IV.
It was hot this morning. The kind of hot that made you tired and sluggish and made you want to strip down to your skinnies and go for a long swim in the pond. The kind of hot that made perspiration bead on your brown and drip down your back. It didn't matter how much ice-cold water you drank, you'd sweat it out just as fast as you could take it in. And this was just the beginning of summer. The beginning of what was about to be a long and extremely hot summer.
Tetsuo frowned. It seemed he wasn't the only one feeling the heat. The garden would have none of it.
He had watered the long strip of foliage lining the porch already this morning, but still the flowers sagged in the humidity like limp noodles. The patch of carnations before him drooped, their smooth petals waxy and thin. This was Nan's garden, and she'd be heart broken to see it die so early in the season. Especially after she had worked so hard to see it flourish.
He sighed and placed his hands on his knees, standing from his crouch and wiping them on his no-longer clean white shirt.
This didn't sit well with him. Nor did it bode well for the crops. It was do or die. And Tetsuo wasn't sure the farm could survive another year of dead crops, especially after last year. His frown deepened instantly.
And that darned girl.
He growled and thrust his hands into the pockets of his overalls turning towards the barn. What in the hell was he to do about her now? He had a good mouthful to say to her true, key word being had. But after last night, seeing her there, Tetsuo didn't know if he had the heart anymore.
He grimaced deeply and kicked at the path, shocks of pain tingling up his leg as the tip of his well-worn boot collided with a sharp rock sticking ruefully out of the dirt. He remembered sickly how she stood there, looking so small and so delicate, hands balled at her sides shaking. How she had sobbed, that look of raw fear and pain present in her giant eyes. A look he'd put there. He kicked at the path again and swore audibly. Lord, he felt like an asshole. The guilt swam around in his stomach like a ship being tossed about at sea.
On top of that, his already dangerously low mood was worsened by the fact that he hadn't had a single wink of sleep in well over twenty-four hours. Not a moment's rest, not a single bloody moment of peace ever since that dammed girl arrived. He'd tossed and turned in the fruitless pursuit of finding a comfortable position only to be shot back into consciousness as images of last night replayed in his mind. He shook off thoughts threatening to now also completely destroy his morning.
However, it was a bright new morning. A horrible, bright, new morning, and he'd trudge along. Not like he had any other choice.
Tetsuo rounded the house, eyes locked on ground.
"You're gonna smile and be nice," He said to himself. "Just don't think of that dammed tree and you'll be fine. You wont loose your temper, you wont loose your…"
Tetsuo stopped suddenly in his tracks and stared up at the barn. He placed a hand on his head, and rubbed at his sore temples. With effort, he managed to pry his mouth open and force a word out. "H-Hey, girl…" He stammered, "I-I mean witch girl! Witch girl! Hey!"
Tetsuo jogged into the barn and called out once more, but there was no reply. He pulled his hat off and tapped it against his leg impatiently. Looking up he could see that there was still a gaping hole in the roof. Clear as day there was the sky, and roots, and branches, and leaves. They hung from the ceiling and swayed in the draft. He licked his lips. Tetsuo climbed up onto the loft. There he found nothing but her bag and the bed supplies he had brought to her that night folded into neat pile. He jumped and latched the insides of his boots onto the wooden ladder, sliding down its rails. She wasn't there. Turning one more time, he shook his head and slapped his baseball cap against his hand making a loud crack and ran out of the barn.
Running back to the house he spotted Gorobe on the front porch, stretching his arms out at his sides and twisting about. He must have just woken up.
"Gorobe!" Tetsuo called still running, "Where's the witch?"
The giant of a man turned, surprised to see him. "Hm?"
"The witch girl," Tetsuo said again slowing down to stop in front of him. "Where is she? She isn't in the barn."
"Haven't seen her round these parts. Didn't run off did she?"
Tetsuo shook his head, "Nah, stuff's up in the loft. Wouldn't leave without it. Talk to her this morning?"
Gorobe thrust his hands into his pockets and rocked back onto the heels of his boots. "Nope, just came out here myself. Haven't seen a soul but you and Nan."
The front door opened and, as if on cue, out came Nan herself toting a wicker basket full of fresh laundry on her hip. "She's out back by the well-shed," She said transferring the basket from one hip to the next. "Came in at the crack of dawn this morning asking if I needed any help, so I got her to go and hang some of the linens out to dry. Took her broom with her too, said she'd probably go out flying again this morning for practice."
Tetsuo nodded. "Kay, thanks," And began to take off, but as he did, the full wicker basket came flying in his direction. Scrambling, he caught it. "Take those out with you!" Nan said, but he was already on his way. "Alright!" He yelled back, waving his hat. Gorobe chuckled. "Kids, gotta wonder where they get all that energy from."
Tetsuo made his way down the back path around the vehicle shed and out past the grain silo. The path was thin and winding, lined with wild flowers and herbs. He shot past the pig's pen and chicken coop, sending the animals squealing and squawking. "'Morning everyone!" He said as he past them.
Finally, spinning to get past the old wooden gate, he spotted her. She stood out in the field just beyond the well-shed pinning linens just as Nan had said. Her broom was perched up against one of the posts and her little black cat friend was hopping about trying to catch some unknown prey in the grass.
"Hey!" He called, "Hey witch girl!"
Miriam turned, blanket in hand. She saw that Tetsuo was making his way towards her, his black scruffy hair pinned under a worn-out old baseball cap. He had on a clean white shirt and wore the same undone overalls hanging about his slim hips.
His cheeks were red and flushed from the run over and his eyes, she noticed for the first time, were a piercing blue. Miriam felt her stomach do a quick flip, a bad one. She swallowed hard.
He marched up to her and stopped, placed the basket down, and took a defensive stance. His expression suddenly changed from that of stone to one of suspicion. Then, just as quickly to one of blatant accusation, and then curiosity. "Couldn't spirit it away I'm assuming?" The words coming out as more of a bark than a question.
Miriam spared him a single glance and continued working. After a moment, she let out a heavy sigh. She hadn't the energy to fight with him again. She turned to hang the blanket in her hands. "Keen observation, Sir."
Tetsuo frowned at her comment and opened his mouth to retaliate, but nothing would come out. Her eyes he noted were rimmed with gaunt purplish circles, the tender skin of her eyelids puffy and pink. Much like her mouth, turned down at the corners, faint lines creasing between her brows.
He watched her for a moment bending down to hang another set. "Here," He offered taking one himself.
The two worked in silence for a length of time. Neither saying a word, neither wanting anything to be said. If it had to come down to it, neither would know what to say or do. These were indeed awkward circumstances. Taking in a breath, Miriam moved to open her mouth but made the mistake of looking in his direction. They're eyes caught and she saw that his too was open, about to speak. She snapped her lips together abruptly. He did the same. Another silence.
Rune snuck up on Miriam's side and crouched in the grass. "You should try saying something." He said none to stealthily through his teeth. Miriam shot him a look. "To have a conversation one must converse… That means talking, Miriam." She ignored him. "Here are a few examples: 'Ever heard of a shower you selfish, inconsiderate, bumpkin?', or 'Pull your pants up you no good for nothing hillbilly'. In fact, you should take your broom and shove it right up his-"
As she was about throw a clip at him, Tetsuo spoke.
"Miriam," He said.
The sudden sound of her drawled out name stopped her dead in her tracks. She immediately halted what she was doing. Maybe this was a test… she glanced at him and their eyes locked for the second time. They held no anger or frustration only swam with an emotion unreadable to her. She lowered her hands from the line.
"Maybe…" He breathed in, "Maybe you didn't mean to cast that tree there. Or what ever it is you witches do," Tetsuo turned his gaze toward the sky unable to keep contact with the deep swirling pools of gold threatening to suck him in completely. "Fact is, it's there, and there isn't much else we can do about it. No amount of…" He paused, "Of talk is gonna make it go away. We're okay… and that's at the very least something to be thankful for."
Miriam started at him long and hard until her eyes began to sting. How could he come to her like this and say those words to her. So cold and so unfeeling. How could he be so aloof, so stubborn and rude? So hurtful? She tore her gaze away and focused on her hands. "Thank you for stating the obvious. If that's all you have to say, please leave. I have work to finish."
"Ah, Miriam, I didn't mean to say—" Tetsuo reached out and grabbed one of her hands. She froze and looked up into his vivid blue eyes, a fierce blush spreading rapidly across her face. Tetsuo immediately let go and took a step back, hand retreating behind his head as if to scratch a sudden itch. Miriam swung her own to her chest, cradling it in the other, and turned half shielding herself from him. "I—uh…" He rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. As Miriam was about to open her mouth, Tetsuo's hand moved from his neck and onto the brim of his hat. He removed it slowly, and brought it to his side.
"I'm sorry."
The words rang in her mind like a bell.
"About last night, I was awful to you… and I was mean. I said things, horrible things. There's no excuse for the way I treated you. It was an accident, and I blew up." He chuckled grimly, "I was a real asshole."
"I second that!" Interjected Rune.
Tetsuo nodded his head and locked eyes with her once again so that she could see just how sorry he truly was. Just how much he meant every word he was saying, and just how hard it was for him to say them.
Miriam lowered her hands, turned to him, and slowly nodded back. "Something to be thankful for…" She repeated his words. "Yes," She said and almost smiled. "Yes."
They started at each other for a long time, their eyes never loosing each other's gaze. She looked exactly as she did yesterday, Tetsuo thought, when she first came crashing down on top of him. Same reddish-blonde hair in two low pigtails tied by the same red ribbons, same dark dress, same stunned deer-in-the-headlights look about her. But different somehow. She seemed perky now, happier. Her shoulders were loose and her face void of any prior distress. She had a way about her. There was even a strange pulsating glow that seemed to surround her. But that was probably just the sun playing tricks on his eyes.
"I'm finished," She said, breaking the silence. "So what should I do with…" She motioned to the baskets.
"Just leave them, I'll be out here again later so I'll bring them back." He put his cap back on. Miriam nodded. Stretching her arms up she let her body go completely stiff and on release, sighed loudly. "There is however still one problem," He continued his voice returning to its usual distaste. "We still need to fix that dammed mess you made when you came crashing down onto me oh so gracefully. Roof's a bloody mess…gonna take weeks to fix."
Although his tone was gruff, his face remained impassive an with no sign of true malice. "Yes, it will take a very long time to fix." She said, careful of her words. "But I'm not going anywhere. Not that I have anywhere to go. So we'll get it done." This time she did smile. "Come on, Rune," She said taking up her broom. The cat merrily jumped up onto her shoulder.
As she was about to leave Tetsuo called out her name again. "Where are you off to?" He knew perfectly well where she was going, he just couldn't resist asking.
"Oh, I'm just going out flying for a bit…Nan said it was alright that I do before lunch."
"Do you honestly think that's the best idea?" Tetsuo smirked, but only slightly. "What with your track record on flying about these parts."
So it was a challenge he wanted, Miriam thought. Her grip on her broom tightened and she pressed it firmly against her breast. A look of determination fell over her face. "Why don't you come with me then? If I'm supposed to stay here for a few more weeks to help you fix that roof, I can't just sit around on my butt doing nothing all day. I'm still going to need to train. I only have a year to improve on my witch's powers, remember," She watched his face closely. He said nothing. "Unless that is you're too chicken."
His brows knitted together. "Okay," He said throwing a basket to the ground, "I'll take your bet. I'll go with you, little witch." He began walking out into the field and stopped, turning to Miriam who still hadn't moved an inch. "By all means," He said making a sweeping motion with his arm, "Ladies first."
Miriam smiled. His manners were improving.
"Okay, so I think now would be a good time to tell you that I'm not the best at flying." Miriam said bracing her broom between her legs. Tetsuo mounted on the back and shot her a look. "I think we both know that already."
Rune leaped onto the handle and took his position between her arms. "Broom prep," He called out. Miriam, through habit, straightened and put on a stern face.
"Body durability,"
"Check. Closely examined and sanded."
"Bristle prep,"
"Check. Combed and cleaned."
"And you tightened the iron bindings from the crash?"
"This morning; check." Miriam turned her head a bit towards Tetsuo. "You're gonna want to hold on tight and squeeze the handle with your thighs. The trick is to not let yourself hang off of it, but sit as upright as possible. And don't let your legs dangle. You want to bend them up as close to your behind as you can."
"Yeah," He said fidgeting. "Gottcha. You can actually understand what it's saying? The cat I mean?" Rune yowled. "'It' he calls me? 'It'!? Why that good for nothing brat! I hope he falls off your broom, Miriam!"
"What did he say?" Tetsuo asked peeking over her shoulder. Miriam laughed nervously. "That he's excited you're coming with us," From between her arms the cat continued to holler and complain.
"So are you ready?" She asked Tetsuo.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Miriam took that as her cue and began to bend down, preparing for take off. The wind began to pick up around them and swirl beneath her feet. Tetsuo however didn't notice. "I've got to say though, this broom is mighty uncomfortable to sit-"
He had barley gotten to finish his sentence, his last words trailing off into a loud scream. Miriam had pushed off and sent them flying vertically upwards into the air.
The downward force of the bound was so strong that their hair became matted to their faces. Rune's claws dug deep into the wood of the handle. Miriam struggled to slow the violent ascent.
"Hold… on!" Miriam said with difficulty. Summoning up all of her strength, she pulled the broom to her right. They shot downwards into a spiral.
"Pull up, kid!" Rune hollered.
Her hair whipped about her eyes so that she couldn't open them. The broom wouldn't budge. "I can't! Too much weight!"
"Lemme help!" She heard Tetsuo call out from behind her and began pulling on the handle. Miriam joined in.
Within seconds, they swooped upwards and came to a stop, floating as if suspended in the air for a short moment. Tetsuo released the breath he had been holding from the moment they left the safety of the ground. "Well that was horrifying." Rune said, still frozen in fear. She petted down his hair. "Wasn't so bad for my first time flying with two people."
"First and last." Tetsuo grunted.
Miriam said nothing in reply, but simply sent them into a smooth sail across the vast, open, farmland. The air out here was wonderful. It felt fresh and new. Below them they passed roads and trees, even people from time to time. There was a man and woman in a buggy. Miriam called out and waved. There were children playing out on the road, throwing stones and hopping about. They too stopped to wave.
"This actually isn't that bad." Tetsuo said after a while. His voice startled her because they had been silent for a long time now, taking in the sights around them. She had almost forgotten he was there. "I bet you get to do this all the time… Just take off and never come back. Like a bird and just fly around. Sounds great…"
Miriam shrugged. "Depending on how you look at it I guess… My mom is amazing at flying, if only you could see her. She used to have to fight with me to get me to even go near a broom when I was younger."
Tetsuo frowned, "Really? Why's that?"
"I guess I was always scared that I'd just… I don't know. Never come back down." It felt weird to say that aloud. She'd said it once before to her aunt during a very heartfelt conversation, but never to anyone else. Not even Rune. She'd felt instantly guilty.
Tetsuo made a non-committal sound in response.
Stealing a glance behind her, Miriam saw that Tetsuo was no longer tense. His shoulders drooped and his back hunched comfortably. His grip on the broom was lax and he had an almost serene look on his face. A smile even. Miriam felt a small tug in her gut. He wasn't as menacing like this, or intimidating. He was actually extremely attractive. Wind blowing through his hair, his usually harsh features softened.
She couldn't stop herself. "You should look like this all the time." She said, turning back to face the front.
Tetsuo turned, still slightly lost in the fog of his own thoughts. "Hm? Look like what?"
"Happy. It's a good expression on you, you know. Not always angry or frowning… like smiling. You should do that more."
The moment she said it, she know she'd regret it. The look of serene happiness disappeared from his face as suddenly as it had appeared, and the stern, disapproving farm boy returned. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Miriam sighed and Rune rolled his eyes. "Should we get going back then? It's probably almost lunch time."
"Yeah, probably should. Got any idea how we're gonna land this exactly?"
Miriam made a wide sweeping turn with her broom and stopped, hovering high up in the air. "Not really." She said, a grin spreading on her face.
She threw her legs out to the sides and they dropped.