Page 9 of Apple of My Eye
Take increase in interest and boosted sales to whatever financial institution owner is leveraged with and refinance.
Invest capital in online storefront.
Create TikTok or Instagram challenge with ‘A Day in the Life’ as a prize to continue to generate buzz.I don’t know who you think your audience is, but most people aren’t in a hurry to sign up for a day of free labor.
Transfer ownership of social media accounts.
It is clear to me from this plan that you have never been to a working farm. Don’t prove to me that sending you was a mistake. Best of luck – Professor Adams.
Chapter Five
Eloise
Reasons I Think I’m in the Midst of a Continuous Heatstroke
–My parents want to sell the farm
–I’ve already drank Mom out of her supply of iced tea
–I saw a hot man at the Parkers’ place (this was a heat-induced hallucination)
–I forgot to bring JJ his after-lunch unripe apple
–I almost tripped on our largest (and loudest) chicken, Emily Chickenson
–I can’t stop thinking about my hallucination. Like, he wasreallygood looking
–My parents want to sell the farm
‘You’re what?’ I splutter.
‘You heard your mother,’ Dad says, in a voice I’ve never heard before.
‘I don’t think I heard her right!’ I reply, my voice pole-vaulting into a higher frequency.
‘Lou.’ Mom reaches a hand towards me. My stomach flips, and I regret eating as much as I did. ‘Things have been bad for a while now .?.?. we thought you would see this coming.’
‘I did,’ I say. ‘I mean, I knew things were bad, but you hadn’t said anything about selling.’
They exchange glances.
‘We haven’t officially decided. We’re gonna see how this fall goes, but .?.?. it’s not looking good.’
‘What amIsupposed to do?’ I ask quietly, the realization that my future is being taken away from me hitting me like a ton of bricks. All of my hard work this summer, justgone.
‘We thought about that too.’ Mom is gentle, her hand reaching towards me across the table. I catch the glint of a tear in her eye and look away. ‘But even if we sell, you’ll be fine. You’re so smart, and you have this great degree you can put to use anywhere. Didn’t you say you liked the research you were doing in the lab? You could .?.?. do that?’
‘Mom.’ My voice catches, but I push through. ‘That’s not how that works .?.?. I already gave that up .?.?. I .?.?. I thought I would be back here with you. I don’t understand .?.?. why didn’t you tell me sooner?’
My dad clears his throat but stays quiet.
‘Who would you sell it to?’
‘Lou,’ Dad cuts in, his voice has an edge to it.Don’t go there, he’s saying, but I can’t help myself.
‘We can’t sell out to another big corporation!’ I cry out. ‘Everyone is doing that. This region will beruined.’ My heart starts to beat faster. I glance at Dad, pleading. ‘You said you would never sell to them.’
Dad hangs his head and it breaks my heart to see him so defeated. I change the subject. ‘If you sell .?.?. then what?’ I manage to ask, my voice coming out even more high-pitched.
