Advice on Leaving Heartland
As the day wore on, a truck with a cattle trailer drove up the lane in the afternoon. Tim Fleming was moving some whiteface calves from High River closer to Heartland.
Jack come out of the barn and approached Tim, "I see you're still spending money running cattle."
Tim chided Jack; "Someone has to make some money in the family. And I spend money to make money!"
Jack quipped, "and you're not the one to do it evidently."
Jack continued, "listen Tim, I'm looking for some more help here this summer... and while you know I hate to ask, could you maybe be around?"
Tim looked surprised, "you mean Caleb and Ty can not handle the work Jack? You're not going soft on those young men."
"Tim, don't be an ass... I need help because one of those young men is leaving for a while to help out a friend in the states."
Tim said, "you are getting soft Jack... you're getting crazy, letting the hired help pick there work... what's up with that story?"
"First off - the 'friend' is mine, not Ty's. And it's none of your business who I hire and how I dictate the work schedule..."
Tim understood now, "So Ty is the man for your little job south of the border. Next I suppose you will tell me Ty is going to Colorado to work somewhere close to Amy."
Jack stuttered, "Maybe he is Tim."
Tim, "Are you crazy? Whose lame idea was this?"
Jack shouted back, "Amy came up with the idea, and I'm giving it my full support."
Tim scoffed the said, "So I suppose you think it's a good idea to put my daughter and her ex-boyfriend in close proximity? Away from Heartland and us? After the rough recent past between those two?"
Jack nodded affirmatively, "Yes Tim. I think its time those two figured their lives out - and doing it away from Heartland for a short time this summer is fine with me. Amy is 19 and Ty 21 going on 22 this fall. Those once teenagers are now young adults."
"You know Jack, maybe your right... its just that I worry about Amy. To me, she is still my little girl."
Jack put a hand on Tim's shoulder, "Tim, she's grownup these past 4 years. Ty's been a big part of those 4 years in Amy's life... and so have you. Let's see if they can build a future on that foundation."
Tim gave Jack a knowing look, "Yea Jack, and you never did anything to guide them... come on, you're more responsible for raising those two than anyone else. While I may not give you much credit, I know you love Amy and Ty and are doing what is best for them."
The next day, Ty was working with Spartan and Harley during the morning after chores, as Scott Cardinal, the local veterinarian and Ty's intern supervisor pulled up in front of the barn.
Scott and Ty were close friends with a common past that gave them a deep respect for each other and their lives as young men healed by the Heartland ranch. Over a year ago, both Scott and Ty had survived a plane crash that shook their worlds, causing them to rely on each other. Whenever things became tough in their lives, Scott and Ty could get together and talk.
As Scott got out of his pickup, Ty walked over and said, "Are you here to checkup on Cooper?" Cooper had been scheduled for some vaccinations and Scott was checking up on any side affects.
Scott grabbed his vet medical bag, "Cooper is the main reason."
"Have you heard the news? I have a chance to go down to Colorado to do some haying for a couple months?" said Ty.
"Jack mentioned it on the phone..." sighed Scott, "it means seeing Amy right?"
"Well yeah, that too", Ty said as he downplayed his excitement.
As Scott and Ty walked through the barn door and made their way to Cooper's stall, Scott stopped short and said, "Ty, you remember our wilderness plane excursion? And that little talk the last night when the wolf stood watch?"
Ty's thoughts drifts toward an experience that he had partial blocked out, "yeah Scott, I remember we were under duress and said quite a few things."
"Remember when I told you about my messing up with Lou?", Scott persisted in drawing out the memory.
"Sure... yea I remember about you telling me to stay true with Amy", said Ty.
"I am glad you remember, but are you living that truth?", asked Scott.
Ty managed a weak confession, "Its a complicated path Scott". Scott shook his head and started into a friendly lecture...
"Lou and I both went off to school after high school and we lost contact for almost 10 years before Lou came back to Heartland. We never were able to re-establish that relationship", lamented Scott.
"Scott - come on. Amy's just in summer school and we are not losing touch. In fact, now I have the chance to see her when I go down there next week." Ty was not sure if Scott was coming to some point.
Scott faced Ty directly, "Ty - you've put off university for a variety of reasons and Amy took a year off after high school graduation to work at Heartland. Sooner or later one or both of you will want to make school, work or both a full time commitment and these chances to be close to each other may slip away... you will lose touch."
Ty stood there for a second and said, "so you are saying a long distance relationship might cause us to drift apart..." and Ty remembered the times he left Heartland for many months at times and how painful the results were.
Scott reminded Ty, "Look what happened to Lou and I..." Continuing Scott said, "matter of fact, Lou and I had only a teenage crush... you and Amy, well you've both been in love for almost 3 years".
Ty stammered a bit, "so you're saying what Scott... don't go to vet school? Squelch Amy's dreams of university? Of not healing horses? How do I solve the problem Scott? It seems like everyone including you are pushing me to make some decision regarding my relationship with Amy!"
Scott smiled a bit, "you said it Ty, not me. Maybe the solution to your problem has been in front of you for some time?"
Ty felt a bit light headed at the thought, not that it had not crossed his mind, just that given their lives at Heartland... it seemed improbable timing. Ty sat on some stacked hay bales and drew a deep breath to let the idea sink in.
Saturday evening, at the dinner table, the decision became final. Ty was going to Colorado to help Dean Richards and live in their guest room. Caleb and Tim would keep working the horse business and Lisa Stillman said her nephew Ben would stop over to help out when possible. Peter was back home to help Lou with the baby when not working in his new job.
After chores the next day, Ty packed up and loaded his truck. In the back was his Norton motorcycle and in the front passenger seat was his travel bag with clothes and personal items. Ty also brought along a garment bag with some dress shirts and a jacket.
The family came out to say their goodbyes and well wishes for Ty. Jack said, "we'll see you back the first week or so of September", to which Ty nodded his approval.
As Ty got in his old GMC truck and fired the engine, Jack walked over and leaned in to passenger side of the truck to shake Ty's hand. With his left hand he placed a small package in Ty's garment bag; Ty did not notice.
"Safe travels... son", and as Ty pulled away, Jack made his way to the house for a cup of coffee, hiding a misty eye that told anyone who might of seen it that Jack and Ty were more than ranch boss and hired help in their relationship.