“How’d things go with Daisy yesterday while I was gone?”
“It was pretty good. Daisy and I got the work done, no problem.” He raised an eyebrow like he was suspicious, butmy expression and tone didn’t falter. “Really, dad. It was no problem.”
“Glad to hear it. I won’t lie to you, son. I was a little worried.”
“Why?”
“I was worried she might give you an attitude or something, and things would be slacking around here some. You know how she can be. Your mother thought the world of her, but she knew how to handle her. Your mom knew all the right things to say and do.” My dad never really spoke of my mom, so this was a surprise to me. I liked hearing him talk about her. It meant he wasremembering her and hadn’t forgotten.
“I know, Dad, but Daisy did just fine. We did just fine.” He nodded.
“Good.” He took another sip. “You know, I’ve noticed Daisy seems not to be minding working here as much as she first did. She doesn’t complain so much now. Have you noticed?” Of course, I have noticed. She has lost the attitude for the most part, and I was to thank.
“Yeah, now that you mention it, I have.”
“Well, maybe it was seeing her dad that helped, or maybe she got used to it again, but whatever the reason, I’m glad. It’s a good thing.”
“Yeah. She does seem to like it more. Maybe she’s not letting the bad memories trample the good ones.”
“Wouldn’t that be the dream?”
“I miss Mom.”
“Me, too, son. Me, too.” He finished his coffee, we standing side by side and looking out the window at the fields.
“So, how did it go yesterday selling the calves?”
“It went well. I sold most of them at a good price. Themarket’s been decent lately, so I can’t complain.”
“That’s good.”
“We should have extra cash heading into fall because of it.” I nodded. My dad always liked to put a little back for fall and winter, just in case something came up.
“You have your eye on anything to use some of the money for?”
“I was thinking maybe we could finally get that new tractor we saw a while back. We could put so much down on it, and then that would help with paying it off faster.”
“That would work.”
“I would leave some, just in case.”
“We could get a lot done with it. I like grandpa’s old tractor, but it’s about seen its days.”
“Yeah, it has. It’s been a good one, though.” He put his empty cup in the sink. “But first, we have some work to tackle today. Daisy can manage the horses again, but I noticed the hay needs to be restacked. It’s starting to get a bit chaotic in the barn.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“If you help me out with the hay, it shouldn’t take too long to get it finished.”
“Of course I’ll help. Think you’re up to see who can stack the hay the fastest, old man?”
“Are you challenging me? I may be old, but I can still whoop you any way.”
“Prove it.”
As we both headed out the door to make our way to the barn, I noticed my dad smiling. His smile had faded once my mom died, and for a while, I forgot what he looked like with one. I was glad to see it back.
“You know, son, I appreciate you taking care of things while I was gone.”
