Page 95 of Pride High 2: Orange

“I will,”Silvia promised.

They didn’t go far before she noticed a sign advertising a North Pole Celebration, and soon after, a large metal gate with the words “Hartland Farms” worked into the design. They turned down this road, which was lined with Christmas decorations and more signs instructing visitors where to park. In the distance, she could see the tops of red barns poking out from behind snow laden trees. Her tummy rumbled with nerves. Not because of the volunteer work. Silvia was more than comfortable with that. Although she had a hard time defining precisely what had her so flustered. She wanted to be Keisha’s friend. And yet, she hadn’t called Mindy to learn more about her because… Well, she just hadn’t.

Her father pulled up to a pedestrian gate near a one-story building.

“Call when you need a ride home,”he said.

“I will. Drive safe. And actually come to a complete stop at the intersections. I know there wasn’t any traffic—”

“Stop worrying so much,”Miguel interjected.“That’s my job.”

He always said that. And she never listened.

Silvia kissed him on the cheek and climbed out of the truck. She pulled her wool-lined denim jacket tight against the biting chill and hurried toward the open gate. She could see the festivities beyond, but Silvia wasn’t there to join them. Unsure where to go, she ducked into the nearest building. The interior was a gift shop. She noticed preserves and dried floral arrangements for sale before her attention moved to the woman behind the counter, who bore a passing resemblance to Keisha, although with curls that spilled down one side of her face. She wore a red outfit with fluffy white trim. The woman—Mrs. Hart presumably—was lost in a book until Silvia’s boots scuffed on the floor, causing her to look up in surprise.

“Welcome!” she said. “Are you searching for a last-minute Christmas present or are you here to join the celebrations?”

“I’m here to…” Silvia made a face. “Wait, people are still shopping for gifts? On Christmas Day?”

Mrs. Hart nodded. “Mostly those who didn’t expect to get something and feel the need to reciprocate. That’s not you, I take it?”

Silvia shook her head. “I’m here to volunteer.”

“Oh! Are you Keisha’s friend, by chance?”

“Yes,” she replied, tempted to ask if Keisha had actually described her as such.

“How nice! I’m her mother. She told me to keep an eye out for you.” Mrs. Hart checked her watch, her eyebrows shooting up. “She’ll be in the party barn for the lunch rush, and I should be too. Come. We can go there together.”

They went outside. She watched as Mrs. Hart flipped aWe’ll be back!sign on the door before locking up. Then they began walking toward another building.

"So this party barn,” Silvia said casually. “Is that where you keep the party animals?”

“That’s my husband’s favorite joke,” Mrs. Hart said with twinkling eyes. “We never keep animals in there. We used to, but these days we rent it out, usually as a wedding venue.”

Despite having visited the farm as a child, it wasn’t what Silvia had expected. The land they were walking across was ringed by several buildings. In the center was a small amphitheater. A little girl was singing her heart out on stage. The audience, sitting on rustic benches hewn from tree trunks, sipped from steaming mugs served at a nearby booth. Silvia could see a petting zoo farther away, and a sleigh manned by reindeer. Strings of lights, snow sculptures, decorated trees, and the smell of firewood all combined to create a truly festive scene. But she couldn’t help wondering if any real farming was done here. Where were the fields of crops? And the horses? Didn’t all farms have horses?

Mrs. Hart must have noticed her looking around because she said, “It’s a good-sized crowd this year. Which I always have mixed feelings about. It’s better to hope that no one shows up. But then, I can’t imagine spending Christmas any other way.”

“I sure appreciated it when I was little.”

Mrs. Hart beamed at this. “You’ve been here before? And now you’re back to help others. How wonderful!” They had reached the barn door, which she reached for. “You might want to brace yourself, because this is where it gets crazy.”

As soon as the door opened, sounds and scents were released into the winter air. The large open space beyond was filled with benches and tables, making her think of the cafeteria at Pride High, except the walls, floors, and ceiling were all wooden boards and beams, creating a cozy ambience. Toward the back of the barn was a serving area where people were lined up for food.

Mrs. Hart’s expression became determined as she picked up the pace, leading them along the edge of the room to avoid the crowd. Silvia noticed Keisha serving food behind the counter and kept an eye on her until Mrs. Hart reunited them.

“Look who’s here,” she said to her daughter.

“Silvia!” Keisha said with wide eyes and a mad chuckle. “You sure picked a time to show up. It’s going to be trial by fire.”

“What do I do?”

“Anything you can,” Keisha said, passing her a large serving spoon. “Everyone gets a heaping serving of mashed potatoes. Gravy is optional. Better ask because not everyone likes it. I need to grab more stuffing. Be right back.”

And with that she ran off. Mrs. Hart lingered a moment longer, showing Silvia where to leave her jacket and how to scoop portions onto each plate. “Will you be okay?” she asked.

“Yes,” Silvia replied, fully confident that she could handle anything thrown her way, because the grateful expressions from the families they served together was all the motivation she needed. She worked alone until Keisha returned to her side, but there was little time to interact.