The Farmer Who Passed The Chance To Be A Hero IV

"Hey, Cygar, is everything alright?" I asked.

"Uh, no, in fact, it's just the opposite," Cygar continued pacing around, he hadn't slowed down at all. "Well, maybe not. Maybe this is good, I don't know. I don't know. But! One thing is for certain, I need to talk to your aunt Sal. How can we get in touch with her?"

I looked at him with a little confusion and my eyebrow cocked up. "Well, shoot. The only way we can get to her is if we travel all the way to the east part of the state to go see her. Problem is, it's a few hours drive. Uncle Howie and Aunt Terry ain't gonna do a surprise visit to Aunt Sal for no reason. Besides, we usually only see her during Christmas, but last year she didn't even show up to Grandma's house. You never know with Aunt Sal, even on Christmas."

"How long until it's Christmas again?" Cygar asked with a deadly serious look in his eye, I couldn't help but chuckle at his question. "What's so funny?"

"Cygar, it's the middle of July y'know? You'll be waitin' another 5 months until it's Christmas time again. Ya'd have better luck walkin' to her place."

"Well then, we'll walk there, but you have to lead the way," Cygar pointed at me in desperation.

I shook my head. "You're crazy talkin', we can't walk there."

"Tell me then, tell me how we can possibly see her in a timely manner? There has to be something!"

I searched my whole darn brain tryin' to think of some kind of idea. He looked like he was really hurtin' to see her. "Why do you want to see my aunt Sal?"

"Because, s-s-she's from Gadonia. She's a real p-powerful witch. S-s-since you don't want to leave this place, maybe s-she might come back and help the Kyrja, she might be able to stop Myphor!"

"What's the Kyrja? You mentioned it during the prophecy speech when we first met but—"

"I'll tell you more about them later. Right now we have other things to worry about. W-w-we need to see your a-a-aunt S-Sal."

"Well, she may not want to leave either, she's also gettin' up there in age. She's not fifteen like me or seventeen like you."

"Please, Jimmy, I know you don't want to leave and I'm starting to understand why, this world you have is paradise, and, like you said before, you don't know anyone in Gadonia. But it's not so easy for me, I must return back and I can't go alone. Gadonia needs a savior, and the prophecy says they're here on Earth. If I g-go see your aunt Sal, she might have m-more i-information! Please think of s-something!"

I nodded at him, but I noticed that his eyes looked glassy and a little red. "You okay, Cygar?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Have you thought of any ideas yet?" he pressed.

"Uh, gimme a second," I drifted towards the couch and sat down next to Bozo and started to pet him mindlessly. It was just something to do while I was deep in thought.

"Do you mind if I pet Rita while you're doing your thing?" Cygar asked.

"Be my guest," I said smiling from ear to ear, "I'm sure she'll really appreciate that."

Cygar now had a smile on his face, but he still looked nervous. Once he started petting Rita though, I saw his shoulders relax and he took a deep breath.

The only reason we ever go to the east side of the state is to go to the market right there in Linwood, but since it's the biggest city in all of Sequoia, my family only liked going there if they have somethin' to sell and as of the moment we—

"Cygar!" I beamed.

"Yes?" He had the biggest look of awe and joy in his eyes.

"Well, now, relax, let's not get too carried away. This is just an idea I had, but with your ability, are you by chance able to make things cold?" I asked.

"Oh, not only can I make things cold, I can freeze them too!"

"Ha, I figured as much, why don't you come with me for a sec."

We rushed back into the kitchen where Betsy, Terry, and Howie were all sittin' around the table.

"Take a seat, Cygar," I said pulling out his chair. I sat down next to him.

"Jimmy, am I crazy or did I hear Cygar cuss earlier?" Uncle Howie asked.

"Oh, uh, yes Uncle Howie, I-I believe—"

"My apologies," Cygar bowed his head. "There's just a lot going on in my head and back at home. I'm sure you can imagine I'm under some stress. I'll do better to watch my language."

"I'll let it slide," Uncle Howie said. "Go on, Jimmy, get your friend some strawberry pancakes. We make the best in the whole state of Sequoia. I promise you that, Cygar."

"You bet, Uncle Howie," I picked up a few pancakes with my fork and plopped them on Cygar's plate and topped them off with the strawberry spread. "Now, here's a glass of some freshly pasteurized milk," I held it up to my mouth and took a sip. Warm, as per usual. "Would you be able to make this cold? Not freeze it, but y'know, a couple shakes above freezing?" I asked.

The whole table looked at me curiously then looked over at Cygar. He held up his hand and aimed it at the glass, bits of frost came from his fingertips, the glass perspired. After a moment, his hand fell to his side. I reached over to the glass of milk and took another sip.

"Betsy, Uncle Howie, Aunt Terry! All three of you! Try this!" I passed along the milk and each one of them took a sip. Their eyes lit up like fireworks.

"Jimmy! What in tarnayshun! Cygar, you did that? How long will it be cold for?"

"Well, I can make the liquid, or the container, or both the container and the liquid, cold for a day. Although once we get into freezing territory things get a little murky."

"Terry, Jimmy, Betsy, are you all thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"

"I think so Uncle Howie," I said grinning like a madman. We all looked at Cygar smiling but he looked a little lost. We must'a made him nervous or something because he started chowing down his pancakes.

After he took a few bites he dropped his fork and looked at all of us starstruck. "This food, it's-it's-it's. Incredible! Why-this is one of the tastiest meals I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying!"