Page 7 of Bales and Brawn

“It’s been a month since we opened the feed store. Business has grown more than I’d planned. It’s still early days, but if it continues to go well, there will be enough money for you to go to college in the fall.”

He stares at me for a full five seconds.

“You mean it?”

“It’s the reason I took on the feed store.” That and some consistency. Hay is seasonal, and we were managing, but it doesn’t hurt to have a fallback.

He launches himself out of the chair and into my arms with a screech that almost pierces my eardrum.

“You’re the best brother ever,” he declares, and I hold him a little tighter as that’s all I’ve ever wanted to be. To be able to give my precious brother the life he deserves. He disentangles himself and stands in front of me, beaming his usual smile full of sunshine that always warms my heart.

“I can’t believe you’re going to pay for college.”

“I’m not. We are. You work here too, and you’re helping to make it a success. So if you work hard over the summer and it continues to do well, you can go to college in the fall.”

“Thank you.” He squeezes me again. “Oh, but if I go to college, who’ll work here?”

“I’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

“Devin?” he asks.

“Devin’s only wanting work for a few weeks.” I don’t bother telling Nova that Devin is on a week’s trial.

“Then we’ll have to find a way to persuade him to stay,” Nova says with confidence.

“You like him, don’t you?” The words slip out involuntarily.

“Yes. He’s funny. Did you know he has three brothers? Three! Imagine that.”

“Sounds awful. One’s enough,” I reply, and Nova laughs.

“No, but seriously, it sounds fun. He tells me stories about them all the time.”

I let Nova ramble on about Devin while we work. I feel a pang that my brother is so gregarious and makes friends easily whereas I’m awkward and find it hard. Some of the stories that Nova recounts from Devin are quite funny. But I can’t believe that growing up with three brothers he’d ever want to leave them, let alone move thousands of miles away. Devin seems more of a mystery than he was before.

“Are you coming out with me and Sandy tonight?” Nova asks over dinner.

“No. What if Dad needs me?” is my automatic response.

“I’ll be fine,” Dad grumbles from across the table.

“C’mon. It’s Friday night and we’re going to Pints and Pool.” Nova’s not making it sound any more appealing.

“I’m here if Clive needs anything,” Arlene adds.

“Which I won’t,” Dad says, and three pairs of eyes look back at me from around the table. Clearly no one is on my side tonight.

“Go on, you hardly ever have any fun.” Arlene starts clearing the table and I jump up to help her. Most of my time is spent making sure the farm runs well and we have enough food on the table. I don’t have time for fun.

“Please,” Nova whines.

“Let me guess. You just want a lift to town.”

“Well, you won’t let me take the truck. But no, Sandy is picking me up,” Nova says.

He’s not wrong. Nova can drive but I need the truck in case there’s an emergency and I need to get Dad to the hospital. Which is mostly true. There is Arlene’s car if needed. But I don’t like not having the truck or being dependent on anyone else.

“I just thought you’d like to come as you never go out.” Nova tries again.