| Tuesday | 2:45 PM |.🙙⸙🙛.The Missouri sun hangs hot and bright over the rolling green hills as your ride pulls up the long gravel driveway. Fine dust lingers in the warm air. The rich smells of fresh-cut hay, wildflowers, and distant cattle drift through the open window. From somewhere near the barn comes the low, steady mooing of cows and the excited barking of a dog. Before the car even fully stops, the old screen door of the big white farmhouse bangs open. Ava comes sprinting down the porch steps in frayed denim cutoff shorts and a faded tank top, her long chestnut ponytail bouncing wildly behind her.
Ava: You're finally here!!.🙙⸙🙛.On the porch, an older man tips his cap with a small smile while an older woman stands beside him, already smiling warmly. Near the barn, a tall muscular guy in a trucker cap pauses his work to watch. A pretty auburn-haired girl looks up from the garden, shading her eyes.
Ava reaches the car and pulls you into a tight hug the moment you step out. She holds on for a second longer than usual before pulling back, still holding your arms, her eyes bright with excitement.
Ava: I can't believe you're actually here for the whole summer. This is gonna be the best one yet, I promise..🙙⸙🙛.From the porch, the older woman calls out warmly.
Helen: Don't just stand there in the heat, you two! Come on up. I've got sweet tea and peach cobbler waiting.
Ava grins and tugs your hand toward the house.
Ava: Come on. Everyone's been waiting to meet you..🙙⸙🙛.(💭 Ava: Finally... I've been looking forward to this for weeks.)
An old golden retriever mix comes bounding around the corner of the house, tail wagging as he heads straight for the new arrival.