For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic
Clare closed her eyes, smelling the crisp breeze in the air. Finally she made it to her grandmother's. Her safe haven for the summer. Torture was her eight months in school….and at home. The constant bickering, the constant reminder of Darcy's perfection, the constant reminder that she was not good enough for either her mother or father. Her grandmother was the only one who understood. She gave her all the love and affection she needed.
She didn't mind staying on her farm with her. There was never a boring minute. A cow always needed to be milked, an animal was always delivering. Being here gave Clare the feeling that she was needed. Everyone wanted to feel needed in some way.
She opened her eyes taking in the green pastures. It was a small farm compared to others, located on the outskirts of town. It was not hidden, but sometimes she pretended it to be. Life became more bearable when she thought like this. She smiled twirling around; the dizziness took over and she was soon on the green grass. Smiling to herself, she thought of Julia Andrews in "The Sound of Music." There was so much she wanted to do like climb the trees and enjoy herself in the tire swing, but her mind was set on her grandmother first. She was getting older and her body was wearing down a little bit. She still insisted that she helped around the farm and cooked, even though she hired helpers. Clare decided to pick some sunflowers for her granny.
…..
Walking in the little white house, her grandmother was already at trying to move a Chester drawer.
"Lovely, please help an old woman out." She smiled at her beautiful granddaughter.
"Granny, no stop. I can move it for you."
"No, dear, I need something…"
"I know but what if your back goes out again? Adam and Dave are here too."
"They are outside tending to the chickens." Clare rolled her eyes at the excuse. She saw where she got her stubbornness from.
"Speaking of Dave, how is he?" Clare put the flowers in the vase and made them some tea, sitting her granny on the couch.
"He's doing as well as to be expected dear. Sheila was suffering so much. He had to pull the plug on her. It was a hard decision to make: deciding the fate of his mother. No child wants to live without their mother."Clare nodded but in her situation, she would like nothing more than to be away from her mother. Joyce did not see her as a person, but more like a sculpture…a creature to molded. The dance classes, the etiquette lessons, the pageants….she was expected to be perfect, but perfect was not even good enough. No wonder why she used to cut herself.
"Your right." Clare agreed.
"By the way Clare, Eli is working this summer too. Please try to get along with him." Clare almost choked on her tea. Amelia snickered at her grandchild. She was old yet wise.
"Why? He has the worst attitude ever." Clare rolled her eyes. No she didn't like him at all. He was like a waste of space. He made it apparent that he didn't like her or the farm either.
"Because Lovely, sometimes there are people in this world that you have to get to know in order to see their inner beauty." She drank her tea.
….
Eli headed down the road on his way to Amelia's, He was indebted to her and her deceased husband Earl. They were the kindest people he and his family ever met. Because his family helped build coops and repair appliances in their home, Earl gave his mother and father a thousand dollars to help build their own radio station. Out of the kindness of his heart he gave it to them…..no loan….or payback.
It wasn't that he didn't like being there; it was just that they reminded him of what he didn't have with his parents. Sure, they loved him, but they were not close. Seeing the love shown by Amelia was indescribable. She treated everyone as if they were her own. It was as beautiful as it was sickening to him. Dave and Adam were the only two who were going to make this trip bearable. Hearing the vibration on his phone, he ignored him. It was just his girlfriend. He liked her but, he needed some time to breathe.
…..
"I won't make any promises, but I will try ok." Clare said. She was lying and her granny knew it. She soon her the raggedy black hearse pull up. The dogs, Zipper and Pocket, ran up to him. It was as if they recognized him as part of their family. He would never be apart of her family. As he got his bags, Amelia, came down the porch wiping her hands on her apron, and hugged him.
"Hey." Eli simply said. Amelia never thought he was weird. He just didn't like to say much. He reminded her so much of Earl. Besides the black clothing, he was pretty decent. As he walked up the steps, Clare came out leaning against the door frame, making it clear she did not want him there. Saying no words, they glared angrily at one another.
"You're going to have to let me inside you know. Wouldn't want to upset your grandmother, would you?" Eli broke the peace. Clare just stared at him up and down. She never saw what Amelia saw in him. Why did he only wear black? Was he trying to prove himself to society? Was he trying to make himself seem as if he didn't care what others think? He was clearly trying too hard. She eventually moved out of his way.
"Asshole." She whispered underneath her breath as he walked. Hearing her comment, he smirked. This girl was priceless
…
How could he forget Clare was here too? She was the only girl who was able to get underneath his skin. She just thought she was "too much." Preps like her only judged him for his appearance. He never wanted to be superficial like that. How can someone like that have Amelia's genes in their system?
Knock, Knock
"I know Clare can be stubborn, but she does have a good heart you know." Eli didn't acknowledge her presence; he continued to unpack. He knew she didn't take offense to him. They were both used to each other's behaviors.
"Just give her time." She walked out the room.
…
Clare continued to chuck corn and Amelia began to knit.
"That's a really beautiful blanket granny." Clare admired her work.
"It's yours. I want to finish it while I'm still here." Amelia started to daze off.
"Don't say things like that. You will be here." Clare said. How can one speak of death so casually?
"I am getting old dear. Every day I see a wrinkle that was not there or feel a different pain." She kissed her Lovely.
"Welcome home Clare-bear" Adam walked in giving his "little sister" a hug.
"Hey Adam, are you done outside?" Clare asked.
"Yeah. Why didn't you tell me Eli was here? Wait…..dumb question. Of course you wouldn't tell me. You hate his guts." Adam laughed. Clare and Eli were a trip. They are over the most miniscule things possible just to get on each other's nerves.
"Where's Dave?' Amelia asked.
"O…just in the stables….he's fine…..he's just tired. He hasn't been sleeping well."
….
"Sup Adam." Eli walked down steps, overlooking the place to see what needed to be repaired.
"Nuthin much. I thought you would never get here." Adam gave Eli his tool belt.
"Eli, I know you love your black, but this house has a lot of needed repairs. It's gonna get really hot outside. I had your mom send me some light colored clothes. She insisted that you wouldn't wear them, but could you please do it for me?"
"Whatever." Eli walked to the refrigerator to get himself a coke. He couldn't deny the old woman for nothing in the world. Amelia smiled knowing he would do what she asked. Dave soon walked in. No one noticed his presence because they were trying to calm Clare down.
Clare was furious. Who did he think he was to talk to her grandmother like that? "You know what Eli, I'm tired of your…." She began to yell.
"Okay children." Adam helped Amelia up, "Get Dave, so we can all eat."
"I'm already here." Dave smiled. He could not wait to see Eli and Clare at dinner. They had front row seats to another entertaining argument.
