The tractor-trailers for the milk and eggs arrive a little over an hour later. I always help the farmworkers load all the wooden plates, full of eggs, onto the truck. Billy, who drives the milk truck, has to test the tank where we house the milk.
It has to be a certified milk grader, and he will not pick up milk that doesn't meet the companies high standards.
Once Billy gives the milk the thumbs up, he secures a hose to a tank and pumps it into the truck.
"I see you're getting new neighbors. Up the road, " Billy says as he points with his mouth towards the main dirt road. He is busy filling out paperwork on a clipboard. I turn and look at him as he rakes his curly black hair.
"The abandoned property. There are tons of moving trucks on the road. It's a completely different property now," Billy says nonchalantly. I glance at him in confusion as I follow him to the front of the truck.
I didn't know anyone had purchased the old Miller property since it had been vacant for years. It's more of a wasteland and the closest home to our farm. I also haven't left the farm in a week. So that's probably why this is news to me.
"Oh, I didn't know! I'm surprised Alice hasn't said anything," I say, scratching my forehead and looking towards my house.
My aunt knows all the town gossip. If there's any drama, she will know.
However, to the townspeople, she always makes it seem like she doesn't care for the gossip. I guess that's what makes them want to tell her even more.
"Alrighty, Miss Summer! Just sign, and I'll be on my way," Billy says as he climbs into the truck, passing the clipboard to me.
I sign and give it back to him. "Thanks, Billy!"
Once the trucks pull out, I walk to the house.
I walk in and breathe out. It has been such a scorching, hot day. The coolness from inside the house is more than welcoming. I take a moment and stand completely still in front of the closest vent, enjoying the central air.
After a minute or so, I begin to smell a blueberry pie. One that Alice had promised to make me a couple of days ago.
It's slowly reaching the foyer.
I walk toward the old wooden bench and sit, removing my dirt-covered boots. I glance over and touch a photo of my mom, Kyle, and Ray wearing matching outfits; white shorts and blue t-shirts.
They were at a picnic, smiling. I remember that day vividly.
Daddy and I had the flu.
The tie-dye picture frame is sitting on a small table. An unlit, white candle stands next to it. My eyes begin to water as I remember their infectious laughs. The three of them shared the same, high-pitched laugh.
Closing my eyes, I try to regain composure.
I'm so grateful for the work! It keeps me preoccupied, and I have gone years without getting emotional.
Maybe I'm not as strong as I think. I look around the foyer and smile. This place has always been my home. Knowing that I may leave it after the summer is heartbreaking.
I have signed up for community college in the city, but I'm unsure if I'll attend. Alice and daddy don't even know about it. I don't want to get their hopes up high if I decline to go.
Sighing, I stand. The manor, which I always call home, is beautiful. Clean and vibrant. We have left it the same way Mom did.
She was borderline OCD, so the house was always immaculate. Alice makes sure to keep it that way. It's her way of honoring my mom.
The molding and floors in the manor are wood. White, yellow, and orange everywhere. Sunflowers sit on every table. Daddy's wood carvings sit proudly above the fireplace. Some of the animals, some of the odd shapes. Tons of pictures of the family on the walls. I am surprised Dad left them all up.
Every morning, before he heads into the kitchen, Daddy takes a moment and stares at every single picture in the foyer and living room. He talks to them from time to time.
It was something I discovered a couple of years ago. I was careful not to let Daddy know I was there when I heard him talking to Mom's photo. I didn't want to embarrass him.
"Emery, honey!?"
I hear Dad call from the kitchen. I follow the smell of pie towards the back. As I have already expected, Alice is bent over in front of the oven.
She stands and turns to me, a pie in her gloved hands. She then places it on the island—a huge grin on her face.
Daddy stands from his chair and meets me as we walk toward the pie, practically drooling. We both bend over and inhale the refreshing scent when Alice smacks us over the head with a hand towel. We look up, surprised.
"No! Absolutely not! This pie isn't for you!" Alice snaps at us. She puts her hands on her hips and glares at us.
"You promised me a pie, Auntie!" I give her the saddest face possible. She sucks her teeth in annoyance. When I see the puppy's face isn't working, I look over at Daddy. A look of hunger is written all over his face.
"I know that! But I only had enough ingredients for one pie. This one, here, is for the new neighbors." She points to it proudly.
Daddy reaches to stick his finger into the pie when Alice smacks his hand. He yelps as he quickly rubs his aching hand, mumbling something under his breath in agitation.
"Now you listen, Simon! You better not be sneaking pastries in the middle of the night. I know it's you! Remember what the doctor said about your diabetes!"
I laugh as my aunt goes off on Daddy, grabbing a green apple from the island and sitting down.
"And what are you laughing about?" She walks around the island and comes towards me. I look around, surprised. "He's not supposed to be eating, and you haven't been eating well! You're going to make yourself sick, Em!"
I look at Daddy, and he mocks my aunt. He hates the word NO! He lives for Alice's muffins and pies.
"Yes, ma'am." I look down in defeat and take a bite out of my apple.
Alice sighs sadly. I can tell she feels bad for snapping at me. She wipes her hands on her apron pulls a chair out next to me. "Now hurry up and eat that, then go freshen up so we can meet these new neighbors. We also need to stop by the market. I need to get the ingredients for your pie."
I smile as I take a bite of the apple. Finally! I've been craving her homemade blueberry pie for some time now. I stand and hug my aunt.