Chapter 8

As Fall settles in, the air carries a crisp chill, and the farm takes on a new rhythm. Jack diligently tends to the crops, sowing plenty of seeds to prepare the town for the impending hibernation of Winter. Claire also tends to her own role, collecting milk and eggs to feed the town, while supplying wool to keep everyone warm through the colder seasons.

Since Kai's departure, Claire's days revolve around the mailbox, checking it daily for any word from the man she loves. She waits anxiously for any sign of communication from him, her soul yearning for a letter that would bridge the vast distance separating them. But without the knowledge of the addresses of Kai's other establishments, she feels powerless in her pursuit of a connection that seems increasingly elusive.

On the first day of Fall, Claire's hopeful anticipation quickly turns to disappointment as she checks the mailbox again, finding it void of any word from Kai. She takes a deep breath, trying to reassure herself that perhaps he hasn't had the opportunity to send a letter just yet. The hollowness in her heart is hard to ignore, and she can't help but feel the weight of loneliness settling in.

The next morning, she rushes to the mailbox with renewed hope, her heart beating with the possibility of seeing his treasured words on paper. But once again, her expectations are met with silence—no word, no letter from Kai. Claire tries to find solace in the belief that he must be engrossed in setting up somewhere in a distant town, his days consumed by the demands of his culinary career. She clings to the thought that he might be thinking of her amidst the bustling activity.

As the next day passes, Claire's routine becomes an agonizing dance between tending to the farm animals and wondering how Kai is doing. She feels like a lost soul, adrift in an ocean of uncertainty, unsure of where she stands in Kai's thoughts and heart. In the depths of her longing, she yearns for more than just the prospect of a letter—she yearns for the warmth of his embrace, the sound of his laughter, and the whispered words of affection only meant for her ears.

The image of finding a letter from Kai fills her mind—his charming words capturing her heart, professing his love and longing for her. In her daydreams, he reveals intimate fantasies, creating an imaginary connection between them, even in his absence. These fantasies would become her lifeline, a tender thread that keeps her spirit afloat as she waits three long seasons for his return.

On the fifth day, as Claire opens the mailbox once more, her heart sinks with the sight of emptiness. The reality of Kai's absence is hitting her hard, and she struggles to hold back the tears. She continues to whisper excuses on his behalf, telling herself that her lonely heart is merely a symptom of knowing that he is out of town working. She imagines that things would get better once she hears from him. Believing that her relationship with Kai going public would mend her heart and make the wait worthwhile.

Forcing herself to cheer up, Claire goes to work and cares for the animals. As she tends to the animals, she takes extra care, making sure each one receives the attention they deserve. She brushes the horses' manes gently, feeling the softness of their coats beneath her fingertips. She can’t wait until she starts racing the horse once it grows up.

Next, she moves on to the cows, their large, gentle eyes filled with a sense of trust as they watch her approach. Claire fills their feeding trough with fresh hay, the aroma of which fills the air, enticing the cows to chew contentedly. She takes a moment to admire their sturdy frames and the patterns on their hides, each one unique and beautiful in its own way.

As she makes her way to the sheep, they huddle together, their fluffy white coats gleaming in the morning light. Claire's hands glide over their wool, feeling the softness and warmth beneath her fingertips. The sheep respond with soft bleats, as if expressing their gratitude for the care they receive.

With the cows and sheep taken care of, Claire turns her attention to the chickens, their vibrant feathers shimmering in various colors. She scatters grains on the ground, and the chickens cluck happily as they peck at the food. Their playful antics bring a smile to Claire's face, lifting her spirits as she watches them interact.

With the morning tasks completed, Claire leads the cows and sheep to the pasture, where lush green grass awaits them. The animals eagerly graze, their contentment evident in their peaceful expressions. Claire watches them with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that she is playing a crucial role in their well-being.

At around noon, her stomach grumbles with hunger, signaling that it's time for a break. Claire wipes her hands on her overalls and walks into the cozy farmhouse, ready to grab something to eat. Inside, she finds Jack sitting at the table, engrossed in a ledger before him.

Deciding not to disturb him, Claire decides to grab a snack from the fridge. She opens the refrigerator door, and finds a selection of fresh produce from the farm. Her eyes settle on a plump, red apple, and she takes it out with a small smile. The apple feels firm and crisp in her hand as she takes a satisfying bite, the sweet and tart flavors filling her mouth.

"Hey Claire. Do you have a second? We need to talk about something," says Jack.

"Oh, sure," answers Claire curiously. She then takes a seat at the wooden table, wondering what's on his mind.

As she waits patiently, Jack finishes his calculations in the ledger before him. He then puts the pencil down and looks up at Claire. "Looks like the farm is doing really good. We have a good amount of money saved up in the bank, and I think we should use it to upgrade the farm."

“Wow, that’s great!” said Claire. Feeling excitement at the idea of upgrading the farm. She imagines the possibilities of improving their operations and making the farm even more successful.

“I’m glad you agree,” said Jack. “So I’m going to Gotz’ place and ask him to upgrade the coop. I know it will be a bit expensive, but we should be able to make the money back from eggs and mayonnaise after a year or so.”

“Now hold it there buster,” interrupted Claire. “I see where you’re going with this! You just want to impress Popuri with more chickens running around the farm. Nice try, but I say we should upgrade the barn instead. Cheese and yarn are in demand, and I would like to add more animals to the farm.”

“That’s not a good idea,” argues Jack. “Cows and sheep costs way too much money to buy and maintain, and they take years to produce good byproducts to make a profit. Not to mention that the pasture would only get bigger, taking up more space in the field. Less field space means crop profits will go down. Chickens on the other hand are a safer bet. We can use the rooster to populate the coop for free, and I have plenty of corn stashed to make plenty of feed. And once we get a hot house, we can afford to expand the pasture and do the barn later.”

Claire grunts in frustration and continues, “well, I don’t care about all those dumb numbers. I want more cows and sheep. And since I am in charge of the animals, I think I should have say on which one we upgrade first!”

Jack chuckles, knowing that Claire would pull that card on him. He is already prepared. He reaches over and places a pile of papers on the table in front of Claire.

Claire curiously takes a page and asks, “what is all this?”

“Bills,” answered Jack confidently. “Don’t worry, they are already paid, but I think you’ll agree that your side of the job isn’t generating enough money.” Jack then grabs some pages and continues, “these are the cost of all the animals we bought so far. Not to mention the cost to feed them, treats to keep them happy, medicine when they get sick, and so much more.”

Jack continues to show Claire bills after bills, most of them are from the cost to raise cows, sheep, her dog, and the horse she is raising. He also shows her the medical bill from the time Claire’s horse attacked Jack during Spring. Once all the bills were laid out, it was clear to Claire that she has made no money, and in fact she is in the red. Jack who works all day growing crops makes the vast majority of the profit and is keeping the farm not only afloat, but profitable as well.

Claire cringes as she was not aware that Jack has been keeping such close tabs on the finances of the farm. Jack, with a smug expression, sees that Claire no longer has anything to say. He leans back in his chair, feeling satisfied with the resolution of their discussion. "Well, now that everything is settled, I should head over to the carpenter and have the coop upgraded," he confidently declares. Claire, unable to find any valid argument against it, reluctantly agrees, knowing that Jack's decision makes sense for the farm's future.

As they are about to discuss the upgrade further, a sudden knock on the door interrupts their conversation. Curious, Jack quickly makes his way to the front door and opens it to reveal a group of young men from Mineral Town, all beaming with excitement. In unison, they cheer, "Happy Birthday!"

Claire steps closer, surprised by the unexpected celebration. "I didn't know today was your birthday."

“I didn’t think they knew either,” answered Jack.

In one swift motion, the guys crowd around Jack, urging him to join their celebratory outing. Gray yells, “Come on Jack! We’re heading to the inn to get you drunk as hell!” The enthusiastic group of friends then bursts into song, singing, “For he’s a jolly good fellow,” as they carry Jack away from the farm. Claire stands there dumbfounded, unsure of what to do in the midst of the lively commotion. But as they enthusiastically drag Jack out of the farm, Claire realizes she has the house all to herself for the rest of the day.

With Jack's departure, the once bustling house falls into a newfound tranquility. The familiar sounds of his footsteps and annoying banter are absent, leaving behind a serene silence that Claire finds surprisingly comforting. She relishes this moment of solitude, cherishing the chance to be alone with her thoughts and emotions. With a wistful smile, she gazes out the window, watching the sun begin its descent, casting a warm glow over the surrounding fields.

As she stands there, she contemplates how to make the most of this temporary freedom. The possibilities seem endless - however, her mind keeps drifting back to Kai, the memory of their time together lingering in her heart.

A sudden idea crosses her mind, and a mischievous grin forms on her lips. Perhaps she could venture to the bedroom, where she can finally let go of the restraints she's had in Jack's presence. The thought of being undisturbed, free to get undressed and think about Kai without any interruptions or awkwardness, excites her. With a newfound sense of liberation, she makes her way to the bedroom, relishing every step.

However, her solitude is short-lived as a knock on the door startles her out of her reverie. She releases a frustrated sigh, her moment of peace shattered. Irritated by the interruption, she reluctantly heads to the front door, wondering if the guys have returned for something they forgotten. Her annoyance quickly fades as she opens the door to find the girls from Mineral Town standing outside instead.

Popuri, with her infectious energy, rushes forward and cheerfully exclaims, "Hey Jack, we came to celebrate your birthday!"

A sigh escapes Claire's lips as she says, "Jack is not here. You just missed him. The boys already took him to the inn."

"Damn, I knew we should have come earlier," Popuri whispers with frustration.

The girls notice a somber look on Claire's face, and Popuri, ever the perceptive one, immediately asks, "Is everything okay?"

Claire tries to put on a brave face and nods, "Everything is fine, really. I was just thinking... everyone came to celebrate Jack's birthday. If it were mine, would you all do the same?"

"Of course we would!" Popuri exclaims cheerfully, her eyes bright with sincerity. "Speaking of which, when is your birthday?"

"The 25th day of Summer," Claire responds, her voice carrying a tinge of hurt. It's clear that her special day had recently passed, and no one had known.

As the girls exchange glances, a wave of concern washes over them. They hadn't realized, and now they can't help but feel a pang of regret for not being there to celebrate with their friend on her special day. Popuri, determined to remedy the situation, gets an idea and exclaims, "Well, look at that! Looks like we're going to be celebrating Claire's birthday instead!"

"But today is not my birthday," Claire protests, not wanting them to go through the trouble.

Popuri, with her infectious enthusiasm, pulls Claire out of the house and nudges her towards the other women. "Don't sweat the details," she insists with a wink. "We came to celebrate someone's birthday, and it may as well be yours! Besides, what's a better way to make up for missing your actual birthday than with a belated celebration?"

Just as Jack was carried off, Claire finds herself being carried away as well, engulfed in the tide of festivities. She had hoped for a quiet evening alone in the house, but fate had other plans for her. Surrendering to the inevitable, Claire sighs and decides to embrace the celebration that has been thrust upon her.

As they arrive at the inn, Claire is greeted by a lively scene. The place is filled with music, laughter, and the clinking of beer mugs. The entire town seems to have gathered to celebrate Jack's birthday, and the atmosphere is electrifying.

Popuri, eager to ensure Claire enjoys the moment, leads her to the bar and proclaims, "Claire's drinks are on us! Don't let the tap go dry on us, Doug!"

Claire sighs and orders a beer. Doug, the innkeeper, slides a frothy mug across the bar, and Claire catches it deftly. She takes a sip, the cold liquid refreshing against her lips, but her thoughts keep drifting back to Kai. While she had only mentioned her birthday to Kai in passing, she can't help but feel a pang of sadness that no one else in town bothered to ask. They had all known about Jack's birthday, even though he rarely ventured far from the farm.

As the night progresses, Jack eventually takes a seat beside Claire,"nice of you to join the celebration," he says, teasing her gently.

Claire retorts, "I didn't have much of a choice, did I? Popuri practically kidnapped me, wanting to celebrate my birthday"

“I didn’t know it was your birthday too,” said Jack.

“It’s not. It was a little over a week ago. But the girls felt bad that they missed it, and they want to celebrate it now. I find it a little weird that they took me to the same place to celebrate yours. Clearly, I was just an afterthought. I am curious though. How did everyone know it was your birthday. You hardly talk to anyone.”

“Popuri asked me back in Spring. I guess she told everyone else,” he answered.

"Figures," Claire muttered under her breath, her frustration evident in her tone.

With her beer in hand, Claire takes a leisurely sip while Jack playfully teases her, "Are you even old enough to be drinking that?"

Rolling her eyes, Claire retorts, "I’m nineteen you idiot. The legal drinking age in Mineral Town is eighteen. They even have a saying: 'If you're old enough to work, then you're old enough to drink. But I doubt that's any of your business anyway."

Jack chuckles at her response and continues his light-hearted banter, "I'd still check your ID. Considering how short you are, you could pass for someone still in middle school."

Claire snarls angrily. “Fuck you Jack! You think you’re so much better than me because you’re slightly older, good with numbers, and lead a dull life growing plants all day! I bet you I could grow crops just as well as you, maybe even better!”

“You talk a lot of shit, considering that animals are your thing, and you’re side of the farm isn’t making money. This farm is a business, not a daycare for pets.”

“Just you wait! When the cows and sheep get older, they’ll be bringing in way more money than your worthless turnips and potatoes. Then you won’t be making fun of them and I’ll be calling the shots around the farm!”

“Is that so?” answered Jack.

The tension between Claire and Jack escalates as they argue back and forth about their respective roles on the farm. Each farmer staunchly defends their area of expertise, determined to prove their worth over the other. The air crackles with competition and rivalry, creating a hostile environment in the inn. Everyone else slowly moves away, giving them space to resolve their differences.

As they leer at one another, Claire finally says, “fine then, let's handle this like true farmers once and for all.”

“What do you have in mind?” asks Jack, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.

“I propose a drinking contest. If I can drink more beer than you, then we upgrade the barn instead of the coop. But if I lose, then I’ll let you make all the decisions on the farm, no questions asked,” Claire declares, her voice resolute.

“You’re on!” shouts Jack, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

“Hey everyone! Jack and Claire are about to start a drinking contest!” announces Doug.

The entire inn is abuzz with excitement as everyone gathers around Jack and Claire, eager to witness the showdown. The first round of beer slides across the counter, and each of them grabs a pint, ready to prove their determination and ability to handle their liquor. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation as they both down their drinks, neither one willing to back down. Claire grins, despite being younger and smaller than Jack, she knows that she has been drinking a lot longer than him, and built quite a tolerance. She is quite sure she would win.

Round after round, the beer keeps coming, and so does the determination in their eyes. Claire's cheeks flush with the effects of the alcohol, but she remains steady, matching Jack drink for drink. The crowd roars with every round, cheering on their favorite farmer.

As the night wears on, both Jack and Claire start to show signs of weariness. Their speech slurs slightly, and their laughter becomes more frequent. But neither of them is willing to concede. The drinking contest has become more than just a competition over the farm; it has turned into a battle of pride and will.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the moment of truth arrives. The last round of beer is poured, and Jack and Claire lift their pints for the final time. “Had. . . enough?” asked Jack, barely able to keep his head up.

“Never,” whispered Claire. They then raise their mugs and drink their final beer before they both black out, unable to remember anything else they did that evening.

The next morning, Claire wakes up with a nasty hangover. She slowly opens her eyes and takes a look around, finding herself in her own bed at the farm. She rubs her head, trying to piece together the events of the previous night. How did she end up back home, safe and sound?

As she sits up, the cool fall air brushes against her bare skin, and she suddenly becomes aware of her nudity. Panic sets in as she quickly grabs the sheets and covers herself, wondering how she got into such a compromising position. Her mind is a whirlwind of confusion and embarrassment.

It doesn’t take long before she hears a groan next to her. She turns her head to find Jack lying there in bed with her, also naked and looking equally disoriented. The realization hits her like a ton of bricks, and her eyes widen in shock.

"Oh no," Claire mutters to herself, trying to make sense of it all. She glances at the floor and sees both of their clothing scattered around, adding to the evidence of what transpired. Her heart races, unsure of how to handle this unexpected and awkward situation.

Claire suddenly lets out a deafening scream. The commotion from Claire's scream spreads throughout the farm, with the animals looking bewildered and confused. Chickens squawk, cows moo, and even the usually calm sheep start bleating loudly, adding to the chaotic atmosphere.

Amidst the animal uproar, Jack quickly wakes up, his heart pounding with fear. "Are we under attack? Did someone break in?" he asks, trying to make sense of the situation.

In one swift motion, she suddenly slaps Jack so hard that he tumbles out of bed. "Ouch! Claire, what was that for? And why are you in my bed?" Jack protests, rubbing his sore cheek on the floor as he struggles to make sense of the chaos.

“This is my bed you asshole!”

As Jack gathers his thoughts and rubs his sore cheek, the pieces of the puzzle slowly start falling into place as he notices Claire desperately trying to cover herself. He looks at himself and grabs anything he finds to cover himself realizing what just happened to them. “Oh shit, what did we do!?”

“You clearly took advantage of me.”

“What? How dare you!” protested Jack standing up, forgetting the situation he is in.

Claire shrieks, grabbing anything she can find to throw at him screaming, “get the fuck out!”

Jack rushes out of the bedroom as if his life depended on it. His face is flushed with embarrassment as he slams the door behind him, barricading it as random items slams against it. Grabbing whatever clothes he can find in his laundry basket, he hastily dresses himself, fumbling with buttons and zippers in his frantic state. Meanwhile, Claire's voice echoes through the closed door, scolding him using some of the foulest language Jack has ever heard, making him wince with every sharp word.

Hours pass, and the commotion subsides. Claire emerges from the room, now fully dressed in fresh clothes, but still wearing a disapproving frown on her face. Her hair is a bit disheveled, and her eyes bear the remnants of last night's exhaustion.

She finds Jack sitting at the kitchen table with a sheepish look on his face, waiting for her to join him so they can discuss the events of the night before. The room is filled with an awkward tension, and the sounds of the farm outside feels muted, as if nature itself is holding its breath, waiting to see how this strange situation unfolds. Claire takes a deep breath, and then walks past him heading to the front door.

There is a short pause before Claire says, “you need to go. I better not find you here by the time I get back.”

“Don’t try to blame me for anything! Whatever we did, we did it together!” argued Jack.

Not willing to listen, Claire flings open the front door in frustration. As the door swings wide, she is met with an unexpected sight: all the residents of Mineral Town are gathered outside, shouting in unison, “Congratulations!” Claire instinctively moves aside as the jubilant crowd streams in, carrying portable furniture, a stereo, snacks, drinks, and party favors. Jack and Claire exchange panicked glances as the whole town invades their house and sets up an impromptu party with unparalleled enthusiasm.

Once the party is fully set up, the townsfolk start socializing with gusto, seemingly unaware of Jack and Claire's overwhelmed expressions. They chat and laugh, happily munching on snacks and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere they've created within the once-quiet farmhouse. The stereo fills the room with catchy tunes, and some brave souls even attempt to dance in the limited space available.

As Jack and Claire stand awkwardly on the sidelines, their initial irritation replaced by a mixture of bewilderment and confusion. They exchange glances, wondering what is going on. The townsfolk continue to party, seemingly oblivious to Jack and Claire’s discomfort. Portable furniture is scattered around the house, snacks and drinks fill the tables, and the stereo continues to blare festive music.

Once they've had enough of the chaos, Jack walks over to the stereo and cuts the music off, stopping everyone in their tracks. The sudden silence brings all eyes to him and Claire. Claire can't contain her frustration and shouts, “What is going on!?”

Mayor Thomas, with a beaming smile, walks up to them and says, “We are throwing a party in your honor! I knew since the day we met that you two would end up together.”

Jack and Claire’s faces turn even redder in embarrassment. Whatever happened the night before, it seems the whole town knows about it. Claire then says, “I don’t know what everyone saw, but Jack and I are not dating!”

“Of course you two are not dating. You are much more than that,” said Thomas with a knowing wink.

“What does that mean?” ask Jack and Claire in unison, feeling even more puzzled by the cryptic remark.

Thomas, with his infectious enthusiasm, raises a drink high in the air, a smile stretching from ear to ear. His eyes twinkle with mischief as he announces, "a toast to Jack and Claire, our two lovebirds who've found each other amidst the chaos of farm life! Last night, within the walls of our quaint Mineral Town church, they declared their love for each other and got married!"

As the shocking revelation hits their ears, both of their faces grow pale. Claire stumbles backward, feeling the world spin around her, and before she knows it, she falls to the ground, fainting from the overwhelming shock. Jack's heart races as he pleads, "Please, tell me this is some sick and twisted joke."

“Not according to this marriage certificate,” answered Thomas as he pulls the document out of his breast pocket.

Panic rushes down Jack's spine as he takes the document and reads it carefully. The words on the paper confirm the horrifying truth - they did, in fact, sign the marriage certificate. But to add to the absurdity of the situation, their signatures are in the wrong places. Jack is listed as the bride, while Claire is registered as the groom. A testament to how intoxicated they were when it happened.

Claire regains consciousness, and as she takes the marriage certificate from Jack's hands, she lets out a horrified shriek. The reality of their predicament sinks in deeper, and the chaotic mix-up only adds to the bewildering situation they find themselves in.

"In case you two need more proof, here's the picture Kano took," Thomas says, handing Jack and Claire a photograph. As they look at the image, their eyes widen in disbelief. The picture shows them in the Mineral Town church, locked in a passionate embrace, with Pastor Carter standing before them, their faces clearly drunk as the whole town cheers in the back.

Jack and Claire stare at the photo in shock, and in unison, they exclaim, "I can't believe it. We actually did get married." The gravity of the situation sinks in, and they realize that what they thought was a wild night of passion was, in fact, a life-changing event. Not only that, they did it in front of the whole town. Everyone was a witness to Jack and Claire’s wedding, and they can no longer deny anything.

“How did you let this happen?!” Claire shouted at Jack.

“The drinking contest was your idea!” Jack shouted back.

Thomas then says, "Now that the happy couple are caught up, let's party!"

The music starts playing once again, but it doesn't take long for Jack to turn it off once more. Claire steps into the center of the house and declares, "All right, everyone, listen up! This was one horrible mistake. You may as well pack up and get out, because Jack and I are getting a divorce!"

The house suddenly turns eerily quiet. The townsfolk exchange nervous glances and slowly move away from Jack and Claire, their faces showing discomfort and confusion.

"What's going on?" Jack asks.

Thomas sighs and explains, "I guess you two are not familiar with Mineral Town's marriage laws."

"What about it?" Jack and Claire inquire in unison.

"In Mineral Town, we don't do divorce," Thomas says matter-of-factly. "Once you've signed the marriage certificate, you are legally bound to each other, forever."

Jack and Claire's eyes widen in horror as they process the gravity of Thomas' words. The word "forever" rings in their minds over and over, each repetition amplifying the absurdity of their accidental marriage and leaving them feeling utterly trapped in a situation they never could have imagined.

Claire passes out once again, overwhelmed by the weight of the situation. Meanwhile, Jack is on the verge of insanity, muttering, "I can't believe it, my life is officially ruined. Please, kill me now."

In an attempt to brighten the mood and distract from the awkwardness, the music gets turned on once again, and the party resumes. Everyone tries to have a good time around the wedded couple, who are struggling to maintain their composure. Claire lies on the floor, wondering how on earth she will explain any of this to Kai once he returns. Jack, still in a daze, stands there muttering nonsense, hoping desperately that this is all just a bad dream.

Later that afternoon, the party finally ends, and the Mineral Town residents return to their homes to resume their lives. Jack and Claire stand in their house, looking around at the aftermath of the wild celebration the townsfolk left behind. They exchange glances, but neither knows what to say.

Jack tries to lighten the mood, saying, "Well, look at the bright side. At least we got married before we... you know."

Claire's frustration reaches its peak, and she can't help but let it out. She punches Jack, knocking him to the floor. "My virginity is not your consolation prize!" she shouts in exasperation.

Just as they start to process the aftermath of the party, there's a sudden knock on the front door. They answer it to find Mayor Thomas standing outside, holding a bill in his hand. "By the way, here's the bill for the wedding," he says with a grin.

Jack takes the paper, and as they both take a look at the staggering amount, they let out a collective scream of shock. They were charged for everything—the wedding, the party, the photos, and even extra for holding a wedding late at night.

"All the money I saved up to upgrade the farm," Jack says in disbelief, "spent on a wedding we didn't even want."

As they face the consequences of their wild night and the unexpected turn of events, Jack and Claire find themselves stuck in a whirlwind of absurdity, unsure of what the future holds for their accidental marriage.