Chapter 2: Strange Encounters

"Gramps, why isn't my work good enough?" A handsome, orange-yellow haired young man, wearing a blue cap which read "UMA" and grayish-brown work clothes, asked an old man, his grandpa, who looked to be the blacksmith.

The young man noticed Amy enter. "Is there something you need? If not, you should leave. You have no business here." He said with a scowl on his face. Amy was silenced. She knew the young man could only be the blacksmith's apprentice.

The old blacksmith turned red with anger. "Gray, do not be so rude." He CHASTISED as he began lecturing Gray.

"Sorry, but it's not my fault. I try my best but you don't give me any praise, not once. I might as well quit because I'm not getting any better at this." Gray shot back.

"It is better if you keep training and practicing. You shouldn't give up." Amy finally spoke up.

The young man named Gray looked at her in surprise then looked away. There was silence. "You're right. It was silly of me to say such things. I should do my best and continue working." Gray finally spoke, he was somehow calmer.

Amy smiled. She then remembered her outing with Karen. "Oh, I should be going." She said.

"Alright. Come back anytime." The blacksmith said.

Amy left, somewhat relieved that Gray had calmed down. She felt her heart beating as she thought of him. "What's happening to me?" Amy told herself as she walked on the lone cobblestone road leading to the farm.

During the rest of the morning, Amy and Karen went around Mineral Town. Karen, being the guide, showed her around, introducing Amy to some of the people including her parents, Jeff and Sasha, and her best friends, Elli, Popuri, Ann, and Mary. The six girls talked about a lot of things including their crushes. Amy avoided talking about her ex-boyfriend. Soon enough, they became very good friends.

"Amy, may I ask you a question?" Karen said after they had left the other girls.

"Okay." Amy looked at Karen with curious eyes.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

Amy was shaken by the question. "No…why do you ask?" She tried to sound calm. Karen giggled.

"Because, I will personally introduce you to four of the most eligible bachelors this town has to offer."

"Oh, Karen, you...you don't have to." Amy blushed.

Karen smiled. "Oh, come on Amy, you should find a boyfriend at least, besides the men here are all very nice." She coaxed.

Amy sighed. "Alright, but I will only make friends with them. I…I can't handle a long distance relationship." She acquiesced.

The two came across the church after passing Rose Square. "Let's go in." Karen said. Amy nodded, being a curious person.

The two entered through the two oak doors. As they walked down the aisle, Carter, the pastor, wearing a black cassock, looked at them. Amy was admiring the exquisite glass windows.

"Oh Amy, could you come here for a second?" Amy walked towards Carter.

"Do you know a young man named Cliff?" Carter spoke softly.

Amy thought for a moment. The name did not register in her mind. She shook her head.

"Well, he is the fellow sitting over there." Carter looked at the front pew of the church.

Amy looked at that direction and saw the young man she had seen at the Inn a few hours ago sitting on the pew. "Cliff is new in town and has had some problems…and I was wondering if you could help him."

"Of course, I would be happy to help, Pastor Carter." Amy looked thoughtfully at Cliff.

"Thank you, Amy." Carter gave her a grateful smile.

Amy walked towards the front pew slowly. "Excuse me?"

Cliff looked up.

"Oh Hi, is something wrong?"

"No." Cliff looked away, slightly flustered.

"I'm Amy. It's nice to meet you."

"I'm Cliff, likewise." He looked at her briefly.

Amy sat down on the pew. She was nervous. She did not know Cliff let alone know how to talk to him and help him. There was an awkward silence that surrounded them. Karen watched the two as she sat on one of the pews at the back.

"Amy…" It was Cliff who spoke.

"Yes?"

"Have you ever felt that you were well…not meant to be in a certain place, a certain incomplete feeling?" He was looking at the floor.

"Y…Yes, I have."

Cliff smiled. "It's strange. I've tried to find something to do in life but I always end up failing. The people here are nice but…I just feel different when I'm with them."

"Cliff…"

Cliff looked at her.

"I think it is okay to fail…you should relax."

Cliff thought for a moment. "You are right, Amy. I should not take things too seriously. Thanks."

"You're welcome. Excuse me, Cliff, I have to go."

"Okay, see you later then, I look forward to talking to you again."

Amy stood up with a simple smile on her face, and walked towards Karen, who giggled. They walked out of the church and onto the cobblestone path.

"Oh, Amy, I wanted to introduce you to Cliff. Well maybe I'll get my chance with another guy."

They took the right path that lead to the clinic, the supermarket, the library and several houses. As Amy and Karen neared the supermarket, the pleasant looking man Amy had bumped into that morning stood from the bench he was sitting on and walked towards them.

"Hello Karen."

"Hi Rick." Karen smiled as she greeted him. Her yellowish brown hair fluttered gently with the wind.

"And who is this lovely young lady?" Rick looked at Amy, who blushed.

"Rick, this is Amy."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Amy." Rick said; a sincere smile on his face.

"The pleasure is mine, Rick. I'm sorry that I bumped you this morning."

"Don't worry about it. No harm done. Well, I've got to go. I still have to tend to the chickens."

"You take care of chickens?"

"Yup, I tend them while my mother, Lillia, manages the store, and Popuri helps out."

"Oh, I would love to raise chickens and other animals, if only I had a farm."

"Really?" Rick spoke enthusiastically.

Amy nodded.

"Wow. Well, I have to go; I'll see you later perhaps. Bye."

"Good bye Rick." Amy said.

"Bye-bye, Rick." Karen said, somehow happy to have seen Rick's interest in Amy.

"Bye Karen."

When Rick was out of earshot, Karen sighed with relief. "Two down, two to go. But first, let's eat. It's already 12:00."

"Okay Karen."

The two took a left turn heading towards the Inn. Karen ordered a full meal, consisting of meat, rice and vegetables while Amy ordered a vegetable salad.

"Amy, you should eat a balanced diet." Karen spoke matter-of-factly. "You don't want the boys to think you're too thin, do you?" She added, teasingly.

"No, but I told you before, Karen. I don't want to be in a serious relationship with any of them. I just can't take a long-distance relationship. Besides my stomach can't take a heavy meal."

"Oh Amy. Well anyway, let's eat." The two ate. "Wow, the food here is so sumptuous." Amy ate the salad with gusto.

"I agree but I like the drinks here at night more." Karen revealed.

Amy simply smiled. They finished their meal.

"Well, we better go. You still have to meet two of the four bachelors I mentioned."

"I think I've met one of them already."

"Really, who?"

"…Gray."

"Ooh, to tell you the truth Amy, I think he's appealing."

"You mean?!" Amy was shocked.

"Oh no. What I meant was Gray's attractive but I love Matt. He's made me the happiest I've ever been in my life and he is, in my opinion, the kindest and handsomest man I've ever met."

Amy sighed with relief as Karen giggled. "You were thinking I would leave Matt?"

Amy nodded.

"I would never do that. It would hurt me too much to do so."

"I'm sorry to bring up the subject, Karen. I didn't mean to upset you." Amy looked down, embarrassed.

"It's alright, Amy. You just misunderstood what I said." Karen reassured.

Amy looked up, looking cheerful. They left the Inn.

"Karen, can I tell you something?"

"Okay."

"Please don't tell anyone about this."

"Your secret is safe with me, Amy."

"Okay…" Amy took a deep breath. "…I think I'm starting to like Gray."

"Oh, Amy, why didn't you tell me?" Karen looked at her happily, her emerald eyes shone brightly.

"I didn't realize it until this moment but I keep thinking about him especially when I saw Rick. I suppose it is because Gray has orange hair." Amy confessed.

Karen laughed. "Oh well, then you wouldn't need to meet Tim." She said after she had controlled herself.

"Tim?" Amy looked at her curiously.

"He is the doctor in the clinic. I think you will meet him one of these days but first, you will have to nurture your "like" for Gray." Karen winked.

Amy flushed.

"Don't worry, Amy. I think it would be easy in your case."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you could go mining at the spring mine. Gray, I'm sure, loves ores: copper, silver, gold and etc."

"But how do I mine? I do not know where the mine is and I do not know how to mine ores."

"You will have to ask Matt that. I do not go with him when he goes mining."

"Can you suggest anything else?"

"Hmm…I think Gray likes chocolates, baked corn, and eggs and…" Karen giggled. "…branches."

"Branches? Oh…"

"What's wrong, Amy?"

"Maybe it is not such a good idea. I only have enough money to last a season here and I do not think branches make a nice gift."

"Well then, the mines are your best bet."

"I will go talk to Matt then…" Amy looked slightly melancholic.

"I will help you if anything goes wrong." Karen tried to cheer her up.

The two took the right path, passing AJA winery, and then left towards the farm.