Soon, Pam finished her row and joined Ron and Shane in assembling Hops trellises.
"What're we planting?" Pam asked between breaths, driving a trellis post into the soil.
"Hops," Ron said, noticing her exhaustion. "You can just plant seeds if you'd rather."
Pam took a deep breath, eyeing the long stretch of unplanted land behind her. After a pause, she shook her head. "Nah—you'll need help. Let the little guys handle seeding." She pointed to Rattata diligently dropping seeds nearby.
The workload on Summer 1 was staggering.
Even with three humans and a swarm of Pokémon (even Gengar had joined the watering crew), they'd only reached the halfway mark by noon.
"Let's… take a break," Ron said, securing the last trellis. He glanced around, nodded to Pam and Shane, and strode off toward town.
---
At the Stardrop Saloon…
Gus was prepping vegetables when he heard the news from Abigail at Pierre's:
Ron planned to plant a massive Hops crop today—bought Kalos seeds, haggled Pierre down hard.
Gus didn't pity Pierre. He worried: Even with Pam and Shane hired, can three people handle this?
Just then, Ron burst through the door, drenched in sweat.
"Afternoon," Gus greeted warmly. "What'll it be?"
"Seven spaghetti plates, two pizzas, three iced beers," Ron rattled off, transferring payment instantly.
"Got it!" Gus turned to cook, glancing back. "Hey—need farm help?"
Ron blinked, surprised.
Gus chuckled, stirring sauce. "Your farm's veggies'll save the saloon money, right? Feels like my duty to pitch in."
Seasonal transitions were farming's busiest days—but only for two days.
Closing the saloon briefly would cost less than the savings from Ron's discounted produce.
"If you're willing," Ron said, touched. "Thank you so much."
"No trouble!" Gus plated extra portions, saved the beers for last, and packed everything. He grabbed four cups, filled them with ice and beer, and followed Ron to the farm.
---
Back at the farm…
Pam sat in the shade, nibbling bread. Seeing Shane without lunch, she walked over and offered half.
Shane stared, bewildered.
"Eat up, kid. Penny made it special," Pam said.
Penny always packed no-reheat meals for her—far better than the saloon's stale baguettes.
Shane accepted it hesitantly. But the tiny portion barely dented their hunger.
Pam sighed, eyeing the vast field awaiting trellises—
—when an intoxicating aroma drifted from the gate.
"…Am I hallucinating from hunger?" she muttered. "I swear I smell Gus's spaghetti…"
She looked up—and saw Ron carrying a bulging food bag, Gus beside him holding frosted beers.
"Lunchtime!" Ron called, then froze. No table big enough for this.
His cabin had only a small table—fine for him and his Pokémon, but useless now.
"Knew you wouldn't have a big table!" Gus laughed. He spread a picnic blanket by the pond, set beers in the shade, and gestured for Ron to unpack.
Pam and Shane approached warily.
"You've earned this," Ron said. "Eat-and-rest break before we continue."
The beer's crisp scent and condensation beads made Pam's mouth water.
She'd been sober for weeks—missing this desperately, though she'd never admit it to Penny.
"Just one drink won't hurt," Gus said knowingly. "Reward for your hard work. Don't worry—I won't sell you any after today."
Pam's well-being mattered more than profit.
Yes, her sobriety cut his sales—but he'd rather lose coin than see Penny crying outside the saloon again.
"Thanks," Pam whispered, chugging the beer. The summer heat vanished. She sighed, sinking into the blanket's corner.
Shane took his beer, sitting beside Gus.
Ron distributed extra spaghetti and pizza to the Pokémon.
All three humans ate ravenously, too tired for words.
Gus watched them—and the Pokémon devouring their shares—then sipped his beer, surveying the farm.
A warm summer breeze rustled the trees, rippling the pond.
"How nice," he murmured.
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