The Experiment
Chapter One
After finishing college and spending 2 years putting my engineering degree to good use, I found myself becoming less interested in the work I was doing and feeling as if I was missing something. The money was good, my apartment was nice, my girlfriend seemed happy, I should be the happiest I had ever been. But my parents were getting older, my father's health wasn't as good as it used to be, and I thought of them often. Living in the "big city" as my dad called it certainly had me missing something. After college I had taken a position as an engineer with a construction company in Dallas, great money, great company, everything was on track with my life.
I had met my girlfriend working as a waitress in a restaurant I had frequented, and we were truly building a very good relationship as well. I was 27 years old, 5'10" tall, toned from working out, brown hair, blue eyes. Not a movie star but I was told I was handsome.
It was a Tuesday when my mother called to let me know my dad had fallen and broken his hip putting up hay bales. He was hospitalized and would be for the next few days, but they expected a full, yet lengthy recovery. I was devastated, I know he would be fine and recover but what about income for them, the work of keeping everything together. It bothered me all day so that evening I talked with my girlfriend and decided to go back home, at least temporarily to help them, and she would stay and take care of the apartment. I called my mom, and she was elated but concerned about my job, I told her I would speak with them on Wednesday and make the necessary arrangements.
On Wednesday I spoke with my boss and explained the situation, she assured me that she understood, and it was fine that I take a short-term leave. She asked that I keep her up to date on my potential return. Everything was set, I went home and started packing for the drive.
I left late that evening after going to dinner with my girlfriend, hoping to miss some of the traffic. The drive was uneventful, and I arrived safely to my parent's home at around 11 pm. My mom and I talked for awhile and went to bed, planning to visit my dad in the morning.
We visited my dad, and he was very excited that I had come to help while he was recovering, we talked about what needed to be completed and I told him I would get right on it. After the visit I began completing the chores that were needed to be completed on the small farm.
Dad was in the hospital a few days longer than expected but was now home and resting comfortably, I had been catching up the daily work on the farm and talking with Allie a few times a day, she had decided to come out for the weekend so that we could spend some time together, we were missing each other.
As I worked the farm, I realized that being away and working in the city had its advantages but there were enjoyable aspects to small town living as well. I had run into friends and high school classmates as I was around town as well. The big rumor was that one of our classmates was returning to town with a degree in chemical science and opening a new facility to produce a new fertilizer. Everyone was talking about how successful he was and how excited that he would be bringing employment opportunities to town. All I could recall was that in high school he was one of the few people that I picked on for being a big nerd and more than likely gay. But I could see how the community would be welcoming to the new opportunities as well as the successful scientist returning to his hometown.
Allie arrived Friday evening and would be staying until driving back home on Sunday, I was so very excited to see her, spend some time together, introduce her to my parents and show her where I grew up. The weekend was fantastic, I missed Allie terribly and enjoyed our time together so much. She and my parents hit it off from the start, Allie and my mom were inseparable. I hated to see the weekend end, but she returned home on Sunday and Monday started a new week of working on the farm. It was also a doctor's appointment for my dad, which were cautiously hoping it would be a good report. I had already been away for 3 weeks and was eager to return to my job and to Allie. I helped my mom het my dad in the car and off they went to the doctor as I tended to the livestock, about 15 hogs, 30 cattle, 2 horses and chickens. Not a huge farm but it had sustained our family for many years.
I had stayed busy all morning when I noticed my mom drive up, without my dad. She explained that he wasn't healing properly and would need to stay in the hospital and potentially have a corrective surgery.
Now what do I do, I was fine with helping short-term, but this could become lengthy. I obviously needed to let my boss know and call Allie and update her. Allie did not answer, she was most likely working. When I spoke with my boss, she asked me to try and provide her an estimate of my return. I told her I would speak to the doctor and update her as soon as possible.
When Allie returned my call, I could tell that it bothered her, but she understood. I made a call to my dad's doctor and left a message. A few hours later the doctor returned my call and explained that due to his age, arthritis etc. his recovery would probably take 2-3 months after his next surgery.
After a lot of discussion, it was apparent that unless I stayed and helped my parents would lose the farm and everything, they owned more than likely. I spent that night and the next day contemplating what to do next. I text Allie and ask her when she had a minute to please call me.
Allie and I talked for over an hour, and she assured me we would be able to work through this, her opinion was that I had to take care of my family. The next call I needed to make was to my boss, I really dreaded making that call.
I called my boss and although she seemed empathetic and concerned she reminded me of a deadline I had on a huge project and told me she was very unsure of how to proceed but would contact me.