James' had been working on his farm for his whole life. His father taught him every trick of the trade growing up. The blue coveralls he wore were like a second skin - a daily uniform he wore since childhood. But there was no denying that James couldn't keep up the farm all on his own anymore. He needed some younger hands to take care of the heavier work. So James put an ad out in the local college newspaper. An old-school solution, James knew, but he hoped he could attract some college students looking for some extra bucks.
Dean and Liam were juniors and roommates since freshmen year. They did everything together: working out in the gym, getting meals in the dining hall, studying in the library. And like any student, they were always a little strapped for cash. It was Dean who found the ad in the student paper: "Two Strong Farmhands Needed".
"Dude, we could do this. We could quit our gym membership and just get our workout through working on this farm," Dean reasoned with Liam.
Liam furrowed his brow, "Seriously? I know we need cash, but working on a farm? Am I gonna have to wear some denim overalls and a straw hat too?"
Dean punched him in the shoulder, a clear message of You know I'm right. And Liam realized it too. They called the number on the ad and set up a time to start their first day.
Liam drove the duo an hour from campus to James' dairy farm. The farmer waved them down. He was happy to see such athletic men had responded to his ad.
"Hey there boys. Name's James, but you can call me Sir. Glad to have you onboard," James extended a firm handshake to each guy.
"I'm Dean, sir" He was taken aback by the strength of James' grip.
"Liam. Happy to be here," Liam smirked before Dean elbowed him in the arm. "Um, I mean, Sir."
James smiled as he looked them up and down. They reminded him of himself at his age, an amusing thought before he realized that meant he was his father in this situation.
"I got a lot to show you boys, but you'll need to get properly dressed first. Come with with," James gave a small wave, signaling his farmhands to follow. Dean and Liam quickly followed, with Dean walking in pace with James before he put his hand in front of him.
"Behind me, boy".
Liam stifled a laugh as Dean's face flushed. Scolded already, Liam thought to himself I know Dean didn't like that.
James brought the friends to an equipment shed behind the barn. Inside were hanging several pairs of blue coveralls, the same pair James was wearing. Sitting at their hems was a pile of rubber boots. James pulled out two boilersuits and tossed some boots at the feet of his new workers.
"This is your uniform. I don't want to see you in anything else. These coveralls are what my daddy wore, and my granddaddy before him. It's what I've worn my whole life. If you want to show respect to this farm, you wear the uniform." It was clear James meant no irony.
Dean and Liam exchanged glasses. Not overalls and a straw hat at least, Liam thought. The pair stepped into the coveralls, pulling the elasticated back over their shoulders as the uniform swallowed them whole. As they zipped up the front, Dean felt a change, like he was in work mode. He wondered if Liam felt it too, but he didn't want to risk speaking out of turn, especially when he already got scolded once.
After pulling on their rubber boots, James crossed his arms, clearly pleased. This must have been what his father felt each time he zipped up his coveralls.
"Those coveralls suit you boys. Now, are you ready to do some work?"
Dean stood up a bit straighter and said clearly, "Yes, sir!"
Liam followed suit, though with a bit less enthusiasm, "Sure thing, sir."
James beckoned them to follow, but this time Dean deliberately waited a moment to ensure he stayed a few paces behind. James gave them a tour of the whole farm, going through their duties. Most of the work James could still do, but the boys would be responsible for shoveling the stalls, repairing fences, moving some other equipment - simple tasks that even a new farmhand could handle. The whole time Dean made sure to pay close attention, eager to make up for his earlier infraction. Liam was more amused than anything else, watching his friend suck up to this farmer.
The tour concluded and James turned to the pair, "Now I expect every task completed. There's not saving it until tomorrow, because there's always new work each day. If you don't finish, you don't get paid. Understood, boys?"
"Yes, sir!" Dean responded quickly, again elbowing his friend.
"Yes, sir."
James left to return to his own work. The guys were left to start with shoveling the stalls.
"Are we really doing this, man?" Liam turned to Dean, who was grabbing the shovels from the shed.
"Dude, we're in uniform coveralls and rubber boots. If we were gonna back out, it's a little late. Plus you saw the pay. Some mindless labor is nothing compared to that." Dean handed him the shovel.
"You're right on that," Liam grabbed the shovel. "But do you have to be such a suck-up to James?"
"I'm not a suck-up. I'm just being respectful. I mean, Sir's trusting us to take care of his family farm. That's a big responsibility and I want to take it seriously."
Liam cocked an eyebrow at his friend saying "Sir" when the old man wasn't even around, but Dean was already getting to work and Liam didn't want to spend even more time in these coveralls. The guys spent hours working and getting done everything James had asked them. As they were finishing their last task, carrying some cinderblocks across the yard, James drove by on his tractor. He hopped down to check in.
"You boys are doing well so far."
Dean smiled, "Thank you, Sir!"
"Yeah, thanks Sir" Liam responded, tired but happy to hear some encouragement.
"Bout time you boys were headed home. I'll see back tomorrow morning, in uniform of course."
Dean raised his hand, "Excuse me, Sir, don't you want us to keep our uniforms here?"
"I said I don't want to see you boys in anything else. You'll come and go wearing our coveralls. Change when you get home if you're so inclined."
Liam had to resist rolling his eyes. Now we're gonna get mud and shit in my car.
Dean only nodded, "Sounds good, Sir. We'll report bright and early in our uniform coveralls, Sir."
James glanced towards Liam, "And you, boy. You could stand to be more like your friend. If my daddy saw me rolling eyes as much as you, he'd tan my hide." This time Dean stifled a laugh.
The two guys climbed back in Liam's car, coveralls, boots and all. The whole ride home Dean couldn't stop smiling. He went on and on about how accomplished he felt and how cool it was that Sir let them keep his family farm's coveralls.
Meanwhile, Liam took to heart James', no, Sir's word. Liam never really took anything seriously, and Sir had seen through that in just one day. Maybe if he wasn't exhausted from working all day., he would've talked back, but he couldn't deny the truth.
The two got back to campus and trudged across campus, turning heads in their matching blue coveralls. "They're just jealous," Dean said to Liam. Liam laughed, proud to defy strangers' judgment with his best friend. They got back to their dorm, doffed their uniforms (Dean making sure to hang up the coveralls, not wanting to be disrespectful) before immediately hitting the hay, both guys more tired than they had been in ages.
A few weeks later and Dean and Liam are working on repairing an old fences on Sir's farm. As they finished, both farmhands smiled and high-fived, clearly proud. James approaches behind them, slapping a hand on each guy's shoulder.
"That's good work there, boys!"
Liam grinned, beaming with pride, "We're happy to serve, Sir!"
James could see in Liam's eyes a reflection of himself. He had two young men who were proud to call this farm their home, their coveralls their uniform, and him Sir. Both Liam and Dean were becoming like sons to him.
"Come on, boys. Y'all deserve a cold drink and a break." He waved a hand for them to follow. Liam and Dean obeyed, each one staying a few paces behind, happy to follow their Sir's lead.
"Thank you, Sir," Dean said, with an air of sincerity.
Liam smiled too, "Thank you for everything, Sir."
The three men continued across the field, their bond and hard-work exemplified by those blue coveralls, which were ready now to be worn for a whole new generation.
















