The rose is a rose, 

And was always a rose.

But the theory now goes

That the apple’s a rose,

And the pear is, and so’s

The plum, I suppose.

The dear only knows

What will next prove a rose.

You, of course, are a rose...

But were always a rose.

- The Rose Family by Robert Frost

“Hey Jim, it’s time for me to take off!” I called out as I approached him.

He grinned at me with his usual good-natured smile, reaching for the envelope with my pay for the morning in his back pocket. “Hey kid, you really helped us out, ya know?”

He held the envelope out towards me. “You just give me a call if you’re ever looking for more work, ok? We’d love to have a good worker like you around any time.”

I returned his smile. His rough charm was really contagious. “I will. Thanks, Jim.”

“You need a ride back into town? I can tell these clowns to take a break.” He gestured over his shoulder to the workers with his large, calloused hand.

“Ah, I appreciate it, but my uncle is picking me up again today. Thanks again for everything.”

“Take care, Kyle.” He turned to head back to his workers, shouting to one that had stopped what he was doing to pull out his phone. “Hey, don’t think I don’t see you slacking off over there! You can call your mamma and tell her how much you love her on your damn lunch break!”

I chuckled to myself as I walked towards the front of the gallery. Spotting “Ginger” idling away near the entrance, I picked up my pace.

“Yo Uncle Simon, thanks for the ride.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket as I hopped into the front seat.

“Hey, how was your morning?”

I pulled up my images gallery as I spoke. “Velvet Stockings dropped her foal this morning.”

I held the phone out to him with an image of the mother and foal open. “She had an easy birth, no complications.”

A gentle smile crossed his face as he looked at the picture. “Oh I’m so glad to hear that, she’s such a delicate girl, I was worried for her.”

He handed the phone back to me and started to cruise towards the exit of the parking lot. “I’m both surprised and a little proud that you didn’t call me.”

“Well it’s not my first time helping a horse foal, you know…”

“But it is your first time without me.” He reached over and ruffled my hair when we reached the stop sign at the bottom of the hill. “Good job, Kyle.”