Episode 19: Visitor Preparations

Tuesday, 12th Of Summer, 1978

I was still asleep, but I thought I heard Ellen calling me.

"Tony... Tony... Tony, wake up!"

Her voice became more clearer and clearer to me, as if I was somewhere distant and now I'm coming home. I slowly woke up, as if my eyelids were heavy like lead.

"What, honey?" I sat up in my bed, rubbing the crumbs out from the edges of my eyes.

"Look at Jack! He's crawling now!" Ellen exclaimed, pointing down at Jack who was crawling towards Pete.

"I don't believe it! He is!" I jumped out of my bed!

"Pete! Da-da! Come on!" Pete called to Jack.

"Boo-boo... Dah... Dah..." Jack babbled as he crawled towards Pete.

Ellen came up to me and rested her head on my shoulder, looking at our babies playing and interacting.

"Aww, isn't that sweet?" Ellen cooed.

"Yes, honey, it is. Those two truly get along. Look at how they talk their own language as they play. It's easy to tell that they really are brothers." I commented.

"I feel so happy, darling. Ever since I married you, my life has been nothing but happiness. I have you, Pete, Jack... What more can I ask for?" Ellen said after she gave me a smooch.

I smirked. "I know what I'd ask for." I said.

"What's that?" Ellen looked into my eyes.

"Breakfast?" I asked, giving Ellen the puppy dog eyes.

Ellen smiled and shoved me into the bed. It was so unexpected, being pushed like that! As soon as my body landed on the mattress, I sprung back up in a sitting position on the edge of the bed.

"Whoa! What did I say?" I asked her innocently, looking at her with confused sadness.

Ellen didn't reply, she just left for the kitchen with a mischievous smirk. I sighed in dismay as I stood back up on my feet.

After eating breakfast and doing our chores in the ranch, Ellen and I got the shock of our lives. Nina, Liz, Michael, Ann, Ellen's mom and uncle, Maria and her parents Stan and his wife came by the ranch!

"Whoa! Whoa! What's going on here? What are you guys doing here?" I asked them.

"Tony, didn't you forget? This is your son Pete's birthday!" Nina commented.

I hand a dumbfounded look on my face. "... Right. Yeah. I knew that." I lied.

"Tony, get serious. Don't you know that Pete is 1 year old now?" Ellen asked me.

"The memory slipped my mind for a minute, but I remembered.

"I'm sorry, honey!" I apologized.

Ellen gave me a short nod. "Okay. Apology accepted."

And so we all went into the house to congratulate Pete on his first birthday. As a gift, Ann gave him a robot toy, but I urged Ann to keep it because I don't want it blowing up in his face. Michael gave Ellen a poop scooper to help clean up... Um, messes that Koro, Zara, Cloe, Star, Nova, Jade and my chickens make. I really needed something like that. Maria and her parents gave Pete different kinds of clothes, including more overalls. They were all good gifts. I had a great time with them all visiting. They left 30 minutes before Derek arrived to pick up the tomatoes, milk and eggs. And later that night, watching Jack and Pete sleep together in the same bed is such a heartwarming sight before Ellen and I got in our bed and slept.

Friday, 15th Of Summer, 1978

Nothing new to report, except that Star doesn't have long to give birth to the little calf. After doing my usual stuff in the ranch, I decided to pay a visit to Luke and his carpenters in the mountainside forest.

"Who is it?" Luke called when he heard knocking at his door.

"It's me, Tony. Can I come in?"

"Tony? Oh, yes, sure." Luke replied as he opened the door.

"I heard that everybody was celebrating Pete's 1st birthday a couple days ago." Toby commented as soon as I came in.

"Sorry that we couldn't make it." Emmet said.

"We're carpenters. Carpenters are always busy around the clock." Ingo added.

"I get that. Anyway, I'm just here to chat with you guys." I said, taking a seat on one of their dinner table chairs.

"Is that so? About what?" Luke wanted to know.

"About my sons, Pete and Jack. They are very promising boys." I said as I took a cup and filled it with coffee.

"That's no surprise there. They take after their daddy, for sure." Ingo said.

"Yeah, but the thing is, unlike myself, I don't want them to spend the rest of their lives being a farmer. I want to expand their possibilities. Know what I mean?" I asked.

Luke nodded. "I sure do. Michael came to me two years ago around the autumn season about what to do with Ann. He really wants to change her personality a little bit so that the probability of her getting married will be a little more likely." Luke said.

I took a sip of my coffee before responding.

"See, the thing is, it wasn't my idea to become a farmer. Heck, I wasn't even given a choice. My Dad made all the decisions. He has that "We do things MY way whether you like it or not" sort of attitude. He sees me as a child that is too immature to make mature decisions." I paused there and took a sip of my coffee. "... He doesn't get it. Not every decision he made was best for me. Forcing me to become a farmer has forced me to give up my childhood dream of becoming an actor. Don't get me wrong, being a farmer isn't as terrible as I thought it would be, but it isn't the life I dreamed of having, and my Dad doesn't care about what I dream of becoming. He never even asked me."

"What about you, Tony? What do you want for Pete and Jack, mate?" Emmet asked me.

I shrugged. "To give them more freedom than my father gave me. I don't want them to be only familiar with farming. I want to try, if I can, to move into the city so that Pete or Jack can make something of themselves, like a fireman, or a lawyer, a governor, mayor... Anything like that. I want to show them what the world has to offer them, if possible." I said.

"What if they want to be a farmer like you?" Toby asked me.

"Then that's fine. It's their decision to do that, not mine. I don't want to limit their views on life. That's how my Dad raised me, doing what he thought was best. I understand that parents sometimes have to be strict to their kids, but I'm afraid that I might come off as too controlling, like a tyrant king or something," I said sullenly.

"Tony, I understand how you feel. But listen to your inner instincts as a father. You'll know what to do, and whether it is right for you and your family. Just trust yourself. Okay?" Luke encouraged me.

I nodded. "I'll do my best." I said.

"That's right! do your best! Don't worry so much about the future and live in the moment!" Luke nodded sharply.

I gave him a comforted smile before I left. Thanks to Luke and his colleagues, I feel much better about myself.

Sunday, 17th Of Summer, 1978

Same old thing every Sunday. Except when we went to church after finishing our chores at the ranch, Pete and Jack stayed awake through the whole session! That really surprised me, because I thought that Daniel's speeches would lull a baby to sleep, even Ann. Ann still looked bored whenever I look over at her.

"... It's not really wrong. Daily incidents aren't either. It's up to you, really," Daniel said and went on.

I looked over at Ellen holding Jack. She held Jack close, the back of his head pressed against her left breast, and she praying that her dad stays in health, like always. With all that drinking he does, I have my doubts, but I can't help but respect Ellen's love for her dad. It just goes to show that she loves her parents, no matter who they are or what they do every day. That's love right there.

Wednesday, 20th Of Summer, 1978

As we were eating breakfast, Ellen and I were talking about Star.

"So how's Star doing? How long will it be before she gives birth?" Ellen asked me before eating a piece of a waffle.

"About 2 days left, I think." I replied, looking up in thought.

"So what do you plan on naming the cow?" Ellen asked me.

"Hmm... That's a good question... Probably after a jewel."

"Really?"

"Hey, come on, I really haven't put much thought in it." I snapped, but not in an angry way, more in a slightly annoyed tone.

Ellen continued eating, and so did I. After she was done, she went to feed Pete and Jack their oatmeal.

"So are you nervous?" Ellen asked me.

"Nervous? About what?" I asked.

"Your mom and dad. They'll be here 10 days from now."

"What?! Man, time flies by fast! 10 days? You made me a little more nervous saying that. Well anyway, I better go get to work." I said.

"Take care of yourself, honey." Ellen said after putting a small spoon of oatmeal into Jack's open mouth.

I stepped outside and went to the tool shed to get my cow treatment equipment, my brush and milker, then I went to the cow house to take care of Star, Cloe, Nova and Jade. I'm a little upset that Star can't make any milk since she's pregnant, she's my second best milk making cow. Aloe was first. I regret selling her, but I had to do it to help Doug get enough money for him and Ann to move out of Neighbor Town, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten the bean to go up in the castle in the sky to get a golden egg. Then I took care of my chickens, sprinkled the tomato plants and corn stalks, then I invited Ellen, Pete and Jack to hike with me to the peak of the mountain and enjoy the view for a few hours, then we returned home at 4:55 p.m.

Saturday, 23rd Of Summer, 1978

Well, yesterday, Star gave birth! I named the little calf Ruby. She's my 5th cow! Now I have 5 cows to feed, including 8 chickens, 1 dog, and 1 horse. Can life get any better? You bet, but the work gets much harder. Raising Pete and Jack made my job no easier, but at least Ellen is around to give me a hand. *sigh*... What would I do without her? Still, even though Ellen looks after Pete and Jack, I still got a lot of work to do, feeding the cows and chickens, watering the tomatoes and corn plants, taking Koro for a short walk, and slicing up as much grass as I can with my super sickle. Yep, today, I was working hard! But I took breaks! I can't keep going and going and going! I need to let my "batteries" recharge with a rice ball or croissant once in a while! In the end, I done enough hard work to get an awesome reward from Ellen later that night before we fell asleep. I'm not telling what it is! Oh, okay, I'll tell you. It's a fruit pie! Strawberries, blueberries, peach, apple, with cinnamon flavors mixed in! Ohhh man, my tongue danced in joy whenever I put a piece of the pie into my mouth!

Tuesday, 26th Of Summer

Me and the rest of my family were eating breakfast at 7:28 a.m. It's raining outside. I could hear the rain mercilessly hitting the roof and thunder rumbling.

"I'm surprised Pete and Jack are calm." I told Ellen.

"They're tough boys. Don't expect them to be afraid of thunder all the time." Ellen said after swallowing some scrambled eggs.

"I don't expect them to. I'm just surprised." I replied, feeling a little offended that Ellen would think I'm insulting my own sons.

"Anyway, darling, did you bring Koro into the house yesterday evening?" Ellen asked me.

I thought back to what I did yesterday evening.

"Uhhh... I think I forgot to." I slowly said.

"Oh no. Darling, don't tell me you forgot...?" Ellen is starting to get worried.

"... I... might have." I slowly said.

"Honey, please go find him before he catches a cold!" Ellen said out of urgency.

"I will! I will!" I bolted out the door and into the rain.

I looked around. With the harsh rain, I could barely see 30 feet ahead of me. Anything beyond 30 feet is cloudy mists of vapors.

"Koro!" I yelled with my hands around my mouth.

I waited for a bark. Nothing. I decided to do my ranch chores since I'm out here. Maybe Koro will pop up when I'm done. After taking care of my livestock, I took Zara out with me so that she can help me store up the tomatoes and corn in her bags. Walking back and forth to the shipment container near the gates of my ranch would guarantee me catching a cold. While I was doing that, I continued calling Koro. But every time I called him, I didn't even hear a bark! I really started to get worried.

"Please, Koro... Answer me..." I whined.

I took Zara back to the stable and decided to search for Koro on my own. The broken fences can wait.

"Koro! Here boy!" I whistled a couple times.

Nothing! I headed south from my tool shed, to where the hollowed out tree is where I fell in and met Nik, Nak and Flak for the first time. I wondered if Koro fell in there, but I had second thoughts.

"Koro! Come on, boy! If you can hear me, answer me!" I called.

*BOOOM*

The loud thunderclap made my heart jump! I put my hand on my chest, trying to catch my breath. My overalls are getting really soggy, even my cap, and my face is soaked with rain drops! This is crazy! Why would Koro run off like this?!

"KOOOOOROOOO!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

I listened real carefully for a bark. I thought I heard it, but it was a little faint. I headed southeast from the hollowed out tree, and I found an abandoned well, and a rope going deep down inside!

"Koro! Are you down there?" I called down into the well.

I then heard Koro bark! I felt so much better hearing Koro bark! all the worry and fear is gone now! I grabbed hold of the rope and climbed down the abandoned well. Then I found myself underground. As soon as my feet hit solid ground, I looked around. This tunnel looks familiar. As I traveled down the only path, I realized that this is the tunnel that connects to my tool shed! Eventually, near the stairs that lead up to the door in the back of my tool shed, there stood Koro with Nik, Nak and Flak!

"Koro! How...? How did you guys...?" I stammered in surprise.

"A few minutes before it started raining, we took him down into the tunnels with us." Nak told me.

"Wow... Thanks guys." I said.

"Anytime, Tony. Anytime." Nik nodded.

"Thanks a lot guys. I don't know how to repay you." I said as I took Koro into my arms.

"Awh, there's no need to thank us. Just go on home." Flak said.

I left going up the stairs and ending up in my tool shed, then I came out and ran through the rain heading for my house. Ellen is so glad to see that Koro is okay! now Ellen and I can sleep in peace tonight.

Friday, 29th Of Summer, 1978

A few minutes after eating breakfast, Ellen and I were playing with Jack and Pete for a while before we have to go outside to do our jobs.

"Pete. Pete. Listen to me. Say Daddy. Daddy." I said to him.

"Da... Da... Da... Daddy." Pete slowly said.

"Good boy! good boy!" I cheered.

Ellen smiled. "It'll be a while before Jack is able to talk, and walk," she commented.

"Ah, he'll get there eventually. Just have patience," I assured her.

Just then, I head someone knocking at the front door. I looked at the door then at Ellen.

"Go answer it," she urged.

I stood up and walked towards the door.

"Who is it?" I called as I put my hand on the doorknob.

"It's Stan." A voice replied.

"Oh! Mayor Stan! What a surprise!" I said as I opened the door to reveal him standing there.

"Hello, Mayor Stan! how nice to see you!" Ellen shook his hand.

"Nice to see you too, Ellen. you look really nice today," Stan said.

"Thank you," Ellen nodded.

"So what brings you here, Stan? Do you want a rice ball? My treat," I offered.

"Oh, no, thank you, but no thank you. I just came by to let you know that your parents are coming tomorrow at last," Stan told me.

I gasped. Tomorrow is the day! My heart is racing now!

"They will be surprised to see this ranch," Stan added.

"You think so?" I asked him.

"Oh yes! You've fixed it up very well, Tony. Well, I better get going. Have a nice day, you two," Stan turned around and left.

I shut the door and looked Ellen in the eyes.

"Aren't you excited, honey?"

"Yes! Tomorrow I get to meet your parents!" Ellen smiled back at me.

I approached Pete and Jack and knelt down at them.

"Boys, tomorrow you're going to meet your grandparents." I told them.

both Pete and Jack smiled. I stood up and rubbed my hands together.

"Okay, everybody, we got loads of work to do. Ellen, darling, you stay in the house and make sure everything is all clean while I take care of the livestock and ranch. Let's go!" I instructed.

For the next few hours, I spent my time taking care of my livestock, feeding them and preparing their products for shipping, watering my crops, making sure nothing in the ranch is broken, then I went in the house to help Ellen tidy up the place. Then when we were sure that we did a good job, we took a hike into the mountains and stopped to have a chat with Luke and his colleagues. In the evening, we returned home just in time to catch Derek about to get in his pickup truck after getting my shipment.

"Derek! how's it going, man?" I called.

"Same thing every day, Tony. How about you?" He replied.

"I'm getting ready for my parents to visit me tomorrow." I told him.

"What?" Derek approached me.

"Your parents are coming to visit you? That's awesome!" Derek smiled, patting me on my left shoulder.

"Thanks, Derek." I smiled.

"For the past two years, I've watched you grow as a farmer, and I gotta say, you've deeply matured! Your mom and dad won't be disappointed once they come here! I guarantee you that!" Derek smiled.

"My husband is an honest worker. That's why he's so successful." Ellen told Derek.

"That's true, ma'am. That is very true. Well, I better get going and sell your milk and eggs. See you later, Tony! Keep up the good work!" Derek said as he climbed into his truck, then he turned on the ignition and drove off.

Ellen, Pete, Jack and I watched him go down the road several yards away. Then we entered the farmhouse and peacefully watched television, then later that night, we fell asleep, eagerly awaiting the big day tomorrow.