Lonely

1: Hard Times
Twenty-eight-year-old Riley Merry trudged home to her pleasant family. "Hello Sweetie! Oh no, Mary May, go and wash your hooves!" A white-maned mare scolded her grandchild. "Well well well, if it isn't Riley Mare-y!" Her arch-nemesis, Avery, also her cousin, snickered. Riley Merry sighed. "That was nice, Avery. Hey Mom, can I go rest? Today was long and hard." Riley Merry, nicknamed Merry or Riley, was not lying. She had been fired. The Great Depression was hard on them all. She brought home her last paycheck and had it cashed to the bank already. She carried 250 gems. In our money, it'd be two dollars an fifty cents.

"Aunt Riley's home!" Her brother, James, called to his children. "Aunt Riley!" Six-year-old Mary May squealed and galloped towards Riley. "Merry, what happened?" James noticed her worn-out appearance. "Can we talk in the office?" Riley asked. "Sure. Stay out here, kids." James followed her to Merry's office. "What's up, Sis?" James asked affectionately. "Well," Riley began, "my boss fired me because they were losing money. I no longer have a job, James." Riley sighed. "Smile, at least. The kids hate to see you sad." James advised. "Alright, alright." Riley chuckled and they came back out.

"What?" Avery was standing outside of the door. "You lost your job? AUNT HELEN! RILEY LOST HER JOB!" Avery yelled. Riley groaned and went into her room. "Riley?" Mrs. Helen asked her daughter. "Mom, I don't want to talk about it." Riley snapped. She locked the door then fell onto her bed. She lay there, feeling lonely and tired.

2: New Opportunities
Riley woke at 6 A.M. next morning. "No job today," She moaned. She unlocked her door and made some breakfast. She got up, after eating, and trotted outside. "G'Morning, Miss Riley!" Farmer John greeted her. Farmer John grew wheat, his wife made bread from it, and he grew turnips and many handy-dandy things. "Good Morning, Farmer John." She had an idea. "Do you have some turnips or carrots? Or bread? Anything, really. I'd like to help make it or harvest it, if you don't mind." Farmer John nodded. "An abundance, Darling. I have no money to spare. What could I pay you?"

Riley chuckled. "Only a few of what I harvest or help make." The Farmer laughed along with her. "Aye, I need help. Come, I'll see if Charlotte has any bread going."