Three siblings reunite for the first time in years at their grandfather’s funeral, only to discover he left them the family farm—with one crucial condition. As they grapple with the past, they must decide if they’re willing to sacrifice their current lives to keep their childhood home.
Ted, Jim, and Rosa were heading back to their grandfather’s house, returning from his funeral. The air was heavy with unspoken words, each sibling lost in their own thoughts.
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Ted glanced at his brother and sister, noticing how much they had changed. Jim’s face looked more worn, likely from years of stressful business deals, while Rosa’s eyes, usually so bright, were now clouded with sadness.
It felt strange to be together again after so many years apart. The farm had always been Ted’s world, but for Jim and Rosa, it was just a memory. As they reached the front door, Ted hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the handle.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed it open, and they stepped inside. The presence of the lawyer, standing somberly in the living room, reminded them of the solemn reason they were there.
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“Where’s Ryan?” Ted asked, scanning the room for his nephew.
“He’s outside with the cows,” Rosa replied. She was a single mother and raised Ryan on her own. “I didn’t want him at the funeral. He’s too young to see that.”
Ted nodded. “It’s probably better for him to stay outside. He doesn’t need to remember today like this.”
They all sat down on the couch, the room feeling oddly empty despite their presence. The lawyer, dressed in a somber suit, opened his briefcase and pulled out the will.
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“As you know, your grandfather, Colin, wasn’t a man of many words,” the lawyer began. “So, the will is brief.”
Jim, already glancing at his watch, spoke up. “The farm stays with Ted, right? Rosa and I might get some money, Let’s get this done quickly. I have a plane to catch.”
The lawyer looked at him calmly. “It’s not exactly like that,” he said. “Colin left the farm to all three of you.”
Rosa frowned. “All three of us? Ted’s the one who stayed here. Can’t we just give our shares to him?”
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“I’m afraid it’s not that simple,” the lawyer explained. “The farm goes to the three of you, entirely and immediately. But on one condition: all three of you must take care of it.”
Jim leaned forward. “I don’t get it. What do you mean?”
“I’ll clarify,” the lawyer continued. “The farm will be yours if you all move back here and live on it.”
Rosa looked shocked. “What kind of condition is that? We can’t just move back.”
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Jim shook his head. “I’m not giving up everything for a farm. Ted’s worked here his whole life; it’s his.”
The lawyer placed the will on the table. “If even one of you doesn’t move back, the farm will be turned over to the state.”
“That’s ridiculous! This farm has been in our family for generations,” Rosa protested.
“This is what your grandfather wanted,” the lawyer said before leaving the room.
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“So, when are you moving in?” Ted asked, his voice hopeful.
“What do you mean?” Rosa replied, frowning.
“We’re not moving here,” Jim added firmly.
“But the farm… it needs us,” Ted said, his voice trailing off.
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Rosa reached out and took Ted’s hand. “Ted, I know this farm means a lot to you. It means a lot to all of us. But we’ve built lives away from here. Jim has his business to run. I have my job, and Ryan is settled in his school. He has friends, activities… it wouldn’t be fair to uproot him now.”
Ted looked at them both, his heart heavy. “Are you really going to give up the farm? The place where we grew up? It’s not just land; it’s our childhood, our memories.”
Jim shook his head. “They’re just memories, Ted. We have to move on.”
Without another word, Jim and Rosa left to find Ryan. But Ted stayed behind, determined to change their minds and keep the farm in the family.
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When Jim, Rosa, and Ryan returned to the house, they found Ted sitting on the porch, a guitar in his hands.
“What are you up to, Ted?” Rosa asked, curious.
Ted strummed the strings softly. “Just thought I’d remember the old days,” he said, looking up at them.
Jim noticed another guitar lying nearby. He picked it up and smiled. “Guess you’re lucky my flight got delayed until tomorrow,” he said, tuning the guitar.
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They started playing, their fingers finding the familiar chords as if no time had passed. Rosa’s voice filled the air, soft and warm, carrying the old tunes they used to sing together.
Little Ryan couldn’t resist the rhythm; he began to dance, his small feet tapping to the beat. Ted watched his nephew, a smile tugging at his lips. The music seemed to bring the house to life again, filling it with the warmth of their shared past.
As Ted played, he hoped that these moments, filled with joy and nostalgia, might convince Jim and Rosa to stay and keep the farm alive.
“That was fun, but you do realize this won’t convince us to stay, right?” Rosa said, her smile fading after their impromptu concert.
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Ted’s face fell. “But why not? We could be just as happy as we were back then. This place has everything we need.”
Rosa shook her head gently. “I’ve already told you, Ted. Ryan has school, his friends… his whole life is back there.”
Ted couldn’t hide his frustration. “Ryan didn’t even know what a sheep looks like! This farm could teach him so much. What are you even talking about?”
Before Rosa could respond, Jim’s phone rang. “Sorry, I need to take this,” he said, stepping aside.
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Rosa sighed, placing a hand on Ted’s shoulder. “Thanks for trying, Ted. But you need to accept that we’re going to lose this place.”
She turned and walked into the house, leaving Ted standing alone. Jim returned, looking troubled.
“Is everything okay?” Ted asked, concern in his voice.
Jim forced a smile. “Yeah, don’t worry about it,” he said before heading inside.
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Ted sighed heavily, feeling the weight of everything as he went to the barn to milk the goats. The familiar routine was a small comfort. As he started, he heard footsteps approaching and turned to see Ryan standing at the entrance.
“Is that a dog?” Ryan asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Ted chuckled softly. “What? A dog? No, this is a goat,” he said, gesturing to the animal.
Ryan stepped closer, examining the goat. “It has strange eyes,” he said, tilting his head.
“Yeah, they do look a bit funny,” Ted agreed. “But they’re harmless. Want to try milking her?”
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Ryan’s eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly. Ted showed him how to do it, guiding his small hands. After a few tries, Ryan managed to fill a small cup. Ted handed it to him. “Go ahead, taste it.”
Ryan took a sip, his face lighting up with surprise. “I thought milk came from the store,” he said, genuinely amazed.
Ted shook his head, smiling. “What do they even teach you in those schools?”
Ryan hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Can you teach me how to play baseball?”
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Ted looked at him, surprised. “Don’t you have anyone to play with?”
Ryan’s voice grew softer. “All the kids are taught by their dads, but I don’t have a dad.”
Ted felt a pang of sadness for the boy. “Alright, I’ll teach you to play tomorrow,” he said, determined to help.
“Yes!” Ryan shouted, his face lighting up with joy.
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As Ted looked up, he noticed a figure standing outside the barn. It was Rosa, watching them with a smile.
The next morning, as the sun was just beginning to rise, Ted and Ryan headed out to the open field behind the barn. Ted carried an old baseball glove and a bat, while Ryan skipped excitedly beside him.
Ted showed Ryan how to hold the bat, positioning his small hands correctly. “Keep your eyes on the ball, Ryan. That’s the most important part,” Ted instructed, tossing the ball gently toward him.
Ryan swung with all his might but missed. He frowned, but Ted gave him an encouraging smile. “It’s okay, try again. You’ll get it.”
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They practiced for a while, Ryan gradually improving, his swings becoming more confident. Jim joined them after his morning run, his shirt damp with sweat. Seeing Ted and Ryan, he couldn’t resist joining in. “Mind if I take a swing?” he asked with a grin.
Ted handed him the bat, and Jim gave it a few test swings before taking his position. Ted pitched the ball, and Jim hit it hard, sending it flying into the distance.
Ryan cheered, running after the ball as fast as his legs could carry him. The three of them spent the morning playing, laughing, and forgetting, for a moment, the weight of their worries.
After breakfast, however, the mood shifted. Rosa and Jim packed their bags, ready to leave. Ted stayed behind, sitting on the porch, his heart heavy.
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He watched them drive away, feeling the loss of something he couldn’t quite hold onto. As he sat there, lost in thought, the lawyer approached him, carrying a stack of papers.
“Didn’t manage to get them to stay?” the lawyer asked, noticing the sadness in Ted’s eyes.
“No,” Ted replied, his voice heavy with disappointment. “It looks like I’ll really have to say goodbye to this place.”
The lawyer sighed, handing Ted the documents for the transfer of ownership. “I’m really sorry, Ted.”
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“Yeah, me too,” Ted muttered, feeling the weight of the papers in his hands. He stared at the familiar fields, the barn, and the house that held so many memories. He could hardly believe it was slipping away.
Just then, the sound of a car engine broke the silence. Ted looked up and saw Jim’s car pulling into the yard. Confused, he watched as Rosa jumped out of the car, her face filled with urgency.
“Wait!” Rosa shouted, waving her arms as she hurried toward them.
Ted stood up, his heart pounding. “What’s going on?” he asked, bewildered.
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Jim got out of the car, a determined look on his face. “We’re staying!” he declared, his voice firm.
Ted’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? Are you serious?”
Rosa nodded, breathless. “On the way to the airport, all Ryan could talk about was the farm. He kept saying how much he wished he could live here and play baseball with his uncles. It made me think… there are schools here too. Why not make my child happy? He really needs a male role model in his life.”
Jim stepped closer. “Yesterday, my partners called. They wanted to buy this land for development. I almost said yes, but after spending the morning here, seeing the animals, the crops, playing baseball with you guys… I realized I can’t do it. This place is too important.”
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Ryan ran up, his face glowing with excitement. “So, you’re coming back to the farm?”
“We’re coming back to the farm!” Jim and Rosa shouted together, their voices filled with joy.
Ted couldn’t hold back his emotions. He jumped up, and the three of them hugged tightly, feeling like the little kids who once ran around these fields, full of love for the farm that had brought them back together.
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