sydney, melody, and amira

Sydney, Melody, and Amira, three teenagers, are up from Springfield to sightsee in Northampton on their way to the mall in Hadley. They like it. It’s different. Peaceful, one says.

I want more peace for them. Ignoring the GPS, I avoid the commercial drag and take the back road. 

A lush carpet of green, gold, orange, and red rolls out to meet the blue edge of the deep, arcing sky. The Holyoke Range rises: still and watchful. 

“Whoa!!”

Near a red barn, a cart holds pumpkins. 

“I never carved a pumpkin!” 

A cow stands alone. 

“What?! Is that real?!” Laughter. Phones out. Pictures. 

“Do they have horses?”

“Sure.”

“What about goats?” 

“Yes, goats, too.” 

“No way!” 

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