Reality returned.
They still needed spring operating money.
The bank meeting happened January 16.
Clara wanted to go.
Her mother refused.
“You have school.”
“I can miss one day.”
“No.”
“It’s my farm.”
“It’s my loan.”
Clara crossed arms.
Her mother mirrored.
Stalemate.
The family attorney eventually intervened.
“Let her come.”
Her mother glared.
He smiled.
“If she talks too much, I’ll charge her.”
Clara came.
The bank president was a man named Harold Finch.
Sixty-two.
Known family twenty years.
He did not laugh at Clara.
That mattered.
He reviewed their debt.
Auction proceeds helped.
Still risky.
No modern tractor.
No full planting equipment.
Their projected income inadequate under current plan.
He said:
“I cannot renew the same operating line on hope.”
Clara’s chest tightened.
Her mother asked:
“What can you do?”
“Smaller line.”
“With conditions.”
“How small?”
He gave number.
Barely enough for seed and inputs on half acreage.
Her mother’s face fell.
Clara looked at financial projection.
Then asked:
“What if we rent equipment instead of buying?”
Harold looked at her.
“Possible.”
“What if we custom hire planting?”
“More expensive per acre.”
“Less equipment debt.”
“Yes.”
Clara’s mother gave her warning look.
Harold raised hand.
“Let her ask.”
Clara continued.
“What if we don't plant all corn?”
Harold smiled.
“What do you plant?”
“Soybeans on south forty.”
“Cheaper input.”
“Lower expected gross.”
“But if terminal happens?”
Her mother interrupted.
“We are not banking on terminal.”
Clara nodded.
“Okay.”
She thought.
“What if we rent the north twenty-five acres to Mr. Keller?”
Her mother stared.
“Where did that come from?”
“He asked Dad last year.”
Harold leaned forward.
“Cash rent?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
Clara knew.
Of course.
Harold calculated.
Then:
“That helps.”
Her mother looked at daughter.
“When were you planning to mention this?”
“I forgot.”
“You forgot a rent offer?”
“I was busy fixing tractor.”
The attorney laughed.
Harold adjusted projection.
Smaller planting acreage.
Cash rent.
Reduced equipment expense.
Auction debt reduction.
Possible utility easement excluded because uncertain.
The bank approved.
Not enough to feel safe.
Enough to plant.
Outside, Clara looked disappointed.
Her mother asked:
“What?”
“They didn’t believe in us.”
The attorney stopped.
“No.”