The Chattel Farmer

Ch 18 Dinner Test

As I cross the yard between the barn and the house, I realized that I’m really excited about spending more time with Mary. I know this isn’t a date but I haven’t felt like this since my puppy love girlfriend in high school. I walk around the porch so I can go through the more casual side door that is close to the kitchen area. Delicious but unfamiliar smells fill my nose when I open the door. “Hey Mary, it smells really good! Are you finally going to tell me what’s for dinner?” I round the corner into the kitchen and see her perfect ass sticking up as she’s bent over in a tight skirt. She finishes sliding a tray into what I think is an oven, turns and flashes me a great smile “That is dessert going into the oven! You are going to have beans and cornbread tonight. It’s one of dad’s favorites.” I wish I had a reason to touch her and I start to wonder about what kissing her would be like and quickly cut of that thought before things start happening in my boxers. “No surprise, but I’ve never had that but since you made it I’m sure I’m going to love it. Can I help with something?” She blushes a bit and hits my arm “Oh stop! Can you put that tray of fresh veggies on the table?”

“With my manly strength, I pick up this small tray because I’m the hero!” I tease her. She burst out laughing, “The movie was not that bad! There was good acting!” Over the last few days I’d discovered that she’d seen this year’s record breaking chick flick movie that I’d been dragged to by a causal date. The male lead was very popular with girls but so bad in my opinion. I rolled my eyes and gave her a look. She responded “Well, ok fine, he wasn’t very good but the girl was great!” I followed her towards the table and put the tray down where she pointed.

Mr. Farber joined us in the dining room, greeting his daughter with a hug and kiss. I watch how the two of them serve the food and do the same thing, putting the golden bread on my plate and scooping beans into my bowl. Mary and her dad start arguing about the best way to eat the beans. He like them spicy with the jalapenos and she likes them with green onions. I act like a referee and agree to try it both ways. After putting some butter on the warm cornbread I take a bite – it’s amazing! I try a small bite of the beans. It’s a different flavor and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Then I have Mary help me flavor it her way and that bite is much better. Of course then I have to try it Mr. Farber’s way. I like the kick of spice too.

“Well, it’s a tough decision.” I take another bite of corn bread and chew it slowly. “They are both good but . . .” I chew another bite. “Aaron!” Mary growls in frustration. “Mary you can’t rush these important decisions!” I see Mr. Farber has a small smile. “The best way to eat beans in the summer is with green onions.” Mary crows in triumph. “BUT” I say loudly over her noise, “the best way to eat them during cold weather is spicy.” Mary is play pouting, but Mr. Farber has a warm smile. “Nicely done, Aaron.” When we take turns talking about what we are grateful for I say my mom. Mr. Farber talks about Mary being a big help with births, and Mary says that she’s grateful for strawberry shortcake. As I’m helping clean up after dinner, I hear Mary say that she’s going to change and then check on Molly.

As the guys head out to the barn, I dial the vet while looking up Molly on the data port that stays in the house most of the time. I’ve been checking the data from the sensors about every hour, and I like what I’ve been seeing. The calves are not stressed, and the contractions are mild and irregular. The vet, Mrs. Jones, is a friend of my dad’s and has been a mother figure to me growing up so I usually call her Cora. We have a nice chat about Molly’s case. Mrs. Jones lets me take the lead talking about the data and what it could mean. She agrees with my assessment to use a muscle relaxer to stop the contractions, and to start a series of steroid shots to develop the calves’ lungs. Unless labor is further along than it looks from the data, and I’ve been doing pelvic exams for a long time so I’m not worried about handling that. The case doesn’t take that much time to discuss, so talk turns to what’s new at the farm lately. I share the news, including our new summer intern Aaron. While I’m up in my room getting changed into some barn clothes, Cora asks me if Aaron is hot. I blush, “Cora! Why would you ask me that?” Cora’s warm laugh fills the room, “So he is hot! I knew it! Do you like him?” I’m finished changing so I head down the stairs, “I hardly know him. We’ve had him over to the house for dinner a couple times this week. Tonight he had beans and cornbread for the first time, can you believe it?!” Cora, uh hums at me. “And what dishes did you use tonight, dear?” I’m walking on the path to the barn. “I used the nice stoneware pottery, ok?” Cora chuckles, “Oh you do like him! Tell me what he looks like?” I pull open the office door, “I’m at the barn now, can’t talk, got to go now!” and end the call.

Mr. Farber and I head over to the barn to start the evening milking. I ask how Molly is doing. “From what Mary said about the data from the sensors, she’s not in real labor and the calves are not stressed. This is a good thing because we’d really like her to carry those calves for at least one more week and two weeks would be better. Mary will do an exam and talk with the vet. Normally at 36 weeks gestation we start collecting the gold – I mean the first milk, but with twins we wait to 37 or 38 weeks. Molly’s stall mate is also 36 weeks now so tonight we’ll start collecting her first milk. There is a risk to starting early labor doing this so we start at 36 weeks so that if labor starts the calf should live. We use the special pumps, like we do for Snow.” I start getting the first wave of double crème cross chattel connected to the pumps, while Mr. Farber goes to get the pregnant heifer.