Chapter 1: The Meeting
It was a beautiful Spring morning when Karen awoke. The birds were singing to call in the new Spring. Through the window she could see Gaulgin, her female cat, chasing the worms into their holes, and the birds into the trees, which were speckled with cherry blossoms.
She looked at the clock on her bedside table with alarm. It was already 11:00A.M in the morning. She then realized that she had missed her daily morning meeting with Rick.
"Well, no hurry to get dressed......I guess...no hurry to eat breakfast either." Karen mumbled to herself.
She got out a bowl, spoon, milk, and napkin. Then she went over to the cabinet to search for a decent cereal.
"Hmmmmmmmmmm...I could have mini chex, Trix, Berry Berry Kix, or Mom and Dad's Kashi a. k. a. fish food." Karen looked and her mind wandered elsewhere for a moment before she snapped back to reality. "Oh yeah, what cereal to pick? I guess Trix would be fine. Too tired to really care, actually." She told herself after stifling a gigantic yawn, as if her mind just wanted to prove the point.
She brought the cereal over to her bowl and poured it in. Karen ate her cereal quicker than usual.(Weird huh...considering she just said she didn't have to eat fast.)She then put her bowl and spoon in the dishwasher and put away the milk and cereal.
She slid to the bathroom in her duck slippers and her robe and with her she brought her usual apparel; white T- shirt, purple jean vest, frayed jean shorts, and her trusty hiking boots. After slowly getting dressed, she took a brush and combed her long, brown hair. She then took her styling gel and applied to her two blonde bangs, Karen styled her bangs the way she usually did; hanging down around her face and a little in her eyes.
When she walked out of the bathroom she heard voices coming from the store.
"Hey, Jeff, I'll take five rice balls, but, just put it on my tab, okay." (Of course)Duke's voice, the guy who ran the winery with a little help from his wife, voice rang out.
"Your tab.........okay............I'll put it on that sure. "Karen wanted to beat the shit outta him right then and there, but she saw her mom going out the door and then her angry voice.
"Jeff what did I tell you about tab." She didn't let him say anything. "Don't let people walk all over you, okay?" She grimaced for a moment, then went back to pursed lips, "That was Duke right?" Jeff merely nodded his head, "Then I'll go get the money from him." She briskly walked out of the store, only to exchange a swift greeting with one of the townspeople.
Then Doctor Tim walked in. Right after somebody else walked in, but stopped abruptly. "Jeff, can you put this box of flour on my tab? He looked at Jeff.
"Sure, I'll put the 50G on." Jeff 's uneasy voice easily penetrated the wooden oak door, from which behind Karen stood.
She opened the door a little to see a new kid, clad in overalls and a crisp, white, linen shirt, accomponied by spiff farming boots. He looked a little nervous, but what he did next amazed her.
"You're the kid from the Riverside farm, right?" He gave a swift acknowledging nod to the Doctor "What's wrong, you don't look so good?"
"You know, you should pay for that." He glared at Tim, staring him down. (It's a guy thing I think)
"No, really, it's okay. We do it all the time. So if you would move outta my way I'll be off, back to the Clinic and..."There was no need for him to finish the sentence.
Karen stormed out of the back room with a look so angry, it could have frightened the devil himself, "Pay my father NOW. Or else, you will still be at the Clinic, but instead of working there you may be a patient there instead!" This gave Tim the message, he handed Jeff the money and scooted out of there before Karen, or anyone else, for that matter, could yell at him.
"Thanks a bunch. My name's Karen Greenfield. Pleased to meetcha. What's your name?" Karen stuck out her hand and Jack grabbed it.
"Your welcome. I'm Jack Riverside. I'm the one who is taking over the farm." A thought passed through Karen's head, hardly remembering the announcement." I would get back to my farm, but I need to buy some seeds and rations for this week." Karen giggled.
"Were you in the military? Just thought I should clue you in that, though this village may have old customs, we still are up-to-date on words and the such. You can use meals instead of rations or even better, food." Karen giggled again, this time leading him over to the kitchen corner.
"Sorry, just trying to fit in here at Mineral Town. Thought you still used old language. My dad was wrong then. He said you were still in Medevil times." Jack browsed through the selections.
"We may be old, but not THAT old. So, what do you need? This is the kitchen cornor and this is the seed display. Only the seeds for this season are displayed. Ask me about anything if you need it." Karen got a paper bag out from under a shelf.
"I'll take a bag of each of the three seeds, and some riceballs and bread." Jack listed the things off his fingers.
"Anything else?" Karen asked while filling his bag.
"No, but if you ever need anything from me, don't be afraid to ask. I don't bite, but I'm not sure my dog doesn't." Jack got a snicker out of Karen at this one. "Don't worry I was just joking, my dog Ipse doesn't bite. Well see ya around Karen!" With that Jack walked out of the Supermarket and waved to Karen until the door closed.
She started her work by organizing the kitchen cornor. She didn't get far before frustrated, and that's when she was jolted from her thought by a slight knock at the door. Before answering it she knew it was probably the Doctor or someone, but it wasn't.
When she opened the door what she saw amazed her, a boy about her age had collapsed on the doorstep, his bird poking annoyily at his ear. He had brown hair split into five bangs. Each with a gold tint at the tip. He wore a brown T- shirt with a brown guys tank top and a light brown vest. He wore black shorts and had a ragged ponytail tied with a piece of twine, with the bottom also tinted gold. He had big blue eyes with were mostly closed at the moment and around his waisr he had a leather belt, and on his wrist a leather band. He was the cutest guy Karen had ever seen.
"Hello, Hello, please wake up." She shook him violently but was careful not to whack his bird who was insanely fluttering around him, a brown falcon, by the looks of it, a young bird.
"What happened? Who are you? Where am I?" He was shaking. (Geeee... wonder why)
"I'm Karen Greenfield. You just collapsed on my doorstep. You are at the Mineral Town Supermarket. What's your name?" Karen's eyes showed an immense amount of worry and her mind was racing furiously.
"Oh, my name is Cliff Hawk, and this" He pointed to his falcon," is Cain.........my friend. I'm sorry for bothering you, I didn't mean to bother you. I'll just be going now" He tried to get up, but then fell down with a thud." He was on the verge of tears.
"No really, it's okay......I don't mind a hot guy like you collapsing onto my doorstep, I mean you're friendly, cute, hot, nice, and generally you seem like a good guy." This was when Karen stopped speaking, mentally kicked and slapped herself.
"Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. SWEET!" These were the only words that Cliff could utter at the moment. ( Talk about being speechless)
"Sorry, did that offend you? Are you angry at me? Sorry I sometimes tend to think aloud sometimes. Heh, heh, heh. Whoopies. "Karen rubbed her hand on the back of her neck.
Well, you're hot too..." He replied.(Great male instinct)
"Well, ummm lets get you inside. It's a bit chilly outside." Karen helped him up and pushed him inside.
"Cliff, will you wait here for a moment, please? I need to get someone. It will only take a minute or so." Karen edged towards the doorway as she spoke.
"Yeah, sure, I wouldn't mind at all." Cliff couldn't rip his eyes off of Karen.
"Okay hold on, I'll be right back. I promise!" With that she rushed through the doorway to get someone.
It was a beautiful Spring morning when Karen awoke. The birds were singing to call in the new Spring. Through the window she could see Gaulgin, her female cat, chasing the worms into their holes, and the birds into the trees, which were speckled with cherry blossoms.
She looked at the clock on her bedside table with alarm. It was already 11:00A.M in the morning. She then realized that she had missed her daily morning meeting with Rick.
"Well, no hurry to get dressed......I guess...no hurry to eat breakfast either." Karen mumbled to herself.
She got out a bowl, spoon, milk, and napkin. Then she went over to the cabinet to search for a decent cereal.
"Hmmmmmmmmmm...I could have mini chex, Trix, Berry Berry Kix, or Mom and Dad's Kashi a. k. a. fish food." Karen looked and her mind wandered elsewhere for a moment before she snapped back to reality. "Oh yeah, what cereal to pick? I guess Trix would be fine. Too tired to really care, actually." She told herself after stifling a gigantic yawn, as if her mind just wanted to prove the point.
She brought the cereal over to her bowl and poured it in. Karen ate her cereal quicker than usual.(Weird huh...considering she just said she didn't have to eat fast.)She then put her bowl and spoon in the dishwasher and put away the milk and cereal.
She slid to the bathroom in her duck slippers and her robe and with her she brought her usual apparel; white T- shirt, purple jean vest, frayed jean shorts, and her trusty hiking boots. After slowly getting dressed, she took a brush and combed her long, brown hair. She then took her styling gel and applied to her two blonde bangs, Karen styled her bangs the way she usually did; hanging down around her face and a little in her eyes.
When she walked out of the bathroom she heard voices coming from the store.
"Hey, Jeff, I'll take five rice balls, but, just put it on my tab, okay." (Of course)Duke's voice, the guy who ran the winery with a little help from his wife, voice rang out.
"Your tab.........okay............I'll put it on that sure. "Karen wanted to beat the shit outta him right then and there, but she saw her mom going out the door and then her angry voice.
"Jeff what did I tell you about tab." She didn't let him say anything. "Don't let people walk all over you, okay?" She grimaced for a moment, then went back to pursed lips, "That was Duke right?" Jeff merely nodded his head, "Then I'll go get the money from him." She briskly walked out of the store, only to exchange a swift greeting with one of the townspeople.
Then Doctor Tim walked in. Right after somebody else walked in, but stopped abruptly. "Jeff, can you put this box of flour on my tab? He looked at Jeff.
"Sure, I'll put the 50G on." Jeff 's uneasy voice easily penetrated the wooden oak door, from which behind Karen stood.
She opened the door a little to see a new kid, clad in overalls and a crisp, white, linen shirt, accomponied by spiff farming boots. He looked a little nervous, but what he did next amazed her.
"You're the kid from the Riverside farm, right?" He gave a swift acknowledging nod to the Doctor "What's wrong, you don't look so good?"
"You know, you should pay for that." He glared at Tim, staring him down. (It's a guy thing I think)
"No, really, it's okay. We do it all the time. So if you would move outta my way I'll be off, back to the Clinic and..."There was no need for him to finish the sentence.
Karen stormed out of the back room with a look so angry, it could have frightened the devil himself, "Pay my father NOW. Or else, you will still be at the Clinic, but instead of working there you may be a patient there instead!" This gave Tim the message, he handed Jeff the money and scooted out of there before Karen, or anyone else, for that matter, could yell at him.
"Thanks a bunch. My name's Karen Greenfield. Pleased to meetcha. What's your name?" Karen stuck out her hand and Jack grabbed it.
"Your welcome. I'm Jack Riverside. I'm the one who is taking over the farm." A thought passed through Karen's head, hardly remembering the announcement." I would get back to my farm, but I need to buy some seeds and rations for this week." Karen giggled.
"Were you in the military? Just thought I should clue you in that, though this village may have old customs, we still are up-to-date on words and the such. You can use meals instead of rations or even better, food." Karen giggled again, this time leading him over to the kitchen corner.
"Sorry, just trying to fit in here at Mineral Town. Thought you still used old language. My dad was wrong then. He said you were still in Medevil times." Jack browsed through the selections.
"We may be old, but not THAT old. So, what do you need? This is the kitchen cornor and this is the seed display. Only the seeds for this season are displayed. Ask me about anything if you need it." Karen got a paper bag out from under a shelf.
"I'll take a bag of each of the three seeds, and some riceballs and bread." Jack listed the things off his fingers.
"Anything else?" Karen asked while filling his bag.
"No, but if you ever need anything from me, don't be afraid to ask. I don't bite, but I'm not sure my dog doesn't." Jack got a snicker out of Karen at this one. "Don't worry I was just joking, my dog Ipse doesn't bite. Well see ya around Karen!" With that Jack walked out of the Supermarket and waved to Karen until the door closed.
She started her work by organizing the kitchen cornor. She didn't get far before frustrated, and that's when she was jolted from her thought by a slight knock at the door. Before answering it she knew it was probably the Doctor or someone, but it wasn't.
When she opened the door what she saw amazed her, a boy about her age had collapsed on the doorstep, his bird poking annoyily at his ear. He had brown hair split into five bangs. Each with a gold tint at the tip. He wore a brown T- shirt with a brown guys tank top and a light brown vest. He wore black shorts and had a ragged ponytail tied with a piece of twine, with the bottom also tinted gold. He had big blue eyes with were mostly closed at the moment and around his waisr he had a leather belt, and on his wrist a leather band. He was the cutest guy Karen had ever seen.
"Hello, Hello, please wake up." She shook him violently but was careful not to whack his bird who was insanely fluttering around him, a brown falcon, by the looks of it, a young bird.
"What happened? Who are you? Where am I?" He was shaking. (Geeee... wonder why)
"I'm Karen Greenfield. You just collapsed on my doorstep. You are at the Mineral Town Supermarket. What's your name?" Karen's eyes showed an immense amount of worry and her mind was racing furiously.
"Oh, my name is Cliff Hawk, and this" He pointed to his falcon," is Cain.........my friend. I'm sorry for bothering you, I didn't mean to bother you. I'll just be going now" He tried to get up, but then fell down with a thud." He was on the verge of tears.
"No really, it's okay......I don't mind a hot guy like you collapsing onto my doorstep, I mean you're friendly, cute, hot, nice, and generally you seem like a good guy." This was when Karen stopped speaking, mentally kicked and slapped herself.
"Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. SWEET!" These were the only words that Cliff could utter at the moment. ( Talk about being speechless)
"Sorry, did that offend you? Are you angry at me? Sorry I sometimes tend to think aloud sometimes. Heh, heh, heh. Whoopies. "Karen rubbed her hand on the back of her neck.
Well, you're hot too..." He replied.(Great male instinct)
"Well, ummm lets get you inside. It's a bit chilly outside." Karen helped him up and pushed him inside.
"Cliff, will you wait here for a moment, please? I need to get someone. It will only take a minute or so." Karen edged towards the doorway as she spoke.
"Yeah, sure, I wouldn't mind at all." Cliff couldn't rip his eyes off of Karen.
"Okay hold on, I'll be right back. I promise!" With that she rushed through the doorway to get someone.