The Green Hills

The Storm

The rain didn't seem to let up. It was almost five o'clock and the sky only seemed to get darker. Out of all the things I decided to pack a raincoat wasn't one of them. To make it even worse if the rain didn't stop we would've all been stuck in my house.

"It is really pouring out there", Aileen's body was leaning back against the wall with her head cradled in her lap. Delia was just laying on the floor.

"Yup", was the only thing I managed to say. There wasn't any food, or beds to lay on so we were just kind've stuck here unless one of us wanted to get soaked trying to get to Aileen's parent's house. "A car would be useful in this situation".

"Well, cars are expensive, and you need to spend money on other things", Aileen turned her head toward me. Delia just snored.

"Well, let's see. I need to buy a tractor, seed, fertilizer, furniture, and food. How much would I have after that?" Last time I checked my bank account balance I had nearly eighty grand. I estimated the house to be about seventy grand, so that left me with about ten left.

"Well, if you're looking at a decent used tractor, expect around four grand, but I should warn you, you'd want something a little larger due to the amount of property you need to work". One of the first things I learned about tractors was that the bigger they are the better because they get the work done faster, but also the bigger the pricier.

"When should I get my transplants started?" It was late winter, spring was around the corner and I knew that if I were to make money that year I'd have a bit of catching up to do.

"You should soon, but let's get the tractor thing sorted out first, I can loan you money, just pay me back when you get the harvest in". I could tell Aileen was going to be a good person to know, she was willing to lend a fairly big amount of cash to someone she barely knew.

"How much do you think I'll be able to profit this year not including a loan?" She rubbed her chin at my question, with all this talk with her I was beginning to think she had quite a bit of experience with growing rice.

"About fifteen thousand, but there's always potential for things to not be perfect. You can always get a second job, even if it is part time." I guess that was always an option, but who was hiring.

"Where would I be able to find work with hours flexible enough for me to farm?" She just giggled a bit, I guessed there were plenty of answers.

"You could work at the tavern with me, I'm looking for someone to open up. It'd be easier with an extra hand. If that's not your thing you could always work at my dad's dealership in town." Those were both halfway decent options, but didn't seem like the most fun jobs.

"I like the idea of working mornings with you, that leaves afternoons to do farmwork. But what about the railroad?" Trains had always been somewhat of an interest for me.

"Well, you'd have to go to six months of training for that, which won't work if you're trying to raise any crops." I had to admit, that was a valid point.

By the time the rain had ceased it was about eight, and it was dark. At least everyone would get a chance to go home. Aileen and Delia were heading out the door before Aileen turned back to me.

"John, you should come spend the night at my place. You have no bed to sleep in and we've got plenty of room." She was right, so I just got up and walked with them to her house.

The gravel road was muddy and full of puddles, but the chippewa boots I had brought with me were fairly water resistant. Considering I hadn't wore them in years. Soon Aileen's house showed up, it was a two story house with a slightly bigger footprint than mine. Now I knew what she meant by space.

"Good evening sweetheart, good evening Delia. I see you've brought a boy along", said a woman at the door. She looked a lot like Aileen, except for the fact she had a neck attaching her head to her body.

"Good evening Mrs.Dullahan".

"Good-evening mother. This is my friend John he's from the human world. Would it be fine if he stayed the night, his house isn't that ready to live in yet". The older version of Aileen smiled and nodded.

"Come in all of you. Sit down for supper I made ramen tonight." She gestured for us to come inside and inside we saw a stout burly man, who did not have his head on his shoulders. That must've been where Aileen got it from.

Aileen's mom got a couple extra chairs from the corner and put them by the dining room table before setting the plates.

"So Aileen did you finally snag yourself a man or what?" Well, her dad wasn't as scary as he looked.

"Nah, we're just friends nothing more", a hint of red graced her cheeks. I thought she was adorable.

"You young man, what's your name and what's your occupation?" I could definitely see where the arranged marriage part of this society came in.

"I was formerly an engineer, now I am a farmer. Oh, and um. I'm John", I was a bit nervous meeting a cute girl's parents even if I wasn't dating her. They seemed nice just a little pushy.

"Well son, maybe I can interest you in buying a tractor for your farm", I could almost see Aileen rolling her eyes and facepalming as her dad brought it up.

"That would be nice, have anything under five thousand?" I had decided that was my budget for a tractor since there were other things I would need to buy and I didn't want to go into debt.

"Well, I have an Aoi Uma 2500, she's got thirty horsepower engine with twenty-five pto horsepower", he explained. "Since I like you I'll strike you a deal with four grand".

"You have a deal sir", I reached my hand across the table to shake his hand. His grip was strong.

The ramen was good and filling. I would've gotten seconds if the first bowl didn't fill me up. The talk around the dinner table was mainly about me, but I also learned that Delia and Aileen had known each other since Aileen was eight, Delia was formerly a schoolteacher. Which was interesting considering her creepy nature, but I guess in this world no one batted an eye.

After dinner I took a quick shower and Aileen gave me a futon to lay on. Surprisingly it was far more comfortable than my old mattress. As I hit the surface I realized how tired I had been. Today was a day full of change. Was it for the better? Or was it for the worst? Speaking to you now I can only keep telling the story and let you decide for yourself.