“Ma, you’re getting carried away. First, he’s not a farmer, he’s a police officer. Second, we haven’t ever talked about ‘whatever this is’ as you say. And third, you always undermine my decisions, and I need you to trust me. And to be there for me whatever I decide. Please, Ma, enough already.”
She leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder.
Christine turned and kissed the top of Mary’s head. “Okay. Okay. Don’t be upset. I trust you. You’re the most brilliant girl I’ve ever known. You’re beautiful. A successful young woman. You have a very bright future.” She put an arm firmly around her daughter. “But do me a favor. Don’t waste time. Life goes by fast, Mary. I don’t want you to look back and wish you’d taken my advice. I’d hate to have you say, ‘You were right, Ma.’”
“Ha! There’s nothing you’d like more than for me to say that!” Mary laughed, wiping a tear away and lifting her head to look at her mom’s face.
“Not on this one, kid. Not on this one.” They both put their arms around each other and hugged tightly.
When she pulled back, Mary said, “The thing is, I really like him. From the moment we first met. I feel like myself when I’m around him” She had tears in her big dark brown eyes. “But I know it’s complicated.”
“All right. We can’t have him see you upset.”
Mary blotted her eyes. “Okay. I’ll pull myself together.”
“That’s my girl. Now let’s step away from all this chicken crap,” Christine said, lightening the mood but seeing what was plain to everyone willing to admit it.
Her daughter was in love.
AFTER EVERYONE ATE,the 4-H kids arrived on a small school bus, and it was time for them to practice their presentations for the upcoming livestock show at the fair. The Taylors did this every year since their boys were young. Grace had run the 4-H club, and anyone under her tutelage always swept up a lot of ribbons.
Joe doled out assignments to the adults—Mary and Jake were given the sheep, Dot and Danny the cows, and Harper and Tommy the rabbits. He and Grace took the pigs.
The Crew had dressed more appropriately for this visit to the farm: old sneakers, cutoff jeans and tank tops.
“This is not a pretty business,” Mary said to Jake, as he helped a young girl set her lamb in the right position for when the judges saw her the following weekend. She wiped her cheek, and the mud transferred from her hand to her cheek. At least she hoped it was mud.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you prettier,” he said. She looked up at him and smiled.
Christine and Tony saw the exchange.
“Oh boy,” Tony said, reaching for his wife’s hand.
“She looks happy,” Christine said. “In fact, Tony, they all do. It’s like getting out of New York for a few months reset their circuits. Must be all this fresh air. Dot doesn’t seem as stressed-out by having to be perfect. And Harper isn’t depressed about that surfer boy anymore.”
“Well, let’s see what it can do for us then,” Tony said, pulling his wife over to Harper and Tommy with the rabbits. Harper was sneezing like crazy because she’d forgotten to take her Zyrtec that morning.
“Bless you!” the kids yelled out after another one of her attacks.
Christine handed Harper a new tissue and gave her a hug. “It’s good to see you, Harper. You seem happy.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Russo.” Harper beamed. “I really am.” She sneezed again.
“Come on now, show us how you’re going to win this thing next week,” Tony said to a young boy feeding a carrot to his rabbit.
Tommy explained to everyone what the judges would be looking for. “So, the judges look at the rabbit’s eyes—they need to be bright and clear. They need to be the correct weight and can’t have any sores or injuries. Healthy fur matters a lot,” he said.
“And what about our little camper?” Tony asked. “Does she get judged, too?”
“Yes, that’s a big part of it.” He gestured for the young girl to get ready to handle her rabbit. “What are some of the things you need to show, Josie? And use your big girl voice, okay?”
The young girl squared her shoulders then confidently said, “I need to be able to handle my rabbit well and to know all of his parts, like the loin and dewlap.” She pointed to the bunny’s parts correctly.
“What else?” Tommy asked.
“I also need to explain how I feed and house him. And keep him safe from disease.”
“Good girl. That’s it!” Tommy was proud of her. He told her she was free to put away her rabbit. After Josie had him inside, Harper helped her secure the cage.