Generation One–Tyler Ashworth 1.0

So I know a lot of you are probably wondering why I’m doing this. The reason being that I felt the Matthews were getting a little repeated, so wanted something to do, if I ever had a moment where I didn’t know what to do. Hence where this Rainbowcy/DITFT challenge, and yes, you may recognise the founder ;)

Who knew one phone call can change someone’s life forever? I certainly didn’t, until that call I received 5 days after my 21st birthday. My parents were dead.

Don’t get the wrong idea. I wasn’t sad or upset by this news. Only for the reason that my parents gave me up as a infant. I was placed in adoption for a long time, until eventually a couple in Bridgeport adopted me. I lived a happy carefree life, attended a normal school, went on to college, and met my girlfriend of 2 years, Garnet.

But as I said, I got a call from my parents lawyers. They had been travelling to France, exploring tombs and such when there was a cave in, and they died. But before they had, on my 18th birthday they had put my name down as the benefactor of their home, their business. Their farm.

Why should I? They abandoned me. But something I was proud of, was calling myself a ‘good’ person. I wanted to make them proud. Even if they gave me up.

My hands were trembling. Luckily Garnet noticed, and held on tightly. I could feel a wave of calm and confidence as she gently squeezed my hand. “It’s going to be ok, we’ll get through this together.”

But when we arrived, we were a little shocked. We were both raised in Bridgeport, the simple farming cottage we were presented with was a eye opener. I don’t know what I expected. But it defiantly wasn’t this. I expected lots of green crops, with machinery to do all the work, not this…wasteland.

The inside wasn’t much better either. Just a bedroom (I’m a guy, sharing a bed with Garnet was one of the few plus’) and a small bathroom with plumbing which never seemed to work, but I did notice a book on farming sitting on the side table.

Honestly? I had no idea about ANYTHING to do with farming so figured it would be best to read up on it. What I didn’t expect was the note left for me on the opening page.

Dearest Tyler,

The day that the social worker drove off with you in the backseat will forever be the moment I regret most. It wasn’t that we didn’t want or love you. We just simply couldn’t afford to raise a child, and we didn’t even consider aborting you. We knew you would be special, one of a kind.

We hope you never have to read this, that one day we will be reunited. But in case something tears us away from this world, we want you to know we love you, and leave you are farm. We’ve had some bad years, but it has been good to us. And we hope you make us proud, but we have never doubted that.

Love mom and dad x If you ever need us, just look inside your heart. It’s where we have been all along xx

It brought a tear to my eye. Sure I couldn’t JUST forgive them like that. It would take time, but I believed every word of what they said. So while I prepared for my first day out on the farm, Garnet offered to prepare us a ‘welcome’ meal with some of my parents crop. Their last crop.

It tasted great. Garnet was studying catering before I told her I was going to drop out and move here. And like the angel she was, she agreed to come with me. I can see us bringing this farm up and raising children here. Although she joked that she could never see me doing anything physical.

And so the next morning, at 5am I set to work planting my first crop. I decided to follow that book to the last detail, and it said something about the ‘earth goddess’ being most rewarding at this time. It all seemed silly, but I wanted to make them proud.

I leaned up and inspected my work.

“Perfect. Hurry up and grow little guy. Grow tall and strong!” Maybe I had been in the sun to long, but it felt good knowing I had planted my first crop, and done it right.

Weeks passed and we settled into routine. Or rather I did. The farm took up most of my time, and if I wasn’t farming, I was advertising to the locals, and at the same time trying to learn as much as I could about my parents. Slowly I saw less and less of Garnet.

“Ty? I was thinking…One day off won’t hurt right? We could go catch a film at the theatre? I just feel like we’ve…drifted.”

I had a feeling she felt I was ignoring her. But I wasn’t! I just had to make sure this worked, then work an everyday life into the routine.

“Babe, you know I can’t do that. The 3 month mark is the most delicate time for a crop. If it gets to much or to little water or even to much sun, we could lose the whole harvest!”

I heard her hmm and nod silent agreements, but I could tell she was miserable here and missing her old life.

“I’m going to go to bed, so I can get up early and maybe spend a LITTLE time with you.”

I deserved it, but it didn’t mean her little remark hurt any less. I watched the rest of the game before turning the TV off and creeping outside. After that scene I was in rush to get into bed beside her.

My foster dad would sometimes take me swimming in the summer. I would look forward to those trips month in advance. Just the feeling of peace and tranquillity soothed me. And the good thing about Riverview is there are plenty of places to fish.

But I knew I had to return sooner or later. She looked so beautiful in her sleep, like she always did. I just never told her that enough. I made a quiet vow to balance my time more evenly between the farm and her.

And as I climbed into bed she smiled and reached for my hand. I kissed her forehead and we snuggled into each other, and in to deep sleep.

I woke up even earlier to work on the farm. As she had an early night, Garnet woke up to. I told her it would take no more then 10 minutes, but they had started to sprout! So naturally, I took a lot longer then 10 minutes..

I went inside expecting to see her singing to those pop tunes she loves so much, preparing us breakfast, but she was nowhere to be found. I approached our bedroom door and heard sobbing. I knocked quietly until the sobs stopped and she opened the door.

“Baby…I’m so, so sorry. You mean the world to me. It’s just…I want to make them proud of me, you know? If you just hang on and stick with me a little longer, I’ll get this right.”

After that little scene I had to go take a cold bath to cool down. Truth was me and Garnet had been together a long time, and never even got close to….’that level of intimacy’ When I turned 18, a weird mark of a golden dagger appeared on my back. Sure I got drunk on occasion, but this wasn’t a tattoo, truth was, I didn’t want anyone to see it.

That very day I took her for a lovely dinner at the local Bistro. She seemed to enjoy herself, and promised me, she would continue to when we got home. But I had been working hard for a long time and just wanted to crawl into bed. So when I walked in to our room and found this…

“I mean, I know we don’t want a family yet. But we’ve been dating for a few years now. We’re ready right?”

I just sighed and looked to the bed, rubbing my eyes, a little bit in frustration.

“Now really isn’t a good time baby. I’m just to tired. Maybe another night..”

And then it happened. She snapped.

“It’s always ‘another night’ with me! Always! And I’m not talking about sex, I’m talking about attention! Don’t you love me anymore?I gave up EVERYTHING to move here!”

I didn’t need this. Not tonight of all nights. I rubbed my temple wondering what I could possibly say to get out of this situation.

“Of course I do! You know I love you! But you know that this is just something I need to do. So just accept that and deal.” Looking back, that was the wrong thing to say.

“Oh I have accepted…And I AM going to deal with it. We are THROUGH Tyler, I’m moving back to Bridgeport, TONIGHT!”

I begged and pleaded but to no avail. She had had enough, I had been a dick to her, and now I was getting what I deserved. The first love of my life, was drawing away in a yellow cab at midnight..

And I was left alone to fend for myself, I didn’t let her know it, but her support kept me going. Could I keep on going now she was gone?

Well that’s it for the intro! I personally am proud of this :) And a big thank you to my first husband Marcus for allowing me to berrify him ;) Please leave me feedback on how to improve!