Jill laid next to Marlin on the yellow checkered picnic blanket that was sprawled out on her living room floor. It was pouring outside of the old rickety house, a crack thunder roared from the sky. A bottle of wine was set between the two of them. A quarter of it was already empty. Rover the dog was curled up on the couch asleep with a covered bowl of potato salad Marlin had brought was placed on the coffee table untouched. It was the first time Jill had gotten Marlin to hang out with her besides seeing him on Vesta's farm or drinking at the Blue Bar. She was surprised that the grouch even took up the offer of the date. I suppose they got closer after Jill witnessed one of Marlin's breakdowns.
"I did public work back in the city. Mainly on roadsides and worked on buildings," He spoke tiredly and dry as he shifted his eyes over at Jill. His eyes were a nice shade of light blue. Marlin wasn't a good looking man. But he wasn't what you'd call ugly either. His face was long and nose slightly pointed. He had a lot of hair, it was dark and curly. He kept it slicked back in a pompadour with long sideburns. He was tall, had broad shoulders and muscular arms but was slim. Maybe it was the wine talking but Jill thought he was pretty cute.
"Yeah? And did you like it?" Jill asked, looking away from the ceiling and over to him when she felt his eyes on her. Her long hair was untied and laid flat over her shoulders. She was brunette with wild bangs that framed her face. Compared to Marin she was small, Jill was average height. Her face was cutesy and waist trim. She had lost a few pounds since moving to the countryside.
"Eh, it wasn't something I dreamed of doing. It was alright. I made good money doing it," He rolled onto his side, keeping a calm gaze on her.
This made Jill turned to her side as well, facing him. "If you didn't tell me you came from the city I would have never guessed," She smiled.
"You think so? I've been here almost five years. I can see how I'd fit in now."
"Yeah, you have that country accent now. If you didn't know me do you think I came from the countryside?"
"Hm," He looked her over and thought. "Like, when I first met you? I could sort of tell you came from the city. I guess you can say you don't have that certain modesty that most country girls have. Like Celia."
Jill's expression became unimpressed. It wasn't a surprise that he mentioned Celia. "What do you mean? I didn't do anything crazy in the city."
"When I say you weren't modest I didn't mean you were a loose girl or anything!" He visibly got nervous. "I'm sorry if it sounded that way! I meant it in the way of how you're independent. I have a lot of respectful for that," His face turned red, glancing away.
Jill grinned, blushing a bit herself. "It's alright. I didn't take it that way."
He slowly made eye contact with her again. "Oh, good," He rubbed the back of his neck.
"So, um anyway," Jill cleared her throat. "I wasn't doing well in the city. I dropped out of my studies and didn't have a job. My mother was worried and suggested Takakura to me. She said maybe I'd be happy with a fresh start with a new life change."
He nodded as she talked. "I think your mother was right. You're doing a pretty good job so far," A smile slowly grew on his face.
"Thanks," She gave a half smile and sat up a bit. "What do you miss most about the city?" She asked, touching a piece of hair that stuck up from his head.
Marlin didn't bother stopping her, loosen up from the few drinks he had he didn't care. He rolled onto his back and rested his arms behind his head. "Honestly? Besides my independence. I miss smoking. A lot."
Jill smoothed down his hair before he turned on his back. "You smoked?" She leaned back on her hands.
"Yeah, smoking became no more for me after I moved here. It was part of my unhealthy city lifestyle," He closed his eyes."What about you ?" He teased.
Jill looked down at the floor, feeling Rover brushed against her arm she glanced over and started petting him. "I don't know? Nothing is for me in the city. I miss my family but I don't miss the lifestyle. I like living here."
Marlin suddenly sat up, Rover trotted over to him eagerly. He patted the dog head on the head. "Nothing is for me in the city either. Let's only make improvements here," He slowly stood up.
Jill watched Marlin and stood after he did. "Do you think it stopped raining?" She asked.
Marlin looked out the window. "Looks like it," He opened the front door and turned to her, offering his arm for her.
Jill hesitated and then smiled, slowly approaching him and linked arms with him. "Want me to walk you home?"
He linked arms with her, sticking his hand in his jeans pocket. "Not yet, let's take a walk. Enjoy the night," He almost mumbled.
When they walked out Rover ran out after them. Jill looked over at his direction. "Rover stay!" She commanded. The dog barked, running around in a circle and headed back towards the house. As they got closer to the entrance to the farm to leave they were greeted by a tired looking Takakura.
"Evening Jill-Mash?" He raised a brow and spoke in a low gruff tone. Takakura was just coming back from the city. He lived on the farm property with Jill. He was practically an Uncle to her and also the overseer of what she did. He was an older man, late 50s and constantly tired looking. He had an anchor tattoo that was blocky looking from age. His hair was slicked back and starting to go gray.
"Hey Takakura," Marlin said coolly.
"Hi Uncle!" Jill blushed and loosened her grip on Marlin's arm. "We're going for a walk. I'll be back shortly," She gave a coy smile.
"Oh, alright then. You two have fun," Takakura said, walking past them. He looked back at them as he smelled the scent of alcohol on them.
Marlin leaned in close to Jill, mumbling something to her as she laughed out loud. The walked off and out of seeing distance.