Page 84 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

“I don’t want you worrying about me,” I counter.

“That’s all I do, Annie girl.”

“Daddy, what if I said I want to go to veterinary school? I could become a veterinarian and work with the farms in the area,” I suggest. “I’d make good money and. . .” It doesn’t reallysolve the problem with paying the fine immediately though. If we don’t pay on time there will be lots of interest to pay. Things would get out of hand for us.

“Is that something you would want?” he asks.

“I don’t know. I was trying to help come up with a solution, but it isn’t really a solution. I just wanted you to know that if we lose the farm, there is something else I could do and love.” I want to be reassuring, but I don’t think I am helping much.

“You know I’ll support whatever you want. Have you put in an application for veterinary school?”

“I did, as a silly backup plan,” I admit.

“Nothing silly about living out your dreams. I know how much you love taking care of the animals. You love it more than taking care of the dairy. I’m not blind.”

“But I wouldn’t want to see generations of hard work going to waste,” I counter.

“Me either. I told your grandfather, back in the day, that I’d do my best and I’ve failed him,” Daddy says.

“You haven’t failed him. The market has changed and there are so many factors that just aren’t the same as they were back in Grandad’s days. You shouldn’t be so harsh on yourself and accept that some things are out of our control.”

“When did my kid become so wise?” He laughs.

“You mean you didn’t think I was always wise?” I joke.

“Thank you, Annie. You’re being kind, but I made mistakes too. Hearing you have other options does take off the pressure somewhat. I’m glad you’re finally figuring out what you want out of life. I’d never want you to settle.” I know what that meant. He settled with Mom because of me. “How is Cade doing?”

I laugh. “That question just came out of left field.”

“He’s a good guy, a dad can inquire. I thought I saw a spark there over Christmas.”

“Until I lost it on him and he bailed,” I remind.

“You said his mom needed him.”

“She did. Things just feel complicated,” I confess.

“The good things are,” Daddy replies.

“We’ll leave the Cade thing. Back to the farm, I want you to do what will make you happy. You’ve given up so much of your life for me. I want you putting yourself first for once.”

“You make me happy, but I know you’re talking about your mother. You should know we’ve been floating the idea of divorcing. She wants the farm sold if we do, but I’ve told her how much this place means to you. She seems to be conceding.”

Hearing Mom would sell the farm hurts. It has been in her family for generations and even though she never felt a connection, it’s hard to believe she’d give it up so easy. Even though nothing she does should shock me at this point.

“We aren’t in any rush though. I’m still trying to find a solid way out of this mess,” Daddy adds. “I don’t want you worrying.”

“I can’t help but feel frustrated about Mom,” I admit.

“She loves you. She just has a different way of showing it. I think she will agree to keep the farm.”

“I hope so.”

“’Kay, you have a good night now. I have a little more clarity on what I have to do,” he says, sounding vague. “Have yourself a good night.”

“You too.”

When we end the call, I see a text from Cade.

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