picking their own vegetables and fruits from the groves. With all of the new machinery, the crops were thriving, and the harvests were plentiful. All of the kids were having a blast in the corn mazes, and Scott had come up with the idea for a massive corn pit. DeShawn and I thought the idea of having a giant sandbox-like structure filled with the kernels from ‘bad ears of corn’ was a bit crazy at first. But there were so many kernels that were just going to get thrown out any way that it didn’t hurt to humor him with the idea. Who knew that it was going to be such a smashing success? Before we knew it, people were lining up by droves and couldn’t hand us their money fast enough to give their kids a chance to play in it and in all the other fun areas of the farm. I was able to strike deals with several local vendors and food trucks who paid us a fee to sell on our farm, which worked out to be a very profitable symbiotic relationship for everyone involved. We had found the perfect balance of bustling prosperity during the days that the farm was opened to the public and a peaceful reprieve on the days that we kept just to ourselves. I simply couldn’t believe that in a year’s time, I now had a beautiful baby, a prosperous farm, and a happy family in which both my brother and the man I loved were getting along like the best friends that they had always been, except this time without me being in the middle of it.
It was all a beautiful chaos held together by the dreams and hard work of the three of us. And also by the resources that DeShawn had in no short supply. It was nice to see my brother doing what he loved finally and not being worried about money. DeShawn made sure that we never had to worry about money again. It didn’t seem like a big thing to him, but for Scott and me, it took the weight of the world off our shoulders. We had gone from spending most of our days in constant stress that we felt like we were drowning under to spending most of our days in a perpetual state of happiness that seemed to just keep growing by the minute.
I held Kordell in one arm and reached out to cut the thick, red ribbon that both Scott and DeShawn were holding on either side of me. The gathered crowd of people from town cheered and clapped when the ribbon was cut, and as soon as the two red pieces dropped to the ground, the children and their families came pouring in. Memories, money, and fun mayhem, all flowed in abundance while everyone enjoyed the summer festival.
“Wow, that was quite an opening entrance,” DeShawn laughed as he saw everyone run into the fields and begin to enjoy themselves at the various vendors and things to do.
“Please tell me that you two have some time at home now before the next business trip,” I said as I adjusted Kordell in my arms.
“Does that mean you’ve missed us?” DeShawn teased as he leaned forward to kiss me on the lips and then kiss Kordell on the side of his chubby little cheek.
“You know that I have,” I smiled. “But also, there’s going to be a lot to do while this festival is running.”
“Yes, we’re here for a while now,” Scott said as he looked over at DeShawn. “Right? Not another trip scheduled for a few months, as I recall you saying?”
“Right,” DeShawn nodded.
As much as I knew, they both enjoyed their jobs and enjoyed working together; I could tell that they were both looking forward to being able to stay home for a while now, too. And I was definitely happy to hear it.
“Besides,” Scott said as he reached to scoop Kordell from my arms and whisk him away to go look at something in the festival. “We haven’t gotten enough Uncle Scottie time, have we?” He made a bunch of silly faces at Kordell, who instantly smiled and gurgled as Scott began to walk away with him toward the festival.
“I’m not sure which of them is the bigger kid,” I teased.
DeShawn chuckled and took my hand. “Come walk with me,” he said. “Scott’s given us some time alone, and I want to use it.”
“Agreed,” I said eagerly. “Although I’m not sure