Song of the South

A Good Send-Off

Kinsey took the trio of men as far as she could for them to see their farm and how they ran things. She even let Barry pick some fruits and vegetables to take back with him. As the baby started getting a bit fussy, they started walking back to the house. The motion of being pushed in the stroller calmed him down some so the adults were able to talk.

“I want to know how much you charge so that we can negotiate a good price for us both. I definitely want to buy fruits and veggies from you.” Barry stated with a warm smile

“Well sometimes we’ll lower the price if we know that person is short on cash. Sometimes we won’t make people pay right away if they can’t afford it till next payday.” Kinsey replied

“That’s fine. I can pay the full amount. Let’s get back to your house so you can get that baby what he needs.” Barry retorted with a soft chuckle

“So who is the little guy? I don’t remember you having him when we were in town last.” Eric stated

Kinsey tried not to sigh, “He’s my half-brother. Mom dropped him off one night. Said she would be back in a few days but we haven’t seen her since.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Kinsey.” Bill stated

“Well he looks like he’s in great hands.” Eric replied with his own soft smile

She smiled back before Lane started fussing again and took her attention. Bill remained quiet just watching the young woman with the child. He would look over to Eric and Barry and noticed that both seemed to just be staring at her. It was two different looks that he was deciphering, however. Barry was looking at her more as a father figure. He was concerned for her and the children she was looking after.

Eric……. The tall bassist was looking at her in a whole other light. He was seeing her motherly side. He was seeing her care-taking side. It struck a chord with him. That was why he and Kellie had decided to divorce. They both wanted natural children and, unfortunately, it was not going to happen together. Bill could see how attractive the young woman was. Not just her outer beauty either.

When they returned to the house, she immediately went to get the baby a bottle, a fresh diaper, wipes, and baby powder. She told the trio to have a seat in the living room while she gathered some baby stuff. They cautiously found seats in their well-lived living room. Her father had fallen asleep while they were gone. The next two smallest children came downstairs looking for a snack. Kinsey told them they could have some animal cookies while she changed and fed the baby. Eric watched as Kinsey expertly laid the infant on a blanket on the floor and changed his diaper.

Once the baby was changed, and the dirty diaper in the trash, she grabbed the bottle to feed him. Bill got the conversation going about their prices and how much they harvested each week. Barry was willing to pay almost anything she wanted. Their fruits were some of the best he’d ever eaten. Even Lori agreed with him and had been curious as to where he’d gotten them.

They had finally come to an agreement on him paying $750 a month for their fruits and vegetables. They ran their farm year round but what they grew changed with the seasons. It was a good offer to her and she was quick to agree. She wanted to draw up a contract so that everyone was on the same page, so to speak. Barry was fine with that, after all they were just a small farm and she was trying to look out for their family.

Right as Barry was signing his part, there came a knock at the door. Lane was happily cooing on the floor and the other two children had gone back upstairs. Kinsey answered the door while Bill and Eric watched with fascination. It was a neighbor who had wanted some fruit. Kinsey was quite courteous and told the older woman to go around back and pick whatever she needed. The grateful woman hugged her making Kinsey smile.

This young woman, who was just barely 21, was more womanly than most of the females he’d met in a very long time. She was kind, she was caring, obviously had the mother instincts. Could she cook? The house was in pretty good shape, cleaning wise, which was and wasn’t a surprise. With four children in the house he expected lots of toys strewn around. There weren’t that many. He was amazed at this young woman. She took care of her sick and disabled father, she was raising four young siblings, she was running the family farm, and apparently she was going to school online as well!

“Kinsey! I need some water.” Her father called out to her

“Ok. Need more ice?” She replied

“No. Make sure to send these boys off with some beans and cornbread.” He retorted

Barry had to smile. Southern Hospitality at it’s best! They watched as Kinsey fetched her father some water then showed him the paperwork that had been drawn up. As he read through everything, she “fetched some beans and cornbread” for the trio. She put some in three separate bowls in case they weren’t staying together and more than enough from-scratch cornbread for each. Barry was wondering if she had cooked everything herself or not. More than likely she handled that aspect of the household as well.

“Well Miss Kinsey I want to thank you for your generous hospitality. Your farm is great and I’m sure Barry and Lori can’t wait to start receiving your fruits and veggies.” Bill stated as her father waved the papers around to signal his daughter

“Everything looks good.” He simply stated

“The pleasure is all ours. We’re just a small farm, mostly growing crops for our community. I’m glad that you like what we’re growing.” Kinsey stated as she passed out the tubs of beans and cornbread

She walked her guests to the door and stood outside on the front porch.