Chapter Four.
The very moment Mark stepped outside with Farrah, the two were instantly swarmed with old friends, friends of friends, family of friends, and hell people that they didn't even know. Everyone was interested in hearing how Mark's career was going, why he was home, how long he'd be staying, the usual intrusive questions that he was quite used to enduring whenever he arrived home. Farrah couldn't help but laugh at the 'help me' expression on Mark's face, and even though she was entertained by the masses of people invading his personal space- she decided she'd help the poor fella out.
Farrah stepped in front of a few of her family members and friends and took Mark's hand, "Now, now, ya'll. Give the man a little room to breathe! I'm going to go show Mark around the property, dinner will be served shortly then you can all continue your interrogation with a little dignity." Farrah stated sternly, daring anyone to protest as she led him by his hand towards the dock by the lake. Mark chuckled behind her, "Thanks for that sweetheart, but really I'm use to it. You outta know growin' up here yourself- there ain't no escaping it." He stated with a smile as he watched Farrah sit at the edge of the dock, her feet dangling over the water.
She smiled and took a sip of her beer as she looked out on to the lake. She then turned to him and patted the spot next to her. Mark grinned and quickly got the hint as he plopped beside her, taking in a deep breath of the fresh country air. It really was a relaxing sight. The sun was in its first stages of setting, a bright orange ball which brightening up the sky in an array of pink and purple colors. The lake only made the scene more breath taking, and Mark couldn't help but be silent for a moment to take it all in.
Farrah let out a quiet sigh as she closed her eyes when a light gust of wind brushed through the trees, making the water stir a bit as it sent a slight shiver down her spine. "It's a blessing, really," Farrah said calmly, as she continued to gaze at the scene before her. "That something this beautiful is in my backyard. I remember coming out here as a kid, writing in my journal in this very spot. I could sit here for hours looking out at this lake, thinking about anything and everything in my life. Some how this always makes me feel like things have a way of workin' out, and that everything will be okay." Farrah chuckled softly to herself as she took another sip of her beer, "Listen to me, ranting on about some old pond water." She said with laughter in her voice.
Mark looked down at her and shook his head in disagreement, "Nah, you're right. You can forget all your problems here. Hell I feel like I already have." Farrah smiled at his words, "So tell me what it's like," she stated- automatically thinking she wouldn't have to explain herself. "What what is like?" Mark asked. "To get the hell out of here. Go somewhere where they don't know ya. To be a stranger." Farrah asked, her eyes dancing with curiosity. Mark smiled at the girl and thought about the question for a moment, "It's different here," he began. "Sure everyone knows you. Everyone is in your business which can be annoying as all hell. But you forget about the community as a whole. Your sense of worth. All of that is here in this little town for me. I've avoided this place since I made it big, and I started to lose track of who I really was. But every time I come here, I remember."
Mark smiled at her and looked back out on to the water, noticing how her eyes were still leached to him- almost as if she was studying his every facial expression. "You know I gotta admit, you look a lot different, but you're a lot the same too." Farrah stated out of the blue. Mark laughed, "And how am I the same?" he asked her curiously. She scrunched up her nose and smiled to herself, "I don't know," she stated. "Well, I use to have a little bit of a crush on you back when we were kids," she admitted. Mark cocked an eyebrow and playfully nudged her, "Ah, so you still think I'm a handsome, charming, strapping young lad do you now?"
Farrah's laughter echoed off of the trees as she hit his arm gently, "Oh please! Don't you flatter yourself now Mr. Calaway. I was simply going to state that you still had them same old freckles in the same darn spots. And that red hair that you're trying to hide underneath that damn bandanna. You can't fool me with that biker attire, you ain't nothin' but a big old softy and a down home country boy." She said as she leaned into him and bumped his shoulder with hers.
"Is that right?" He asked with a smile on his face. "Well I'll have you know that you're still the same little girl I remember you as. With your big blue eyes and blond curls. Plus seein' you in that sundress you haven't aged a year honey, you look like you bought that at Baby Gap." Mark joked as he nudged her in return. She smiled at him, "Yeah yeah. I guess some things never do change now do they?" Mark's heart nearly stopped in his chest as she gently placed her hand over his. This little girl was doing something to him, and he wasn't sure yet if it was a good or a bad thing. His racing thoughts were interrupted by the sound of foot steps clunking on the dock. Farrah and Mark turned their heads to see Farrah's sister, Jenna, staring at them with her big blue eyes. "Dinner is ready ya'll. Come and get it before the hawks do, I'd hate to see big old Mark there go hungry." Jenna said with a smirk.
Jenna and Mark were close to the same age. They were a grade apart in high school and hung around the same group of people. Mark chuckled as he took a swig of his beer, "Thats our cue," He said standing up, offering a hand to Farrah as he swiftly lifted her to her feet. "We'll continue this conversation later?" Mark asked, burning a hole through her with his peircing green eyes. All Farrah could do was nod and smile, "I'd like that," she managed to fumble out. Mark winked at her and grinned as he turned around and began heading towards the house with Farrah on his heels. Dinner couldn't go any quicker.