Just A Farmhand

Chapter One: Hadley

  "Hadley, baby, the chickens are ready to be fed. Lucille is about to peck my darn eye out," my husband Luke said walking into the kitchen where I was fixing breakfast.
   "Well maybe if you stop torturing the poor old girl, she wouldn't try to hurt you," I said putting his plate of eggs, bacon, and grits in front of him.
    "Nah, she just likes you better. Speaking of liking you better, where's the rest of my girls at?"
    "They are getting dressed for school. They will be down in a minute," I said taking a long slow sip of my coffee. It's the same conversation every morning. Next he will ask me if they have done their morning chores.
     "Have they done their morning chores yet, Mama?"
     "Yes, honey, they have." Every morning I lie for them so they could get an extra hour of sleep every morning. My girls and I have a deal, I do their morning chores along with mine if they keep their grades up and clean the kitchen after supper every night. "Honey, can we--"
   "There's my girls!" He says as they come down the stairs. He gets up, grabs his keys, kisses me on the cheek and heads out to the car.
   I smile as I tell the girls goodbye and I love you before they get in the truck with their father to go to school.
  Luke comes back in. "Remember that the new farm hand is going to be here about 10. I'm going to be over at Jerry Wayne's this morning helping him with that stubborn horse of his."
   "Okay, honey, be safe," I said. I'm greatful to be able to be at home by myself for once.
    I put down my coffee cup and put on my boots to head outside. It was going to be a long day uneventful day besides showing the new guy around.