Reordinate the Fate

Second Destination: Helping the Breeder

The morning of the second day has arrived. Max wake up very early this morning because they will have a quick breakfast before visiting the Farm and doing some interesting things there.

"Where is Stevan?" Will asked while put the small pot on the table.

"Oh! That boy! I can't believe he hasn't get out from the tent yet.” Risa who was looking around and realize Stevan's absence immediately got up from her cloth chair and steping into the tent.  The next thing Will can clearly hear is Risa's loud scream along with Stevan who run out from the tent quickly.

“I don’t understand why are you really like finding problems with her in the morning." Will sat and watch Risa coming out from the tent with a tirade.

"Hey, Freak! How many times have I told you that you are prohibited from lying back when I have called you to wake up? Ifyou do it oftenly, you will get used to that sleep-again habit and always be late! If you wake up late again tomorrow, I'll really kick your butt!” Stevan closed his ears when he heard his friend grumbling about his habit.

"Get ready quickly, Stevan. Risa, you can eat the breakfast.” Max interrupted their grumbling. If he not, Risa can grumbling until tomorrow morning.

"The chicken I use for this chicken soup is the last meat ingredient we have in the supplies." said Will, "How about that?"

Max eats the chicken soup casually, "What do you mean by 'what about that'?"

"Our food is running low, Max. How will we fill up our stomach in the future?” Will made his question clear. "It’s easy. We just have to look and hunt for the food. " Max replied, shrugging his shoulders, "We won't depend on the supplies all the time. I already said it, right?"

Will sitting while watching Stevan coming out of the campervan after washing his face. Nobody had showered for today, of course, because there isn't even any bathroom here. Max said they could use the avaiable water and the campervan’s restroom just for short cleaning. The water won't be enough for all to take a shower.

Stevan sit in the remaining chair, between Cliff and Risa, after throwing his toiletries into the tent.  Stevan turned to Cliff who was staring at Risa, and turned to Risa to see a girl who only focused on her chicken soup.

Looking back at Risa's words, the woman must have realized that she was being stared by Cliff, because she had said that she was sensitive about something that took her picture. This is a similar situation. But Stevan also knew that the two people on either side of him were not getting along, so this is the situation.

"So, are we leaving after this?" Stevan begin to feed the chicken soup into his mouth.

"Yes, and because of that, eat quickly." Max made Stevan speed up his chew.

"I'll go wash up." Risa piling up several bowls and spoons that had been used, and also stepping to the cooking table to get the dirty cooking utensils. Cliff get up from the cloth chair and carry his spoon following Risa who had stepped in to wash the dishes in the campervan.

"Let me help you." Cliff offers help to Risa. The girl is silent and keep washing the dishes, ignoring Cliff's words.

Cliff takes the soapy bowl from Risa's hand and rinses it with water. Risa look at him for a while, then wash the spoons. But the same thing happen. Cliff still with the courage to take the spoons that had just Risa soap and rinse it with water. Risa chuckled in annoyance.

Risa take the knife and clean it with soap. Again Cliff take the knife directly from Risa's hand and rinse it with water. "Do it yourself then!" Risa exclaimed in exasperation and throw the dishwasher sponge into the sink. She hurriedly cleans her hands from the soap and leave out of the campervan.

Cliff let out a tired sigh. Why Risa becomes like this? He did not even understand why the girl enlarged such simple problems and made it complicated.

★★★

"Wow, it's really hot! Even though it's still morning. " Stevan looked at the sky that shines brightly today.  There is not a single cloud covered so that it appears light blue completely in all parts.

"We arrive.” After 10 minutes of walking, they arrive at the farm.

Max open a low wooden fence that standing fimly as the entrance to the farm and approaching a modest house that was seen standing straight in the middle of the farm. Risa knock the wooden door and a young woman looked after.

The woman smiled kindly, "You all must be friends of Risa and Stevan. Do you want to get ind and sitting first? My father is feeding the cow with my older brother and mother is weeding the weeds in the backyard.” Max turned to the other four one by one, and then said, "We just knocked to say hello and let you know about our presence.  If you don't mind, can we go on to see the farm, Claire? "

Claire smiling and says, "Of course I don't mind. Alright, let me walk you around."

The woman moves out and closes the house's door. Risa follows and steps her feet beside Claire, while the men are behind them. "This farm belongs to the Odelle family, my surname. We have inherited it from generation to generation."

"Here there are silo and barn. Silo is used to store animals feed that we have processed.  Whereas this barn contains our poultry. There are chickens and some kind of ducks in it. We have some other barns for another purpose too."  Stevan can see the two largest buildings on this farm.  Stand perfectly in the left of the Odelle family's modest house.

"Then we go to the back area. Behind here, there is a livestock-food-making machine and it is our farm forage plants. We are growing several types of grass and staples that are often used as simple animal feed. It's efficient to save the cost of purchasing animal feed." Claire calling out an old lady who seemed to be mowing the grass,

"Hi, Mrs. Odelle!” Risa shouting to greets Mrs. Odelle and then the old lady waving to them.

"Now we're going to the left side of the farm. There are the rest of our livestock. There are cows, goats, and some sheep." When they arrived on the left side, they saw 3 large cowshed, goat pen, and sheepfold. The livestock noises and distinctive aromas of farms can be smelled clearly. "That is my father and brother." Claire pointed at the two men who were busy with cows.

"Lastly on the front. There is a small garden that contains simple vegetables and fruits. "  Claire looked at the garden that's not really small like she said. "Chili, tomato, lemon, some kinds of berries, and even sweet potatoes." she pointed it.

"What about this building?" asked Cliff, pointing at a building similar to the barn in front of the farm. Stand simmetrically to each other.

"That's another barns I’ve just said. There are two on the right and left. Inside here in the left, there are our pigs, and there is a storage area for our livestock in the right side barn. There was also milk that we deposited there. Later you can try the cream that we made.” Risa looks happily at Stevan. The boy nodded and patted his best friend's back.

"Your farm is huge. Do your family do everything yourself?" Cliff asked again, as we can expect from a curious littlr boy.

Claire replied, "We have 3 workers. But they only come when cattle are ready to be taken at the same time. It’s like around September and April for our farm. Now is not the time for that, so we are still able to do it ourselves. We have been working on it for decades and for generations. So it's not a hard thing anymore.” The young woman continued, "Even so, we are still glad you want to come and helpinh us."

"Speaking of which, where do we start?” Stevan looked around.

"Wherever  you want to. It's up to you guys." Claire thought, "Now I'm making bread and some organic jam. If you are interested, you can help me in the house."

Stevan pushes Risa's back so the girl take a few steps forward, "You started to interest in cooking for a few days, haven't you? You can also try baking." Stevan said that when Risa will juat open her mouth and protest. Risa close her lips and nodded in the end, "Be a little elegant and just bakkng with Miss Odelle, Freak."

"All right, Freak." Risa stuck out her tongue nosily to Stevan, afterwards said to Claire, "I will come with you."

"Okay, then I will go helping Mrs. Odelle whom is alone.” Stevan said, "You too, don't you, Cliff?"  Again the boy asked for Cliff's approval. Cliff, who was about to speak that he want to help Risa baking, nod his head when Stevan stared with meaning, 'This is not the right time to make up'. The man exhaled in annoyance, "Yes, I'll go with him."

"Will and I will go to the cowshed." Max close their conversation about tasks's parting and all of them scatter to their respective places.

★★★

"My family likes seeds and nuts. They say it's good for the digestion. So I always make bread with wheat mixture.” Risa nodded in understanding with Claire's explanation. Now they are in the Odelle family's kitchen. Not really big, but having all the equipment required for cooking completely.

"Can you help knead this dough?" Claire then opened the cloth cover and Risa can see a big bowl with bread dough that seemed to be fllufed inside. “I’ll show you the technique." Claire showed it once before Risa do it.

At the cowshed, Will and Max meet with the owner of the farm, Mr. Odelle, and his son, "Good morning, Sir."  Will greets him politely, followed by Max, who bowing slightly.

"Hoho! Good morning! Such a beautiful day, right? The sky is very blue today.” Both of them were mixing some ingredients, "We are making cow feed. Usually It is called vour." This time a man in his early 30s spoke. The man stood up and take off his gloves, then reach out to Max and Will to shake hands,

"I'm Patrick. Nice to meet you."

"Hoho! You certainly will not just be quiet and staying there, young people?” Mr. Odelle spoke again after Will and Max mentioned their names to Patrick, "Take your gloves and wear boots there. We'ee starting now. There are still many cattles that are hungry this morning."

In contrast to working with animals, Cliff and Stevan headed to the back of the farm to meet Mrs.  Odelle, "Hi, Mrs.  Odelle! Can we help you with something?" Mrs. Odelle who was grazing the grass turning her head to both of them.

(((((

"Hi! I can see the excitement in your eyes. Teeenagers in this generation are filled up with such an amazing spirit. I love it." Mrs. Odelle moves to take something.

"It's not all the time we're like this, Mrs. Odelle. Especially him. You have to meet him in the earlymorning when he just woke up. That's when you will see his lazy -real- character. It feels like We can get hypertension slowly if we wake up thi— Damn!  Why did you hit me ?!"

Stevan hissed with a sharp look after clasping the back of Cliff's head, "Don't talk about me and mocking me, little boy."

Cliff grunted to Stevan, "Stop calling me child, lazy bum!"

Mrs. Odelle approach them with two sickles while chuckling, "You two look very much on good terms."  Ignoring the words of the wife of the owner of the farm, both stare at each other and look away afterwards.

The woman handed the sickle to them afterwards, "Today we will take grass for fodder and clean the weeds. After that, we will go to the front garden to harvest some fruits and vegetables.”

"Yes, Mrs. Odelle!” said both at the same time.

So, here is it! They're all busy with their respective activities in the morning until the sunlight getting brighter in the afternoon.

★★★

Day have passed along with their busy activities. The sun again begin to show the yellowish color. "What if we bring this bread to the terrace? We can eat it with the others."

"Great idea." Risa immediately picked up the tray containing pieces of bread with a small butter bowl and also a jar of peanut butter and blueberry jam located beside the bread. "You can go out first and call everyone. I will make honey tea for all.” Risa nodded and walking out while carrying the bread tray in her hand.

Risa placed the tray she was carrying on the wooden bench table at the front of the house. The sunset rays started to appear, making Risa feels relax because of the orange rays emitted. Risa stepped her feet to call Stevan and Mrs. Odelle, whom she could see in the garden not far from her,

"Mrs. Odelle, Stevan, we will have a snack time. Let's eat the bread while it's still warm.” Both of them standing up from their squatting positions. Stevan's face showing that he is exhausted. His face is sweaty and slightly blackened from being under the hot sunlight all the day.

"We will come soon." Reply Mrs. Odelle.

Stevan said afterward, "Will is in ‘the barn for storing crops' to put potatoes and tomatoes that we just harvested. Try calling him there."

Risa looked doubtful, "Should I?"

Stevan chuckled, "Yeah! Who else can it be? I want to wash my hands.” The boy did not seem to accept the awkwardness reason between Risa and Cliff.

Risa decided to go to the chowshed area first to look for the others. But apparently they are in the another part of the savannah. Seems watching the crowd of sheep that grazed freely in the open land of savannah not far from the farm.

"Mr. Odelle, good afternoon! There are still-warm-bread on the front terrace. I was asked to call all of you to eat together.” The four men turned their face to Risa and then nodded. "Let's go then." Risa look around the savannah and said,

"How about your sheep?" Risa pointed at the sheep that were still running free and grazing the savannah.

"No problem. There is a herding dog." Mr. Odelle turned and shouted, "Bark!" A medium-sized black dog barks and running around. "It names is Bark." Will speak to Risa and pointed at the dog.

After that they headed to the front terrace, the bench. "Where is Cliff?" Max asked Stevan. Stevan instead appointed Risa, "She will call him now. Right?” Risa nodded forcefully and walking towards the barn. She enters the open barn and see a boy tidying up a piles of sacks by himself.

"Ekhm." Risa is confused about how to get Cliff's attention and end up with nothing other than a throat-clearing sound.

The boy turns his head and feels a little surprised, "Oh, hi!" He said relaxly afterwards. "Do you want to help me? Luckily, you don’t need to do that. I just finished placing the sack i— "

"No.” cut Risa. "Time for snack." The girl turned around afterwards. Cliff chuckles when the girl again behave strangely to him.

Cliff follows Risa's steps after closing the big door of barn. "Risa, wait!"

Cliff aligned steps with the girl and says, "Why are you like this, huh? I apologized about what I did yesterday. Why do you keep acting weird, even looking angry at me? I don't even understand where my mistake is!”

Risa stopped her step, "I'm sorry for looking angry."  The woman stared at Cliff for a moment, "But I'm not angry, I just feel weird and awkward being around you for now." Risa steps his feet again, leaving Cliff behind.

★★★

"Jeez! I am really tired!"

Risa pulls Stevan's hand to stand up from his cloth chair, "Come on! We have to cook!” The sun is almost completely set. They can ses the sky is purple. Max made another campfire with a lighter because they turned it off this morning.

"Stevan! Stand up now!" Risa ruffled her waist. Stevan snorted and finally stand up. "Today we'll cook boiled eggs and vegetable salads."  Risa encourages Stevan to move behind the cooking table by pushing his back, "Don't forget to boil the cow's milk."

Cliff came from inside the campervan, "Here are the ingredients. I washed it."

"Will, you can handle the excreement tank now." Will chuckled, "I hate taking care of that thing. Help me, little boy."

Cliff protested again, "You all really can't stop calling me little boy, huh?" Even so, the teenager approach Will to help him.

"Throw away the excrete in the gutters around the highway." Max came out of the campervan, "Looks like there won't be enough water until the next destination. I will ask Mr. Odelle for water in two days."

"Oh! Can I learn to drive the campervan, Max?” Risa suddenly said it in enthusiasm. Max looks at the woman for a moment, before nodding, "Even if I said no, you will continue to forcing." Max apparently already knows Risa's 'escaper' character.

Risa looks at Stevan who had boiled water and put the five eggs he had taken earlier. After eating the bread, they are welcome to enter the barn storage of the farm and take whatever they need for dinner. Stevan chose eggs and vegetables such as tomatoes, corn, lettuce, and potatoes.  Stevan didn’t see some of the plant of the vegetables in the garden. Mrs. Odelle said that they change plants in the garden every season.

"You just watched? Help me cut vegetables, elegant girl.” said as he was shaving corn with a knife. Risa reaches for another knife and cuts tomatoes. "I have always been an elegant girl. Why did you just mention that now?"

"You used to look more coquettish than elegant." Risa pointing her knife to Stevan, "I would have killed you if you were not my friend, Freak!" The girl again cut the tomatoes despiting Stevan's chukcle. He saw Stevan cutting breads into cubes, "Are we going to use bread too?" The boy nodded, "We also need carbohydrates and fiber."

Risa thought when she saw all the vegetables on the cooking table, "But this is all fiber."

"You're right too." Stevan just shrugged his shoulders, "I was wrong then." Doesn't seems he feels wrong.

Ten minutes later, Stevan raised the eggs and throw out the remaining cooking water. "Please bring the glass bottle from the table in front of you." The glass bottle contains cow's milk. "I'll boil it now."

"Do any of us have lactose intolerance? It could be troublesome if you experience digestive problems on this place.” Max, who was sitting in a cloth chair, get up and handed a bottle of milk to Stevan.

"I don’t." Stevan and Risa answered together.

"We'll just ask the other later." Stevan continued while pouring olive oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper that Max had bought from the beginning to supply food seasonings. He also squeeze the lemon he had taken from the barn.

"I'm finish!” Max put down the food and a small pot of hot milk few moments later. The boy sit back in the cloth chair tiredly, "Jeez! I am really tired." He repeat the sentence he had said earlier.

 ★★★