The Turning Point

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT - YOU'LL BE THERE TO SAY HOW MUCH YOU FEEL

Heloyse

The wind blew strong on that gray afternoon, raising dust across the empty farm.
Trovoada neighed restlessly near the fence, as if he felt the absence of his owner. He trotted from side to side, looking at the horizon, impatient. Sometimes, he stomped his hooves on the ground, snorting against the wind, as if he wanted to challenge his own destiny.
The farm had never seemed so silent, so lifeless. The smell of fresh hay and leather, which used to mix with Thom's rough laugh, and the sound of the reins, were now just a distant memory.
I approached slowly, feeling a knot tighten in my throat. I ran my hand over his mane, and he lowered his head, as if he understood the pain that suffocated us all.
Trovoada took a step back and neighed loudly, staring at the overcast sky. Maybe he was calling for Thom. Maybe, in his essence, he knew his owner wouldn't return, but refused to accept it.
There, facing our pain, I untied Trovoada, so he could take his usual walk. In the late afternoon, he always came back.
Then, I was caught in the scene of the winds that cut through the pasture, in the sound of the hooves on the ground…
Somehow, Thom was still in all of that there, because a man like Thom never leaves completely. He becomes part of what he loves.

***

At this point in my life, I considered myself the loneliest person on earth. My family had left, a friend was dead, and a boyfriend remained distant, lost in his own past.
The days passed quickly, but the loneliness didn't seem to diminish.
Cielo, in turn, tried to be strong. She smiled during the day, but at night, when she thought no one was watching, the tears always came. I admired the way she managed to hide her pain, but I knew what was going on inside her.
As the days went by, I became increasingly worried about her. Cielo was so focused on solving the farm's problems, paying suppliers and buying feed for the dairy cows, that she barely seemed to pay attention to what was really happening inside her.
She was obsessed with getting money to make the necessary repairs, trying to keep busy so she wouldn't think about the things that really mattered.
Will even tried to help, but Cielo was stubborn, just like Thom. She preferred to keep her pride intact, even when she knew she needed help.
At one point, I offered to sleep at the Ferrel's house, just to keep her company, but Cielo always said she wanted to be alone for a while. I respected her, but deep down, I felt that her loneliness was consuming her.
I then went to town, where I found Mr. Lee. He owned a commercial space that was closed, and I met him at Thom's wake.
The place was large, with huge windows, and I knew I could create something new there. I imagined tables and counters scattered around, a spacious and cozy kitchen. It would be the perfect place for my new café. The beginning of a new life.

***

"Are you leaving me?" Ashley asked, her voice laden with pain.
I sighed, but the words came out with difficulty.
"No, that's not it..." I replied, trying to find an explanation.
"How is it not? You said you'd come back, but now you're living there. You're putting down roots, falling in love with that place, and suddenly you tell me you're opening a café. What about me? What happens to me?" she took a deep breath. "Just say it."
Ashley couldn't hide her frustration.
I felt like a huge weight had fallen on me. I didn't want to hurt her.
"Maybe I can't say it because my best friend lives in Boston, and I'll miss her a lot."
"Then you should tell her that." Ashley's voice wavered. "Don't make me wait any longer. Just say you're not coming back."
"I'm so sorry, Ashley. But as soon as things settle down here, I'll see you. I promise. Then, you can come live here, in Clearwater. We'll start our own business," I said, trying to somehow ease the tension.
Ashley laughed. It was the sound I loved hearing most, something that calmed me in difficult times.
"That's tempting... but I've spent so many years here. I don't see myself anywhere else. Maybe someday."
"Are you sure?" I insisted. "There are so many wonderful places here, and Houston... Oh, you'd love Houston. They have the Saint Arnold Brewing Company."
"Oh, damn, I love that beer! It was the best I've ever tasted." She couldn't hide her enthusiasm.
"Then come here. I'll buy you a bunch."
"And would you also give me a handsome cowboy?"
I laughed, knowing she was kidding, but somehow, the idea seemed more appealing with each word.
"Well, the cowboys here already take care of so many cows, I doubt they need another one."
Ashley let out a loud, contagious laugh.
"Then let the cows take care of themselves. If I go to Clearwater, I'll need a cowboy who gives me attention twenty-four hours a day."
"There's no shortage of cowboys around here. They look like they came out of a movie."
She sighed, as if visualizing the scene.
"Well... I hope you think about my proposal," I said, already saying goodbye.
"I'll think about it. But tell me when you're coming."
"As soon as I open the café. I have a lot to do. I need to hire some people, buy furniture, equipment..."
"I hope everything goes well."
"Me too." I took a deep breath.
"Lisy?"
"I'm here."
"I want you to be happy, wherever you are. And if you need anything, you know you can count on me. Promise you'll let me help?"
"I promise."
"That's good. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Mom misses you. And Aunt Ellen asked me to send you a kiss."
"Tell her I send another one. And tell your mom I'll see her soon."
"I will. And take care."
"You too."