422 Arrival at the Farm
422 Arrival at the Farm All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
422 Arrival at the Farm
(Winona)
The three-hour drive to Klara's farm has been surprisingly therapeutic. The winding roads took us past lush, rolling fields and dense patches of forest, and for a while, I allowed myself to feel at peace. The kids were mostly quiet with their devices, watching the scenery or chatting excitedly about what they thought the farm would be like.
Henry dozed off in his carrier after the third stop for a break for the kids to run about, and for me to go through the process of elimination on what made Henry fussy that time.
But we are here now and I'm full of anticipation on seeing Jayden and Viktor and the possibility of finding a way to make Judy pay for what she's done. At least some of it. It seems too much to hope for but I'm strangely feeling calm and collected.
It feels like forever since I've driven anywhere, let alone a long drive. It's been amazing. I know I have to
add some car exploration trips to my schedule.
The farm comes into view. It's a picturesque scene: a cozy farmhouse surrounded by vibrant gardens, fields stretching out in every direction, and a series of wooden barns painted a deep red. There are solar panels gleaming in the sun, and off to the side. It looks like Klara lives here, you can just tell. There she is. I see her in the front garden.
Klara is waiting for us. She waves warmly as I park the car, her baby boy, balanced effortlessly on her hip. The baby looks about the same age as Henry, although Henry is smaller still but he'll get there.
Klara's smile is warm and welcoming.
"Here we are kids!"
"Yay!" The girls chime.
I pull up the car and look back at Bobby. I can see he's trying to look bored but his eyes are darting everywhere taking in the scene before him. I have to say, I'd live here tomorrow if I could. It's a place like I always dreamt of as a kid.
When I was alone on that filthy mattress I had to call a bed, my imagination would go to a perfect little house, buzzing with love and life. A pretty garden and happy kids.
Happy kids. I often wondered what it would be like to be a happy kid. For a while I never knew any different. I thought all kids lived like me. I never knew any different until school.
I'd watch them, on the days Steve let me go. Days I wasn't out on the con with him, making people feel sorry for me.
Those days were scary but also the best days, because I knew I'd get something to eat at least, and once he had his money, I wouldn't see him for a few days until it ran out. "Come on, Mommy!" Abby thankfully breaks me out of my memories as she and Sarah launch out of the
car.
"I'm coming. C'mon, Bobby. Let's go get our farm on."
422 Arrival at the Farm
"Great." He says with no enthusiasm.
"Hey, you love being outside, I think there will be a lot to learn here for you." I look back at him as I get out
and go to open the door to get Henge
out.
Bobby shrugs. But then I see his eyes following something. Like locked on and staring.
I look where he's looking and I see her. She's just like a younger version of Klara. Tall, reed-like, dark hair falling in long waves past her shoulders. What a vision. Bobby opens his door and gets out. Still staring and walks towards this girl.
I grin and poke Henry playfully in the tummy. "I think Bobby is in love, Henry." He grins like we have some big secret and I lift his carrier out.
"Winona!" she greets me, coming over as I walk over to the gate. Her voice is filled with genuine kindness, and her presence is steady and calming. "You made it!"
"Hi, Klara," I say, smiling despite myself. "Thanks for having us on such short notice."
"Sarah and Abby," she says. "We've got plenty for you to explore. The kids are waiting to play."
Sarah grins, her shyness melting away as she takes in the wide-open spaces. Abby is bopping about like always, she can never keep still.
Klara gestures to the bustling scene behind her. "Come on, let me introduce you to the rest of the crew. They'll be thrilled to show you around. Firstly, this is Lep. My surprise baby."
"He's gorgeous. Hi Leo. I hope you and Henry can be friends."
Leo claps his hands and gives a wriggle to get down.
"Not yet. We'll go inside first, then you can get down."
We follow her up the path, and as we approach the front door, a group of children come into view.
Two boys and a girl.
"That's Ava," Klara explains. "She's ten, Sarah. And those two troublemakers are Tom and Max," she adds, "they are twins. They are eight."
Sarah's eyes light up, and she immediately gravitates toward Ava, the two of them giggling as they run off. Abby, still clutching my hand, looks up at me uncertainly. "Where's Daddy?" "Sweetie, Daddy will be here sometime soon. He's flying in a helicopter, you know."
"I miss Daddy."
"I promise, you will see him today." I feel for her, she and Jayden have a very close relationship. There's no way I can take that away from her.
I'd never forgive myself. I have to find a way past the hurt.
For the kids. And for me,