" hopefully" i mumble at Sabrina as i grab Devons plate and the spoon to fill it. Since i am helping out her i know how to read him a bit and i know that he is very hungry now. " Here enjoy" i tell him as i place the plate in front of him and grab to the basket with some bread to place it next to him. " Let me also you help yoU? i look at Sabrina and hold my hand out for her plate.
Devon
The girls come to the table and for a moment i feel bad. I wasn’t mean to sounds angry or something. … as Sabrina sit down i look at her and Eve but none of them seems to be upset. Before i could react, Eve grab my plate and filled it with the soup. I look down at the plate and the bread and breathe in relief " enjoy guys" i say, more calm now and take my spoon to taste it.
" Not bad" i answer after i have down it. Of yourse it doesn’t tasted like your grandmas cooking but i t was ok and i take another spoon and grap a slice of bread.
I watch the girl come down the ladder at Bo’s insistence. She seems nice as she greets me, holding out her hand in greeting. I’d almost forgotten this politeness with how the world’s grown cold and unsure and I nearly hesitate.
I shake her hand, hoping mine is not sweaty or dry. “Nice to meet you, Jessi. I’m Genesis. I hope you’re faring well here. It’s not the most exciting place on earth, but we have our moments.”
Putting my hand back in my pocket, I look to Bo again, “Still no sign of her?” It really does puzzle me that Claire disappeared, no traces. Either she cast some spell to transform herself, like the wicked witch I knew she could be, or…I don’t know what else to think. Did she just skip town? Is she hiding underground? But for what? I hate her because of part of me still cares, feelings I thought I long buried.
Dyson pants looking at Genesis and then leaps away with sadness in his eyes. No treats today buddy I thought. He was such a good boy as he then laid down next to where I stood. Maybe I could rustle up something nice to gift Genesis for all her help and kindness?
By the sounds of things, Genesis had some errands to run this morning so I didn’t want to keep her for too long but I thought it was important for Jessi to start meeting others in as Genesis put it ‘our riveting, little town’.
As Jessi makes her way down the ladder to greet Genesis I think to myself, why did I just call her ‘Jessica’. She had never introduced herself as that, but my head was frazzled. The disappearance of Claire and the search parties were taking there toll. ‘Jessi’s’ definitely had a nicer feel to it but it doesn’t matter as it is ‘Hale’s’ and will always be ‘Hale’s’
Dyson bolts up as he watches Genesis put her hand in her pocket. I place my hand on his nose which is nice and wet. It was always a good sign when a dog’s nose was wet. He retreats back to his position of laying, that’s my boy, so well-behaved. For a big dog he was such a softie and beautiful like a butterfly?
Focusing on Genesis’s question I respond, “No sign whatsoever. She wouldn’t just get up and leave without telling me or leaving some kind of clue, it’s so odd and unsettling. I know she wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea but surely no one disliked her that much to take her?” Claire and Genesis had their differences, imagine if it was Genesis behind this the whole time and was playing all nicey-nicey with me but she was the mastermind behind it the whole time. Snap out of it BoBo, this isn’t an episode of one of those cop shows that use to air on cable. "I am just so grateful to you Genesis for all your help and support since we spoke at the town meeting the other day. Yes, people had started signing the search patrol sheet but whatever you said in that meeting really rallied up the troops, I am truly grateful."
As I stand and smile my brain then starts to think jeez B, waffle waffle waffle, a simple thank you would have done just fine but then again kind words and friendships mean a lot in this new unsettling world we were only just starting out in. Genesis would appreciate it I think.
I take put the spoon in my mouth as I feel the soup fill my body with a warm comforting feeling. ”This is really good Eve” . I continue to eat as I think about what else needs to be done. I turn to Devon ”After we check the hay is there much else to do? I should get back to my farm soon as I have a few things to do as well” . Although it is nice to be spending time with people I do enjoy the quiet of being alone.
I filled my plate and sit down, taking a short look at the others whcih are already eating. I feel a big wave of relief as they told me that it is eatable. I would have feel bad if i would have ruined it and waste all the food.
Devon
" No worries about that" i answer Sabrina as she asks about the job which needs to be finished today. " I really appreciate your help here, but if you have some jobs at your farm to do, you are always free to go whenever you want to" i wink at her and offer her a slice of bread. Was as really glad about her help, but thats doesn’t mean her farm should stay behind. " Anything you need help with?"
I take the slice of bread great fully and take a bite as I contemplate his question. I wouldn’t want to put him out of inconvenience but I myself need help hauling some hay bales myself to the sheep. ” You don’t have to but I have to refresh the sheep’s hay and their paddock is a bit away from the house so I’d appreciate an extra pair of hands but if not that’s okay”
I take another spoon full of soup and turn my head to Sabrina. Listening about her jobs for now and i look back on my plate, thinking how we could make this work.
“Thats not to difficult, give me a few hours and i will check on the jobs ere and the peole i ned and which not. So it would be me or one of the helpers coming to your farm then.” i answers and look back at her. " We will keepboth running, no worries."
I smile at Devon’s offer as I eat the last bit of my bread. ”Sounds good to me”. I pick up my empty bowl and take it to the sink. As I begin to was it I turn to Eve. ” Thanks again Eve it was wonderful” . I finish washing my bowl and put it in the drying rack.
While I wait for Devon to finish his meal I check on Fenella who seems a bit uncomfortable. As I get closer I can tell why. ” I have to change Fenella” I pick her up and check to see if any got on her clothes. With a sigh of relief I turn to Devon ” Is it alright if I use your bathroom?”
Cautiously, I left the safety of the treeline. Although I had not seen another person directly since I set camp in the woods, I still felt anxious and exposed as I slowly crept into full view.
The town was quiet, but so are most small towns in the morning. I had noted some goings-on near a building down the road, and decided to head there first.
Dust clung to me as I crossed the distance, adding yet another layer someone would have to pick at to get to know me. As if being a natural loner and in a measured search for a missing sibling wasn’t enough. I tried to casually shake the dirt from my clothes as I walked, but most likely only succeeded in performing some offkey mating ritual dance or something.
When I was within several yards of the building, I slowed. At this distance, the windows were shaded and the exterior was chipped and worn. There weren’t any real signs of anything left beyond a faded “store” in a corner of a window. But people had definitely been there, judging by the mess of footprints across the path to the door and the smell of sawdust lingering in the air. There were paw prints, too, and nose smudges in a window pane by the door.
A soft pull hit my chest and I paused. The sound of a memory filled my ears, and I closed my eyes to try and catch the vision. Solitaire was bounding across our front yard, a broken blue leash trailing behind him. The closed end fluttered in Zane’s hand, limp against the path where he stood. The still-a-puppy-yet-gigantic Doberman was leaping joyfully along the manicured lawn, slobbering on mom’s hydrangeas and kicking up sod. Zane was frozen, still doing the mental math to calculate how he stood here but Soli was over there. Laughing, I danced alongside our birthday gift and taunted my brother.
Who knew that would be my last real memory of home? Everything fell apart that night, and we never saw Solitaire again.
I don’t know how long I stood there, but it must have been long enough for someone to notice.
I nod at Sabrina with a smile and take myself also a piece of bread. Happy and reliefed that the food was good.
Devon
I spot the smile in Eves face as Sabrina tell her the soup was good and was happy about it too. She did hard to find her place here, but little things like that i a a big help.
Then i turn to Sabrina as she akss about the bathroom. " No worries, feel free. "
"Thank" I pick up Fenella who is fussing a bit I take my bag and take her to the bathroom. Luckily Devon’s basin is quite large so she fits easily on it. After I finish changing her I walk back towards the front door and outide to put Fenella’s nappy in the bin. I look up at the sky then I go back inside. “Hey do you mind if I head home now? It looks like it’s about to rain and I don’t want Fenella to catch a chill.” I feel horrible for leaving before I help with the hay bales. Sometimes I get really paronoid about Fenella getting sick. She’s so small and hopeless. I would not know what to do.