The Chattel Farmer

Ch 13 Meet Mary

Back in the feed room, Mr. Farber showed me a few things and we started the machines working on the chattel evening meal. “Aaron I tend to have dinner at 5 pm before the evening milking at 6, then I’ll have dessert. If I’m doing the midnight milking then it’s early to bed after that. Would you like to join me at the house for dinner tonight, or eat your meal in your apartment?” Both options sounded great for different reasons. “My mom has been messaging me all day to call her, so as long as I get a chance to do that, I’d like to have dinner at the farm house.” He taps on his wrist unit, probably telling Mary about dinner. I continue, “Is Mary your only family?” Looking up from his wrist unit, “My wife passed away several years ago from a rare cancer. Mary is our only living child. My brothers and sister left the farm as quickly as they could and we’re not close.” Sounded similar to my own family. “It’s just my mom and I for as long as I can remember. My dad didn’t stick around and I don’t think I’ve met any other family members.”

We finished up a few things in the feed room, then I was sent back to my apartment until it was time for dinner. I’d walk over to the farm house when it was time. I called my mom and left her a message since she was still at work. Hopefully we can talk a few minutes after the evening milking. She had replied to my question about the last name that yes her side of the family is connected to the Farbers at this farm a few generations back but we’re about as related as any other stranger on the street. Well, then I guess it would be ok if I dated Mary?

I was in the kitchen working on the spaghetti sauce when I got the message from Daddy that Aaron would be joining us for dinner tonight. I was a little surprised because he doesn’t normally like having the barn helpers around the house much. I nervously rubbed my hands down my jean shorts. My thoughts started racing. Is spaghetti ok? Maybe it would be weird to somebody used to all the fancy things in the big city. I wasn’t planning on making anything for dessert but I probably have time to make little cakes with chattel buttercream frosting. Everyone says my frosting is amazing. If I made dessert, I won’t have time for another shower. But I could probably put on something nicer while the cake cools. This isn’t like me at all – normally I’m really calm but something about Aaron has me all flustered. It might have to do with the flutters I felt low in my stomach when I saw him the first time.

I was home schooled on the data port, but I helped pick fruit and did Agriculture Club with the other kids that live around here. I’ve been around other boys my age but I haven’t really been on a date. I don’t think hanging out with a group of teenagers in the county barn counts as a date. I’m not sure if I should count that time Troy smashed his lips on mine as a first kiss or not. He never messaged me and I wasn’t going to message the jerk. None of those boys gave me flutters. I’ve got a couple of girl friends from that group but they don’t really talk to me since they went off to college and I’m still here. I’m just not book smart and I hate it when they make me feel bad about not wanting to do something I know would make me miserable. Besides I love life at the farm and I’m much better than they are at cooking, gardening, and programing the Auto Feeder in the barn for Daddy. I have no idea what to wear to dinner! I shoot a quick group text message to my girlfriends about what to wear. I’m not holding my breath for an answer. I know Aaron is just here for the summer and that he’s going to a really good University, better than the ones my girlfriends got into. He’ll probably look down on me for not going to college too. That thought makes my heart hurt a little.

My hands have been working while my thoughts have raced all around. I do love cooking and being in the kitchen. I wouldn’t have to do so much from scratch but I really enjoy it and it helps me remember my mom. She was really weak most of the time but she could sit at the counter and teach me what to do so I learned most of her recipes. The spaghetti meat sauce is ready, the salad is ready, the garlic bread is prepped for the oven, and the chocolate cake is going into the oven right now. A quick wipe down of the counters and I’ll run upstairs and get changed. My wrist unit pings. They both answered me! That’s exciting. They want a picture of Aaron – no idea how I’ll get one. They said something blue to match my eyes, and something short to show off my legs. I don’t really have short skirts like they do. When I tried a few years ago it really upset my dad. He didn’t tell me that I couldn’t but after mom died I didn’t want to stress him if I didn’t have to.

I dug through my closet a couple of times and snapped a couple of pictures to be voted on. We settled on a scooped neck turquoise blue shirt with flutters for sleeves. It showed a lot of my embarrassing large cleavage but the girls insisted it was the best choice. They wanted me to wear a slim white skirt that I’d gotten for the formal interview part of an Ag Club project. If I wore that then my Dad would know something was going on, so instead I wore a full white cotton skirt that stopped just above my knees. Each layer was gathered and attached to the one above so it had lots of swish. Checking the time, I don’t have time to do anything different with my hair so I make sure all the wispy bits are slicked back into my high pony tail. Don’t have time and I don’t like wearing much make up anyways so a tiny bit of mascara and fresh coat of lip gloss and I’m calling it done. The girls are full of suggestions on how to sneak a picture of Aaron. I appreciate their help but I don’t know if I can do that – I’m not good at being sneaky. I run down the stairs to ice the cake and set the table.