Into the Sunset

Interviews

Chapter 2

Kathy’s POV

I woke up at two in the morning instead of my usual four. I decided to get the barn chores done a little early and headed into the kitchen to find my boots. They were hidden underneath everyone else’s shoes on the rug by the door. I pulled them out and slipped them on. I slipped out into the humid night and headed to the feed room to feed the horses. I turned the light switch on and listened to the hum as the lights kicked in down the barn aisle. “Hello?” I heard Courtney ask. “Courtney? Why are you up so early?” I asked peeking down the aisle to see if I could find her. She was shutting the stall door to her horse Sugar. “I couldn’t sleep so I figured I would just start the day early.” “Me too.” I admitted, going back to get the feed. I filled the buckets and went to fill up the horses food. “Are you picking the stalls or am I?” Courtney asked after working in silence for a little while. “I don’t care. I can brush while you pick or you can brush while I pick.” I said glumly, not feeling like doing anything today. I honestly couldn’t wait until we got the farmhand. Everything would be easier. “I’ll pick. That way you can just give them a quick brush and go talk to mom about the new farmhand. She’s got three interviews already from just posting it on a website yesterday.” Courtney said in a rush. I nodded and walked to get the water buckets. “Did Dustin finish the pasture?” I ask. “Yeah, he finished it really late last night though and he has to work this morning. So I wouldn’t mess with him. He’s always grouchy when he has to get up early and doesn’t get enough sleep.” I laughed softly. She had a point. There were a few times when he would drop something like a pen in the mornings and he would throw a ten minute tantrum. I shook my head and headed towards the tack room to grab the brushes.

After brushing all the horses, I headed towards the house. The dog, Bruno, came running towards me wagging his tail. “Hey Bruno.” I said gently. I leaned down to pat his head. He rolled his tongue out happily and took off towards the pig pen. Probably to go roll in the mud, nasty dog. “Mom!” I called out as I walked into the house. I rounded the kitchen corner to the dining room and saw a bunch of papers scattered across the table with my mom flipping through them. “Courtney said we had three interviews today.” I said casually taking a seat across from her. “Down to two now.” she sighed. We had one drop out because he found a farmhand job at Delaney’s down the road. He looked like he would be a good one too…” she trailed off. Her brows furrowed together and she flipped through more papers. Dustin came down the stairs just then. “Why do you guys always wake up so early? It’s six in the morning!” he exclaimed looking at the clock on the wall. “Some people can’t sleep like you.” I said. He nodded in agreement. Dustin could sleep through a tornado and wouldn’t even know it hit. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “I don’t want to go to work this early.” he stated starting to walk off. “Dustin! Thanks for cutting the pasture for me. If everything goes alright, then that was the last time you’ll use the tractor.” I say smiling. “Huh?” Confusion sweeps over his features. “Mom is going to hire a farmhand. I think it’ll make everything so much easier, especially when school starts.” He nods. “That’s great. But I really got to head out now. See you guys later.” After a moment of silence, I heard his truck start up and pull down the driveway. “So when is the first interview?” I ask. “In about an hour.” she states flatly. “I gave this guy an interview, but I think he is just some city guy wanting a job. I have a feeling his interview wont last long.” I laugh. “Well, I’m going to head up to shower and change.” Mom nods to let me know that she heard me. I head up the stairs and into my room to grab a change of clothes and head into the bathroom. I hop into the shower and feel the hot water on my skin. I quickly get out of the shower and change into my clothes. My waist length hair is already straightening as it dries so I leave it down. I quickly apply my usual eyeliner and mascara and head into the dining room. The ‘city boy’ should be arriving any minute, if he isn’t already here. I turn the corner and hear talking. I peak around the corner and see my mom talking to a guy in a tux. I put my hand over my mouth to stifle my laugh. This guy came for an interview to be a farmhand, but shows up in a tux. I quietly sit behind the wall to listen to the interview. “So do you know how to work a tractor?” I hear my mom ask. There’s a moment of silence and the sound of rustling papers. “No ma’am, but I am a fast learner.” Nice try. I thought to myself. “Do you have any experience with pigs, cows, and horses?” “U-u-um no ma’am.” “Mr. Crawford, I’m really sorry, but I need someone who actually knows what they are doing for this job.” my mom states flatly. “But ma’am, I could learn really fast.” he begs. “I’ll call you if I change my mind. My daughter Kathy will show you the way out.” My breath got caught in my throat. Did she hear my laughing? I quickly got up and entered the dining room. “This way.” I said making a gesture with my hand. Mr. Crawford quickly stood and pushed his chair in. I led him through the kitchen and out the door. “Thanks for coming.” I say politely. I watch him walk to his fancy car. It’s sleek, shiny, black interior obviously didn’t belong here. I walked back inside to see mom wadding up a piece of paper into a ball and throwing it in a trashcan in the corner. “Next time, hide your laugh a little better.” she said smiling as she looked up. “Sorry. But I’m guessing he didn’t make the cut?” I asked, stifling a laugh. She shook her head. “Of course not!” I laughed and Courtney walked in. “Kathy got caught spying. I didn’t though.” she beamed. “Where were you sitting at?” I questioned. “In the china cabinet over there.” She pointed to the china cabinet about two feet away. “How did you fit in there?!” mom exclaimed. “I’m smart.” she said triumphantly. She turned to the kitchen and disappeared. I shook my head. “When’s the next interview?” “About an hour again.” “But I want something to do…” I trailed off. “Go up into the pasture on Shadow and find at least three of the biggest cows for the fair next week and put them in the pasture your brother cut last night. That way when it’s time for the fair we won’t have to chase them down.” she said. I nodded and took off.

It was about ten minutes until the next interview and I wanted to be there for this guy. Mom said he might have a shot. However, the cows thought otherwise. I had two on lead ropes already hooked onto the horn of Shadow’s saddle. I still needed at least one more and I lost the one I was chasing through the herd. I groaned loudly. “He’s over there Kathy!” I heard Courtney yell. I looked back over my shoulder to see her sitting on the fence. She was clearly amused at my annoyed look. She pointed to the corner and sure enough, the cow I was chasing was standing over there. I quickly urged Shadow into a trot and stopped her in front of the cow. I walked slowly towards the cow and grabbed it. I flung the lead rope around its neck and did a victory dance. “Oh yeah! Oh yeah!” “Are you done? The guy’s going to be here in five minutes.” Courtney said. I quickly jumped onto Shadow and urged her into a trot, pulling the cows along. Courtney ran towards the pasture Dustin caught and opened the gate for me. I tossed her two of the cow’s lead ropes and she quickly put them in the pasture. I hopped off Shadow and put the last cow in. I quickly towed Shadow into her stall, grabbed her saddle, and put it on the rack. “Come on Kathy! We have to go in our hiding spots!” Courtney yelled on the porch. I dashed to the porch and decided to find a new spot. Courtney climbed into the china cabinet and I quickly got in the small cabinet on the other side of the table. I peeked out and saw Courtney give me a small thumbs up. I smiled and got comfy. “Right this way Mr. Sampson.” I heard my mom say. I peeked through the crack and saw a heavy set man sitting in the chair. He was definitely country, but whether or not he could handle the more physical work like stacking hay bales, was unsure. We definitely needed someone in shape. The hay don’t stack itself. “Do you have tractor experience?” mom asked. “Of course! I work with tractors all the time. That’s about all I do.” he responds. “So you have no experience with horses, pigs, or cows?” mom asked. The man visually pales. He must really need the job. I thought. He’s taking it so seriously. “No.” he says quietly. “Well I’m sorry, but I really need someone who can help with the animals. You can go now.” mom says. I hear the sound of the guy leaving and hear mom sigh. “Poor guy.” I hear Courtney say from the cabinet. “Girls! Get out here! And quit spying on my interviews.” mom scolded. Me and Courtney fall from the cabinets and head into the living room. I plop down on the couch next to Courtney. “There’s nothing good on the stupid T.V.” she complains. “Sorry Court.” I glance at the clock on the wall. It’s already five-thirty. Dustin should be coming home any minute. Maybe he will have something fun to do. “Girls! I think I found us a farmhand!” mom says running into the room, papers flying out of her hand. She looked super excited for once. Me and Courtney share a look and wonder how mom could have gotten a farmhand in under five minutes of the last one leaving. Guess it’s time to find out.

*****

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-Alexis&&Alisha