my name is Belle Toscano."
"Why, hello, mine is Lillia Keigun. You can call me Lillia; you don't have to be formal with me. I live and work here on this little Poultry Farm. I'm behind the counter all day selling chicken necessities, or taking a nice nap upstairs. My son works outside with the chicken, and in the summer he takes care of the corn. My daughter helps me with any little chores I have. Are you the one at that old farm? Will you be staying here?"
She was so kind it kind of sort me out, "Yes ma'm. Ann has been helping me cleaning up the farm."
"That's good. Here, I have a gift for you, to start you out." She handed me a small egg.
"Ounce you get chicken feed, you can grow your own corn and make it into feed at your mill, it can become a chicken."
"Um… No to be rude, but where would I put it now?"
"Oh! Don't you have refrigerator?"
"No…"
"Oh! Well, I hold it for you, then."
We left the Poultry farm, and went around the neighborhood. I met the blacksmith, Saibara Ishi, he seemed to be a good old man, and he has a grandson named Gray Ishi, but went back to the Inn. I told her I met Barley and May already, so she showed me where Mr. Budoushu lives. Wasn't he that man that was trashing my pasture? I have poor memory.
"Hello! My name is Manna Budoushu, and I help run the Winery with my husband, Duke Budoushu. Are you that new farmer Mayor Thomas was talking about? Oh, of course you are! How silly of me, me and the other wives talk about you sometimes. Well, aren't you a pretty girl, but your poor clothes seem to be torn up? You and Ann really have been working out there in that old dump. How do I know? Duke talks to Doug, oh Doug is Ann's father, well, I'm pretty sure you already know that, and Doug told Duke that Ann and you have been working day and night on that old pasture down yonder. Dear, let me get you a welcoming gift. Oh, please don't tell me no to, it's all my pleasure. Here, a lovely scarf I had knitted a while ago. I know it going to be summer soon, but it's light so it won't make you faint. Oh! Where are my manners, would you like some water? Or maybe tea?"
I was so scared. I never had met a woman who can talk so much in so little time. If my mouth wasn't going to tell her be quiet my ears are!
"No thank you, Mrs. Budoushu…" Ann was interrupted.
"Oh child, please don't be so formal! Just call me Manna. Mrs. Budoushu sounds a little old!"
"Well then, Manna, Belle and I have to go meet everyone else, and get some stuff for Belle, too. Right, Belle?" I nodded my head. Still shocked from the talking.
"Oh, okay then. Good bye, and please come back again!"
Ann and I exited the Winery. Ann apologized to me, she should've warned me about Manna's talking habit. Duke says she gets a little lonely.
We went up the road and I saw little houses. We went into the corner house first. Inside was a woman with short, bouncy hair wearing a green and white dress cooking at the kitchen. The house smelled of musty plants, and food cooking, which made me hungry. I saw at a table a man with ruffled up hair, and wearing hiking clothing. On the table were plants and papers he was working on. The house seemed homely enough.
"Oh! We have guests," the man replied.
"Guests! Oh no! The house is a mess!" the woman shrieked. Compared to my home, this house was gorgeous. The woman had left her cooking, and came toward Ann and I.
"My name is Ann Wakakusa, pleasure to meet you, and this is my husband, Basil Wakakusa. Our daughter, Mary, is next door in the library filled with my husband's books." Her voice was very one-toned and seemed harsh. I found out her husband is a florist, and that I bumped into him in the beginning of the month. He was the one with big brown eyes, and a funny hat.
The Library was closed, so Ann showed me where the Mayor lives, and Harris Buruu, the law officer. Then we met Ellen Genki, and her grandson, Stuart (Stu) Iirashi. She told us she couldn't walk anymore because of an accident 15 years ago. She also told us her granddaughter work and lives at the clinic, her name is Elli.
Finally, we got to the store. Nobody was really in, but just a short man in white shirt and gelled back hair.
"Oh, hello ladies! May I assist you in a way?"
"Good afternoon Mr. Wainkaraa." I was starting to get used to Ann. Just Ann in general.
"Ann, who is this new customer?" Mr. Wainkaraa asked.
"Belle, Belle Toscano. Do you sell seeds?" Belle asked.
"Yes we do, but a stock for summer seeds won't come until June 2."
"Oh…" Then suddenly this young daring looking girl comes out from the door behind Mr. Wainkaraa.
"Oh, whose this?" she had this seductive kind of voice. Her eyes are green and narrow, and she has long, golden brown hair. She was wearing a black tight long sleeved shirt and light blue short shorts. She had run down tennis shoes, and then I notice another woman behind her. She had a more simple looking face. She had a bun all braided and a long blue dress. She looked more elegant then the younger one.
"Yes, who is this?" she had the same voice like the younger one.
"This here is Belle, she's the new farmer down south of town, right?" Mr. Wainkaraa replied.
"Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Sasha Wainkaraa, and I'm Jeff Wainkaraa's wife. I'm also co-owner of this store. This is our daughter, Karen."
"Hi! So you're a new farmer, huh?" Karen looked at the seed rack and grabbed a green bag of seeds.
"Here, a bag of grass seeds to start your farm!"
"Um… thanks."
"Karen, no!" Jeff pleaded out.
"Why? What's wrong, daddy?" Karen gave her father a strict look.
"Oh okay, I guess…" Her father cried out.
"I hope this helps."
"Please come by anytime. I'm sure Karen would love it." Sasha replied.
We were going to the Clinic, but it was already closed. Ann was going to take me to the Church, until a black haired girl with glasses came by.
"Ann! May you help me in the library? Oh! Whose this?"
"Mary! This is Belle. Belle, this is Mary Wakakusa. You met her folks earlier. So what do you need, Mary?"
"I'll have to show you."
"Okay, hey Belle, why don't you go inside the church without me. They're really nice in there."
So I went along, and headed into the church. I came in and it had that old smoke smell. I saw the pastor behind the pedestal, and a young man sitting in the front.
"Oh! Miss!" The pastor called out to me.
"Yes, pastor?"
He whispered to me "Miss, do you see that boy yonder there?"
I looked behind me, and saw the ragged young man fiddling with his hands.
"Yes, pastor."
"Well, the young boy has had a rough year, and a pretty thing like you would sure cheer him up." The pastor replied.
"He didn't commit a serious sin, did he?" I asked with hesitation.
"Oh, heavens no! He's just gone through rough times, that's all."
I walked slowly toward him, and I sat beside him, and I was surprised that I asked so softly, but said.
"Hello."
"Hi…" timidly he said.
"My name is Belle Toscano."
"…" This boy was utterly quiet, but I was determined to get something out of him.
"I'm the new farmer at that old farm down south." I replied.
"Really? I have heard of you from Doug…" I was getting something.
"Yeah, Ann and I have been working day and night, and…"
"Why are you talking to me?"
"Huh?"
"Um… Do I have something on my face?"
"Um… No…"
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to get tensed up. Carter probably told you to cheer me up. It's okay… you don't have to…" He looked up at me, and I clearly see his face now. He had soft brown eyes, and his hair was sort of long. My heart started to pound harder. Even though his clothes seemed ragged he had a nice smell to him. I'm surprise I was able to smell it with the strong church's aroma. He gulped for some reason, and I had to look away.
"Just, relax. Okay?"
"Yeah… I will," his voice wasn't so timid, it actually became stronger, "I hope to talk to you again."
"Same here…" I got up, and left the church.
…
A Super Rant #7
I'm so sorry for taking so long. I hope this new chapter will be good. Like I said earlier, the last names will mostly be in Japanese, but if you see something wrong about them please notify me. I hope to get Chapter 5 out real soon, too. I wonder if people are still reading this… Probably not, but that's okay. (I hope my friends are at least reading this… probably not). I hope the new way I'm formatting it is good.