Page 96 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

He grins. “You have very specific cow requirements.”

“If I'm going to have a cow, I'm going to have the right cow.”

“Of course.” He chuckles. “Future job. Four.”

“Music teacher.”

“Another,” he coaxes.

“Maybe one of those people who takes money on the highway.”

“A toll booth attendant.” He nods a few times. “Okay. I can’t picture it, but okay. What else?”

“Landscaper.”

“I can see that,” he says, looking me up and down.

“Oh yeah?”

“You surrounded by flowers?” He winks. “Yeah, totally. Another.”

“Farmer,” I state.

“I can see that too. My pretty girl surrounded by a herd of Highland cows. White, with really long, shaggy fur. The kind where the hair hangs all over its face.”

“You can?” I giggle.

He nods. “You’d have to braid the girl cow’s hair, tie a bow in it.”

“Obviously.” I grin.

“Future city. Three.”

“Blue Valley.”

“Perfect place for one or five horses and a herd of Highland cows. Next?”

“New York City.”

“Music teachers in high demand, I’m sure.” He smiles at the ground again.

“That’s right. Then I would have to say, LA too.”

“California is a long way from here,” he notes.

“It is, but I bet the job market there is better than Blue Valley.”

“Gonna guess you’re right.” He holds up a finger. “One more.”

“Cleveland?”

“Ohio?” he asks.

“Sure.” I shrug.

“Okay, how many kids do you want? I need four answers.”

“Okay, zero, four, five, and seven.”