Dancing in the Oaks

Farmers Market

I had showed up later to the farmers market than Nick. I had to finish up my farm chores at my house first. I noticed someone else talking to him. That person did not look familiar at all. I decided to walk up slowly in an effort to ease into their conversation. Each of the vendors lined up and sold their produce and products.

"Hey, Norah, how are you?" A man with gray hair asked. He seemed quite nice.

"I'm doing alright. I don't think I've met you before." I felt quite embarrassed about my statement.

The man smiled at me. "I am Frank Müller, and my wife's name is Melinda. We live off of Charleston street." As soon as they said Charleston street I knew who they were.

"Oh right! Yeah, okay, that makes sense. So, I'm gonna ask everyone that stops by here a question. If you don't mind answering me that'd be great. Nick and I have thought about putting together a Bavarian folk festival for October 12th. We thought about doing something different." I was relieved by the man's kindness.

"That's brilliant. We appreciate Bavarian culture. Melinda and I are actually of German descent. I'm German and she is Austrian. We've got folk clothing, you name it we got it. I've got a pair of lederhosen and Melinda has a modest dirndl. Actually my wife would love to help you plan it." Frank said with a smile.

I became really excited. "Expect me to talk to your wife between tomorrow and a week. What are you picking up today?"

"Sounds great. I'm excited for the festival. 7 bushels of apples." He seemed like an ambitious guy that cares. Clearly.

The wind made me colder and colder as the seconds passed. "Yummy! Gala, Granny, or ugh Johnathan?" I thought I'd ask.

"4 Gala and 3 grannies." He replied.

Nick hand wrote the math. "Your total is gonna be 155 and 56." Nick was very fast with the math, which I was sure surprised.

Without question he pulled out the cash and gave it to Nick. He left and carefully placed each box of apples into his truck. Nick and I sat back down behind the table. "You alright?" Nick asked.

"N-no. I'm so cold. I don't feel good at all." I said quietly as I shivered. I have to admit that I have never been so cold in my life before. It was bad, and still is.

He walked over to his truck and retrieved a blanket for me. It was brown and black, much like a sheepskin. "Here. I keep blankets in my truck now. I never told you because I thought you'd need it at some point. Surprise!" He even voluntarily unfolded it and put it around me. "I hope you're not getting super sick or anything like that."

I stared off in the distance at a brown truck that looked vaguely familiar. "Oh I sure hope not. Thanks Nick. You're so cute, with how much you care. It's ridiculous sometimes how someone can care so much." I buried my arms under the blanket.

"Hmm." He mumbled. "Sometimes we all need a little extra help."

"You care for me more than I care for myself. Thanks. You're a great person Nick." I noticed a woman my age standing out in the crowd of scurrying country folk. "Is that Berry?" I asked with a scared tone.

Nick scooted his chair closer to me. "Yep. That's her. Without a doubt that's her. Hmf. That's not good at all because she's gonna talk to us." He said. At this point Nick was so close to me it was so nice. His hand held mine under the blanket.

Nick was right: she walked right on over and started to strike a conversation. "Ugh. Norah, what did you do!? What did you do with your hair? You're so annoying. Why in the world would Nick... you know that's not... Nick, I am so done with you and your family. Y'all are ridiculous. My sister is missing! What happened? Your brother Dillon said that you might know something. Norah, as for you, stay away from Nick! Go away because you are toxic. " Huckleberry said. This time she wore a new denim jacket with black pants. Her hair seemed even more blonde than it did before. She wore a lot of makeup.