My Hometown

by SJD Peterson

  “We weren’t sure if you’d be keeping him on since most of the livestock’s been sold. The other hands have moved on to other farms, and I know Scott has been looking at other options, but I’m not sure he’s found anything to suit him.”

  “He can stop looking,” Jimmy insisted. “I’ll be spending a lot of time at the hospital, so I’m going to need someone to help out.” Jimmy leaned over and in a stage whisper added, “Not only does Oliver not do mornings, he’s not real keen on manual labor.”

  His mom’s eyes went wide for an instant as she stared at him, and then she smiled. “Well, at least he’s cute.”

  “He does have that going for him,” Jimmy agreed.

  “Which reminds me, I ran into Peg Halter at the market yesterday. She said Eric’s been asking about you.”

  “And why does Oliver’s cuteness remind you of Eric? I think he might take offense to that.”

  “You don’t think Eric’s cute?”

  “That’s not what I meant, but no, not even a little bit,” Jimmy drawled.

  “Boy, there is a special place in hell for young’uns who lie to their mamas.”

  “Good thing I’m not lying, then, isn’t it? Eric is far too manly to be cute.”

  “He is very handsome, isn’t he? And he doesn’t mind mornings or hard work either.” She took a sip of her coffee without looking at him.

  Jimmy recognized the suggestive tone in her voice. “He’s also my best friend.”

  “Your dad is mine.”

  “Yup, he is. He and Dad have another thing in common.”

  “Something more than being manly and hard workers?”

  “Straight,” Jimmy pointed out.

  Mom waved a dismissive hand. “A small inconvenience considering all his positive attributes, wouldn’t you say?”

  Jimmy chose to respond by laughing and shaking his head. It wasn’t the first time Mom had hinted about Eric as a good match for Jimmy. His parents adored Eric, but his best friend’s sexuality was more than a small inconvenience. It was a huge barrier, one that couldn’t be overcome no matter how much he or his mom wished otherwise.

  Downing the rest of his coffee, Jimmy pushed to his feet. “I’m going to grab another cup. Can I get you one?”

  “Sure,” she said and gulped down the rest of hers before handing him the mug. “I set some muffins out on the counter. Grab a couple of those too, will ya?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Being quiet so as not to wake anyone, Jimmy loaded up a tray with a carafe of coffee, some cream, sugar, spoons, napkins, and a couple of blueberry muffins. He brought his load out to the porch and set it on the table between the rockers before returning to his seat.

  “I would have thought Dad would be up by now,” he commented as he filled their mugs.

  “He’s already up and gone.”

  “Really? I didn’t hear him get up.”

  “That’s ’cause your sorry tail was still in bed sleeping half the day away when he left,” Mom teased.

  “Six in the morning is not wasting half the day. Besides, I was up much later than the old man’s eight o’clock bedtime. Where’d he go anyway?”

  “He and Mr. Burker went to the cattle auction.”

  Jimmy pulled the paper from one of the muffins and popped a small amount into his mouth as he went back to enjoying the sunrise. “He’s really going to miss this place, isn’t he?”

  “How could he not? He’s farmed this land for forty years. But if we stay, he’ll never relax. There’s too much to do around this place. He’s getting old, Jimmy. It’s time for him to put his feet up and enjoy life, and he can’t do that here. He won’t.”

  “But—”

  “I know what you’re going to say,” Mom interrupted. “And the answer is no, I did not pressure him into moving to Florida.”

  “I wasn’t going to say that. I was just curious as to how Scott was with power tools and building permits?”

  “Not sure, why?”

  “Seeing as there might not be enough work to keep Scott busy, maybe he could spend some time building an addition. You know, sort of like an in-law suite but in this case for a grumpy old man and a meddling mother.”

  “You know you’re not too old for me to turn over my knee.”

  Jimmy popped the rest of the muffin in his mouth and held his hands up in a defensive gesture at his mom’s scowl. “Now, now, Mrs. Brink, simmer down there.”

  “Then I suggest you mind your p’s and q’s.”

  Washing down his muffin, Jimmy turned to his mom and with all seriousness asked, “So I take it you don’t approve of Oliver?”

  “I never said that.”

  “You didn’t have to. You’re still trying to hook me up with Eric so it’s only logical I’d come to the conclusion you don’t feel as if Oliver is right for me.”

  “He’s nice.”

  “That’s not what I asked.”

  Mom was silent for a long time, nursing her coffee and staring out over the landscape, a thoughtful expression on her face.

  “Well,” he nudged.

  “To avoid the risk of becoming that meddling mom, I’m simply going to say, if you feel he’s right for you, then that’s all that matters.”

  Jimmy wanted to push the issue, but it was pointless when Mom added, “There’s Scott. Why don’t you go see if he needs some help?”

  Jimmy set his mug aside, grabbed his boots, and pulled them on. “I know when I’m being dismissed, but this isn’t over.”

  “Yes, dear,” Mom responded with a curt nod and a tone that had surely frustrated his dad for many years. It was one that screamed “I’m agreeing with you for now but just to make you shut up.”

  Jimmy trudged down the back stairs with a wave and met Scott in front of the barn. “Hey, Scott. I’m all yours to boss around today as long as it doesn’t involve any kind of shit.”

  Scott cocked his head and chuckled. He took the offered hand, shook it, and patted Jimmy on the shoulder with his other hand. “I see you haven’t changed a bit.”

  “Sure I have,” Jimmy assured him with a sly smile. “Being back home and smelling that wonderful aroma coming from the barn has made me appreciate you all the more.”

  “Uh-huh. I already let the horses out, so only one more chore to do. C’mon, I have a pitchfork with your name on it.”

  “Why did I know you were going to say that?” Jimmy grumbled and followed Scott into the barn.

  “Stop your fussin’. You sound like one of those pansy city slickers.” Scott handed him a pitchfork and then pointed toward the corner. “Wheelbarrow’s over there.”

  “That’s because I am a city slicker,” Jimmy responded.

  “No, you’re a wannabe, but you’re home now and we got chores to do.”

  Jimmy pushed the wheelbarrow into the first stall, rolled up his sleeves, and retrieved the pitchfork. “You know, I was going to ask you to stay on, but I’m now having some serious reservations. You’re too bossy.”

  “I’ll take the job,” Scott said with a grin. “You’ll thank me later.”

  It was the same argument Scott had made numerous times when Jimmy would complain about having to do chores before school. He doubted he’d ever be thankful for shit. Jimmy huffed out a frustrated breath and got to work.

  “You know, you sound like a broken record.”

  “Gonna keep saying it too until I get my thank-you.”

  “Don’t hold your breath,” Jimmy teased.

  “You made any plans for what you’re going to do with this place once your dad moves?”

  “Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it. I only have a couple weeks off before I start my residency, and then I’m not going to be around a lot. Figure when I’m home, I’ll be catching up on sleep, studying, and hiding from you and your obsession with shoveling shit.”

  “Now who’s sounding like a broken record?”

  The two of them finished filling the wheelbarrow and Jimmy pulled it from the stal
l, moving it to the next as Scott spread fresh straw.

  “I have time,” Scott commented when he joined Jimmy.

  “Time for what?”

  “To run this place.”

  Jimmy propped his arm on the handle of the fork and rested his chin on it. “We already sold off the livestock.”

  Scott hopped up on the top rung of the gate. “I’ve been giving it a lot of thought, even before your old man considered retiring. He was making a decent living each month, but this land is a gold mine that was never used to its full potential.”

  “Really?” Jimmy asked, his interest piqued. Scott had become the backbone of the farm while Dad had been battling cancer. Without a complaint, he’d stepped up and done twice the work, never asking for a raise or any kind of recognition. No doubt, Scott loved this land as much as the old man. Jimmy was sad he hadn’t ever felt the same way.

  “Yup, I even have a financial plan. I’ve been doing that hunt and peck into one of those computer programs. Nothing official, just something I’ve been playing with for the past year.”

  “I’d love to see it.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure, I don’t have an aversion to gold mines.”

  “Just shit.”

  “Bingo. Now let’s get this done and I’ll check out your plans for this place.”

  “Cool.”

  SCOTT HADN’T just been playing with numbers, he’d put together an impressive portfolio. Farming trends and predictions. Costs vs. profits, each item broken down into daily, weekly, yearly, and future projections.

  Jimmy sat back in his chair and ran his fingers through his hair. “Wow, I’m truly impressed.”

  Scott met Jimmy’s gaze, looking pleased as punch, but humbly said, “Like I said, I was just playing with it.”

  “Playing or not, this is really good.”

  “Can’t take all the credit. Eric’s the one who got me thinking on it.”

  “Eric Halter?” Jimmy asked in surprise.

  “Yeah, he was bitching about pesticides and the effect on the environment. Asked me about organic methods he could use instead of that toxic shit.”

  “Has Eric seen this?” Jimmy pointed to the computer.

  Scott shook his head. “I was going to approach him about it. You know, a backup plan if I lost my job.”

  “I think you should show him. I’m not saying you’ve dreamed too big, but to pull this off, you’re going to need this land and his. Do we have the funds to set this in motion?”

  “I got a couple of bucks in my piggy bank.” Scott looked dejected.

  “I meant the farm,” Jimmy clarified, already running numbers in his mind. He was tapped out, the college fund his grandpa had left him nearly spent after eight years of school, and he was going to need every dime he had left and then some before he was finished. Although he’d now be pulling a paycheck from the hospital, it wasn’t much.

  “I don’t know,” Scott said and pushed up from his chair and started to pace. He bit at the side of his thumb, a scowl on his face. “I never felt comfortable talking to your dad about stuff like this. Didn’t feel it was my place, and once I found out he wanted to retire, I figured the point was moot. It’s just a dream anyway. You know, in case I won the lottery.”

  Jimmy stood and laid his hand on Scott’s shoulder. “I’ll talk to Dad, but I really think you should talk to Eric about this too. In fact, why don’t you give him a call and ask him to come out and the three of us can discuss it after I’ve talked to Dad.”

  “Okay, any certain day or time?”

  “Whenever it’s convenient for you and Eric. Just let me know and I’ll make sure Dad and I are there.” Jimmy checked his watch, surprised he’d spent two hours with Scott. Oliver should be getting up soon. “I gotta get back up to the house. Holler at me when you have it set up.”

  “Will do.”

  Jimmy waved good-bye and walked out the door. He stood on Scott’s porch for a moment, the sun now fully above the horizon and the cool morning starting to give way to the warmth of the sun. For all he’d bitched about this place when he was growing up, yearned to get the hell away from it, the idea of seeing it prosper and grow put a huge smile on his face. The fact that Eric would be involved was icing on the cake.

  His friendship and the good times he had with Eric while growing up were some of the best he had. A chance to relive some of those good times caused his heart rate to kick up, and he strolled toward the house, feeling better than he had in a very long time.

  Chapter Three

  ALREADY KNOWING the answer, Eric looked down at the display on his phone to make sure by some remote chance he hadn’t heard his cell or felt the vibration. Sure enough, there was no missed call or waiting text notification. He shoved it back into his pocket before he could give in to the urge to throw it across the room. Jimmy had been back in town for two days and he hadn’t bothered to give Eric a call. He wasn’t sure why he was so surprised, considering Jimmy hadn’t even told him he was moving back home. Only reason he knew about it was from his mom.

  Growing up they had been inseparable, their friendship the one thing that broke up the monotony of working the farm. Hell, when he and Jimmy did chores together, it had hardly felt like work at all. Sure, he still ended up with blisters on his hands, a sore back, and stinking by the end of the day. But they’d kept each other laughing, pulling foolish pranks on each other and making what should have been a miserable job fun.

  That was a long time ago, he reminded himself.

  Jimmy had moved on to fulfill his dream of being a doctor, and Eric…. Well, he was still here doing what he’d always done, but with much less enthusiasm than he once had.

  “Hey, Eric, you want to come give me a hand?” Eric’s dad called from outside the barn.

  “Be right there,” he yelled back. He finished coiling the ropes at his feet, hung them on a nail, and joined his dad, who was fiddling with the old tractor.

  “What’s up?”

  Dad pushed his cap back on his head and wiped his brow with the back of his forearm, his hands covered in black grease.

  “I can’t figure this darn thing out. I’ve changed the plugs, checked the battery, and I can’t get it to turn over.”

  “Did you check to make sure there’s gas in it?”

  “It’s got a full tank, you smartass. I filled it up before I put it away last week.” Dad set his hat back on his head, pulling it down over his brow and shading his eyes from the bright afternoon sun. “Damn thing’s so old it’s probably best to put it out to pasture.”

  Eric pulled up the hood and checked the tank. “It’s out of gas, you old fart,” Eric teased. “Maybe it’s you who needs to be put out to pasture.” He jumped just in time to avoid the hand his dad aimed at his head.

  Dad didn’t chase him, instead he looked beneath the tractor and stood up with a scowl marring his brow. “I don’t get it. I know I filled that damn thing up and it ain’t leaking.”

  “Did you happen to notice the mud on the wheel well?” Eric pointed out and ran his finger over the back tire, picking up a glob of it and holding it up.

  “Yeah, what about it?”

  “That ain’t no week-old mud. It’s fresh. My guess is that Josh has been mud boggin’ your tractor again.” Eric wiped the mud on the seat of his jeans.

  “What the hell is wrong with that boy? I done told him I’d beat the tar out of him if he did it again,” Dad countered, his frown deepening.

  “Nothing wrong with him. He’s sixteen, disobeying your parents is mandatory.” Eric patted his dad on the back. “Besides, your threats don’t hold the weight they once did. You’re getting soft in your old age.”

  “Old age, my ass,” Dad grumbled. He pulled a bandana from his back pocket and wiped his hands. “You never gave me half the trouble your brother does.”

  “Only ’cause I was a lot sneakier than he is,” Eric muttered and went and grabbed the gas can from the shed.

  “What was that?�
�

  “I got your gas,” Eric announced with a smirk, ignoring his dad’s question.

  Regardless of what Dad said, he was going soft or maybe he was just plumb tuckered out. Josh was the youngest of five boys and he and Josh were a lot alike, both getting into the same kind of trouble and neither of them could imagine ever living anywhere else but Hale.

  It still boggled Eric’s mind how he and Jimmy had become such good friends. They might have been in the same grade, but Hank was only a year older than them and he had the same types of goals as Jimmy did. Hank was currently doing his residency up in Michigan. Or why Jimmy hadn’t been drawn to Phillip or Garrett who were both nerds too, but of the computer type.

  Didn’t matter the reasoning, he and Jimmy weren’t the best of anything anymore.

  “You’re all set,” Eric announced once the tractor was full of gas and the engine running. “Now, unless you need me to point you in the direction of the grass, I’m going back to work.”

  Once again Eric jumped out of the way of his dad’s response and laughed as he headed back to the barn. He’d just picked up a rope and started rolling it up when his phone rang. His heart began to beat fast, but when he pulled it out and recognized Scott’s number, his hope fell.

  Disgusted at himself, he flipped it open. “Hey, Scott, what’s up?”

  “You busy?”

  “That’s a stupid question. I live on a fucking ranch.”

  “Good point,” Scott snorted. “I’m gonna need about an hour or so of your time. Want to talk to you about going organic.”

  “About damn time you finally listened to me.” He cradled the phone between shoulder and ear and went back to rolling up the mess of ropes.

  “Yeah, yeah. You’re as bad as me. We dream big, but we’re broke.”

  “So you finally won the lottery?” Eric asked.