My Everything

Telephone Love

Spring, it had brought with it crops on the farm. This was only one step of the battle. I stood with my pitchfork in the ground viewing the scenery. It was a picturesque view of wild flora and fauna. Life had truly picked up both on the range and on the farm. The warmer weather brought with it an influx of curious travelers venturing over to the range. In addition, the combination of sunlight, warmer temperature and occasional rain showers welcomed the growth of surplus amounts of produce that kept the livestock robust and encouraged reproduction. Still it was not enough.

It had only been a few weeks since Barba’s return to the city and my hands were full. The three jobs I worked to meet everyone’s need ensured that I hardly slept. I wiped the sweat from my face despite living with two other fully employed individuals, it often felt like I was the only one fighting to keep the farm. Mark and Julie were still coming in drunk most nights. Mum and the kids preferred to confide in me more often than not. Mom, I knew she was affected by it even if she didn’t know the truth I couldn’t tell her how much strain I was under. I had to bare it for her sake and the kids at least.

As if on the mark they were running through the fields in my general direction. No doubt giving mom trouble to get inside and coming to check up on me. Their love was undeniable, as they often asked how I was doing. The kids always tried to help when I have to pick the vegetables and when they got the hang of it; it tooked a load off my shoulder. It warmed my heart to teach them and to see their keen interest to help. It really brightened what would have been an otherwise gloomy day.

Despite mum not being able to see well, she had many much-desired qualities. I don’t know what I would do without her. Recently, she has been concerned about me not having anyone special in my life. She always gave me stories about how my dad gave her a reason to wake up every morning. She reiterated constantly her desire to see me happy and to have someone to share the beauty of life with. I completely agreed with her. I understood the value of a relationship and good friends to share some laughter or a glass of wine but I had a vision. It was my dream to develop the farm and have it at the stage where it could sustain itself. Besides, I tried relationships before and they had truly been hopeless.

My typical day had truly metamorphosed in a short time. It felt like I hardly had time to worry or feel sad. Starting at dawn, there was always plenty to do from digging carrots, beets and potatoes to picking apples, strawberries and spinach. Once the daily yield was collected, there were more crops to plant. Lately, mum had really been getting her hands dirty, helping to till the soil and prepare the beds. She liked the early morning fresh air, and it seemed to help clear her mind. The gardening did wonders on her body and she seemed to laugh a lot more. In addition, her vital signs reading blew the doctor’s mind on her last visit. She was eating fresh spinach and tomatoes daily and couldn’t sleep without turmeric milk or ginger tea. It was a beautiful feeling to produce most of what we ate. After tilling, the soil mum and I milked the cows and the goats and collected eggs from the layers. We mostly ate poultry and once a week we would have either pork, mutton or beef. Once my morning duties were completed, I checked into the range to work for a few hours before returning home to make dinner. While I was out, mum and the kids took turns looking after each other. They were becoming more independent as time went by. There were fewer spills to clean and less bed-wetting, and they could make peanut butter sandwiches on their own when they got hungry and often made sure mum ate as well. The older ones were experimenting with more foods and I often left cold cuts out for them. When time permitted, I also taught them new skills in the kitchen. I was equally happy to see mum moving around more; she even played with the kids from time to time.

My wrist watched ticked as I sigh. It was time to get ready for my next job.

                                                                           ***

Thursday evening as I was returning from the range, I noticed the overcast sky and grey clouds. I vaguely remembered Lisa saying that it was going to be a chilly night, but I had promised mum that I would clean the animal stables and collect manure to make fertilizer for the plants. Mum always told me if I had a goal, I had to go after it, no matter what, if I ever wanted to actualize it.

On returning home, I quickly changed and got directly to the task. I knew I had to be swift before the rains came in and I had to feed the dogs before going in for dinner. I filled three bags of manure and was halfway through cleaning when I noticed my phone ringing. I took a moment before answering as the call broke my concentration. It was Barba, but I had to keep it brief. She was asking about the new mobile. The idea of setting it up terrified me, and I was too embarrassed to say. I tried to set it up a few days ago but became quickly frustrated. After the brief call, my mind began to play tricks on me. I couldn’t help but wonder what a city girl like Barba wanted with a small town country girl like me. I wondered what life would be like if I didn’t have to work three jobs, take care of mum and there were no bank debts. I envisioned the lucrative sales. The business meeting corporate events, fancy cars, clothes, and the regular fine dining. However, I felt a little bad for her and thought to myself how lonely it must be to eat alone and hear your own voice on your return home. I wouldn’t give up the nosey citizens of Notaridge or my loud and dysfunctional family for the world. An element of peace and love came with rural living and I don’t think I would be able to survive without it. The night became cold and windy as time passed by. I could practically smell the rain that was coming. I quickly fed the dogs and stacked the manure piles together. I knew mum, and the kids were getting worried and were waiting for me to eat. They were all looking forward to spaghetti night. Despite being exhausted, I also promised the little ones a short play date before bed.

Once we had eaten and the kids went to bed, I found myself in the living room chair, contemplating whether I should try setting up the phone again or head in for the night. As I was about to get up from the table, my phone rang.

“Hi Barba, how is everything going?”

“It’s been a bit busy, but it seems like you’re experiencing the same thing. How is Notaridge these days, your mum, the kids, your brother and sister? “

“Things have really picked up since you left and the farm really has my hands full.”

“Your brother and sister still leaving all the work to you?”

“Mark and Julie will always be Mark and Julie, but mum and the kids have really been helping out. We were able to make some money from the yields of the farm. Soon I’ll be able to pay the bank and I won’t have to worry about losing it all.”

“I am happy for you that things have improved, but I can’t help but be concerned that your siblings aren’t being more responsible. They need to act their age…hey by the way, how’s setting up the new phone coming? Maybe I can help you before I go and we can video chat for a short while.”

“Okay, so far I was only able to charge it.”

“Okay, no problem. If you hold down the large rectangular button on the side, the phone will come on. It already has a sim card in it. The wizard will help you set up the phone, and I’ll stay on the line in case you run into trouble. I also got you a data plan so I can hear you when you don’t have wireless. I will handle the charges from over here.”

“Wow Barba, thank you, you really didn’t have to.”

“I really wanted to help. You work hard, plus it will help you do research to get ideas for managing the farm.”

“Uh…Ok, I’ll try but don’t know yet, I can’t make any promises.”

“Ok Diane, just try to if you run into trouble. Just give me a call back or video call me. I really have to go now, I have an urgent call coming through from work.”

“Ok, have a goodnight Barba.”

“Goodnight, Diane, hear you soon.”

                                                                      ***

As time went by, I communicated more with Barba. It almost felt like she was still in Notaridge as we shared everything from images, life updates and chatted via text or even video calls daily. She even sometimes called in the morning to make sure I didn’t oversleep and miss my farming time, especially when we chatted for long periods the previous night. I was glad I had met her and took her advice. I did some research to make improvements to the farm. I got accustomed to the new mobile and became more curious about learning new things. Apart from talking to Barba, I was also now able to listen to music and watch movies to help relieve some of the pressure I was experiencing. I even joined an online marketplace to sell some of the produce on the farm.

If mum was right about one thing, it was that good friends and loved ones nourish happier days. However, as a new friendship grows, so do what ifs and the maybes. The thought of the connection between Barba and me being short-lived made me feel a bit uneasy. Barba’s intellect was compelling, and she always seemed to know how to fix situations. She was a true inspiration and encouraged me to strive for a better version of myself. I had gotten used to her warmth, comfort and patience; the absence of these things at an otherwise jarring moment of my life would probably leave me unstable. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around where these thoughts even came from, this wasn’t me! What I did know is that I had to quiet this mentality fast. No matter how I tried, I found myself asking, was it odd that I felt so scared of losing someone who was merely a stranger two seconds prior?

I went to bed that night with all these things on my mind, but was able to find comfort in how life had been progressing lately. I went to the bathroom, washed my face, ran the toothbrush over last night’s breath, and hurriedly brushed my unkempt strands. I then leaped onto the bed and grabbed my phone to video call Barba, smiling from ear to ear. The phone didn’t ring long before she picked up.

“Someone looks happy this morning.”

“Barba! I just wanted to say thanks.”

Barba Chuckled. “It’s nothing, anything I can do to help. I should be there so we could go out to celebrate. I’m going to send you something nice so you’ll always remember your strength.”

Diane moved her hair out of her face and smiled at Barba with a shy gaze. “You really don’t have to, you have done so much already and I appreciate all your encouragement.”

“I want to, you deserve it! This is an accomplishment and be proud. Ok, Diane, let’s get our day started. I have an early day and you ‘Ms. Boss Lady’ have to work on your farm.”

“Ok Barbs, hear you this evening.”

“Sure thing!”