Page 67 of Finding Basil
The third person who was sitting across from him in the small barn smiled at him, and he saw she was missing her two front teeth. “Miley, right?”
“Yes, sir, Miley, like Miley Cyrus without the money.”
He laughed at that. “How long have you worked farms in the past?”
“My whole life. Born on one, and I’ll likely die on one, but not anytime soon, I hope.”
Her hands were callused and the tank top she wore showed she had a terrible farmer’s tan she didn’t seem to mind showing. She looked like someone who worked outside, and if he heard she lived outside too, he would believe it.
“This is our farm, and we’ve been experimenting with melons and such for our line of toiletries.”
“You make toilets?”
That wasn’t the first time he’d been asked that very thing, so he pushed the brochure across the table. She picked it up and thumbed through it. “Oh, fancy soaps and such.”
“Yes, we’ve got a little shop in town, but most of the time, we’re here. Organically raised herbs was how we started. But now, we’ve found that we could grow even more ingredients for our products which will add an entire new level to them. We need three farmhands, freeing us up a little to work in town now and then, and to free up some time to spend with our child, who is due soon.”
“A kid? Well, congratulations.”
“Thank you. We’re very excited. Do you have…?”
“Nah, not me, but sure want ‘em someday. So, I got the job?”
Basil was the one with “feelings” and “instincts” about people. He thought all that was superstitious nonsense, but for once, he had a feeling about someone besides his beautiful husband.
Miley was it. She’s a great addition to the farm.
“Yeah.”
She smiled and tapped the table with her hands. “Well, shit, that’s just great. And you said something about a place to live too?”
“Yes! We’ve recently renovated our old house on the other side of the farm. We have three bedrooms for our employees, and you can have your pick of the last two. I’ll take you over there once you go get your things.”
“Got my things in the truck. If I didn’t get this job, I’d be living in the truck for a while until I found a job.”
That tore at his heart. “Let me take you over now and let you get settled. We’ll handle the paperwork later.”
She thrust her hand across the table to him, and he shook it. “I can’t tell ya how much I appreciate this.”
Lila came into the barn, out of breath. He jumped out of his seat, thinking she was having a heart attack or something. “Herb, you gotta head over to the house. Tilda called. It’s time.”
Herb felt faint. He grabbed onto the table to steady himself, and Miley and Lila both rushed to him. “Fuck. I…I don’t feel so good.”
“I got my truck right out there. Let me drive you.”
“Who the hell are you?” Lila demanded.
Herb straightened and shook his head to clear it. He was about to become a father. He had to get his shit together. “This is Miley, our newest farmhand. Lila, get in the truck with her and let her go to the house and get settled. I’m going to the house to get my husband before he runs screaming down the road, because he suddenly forgot to drive.”
“There’s a threat o’ that, sure. Get going, Dad.”
Dad. He got woozy again, but he ignored it and headed out of the barn, running to the house like his ass was on fire.
Basil met him in the yard, screaming, “We have to go! Where the hell have you been?”
Abuela and Michelle were there, holding him, as if they, too, knew he’d run off. “Take my car,” Michelle said, “and we’ll be there as soon as we lock up.”
“Yeah. We’ll see you there.”
