Liam's buttered toast filled the air with delicious breakast aroma. He bit into that crunchy goodness with a content smile. Sunshine generously lit the white tiled kitchen. The morning breeze rolled in through the window on a beautiful cool spring day. It brought with it the fresh fragrance of blooming grass and pure clean air. The mesh white curtains followed and waved upward along with the wind.
Footsteps approached from outside the front door. The door opened and Liam's father, Elijah, entered and brought the cool breeze along with him.
"Happy 18th birthday, son!" He said excitedly with his arms out. He didn't have a necessarily soft voice but it carried a pleasant endearing tone, especially in the morning.
"Thanks dad! This breakfast is great! I love it!"
Elijah patted his heavy hand onto Liam's shoulder before heading back to the fridge.
"Glad you're enjoying it, son. But the best is still yet to come." He said as the bottles clinked when he opened the fridge door.
Liam looked over, shifting in his seat to see his father open the fridge. Immediately his mouth watered at the sound of bottles clinking. He grabbed a bottle of special milk, some flour mix off the top then held them up.
"Pancakes or waffles?" He asked.
"Pancakes!" Liam exclaimed excitedly. Everytime his father used the homemade special milk, everything tasted 10 times better and richer. It was like heaven and he always used it as the main ingredient.
"I knew you'd say that." He politely smiled, "and I've picked the strawberries out back if you want those too."
"Ohhh man, dad you really are the best. Everything you've harvested from home has tasted better than anything."
"It's a secret family recipe as you know. Which is actually something I've wanted to talk to you about." Elijah said as he began mixing the ingredients into a batter.
Liam finished the rest of his toast and listened eagerly. His father always came back from the ranch so buoyant and happy. He wore it proudly on his face and passed his great spirits onto his son through his attitude and nurturing.
"So you understand that very strict rule that forbids you to go to the ranch, right?" Elijah said.
"Yeah," Liam responded. Truth be told, curiosity got the best of him a couple times but the entrance required a combination lock and he could never figure it out.
"Well on your 18th birthday, things are about to change. I need some help around the ranch and I was required to wait until you became a man."
"Yeah, absolutely no problem," he said, "what do I need to do?"
"Son, this is not going to be an easy conversation," he said, looking glumly as he struggled to take another bite, "I need to go on a journey and I may not be back for a while. If all goes well, it may last maybe a couple weeks. I know it may seem hard for you but it is something I must do. And I will need you to help take care of the Ranch while I am gone. Tomorrow, I head out for the journey early in the morning.
"Is everything okay, dad?"
"After this journey is completed, I assure you everything will be. Now you'll need to wake up at 8am at the latest and there will be instructions for you on the fridge. It's a lot to take in for the first day but if you're anything like me, it's nothing you can't handle." He winked.
He poured the batter onto a pan and the aroma of pancakes slowly filled the room.
"I can't say much more than that. You will need to figure out the rest for yourself. And let me tell you, you're in for quite an adventure."
"I'm prepared for anything dad. You taught me to be." Liam said, hoping he would feel better.
"Glad to hear it, son. Remember what we say?"
"Good things come from good work."
"Precisely. You'll be fine. I'll always have faith in you son."
They enjoyed their hot breakfast together. Liam asked many questions of which Elijah could barely answer. However he would soon find out for himself tomorrow morning.
***
The morning sun brought merigold rays into Liam's room. The songs of birds and the smell of Spring's fragrance rolled in through the window and graced his nose. He sniffled and awoke to the scenery, well rested. The bedroom window provided a view of the treeline in the backyard.
He woke up, brewed some coffee, then checked the note on the fridge.
Liam,
I am sorry for the last minute notice but as we've discussed, I need to go away for some time. When I will be back is unknown, however I trust you have every ability to take care of the ranch.
Today is your first day. As you enter the ranch, you may be surprised at the things you experience but after your acclimation period everything will become easier.
The ranch contains lovely wonders that provide us and bless us with the riches we drink and sell for our livelihood. You will see for yourself as you are now in charge of them.
The main list of chores involve many things including ensuring the barn is clean, the fence is secure and the entrance is always locked.
Among those, one golden rule remains the most important: To keep the livestock happy and content.
I trust in you and your abilities to adhere to this rule in order to ensure our milk production remains at a steady rate. If the livestock is miserable, your numbers will suffer. If the livestock is blooming, your livelihood will bloom too. Please keep them happy.
I will see you at the end of the trip.
I love you son,
Dad
The letter seemed intimidating but also endearing. Liam saw a list of tasks and a combination code on the back and took it with him. He set out towards the pasture he never got to see for himself.
An iron door stood with a surrounding electric fence. Dense foliage grew inside the border so you could never see into the enclosure. The fence expanded quite far, possibly for miles. He used the key to open the lock, then carefully punched in the combination. He slowly pushed the door open and closed it behind him.