by Ali Parker
“What does that mean, Connor? You gonna bash his head in? You don’t know when to stop and you could end up in prison. Is that what you want? To kill a man? Cause that’s where you’d be headed. You get so stirred up and don’t think straight. You think you’re giving him a good ol’ fashion beating, when really you’re about to put him in a coma. No. Just cool it, alright?” I said sternly. Connor was like a bull about to bust out of the rodeo gate. He stopped and took a deep breath, closing his eyes.
“Right. No, you’re right. That’s not what I want. Just to teach him a lesson, but not in a coma,” he said, calmer now.
“Well, we gave him a message, let’s hope he sticks with it. Madison and I are real close to figuring out what he did and how to stop it. Once we know for sure, the college is going to spread the information to the other farmers and Victor’s nonsense would have been for nothing.”
“Let’s just hope I don’t see him at the dance hall,” Dylan mumbled.
“Then stay away from the dance hall, Dylan. For now,” I said sternly.
“Fine,” Dylan said.
I gave him a look. “We’re not telling the others about this. Who knows what Wyatt might do if he found out. He’s got a temper just like the rest of us. And Father wouldn’t want to know what we just done. You know he doesn’t like us taking matters into our own hands, and I agree with him. This stays between us,” I said, putting out my fist. Connor looked at Dylan, then they both bumped their fists against mine. “Now, I got work to finish and so do y’all, let’s get to it.”
I stood there waiting for them to walk away from the truck. I didn’t trust them to not get fired up again and go back. I watched Dylan walk toward the barn and Connor headed toward the hog pens. Once I was satisfied that they were each starting on a chore, I walked back toward the stables to finish pitching hay into the horse pens.
“Where’d y’all run off to?” Abi said, passing me on my way to the stables.
“Nowhere, just ran into town to get an ice cold root beer float. It’s a hot day,” I said, referring to more than just the temperature.
“Sure is, a hundred and two today, can you believe it?” With a smile, she continued on her way.
Yes, I could believe it. Hot temperatures meant hot tempers, and the Dawson boys were not immune to that phenomenon.
22
Madison
Walking into the lab, it felt lonely. I really did wish that Tanner was still working with me as a partner, but I knew it couldn’t last. It wasn’t ever meant to, he was only supposed to work with me on that one project. Since we were nearing completion, there was no reason for him to be there, except for the fact that I wanted him to be.
“You’re looking well today,” I said, to the plant that we had sprayed with water. There was still work to be done on it, but at least we knew the solution to stopping the virus. It was the short-term cleaning product treatment, followed by washing it off two to three days later. So far that was the extent of the cure, and I was still in the phases of analyzing what was in the cleaning supply, trying to isolate which ingredient was causing the result. But I would be doing this work alone.
I sat down at my desk and began to type, finishing the middle chapters of a report requested by Mr. Phillips. There was still a lot to do as far as the report went, and it was my least favorite part of the lab experience, but it was necessary. The thought that farmers in the future could be using my research made me feel really good.
“Madison, good morning,” Mr. Phillips said, walking into the lab.
“Hello Mr. Phillips. How are you?” I asked.
“Just fine. In fact, I’m feeling pretty good. You’ll be feeling good as well, after I tell you the news.”
I looked at him with hope in my eyes. Was he about to tell me that Tanner was coming back to work in the lab with me? Maybe Mr. Dawson decided that Tanner was happier in the lab, maybe it would be on a part-time basis, but that would be fine with me.
“What news, sir?” I asked, in the most nonchalant manner.
“The research center board has noticed the work you’ve done. They commend your work and offer high praise. In fact, they have decided to give you a promotion. You are about to finish your research degree aren’t you?”
“Yes, actually. I’d completely forgot about that, I’ve been so caught up in this other project. I’ll be done with all the degree requirements at the end of next week.” I said, realizing that my research work was about to fulfill the last of the requirements I needed to move to the next level. But I’d assumed I’d have to be looking for a job after that. The idea that one might be coming to me had me growing very excited.
“Precisely what I thought. Madison, I’d like to offer you a senior research position, as the lab manager.”
I squealed with delight, jumping up and down. “Mr. Phillips, are you serious? Me? The lab manager? I can’t believe it. Yes! I would absolutely take it. I love this lab.”
“Oh, well it isn’t actually this lab,” he said.
“It isn’t? What do you mean?”
“The position is at our sister college, in Georgia. The position starts in ten days, so I’ll need to know fairly soon.”
“Georgia? Seriously? Well I—that is a big decision.”
“Yes, it is. But it is also a career building decision. This is what you’ve been working toward. I know it’s not here in Texas, but just think about it. After you’ve put in a couple of years, you’d have the experience needed to be competitive. Then you could transfer anywhere you wanted to go. It all starts by becoming a lab manager to begin with.”
“Yes, of course. You’re right. Can I have some time to think about it before I give you a definite answer?”
“Of course. In fact, why don’t you take the rest of the day off? Go take some time outside of the lab to really think about it. Just let me know when you are ready,” Mr. Phillips said, then walked out and left the lab.
I took a deep breath and looked at the report on my computer. Closing the file, I shut down the computer. I would have to work on it later. I wouldn’t be any good in the lab today anyway. I would be too distracted. This was a big decision. Why was I so hesitant? This is what I’d been working toward, but I thought it would happen months from now, perhaps even a year or two. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity, it was too good. But there were so many things here in Safety that I hadn’t taken care of yet. A part of me was reluctant to leave because of the way things were with Tanner, but I was the one that had made them that way. But what bothered me most, was the business with my father. I hadn’t been to see him in months. I just kept putting off dealing with it. I always thought I had more time. That while I was here doing my research work he would eventually sober up and become the father I’d always hoped he would be. But that hadn’t happened yet, and maybe it never would.
I took off my lab coat and grabbed my bag, locking the lab behind me. I knew where I had to go.
Twenty minutes later I found myself sitting in the driveway of my father’s house. The ignition was shut off, but my legs weren’t moving. Why was I so scared to go in? He was my father, after all.
“Be brave, Madison,” I whispered to myself.
I knocked on the door, but there was no answer. However, it was only the screen door that was closed, the main door was wide open. I opened the screen door and stepped in. “Dad? Dad, it’s me, Madison.”
There was no response. I walked into the living room to see that he was passed out with a beer bottle in his hand. I sighed. “Of course,” I said, walking over to him. I took the bottle and put it on the coffee table, which was nearly full of beer and liquor bottles, cigarette butts, and old pizza boxes. I stood up and put my hands on my hips, looking around. It was dark in there, and dirty. I guess I might start drinking if I had to live in this filthy mess, too. I set my bag on a chair and decided I would do something for my father. If I was going to leave for Georgia, at least I could do this one nice thing.
Rolling up my sleeve
s, I got to work. I dumped all the bottles in the trash, every single room was stacked with them. Before I knew it, I was taking several bags out to the curb. I even threw away the bottles that were still half full of liquor. I wiped down the counters, did a load of laundry and hung it up. I washed the sheets and made up a fresh bed. I mopped the floor and cleaned off all the tables and shelves. Finally, I pulled back the drapes on all the windows, letting fresh air and sunlight flood the room.
“Madison? Is that you?” Squinting his eyes against the bright sunlight, my father looked towards me in disbelief.
“Yes, it’s me, Dad. You have to let some sunlight in. It’s very depressing and dark in here without it,” I said, sitting in a chair.
He sat up on the couch and blinked his eyes, rubbing the sleep away. I had put a glass of fresh water on the coffee table. He reached for it and took a long drink. Looking around, he finally realizing something.
“Did you do this? You cleaned?”
“Yes, I did. Someone had to if you’re not going to.”
“Thank you. I’ve been calling you, you know,” he said, looking at me.
“I know. I got your drunk voicemails. I’m not going to answer the phone if you’re calling me drunk.”
“I know. I’m trying baby.”
“Are you? Are you really? Somehow, I don’t think that you are.”
“Don’t be so rough on your old dad. I just want to see you more. I didn’t get to see you a lot when you were young, and now we’re living in the same town. I just want to see you, and talk. That’s all.”
“I want that too, Dad. But I don‘t want to be talking to a drunk. When you are sober you can call me over anytime, and we can have dinner or go out for dinner. We can go out for lunch or breakfast, any of those things. I want normal things with you, too, but I need you to be sober. Why can’t you do that for me?”
“It just ain’t that easy, you know. It’s an addiction. You lucked out and didn’t get the genes from your old dad, it runs in the family. My dad was a drunk, too.”
“I know about Grandpa. But I also know about you. You weren’t always like this, not when you were with Mom. Somewhere along the way you slid into it, and because of that I know that you can slide out of it. I need you to clean up your act, Dad. I got a job offer in Georgia.”
“Georgia? But if you leave, I‘ll be all alone,” he said.
“Good, then you will know how I feel all the time. Alone.” I stood up and grabbed my bag.
You’re leaving already?” he asked.
I turned back to him as I stood at the door. His eyes were glassed over, but I didn’t know if he was feeling sad or if that was from being hungover. “Yes, I’m upset. I have thinking to do and I can’t do it while I’m facing you. And for the record, I’ve actually been here quite a while. You were just too passed out to notice. Look, I will come back this weekend to check on you. But if you haven’t made an effort to clean up, I am definitely going to leave to Georgia. There will be no reason for me to stay here, and the job is a good offer. Good bye Dad.”
I walked out, letting the screen door slam behind me. Somehow, I managed to make it into the car before the floodgates opened. Tears poured down my cheeks and I wondered why I’d even come over. Why was I expecting him to be different every time? This was exactly why I didn’t get involved in relationships. There was no perfect relationship, whether it was between you and your sister, you and your father, or you and a boyfriend. People were hard, and I didn’t want to get involved. Not when I already had such a mess with my father. A person could only take so much.
23
Tanner
The hot Texas sun was beating down on my back. I pulled off my cowboy hat and set it on top of the tractor. Pulling off my t-shirt, I tucked it into the back of my jeans letting it dangle. Putting my hat back on, I settled in the tractor seat and fired the engine to life.
As I drove the tractor across the ranch, I looked around. Abi waved at me as she galloped by on Thunder. Connor was working in the vegetable garden, whacking away with the hoe. Wyatt was mending the fence, hammering nails into boards while Dylan held up the rails for him. My father was holding a binder as he walked around, taking inventory. I looked around, seeing that everything had gone back to normal. The threat of the crops dying was gone, because Madison’s cure had worked. Life on the Dawson Ranch was back to normal, the same as always, so why did I feel so unfulfilled? Why was I so unsatisfied?
My ass began to vibrate, so I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my phone. It was Madison calling. Stopping the tractor, I pulled on the brake and turned off the engine. Father didn’t like us driving the tractor and talking on the phone. He said it was a technology distraction and could cause an accident.
“Hey Madison,” I said, very happy to hear from her.
“Tanner, how are you?”
“Better now that I’m hearing from you. What’s going on?”
“Actually, I need to talk to you. But I don’t want to do it over the phone,” she said, timidly. I was intrigued.
“All right. Do you want to get dinner with me tonight?”
“Dinner?”
“Yes, we’ve got to eat right?” I said, remembering how opposed to going on a date she had been. So I made it about eating, instead.
“Yes, you’re right. Dinner will be fine.”
“Okay then, I’ll pick you up. Is eight okay?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
As I hung up the phone, a big smile came across my face. Immediately, I realized the difference in how I felt. Before she called, I’d been feeling blue, but now I was energized and extremely happy. Firing up the tractor, I planned the rest of my work day. I’d have to cut my work short to leave in time to shower and change. I was very excited, and a little bit anxious. What could she possibly want to talk about? Was it more about the lab? Or was it about us?
A couple of hours later, I’d parked the tractor and showered off the grime. Grabbing my snap button blue and green plaid shirt, I pulled it on over my white T-shirt.
“Hot date?” Abi said, from the doorway.
“No, I’m just grabbing a bite to eat with Madison,” I said, not wanting to admit that Madison didn’t consider this a date.
“Well, you must be nervous because you snapped those buttons all wrong. Let me help you,” Abi said.
I looked down at my shirt and realized she was right. I had snapped the buttons wrong all the way down. Abi fixed it as she stood in front of me.
“I hope you take her out for a nice dinner. It’s obvious that she makes you happy, and that’s all I want for you, Tanner. To be happy.”
“Thank you, Abi. She does make me happy, but it‘s very complicated. You’ll see when it‘s your turn.”
“Hey, I’ve had boyfriends before,” she said, stepping back away from me to give me a final look as though making sure I looked perfect.
“Yes, of course I know that you’ve had boyfriends. But you’ll know what I’m talking about sooner or later when things get real complicated with one of them, none of that puppy love crap.”
“I understand. So it’s serious with you and Madison? And complicated?”
“Shouldn’t you be downstairs helping Wyatt with dinner?” I said, not wanting to answer her questions anymore.
“All right, all right. Have a good dinner,” she said, walking out.
I smiled and shook my head as she walked away. I knew that she was only being nosey because she cared about me. It must be hard for her as the only sister, the only female, for that matter.
Leaving the house, I soon picked up Madison and took her to my favorite steakhouse. It was better than the diner for a dinner occasion, and yes, I was thinking of it as more of a date. I thought that Madison might be as well, since she was wearing a strappy blue summer dress, one that made my heart beat quite rapidly when I saw it. Maybe she was starting to give in to the whole dating thing.
We sat across from each other, both drinking iced
sweet tea. She looked beautiful, but nervous. It was obvious that something was bothering her, but I didn’t want to push her to tell me.
“So, how did things go in the lab today?”
“Good, very good. The plant that we treated with the water is doing very well. I think that might be it, but I’m going to give it a few more days. Plus, I still have an analysis running on the cleaning supplies to try to really break down what it was in that product that did the job for us,” she said. She was lighting up as she told me, the way she always did when she talked about her work. I liked seeing her happy and I liked that the science of agriculture was what did it for her, because that’s what did it for me, as well.
“That is definitely good to hear.”
It grew quiet between us and I stared into her gorgeous blue eyes. I liked her so much, it was starting to overtake my everyday life. There was something special about her.
“So, what did you want to speak to me about?” I finally just asked her, not being able to hold my curiosity any longer.
She bit her lower lip. “Well, I got a job offer from Mr. Phillips today.”
“You did? Well that’s great news, isn’t it? In the research field, I assume?”
“Yes. Lab manager.”
“Wow. That is amazing. Congratulations Madison. I am so proud of you.”
“Thank you. It really is a really good opportunity. I am very excited about it.”
“Well, I’m really glad you told me. This is cause for celebration.”
“Well, that’s not all of it. The job is actually in—Georgia.”
“Oh.”
It grew quiet between us once more. I tapped my fingers on the table. I didn’t know what to say. I was very proud of her. And excited for her. I wanted to be happy for her, but it was hard. Georgia. It wasn’t Texas, and that meant she would be going away.
