The Family Farm

It is the last week at college. I am happy for it to be over so I can pursue my career in HR Management. I will miss all the great friends I made but I am sure my closest friends will keep in touch.

A lot going on this week, parties and get togethers. Cindy is hosting a dinner party at a restaurant we always go to just for the four of us. Rachel, Maria and Cindy have been my closest friends throughout the years. We have studied together, cried over tests together, boyfriend advice, you name it. Tonight, is a party at the dorms. These usually get shut down by 11pm and are a lot of fun. We set up games outside, have hide and seek inside and everyone brings food and drinks.

“Hi Cindy, you ready for tonight?”

“I am, I have my bottle of wine in the refrigerator and made some dip to bring.” She said.

“Rachel was going to stop by the store and pick up a few things, Maria asked her to get on her way.” I said.

We sat and talked a little about our plans now, where we would go, job prospects and how we would all keep in touch. Maria and Rachel showed up, we got the food ready, drinks cold and headed outside to see what was happening. There was a bouncy house, a long slide, big dodge balls, about 5 little pools to sit in and lighting. When it gets dark everything will be lit up with different colors. One of the guys down the hall from us DJ’s in his spare time and has set up his sound system, this is going to be great, one last blow out.

“Hi Nathan, I love the set up.”

“Thanks, I spend a lot of time with this equipment, I hope you enjoy it.”

The music started and people came from all around. Dip, hamburgers, chips, pasta salad, french bread, ice in huge buckets, little smokies, vegetable trays, cheese trays and I saw some dip I will be heading for later. We all took turns going down the large slide, there is a small pool at the bottom that we splash into.

The four of us made our way to one of the pools set up and sat where we could watch everything going on. The usual guy at the table eating, we call him the come for food guy. I don’t think we ever found out what his name is or if he even lives in the dorm. A couple girls dancing and many just standing around talking and drinking.

“This is nice, I can sit here all night.” I said.

“It is refreshing, and we have a great view of the party.” Maria said.

It has started to calm down some, we stayed outside the whole time, made some more slide runs, tossed the big ball around and sat in the pool some more. Great night. We have never had any chaos or fighting here, every party we have been to has been fun and friendly. No issues.

I am leaving in the morning for home. My dad passed away a few years ago of a heart attack and it is just my mom. She is excited for me to come home and stay for a while. I plan on staying with her while I do some job searching and see what is out there in the area. We have a family farm that I spent a lot of time at as a child in Arkansas.

I haven’t been there in about 8 years and I don’t think Mom has gone for a few years now. It is still being looked after and ran by James. He has been keeping the farm running since I was born. Being an only child, it must be tough for Mom to let me go off to college and now be independent and on my own. I may get a hair cut on the way home, I have let my blonde hair grow long and don’t do much with it. I feel lucky to be able to eat about anything I want and not gain much weight, my mom is like that. Always petite and cute. She has always had a routine to be dressed, hair done and make up on before 8am. She has always told me; you must be ready for the day. I let that lapse some, my generation doesn’t do near as many hair styles and make up as my mom’s generation did.

I have my car all packed up. Looking for Cindy and Rachel.

Maria had to leave a little earlier, she has a long drive.

“I will miss both of you.” I said.

“Me too, we have to get together at least once a year.” Rachel said.

“Yes, never let it get away from us.” Cindy said.

As I drive off looking in the rear-view mirror, I am thankful for all the good times I had, teachers and the friends I made.

“Hi Mom.” I walked in.

“Beth, you’re home.”

“I know you plan on staying here while looking for your next step, but have you thought about taking a summer off? You have worked hard, and the farm would be a great place to go relax.” Mom smiled.

“I don’t know about that. You haven’t been there in a few years, what would it be like?”

“James is there, taking care of it and the main house is still there. Just think about it.”

I wonder why mom is pushing me to go to the family farm for the summer. I would have thought she would want me to stay here with her after all this time. I only came home for two summer breaks and spent most of that time running around. My grandparents left my mom the farm, my great grandparents started it and have passed it through the family. Mom is the fifth child in her family out of six. Everyone else went different ways. Farming was not for them; a couple of my uncles live in other countries too.

James is close to my mom’s age in his 50’s. Dad died at 50, too early and we miss him terribly. Mom really had to learn everything on her own, bills, the house, taking care of the cars, everything.

My room is still the same, soft twin bed, all my posters on the wall and dressers full of clothes. I will sleep like a baby tonight. As I lay here in bed thinking about the farm and remembering things, I did there as a child, maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

Taking a summer off wouldn’t hurt, I have some savings set aside. Maybe Mom will come visit for a week or so. I don’t know why she hasn’t been there herself in a couple years. That’s it, decision made, I am going to the family farm for the summer.