Using old crates from the barn, I sorted and stacked the cheeses and jars of butter we had spent the last two weeks making. I organized the labels in a straight line, making them easy to read. For the next hour or so, I tweaked the details of the booth, doing my best so that everything was as appealing as possible. I literally could not afford today to be anything but a tremendous success.
Even with the pressure to make today go well, I could not help but think about what I heard this morning. Some farm workers had been talking about the big house up the mountain being occupied. That could explain the man from the hardware store, seeing as this was the first in a long time any stranger was seen around here; tourists rarely stayed this far out. At least now I had some semblance of an idea of who he was.
With nothing left to do, I turned my attention to the goats that had been bleating at me all morning to let them out. I pulled the makeshift corral out of the truck's bed and set it up in front of the backdrop. I carried the goats one by one over the few feet that separated them from the pen. A little lamb squirmed in my arms, and my grandmother's voice filled my mind.
“What are you doing, Agotia? A young lady such as yourself should not be carrying livestock.”
I was no more than six years old and determined to prove myself helpful to my father. He would carry the full-grown animals, and I the babies.
“I am helping Dad, Nana,” I had told her, so sure of myself.
“But you are getting your dress covered in dirt and muck. This will not do.”
At first, I had not known what to make of my grandmother's admonishments. My father had always seemed so proud when it came to me helping around the farm. At such a young age, I didn't understand why my clothes made any difference.
"Don't you see, dear, the lamb is dirtying your new dress, and we do not have time for you to run into the house and find another for you to wear."
"Why can't I just wear this one?" I had asked; my eyes were wide.
“You cannot wear a dirty dress into town because, Agotia, you are part of a family that extends for generations. You must have some pride in yourself, in your name, when you go out into the world."
Her words had stuck with me all these years, and it was those words I thought about now as I hauled one goat after the next into the miniature petting zoo I had erected. When the animals were situated in the pen, I wiped my hands across my apron, grateful for the cloth that kept the streaks of dirt off my dress. I had enough determination to do whatever it took to save the family farm, but I also had enough pride to ensure I didn't dirty myself in the process.
I spent the little time I had left setting out the little paper bags of feed I had put together late last night. When I stepped back to look at my work, I couldn't help the surge of satisfaction that rose in me. It had been hard work and long hours, and the festival had not even started. But I knew that regardless of the outcome of today, it would not be because of my lack of effort; I put everything I had into making this a success.
With one last nod, I jumped back into my truck to pull it around to the parking lot and out of the way. On the walk back to my stand, I perused the other vendors, smelling their candles and sampling various kinds of cheese. The cheese festival has always been my favorite event of the year. I love the traditional clothes everyone wears and the wail of the violins that play throughout the festival.
There was a distinctive special feeling about being a part of this culture; coming together to celebrate our custom brought us the most joy.
This had been my father's favorite festival too. He always seemed to need more time to catch up with his friends; the cheese festival gave him the perfect opportunity to do just that. He would staff the booth for a few hours, breaking now and then to talk to a neighboring vendor and sample their slices of bread and cheese. He would always tell me how much I looked like my mother when wearing her dress. Those days I held tightly in my heart, clinging to them so I wouldn't forget even the smallest detail.
Music started playing somewhere, signaling the festival's official opening, and drawing my attention back to the present moment. I hurried back to my booth and got ready for what I hoped would be an onslaught of customers. With a broad smile, I pulled off my apron and greeted those who walked by.
The hours passed quickly, and the goats proved to be a more significant success than I had initially hoped. People loved petting and feeding them, especially the lambs. The corresponding cheeses were a hit too, but more was needed, not yet; next time.
“Agotia!”
I heard my name from the crowd and scanned the faces to find its owner. When my eyes landed on Lucas, an earnest grin spread across my face.
“Look at you,” I said, taking in his plaid vest and knee-high stockings. “I am surprised to see you all dressed up.”
"Well," he said sheepishly, "my aunt refused to let me leave the house unless I obliged her. You know how she is."
I laughed at his vexed expression. He took in the booth that sat proudly behind me, and I could see the shock in his eyes.
“Wow, Agotia. This looks amazing. I know I shouldn't be surprised with the incredible things you have pulled off over the years, but I still think you've outdone yourself."
“You think so?” I asked as I scanned the table.
Seeing some products out of place, I moved back to my spot behind it all and started adjusting things here and there.
"Of course. Just look at this," he said, gesturing with his arm in a grand sweeping motion. "How has everything been so far? It seems you have sold a good amount of the things you brought."
“I have,” I told him with a sigh. “It’s been good, really good. I don't know if this is enough. I might be able to pay off a couple of things, but there is no way I can make enough money to save the farm from today alone. So yes, this was a good idea, but I don't know if it's enough."
Lucas nodded solemnly; his mouth half opened as if he were going to say more when a matronly voice sounded from the crowd behind him.
“There you are, Lucas. I have been looking everywhere for you. You forgot your hat.”
