Mom joins me first thing the next morning for my riding competition, just like we planned. This time, feeling a little daring, I enter the Show Jumping beginner competition.
My heart is still pounding from the excitement as Mom and I leave the equestrian center together after it’s all over.
Maia: That was amazing, Tadpole. The way you approached those obstacles practically made my heart stop a few times.
Tambara: Yeah, but I thought I’d do better than just 3rd place.
Maia: Well, it was your first time, right? There’s plenty of room to improve from here.
Tambara: I guess so.
Maia: It was impressive either way. But don’t you have a date to get ready for?
Tambara: Yeah, I have an appointment to get my hair done. Want to come?
Maia: No, I think I’ll hang out at the ranch and catch up on some reading… or maybe even take a nap.
I place Finesse’s saddle on her back and hop up.
Tambara: I’ll see you back at the ranch then.
Maia: Yep, see you.
I ride off, leaving Mom to find her way back to the ranch on her own.
Maia returns to the ranch and finds Juanita out back grilling some baked potatoes. Juanita grins when she sees her and begins removing them from the grill one by one.
Juanita: Oh, good morning, Miss Maia. These are hot off the grill. Want one?
Maia takes a good whiff, and her nostrils fill with the scent of butter, herbs, and sour cream, making her regret having eaten way too much for breakfast.
Maia: No, I’m still full from breakfast, but please save me one. I’ll sit with you and enjoy a drink, though.
Juanita grabs a serving and takes a seat at the table. Maia pours some fresh Mint Citrus Nectar for herself and a second glass for Juanita and slides it across the table to her.
Juanita shakes her head.
Juanita: I probably shouldn’t. I’m still on the clock.
Maia: Seems to me you’re on the clock most of the day. You deserve a break and a sip or two.
Juanita accepts the glass and eats a forkful of her baked potato. Maia takes a long sip of her nectar.
Maia: So, how’s it been working for my daughter? I know she can be tough to deal with at times.
Juanita shrugs and takes a sip from her own glass before responding.
Juanita: Oh, it’s alright. I’ve had my share of tough bosses. Miss Tami has been one of the nicest.
Maia: Hmph
Nice is not the way she’d ever describe her daughter, but she can understand that Juanita will probably never want to say anything negative about someone she works for. She takes another sip of her drink and leaves it at that.
Maia takes a moment to savor the nectar, swishing it around in her mouth.
Maia: This nectar is so good.
Juanita: Yes, it’s one of my favorites. I can only dream that my nectar ever comes out this good.
Maia: That’s right, Tami mentioned that you’re teaching her the entire process.
Juanita’s face lights up in a big grin.
Juanita: I am, actually. I can show you too if you’re interested.
Maia nods fondly.
Maia: Of course I am.
Juanita stands and begins gathering the dirty dishes and glasses.
Juanita: Good, I’ll show you everything I know. I’ll just wash these up and then meet you down in the cellar.
Maia mirrors Juanita’s gesture and stands to grab the leftover baked potatoes.
Maia: Actually, I’ll help you clean, and we’ll head down together.
Maia follows Juanita into the house.
The two women take the stairs down to the nectar cellar. Juanita quickly grabs the vacuum.
Juanita: Pardon the dust. Keeping this place clean is a daily ritual.
The dust isn’t what Maia is focused on. Instead, she looks around in awe at the small room, the shelving, and the crates of empty bottles lining the walls.
Maia: Wow, so this is how it all gets made.
Juanita: Yes, and it starts with regular fruit. Let me show you.
Juanita tosses a batch of strawberries into a big wooden tub, removes her boots, cleans her feet, steps in, and begins stomping on the fruit.
Juanita: It’s not as easy as it might look. My thighs are usually on fire after a few bottles’ worth of fruit.
Maia: It doesn’t look easy at all. I’m impressed that my daughter can do it.
Juanita: She’s still a beginner, but she’s catching on fast. Once she learns that there’s a rhythm to the process, she’ll be on her way to becoming an A1 nectar producer.
Juanita puts her entire body into the stomping process with steady and sure movements. Maia stands back, impressed, feeling like she’s watching an artisan at work.
Maia is getting tired just watching Juanita, so she takes a seat on the nearby bench.
Maia: So, did your dad teach you this too?
Juanita: No, this I studied up on myself. There’s a nectary out in Oasis Springs. I took a few classes there using some of my earnings last year.
Maia: So, you invested in yourself…smart.
Juanita: Thanks, Miss Maia.
Juanita continues to stomp until there’s only the juice of the strawberries left. Finally, she walks over and begins to fill a bottle with the nectar.
Juanita: The only thing left to do now is seal the bottle and leave it on the shelf to age.
Maia: So how long is the aging process?
Juanita: The longer you age them, the more they’re worth. I like aging them for an entire season.
Maia claps her hands together, delighted to hear how knowledgeable Juanita is.
Maia: Well, watching the way you stomped that fruit, I’m anxious to see those dance moves you were telling us about last night. That is, if you’re not too tired.
Juanita seems to be more energized.
Juanita: No ma’am. It takes a lot more than a few strawberries to tire me out. I’d be glad to show you!
Back inside, Juanita approaches Tami’s stereo, which is already tuned to a catchy, fast-paced song on the Ranch station.
Juanita: Oh, I love this one.
She then begins to demonstrate some simple steps.
Juanita: This dance is called the cowpoke. You can begin with a simple two step… like this.
Maia: No need to simplify for me. I want to see what you really have in you.
That’s all the permission Juanita needs. She leaps up high, clicks her heels together, and shouts out…
Juanita: Hee-haw!
She lands back on her feet and, without missing a beat, shows off her footwork. The stomping of her boots on the wood floor adds to the rhythm of the music and makes Maia want to clap along.
Juanita: It’s no fun to do this alone. Join me, Miss Maia.
Maia: I told you I’m not much of a dancer.
Juanita: But that’s the beauty of it all. You don’t have to be a good dancer. The only requirement is having fun.
Maia: Well, I guess I can do that.
As I arrive home, I hear the music blasting before I enter the house from the garage. I turn the corner to see Mom and Juanita having a full-on dance party in my living room. I don’t recall ever seeing Mom dance before. She’s grinning and having the time of her life, which sharply contrasts with my own mood.
I’m hungry and mad as hell from being outside in the hot sun, which threatened to make me sweat out my freshly straightened hair. And on top of all that, my regular manicurist decided to call in sick, so my nails aren’t done. I sigh deeply, because I’m not in the mood for joy right now.
Mom finally stops dancing long enough to notice that I’m home.
Maia: Oh, hey Tami. You look nice. I love your outfit.
I grumble a thanks and search the refrigerator for a snack to satisfy my hunger before my date.
I take my snack to the table while Mom and Juanita keep right on dancing as if I’m not even there.
Juanita: That’s it, Miss Maia. You’re getting the hang of it.
I glance over to see that Juanita is right — Mom is getting the hang of it. I mean, she’s a little uncoordinated, but she looks so pleased with herself that it’s hard for me to keep a slight smile off my face. I roll my eyes and eat a few more crackers, but it’s getting harder to stay annoyed.
Maia: Yeah, but these old knees can’t hang in there much longer. I might grab one of those baked potatoes after all.
As much as I try to resist it, the music calls to me. Mom grabs some food from the refrigerator and trades places with me at the table. I walk over to Juanita.
Tambara: Marvel is going to meet me at the Rusty Horseshoe Dance Hall. Can you show me that move you were doing?
I try to copy what she did, but I already know I look ridiculous.
Juanita: Not bad, Miss Tami. You have to get your footwork right. Try this…
Juanita demonstrates a few moves, and I do my best to follow along.
Juanita: That’s it, you’re getting it. Now add some hip movements.
Juanita hops up in the air and really begins to show off. I don’t even attempt to copy. Instead, I do my own version, which is still good but keeps both feet on the ground.
Tambara: This will definitely impress him. Thanks, Juanita.
Juanita is so out of breath from dancing and laughing that she can hardly speak.
Juanita: You’re welcome, Miss Tami.
Tambara: Maybe I’d be better at this if I worked outside all day.
Juanita pauses, then stops dancing as if she just remembered something. Her tone is much more serious than it was just a moment ago. It almost makes me wonder if I said something wrong.
Juanita: I have some work I’d better finish before sundown. Enjoy your date, Miss Tami.
Juanita heads out the door, and the fun leaves with her. I stop dancing, realizing that I’m getting all sweaty. Plus, it’s almost time to meet Marvel.
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
