Like Strawberry Wine (completed)

1.

Scarlett
I woke up at dawn so I could feed the animals and get my day going. I put on some jean shorts and a white tshirt and my boots. I walked down the stairs and saw my parents were up. My mom making breakfast and my dad reading the paper.

"Morning sweetheart", they both said.

I kissed my mom on the cheek and then my dad.

"Morning mom and dad".

I sat down and grabbed a piece of buttered toast and smothered it in strawberry jam. Anything strawberry was my absolute favorite. My dad says it's because I was born in June under the strawberry moon. I think it was just coincidence. Everyone else thinks otherwise.

Mom put some scrambled eggs on my plate and sunny side up on dads. I grabbed some biscuits and gravy and dug in. My mom's cooking was always the best. Everything was homemade and grown straight from the garden.

We all dug in as my dad was talking about something in the news he heard on tv.

"Oh almost forgot to tell you. All your brothers are coming to celebrate your birthday next month."

"That'll be nice I haven't seen them since New Years."

"Its gonna be a pretty big party. The biggest and brightest Strawberry moon is happening this year and you know how special that moon is to your birth."

"I know dad".

"We also got a surprising call from someone too and invited them".

"Who?"

"Well...James and Steven".

I looked up and dropped my fork.

"Now it's not that big of a deal sweetheart. I invited them for your birthday. They just graduated college too so I'm sure a reunion between friends is needed. "

"Mom, you know what happened between me and Bucky right?"

"I know honey but he's your friend. You three were the best of friends. If you don't do it for them, do it for me and your dad".

"Okay".

"Thank you honey".

When I was finished my breakfast I got up and I washed my dishes and made my way outside. I feed all the animals and then I went back to my horse Athena. She neighed as I came near her.

"Hey sweetheart. I came to talk to you and possibly go for a ride I need to think about some stuff."

I saddled her up and then let her lead. I told her stop once we reacted the creek and let her get a drink. I sat beside her and pulled off my boots and socks and put my feet in the water.

"So you remember Steve and Bucky right? Well there coming here next month for my 24th birthday. I did miss them as friends but Bucky...he hurt me. And I don't know if I'm ready to see either of them yet. It's been four years since I've seen them but still".

Athena lays her head on my shoulder. I pet her softly.

"I know. I know you miss them. They were always in love with how beautiful you were and Bucky rode you a few times and Steve loved how gentle you were to ride. I miss them everyday but I'm not nervous. It's been four years. There's no telling how they'll look."

I waded in the creek for a while and finally decided it was time to head back for lunch. I let the rest of the horses out into the field and gave them all a treat and I kissed Athena and sent her on the way.

I walked back to the house and sat down for lunch and ate and saw my dad sitting on the porch in the swing.

"You forgot your phone again Scarlett", said my dad.

"I know I'm sorry I'm just thinking".

"About James?" He asked.

"Yeah. It's been four years since he broke my heart and left to go to college".

"You didn't really expect him to stay here did you. That boy is a wild stallion. He's got a strong spirit in him and that's why he has Steven as a friend to keep him grounded".

"I loved him. He was my everything. I thought I was his everything. I thought he'd stay here to be with me".

"Honey, he still loves you I know it and you're pretty stubborn too you got that from me. You are a strong woman. You don't need to be here for the rest of your life. You were named Scarlett because you are a soul meant for everything away from here".

"I don't want to leave from here. I'm happy here, I was born and raised here. I know so many people new and old. I want my family here. It's beautiful out here and you can't get that from the city."

"What am I gonna do with you?" He laughed.

"All you and mom gotta do is love me. Now I'm gonna make a grocery list and tomorrow I'm gonna go into town for some feed and all that".

"Alright sweetheart".

I got up and made my way into the kitchen and filled a glass with some water and leaned back. I looked around and sighed. I had so many memories here with so many people. I couldn't leave this place.