Page 6 of Burn With Me

When the movie credits kick on, I’m shocked at how much time has passed. “Are you staying the night?” I ask.

I know the answer, but I ask anyway, and I move on to opening up my spreadsheets to check the pH level trends and cost projections.

“Of course, I’m staying. My bitch ass is too tired to drive the ten minutes back home,” she tells me, petting Penny while she looks at my spreadsheets as I start to wrap everything up.

“Holy shit. With those numbers, you can probably start the next expansion to the greenhouses soon.”

I nod because she’s right. If I keep at this pace, I’ll have to expand before the end of the year because Kristen, my only employee, who’s also a biology student, and I can only do so much before it becomes too much for the two of us.

“Which also means I’ll have to see if I can hire a couple of people. I’ll most likely reach out to some universities again and see if I can find anyone doing thesis work in agriculture or maybe a couple of high school seniors,” I say, thinking out loud.

The best part, aside from the sustainability of the aquaponics farm, is that once it’s going, it doesn’t actually take a lot of maintenance other than making sure the water is balanced and the fish are happy. It’s the harvesting that takes time.

Between the farmers’ market every Sunday, the twice-a-week deliveries, the community farm, and the fish breeding, I know we’ll need more help soon. It’s a lot, even if the primary system mostly takes care of itself.

“I was also thinking of talking to the local farmers about starting up a co-op for the days the farmers’ market isn’t open,” I say as I finish updating everything and stand to stretch.

“That’s a great idea! You know, as long as you get Farmer Joe on board, you can get the rest of them on board,” she says.

Farmer Joe and his wife, Ann, rented one of their cabins to us when we first moved to town. They quickly took us under their wing, and once I told him why we moved here, he supported me a hundred percent. His farm might be what people think of when they picture a farm, but he’s also someone who always wants to learn, and between the two of us, we’ve brought together and built relationships with farmers from three counties.

“Alright, Penny Poo, it’s time to go potty, then you have to share your bed with Auntie Pam in the guest room,” I say, and Penny stands with Pam and stretches while looking at both of us.

“Bitch, please. Neither Penny nor I have ever slept in the guest room, and we’re not about to start tonight.” She starts walking and looks down at Penny. “Your mom is a selfish Sally, acting like she isn’t happy I brought food and am staying the night. I don’t know how you put up with her ungrateful ass,” she says as she walks toward my room to let Penny out.

I chuckle and roll my eyes as I follow her and get into bed. “I’m not a selfish Sally. If I was, I would have made your ass drive home.”

She closes the door once Penny comes in. They both get into bed, and I tell Alexa to turn the lights off. I feel Pam roll to face me, and I know our conversation isn’t over yet.

“I don’t want to push you till you get mad, but it makes me sad that you won’t give dating a chance. You’re too amazing to be alone for the rest of your life. You deserve so much happiness with how much you give to everyone else,” she says quietly.

“I am happy. You’re right, I know you are, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to give it a chance or when I’ll be ready. But I promise you, I am happy.”

“I know you are, but you don’t put yourself first in a personal sense, and even if you don’t think it’s time, it’s time. You can’t give him the power to hold you back anymore.”

Thankfully, the lights are off because I don’t want her to see the tears in my eyes. “I know I can’t give him that power, and I can’t hide behind that excuse anymore. Just let me get through this next expansion, and then I’ll really give it a shot.”

“I’m so proud of you,” she says.

I lie there for a while, thinking about what she said. I know she’s right, and I know deep down I don’t want to spend the rest of my days alone. I just don’t know where to start, but I do know one thing. Whatever happens, I’m going to take the relationship slower than molasses because I won’t end up in the same situation again. And with that last thought, I drift off to sleep.

Two

Amelia

Thursdays are the busiest day of the week since it’s when I log the tank levels into the program I helped create a year ago. It helps if something happens to the fish or plants because I can see if there is a trend and know what to look for next time. It’s also the day I spend doing payroll and paying the bills, along with getting baskets ready for the produce and preparing for a smooth harvest tomorrow with the farmers’ market on Sunday.

Kristen walks into my office with the last log I need. “Here ya go, boss. I’m going to put the tables, signs, and canopy by the back door. Are you doing any sales? Because I can write them on the board for you.”

I look at her and smile because I really have no idea what I would do without her half the time. “Actually, I think we have a ton of extra basil and spinach this week. You can mark them down. Are you excited about your trip this weekend?”

“You have no idea. I’m ready for a vacation. I’m sorry to leave you in a bind this weekend, though. Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

She’s asked me the same thing since she requested the time off, and I roll my eyes at her.

“Yes, if anyone deserves it after the semester you had, it’s you. Pam has already said she and her brother will help. It’ll be good, I promise,” I reassure her.

“You’re the best. Okay, I’m going to stage everything for you so you can just pack up and go. I’ll let you know before I head out,” she says and turns away.

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