By The Time We Got To Woodstock.

dread

  Carolina felt sick, with every item she packed it got worse. She knew this day would come, but it didn't make it any better, she would be going home after lunch and that was that. She put the last of her things into her suit case and took one last look around the room fighting back tears. She knew this would be the last time she saw it, Carolina had spent the last four years in this room, sure she went home to the farm every other weekend, but she was always relived to come back to her room at the Kuntz's.

  Mr. And Mrs. Kuntz had been wonderful to carolina,  they treated her just like a daughter, both had grown up on a farm and decided to board farm kids while they went to high school. They had three children of their own ages 6, 8, and 11. Carolina helped mind the children and house work when she was off from school, an arrangement that worked well for all. Carolina had even taken a trip with the family to Minneapolis,  MN. She hated to leave, it's not that Carolina did not love her family and her home, she knew that she would have her life set for her when she went home. She would be expected to marry August, her mother had let it slip that August had asked her pa already , and would be asking her after caving was done.

  Carolina had been avoiding August since easter witch is not an easy task on the Prarie, in hopes to push him away, though she knew it wouldn't work August had been interested in her since she was fourteen. August had made no secret about it , always watching her always around, she was almost sure the only reason he had spend so much time with her brother just for an excuse to be around her more.

August was 22 and had stopped school in the eighth grade to take over the farm when his pa died, he was a hard worker and did the best he could for his Ma and sisters, Carolina had always liked August he was he was always good natured and kind, but try as she might she could never bring her feeling for August beyond friendship. She knew what was expected of her and she knew she had to or be a burden on her parents.

   Carolina wiped her eyes , she couldn't think about college and what could have been, or what was going to be anymore. It would take everything she had just to leave the Kuntz's.

  Lunch was a blur and ended much to carolina 's dread. She said her tearful goodbyes to Mrs. Kuntz and the kids. Before carolina knew it she was in Mr. Kuntz's car on her way back home. The ride was a quiet one, almost as if Mr.  Kuntz knew how heavy Carolinas thoughts were.

  Carolina was near tears again when Mr. Kuntz broke his silence " For God's sake child you are not being taken to prison , you're going home. You will see town again, I'll even talk to you're Pa about getting electricity this summer, it's about time your folks got it. You will be back in the swing of things in no time, no need to be nervous."

Carolina almost laughed nervous was one way to put her returne home. She knew Mr. Kuntz wouldn't understand her bitter disappointment,  not because he didn't care, but not many girls went to college at least not around here. Girls either helped out at home until they found a husband or became a burden on their families past from parent to married siblings when the time came. The city girls got married or became teachers, nurses , or secretaries until they could find a husband. Husband! Husband! It was always about finding a man, Carolina knew she should be happy to have a man who wanted her for a wife, but she just couldn't. Why did life have to be this way it wasn't fair boys could leave even if they had no money they could just get a job in town and make a place in no time. Carolina wanted to scream but instead she pushed back the disappointment and said" Thank you, Mr. Kuntz,  I know , I'm just going to miss everyone. "

" You will be missed as well child." Mr. Kuntz replied as he patted carolina 's hand.

They talked here and there for the rest of the drive. Carolina took better care to hide her disappointment, she knew that it was a skill she would need in the days to come. And end the drive did, Mr.  Kuntz's car pulled into the feed lot just after sun down , Carolina was home.