The Dark Society

3

Like Sabrina, Julia was an enthusiast of nature's gifts. But, there was something special about this season. On another note, with her daughter's coming departure, she'd grown particularly attentive. This moment was one Sabrina anticipated since adolescence, so Julia documented everything. A compulsion everyone accepted despite occasional irritation.

"I need pictures," she said while fumbling with the camera.

Sabrina snickered.

"Do you need help with that?"

Glancing with a quizzical look, Julia smiled.

"Nobody likes a smart mouth, young lady."

Cottonwood Falls rarely topped eighty degrees, so Tim enjoyed the balmy evening outdoors. Though, he couldn't help thinking that tomorrow Sabrina wouldn't be there.

"Relax; I'll make you proud--I promise."

Tim hugged his daughter again as Julia watched with affection.

"You already have."

"So..." Julia announced while sitting on the swing. "How do we spend this beautiful evening?"

Sabrina brightened and looked at her mother.

"Can I?"

Julia nodded in agreement, and Sabrina leaped from the porch.

"She'll never change..." Tim remarked while standing. "I guess I better find that shovel."

Despite everything, Sabrina felt conflicted about leaving. But, she knew a college education would be beneficial. Regardless of that, time stood restricted, and her parents didn't want to waste a moment.

"Where do you want this?" he shouted while exiting the shed with a large silver canister.

"Right here!" Sabrina exclaimed, pointing to the foot of a large oak tree.

"I'll leave you to it," Julia announced before returning inside.

It was no secret Julia wasn't composed when something troubled her. Yet, Tim knew her time to mourn had come. Meanwhile, he carried over a mysterious metal receptacle. Though, where Sabrina found it or meant to use it remained a mystery.

"I want Mom here," she affirmed as her father set the container against the tree and glanced at the house.

"Don't worry; she'll be right along."

Sabrina clutched the shovel and poked at the earth. It was solid due to the recent dry weather. But though conditions weren't ideal for farming, crops somehow thrived. The tumultuous weather wasn't their only concern. Sabrina contributed to the family's ranching venture. However, now that she was leaving, harvesting would be more difficult.

"Dad..."

"Yeah, what is it?"

Sabrina believed she'd made the right decision, but the stress of leaving was weighing.

"What if I took a year off...?" she suggested. "At least until after the summer harvest."

Tim shrugged and leaned against the tree. It was the same scenario they'd discussed countless times, and like her mother, he didn't want her to leave. But regardless, he couldn't be selfish and make this personal choice for her.

"I thought you'd made up your mind?"

Sabrina spoke directly from the start, hoping her father would understand. But, she realized she also needed to speak from the heart.

"I don't want to leave."

Tim sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We don't want you to either..." he admitted. "Yet, you've made commitments and need to honor them."

She pouted.

"I guess you're right."