Maize was out in the cornfield inspecting the crops, her younger five siblings were given permission to go on dates with their potential husband's or wives. Maize was a typical average farm girl her straight silky white hair resembled the tips of of wheat ripe for harvest. Maize was five feet and six inches with broad shoulders and toned body from being in the fields. her three younger brothers always managed to shirk on their chores and Maize always picked up the slack. Maize was now twenty-six and still....single.
Maize answered her now ringing cellphone and the voice on the other line belonged to a boy who was the main writer for the "Farm & Field" section of the school newspaper. "Oh hey Inkwell, I'm just out in the field inspecting it....I've got to harvest three acres in one week as you know we have that freeze moving in."
"I know you like to do things on your own and all Maize....want me to come by and help you out? I may be a town boy but I'm sure I can help somehow."
"You know that with me being twenty-six and you're only eighteen people think that I'm a cradle robber since in your family you're the youngest."
"Look I know you're looking out for me and yourself but to hell with what people think! Besides I owe for the time you pulled me from the frozen pond and almost died yourself."
"Well....my father has been out due to an injury, however, I'll ask him if it's alright. Since we have rules about chaperoning and such; which is kinda funny since my five siblings and their dates are technically chapronning themselves. How about you come by for lunch and meet my parents and ask my father yourself? "
"Your dad won't...you know where I'm with this."
"My parents will think you're trying to court me, they worry about me not finding a boyfriend or something."
"I get it Maize, my parents want me to find a girl who isn't afraid to work. May I be bold to say my idea kind of girl is a lot like you. I know it sounds weird but growing up around you I always had a crush in you."
Maize choked on a single breath. "I'm not laughing at you, I'm just surprised is all. Most boys my age chased after the girls who were either rich or popular and now living in rough marriages. I'm content staying single for now, but if a guy did come around I'd give him a chance. Listen to me Inkwell, my folks would be dying right now and so would yours I'm sure."
Inkwell laughed along with Maize who mentioned that she had to get some work done and the pair hung up. Maize hummed as she swung her scythe and sent the corn stalks through a machine that took the ears of the stalk. Maize was thinking to herself about what her three brothers would say if she were to date one of their friends. In her mind, Maize knew that eight years was a decent gap and she always knew that Inkwell had a crush on her but she kept that part silent.
Lunch
Maize secured her scythe to the four-wheeler and drove back to the house and there, she saw Inkwell's Jeep in the front of the house and she rolled to a stop beside it and went in to clean up. "Good afternoon Ms. Maize, our son brought us along because he got nervous."
"Good afternoon to you too Papyrus and to you as well Type-setter. Please make yourselves comfortable while I go clean myself up." Maize went to get cleaned up and she saw her parents give her this smirk. Maize could hear Inkwell's talking to her father.
"I'd like to get business taken care of first if I may Tungsten. Would it be alright if I helped Maize in the field while you recover?"
"Of course lad, I've been looking for help since I broke my leg she's been doing things by herself. Her siblings help a little bit but not much. Maize likes to do things on her own; however, she did text me and mentioned you coming by. As far as I'm concerned and if she's acceptable to it and your folks I'd permit it you two to date. I have seen you grow up with my sons and the frozen pond incident I see how you look at her."
"Sir, I can't help but admire her, and....I have imagined what dating her would be like. I'm a town kid and only observed how town kids date."
"Maize has some interests you might like but I'll let her ask her about them." Maize's mother interjected her thoughts.
"You're a good kid, and my husband and I had talked about it in the past, but whenever Maize does date we'll let her go unchapperoned. If you did try something she easily turn your lights out."
Maize had just returned from cleaning herself up and was so embarrassed with her parents and Inkwell's parents were poking things along as well Inkwell was red in the face from embarrassment. "Come on you guys your acting worse then highschool kids." As the families ate Maize asked about the newspaper and magazine business and showed pure interest in the topic. "To help speed up the delivery process, my three brothers need jobs and they have their own cars let them help with the deliveries. My sisters could help with type setting, they've practiced with grandfather's old press which is in the spare bedroom."
Tungsten saw a means to add a side hussle and offered up his dad's old press to double productivity. Type-Setter was a man of sense and logic and he saw the good in it as well. Inkwell was surprised that Maize would recommend methods to help his family's business grow. Then again, she even helped find a way to increase productivity and efficiency.
Maize after the meal excused her self to go finish up for the day and both parents when She left the kitchen sent Inkwell after her. "Maize can I start helping with the field today?"
"Sure, here's the key for the other four-wheeler and may I guess both our kicked you out?"
"Kinda did but hey we're official now at least and how would your brothers feel about this?" Maize laughed and gave her short reply.
"They'll probably be like 'hell yeah about you moved bro' or best I can guess. You know my brothers are kind weird."
"Kinda weird? They are weird but enjoyable, but you have to live with them." The pair rolled out to the field racing down the dirt driveway.
Type-Setter and Tungsten smiled while the wives sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch chatted away about what their two kids will do next.
