AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mom, it was one date and no. Drop it. I’ll figure this out on my own.
Take it slow, Solia. Remember what you went through. Getting dragged through the mud is not in your best interests. Take it one day at a time.
Once again, my mother has me second-guessing and wondering if I spoke too soon. Being vulnerable and open to love in the past has not ended well. I’ve already let Jackson in. Yet I can’t afford to make the same mistakes and move too fast. Jackson hasn’t shown any warning signs, but then again, neither did the others. I don’t want to construct a brick wall before a second date. If it even happens.
Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be careful.
What’s his last name?
I’m no fool. I’m fully aware of exactly where this is going. I could earn big money by betting that if I give her his last name, within one hour she’d have a list of his ex-girlfriends and his extended family with their addresses and annual incomes.
Good night, Mom.
OK, Solia. Good night. Lock the doors. So, no job yet, sweetie? Love you.
Love you too. They’re locked ?? And no job yet.
Lying in bed, I see a full moon shining above the mountain ridge in the east, illuminating the land. Billions of stars decorate the night sky, and the only thing I wish for is Jackson lying by my side, sharing this moment.
Oh, and a damn job.
15
The sun beaming through my window blinds me. I fell asleep on my leather couch. The last thing I remember is the five steps I took from my door to here. I’m wearing the same clothes from dinner and the TV is still on.
I have a busy day ahead at the farm. Vegetables need to be harvested, crates need to be sorted, labeled, and shipped, and hay has to be baled. The forecast indicates the heat wave won’t be letting up anytime soon, so today may be a three-shower kind of day.
Still groggy and half-asleep with visions of Solia, I shuffle to the kitchen to make my first cup of coffee. One hot coffee in the morning is mandatory. The iced coffee that follows is optional, but today it’ll be essential. My steaming mug is coming into the bathroom with me.
I lather the soap and let the warm water wash it away, my mind wandering to Solia, to her arched back on the slippery, cool rocks, her voluminous breasts front and center. I have to see her again. The connection forged between us in such a short time is undeniable. But showing up for work takes precedence right now.
I arrive on time, the temperature already above eighty at only seven a.m. Like clockwork, my dedicated grandfather is rocking on the front porch, iced coffee in hand, a second glass waiting for me on the table by his side. With a slight tilt of his hat, he yells, “Good morning, farmer.”
“Hey, Grandpa.”
“You lookin’ a little sluggish this morning, or is it me?”
“It’s not you. I’m dragging my boots a little more than usual.”
“It wouldn’t be because of your date with the beauty on the tractor? Your grandmother and I were watching you two lovebirds take a tour around the grounds. It sure was nice to see you smiling again.”
“Thanks, Grandpa. She’s beautiful, smart, funny. She’s a catch.”
“Good enough to reconsider leaving town? Because nothing is set in stone, Jackson. Your grandmother and I want nothing more than to leave this farm to you, our family. We aren’t getting any younger.”
“Grandpa, we’ve been through this. I made up my mind. I can’t stay here. It’s just not the same after everything … I don’t think it ever can be.”
“Things are meant to change, Jackson. If they didn’t, life wouldn’t be what it’s meant to be. People change, adapt, learn, and grow. You’ll come around.”
“Grandpa, I don’t doubt you mean well, but I’m going to New York at the end of the summer. Dad is already setting things up at the cider facility for me. I’ll come back all the time and visit.”
“Jackson, you’ll do what’s right, and your grandma and I support you. Did you tell Solia about this?”
“No, I didn’t.” I wipe the sweat forming on my brow. “We just met. I haven’t been on a date in almost a year, so it seemed a little forward to walk that path and pour out my soul. Right?” I look over to my grandpa. He’s staring off into the distance, rocking slowly. I’m so lucky to be able to see this man almost every day, and just now I’m noticing the deep lines creased into his face. He looks exhausted.
“You OK, Grandpa?”
“Sure am, son. Life has a way of working itself out. You’ll see. Now, get to work.” He laughs and shoos me off the porch.
